“Never let the facts stand in the way of a good answer.”
– Tom Magliozzi, Car Talk
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Fundraising Friday at People’s Place
The People’s Place food pantry and thrift store just gave us one more reason to love Fridays! Introducing People’s Place Facebook Fundraising Friday: Every Friday, People’s Place posts a photo of a special item in like-new or new condition, and the person who messages the largest donation wins the item. Let’s see how many people can be fed with these donations!
Other donations needed right now include coats, blankets and new socks. I have another thought for you: While donations are needed right now for the holidays and for the cold-weather months, it’s in January, February and March that the pantry shelves run low or empty, and fewer volunteers are available. Consider pulling together some of your resources to help in the New Year as well. Jobs such as vacuuming, sorting produce, organizing thrift-store items, picking up food donations and myriad other tasks are necessary all year long.
Your contributions make a real difference here: As a local, independent organization, all donations stay right at People’s Place, as opposed to being processed at a separate facility and shipped yet again to a retail center. People’s Place is located at 17 St. James Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 338-4030 or visit www.peoplesplacekingston.org.
KidsFest at Red Hook Film Festival
This second year of the Red Hook Film Festival delivers on the original concept of “our collective experience through film,” by featuring KidsFest as part of the weekend. Geared for ages 6 through 10, KidsFest takes place on Saturday, November 15 at 2 p.m. and includes kid films, pizza and a taste of acting and improv with Mary Ward (The Blacklist, Surviving Desire, Smoke)! KidsFest tickets cost $6.
Also showing at the Red Hook Film Festival are Harvest Shorts on Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. at the Red Hook Fire Hall. Harvest Shorts tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.
The Red Hook Fire Hall is located at 42 M. M. Ham Memorial Firehouse Lane in Red Hook. For more information, visit www.redhookfilmfestival.com.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Fair Trade Bazaar at Vassar’s Aula
Every day, parents teach and reinforce with their children the value of fair play. But what about “fair purchasing”? How does that conversation happen? Here’s a start: Every fair-trade purchase has a direct impact on the community from which it comes, because the growers and craftspeople are properly compensated. And here’s something wonderful that can help illustrate this practice: this weekend’s annual Fair Trade Bazaar. On Saturday, November 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Aula at Vassar College, families are encouraged to come and learn more about fair trade and shop for chocolate, coffee or unique handcrafted goods, while enjoying live music and homemade treats.
The Aula can be found in Ely Hall at Vassar College, located at 124 Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 452-4013 or e-mail patla42@gmail.com.
Kids’ art opening at Unframed Artists Gallery in New Paltz
Children aged 4 to 18 years are the artists behind the Unframed Artists Gallery opening and reception for the show “What’s on Your Mind? What’s in Your Heart?” On Saturday, November 15 from 1 to 4 p.m., rally your kids together and come see these works for yourselves, while creating some of your own pieces at the art table to add in. The festivities include storytelling, face-painting and puppet-making.
This show will remain on view until December 6 and is free and open to the public. The Unframed Artists Galley is located at 173 Huguenot Street in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 255-5482 or visit https://unframedartistsgallery.com.
Join the family! 
