Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a $30,000 boost keeps Albany job training doors open

Coming up on the Albany Patch calendar: It's a Wonderful Life

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Friday December 19th Patch AM
Friday December 19th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Albany! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $30,000 boost keeps Albany job training doors open
  • Could an Albany lab unlock one treatment for dozens of brain diseases?
  • Which American Idol stars are hitting Albany’s MVP Arena in 2026?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Albanyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Albanyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Windy; rain in the morning, with a high of 58 and low of 27 degrees.
  • Saturday: Breezy and much colder, temps: high: 38, low: 34.
  • Sunday: Flurries; colder in the p.m., with a high of 41 and low of 18 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Vandy Thrift Shoppe receives $30,000 grant to support job training program (cbs6albany.com) — A downtown Albany thrift shop just secured a $30,000 matching grant to keep its job training program for at-risk residents going by covering two years of rent. The Vandy Thrift Shoppe, part of Vanderheyden, gives participants real-world retail experience while all proceeds support its services. Local funders hope to expand similar matching grants across the Capital Region.
   

2. UAlbany may have treatment for Huntington's, similar diseases (timesunion.com) — UAlbany scientists in Albany are developing a single compound that could eventually treat Huntington’s disease and dozens of similar rare neurological disorders, backed by a new $50,000 SUNY grant. They’re now testing 40 versions to make the drug safely dissolvable for human use, hoping to move toward clinical trials that could bring major research and economic benefits to the Capital Region.
   

3. American Idol Stars Head To Albany, NY (fly92.com) — Country fans can look forward to American Idol alum Lauren Alaina opening for Rascal Flatts at Albany’s MVP Arena on January 31, 2026. The piece also notes upcoming 2026 shows by Scotty McCreery in Schenectady and Carrie Underwood at Tanglewood, plus links to a broader Albany-area concert calendar.
   

4. Ballet Hispánico New York Unveils Spring 2026 Tour Schedule (broadwayworld.com) — Ballet Hispánico’s 2026 spring tour will bring its acclaimed contemporary Latinx dance to The Egg in Albany on March 20, 2026, at 7 p.m. Expect either their full-length CARMEN.maquia or a program of signature works, plus new women-led choreography featured later in their New York City run.
   

5. Man found guilty in Albany shooting that left man paralyzed (wnyt.com) — An Albany man has been convicted of attempted murder for a 2024 shooting near Albany Medical Center that left another man paralyzed from the waist down. Jurors found he fired during a fistfight outside the CVS at New Scotland and Myrtle, and he now faces up to 25 years in state prison when sentenced in March.
   

📸 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!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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

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:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • UAlbany Partners with STEAMwhiz on Robotics Competition for K-8 Students —UAlbany News Read on Patch
  • Beginning on Thursday, December 18th at 7:00 a.
    m. until Friday, December 19th at 6:00 p.m. parking will be restricted on both sides of Irving Street from #29 to #19 for service vehicles. … (Nextdoor )
  • Congratulations to Parole Recruit Class 2025-01, who graduated on December 12, 2025. Deputy Commissioner Marco Ricci gave the keynote address. The 18... (X: NYSDOCCS)
  • If you receive or have applied for SNAP, Public Assistance, or SSI from New York State, OTDA wants to hear your feedback. New Yorkers are invited to... (X: nysotda)
  • Trinity Health Corporation posted a job opening for Registration Associate (Medical Secretary) - Albany, NY - full time in Albany. Apply here.
  • Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Cashier 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 think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Albany