Daily Gazette Pint-Sized writer John Norris talks about the final match-up for the inaugural Brew Brawl showdown in the Capital Region.

From a tasty bracket of 16 breweries, we are down to the final two - and every vote counts!

It is a battle of East vs. West - Stump City Brewery, representing Fulton County vs. perennial powerhouse Wolf Hollow Brewing, representing Schenectady County.

John has visited both locations, sampled their beers and talks about his favorites.

The two also brainstormed about a NEW feature to bring to the Pint-Sized segment of the show.

Sydney Worthley is a Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Award winner, a talented singer/songwriter/musician, and I am fortunate enough to call her a friend of the podcast.

She is making a triumphant return to Schenectady this Saturday after performing at Freedom Park in the summer heat in 2024, taking the stage to open up this year's Summer Night on State Street, and she will own the stage, highlighting the 56th annual Schenectady County Holiday Parade block party at 3 p.m.

I caught up with Sydney on the eve of the holiday parade to talk about her travels, her set list for the block party, what she is working on, along with a few laughs about the holiday and the Schenectady County Holiday Parade

Just before you see the star of the 56th annual Schenectady County Holiday Parade, you will see the other half of the Christmas Spirit duo, Mrs. Claus.

I had a chance to talk to the fantastic Mrs. Claus after she put the finishing touches on the Daily Gazette Santa parade float earlier in the week with help from the Daily Gazette Newspaper mascot, 'Newsie'.

She talked about the upcoming parade, the importance of being Mrs. Claus and what the parade means to her as it kicks off the holiday season.

Mrs. Claus is not a solo act as the elves' ensemble has expanded for this year's parade.

Mrs. Claus also has a special place in her heart and spoke about the importance of the sensory room at Proctors GE Theater.

Even Mrs. Claus has a list for Christmas - a request from block party musical guest Sydney Worthley - for her and her elves.