U.K. Members of Parliament Gill Furniss, Dan Carden, and Navendu Mishra visit the GlobalFoundries headquarters in Malta with U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko. Photo via the GlobalFoundries X account.
MALTA — U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko visited the GlobalFoundries headquarters in Malta last week, along with U.K. members of parliament Gill Furniss, Dan Carden, and Navendu Mishra. The group met with GlobalFoundries employees and toured the facility’s cleanroom.
Tonko hosted the MPs during their trip to the Capital Region as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. The MPs discussed potential areas of cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom with Tonko, according to a press release.
GlobalFoundries is a semiconductor manufacturer that received $1.5 billion in federal funds earlier this year. The company plans to build a new microchip fabrication plant in Malta.
Coffee Planet in Ballston Spa was purchased by current owner Kim Tribley in 2018. Photo via the company’s Facebook page.
BALLSTON SPA — Coffee Planet, located at 100 Milton Avenue in downtown Ballston Spa, celebrated six years under its current ownership on Saturday.
A statement posted to the company’s Facebook page said that owner and CEO Kim Tribley “has poured her heart and soul into creating a space that goes beyond serving coffee; she’s built a community where warmth, connection, and exceptional service are at the core of everything we do.”
Tribley purchased Coffee Planet from previous owner Cliff Baum in 2018. The shop celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. Tribley was previously a sales rep at Chris’ Coffee in Latham.
A screenshot from the Saratoga 250 augmented reality preview app shows Benedict Arnold standing inside the Saratoga TODAY newsroom.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Benedict Arnold stood tall next to the water cooler in the Saratoga TODAY newsroom as he expressed his eagerness to repel British advances at the upcoming Battles of Saratoga. Or at least that’s how it looked on one reporter’s cell phone.
The Saratoga 250 Commission is using augmented reality and 3D animations of historic figures to help bring the “turning point” of the American Revolution to life. Upon downloading an app, cell phone users can “see” these animated characters standing in front of them via their phone’s camera. The characters then deliver first-person testimonies of their roles in the Battles of Saratoga, presenting history in an entertaining and technologically advanced fashion.
“You can stand next to an animation of Benedict Arnold and take your picture,” said Lauren Roberts, Saratoga County Historian and chairperson of the Saratoga 250 Commission.
360XR, a digital storytelling company, is responsible for creating these augmented reality experiences. The company previously created similar animations for various historic sites on Long Island. One in particular, a driving tour of the Culper Spy Ring, caught Roberts’ attention.
“We liked all the different ways that they were telling the story and we decided that this is something that we would really like to have in Saratoga County,” Roberts said. “Not every place is a historic site where you can have staffing and signage and installations, so the idea of using technology was really great for us.”
After the second battle of Saratoga, when British General John Burgoyne was outnumbered and on the run, he headed about ten miles north to what is now Schuylerville. With the use of augmented reality, this trail of the British retreat would come alive at various sites where visitors could hear stories told by animated, historic characters.
Some of the characters being brought to life by 360XR and Saratoga 250 are Benedict Arnold, John Burgoyne, and Lady Frederika Riedesel, who wrote memoirs of her experiences in the war.
“We know a lot about what was going on during the siege because of her writings,” Roberts said. “She gives some wonderful perspectives; ones that we wouldn’t necessarily hear from a military perspective.”
Riedesel, the wife of the commander of German forces at Saratoga, took shelter in the Marshall House in present-day Schuylerville. In the house’s cellar, she helped care for women and wounded soldiers.
“Here, I stand, thousands of miles from home with my three young daughters,” says an animated version of Riedesel in a donor preview video created by 360XR. “We live amidst a paradox. Nature’s beauty surrounds us, yet the harsh realities of wilderness travel and the brutal truths of war shape our days.”
These words, spoken by an actress portraying Riedesel, come directly from the actual writings of Lady Frederika. But when it comes to other historic characters who didn’t always leave behind written records of their thoughts, a certain amount of creativity is required to, quite literally, put words in their mouths.
