Friday, December 13
Luncheon With Michael Carrol
The Holiday Inn, 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Noon – 1:30 p.m. The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with Northshire Bookstore to host a luncheon featuring Michael Carroll, author of “Fearless at Work and The Mindful Leader.” For more information visit, www.northshire.com or call (518) 682-4200.
13th Annual Santa’s Playland Open House
2077 Route 9, Round Lake, 5:30 – 9 p.m. Santa and his reindeer will be joining Quick Response for the 13th Annual Open House. Bring the whole family to view a winter wonderland. While onsite hop aboard one of their “Quick Express” trains or take a ride on a horse drawn wagon. Come see the new look of the displays. All displays have been converted to LED lighting. And of course don’t forget the entire event is free including refreshments. This is a two day event and in case of cancellation will be held Dec 20. For more information call (518) 899-7090.
“A Christmas Carol” The Musical
Saratoga Music Hall, 3rd floor City Hall, Saratoga Springs, 7 p.m.
and Saturday, December 14th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Adults $10, Children $5 All tickets sold at the door, doors open half hour before show time. This is a great show for the entire family, presented by Saratoga Children’s Theatre. For more information call (518) 580-1782 or visit www.saratogachildrenstheatre.org.
Local Authors and Artists Reception
Impressions of Saratoga, 368 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 7 – 9 p.m. Dottie Pepper, Author & Pro Golfer – with her series of “Bogey Balton” books. There will be a special purchase opportunity for you this evening.
Karin Vollkommer, Artist – with her collection of Victorian style Saratoga images, including her 2014 holiday edition of “Betting on a Very Merry Christmas”. Receive free gift personalized for you. For more information call (518) 587-0666.
Charlie and theChocolate Factory
Spa Little Theater, 19 Roosevelt Dr., Saratoga Springs, 7:30 – 9 p.m. Mr. Willy Wonka, the eccentric owner of the greatest chocolate factory in the world, has decided to open the doors of his factory to five lucky children and their parents. In order to choose who will enter the factory, he devises a plan to hide five golden tickets beneath the wrappers of his famous chocolate bars. Come discover the true meaning of teamwork, self-confidence and self-esteem. The delicious fun of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory awaits you. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for children. For more information and additional performances visit, www.homemadetheater.org.
Enough Said
Saratoga Film Forum, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 7:30 p.m. Written and directed by Nicole Holofcener (Please Give), the film is a sharp, insightful comedy that humorously explores the mess that often comes with getting involved again. Rated PG 13. Also showing on Sunday at 3 p.m. For more information call (518) 584 3456 or visit, www.saratogafilmforum.org.
Saturday, December 14
34th Annual Curtis Lumber / WGY Breakfast and Photos with Santa
Curtis Lumber, Rt. 67, Ballston Spa, 7 – 10 a.m.
Proceeds benefit the WGY Christmas Wish. Round up the family and join us for a scrumptious breakfast and free photos with Santa from Panza’s Restaurant for a $5 donation to the WGY Christmas Wish. WGY will be hosting a LIVE radio broadcast with on air personalities Chuck, Kelly and Santa. Plus, enter to win one of three great prizes courtesy of Curtis Lumber. You would win a giant, overstuffed 8’ stocking with toys or a giant teddy bear with a small Radio Flyer Wagon filled with toys. Each prize is valued at over $175 each. Visit www.WGY.com for more information.
Breakfast with Santa
American Legion, 23 Pleasant St., Ballston Spa, 8:30–11 a.m.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 234 is hosting Breakfast with Santa Claus. Enjoy breakfast and bring your cameras for pictures with Santa. For more information call (518) 885-7236.
Holiday Breakfast
Hubbard Hall, 25 East Main St., Cambridge, 9 or 11 a.m.
In this popular annual community event, Hubbard Hall celebrates holiday traditions from around the world. This year, experience the tastes, sights, sounds and stories of Spain. Performance features music, dance, puppetry, storytelling and more, and includes continental breakfast with home-baked delicacies of Spain and your choice of coffee, tea or milk. Two seatings are offered: choose 9am or 11am. Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 members and $5 students. Call for details (518) 677-2495 or order tickets online at www.hubbardhall.org.
Annual Cookie Walk
Malta Presbyterian Church, 118 Dunning St., Malta, 10 a.m.
Browse through tables in our Fellowship Hall of homemade holiday cookies and treats (including Nut fee and Gluten free items). Price is $10.00 per pound (to the nearest quarter pound). Come early for best selection. For more information call (518) 899-5992 or visit www.maltapresbyterianchurch.org.
Open House at the Shirt Factory
The Shirt Factory Arts & Healing Center, 71 Lawrence St., Glens Falls, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Shop locally-made in one stop with the many studios, shops and galleries of The Shirt Factory and guest artists and artisans in our hallways. During this event, we are having our Shopper’s Advantage Promotion: We are giving one lucky shopper a big gift basket of handmade items and gift certificates valued at hundreds of dollars! For every $25 spent during open house, shoppers earn a chance to win. For more information visit, www.shirtfactorygf.com.
