Ongoing and upcoming events calendar

Area codes are 518 unless noted. See more calendar listings at www.troyrecord.com/ community. Submit items two weeks in advance to calendar@troyrecord.com.

Upcoming

SPRING DOG CLASSES: Rensselaer County 4-H is offering a full series of classes at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds starting Wednesday, April 26. The first night will be dedicated to paperwork; dogs will join in the following Wednesday night, May 3. Classes will be split with a beginner group starting at 6:30 p.m. followed by dogs and handlers who’ve mastered basic leash commands and are ready to take on agility and/or Rally-O. If you are not sure what group you should be in, that can be determined on the first night of class. The cost of this 7 week session is $25 for Rensselaer County 4-H members and $50 for non-members and adults. To register please call the Cornell Cooperative Extension office by April 13. All dogs will need to have proof of vaccinations the first night of class. Rabies, Parvo, Adenovirus, Distemper, and Lepto are required however it is highly recommended but not required that you have your dog vaccinated against Bordatella (Kennel Cough). Please Contact Alana at 272-4210x105. CALL FOR SHORT FILMS: - Ballston Spa International Film Festival (BSFF) is now accepting short film entries for the 10th annual festival on August 4-5. Works from many genres will be accepted including drama, comedy, animation, documentary. Films must range 5-15 minutes and be family friendly in nature. Film entries may be submitted online at https://filmfreeway.com/festival/BallstonSpaFilmFestival or by DVD which must play in a standard DVD player. DVDs must be mailed in with a completed application and entry fee. Final submission deadline is May 5. To download the application, go to http://bspafilm.org/enter.html. Questions may be directed to Pam@BSpaFilm.org. Visit bspafilm.org for more information on the film festival, the organization, volunteering, sponsoring the event. COHOES PUBLIC LIBRARY TAX HELP: The Cohoes Public Library has partnered with the NYS Dept. of Taxation & Finance to help you file both your state & federal taxes for free. If your income was below $62,000 last year, you are qualified to take advantage of this free program. Call 235-2570 to schedule an appointment. Dates available are 4/3, 4/5, 4/10 and 4/12. Appointment times are 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. More info at www. CohoesPublicLibrary.org. CHENEY LIBRARY TAX HELP: Cheney Library at the foot of High Street in Hoosick Falls is hosting tax help again this year. On Wednesdays, March 29 and April 5, from 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. a representative from New York State Department of Taxation and Finance will guide you through the process of doing your state and federal taxes online. This is a free service. You will need a copy of last year’s tax return, if available; photo ID (such as a driver’s license); birth dates and Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and dependents; proof of income (wages, interest and dividend statements); Forms W-2, 1098, 1099; Forms 1095 - A, B, or C affordable healthcare statement; health insurance exemption certificate if received; information related to any credits that you’re claiming; bank account and routing numbers; your prior year AGI or self-select pin. Please take advantage of this service by calling 686-9401 and setting up a date and time; you can also confirm in person or e-mail director@ cheneylibrary.org for the date and time when you would like to come. BASTILLE DAY NYC TRIP: Explore New York City on your own from Friday, July 7 to Monday, July 10. Cap off the weekend on Sunday July 9, during a festive afternoon of food, wine, culture, and entertainment at NYC’s liveliest French Street Fête: “Bastille Day on 60th St.” Trip price for a double room is $569 per person (triples & quads are lower.), including round-trip deluxe motor coach (with lavatory) from Latham to NYC (driver gratuity is extra), 3 nights at the 4-star Omni Berkshire Place hotel on 52nd St., hotel tax, and baggage handling. (Note: No meals or sightseeing tours are included.) This bus trip and 3-night stay in NYC are sponsored by La Fédération franco-américaine du New York. Reserve by May 5; call Lisa at Plaza Travel at 785-3338 or email lisa@ plazatravel.net. Follow La Fédération on Facebook and the Web. CORNED BEEF DINNER: Knights and Daughters of Vartan annual Corned Beef Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Oriental Shirners’ Hall, Troy. $15 per person at the door. RSVP by March 13; please contact Eddy Kebabjian at 438-1105 or ekebabjian@verizon.net. FRIENDS OF PEEBLES ISLAND: On March 16, at 6:30 p.m., there will meeting at the Visitors’ Center at Peebles Island (1 Delaware Ave, Waterford) to discuss the formation of a Friends group to support Park activities. A placid oasis amid the bustle of the Capital District, Peebles Island State Park sits where the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers meet. Refreshments will be served starting at 6 p.m. Please respond by March 12 to David.M.DeMarco@gmail.com if you will be attending or if you are interested in helping in the future but cannot attend. AMERICANS@RISK: Race relations, gender issues, immigration reform, white privilege, religion play a role in the risks Americans face today. This two day convention, designed for a multi-age, diverse audience, will explore these risks through a variety of interactive experiences that includes round table conversations, costumed reenactors, web based games, panel presentations, an Open House at The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, and more. March 24-25 - Schenectady County Community College, 78 Washington Ave., Schenectady. March 26 - The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany. More information is available at 432-4432 and at www.UndergroundRailroadHIstory.org/conference. SECTIONAL