Local First Twin Bridges Edition 011223

American Legion Post 1450 Donates to Local Charities

HALFMOON - American Legion Mohawk Post 1450 Commander

John Lepine is proud to announce that the Post has again made its annual Christmas donations of over $13,500 to local charities and non-profit organizations in December.

Contributions totaling over $8000 were made to help support local family and youth oriented organizations such as The Saratoga Center for the Family, Regional Food Bank, CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Community Hospice, Double H Ranch and due to increasing need, St. Edward’s Church Food Pantry, Shenendehowa Helping Hands and other Food Pantries.

Additionally, the Post helped support our veterans by donating over $5000 to Stratton V.A. Hospital’s Adaptive Sports Program and Veterans’ Holiday Committee, The National Honor Guard, and the Homeless Men’s and Women’s Veterans Facilities in Ballston Spa.

The donations were made possible through membership support, Bell Jar, Monday Night Bingo and other fundraising activities during the year, and we sincerely thank all who continue to support these activities.

In addition to these December gifts, approximately $8000 in ongoing contributions were made throughout the year in support of the local community.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans

see DONATES 4

Region’s police writing fewer traffic tickets

Experts cite staff issues, priority shifts, changes in driving habits

By STEVE HUGHES

ALBANY — Over the last decade, local police and sheriff’s offices have sharply curtailed the number of traffic tickets they write.

Although variations exist among departments, police agencies in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties wrote 99,079 tickets in 2012, compared with 55,804 in 2021, according to data from the Institute of Traffic Safety Management and Research, a research center affiliated with the University at Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.

That 44 percent drop cannot solely be explained by the coronavirus pandemic, which led to less enforcement and shifts in workers’ commuting habits. A Times Union analysis of the data shows that the number of tickets issued by local police had already fallen to 78,406 in 2019 before plummeting to 47,606 in 2020 and rebounding in 2021.

Police chiefs and experts who study policing attribute the decline in the number of traffic tickets to several factors, including lack of staffing, changes in driving habits, shifting priorities when it comes to public safety as well as police reforms that pushed departments to use traffic stops as a way to engage and educate drivers who violated the rules of the road.

Several police officials said they believe the number of traffic tickets does not tell the whole story. Their officers have been encouraged to use traffic stops to give verbal or written warnings, rather than a ticket that would entail a court date and a fine.

But others also see the stops as a key tool for catching people carrying guns or drugs or who have active warrants.

Peter Moskos, a professor at John Jay College in New York City who studies policing, said the pattern of declining traffic tickets in the last few years appeared similar to the dip in discretionary tickets written by New York City police officers that he has seen.

While there isn’t solid research to show that enforcement changes drivers’ behavior, it was common sense to have some level of traffic enforcement, Moskos said.

“There is the sense of road safety. I think the research is a bit thin in showing that enforcement actually changes behavior, but damn it, you shouldn’t be doing 80 or running red lights,” he said.

The city of Albany police saw some of the sharpest declines of any department in the region.

City police wrote 11,543 traffic tickets in 2012. That fell to 4,069 in 2019 and rose to 4,601 in 2021.

The department has struggled with severe staffing shortages that forced its leadership to curtail some patrols. The department’s traffic safety unit previously had 22 officers dedicated to it. Today it has seven.

Chief Eric Hawkins said the department still runs enforcement details aimed at specific violations, including one last year for drivers who left their cars running while they went into a store. But the first two weeks of that detail were aimed at educating the violators, rather than automatically ticketing them, Hawkins said.

“If we can get people to change behaviors, some other way besides

having them pay out of their pocket for it, then we may want to consider that.”

Hawkins also said that approach is a shift from the way many departments viewed traffic safety when he became a police officer.

“A lot of places are saying, ‘We don’t have to solely write tickets in order to do that, we can take a more creative approach.’ “It makes (drivers) pause. It makes them pause and think about the behavior.”

The city has also introduced a speed hump pilot program in some areas where it saw increased speeding. The city plans to expand that program in 2023.

Hawkins said when the department is able to get close to normal staffing levels he plans to add more officers to the city’s traffic safety unit.

In the summer of 2020, as the city was wracked by then-record levels of gun violence, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple sent deputies into the city to conduct patrols in an effort to tamp down the gun violence. Apple’s deputies have focused heavily on vehicle and traffic violations in hopes of finding drugs and guns. The result was that the sheriff’s office was one of the only police agencies in the region to see its traffic ticket numbers increase in 2021 compared with 2019, with the number of tickets rising from 2,506 to 3,935.

Apple said specialized traffic safety units were prioritized decades ago as a way to reduce traffic fatalities. Since then, many departments have given them up because they are manpower- and equipment-intensive, he said.

“I know everybody would love to have a traffic safety unit, but it’s become more of a luxury,” he said.

While Albany’s decline was among the highest in the region, it was far from the only department to see a large decrease.

In neighboring Colonie, which routinely has one of the busiest town courts in the state due to traffic infractions, tickets fell from 8,023 in 2012 to 5,702 in 2019 and 2,909 in 2021, according to Institute of Traffic Safety Management and Research data.

Deputy Chief Robert Winn said the department intentionally pulled back on its traffic enforcement during the pandemic and has since been ramping it back up. The department wrote nearly 4,000 tickets in 2022, according to Winn.

“We have always had an extremely high focus on traffic safety issues in the town of Colonie. I’ve been doing this for a long time. And since the beginning, I can remember that’s always been a huge focus of the town.”

Winn said that the town’s officers, like others in the state, are also dealing with higher call volume and have changed their approach in some cases, such as mental health calls. That approach of engaging

Albany police wrote over 11,000 traffic tickets in 2012 but just 4,601 in 2021. Staffing is one reason, the chief says, but the department has also aimed more at educating drivers. Please see TICKETS 4

Pine Bush Preserve acquires 15 more acres of protected land

By MELISSA MANNO

ALBANY — The Albany Pine Bush Preserve, a protected patchwork of rare inland pine barrens, will be adding 15.1 acres to its sprawling 3,400-acre preserve that spans three municipalities.

