This week brings us Cooking School, a fabulous Saratoga Reads! Event, a not-to-miss NPR performance, the kLaVoy5k and a Plant Swap, I can’t wait!
1. On Tuesday, April 24th at 7pm head to Chianti Il Ristorante at 18 Division Street in Saratoga Springs for Lazio Cooking School with Chef Fabrizio. Chianti Il Ristorante’s energetic and whimsical Executive Chef Fabrizio Bazzani leads you on a culinary journey through the Italian region of Lazio as part of Chianti’s Tour of Italy with his new Lazio inspired Cooking School. Spend an evening with family, friends, exciting wines, hand-crafted cuisine and a menu that never disappoints. Explore the region of Lazio and learn tips from a master while you sip wine and watch a fantastic meal prepared from start to finish by Chef Fabrizio. For more information call (518) 580-0025. Cost is $49 per person.
2. On Thursday, April 26th Saratoga Reads! Presents A Conversation with David Lacks at 7pm at the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. David Lacks is the son of Henrietta Lacks, the woman featured in Saratoga Reads! book choice for this year, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Lacks and another Lacks family member will be here for an onstage discussion and informal Q&A session moderated by Joe Donahue of WAMC’s “The Roundtable.” In his appearances, Sonny shares with audiences what it meant to find out — decades after the fact — that his mother’s cells were being used in laboratories around the world, bought and sold by the billions. There will be a book signing after the event. More information visit: http://www.saratogareads.org/ or call 580-8008. Admission is free.
3. I can’t wait for this event since I’m an NPR junkie! On Friday, April 27th and Saturday April 28th starting at 7:30 the nationally syndicated NPR program Selected Shorts presents short stories performed live by actors of stage and screen at Crandall Public Library, 251 Glen Street in Glens Falls. “Audience Favorites” on Friday, April 27th features readings by Dana Ivey (recently seen onscreen in The Help), Broadway Star Myra Lucretia Taylor (Nine), and Shorts host Isaiah Sheffer. “Unusual Couples” on Saturday, April 28 features readings by Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker (long time leads of the hit TV series L.A. Law), along with Shorts host Isaiah Sheffer. Cost is $10. Reservations are required and it is starting to fill up already so call now! For more information call (518) 792-6508 x 285.
4. Also on Saturday is the 5th Annual kLaVoy 5k, an annual run/walk that helps raise awareness about organ & tissue donation. All proceeds raised go directly to The Center for Donation & Transplant – Donate Life. It will start at 8am at the warming hut area in the Saratoga Springs State Park. Race packet pick up and onsite registration at 6:30am. On-site registration is $25. Early registration is $20 to walk or run, free for 7 and under to walk. Free t-shirts to the first 200 registrants! If you would like more information on this event or would like to interview the Race Director contact Tonya Pellegrini at (518) 928-5808 or kLaVoy5k@hotmail.com.
5. Last week I did a Food Swap, this weekend there is a Plant Swap! Are you ready for something new in your garden? Need to divide your perennials? Would you like to make a new flower bed but hate to throw out perfectly good plants? Do you like finding new or unusual specimens? If so, come to Emeritus at Landing of Queensbury at 10am to set up and peruse the selection. Please bring all labeled plants, cuttings, bulbs or rhizomes repotted or packaged in ready to go condition. Exchanging will begin promptly at 10:30. Plants that exchange well are as follows: Bearded Iris, Siberian Iris, Hosta, Daylilies, Lily of the Valley, Astilbe, Bee Balm, Peony, Tansy, Hen-n-Chicks, Bleeding Heart, Sedum, Columbine, Lilacs, Coral Bells/Foam Flower, Mint, Cat Mint, Chives, Sage & Lavender. Cornell Cooperative Extension will be on site to provide free soil sample testing. Plants will be for sale as well. For more information contact Polly Karling or Erin Gryniak at 518-793-5556.