Calendar

Tuesday, Dec. 24

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: The Saratoga Hilton’s 25th Annual “Breakfast with Santa” is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 24 at The Saratoga Hilton; 534 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. The Saratoga Hilton’s 25th annual “Breakfast with Santa” will take place on Christmas Eve at the hotel. The special anniversary event will feature a festive buffet breakfast, fantastic gift raffles and a fun visit from Santa himself. Doors open for seating and raffle tickets go on sale at 8:30 a.m. Entry for the event is $12 for adults, and $6 for children aged 4 to 12 years old (little ones under 4 eat free). Families are welcome to take a picture with Santa during the event. Early attendance is encouraged. Each year, The Saratoga Hilton donates all proceeds from the breakfast and raffle to a local charity. This year, proceeds will benefit Beyond My Battle, a Saratoga Springs-based nonprofit organization that provides emotional support, education, resources and awareness to people with chronic illnesses and their families. Contact: 518-584-4000. Website: www.thesaratogahotel.com. ST. LUKE’S CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: Join us for worship… Christmas Eve: 4pm – Family Service, 9pm – Candlelight Service. St Luke’s on the Hill, 40 McBride Road, Mechanicville, NY 518-6644834. www.stlukesonthehill. org. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: The First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa welcomes all to join us for our first Christmas Eve Service with our new Pastor, Rev. Jennifer Legg. It will be a meaningful time to center our hearts on Jesus and his love! Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at 7 pm. 22 West High St. Ballston Spa, NY 12020. CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: Old Saratoga Reformed Church, Pearl and Burgoyne Streets, Schuylerville, will be holding its annual Candlelight Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ on Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 8 pm. The Christmas Story will be read, carols and anthems sung, and the Christmas Message will be delivered by Pastor Joyce deVelder. The service will include traditional candle lighting during the singing of “Silent Night.” The sanctuary is handicapped accessible. All are welcome!

Wednesday, Dec. 25

CHANUKAH GAME DAY: Come and enjoy a lunch of bagels, cream cheese a lox as well as latkes and dougnuts and chanukah treats all while having fun with friends and playing lots of fun an exciting games. 12:00-2:00 PM on Wednesday, Dec. 25 at 130 Circular St. in Saratoga Springs. ST. LUKE’S CHRISTMAS SERVICE: Join us for worship… Christmas Day: 9am – Celebration Service. St Luke’s on the Hill, 40 McBride Road, Mechanicville, NY 518-6644834. www.stlukesonthehill. org.

Thursday, Dec. 26

JIGSAW PUZZLE EXCHANGE & POTLUCK: December 26, 5 pm-7pm. The popular jigsaw puzzle exchange is returning this holiday season. Bring your old puzzle(s) to the Saratoga Springs Public Library from 5-7 for a lively and social puzzle swap event. Clean out your closet with those dusty old puzzles and bring in some new ones. If you are looking to just clean out, puzzle donations will also be accepted in the Glasby Room during the 5-7 timeframe and redistributed in Saratoga County. This event is a free, all ages event put on by the Jigsaw Puzzlers of Saratoga County. Questions: Ian (518) 396-8376. SCIENCE SOCIETY: Thursday, December 26, 3:30pm. Join us in some fun science experiments centered on a theme. Drop ins welcome! Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St. Schuylerville. (518) 695-6641. 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.

Friday, Dec. 27

FOAL PATROL KIDS: “Foal Patrol Kids!” - Friday, December 27th, 10:00 a.m. to noon. – Join the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame for a family-friendly open house celebrating season 3 of Foal Patrol, the Museum’s one-of -a-kind collection of live cameras following the daily activities of in-foal mares. “Foal Patrol Kids!” will include a variety of fun and educational activities, as well as healthy snacks, giveaways, and special guests. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the Foal Patrol website on Museum iPads to learn about the new in-foal mares, participate in an arts and crafts activity, ride an equipony, and see the HorsePlay! Gallery to groom a lifesized stuffed animal horse, dress in jockey attire, and investigate objects related to the many careers associated with horse racing. Free Admission. 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. FREE YOGA FRIDAY: Join us for Gentle and relaxing yoga every Friday at the Presbyterian United Church of Schaghticoke from 7 pm until 8 pm. The Church is located at 16 Main Street in Schaghticoke. For more information, visit presbychurchmouse@ yahoo.com.

