All Over Albany

Fire damages Albany home, Dems consider what follows the blue wave, another threat to Niskayuna school, watch out for deer

Albany fire
A mother and children escaped unharmed early Thursday morning, when fire damaged their Sheridan Avenue home in Albany. [TU][Spectrum]

NY and the blue wave
Now that Democrats have control of New York State government, they're considering what to do with it. On the list of potentials: early voting, legalizing marijuana, investing in crumbling subways, and climate change issues. [TU][NYT]

Another threat/lockdown forum in Niskayuna
Van Antwerp Middle School was placed in "shelter-in-place" mode after a bomb threat note was sent to the school on Wednesday. No bomb was found. On Wednesday night a forum was with parents from Niskayuna High School on a threat earlier this week that resulted in an eight hour lockdown became emotional. [Gazette][TU][Gazette]

Arming school monitors
The Saratoga Springs City Council wants the city school board to consider re-arming the monitors on school grounds. [WNYT]

Rensslear County D.A. reorganizing
Rensselaer County's new district attorney is considering how to reorganize the office to help deal with a backlog of cases and other issues within the office. [TU]

Faso
Congressman John Faso blames his loss to Antonio Delgado on public anger toward Donald Trump. [Record]

Gun arrest
Schenectady police arrested a 33-year-old city man on a felony weapons charge on Wednesday, following a foot chase near 8th Avenue. [Gazette]

Drug supplier sentenced
A 45-year-old man will serve up to 12 years in prison for supplying a drug dealer in Saratoga County with cocaine. [TU]

Drug /gun arrests
Albany police made two arrests and confiscated drugs and three guns on Wednesday at a home on Lark Drive in the city. [TU]

Distraction burglaries
Rotterdam police are warning residents about two more distraction-type burglaries that occurred in village homes. [Gazette]

"If I want a decent life for my dog and cat at home, shouldn't I want the same for the animals that end up on my plate?"
Chris Churchill examines the need for legislation to protect the animals we eat.[TU]

Deer crashes
It's the season to be especially conscious of deer on area roads.[TU]

Master of Arms
A Saratoga County man will be featured on Master of Arms, a competitive weapons building show on the Discovery Channel. [TU]

Stuff to do today

Arts and sciences

Free speech
Thursday: Skidmore has a series of events this week centered on the topic of free speech. Among them:
+ Thursday: "And We Talked" Film Viewing and Community Conversation.

Esmeralda Santiago
Thursday: Author Esmeralda Santiago -- "a founding mother of Nuyorican literature" -- will be at UAlbany to talk about her career as the part of The Creative Life series and the NYS Writers Institute visiting writer series.. She'll be having an on-stage conversation with WAMC's Joe Donahue. (There's also a craft talke at 4:15 pm.) Thursday 7 pm, uptown campus, Campus Center Ballroom -- free

Finding 48
Thursday: Historic Albany Foundation architectural historians Doug Bucher and Walter Wheeler and architectural conservator Bill Brandow will be talking about the discovery that 48 Hudson Ave is Albany's oldest building. They'll be talking with Matt Malette -- Mr. Albany Archives -- as part of a conversation recorded at Overit. Thursday 5:30 pm -- $24 HAF members / $48 non-members

Screenprint Biennial
The 2018 Screenprint Biennial is now on display at the Opalka Gallery on the Sage Albany campus. On display through December 14.

Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Region
The 2018 Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Region exhibit is on display at the University Art Museum on the uptown UAlbany campus. On display through December 8.

Film

Just Like Being There
Thursday: The Opalka Gallery is screening Just Like Being There, a documentary about the gig poster community. Thursday 6:30 pm -- free

Zombies
Thursday: The It Came From Schenectady series at Proctors is showing Black Magic II: Revenge of the Zombies. Thursday 7 pm -- $9 / $6 students and seniors

Ignite

Thursday: The Ignite volunteer festival is at the Albany Capital Center. It's kind of like a job fair but for volunteer opportunities. More than 30 orgs will there with info and reps ready to talk about how you can lend a hand. The evening also includes speakers (including Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan), music, and food from local restaurants. Thursday 5:30-8 pm -- free

Music

Thursday: The Wood Brothers at Troy Music Hall
Blues, folk, and roots. 7:30 pm -- $29.50 and up

Thursday: Tommy Castro & The Painkillers and Tinsley Ellis at The Egg
Blues. 8 pm -- $34 and up

Thursday: Seven Lions at Upstate Concert Hall
EDM DJ. With: MitiS, Jason Ross, Brunch Boyz. 8 pm -- $20 ahead / $25 day of

Thursday: Chase Atlantic at Lucky Strike Jupiter Hall
Alt pop rock. With: Cherry Pools, Riley, logan, MNNX & Balcony. 6:30 pm -- $15 ahead / $18 day of

Thursday: Ripe at The Hollow
Dance funk. 9 pm -- $14 ahead / $18 day of

Thursday: Stellar Young at Parish Public House
With: The Afternoon Edition. 9 pm