Northshire Bookstore has arranged for Louise Penny, New York Times bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels, to speak at the Holiday Inn Saratoga, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. She will discuss her latest installment to the Inspector Gamache series, “How the Light Gets in.”

Penny’s debut, “Still Life,” won the John Creasey Dagger and the Arthur Ellis, Barry, Anthony and Dilys awards and was named one of the five Mystery/Crime Novels of the Decade by “Deadly Pleasures” magazine. She was the first author ever to win the Agatha Award for Best Novel four times—for “A Fatal Grace,” “The Cruelest Month,” “The Brutal Telling” (which also received the Anthony Award for Best Novel), and “Bury Your Dead” (which also won the Dilys, Arthur Ellis, Anthony, Macavity and Nero Awards).

Her recent novel, “A Trick of the Light,” received an Independent Literary Award and was named one of the Best Crime Novels of 2011 by The New York Times and Publishers Weekly. Louise lives with her husband, Michael, in a small village south of Montréal.

Tickets to this event cost $35, and include one seat and one copy of the book. Tickets can be purchased online at northshire.com or in person at Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs or in Manchester Center, Vt. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 802-362-2200 or 800-437-3700 (Manchester location) or 682-4200 or 855-339-5990 (Saratoga Springs location).

For more information on this and other events, visit the Northshire Bookstore Web site at www.northshire.com.


--Jennie

SUNY Adirondack invited Eat Good Food to be the official food truck for the Wilton center, where there are 1,000 students plus faculty and staff onsite. These people have lacked food service at this location since it opened.


“They have been eating from two vending machines in the building,” said an Eat Good Food spokesperson.

The campus director contacted Eat Good Food, asking the truck to park at the school off Route 9 and serve the college community as well as surrounding businesses and the public. The food truck will be on campus Monday-Thursday until Nov. 1 or the first blizzard, then it will return in the spring.

Eat Good Food considers the plan a funky, trendy and creative way to get around the cafeteria model.

“We are proud to do it,” the spokesperson said.

Eat Good Food will be onsite Sept. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., serving the returning students a welcome-back-day picnic.

“But we will not be serving any hotdogs, to be sure!” said the spokesperson.



--Jennie

Continuing a tradition of sharing box-office proceeds from its productions with other area charities, the Creative Place International (CPI) has distributed a total of $4,552 to six nonprofits that worked with CPI to gather an audience for “Saratoga Chips” performances at the Arts Center in Saratoga Aug. 1-11.

Beneficiaries of the CPI proceed-sharing initiative are: Maple Ave. Middle School Musical Club, Saratoga County Children’s Committee, Shelters of Saratoga, St. Clement’s Church, the Brave Will Foundation, and the Yaddo Garden Association.

A Saratoga County Children’s Committee spokesperson said, “Our committee was honored to have been chosen to receive half the proceeds from ticket sales that night and was delighted to work with such a talented group of theatre professionals. Quality and professionalism describes our experience in every way. Volunteers helping other volunteers...it doesn't get any better than that.”

Kathy Mattes of the Yaddo Garden Association said, “We were thrilled to partner with CPI's multitalented theatre professionals. It was great to collaborate with another group of dedicated volunteers to support the community.”

CPI specifically commissioned “Saratoga Chips” as part of the Saratoga 150 Celebration, marking the Saratoga Race Course sesquicentennial as the oldest continuously operating sports venue in the nation. Corporate sponsors of  “Saratoga Chips” included the Adirondack Trust Co., E. Stewart Jones Law Firm, Healthy Living Market and Café, Mohawk Honda, Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation, Stewart’s Shops and Stuyvesant Plaza.

Acclaimed by audiences at the Arts Center, “Saratoga Chips” by Saratoga playwright Mary Jane Hansen revisits the Spa City’s colorful history during the time of the Civil War when the Saratoga Race Course was founded. The play is an entertaining theatrical adventure, combining history, comedy and music from Saratoga’s Victorian era and featuring many of the personalities of the time, including President Ulysses S. Grant, Madame Jumel, Saratoga Track Founder John Morrissey, Mark Twain and Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt.

Working toward its mission to provide cultural resources to the community, the Creative Place International will present workshops for young people and adults wishing to hone their performing and/or writing skills, and is planning another theatrical production in the spring as well as next summer.