BRIDGE TOURNAMENT: The Capital District Bridge Association will sponsor their Spring Sectional Bridge Tournament Friday March 31 through Sunday, April 2. All games will be held at the Shelly Studio of Bridge, 6 British American Blvd, Latham. Friday’s session will start with an open pair game and a 0-750 game at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday’s session include the open pair game and a 0-750 game at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Both events each day are two one-session games. Sunday’s 2-session 42 board play-thru Swiss Teams starts at 11a.m. All duplicate bridge players are welcome. It is not necessary to be affiliated with any bridge group. For more information please call Bob Valenti at 326-3829. SWINGING ON A STAR GALA: The Community Hospice, Eddy Visiting Nurse Association (Eddy VNA), and Palliative Care Partners will host their inaugural fundraiser, “Swinging on a Star Gala,” Saturday, April 1, from 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m., at the new Rivers Casino & Resort, 1 Rush St, Schenectady. Liz Bishop, WRGB CBS 6 News anchor, will serve as mistress of ceremonies. The evening will feature cocktails and gaming at the casino, a mission auction, followed by a scrumptious cuisine dinner, with musical entertainment from The Refrigerators, and dancing. Tickets for the gala are $150 each. Black tie optional. For more information or to attend, please contact 482-4433, or register securely online at www. SwingingOnAStarGala.org. ADULT COLORING WORKSHOP: On Saturdays, March 18, March 25 & April 1 from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Joy Ting Charde will lead an Adult Coloring Book Creation Workshop at the Troy Public Library, 100 Second Street. Topics covered will include; Color Theory, Coloring Tools, Doodling Basics, Drawing Icons, Basic Lettering, Creating a Coloring Book Page and a Final Class Project. Joy Ting Charde is an illustrator and surface designer, and the author/illustrator of three coloring books including “Joyful Designs” and “Joyful Inspirations.” This program is free and open to the public. For more information and to register call the library at 274-7071 or online at www. thetroylibrary.org. CIRCLE THEATRE PLAYERS: Circle Theatre Players presents the classic thriller “Wait Until Dark,” written by Frederick Knott, presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. In a basement apartment in Greenwich Village, Suzy, a recently blinded woman, is terrorized by a trio of thugs looking for a drugs-tuffed doll they think is in the apartment. Will she see through the conmen’s bizarre charade? Directed by Val Gray and produced by Shirley Neiss, the play opens March 24 and continues March 25, 30, 31, and April 1 at 8 p.m., March 26 and April 2 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets $18. Adults, $10. Under 18. Prepaid reservations can be made at www.slca-ctp.org or call 674-2007. SLCA is located at 2880 NY 43, Averill Park and is fully handicapped accessible, with free parking. UNDERSTANDING SHAKESPEARE: “Understanding Shakespeare” is a fivesession program at the Troy Public Library on how to understand Shakespeare’s plays. Week one will delve right into Shakespeare’s great history play “Henry IV Part 2,” discussing the Introduction and Act I. Over the following four weeks, particpants will discuss the play one act at a time. This program will allow the participants to put “Henry IV” in a variety of contexts, such as its relationship to his other history plays and to the modern existential world. Tom Bulger, Shakespeare Scholar and retired professor from Siena College will lead this workshop. Sessions wil be held Thursdays from March 9 to April 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This program is free and open to the public. Registration is necessary. For more information and to register, call the library at 274-7071 or online at www. thetroylibrary.org. POLLY MASON AWARDS DINNER: Join the Junior League of Troy in recognizing two outstanding women for their contributions to our community: Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino and Former Director of the Commission on Economic Opportunity Karen Gordon. The Polly Mason Community Service Award Dinner will be held on March 23 at the Franklin Plaza in Troy. The Polly Mason Community Service Award was established in 2000 in honor of an amazing volunteer and past president of our League, Polly Mason. Recipients are recognized for their contributions to social, economic, educational, cultural and civic conditions of the community. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m.; tickets are $75. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.jltroyny.org or email juniorleagueoftroy@gmail.com. GRACE CHURCH (WATERFORD): Stations of the Cross will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday through April 14 at Grace Church, 34 Third Street, Waterford. Evening Prayer will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesdays through April 12. A Lenten Quiet Day will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1. The Rev. Kathy AlongeCoons will celebrate Palm Sunday Services at 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on April 9. Dan Clayton will perform as organist. Deacon Denise Moore will assist. During Holy Week Monday, April 10 through Good Friday, April 14 Morning Prayer will begin at 8 a.m. A Maundy Thursday Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist, featuring a Seder, will begin at 6 p.m. April 13. Good Friday Service will be held at noon April 14. Walking the Way of Cross will begin at 1 p.m. and go through Waterford to the Wesleyan Church. A Tenebrea service will begin at 7 p.m. April 14. An Easter Vigil Service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15. Easter Holy Eucharist will begin at 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 16. For more information, call the Episcopal parish at 