Albany Figure Skating Club Open House. If you’ve ever thought about skating lessons, this is a chance to try it out for free. 12 to 2 p.m. at the Bethlehem YMCA, 900 Delaware Ave., Delmar. More info at www.albanyfsc.org, or email

Owl Investigation.  Join us to learn about the owls that live in the Pine Bush Preserve and the signs they leave behind. Reservations required by calling 518-456-0655. Event is at 1 p.m. on Dec 22, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Dec 27, to be held at 195 New Karner Road, Albany.

Earth’s Earliest Life. This talk by State Paleontologist Dr. Lisa Amati will present evidence about when and where the first life evolved on Earth and how we identify it. A 20-minute talk at The State Museum, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m., in the Huxley Theater, 222 Madison Avenue Albany, 12230. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch.

Stand for the Arts Award Ceremony. We are excited to share that Albany Center Gallery has been selected to receive the Stand for the Arts Award. From 5 to 8 p.m. with awards ceremony at 6:45 p.m. at 488 Broadway Suite 107, Albany, 12207.

Into The Woods. Guilderland Garden Club and Guilderland Historical Society 2019 Open House and Greens Show. Dec 6, 4 to 8 p.m.; Dec 7 and 8, 1 to 5 p.m. at Mynderse-Frederick House, at 451 Main Street (Rt. 146 West), Guilderland Center.

Festival of Trees 2019 Sponsorship. Cost: Adults $8, Kids under 12 free. Event runs from Dec 7 to Dec 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at SCHS, 32 Washington Ave., Schenectady, 12305.

CSI: Critter Scene Investigation. Join us for a 30-minute indoor introduction followed by a 0.9-mile outdoor trek to look for clues and evidence of what lives in the Pine Bush. Reservations required by calling 518-456-0655. Starts at 11 a.m. at 195 New Karner Road, Albany.

State Museum hosts taste NY Holiday Market. Visitors can shop at more than two dozen made-in-New York food and beverage vendors at the New York State Museum’s Taste NY Holiday Market. From 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at  222 Madison Avenue in Albany.

Annual “Christmas in the Air”: Santa Arrives by Plane!  The Empire State Aerosciences Museum celebrates the Holidays when Santa flies in from the North Pole. Gates open at 10 a.m. at the Museum at 250 Rudy Chase Drive, Glenville.

Holiday American Girl Tea.  Our Festival of Trees will be in full swing, making a glittering holiday backdrop for the occasion. We’ll have baked goods and stories to share, and make a wintry craft to take home. Our host will be Samantha. $8/person for children and adults, available at schenectadyhistorical.org/programs. 2 p.m. at 32 Washington Ave. Schenectady, 12305