"In Praise of Christmas” Songs & Carols of Christmas & Mid-Winter Celebrations with John Roberts, Lisa Preston & John Kirk. On Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 pm the Old Songs Concert Series will present “In Praise of Christmas,” a program of songs and carols of the Christmas story and midwinter celebrations from England, Wales, and Spain, all in English translations. holiday concert at the Old Songs Community Arts Center, 37 South Main Street, Voorheesville, NY.

Busy Beavers at Thacher Park, Saturday, December 9, at 3:30 p.m.  Late fall is when beavers really get busy! They are building up their lodge and storing food for the long winter ahead. Learn about these industrious animals and their adaptations for life in icy waters. A short indoor presentation will be followed by an easy walk to a small, well-established beaver pond. There, we will quietly observe for about 20 minutes in hopes of viewing a beaver in action. This program is appropriate for adults and school-aged children.

The Albany Gay Men's Chorus will present our Christmas concert "Believe" on Saturday, Dec. 9 at the First Congregational Church, 405 Quail Street Albany, NY (off New Scotland Ave) at 4:00 pm.  Tickets are $12 for Adults, $9 for Students, and Free for Children under 12.

The regular meeting of the Knox Historical Society will be held at 7:00 pm at Knox Town Hall. Come be a part of preserving and presenting the history of Knox! For more information, call 518-860-7861. Refreshments will be served.

Great Train Extravaganza. Empire State Convention Center, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $7 adults, children under 12 free. Operating layouts most scales including Legos for kids. Gtealbany.com, (518)668-9892.

Holiday Bazaar at Thacher Nature Center  Saturday, Dec. 2, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. & Sunday, Dec. 3, 11:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m.. Shop for unique hand-crafted gifts made by local artisans and crafters, including jewelry, wooden wares, soaps and beauty products, fleece and woolen items, original artwork, pine needle baskets, honey products, wildlife photography, delicious foods and snack items and much more. Find nature books, wooden toys, and stocking stuffers in our gift shop, too. Enjoy live music that’ll put you in the holiday spirit.

Sunday, Dec. 3, from 4 pm – 6:30 pm. Voorheesville Public Library Special Program featuring Military Memories and Veterans’ Voices. Voorheesville Public Library at 51 School Road, Voorheesville, NY 12186 in the Library Community Room.

The Rensselaerville Library’s Annual Greenery Sale will be held on Saturday, December 2 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Outside there will be fresh cut trees sourced from Medusa, wreaths, sprays, and roping. Inside you will find local vendors selling honey, jewelry, birdhouses, note cards, soaps, and items from the Historical Society. There will also be a homemade cookie sale and a used book sale. Free activities for the kids will include gingerbread cookie decorating and pine cone bird feeders.

Dec. 1, 2017, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center will host the unveiling of their fourth juried photo exhibit, celebrating the uniqueness and diversity of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve.

On Thursday, Nov. 30, The College of Saint Rose will host a forum that includes area faith communities and national anti-gun violence organizations that looks to move beyond thoughts and prayers following the wave of mass shootings. NYS Assembly member Pat Fahy is expected to speak. The forum will be held at 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary on the Saint Rose campus, 959 Madison Ave., Albany.