This Election Year Keeps Getting Better:

Thank god someone is running against Skip Scirocco and I'm thrilled that it's Bill McTygue. I can't think of a better choice. He has all the right qualifications: He is from Saratoga Springs, he has experience because he has been deputy of DPW before so he knows the inner workings of City Hall and he has actual work ethic. If you don't know, he is half of the Saratoga political power couple (he is the boyfriend of Mayoral candidate Joanne Yepsen)

Just think of how much quicker your leaves will be picked up. And I think of all the street signs that I've wanted replaced for years finally will be. Stay tuned kids and fasten your seat belts as this election year will prove to be a wild ride.

Raise Your Glass To Maestro's:

Citizen Nancy and a local chef who shall remain nameless had a spectacular and (very expensive) meal at Maestro's last night. If you haven't been already I strongly suggest you go before Racing Season begins. I usually go out for nice meals right before the crazy summer begins because I don't always like rubbing elbows with tourists and I don't believe in waiting a hour or more for a table.

I have always wanted to experience Maestro's and I am so glad I did. John LaPosta himself greeted us the moment my friend and I ascended the stairs at Maestro's at the Van Dam. We were shown to a comfortable and somewhat private table for two which was perfect. Bonnie our server was the best and answered all of our questions and didn't waver when my friend spilled the beans about me being Saratoga's uber-blogger.

We started with a carafe of French Bistro Pinot Noir ( a heavier wine) but tasted heavenly. ( I love ANYTHING French) We were treated to home made bread and butter. The menu at Maestro's rather eclectic and my friend left it up to me to do the ordering. (Real men love women who take charge) ;)

For appetizers we started with the chicken and pork sliders served with homemade chips. I also ordered the crab cake which is supposed to the best crab cake of all time and for ($14) it should have been. In all honesty I've had better crabcakes elsewhere.

For entrees we had the Diver Scallops ($28) and the Angus Beef Tenderloin for ($45) both were excellent. Steak was cooked perfectly and the scallops were amazing. We also ordered the Lobster Scallop Risotto ($38) The risotto was not creamy as it should have been and was a little watery even though it tasted good. It was mixed with green beans and spinach.

For dessert we ordered the chocolate cake (which I ate most of today because we were too stuffed from all the food we ordered but it was good. The better dessert was the cookies and milk which was one of the best desserts I and my friend ever had. Instead of a platter of cookies and milk which is what we thought we were ordering it was a milky rice pudding with hints of cinnamon and citris. It was accompanied by biscotti, a fig bar and a chocolate chip cookie.( $8 ) We also had the french press coffee and Bonnie our server brought up some chocolate bark which we asked to be packed up to take home. Over all it was an excellent meal. Worth the money. The check came to $203.00 and $50 tip for Bonnie. I will definitely go back.

link to dinner menu here:  http://www.maestrosatthevandam.com/menu/dinner.php

The Spice Girls:

Let The Games Begin. $50 bucks who can come up with the most clever Spice Girl moniker each candidate. Ready, set, go!

I Told You So:

Yes, I correctly predicted that Shauna Sutton would run. And is the fur ever gonna fly. Meow.The outcome of this election will be simple math. Meaning that whoever wins won't necessarily be the better candidate but it will be how many voters actually get off their butts and go to the polls. Both candidates have a loyal fan base so it will be a close race. (oh yeah, Debbie Harper will most likely be Shauna's Sutton's deputy.)

Meanwhile in Saratoga County,I just heard that Christina Abele (the candidate who was unceremoniously rejected as Animal Shelter director) is set to be hired in the Sheriffs office in B-Spa. That's what I hear. Hey, political connections and appointments never die in Saratoga.  Until next time kids. - citizen nancy

Just So You Know:

I just had a lovely meal at one of my absolute favorite places in Saratoga: RAVENOUS. Oh, btw, Shauna Sutton is running for Mayor. The official announcement will be held at Saratoga Arms at 2 p.m. (see Saratoga Seen blog)

 I haven't quite decided whether or not I will make an appearance at the press conference. I predict it will be one of the most if not the most contentious, backstabbing, political races in Saratoga Springs history. And..... They're off!! Orb who? Yeah exactly. Anywho, back to my lovely meal at Ravenous. The Summer schedule at Ravenous begins this friday. www.ravenouscrepes.com

Small Pomme Frites $3.25 garlic aioli 75 cents and Chili Crepe $10.95 Total bill: $16.80

Ravenous is a casual place for a great meal under $20. They have both sweet and savory crepes. Go to their website for a full menu. They also have a nice weekend brunch.Ravenous is located at 21 Phila Street. Closed Mondays.