The Albany Pine Bush Commission purchased the property for $30,000 from Load Zone F LLC, a limited liability company based in Rensselaer.

The parcel adds to the 41 acres the town of Colonie donated last February to the preserve, which now

stretches across nearly 120 connected acres of protected land in the western part of the town, according to the preserve.

“The goal is to fill in these pieces and connect them for continuity — lands adjacent to one another provide for species movement, public recreation and buffer from nearby development,” said Christopher Hawver, executive director for the commission, in a statement.

The acquisition comes as part of the commission’s effort to protect and re-

store the barrens, home to a unique variety of plants and animals including the endangered Karner blue butterfly.

The Albany Pine Bush is one of less than 20 inland pine barren habitats in the world, according to its website.

The commission, formed in 1988, still needs to protect an additional 2,000 acres to “assure the viability of the ecosystem.” It hopes to expand the preserve to 5,380 acres with the help of community members who own land within the preserve study

area. “There are a number of additional properties we’d like to see added and protected from willing landowners. With our state and local partners, we hope to continue the momentum,” Hawver said.

The conservation effort has been a decades-long battle for environmentalists fighting to protect the globally rare ecosystem

against developers looking to build on it.

In the 1970s, a group of community members dubbed Save the Pine Bush set out on a mission to prevent four development projects from being built. Their efforts to foil the construction plans were successful, according to the Save the Pine Bush

WILL WALDRON / TIMES UNION

PAUL BUCKOWSKI / TIMES UNION ARCHIVE

A view of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve on July 20, 2017, in Albany. This area was once filled with native scrub oak, which prevented lupine from growing. Brush was cleared in the area and then a prescribed burn was done and then lupine seeds were planted.

at Colonie Senior Service Centers

January Classes and Events

COLONIE - THE CENTER is a place for individuals 55 years of age or older to learn, grow, exercise and be creative. Best of all, it’s a place to have fun! We are so excited about these offerings, in celebration of the New Year and of all things new and exciting. Please note, $20 membership is due in January.

Call 518-459-2857 x 327 or email THECENTERatCSSC@colonieseniors. org for information. All events take place at The Beltrone Living Center, 6 Winners Circle, Albany NY. Registration required. These classes start in January. Please call for dates, times and to register.

Call 518-459-2857 x 327 or cbarrett@coloniesenior.org.

Wellness and Exercise

CASARaise Your Voice Singing Contest

SCHENECTADY - Calling All Singers! Raise Your Voice Singing Competition, sponsored by CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Abused and Neglected Children) will be held on June 29th, 2023. Auditions for Teens and Young Adults ages 13-24 will take place on May 2nd and 3rd, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church, 603 State Street, Schenectady. Compete in one of two categories: Show Tunes, Theatre, Opera OR Rock, Pop, Country, solo or duo performers. No Profanity.

Guided Meditation 101, $30

Tap Dancing: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, $60

Intro to Ballet, $60 How to Shoot Pool, $45 Learn to Bowl, $69 Intro to Nia, $30 Strength, Core and Cardio, $65 Yoga for Joy, $60 Tai Chi for Healthy Aging, $40 Art Events

Soapmaking 101, $29 Zentangle, $29 Watercolor Workshop, $15

Flower Study – Scryli9c Painting, $33 Rubber Stamping Art, $10

Quilted Hearts, Free Button Club Surprise Event, Free Trips and Travel Troy Music Hall, $10 Met Opera at Crossgates, $42

Via Aquarium and Druther’s Lunch, $59 Cross Country Ski Lesson, $80

Krause’s Candy Tour, $10

Top 25 finalists will perform at Proctors for the chance to become the winner! Cash prize and trophy for the First and Second Place Winners in each category!

To schedule an audition please call the Center for Community Justice at 518-346-1281 Ext 330 or 518-709-6288 or email rvaughn@theccj.org

Southern Saratoga Art Society

CAPITAL DISTRICT - Artists and members of SSAS are exhibiting at two locations during January and February, 2023. The Clifton Park Senior Community Center Gallery, 6 Clifton Commons Ct., Tel. #: 518-383-1343 will be hosting a show called “The

Inside Cornhole at THE CENTER

COLONIE - Throw bean bags into holes in angled boards. A fun and friendly game. Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. Please call Caroline Barrett at 518-459-2857 x 327, cbarrett@colonieseniors.org

Bingo at THE CENTER

COLONIE - Play Bingo in the Lakeview Dining Room with Viola. Each card is $1, raffle tickets also available each week. Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Please call Caroline Barrett at 518-459-2857 x 327, cbarrett@colonieseniors.org

Silk Scarf Workshop, $59

Albany Mural Tour, $10

Many Club and Social Events, including Bingo, bridge, cribbage, knitting, Rummi-cube, cornhole, mahjong, book club, writer’s workshop and movies.

Clifton Park Senior Community Center

CLIFTON PARK - 6

Clifton Common Court, Clifton Park, NY 12065 • 518-383-1343

Senior Express -Transportation for Clifton Park Senior Residents – 518371-4444

Saratoga County Office for the Aging - Home Delivered Meals – 518-3634020 or 518-363-4033

Periodic Activities: call or go online to view our newsletter at https://cliftonpark.org/services/senior-services/senior-center.html

Membership to the Center is available to anyone 50+ for ONLY $20 for all of 2023!

Game Day: Dice Games:

Two Vals” and will feature the artwork of Valerie Woodward and Valerie Wolf. These unique artists will feature an eclectic mix of artwork and use of vibrant colors in landscapes, still-life, paint pouring, realism to abstract, using acrylics, watercolor, pen and watercolor pencil collages just to name a few.

