June 2007 Archives

The New York Racing Association’s future remains uncertain, but at least for this summer the nonprofit organization still runs thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Race Course.

On Monday, June 25, NYRA officials outlined the races scheduled, discussed initiatives for the upcoming season and unveiled this year’s giveaways at the annual pre-meet press conference at The Desmond Hotel in Albany. The 139th season starts Wednesday, July 25, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3.

Citizens of Saratoga should become accustomed to the jangle of change in their pocket, instead of car keys. In Congress Park Thursday, June 28, the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) announced the details of the new bus service, including new routes and schedules and unveiled the new sleek blue buses.

“Not only are there an increased number of destinations,” commented Saratoga Springs Mayor Valerie Keehn, “but an increased number of connections and stops. This is an exciting, expanded and improved bus service for the greater community.” The plan has been several years in the making, and marks one of the largest service expansions in CDTA’s history.

Mayor Valerie Keehn announced on Thursday, the receipt of a check for nearly $4 million, the first annual installment of special state aid payments based on video lottery revenues at the Saratoga Gaming and Harness raceway.

The $3,830,752 payment comes under a 2006 state law that created a new aid program for communities that host video lottery facilities licensed by the State Lottery. The annual payments are made from the State’s Local Assistance Fund, not from the State Lottery Fund for Education.

The Saratoga TODAY family is thrilled to welcome a new member of our team. As of Wednesday, June 27, Eric DeGrechie has joined us as Sports Editor.

On Saturday, June 30, a 5k run/walk will be held as a fundraiser for two-year-old Teagan Klingenberg of Ballston Spa.

Teagan, who is the daughter of Holly and Juergen Klingenberg, was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in February. She is currently being treated at the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center.

The city council approved a settlement concerning the future of the Rip Van Dam building's rear wing in a special meeting on Monday, June 25. On Tuesday, work to stabilize the deteriorating wall had begun.

Mayor Valerie Keehn said the agreement stipulates all lawsuits will be dropped, and that developer Bruce Levinsky will reimburse the city the sum of $22,500. The demolition of the collapsing area is set to take place in October and be completed within a 90-day period.

Saratoga Today

Q&A

By Kerry A. Mendez, Perennially Yours, www.pyours.com

Question: Japanese beetles are devastating my roses. Can you recommend an organic solution? I refuse to use harsh chemicals in my gardens.

Answer: It’s time to return the favor to these destructive invaders. And I give you a HIGH FIVE for turning to organic solutions for your lawn and garden problems. I wish more folks had this attitude. Japanese beetles usually start showing up in early to mid July after the grubs hatch into these “locust-like” monsters. They attack many different plants but some of their favorites are roses, hollyhocks, malva, sidalcea, hibiscus and fallopia. You can control Japanese beetles by hand-picking and dropping them into soapy water (or squishing them between your fingers if you are really frustrated). A faster version of hand-picking is to take a wide-mouthed bowl filled with sudsy water, hold it right underneath a branch covered with the little devils, and then tap it so the whole bunch fall into their watery grave. The best time to this is in the morning hours when they tend to be more sluggish and slow to respond (like children). As far as organic sprays, any product that contains neem as its active ingredient is a great choice. Using Japanese beetle bags as a control method has always been a controversial approach. Many say that they attract more beetles than they kill. So if you are going to go this route, be on the safe side and give a bag to your neighbor as a holiday gift. Finally, control grubs in your lawn with milky spore or nematodes. To learn more about both of these organic alternatives, contact your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office.

Although the Ballston Spa Central School District’s architects weren’t in attendance at Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting, construction was still a popular topic. Both Superintendent Raymond Colucciello and board president Kathy Jarvis spoke of building toward the district’s future.

Back on June 13, the board voted in favor of reconfiguring the three elementary schools into a kindergarten through fifth grade format. The secondary grade levels will remain unchanged as a middle school with grades six through eight and a high school with grades nine through 12.

