🌱 Patch AM: Could this Albany robotics showdown launch your school’s next STEM team?

Good morning Albany! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Could this Albany robotics showdown launch your school’s next STEM team?
• How will Albany’s new fire training tower change emergency response?
• Could an AI clone your child’s voice to scam you?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 2 more events.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Albany? Post it to Albany photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Some sun, then clouds, with a high of 29 and low of 23 degrees.
• Wednesday: Clouds and sun; not as cold, temps: high: 42, low: 25.
• Thursday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 44 and low of 40 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Local STEM-teaching company starting competition to draw more schools into robotics (star-telegram.com) — A Guilderland-based STEM company is launching a Vex robotics competition at Albany Capital Center on Jan. 17, aiming to spark more local school teams. Organizers hope Capital Region students will attend, get inspired by visiting teams, and tap new funding support from UAlbany’s College of Nanotechnology, Science and Engineering.
   

2. Albany Co. plans for new fire training facility (news10.com) — Albany County is moving ahead with plans for a major new fire training facility on 21 acres at the Port of Albany, including a five-story tower and car fire simulator. Officials say the project will finally give local firefighters and emergency responders modern, realistic training close to home, instead of relying on outdated facilities in other municipalities.
   

3. Does your family have a safe word? Why experts say you need one now (cbs6albany.com) — Cybersecurity experts at the University at Albany are warning Capital Region families about AI-powered voice scams that can mimic loved ones using just seconds of audio. They recommend creating a family “safe word,” pausing nine seconds before reacting, and always hanging up and calling back on a known number to verify any urgent money request.
   

4. Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home even during the holidays (news10.com) — Families traveling to Albany for treatment at Albany Medical Center can stay free at the local Ronald McDonald House, which is going all-out to make the holidays feel special. The house offers toys, festive decorations, hot meals, and even late-night cookies, all supported by volunteers and community fundraising like neighborhood caroling. Locals are invited to get involved or donate through the charity’s website.
   

5. Psychobilly band Reverend Horton Heat to perform in Albany (news10.com) — Reverend Horton Heat is bringing their high-energy psychobilly show to Albany’s Empire Live on April 14, with Black Joe Lewis and Piñata Protest opening. The 8 p.m. concert at 93 North Pearl Street offers Capital Region fans a rare chance to see the long-running trio locally, with tickets available at the box office or via Ticketmaster.
   

📸 Around Albany

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Albany

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Thursday December 18

• Commission on Monuments and Public Art
  Albany, NY Calendar Albany, NY 12207
  5:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  The Venue , 65 Congress St , Cohoes
  6:00 pm
• Candlelight: 90s Hip-Hop on Strings
  The Venue , 65 Congress St , Cohoes
  8:30 pm

Saturday December 20

• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Albany, NY
  Hilton Garden Inn Albany Medical Center 62 New Scotland Ave Albany, NY 12208
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Library Closing Early @ 3pm
  Menands Public Library , 4 N. Lyons Ave. , Menands

📣 Albany Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 16

• Elementary PTA Sponsored Cookies, Crafts, and Clause Night
  Rensselaer City SD Rensselaer, NY 12144
  5:30 pm
• Family Child Care Orientation and Info Session- December 2025
  Brightside Up , 91 Broadway , Menands
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Elementary Winter Concert
  Rensselaer City SD Rensselaer, NY 12144
  6:30 pm
• Winter Concert (Part 2)
  Colonie Central High School Albany, NY 12205
  7:00 pm
• CCHS Winter Concert (Part 2)
  South Colonie Csd Albany, NY 12205
  7:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Jared Freid
  Funny Bone , 1 Crossgates Mall Rd #K - 206 , Albany
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Drive Thru Food Pantry
  Rensselaer City SD Rensselaer, NY 12144
  8:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Albany PatchAM possible:

• Meyers Advisory — (516) 428-3678
  INSTANT and CLEAR financials

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Giving a shout-out for a really authentic, family-owned Chinese restaurant.
  Since the Dumpling House closed, nothing has compared. I’m so tired of the fast food Americanized Chinese food. Ala Shanghai and Plum Blossom in Troy… (Nextdoor Buckingham Lake - Crestwood)
• This sweet girl is still in need of a loving home.
  She is currently with a foster but really needs to find her forever home. Great with kids, and cats. Not good with other dogs. She is UTD on shots… (Nextdoor Wall St)

• “I want to thank Governor Hochul for signing my legislation that will protect workers from having their likenesses deceptively replaced by artificial... (X: NYSenDems)
• Rob Reiner’s son has been taken into custody after the deaths of the director-writer and his wife Michele, a law enforcement official told The... (X: SpecNews1Albany)

• Restaurant Depot posted a job opening for Front End Manager in Albany. Apply here.
• TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for Costco Forklift Operator in Albany. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Albany here.

Ok Albany! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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