Sunday April 28, 2024 
Charged Humor from McCarthyism to COVID
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Beck Krefting, Skidmore professor and former stand-up comic, charts the history of charged humor, a style of stand-up comedy meant to address and remedy social injustices, from mid-twentieth century comedic musings on civil unrest, to the micro-booms of Black and Arab American communities in the 1990s and 2000s, to Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, and COVID-19 today.
Beck Krefting is Associate Professor and Chair of American Studies at Skidmore College, and the author of All Joking Aside: American Humor and Its Discontents. Her research explores social and cultural issues surrounding humor, including political correctness, gendered expectations around who is qualified to solicit laughter, and the kinds of racialized humor allowable today.
This program will take place via Zoom, on Sunday, March 14th, 2021 at 1 PM. Current CDHS members will automatically receive an email invitation.
NON-MEMBERS: Please email webmaster@nullhumanistsociety.org to request an invitation. Please send the request several days prior to the event.
From Birdwatcher to Birder: Moving Beyond Your Bird Feeder
SAND LAKE – On Sunday, March 14 at 1:00pm – Sand Lake Center for the Arts presents author Kathryn Schneider discussing her new book, “Birding in the Hudson Valley”.
Kathryn provides tips, guidance and encouragement for bird enthusiasts of all skill levels to leave their backyards and explore the rich diversity of bird life beyond the bird feeder. Her presentation is packed with pictures of birds from the book, includes suggestions for selecting binoculars, hints for finding birds, an introduction to bird foods and habitats, and ways to become a better birder. Attendance will be limited to 25 people on a first come, first served basis. Books will be available for purchase.
Virtual Adult Tractor Safety Workshop
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Open to All adults – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County is excited to offer a Tractor and Farm Safety Course on Tuesday, March 16th at 7 PM
This program is geared for adult audiences. Statistics show that farming and operating equipment is a hazardous and dangerous endeavor. Help yourself reduce the risks of an accident and attend this informative morning session. The program will consist of a very detailed presentation from the New York Center of for Agriculture Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) followed by a Q&A. This program is perfect for farmers old and new as well as any adult who currently works with machinery on the job, in their backyard, or plans to in the future. Due to COVID-19 and wanting to keep our participants safe, this program will be done via Zoom.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIpce2pqzkrGteS2VrDk12Ph7bXNzQT-GyQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. If you have any questions, please call Kayela at the CCE of Rensselaer County office at 518-272-4210 or send her an email at kls342@nullcornell.edu.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity employer and programmer.
March Lecture – Forest Fragmentation, Landscape Change, and Ecosystem Resilience
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Forest Fragmentation, Landscape Change, and Ecosystem Resilience with Rachel Riemann, March 18 2021, 7pm. Part of the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance’s Lecture Series. Rachel Riemann, a Research Forester/Geographer with the US Forest Service, will take a close look at forest fragmentation, what it means for changes in the landscape, and how it affects the flora, fauna, and water quality. She will share how we get this information and how it is used. Pre-registration is required. Please learn more and register at www.rensselaerplateau.org/lecture-registration. Suggested donation ($5) supports conservation on the Rensselaer Plateau.
Poestenkill Community Forest Walk
POESTENKILL – Saturday, March 20, 10 am – 1 pm. Celebrate the last day of winter on the trails at Poestenkill Community Forest, led by Fred DeMay and Peter Wood. Visit Big Beaver Bog and walk through tall hemlock trees on the newer Hemlock Hollow Trail. SPACE IS LIMITED FOR COVID SAFETY, so register early and please read the full event description to prepare for a safe and fun adventure! Learn more and register online at www.rensselaerplateau.org.
