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Kentucky Derby Postponed to Sept. 5; NYRA Issues Statement Regarding 2020 Belmont Stakes
NEW YORK — Tuesday morning, Churchill Downs Incorporated announced that the 2020 Kentucky Derby, originally scheduled for May 2, has been postponed and will now be run on Saturday, Sept. 5.
In response, New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) CEO & President Dave O’Rourke issued the following statement: “NYRA is working closely with all appropriate parties, including media rights holder NBC Sports, to make a determination about the timing of the 2020 Belmont Stakes. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to upend American life, decisions about large-scale public events must prioritize public health and safety above all else. NYRA will deliver an announcement only when that process has concluded to the satisfaction of state and local health departments. The Belmont Stakes is a New York institution with wide-reaching economic impact. We look forward to its 152nd edition in 2020.”
Since March 12, NYRA has conducted live racing without fan attendance at Aqueduct and through March 17 restated its intention to continue racing behind closed doors.
The 40-racing days Saratoga Meet is slated to run July 16 - Sept. 7. Spring training at the Oklahoma Training track, located on Union Avenue across from the main racecourse typically begins in mid-April.
Saratoga Hospital: COVID-19
New Visitation & Hospital Access Policies; Hospital Establishes Separate Lab Specimen Collection Site for Approved COVID-19 Testing of Patients
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital has instituted new visitation and hospital access policies. Until further notice, enter only through the main entrance or the Alfred Z. Solomon Emergency Center.
The main entrance hours are:
Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• The Emergency Center entrance is open 24/7.
• Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology entrance: for cancer patients only.
• No visitors with fever, cough or shortness of breath
• All patients will be restricted to one visitor/support person. This applies to all patients, including inpatients, those who are coming to the hospital for outpatient tests or treatments, and maternity patients.
The hospital says “compassionate considerations” will be made on a case-by-case basis dependent on a patient's circumstances and nurse director or designee approval. All patients and visitors must sign in at the reception desk and follow the login procedure. No visitors under age 16.
These restrictions apply only to Saratoga Hospital, not to outpatient locations.
COVID-19 testing must be ordered by a healthcare provider or your county health department.
If you believe you have COVID-19 symptoms, or may have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, do not go to any healthcare location. Instead, please call your provider. When you call, a healthcare professional will assess your symptoms. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may be directed to a testing site per your provider or your county public health department.
If someone believes they may be sick, people are encouraged to call their provider before going to a provider’s office or urgent care to help assess the next best steps for care and provide appropriate guidance. For example, in most mild cases, a provider visit may not be necessary.
Saratoga Hospital has established a separate lab specimen collection site for approved COVID-19 testing of patients. The temporary biocontainment facility, located outside Alfred Z. Solomon Emergency Center on Myrtle Street, is the safest way to provide this service to the community.
Patients must be referred for COVID-19 specimen collection at this site either by a licensed healthcare provider or by the New York State or Saratoga County health departments. There is no walk-in service. For more information, go to: www.saratogahospital.org/covid19.
The NYSDOH Coronavirus Hotline is a valuable resource for the most up-to-date information: 1-888-364-3065.
Emergency Shelter for Homeless Set Up at Senior Center
SARATOGA SPRINGS — In an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, Shelters of Saratoga will be using a new location as an emergency shelter for the homeless currently housed at the Code Blue Shelter on Adelphi Street. The Senior Center at 5 William St. is being converted for this purpose.
“People experiencing homelessness not only are challenged to do what we are asking like, washing hands, staying indoors, talking to their medical providers when they are not feeling well - but many are already impacted with health issues, thus putting them at-high risk of contracting the virus,” said Karen Gregory, executive director of Shelters of Saratoga, which oversees the Code Blue program.
Individuals experiencing homelessness include many older adults, often with compounding disabilities. In Saratoga Springs, these adults often reside in small, congregate shelters or in unsheltered locations with poor access to sanitation. Their age, poor health, disability, and living conditions make them highly vulnerable to illness. Once COVID-19 is introduced to this high-risk population, further transmission will be very difficult to contain, hence inspiring Shelters of Saratoga to initiate a rapid response plan during the crisis.
