I've been collecting Kayou My Little Pony trading cards for some time now and I know Target in Niskayuna/Schenectady sells them as well as other places, but most of them are closer to Albany. Gamestop by Walmart in Rotterdam has them too but they're upcharged and I did find some series 4 cards at Walmart and got the last two. But my point is that there are clearly MLP fans around here because one day I can go to Target and see they're fully stocked with cards and if I come back a day or two later to get more, they're all gone and replaced by some other brand. So clearly people are buying them. I don't think they're being scalped like the Pokémon cards because I barely see people in person and online talking about the cards unless they post content exclusively about MLP.

But yeah, there's pony fans in the capital district, I'm a pony fan in need of in person friends because this unemployed (but searching) girl in her mid 20s is tired of hanging around her parents all the time, and I need to know where the heck they are. My only friends are online, and I need a social life that can happen in real life too ;u;

The reclamation of the old pool site looks great

The Halloweentown Debates has local comics, drag queens, and puppeteers playing famous movie monsters campaigning for office in Halloweentown and tonight is the night of the big debates. There is also a costume contest in which the winner can participate!

Get more info on the Schenectady show:

ticket link

Not sure if this is for you? Watch last years show:

Watch Here

Dallas from FunScout with this weeks happenings roughly 5 miles from downtown Schenectady. 🎶🍻🎨🏞️

Of course there is a lot more happening around the capital region outside of downtown which you can check on FunScout if you don't mind traveling a bit further. Did I miss something? Please share in the comments!

📍 Thu, Oct 15

BOOP! The Musical — Proctors Theatre A Broadway-style musical-comedy that transforms a classic animated star’s quiet day into a vibrant New York adventure, with a singable David Foster score, energetic Jerry Mitchell choreography, and playful, family-friendly humor.

Rosemary's Baby — Proctors Theatre Roman Polanski’s 1968 psychological horror follows a young wife whose pregnancy sparks growing paranoia about her neighbors and husband, building relentless, meticulously crafted dread.

Arch Stanton Trio — Van Dyck Music Club Arch Stanton Trio brings live jazz to the downstairs bar for two sets during happy hour; the show is free, and tips for the performers are appreciated.

Thursday Schenectady Farmers Market — Schenectady City Hall Experience a lively outdoor market brimming with seasonal fruits, vegetables, and artisan foods, support local farmers, and savor a unique community gathering that welcomes everyone—including SNAP participants—rain or shine.

Arch Stanton Trio — Stella Pasta Bar & Bistro Relaxing jazz vespers with soulful piano, gentle brushes, and upright bass—an intimate soundtrack for dinner and conversation.

Bingo — Schenectady County Public Library At this all-ages session, Librarian Ali leads multiple rounds of classic bingo, with plenty of chances to win; registration is required.

Altered Deck Contemplative — Thrifty Connections Explore a different creative prompt or technique as you make at least two altered cards using collage, paint, or stamping; no artistic experience is needed.

Zumba with Annie G! — Rotterdam Community Center A friendly, drop-in Zumba session led by Annie G on Mondays and Thursdays at 5:00 pm — $10 per class or a $40 five-session punch card.

📍 Fri, Oct 16

BOOP! The Musical — Proctors Theatre A Broadway-style musical-comedy that transforms a classic animated star’s quiet day into a vibrant New York adventure, with a singable David Foster score, energetic Jerry Mitchell choreography, and playful, family-friendly humor.

Art Night Schenectady — Schenectady Discover a curated pop-up gallery and enjoy live musical performances as creative energy takes over a dozen spots throughout the city for one unforgettable night.

Union Men's Hockey: Providence @ Union College — M&T Bank Center A college-level matchup with nonstop action, spirited student sections, and a boisterous arena atmosphere—perfect for fans who enjoy competitive, communal sports nights.

Art Night Schenectady — Armory Studios NY Explore a unique mix of traditional and contemporary Asian art, including exquisite calligraphy and painting displays, accompanied by live music throughout two lively floors.

