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Veeva Systems ( NYSE:VEEV – Get Free Report ) had its price target lifted by research analysts at Robert W. Baird from $275.00 to $283.00 in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an “outperform” rating on the technology company’s stock. Robert W. Baird’s price target points to a potential upside of 13.00% from the stock’s previous close. VEEV has been the topic of a number of other reports. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $260.00 price objective on shares of Veeva Systems in a research note on Friday, November 8th. BNP Paribas initiated coverage on shares of Veeva Systems in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $286.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Veeva Systems from $203.00 to $208.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, September 9th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Veeva Systems from $185.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, August 26th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Veeva Systems from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $254.04. Check Out Our Latest Report on VEEV Veeva Systems Trading Up 8.1 % Insider Activity In other news, SVP Jonathan Faddis sold 1,694 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.30, for a total value of $390,128.20. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 8,061 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,856,448.30. This represents a 17.37 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Also, insider Thomas D. Schwenger sold 1,126 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.01, for a total transaction of $270,251.26. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 27,013 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,483,390.13. This trade represents a 4.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Company insiders own 10.50% of the company’s stock. Institutional Trading of Veeva Systems Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Veeva Systems in the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its position in Veeva Systems by 3,375.0% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 139 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in shares of Veeva Systems by 3,460.0% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 178 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the period. DT Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Veeva Systems during the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in shares of Veeva Systems in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $49,000. 88.20% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Veeva Systems ( Get Free Report ) Veeva Systems Inc provides cloud-based software for the life sciences industry. It offers Veeva Commercial Cloud, a suite of software and analytics solutions, such as Veeva customer relationship management (CRM) that enable customer-facing employees at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; Veeva Vault PromoMats, an end-to-end content and digital asset management solution; Veeva Vault Medical that provides source of medical content across multiple channels and geographies; Veeva Crossix, an analytics platform for pharmaceutical brands; Veeva OpenData, a customer reference data solution; Veeva Link, a data application that allows link to generate real-time intelligence; and Veeva Compass includes de-identified and longitudinal patient data for the United States. Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Veeva Systems What is a Dividend King? Fast-Growing Companies That Are Still Undervalued What Are Dividend Champions? How to Invest in the Champions Top Cybersecurity Stock Picks for 2025 3 Monster Growth Stocks to Buy Now Archer or Joby: Which Aviation Company Might Rise Fastest? Receive News & Ratings for Veeva Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Veeva Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Syrian rebels ‘encircle’ DamascusTelangana: DCA cracks down on unqualified quacks running clinics
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PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” Macron said at the reopening ceremony. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” to Parisians, France and the world. Macron spoke in front of 1,500 guests invited to celebrate the restoration of Paris’ 12th-century cathedral which was nearly destroyed by a fire in 2019. They included world leaders like President-elect Donald Trump , U.S. first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes . The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework — an area equal to six soccer pitches — were meticulously cleaned, revealing luminous limestone and intricate carvings. Overhead, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” were used to rebuild the spire and roof, restoring the cathedral’s iconic silhouette. The thunderous great organ, with 7,952 pipes ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide, resounded for the first time since the fire. Its newly renovated console, boasting five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, was a marvel of restoration, reawakening a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s identity. Guests gradually filing into the cathedral for the evening reopening ceremonies were awestruck by the renovated interiors, many whipping out cellphones to capture the moment. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, which raised nearly half of the €900 million ($950 million) in donations for the restoration. He last visited in 2021, when the cathedral was cloaked in scaffolding. “It was somber,” he said. “It’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian pastor who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument—it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to embattled Macron, whose prime minister was ousted this week , plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. The French president, who has called Notre Dame's reopening “a jolt of hope,” will address the gathering. He had hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership. Macron's presidency now faces its gravest crisis after the government's collapse this week in a historic no-confidence vote that toppled Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The vote followed months of political gridlock after snap elections in June. Calls are now growing louder from opposition forces for Macron to resign. But he vowed Thursday to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, and said he'll name a new prime minister within days. As France struggles with economic woes and social unrest, Notre Dame's rebirth celebrations form a stark contrast. Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Assad flees to Russia as sun sets on dynasty’s 54-year rule Russian Channel One also quoted Kremlin sources as saying that Assad and his family are in Russia DAMASCUS: Syria’s rebels said on Sunday the leader of Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, arrived in Damascus hours after fighters seized the capital and said they ousted President Bashar al-Assad, ending his family’s 54-year rule. On the other hand, Russia granted asylum to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family on humanitarian grounds. Russian Channel One also quoted Kremlin sources as saying that Assad and his family are in Russia. Earlier, there were conflicting reports of Assad’s death in a plane crash. The American newspaper The New York Times reported, citing unconfirmed reports, that Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus in the early morning of December 8 via IL-76 (YK-ATA), but nothing was known about his location. According to the two-minute radar data available, Assad’s plane was seen descending continuously from an altitude of 8,725 feet. The speed of the plane was recorded from 819 kilometres per hour to 159 kilometres per hour and then this speed reached 64 kilometres per hour. In Syria identifying the rebel leader by his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, the statement on Telegram said he had “knelt down prostrating to God in thanks” on the ground after