UPCOMING CALENDAR

DINOS ALIVE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE: Following highly successful runs of Van Gogh and Claude Monet immersive experiences at Schenectady’s Armory Studios NY, Exhibition Hub in partnership with Fever will be opening its next exhibit, “Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience” on March 7. “Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience” uses more than 80 highly accurate animatronic dinosaur models, immersive projection technology, virtual reality, theatrical lighting, elaborate scenery, and hands-on activities to create an unforgettable journey back to the days of the dinosaurs that will thrill all ages. Highly educational, immersive, and interactive, “Dinos Alive” showcases some of the largest dinosaurs to ever walk the planet, including the iconic Tyrannosaurus rex, Apatosaurus, and the fierce Spinosaurus. Visitors can mix it up with the dinosaurs as well, coloring them every shade of the rainbow, racing a Velociraptor to see who’s fastest, engaging in multiple selfie opportunities, and even riding a dinosaur. Along with its vast installation of animatronic dinosaurs that chronicle all three periods in the Mesozoic era, “Dinos Alive” also boasts a 2,500-squarefoot virtual aquarium where guests can dive into the deep sea and interact with Jurassic sea giants in their natural habitat. The 60-75-minute experience also offers educators an opportunity to enrich their classes through K-12 educational materials aligned to state standards. “Dinos Alive” is designed to cater to visitors of all ages. Children can enjoy an interactive space where they play the role of a paleontologist and engage with iconic dinosaurs. Group discounts make it an ideal family activity, providing an immersive and educational experience for everyone. Those interested in booking school groups or corporate events can contact groups1@exhibitionhub.com for more details. To ensure easy access to “Dinos Alive,” Schenectady County has reserved over 200 FREE parking spaces located at the rear entrance to the Armory, providing direct access to the experience. Plenty of designated ADA parking is also available. For ticket sales and additional information, visit https://dinosaliveexhibit. com/schenectady/?cp_landing_term=city_selector&cp_ landing=city_selector

STATE PARKS CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE: 2024 marks the centennial of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. To celebrate, we invite you to take on the Centennial Challenge! We’ve come up with a list of 100 activities to give you a chance to get outdoors and discover our state parks, to learn more about our New York State history at our historic sites, and to give back to preserve all our properties for the next generation. Not sure you can complete all 100 activities in a year? That’s okay! The goal is to complete 24, after which you’ll earn a commemorative Centennial prize, as well as an entry into a random drawing for one of 24 three-year Empire Passes and a Centennial swag bag! Earn more than 24 points? You’ll receive one (1) extra entry into our promotional giveaway for every extra ten (10) points you earn! Keep track of your Centennial Challenge with either the Goosechase app, available on your iPhone or Android app store, or our handy checklist that you can download or pick up at any local state park or historic site. Challenge submissions will be accepted from January 1, 2024 to January 10, 2025. Winners of the promotional giveaway will be announced the week of January 13, 2025. For more information visit our website at https://www. parks.ny.gov/100/challenge/

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE GALA REGISTRATION OPEN: The World Awareness Children’s Museum will be celebrating their biggest event of the year — the International Cuisine Dinner & Auction — on May 19, 4:30 — 8:30pm at The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls. This annual event features some of the area’s best restaurants, allowing guests to experience a variety of international foods and flavors while also benefiting a family-centric institution in the community. This program, now in its 34th year, will also feature a raffle, live auction, and silent auction with dozens of items available donated from charitable local businesses, individuals, and organizations. Over 200 guests join the museum each year to celebrate this momentous occasion. Guests are encouraged to dress in black tie attire this year. Those interested in attending can visit wacm.ticketleap.com/gala2024/ to pick up their tickets. Early bird special pricing is available through April 1 ($120 for Young Professionals up to 35 Years and $135 for Individuals). Restaurants interested in participating in this year’s event have until March 29 to contact the museum regarding their desired support. There is no fee to participate and spots are limited. Options include donating appetizers and dessert for the night’s festivities. All participating restaurants/culinary artists will also have the opportunity to display brochures and menus for guests to take home with them. Sponsorship opportunities are also available through March 8. All support includes recognition in the evening’s program and promotions, as well as proper acknowledgment on the museum’s website and social media. All inquiries can contact megan@ worldchildrensmuseum.org or call 518-793-2773 with any questions.