Let The Ticketing Begin!:

Dear Saratoga Springs Traffic Department and Public Safety Department:

Every day when I and others try to cross in the crosswalk by Lake Avenue School I am nearly run down by motorists who seem to not understand what the rules of the road are. When Lake Avenue Elementary is in session there are two crossing guards there to stop motorists from illegally driving by. Even they have trouble sometimes getting motorists to stop. The rule is (check your drivers manual) if anyone is in the cross walk you must stop to let pedestrians cross. Motorists seem to be of the understanding that simply because there is no traffic light there, they simply don't have to stop. Wrong. Start ticketing and watch how people will suddenly remember the rules of the road. Thank you.

A Most Perfect Spring Day in Saratoga Springs:

There is nothing better than a spring day, a day off and money in your pocket. I strolled around Saratoga Springs today and finally got to the Comfort Kitchen for lunch and the Chocolate Mill for dessert. Both were excellent.

The Comfort Kitchen is located in the Downstreet Market place. I intended on getting a cheeseburger but the attractive and genuinely friendly hostess Olivia talked me into the 2 taco Special. The tacos were rather small but incredibly delicious. Chicken, cilantro, pickled red onion and avocado crema on corn tortillas. They were so good that I wolfed them down immediately. If you haven't tried Comfort Kitchen, I suggest that you get in there before the racing fans swarm into town. 2 tacos and a bottled water cost me $6.50. They are open from 11:30am-7pm and yes they deliver.

                   chicken tacos with cilantro, avocado crema and pickled onions. Yum!


The Chocolate Mill is located at 382 Broadway and even though the place is rather small they do have excellent pastries and coffee. I ordered a latte and a chocolate cherry bomb. Both were quite good. I sat outside and the manager Amanda treated me and my friend to plate of chocolates to sample (very good) and some refreshing cucumber water to cleanse the pallet. I am grateful for her hospitality. The only drawback in my experience had nothing to do with the Chocolate Mill but the annoyingly loud music coming from Boca Bistro right next door. The cost of my latte and chocolate cherry bomb cost me $10.11.

PERFECTO!!!

A big thank you and shout out to Public Safety Commish Chris Mathieson for fixing the intersection of Division and Clinton Streets. (see photos below)

In previous posts I photographed and wrote about intersections in town that were both hazardous to motorists and pedestrians. I'm thankful that we have a Public Safety Commissioner who actually listens to people who bring problems to his attention. I did try and get former Public Safety commissioner to fix certain intersections but he did nothing about it save for coming up with yet another bogus 'committee' to fix these things. We here in Saratoga Springs need ACTION,  not any more committees.

                       No more parking on this corner, no more blind spot!

I will go down my list of things that need fixing and by all means you may e-mail me your suggestions as well.
I will touch base with the Public Safety Commissioner later today or tomorrow to see what else he has planned for the city. There is a city council meeting tonight if you care to attend. To find out whats on the agenda go to saratoga.org for more info.

Oh, Skippy, if you are reading this, you need to replace the Elm Street sign on the corner of Elm and Washington Streets. Thank you.

DERBY DAY DO'S AND DON'TS:

It's the first Saturday in May y'all and you know what that means. It's KENTUCKY DERBY DAY and Saratoga is alive with exciting energy. I grew up with some actual values and morals and its very obvious that most of my fellow American's sadly did not. To all you out-of-towners visiting my hometown this weekend; behave yourself and do not treat us like we are a bunch of yahoos, it will not benefit you.


What NOT to do at ANY Bar you frequent this weekend. (I got this one from a bartender who works in a restaurant on Broadway)

• Do not blow your nose at the bar and for the love of god do not leave your tissue for your bartender to contend with. It's disgustingly unsanitary and it's incredibly rude. Don't do it and if you happen to be in the bar on Broadway the bartender will literally hand it back to you and embarrass you in front of your friends. Don't be this kind of customer.

• Your cabdriver is not your limo driver or your personal assistant. Yes, I know you and many others have been indoctrinated by the Kardashian's and other 'reality' television programs but I don't give a crap. You are not famous and not that important and if you want something extra from your cabdriver (just like your bartender) you will tip accordingly. We are not realtors so if you want an apartment to rent in Saratoga this summer you should have been pounding the pavement already.

• Be patient when ordering your drink from the bar this weekend. If its five-deep at the bar (any bar) you will have to wait. Don't be a pain in the arse and be high maintenance and for the love of god know what you want to drink when you are being waited on.