The Mechanicville Library, 190 N. Main Street, Tel.#: 518-664-4646 will feature artist Barbara Hurley. Barbara has been painting most of her life. She paints in acrylics, oils and watercolors and has taken many classes with various artists. Her exhibit includes portraits in oils and some recent works in Acrylics. Barbara will donate any proceeds from sales to the Round Lake

Wednesday, January 18 at 12:30pm: Play games like LCR, Dice 3000, Bunco, Nickels and Dimes, Yahtzee, etc. Please bring a $1 scratch-off ticket to be added to the “Lottery Tree” and receive a chance toward a drawing for all of the tickets on the Lottery Tree. Advanced Registration Required

*Living with a Loss: Monday, January 23 at 2:30pm. Monthly Dropin Program. There is no timetable for grieving; people grieve in their own way and heal at their own pace. Participants have the opportunity to talk about their loss and share their story with others who have experienced similar losses. Learn the signs of grief, self-care, & coping strategies. Fourth Monday-Upcoming dates: January 23, February 27

Crafts: Winter Gnome: Wednesday, January 25 at 10:00am: $3 cash supply fee paid at registration. Sample on display at front desk. Advanced Registration Required

Methodist Church.

For further information about SSAS visit our website: southernsaratogaartist.com or check us out on Facebook.

Eco-Friendly Actions Calendar

CAPITAL DISTRICTYouth2 presents the 2023 “Eco-Friendly Actions” calendar to promote living in a sustainable manner for generations to come. Youth2 will post monthly on Facebook, Instagram and other local digital platforms simple lifestyle adjustments one can make to give back to our environment.

The organization has worked to create a methodical monthly plan for the upcoming year. Early

Colonie Chabad Presents Book Smart: Course Through Judaism’s Most Important Titles, and the Authors Who Inscribed Them

COLONIE - “We will course through Judaism’s most important titles, and the authors who inscribed them! A panoramic overview of 3000 years of Jewish learning, this course introduces you to the works that earned us the title “The People of The Book””, said Rabbi Mordechai Rubin of Colonie Chabad, who will offer a new 6-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI), titled: Book Smart

“You will experience the different genres that shape Jewish life, including Tanach, Midrash, Talmud, Halachah, Philosophy, Kabbalah, Musar, Chasidism, and meet the influential personalities who drove thirty centuries of Jewish scholarship. Whether you’re meeting these texts for the first time or as a seasoned scholar, this course will inform and enrich all your Jewish learning”, said Rubin.

The Course will run 6 Mondays at 7pm, starting on Jan. 30th, earlybird by Jan 17th & scholarship opportunities still available. The first class is free to join & comes with an in person dinner. The course will be offered in-person as well as over Zoom. Sign-in information will be provided upon enrollment. Enroll online: myjli.com/learn/colonie. Details may be obtained by calling 518-368-7886 or by e-mailing: chaicentercolonie@gmail.com

Jewelry Making Class: Friday, January 27 at 1:00pm: $3 cash supply fee paid at registration. Sample on display at front desk. Advanced Registration Required

Our Daily Lunch Program (12:00pm Noon) is ongoing. Call for details.

Hispanic and International Ministry at Clifton Park Center Baptist Church

CLIFTON PARK - Clifton Park Center Baptist Church offers an outreach program for Hispanics and Internationals in the area. It is a time of fellowship and Bible Study on Mondays @ 7:00pm. It is offered in English and in Spanish. The church is located at 713 Clifton Park Center Road in Clifton Park, NY. Please contact Rev. Damaris Cami-Staples at (518)371-6023 if you have any questions.

in 2023, the calendar explores themes of land use, upcycling, and trees, but as the year progresses gardening, recycling, water use, and advocacy are also discussed.

Youth2 hopes to call attention to addressing practical worldly issues (protection of water, trees, etc.) in a manageable, doable and not overwhelming way. The purpose of this calendar is to educate more people in the Saratoga Springs region on easy environmental actions that can be accomplished to help to protect our environment. Through community action we can contribute to a better future.

The Largest-Circulation Print Newspaper in New York’s Capital Region

Published Every Thursday Distributed Weekly To 180,000 Homes

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Jennifer Morrell 518-454-5513 jmorrell@timesunion.com

DESIGN DEPARTMENT

Roberta Mullins Rick Mullins

CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT

Margaret Bunkoff 518-454-5503 Margaret.bunkoff@ timesunion.com classifieds@ crwnewspapers.com Fax: 518-454-5542

DISPLAY AD DEADLINE: Thursday 4:00pm

CLASSIFIED AD DEADLINE: Monday 1:00pm Twin Bridges Edition Monday 1:00pm Saratoga North Edition The Advertiser

Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The majority of the ads in this publication were created by and are the sole property of Local First and cannot be reproduced without express permission from the publisher.

Capital Region Social Happenings and Singles Outreach Services January Events

CAPITAL DISTRICT - https://www.facebook.com/ CapitalRegionSocial - CapRegSocialHappenings@gmail. com.

Check out the following events that are held at 435 New Karner Road (Hanover Square Building) at “Hill” door entrance. As conditions change, current State and CDC guidelines will be in effect. Plenty of free parking. Handicap accessible.

Tuesday Nights: 7 pm “Real World” discussions. A different topic every Tuesday with a different Facilitator. Great interactive event at Singles Outreach. $4 members/ $6 Guests

Call 518-452-6883 for more information. Location in Colonie: Hanover Square Building, 435 New Karner Road (Hanover Square Offices and Apts.) at “Hill” door. Friday – Jan 13 at 7 pm: It’s Broadway Musical Night. Enjoy a “CATS” with discussion after. This is a pay what you will event. Call 518-452-6883 for more information.