Senator Martin Golden, Republican representing the 22nd District (Brooklyn), is out to catch the wave, the Experience Wave of the “Greatest Generation” and the Baby Boomers, for the workforce of New York sate. This spring Sen. Golden introduced a package of bills and policy initiatives designed to address the needs of older Americans in the working population and the community (see sidebar). His office announced the passage of one of these bills: S3058, an act to establish The Mature Worker Task Force. The task force is charged with planning and identifying priorities, policy alternatives and issues to make it possible for mature New Yorkers to remain in the workforce longer if they choose to or need to. The work of the task force will also assist businesses to respond to the needs of this group.

Who’s who:

Marc Hartman – rhythm guitar and vocals

Mike Blair – bass and vocals

John Trypaluk – lead guitar

Joshua Corrigan – drums

Circus Smirkus will be rolling into town this July, and rolling along with it will be Saratoga Springs’s own Taylor Wright-Sanson — on just one wheel.

The award-winning international youth circus, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, features 28 performers from around the world between the ages of 13 and 18. Taylor, who at age 15 can perform feats on a unicycle that seem to defy the laws of physics, will take part this summer for the second year in a row.

June 13 marked the opening day for Lime Restaurant. Wooden benches and potted plants lead you into the small but freshly vibrant space where you are bound to find owners Matt LaPorta and Will Yund slicing and sautéing in the open kitchen, and Hayden Yund and Meagan LaPorta on the floor with their customers.

The idea to open a restaurant initiated as merely a casual remark, a quip after having a not-so-satisfactory dinning experience. Yet when Will and his wife Hayden honeymooned in Barbados, the Caribbean cuisine captivated their palates and inspired them to transform that fateful wise-crack into the eatery that now occupies 7 Caroline Street. Will’s urge to create new tastes stems back to his days working at Fanny’s, his family’s Italian restaurant. After graduating from culinary school in Schenectedy, the dream of opening a restaurant was nebulous but beginning to gather. Will and Hayden teamed up with Hayden’s cousin, Meagan, and her husband Matt and on Feb. 26, 2007, purchased the Caroline Street space left vacant by the Pickle Barrel.

Each week at the end of my column I include an update on the progress of my weight loss, one of five self improvements I targeted for 2007. A few months ago, I was asked if I would ever mention where I was with the other ones.

Since Sunday, July 1 marks the halfway point of the year, I figure it’s the perfect time to bring everyone up-to-date. Without further ado, here’s my top five New Year’s Resolution’s revisited.

I resolve to lose 25 pounds and then put 10 pounds back on in muscle.

At this point the likelihood of obtaining my goal is good. I’ve shed 11 pounds from my original weight of 160 since I started. The number is a bit disappointing to me though because I haven’t lost any weight in the past two months. I still have a decent amount of weight to drop and I know the hardest part ahead will be the muscle building.

In the future, I need to adhere more closely to a concise routine with better eating habits and regular exercise. There’s a distinct possibility I will start working out at a gym.

This past Saturday, I took part in an annual tradition. It is one I am a fair newcomer to, but one that many locals and visitors alike have taken part in over the last 30 years.

I wasn’t expecting the call from Saratoga Today publisher Chad Beatty last Friday afternoon.

Chad and I had worked together in another life, so I recognized his voice right away, but I still wasn’t expecting to hear it.

I was returning back to my office in Latham from yet another stressful sales call. I don’t know how you salespeople do it. God bless you.

They say timing is everything and Chad called me at just the right time. It also helped Chad out that I answered the phone as he was looking for a sports editor. On the surface, it was a win-win for everybody.

Okay, now I’m mad! I just returned from a 17-day trip to the Great Northwest and I’m loaded with stuff to write about and have hundreds of pictures to share. BUT! I get home to find information concerning legislation that has been presented or re-presented to the state Assembly concerning the legalization of hunting with a crossbow.