“We’re interpreting their position or perspective, but we’re trying to be as accurate as you can be in a process like this,” Roberts said.
As of now, a few demos of these historic characters have been created. But Saratoga 250 hopes to make more of them.
“Technology is not cheap, so [Campaign for Saratoga 250] is working on funding so that we can include more stories and implement what we have,” Roberts said.
The hope is to have all of these augmented reality experiences ready in time for the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga, which will be celebrated in 2027.
“I hope that using a new way to tell stories will interest a larger audience,” Roberts said. “We’re really just trying to reach more people and tell the story in an informative and entertaining way.”
Sweeney’s Restaurant in Schuylerville has been renamed Mama Bear’s Diner after a change in ownership. Logo via the restaurants’ Facebook pages.
SCHUYLERVILLE — Since 2016, the diner located at 106 Broad Street in Schuylerville has been known to locals as Sweeney’s Restaurant. But starting July 31, the establishment changed ownership and revealed its new name: Mama Bear’s Diner.
Former owners Ed and Amanda Bergin wrote in a Facebook post that “for the last 8 years, we have had the pleasure to serve this community doing what we love. We have decided that it is time for us to step down and give someone else the same opportunity.”
The new owner might be familiar to Sweeney’s regulars. Ashley Comeaux, a waitress at Sweeney’s, took over the business from her former employers.
“I’ll be in the back baking yummy treats today but dad, a.k.a. the coffee guy, is ready to serve you some delicious food,” Comeaux said in a Facebook post. “Can’t wait to see you all!”
Mama Bear’s Diner is open from 7am to 2pm, Wednesday through Sunday.
“Goose on the Green” graphic via the Western Sun Foundation. Photo of Goose via the band’s website.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Last year, the jam band Goose had their biggest headlining performance to date at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). This year, when the band returns to SPAC for a two-night run in September, a fan-created charity is coming along to raise funds for a local nonprofit.
The Western Sun Foundation will host its first in-person fundraiser at the Saratoga Spa Golf Course on Saturday, September 7. The “Goose on the Green” event nearly sold out in only a week, with 72 people already slated to attend. As of Tuesday afternoon, the event had two tee times remaining for Goose fans looking to hit the links prior to the band’s second show.
The golf outing includes the long strange putt contest (a nod to the Grateful Dead lyrics, “what a long, strange trip it’s been”) and some soon-to-be-announced, Goose-related prizes.
The local nonprofit beneficiary of the fundraiser has yet to be determined. Western Sun Foundation President Sarah Blazincic said that Saratoga-area and Capital Region charities should contact her to be considered. The beneficiary will be officially selected by the foundation on August 15.
Western Sun was launched by a group of Goose fans in 2022. The Goose community, akin to the Phish and Grateful Dead fan bases that came before it, often attends multiple shows every year, obsessing over the setlists, solos, and sound mixes of each tour. Goose’s popularity has been steadily increasing over the past few years, especially after performances with Phish’s Trey Anastasio and the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir seemingly cemented them as the next great jam band act.
“We decided to take this big energy that was Goose and the music we get from it, transform that into action, and raise money for the communities that we’re traveling through,” said Blazincic.
Phish’s Mockingbird Foundation and the Grateful Dead’s Rex Foundation both served as examples for Goose fans looking to give back. “Just like lots of other communities have done before us, we wanted to capitalize on the Goose energy that is so quickly rising and do some good with it,” Blazincic said.
One example of Western Sun’s good deeds came during Goose shows at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in October 2023.
“We partnered with an organization called Feel the Beat,” Blazincic said. “They are an organization that provides music education and music therapy for children with disabilities and people who are hard of hearing. So they actually have vibrating dance floors that they’re putting in venues around Colorado. They make sure that there are music interpreters and all different types of programming to bring music education and therapy to people who typically don’t have access to it.”
