👮‍♂️🍦 🌭 National Night Out & Schoharie Co. Fair opens 🎡

Today in The 518

• Meet your local law enforcement at National Night Out 👮‍♀️ 

• The 5 best pizza shops in Saratoga 🍕 

• Reader poll results: The coolest things in the Capital District ⛵️ 

• A converted live-work barn is our Home of the Week 🏡 

• Plus, all the music listings you need this week 🎸

Get to know your local crime fighters at National Night Out 🚨👮‍♂️🍦 🌭 

National Night Out began 20 years ago when the publisher of a community crime watch newsletter in Lower Merion, PA, saw the need for communities to form better ties with their local police—yay, local newsletters for the win 🙌 

Traditionally held on the first Tuesday of August, NNO has grown to involve some 38 million people in more than 17,000 communities in all 50 states. The block parties often feature children’s activities, food, music, vehicles and demos from police and fire, and booths where residents can connect with their local crime fighters 👮‍♀️ 🚓 

News10 has compiled a handy guide to all of the National Night Out events in the Capital District, from Albany to Watervliet.

This year, Niskayuna is hosting its first National Night Out on the lawn at Town Hall, from 6 to 8 pm. Come for the free burgers, hot dogs, Stewart’s ice cream and shaved ice from Kona Ice. Stay to chat up a police officer or two, and jam to a free concert by Doc Horton and the Jay Street Band.

After not hosting an event in 2023, Albany’s South End neighborhood is back with a block party in Lincoln Park (at Eagle Street), from 5 to 8 pm. It’s usually one of the bigger National Night Out events in Albany.

After the tumultuous events during and following a 2021 Black Lives Matter protest outside South Station, it’s great to see the community and law enforcement taking steps to nurture ties again. And free food and music always help to get the convo going.

“Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on.” —Robert Kennedy (the original, not Junior 😂 )

Expect to see slightly cooler temps this week while the distinct possibility of thunderstorms persists.

5 best pizza shops in Saratoga

We’re always on the hunt for a great slice of pie—of the pizza variety. The Daily Gazette staff just put out their list of favorite pizza shops in Toga for the racing season. Lately, we’ve been partial to the simple but delicious margherita pie at Albany’s Pizza Michelina, a welcome addition to Delaware Avenue. Some say it ranks right up there with DiFazio’s.

Schoharie County Fair opens

Fair season continues on Tuesday with the opening of the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair. This year’s highlights include Chubby Checker (yes, that one), Josh Turner, Immortal Wrestling, the demolition derby, and the Zerbini Family Circus. Chubby Checker seems super hyped to do the Twist at the fair, telling The Daily Gazette: “My whole life is going to lead me to Cobleskill on the 10th. We’re going to have a great time.” 🕺 

Btw, make the most of the fair with our Guide to the Capital Region’s Best Fairs.

Clinton Square makeover

Albany is looking to create a thriving hub between its downtown core and the Warehouse District. Key to that plan is the revival of Clinton Square and the new Clinton Market Collective, which plans to host pop-up events and art installations at the former Federal Park site. The Times Union has the full story.