Like I usually do, I have my opinion about this and surrounding issues and crossbows in general. Let’s start with the crossbow and please take into consideration that I have been bow hunting for about 40 years.

Will this be the final summer that the New York Racing Association oversees racing at Saratoga Race Course?

There are plenty of differing opinions on that prospect around the horse racing world.

With that being said, there’s one thing that all pundits can agree on - this promises to be one of the most thrilling summers in the 139-year history of the famous racetrack on Union Avenue.

SARATOGA SPRINGS - With bragging rights and territorial supremacy on the line, the annual Saratoga Springs Mayor’s Cup will be on the line once again Saturday night at the West Side Recreation Field.

Matt Sheppard of Waterloo, N.Y., picked up his first win in the Modified feature at the Albany Saratoga Speedway last Friday night. Sheppard, driving the Randy Ross owned Magee Transportation sponsored #44, started fifth in the 35-Lap race. On the first couple laps, front-row starter Jimmy Cottrell battled with Mike Ronca for the lead.

By the third lap, Ronca assumed control of the lead as Sheppard slipped past Cottrell for second. As Ronca and Sheppard began to pull away from the pack, lapped cars became an issue since there were no Caution Flags throughout the entire race. Sheppard took the lead on Lap 13 only to lose it one lap later as the two were darting in and out of lapped traffic.

On Lap 25, Sheppard drove under Ronca in the first turn and took the lead for good. A.J. Romano came on late in the race and snuck past Ronca for second in Lap 31; however, by then Sheppard had opened up a two-second lead. Sheppard cruised to his first career win at the track and gave car owner Ross his 9th victory at the track. Romano finished second followed by Ronca, Jack Johnson and Ken Tremont Jr.

One of this year’s nominees is local tennis guru Rich Johns, long-time girls’ tennis coach at Saratoga Springs High School. Over the last 26 years, Johns has quietly built a solid tennis program for the Blue Streaks, collecting 17 Suburban Council and nine sectional team titles, all without cutting a single player.

Johns has utilized a no-cut policy from the very beginning of his coaching career, largely to increase numbers and promote the sport in the early stages of the program. It didn’t take long for the girls’ program to take off, eventually earning the Section II record for Class A with 85 consecutive wins from 1989-1996.

Since 1955, New York Racing Association (NYRA) has run thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park and Aqueduct. The nonprofit organization filed for bankruptcy last November and its contract expires Dec. 31.

With four different agenda items tied to parking and a strong public and business contingent focusing on the parking issue during the public comment period during the June 19th Saratoga Springs City Council, parking was definitely the night’s hot topic.

The historic Village of Round Lake will be hosting its 35th annual Antiques Festival this weekend, June 23-24, as well as its second annual Night of Illumination, Saturday night.

Gardeners seek inspiration from a number of sources. Many flip through the pages of their favorite gardening magazine, while others surf the net or tune in to HGTV. I use my gardening and horticulture magazines, references from authors I admire, as well as the Internet. However, I find my greatest inspiration comes from garden visits. There is nothing like a walk through a garden to get a sense of color and texture combinations or see that plant you admired in a catalog or nursery at work in an environment. The Secret Gardens Tour of private gardens in the historic Saratoga Springs area is just the ticket for gardeners looking for “walk in the garden inspiration.”

Anybody else feel as if you’ve been standing on your head lately? Anyone thinking it’s becoming a topsy-turvy world? After a recent trip to pick up a new prescription, I’ve begun to doubt my place on the planet.

Saratoga TODAY spoke to bassist/guitarist Reed Mathis from the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey. The JFJO will be playing the 30th Annual Freihofer’s Jazz Festival at SPAC, Saturday, June 23. The band will take the Main Stage at noon and will play the Gazebo Stage at 4:10 p.m.

