Calendar

Thursday, Dec. 13 AMERICAN ITALIAN HERITAGE MUSEUM: Prof./Cav. Philip J. DiNovo will lead the cultural presentation about Italian Christmas traditions during the December business meeting from 7p.m. – 8 p.m. at 1227Central Avenue, Albany. The meeting is free and open to the public. Please bring Christmas dessert for the reception that follows. BRUNSWICK COMMUNITY LIBRARY: Tots Class, 10:30 a.m. Knitting Group, 1p.m. – 2:30p.m. Get your gifts wrapped for a suggested donation from 3p.m. – 5:30 p.m. and help the Tamarac French Club get to Martinique. 4118State Highway 2, Troy. Call 279-4023or visit www. brunswicklibrary.org for more information.

CHENEY LIBRARY: Cheney Memoir Group, 3p.m. – 4p.m. 73Classic Street, Hoosick Falls. V is itwww. cheney library. org for more information. COHOES COLUMBIETTES CHRISTMAS PARTY: The Cohoes Columbiettes will hold their Christmas party on Thursday night, December 13, at 255Remsen Street, Cohoes, with dinner at 6p.m. If you would like to be part of the grab bag bring a gift $10. A Christmas raffle will follow the dinner and grab bag. CORNER SHOPPE: The Corner Shoppe at Cornerstone Community Church, 570Third Avenue, North Troy is having special Christmas sales throughout December. On display are wreaths, holiday décor, warm winter clothing, boots and shoes for the entire family, toys, jewelry, books, puzzles and housewares, all at bargain prices. Open every Thursday and Saturday, 9a.m. – 1p.m. Visit www.facebook. com/ Cornerstone Church inthe burgh for more information or call 518-235-3851. DUDLEY OBSERVATORY: Every Thursday, rain or shine, join miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, for “Evenings at the Dudley Observatory”. Educators from the Dudley Observatory at miSci will operate their14-inch telescope inside the roll-top roof observatory, allowing visitors to see stars, planets, galaxies, and more each night. In the event of poor weather, there will be hands-on activities indoors. The observatory at 15Nott Terrace, Schenectady, will be open from 6:30 p.m. – 8p.m. through March 7, 2019. miSci galleries will be open continuously from 9a.m. until the observatory closes. Access to the observatory or activities is free with museum admission ($12Adult, $10 Senior, $8Child, free for miSci members).

GRAFTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY: Adult Yoga, 5p.m. 2455NY-2, Grafton. Call 518-279-0580or visit www. graftoncommunitylibrary.org for more information. HOOSICK FALLS SENIOR CENTER: Bingo, 12:45p.m. Cards. Van Transportation available. 69Church Street, Hoosick Falls. Call 518-6867561to reserve noon dinner or for more information.

LARAC HOLIDAY PARTY: The Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC) invites the community to their annual Holiday Party, featuring live music by Erin Powers, from 5p.m. – 7p.m. at the Lapham Gallery, 7Lapham Place, Glens Falls. The event is open to the public; all sales will be discounted 5% (15% for LARAC members). 5% of all Holiday Party sales will benefit the making of a new film, “Forget-Me-Nots,” written and directed by local talents Caitlin Stedman and Kayla Barrett.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/ events/210899433018348/. NORTH COUNTRY ARTS: The Crandall Public Library hosts North Country Arts’ “Fine Art” exhibit series from December 3– 29. Make sure to attend the December 13exhibit reception for great food, art and fun at 251Glen Street, Glens Falls.

RENSSELAER PUBLIC LIBRARY: Teen Anime Club for ages 13-18, 4p.m. - 6 p.m. Drop in and get help with a computer, phone or other device, and get your questions answered. Call ahead for times. Rensselaer Public Library is located across the street from the Amtrak parking lot. To learn more, see http://rensselaerlibrary.org/ or visit the library’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook. com/ Rensselaer Library. TROY GROTTO: The Troy Grotto #14meets on Thursday, December 13, at 7:30p.m. at the Troy Masonic Community Center, 39Brunswick Road. There will be elections of officers for 2019, followed by their installation. Dinner will be served at 6:30p.m. preceding the meeting. The Troy Grotto is making plans to host the Empire State Grotto Association Spring Meeting. Past Troy Monarch Gary Smith is the current Monarch of the Empire State association. TROY PUBLIC LIBRARY: Family Science Night: Winter Glitter Slime, 6p.m. Children with the help of their caregiver(s) will make and play with the sensory experience of slime. For ages 4-12, accompanied by an adult. Dress for mess. Registration required. For more information and to register, call 518-274-7071 or visit www.thetroylibrary. org. The Library is located at 100Second Street, downtown Troy.