arriving in the Syrian capital. A video showed him kneeling in a field and bringing his head to the ground. Syrians woke up to a changed country Sunday, as rebels swept into Damascus less than two weeks into a lightning offensive declaring they had toppled “tyrant” Assad. A statement that was read on Syrian state television, which rebels took over, quoted Jolani as saying: “We continue to work with determination to achieve the goals of our revolution... We are determined to complete the path we started in 2011”. That year, Assad cracked down on peaceful pro-democracy protesters, triggering a complex conflict that drew in foreign armies and jihadists. The televised statement said that “we will not stop fighting until all the rights of the great Syrian people are secured. The future is ours and we are moving towards victory.” “As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Assad has not spoken in public since the sudden rebel advance a week ago, when insurgents seized northern Aleppo in a surprise attack before marching into a succession of cities as frontlines crumbled. Earlier, there was no official announcement on Sunday of the whereabouts of Assad’s wife Asma or their children, the eldest of whom has long studied in Russia and received a degree from a university in Moscow last year. Soon after capture of the capital by rebels, celebrations erupted around Syria and crowds ransacked President Bashar al-Assad’s luxurious home on Sunday. Residents in the capital were seen cheering in the streets as the rebel factions heralded the departure of “tyrant” Assad, saying: “We declare the city of Damascus free.” AFPTV footage showed a column of smoke rising from central Damascus, and AFP correspondents in the city saw dozens of men, women and children wandering through Assad’s home after it had been looted. The rooms of the residence had been left completely empty, save some furniture and a portrait of Assad discarded on the floor, while an entrance hall at the presidential palace not far away had been torched. “I can’t believe I’m living this moment,” tearful Damascus resident Amer Batha told AFP by phone. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this day,” he said, adding: “We are starting a new history for Syria.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali said he was ready to cooperate with “any leadership chosen by the Syrian people”. Around the country, people toppled statues of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad’s father and the founder of the system of government that he inherited. For the past 50 years in Syria, even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in prison or get one killed. As rebels entered the capital, HTS said its fighters broke into a jail on the outskirts of Damascus, announcing an “end of the era of tyranny in the prison of Sednaya”, which has become a by-word for the darkest abuses of Assad’s era. UN war crimes investigators on Sunday described Assad’s fall as a “historic new beginning” for Syrians, urging those taking charge to ensure the “atrocities” committed under his rule are not repeated. The rapid developments came just hours after HTS said it had captured the strategic city of Homs, where prisoners were also released. Homs was the third major city seized by the rebels, who began their advance on November 27. Rebel factions aired a statement on Syrian state television, urging fighters and citizens to safeguard the “property of the free Syrian state”. State TV broadcast a message proclaiming the “victory of the great Syrian revolution”. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani visited Damascus’s landmark Umayyad Mosque, as crowds greeted him with smiles and embraces, AFP images showed. His group HTS is rooted in the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda. Proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Western governments, HTS has sought to soften its image in recent years. On Sunday afternoon the rebels announced a curfew in the capital until 5:00 am (0200 GMT) Monday. The commander of Syria’s US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls much of northeast Syria, hailed as “historic” the fall of Assad’s “authoritarian regime”. The Observatory Sunday said Israel struck Syrian army weapons depots on the outskirts of Damascus. Assad’s rule had for years been supported by Lebanese group Hezbollah, whose forces “vacated their positions around Damascus”, a source close to the group said Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the overthrow of Assad was a “historic day in the... Middle East” and the fall of a “central link in Iran’s axis of evil”. “This is a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, Assad’s main supporters,” he added. Meanwhile, world powers pledged to work for stability in Syria and the surrounding region after rebels toppled its longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. Assad’s ally Moscow said Russian troops on their bases in Syria were on high alert but that there was “no serious threat” to them. US President-elect Donald Trump attributed the fall of Assad to losing the backing of Russia. “His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer.” National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said President Joe Biden was keeping a close eye on “extraordinary events” transpiring and remained in constant contact with regional partners. Beijing “is closely following the development of the situation in Syria and hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible”, the foreign ministry said. Iran’s foreign ministry said it expects “friendly” relations with Syria to continue. It said it would adopt “appropriate approaches” towards Syria in accordance with the behaviour of “effective actors” in Damascus. However, Iran’s embassy in Syria was vandalised on Sunday, an AFP photographer said. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country, which has supported rebel movements in Syria, was “ready to take responsibility for all that is necessary to heal Syria’s wounds and guarantee its unity, integrity and security”. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s “barbaric state” in Syria. “I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity,” he wrote on X. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed the fall of Assad as “good news” and urged a political solution to stabilise the war-stricken country. He said it was “essential that law and order be quickly re-established in Syria” and urged protection for all religious communities. A senior United Arab Emirates (UAE) official urged Syrians to collaborate in order to avert a spiral into chaos. “We hope that the Syrians will work together, that we don’t just see another episode of impending chaos,” presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Sunday called for peace and stability in Syria after the fall of its president Bashar al-Assad in the face of an Islamist-led rebel offensive. “The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure,” Starmer said in a statement. “Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored,” he added, calling for “civilians and minorities” to be protected. The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas hailed Assad’s fall as “a positive and long-awaited development”. She said “it also shows the weakness of Assad’s backers, Russia and Iran.” She added that the EU’s priority was to “ensure security” in the region. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga welcomed Assad’s departure, saying that authoritarians who rely on support from Putin are destined to fall, while stressing Kyiv’s support for Syria’s people. Afghanistan’s Taliban government congratulated the Syrian people and rebels, hoping a transition would lead to “an independent and service-oriented Islamic government” and a Syria “free from external interference”. Iraq urged respect for the “free will of all Syrians and emphasises that the security, territorial integrity and independence of Syria are of paramount importance,” government spokesman Basim Alawadi said in a statement. Spain’s foreign ministry said it supports a peaceful a “political transition” in Syria that brings stability to the region. Irish prime minister Simon Harris said the protection of civilians in Syria was “paramount” and urged a “peaceful transition as well as free and fair elections”. The commander of a Kurdish-led force in Syria hailed “historic” moments on Sunday with the fall of the “authoritarian regime” of Bashar al-Assad. “In Syria, we are living through historic moments as we witness the fall of the authoritarian regime in Damascus,” said Mazloum Abdi, who heads the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that controls swathes of northeast Syria, said in a statement on Telegram. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden on Sunday said deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad should be “held accountable” but called the nation’s political upheaval a “historic opportunity” for Syrians to rebuild their country. In the first full US reaction to Assad’s overthrow by an Islamist-led coalition of rebel factions, Biden expressed optimism. However, he also warned that Washington would “remain vigilant” against the emergence of terrorist groups. “The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice,” Biden said, speaking from the White House. “It’s a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria.” Asked by reporters what should happen to the deposed president, who reportedly has fled to Moscow, Biden said that “Assad should be held accountable.” Biden, who is set to step down in January and make way for Republican Donald Trump’s return to power, said Washington will assist Syrians in rebuilding. “We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations, to establish a transition away from the Assad regime toward independent, sovereign” Syria “with a new constitution,” he said. However, Biden cautioned that hardline Islamist groups within the victorious rebel alliance will be under scrutiny. “Some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human right abuses,” Biden said. The United States had “taken note” of recent statements by rebels suggesting they had since moderated, he said, but cautioned: “We will assess not just their words, but their actions.” Biden said Washington is “clear eyed” that the Islamic State extremist group, often known as ISIS, “will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish” itself in Syria. “We will not let that happen,” he said, adding that on Sunday alone, US forces had conducted “a dozen” strikes against ISIS inside Syria. Biden also confirmed that US authorities believe the American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria in 2012, still lives. “We believe he’s alive,” Biden said, but the US has yet “to identify where he is.” Earlier, Biden met with his national security team at the White House to discuss the crisis. Meanwhile, Israel has “seized” territory in Syrian-controlled areas of the Golan Heights, as its military warned Syrians living in five villages close to the Israeli-occupied portion of the strategic area to “stay home”. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he ordered Israeli forces to grab a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria, after a lightning advance by Syrian opposition forces ended Bashar al-Assad’s rule. Netanyahu said on Sunday that the decades-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian soldiers had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover. “We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border,” he said. After Netanyahu’s comments, the Israeli military issued an “urgent warning” to Syrians living in Ofaniya, Quneitra, al-Hamidiyah, Samdaniya al-Gharbiyya and al-Qahtaniyah – all close to the Israeli-occupied portion of the Golan Heights. “The fighting in your area is forcing the IDF [Israeli military] to act and we do not intend to harm you,” Colonel Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesman, said on social media. Agricultural areas in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights were declared closed military zones and some schools shifted to online classes in anticipation of unrest. Meanwhile, Israeli media said on Sunday that the Israeli air force has bombed weapons depots in southern Syria and Damascus to prevent opposition groups from seizing them. “We attacked ammunition depots in southern Syria and in the Damascus airport area for fears they might fall into the hands of armed groups and local factions,” the Israeli public broadcaster KAN quoted an unnamed Israeli security official as saying. Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth said weapons depots and surface-to-surface missile stockpiles were the targets of Israeli attacks in Syria, without providing further details. Following the recent clashes and collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government, Foreign Office on Sunday confirmed that all Pakistani nationals were safe in Syria and were advised to exercise caution. Almost 250 Pakistani pilgrims have been stranded in turmoil-hit country as flights to Lahore and other cities have been cancelled by the airlines. In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: “We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in Syria.” She said that the Pakistan embassy in Syria was open for support and advice. “As of now Damascus Airport is closed. Our embassy remains in contact with stranded Pakistani nationals including Zaireen. It will facilitate their return once the airport opens.” She further said that Pakistan had always supported unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, and there was no change in its principled position. In addition, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held telephonic conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the unfolding situation in Syria. During the telephonic conversation, the deputy PM shared the details of the efforts made by the Pakistan’s government for the safety and security of its nationals in Syria. They also discussed possible cooperation between the two countries for the safety of the Pakistan nationals.STATE PARKS CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE: 2024 marks the centennial of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. To celebrate, we invite you to take on the Centennial Challenge! We’ve come up with a list of 100 activities to give you a chance to get outdoors and discover our state parks, to learn more about our New York State history at our historic sites, and to give back to preserve all our properties for the next generation. Not sure you can complete all 100 activities in a year? That’s okay! The goal is to complete 24, after which you’ll earn a commemorative Centennial prize, as well as an entry into a random drawing for one of 24 three-year Empire Passes and a Centennial swag bag! Earn more than 24 points? You’ll receive one (1) extra entry into our promotional giveaway for every extra ten (10) points you earn! Keep track of your Centennial Challenge with either the Goosechase app, available on your iPhone or Android app store, or our handy checklist that you can download or pick up at any local state park or historic site. Challenge submissions will be accepted from January 1, 2024 to January 10, 2025. Winners of the promotional giveaway will be announced the week of January 13, 2025. For more information visit our website at https://www.parks.ny.gov/100/challenge/ ART EXHIBIT: “Enchanting Threads: The Art of Salley Mavor” is on view at the Albany Institute of History & Art through February 23, 2025. Award-winning fiber artist Salley Mavor will give a free artist talk on December 8 at 2pm. The talk is free with gallery admission, and AIHA members get first access to registration. ART EXHIBIT AND AUCTION: Bennington Museum is pleased to open the annual winter exhibition and Closed-Bid Auction, “Uncanny Valley: Magic Realism in Vermont,” which will foreshadow “Green Mountain Magic,” the major summer/fall 2025 exhibition. 