Location in Colonie: Hanover Square Building, 435 New Karner Road (Hanover Square Offices and Apts.) at “Hill” door.

Sunday, Jan 15 at 3 pm: Guest Presentation -- Following the 2 pm potluck, enjoy our speaker, Gretchen Moore from the Albany Guardian Society. Learn about all their programs. Potluck $5 with dish or $10 without. Call 518-452-6883 for more information. Location in Colonie: Hanover Square Building, 435 New Karner Road (Hanover Square Offices and Apts.) at “Hill” door.

Friday – Jan 20 at 7 pm: Chinese New Year Celebration. It’s the Year of the Rabbit. Bring a Chinese Take-out dish to share. Discussion about the Lunar New Year and more. $5 with dish or $10 without. Call 518-452-6883 for more information. Location in Colonie: Hanover Square Building, 435 New Karner Road (Hanover Square Offices and Apts.) at “Hill” door.

Sunday, Jan 22 at 3 pm: Guest Presentation -- Following the 2 pm potluck, enjoy our speaker, Connie Frisbee Houde, International Photographer and Traveler. Learn about her latest trip to Tibet. Potluck $5 with dish or $10 without. Call 518-452-6883 for more information. Location in Colonie: Hanover Square Building, 435 New Karner Road (Hanover Square Offices and Apts.) at “Hill” door.

Friday – Jan 27 at 7 pm: LIVE event! Good Things Trio will perform. Enjoy a night of music. ($10 pp) – Snacks and beverages available for purchase. Call 518-452-6883 for more information. Location in Colonie: Hanover Square Building, 435 New Karner Road (Hanover Square Offices and Apts.) at “Hill” door.

St. Mary’s Church Food Pantry

WATERFORD - The Food Pantry of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Sixth and Broad Streets in Waterford, is open and accepting new Waterford clients. To register, or for more information, contact Lynda at 518-237-8826. Returning clients should continue to contact the Rectory at 518-237-3131 on Monday mornings to sign up for the Tuesday distribution. The Food Pantry is staffed by volunteers of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Mary’s Church. The Pantry looks forward to seeing returning clients and to meeting new ones.

The Waterford Library to Host an Art Exhibit from St. Mary’s School

WATERFORD - The Waterford Library will be hosting a an art exhibit, featuring the artwork from St. Mary’s School students from Wednesday January 11 through Wednesday January 25th in our children’s room.

Deliveries of fresh produce from Capital Roots will resume on January 10th. Our new delivery day will be Tuesdays. Please call the library for more information at 518-2370891.

The Waterford Public Library will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday on Monday January 16th.

The Waterford Library offers a weekly storytime for children and families on Fridays at 10:30am. For more information about it and other child enrichment activities at the library, please contact Liz Albanetti.

Shenendehowa Neighbors Connecting

Presenation

CLIFTON PARKShenendehowa Neighbors Connecting presents “99 Locks: Boating Through New York and Canada” on January 19, 2023 at 1:30 pm-2:30 via Zoom.

Ed Rodger of Clifton Park will describe a 4 week trip he and his wife, along with another couple , took from Clifton Park, boating the Erie Canal, Lake Ontario, Ottawa’s Rideau Canal, Montreal and Lake Champlain and back home on a 41-foot Trawler.

This will be an free online presentation via

Zoom, open to the public.

Registration is required on the SNC website: https:// snc.clubexpress.com/ Shenendehowa Neighbors Connecting is a nonprofit organization connecting people 55 and older to their neighbors and their community.

SNC sponsors monthly educational and social programs, many of which are open to the public.

Art Exhibit Reception in the Gallery Hallway of the Beltrone Living Center

COLONIE - The award-winning nature photography of Scott Stoner and Denise Hackert-Stoner of Naturelogues has been widely exhibited, and has appeared in publications such as birdwatching, national wildlife, New York State conservationist, and many others.

Denise and Scott donated many of the photos for the new visitor center at the Five Rivers Enviornmental Educational Center, and are long-time judges for the Albany Pine Bush’s annual photo contest.

Scott is retired after a 31-year career with the NYS Department of Enviornmental Conservation. Denise is an ordained priest in the Association of Romain Catholic Women Priests.

Through their small local business, Naturelogues, Denise and Scott offer natural history slide programs and nature photography workshops for adults and children as well as sales of their nature photography and note cards. To see more of their work, please visit them at natureloges.com.

Colonie Senior Service Centers is One Step Closer to Affordable Senior Units

COLONIE - Colonie Senior Service Centers (CSSC) is One Step Closer to Building 99 More Affordable Independent Senior Units in Latham

In the planning process for the last two years, CSSC’s Executive Director Diane Conroy-LaCivita had the opportunity to present to the Town of Colonie IDA on December 19th in hopes for obtaining a PILOT (Payment in Leu of Taxes) on the previously approved 99-unit affordable independent senior building which would be built on the site of the former Colonie Elks Lodge on Elks Lane in Latham. The proposed building would be adjacent to CSSC’s 96-unit King Thiel Senior Community which opened fully leased on May 1, 2017, and now has a five to seven year waitlist. CSSC, Inc. envisions the two structures side-by-side will create a spectacular campus for affordable senior living complete with a three-season senior center in an adjoining pavilion built by the Elks where all sorts of activities and events could be held.

At the 12/19/2022 meeting, the IDA approved a motion to schedule a public hearing in regard to the issuance of the requested PILOT to be held on Monday, January 23, 2023. CSSC is hoping for a good turnout of seniors and their families at the 01/23/2023 IDA meeting who are interested in supporting the proposed project for more affordable senior housing in the community. This meeting is being held at Colonie Town Hall, 534 Loudon Road, Latham.

As part of last year’s previous approvals for the proposed structure, CSSC is required to pay the Town of Colonie a public benefit of $176,700 based on a per-door calculation for the 99 units.