Western Sun raised $6,000 and launched a 30-day awareness and visibility campaign for Feel the Beat. The fan foundation has also financially supported nonprofits such as Girls Rock Detroit, a music education program that teaches girls how to play instruments and create a band. Girls Rock Detroit participants were invited to attend a Goose soundcheck and watch the group live.
Blazincic said that Goose band members have been “very supportive” of the foundation’s initiatives over the past couple years.
“We work with them side by side to make sure that we are doing things that they want to see,” Blazincic said. “This golf outing was one of them.”
“Goose on the Green” will take place on Saturday, September 7 at the Saratoga Spa State Park Golf Club at 60 Roosevelt Drive in Saratoga Springs. For more information on registration and sponsorships, visit app.eventcaddy.com/events/goose-on-the-green.
The Western Sun Foundation is looking for beneficiaries in the Saratoga area that meet the following criteria:
• Classified as a “Public Charity” with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (individual or private foundations are not eligible)
• Operating budget less than $1,000,000
• Focuses on one of the following areas: music education; music therapy; safety, health, and personal wellbeing of women and children; or climate action and environmental sustainability
Local organizations that meet these criteria can contact Sarah Blazincic at westernsunfoundation@gmail.com.
Saratoga rower Kristi Wagner competes with her double sculls partner Sophia Vitas. Lauren O’Connor, another Saratoga rower, is seen in competition with her quadruple sculls partners. Wagner and O’Connor both competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photos via U.S. Rowing.
PARIS, FRANCE — Two members of the Saratoga Rowing Association competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics this week and last week: Kristi Wagner and Lauren O’Connor. As of press time, Wagner was scheduled to row in the women’s double sculls B Final on Thursday. O’Connor was slated to compete in the women’s quadruple sculls B Final on Wednesday.
Wagner had finished third in a prior event on Saturday, which allowed her to advance to the semifinals held on Tuesday. In the semifinals, Wagner and her doubles partner Sophia Vitas placed fifth with a time of 07:04.12.
O’Connor’s quadruple sculls team also placed fifth in their repechage event on Monday morning, sending them to the B Final.
Both Wagner and O’Connor have been knocked out of the running for medals, but their overall placement in the games will depend upon their performances on Thursday and Wednesday, respectively.
The Paris 2024 games marked Wagner’s second Olympic appearance. She previously finished fifth at the 2020 games in Tokyo. For O’Connor, the Paris games were her first time in Olympic competition.
Wagner and Vitas previously won a bronze medal at the 2023 World Rowing Championships. Wagner is the host of a podcast, “The Other 3 Years,” in which she discusses her journey to qualify for the Olympics. Her profile on the Team USA website notes that she enjoys hiking in the Adirondacks. She is currently the Regatta Director for the Saratoga Rowing Association, where she plans the “Head of the Fish” race held in October on Fish Creek.
O’Connor finished 11th in quadruple sculls at the 2023 World Rowing Championships. She is originally from Belleville, Wisconsin. She has been a coach and athlete at the Saratoga Rowing Association for the past three years.
Image of Brett Rodriguez via the Tri-City ValleyCats.
TROY — The Tri-City ValleyCats, a professional baseball team competing in the Frontier League, announced Tuesday that they had signed Queensbury native Brett Rodriguez to their roster. Rodriguez made his debut for the team on Tuesday night against the New England Knockouts, playing right field.
Rodriguez was signed to a minor league contract by the Seattle Mariners in 2020. He spent time with the High-A Everett AquaSox, the Single-A Modesto Nuts, and the Indios de Mayagüez team in Puerto Rico. In 2021, he reached the AAA level, playing in two games for the Tacoma Rainiers.
Last year, he had 153 plate appearances for Modesto, finishing with a .693 OPS and 15 stolen bases. In July 2023, he was released by the Nuts. Earlier this year, he played 39 games with the Milwaukee Milkmen, an independent team based in Wisconsin.