SOS’s Case Managed Emergency Shelters house up to 32 individuals a night in a congregate-style setting. They also sponsor the Emergency Winter Shelter - Code Blue which houses up to 61 individuals each night between Oct. 15 and April 15. Quarantining someone inside the building is not an option.
“Across all of our programs, we will be working unconventional hours to secure coverage. Until this passes, we will not be doing business as usual - the safety of the team and all of the guests are of utmost importance to me. This is a difficult time and we do not have the luxury of working remotely. We are here, present and in the trenches - side by side the individuals we are serving,” Gregory said.
Shelter staff are monitoring guests for symptoms and encouraging people to self-report if they’re not feeling well. But in the event of an outbreak, Gregory said she would need support from the Department of Health, the Local Department of Social Services and area hospitals to treat and house the sick, as well as to make sure that they are connected with food and other services they depend on the shelter for.
“In this new location, we will have three rooms which will easily allow for separation. I am proud and grateful to work in a city that cares so deeply for its most vulnerable.”
S.O.S. also operates an outreach program for the many individuals living in motels scattered throughout the county, parking garages and those who do not come indoors. The SOS outreach team is working to get critical information about the virus to people, who are in many cases unaware of the dangers posed by this virus.
Saratoga Springs: New Rules for City Operations
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The City Council announced on Friday, March 13 that the City of Saratoga Springs has declared a State of Emergency. City Hall offices were closed to the public beginning Monday, March 16 and remain so until rescinded by a further order.
The City Police Department, Fire/EMS Department, and vital Public Works staff will continue to operate as normal. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. Call your health care provider FIRST if you have any concerns over your health and possible exposure to COVID-19.
Public attendance will not be allowed at City Council meetings, which will instead be live streamed through the city’s website and our Facebook page. The public is encouraged to email Mayor Kelly’s office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions or comments they would like to have entered into the record, regarding City Council meetings.
The City Land Use Boards are cancelled for at least the next two weeks, including the March 27 meeting.
CITY DEPARTMENT CONTACTS:
Accounts Department: 518-210-3243 (Marilyn Rivers, Director of Risk and Safety).
Mayor’s Department: 518-414-2118 (Lisa Shields, Deputy Mayor).
Public Safety Department:
911 (Emergency)
518-584-1800 (Police Department Non-Emergency)
518-587-3599 (Fire Department Non-Emergency)
518-265-6485 (Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety)
Public Works Department: 518-584-3356 (Department Dispatch).
Finance Department: Finance will be communicating regarding City payments (taxes, utility bills, etc.). Please check the City website for updates.
INFORMATION LINKS:
Health Care: www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments/publichealth
Courts: www.nycourts.gov
Schools: www.SaratogaSchools.org
The Saratoga Springs School District is closed effective immediately through Sunday April 19.
Residents are encouraged to visit the City’s website at www.Saratoga-Springs.org to receive updates on City operations.
City Police Make Adjustments to Protocol
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Police Departments has enacted new measures and adjustments to protocol to ensure the safety of personnel and the public.
Police will continue to respond to all emergency calls for service. Certain measures will be enacted to prevent unnecessary contact with those who may be ill, which will affect certain nonemergency calls for service, according to a statement issued by the department.
Members of the public are asked to not visit the police department to file a report, and to instead call the department nonemergency number at: 518-584-1800, option 2.
To request copies of an accident report, go to: buycrash.com.
To download a police report request form, go to: www.saratoga-springs.org/290/Obtaining-Police-Reports. Wait times may be longer than normal.
Station tours, internships, non-essential programs have been postponed, and all civilian fingerprinting services suspended.
Parking violation tickets may be paid online at: www.saratoga-springs.org/212/Parking-Tickets, or call 1-800-966-0285 to pay by phone. There will be a $3.50 charge per ticket.
COVID-19 and Freelance Artists Resources & Opportunities
SARATOGA SPRINGS — An aggregated list of free resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines has been developed by and for freelance artists and those interested in supporting the independent artist community.