Friday, Dec. 14 BETHLEHEM PUBLIC LIBRARY: Stories and More: Snowy Fragments, 10a.m. for children up to age 6with family. Hear a snowy story, then decorate a snowy scene using your fingertips and white paint. Friday Cinema, “All Quiet on the Western Front” (1930), 2:30p.m. A World War I anniversary event. Friday Cinema films are shown with subtitling for the deaf and hard of hearing whenever possible. 451Delaware Avenue, Delmar.

CHENEY LIBRARY: Lego Club for grades 4– 6, 4p.m– 5 p.m.. 73Classic Street, Hoosick Falls. Visit www.cheneylibrary.org for more information. DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE: A special evening of Dances of Universal Peace on Friday, December 14, honors the 13th century Persian poet Jelaluddin Rumi. Bring a favorite Rumi poem to the dance. Dances are participatory simple circle dances and songs drawn from diverse sacred traditions and taught by certified dance leaders of the Hudson Dance Circle. No experience necessary; all ages welcome. 7p.m. – 9 p.m., Sadhana Center for Yoga and Meditation, 403Warren Street, Hudson. Requested contribution $10. For more information call 518-860-3108 or email farid@taconic.net. GRAFTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY: Wood Ornament Making, 5p.m. 2455NY-2, Grafton. Call 518-279-0580 or visit www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org for more information.

HOOSICK FALLS SENIOR CENTER: Yoga at 10:30a.m. Bingo at 12:30p.m. Cards. 69 Church Street, Hoosick Falls. Call 518-686-7561to reserve

noon dinner or for more information.

MASONIC CHRISTMAS PARTY: On Friday, December 14, a joint Christmas party will be held by Apollo-King Solomon’s Masonic Lodge #13and Mt. Zion Masonic Lodge #311at the Troy Masonic Community Center, 39 Brunswick Road, Troy. Q.U.I.L.T. INC: This month’s guild meeting includes a general meeting starting at 9:45 a.m., a traditional Cookie Social, the Guild Challenge and a Show and Share. Please bring a plate of cookies to share; coffee, tea and hot cider will be provided. Doors open at 9:15a.m. at Delmar Reformed Church, 386Delaware Avenue, Delmar. Free for members; $5donation requested for non-members. Please note: if Bethlehem schools are closed or delayed for 2hours or more due to weather, the meeting will be cancelled. For more information visit www.quiltinc.org. TROY HOUSING AUTHORITY: There will be a meeting of the Members of Troy Housing Authority on Friday, December 14, at noon at the Martin Luther King Apartments, 1Eddy’s Lane, Troy. Persons with a hearing impairment may contact the Relay Service Line at 711or 1-800-662-1220. Saturday, Dec. 15 CAPITAL COMMUNITY VOICES: Capital Community Voices, directed by Julie Panke, presents a program of classical and popular holiday songs including music by Handel, John Rutter, Mark Hayes, Paul McCartney and P.D.Q.Bach, on Saturday, December 15, at Genet Elementary School, Route 4, East Greenbush. Joanna Towse (piano), Randall Jennings (bass), Alex Atchley (percussion), Jacqueline Wright (flute) and Susan Gierthy (oboe) accompany the chorus. A reception follows the performance. General admission $10, seniors/students $8.

CORNER SHOPPE: The Corner Shoppe at Cornerstone Community Church, 570Third Avenue, North Troy is having special Christmas sales throughout December. On display are wreaths, holiday décor, warm winter clothing, boots and shoes for the entire family, toys, jewelry, books, puzzles and housewares, all at bargain prices. Open every Thursday and Saturday, 9a.m. – 1p.m. Visit www. facebook.com/CornerstoneChurchintheburghfor more information or call 518-2353851.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING CLASS: On Saturday, December 15, from 9a.m. – 3p.m. there will be a New York State approved Defensive Driving Class to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Rensselaer County. Save 10% on your base auto insurance for the next three years and be eligible to receive up to four points off your driving record according to New York State Department of Motor Vehicle guidelines. The class will be held at the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Rensselaer County, 544 Broadway, Rensselaer. Fee $35; bring a friend for $30 each. Class size is limited. Registration is required and can be made by calling the club at 518-465-3403or Raymond Frankoski at 518286-3788.

