For the Kids: Buddyball Basketball Begins

Each week, we'll give you the info on the best family activities or events for the week.

You're time-pressed enough, so we're happy to do the research and find the best things to do and places to go, both locally and within reasonable striking distance. 

Look for the kids' planner each Wednesday, and help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips‚ just add them to the comment box. We want to hear from you.

Buddyball Basketball
When/Where: Sundays at Pearl River High School starting Jan. 13. Buddies arrive at 9:45 a.m. and players come at 10 a.m.
Why Go: Athletes from ages three to 21 with developmental disabilities can learn basketball and social skills while working with non-disabled peers known as buddies. The buddies get the opportunity to help others in an athletic environment. They can also fulfill volunteer hours if needed. Buddyball is part of the Orangetown Mighty Midgets, drawing players and buddies from Orangetown and surrounding communities.
Cost/Contact: $45 for players. Free for buddies. Players must pre-register. Buddies register on site. For more information, go to http://www.buddyballsports.org/.

Homework Help
When/Where: Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Pearl River Public Library Storytime Room.
Why Go: Teen volunteers will be available to help children in Kindergarten through fifth grade with their school work. No registration required. Just show up and bring your work. This is just one of a wide variety of activities for kids at the Pearl River Library each week. For more, check here. 
Cost/Contact: Free/For more information contact Christina Linder or Pamela Gunning at (845) 735-4084.

Free Kaplan Practice SAT test
When/Where: Sunday, January 13, at 2 p.m. at Hilton Garden Inn
Why Go: Are YOU ready for the SAT? A practice test is crucial to ward off those Test Day jitters and to reveal how you may score on the "real thing".  Don't be surprised!!  Come and experience first hand what Test Day will be like.  Kaplan Test Prep will provide a proctored SAT practice test and will return student scores individually with personalized, analyzed results. Please bring multiple, sharpened #2 pencils, an approved calculator and a healthy snack for the break.  
Cost/Contact: Free / Please reference event code STXY3318 when registering online or with 1-800-KAP-TEST.

Unified Theater Production-Wild West Show
When/Where: Thursday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m./Clarkstown High School North, 151 Congers Rd, New City
Why Go: This original production includes students with and without disabilities who have created dances and skits with a Wild West Theme.  All proceeds will go to Hurricane Sandy Relief.
Cost/Contact: $5/845-624-3470

BOB FRANKE at The Borderline
When/Where: Sunday, Jan.13 at 2 p.m./New City Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Rescue Squad, 200 Congers Rd, New City
Why Go: Bob Franke is in an elite class of folk musicians along with the likes of Tom Paxton, John Prine, John McCutcheon, Bill Staines, & Si Kahn.  Many of his songs have become classics such as “Thanksgiving Eve”, “Alleluia, The Great Storm Is Over”, “Hard Love”, “Beggars to God”, and “The Acid Polka”.  Bob’s music delivers a message to all of us, one of healing, calm, and serenity with a taste of wit and humor thrown in. Cost/Contact: $20 per person or $15 for Borderline or Pinewoods members. Bring a cold pot luck dessert dish to share with four other people. We are an alcohol free venue./Make reservations at solz1@optonline.net or (845) 354-4586.

Preschool Storytime
When/Where: Thursday, Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. at Nyack Public Library
Why Go: Come with your child and listen to longer stories, sing songs, dance and play games. For children ages 3 to 5 with caregiver. 
Cost/Contact: Free No registration necessary / 845.358.3370 x228

Teen's Choice Movies
When/Where: Friday, Jan. 11 at 4 p.m. Nyack Public Library
Why Go: Have your teens join the Nyack Library on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month when they host movies and popcorn. Movies are rated up to PG-13.
Cost/Contact: Free / Elizabeth Hobson at 845-358-3370