The Hudson Valley Walk to Solve Kids’ Cancer will feature food and children’s entertainment. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Alethea Ramirez at (845) 454-4330. One hundred percent of all donations to Solving Kids’ Cancer go directly to fund novel treatments for children who are battling cancer today.
Created by two fathers who lost children to pediatric cancer, Solving Kids’ Canceris committed to significant improvement of survivorship of the deadliest childhood cancers. One hundred percent of all donations are used to find, fund and manage clinical trials and scientific programs to develop more effective and less toxic treatments rapidly. For more information visit www.solvingkidscancer.org.
“Art of the Brick” at Discovery Times Square
Between your visits to Legoland Discovery Center Westchester and your signatures on those petitions lobbying for another Legoland further north, it’s last call for Lego-lovers to see “Art of the Brick” at Discovery Times Square, located at 226 West 44 Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues. This is the world’s largest and most elaborate display of Lego art, including never-before-seen pieces by Lego artist Nathan Sawaya. I’ve read mixed reviews, but it seems like such a special collection, and it closes on Sunday, September 14. Lady Gaga fans will recognize one of the pieces for sure!
Tickets are reserved in half-hour slots, and prices are $17.50 for children aged 3 to 11 years, $19.50 for seniors and $22.50 for adults. For tickets or more information, visit www.discoverytsx.com/exhibitions/art-of-the-brick.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Jacqueline Dooley reads in New Paltz, Andrea Pyros in Rhinebeck
Which reading will your family attend this weekend?
Come hear the words of the book Doorways to Arkomo lifted off of the page and into your imaginations, as author Jacqueline Dooley regales you with adventures about Sorel, Arkomo’s only princess, and desperately ill 11-year-old Grace Woodward, a new friend dwelling on the other side of the magic doorway, as they fight to save the princes from the kings’ plans to claim their life force. Dooley presents the reading on Sunday, September 7 at 4 p.m. at Inquiring Minds, located at 6 Church Street in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 255-8300 or visit www.inquiringbooks.com. To learn more about the book, visit www.facebook.com/doorwaystoarkomo or www.doorwaystoarkomo.com.
Celebrate the launch of My Year of Epic Rock by Andrea Pyros with your 8-to-12-year-olds at Oblong Books this weekend. This story of life in seventh grade weaves fun into navigating challenges with peanut allergies, friendship and love. Pyros appears at Oblong Books on Sunday, September 7 at 4 p.m. RSVPs are requested. Oblong Books is located at 6422 Montgomery Street, Suite 6, in Rhinebeck. For more information or to RSVP, contact rsvp@oblongbooks.com or visit www.oblongbooks.com/event/league-extraordinary-readers-andrea-pyros.
Balkan fest in Stone Ridge, Sacred Earth Fest at Bowdoin Park
Two unique festivals scheduled for this weekend!
Balkan Music in the Orchard: Sunday, September 7, 1 to 7 p.m., Stone Ridge Orchard, 3012 Route 213 in Stone Ridge, with traditional Bulgarian dance music, the Vanaver Caravan Kids and more. For more information, call (845) 266-3979 or visit www.friendsofstoneridgeorchard.com.
Sacred Earth Festival: Sunday, September 7, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Pavilion 5, Bowdoin Park, 85 Sheafe Road in Wappingers Falls: an eco-spiritual gathering with activities for children that include a puppet show and concert, storytelling and a Native American craft. Admission is free. For more information, including a full schedule, call (845) 849-2205 or visit www.priyacomm.com/sefestival2014.php.
Free salon services for needy schoolgirls at Love Hair in Kingston
I heard that Love Hair is offering free salon services to elementary schoolgirls from low-income families in need of hair care: haircuts, braided styles and manicures. What a generous, thoughtful outreach to the community! Is anyone else doing this, that you know of?
Look Your Best for Academic Success takes place on Sunday, September 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Love Hair is located at 460 Broadway in Kingston. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail lovehairsalon@live.com, call (845) 340-4544 or visit www.lovehairny.com.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Peaceful Parenting workshop in Rosendale
“I think some folks may be confused about what we mean by ‘peaceful parenting.’ Our goal is to help parents connect more deeply with their children and interpret their kids’ behavior more effectively so that families work together better to find tools and solutions that really work,” explains Marji Zintz, the “Peaceful Parenting whisperer.” “The outcome is…well…a more peaceful and harmonious home where everyone’s needs are met. A bonus is that, because our kids do what we do, children ultimately learn more effective skills that will serve them throughout their lives.”
On Tuesday, September 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., bring your questions and challenges and learn about her Peaceful Parenting six-week series, beginning soon at the Creative Co-op, and bring a whole-food contribution to the potluck (something that is as close to its whole food state as possible, such as an apple rather than an apple pie). Childcare is available for a fee and requires advance reservations at (845) 567-5672. This potluck is free, but donations are suggested for a contribution to the space.
All it takes for change is a first step. Zintz says, “Shifting our perspective to achieve these results may be much easier than folks think it is!”
The Creative Co-op is located at 402 Main Street in Rosendale, behind the Big Cheese. For more information, call Marji Zintz at (845) 657-3111 or Stacy Lipari at (845) 567-5672.
Kids’ Almanac Writes
Kids’ Almanac thanks Sari Botton for supplying writing prompts during the month of September. Sari is a writer who teaches workshops with the TMI Project and has edited anthologies including Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving & Leaving New York and the forthcoming Never Can Say Goodbye: Writers on Their Unshakable Love for New York. Remember to post your piece on the Almanac Weekly Facebook page at ww.facebook.com/pages/almanac-weekly/287633831270607.
Writing prompt:
Write a true story about something that happened in your life this summer (or whenever) that in some way made you feel different than you’ve ever felt before. Take us through the change step-by-step, as if you are bringing us there.
Erica Chase-Salerno is munching on the newest crop of apples in New Paltz with her husband Mike and their two children: the inspirations behind hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