Saturday, Dec. 28

CONTRADANCE: New England-style contra dance. Live, Celtic-based music by Up Front Session Band: Joel Roesenberger on Celtic harp & piano accordion, Nancy Bakemeier on fiddle, John Guay on hammered dulcimer & Vonnie Estes on keyboard. No partner needed. Easy to learn! Teaching and calling by Joan Savitt. Beginners welcome-lesson at 6:40pm; Dance at 7 pm, until 10pm. Saturday December 28, 2019. Admission: $11. Discounts given for seniors, students with ID and YMCA members. Location: Southern Saratoga YMCA at 1 Wall St., Clifton Park, NY 12065. JACK AND THE BEANSTALK: Saturday, December 28, 2:30 pm. Find out what you get when you mix 1 Cow, 3 Magic Beans and 1 Giant Beanstalk in The Puppet People’s newest show! Recommended ages 3-8. 40 minutes of fun! Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St. Schuylerville. (518) 6956641.

Sunday, Dec. 29

DHARMA MEDITATION: Dharma meditation at Saratoga Health & Wellness, 538 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, Sundays (9:00-10:15am). By donation. Drop-ins welcome. One Roof Saratoga: 518581-3180 Ext. 300, www. oneroofsaratoga.com.

Monday, Dec. 30

FOSTER PARENT MEETING: A Foster Parent Informational Meeting will be held on Dec. 30 at 4 p.m. at the Saratoga County Department of Social Services Building, 152 West High Street, Ballston Spa.The department is in need of bilingual parents. The next certification class will be held in the spring. For more information call Jared LeGrand at 518-884-4157. MOVIE MAKERS: Mondays, 3:30pm. Join us in making YouTube movies after school. Permission slips are required before filming. *There will be no Movie Makers on December 23. Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St. Schuylerville. (518) 695-6641. FIDGET GROWS A PIZZA: Book reading and pizza making Monday, December 30, 2pm. Fidget is very excited about growing her very own pizza garden. As the tomato plants ripen, Fidget is surprised to learn that her garden doesn’t actually grow pizza. Find out what happens in Fidget’s pizza garden & then make your own pizza right at the library! Registration required. Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St. Schuylerville. (518) 6956641.

Tuesday, Dec. 31

NOON YEAR’S EVE: Tuesday, December 31 at 11:30 am - Noon Years Eve Party. Bring your little ones to ring in the “noon year” at Northshire. For those whose bedtimes come well before midnight, we’ll be celebrating the end of 2019 with dancing, followed by a countdown and apple juice toast at noon. Party clothes are encouraged but not required. This event is free and open to the public and will take place at Northshire Bookstore at 424 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. For more information on this or other events, call 518-6824200 or visit the Northshire Bookstore website at www. northshire.com. END OF YEAR BASH: Tuesday, December 31 st , 2-4pm. Join us in celebrating another great year gone by, and the upcoming year ahead! Relax with some snacks, games (including video games), crafts, and a ball drop at 3pm. For kids and teens. Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St. Schuylerville. (518) 695-6641. 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. FIRST NIGHT AT CMAS: First Night at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga, 69 Caroline St. Saratoga Springs. December 31, 2019 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. All ages. Come and explore the museum during this afterhours time to celebrate the New Year as we take part in Saratoga’s First Night. There will be crafts and activities, live performances, and animal demonstrations. (518)5845540. Cmssny.org. DANCETOPIA’S NEW YEAR’S PARTY: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at CM School of Fine Arts | 17 Executive Park Drive, Clifton Park. Enjoy a wonderful night of fun and food including dance lessons, open floor dancing, games and prizes, a 50⁄50 raffle and a midnight champagne toast while watching the ball drop. $35 each, RSVP by Dec. 20 at (518) 383-6654 Ext. 1. performanceschoolofmusicarts.com. NOON YEAR AT CMOST: Frozen Science, Tuesday, December 31st, 9:00AM – 1:00PM AT Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CMOST), 250 Jordan Road, Troy, NY 12180. You won’t have to wait until midnight to celebrate the arrival of 2020 at CMOST. Ring in the “Noon Year” with laughter, learning and fun as we investigate the cool science of all things frozen. Activities include creating glitter slime, building ice castles, a festive selfie station, the last dance party of 2019, engineering a ball drop, snacks and more. Everything leads up to our a countdown to high noon and museum-wide parade. Suitable for all ages. All activities are included with museum admission. No need to preregister. New this year: all New Year’s Eve activities are included with museum admission: $8 per person, children under age 2 and CMOST members are free.

Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020

FILM SCREENING: Saratoga Film Forum, “Angels are Made of Light” A beautiful and surprising film. This film shows a different side of Iraq; a return to normalcy that is inspiring and important. Date: January 2nd thru 5th (Thursday to Sunday). Time: 7:30pm - all screenings - Box

office opens at 7pm. Place: Spring Street Gallery - 110 Spring Street, Saratoga Springs. Admission costs $8 Members and Students w/ID or$10 General Public. www. SaratogaFilmForum.org for advance tickets. Complimentary coffee, tea and cookies at all screenings. ALL CAREGIVERS’ SUPPORT GROUP: All caregivers’ support group at Saratoga Hospital, 211 Church St., first Thursday of each month at 6:00pm. Free and open to all. Pre-registration required. Call Pierre for info/directions to meeting space 413-992-7012. www. oneroofsaratoga.com.

Friday, Jan. 3, 2020

FILM SCREENING: Saratoga Film Forum, “Angels are Made of Light” A beautiful and surprising film. This film shows a different side of Iraq; a return to normalcy that is inspiring and important. Date: January 2nd thru 5th (Thursday to Sunday). Time: 7:30pm - all screenings - Box office opens at 7pm. Place: Spring Street Gallery - 110 Spring Street, Saratoga Springs. Admission costs $8 Members and Students w/ID or$10 General Public. www. SaratogaFilmForum.org for advance tickets. Complimentary coffee, tea and cookies at all screenings. FREE YOGA FRIDAY: Join us for Gentle and relaxing yoga every Friday at the Presbyterian United Church of Schaghticoke from 7 pm until 8 pm. The Church is located at 16 Main Street in Schaghticoke. For more information, visit presbychurchmouse@yahoo.com.

Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020

FILM SCREENING: Saratoga Film Forum, “Angels are Made of Light” A beautiful and surprising film. This film shows a different side of Iraq; a return to normalcy that is inspiring and important. Date: January 2nd thru 5th (Thursday to Sunday). Time: 7:30pm - all screenings - Box office opens at 7pm. Place: Spring Street Gallery - 110 Spring Street, Saratoga Springs. Admission costs $8 Members and Students w/ID or$10 General Public. www. SaratogaFilmForum.org for advance tickets. Complimentary coffee, tea and cookies at all screenings.

Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020

FILM SCREENING: Saratoga Film Forum, “Angels are Made of Light” A beautiful and surprising film. This film shows a different side of Iraq; a return to normalcy that is inspiring and important. Date: January 2nd thru 5th (Thursday to Sunday). Time: 7:30pm - all screenings - Box office opens at 7pm. Place: Spring Street Gallery - 110 Spring Street, Saratoga Springs. Admission costs $8 Members and Students w/ID or$10 General Public. www. SaratogaFilmForum.org for advance tickets. Complimentary coffee, tea and cookies at all screenings. BREAKFAST BUFFET: Saratoga – Wilton Elks Lodge # 161 Breakfast Buffet. Eggs to order, Fruit Cocktail, French Toast / Pancakes, Potatoes, Breakfast Sausage and Ham, Corned Beef Hash, Sausage Gravy and Biscuits, Scrambled Eggs, Eggs Benedict, Juice, Coffee and Tea. 8:3011 am at 1 Elks Lane, Rt. 9, Saratoga Springs. Donation Requested: Adults $9.00, Seniors(62 Years) and Military (Active/Retired with ID Card) $8.00, Children 5—12 $7.00, Under 5 Free. Takeouts $9. Call (518) 5842585 for more information. DHARMA MEDITATION: Dharma meditation at Saratoga Health &Wellness, 538 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, Sundays (9:0010:15am). By donation. Drop-ins welcome. One Roof Saratoga: 518-5813180 Ext. 300, www. oneroofsaratoga.com.

