SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Subway-car graffiti competition in Kingston
The Burning of Kingston has never looked like this before! On Saturday, September 13 from 12 noon to 6 p.m., head down to the Rondout to the Trolley Museum of New York, and watch two teams of talented graffiti artists battle to create the best art – all on the outside of an authentic subway car. Live music and vendors will be on-site as well. What a thrilling event!
The Trolley Museum of New York is located at 89 East Strand in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-3399 or visit www.tmny.org.
Latino songs & tales at DCCC in Poughkeepsie
These free monthly family shows at Dutchess County Community College are a terrific way to spend time with your crew ages 4 through 12. This Saturday, September 13 at 11 a.m., Latin American singer/storyteller/musician Felix Pitre presents interactive stories about teaching respect for all creatures, and songs about celebrating the environment. Performances take place in the James & Betty Hall Theatre at Dutchess Community College, located at 53 Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie.
For more information, call (845) 431-8000 or visit https://sunydutchess.edu. To learn more about the performer, visit www.felixpitre.com.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Classical Greek & Roman fun at New Paltz’s Locust Lawn
I’m not naming names, but some of you reading this are itching to wear a toga beyond just Halloween. Well, now you can! This Sunday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., make your way to Locust Lawn for “Ancients Alive: A Celebration of Classical Antiquity.” Activities include toga-wrapping demos, cooking, weaponry such as archery, Roman slings and swords, poetry readings and a dozen costumed interpreters portraying Romans and Greeks from the time of Caesar.
Ancients Alive is free and open to the public. Locust Lawn is located at 436 Route 32 in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 454-4500 or visit www.lgny.org.
Mexican & Central American Independence festival in Kingston
This Sunday, September 14, Kingston celebrates Mexican and Central American Independence from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with live music and entertainment including DJ Brian and Sonido el Vikingo, Grupo Folclórico de Poughkeepsie and the Center for Creative Education’s Energy Dance troupe. Children’s activities, a classic car show and Latin American food round out the festivities.
The Mexican and Central American Independence event is located on Broadway near UPAC in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 242-9772 or e-mail davidsosaroda@gmail.com.
Shalom! on Grand Festival in Poughkeepsie
The Shalom! on Grand Festival is an annual family-friendly celebration of Jewish culture for all ages. The event has free admission and includes activities such as live entertainment from music to magic, traditional Jewish foods, children’s inflatables, face-painting, crafts and a “little kid” zone.
Shalom! on Grand is located at 110 South Grand Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 471-0430 or visit www.hvcommunitycenter.com.
Salon in New Paltz open Sundays
It’s Sunday, and as a busy parent, you lament having to find time for a salon appointment during the week. You think, “Why can’t salons be open on Sundays when you can go?” Well, they can! Lush Eco-Salon is an eco-conscious and clean-air salon environment, and open on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lush is located at 2 South Chestnut Street in New Paltz.
For more information or to make an appointment, call (845) 204-8319 or visit www.lushecosalon.com.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Workshop on school anxiety issues at SUNY-Ulster
Free support: that is just the right combination for families with individuals who have special needs! On Tuesday, September 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the College Lounge in Vanderlyn Hall at SUNY-Ulster, the Mid-Hudson Regional Affiliate of the New York State Special Education Task Force presents “Managing School Anxiety & Avoidance: Strategies for Students with Disabilities.” This free conference features an expert panel with six area professionals, and registration is required.
SUNY-Ulster is located at 491 Cottekill Road in Stone Ridge. For reservations or more information, call (845) 331-0541, extension 18, e-mail drichards@rcal.org, or visit www.nyspecialedtaskforce.org/mid-hudson-task-force.html.
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 and 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: www.facebook.com/pages/almanac-weekly/287633831270607.
Writing prompt:
Who is someone you look up to, who has made a difference in your life? Tell the story of how that person made a difference for you, and how you might like someday to be like that person. What might you do that is inspired by that person?
Erica Chase-Salerno is stubbornly hanging onto summer until the bitter end with next week’s official autumnal equinox. She lives 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! 
