Calendar

See more Calendar listings at www.saratogian.com/community. Submit items at least two weeks in advance to calendar@ saratogian.com.

Thursday, Dec. 7 BALLSTON AREA SENIOR CITIZENS:

9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m., Craft, Cards, Billiards. 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lunch: bring a dish to share, meeting. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Bingo. Milton Community Center, 320 Northline Road, Ballston Spa. For more information call 518-885-6740, visit www.ballstonareaseniors.com or Facebook Ballston Area Seniors.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AT SARATOGA:

Science Explorers: Gum Drop Engineer, 10:30 a.m. In this popular weekly program visitors discover the different ways in which science is all around us. 69 Caroline Street, Sarartoga Springs. Call 518-584-5540 for more information.

CLIFTON PARK SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER:

Thursday activities include Exercise to Tape, Pool/Billiards, Chorus, Yoga, Watercolor & Sketch, Legal Assistance by appointment, Seton Health Seniorcize, Duplicate Bridge, Mah-Jongg, Pinochle and Bunco. 6 Clifton Common Court, Clifton Park. Call 518383-1343 for more information. Call extension 227 before noon the day before to make reservations for lunch.

ESTATE/LONG TERM CARE PLANNING:

The Summit at Saratoga (1 Perry Road, Saratoga Springs) will host an estate/long-term care planning presentation on Thursday, December 7, at 11 a.m. John Musacchio, an attorney at Towne, Ryan & Partners, P.C., will host the informative program, which is aimed at providing individuals with the options that are available when planning for their future residential, healthcare, financial, and estate planning needs. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. The presentation is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Reserve your place by calling 518-430-2136, or emailing rebeccad@summitsaratoga.com. For directions to the community, visit http://summitsaratoga.com/contact-us.html.

GREEN DRINKS:

A “green gathering” for those who work, volunteer, or have a passion for promoting the environment, conservation, and sustainability. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Harvey’s Restaurant and Bar (the “Library Room”), 14 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs. Cash bar. Happy Hour runs until 6:30 p.m. with 1⁄2 priced drafts, wines, and cocktails. Non-alcoholic drinks and food may also be ordered. For more information visit http://www.greendrinks.org/NY/Saratoga%20Springs.

HOLIDAY CENTERPIECE FUNDRAISER:

The American Legion Auxiliary Post 234 , Ballston Spa is having a fund raiser, “Making a Holiday Centerpiece,” on Thursday, December 7, from 6 p.m - 8 p.m. at 23 Pleasant Street. The $25 fee includes materials. Please pre -register by calling the post at 518-8857236.

HORSE EXPLORERS:

Recommended for ages 3-6, “Horse Explorers” is a handson series intended to creatively educate children about horses by developing ageappropriate skills in disciplines including art, literacy, science and math. “Horse Explorers” will take place each Thursday morning beginning Nov. 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the Museum’s Horseplay Gallery. The programs will run through December. Children are free to attend with a paid accompanying adult. For more information about “Horse Explorers,” please contact Karen Wheaton at 518-584-0400 ext. 118 or Sheileen Landrey at 518-584-0400 ext. 120.

SARATOGA SENIOR CENTER:

Holiday Card Making, 1 p.m. Make personalized holiday cards with rubber stamps and more. You may bring any little extra items you would like to add. $5 fee includes supplies. 5 Williams Street, Saratoga Springs.

SKIDMORE COLLEGE:

MoonCatcher Sewing Bee, 7 p.m., Tang Museum. Help volunteers make hygeine pads for girls in developing countries. For more information call 518-580-8080. Concert by Wind Chamber Ensemble, 7 p.m., Zankel Music Center. For more information call 518-580=5321 or visit www. skidmore.edu/zankel.

SNOW-A-PALOOZA:

Bryant & Stratton College, Malta Business and Professional Association (MBPA) and Catskill Hudson Bank present the 4th Annual Snow-A-Palooza event on Thursday, December 7, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Malta location of Bryant & Stratton College located at 2452 Route 9, Suite 201. This event is free to attend and includes a craft room, cookie decorating room, game room, refreshments AND a visit from Santa on his Red Fire Engine courtesy of Round Lake Fire Department. There will also be a silent auction with items donated by local businesses and not-for-profits to help support the Toys for Toga, the Ballston Area Community Center, and the Mother Teresa Academy Cancer Awareness Fund.