Colonie Senior Service Centers, an award winning forty-one-year-old nonprofit, is the largest provider of senior programs and services in the Capital Region. The organization currently owns and manages three senior communities, The Beltrone Living Center, King Thiel Senior Community and Sheehy Manor totaling 396 low and/or affordable apartment units.

For further information, please call Colonie Senior Service Centers, Inc. at 518-459-2857 ext. 305.

Writer’s Workshop at THE CENTER

COLONIE - Come practice the art of writing in a friendly and supportive environment. In the Library at The Beltrone Living Center. First and Third Tuesday of each month, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Please call Caroline Barrett at 518-459-2857 x 327, cbarrett@colonieseniors. org

Capital District Fly Fisher Present an Introductory Fly Tying Class

CLIFTON PARK - Intro to Fly Tying (Ages 13 and up) First session covers materials, tools, safety and hands-on instruction on knots used in fly tying. Students MUST have their own tying tools, which will be covered at the first session, and have 2 weeks to obtain needed tools. By the end of the 8 sessions, each student should have all the skills needed to embark on a life-long hobby of fly tying. Date: Jan 11, 25, Feb 1, 8, 22, March 1, 8, 22, (March 29 for weather date)

Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Site: Locust Lane Clubhouse - 5 Locust Lane, Clifton Park Fee: $85

Registration is online through Town of Clifton Park. You do not have to be a resident to enroll.

Instructor: Members of Capital District Fly Fishers

Contact: Tom Passarelli tpassare@yahoo.com (518)-765-3389

Evan Lubin evan.Lubin@gmail.com

Q.U.I.L.T., Inc.

Monthly Guild Meeting

DELMAR - Q.U.I.L.T., Inc. is a not-for-profit guild of quilters interested in learning about the art of making quilts. Members live in the Capital Region and surrounding communities. The meeting is January 13, 2023, 9:45am All levels of quilters are welcome. Meetings are held at the Delmar Reformed Church (386 Delaware Ave, Delmar, NY 12054) the second Friday of each month (September

through June.)

For the January meeting, a brief business meeting begins at 9:45 followed by a lecture/trunk show by local quilt designer and teacher Marlous Carter. All are welcome. Please join us.

Please visit our website https://www.quiltinc.org/ for more details.

Free Community Dinner

WATERFORD –A Free Community Meal will be served during a Messy Church gathering from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 at Grace Church, 36 Third St.

Messy Church provides an opportunity for people of all ages to worship together in a fun and creative way. Fun activities with a Biblical theme are planned.

For information, call the Episcopal parish at 237-7370 or visit gracechurchwaterford.com.

The Rev. Kathy Alonge-Coons celebrates the Holy Eucharist at 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. Sundays. Deacon Denise Moore assists.

An Adult Christian Education program begins at 8:30 a.m.

A coffee hour follows each service

MeetUp League of Women Voters

SARATOGA COUNTY - LWV Meetup Scheduled via Zoom-register at our website wwwsaratoga.org/ events Wednesday, January 18, 2023 - 7:00 PM. 8:30 PM

The involvement of local Leagues and members in the program planning process is what makes us a grassroots organization. New positions can

Historic Cherry Hill Recruits Volunteer Guides to Lead Tours of the Historic House Museum In 2023

ALBANY - Historic Cherry Hill is looking for individuals interested in local history to join as volunteer guides for the 2023 tour season. Guide training will begin onsite in late January 2023 and will take place roughly every other Wednesday evening through April.

Interested volunteers will be fully trained by Historic Cherry Hill staff members and guest speakers. Guides can expect to commit to 6-10 hours per month from January to November of 2023, with the majority of public tours occurring between June and August.

Regarding Covid-19: Historic Cherry Hill will continue to follow the latest recommendations from NYS and CDC guidelines and museum best practices to ensure the safety of our visitors, volunteers, and staff.

Historic Cherry Hill tells a story of America through the lives and experiences of five generations of one Albany, New York household. The historic house museum is located at 523 ½ South Pearl St., Albany, NY 12202.

Historic Cherry Hill is an equal opportunity employer. Please note that guides walk up and down two flights of stairs during the tour, and may be on their feet for prolonged periods of time.

Interested volunteers can visit our website at www. historiccherryhill.org/news/ or contact Meghan Willis, Education Assistant at HCH by emailing meghan@historiccherryhill.org or calling 518-434-4791.

Recruiting AmeriCorps Volunteers 55+

CAPITAL DISTRICT - Community Caregivers has partnered with AmeriCorps Seniors and is actively recruiting volunteers who are 55+ join a national volunteer movement and help their neighbors.

Our volunteers provide support, at no charge, to older adults and individuals who need help to live safely and independently in their own homes. There are several flexible opportunities available such as grocery shopping and transportation. We currently serve Albany and Rensselaer counties.

For those that meet the income guidelines, there is even a modest stipend available.

If your organization currently utilizes volunteers and would like to find out how we can partner or if you’re interested and have questions, please send us a note at americorps@communitycaregivers.org .

Also, Visit Community Caregivers at www.communitycaregivers.org.

be considered and we can also concur with existing positions of other Leagues. Bring your ideas, comments and suggestions. This meeting is open to the public and will give non-members a look at what the League programs are and how they are developed.

Meetups are a way for us to come together to explore, understand and advocate for issues that matter to us.

Halfmoon Church of Christ to Host Seminar on Protecting Yourself From Scams

MECHANICVILLE

- The Halfmoon Church of Christ, in conjunction with the Saratoga Sheriff’s Office, is hosting an educational seminar on identifying and protecting yourself from the common fraud and scam schemes prevalent today. The event is open to the public & will be held at 1:00 PM on Sun, January 22, 2023 at the Halfmoon Church which is located at 250 Pruyn Hill Road Mechanicville, NY 12118. Topics include the different types of scams, the most common scams, tips to identify and avoid these scams, and what to do if you are a victim. Educational material will be available.