The resources – highlighted by Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy, or ACE, is specifically designed to serve freelance artists, and those interested in supporting the independent artist community. Included are information for actors, designers, producers, technicians, stage managers, musicians, composers, choreographers, visual artists, filmmakers, craft artists, teaching artists, dancers, writers and playwrights, photographers,
and others.
The links include artists’ readiness alert and the challenges of business interruptions, lists of emergency funding opportunities for artists, national crowdfunding and collective action efforts related to new funds set up specifically to relieve artists in financial crisis as a result of COVID-19, online arts sharing platforms as well as best practices for online teaching, learning, and gathering.
That link is at:covid19freelanceartistresource.wordpress.com.
ACE is a regional group of stakeholders representing Capital Region arts organizations, private corporations, philanthropists, economic development, chambers of commerce, non-profit organizations, financial organizations, media, and educational institutions. The stakeholders recognize creative enterprises are of vital economic importance in terms of employment, community empowerment, economic competitiveness, enhanced quality of life, and skill building – all leading to the community’s increased well-being.
The Stay-At-Home Sessions: Caffe Lena to Stream Live Music
SARATOGA SPRINGS — As efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19 force music venues across the nation to go dark, Saratoga's Caffè Lena is maintaining a nightly concert schedule.
There will be no audience in the popular venue's 110 seats, but bands will take the stage to keep delivering music "at a time when it's needed most," Caffè Lena's Board President Jim Mastrianni said, in a statement.
Using three broadcast cameras mounted in the performance space, the venue will use professional operators to livestream concerts on its YouTube channel.
"We're really concerned about the loss of income for independent musicians who are unable to work now, and we also know that music helps everyone feel better at times like this," Mastrianni said. "Based on people's remarks, we know it's a big pick-me-up to be part of an audience when people are feeling isolated and worried," said Mastrianni.
"Music is our mission," said the café’s Executive Director Sarah Craig. "We can't be together in person for a few weeks, so we're going to engage people right in their living rooms. It seems like lots of folks are eager to help our musical family stay strong during this challenging time."
The goal is offering a broadcast every night at 8 p.m. for the duration of the shut-down. The performances can be accessed through www.caffelena.org.
Tango Fusion Dance Company Offers Free Online Dance Classes in Swing, Salsa & More
Governor: New Rules in Effect Friday
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced the state will institute limits on mass gatherings, directing events with 500 or more individuals in attendance to be cancelled or postponed.
Events, gatherings, or places of business with less than 500 individuals in attendance will be required to cut capacity by 50 percent, with exceptions being made for spaces where individuals do not make sustained close contact, such as schools, hospitals, public buildings, mass transit, grocery stores and retail stores. These new regulations will go into effect 5 p.m. Friday, March 13.
- Nursing homes: only medically necessary visits will be allowed at nursing homes. This policy will also be effective Friday at 5 p.m. The state is asking nursing homes to set up skyping and other online communication capacity so families can tele-visit their loved ones. Additionally, the state will require health screenings for all nursing home workers each day when they enter a facility and require them to wear surgical masks to guard against any potential asymptomatic spread.
In order to increase testing capacity, the State is contracting with BioReference Laboratories to run an additional 5,000 tests per day on top of what the state is already doing. These additional 5,000 tests per day will come online next week. This additional testing capacity is on top of that of the 28 private labs the governor announced are partnering with the state in the coming days and weeks.
Additionally, the Governor announced the first public drive-through testing facility on the east coast will start testing people (today) in New Rochelle.
- For all schools in communities with the highest rates of positive cases, the state will be taking proactive steps to implement protocols that limit mass contact. The Governor announced SUNY Albany will cancel in person classes for the rest of the semester after a positive case was confirmed.