Enigmatic Heart

Who’s who:

Kris Woodcock – guitar and vocals

Sam Woodcock – drums

Bobby Eckert – lead guitar

Clark Rischbieter – bass and screams

Just about every other day I read something in the news about President George W. Bush.

I’m not a competitive person by nature (though my husband may disagree), but one competition I truly feel motivated to take part in is not an individual effort, but it involves every single one of us.

Earlier in the spring, Public Works Commissioner Tom McTygue announced that the City of Saratoga Springs entered the America in Bloom competition.

During a pregnancy a woman’s body experiences significant change. What doesn’t change is her sense of style.

Sarah Otto, owner of Haute Ma Ma Maternity, said many women want to dress the same way they did before they were pregnant. Otto believes clothing designers are finally starting to realize maternity wear is an underserved market.

TROY — Hometown favorite heavyweight Shannon Miller (14-3, 8 KOs) will make his return to the ring against Tyrone “Native Warrior” Roberts (10-3, 8 KOs) in one of the feature bouts July 7 at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy, N.Y.

The highlight of golfing activity over the weekend centered around the Saratoga County Amateur Championship. A two-day affair, it began at the Van Patten Golf Course with 93 golfers participating in the largest field ever. The top gross 24 players, including seniors (50 and up), moved over to the Saratoga National Golf Course for their final round. The two-day combined score determined the winner.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino, a Thoroughbred owner for two decades, will be the guest speaker at the 2007 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Monday, August 6.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Travis Stevens of the Glenville-based Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC), also a Pan-Am Games Team member, won his second senior international event, taking the Dominican Open title last Saturday at 81kg in his last major competition before the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 19.

As the old saying goes “the cream always rises to the top” and that is just what happened at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway last Friday night as preseason favorites Brett Hearn (modified driver), Chris Busta (sportsman), and Cale Kneer (Pro-street) all seemed to be hitting their stride as they enter the Summer stretch.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Phillies baseball team will joined members of Rebuilding Together Saratoga County (RTSC) on June 18 to help upgrade some of the athletic facilities at Fort Hardy Park in Schuylerville.

The Saratoga Springs City Council realized it was putting the cart before the horse at the Tuesday, June 14, workshop where it looked more closely at the one bid received for the development of the city’s nearly 1.5 acre lot on Woodlawn Ave. While city officials differed in their opinions of the project, often with raised voices, it was decided that before the council act on the project, there should be a basic discussion on the needs of our Public Safety force.

Two years ago John Knotek took over Hot Stuff. Approximately two months ago, Knotek acquired Saratoga Salsa and merged the two companies together. The business, which he re-branded Saratoga Salsa and Spice Co., opened its doors in a new location on June 1, exactly two weeks ago.

It may just be a coincidence that the number two kept coming up, but Knotek’s decision to move from Phila Street to Broadway to expand was no accident. It appears a growing number of businesses on Broadway are, well, growing.

The 2007-08 Ballston Spa high school schedule was the topic of much discussion at a sparsely attended parent forum held on Tuesday, June 12, in the high school library. For almost two-and-a-half hours teachers highlighted what will be gained through the new schedule while parents raised their concerns over what might be lost.

The high school uses a block schedule so not every class meets daily. Currently, students have 10 periods rotating through six; as of next year it will only be eight. School will continue to start and end at the same time.

With the retirement of Dr. John E. MacFadden, who for the past 16 years has been superintendent for the Saratoga Springs Board of Education, positions are opening up and staff placements are shifting.

For the third year in a row, The Business Review in Albany has recently recognized the Saratoga school district as among the top 10 of the 85 Capital Region school districts. The schools were ranked according to scores on state assessments in elementary and middle school and Regents exams in language/reading, social studies, science and math, and graduation rates. The new administrative appointments are sure to bolster the district’s academic prowess. "We're proud of this recognition,” said MacFadden, “because it reflects the hard work and dedication of our students and staff.”

