Wednesday April 24, 2024 
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
HVCC Hosts Virtual Talk with Registered Dietitian Wendy Beckman: Nutrition & Mental Health
TROY – It’s common knowledge that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean protein and whole grains promotes better physical health. But does your diet affect your mood? Registered Dietitian Wendy Beckman will share insights into that and other questions about nutrition and mental health during a virtual discussion on Monday, March 22. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions.
The 3 p.m. program is free and presented by Hudson Valley Community College’s Cultural Affairs Program. Please visit www.hvcc.edu/culture for information on how to access and join the program. All are welcome to hear more about the link between nutrition and mental health and what the latest research reveals (or conceals) about diet, food insecurity and mental health. For example, is it true that certain nutrients can cure depression?
Wendy Beckman, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian with the NYS Office for the Aging. She has over 14 years’ experience working in acute- and long-term care settings. Beckman currently oversees the state’s SNAP-Ed Nutrition Education program for adults and maintains a private consulting practice in Columbia County.
Please visit www.hvcc.edu/culture to learn about the Cultural Affairs Program at Hudson Valley Community College. Contact Debby Garner at d.gardner@nullhvcc.edu or (518) 424-6540 for more information.
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.
Sand Lake Garden Club Presents “Getting in Shape for Gardening”
SAND LAKE – The Sand Lake Garden Club invites the public to attend a Zoom meeting, “Getting in Shape for Gardening”, Thursday March 25th at 7pm. Becky Raymond, yoga instructor and master gardener, will discuss ways to physically prepare for the gardening season. She will lead us in some gentle seated stretches and strengthening movements. Please email Cathy Welling at cwelling28@nullgmail.com to receive the Zoom invitation. If you wish to join our club, visit our website, SandLakeGardenClub.com for membership application.
The Capital District Genealogical Society Cordially Invites You To Join Us
CAPITAL DISTRICT – Saturday March 27, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. via Zoom – A National Genealogical Society Quarterly Case Study: DNA Corroborates Oral Tradition. Speaker LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson is a trustee and current president of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®.
The speaker will provide information needed to make sound decisions on when DNA tests can or should be used in genealogical research, and how to meet the DNA-specific genealogy standards for accuracy and completeness. The lecture will include an overview of available direct-to-consumer tests, a discussion of the elements of a targeted testing plan, and information about analyzing DNA test results.
This will be a Zoom meeting. There is a 100 person limit. Registration is free and will open to the public approximately Mar 16, 2021. See our website under meetings and events. Please join us! This session will NOT be recorded.
www.capitaldistrictgenealogicalsociety.org
Nassau Youth Committee Easter Bunny Benefit Nassau’s Food Pantry
NASSAU – March 27, 2021 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Nassau Town Hall, 29 Church Street Nassau, NY 12123. Join the Easter Bunny for some fun and treats for the kids and help our community at the same time.
The Gathering Place is looking for tuna and crackers.
The Nassau Resource Center would like scalloped potatoes, pineapple, sweet potatoes, and any other kind of vegetable available,
Also cleaning products and personal care items are appreciated.
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
Writing about Nature and Place
RENSSELAER COUNTY – The Rensselaer Plateau Alliance presents “Writing about Nature and Place,” with Rama Hamarneh and Molly Freiberg. This a a two part workshop, held on Saturdays March 27 and April 3, 10 am – 11:30, via Zoom. We invite you to take the time to really connect with nature, and use that as inspiration for writing, or a time to think creatively about writing. This workshop is created to help you carve time out of your day to be in nature, and to write. There are no expectations as to what you produce and how, but our goal is to come together and share this time to be mindfully in nature. In week two, we will share and discuss the written work that the experience helped us to produce. Please register in advance at www.rensselaerplateau.org, or call 518-948-2069.
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.
Gilead Lutheran Church Easter Egg Hunt
CENTER BRUNSWICK – Join us Saturday, April 3rd at 10:00 a.m. for an old-fashioned Easter egg hunt! Plastic treat-filled eggs will be provided. We will be outside so dress for the weather. Please remember social distancing guidelines, masks required when we are unable to social distance. All are welcome, bring your friends! Please call or email Andrea Keefer at 518-598-2231, akeefer.gilead@nullgmail.com with any questions. Gilead is located at intersection of Route 7 and Route 278 in Center Brunswick; www.gileadlutheran.org.
Capital Area Beekeepers Meeting
CAPITAL DISTRICT – The free monthly meeting of the Capital Area Beekeepers is scheduled for Wednesday April 14th at 7pm. The meeting will be held via Zoom. The main topic for this month is Planting for Pollinators. Our presenter will be Tim Kennelty who has been a Master Gardener volunteer in Columbia County for the past 5 years. He is also a trained Master Naturalist through Cornell Cooperative Extension and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Columbia Land Conservancy. He has gardened in Columbia County for more than 30 years and has developed a passion for preserving native species and combating exotic invasive plants.Trees and plants for pollinators are one of the things we can all do to support honey bees and other pollinators as well. Spring is a great time to plant so please join us. As always there will be time for Q&A with Tim or with any of the beeks in attendance. There will an opportunity at this meeting to buy a ticket to win a nuc this spring from local beekeeper, Bee Hollow Farms. If you are interested in attending please send an email to cab@nullwildapricot.org to get on the list for an invitation to the Zoom meeting.
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.