Summer 2009 Edition
LOL…you don’t need me to tell you its “Summer in Saratoga“.
Its truly fascinating to me to watch the neighborhood energizes and transform, to prepare and service, the pending onslaught of tourism while maintaining the neighborhood culture that unites residents all year round. Its “hope” mixed with adrenaline that I am most drawn to: the small business owners that get on the roller-coaster of Saratoga economics, hoping for a great tourist season, fearing what will happen without it, and still want to go on the ride anyway. Love those folks!
Now looking at Saratoga thru the eyes of a business owner, versus a neighboring resident, I’ve spent time really discovering more and more about assumed tourist-y things that are actually pretty terrific year round venues. We hear so much about the racing and summer entertainment season that its been a delightful journey to really LOOK at all of the venues, the museums, the walking tours, the green spaces that we, as residents, can take advantage of all year long. Makes me wonder why we ship our kids to the outside for field trips…
And can I say: the Saratoga Springs Public Library has the most incredible selection of activities, events and education that I’ve yet to see rivaled in other community libraries. Who’d have thought the public library could be such a “hub” of personal enrichment and family entertainment beyond borrowing a book to read? To top it off, almost every single solitary activity and event is free, free, free…in today’s troubled times, you just can’t beat that!
I know of local families that like to avoid the Saratoga season for whatever reason and I say embrace it….be your own tourist and really take the time to get out and explore the town with a visitor point-of-view. Its fun, its refreshing and a fabulous way to teach your children about where they live and the heritage that surrounds them all year long. You’ll be glad you did.
See you in September!
OuterZone Family Entertainment
Describe your business and how you got started?
We are known for our state of the art laser tag arena in which I give most of the credit to my brother. He is an excellent artist and all the ideas and artistry comes from him. His imagination is outstanding and constantly going. Our arena is 5000 square foot which boasts a maze of columns, tunnels and 150 hiding places, a multi level ramp. strobes, laser light show and sound effects. It has a 5000-watt stereo system sending waves of excitement through the haze that enhances every laser beam shot from the players’ phaser guns. We are known as A Challenge Beyond … For the Serious Laser Tag Player.
The best thing about my business is the fact that I have my family right here besides me helping me with the planning and decisions that are needed to run a successful business.
That we are now a multi venue operation now that caters to the whole family young and old. We have a new dance club for teens that has an awesome laser lite show live music and it is a fun and safe place for your teen to get together with their classmates on Friday and Saturday nites for grade 6th 7th and 8th graders. We now serve our own food and make our own pizzas. Times 8-11pm for the dance. We are also booking Sweet 16 and Private Dance Parties, Bounce Parties, Laser Tag Parties and more. We also cater to Church Groups, Summer Camp Day Cares, Youth Groups, etc.
Owner Name: Gordon Duell
Business Name: Outer Zone Family Entertainment
Address: 82 Congress Street Plaza, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Phone: 587-8243 (TAG3)
PAINTING OVER FLAKING EXTERIOR PAINT
Level of difficulty: Intermediate
Flaking paint can ruin the look of your wood siding, but it can be repaired. But before you paint over the damage you need to know why this happening. Flaking occurs when moisture collects behind the painted surface. The moisture, which enters the wood siding from the unpainted side, gets absorbed and then dries in the wood. This causes repeated swelling and shrinking of the wood, which breaks the paint film and forces it to pull away from the wood surface.
Step 1: Locate the Source
The first step is locating the source of the moisture. Check the area for leakage from the gutters or eaves of the house. If the flaking paint is near a bathroom or kitchen, the pipes may be sweating or leaking, or excess heat may be causing condensation.
Step 2: Correcting Moisture Build-Up
You may need to install attic louvers, moisture vents or exhaust fans to correct the build-up of moisture.
Step 3: Remove Flaking Paint
Scrape away flaking paint. Remove the paint as far as 12″ in all directions of flaking paint.
Step 4: Sand the Surface
Sand the surface (80grit sandpaper) down to the unpainted wood and spot prime the area. Use a good quality Exterior Latex Primer for most surfaces. An oil primer should be used for Cedar and Redwood.
Step 5: Caulk the Seams
Protect the area against moisture by using Pheno Seal paintable acrylic caulk, caulking all seams, holes and cracks that appear in the freshly sanded area.
Step 6: Apply Paint
Once the caulking compound has dried completely, apply at least one top coat of a good quality 100% Exterior Acrylic Latex paint.
CAUTION: If you scrape, sand or remove old paint you could release lead dust. Lead dust is toxic. Before you start, find out how to protect yourself by contacting the National Lead Hot line at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead
Visit your neighborhood Allerdice Building Supply or Allerdice Hardware Paint Departments for more information on your home improvement needs. Need Advice? Ask Allerdice.
Allerdice Building Supply 41 Walworth St. Saratoga Springs 584.5533
Allerdice Hardware Milton Center Plaza, Ballston Spa 885-8508
Allerdice Hardware Rt. 9P Saratoga Lake 587.9940
Level of difficulty: Intermediate.
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