Check out Crazy Bowlz in Kingston
I’ve heard so much buzz about Crazy Bowlz that I had to check it out for myself. I think the name is especially appropriate because, despite the wide range of choices, I think it’s crazy that I find myself ordering the same thing every time I go in because it’s just so delicious: green curry stir-noodles with grilled shrimp. The menu’s fusion approach offers selections of Asian fare and Mexican-style cuisine, which means that your kids are bound to find a meal that they’ll enjoy because they can create it themselves. My orders are prepared swiftly, the portions are a terrific value and the casual atmosphere of the dining area makes the space very easy to navigate with children.
One treat that you can order at Crazy Bowlz is bubble tea in a variety of flavors, with those large tapioca pearl “bubbles.” And for all of you Crazy Bowlz fans out there, I can confirm that Crazy Bowlz will have a presence on the SUNY-New Paltz campus this fall.
Crazy Bowlz is located at 301 Frank Sottile Boulevard in Kingston, where Boston Market used to be, across from Wal-Mart. For more information or to order takeout, call (845) 382-6955 or visit www.crazybowlz.net.
Great sources for secondhand sports gear
Before you get new sports equipment for your crew, here are three area options to check out for buying discounted used gear or doing consignment if you have items to unload:
The Sports Connection, 960 Violet Avenue, Oakridge Plaza, Hyde Park, (845) 233-5000, www.facebook.com/buysportscheap
I just happened to drive by the Sports Connection one afternoon, and I was glad to discover it. It carries a wide range of equipment, the atmosphere is low-key and it has items that I haven’t seen at other used sports shops, such as a karate gi.
Play It Again Sports, 115 Temple Hill Road, Vails Gate, (845) 562-2755, www.playitagainsports.com
In addition to a wide selection of new and used gear that seems to cover every sport, from disc golf to paintball to soccer, the staff is very helpful with navigating sizing and style. When my daughter needed a softball bat, an employee accompanied us outside to give me feedback as she took practice swings with each choice. Another employee helped me fit my son with used catchers’ gear for a fraction of what I would have paid for new. With another Play It Again Sports in Albany, it’s like having twice the inventory when you’re looking for something specific.
Rock & Snow Annex, 17 South Chestnut Street, New Paltz, (845) 256-5007, www.rockandsnow.com/132/consignment
Located just a few steps from Rock & Snow, the Annex is filled with used climbing shoes, outerwear, sleeping bags, ski equipment and more. If you have any upcoming camping trips planned, you should stop by the Annex to scout out any deals for all sizes of fleece jackets, youth climbing shoes and more.
Sing along with Frozen
Looking for creative ways to enhance your child’s literacy skills? I happened to find a Disney karaoke CD for the movie Frozen. A small booklet is included with all of the lyrics printed inside, so your child can sing along in the car, or anywhere, while reading. In addition to the tangible literacy benefits, I have to say that it is immensely entertaining to see the kids perform flamboyant versions of Olaf’s “Summer” song. The Frozen karaoke CD is available widely, ranging in price from $8 to $10.
Kids’ Almanac writes
Kids’ Almanac thanks Alice Hawkins for supplying writing prompts for the month of May! Here is her prompt for this week. Remember to post your piece on the Almanac Weekly Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/almanac-weekly/287633831270607.
Prompt: The picture in my locket…
Bio: Alice Hawkins lives in Gardiner with her husband, son, beagle, two cats, fish and a lizard. She has liked to write since winning a hatbox for her essay in the third grade.
Dutchess Outreach needs volunteers
Whether you want to donate staples to a food pantry, prepare a lunch or dinner at a meal center or donate clothing, Dutchess Outreach has plenty of essential-yet-easy ways for you to help, to have fun and to inspire you to do more. Individuals or groups can drop off food, home-baked goods or much-needed personal supplies such as toothbrushes, diapers or feminine products, which are not covered by food stamp assistance programs.
At the Lunch Box meal center, a free lunch is served six days per week, and dinner is served when enough volunteers are scheduled to run it: several times per month right now. The children’s clothes closet welcomes volunteers to organize the clothing. All of these services are housed in the same building, and they are open to a wide age range of volunteers with varied scheduling. I can’t wait until food pantries and soup kitchens are a thing of the past, but until then, please consider donating or volunteering here in some other way.
Dutchess Outreach is located in the old school building at 29 North Hamilton Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information or to make a donation, call (845) 454-3792 or visit www.dutchessoutreach.org.
Erica Chase-Salerno wishes Vera Van Wagner a very happy 110th birthday this week! She is Dutchess County’s oldest resident and the 71st eldest person in the world! Erica can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
