August, 12 – August, 18 2016

Friday, August 12 Saratoga Spa State Park Guided Docent Program Saratoga Spa State Park, Geyser Picnic Area (near bathrooms), Various times (see below) Streamside Walk – Noon. Learn about the unique qualities that make Geyser Creek an important part of the park ecosystem. History Stroll Springs Tour – 2 p.m. Join a docent for a short walking tour to discover the history surrounding the park and how it continues to shape the region today followed by a refreshing springs walk that describes the different springs, how they came to be, and why they taste different from each other. Whose Habitat? – 3 p.m. This tour will meet in the arcade outside the administration building, 19 Roosevelt Drive. A habitat is a home! Explore three different habitats within the park and understand why each is important to different species. Visit http://www.nysparks.com/events/event-results.aspx?pk=112 for additional tours and events. Saturday, August 13 Defensive Driving Class First Baptist Church, 45 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. New York State approved. Save 10% on your base auto insurance for the next three years and receive up to 4 points off your driving record according to New York State Department of Motor Vehicle guidelines. Fee $35.00. Bring a friend and fee is $30.00 each. A portion of the fee goes to First Baptist Church. Registration required and can be made by calling Ray Frankoski at (518) 286-3788. NYS Summer School of the Arts - School of Dance Faculty Performance Dance Theater, Skidmore Campus, 7 p.m. For more information call (518) 580-5596. Sunday, August 14 All You Can Eat Breakfast Buffet Ballston Spa Elks Lodge, Rt. 50 and Hamilton St., 8 – 11 a.m. Featuring eggs and omelets cooked to order, French toast, sausage, scrambled eggs, hash browns, toast, juice, and coffee. Adults $7, Seniors $6, kids 4 – 10 $4, children under 4 free. For more information call (518) 885-1149. Annual Blessings of Animals Service Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 624 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 10 a.m. This year’s Blessings of Animals service will feature the work of The Animal Support Project. The Animal Support Project performs crisis intervention directly with animal owners to keep animals living with their families. The service will include readings about the blessings of animals and will include a remembrance ritual for past pets. Our offering will be given to support the work of The Animal Support Project. All pets and their owners are welcome to attend on leashes or in carriers. For more information, call (518) 584-8448. Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Summer Stroll: The Good Life: North Broadway NW Corner of North Broadway & Van Dam Street, 10:30 a.m. Executive Director of SSPF, Samantha Bosshart, will lead a tour of the grand Queen Annes along this famed corridor. This area features homes built by Saratoga’s most prominent figures such as Lucy Skidmore Scribner, Fred Cluett, William B. Gage, and Senator Brackett. Tour Sponsored By: Olde Bryan Inn Premiere Summer Sponsor: Stewart’s Shops. Tickets are $5 for members and $8 for non-members. For more information, visit www.saratogapreservation.org. Thank You President Grant Grant Cottage, Mt. McGregor, Town of Moreau, 1 p.m. National Park Superintendent, Amy Bracewell, will share information about President Grant’s steps to sign into existence the world’s first national park in 1872 -Yellowstone. Grant played an integral role in the protection of our nations’ treasures. This year is the centennial year for the National Park Service which President Wilson signed into law. Following Superintendent Bracewell’s presentation visitors will enjoy birthday cake acknowledging the park’s 100th birthday. Evening Vespers Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church, 24 Circular St, Saratoga Springs, 7 p.m. Join us on the lawn for an al fresco worship experience of prayers and music, Sunday evenings in August. This is a casual service, so please come as you are. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. Visitors welcome. For information, call (518) 584-6091. Monday, August 15 Life Visioning Workshop Woodlawn Commons, 156 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, 7 p.m. Albany-Saratoga Spiritual Adventures is hosting a workshop on Life Visioning. Learn the technique for accessing divine guidance developed by Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith. Suggested donation: $20. For more information, visit www.newthoughtnewyork.org or call (518) 366-9918. Pond Ecology Schuylerville Public Library, 15 Ferry St., Schuylerville, 3 p.m. Explore the world of the fresh water pond as aquatic ecologists. Learn about who is who and what they do in a pond. Registration Required, open to Grades K to 5. This program is made possible by a grant to the Southern Adirondack Library System from the Saratoga County Youth Bureau and the Office of Children and Family Services. For more information call (518) 695-6641. Horses, History & Handicapping Series Longfellows Conference Center, 500 Union Ave., Hiawatha Room, Saratoga Springs, 7-8:30 p.m. Speaker August 16: Chad Summers – handicapper and manager. The Academy for Lifelong Learning continues this series on Tuesdays August 16 and 23. Sponsored by ThoroFan. Open to the public. $15 at the door. Admission includes snacks and beverage. For more information, please call the Academy at (518) 587-2100 ext. 2415, www.esc.edu/all. Bare Knuckles and Saratoga Racing: The Remarkable Life of John Morrissey Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 6 p.m. A fascinating evening of local history, with Brien Bouyea, author and director of communications for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs. One of the more dynamic characters of his time, John “Old Smoke” Morrissey made his way from undefeated bare-knuckle boxer to found the Saratoga Race Course and win elections to Congress and the New York State Senate. For more information and other events visit, www.northshire.com Wednesday, August 17 Guided Mindful Meditation Saratoga Springs Public Library, Susman Room, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Take a break from the daily grind and clear your mind with guided Mindful Meditation led by professionals from One Roof Holistic Health Center. Sessions are free and open to the public, and will be held on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call (518) 584-7860 ext. 205. Bicycle Tour Saratoga National Historic Park, Route 4 and State Route 32, Stillwater, 6 – 8 p.m. A free, ranger guided 5 mile bike tourof Saratoga Battlefield. Scenic views of the historic grounds, with unique stories of the park. Meet in the parking lot. In case of inclement weather, bike tour will be cancelled. Bring your bike, water, and insect repellent. Helmets required. For more information about these or other events, call the Visitor Center at (518) 670-2985. Old Forge Night with Steve Gurzler Adirondack Folk School, 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, 6:30 p.m. Get an introduction to the art of blacksmithing with an amazing demonstration by Expert smith Steve Gurzler. Free and open to the public. For those who want to try their hand at blacksmithing and forge an item, there is a $20 fee to cover the cost of materials, and safety precautions must be followed – including hard shoes with no open toes, long pants, goggles (supplied) and gloves (supplied). For more information visit, www.adirondackfolkschool.org. Thursday, August 18 Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group Adult & Senior Center, 5 Williams St., Saratoga Springs, 10:30 a.m. - Noon. Free and open to the public. For more information, call (518) 584-1621. The Puppet People “The Last Dragon” Saratoga Springs Public Library, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Are all princesses helpless? Are all knights brave and strong? Are all dragons evil? Find out in this whimsical retelling of the fairy tale by E. Nesbitt. This show features classical music, large rod puppets, mouth puppets, a 7 ft dragon and a life-size knight on horseback. Free tickets available for ages 5 and up. Limit:8 tickets. For more events visit, www.sspl.org. Free Concert in the Park Wiswall Park, Front St., Ballston Spa, 6 – 8 p.m. The concert series is free to the public. This week’s concert features Lucky Jukebox Brigade (Indie/Pop/Punk). For more information, visit www.ballston.org. Barber Shop on Broadway Downtown Saratoga Springs, 6:30 – 9 p.m. The award-winning Racing City Chorus will present its seventh season of strolling a cappella.