Beyond the festivities surrounding the New York City Ballet’s 60th Anniversary at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, including the return of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the George Balanchine ballet that inaugurated SPAC in 1966, Friday afternoon’s Saratoga premiere of a major new ballet also invites celebration.

Unlike Shakespeare’s comedy, George Balanchine’s great ballet of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is no talk and all dance.

The headlines were as predictable as the opening whistle. Another World Cup arrived trailing controversy: immigration crackdowns, militarized security, exorbitant ticket prices, thousand-dollar train rides.

Public education has always been one of America’s boldest ideas.

This week we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence. Looking back at that moment in time, it’s clear now this was a watershed moment not only for our country, but for all of humanity.

Of all the teams that had a rough run at the World Cup, no one had it worse than Iran. I suppose you could say Italy, because the four-time champion has now missed the past three Cups.

My daughter, who survived on salty, cheddar-dusted Goldfish crackers, now devours kimchi when she craves a snack. She may be onto something.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Students Inside Albany conference, a program that brings high school students from across New York state to the Capitol to learn about government and public service firsthand.

Spring has sprung, the crack of the bat is in the air, and the Tri-City Valley Cats are back in Troy with their solid brand of minor league baseball.

By now, most Americans have probably figured out a few things about the World Cup. First, you’re not going to get tickets and prices aren’t going to drop.