In 1985, Ronald Reagan was president of the United States, “Back to the Future” was the year’s top grossing film and people couldn’t get enough of Bruce Springsteen. The year also marked the start of Ambiance Systems, which today is the largest integration company in upstate New York.

After graduating from Clarkson University in 1987, Marc Leidig took a job at the business; at that time it was a stereo store in Saratoga Springs. He believed it would be an ideal way to make some money during the summer while he figured out what he wanted to do with his life.

Prima

Who’s who:

Collin Reynolds – guitar and vocals

Bill Humsinger – lead guitar

Matt Romanowski – bass

Mateo Vosganian – drums

It seems only appropriate this Father’s Day weekend to devote a gardening article to tools. Tools and Dads just seem to go together. Growing up in a family of tradesmen, I quickly learned the value of a good set of tools for the job. I now apply that to my gardening. Most gardeners have learned that solid durable garden tools save you time, headaches, and are an indispensable partner throughout the growing season. But entering the garden section of any retail store can make your head spin with selections. You don’t need a lot to start a garden, just some basics. Through the years, I have come to learn the importance of selecting a “few good tools” and caring for them properly. To help you make some good choices and wise long term investments I’d like to share some of my favorites. In today’s world of gardening you have two categories, hand tools and power.

The first annual SaratogaArtsFest takes place this weekend all across the city. The three-day celebration of the arts provides an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy all mediums of art – music, dance, fine art, film, theatre and writing—throughout several city venues.

Both emerging and established artists with local, national and international reputations will be performing and sharing their works with the community. SaratogaArtsFest’s goal is to expand appreciation for the arts and continue the city’s growth as a premier arts destination.

Since stressing out last week about the wedding plans there’s been some definite progress.

The church and the priest have both been booked. The date has been set; it’s June 7, so I’ll be getting married on 6/7/08. My friend Russ has also joined the ranks of my groomsmen.

This past Saturday downtown Saratoga became a sea of Red, White and Blue as the local Elks parade marched through town. From young marching bands to older war veterans, Saratogians and their neighbors were out in force to enjoy the day and honor the flag. With the help of Roohan Realty, who donates the flags every year, old glory could be seen from one end of Broadway to the other, adding to the sea of color.

A pickle is a cucumber that has been preserved and flavored in brine, vinegar, or the like. Now there are several different types of pickles. You can find kosher dill pickles, sweet pickles, gherkin pickles, or bread and butter pickles on the shelf in your favorite market. Each has some distinction, but all are in the end cucumbers preserved and flavored in brine, vinegar, or the like.

Now what’s our point here? Actually, we find ourselves in a pickle (secondary definition kicks in here). As people in this country reach the age of 55 they suddenly find themselves moving into a new population grouping with the specter of a new label. No longer are we referred to as middle-aged. No longer do we belong in a clearly defined category such as infant, toddler, pre-teen, adolescent etc. Instead everyone is fumbling and stumbling to put the just the right spin on this group of people 55 and older.

More than 30 million women are menopausal. An additional 20 million more are within a few years of this personal transition. As the number of women seeking hormone replacement therapy has grown, so has the mass production of pills, patches and creams by the drug industry.

Still, not all women are the same, and commercially manufactured products do not always account for unique differences between individuals. There is another option, though: hormone therapy designed specifically for your body.

The summer sun is shining and kids are starting to itch for summer camp fun. There’s a local camp for everyone, whether it’s music and acting lessons, day camp, sleep-away or specialty sport sessions, this summer promises to be action-packed.

How would you like to work on your golf game right in your own backyard? Jeff Gordon can make it happen.

In 1999, Gordon built a house on a large piece of land in the country and decided he wanted to do something unique with the landscape and tie it into his hobby of golf. So he called Mirage International in Arizona to inquire about installing a putting green.

Taking that fist step on the daunting path to a healthy lifestyle is a difficult proposition as attested by the fact that only about 8 percent of the population engages in any sort of regular exercise. Of the myriad of reasons why people do not exercise or eat properly, the most easily addressed is the fact that people do not know where to begin.

