Today’s snapshot of what is going on locally

Turn to the Community Page today and every day for upcoming area activities and a look at local history.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This calendar is being regularly updated to reflect all event cancellations and postponements. However, it is recommended that readers contact event organizers before they attend. For the most updated version of the calendar, please visit or troyrecord. com.

Tuesday, Dec. 29

BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 1:30to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29at the American Legion Melvin Roads Post, located at 200 Columbia Tpke., Rensselaer. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.

BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29at the Clifton Park Halfmoon Emergency Medical Services, located at 15Crossing Blvd. in Clifton Park. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org. BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from noon to 6p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29at the Saratoga Springs City Center, located at 522Broadway in Saratoga Springs. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org. BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 1to 6p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29at the Malta Community Center, located at 1Bayberry Dr. in Malta. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.

Wednesday, Dec. 30 VIRTUAL FAREWELL TO 2020PARADE:

The Albany Capital Center (ACC), in conjunction with CDTA and Transfinder, has announced plans for the Farewell to 2020Parade. The virtual charity event will feature many regional businesses, organizations and families as well as musical guests, all hosted by Chad O’Hara from B95.5, Albany Broadcasting. The Facebook Live event will be broadcast on Wednesday, December 30. The goal of the event is to bring the Capital Region together to say goodbye to 2020and raise money for local nonprofits whose fundraisers had to be canceled because of the pandemic this year. Each participating business or organization will create a parade “float” using a vehicle or vehicles of their choice. With

Transfinder’s technologies, the ACC will create a virtual parade route through the Capital Region where viewers can follow along. As the parade unfolds, the broadcast will check in with companies, showcase their parade float creations, present musical performances, and feature people offering special holiday messages. We need you to help us wave goodbye! Send us videos of you and your family waving goodbye to 2020to be featured in our Parade crowd! Videos can be sent to info@albanycapitalcenter.com or via private message on facebook to @albanycapcenter.

DRIVE THRU PANTRY: On December 30, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York are teaming up to address food insecurity with a mass food distribution in Watervliet, NY. The food distribution, or “drive-thru pantry” is a part of Catholic Charities’ mobile outreach initiative, CC MOVE, and is an effort to provide supplemental and emergency food in areas with limited access to services at time when many are struggling. Food items provided by the Regional Food Bank will be packaged by volunteers from partnering organizations and distribution will begin at 9:30AM. The distribution is open to the public and no pre-registration is required. Food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and the distribution will last until supplies are gone. In order to maintain appropriate safety and social distancing, there will be two distribution lines: a drive-through line, and a walk-in line. This event will be held from 9:30A.M. to 12:30P.M. at Watervliet High School, located at 1245 Hillside Dr., Watervliet. BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 1to 6p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 30at the West Sand Lake Fire Department, located at 3697Rt. 43in West Sand Lake. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org. BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 11a.m. to 4p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 30at the Desmond Hotel, located at 660Albany Shaker Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www. redcrossblood.org.

BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 11:30a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 30 at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.

Thursday, Dec. 31

BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 7a.m. to 3:30p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org. BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 9a.m. to 1p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31at American Red Cross of Eastern New York, located at 33 Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.

NEW YEAR’S EVE PRIME RIB DINNER:

Saratoga – Wilton Elks Lodge #161, located at 1Elks Ln. in Saratoga Springs, presents a New Year’s Eve Prime Rib Dinner for curbside pickup from 4:30 to 7p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31. Call 518-584-2585Monday, Dec. 21or Tuesday Dec. 22between 10a.m and noon to place an order. Quantities are limited. Menu includes: shrimp cocktail, tossed salad, prime rib of beef, twice baked potato, vegetable, roll. Dinner for 2is $70. Dinner for 1is $40. Cash only. There will be no dinner on Wednesday, Dec. 30this week.

Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 RUN INTO 2021VIRTUAL 5K:

Saratoga County Run Into 20215K. Let’s run away from the year 2020and run into 2021with positivity, new goals and a new outlook of what is to come this year! Out with the old and in with the new, let’s walk, jog or run with a clear mind and ring in the new year together, collectively as a county! There are so many wonderful places that you can take part in this virtual 5K.. Places like in your neighborhood, The Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs, the Zim Smith Trail in Malta, or Hudson Crossings Park in Schuylerville are all safe places to run at your convenience! Let’s kick off our Healthy Saratoga Month with a 5K to jump start our healthy goals for the new year in one of the Healthiest Counties to live in New York! Proceeds will go to the Saratoga County Foundation’s SAVE OUR LOCALS campaign as we continue to support local businesses, particularly those in the health and wellness sector during our January 2021Health & Wellness Month celebration. iRun Local will have a prize for the fastest time in the male and female categories. If you believe that you have the fastest time, please bring your fitbit, garmin, apple watch/ etc proof of time to pick up the prize at the Saratoga County Chamber office. We are excited to get everyone mobile and feeling their best running into 2021! Registration is $20.21and ends January 7, 2021at 11:59pm. More information is available online at https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/SaratogaSprings/RunInto20215K.

Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021

BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 7a.m. to 3p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.

Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 BLOOD DRIVE:

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 7a.m. to 3p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www. redcrossblood.org.

Monday, Jan. 4, 2021

BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 7a.m. to 3p.m. on Monday, Jan. 4at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www. redcrossblood.org.

BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 9a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 4at the American Red Cross of Eastern New York, located at 33 Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org. BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from noon to 6p.m. on Monday, Jan. 4at Proctors, located at 432State St. in Schenectady. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021 LITERACY VOLUNTEERS INFORMATION SESSION:

Make a Difference in the New Year: Be a Literacy Volunteer in Rensselaer or Albany County - Would you like to help someone learn to read, write, or speak English? Would you like to become a more engaged member of your own community? We can train you! Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County (LVORC) is actively seeking volunteers. Please join us to find out more at our next Volunteer Opportunities Information Session, Tuesday, January 5, 12:00-1:00p.m. via Zoom. We are looking for tutors to be paired with adult English Language and Basic Literacy learners, as well as math and computer tutors. As a volunteer you can develop new skills, make friends, and see how your efforts make a difference in your community. To register for the information session, contact mhellerlvorc@aol.com. To learn more about LVORC, visit www.lvorc.org or call 518 244-4650.

BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 10a.m. to 4p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, located at 400Old Loudon Rd. in Latham. More information is available online at www. redcrossblood.org.

BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 8a.m. to 6p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5at the Marriott Courtyard, located at 11Excelsior Ave in Saratoga Springs. More information is available online at www. redcrossblood.org.

BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 11:30a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.

GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION CLASS:

The Gifts of Imperfection Class – six Tuesdays, beginning January 5, 6:308:30p.m. Engage, experience, and evolve—take your reading from theory to practice in this interactive class that explores Brené Brown’s book, “The Gifts of Imperfection.” Be challenged to cultivate the courage, compassion, and divine connection it takes to embrace your “imperfections’’ and recognize that you are always enough. Suggested donation: $20per class. Hosted by Albany-Saratoga Spiritual Adventures via Zoom. For more information, visit our meetup.com group AlbanySaratoga Spiritual Adventures, call (518) 366-9918, or visit www.newthoughtnewyork. org.

Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021

BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 7:30a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at the Empire State Plaza Concourse in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org. BLOOD DRIVE: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 11:30a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at the Everett Road Blood Donation Center, located at 33Everett Rd. in Albany. More information is available online at www.redcrossblood.org.