25 regional contemporary artists will respond to this theme with new works that will be on display at the Museum through the end of the year. All works are for sale, and proceeds will be split equally between the Museum and the artists. The Closed-Bid Auction of exhibited artwork is currently open, and will close at 4pm on December 18. You may bid online, or by writing in paper bids when you visit the Museum. In Closed-Bid auctions you do not see what others have bid, but instead bid the maximum amount that you would like to pay for that piece. After the bidding closes (and prior to the holidays), the person with the highest bid for each work of art will be declared the winner and be contacted for payment and to arrange a pick-up time. In the event of a tie the bid placed first will be the winner. To avoid a tie, we urge people to bid an odd amount such as $501.50 rather than $500.00. Winning bids placed on items in this auction benefit both the Museum and the artists. CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS: Troy City Council meetings are held at 7 pm on the first Thursday of every month in the Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 433 River St. in Troy. At the monthly Regular meetings, Troy residents can discuss any issue related to the City of Troy. Past meetings can be viewed on the City Council’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/troycitycouncil. More information is available online at troyny.gov. INDOOR FARMERS MARKET: The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market is held inside the Troy Atrium every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm from November through April and features over 100 vendors. Free parking is available in the City’s 5th Street Parking Garage, Riverfront Park, the Green Island Bridge lots, RPI’s Blitman Hall, and on city streets – do NOT park on the site of the former Uncle Sam Garage. For updates follow the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market on social media or visit www.troymarket.org. AMERICAN ITALIAN MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER: The American Italian Museum and Cultural Center is located at 1227 Central Avenue in Albany. Since 1979 the museum has fulfilled its mission – to record and preserve Italian heritage for present and future generations – with the help of its dedicated, all volunteer staff. Ours is the largest American Italian museum in the eastern U.S. maintaining 10 exhibit rooms, a Hall of History and a library including research materials. Our gift shop offers many one-of-a-kind and “Made in Italy” items. There is a small admission fee. Please call ahead to confirm we are open. (518) 435-1979. USS SLATER HISTORICAL MUSEUM: The SLATER is open for her 27th season in Albany. Come down and visit us Wednesday – Sunday, 10 AM – 4 PM until December 1. Guided tours start every 30 minutes. You may buy tickets at the door as you arrive or book them by going to https://ussslater.org/. We have a free parking lot right next to the ship, which is locked for the night as soon as the last tour group is off the ship. NEW YORK STATE MILITARY MUSEUM: The Military Museum has reopened to the public after lengthy upgrades. The Museum is now open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free. Housed in a historic armory constructed in 1889, the Military Museum is a nationally recognized source of New York State military history highlighted by the display of numerous historical treasures that are educationally and beautifully presented in a series of permanent and interpretive exhibitions.. The museum is a treat for the whole family and serves as a reminder of the dedicated veterans that defended our country in its times of need and peril. For more information, call 518-581-5100 or visit the website at https://museum.dmna.ny.gov/. WORLD AWARENESS CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: The World Awareness Children’s Museum is the first and only children’s museum in the country with multicultural education as its core mission. We are located at 89 Warren St, Glens Falls. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and houses more than 10,000 pieces of children’s art and donated objects from around the world in its collection. School year (September-June) hours are Thursday to Monday 10am to 3pm. Summer hours are 10 am to 5 pm Friday and Monday, 10 am to 3 pm Saturday, and noon to 5 pm Sunday. Educational programs or birthday parties may be scheduled at other times by request. We now have online programming! Parents can visit www.worldchildrensmuseum.org/online-programming to view the entire library of content. Special programming and tours are available for school groups. Call (518) 793-2773 ext. 303 or visit https://worldchildrensmuseum.org/ for more information and to plan your visit. SYCAWAY SENIORS: Need a diversion in your life? Food, fun and friends await you. Bring a friend or neighbor to the Sycaway Seniors group. Members live all over Rensselaer County, not just Sycaway. We meet the first and third Mondays each month at 18 Keyes Lane, at the Brunswick Community Center from noon to 3 p.m. Bring your own lunch. We supply dessert and drinks. Nancy McCloskey of Brunswick is our President. She can be reached at 518 279-0847. Dues are $10 yearly. Stop in for a visit, all are welcome. Bingo and 50/50 are held at each meeting. Cards are only three for $2. Hope to see you there. SINGERS WANTED: Capital Community Voices, a non-auditioning mixed chorus, is seeking new members in all voice parts. Rehearsals are Tuesday nights from 7 pm to 9 pm at Green Meadow Elementary School, Castleton-on-Hudson, beginning Tuesday, September 10th. Singers will be preparing for a December 15th concert with the Festival Celebration Choir. For more information call 518-370-5434. COMMUNITY MEAL: YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc., located at 21 First St. in Troy, serves a weekly community meal from 5 to 6 p.m. each Tuesday. It is a free-of-charge, to-go dinner provided for YWCA residents as well as anyone in the community. All are welcome to join us each week for a free, nutritious cooked meal. Meals are prepared by a variety of volunteers including but not limited to YWCA-GCR staff, residents, community members and students. Residents are encouraged to participate in preparation of the meals and will be assisted by staff in menu planning, shopping and time management. We serve an average of 75 people per week. The YWCA-GCR also partners with community organizations to set up booths at weekly Community Meal to advertise, promote and engage guests in services. Residents and community members can call the YWCA-GCR at (518) 274-7100 to find out Tuesday’s menu. More information about this program is available online at www.ywca-gcr.org. SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE SUPPORT GROUP: The “Further Along Survivors of Suicide” Monthly Support Group meets the second Tuesday of each month. The group is structured to meet the needs of people who have lost a loved one to suicide and who are approximately 18-24 months past the date of their loss. It is not designed for someone who is recently bereaved. Facilitators are peers who have attended AFSP’s (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – AFSP.org) “Facilitating a Suicide Bereavement Support Group” training. There is no charge, but we encourage people to bring a treat to share or a book that would help someone else on their healing journey that we can include in our lending library. For more information, please email David Grapka at Furtheralongsos@gmail.com. For more information on AFSP, please visit AFSP.org or contact Sandra Goldmeer Sandra Goldmeer, Area Director, Capital Region New York at sgoldmeer@afsp.org or 518.791.1544. POESTENKILL SENIORS: The Poestenkill Seniors typically hold weekly meetings every Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Sullivan Jones VFW Post in Poestenkill. All seniors are welcome. Coffee and refreshments are served after the meeting, followed by bingo and cards. The hall is handicap accessible, with sufficient parking. The Poestenkill Seniors hold catered luncheons, clamsteams and fish fries at the hall and also at various restaurants. Best of all they go on bus trips to casinos and other points of interest. ICC BINGO: The Italian Community Center Charitable Foundation hosts Bingo night on Tuesdays. Doors open at 5 p.m. at 1450 Fifth Avenue, Troy. Food and beverages will be sold. GRAFTON MERRYMAKERS: Grafton Merrymakers will keep you updated when our next meeting will take place. If you have any questions please call