In the future, CPI will continue to partner with not-for-profit organizations and will also work toward establishing a modest theatrical facility in Saratoga Springs where CPI and other performing-arts organizations in need of a legitimate theatre space can present their work in a professional setting for both artists and audiences.

Further information is available at www.thecreativeplaceinternational.org or 584-7780.


--Jennie

Jesse Elwert Peters, owner/operator of the sustainable landscaping-design business, Jessecology Organic Garden Design, will be permanently established in the Saratoga County business community as a resident and homeowner this fall.

For the past three summers, the environmentally conscious landscape designer has commuted to Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa, Clifton Park and other Saratoga County locations for landscaping projects from her home just north of Lake George. This September, Elwert Peters will buy a home with her husband in Greenfield, which will establish Jessecology as a fixture of the Saratoga business community.

Elwert Peters considers the move a positive one for her business's future. The Saratoga Springs atmosphere is a copasetic fit for the personality of her naturally beautiful, low-maintenance landscape designs. Though Jessecology's service area will continue to include surrounding counties, Elwert Peters is excited to grow her business right at home in Saratoga Springs and especially hopes to make inroads with developers for landscaping at new construction sites.

"In the past three summers, so much of my working time has been consumed with commuting to Saratoga County," she said. "This community has given my unique approach such a warm welcome; it really just makes sense to invest in a life here."

The Jessecology portfolio includes many residential homes spanning from Lake George to Saratoga and the capital region, several businesses including Somewhere in Time, a Bolton Landing bed-and-breakfast event center where rain gardens were established; a Clifton Park Edward Jones office that sports a woodland habitat garden; and recently a municipal project for the Town of Queensbury at the landscaped site located on the corner of Bay and Quaker roads.

Jessecology designs exclusively use plant material indigenous to the local region, which creates remarkably sustainable and low-maintenance landscaping. Besides being a landscape designer, Elwert Peters is also a garden writer and frequently gives public speaking presentations on topics ranging from "Butterfly-habitat gardening" to "Kid-friendly birdscaping."

Elwert Peters graduated from Skidmore College in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in ecology, botany and horticulture. She has completed several internships and apprenticeships with other ecologists and landscape designers, and draws heavily on her experience in ecological field work when generating a property design. Her passion for gracefully restoring habitat in the home and business settings is paralleled by a deep love for the unique ecosystem of Saratoga County, which she writes about prolifically on her Web site.


 --Jennie

Dr. Andrew Gaetano, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, and Dr. Evan Marsh, PT, DPT, owners of Capital Area Physical Therapy and Wellness, welcome the community to their new practice located in Parade Ground Village at 7 Hemphill Pl., Malta. An open house is scheduled for Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We are thrilled to bring our expertise to the Malta/Mechanicville/Ballston Spa/Saratoga community,” said Gaetano, a native of Mechanicville. “We offer a unique, multifaceted and evidence-based approach to physical therapy and rehabilitation.”

He is a board-certified orthopedic specialist, the only one in the Malta area, and is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist.

Capital Area Physical Therapy and Wellness offers physical therapy treatment for a wide array of issues, including but not limited to: back/neck pain, sciatica, shoulder and rotator cuff issues, headaches, jaw pain and athletic/sports injuries.

“If you’re having joint or muscle pain, come see us,” Marsh said. “We are accepting patients on a walk-in basis for same-day care, or ask your physician or dentist for a referral for an evaluation here.”

The practice plans to offer massage therapy in addition to physical therapy as part of a well-rounded treatment approach. For more information, visit www.capitalareapt.com or call 289-5242.


--Jennie

Saratoga Vitreo-Retinal Ophthalmology is pleased to announce it has achieved a new milestone serving the eye care needs of patients throughout the region: On July 31, the practice registered patient number 6,000 into its electronic medical record system.

“This is a real growth milestone that speaks to our dedication and longevity in providing specialized retinal vision care as well as care for diabetic eye diseases and eye surgery in our community," said Dr. Amjad Hammad, owner of the practice.

Since 2007, he has worked to create a dedicated retinal eye care center that incorporates the full range of retinal services. Whether patients need management of hereditary eye diseases, diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration or surgery, Saratoga Vitreo-Retinal Ophthalmology has the experience and skilled staff to provide personalized, compassionate and quality care.

"Patients visiting us for the first time routinely comment about the convenience and customer-service approach we offer,” Hammad said.  “People are excited about the new dedicated eye surgery center, the New York Eye Surgery Center, opening soon. Safe, successful and convenient eye surgery is our top priority.”