TEN BROECK HOLIDAY HOUSE:

The Ten Broeck Mansion at 9 Ten Broeck Place in Albany, a 219 year old Federal style home that was built by Abraham Ten Broeck and his wife Elizabeth Van Rensselaer, is lovingly preserved by the Albany County Historical Association. The Holiday House at the Ten Broeck Mansion continues through December 16. Sinterklaas will visit throughout the month. Carlo DeVito talks about his book “Inventing Santa Claus,” with wine tasting from Hudson Chatham Winery, at 7 p.m. on December 7. Please visit the website www.tenbroeckmansion.org or call 518-4369826 for details.

Friday, Dec. 8 BALLSTON AREA SENIOR CITIZENS:

2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m., OsteoBusters. 6:30 p.m., cards and games. Milton Community Center, 320 Northline Road, Ballston Spa. For more information call 518-8856740, visit www.ballstonareaseniors.com or Facebook Ballston Area Seniors.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AT SARATOGA:

10 a.m., Busy Bees drop-in for ages birth-24 months. This open playgroup for the youngest visitors and their caregivers provides the space and activities for you to create an environment fostering early childhood development in a social setting. 11 a.m., Wiggles & Giggles, drop-in for ages 2-5. In this play program oung children can exploore the world around them through guided free play. 69 Caroline Street, Sarartoga Springs. Call 518-584-5540 for more information.

CLIFTON PARK SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER:

12:15 p.m., Lunch & Learn: John Welter on Introverts. Friday activities include Orchestra on the Common, Woodcarving, Tap Advanced, Ballet, Dominoes, Center Big Band, Diabetes Support Group, Bingo, Lunch & a Movie, Beading Buddies, Scrabble, Osteo exercise. 6 Clifton Common Court, Clifton Park. Call 518383-1343 for more information. Call extension 227 before noon the day before to make reservations for lunch.

Q.U.I.L.T. INC: Join Q.U.I.L.T. Inc. for their traditional Cookie Social from 9:45 a.m. to noon at Delmar Reformed Church, 386 Delaware Ave., Delmar. Please bring a plate of cookies to share. Coffee, tea, and hot cider will be provided. There will be a General Meeting, Guild Challenge, Show and Share, and demonstrations of a few last minute gift ideas as well.For more information,

please check our website (www.quiltinc.org). SANTA’S PLAYLAND: Santa once again joins Quick Response Restoration for the 17th Annual Santa’s Playland. This community favorite continues to be free to the public offering visits with Santa and friends, horse and wagon rides, rides on the Quick Express train and refreshments. Due to increasing popularity, the event offers offsite parking at Sysco Foods and Corpus Christi Church with shuttle service for guests. Please follow the signs on Route 9 for parking locations or visit their website or Facebook for more details. Quick Response is located at 2077 Route 9, Round Lake. The event takes place on December 8 and December 9 from 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. SARATOGA SENIOR CENTER: 11 a.m., End of Year Planning and Getting Ready for Next Year. With Ray Bryan, Janney Montgomery Scott - “Long term care isurance: take advantage of the tax advantage” and Thomas Layton, NY Long Term Care Brokers - “End of Year Planning” Free and open to the public. 2 p.m., Charlie Kuenzel Presents, “Mineral Baths: Not Just for Saturday Nights.” Learn about the history of Saratoga’s mineral baths. Sponsored by Zieker Eye. $2/members $5/nonmembers. 5 Williams Street, Saratoga Springs. SKIDMORE CONCERT: Concert by Small Jazz Combo, 7 p.m., Zankel Music Center. For more information call 518-580-5321 or visit www.skidmore.edu/ zankel. SKIDMORE SPORTS SALE: This is the best time to grab your favorite Skidmore sports team apparel at a great price. The event will be held in the Rec Gym in the Williamson Sports Center on December 8 from noon - 2 p.m.

SPAC@BETHESDA:

As part of Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s continued commitment to presenting programming that extends beyond the traditional summer months, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s will perform Bach’s beloved Brandenburg Concertos at Bethesda Episcopal Church in downtown Saratoga Springs on Friday, December 8, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 General Admission seats and can be purchased online at spac. org.