Betty Jean at 518-272-8624. The Grafton Merrymakers typically meet on the second Wednesday of each month from March through November at the Everett Wagar Senior Center, 2 Roxborough Road in Grafton. If you are interested in joining the Merrymakers please come to a meeting, or call the senior center Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 518-279-3413. MINDFULNESS PRACTICE GROUP: Meeting Format: Includes walking meditation and sitting meditation in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh; all are welcome –meditation instruction available. Schedule: Wednesday evenings — 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Location: RPI’s Newman Center Hospitality House–4 Sherry Rd. in Troy– a white 2-story residential building about 30 yards south of the RPI Chapel Center (near the intersection of Burdett and Peoples Avenues). Cost: Free. Contact: (518) 271-6949 or (518) 273-1851 for more information. MEN’S CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: NY Capital Region Men to Men Cancer Support Group meets the third Wednesday of every month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the American Cancer Society Hope Club, 1 Penny Lane, Latham. Come-share experiences and receive understanding and encouragement from men and their loved ones in dealing with cancer. For more information, please contact the ACS Hope Club at 518-220-6960. PITTSTOWN SENIORS: The town of Pittstown Seniors hold their monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of the month starting with a covered dish luncheon at noon. T.O.P.S meetings are held at the Raymertown Fire House on Mason Lane. All seniors 55 or over are invited to attend. CAPITAL VIEW TOASTMASTERS CLUB: It is more than just public speaking, Learn a variety of communication and leadership skills. Capital View Toastmasters Club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the East Greenbush Library. Contact capitalview.toastmastersclubs.org. YOUTH ROBOTICS CLUB: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County 4-H is starting a 4-H Robotics Club with 4-H Volunteer and Arduino Robotics guru Ray Martin. The Robotics Club will meet generally the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building, 61 State Street, Troy. 2nd Floor. Youth ages 12 and older with a strong interest in coding are encouraged to sign up! The club will be primarily working with Arduino boards, but also using 4-H Adafruit products connecting plant and soil sciences with technology. Space is limited. To register a youth, or for more information, please contact Kandis Freer at 518-272-4210 ext. 106. No one shall be denied the opportunity to participate or receive information based on their abilities. If you need any accommodations please let us know at the time of registration. TROY CENTER: Everyone is welcome to sing along with entertainer Bob Marcello as he performs the greatest songs of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s at Troy Center. All families and friends are welcome to this free monthly engagement. Bob will perform the first Thursday of every month from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Troy Center is located at 49 Marvin Avenue in Troy. Please contact Billejo Sass at 518-273-6646 or by email at bsass@troycenter.net for more information. FREE COMMUNITY DINNERS: The second Thursday of every month a free community dinner is served in the city of Rensselaer from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. In an ecumenical partnership, Hope Lutheran Church of North Greenbush, and Rensselaer Presbyterian Church, 34 Broadway have combined and created Hopes Kitchen. SIDEWALK WARRIORS: Each Thursday evening at 35 State St. in Troy, dozens of volunteers set up a large number of tables for Sidewalk Warriors’ weekly distribution. At these tables, visitors can find hot foods, sandwiches, produce, pantry items and essentials. The group often provides special distributions such as towels, linens, pillows, winter boots, underwear, socks or laundry detergent. The folks who attend the distribution may be experiencing homelessness or food insecurity, or they may simply be running short on resources at the end of the month. Set up for the weekly Sidewalk Warriors distribution events begins at 5 p.m. each Thursday, and volunteers begin serving at 6 p.m., no matter what the weather. More information about Sidewalk Warriors Troy is available online at www.sidewalkwarriorstroy.com and www.facebook.com/sidewalkwarriorstroy. BINGO: Rensselaer Elks Lodge #2073, located at 683 Columbia Turnpike, hosts Bingo every Thursday evening and the general public is welcome to attend. Doors open at 5 PM for players age 18+. Play starts at 7pm. $1,300 in prizes. Food and refreshments sold. STORYTIME LEARN & PLAY: Thursdays at 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. at the Troy Public Library, located at 100 Second St., Troy. We will share stories, songs, movements and more! Masks are optional but are not required. For children ages 0-5 with a caregiver. Registration is not necessary. TROY NIGHT OUT: Last Friday of every month, 5 to 9 pm in downtown Troy. Troy Night Out is an extended evening highlighting shops, restaurants, arts and culture that takes place on the last Friday of every month in downtown Troy. Attendees are able to support virtually or stroll throughout the streets and businesses, enjoying art openings, music performances, fine restaurants as well as unique boutiques of all varieties. Call in for to-go orders or shop items for curbside pick-up, watch live performances through Facebook, gather friends and family virtually the Last Friday of each month to connect, support and relax! Business Listings are updated monthly online at downtowntroy.org. KNIT & CROCHET GROUP: Join the Troy Public Library for a bi-weekly stitching group from 10 to 11 a.m. every first and third Friday of the month. Whether you have experience knitting or crocheting or you want to start learning a new skill, this group is for you! Participants will work together to stitch blankets and other needed items to donate to local homeless shelters and outreach groups. Participants are also welcome to work on their own personal projects. Bring your own knitting needles and crochet hooks or use what we have available. This in-person event is free and open to the public. No registration required. The Troy Public Library is located at 100 Second Street, Troy. STORYTIME LEARN & PLAY: Fridays at 9 a.m. at the Lansingburgh Branch of the Troy Public Library, located at 27 114th St., Troy. We will share stories, songs, movements and more! Masks are optional but are not required. For children ages 0-5 with a caregiver. Registration is not necessary. Please note: this program occurs before the library opens for the day. Please enter through the side door on 4th Avenue. FREE YOGA: Join for gentle and relaxing yoga every Friday at the Presbyterian United Church of Schaghticoke from 7 pm until 8 pm. The Church is located at 16 Main Street in Schaghticoke. For more information email presbychurchmouse@yahoo.com. GRETA THE READING DOG: Practice your reading skills on Greta, our special story-loving dog! Every Saturday at 11:00 am at Troy Public Library’s main branch, located at 100 Second St. in Troy. Free and all ages. More information is available online at www.thetroylibrary.org or by calling 518-274-7071. MAKERS MARKET: A celebration of crafters, makers, artists & taste makers from around the Capital Region The Troy Makers Market is held in conjunction with the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market, which takes place Saturdays from 9:00am – 2:00pm (Monument Square May-October and Uncle Sam Atrium November-April). STEPHENTOWN HERITAGE CENTER: The Stephentown Historical Society welcomes visitors on the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday hours are in addition to the regular weekly Friday hours of 1 to 4 p.m. These Saturday open hours will offer more Stephentown residents and visitors the opportunity to explore what the Society offers in genealogy research and local history. The Heritage Center is the former Stephentown Methodist Church at 4 Staples Road at the corner of Garfield Road. It is free and handicapped accessible. Hope to