Brooks BBQ on Friday, Oct. 12, 3 p.m. until sold out. Lynnwood Reformed Church at 3714 Carman Rd, Schenectady. Drive Thru ONLY. Chicken/Rib Dinners - $11/$13 and Chicken/Rib a la carte - $6/$9.

Octagon Barn Star Party and Lecture on Friday, October 12, 7 pm. Knox Octagon Barn, 588 Middle Rd, Delanson, NY 12053, Albany County. Tonight’s lecture:  Ralf Schauer, Schenectady County Community College “From Viking to Curiosity, 40 Years of Robotic and Rover Exploration of the Red Planet Mars”

B’nai Sholom will host a “Memoir Writing Workshop” with award-winning PJ Library and children’s author Linda Elovitz Marshall on Thursday, Oct. 11, 1-3 p.m. at the synagogue, 420 Whitehall Road, Albany.

On Saturday, Sept. 29 -- America's Best Food Writers Panel @UAlbany! Free and open to the public.

Meet Francis Lam, "the voice of American food culture" (The Washington Post), host of “The Splendid Table” broadcast on more than 400 public radio stations across America, and editor of Random House cookbook imprint Clarkson Potter.

Hosted by Steve Barnes of the Times Union Table Hopping blog, the 11 am food panel will also feature:

• Mark Kurlansky, major bestselling author of food history books, including Salt and Cod, with his new book, Milk!

Annual Columbus Day Celebration on Monday, Oct. 8, from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.at the American Italian Heritage Museum and Cultural Center on 1227 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12205. Please join us in celebrating the man who made the New World known to the Old World changing these Worlds forever!  Political, ethnic, civic and cultural leaders will speak. Please help us save Columbus Day by attending. Please bring dessert for the reception that follows.  Free and open to the public.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve will host its annual Smokey Bear Day on Monday October 8, from 10 am – 2 pm at the Discovery Center..

Chicken Barbecue at McKownville United Methodist Church at 1565 Western Ave, Albany from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Rummage sales at the Medusa Church, County Route 351. Saturday, Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Household books, clothes, etc.
 

Fall Foliage Hike at Thacher Park on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 10 am. Take in the scenic beauty and seasonal color of the park on this early autumn walk.  We’ll walk the Fred Schroeder Memorial Trail, a three-mile loop trail in the north zone of the park. At the halfway mark, we’ll stop to take in the view from High Point, on the escarpment.  Dress for a cool mountain morning and bring a snack and water. Meet at Carrick Road parking area. Call 518-872-0800 to register.

Beer, Brewers and Beverwyck. A Beer and Pretzels Fundraising Event For the Bethlehem Historical Association. Date and Time: Thursday, Oct. 4, at 6:30 p.m. Place: Cedar Hill Schoolhouse Museum, 1003 River Road, Selkirk.