Schenectady county calendar.(Capital Region)(Calendar)

TODAY

BENEFITS & GALAS

The Junior League of Schenectady's Diamond Anniversary Gala

Where: Glen Sanders Mansion, 1 Glen Ave., Scotia When: 6 p.m. Cost: $75 Contact: 370-1902 Notes: The celebration, which honors former Daily Gazette Social Notes editor Helen George, includes a cocktail reception, past presidents receiving line, dinner, awards ceremony, auction and dancing.

Rose Garden Restoration Committee's 12th annual fundraiser

Where: River Stone Manor, 1437 Amsterdam Road, Scotia When: 6-10 p.m. Cost: $50 Contact: 355-5798; e-mail: dgade@nycap.rr.com Notes: All proceeds will benefit the care and upkeep of the Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Free computer

classes

Where: Schenectady County Public Library, 99 Clinton St., Schenectady Cost: Free Contact: 388-4500 Notes: The library offers the following free computer classes in May: Computers for Novices, Internet Basics and Internet Searching; call the library for times and to register.

COMMUNITY

Invention Convention 2007

Where: Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium, 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: Adults, $5; children 4-12, $3; younger than 4, free Contact: 382-7890 Notes: The convention is a statewide invention competition open to Capital Region students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The top 100 entries will be on display at the museum until June 7, when 25 finalists move on to the state finals.

HEALTH

American Red Cross blood drive

Where: Niskayuna Fire House, 2772 Troy Road, Niskayuna When: 1-6 p.m. Contact: Ruth H. Kachidurian, 785-8493 Notes: Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds.

SIGN-UPS

Delack Guild Room Art Opening

Where: Proctor's Theatre, 432 State St., Schenectady Contact: 382-3884 Ext. 111 Notes: The exhibit features photos by Nancy Noble Gardner, and Ralph and Susan Rosenthal. Open by appointment only.

GED classes

Where: Bethesda House, 418 Liberty St., Schenectady When: 1-3 p.m. Contact: Tom Morley, 374-7873 Notes: Courses are taught by staff from Washington Irving Adult Education Center and students don't need to attend on a fixed schedule.

Heartsmart nutrition and cooking class

Where: Ellis Hospital, 1101 Nott St., Schenectady Cost: $5 Contact: 243-4017 Notes: Registered dietitians who specialize in cardiac health will teach class participants how to lower cardiac risk from 1-2 p.m. May 9. Registration is required.

Youth swimming lessons

Where: YWCA of Schenectady, 44 Washington Ave., Schenectady Contact: Nick Lecce, 374-3394 Ext. 141; e-mail: nlecce@ywca-

schenectady.org Notes: The YWCA offers seven levels of swimming lessons to children ages 4 and up.

WORDS & IDEAS

Perspectives on Education lecture series

Where: Brown School, 150 Corlaer Ave., Schenectady When: 4 p.m. Cost: Free Contact: 370-0366 Notes: Karen Balliett of Bank Street School and Columbia University will present a lecture titled "Young Scholars in Every Classroom." The program is open to students who are accompanied by an adult.

Gallery talk

Where: Schaffer Library, Union College, Schenectady When: 3:30 p.m. Contact: 388-6000 Notes: Guest speaker David Ogawa, Assistant Professor of Visual Arts at Union, will speak about the university's ongoing "Infinite Images - Technologies of Printmaking and Beyond" exhibit.

SATURDAY

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Building Our World One Block at a Time

Where: Brown School, 150 Corlaer Ave., Schenectady When: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost: $30 Contact: 370-0366 Notes: Karen Balliett, a founding faculty member and designer of the integrated curriculum at Columbia University, will lead a workshop for nursery through second grade teachers. Registration is required.

Blacksmith workshop

Where: Mabee Farm Historic Site, 1080 Main St., Route 5S., Rotterdam Junction Contact: 887-5073 Notes: Blacksmith John Ackner will lead the introductory weekend-long workshop, which will cover coal forge and ironwork skills. Call the farm for more details.

COMMUNITY

Spring open house

Where: The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, 897 St. Davids Lane, Niskayuna When: 1:30 p.m. Contact: 377-1452 Ext. 303 Notes: The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks and the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club will host an open house, featuring tours of the facility, hikes and a book signing/lecture by local author Phil Brown.

COMMUNITY SALES

Indoor flea market and bake sale

Where: Rotterdam District 2 Fire Department, 1400 Curry Road, Rotterdam When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: Free Notes: Sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of District 2.

Used book sale

Where: Schenectady County Public Library, 99 Clinton St., Schenectady When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: Free admission Contact: 388-4500 Notes: More than 100 volunteers are involved in the sale, which includes hard-cover books, paperbacks, records and CDs.

ENTERTAINMENT

Youth talent auditions

Where: Hamilton Hill Arts Center, 409 Schenectady St., Schenectady When: 2-4 p.m. Cost: Free Contact: 346-1262 Notes: Youth ages 6 to 17 can audition with a solo or group act in music, dance or spoken word. Winners will perform as opening acts for two upcoming summer Culturefest concerts.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Fun Fair

Where: Mayfair Nursery School, 51 Glenridge Road, Glenville When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Contact: 399-0353 Notes: Food, games and prizes for all ages.

CAPTION(S):

PHOTO

TIMES UNION ARCHIVE A BLACKSMITH WORKSHOP with John Ackner will be held this weekend at the Mabee Farm Historic Site, in Rotterdam Junction.