see you soon! BREAKFAST BUFFET: Breakfast Buffet and Omelet Station, 8:00am – 11:00am Every 1 st Sunday of the Month at the Waterford Knights of Columbus, 76 Grace Street, Waterford. Buffet featuring our famous Omelet Station, Eggs cooked to order, Pancakes, French toast, sausage, Bacon, home fries, Toast, coffee, tea, orange and apple juices. Take a chance to win the 50/50 drawing. $10 adult – $5 children (Children under 4 free). Each paid breakfast enters you to win a free breakfast. For more information visit waterfordkofc.org or call 518-237-9330. POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP: Albany Med’s Division of General Pediatrics will host a weekly Postpartum Depression Support Group for mothers and fathers struggling emotionally following the birth of a child. The group is open to mothers who have given birth within the past year and fathers with a child less than one year old who have no additional support. A virtual session via Zoom will be held Mondays from noon to 12:45 p.m. In-person sessions will be held each Tuesday from 4:15 to 5 p.m. at 391 Myrtle Ave., third floor, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics conference room, Albany. Babies are welcome. No pre-registration is required. For more information or to receive information about a Zoom invite, please contact Selina Grant at (518) 262-6221 or grants3@amc.edu. WATERVLIET SENIOR CENTER GROUP LUNCHES: Enjoy a nutritious, social, and fun lunch with the Watervliet Senior Center Monday through Friday at noon. The $3 suggested donation is anonymous and everyone is welcome. Call for the daily menu and sign up by 2 p.m. for the following day. The Senior Center is located at 1501 Broadway, Watervliet. Call 518-273-4422 for more information. FOOD PANTRY: Faith’s Pantry at Grace Church, 34 Third St. is open by appointment. The emergency food pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon each Friday. The pantry is also open 7 to 8 pm on the third Thursday of each month and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month. To make an appointment, call 518-237-7370. HOMEWORK HELP: Through the Stillwater Public Library, 662 Hudson Ave Stillwater. Tuesday-Thursday, 3-5pm, in person at the library or on Discord Michele #6346. For middle and high school students. YEAR-ROUND RECYCLING: Zion’s United Church of Christ of Taborton receives the following items for recycling in the Blue Box next to the front door of the Church Hall: clothing, belts, blankets, drapery, hats, hand bags, paired shoes, sheets, sneakers, towels and stuffed animals. In the Greenfiber green recycling container, in the church parking lot, the church receives newspapers, phone books, office paper, cardboard, cereal boxes, magazines, brown paper bags and construction paper. Donate all used items to Doors of Hope in West Sand Lake. Donate used furniture to the furniture program of Troy Area United Ministries. Call TAUM at 274-5920, ext. 204, Tiara Burnett, to arrange for a pick up. TUTORS NEEDED: Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County helps more than 160 adults each year to gain the skills they need to be employed, participate in community life, and become U.S. citizens. LVORC needs volunteer tutors to do this work, and you can help! As a tutor you can develop new skills, make friends, and see how your efforts make a difference in your community. Would you like to help someone to read and write, or to speak English as a new language? We can train you. Contact mhellerlvorc@aol.com to register. Visit the website for more information: www.lvorc.org. READING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County is in need of volunteers. Become an adult reading mentor and read to a child once a week during their lunch. Programs are held in elementary schools in Rensselaer, Troy, and Cohoes. Join us today to encourage children to develop a love of reading! We are also in search of a School Coordinator for a Troy school. This volunteer is responsible for coordinating the program which includes monitoring weekly reading sessions, selecting books, and communicating with school personnel and LVORC staff. Call or email today for more info 518-244-4650 // litvoldirector@aol.com. FREE ENGLISH CLASSES: Do you want to improve your English? Are you new to the United States? Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County has free English Literacy Civics classes where you can improve your English language skills while learning about life in the United States. Each class meets two times per week. Classes for beginning learners meet in Albany. Classes for intermediate learners meet in Troy. For more information, contact Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County at 518-244-4650 or visit www.lvorc.org. LVORC ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS: Since 1968, Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County has helped adults to improve their ability to read, write, speak and understand English.New learners can join Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County by calling (518) 244-4650 or sending an email to LitVolDirector@aol.com. Call (518) 244-4650 to register. Visit www.lvorc.org for more information. THE CIRCLE OF MOTHERS: Do you have a teen who is struggling? Come find peace and support with other mothers. What is said in the circle stays in the circle. Email us for details: TheCircleOfMothers@gmail.com. HOME DELIVERED MEALS: Are you a Rensselaer County homebound senior over 60 and unable to shop and cook for yourself? Rensselaer County Department of the Aging may be able to help you with a nutritious hot meal delivered to your home Monday through Friday. For more information call 270-2730 or your local Senior Center. ANCESTRY.COM TUTORIALS: North Greenbush Community Library Trustee and Town Historian Jim Greenfield offers free personal tutorials on the use of ancestry.com. Ancestry Library Edition, available at the library, provides access to 7,000 databases, delivering an extraordinary online collection of genealogy information. To set up your individual session, please call the library at 518-283-0303 and leave your information. Jim will call you back to schedule an appointment. The library is located at 141 Main Avenue, Wynantskill. YARN DONATIONS NEEDED: Rensselaer County’s Everett Wagar Senior Center, 2 Roxborough Rd, Grafton, is happy to accept any donation of yarn. Many of our center members enjoy knitting and crocheting. They make afghans and lap covers for other seniors, as well as some homebound senior residents and to use as raffle items to help support the activities of the center. We also have members that make hats and mittens to be given at the schools when a child is in need. If you would like to make a donation of yarn, please drop it off at the senior center M-F from 9:00 to 3:00, or call to make arrangements for pickup. Any donation, large or small is appreciated. COHOES DOWNTOWN MARKETPLACE: Vintage items, collectibles, crafts, furniture and more. 103 Remsen St., Cohoes. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every other Saturday and Sunday. Check the Cohoes Downtown Marketplace Facebook page for current information. VIRTUAL ART SHOW: In times of turmoil, art offers a chance for peace. Join Choose Cohoes for Art (CCfA) in their first virtual CAS (Cohoes Artist Showcase). Over 16 artists from Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties share their art in this special show. You can view a sampling of their work, learn about the artists in their own words and reach out to them with comments and encouragement. One of the best things about it is you can check it out on your own schedule. Check out CCfA’s website www.ChooseCohoesForArt.org to learn more about this organization and select the link on the left of the page to go to the virtual show. BLOOD DRIVES: Your blood donation is essential to maintaining our community’s health. For a full list of upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drives in the area visit www.redcrossblood.org, where participants can register online. SEEKING DONATIONS FOR TROOPS: Capital Region NY 2 Blue Star Mothers of America regularly sends Freedom Boxes to our deployed troops. The group is always seeking donations, which can be dropped off at the Halfmoon Town Hall, located at 2 Halfmoon Town Plaza in Halfmoon. Items needed include snacks, coffee, toiletries and more. For additional information please visit www.capitalregion2bsm.org. SQUASH HUNGER: Capital Roots’ Squash Hunger program is a food donation initiative that collects and distributes more than 40 tons of fresh produce to our region’s food pantries and shelters each year. We rely on generous gardeners, farmers and grocery shoppers to donate fresh produce to our collection bins and on volunteers to deliver it to food pantries and shelters, some of which feed more than 100 people three meals a day, every day. Our Squash Hunger donation bins are located at markets and grocery stores throughout the region, so it’s convenient for you to make a food donation while you shop. We rely on a broad network of volunteers to collect and deliver donations to pantries and shelters in their communities. If you are a volunteer, shelter, pantry or store manager who would like to participate, please contact us at 518-274-8685 or squashhunger@capitalroots.org. More information about the Squash Hunger program, including a full list of donation locations, is available online at https://www.capitalroots.org/squash-hunger/. URBAN GREENING: Urban greening refers to public landscaping and urban forestry projects that create mutually beneficial relationships between city dwellers and their environments. Vibrant green spaces improve aesthetic appeal,increase property value and decrease energy consumption. Our Urban Greening projects are grant funded. This makes it possible for Capital Roots to provide property owners with trees at no cost. If you are a property owner interested in having a tree planted on your land contact 518-274-8685 or Tara at gardens1@capitalroots.org. STEPHENTOWN FOOD PANTRY: The Stephentown Food Pantry continues to serve the community with food assistance during this time. Extra health precautions and accommodations have been put in place so clients can be served as safely as possible. If someone needing food is sick and/or wishes to avoid contact with others, they should phone the Food Pantry at (518) 487-8606 and leave a message with their phone number. Arrangements can be made for them to pick up a prepacked food bundle. Or they can designate a friend to collect their food for them. The Stephentown Food Pantry offers assistance to residents of Stephentown, New York, and Hancock, Massachusetts. The pantry is open every Saturday morning, weather permitting, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Stephentown Federated Church, 1513 Garfield Road (County Route 26). Appointments are not needed. As always, requests for help are confidential. The pantry is an equal opportunity provider. For information, call 518-487-8606. Donations Welcome! Even before the current health crisis Stephentown Food Pantry use was increasing. The pantry relies entirely on community donations of money and food items to keep operating. If you would like to help out, please send your check made out to the Stephentown Food Pantry to the Stephentown Food Pantry treasurer at P. O. Box 387, Stephentown, NY 12168. Donations can also be made to the Regional Food Bank of Northeast New York, 965 Albany Shaker Road, Latham. Mark it for use by Stephentown Food Pantry and your contribution will be available for us to purchase low cost food from the Food Bank. ROCHMON RECORD CLUB: Join us at an upcoming Rochmon event for an evening of music and community. Each show our host Rochmon Chuck Vosganian takes the room on a high fidelity journey through classic albums spanning many genres and decades. More information about this series, including a schedule of upcoming events, is available online at www.rochmon.com. REALITY CHECK: Reality Check is a youth-led movement in New York State that empowers youth to become leaders in their communities in exposing what they see as the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. The organization’s members produce change in their communities through grassroots mobilization and education. More information about Reality check and how to join the movement can be found online at www.realitycheckofny.com or www.facebook.com/realitycheckofny. DROP IN TECH HELP: One-on-one assistance with technology is available through the Troy Public Library’s “Drop-In Tech Help” program. An ongoing program, TPL librarians will be on-hand to help with laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other common devices brought in by patrons. Librarians will also explain and help navigate common apps, such as Gmail and Instagram, and library resources like OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla. Assistance will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis. This program is provided weekly on Thursdays from 10AM to 11AM, in the first-floor Troy Room of the Main Library. This program is free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. For more information, call the library at 274-7071. The Troy Public Library is located at 100 Second Street, Troy. RAISE PLANT GROW: Each year the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District plants approximately 10 trees in downtown Troy. With the assistance of Constable Tree Service, the organization removes old tree stumps, prep the ground for planting, plant, water and maintain these trees. Did you know that each new tree costs about $500? That’s where you come in! As we grow our urban tree canopy, you can help us plant even more! For more information, or to make a donation to the Raise Plant Grow initiative, visit www.downtowntroy.org/trees. THERAPY DOGS READY FOR DUTY: Alliance of Therapy Dogs teams are ready for duty in the Capital Region. The certified therapy dogs are available to serve at schools, colleges, libraries, nursing homes, hospitals, airports and special events. The ATD teams can also help first responders, police officers, military personnel and veterans deal with trauma. All ATD canines meet health and vaccination standards. For information on making arrangements for visit, contact Chris Bourgeois of Ballston Lake, at (518) 331-5781 or chrisbee4154@gmail.com. Bourgeois also is a coordinator for the Red Cross’ Paws for a Cause, which specializes in providing therapy dogs for military deployments and redeployments, therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder combat veterans, military family support groups, military events and disasters. THRIFT SHOP: The Johnsonville Methodist Church Thrift Shop is open from 9-12 every Wednesday and the first Saturday of each month. Look for our sign at the corner of rte. 111 and rte. 67. We have a great selection of adult and children’s seasonal clothing, vintage, special occasion and career clothes, jewelry, shoes, purses, linens, toys, puzzles, games, cds and dvds, household and decorative items. Over 1,000 books in our well-organized book room.
The volunteer group running hospice services in Sussex says it’s trying to build up its organization as it aims to build a physical hospice in the next five years. Representatives from Hospice of Sussex presented at town council last week on its plans to launch a new “social enterprise” in the form of a medical equipment rental service, called Mobility+. Board chair Gwen Pope told council this came as part of the group’s strategic planning as it seeks to expand services and move towards a physical hospice building within the next five years. “In the last few years, the look has changed,” Pope told Brunswick News Friday. “Excitement doesn’t begin to describe how the board is feeling.” The non-profit, volunteer-run group was founded in 2006 and provides non-medical end-of-life support to the Sussex area, stretching as far as Norton and Penobsquis, according to a fact sheet. That includes arranging drives to medical appointments, short-term relief for caregivers, family support, and grief support, the hospice says. Vice-chair Florence Buchanan said they had been “very busy over the years,” but things “tanked” during the pandemic and the group has been trying to get back on track. They began developing a three-year strategic plan with consultants with goals to expand the group’s services, she said, including expanding the service