Kids and their parents at the fair will have a chance to test their fearlessness by holding an eight-foot boa constrictor or petting an 18-pound lizard. It’s all done to show them that they don’t need to fear reptiles, says Adam Bornt of Uncharted Wild.

The 123rd Altamont Fair is set to bring together events both old and new, as well as people from around the region.

ALTAMONT — Do you enjoy making pirate sounds?  Do you say “Arrrrr,”  a lot?

If you do, matey, join the crowd at this year’s Altamont Fair where the Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean Aerial High Wire Thrill Show will give you plenty of chances to show off your pirate chops.

The Historic Albany Foundation is offering a walking tour of the Rapp Road neighborhood on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

When they couldn’t find a workshop anywhere in the country dedicated to helping hobby cellists play Bach’s Cello Suites better, husband and wife Marc Violette and Margaret Lanoue created one here in the Capital District.

GUILDERLAND — Alfred E. “Butch” Watson, the owner of Star Tree Service, was a hard worker who loved his son, Brandon, and who brought his two little dogs with him everywhere, including to his jobs as a tree trimmer.

Alfred E. Watson, owner and operator of Star Tree Service, was the victim who died in a house fire July 17 at 3825 Carman Rd. in Guilderland, said coroner’s physician Jeffrey Hubbard today.