The benefit’s of physical activity for children is valuable in their overall physical and mental development. Parents tend to lean toward the popular sporting activities such as, soccer, softball, football, basketball, gymnastics, etc. One of the sporting areas that is overlooked is the study of martial arts.

Mention martial arts to someone who knows little about it and their first impression is a fast and flashy nunchaku wailing ninja that is flying through the air screaming waaaahhh! Only within the past few years has martial arts finally been recognized by Hollywood for the true discipline art form it really is.

Another recalled contact lens solution has been pulled from the market amid reports of its link to a potentially debilitating eye infection. Advanced Medical Optics voluntarily recalled Complete Moisture Plus Contact Lens Solution as a precaution because of reports of a rare but serious eye infection, Acanthamoeba keratitis.

What is Acanthamoeba keratitis? According to the National Institute of Health, “Acanthamoeba is a microscopic, water-borne, parasite that may invade the cornea causing a potentially devastating ocular condition known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. The infection occurs almost exclusively in contact lens wearers. The primary risk factors for this condition are: swimming in pools, lakes or sea water while wearing contact lenses, storing contact lenses in homemade solutions, and poor contact lens hygiene.”

Saratoga Springs High School is already known as a hot spot under those Friday-night lights during football season, but this September the home of the Blue Streaks will house one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports — Army vs. Navy!

When it was first announced the City of Saratoga Springs would not hold the annual 4^th of July fireworks in Congress Park this year, residents and families alike were upset the annual tradition was ending.

This Sunday, June 10^th, women will unite at the second annual Girlfriends Helping Girlfriends benefit to raise money for the Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County (DVRC). From 6 p.m. until 10, Mare, located at 17 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, will host a fashion show, silent auctions, entertainment by Garland Nelson, manicures and makeovers and everything that makes a spectacular girls’ night out.

Greenfield resident Candy Hertik was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. The 44-year-old mother of two fought it and the cancer went into remission. This year it resurfaced.

Despite her second cancer diagnosis, Hertik still plans to participate in Relay for Life, Saratoga. This will be her third year participating in the event.

For more than 50 years the Michaels Group has been helping people build their dream homes.

The Michael Group opened the doors on its Malta Design Center about a month ago. While the company had been using the concept for several years, its offices were spread between Latham and Exit 21 of the Northway. The Malta site allows for everything to be centrally located to all its building developments and customers. The company was one of the first in the building industry to bring the design center concept to the area and Interior Designer Laurie Michaels believes the Malta site will truly make her customers happy.

Ice storms, lightning storms, even an unexpected major power grid shut down (think back to August 2003)... Saratoga Springs and the surrounding communities are not strangers to unexpected, and lengthy, power outages.

Whether it’s the minor inconvenience of a short term blackout or facing days without utilities, losing power is not only an annoyance, but it can cost homes and businesses in unseen expenses caused by burst pipes, flooded basements and spoiled perishables.

Looking to cook up something special for Dad this Fathers’ Day? Get him a grill!

You can stay cool this summer while saving money and protecting the environment. With the summer months upon us we are all looking for ways too keep cool, but with the increasing cost of gas and energy bills looking for ways to save money is also a main priority. The average family spends $1,900 a year on energy bills with nearly half going towards heating and cooling.

By educating yourself with the facts on purchasing energy efficient products and taking a few simple steps to make your home more energy efficient you can save as much as 20 percent on annual energy costs. In addition to saving money, making your home more energy efficient will also reduce your effects on the environment. Studies have shown that the fossil fuel based energy used in a typical home can cause twice as many greenhouse gas emissions as the average car. If just one household in 10 improved the performance of their heating and cooling system, the change would prevent more than 17 billion pounds of greenhouse gases.