Christmas Cookie Sale
Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, 349 Eastline Road, Ballston Lake, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and December 15, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Select from a delicious assortment of home baked Christmas cookies, made with love by the ladies of the church. $10 per container, tied with a ribbon, ready for gift giving, or to take home and enjoy. For more information call (518) 885-4681.
Chicken Parmigiana Dinner
Trinity United Methodist Church, 155 Ballard Road, Wilton, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Chicken Parmigiana, Salad, beverage, dessert. Kids entrée’ available. Cost by donation. Take-outs available. Handicap accessible. For more information call (518)584-9107.
4th Annual Holiday Open House
Clifton Park Center, 22 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, 4 – 6 p.m. Come join in the fun and get in the holiday spirit. Get pictures with Santa, enjoy horse drawn carriage rides, sing along with the WTRY strolling holiday carolers, and meet Santa’s live reindeer. Plus, enter great giveaways, take advantage of great specials, and stop by the Oldies 98.3 booth to make your own holiday ornament. For more information call (518) 371-7467.
West Mountain Open House
West Mountain Ski Area, Queensbury, 6 – 9 p.m.
Over the past weeks, a lot of improvements have been made at West Mountain, thanks to our new management team. There’ll be complimentary refreshments, live entertainment, free raffles, as well as other surprises, so bring your family and friends. For more information call (518) 636-3699 or visit www.westmtn.net.
Christmas Vacation
Ballston Spa High School Auditorium, 220 Ballston Ave., Ballston Spa, 6:45 p.m.
The free monthly classic film is presented by Ballston Spa Film Festival. Chevy Chase celebrates the holidays in Clark Griswald style in this 1989 Christmas installment of the vacation series of comedy misadventures. All he wants is the perfect Christmas for his family, but nothing is easy for Clark. For more information visit www.bspafilm.org.
Local Authors and Artists Reception
Impressions of Saratoga, 368 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 7 – 9 p.m. Jerry Bradley, Photographer – with his beautiful collection of cards and prints featuring Saratoga Landmarks and scenes at their best. Receive a free limited edition Impressions Saratoga Notecard.
Dave Patterson & Charlie Kenzel, Tour Guides Extraordinaire – with their tour book and new Saratoga Calendar for 2014 “Saratoga Now and Then”. For more information call (518) 587-0666.
Sunday, December 15
Breakfast with Santa
Malta Ridge Volunteer Fire Company Firehouse, Hearn Road, Malta, 8 a.m.- noon
This event is free, but donations will be accepted.
Breakfast Buffet
Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Rte. 9, Saratoga Springs, 8:30 – 11 a.m. Fruit Cocktail, French Toast, pancakes, potatoes, breakfast sausage and ham, corned beef hash, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, juice, coffee and tea. Donation requested: Adults $8, Seniors/Military (ID required) $7. Children 5 – 12 $6, Under 5 free, take-outs $8.For more information call (518) 584-2585.
Breakfast with Santa
The Hearth at Wayside, 104 Wilton Rd., Greenfield Center, 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the lodge which will include scrambled eggs, French toast sticks, maple bacon, sausage and Mrs. Claus’ famous home fries and an assortment of bakery fresh breads, coffee, milk, juice. Enjoy a horse drawn ride with Santa over the river and through the woods to the Wayside Inn we go, followed by hot cocoa and butter cookies, baked by Santa’s Elves, out by the bonfire. Afterwards, wander through out wonderland of sweets and confections at Santa’s North Pole Sweet Shop. Admission is $12 for ages 12 and up, $6 for ages 4 – 11 and children ages 3 and under are free. Receive $1 off each child’s admission with a non-perishable food item to be donated to a local food pantry. For more information call (518) 321-5920.
Where’s CharlieDickens Trivia & A Christmas Carol
Capital Repertory Theatre, 111 N. Pearl St., Albany, 1:00 p.m.
Scheduled Sunday talk will feature Patrick Barlow, adapter of A Christmas Carol as well as the Broadway smash The 39 Steps, will participate in a special edition of Behind-the-Scenes, a pre-show chat with the REP’s Producing Artistic Director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill. The talk will be followed at 2 p.m. by a ticketed matinee performance of A Christmas Carol, starring Broadway’s Kevin McGuire as Ebenezer Scrooge. Complimentary light continental breakfast begins at 12:30 p.m. in the lobby and the presentation runs 1 - 1:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information call (518) 445-7469 or visit www.capitalrep.org.
Flying Fingers Holiday Concert
Saratoga Springs Public Library, H. Dutcher Community Room, 2 – 3 p.m. Enjoy a holiday musical sign language performance by the Flying Fingers Sign Language Troupe. Led by Kassey Granger and sponsored by the Lions Club, the group features children ages 6-16. They will entertain you with a variety of songs and teach some simple signs so you can “sing along.” No registration is necessary. For families and children ages 5 and up. For more information or other events at the library visit, www.sspl.org.