ART EXHIBITION: New York Folklore is proud to announce our upcoming exhibit “Cuts Across Culture: Paper Cuts from Capital Region Artists.” This exhibit brings together the work of artists Jianling Yue of Watervliet and Mishka Luft of Niskayuna. The exhibit will be on view in the New York Folklore Gallery, 129 Jay St in Schenectady, through early March. Paper cut art is found in cultures around the world. Well known arts forms include Papel Picado from Mexico, Wycinanki from Poland and Wayang Kulit from Indonesia, which uses paper cut figures to create puppet shows. The earliest historical record of paper cut art comes from China in the first millennium. This exhibit showcases works in the Chinese and Jewish traditions. To accompany the exhibit, New York Folklore will present papercutting workshops and an exhibit reception.

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS: Regular Troy City Council meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 433 River Street. Committee meetings are scheduled on a regular basis. Agendas and minutes for meetings are posted online. All meetings are open to the public. Committee meetings begins with a public forum where residents of Troy can comment on any item on the agenda. At monthly Regular meetings, Troy residents can discuss any issue related to the City of Troy. More information is available online at www.troyny.gov.

INDOOR FARMERS MARKET: The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market heads indoors to the Atrium in downtown Troy. The winter market is held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from November through April and features most of the 100 vendors from its popular outdoor market. The Troy Atrium is located in downtown Troy with entrances on Fulton Street, 3rd Street, Broadway and 4th Street. Free parking is available in the City’s 5th Street Parking Garage, Riverfront Park, the Green Island Bridge lots and on city streets. No dogs are allowed in the Atrium, with exceptions made for service animals. The indoor market will be expanding to the second floor to include an indoor dining area where customers will be able to eat prepared food from vendors. For updates follow the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market on social media or visit www.troymarket.org.

SYCAWAY SENIORS: Need a diversion in your life? Food, fun and friends await you. Bring a friend or neighbor to the Sycaway Seniors group. Members live all over Rensselaer County, not just Sycaway. We meet the first and third Mondays each month at 18 Keyes Lane, at the Brunswick Community Center from noon to 3 p.m. Bring your own lunch. We supply dessert and drinks. Nancy McCloskey of Brunswick is our President. She can be reached at 518 279-0847. Dues are $10 yearly. Stop in for a visit, all are welcome. Bingo and 50/50 are held at each meeting. Cards are only three for $2. Hope to see you there.

SINGERS WANTED: Capital Community Voices, a non-auditioning mixed chorus, is seeking new members in all voice parts. Rehearsals are Tuesday nights from 7 pm to 9 pm at Green Meadow Elementary School, Castleton-on-Hudson. Singers will be preparing for a May 4th concert: Dream a World. For more information call 518370-5434.

COMMUNITY MEAL: YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc., located at 21 First St. in Troy, serves a weekly community meal from 5 to 6 p.m. each Tuesday. It is a free-of-charge, to-go dinner provided for YWCA residents as well as anyone in the community. All are welcome to join us each week for a free, nutritious cooked meal. Meals are prepared by a variety of volunteers including but not limited to YWCA-GCR staff, residents, community members and students. Residents are encouraged to participate in preparation of the meals and will be assisted by staff in menu planning, shopping and time management. We serve an average of 75 people per week. The YWCA-GCR also partners with community organizations to set up booths at weekly Community Meal to advertise, promote and engage guests in services. Residents and community members can call the YWCA-GCR at (518) 274-7100 to find out Tuesday’s menu. More information about this program is available online at www.ywca-gcr.org.

SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE SUPPORT GROUP: The “Further Along Survivors of Suicide” Monthly Support Group meets the second Tuesday of each month. The group is structured to meet the needs of people who have lost a loved one to suicide and who are approximately 1824 months past the date of their loss. It is not designed for someone who is recently bereaved. Facilitators are peers who have attended AFSP’s (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — AFSP.org) “Facilitating a Suicide Bereavement Support Group” training. There is no charge, but we encourage people to bring a treat to share or a book that would help someone else on their healing journey that we can include in our lending library. For more information, please email David Grapka at Furtheralongsos@gmail.com. For more information on AFSP, please visit AFSP.org or contact Sandra Goldmeer Sandra Goldmeer, Area Director, Capital Region New York at sgoldmeer@afsp.org or 518.791.1544.

POESTENKILL SENIORS: The Poestenkill Seniors typically hold weekly meetings every Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Sullivan Jones VFW Post in Poestenkill. All seniors are welcome. Coffee and refreshments are served after the meeting, followed by bingo and cards. The hall is handicap accessible, with sufficient parking. The Poestenkill Seniors hold catered luncheons, clamsteams and fish fries at the hall and also at various restaurants. Best of all they go on bus trips to casinos and other points of interest.

ICC BINGO: The Italian Community Center Charitable Foundation hosts Bingo night on Tuesdays. Doors open at 5 p.m. at 1450 Fifth Avenue, Troy. Food and beverages will be sold.

GRAFTON MERRYMAKERS: Grafton Merrymakers will keep you updated when our next meeting will take place. If you have any questions please call Betty Jean at 518-272-8624. The Grafton Merrymakers typically meet on the second Wednesday of each month from March through November at the Everett Wagar Senior Center, 2 Roxborough Road in Grafton. If you are interested in joining the Merrymakers please come to a meeting, or call the senior center Monday — Friday from 9 a.m. — 3 p.m. at 518-279-3413.

MINDFULNESS PRACTICE GROUP: Meeting Format: Includes walking meditation and sitting meditation in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh; all are welcome —meditation instruction available. Schedule: Wednesday evenings — 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Location: RPI’s Newman Center Hospitality House—4 Sherry Rd. in Troy— a white 2-story residential building about 30 yards south of the RPI Chapel Center (near the intersection of Burdett and Peoples Avenues). Cost: Free. Contact: (518) 271-6949 or (518) 2731851 for more information.

MEN’S CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: NY Capital Region Men to Men Cancer Support Group meets the third Wednesday of every month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the American Cancer Society Hope Club, 1 Penny Lane, Latham. Come-share experiences and receive understanding and encouragement from men and their loved ones in dealing with cancer. For more information, please contact the ACS Hope Club at 518-220-6960.

PITTSTOWN SENIORS: The town of Pittstown Seniors hold their monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of the month starting with a covered dish luncheon at noon. T.O.P.S meetings are held at the Raymertown Fire House on Mason Lane. All seniors 55 or over are invited to attend.

CAPITAL VIEW TOASTMASTERS CLUB: It is more than just public speaking, Learn a variety of communication and leadership skills. Capital View Toastmasters Club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the East Greenbush Library. Contact capitalview.toastmastersclubs.org.

YOUTH ROBOTICS CLUB: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County 4-H is starting a 4-H Robotics Club with 4-H Volunteer and Arduino Robotics guru Ray Martin. The Robotics Club will meet generally the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building, 61 State Street, Troy. 2nd Floor. Youth ages 12 and older with a strong interest in coding are encouraged to sign up! The club will be primarily working with Arduino boards, but also using 4-H Adafruit products connecting plant and soil sciences with technology. Space is limited. To register a youth, or for more information, please contact Kandis Freer at 518-272-4210 ext. 106. No one shall be denied the opportunity to participate or receive information based on their abilities. If you need any accommodations please let us know at the time of registration.

TROY CENTER: Everyone is welcome to sing along with entertainer Bob Marcello as he performs the greatest songs of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s at Troy Center. All families and friends are welcome to this free monthly engagement. Bob will perform the first Thursday of every month from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Troy Center is located at 49 Marvin Avenue in Troy. Please contact Billejo Sass at 518-273-6646 or by email at bsass@troycenter.net for more information.