A Place for Jazz: The Cookers — SUNY Schenectady A septet of seasoned jazz veterans — including Craig Handy, Cecil McBee, George Cables, Billy Hart, David Weiss, Jeremy Pelt, and Azar Lawrence — performs hard-hitting post-bop originals and spirited improvisations.

Untethered: Spontaneous Creative Composition — Van Dyck Music Club Paul Giess’s trio performs improvised, genre-crossing sets—deep-pocket funk, intimate chamber passages, and raw punk energy—featuring bassist Timothy Ragsdale, with experimental ambient-jazz trio 4i's opening the evening.

A Place for Jazz: The Cookers — Taylor Music Center Veteran hard-bop ensemble The Cookers deliver tight arrangements and fiery solos in an intimate 300-seat concert hall; tickets are $26.95 online.

Funk Evolution with Dan Sherwin — Frog Alley Brewing Co. Dan Sherwin opens with soulful grooves before Funk Evolution delivers high-energy, brass-forward funk—perfect for dancing, sipping local beer; 21+ with a late-night cover.

Country Weekends With In The Dust & DJ Kevin Richards — Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady A live country band and DJ Kevin Richards mix classic and modern hits for a high-energy night of line dancing, singalongs, and a packed dance floor—free and 21+.

What the F* Friday — The Mopco Improv Theatre — The Mopco Improv Theatre** MopCo’s off-the-wall improvisers deliver snappy scenes and clever callbacks, with a Jukebox Jam offering a chance to perform in scenes inspired by songs.

Jazz Evenings with Michael Benedict Jazz Vibes — Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady Enjoy live jazz performed by Michael Benedict Jazz Vibes in a stylish setting, complete with crafted drink specials and cozy ambiance.

Halloween Tabletop Charcuterie Board Paint, Pour, & Sip Event! 10/16/26 @ 6 — Art in Mind At the October 16 class, create a 16.5-by-8-inch real-wood board with stencils, instructor guidance, and all supplies included; boards stay at the studio for one to two weeks to dry.

Art Night Schenectady — Jay Street Marketplace On October 16, artists will be featured on Jay Street and around downtown from 5–8 p.m.; check the updated map for locations.

Stephanie C. Davis Dance Residency — Union College As part of the Stephanie C. Davis Dance Residency, Compagnie Hervé KOUBI presents a lecture and demonstration, free and open to the public.

Live Stone Seal Carving with Anping Liu — New York Folklore Artist Anping Liu demonstrates the millennia-old Chinese art of seal carving, explaining tool choice, stone selection, and precise engraving in a relaxed gallery setting.

Candlelight Tours — Historical Society Museum & Library Explore the Stockade after dark on guided Colonial Hauntings or Ghostly Victorian walks—60–90 minutes of storyteller-led ghost tales through historic streets; tickets are $16, and sturdy shoes plus a flashlight are recommended.

Macbeth | schenectadycivic — Schenectady Civic Playhouse Shakespeare’s grim tragedy explores ambition, prophecy, and a leader’s moral collapse through intense performances and moody, focused staging.

Pretty Pumpkins — Thrifty Connections This hands-on class introduces the basics of decoupage as you decorate a faux pumpkin with napkins, ribbons, and embellishments. Intended for adults and suitable for ages 16 and up.

The Schenectady Youth Orchestra with Zorkie Nelson — New York Folklore Led by master drummer Zorkie Nelson and inspired by Ghana’s Pan African Youth Orchestra, this free weekly workshop teaches 9–19-year-olds to play traditional African instruments—drums, bells, gourd xylophones (gylis), and the atenteben—with instruments and instruction provided.

Tri-City Folk Dancers — Scotia United Methodist Church Weekly sessions explore international line and circle dances—Balkan, Romanian, Greek, Israeli, French Canadian and more—with beginner-friendly instruction early on, occasional live music, and no partner required.

