The Schoharie Valley Singers will present “Joy to the World and Peace on Earth” concerts on Friday, Dec. 13, at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, and on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Senator George Amedore and AT&T are partnering with Cell Phones For Soldiers and ask residents throughout the 46th Senate District to help troops call home by donating old and unneeded mobile devices and tablets.

Heather L. Carl of Westerlo is one of 30 environmental conservation officers and Tyler R. Mitchell of Guilderland is one of 14 forest rangers to graduate on Dec. 6 from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s 22nd Basic School for Uniformed Officers.

 ALBANY COUNTY — Albany County is slated to get $1,255,608 — part of $45 million being distributed to 57 counties and New York City to improve emergency communications across the state.

Everyone with a cell phone thinks they are a photographer, says Rich Schreibstein. “A phone doesn’t make you a photographer anymore than it makes you an orator,” says Schreibstein. “What you are is a picture-taker.” Schreibstein, of Altamont, takes his photography seriously.

The third phase of Albany County’s proposed shared-services plan could save as much as $7 million in the long-term. 

Albany Medical College’s Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics will host the fifth annual Albany Regional Brain Bee on Saturday, Feb. 29, at Albany Medical College.

Christmas was a religious holiday for the Shakers from the start, said Lorraine Weiss, the education coordinator for the Shaker Heritage Society in Albany, but it was not originally a decorated holiday. “Over time, the Shakers took on more of the world’s cultural traditions, so they probably celebrated Christmas, giving gifts,” she said.