“I have refused to live
locked in the orderly house
of reasons and proofs.”
– Mary Oliver
Bard Math Circle’s Purple Comet Contest
42. Apparently the answer to life, the universe and everything can actually be calculated, and the result is 42. Get your kids hooked on math, and who knows what new equations will unfold?
You can start here: This Friday, April 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Gabrielle H. Reem and Herbert J. Kayden Center for Science and Computation at Bard College, the Bard Math Circle invites middle-schoolers to form teams of six and register for the Purple Comet online competition. Parents and teachers can join in, too, as a non-competitive team. Pizza will be served after the contest. This event is free and open to the public.
Bard College is located on Campus Road in Annandale-on-Hudson. For more information or to register, contact Japheth Wood at jwood@bard.edu or the Math Circle at bardmathcircle@gmail.com. To register a team, please visit http://bardmathcircle.org and scroll down to Contests. To learn more about the competition, visit https://purplecomet.org.
SATURDAY, APRIL 14
Sparrow’s Nest Spring Fling Semi-Formal in Lagrangeville
As Vivian Greene proclaims, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” With many area families in a “storm” of cancer, the Sparrow’s Nest helps to make sure they’re fed with free weekly meal deliveries. Inviting all young people from seventh through tenth grade to attend the Sparrow’s Nest Spring Fling Semi-Formal on Saturday, April 14 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Tickets cost $20 per person, which includes snacks, refreshments and three hours of entertainment.
The Knights of Columbus Hall is located on Dr. Fink Road in Lagrangeville, next to Arlington High School. For tickets or more information, call (845) 214-8122 or visit https://sparrowsnestcharity.org or www.facebook.com/oursparrowsnest.
Kingston Library hosts Zippy the Clown
Start your family’s weekend with all-ages fun with Zippy the Clown’s magic, laughter, music and cheer. Zippy appears this Saturday, April 14 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Kingston Library. This show is free and open to the public, but geared for school-aged children.
The Kingston Library is located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-0507 or visit www.kingstonlibrary.org. To learn more about Zippy the Clown, visit https://sites.google.com/site/zippyclown/home.
Hudson Library presents “Krik Krak: Animal Tales’
“Krik?” asks the storyteller, asking if those gathered would like to hear a story.
“Krak!” we, the audience, shout back as an enthusiastic “Yes!”
“Krik? Krak!” Not only is that your Creole lesson for today, it’s also the title of a music and storytelling event for all ages! “Krik Krak: Animal Tales from the Philippines, Haiti and ‘Round Here” takes place this Saturday, April 14 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Hudson Area Library. Songs and stories from performers Duo 1717 featuring animals from the Philippines, Haiti and the US will delight all ages. This program is free and open to the public.
The Hudson Area Library is located at 51 North Fifth Street in Hudson. For more information, call (518) 828-1792 or visit http://hudsonarealibrary.org/2018/03/songs-and-storytelling-for-children-of-all-ages-a-special-performance-at-the-library. To learn more about the performers, visit http://duo1717.com.
Family Concert with Iva Bittova at Hudson Hall
Forget everything you know about voice, violin and viola music, and expect the unexpected. This Saturday, April 14 at 3 p.m., bring your crew to “Classics on the Hudson: Family Concert” with Iva Bittova at Hudson Hall. This unique Moravian composer, singer, violinist and violist teams up with children of Harmony Project Hudson for an exciting and creative collaborative musical experience. Tickets cost $10 for adults and are free for children aged 18 and under.
Hudson Hall is located at 327 Warren Street in Hudson. For tickets or more information, call (518) 822-1438 or visit http://hudsonhall.org/2017/12/15/classics-on-hudson-family-concert-with-iva-bittova. To learn more about the performer, check out www.bittova.com. I recommend listening to her recordings on YouTube, such as “Dest” (“Rain”) at www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eWIlcyqA-4.
Stargazing at Mohonk Preserve
David Bowie sang about a Starman waiting in the sky who’d like to come and meet us, and letting all the children boogie. What are we waiting for? Join Stargazing at the Mohonk Preserve’s Slingerland Pavilion at Spring Farm this Saturday, April 13 from 9 to 11 p.m. Children ages 5 and up and adults are welcome to enjoy the spectacular view of the twinkling sky (and maybe a little boogie to nature’s beat of crickets or peepers). Bring chairs, blankets and warm clothes, keeping in mind that the pavilion is a half-mile walk from the parking area. The cost is $5 per person, and registration is required.
Spring Farm is located at Upper 27 Knolls Road in High Falls. To register or for more information, call (845) 255-0919 or visit http://mohonkpreserve.org/events/stargazing.
Vernal Pool Exploration at Minnewaska
Leapin’ lizards! Calling all kids ages 7 to 10 years old to look for cool crawly creatures like frogs, salamanders and insects in spring pools “from snow that melted only yesterday,” as Robert Frost describes. Participants will also make a frog mask, and learn about these critters’ habitats. It all happens at “Vernal Pool Exploration for Families” at the Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s Peterskill office this Saturday, April 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
The park office is located at 5080 Route 44/55 in Gardiner. To register or for more information, call (845) 255-0752 or visit https://parks.ny.gov/events/event.aspx?e=127-21545.0.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18
“Adoption in the Real World” workshop at SUNY-New Paltz
“A child born to another woman calls me Mom. The depth of the tragedy and the magnitude of the privilege are not lost on me,” says Jody Landers. Interested in learning more about adoption and foster care? Then this workshop is for you. “This Is Us: Adoption in the Real World” takes place on Wednesday, April 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Science Hall Room 118 at SUNY-New Paltz. The panelists include birth parents, adoptive parents, adoption professionals and adopted people, and will discuss the topics of adoption, family and relationships and celebrating the rich diversity of families. Seating is limited, so register early.
The Science Building at SUNY-New Paltz is located at 25 South Manheim Boulevard, at the corner of Plattekill Avenue and South Manheim/Route 32 South. For more information or to register, call (646) 688-4321 or visit http://affcny.org/adoption-foster-events-ny/this-is-us-hudson-valley or www.facebook.com/events/148755672481842.
Erica Chase-Salerno was delighted to dial “Callin Oates” and determine that this Hall & Oates music hotline is real: (719) 266-2837. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