📍 Sat, Oct 17

BOOP! The Musical — Proctors Theatre A Broadway-style musical-comedy that transforms a classic animated star’s quiet day into a vibrant New York adventure, with a singable David Foster score, energetic Jerry Mitchell choreography, and playful, family-friendly humor.

Stephanie C. Davis Dance Residency — Union College Compagnie Hervé KOUBI performs “Sol Invictus,” combining contemporary, capoeira, and urban dance; tickets are required, with complimentary tickets available for Union College students, staff, and faculty.

The Nightmare Market — Jay Street Marketplace Stroll an evening market of handcrafted curios, spooky-themed art, vintage treasures, and quirky small-batch goods—lively, offbeat shopping with local makers.

E.S.P. - A Night Of High Energy Contemporary LIVE JAZZ — Van Dyck Music Club A four-piece ensemble playing original, groove-driven contemporary jazz—tight funk rhythms, world-music textures, soaring sax lines, and spirited improvisation.

The Pierogi 5k — Schenectady Central Park This all-abilities 5K welcomes walkers, joggers, runners, stroller users, and wheelchair users; leashed, well-behaved dogs are also welcome. Registration is required, and participants are asked to bring a canned or dry food donation for Schenectady City Mission.

Oktoberfest 2026 at Max410 at the Watersedge — Max 410 at The Waters Edge This third annual Oktoberfest features an all-you-can-eat German-inspired buffet, drink specials, and live music by the Alan Payette Project, plus stein hoisting and pumpkin painting. VIP tickets also include a commemorative beer boot, your first beer, and a T-shirt.

Rockin' the Dome Matinee: Laser Halloween! — miSci This Halloween-themed laser light show fills the dome with eerie colors and patterns. Tickets are $10 per participant and do not include Museum admission.

Owl Prowl — Vale Cemetery Naturalist George Steele leads a walk through the cemetery to look for Eastern Screech, Great Horned, and Barred Owls. Bring binoculars if you have them.

ESAM Fly-in Breakfast — Empire State Aerosciences Museum Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes, French toast, eggs, sausage, potatoes, coffee and fruit in a relaxed, aircraft-filled setting; pilots are welcome to fly in.

Theatresports - October 17th — The Mopco Improv Theatre — The Mopco Improv Theatre Two teams of improvisers compete in a fast, audience-driven comedy contest full of unpredictable scenes, points, and plenty of laughs.

Skeeter Creek with Char Reilly — Frog Alley Brewing Co. Char Reilly opens with rootsy acoustic sets at 5PM, followed by Skeeter Creek's rowdy late-night country/Americana set at 8:30PM; 21+ with a cover for the late music.

The Nightmare Market — New York Folklore Explore a lively alternative night market showcasing local artisans, Halloween-themed creations, vintage wares, oddities, and on-site henna artists who donate a portion of services to New York Folklore.

Diva and the Playboys Featuring DJ Mix It Up — Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady A live band backed by a DJ delivers party-ready covers, original grooves and seamless mixes for a lively, late-night dance vibe.

Cosmic Wonders: Live Sky Show — miSci This live sky show tours the night sky with an operator who shares the stories and science hidden among its visible stars and planets. Best for ages 8 and up; online tickets include museum admission.

Jazz Evenings: David Gleason Trio — The Landing Hotel The David Gleason Trio performs live jazz in The Landing Hotel lobby from 6–9 PM during Jazz Evenings.

One Sky Project: Part One — miSci Stargazers and storytellers share short films showing how cultures and Indigenous societies around the world see the sky. Recommended for ages 10 and up; online tickets include Museum Admission.

Midnight Moon Paint & Sip Event 10/17/26 @ 6:30pm — Art in Mind Create a 16″ x 20″ painting with help from an experienced instructor; no experience is needed, and all ages are welcome. Drinks and packaged snacks are available for purchase.

miCosmic Quiet Meditation - October 2026 — miSci The October session offers 45 minutes of group meditation in miSci’s Planetarium, with peaceful sounds and the universe twinkling in the background; participants may bring a mat or cushion if they prefer floor seating.