Monday, Jan. 6, 2020

SARATOGA RETIRED TEACHERS: Saratoga Retired Teachers will meet on Monday, January 6, 2020, at noon at Longfellows Restaurant, 500 Union Avenue (Rte. 9P), Saratoga Springs. For membership information and luncheon reservations, call 518.587.5356.

Tuesday, Jan. 7 , 2020

ENGLISH DART LEAGUE: 7 p.m. on Tuesday at The Parting Glass, located at 40-42 Lake Ave. in Saratoga

Springs. www.partingglasspub.com.

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020

BAKED HAM, CHICKEN & BISCUITS DINNER: Saratoga – Wilton Elks Lodge # 161. Soup, Toss Salad, Baked Ham, Chicken and Biscuits, Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Rolls and Butter, Dessert, Coffee and Tea. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 1 Elks Lane, Rt. 9, Saratoga Springs. Donation: Adults $12, Seniors(62 Years) and Military (Active/ Retired with ID Card) $11, Children 5—12 $8, Under 5 Free. Takeouts $12. Cash bar available. Call (518) 584-2585 for more information. CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: Cancer support group at Saratoga Hospital, 211 Church St, second and fourth Wednesday each month at noon. Free and open to all. Pre-registration required. Call Pierre for info. 413-992-7012. www. oneroofsaratoga.com. POETRY NIGHT: On Wednesday, January 8, Caffè Lena will present poetry reading by Rana Bita. An open reading will follow. Doors open for sign-ups at 7pm and the readings will start at 7:30. The host for the event will be Carol Graser and the cost is $5 general, free for students Caffè Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 5830022, www.caffelena.org This event is usually held on the first Wednesday of the month, but because of the New Years Day holiday, it will be on the second Wednesday of the month for this month only. Rana Bitar was born and raised in Damascus, Syria. She is the author of A Loaf of Bread, (Unsolicited Press 2019), a requiem for the loss of her homeland that digs into the depth of anguish to excavate the collective human experience of grieving. Her poetry has appeared in The Deadly Writers Patrol, DoveTales, Earthen Lamp Journal, Pittsburgh Poetry Review, Magnolia Review and El Portal. Bitar studied medicine and immigrated to the United States in 1990. She specializes in hematology and oncology, and is currently practicing in Upstate New York. www. ranabitar.com.

Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020

IRISH SPEAKER: The Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians will present speaker Peter Moloney on January 9, 2020 at 7:30 at The Saratoga - Wilton Elks, 1 Elk Lane, Saratoga Springs. The topic will be BREXIT and Implications on the Peace Process. For more information: wwwsaratogaaoh.com.