After a three-game home series against New England, the ValleyCats will hit the road for three games against the New York Boulders. Prior to the New England series, Tri-City was 35-31 on the season, placing them fourth in the Frontier League’s East Division.
GLENS FALLS — The Glens Falls Dragons, an amateur baseball team that competes in the Perfect Game Collegiate League, wrapped up its season last Sunday with a 7-1 loss at home to the Saugerties Stallions.
Overall, the team had a rough season, finishing with a 8-30-1 record. Despite this, the Dragons had some standout individual performances. Dominican outfielder Odilio Cespedes had a .290 batting average in 100 at-bats. He also led the team with 11 RBI. Utility player Cody Meier earned a .282 average across 110 at-bats, and had the second-most RBI with 8.
On the mound, pitcher Riley Orr (a Queensbury native) led the way with 29 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched. Not far behind was southpaw Alfonso Lombardi, who had 27 strikeouts across 26.2 innings. JJ Trudeau, a freshman from Cohoes, had a 3.48 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 20.2 innings.
The Dragons roster this season featured a number of local competitors from Clifton Park, Mechanicville, Ballston Lake, East Greenbush, and other communities. The team plays its games at the East Field in Glens Falls.
The interior of BuonaSera, a new Italian eatery located on Saratoga Lake. Photo via the restaurant’s Facebook page.
MALTA — BuonaSera, a new Italian restaurant located on Saratoga Lake in Malta, opened its doors earlier this month. The eatery is housed in the former home of Nostalgia Ale House & Wine Bar.
The menu includes Italian favorites such as chicken parmesan, penne alla vodka, and spaghetti with clam sauce. Offerings also include shrimp aglio e olio, frutti di mare, grilled eggplant ragu, roasted chicken, beef carpaccio, and grilled ribeye.
BuonaSera, located at 113 Route 9P, is now open from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. every day except Wednesday.
The storefront of Life is Good’s Saratoga Springs location on Broadway. Photo via the company’s Facebook page.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Life is good for John Nemjo, and not just because his businesses have sold more than 43,000 canoes and kayaks.
Earlier this month, Nemjo opened Life is Good on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, right next to his other store, Saratoga Outdoors. The Life is Good brand has been an enduring success for decades, and Nemjo attributes that success to the company’s positive, outdoorsy message.
“Saratoga has so many things that relate to the Life is Good deal. We have music. We have SPAC. We have horses,” Nemjo said. “We got the lake. We got the mountains. We got golf. We got tennis. We’ve got lots of things.”
Upstate New York’s access to the great outdoors is what made Nemjo’s stores successful, and it’s also what drew him to the area in the first place.
“I fell in love with the Adirondacks over a bunch of years and decided, hell I’ll move to Old Forge and open up a camping store,” Nemjo said.
When he opened his first Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company store in 1993, Nemjo had little money and even less experience running a business. But after three years of hard work, it became clear that Nemjo was on to something. Canoe and kayak sales began to skyrocket. His burgeoning empire grew to three stores located along the Moose River. Then in 2007, he purchased an old bank in downtown Old Forge and turned it into his first Life is Good location.
“That store took off right out of the box,” Nemjo said. “We were doing $5,000 a day in t-shirts right at the beginning. It was crazy.”
When Nemjo relocated to the Capital Region, he wanted to work a bit closer to home. So he began exploring the idea of opening a Life is Good store in Saratoga. At the time, the ski apparel company CB Sports carried Life is Good products in town. But when the CB location at 490 Broadway closed, Nemjo seized his opportunity. He took over the property and opened the first iteration of a dedicated Life is Good store in 2008.
Since then, Nemjo has steadily increased his presence on Broadway, purchasing neighboring stores when they closed up shop. Today, he owns four storefronts, including the new Life is Good location at 486 Broadway, which officially opened its doors on July 1.
“I think we’ve got the largest retail footprint on Broadway now,” Nemjo said. “I know my landlord’s making a lot of money from us.”