Albany CROP Hunger Walk Goes Virtual Again
ALBANY – The 40th anniversary CROP Hunger Walk in Albany, now known as the John U. Miller Memorial CROP Hunger Walk, will once again be virtual. We didn’t let the coronavirus stop us from taking steps to end hunger last year, raising $90,931. This year we hope to raise $100,000, so are asking all of our walkers to register on-line and raise funds there. The Albany CROP Walk page is at www.crophungerwalk.org/albanyny. There will be a virtual Recruiters Rally on Sunday, March 21, from 4-5pm on Zoom. People who wish to organize a team from their workplace, congregation, or neighborhood are invited. Visit www.capareacc.org for information and to register for the Rally, Then, on May 2nd, walkers are encouraged to “Walk Together—Apart”. In other words, instead of gathering en masse as we have done in the past, walkers are encouraged to walk with their families or a small group in their own neighborhoods, around the block, or in a nearby park. Arrangements will be made to turn in funds if people have cash or checks, but on-line donations are preferred. 25% of the funds raised benefit local food pantries and soup kitchens, while the remainder goes to global hunger relief programs. These agencies need our support more than ever during this difficult time. For more information, call the office of the Capital Area Council of Churches at (518)462-5450 or e-mail the Walk Chair, Kitt Jackson, at kitt82@nullverizon.net
Regional Spina Bifida Chapters Highlight Disability Inclusion with Virtual Fashion Show
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The neighboring Spina Bifida Association chapters of Northeastern New York and Greater New England have paired up to offer a Virtual Fashion Show to educate, engage, and unite the spina bifida and adaptive fashion communities. To be held, Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 6:30PM EST via Zoom Video Conferencing and Facebook Live. Email: admin@nullsbaneny.org to request a link to join. This event will highlight models ages 2-50 living with spina bifida. Representatives from adaptive fashion companies Billy Footwear; Bold Body; IZ Adaptive; Juniper Unltd.; MagnaReady; Patti + Ricky; Slick Chicks; Stride Rite; Tiny Superhero Capes; Uniteable; Yarrow; and Zappos Adaptive have contributed clothing and accessories for the event. The designers will participate in a roundtable discussion with the models following the premiere, and be joined by Mindy Scheier, Founder & CEO of Runway and Dreams and Gamut Management. Led by Kaycee Marshall, a designer for Juniper, Unltd. and Yarrow brand, the roundtable will discuss the history and future of adaptive fashion. This event is free and open to the public.
Pipeline at Sand Lake Center for the Arts
SAND LAKE – NoPiates Committee and Wayne Gendron present: Pipeline, a passionate drama by Dominique Morisseau. This event will be a live Zoom reading on March 27th at 7pm, Free!
With profound compassion and lyricism, Morisseau delves into the urgent issue of the “School-to-prison” pipeline that ensnares people of color. Issues of class, race, parenting and education in America are brought to the frontlines, as we are left to question the systematic structures that ultimately trap underserved communities. Directed by Siobhan Shea.
Reservations/donations: reservations@nullslca-ctp.org
LVORC’s Famous Ladies’ Tea to Benefit Literacy Programs
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Celebrate Women’s History Month and support literacy programs in Rensselaer County and Albany County at the all-virtual Famous Ladies’ Tea, Sunday, March 28, 1:00-4:00P.M.
Local actresses will portray ten notable women including Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Shirley Temple Black, Fanny Lou Hamer, Anne LaBastille, and Doris Day. Raffle tickets will be available in advance.
Single tickets to the virtual Famous Ladies’ Tea with lunch are $45. Boxed lunches (to be picked up 3/27) will include three mini croissant sandwiches (chicken salad, egg salad, ham and gruyere) with a side order of Chef salad.
Tickets without lunch are $30. A box of tea-themed cookies can be purchased for $20. Payment is required in advance, online at www.lvorc.org or by check to Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County, 65 First Street, Troy, NY 12180. Proceeds from this event make it possible for LVORC to provide free literacy services to adults and children in Rensselaer County and Albany County.
A link to the event will be sent to registered guests. For more information, call (518) 244-4650 or visit www.lvorc.org.
Capital District Fly Fishers Fly Casting Clinic
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Learn or Improve Fly Casting!!! Saturday Date May 1st 10:00 – Noon (Rain date May 2nd- same time). Halfmoon Town Park, 162 Rout e 236, Halfmoon, NY 12065. If you have a rod, bring it. If you do not one will be provided. Pre-Registration A MUST!!! For Information, Registration, Gift Certificate Contact: Rodney Priddle (518) 421-6762 or Rodney Priddle@@gmail.com; Paul Sinicki (518) 885-8257 or cdflyfishers@nullnycap.rr.com – All Students MUST have eye protection and Mask!!! (Rx or sun glasses are acceptable). Non Member Fee $20.00.
Malta Veterans Appreciation Program 5th Annual Charity Golf Outing
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Save The Date! Monday, August 30, 2021. To Benefit Our LOCAL VETERAN “Hometown Heroes” Register now. $150 per person/$560 per foursome. Saratoga Lake Golf Club. Call Renee Farley (518) 577-8863 or Jim Peterman at 203-257-1893.