237-7370 or visit gracewaterford.com. FESTIVAL FOR CHANGE: A free outdoor festival promoting natural health, wellness, mindfulness, fitness and the outdoors on April 29-30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Yoga and meditation (bring mat), guided walking tours of mineral springs, hikes, presentations, demonstrations by world record winners, television celebrities, best-selling authors, and wellness leaders. Bring your gear and apparel to free gear swap area. Location: Saratoga Spa State Park near Victoria Pool area (A Retreat at Gideon Putnam Resort, begins Friday, April 28). Official website: www. festivalforchange.com. Produced in cooperation with Saratoga County Chamber, Convention & Tourism Bureau, Gideon Putnam and Carson Worldwide. Exhibitor and Sponsor space available. Seeking performing artists and activity leaders. Community space grants available for individual healers and wellness practitioners. For more information call (347) 974-1312 VM, email Carson at support@ festivalforchange.com or visit https://festivalforchangepass.eventbrite.com. SOUP & BREAD LUNCHEON: The Speigle Elders are planning a Soup and Bread luncheon in conjunction with their March 22 meeting. A variety of homemade soups will be served including Autumn Harvest, Broccoli & Cheese, and Sausage & Tortellini. Sign up for this event at the meeting on March 8 or contact Mary Riley or Lois Kewley for reservations. RENSSELAER ALUMNI HALL OF FAME DINNER: The Rensselaer City School Alumni Association will hold its Fifth Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony on Saturday, April 22, at Troy Elks Club on Route 4, North Greenbush, from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person; please make checks out to Rensselaer Alumni Association, 25 Van Rensselaer Dr. Rensselaer, NY 12144. Cocktail Hour 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. Dinner at 6 p.m. Induction Ceremony 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Children under 12: $15 per person for Chicken Nuggets & Fries. Reservations required by March 10. No refunds. Reservation forms available at rensselaernyalumni.org, Facebook page Rensselaer Grade Schools & HS Alumni or Renss. City School Dist. Page –Alumni. BREAD & SOUP LENTEN SUPPERS: The Women of St Paul’s invite all interested women, men, and children of St. Paul’s and the community at large to join them on Wednesdays from March 8 through March 29. They gather between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., for a simple meal of homemade breads and soups. Deacon Nancy Rosenblum, former deacon of both St. Paul’s Church in Troy and St. Paul’s Church in Albany, will lead the meditation each week. The programs typically end between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The suppers are held at St. Paul’s Guild House located at 27 State Street, Troy. This program will be supported by a free will offering from various members of the community. FARM BUSINESS BENCHMARKING: This hands-on three part course applies your farm’s specific needs to real world business planning. You will use a combination of one on one consulting, and a small group collaborative learning environment to achieve your goals. Participants will learn the importance of routinely having financial statements prepared for your business; learn ways to examine the financial health of your business; enhance decisionmaking skills by gaining some tips on how to use financial information in the process. An Excel worksheet will be made available to assist in gathering necessary information and doing some of the calculations. Paper resources will be available as well. The course will be held on March 14, 21 and 28 at SUNY ADK, Business Central, Regional Higher Education building, room #137. The cost of this workshop series is $ 60 to cover the cost of and materials. Space is Limited and registration is required. To register, please call 518.743.2238 or Email conted@sunyacc.edu. When calling or Emailing to register, please use Course #20181. TRADESPEOPLE WANTED: The Hudson Valley Community College’s Workforce Development Institute, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Historic Albany Foundation (HAF) are offering a series of hands-on courses aimed at increasing the number of tradespeople skilled in the historic building trades. Those who successfully complete the program will earn a certificate. The first in the series of courses is Historic Wood Window Rehabilitation. Classes will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from March 7 through May 16 at Historic Albany Foundation’s Part Warehouse at 89 Lexington Avenue, Albany. Students who are interested in taking the Historic Wood Window Rehabilitation course must complete an 8-hour EPA Lea Safe Class before attending the course, which will be offered for free to those who are enrolled in the course. Students are encouraged to register at www.hvcc.edu/wdi, call 629-4111 or email workforce@hvcc.edu. NEW YORK FOLKLORE SOCIETY: “Farm and Field: The Rural Folk Arts of the Catskill Region,” a photographic study in black and white, will be on display at the New York Folklore Society, 129 Jay Street,

Schenectady beginning March 3. The photographs of local farms and related subjects by photojournalist Benjamin Halpern is a collaborative initiative among the New York Folklore Society, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, and Catskill Folk Connection, to document and showcase the rural folk arts rooted in the agricultural heritage of New

York State. The photographs highlight a variety of interactions between people and their landscape that reflect the ongoing nature of agriculture in rural Upstate New York, and will be on display at the New York Folklore Society through Memorial Day weekend. New York Folklore Society is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Scheduling, and other information pertaining to the exhibit are available on the NYFS website, www.nyfolklore.org.