RSVP to either 518-6703005 or info@halfmoonchurchofchrist.com

Capital Region Veterans Memorial (CRVM) Fundraiser

SCHENECTADY - We are having a Fundraiser at the Waters Edge Lighthouse, 2 Freemans Bridge Road, Schenectady on January 28th

4-5 Silent Auction and Cash Bar. 5PM Buffet Dinner Seafood Stuff Sole, Chicken Parm, Potatoes, Fruit and Toss Salad, Coffee and Dessert. 50/50, Small presentation and Silent Auction winners. $40pp; all proceeds to benefit the CRVM. Please visit our website at: Capitalregionveteransmemorial.org

To purchase tickets and honor our Veterans and their families. Please email: thecrvm@gmail. com

If you have any questions or would like to donate an item for our Silent Auction.

Looking for Baseball Umpires

CAPITAL DISTRICTCapital District Baseball Umpires Association is looking for new members for the 2023 season. Training classes are now forming. Please call Bob Umholtz at 518-986-5987 or go to cdbua.com for more information.

“stART with Art in 2023”

ALBANY - Celebrate the beginning of a new year with local artists in the first show/sale of 2023. Works in a wide variety of subjects, techniques and mediums.

Opens January 6. New gallery hours MTW 12-6, Th&Fr 12-8, Sat 10-3 or by appointment. Closed Sundays. Exhibit ends January 31

ART ASSOCIATES

GALLERY 21 Railroad Avenue, Albany 12205. 518-459-1307

Art Exhibit Reception in the Gallery Hallway of The Beltrone Living Center

New Students Welcome for Colonie Senior Service Centers’ (CSSC) Free ESL Classes

COLONIE - For the past several months, CSSC volunteers have been working with older adult refugees from a variety of countries teaching the English language and American situational words and practices. Lessons will continue into the new year. Do you know an adult struggling with the English language? Please consider referring them to Colonie Senior Service Centers to participate in ESL classes held twice weekly free of charge at The Beltrone Living Center, 6 Winners Circle, Albany. Please call Diane at 518-459-2857 ext. 305 for questions or additional information.

Helping Everyone Live Well with Parkinson’s

Do you or your loved one have Parkinson’s Disease? Do you live or work in the Upstate NY, Greater Capital Region?

Did you know there is so much you can do to Live Well with Parkinson’s?

Did you know recent clinical studies have shown that a good personal wellness program, including exercise, good nutrition, and an overall healthy lifestyle, can slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease and improve the way you feel?

Make today the day you gain control of your life and Live Well with Parkinson’s!

www.helpforpd.org

Join us today by signing up for our newsletter Start learning about local and online exercise and wellness programs, resources, and information, all geared toward people with Parkinson’s disease and their Care Partners.

There is no charge to use the Help for Parkinson’s service. Feel free to contact us at info@helpforpd.org or 518-350-7399

** Help for Parkinson’s is a locally based 501(c)(3) charity solely focused on helping improve the lives of folks dealing with Parkinson’s Disease. **

Sudbury Square, Latham

town house in the gated community of the Village at

Hin 2017. ere’s a town house in the gated community of the Village at Shaker Creek in Latham, just off of Route 9, with plenty of room and lots of newer amenities. Built in 2017, the 2,300-square-foot property has three bedrooms and twoand-a-half bathrooms.

Creek in

HOUSE OF THE WEEK

The main bedroom is on the first floor with an attached full bath and walk-in closet. The kitchen comes equipped with a convection oven and a nearby pantry with stylish pegboard storage. While the lot’s size doesn’t far exceed the home’s square foot-age, there’s a Trex deck to enjoy the environs. (And if you’re thinking of making delegation one of your New Year’s resolutions, the monthly HOA fee

includes grounds maintenance, snow removal and trash services.) Other features include a tankless water heater and a gas fireplace in the family room.

Taxes: $12,891. Listing price: $590,000. Monthly HOA fee: $300. For more information, contact co-listing agents Shana Edwards (518-365-1915) and Linda Foglia (518-281-4445), of Keller Williams Capital District. — Sara Tracey

TICKETS

CONTINUED FROM 1

the person in distress and trying to connect them with services, rather than calling an ambulance to transport them to the hospital, takes up more of the officers’ time, Winn said.

But Colonie has also struggled with staffing issues, he said.

Moskos agreed that the lack of staff within some departments is likely part of the explanation.

“I would expect to see a decrease in that kind of stuff ...

not having the same number of people on the street and therefore not dead time to do those traffic stops,” he said.

Other departments, even those who saw staffing decreases, still saw a relatively stable number of tickets through the pandemic. Glenville police issued 4,057 tickets in 2021, nearly 700 more than it issued in 2019

The Schenectady police department issued 6,700 tickets in 2021, the most the department had handed out since 2017, according to the data.

And in Saratoga Springs, police issued nearly as many tickets in 2021, 2,247, as they did in 2019 when they wrote 2,303.

HOROSCOPE

Week Of January 15, 2023

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

You may be in a meditative mood this week, Aries. You may think about mundane things or even complex issues. It’s an ideal time to stay indoors and relax with your thoughts.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Obligations to friends or family could interfere with other things you had intended, such as spending time with your partner. As more people call upon you, step back and consider.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

You have a strong desire to clean and organize your home this week, Gemini. Spring cleaning certainly comes early. Conquer that clutter.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

All of that extra work on the job will pay off in the days to come, Cancer. Expect an email or personal meeting from a supervisor to discuss.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Practical matters, such as the household budget, may need your attention this week, Leo. A big purchase is on the horizon, so get your finances sorted out.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Giving back to the community can boost your morale, Virgo. Think about offering to shop for an elderly neighbor or volunteer at a food pantry a few days a week.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Careful penny pinching may now result in a nice nest egg you can use any way you desire, Libra. Enjoy the fruits of your labor when you can loosen the pursestrings.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, a sense of duty to

loved ones may have you taking on tasks that you otherwise may never consider. Your willingness to pitch in won’t go unnoticed.