Reaching the 6,000th-registered-patient milestone is rewarding for the team, he said. Moreover, it confirms that the practice’s direction, dedication and decisions have been recognized by the patients its staff serves.

“We say thank you to our community for the support,” Hammad said.

Hammad is an internationally recognized retina specialist treating patients with diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. He strives to educate his patients about their ocular diseases and treatment process. He is also the CEO of the New York Eye Surgical Center, the new dedicated eye surgical center at exit 16 of the Northway.

To learn more and receive free copies of his two new books, “Keeping Your Retina Healthy” and “Diabetes and Your Eye,” visit www.SaratogaRetina.com or call 580-0553.



--Jennie

 

Saratoga Olive Oil Co. has discovered a unique way to celebrate Saratoga Race Course’s 150th anniversary and give back to the community. The store’s owners found a bottle of balsamic vinegar that also turns 150 this year. They call their find the perfect product, filled with balsamic so delectable, kings and queens would drizzle it with delight. 
 
The balsamic vinegar is on display in the downtown store for all to admire, and one lucky person will win it. But instead of just raffling off the prize, Saratoga Olive Oil wanted to help raise money for some of the area nonprofit organizations.

Join the shop for the Balsamic 150, a contest to “bid” on one (or more) of seven local charities: Advocates for World Health, Jake's Help from Heaven, Home Orphaned Pets Exist, Literacy NY, Old Friends at Cabin Creek, Saratoga Bridges and Simplifying Lives.

With each entry, you’ll not only have the chance to win the 150-year-old bottle of balsamic, but be able to win Saratoga Olive Oil products all summer long.

Follow the campaign on Facebook, where the company will be posting statistics, posing questions and giving away free products left and right.

The raffle costs $1 for one ticket, $5 for six tickets or $10 for 13 tickets.

Friday Trifecta: Every Friday, the store will challenge its Facebook fans to guess the charities in first, second and third place during the previous week. The first three fans to guess the frontrunners in exact order will win the Balsamic of the Week.

Frontrunner: On the last day of track season, Saratoga Olive Oil will total bids for each charity and randomly select the winner of the 150-year-old bottle from the charity with the most bids. The store will also select winners from each charity to get items from its Racehorse Piñata.

When the contest ends, 100 percent of the money donated to each charity will go directly to that organization.

 For more information, call 450-1308, or visit http://www.saratogaoliveoil.com/blog/introducing-the-balsamic-150/ or https://www.facebook.com/SaratogaOliveOil.


--Jennie

 

Local consultants Tim Jaques and Jonathan Weinstein founded their management consulting company, Line of Sight, with a passion for bringing change and efficiency to businesses and organizations. Jaques and Weinstein have put their experience and expertise in project management into a new book with an exciting take on project management strategy for the federal government. The book will be available in stores and online this month.

“We hope our new book, ‘The Government Manager’s Guide to Project Management,’ will lead to more efficient and effective government, and ultimately drive change in society in positive ways,” Jaques said.

The book will support the manager’s leadership role and offer new insight into overcoming obstacles in the federal environment. The book is also included in a 10-part series, “The Government Manager’s Essential Library,” published by Management Concepts Press. The series is a compilation of cutting-edge resources written by experts in government management.

“The federal government is the largest entity in the world, and its projects are vastly complex, from building bridges and submarines to maintaining nuclear facilities,” Weinstein said. “In fiscal year 2013, nearly $1 trillion will be spent on projects alone. Our book offers advice on how to make these complex projects more efficient and successful.”

The authors hope the new book will be a tool for change, helping government employees make better decisions and use government resources more efficiently.

Jaques and Weinstein are already at work on their next book, due out in 2014. This book will examine organizational performance in the private and public sectors, and identify best practices for the most agile, change-adept organizations.

Founded in 2005, Line of Sight delivers project management and management consulting services to industry and government organizations worldwide. With offices in Saratoga Springs and Columbia, Md., Line of Sight consults with organizations serious about undergoing change, by bringing discipline to projects, reengineering business processes and helping clients transform the management of their businesses. Line of Sight’s current and past clients include ACE Insurance, General Electric, New York state government, the Sierra Club, Tufts University, United States Bureau of the Census and the U.S. Treasury Department.