• Have some respect. I don't mind flirting with men and I do pride myself in being a big flirt at times but do not proposition me. It crosses the line. Here is a recent encounter I had with a man in a downtown bar:

Him: You are very attractive and I want to take you home with me. ( I did appreciate his directness)

Me: No. I'm not going anywhere with you.

Him: Let's go out to dinner right now, where would you like to go?

Me: No I'm not going anywhere with you.

Him: I'm married, my wife is out of town for the weekend. Is that going to be a problem for you?

Me: Yes it is. I don't fuck around and I'm Catholic.

Him: What does that have to do with anything. I have a big house on North B-way.

Me: I don't care what you have I am not going anywhere with you.


Don't be a jerk and I won't throw you under the bus. Enjoy your Derby Weekend.

Be a Pal and Help the Soon To Be Homeless:

People are becoming homeless right and left here in Saratoga Springs. Right now its the Algonquin residents, tomorrow or next week it could be you. Be a do-gooder and help these people find another place to live. Or just go to Magic Moon and buy them a going away present. Tomorrow marks the 19th year Anniversary of Magic Moon. It's on Phila Street, just so you know.

No Condos For Algonquin:

I made a call to Mary Ann Lawrence who manages the Algonquin building on Broadway and she did confirm that residents were given a 90 day notice to vacate the property. The Aronson's who have owned the building for the past sixty years are going to upgrade the apartments starting August 1st of this year. The renovations will take approximately a year to complete.

The average price of the apartments in the Algonquin range anywhere from $850-$1000 a month right now. They will be more once the apartments are renovated but Ms. Lawrence didn't know how much more they would be. She said they will be 'market value.' There are currently forty apartments in the building.

According to Ms. Lawrence, the current tenants will be given 'first option' to move back in once renovations are done.

Algonquin Residents given 90 Day Notice?

What's up with that?

Citizen Nancy has been informed that all residents of the Algonquin building located at 510 Broadway have been given a 90 day notice to vacate the property. (Good luck finding an inexpensive place to live just before racing season.) I have heard the owner is going to turn the place into condos. Condo's !!! Just what Saratoga Springs does not need any more of. I will update this story as soon as possible.

Kudos to Caitlin Morris:

Kudos to Saratogian reporter Caitlin Morris for writing about what has been on my mind since the Boston bombings. This summers events at Saratoga Racecourse could very well be a terrorists dream. There will be more people in town this summer than the ten previous summers combined. Everyone and their mother will want to be a part of the city of Saratoga festivities.

NYRA would be foolish not to have a strong police/security force on staff this summer. I'm not talking about the people they employ for $7.25 an hour either. They should align themselves with the state police and make their presence known at the track every day. Downtown Caroline Street should have cops walking a beat and should also have a strong police presence.We must get rid of or at least deter all the riff-raff who loving coming to Saratoga Springs but don't necessarily value it.

These bombings are the future for America. America as we've known it is over and has been for quite some time. Get your heads out of the sand kids.  If NYRA has any brains at all they should discontinue the 'bring in everything but the kitchen sink cooler crowd.'  And every single person going into the Racecourse should have backpacks and coolers checked if they are going to allow it.

We (America) are becoming the police state George Orwell wrote about.

Fight Crime: Shoot Back!

Apparently Saratoga Springs is starting to resemble Crack-nectady. This distresses me but I will not be deterred. So listen up girlfriends, life isn't easy and no one owes you a living and the police can't be everywhere. So roll up your sleeves and get it together.

Many moons ago Citizen Nancy decided to take a self-defense class at the local YMCA. I lived in a shitty neighborhood in San Francisco and was accosted on a daily basis. I remember one of the instructors telling me and every other woman in the class that the more we knew about how to protect our selves the less we would have to deal with.

I was annoyed and said, 'then what I am taking this class for if I can't kick some ass when some asshole wants to attack me?'

It took me awhile (years in fact) to understand that the instructor was in fact correct. What she meant was,  male predators know who is vulnerable and can tell by body language who will be easy prey and who might be difficult. I am known to be difficult and predators are by nature cowardly and don't like women and don't want the added stress of a confident woman willing to defend herself. (not surprisingly, this is why so many predators follow women home who are intoxicated and/or tired. It makes it easier for them to attack us.)

Strong body language is key, and mine clearly says, 'Mess with me at your own risk'. Indeed this is so. Weak male people who are inappropriate(and understand that I despise them) do not want the pain, aggravation and restraining order I will present them if they bother me.

I say, get a gun permit and learn how to use it and get yourself into a self-defense class and you will learn how to defend your life and how to take someone down who is twice the size of you. It can be done you know. Much love and respect to the majority of people on the planet: FEMALES. Rah-rah.

Love,

Citizen Nancy