SAGITTARIUS –Nov 23/Dec 21

Don’t be surprised if the people you help this week are willing to go to bat for you in the future. Consider any assistance you provide an investment in friendship.

CAPRICORN –Dec 22/Jan 20

Some people know exactly which buttons to push to get a rise out of you, Capricorn. Try to be the bigger person and turn the other cheek.

AQUARIUS –

Jan 21/Feb 18

A momentary loss of confidence may catch you off-guard, Aquarius. Brush these feelings aside and take on any task or challenge that comes your way.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Nostalgia could hit you hard this week Pisces. Enjoy an unexpected trip down Memory Lane. Contact others who might enjoy it as well.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

JANUARY 15

Dove Cameron, Actress (27)

JANUARY 16

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Actor (43)

JANUARY 17

Steve Harvey, Comic (66)

JANUARY 18

Dave Bautista, Wrestler (54)

JANUARY 19

Dolly Parton, Singer (77)

JANUARY 20

Skeet Ulrich, Actor (53)

JANUARY 21

Emma Bunton, Singer (47)

Sgt. Paul Veitch, department spokesman, said that was partially due to the department’s focus on impaired driving patrols. Veitch noted that when an officer writes a ticket for impaired driving, they often find other violations.

“People still went out and still got intoxicated and drove, those issues were there,” he said. “So, more than likely that number remains relatively stable because of our dedication to DUI (driving under the influence) enforcement overnights.”

PRESERVE

CONTINUED FROM 1

website, and more than 40 years later, the group remains devoted to the ongoing struggle to save the National Natural Landmark.

A map of the new property as well as a map of lands recommended for protection and addition to the reserve are accessible on the Albany Pine Bush website.

DONATES

CONTINUED FROM 1

organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. Post 1450 is one of the largest in membership in New York State. For information on joining please call the Post at 371-4463.

Johnsonville Thrift Shop

JOHNSONVILLE - The Johnsonville Methodist Church Thrift Shop, located at 22 Bridge St., Johnsonville, NY 12094, is open 9-12 every Wednesday and the first Saturday of each month. Closed on holidays. Look for our sign at the corner of Route 67 and Route 111. We have a great selection of adult and children’s clothing, boots, shoes, coats, purses, special occasion and career clothing, jewelry, toys, linens, household and decorative items. Our well-organized book room has over 1,000 books available.

Mother Teresa’s Thrift Shop

MECHANICVILLE - The Thrift shop is opened TuesWed-Thurs. 10 A.M.- 2 P.M. Located at 52 William St, Mechanicville.

Visit our Thrift Shop, we have a large selection of quality items, and low prices. Gently used designer clothing, accessories and home goods. New inventory arriving daily, and weekly sales. Dedicated volunteers. Donations Always Welcome. Hope to see you soon.

The Boys and Girls Club of Albany is Hosting an Adult Bible Study

ALBANY - Each Thursday at 6:00 P.M. The address is 21 Delaware Avenue.

For further info please call 518-885-3149.

Rummi Cube at THE CENTER

COLONIE - Come play this quick, fun game. Easy to learn! Thursdays, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., starts January 12. Please call Caroline Barrett at 518-459-2857 x 327, cbarrett@colonieseniors.org

Shaker

SARAH BUCK

Senior January Dining Events at Colonie Senior Service Centers

COLONIE - Join us for a hot meal at The Beltrone Living Center Monday-Friday at Noon.

This program is funded in part by the Albany County Dept. for Aging, NYS Office for the Aging, Administration for Community Living, Town of Colonie and participant contributions. January menu is currently under review and subject to change.

This program is an equal opportunity provider. Suggested donation of $3, and registration and reservations are required. Call 518-459-2857 x 303.

January 23rd at 5:00pm: Come see Joe Gorman – singer, songwriter and vocalist preform and enjoy a tasty lunch with the community! Dinner served will be (subject to change)

Swedish Meatballs with Egg Noodles, Green Beans, Caeser Salad and a Ice Cream Sundae.

1/13 Sausage w/ Peppers & Onions

1/16 CLOSED MLK DAY

1/17 Meatloaf

1/18 Chicken & Dumplings

1/19 Bacon, Shrimp & Corn Chowder + ½ Turkey Sand

1/20 Shepard’s Pie

1/23 Lunch Chicken Plicata

1/23 Special Dinner Swedish Meatballs w/Egg Noodles

1/24 Baked Ham w/Peas + Scalloped Potatoes

1/25 Seafood Mac & Cheese w/Broccoli

1/26 Minestrone Soup + ½ Roast Beef Sand.

1/27 Antipasto Salad + Italian Wedding Soup

1/30 Stuffed Pepper 1/31 Irish Beef Stew

THE CENTER at Colonie Senior Service Centers Open House

COLONIE - The Open House is January 13 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. THE CENTER is a place for individuals 55 years of age or older to learn, grow, exercise and be creative. Best of all, it’s a place to have fun! We are so excited about these offerings, in celebration of the New Year and of all things new and exciting. Please note, $20 membership is due in January.

Come and mingle, meet instructors and learn about THE CENTER at CSSC. At our January Open House, there will be information about wellness and fitness classes, artistic and creative events and club happenings, too. The open house is a great chance to see where classes are held and tour our building. Start your journey in staying active, connected and healthy in 2023!

There will also be music, crafts, snacks and fun. Free for all. Call 518-4592857 x 327 or cbarrett@ coloniesenior.org.