Welca Craft Fair — Rotterdam Community Center A friendly community market featuring handmade crafts, artisan goods, local food, and raffles—great for meeting and supporting local makers; vendor registration info to follow.

Boop! The Musical Master Class — Proctors Theatre A focused dance intensive led by touring Broadway professionals, with technique drills, choreography breakdowns, and coaching to sharpen your performance and audition skills.

Autumn Book Bouquet — Thrifty Connections This hands-on workshop begins with a brief guided meditation, then teaches book folding and floral arranging using provided supplies. No crafting experience is needed; the $30 class is for adults and suitable for ages 16+.

Witchy Bottles & Poison Jars: A Halloween Upcycling Workshop — Thrifty Connections In this hands-on upcycling workshop, create 2–3 poison-vial-inspired bottles or spell containers using provided jars, tools, and Halloween-themed materials. Suitable for ages 16 and up.

Candlelight Tours — Historical Society Museum & Library Explore the Stockade after dark on guided Colonial Hauntings or Ghostly Victorian walks—60–90 minutes of storyteller-led ghost tales through historic streets; tickets are $16, and sturdy shoes plus a flashlight are recommended.

Karen Lombardo signs "Silly Lily and Miss Tillie Visit Gramm... — The Open Door Bookstore Karen Lombardo signs her book about sweet Lily and playful bulldog Miss Tillie visiting Grammee’s house, where laughter and freshly baked cookies fill the kitchen.

Macbeth | schenectadycivic — Schenectady Civic Playhouse Shakespeare’s grim tragedy explores ambition, prophecy, and a leader’s moral collapse through intense performances and moody, focused staging.

Flight Adventures — miSci This 35-minute program follows a young girl and her grandfather as they explore how birds, kites, planes, and models fly, flight’s history and future, and NASA’s work on safer travel; it’s best for ages 5 and up.

Art Workshops for Kids: Skeletons! 10/17/26 — Art in Mind For this October 17 workshop, school-aged kids will create a skeleton craft and a canvas painting; children under school age may attend with an adult. The ticket is $35.

Albany Sacred Harp Singing — St. George's Episcopal Church Informal, all-ages a cappella singing of four-part shape-note Sacred Harp tunes—no auditions or experience needed; loaner tunebooks and gentle instruction provided.

📍 Sun, Oct 18

Jennifer Koh, violin Vijay Iyer, piano Union College — Union College Memorial Chapel Violinist Jennifer Koh and pianist-composer Vijay Iyer deliver an electrifying program featuring solo performances and the New York premiere of Iyer’s thought-provoking new piece, blending classical mastery with cutting-edge innovation.

BOOP! The Musical — Proctors Theatre A Broadway-style musical-comedy that transforms a classic animated star’s quiet day into a vibrant New York adventure, with a singable David Foster score, energetic Jerry Mitchell choreography, and playful, family-friendly humor.

Rockin' the Dome Matinee: Laser Halloween! — miSci This Halloween-themed laser light show fills the dome with eerie colors and patterns. Tickets are $10 per participant and do not include Museum admission.

STEMFest — Schenectady Jewish Community Center Children and families can explore STEM concepts through hands-on experimentation, play, and discovery at more than 20 interactive activity stations.

Cosmic Wonders: Live Sky Show — miSci This live sky show tours the night sky with an operator who shares the stories and science hidden among its visible stars and planets. Best for ages 8 and up; online tickets include museum admission.

One Sky Project: Part One — miSci Stargazers and storytellers share short films showing how cultures and Indigenous societies around the world see the sky. Recommended for ages 10 and up; online tickets include Museum Admission.

Halloween Wood Tray Paint & Sip Event! 10/18/26 @ 3:30pm — Art in Mind Paint a 13-inch wood tray with stencil options and step-by-step guidance from an experienced instructor; all supplies are included, and no experience is necessary.

Lake George Resin Pour at SPRINGBROOK HOLLOW DISTILLERY!!! D... — Canvas, Corks and Forks Learn the art of resin pouring by creating a Lake George-shaped piece, with other design selections also offered and a drink included.