FRIENDS OF WATERFORD LIBRARY: The Friends of the Waterford Public Library will meet to discuss and plan 2018-19events and fundraising activities on Saturday, December 15, at 10:30a.m. in the Community Room at Van Schoonhoven Square, Waterford. Members of the community interested in participating and joining the Friends are invited to attend.

INTRO TO GAELIC FOOTBALL: The Albany Rebels will host afree Gaelic Football (https://www. albanyrebels.com/what-isgaelic-football) introduction workshop for boys and girls ages 8-16on Saturday, December 15, from 2p.m. – 4p.m. at the Armory at Sage Colleges, 130New Scotland Avenue, Albany. The first hour will be for ages 8-12, the second for ages 12-16. An adult must be present with any child participating for the duration of the event. To register, go to https:// docs.google.com/forms/ d/e/1FAIpQLSd_ul0Fuw20wqxJ4sgBb7loW19wTPdlW204haMf05fmbUcDIw/ viewform?usp=sf_ link. You can also just show up on the day of the event. For more information visit www. albanyrebels.com or their pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MENANDS PUBLIC LIBRARY: Story time is 1p.m. on Saturdays. Be there when the library closes to enjoy a story, read, sing and play for about 30minutes. For ages 2-4, but all are welcome. The Menands Public Library is located at 4N. Lyons Avenue, Menands. For more information, call 518-4634035.

PRE-HOLIDAY BAKE SALE: St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, located at 600State Street, Schenectady, sponsors its 13th annual Pre-Holiday Bake Sale on Saturday, December 15, from 4:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 16, from 8:30a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Baked goods suitable for the holidays, including cookies, nut breads, cakes, pies, etc., will be available for a nominal fee. The public is cordially invited. The church is handicappedaccessible, and parking is available behind the church. For more information, call 518-374-4466Ext. 13. RENSSELAER PUBLIC LIBRARY: Create a house with graham crackers, frosting and candy starting at 1 p.m. For ages 5-12. Please call 518-462-1193to sign up. Rensselaer Public Library is located across the street from the Amtrak parking lot. To learn more, see http:// rensselaerlibrary.org/ or visit http://www.facebook.com/ Rensselaer Library.

ST. MARY’S HOLIDAY CABARET: On Saturday, December 15, St. Mary’s Academy presents its 16th annual Cabaret, featuring the eight-piece band West Side Drive. Ben Patten of Magic 590AM and 100.5FM will be the emcee for the evening. An appetizer buffet, cash bar, desserts and coffee will be available. At a silent auction you can bid on an assortment of gift ideas and some very special classroom projects from St. Mary’s students. Doors open 6p.m. and the music starts at 7p.m. at 4Parsons Avenue, Hoosick Falls. Tickets $20prior to the event. Please call Mary Beth Smith at the school office (518-686-4314)to reserve tickets or tables for eight. THACHER NATURE CENTER: Take a break from the hustle and bustle to enjoy the peaceful beauty of Thacher Park during a Holiday Open House from 11 a.m. – 3p.m. Join friends around the fireplace, enjoy live music by Frettin’ Old Guys, make a holiday craft and relax with hot drinks and sweet treats. Please call 518-872-1237for more information.

TOYS FOR TOTS COLLECTION: The Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci) is a collection location for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s annual Toys for Tots initiative. On Saturday, December 15, each visitor who donates a new, unwrapped toy will receive $5off the price of regular admission. Visitors are also invited to meet a Marine from 11a.m. – 1p.m. and enjoy the annual model train exhibit from 11a.m. – 4 p.m. Regular admission is $12for ages 13and up, $10 for seniors 65and up and $8for ages 3-12. miSci is located at 15Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady. For more information visit www. facebook.com/miSciNY. TROY PUBLIC LIBRARY: Visit with or read to Greta the Reading Dog at noon to boost your reading skills. For all ages. Following the “Great American Read” TV series, join the Troy Public Library for an in-depth exploration of books from the show’s top 100list. December’s focus is on Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women,” concluding with a discussion with retired Siena College literature professor Tom Bulger at 2p.m. on Saturday, December 15, at the main branch, 100Second Street. Copies of “Little Women” will be available at the checkout desk. Advance registration for this free program is recommended; call 518-274-7071or visit www. thetroylibrary.org.