Movie Event: “Arranged”
Congregation Shaara Tfille, 84 Weibel Ave., Saratoga Springs, 7 p.m. “Arranged” is the story about Rachel is an Orthodox Jew and Nasira a Muslim of Syrian origin. Both are young teachers at a public school in Brooklyn. They are also both in the process of having their parents arrange their marriage. With family pressures on one hand, a rejection of traditional values by the outside world on the other, they have to rely on each other to get through this difficult time. They make a very unlikely duo for any place other than Brooklyn. For more information call (518) 584-2370. Monday, December 16
Alzheimer’s: The Savvy Caregiver, Session 5
Saratoga Springs Public Library, Susman Room, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
The Savvy Caregiver Program is a free, five-session training series for family caregivers. For most family caregivers, caregiving itself is a new role, one for which training is needed, just as you would receive training for any new job. The Savvy Caregiver Program helps caregivers better understand the changes their loved ones are experiencing, and how to best provide individualized care for their loved ones throughout the progression of Alzheimer’s or dementia. For more information visit www.sspl.org.
Song Swap with Jeff Walton
Saratoga Springs Public Library, H. Dutcher Community Room, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Local favorite, singer songwriter and performer extraordinaire, Jeff Walton will lead an all-acoustic song swap. Bring your guitar, bring your ukulele, bring your harmonica. Get off your couch and come down and share your music. All abilities and ages are welcome. No registration required. For more information or other events at the library visit, www.sspl.org.
Folk Music:Lessons and Carols
Christ Church, Corner of Rte 50 and Route 67, Ballston Spa, 7:30 p.m. The concert is anchored by folk music legends John Kirk and Trish Miller of Greenfield Center with special guests Dan Berggren and Kerry Ryer-Parke, and includes Field Horne of Saratoga Springs, Kristin McCabe of Charlton, and Theresa Bruno of Ballston Spa. Plaintive and little-known carols drawn from Celtic, African American, and Early American traditions are the trademark of the “Festival of Lessons and Carols”. The concert is free and takes place by candlelight. For more information call (518) 885-1031.
Town and Gown Movie Night
Saratoga Film Forum, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 7:30 p.m. The feature film is The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, one of the great horror movies of the Silent Era and a classic of the German Expressionist movement. A carnival comes to a tiny German town, with some creepy featured attractions. Have the brilliant hypnotist, Dr. Caligari, and the sinister somnambulist under his control, something to do with the serial murders in the village? Will the hero, Francis, solve the mystery before the killer strikes again? Our “Town & Gown” series, now in its third season, introduces Film Forum moviegoers to Skidmore educators whose work has been profoundly shaped by fine cinema, and invites talk about a movie of their choice. For more information call (518) 584 3456 or visit, saratogafilmforum.org.
Tuesday, December 17
Organ Concert Series
Proctors Theater, 432 State St. Schenectady, Noon
Featuring Greg Klingler, Al Moser & Ed Goodemote. MVP invites all Capital Region residents and visitors to attend a free noontime organ concert featuring “Goldie”, Proctors mighty Wurlitzer Organ on the Mainstage at Proctors. These seasoned musicians will demonstrate the marvels of “Goldie”, an 18 voice, three-keyboard instrument that includes a full set of percussion Instruments and a grand piano that can be played from the organ console. Since the installation of Goldie, Proctors has maintained a chapter of the American Theater Organ Society, which provides the services of the Organists who perform Proctors noontime concerts, as well as the crewmembers who maintain Goldie. For more information visit www.proctors.org.
Monthly Piroghi Sale
Christ the Savior Parish, 349 Eastline Road, Ballston Lake, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Potato/cheese, sauerkraut, and Farmer’s cheese piroghis may be ordered. With holidays coming soon, please get you orders in as soon as possible, Call (518) 363-0001 to order.
Wednesday,December 18
Guided Mindful Meditation
Saratoga Springs Public Library, Susman Room, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Take a break from the daily grind and clear your mind with guided Mindful Meditation led by professionals from One Roof Holistic Health Center. Sessions are free and open to the public, and will be held on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Everyone is welcome! For more information (518) 584-7860 ext. 250 or visit, www.sspl.org.
Thursday, December 19
Holiday Event
Saratoga National Bank & Trust Co., 171 S. Broadway, Saratoga, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Main Office of Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company is teaming up with SaratogaArtsFest to host a holiday extravaganza to benefit various community groups. The event will include bagels, pastries, hot cocoa and coffee in the morning; a soup cook-off for lunch; local musicians performing throughout the day; a Malta Ridge Fire Department truck; a kids’ activity table with holiday art projects and a visit from Santa. There will also be a food drive for the Franklin Community Center and a bake sale and raffle to benefit SaratogaArtsFest. For more information call (518) 583-3114.
Five Men. Your Questions. Honest Answers
One Big Roof Holistic Center, 433 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 7 – 9 p.m.
Calling all women who ever wondered what men were really thinking. If you’ve had questions, but never dared ask, tonight’s your night. I have invited 5 men to speak to us and to answer any and all questions you’ve ever wanted to ask about - What men really want - How they feel about relationships - What motivates them - What turns them off - What they want more of. If you’ve ever wondered, come with a girlfriend to this once in a life time event. Cost is $20. For more information call (518) 727-5458.