Schenectady Greenmarket — Jay Street Marketplace This weekly outdoor market offers local produce, artisan foods, crafts, and live music, bringing together community spirit and delicious finds for all ages.

Macbeth | schenectadycivic — Schenectady Civic Playhouse Shakespeare’s grim tragedy explores ambition, prophecy, and a leader’s moral collapse through intense performances and moody, focused staging.

From Page to Ballroom: Regency Dance Class — Schenectady County Public Library Adults 18+ can learn elegant social dances from Jane Austen’s time in this beginner-friendly class; registration is appreciated but not required.

Flight Adventures — miSci This 35-minute program follows a young girl and her grandfather as they explore how birds, kites, planes, and models fly, flight’s history and future, and NASA’s work on safer travel; it’s best for ages 5 and up.

Progressive Schenectady is hosting 10 rallies across Schenectady County this Saturday for No Kings 4. All events run from 1 pm to 2 pm and are focused on educating people about when early voting starts.

It’s a bit different from past No Kings protests but it’s still important to get out there and encourage voting for the midterms. If you have a free hour this weekend, consider attending. Here’s the list of locations:

Schenectady, Karen B Johnson Library
Scotia, Collins Park
Schenectady, Erie Blvd and State St
Glenville, Hannaford Plaza
Rotterdam, Guilderland and Curry Rd
Rotterdam, Carman and Curry Rd
Niskayuna, Balltown Rd and Nott St
Niskayuna/Schenectady, Mohawk Commons
Duanesburg, Bridge Brigade over 88
Crosstown Connection, near Home Depot

I posted the Albany one in the Albany subreddit but here is the Schenectady version.

Hello, r/schenectady! Chris from the Van Dyck here!

Took a big swing by booking two out-of-town bands (Untethered from Philly on Fri 10/16 & E.S.P. from Syracuse on Sat 10/17) on the same weekend, and unfortunately tickets sales for both shows have been pretty disappointing. Still new to the whole 'running a venue' thing, and will do my best to learn from this particular scenario... but one thing I know I never want to do is cancel gigs on our incredible working musicians that make their livings performing live.

If you'd like to enjoy a great night out at the Capital Region's only Jazz Club & help me support these phenomenal artists, I have discount codes for $10 OFF TICKETS for both nights: just use code 'REDDIT' when checking out via Eventbrite! Code valid until the day of the shows!!

UNTETHERED: Genre-Bending Improvisational Free Jazz - Friday 10/16 7-10pm (4i's opening set)

E.S.P.: High Energy Contemporary Jazz Quartet - Saturday 10/17 7:30-9:30pm

Thanks y'all!

Anyone have experience with this school? Considering it for our toddler (2.5 yrs old) and I'd like to hear what people who have sent their kids there, or worked there, have to say.

I (not local) have just started ordering grocery delivery for my mom. She lives in a senior facility in Schenectady, so the deliveries will be to the front desk. I will mostly be ordering from Hannaford and Market 32/Price Chopper. The orders will always be scheduled, generally for 1-2 days later. How much is normal/appropriate to tip? Also, for my first order from Market 32, I added a tip with the order and after delivery I got an email where I could add an additional tip. Am I always supposed to add a second tip? Is there anything else I should know about using grocery delivery?

I want to do what’s right, but I don’t live in the area and I’ve never even used grocery delivery in my own town.

Thanks!

ETA: Thanks for the replies, they are helpful.

Jaegerschnitzel IS ON THE MENU!!

This week Jaegerschnitzel is on the menu (Oct 16). Delicious golden brown pork cutlet smothered in a mushroom gravy, creamy mashed potatoes , vegetable, salad and a delicious homemade dessert. Cost is $20 (CASH ONLY). Limited availability. Make your reservations early by calling or texting (518) 912-1429. Please leave your full name, phone number , time of reservation and number of guests. German American Club of Albany located at 32 Cherry St, Albany 12205. https://www.gacofalbany.com/

An optional wurst platter with 2 pan-grilled German sausages, potato and sauerkraut will also be available for $15. Child's meal (12 and under)is available with advance notice.

