UPCOMING CALENDAR

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.

GU ID ED MEDITATION: The Troy Public Library will offer Meditation Classes on at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 13 – Feb. 24. Learn a surprisingly simple yet powerful practice that can help you reduce stress, get recharged, experience overall improved physical health and possibly get you “blissed- out” all while sitting comfortably in a chair. Led by Michael Fuselli, with over 30 years of meditation teaching and practice experience. Beginners are always welcome. Registration is required. This program will be presented using Zoom. Joining the presentation will require the installation of the Zoom client on your computer (microphone and speakers required for audio, camera for video) or the Zoom app on your mobile device. Please register by calling 518-274-7071, online at www.thetroylibrary. org or by stopping at the information desk. This program is free and open to the public.

CLOTHING SHED: The Clothing Shed located at the Latham-Colonie Knights of Columbus, 328 Troy-Schenectady Road has reopened! The Covid-19 Pandemic has hit the Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes very hard. We’ve had very few opportunities this past year to raise funds for the Community Groups we support! We accept clothing, shoes, belts, purses, blankets, sheets, towels, comforters, curtains, pillowcases and stuffed animals. Please bag all items. We do not accept: furniture, electronics , books, household items, toys, garbage, pillows, rags, fabric scraps, etc.

PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS: Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County is offering Parent Education Programs via Zoom) to support parents/caregivers of babies – teens . Virtual Strengthening Families Program (for parents/ caregivers and youth, ages 11 – 18) Tuesdays, January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 2021. Youth program: 5:30 – 6:00 p.m., Parent program: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Zoom registration link: https://cornell.zoom.us/ meeting/register/tJ0tduuurjwjG91PO_v5pObejiqGpCkcCqof. The Magic Years (for parents/caregivers of babies – children age 4): Thursdays, January 21, 28, February 4, 11, 2021 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Zoom registration link: https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0rdOqvqjIuEtFfm96xs1tuCDn9HTROLT8-. The Middle Years (for parents/ caregivers of children ages 5 - 10): Saturdays, January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 2021 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Zoom registration link: https://cornell. zoom.us/meeting/register/ tJIlfuCtqT4pHdVTRe8XWlnYjU9Gc8Yqr0bN. All programs are provided free of charge via Zoom. Advanced registration is required via the above registration links or with Maria at mkd59@cornell.edu, text/ phone 518.598.9937.

YOUTH CHORALE AUDITIONS: The Capital District Youth Chorale is accepting singers in grades 4-12, changed and unchanged voices for auditions on Saturday, January 23rd. Rehearsals begin on Saturday, March 6th at Proctors Theater Education Center. The semester will include both virtual and live rehearsals, as well as a virtual only option. For more information about fees, the live stream performance and an audition appointment contact: parentcoordinator@ cdyc.org.

JEWISH GENEALOGICAL ZOOM PRESENTATIONS: Jump Starting Your Family Tree - Have you always wanted to trace your ancestry and didn’t know where to start? Join the Capital Region Jewish Genealogical Society on January 10 to learn how to get started, including a discussion of free and for-pay resources, recommendations on which records are most useful, and practical tips and advice. Then come back in two weeks on January 24 for a follow-up presentation on how to use DNA testing to help reach back into your family trees. Explore how DNA testing can help break down brick walls by revealing close relatives and distant names and places. Find out which websites offer testing, and what you can learn from your matches. Register for one or both! Part 1: Resources and Tips, 7 p.m. on Jan 10. Register in advance for this meeting at

https://us02web. zoom. us/meeting/register/tZ0ldeuhqzwsGdX8EBl74J6v5jIPly88ev5L. Part 2: How Can DNA testing Help? 7 p.m. on Jan 24. Register in advance for this meeting at

https://us02web. zoom. us/ meeting/ register/ tZUqduupqjwiGdL8OsuL36Uw73TiaqHPxaIs. Presenter Susan Kugler is the Treasurer/Vice President of the Capital Region Jewish Genealogical Society. She is a life-long resident of East Schodack and considers herself an “advanced amateur” genealogist. Susan will share her expertise and welcomes questions from participants who want to start or continue their genealogical journey.

