Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Albany volunteers made Christmas brighter for 2,000 local families
Make time for Chris Porter on the Albany Patch calendar
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 Albany volunteers made Christmas brighter for 2,000 local families
- Which acclaimed New York dance company hits The Egg this March?
- How Trump’s marijuana move could reshape New York’s cannabis market
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: 90s Hip-Hop on Strings and 3 more events.
Find out what's happening in Albanyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Albanyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Saturday: Breezy and much colder, with a high of 37 and low of 33 degrees.
- Sunday: Cloudy; breezy in the p.m., temps: high: 41, low: 20.
- Monday: Sunny, breezy and colder, with a high of 30 and low of 25 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Toy giveaway at Winter Wonderland Holiday Event (news10.com) — Albany families packed the Love Albany Center for a Winter Wonderland toy giveaway, where community groups ensured every child went home with gifts and holiday cheer. More than 2,000 families were served, and organizers stressed building up Albany’s community. A follow-up drive will collect coats, clothing, backpacks, and school supplies starting January 1 to support kids returning to school. 
2. Ballet Hispánico New York Unveils Spring 2026 Tour Schedule (broadwayworld.com) — Albany arts fans can catch Ballet Hispánico at The Egg on March 20, 2026, as part of the company’s national spring tour. The New York-based troupe will bring its acclaimed repertory and women-led choreography to town for one evening, highlighting bold, contemporary Latinx storytelling through dance.
3. Trump reclassifies marijuana to boost medical research, impacts New York economy (cbs6albany.com) — Albany readers should know that a new federal executive order reclassifies marijuana as a Schedule III drug, which New York regulators say could sharply cut cannabis business taxes and spur research. Local legal experts stress it does not legalize recreational use or change New York’s possession limits, but it may strengthen licensed dispensaries and weaken the illegal market statewide.
4. These NY cities rank among best cold-weather winter destinations. See the list (democratandchronicle.com) — Albany’s metro area lands 27th on WalletHub’s 2025 list of best cold-weather winter destinations, though it’s dinged for having relatively few attractions and activities. The ranking compares 69 major U.S. metros on costs, travel hassles, weather, safety, and things to do, with several New York cities making the list.
📸 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 ★
- Chris Porter
Funny Bone, 1 Crossgates Mall Rd #K - 206, Albany
9:00 pm
Saturday December 20
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Candlelight: 90s Hip-Hop on Strings
The Venue , 65 Congress St , Cohoes
8:30 pm - 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 - Library Closing Early @ 3pm
Menands Public Library , 4 N. Lyons Ave. , Menands - Library Closed
Menands Public Library , 4 N. Lyons Ave. , Menands - Dave & Buster's New Year's Eve Celebration
Dave & Buster's Albany , 1 Crossgates Mall Rd , Albany
9:00 pm
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Wednesday December 24
Thursday December 25
Wednesday December 31
📣 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
- Drive Thru Food Pantry
Rensselaer City SD Rensselaer, NY 12144
8:00 am - Int/Mixed Level Jazz
Albany Dance & Fitness, LLC , 1197 Central Ave , Albany
9:30 am - Gingerbread Build-Off
Nine Pin Cider Works , 929 Broadway , Albany
12:00 pm - CCHS Winter Concert (Snow Date)
CCHS Albany, NY 12205
7:00 pm - Winter Concert (Snow Date)
Colonie Central High School Albany, NY 12205
7:00 pm - Library Closing Early @ 3pm
Menands Public Library , 4 N. Lyons Ave. , Menands
Saturday December 20
Monday December 22
Wednesday December 24
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
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💬 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
- Are you a homeowner , LandLord or Real Estate Agent that just purchased a Home and it needs lots of work???
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Upholstery Tile & grout Hard surfaces Vct strip & wax Janitorial cleaning & more! Shoot us a message for a free quote 5185222088! (Nextdoor West Colonie)
- Operation Relentless Justice results are in! #FBI Albany's Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force arrested 9 dangerous predators - 8 in... (X: FBIAlbany)
- 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)
- CBRE Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service Supervisor in Albany. Apply here.
- Trinity Health posted a job opening for Outpatient Medical Receptionist - Albany, NY-Full Time 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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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