Friday, Jan. 10, 2020

ISRAEL’S GOLAN HEIGHTS TALK: B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation continues its popular “Synagogue Scholars” series with a presentation by Ed Rosen of Albany on the topography, demography and strategic importance of the Golan Heights. Rosen will present “Riding Through the History of the Golan” immediately following the congregation’s Friday, January 10, Shabbat service that begins at 8 p.m. B’nai Sholom is at 420 Whitehall Road, Albany. The service and program are open to all who wish to worship and learn. The Golan region of Israel has figured prominently in recent news, notably its formal recognition by the United States as a part of Israel. What are the Golan Heights? Why is this territory - not much larger than Rensselaer County - so strategically important? What is its demography and diplomatic history? How does it differ from the West Bank or Gaza? Rosen studied history of the modern Middle East and international relations at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. He is an active member of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and has traveled the Golan extensively, including hiking and by horseback last winter. Begun in 2004, B’nai Sholom’s “Synagogue Scholars” series spotlights individuals in the Capital Region Jewish community who are recognized scholars in their fields. For more information about the “Synagogue Scholars” series, visit www.bnaisholomalbany.org or contact the B’nai Sholom office: office@ bnaisholom.albany.ny.us or 518-482-5283. FREE YOGA FRIDAY: Join us for Gentle and relaxing yoga every Friday at the Presbyterian United Church of Schaghticoke from 7 pm until 8 pm. The Church is located at 16 Main Street in Schaghticoke. For more information, visit presbychurchmouse@yahoo.com. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 STOP THE BLEED TRAINING: The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office is taking preparedness a step further. They are teaming up with the Clifton Park Halfmoon EMS to teach another lifesaving initiative – Stop the Bleed training. The training will begin with Active Shooter training. This training will take place at the Town of Ballston Community Library on Saturday, Jan 11, 2020 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. To register, please call the library at 518-399-8174 or visit toblibrary.sals.edu MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID 101: For Older Adults and Those Dealing with Later Life Issues. Please join us on Saturday, January 11, 2020 for a free presentation entitled “Mental Health First Aid 101: For Older Adults and Those Dealing with Later Life Issues” from 9:00am-Noon at the Pastoral Center, 40 N. Main Ave., Albany and will be broadcast to the following sites for live viewing: Our Lady of the Annunciation/ Queensbury and St. Edward the Confessor/Clifton Park. This presentation by certified instructor Brian Evers will help increase the understanding of mental health issues affecting the older adult population and to equip those who minister to them with the skills to provide stronger support to individual and families To register: https://www. rcda.org/2020Mini-Pres or Maria.Schollenberger@rcda. org, (518) 641-6818. All faith traditions welcome.

Sunday, Jan. 12

DHARMA MEDITATION: Dharma meditation at Saratoga Health &Wellness, 538 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, Sundays (9:0010:15am). By donation. Drop-ins welcome. One Roof Saratoga: 518-5813180 Ext. 300, www. oneroofsaratoga.com. CONCERT: A Concert of Opera and Operetta Around the World - As part of the Schenectady Library “Beat the Snow” Winter Concert series, Bienvenida Baez, soprano, Elizabeth Lehmann, contralto, and Michael Clement, piano present a recital of opera and operetta with dramatic, romantic and celebratory selections in English, Italian, Russian, German, Spanish, French and Czechoslovakian January 12, 2:30 pm, in the McChesney Room of the Schenectady Library, 99 Clinton St, Schenectady, NY 12305, (518) 388-4500.

Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020

SARATOGA STRESS REDUCTION PROGRAM: Join us for the Saratoga Stress Reduction Program, an eight-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course taught by Selma Nemer, PhD, and Pierre Zimmerman, MS, in which students learn mindfulnessbased meditation as a practice for growth and healing. Our credentialed instructors have taught locally, nationally, and internationally for over 10 years. We have taught over 100 classes in Saratoga with over 3000 graduates. Students learn multiple forms of mindfulness meditation as well as the latest neuroscience findings about the impact of mindfulness on the brain and our ability to heal. As our students discover they can experience a deeper sense of peace in the midst of a fast-paced, demanding and stressful life, they learn to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease. While the program is very personal and therapeutic, it is also solidly practical and offers concrete approaches to dealing with physical and emotional distress. Benefits include improved breathing and sleep, reduced anxiety, better pain management, increased physical flexibility, changes in negative thought patterns, greater awareness of eating, improved immune system and a sense of inner calm. Classes are offered on Tuesday evenings 5:30pm for our winter Session beginning Jan. 14th. Class size is limited and we accept some insurances. For more information or to register, please call our offices at 581-3180 ext. 300 or 307. You can also visit our website: www.saratogastressreduction.com. ENGLISH DART LEAGUE: 7 p.m. on Tuesday at The Parting Glass, located at 40-42 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs. www.partingglasspub.com.

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020

TROY DISTRICT 2 NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING: The next meeting of the newly formed DISTRICT 2 Neighborhood Assn. will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 6:15-8:15 PM. It will be at the RAINBOW Center at the Arnold Fallon Apts, right on River St. just South of Glen Ave. on the West side. This meeting is open to all. Please bring a friend, all are welcome. LUNCHTIME MEDITATION: Lunchtime Meditation at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St, first and third Wednesday each month (12:30pm). Drop ins welcome, free and open to all. One Roof Saratoga: 518581-3180 Ext. 300, www. oneroofsaratoga.com.