Finally, the Governor confirmed 109 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 325 confirmed cases in New York State. Of the 325 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows:
- Albany County: 1 (1 new)
- Broome County: 1 (1 new)
- Delaware County: 1 (1 new)
- Dutchess County: 1 (1 new)
- Herkimer County: 1 (1 new)
- Monroe County: 1 (1 new)
- Nassau County: 41 (13 new)
- New York City: 95 (43 new)
- Orange County: 1 (1 new)
- Rockland County: 7 (1 new)
- Saratoga County: 3 (1 new)
- Suffolk County: 20 (14 new)
- Ulster County: 4 (3 new)
- Westchester County: 148 (27 new)
Additionally, any business that cannot accommodate rigorous cleaning standards should contact Empire State Development at (212) 803-3100 for a close order.
Read Gov. Cuomo's statement in its entirety HERE.
Saratoga Arts Announces $123,010 for Arts Projects
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Arts this week announced the recipients of our 2020 Community Arts Grants for organizations and individual artists in Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties. Thirty-nine grants totaling $123,010 have been awarded to support community-based arts events taking place in 2020.
This year’s recipients and their funded projects offer their communities year-round opportunities to experience a wide array of free or low-cost artistic events highlighting talented local and regional artists. An estimated 24,000+ community members, 5,600+ youth, and 1,580+ artists will directly participate in these grant-funded events occurring throughout 2020.
With funding awarded from the New York State Council on the Arts, Saratoga Arts’ Community Arts Grants support artists, non-profit organizations, and government departments in Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties, in partnership with qualifying organizations and artists, to present arts and cultural programs of high artistic merit in local communities.
Grants awarded specifically to Saratoga County include: Adirondack Center Stage, Inc. - Corinth, NY for 2020 Summer Theatre Workshop $5,000; Ballston Area Community Center - Ballston Spa, NY for Village of Ballston Textile Mural $4,500; Patrick Donovan - Saratoga Springs for A Whitman Sampler $2,500; Galway Public Library - Galway for Color Your Summer: Draw; Write; Dance $2511; Homemade Theater - Saratoga Springs for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time $5,000; Mary Kathryn Jablonski - Saratoga Springs for Compass: A Video/Poem $2,500; MK Narasimha - Saratoga Springs for Indian Classical Dances $2,500; Saratoga Automobile Museum - Saratoga Springs for Wheels, Women & Independence $5,000; Saratoga Shakespeare, Inc. - Saratoga Springs for Much Ado About Nothin $5,000; Saratoga Springs Arts District - Saratoga Springs, NY for 8th Annual Beekman Street Fair $5,000; Saratoga Springs Public Library - Saratoga Springs for Drum Circles for Seniors $750 and for West African Drum Circle: Movement & Rhythm for Adults with Special Needs $750; Senior Citizens Center of Saratoga Springs - Saratoga Springs for Lunchtime Concerts $4,537; Schuylerville Public Library - Schuylerville for Children’s Theater Camp $2,625; The Creative Place, Inc. - Saratoga Springs for An Agatha Christie World Premiere: The Man in the Brown Suit $2,500; Town of Ballston Community Library - Burnt Hills for Don’t Wait to Unmake a Bully, with filmmaker Michael Feurstein at Charlton Heights Elementary School $2,240; Town of Malta Parks and Recreation - Malta for Malta Cultural Arts Festival $4,721; Village of Ballston Spa - Ballston Spa for Third Annual Birdhouse Competition & Festival $5,000; Ulysses S. Grant Cottage Historic Site - Wilton for One Real American: The True Story of Ely Parker $500 and for Our Land: Stories & Songs from the Traditions of the Native Peoples of Saratoga Region $500 and for Photography/History with Clifford Oliver $500; Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park - Wilton for Painting in Nature at the Wilton Preserve $1500 and for Blues for the Karner Blues $1,050.
This years’ grant recipients will be acknowledged and celebrated at the annual Grant Awards Reception 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, at the Arts Center, 320 Broadway. The public is invited to attend the free event to learn more about funded projects taking place in their communities and to enjoy light fare, beverages and live music performance by past grant awardee Byron Nilsson. Saratoga Arts asks that anyone who would like to attend, please register in advance by calling 518-584-4132 or online at saratoga-arts.org.
