Will the Victoria Pool open on it's traditional Memorial Day date. Post Star wonders, Saratoga Snippets Blog. 4/25/11.

Sidewalk Swimming in Saratoga Springs
There are 34 days, 12 hours and 34 minutes to go, at this posting, on the countdown clock until the traditional opening of the Victorian Pool, according to an advocacy group monitoring the goings-on at the Saratoga Spa State Park.

On Monday morning, hiding in plain sight, DPW crews were out in force testing the arc and flow rate of city fire hydrants.

On the surface, the two may seem unrelated, but consider that Gov. Andrew Cuomo — who has pledged to cut state costs — grew up in Queens, N.Y., where the swimming options for neighborhood youth were limited to either journeying to the WPA-constructed Astoria Pool, or playing beneath the streaming arcs of cool water unleashed from the neighborhood fire hydrant.

Affectionately nicknamed the Johnny Pump, these three-foot tall water geysers would be uncapped on hot, humid summer days to the joy of neighborhood kids. At minimal cost.

Taking into account the state’s budget woes, the costs to open and operate the amenities at the State Park like the pool AND the mysterious testing of hydrants in Saratoga Springs Monday morning, is there a nefarious effort underway to relocate the Victorian Pool to the city streets this year?

We’ll have to wait and see how this one plays out; Victorian swimmers, you have been warned.

– Thomas Dimopoulos

Geyser Creek being stocked with trout at Saratoga Spa State Park, 4/20/11.

Jansikwe and hundreds of other children brought buckets to receive a trout to release in geyser creek. A wonderful and unique event with live music, tie dyeing shirts, hot dogs and lots more fun for kids and their adult companions.

Philadelphia Orchestra may declare bankruptcy and two Saratoga Broadway buildings going on the auction block.

News
Philadelphia Orchestra board to vote on bankruptcy Saturday; concerned musicians oppose the move
Published: Friday, April 15, 2011

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Cellist Yo-Yo Ma joined Charles Dutoit and the Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC during the orchestra's 2010 residency in Saratoga Springs. Ed Burke file photo/eburke@saratogian.com

PHILADELPHIA — Members of the Philadelphia Orchestra concerned about a bankruptcy vote distributed leaflets to audience members before a concert to express their opposition to what they say would be a devastating blow to the famed ensemble’s future.

The musicians walked into the audience and handed out the leaflets Thursday night. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the crowd applauded as they returned to the stage. The musicians waved their instruments in gratitude.

The orchestra’s board is scheduled to vote Saturday whether to pursue Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The board tells WPVI-TV its $31 million in revenue is $15 million less than its costs.

The orchestra’s management is seeking givebacks including a 16 percent pay cut from the musicians as part of their ongoing contract negotiations.

The orchestra's annual summer residency at Saratoga Performing Arts Center is set to start its 2011 season July 27. At a March 31 meeting of SPAC's board, executive director Marcia White said this season would feature conductor emeritus Charles Dutoit as well as Spa City native and actor David Hyde Pierce as a narrator.

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Two Broadway buildings headed for auction block
April 15, 2011 at 5:33 pm by Dennis Yusko
SARATOGA SPRINGS - Two buildings on Broadway measuring more than 42,000-square-feet will be auctioned off next month, setting the stage for more big changes to the heart of this tourist city’s downtown business district.

Days after a 22,500-square-foot Borders bookstore shut its doors at 395 Broadway, news broke that the popular Saratoga Shoe Depot at 385 Broadway and a three-story building at 322-328 Broadway and the corner of Spring Street will be sold at auction on May 4.

Owned by Frank Panza, the shoe store is 22,252-square-feet, and is located just a few doors from Borders. The multi-story building is 20,678-square-feet. It’s ground-floor retail stores are partially vacant, and it contains residential units and a theater in the upper floor.

“They are kind of important properties,” said Chuck Anderson, owner of Anderson Auction & Realty, which is promoting the properties.

Panza could not be reached for comment, but Anderson called the May sales standard real estate foreclosure auctions due to non-payment of mortgages. Citing a city official who could not be reached late Friday, the Business Review reported that Panza owes $227,850 in taxes on 385 Broadway, and $96,102 on 322-328 Broadway.
The auction will take place at 11 a.m. May 4 at the Saratoga County Courthouse in Ballston Spa. Buyers will need a 10 percent deposit.

The Saratoga Shoe Depot, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year, could close within 30 days after the auction, Anderson said.

The spector of two more giant storefronts on Broadway going vacant will further alarm city officials, who fretted over the closing of Borders. But Anderson thinks that they could change hands soon.

“We’ve already had interest in them from several companies,” he said.

yeh! All good things we want come to Saratoga eventually.