Colonie Senior Service Centers

January’s Healthy and Local Cooking Class

COLONIE - Each month

Colonie Senior Service Centers, Inc (CSSC) offers a cooking demonstration highlighting “the best of local” for seniors (55+). As the area’s largest nonprofit senior organization, CSSC offers a wide array of senior programs and services including educational, and health and wellness opportunities.

Join Award Winning Chef Aneesa Waheed, owner of Tara Kitchen, on Tuesday, January 31,

from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon to learn from an area expert about why Moroccan cuisine is so special. The class will take place at CSSC’s King Thiel Senior Community, 17 Elks Lane in Latham. Moroccan cuisine is the cuisine of Morocco, fueled by interactions and exchanges with many cultures and nations over the centuries. Moroccan cuisine is a mix of Arab, Berber, Andalusi, and Mediterranean cuisines, with minimal European and sub-Saharan influences. For nearly a decade, Tara Kitchen has served Moroccan food that is for everyone. It’s worldly but accessible comfort food packed with flavor.

Vibrant, not fiery, it is seasoned with spices that reflect Morocco’s history as a cultural crossroad.

There is a $5 charge to attend, and prior registration is required. Space is limited. For further information or to register, please call Diane at 518-459-2857 ext. 305.

The Jewish Women’s Circle Will Host “Plant N Sip: Tu Bshvat Edition”

CLIFTON PARK - The Jewish Women’s Circle will host “Plant N Sip: Tu Bshvat Edition” at 3:00 pm on Sunday, February 5th at Clifton Park Chabad, 495 Moe Road. Participants will get to pick a decorative glass dish, succulents of their choice and beautiful crystals to make a unique terrarium to grace their home or workplace! Refreshments will include Kosher wines and other delicacies of our Holy land. A discussion about the deeper meaning of Tu B’Shvat and its connection and relevance to us today will follow, as we celebrate the New year for trees together in style!

The fee for the event is $15, with sponsorships available.

The Jewish Women’s Circle is a place to Connect. Recharge. Rejuvenate. Feed your mind. Nourish your soul. Bring a friend!

To RSVP visit www. cliftonparkchabad.com and for more information, contact Leah at 518-495-0779.

American Legion Breakfasts Back in January

DELMAR - American Legion - Blanchard Post 1040 - 16 W. Poplar Drive Delmar NY

Sons of the American Legion Monthly Breakfast Buffet- all you can eat** Adults $12, Children $6 (under 12)

Enjoy our extensive buffet which includes omelet stations, breakfast sandwiches, eggs, breakfast meats, potatoes, pancakes, and more. Includes beverages (coffee, tea, juices)

Proceeds used to fund our various projects and programs that directly support our Veterans.

January 29, 2023 from 9 to 12-noon (and February 26th and March 26th)

Thank you for your support to the Veterans - we look forward to seeing you!

*elevator and ADA restrooms on site

THE CENTER at Colonie Senior Sevice CentersSearching for Timbuctoo Screening and Q&A

COLONIE - SEARCHING FOR TIMBUCTOO tells the little-known story of a Black settlement, established in the wilds of upstate New York, that brought together a group of ardent abolitionists willing to risk their fortunes, their families, and

their futures to destroy slavery. Little did they know that by coming together, they would help tear the nation apart.

Paul Miller is a writer, filmmaker and photographer based in upstate New York. As a 20-year veteran of broadcast and cable television, he has worked for national shows and networks, including The History Channel, National Geographic Channel, PBS, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Free for all.

Monday, February 6, 3:00 p.m ., with question-and-answer session to follow. At The Beltrone Living Center.

Food Bank Distribution Calendar Reminder from the Colonie Senior Services Center

COLONIE - On the 2nd Tuesday of each month, Colonie Senior Service Centers makes food items like produce, staples, and frozen meats from The Regional Food Bank available from 11:30 to 12:30 pm during our congregate meal service. Those who are in need are welcome to participate. Please bring your own reusable grocery bag. As the area’s largest provider of senior programs and serices, CSSC Inc, recognizes recent inflationary impact on food costs on those seniors who would appreciate some assistance. For additional information or questions, please call Diane at 518-459-2857 ext 305.

Alateen-Al-anon

CLIFTON PARKAlateen is for teens (12-18) whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. They learn ways to cope by meeting and sharing with other young people experienc-

ing the same problems. They learn that they are not alone. Meetings are weekly at St. Edward the Confessor Church 569 Clifton Park Center Road on Sunday’s from 4-5 pm. The meeting is across the hall from an Al-anon meeting which runs at the same time.

Additional Al-anon meeting: Wednesday evening from 6-7 pm at St. Mary’s Church (Crescent) 86 Church Hill Road. Alanon is a support group for adults whose lives have been affected by another’s drinking. For more information on either Alateen or Al-anon: email: cmc. afg.123@gmail.com

Collie, Sheltie Walk at The Crossings Park

COLONIE - Collies and Shelties as well as their owners are welcome to join in a weekly walk at The Crossings Park at 11 a.m. Sundays in Colonie. The walk begins at the first parking lot on the right off of Albany Shaker Road.

Participants welcome newcomers.

For information, contact Terry Brown at (518) 785-1117 or soldierttb@gmail.com.

Hudson-Mohawk Search & Rescue is Looking for Volunteers to Join our Team

CAPITAL DISTRICTIf you enjoy being outdoors in the wilderness, working with others to help people, follow directions well and have a willingness to learn, then our SAR team might be for you! Prior knowledge is helpful, but definitely not required as we provide the training. Check out our website at: www.humsar.org for more information.

but Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones got it right—time is on our side!

Renewal by Andersen’s professional installers are experts at installing windows year round, and especially in winter. They’ve long understood that a great window is only as good as the installer behind it, and an efficient, swift, and professional installation is even more important during the frigid winter months.