Weekly Friday Night Biergarten evenings offer a traditional featured meal from 5 – 6:30 pm, with German beers on tap featuring Hofbrau. Oktoberfest on tap.

Meals are available by RESERVATION ONLY, eat-in or take out. (All meals packaged to go). Please reserve by calling or texting (518) 912-1429 (text preferred). The last reservation will be accepted at 12 noon on Friday or until sold out. If you get voicemail, please leave a message and you will get a call back to confirm. All texts will receive a confirmation text. A reminder- Our meals use many fresh and unique ingredients requiring us to plan and purchase ahead. Last-minute reservations are typically not possible.

Looking forward to seeing your smiling faces!!

The spring one was a good start - let's keep the momentum going. There will be doughnuts to start and pizza when we're done!

A Parent’s Review
I am sharing my experience with Northern Rivers / Neil Hellman Preschool because I believe other parents, particularly those with children who have developmental delays, communication difficulties, or special education needs, deserve to know about the concerns I experienced while my son attended this program.
My son attended this school for approximately one school year. During that time, I encountered repeated issues involving staff professionalism, administrative accountability, transportation safety, communication, and the handling of parent complaints. Despite raising these concerns on numerous occasions, I did not feel that they were taken seriously or adequately addressed.
Most concerning was the fact that my son has an expressive language disorder, which affects his ability to communicate his experiences. As his parent, I depend heavily on the adults responsible for his education and transportation to provide accurate information, maintain appropriate supervision, and take my concerns seriously.
Unfortunately, my experience left me questioning whether the individuals responsible for my son’s education and safety were prioritizing his well-being.
1. Lack of Meaningful Educational Progress
My son attended Northern Rivers Preschool for an entire school year, yet I did not observe the substantial developmental progress I had hoped to see.
I understand that every child develops differently and that children receiving special education services may progress at different rates. However, I also believe that parents have every right to question whether a particular educational setting is meeting their child’s needs.
My son’s original teacher was wonderful. I appreciated her approach, her interactions with my son, and the confidence she gave me in his educational environment. She was one of the primary reasons I continued allowing my son to attend the program despite my growing concerns about other staff members.
Unfortunately, when that teacher left, my confidence in the classroom began to decline.
She was replaced by Amy Bond, and I began noticing what appeared to be a decline in my son’s progress and overall development.
Naturally, I wanted to have a conversation with his new teacher to understand what had changed, discuss my observations, and determine how we could work together to support him.
Rather than experiencing the open communication and collaboration that I expected, I felt that my concerns were met with defensiveness and hostility.
In my opinion, a teacher working with young children, particularly children with special education needs, should welcome a parent’s questions regarding educational progress.
Parents are not the enemy. We are essential participants in our children’s education.
I should never have felt that expressing concern about my son’s development would create tension between me and the person responsible for teaching him.
2. My Experience With Teacher Amy Bond
After expressing concern about my son’s apparent decline following the classroom transition, I perceived a noticeable change in Amy Bond’s behavior toward me.
I repeatedly experienced interactions that I considered rude, dismissive, and unnecessarily confrontational. On numerous occasions, I felt that she directed hostile looks toward me during school-related encounters.
Although some people may dismiss facial expressions or unfriendly interactions as insignificant, I believe the larger issue is the professional relationship between a teacher and a parent.
When a parent expresses concern about a child’s progress, the appropriate response should involve communication, documentation, and collaboration.
Instead, I was left feeling that my questions had created personal resentment.
I found that deeply troubling.
My concern was never about the teacher personally. My concern was about my son’s education and whether he was receiving appropriate support.
I believe educators must be able to separate their personal reactions from their professional responsibilities.
No parent should feel uncomfortable approaching a teacher about a child’s development.
When that trust is damaged, it affects the entire educational relationship.
3. Administrative Concerns Involving Rene Kingsley
Another major source of frustration involved my interactions with Rene Kingsley.
I brought several concerns directly to her attention throughout my son’s enrollment.
During these conversations, I expected my complaints to be documented, investigated when appropriate, and forwarded to the individuals or agencies responsible for resolving them.
Based on what I observed, I did not see her take written notes during our conversations, and I was not provided with confirmation that formal complaints had been filed.
I cannot independently verify what internal documentation may or may not exist. However, subsequent interactions with staff led me to question whether my complaints had been properly recorded or communicated.
This is an extremely serious concern.
When a parent reports an incident involving a child’s transportation, safety, or treatment, there should be an identifiable process for documenting that complaint.
There should also be a clear explanation of who is responsible for investigating it, what immediate protective measures are being considered, and how the parent will receive follow-up information.
In my experience, that level of transparency was missing.
I repeatedly felt as though I was having the same conversations without achieving any meaningful resolution.
A parent should not have to continuously repeat serious safety concerns to multiple administrators only to discover later that other staff members have no knowledge of the previous reports.
4. Transportation Safety: My Complaint Involving Glenn
One of the most serious incidents I reported involved a transportation employee identified to me as Glenn, who worked with the transportation provider serving the preschool.
During an encounter at my son’s bus stop, I experienced what I regarded as an attempted physical assault by this employee.
This incident was extremely upsetting.
Following the encounter, I made it clear that I did not want my son placed in this individual’s presence.