To learn more about Line of Sight or “The Government Manager’s Guide to Project Management,” visit  . To buy the book, visit www.amazon.com.

--Jennie

 

Serotta, one of the world’s premier manufacturers of hand-built high-performance bicycles, continues to restructure its operations as it accepts orders for new custom and stock frames, reduces prices on most models and gains contract frame-building work.

“The contract frame-building agreements we are negotiating will stabilize our business and let our American craftspeople continue to do what they love doing: building great bikes here in Saratoga Springs,” said Brian K. Case, Serotta chairman and a director of the Divine Cycling Group, which owns Serotta.

“We aim to build our manufacturing business around multiple customers across multiple distribution channels,” he said. “Besides handling contract frame-building for other brands, we will offer private-label framesets designed and crafted for top dealers and fit studios. This, in turn, will support the continued production of our legendary high-performance custom and stock frames.”

The company is accepting orders for the fully custom Ottrott SE, Legend SE and Viaggio SE models, as well as for Standard Geometry MeiVici SG, Legend SG, Pronto SG and Fondo SG framesets.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price has been reduced by up to 20 percent for all models except the Pronto and Fondo.

 “We’re also improving margins for our dealers,” Case said.

Frame designer Scott Hock, a racer who leads Serotta’s custom frame and new product design, said, “Cyclists will get our unsurpassed build quality, Serotta’s legendary ride and a durable frame with a lifetime warranty. And now the bikes are available at a more competitive price.”

Serotta has also reduced its repair and refinishing prices by 25 percent, and will now accept refinishing work for other brands.

“There is no reason why we should limit our artisans to finishing only Serottas,” Hock said. “Our paint shop team, which is renowned for its flawless finish work, can restore any high-quality frame--Serotta or other brands--to factory-fresh condition.

“And this week, we’re glad to welcome back Nick Hemendinger, a graphics guru and key member of our paint shop team.”

--Jennie

 

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a video contest called  #ILoveSaratoga. Saratoga County residents may take videos of their favorite destinations and post to YouTube, Instagram, Viddy or Vine. The top three contest winners will receive a Saratoga Downtown Business Association gift card.  

For Saratoga County tourism, the chamber of commerce believes in pulling out all the stops to bring in visitors. Embrace the opportunity to show how much you love Saratoga County.  Learn more about what your family, friends and coworkers love about Saratoga, and share this opportunity with them; then watch their videos.

Click www.ilovesaratogacounty.com for full details or check out this video explaining the contest: http://youtu.be/WUdJKJnWaqY.  

The contest ends Sept 13.  

--Jennie

 

Saratoga Juice Bar will be hosting a reception to distribute donations to the residents of 100 to 108 Woodlawn Ave. in downtown Saratoga Springs who lost everything in a fire July 28.

On Friday, Aug. 2, Saratoga Juice Bar held a fundraiser where the staff donated the day’s entire tips to the fire victims. Saratoga Juice Bar owners Christel and Colin MacLean matched this total amount raised in a separate pledge to the victims.

“While we were happy to raise a total of $550, we decided to take it a step further and reach out to the fire victims to put together a wish list of items that they would like to have replaced,” said store manager Chelsey Backus. “We will be posting a list of these items at Saratoga Juice Bar so people can sign up and donate.”

The items will be given away at a reception held at Circus Café on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

If you are interested in donating an item, please stop by Saratoga Juice Bar at 382 Broadway.

 

--Jennie

 

Kelevra Krav Maga, a new martial-arts school, has opened in the Springs building at 60 Weibel Ave. Owners Marc Delnicki and Mark Messare offer Krav Maga, which teaches self-defense, and KFX, which are fitness classes.

Krav maga is the official fighting style of the Israeli Army, but United States Armed Forces members are enjoying it, too. Delnicki and Messare, who served in the U.S. Army and Air National Guard, respectively, draw on decades of martial-arts experience to teach Kelevra Krav Maga’s students how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Using modern, practical fighting techniques, their krav maga classes impart self-defense skills while also providing an intense full-body workout. Delnicki and Messare also lead kids' martial-arts classes, and teach KFX fitness classes that use scientific research and anatomy knowledge to design workouts,

For more information, call 763-8006, and see www.KelevraKrav.com and www.KravInstructor.com.

--Jennie

 

Dr. Vincent Meyer and Dr. Julia Malin announce the opening of their second private-practice location at 101 Main St., Corinth. The soft opening of Meyer & Malin Family Practice will take place on Thursday, Aug. 15.