Table Hopping
Eat, drink and be candid
By Steve Barnes | E-mail | About Table Hopping
Quintessence to open in former Bloomers location in MaltaApril 5, 2011 at 4:48 pm by Steve Barnes, senior writer
The partners responsible for reviving Quintessence in Albany have added another restored silver diner to their portfolio. Joseph Zappone, the local lawyer and developer who, with his business partner, Pat Fiore, restored the New Scotland Avenue Quintessence and reopened it in August 2009, tells me the pair have purchased the former Bloomers an American Bistro location, on Route 9 just south of Northway Exit 13; Bloomers closed in late March. Pre-Bloomers, the building was the longtime home of the former Chez Sophie.

Given that minimal work needs to be done on the new location, Zapponse says, the plan is to open within a couple of months, though alcohol may not be available at first, depending on arrival of the liquor license. As at the Albany Quintessence, management of the Malta business will be under the direction of Nick Riggione, whose family owns the local Inferno Pizzerias and who is a partner with the owners, while Riggione’s brother Gennaro will supervises the kitchen. The menu will be the same as in Albany, and the name will remain simply Quintessence.

Zappone and Fiore last fall bought the former Kirker’s location in Latham with the intention of putting a Quintessence there as well. The availability of the Malta diner has put that project temporarily on hold, Zappone says, as the pair concentrate on opening in Saratoga County. They still plan to develop the Latham property, but not immediately, he tells me.

Posted in News, Recommendations, Restaurants/chefs | 9 Comments
9 Comments »
1.Hip hip hooray.

Comment by dominic colose — April 5th, 2011 @ 6:56 pm

2.I’m excited.

Comment by Mr. Sunshine — April 5th, 2011 @ 7:05 pm

3.WINNING! That’s about 60 seconds from our house!

Comment by Mark H. Delfs — April 5th, 2011 @ 8:50 pm

4.They must have bought it completely as-is, you can still see the bottles behind the bar if you drive by. Glad something is moving in there right away.

Comment by Smythe — April 5th, 2011 @ 8:50 pm

5.Were do I apply?!!

Comment by salvino — April 5th, 2011 @ 9:42 pm

6.Yeah! Bring on the spinach noodles! Can’t wait.

Comment by lakesider — April 6th, 2011 @ 5:35 am

7.Great location

Comment by pw — April 6th, 2011 @ 7:08 am

8.can’t wait!

Comment by mattydread — April 6th, 2011 @ 8:17 am

9.I love the albany location, it brings me back in time, but can only get there maybe once a month leaving in nearby saratoga we will be there more often, GREAT NEWS, CAN’T WAIT

Comment by john — April 6th, 2011 @ 9:54 am

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Siro's to take Manhattan.

Iconic Saratoga Restaurant is Off To the Races in Turtle Bay April 1, 2011 1:24pm1commentshareprint
Siro's of Saratoga, a trackside landmark restaurant, is opening a new restaurant in Turtle Bay, backed by celebs.
•Story•Comments Siro's of Saratoga is bring its upscale horse race ambiance to Turtle Bay. (www.sirosny.com/)By Amy Zimmer

DNAinfo News Editor

MANHATTAN — A little bit of Saratoga Springs, the bucolic upstate town where New Yorkers like to escape to the horse races, is coming to Turtle Bay.

The famed Siro's of Saratoga is opening a fine dining restaurant and more casual "Club House" at 885 Second Ave., between 47th and 48th streets, and has some heavy hitters behind it.

Yankees relief ace Mariano Rivera is a partner in the Club House and "Entourage" star Kevin Connelly is part of the team behind the upscale half of the eatery, said Keith Kantrowitz, a mortgage banker who is part of the group of investors behind the project.

The popular trackside restaurant has been a staple on the Saratoga social circuit since it opened in 1930.

The Saratoga institution, once described as "a stamping ground for equestrian-minded magnates, grandes dames, dandies and the occasional miscreant," is only open during the six-week racing season.

"In an often repeated line once uttered by a waiter, Siro's is where 'Goodfellas' meets 'Gone With the Wind,'" the New York Times wrote in 2003.


Siro's will not only bring its cassoulet, lamb shanks and raw oysters, it will also bring some horse culture.

Kantrowitz said it will be decorated with pictures of famous horses and other horse-related artwork.

"During the racing season many of our customers are from New York City and many of them are loyal," Kantrowitz said of the impetus for the downstate outpost.

Kantrowitz's group — which included New York Post publisher Paul Carlucci and Steven Schoenfeld, managing partner of a New York-based financial services firm — took over Siro's in 2009.

Kantrowitz expects the New York City restaurant and club house to open in 2 months.


Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20110401/murray-hill-gramercy/iconic-saratoga-restaurant-is-off-races-turtle-bay#ixzz1IMwFOWaw