I communicated my concerns to school personnel, including administrators, because I believed the incident raised serious questions about whether the employee should continue having contact with my child.
Regardless of how the transportation provider might characterize the encounter, my report should have been treated as a serious safety complaint requiring appropriate review.
I expected the school to communicate with the transportation company and, where appropriate, the county or other entity responsible for transportation oversight.
I also expected written confirmation that my request concerning my son’s contact with this employee had been received and addressed.
Instead, I felt that my concerns were minimized.
I was not provided with documentation demonstrating that an adequate investigation had taken place.
I was not given a satisfactory explanation of what steps had been taken to protect my son.
As a parent, I found this unacceptable.
A transportation-related complaint involving an allegation of threatening or assaultive behavior should never be handled casually.
5. Unexplained Changes to My Son’s Bus Route
Following the transportation incident, I noticed additional changes that raised concerns.
My son had previously been among the first children dropped off after school. Subsequently, he began arriving as one of the last children on the route.
This was particularly troubling because the preschool was located approximately five minutes from our home.
I recognize that school transportation routes can change for legitimate operational reasons, including student enrollment, staffing, scheduling, and route efficiency.
However, given the seriousness of my previous transportation complaint, I believe I was entitled to a clear explanation for the change.
I questioned why my son’s transportation experience had changed and whether his safety and needs were being adequately considered.
I did not receive the reassurance or resolution I was seeking.
For a young child with communication difficulties, an extended or altered bus route is not simply a matter of convenience.
Transportation can affect a child’s routine, comfort, emotional well-being, and ability to communicate distress.
I wanted to know how long my son was spending on the bus, who was supervising him, and whether the school was appropriately monitoring the transportation arrangement.
I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful communication surrounding these concerns.
6. My Son Was Later Placed Back With the Employee I Had Complained About
Approximately one year after I initially reported the incident involving Glenn, I discovered that my son had been placed back on transportation involving the same employee.
I had not received advance notice of this arrangement.
I had not been informed that my previous objections were no longer being considered.
Nor had anyone discussed with me what investigation, if any, had taken place or why the school believed the arrangement was appropriate.
I was furious and deeply concerned.
I had previously communicated that I did not want my child around this individual.
For that concern to apparently disappear from consideration without any meaningful explanation made me question the effectiveness of the school’s complaint procedures.
When I initiated another complaint, I encountered staff members who appeared to have no knowledge or record of my previous reports.
This was one of the most alarming parts of my entire experience.
How can a school appropriately respond to a recurring safety concern if the people responsible for addressing it cannot locate or identify the original complaint?
If a parent reports a serious transportation incident, that information should not depend on whether a particular employee remembers a conversation.
There should be documentation, accountability, and continuity.
My experience suggested serious weaknesses in those areas.
7. Concerns Involving Crystal Vrana/Pearl
I also brought my transportation concerns to Crystal Vrana/Pearl, whom I understood to have office management or transportation coordination responsibilities.
Once again, I expected meaningful assistance.
I hoped that bringing the matter to another individual involved with transportation would result in clarification, documentation, or a concrete solution.
Unfortunately, I did not feel that this interaction produced meaningful results.
I remained without satisfactory answers about my previous complaints, the transportation employee involved, and the steps being taken to address my concerns.
By this point, I was exhausted from repeatedly explaining the same situation.
Parents should not have to become investigators simply to determine whether school personnel are communicating with one another.
I believe a properly functioning administrative system should allow staff to review relevant concerns, identify previous communications, and provide parents with consistent information.
That did not reflect my experience.
8. Unprofessional Conduct in the Front Office
I also experienced behavior from a front-office employee named Denise that I considered unprofessional.
On one occasion, I was physically present at the school for a face-to-face meeting with another teacher concerning my son’s care.
During that meeting, Denise interrupted the conversation to inform the teacher that she had a telephone call.
I found the interruption discourteous and unnecessary, particularly because the meeting concerned my child’s educational and developmental needs.
In my opinion, a scheduled or ongoing conversation with a parent about a child’s care deserves appropriate consideration.
Unless the telephone call involved an urgent matter, I believe it would have been more professional to take a message or otherwise avoid interrupting the meeting.
This incident may seem minor when viewed in isolation.
However, when considered alongside my other experiences, it contributed to a broader impression that parent concerns were not being treated with the attention and respect they deserved.
Professionalism is demonstrated through everyday interactions.
How staff members communicate, respond to questions, manage interruptions, and respect parental involvement all contribute to the quality of a school environment.
Unfortunately, several of my interactions left me disappointed.
9. My Conversation With Transportation Director Merisol Puyana
Another particularly troubling interaction involved Merisol Puyana, whom I understood to be a transportation director.
During a conversation regarding my transportation complaint, I recall being told that my complaint would go nowhere.
I found that statement deeply discouraging.
A parent reporting a serious concern about a transportation employee should not be made to feel that pursuing accountability is pointless.
Even if an administrator believes a complaint may ultimately be unsubstantiated, the appropriate response should be to explain the review process and available next steps.
No complaint should be dismissed before the relevant facts have been appropriately considered

