“House Rules” by Anna Brown:
Trust yourself and your intuition
Pursue your passions with abandon with the knowledge that you are supported and loved
Ask for help when you need it
Express your needs and trust that they will be met
Live, Love, Learn
Kids’ Kruise departs the Rondout this Friday
Ten percent of the world’s population is left-handed, and Left-Handers’ Day on August 13 is a terrific way to celebrate your favorite southpaws. How about surprising them with gifts? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Left-handers like kalecado salad from Karma Road in New Paltz (hold the raisins, double the cashews), Lagusta’s Luscious chocolates (any) and family cruises along the Hudson River. This Friday, August 10, check out the last Kids’ Kruise of the season, which takes place aboard the Rip Van Winkle. The kids enjoy being on a boat, and the onboard entertainment keeps them amused for the duration of the trip. I absolutely love the scenery, and I am moved every time that I experience the river from the perspective that a boat offers. Our souvenir picture hangs on the fridge as a fun reminder of our special outing.
Kids’ Kruises are very informal and suitable for all ages, but I think that ages 5 and up would get the most out of it. The Kids’ Kruise begins boarding at 11 a.m., departs at 11:30 a.m., and the trip lasts for two hours. You may purchase tickets in advance or at the ticket booth at a cost of $21 for adults, $13 for children ages 4 through 11 years. Children under 4 get in free. Remember to use the web coupon to save $2 off an adult ticket (print the coupon as much as you like, so that each adult in your group gets the discount). Bring a few dollars for the snack bar, too.
Hudson River Cruises are located at 1 East Strand Street in Kingston. For tickets or more information, call (845) 340-4700 or visit www.hudsonrivercruises.com.
Plattekill Library offers karate intro, tea party this weekend
The literal translation of the word “karate” means “empty hand,” meaning that the martial art uses only hands and feet as the tools for defense. If you know a young person with curiosity but little knowledge about karate, here’s a chance for newbies to try it out in the familiar book dojo, the Plattekill Library. This is a one-session introduction to the art of karate and self-defense, taught by Plattekill Town clerk Barbara Dawes. “Learn Some Karate” takes place on Friday, August 10 at 2 p.m. and is open to youth aged 10 to 13 years. Registration is required. The session is free, but a $1 deposit is required to reserve a spot, which is returned to participants after the event.
Then come back the next day on Saturday, August 11 at 1 p.m. and get “dolled up” with your children for the library’s “Me & My Doll” tea party. Participants and their dolls are encouraged to dress up for this event, which includes tea, snacks and activities. “Me & My Doll” is open to children ages 8 years and up, and registration is required.
The Plattekill Library is located at 2047 Route 32 in Modena. For more information or to register for either event, call (845) 883-7286 or visit https://plattekill.lib.ny.us.
Maverick’s Young People’s Concert this Saturday features Jon Klibonoff
Plato is reputed to have said, “I would teach the children music, physics and philosophy; but the most important is music, for in the patterns of the arts are the keys to all learning.” Give your children one more opportunity for a live classical music experience geared specifically toward them, and head over to Maverick Concerts this Saturday, August 11 at 11 a.m. Jon Klibonoff is an accomplished pianist who has performed internationally, and his next stop is Maverick’s Young People’s Concert.
Young People’s Concerts are open to all ages and free for children under 16 years, $5 for adults. The beautiful woodland setting is calm and peaceful, so for children who need to move during the performance, they have room outside. Cushions line the floor in front of the stage for kids who want to be close to the action, and the interactive concert lasts a family-friendly 45 to 60 minutes.
The Maverick Concert Hall is located at 120 Maverick Road in Woodstock. For more information, call (845) 679-8217 or visit www.maverickconcerts.org. To learn more about Jon Klibonoff, visit www.triosolisti.com.
Magician Derrin Berger performs this Saturday at Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
“Magic is the only honest profession. A magician promises to deceive you, and he does,” said Karl Germain, American magician and lawyer. I found this great quote in a tweet by Derrin Berger, American magician and comedian. Back by popular demand, Berger is performing at the Center for Performing Arts this Saturday morning, August 11 at 11 a.m. Come laugh and get your magic on with the whole family.
Tickets cost $7 for children, $9 for adults and seniors. The Center is located at 661 Route 308 in Rhinebeck. For tickets or more information, call (845) 876-3080 or visit www.centerforperformingarts.org. For more information about the magician, visit www.derrinberger.com.
Aesop Bops this weekend at Bard SummerScape’s Spiegeltent
What do you call an original twist on age-old stories mixed with musical flair? Why, Aesop Bops of course! This is the final weekend of family fare this summer at the Bard College Spiegeltent, and Aesop Bops (pronounced EE-sop) will be performed on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12 at 3:30 p.m. The three stories in the show are “Lion,” “Turtle Shell” and “Fisherman,” with lessons about sharing and friendship. This event is geared for children ages 4 years and up.
Tickets cost $5 for children ages 3 and over and $15 for adults. Bard College is located at 60 Manor Avenue in Annandale-on-Hudson, at the intersection of Route 9G and Annandale Road. For tickets or more information, call (845) 758-7900 or visit https://fishercenter.bard.edu/spiegeltent. To learn more about Aesop Bops, visit www.davidgonzalez.com.
