PLAN AHEAD JAN 12 – Times Union

Dog training classes
MENANDS — Certified trainers will offer hourlong dog training classes Sunday, Jan. 15 and Jan. 21 at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society’s Lisa Mitzen Animal Care Center, 3 Oakland Ave. 
Only positive methods are used and class sizes are small for individualized attention. Basic and intermediate obedience, puppy class, reactive dog class and confidence building will be taught. Fees range from $150 to $200. Those who have adopted from MHHS receive a 15 percent discount. 
For more information, go to https://mohawkhumane.org/dog-training.
League of Women Voters meets on Zoom
The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County will have a meet-up 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 18 on Zoom for attendees to learn about league programs and how they are developed.
All are welcome to attend and bring their ideas and suggestions. The involvement of local leagues and members in the program planning process makes the league a grassroots organization.  To register, go to http://www.lwvsaratoga.org/events.
Lectures about fossil forest, cave
VOORHEESVILLE — Two lectures will be offered at the Thacher State Park Visitor Center: 
• 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 22, Chuck Ver Straeten, geologist at the State Museum, will give a guest lecture about “The Cairo Fossil Forest: Tale of a 385 million-year-old forest,” the oldest known fossil forest.
• 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 28, Thom Engel, vice president of the Northeast Cave Conservancy, will talk about the mile-long Hailes Cave, the longest in the park, and its unique features. 
Registration is required. 
For more information, or to make reservations, call 518-872-0800. 
Blood drive 
SCHENECTADY — An American Red Cross blood drive will be held 1 to 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at Lynnwood Reformed Church, 3714 Carman Road. 
Appointments are recommended. To schedule, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or go to https://www.redcrossblood.org.
Valentine hearts workshop
ALBANY — Make Valentine hearts when Sandy Salada leads a workshop Jan. 28 at the Shaker Meeting House, 25 Meeting House Road.
Attend one of two sessions: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Salada, a local weaver, will teach how to make three 4-inch by 3-inch Valentine hearts women in red maple strips. No experience needed. 
For more information, or to register, call 518-456-7890 or go to https://home.shakerheritage.org.
Mis/Disinformation is topic of LWV luncheon program
 
ALBANY — “Pinocchio Revisited: Separating Fact from Fiction” will be the topic of a talk at the county League of Women Voters New Year’s luncheon and program to be held noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Italian American Community Center, 257 Washington Avenue Ext.
Following a buffet lunch, Jordan Carleo-Evangelist, director of communications at the University at Albany and a former Times Union reporter, will discuss how misinformation and disinformation are spread through social media and have contributed to a radically divided country.
Attendees may share an outstanding story of misinformation and/or disinformation, with a “fisherman’s award” for the most egregious tall tale.
Cost is $39 a person payable online at tinyurl.com/LWVACMisinformation or $35 a person by mailing a check, with “Jan 28 Luncheon” in the memo, to LWVAC, P.O. Box 611, Slingerlands, 12159. Reservations and payment are requested by Jan. 23.
For more information, email Margaret Danes: [email protected]. 
Annual tree and shrub seedling sale open

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The state Department of Environmental Conservation’s annual spring seedling sale is open to the public and runs until May 12 at Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery, 2369 Route 50.
More than 50 conifer and hardwood species will be available, offering low-cost, state-grown tree and shrub species for sale to encourage plantings that help conserve the state’s natural resources and foster the next generation of forests. 
 
Also, applications are being accepted for the nursery’s School Seedling Program through March 31. Schools and youth education organizations across the state may apply to receive up to 50 free tree or shrub seedlings to plant with their students to help instill a sense of environmental stewardship at a young age.
For more information, call 518-581-1439 or email: [email protected].
Chocolate Haus
GLOVERSVILLE — Celebrate the season with VanWyckes Chocolate Haus at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Fulton County Historical Society, 237 Kingsboro Ave.
Warm up with hot chocolate drinks from the 18th century as historian Paul Supley will demonstrate how to create a trio of historic chocolate drinks enjoyed by the wealthy and middle-class settlers of the Mohawk Valley. Finish the evening by sampling a special port wine chocolate drink and cookies, served in period cups and dishes by costumed interpreters.
Tickets cost $30 a person.
Registration is required. Sign up online at https://fultoncountyhistoricalsociety.org or mail a check to the FCHS.

Hannaford Kidz Expo will be March 4
ALBANY — Vendors of kids’ services and attractions are sought for the Hannaford Kidz Expo to be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 4 at the Empire State Plaza.
The free event will offer fun for the whole family, including a Disney sing-along with The Little Mermen.
Families will find information on summer camps, health care, sports clubs, photographers, schools, dance studios and amusement parks.
For more information, including applications and fee schedules, call OGS Convention and Cultural Events Office, 518-474-4759, email:  [email protected] or go to https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov.
Compiled by Azra Haqqie 
To be considered for this column, submit items two weeks in advance to [email protected].
 
Azra Haqqie joined the Times Union in 1991. She regularly reports and writes Faces of Faith and Caring Community columns. She is the News and Information Desk coordinator, handling community news briefs, student achievement columns and high school reunions, among other items. You can reach her at [email protected] or 518-454-5651.

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