to include those who have “life-limiting” chronic conditions or dementia.. “We want to get involved sooner,” Buchanan said. “You can improve their quality of life sooner, before they get to the end stage, and you also have a chance to develop a relationship with the family, so that when they get to the end stage they’re comfortable with you.” The group also partnered with Stockton Health Group to provide more types of grief counselling, including for caregivers and families who have experienced recent loss, with all services free of charge, Pope said. The group’s expansion has meant more training, which means more fundraising, taking up more of the volunteer board’s time, Buchanan said. That’s where the idea of a “social enterprise” comes in, similar to Hospice Greater Saint John’s Hospice Shoppe, or a small business that can be used to help fund the group’s operations, Pope said. “We have discovered there is a sad need for medical equipment,” Pope said. “We decided that medical equipment filled a need within the community, but it’s also part of our wheelhouse.” She said that people in the community after surgery face big price tags to stock equipment for home care, with the price of a hospital bed around $4,000. So the non-profit turned to a social enterprise developer to build a business plan and is trying to soft-launch online in January, Pope said. The idea is that those with leftover equipment would donate it to Mobility+, which would sell the equipment at a reduced price and then give the donor a tax receipt. The service could also purchase new equipment and rent it out, she said. “The client has secured equipment within the town of Sussex at a reasonable price, and the hospice has generated some income,” Pope said. “Any money generated will go towards not only sustaining our support services, but purchasing new equipment as well.” She said that the group’s board has also voted to pursue a physical hospice that could also help house the Mobility+ service, Pope said. That’s something they’d hope to do in at least five years, she told council. “We have great hopes and dreams,” she said. Sussex Mayor Marc Thorne asked if they have someone helping with grants, and Pope said their project manager was on it, but the problem is “visibility.” She said they’re working on a website and will be launching social media at that time. Asked about volunteers, she said that their grief counsellors are accredited professionals, but those who do home visits are trained volunteers, and that they have a volunteer base of about 20 people. Pope told Brunswick News that the group is without an executive director, but has a “great working board” with 11 of 12 seats full that will help execute the plan to launch the social enterprise. She said that they’ve had “tremendous success” thanks to partnerships, and are currently in negotiations for a location that can help host Mobility+ and the future hospice building. Pope said finding funding for the building will take time, but the initiative is “much needed for the community,” she said. She said that getting awareness for the group’s services is also a need. “It comes back to the same old saying, until you need it you’re not aware it’s there,” she said. “People have a tendency to shy away from anything that has to do with dying and death. Sadly, it’s a part of life, and we’re all about quality end-of-life.” Thorne told Brunswick News that the hospice has the town’s “deep admiration” for the work it provides. “I can tell you from my own experience it’s life-changing,” he said. “The efforts that these volunteers provide, the comfort that they bring and the knowledge that they bring with them, long after you’ve lost your loved one, all of that remains.” He said he doesn’t think people “need to be convinced” of the group’s value, they just need to learn who they are and what they do. “I love their ambition, their vision, I think they will be successful, and I think they’ve got it just right,” he said. The group is currently running its Angels Remembered campaign until Dec. 21 at the Gateway Mall, and has a New Year’s eve gala planned at the Sussex Legion. More information can be found by emailing info@hospicesussex.ca .
President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money convictionGSA Capital Partners LLP reduced its stake in shares of MINISO Group Holding Limited ( NYSE:MNSO – Free Report ) by 79.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,974 shares of the company’s stock after selling 77,629 shares during the period. GSA Capital Partners LLP’s holdings in MINISO Group were worth $350,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of MNSO. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new position in MINISO Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in MINISO Group by 3,098.4% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,951 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 1,890 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in MINISO Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $78,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new position in MINISO Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $118,000. Finally, Bayesian Capital Management LP purchased a new position in MINISO Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $201,000. 17.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. MINISO Group Stock Performance NYSE MNSO opened at $16.67 on Friday. MINISO Group Holding Limited has a 52-week low of $12.51 and a 52-week high of $26.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.93 and a current ratio of 2.38. The company has a market capitalization of $5.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.44, a P/E/G ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 0.15. The company has a fifty day moving average of $17.64 and a 200-day moving average of $18.51. MINISO Group Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th were issued a dividend of $0.274 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 13th. MINISO Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 49.07%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have recently commented on MNSO. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “hold” rating on shares of MINISO Group in a research report on Monday, September 23rd. Bank of America lowered shares of MINISO Group from a “buy” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Monday, September 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a “neutral” rating and set a $15.00 price target (down from $27.00) on shares of MINISO Group in a research report on Tuesday, September 24th. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of MINISO Group to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 24th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on shares of MINISO Group in a research report on Friday, October 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $26.80 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $20.90. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on MNSO MINISO Group Profile ( Free Report ) MINISO Group Holding Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the retail and wholesale of lifestyle products and pop toy products in China, Asia, the United States, and Europe. The company offers products in various categories, including home decor products, small electronics, textiles, accessories, beauty tools, toys, cosmetics, personal care products, snacks, fragrances and perfumes, and stationeries and gifts under the MINISO and WonderLife brand names; and blind boxes, toy bricks, model figures, model kits, collectible dolls, Ichiban Kuji, sculptures, and other popular toys under the TOP TOY brand. Read More Five stocks we like better than MINISO Group Investing In Automotive Stocks Tesla Investors Continue to Profit From the Trump Trade What Investors Need to Know to Beat the Market MicroStrategy’s Stock Dip vs. Coinbase’s Potential Rally What is the FTSE 100 index? Netflix Ventures Into Live Sports, Driving Stock Momentum Receive News & Ratings for MINISO Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MINISO Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
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