Saturday, Dec. 9

BALLSTON SENIORS MONTHLY DANCE: Peaceful Country Band, will be providing the music. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Milton Community Center 310 Northline Rd. Ballston Spa. The dance is open to the public and there is ample free parking. There is a $5 entrance fee for non-members. Members are asked to bring a snack to share. For more information visit www.ballstonareaseniors.com.

BOOK FAIR:

Shop a book fair at the Wilton Square Barnes & Noble, 3029 State Route 50, Saratoga Springs, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to benefit the Academy for Lifelong Learning, with a portion of the proceeds from your purchases going to A.L.L. Stop by the Academy tables for a voucher to give to the cashier when checking out. Grab a free raffle ticket for a $50 gift card to B&N. Don’t miss the gift wrapping station where volunteers will be happy to wrap your gifts for free. You can also make purchases online at www.bn.com/ bookfairs from December 9-14. Please use book fair ID# 12074506 for all online purchases. Share the news with friends and family and shop B&N on December 9. For more Academy information, go to www.esc.edu/all.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA:

Come have breakfast, do some crafts and sit on Santa’s lap, tell him what you wish for. All Village of Ballston Spa children all welcome. 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Henry Cornell Post 234 , American Legion Auxiliary, 23 Pleasant Street, Ballston Spa.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AT SARATOGA:

Join Sue DuBois from Garden Goddess and listen to music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” take part in Charlie Brown character coloring/drawing and I Spy station, and hear a special reading of the “Charlie Brown Christmas” story. Afterwards, select a tree, make an ornament and wrap the tree just like in the classic holiday special. Per class fee of $30 for members, $40 for future members. Pre-register by Thursday, December 7. For ages 4 and up. 10 a.m., 69 Caroline Street, Sarartoga Springs. Call 518-584-5540 for more information.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL:

Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1850 Union Street in Niskayuna, is having their 13 Annual Christmas Festival on Saturday, December 9, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. This includes hundreds of nativity scenes from around the world, German bake sale, hand chimes and more. Donations and money collected will go to Niskayuna children and teens who are in need of jackets and gloves for the winter. Free to the public.

COOKIE SALE:

Too busy to bake? Let Malta Presbyterian Church do your Christmas baking. The sale starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until they run out at Malta Presbyterian Church, 118 Dunning Street, Malta.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING CLASS:

On Saturday December 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. there will be a New York State approved Defensive Driving Class. Save 10% on your base auto insurance for the next three years & receive up to 4 points off your driving record according to New York State Department of Motor Vehicle guidelines. The class will be held at First Baptist Church, 45 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs. Fee $35 Bring a friend $30 each. A portion of the fee will be donated to First Baptist Church. Registration is required and can be made by calling Ray Frankoski at 518-286-3788.

EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA:

Dozens of ESYO musicians will spread holiday cheer at Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Colonie Center for ESYO’s annual Friend-raiser from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On that day, solo performers and small ensembles from a variety of ESYO ensembles will be performing holiday music and much more for shoppers. As part of this big day, ESYO will receive a portion of the day’s sales, including online sales. HOLIDAY BAKE SALE: Simpson United Methodist Church, 1089 Rock City Road, Rock City Falls (.4 mi south of Rt. 29) is hosting a holiday bake sale on Saturday, December 9, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., featuring the church’s famous baked goods in time for Christmas. Proceeds will be used to sponsor community missions. Call Laura at 518-423-6160 for more information.

HUBBARD HALL HOLIDAY BREAKFAST:

This year Hubbard Hall celebrates a city at the heart of the Holidays: Jerusalem. Come taste the flavors and hear the music and dancing from the wonderful mix of cultures that calls this city home. It’s a city that holds the spirit of three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Seats are limited, so make sure to reserve early. $12 General Admission/$7Students. 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., 25 E. Main Street, Cambridge.

MONTHLY FREE LUNCH:

The Malta Ridge United Methodist Church will hold its monthly Free Lunch on Saturday, December 9, at 729 Malta Avenue Extension, in Malta Ridge. Lunch will be served at no charge from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All are welcome. For additional information or directions please call the Church at 518-581-0210.