Meyer & Malin Family Practice will offer the same quality of healthcare and wellness services that patients have come to expect at the 418 Geyser Rd., Ballston Spa location. The doctors are best-known for sharing a common philosophy of quality medical family care, for taking time to get to know each patient personally, and for creating long-lasting relationships with their patients and their families.

The new office will offer family care, medically supervised weight-loss programs, Dept. of Transportation physicals, women’s health services and most general-practice services.

The office will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; most insurances are accepted. To follow opening updates, visit the Meyer & Malin Family Practice Web site, http://meyerandmalin.com.

--Jennie

Christel MacLean, co-owner of Circus Café, The Crown Grille and Saratoga Juice Bar, was the first customer to buy books at Broadway’s new Northshire Bookstore, which opened Aug. 5 to Spa City’s general joy. Residents have missed having a bookshop since Borders closed in June 2000, although The Lyrical Ballad continues to supply antique tomes, vintage books, used paperbacks and a wonderful warren of rooms in a former bank vault.

MacLean has made a tradition of this run to the register: She was also the first person to make a purchase when the former Borders bookstore opened in June 2000. Also, she was one of the store’s final paying customers.

In the first photo here, Northshire owner Chris Morrow rings her up—the first of many delighted buyers.

--Jennie

 

Northshire Bookstore, Saratoga Springs’ newest bookshop, will host its first author event Thursday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. Mike Kane and Allan Carter, authors of “150 Years of Racing in Saratoga: Little-Known Stories and Facts from America’s Most Historic Racing City,” will be in the store to discuss their book.

Since the inaugural race meeting was held in August 1863, Saratoga Springs has been the scene of memorable races, often featuring legends of the sport. Although some of the epic moments are still familiar today, many of the triumphs and defeats that were once famous have been forgotten. For example, few remember the filly Los Angeles, who throve at Saratoga, winning 16 stakes races. Carter and Kane take a look back at this and many other important but neglected stories from the history of America's oldest track. The evening will include a slide show of archival images from the book, a discussion with the authors and a book signing.

 

Northshire Bookstore is at 424 Broadway. For more information on this or other events, call 682-4200 or 1-855-339-5990, or visit the Northshire Bookstore Web site at www.northshire.com. 

--Jennie

 Friday, Aug. 2, Saratoga Juice Bar will be offering complimentary tastings of their cold pressed juices from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“This will be an opportunity for juice bar newbies to decide on their favorite cold pressed juice,” said Chelsey Backus, store manager. During this time, the store’s top juicers will be demonstrating the art of cold pressing on the famous Norwalk hydraulic cold press.

In recognition of the devastating fire earlier this week, the generous Saratoga Juice Bar team will donate all the day’s tips to the fire victims of 100 to 108 Woodlawn Ave. in downtown Saratoga Springs who lost everything July 28. Saratoga Juice Bar owners Christel and Colin MacLean will match the total amount donated in a separate pledge to the fire victims. Follow them on Facebook for up-to-the-minute juice bar news, donation totals and more.

Saratoga Juice Bar is at 382 Broadway, 583-1108, www.saratogajuicebar.com.

--Jennie

 

Beverly’s, one of Saratoga Springs’ much-beloved restaurants, has reopened as Beverly’s Eatery at 256 Milton Ave. in Ballston Spa. Owner and chef Michael Bowman, son of original founder Beverly Reedy, will serve the same breakfast and lunch menu that locals have missed since January 2012, when the first Beverly’s closed after nearly 23 years in business.

The Beverly’s Eatery Facebook page describes the restaurant as serving “memorable and delicious home-cooked food made in-house from old family recipes with natural and local ingredients.”

“We’re like an upscale diner,” Bowman said. “People who loved the original Beverly’s told us they missed the restaurant; they missed the menu. They said no one filled our shoes. So I stepped up to the plate—pun intended.”

Reedy opened her business at 47 Phila Street in 1989, remaining there until losing her lease last year. The family searched for a new space until finding the former Bear’s Café in Ballston Spa.

“We like being in Ballston Spa,” Bowman said. “It’s so laid-back, even here on the main drag.”

The new restaurant has a similar fun atmosphere as the Saratoga Springs Beverly’s, he said.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The telephone number there is 885-2848. 

--Jennie