Weeds are basically defined as any plant you don’t want in your garden or landscape. They might be welcomed by another gardener, but to you they’re a pest. I often embellish this definition with “every gardener’s nightmare!” As our days grow increasingly warm, and our gardens become stressed, weeds take a foothold. Unfortunately, those quick and easy solutions often heard over the advertising airways are not the ultimate answer. But I have found some practical approaches that may help you keep those weeds at bay.

There are few other places that use light as creatively as Hollywood. Designers use light to set the stage, control a scene and tell a story. It comes as no surprise that mysteries and dramas are staged in filtered low-lighting or at night. Revealing the masked villain in a dark library rather than in a bright sunroom, instantly gives the story greater depth.

Planning a wedding can be one of the most exhilarating times of your life. It can also be one of the most stressful. But, it is the one day that truly belongs to you and your fiancé, little touches can make your event stand out from the rest.

Its an exciting time to get married! There are so many new innovations and trends for upcoming brides and grooms to consider for their weddings - the days of traditional dresses, invitations and centerpieces are over.

Seventy nine year-old Chicago blues harmonica pioneer, “Little” Sammy Davis, will be administering a large dose of the blues to folks young and old at The Caroline Street Association’s 7th Annual Arts & Blues Fest on Sunday, June 3.

Davis and his band are headlining the free event which runs from 1-7 p.m. They will be performing on the main stage, located on Caroline Street between Broadway and Henry Street.

After a dozen years as president of the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau, Gavin Landry is moving on to new pastures. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) named him senior vice president, sales and market development on Tuesday, May 29.

Landry will continue in his current position until the last week in June. He starts with NYRA on July 2.

In his new post, Landry will develop, implement and oversee all sales and customer service activities. Additionally, he will handle corporate sponsorship, licensing agreements, and vendor relationships.

The rumors are true. Coach Blasé Iuliano, after stepping down from his 17-year head coaching position at Saratoga Springs High School, will be on the field this fall with the Union College Dutchmen.

John Audino, the head football coach at Union, stated Thursday, “With his experience, he can be a great asset for our team. Blasé Iuliano is a great person and a good football guy.”

Iuliano has already begun working with the team this spring in a volunteer capacity. He will not be taking the reigns of the Dutchmen program, but rather using his experience to help Audino and others improve on an already successful 2006 campaign (7-3 record).

On May 3, Roohan Realty filed a lawsuit with the New York State Supreme Court in Saratoga County against Stonerside Stables, LLC. The company claims it’s owed commission on the sale of 36 Nelson Ave. in Saratoga Springs.

The 106-acre property, which was listed at $19 million, was sold in January for approximately $17.5 million. The 5 percent commission owed would be nearly $875,000.

Thousands of adolescent girls screamed their lungs out as Fall Out Boy, the headliner of the Honda Civic Tour, took the stage Wednesday, May 30, at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. From the first chords of their set, it was clear that creating a spectacle was the band’s priority.

Bassist/lyricist/teen heart-throb Pete Wentz and guitarist Joe Trohman twirled with their instruments and jumped around as flames shot up from the stage and fireworks exploded into confetti. FOB’s multimedia backdrop served as an ever-changing music video for the band’s antics which overshadowed their music.

Over a bottle of red and a bottle of white about a dozen folks crowded around a table at The Beekman Street Bistro on Wednesday, May 23, to discuss the future of Beekman Street.

Meeting for the second time, the assembled Beekman Street group which is composed of business and gallery owners, restaurants, artists and residents tossed around ideas to figure out their priorities and goals. They are currently in the midst of forming a focused association.

People in Saratoga Springs love horses. In fact, even an inanimate herd of the animals can attract droves of residents and tourists.

At 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, the general public got its first opportunity to see the 34 completed fiberglass thoroughbreds of “Horses, Saratoga Style, 2007” at the Whitney Field Polo Grounds in Saratoga Springs. The unveiling celebration marked the only time all the horses will be on display together.