Hey, trying to make some extra money this fall. I can do leaf raking, yard cleanup, moving help, hauling junk, furniture assembly, whatever you need really. I'm free evenings and weekends. Also can do snow shoveling this winter if anyone wants someone regular.

Hello!! I’m looking for a drummer to join a jam session on 10/21 in Schenectady with a few other musicians (bassist, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist). This is a very new situation for us, but we all have experience gigging and recording in various bands. We have diverse taste but share a love for psychedelic rock and improvisational jam sessions. Depending how things go we may keep it going as a band playing original material. Age wise, we’re late 20s / early 30s. DM me if interested! Happy to share samples

Looking for someone to detail my car in the area

A few of us put together the proposed budget with 2024, 2025 actuals, 2026 proposed and 2026 adopted, and 2027 proposed and wanted to share it.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1e-KNEVsTAKH7iVuwjJR8OfI3qVqPkr9WGzAJWdCyz4A/edit?usp=drivesdk

We hope to add a tab for people to comment. So far we have about 60 observations about the 2027 proposed budget that we hope can be looked into by city staff.

Buddy of mine needs to make a last minute move her grandma. House is selling in 2 - 3 weeks time. Grandma is 92, and my buddy is 28. Buddy makes about 800 per week, and has no visible credit score (FICO) via capital one due to shutting down an old line of credit and establishing a new one with her new name. Yall got anything I could look into or help her with? Thanks