On Saturday, Dec. 8, at 7 pm, Conkling Hall (8 Methodist Hill Rd, Rensselaerville, NY 12147) hosts Greg Oliver Bodine in “A Christmas Carol,” a one-man, stage adaptation of Charles Dickens classic holiday tale. It is staged with minimal set and lighting effects and lasts approximately one hour.  Suitable for adults and for children (ages 8 and up). Perfect for the holiday season! Directed by Shana Solomon. $15 for adults, $10 for students and Free for children under 10.

Today's topic: What’s Up in Astronomy?– Biggest Discoveries of 2018. The Dudley Observatory at miSci is committed to lifelong learning and has created programming specifically designed for adults! Come explore the museum on a quiet afternoon, then join the Dudley Observatory for an exciting astronomy lesson presented by our Outreach Astronomer, Dr. Valerie Rapson. Cost: Senior Admission to miSci ($12 adult, $10 senior 65+), Free for miSci members. 3 pm to 4 pm.

“Red Scare on Main Street!” - Dr. Gerald Zahavi, Professor of History at the University at Albany, will discuss how the 1918-1920 “Red Scare” affected upstate communities including the Capital District as State and Federal authorities reacted to ant-war activists during World War I and labor radicals in the immediate post-war period. Sponsored by the New Scotland Historical Association, this program will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at the Wyman Osterhout Community Center, 7 Old New Salem Rd., Voorheesville (New Salem) 12186. Program is free and open to the public.

Visitors can shop at 30 “made in New York” food and beverage vendors at the New York State Museum’s Taste NY Holiday Market on from 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. 222 Madison Ave., Albany.

Christmas sale on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 9 am to 3 pm at Westerlo Reformed church at 566 State Route 143. Our Christmas sale will have lots of beautiful new and used Christmas items, and also other new items.

Italian Christmas Market on Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec, 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec.2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This festive annual Italian tradition sees the Museum’s exhibit spaces transformed into market places. American Italian Heritage Museum at 1227 Central Ave. Albany, NY 12205

Holiday Bazaar at Thacher Nature Center. Saturday, Dec 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2, from  11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shop for unique hand-crafted gifts made by local artisans and crafters, including jewelry, wooden wares, fleece and woolen items, pine needle baskets, honey and maple products, wildlife photography, delicious cheese spreads, artisan baked goods, and much more. Find nature books, wooden toys, and stocking stuffers in our gift shop, too. Call 518-872-0800 for more information.

RISSE’s annual Open House on #GivingTuesday, Nov. 27, from 5 - 7:30 pm. Come meet our students and staff.  Find out more about volunteer opportunities. Celebrate our achievements and our dreams! Open to the Public. Light refreshments. RISSE helps refugees to make new lives in our community. 715 Morris Street, Albany 12208 www.risse-albany.org.

The Hudson-Mohawk Weavers’ Guild invites the public to its 40th Annual Show & Sale.  This yearly event returns to the Pruyn House (207 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham) from Thursday, November 15 through Sunday, November 18.(Thursday 2 - 9 pm, Friday 11 am - 7 pm, Saturday 10 am - 5 pm, and Sunday 12 - 4 pm).

Albany Men’s Garden Club will meet at 7:30 pm in the Lakeside Room, at Beltrone Living Center, 6 winners Circle, Colonie. The program will be presented by John McKenna III, who developed the Military Courtesy Room in memory of his son, the late Capt. McKenna. For more information, call Russ Greenman at 518-477-8321.