LITERACY VOLUN

TEERS NEEDED: 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. 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.

LVORCACCEPTINGNEW STUDENTS: Since 1968, Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County has helped adults to improve their ability to read, write, speak and understand English. New learners can join Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County by calling (518) 2444650 or sending an email to LitVolDirector@aol.com. Call (518) 244- 4650 to register. Visit www.lvorc.org for more information.

NEW TROY PAY- BYPHONE PARKING APP: Mayor Patrick Madden today announced the City of Troy has launched a new pay-by-phone mobile app for metered parking in the Collar City. The app provides a simple, easy to use option for drivers to pay for parking in downtown Troy. Drivers will be able to pay for on-street metered parking using the new Passport Parking mobile app beginning January 4, 2021. The Passport Parking application is available for free download on iOS and Android devices, and at www. passpor t parking. com. Watch a video demonstrating how to use the Passport Parking application: https://youtu.be/ MThHrcDET0o. A map of metered parking zones and instructions on using the Passport Parking app for metered parking in downtown Troy is available at www.troyny. gov/parking.For questions on the City’s parking management system, please contact the City Treasurer’s office at (518) 279-7115.

NEW TROY ONLINE PARKING PERMIT SYSTEM: The City of Troy recently launched a new online parking permit registration system for spaces in municipally-operated lots and garages. The system will simplify the permit reservation and payment process and allow the City to issue and track parking permits using license plates instead of physical tags. Effective January 2021, monthly parking fees for municipal lots & garages will increase to $75. Drivers are encouraged to renew their current parking permit online at www.troyparkingpermits.rmcpay.com. For questions on the City’s parking management system, please contact the City Treasurer’s office at (518) 2797115.

FREE ART KITS: The Troy Public Library is giving away free Art Kits courtesy of the TANG Museum! Kids ages 5-12 can pick up a set of art supplies including watercolor pencils, markers, coloring pages, and a sketch pad along with instructions for creating art projects at home. Of course if you need art or craft books we can supply those too! More information is available online at www.thetroylibrary.org.

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS: Troy City Council meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. They typically take place in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 433 River St, Troy, but are currently being held virtually via Zoom. Committee meetings are scheduled on a regular basis. Agendas and minutes for meetings are posted on the city’s website. All meetings are open to the public. At monthly regular meetings, Troy residents can discuss any issue related to the City of Troy. The city is currently live-streaming Council meetings on the Troy City Council YouTube page at www. youtube.com/troycitycouncil.

SARATOGA CHOWDER TOUR 2021: Chowderfest is not going away, it is just going to look a little different this year. For the safety of everyone, Discover Saratoga has altered Saratoga’s most anticipated annual event for 2021, introducing Saratoga Chowder Tour! This is now a week-long event, starting Saturday, January 30 through Saturday, February 6 where patrons can en

joy a cup or bowl of chowder at participating Saratoga County restaurants and vote

for their favorite online. Participants will also have pints and quarts of chowder togo. Saratoga Chowder Tour will allow customers who love Chowderfest to enjoy chowder at multiple restaurants throughout the week,

avoiding overcrowding of restricted space, and safely vote online in the comfort of their homes. Reservations are strongly recommended due to limited capacity and spacing requirements inside local restaurants. Discover

Saratoga has partnered with T-Shirt Graphics of Ballston Spa to create an online store to sell official Saratoga Chowder Tour gear. Customers can choose from several different shirts and hats and have them shipped directly to their house. The online on social media later that store will close on February evening. For more information, 7 at 11:59 p.m. All voting including a list of participating will take place online at discoversaratoga.org/chowderfest/vote chowder vendors and discounted hotel rates, and end promptly please visit discoversaratoga. on February 6 at 5:00 p.m. org/chowderfest or call (518) Winners will be announced 584-1531.