Brookside Campground in Catskill hosts ADAPTT Family Campout this Sunday
“Somebody told me it was frightening how much topsoil we are losing each year, but I told that story around the campfire and nobody got scared,” jokes Jack Handey. If camping is on your summer wish list and you have a child with autism or Asperger’s, especially those who do not qualify for Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) services, practice your campfire stories and mark your calendars! From 5 p.m. on Friday, August 10 to 10 a.m. on Sunday, August 12, join in on the first annual ADAPTT Family Campout at the Brookside Campground. The event is free, thanks to the Hudson Valley Autism Society and NYSARC (formerly the New York State Association for Retarded Citizens).
All food and beverages are included; participants just need to bring a tent and camping gear. Activities include Nerf wars, camp games, swimming, fishing (bring your own gear), campfires with s’mores, singalongs and more. Come for the day or stay overnight.
“We at Ulster/Greene ARC are excited to be able to offer this fun free weekend event to foster a network and community for families to connect. We also welcome people to visit our website at ugarc.org and join the Ulster/Greene ARC family as a member to stay in the loop of upcoming events and to strengthen our power and efforts as advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The membership drive goes until the end of the month, and building our numbers is imperative to the continuation of funding for our programs and services to the community. We look forward to meeting new faces on the 10th,” said Michelle Tommasi, Event & Community Development coordinator.
The Brookside Campground is located at 4952 Route 32 in Catskill. For more information or to register, call (845) 331-4300, extensions 217 or 314, or visit https://ugarc.org.
Kingston’s Center for Spectrum Services offers Music Therapy & Photography classes this week
Summer workshops and classes are popular activities for young people, but for children on the autism spectrum, the experience can be daunting without appropriate support from skilled, understanding instructors. This week, the Center for Spectrum Services is offering two fun, engaging, educational workshops for children from ages 8 to 12 years who identify with Asperger’s or high-functioning autism.
On Monday and Tuesday, August 13 and 14, Jennifer Mercuri teaches Music Therapy. On Wednesday and Thursday, August 15 and 16, Deborah Degraffenreid teaches Photography. Sessions take place from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and each session costs $60.
The Center for Spectrum Services is located at 70 Kukuk Lane in Kingston. For more information or to register, call (845) 336-2616, extension 110, or visit https://centerforspectrumservices.org.
Minnewaska organizes “Bike to Swim at Lake Awosting” next Wednesday
Q: Why couldn’t the elephants go swimming? A: They only had one pair of trunks between them!
I feel like I’ve come full circle. When our son was a baby, we did lots of Minnewaska’s “Babes in the Woods” hikes, including an ambitious nine-mile ride out to Lake Awosting, where I pulled him in the bike trailer. Now, years later, not only does our son understand this elephant joke, but he can also bike to Awosting himself. My kids seem to push harder and go further when they’re with other friends and young people, and Awosting is a super-cool spot that’s worth the trek.
On Wednesday, August 15 at 9:30 a.m., Minnewaska State Park’s “Bike to Swim at Lake Awosting” seems like a great way to pull it all together. This program is recommended for physically fit children from 8 to 12 years, and includes a moderately challenging, hilly nine-mile bike ride to Lake Awosting, followed by a picnic lunch and swim. Participants need a bicycle, helmet, appropriate footwear and clothing including swimming gear, water and a lunch. All children must be accompanied by a parent, and preregistration is required.
There is no charge for this program but parking costs $8 per vehicle if you do not have an Empire Pass sticker on your car. Minnewaska State Park is located at 5281 Route 44/55 in Gardiner. For more information or to register, call (845) 255-0750 or visit https://nysparks.com/parks/127.
Inspirational workshops for teens with Donna DeNomme this Sunday at Inquiring Minds in New Paltz
I feel full of inspiration and life when I listen to Red Molly sing Susan Werner’s song “May I Suggest.” I love every word of the lyrics, and when I heard about Donna DeNomme’s upcoming event at Inquiring Minds in New Paltz, these lines popped out to me: “Inside you know/Inside you understand/Inside you know what’s yours to finally set right.” At the beginning of this week’s Kids’ Alm@nac, I provided a list of “House Rules” that I believe can make that self-realization happen for our children, as well as ourselves.
On Sunday, August 12, DeNomme, a spiritual teacher, healer and author of Turtle Wisdom and Ophelia’s Oracle, will be holding two consecutive events that explore this type of understanding of our individual purpose. The first, at 1 p.m., based on Turtle Wisdom, is geared toward parents and children ages 10 and up and focuses on inspirational strategies for empowered, conscious living. The second event, from 2:30 to 4 p.m., is designed for teenaged girls and provides a confidence-building base for girls and women.
Both events are free and open to the public. Inquiring Minds is located at 6 Church Street in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 255-8300 or visit www.inquiringbooks.com. To learn more about Donna DeNomme, visit www.inlightenedsource.com or www.opheliasoracle.com.
Erica Chase-Salerno lives, loves and laughs in New Paltz with her husband Mike and their two children: the inspirations behind hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.