Sunday, Dec. 16 BLUE CHRISTMAS: For some people the joy of the Christmas season is overshadowed by grief over the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a marriage. If this is true for you this year, of if you know someone for whom it is true, you’re encouraged to come to a community Blue Christmas Service designed especially for you on December 16at 7p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 405Vliet Boulevard, Cohoes. BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: The Cohoes Knights of Columbus host an All You Can Eat Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 16, at 255Remsen Street, Cohoes. Breakfast will be served from 8:30a.m. – 11:30a.m. Santa will be on hand from 9a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Adults $8, children $5, under 5free.

CAPITAL DISTRICT JEWISH GENEALOGY SOCIETY: Join the Capital Region Jewish Genealogy Society on Sunday, December 16, for its first annual meeting. The meeting features a presentation on the history of Albany’s Jewish congregations dating back to the Dutch in the 1650s by genealogist, historian and gravestone conservator Christopher White, author of the blog, “Finding your Past: Genealogical Gleanings with the Albany Grave Digger.” Refreshments to celebrate the holiday season will follow the meeting. 1p.m., Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York, 184Washington Avenue Extension, Albany. Members and non-members welcome. An RSVP is not necessary but may be sent to crjgs@gmail.com. CAROLING TO THE HORSES: High & Mighty Therapeutic Riding and Driving Center invites the community to ring in Christmas cheer by enjoying holiday goods and serenading their horse herd. Bring horsey treats to stuff the horses’ stockings and to share with neighboring rescue farms. 4p.m., 71CR 21C, Ghent. Dress warmly. For more information email info@ high-n-mighty.org. CHRISTMAS IN OZ: Join the Spendwood School of Dance for their 16th annual Holiday Benefit Performance. “Christmas in Oz” benefits the Cohoes Community Center. Performances at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 9, and Sunday, December 16 at the Cohoes Music Hall, 58Remsen Street. Tickets $10, $12, $15. Tickets are available at Cohoes City Hall or at Spendwood School of Dance, 50Johnston Avenue, Cohoes. For more information call 518-235-1614or email info@spendwood.com. CLIFTON PARK COMMUNITY CHORUS: The Clifton Park Community Chorus presents, “Do You Hear the Christmas Bells?” featuring the Shenendehowa UMC Bell Choir, on Sunday, December 16, at 3p.m. at Shenendehowa United Methodist Church, 971Route 146, Clifton Park. Admission is free, but donations will be collected to benefit a local charity. For more information, call Pat O’Donnell at 518-371-6681. This event is sponsored by the Town of Clifton Park. ESYO WIND ORCHESTRA: The Empire State Youth Orchestra Wind Orchestra performs at 3p.m. the Massry Center for the Arts at the College of St. Rose, 1002Madison Avenue, Albany. Adults $10, students/ seniors $5. Get tickets online at https://esyo.org/ programs/concerts-events. LIVE NATIVITY: Hope United Methodist Church of Eagle Mills presents a Live Nativity on the church’s front lawn with enactments at 5p.m. and 6p.m. at 566 Brunswick Road, on the corner of Rte. 2and Garfield Road. Refreshments will be served following each enactment. No charge, no donations. Dress warmly. PRE-HOLIDAY BAKE SALE: St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, located at 600State Street, Schenectady, sponsors its 13th annual Pre-Holiday Bake Sale on Saturday, December 15, from 4:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 16, from 8:30a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Baked goods suitable for the holidays, including cookies, nut breads, cakes, pies, etc., will be available for a nominal fee. The public is cordially invited. The church is handicappedaccessible, and parking is available behind the church. For more information, call 518-374-4466Ext. 13. SUNNY SUNDAYS: Sunny Sundays are your opportunity to take a safe glimpse at the sun. Educators from the Dudley Observatory at miSci will operate their 14inch telescope inside the roll-top roof observatory, allowing visitors to safely look at the sun and search for sunspots. Other objects such as the moon and planets may also be visible. In the event of poor weather, there will be hands-on indoor activities instead. The observatory will be open from 1p.m. - 2:30 p.m. every Sunday through December 30. miSci galleries will be open continuously from noon – 5p.m. Access to the observatory or activities is free with museum admission ($12Adult, $10 Senior, $8Child) at miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, 15Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady.