Calendar Wednesday, Dec. 18

HOMESCHOOL PANEL: Wednesday, December 18th, 6pm. Join us for a panel discussion with several veteran homeschooling parents - each with a different approach and philosophy. Anyone is welcome: parents new to homeschooling, parents in need of inspiration, those curious about alternative education options. Bring your questions and ideas to share! Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St. Schuylerville. (518) 695-6641. LUNCHTIME MEDITATION: at the Saratoga Springs Public Library with Pierre Zimmerman, 49 Henry St, first and third Wednesday each month (12:30pm). Dropins welcome. Free and open to all. TOWN OF MALTA MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT: The Comprehensive Master Plan Committee meeting will be held at the Town of Malta Town Hall, 2540 Route 9 on December 18 at 6:00pm.

Thursday, Dec. 19

WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION: Songs of the Season with Dan Berggren at noon on Thursday, December 19 in the H. Dutcher Community Room at Saratoga Springs Public Library. Enjoy a Winter Solstice Celebration with Adirondack singer/songwriter Dan Berggren. Gather with friends to sing choruses, hear stories, and warm your heart as we approach the solstice. The program also features a sampling of “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” by Dylan Thomas on the 105th anniversary of the author’s birth. No registration required. www.sspl.org. TALK LIVE WITH SANTA: Saratoga’s Star Radio is excited to ring in the holiday season with an area tradition, “The Talk Live with Santa Show” For six evenings in December, parents can register their children to talk to Santa on Saratoga’s Star Radio. The program will air Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, December 9, 10, and 12, 16, 17 and 19 from 6-8 PM ON 93.3 FM. www.starsaratoga.com. NEW PARENT MEETUP: Every Thursday at 10:30 (no new parent meetup on December 26) These events are free and open to the public and will take place at Northshire Bookstore at 424 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. STORY TIME: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am. Children are invited for a story, a fun craft or activity, and then stick around to socialize with other families and open play. Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St. Schuylerville. (518) 695-6641. LIBRARY CHEFS: Thursday, December 19th, 3:30pm. We will be making a quick and easy snack every month. Drop ins welcome. Please let us know ASAP if your child has a food allergy and would like to come, and we will do our best to accommodate. We will avoid peanut dishes all together. Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St. Schuylerville. (518) 695-6641. CRAFTING: Thursday, December 19th, 6pm. A new craft every month. All supplies provided. Ages 12 & up only. Register online. Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St. Schuylerville. (518) 695-6641.

Friday, Dec. 20

HOLIDAY DANCE: Singles Outreach Community Holiday, Celebrating the Season with Dancing starting at 7 pm on December 20 at Colonie Elks (11 Elks Lane, Latham, NY 12110. DJ - Joe Sweeney. Open to the Public. $12 pp. For more info: 518-4526883. BLOOD DRIVE: On Friday, December 20th, 2019, The Latham-Colonie Council Knights of Columbus #3394, will hold a Blood Drive in conjunction with the American Red Cross. The LathamColonie Council Knights of Columbus #3394 is located at 328 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, N.Y. 12110. The donation hours are from 1:00-6:00 pm. To schedule an appointment please contact edhillenbrand@gmail.com or 518-209-6739 or www. redcrossblood.org. Candlelight Festival of Carols: ‘Tis the season for family and friends, memories and traditions, all beautifully wrapped in the glorious sound of music. The Burnt Hills Oratorio Society chorus invites you to its second annual Candlelight Festival of Carols. Great for all ages, this gathering includes many of your seasonal favorites, accompanied by brass, organ, and percussion. The festival is Friday, 12/20/19, 7pm at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Saratoga Road, Glenville NY. Children 12 and under free. $15 student (ages 13-21) | $20 senior (65+) |$25 general admission. Tickets available online at bhos.us, by phone 518-416-4060, or at the door the day of the performance LEGO LEAGUE: Fridays, 3:30pm. Kids are welcome to come and play with our giant selection of Legos! There will be weekly challenges available for inspiration! Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St. Schuylerville. (518) 695-6641. PRE-K PLAYDATE: Fridays, 10am. Stop in for some open play with other families and our wide selection of toys. Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St. Schuylerville. (518) 695-6641.

Saturday, Dec. 21

LEGION MEETING: American Legion Adirondack Post 70 will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, December 21, at 10AM. 34 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs. LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS SERVICE: All are welcome to come to this Light in the Darkness: A service of comfort and hope on the longest night of the year. Saturday, December 21, 2019, 7 pm at the First Presbyterian Church 22 West High Street Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Christmas can be a painful time. The constant, inescapable refrain about the happiness of the season reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. Broken or lost relationships, employment and financial insecurity, poor health, depression—all of these can be more difficult as the nights lengthen and the cold intrudes. Recognizing that Christ came to comfort those who struggle with sadness and pain, First Presbyterian Church will host a community service of scripture, prayer, music and candle lighting to invite God’s Word to shine light into our darkness. Everyone, regardless of church background (or no religious affiliation) is welcome. TEN BROECK MANSION HOLIDAY HOUSE: Saturday, December 21, 2019Children’s Story Hour with Sinterklaas 10:00 am. The Albany County Historical Association at the Ten Broeck Mansion, located at located at 9 Ten Broeck Place in Albany, will host the annual Holiday House activities beginning on Sunday, December 1 and continuing until Sunday, December 22, 2019. There are many planned events the public will enjoy including candle light tours, a holiday tea, two musical performances, an open house, a lecture, and a children’s story hour. Sinterklaas will visit many of the events throughout the month. The Ten Broeck Mansion is a 222 year old Federal Style home that was built for Abraham Ten Broeck and his wife Elizabeth Van Rensselaer and family. It is lovingly preserved by the Albany County Historical Association. During the holiday season volunteer decorators from around the Capital region transform the home into a holiday wonderland. The decorating theme this year is “American Treasures.” Handicapped accessibility is limited to the first floor. Ample parking is available behind the garden which can be accessed from Livingston Avenue. Please visit the website: www.tenbroeckmansion. org or call (518) 436-9826 for details and tickets.

Sunday, Dec. 22

CHANUKAH CELEBRATION: Chanukah Celebration on Sunday December 22, 11:30 AM-2:00 PM Wilton Mall. Saratoga Chabad invites you to a Chanukah Party on Sunday December 22, 11:30 AM-2:00 PM in Wilton Mall, near Homegoods and JcPenney. Come and enjoy a spectacular show by Sean the Prankster. Sean “The Prankster” Magician is both a performer and producer of magic shows in the Capital Region and beyond. He is a regular performer at Windham Mountain Ski Resort and Chicken Run Restaurant. His wife Crazy Christine Balloons, will join in the fun as a balloon twister. As well as enjoy dreidels candles, menorahs, arts and crafts as well Chanukah candy filled dreidels and Chanukah cookies. BREAKFAST BUFFET: 8 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22 at the Italian American War Veterans Post #35 at 247 Grand Ave. in Saratoga Springs. Eggs made to order, toast, pancakes, French toast, home fries, hash, breakfast sausage, bacon, sausage gravy and biscuits, coffee, juice, pastries, fruit cocktail. $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, children under five are free. $10 for carry out. CHANUKAH CELEBRATION: Join Congregation Shaara Tfille for our Chanukah Celebration with Storyteller and Musician Sandy Schuman Sunday, December 22nd 11:00 a.m. Festivities include a dairy luncheon, children performing and lighting the Menorah Sandy tells stories about songs and songwriters, personal adventures, historical sagas, folk tales and stories in the Jewish storytelling tradition. He’s been featured at The Northeast Storytelling Conference, Riverway Storytelling Festival, Caffè Lena, Proctors, Tellabration, Limmud Boston and interfaith, radio, and television programs. Sandy was a winner of the Susquehanna Folk Festival Liars Contest in 2019 and the St. Louis Jewish Storytelling Contest in 2015. He is a member of the Story Circle of the Capital