SARATOGA SPRINGS>> Saratoga is the summer place to be when it comes to horses. Adults and youth horse lovers alike flock to Saratoga to see the Thoroughbred horses. 

On Monday, Aug. 17, local 4-H Youth will have the opportunity to learn about the Thoroughbred horse industry up close and personal.  Thanks to a sponsorship from the New York Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund, approximately 30 youth from Saratoga and surrounding areas will be spending the day with industry professionals. Young people who live locally year round may not be aware of the equine career opportunities in their own backyard.  

Tracy Egan, Executive Director of The Fund said in a press release “The NYS Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund is pleased to support the CCE outreach to youth. Part of our mission to promote responsible breeding is to encourage young people to respect horses at every stage of life. Today's 4-H member could one day train or raise Thoroughbreds with caring and respect."  

Youth will start the morning off with a tour of the Oklahoma Track and barns, seeing the horse’s morning workouts with their trainers. They will learn about the breeding industry and potential careers in the equine industry. Next, they will tour the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame to learn about the history of horse racing, and gain a historical perspective on Thoroughbred racing and how it has evolved. Finally, participants will be treated to lunch and a day at the races at the famous Saratoga Racecourse.  Monday’s are family day at the races with plenty of educational opportunities and activities for all to enjoy.

For more information on Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County, 4-H Youth programs and CCE Equine, please call 885-8995 or visit www.ccesaratoga.org or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CCESaratoga. For information on the New York Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund please visit www.nybreds.com.         

Political season is beginning to heat up in Saratoga Springs. Some in the city received robocalls over the weekend. The call asked people who they favored in city elections and statewide elections too, like the Governor's race and Presidential election. 

Thanks to NYSNYS news reporter Kyle Hughes for sending this along. The call asks voters to press numbers if they find various candidates "favorable" or "unfavorable" mayoral candidates Democratic incumbent mayor Joanne Yepsen or Republican candidate John Safford, incumbent Democratic finance commissioner Michele Madigan or Republican candidate Ken Ivins. 

There was no question regarding the public safety election, which will likely include a Democratic primary between former city attorney Sarah Burger and current commissioner Chris Mathiesen. Republican Rick Wirth has also announced he will run for the position. 

The call also asked people if they supported the City Center parking garage project and the expansion plans at both the Saratoga Race Course and Saratoga National Golf Club.

Here's the audio.

Anyone else get one of these calls? 

At 6 p.m. on June 5, as part of Ballston Spa’s monthly First Friday events, the National Bottle Museum will have a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand reopening of the newly remodeled JRM Artists’ Space.

The JRM Artists’ Space displays rotating exhibits by local and nationally known artists.  It is located on the museum’s second floor.

The museum can be contacted at (518) 885-7589

The Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC), which is responsible for federal transportation funding and programming in the 4-county region of Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties, has announced the schedule for its public information meetings to introduce their new long-range, regional transportation plan, known as New Visions 2040.

CDTC is inviting the public to these meetings to learn about CDTC and what we do, to learn about our New Visions 2040 plan, and to share feedback on the plan.  The meetings will consist of a short presentation, followed by a general question & answer session, and then several interactive workstations where the public can ask specific questions and provide specific comments to CDTC staff.

The agenda for all the meetings will be the same.  Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of each meeting.

CDTC Public Information Meetings:

·       Thursday, March 12^th – Schenectady County Community College, Stockade Room 101, 6:00pm-8:00pm

·       Thursday, March 19^th – Sand Creek Middle School, Auditorium, 6:00pm-8:00pm

·       Wednesday, March 25^th – Hudson Valley Community College, Bulmer Telecommunications Center Auditorium, 6:00pm-8:00pm

·       Tuesday, March 31^st – Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 6, 6:00pm-8:00pm

·       Tuesday, April 7^th – Saratoga Springs City Hall, 3^rd Floor Music Hall, 6:00pm-8:00pm

The public can learn more about New Visions 2040, the draft subject area papers, and the draft recommendations at  http://www.cdtcmpo.org/rtp2040/white.htm.

“Transportation and transportation technologies are changing rapidly.  Self-driving cars and trucks, smart traffic signals and street lights, and drone freight deliveries are just some of the new technologies for which we must plan,” said Mike Franchini, CDTC Executive Director.  “In order to plan for the future transportation system in the Capital Region, CDTC needs and welcomes the community’s input!”

Stillwater, NY:   Park Superintendent Joe Finan is pleased to announce the appointment of David LaMere as the Saratoga National Historical Park’s new Chief Ranger, stating “Dave brings with him experience and abilities honed during his National Park career at urban, natural and cultural sites.  We are fortunate to have an employee with such a varied set of skills, considering the variety of challenges that a chief ranger faces in the execution of his job.”

The Chief Ranger oversees visitor safety and resource protection of the park’s Battlefield and Old Saratoga units, heading up law enforcement and coordinating the structural and wildfire programs.

David LaMere is a fifteen year-veteran field ranger with the National Park Service serving at Cape Cod National Seashore, Boston National Historical Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Saratoga National Historical Park. He notes “I am excited to be a part of the team protecting a National Park that is fundamental to the history and creation of our nation".  LaMere holds degrees in history and education through Eastern Nazarene College and enjoys hunting and fishing.

For more information about this or other events, please call the Visitor Center at 518-670-2985 or check our website at www.nps.gov/sara or our social media feeds, Facebook: @SaratogaNHP  or Twitter: #SaratogaNHP