The grass is greening. The bulbs are pushing up. And I’m putting away my turtlenecks and wool scarves. Get out your calendars and start making plans. Tell your adult children you will be unavailable for grandchild sitting. A multitude of activities beckon your participation. There are free activities, educational activities, art, music, exercise and more. 

ART: Pablo Picasso “Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.”

Wash away the dust from your everyday life by getting out to see these exhibits all free and locally accessible. Check out these sites for more information: http://cms.skidmore.edu/community.cfm

See a Skidmore faculty and art student exhibit through April 27 at the Feast Gallery on the corner of Grand Avenue and Beekman Street above the Local Pub and Teahouse in Saratoga Springs.

The Schick Art Gallery on the Skidmore campus is featuring an exhibit of sculpture and drawings by Julian LaVerdiere April 17 – June 20. On April 24 the artist will give a talk in the gallery at 4 p.m. -  admission is free.

The next First Saturday takes place on May 3. First Saturday activities take place at the Beekman Street Art District and downtown Saratoga. Join in to celebrate art and music. Take time to visit galleries and admire the work of local artists.

MUSIC: J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) “Ah music. A magic beyond all we do here.”

You can find the type of music that makes magic for you here in Saratoga at a number of different venues.  Here are a few to consider.

The Skidmore Orchestra performs a Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the guest soloist Michele Kim, Assistant Concert Master of the New York Philharmonic in the Filene Recital Hall on April 24 at 8:15 p.m.

Caffé Lena has two programs scheduled for next weekend. The Festival of Guitars is on April 26, and Terri Robins appears on April 27. www.caffelena.org.

Bill Anderson will perform on April 27 at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Saratoga Music Hall, third floor in City Hall.

Education: George Santayana “The wisest mind has something yet to learn.”

There are plenty of opportunities to learn something new in this community of many museums, adult education programs, lecture series and a fantastic library.

The local BOCES has just published its list of courses available for the next two months. You can learn anything from basic computer skills to song writing. www.wswheboces.org  or 581-3555, 746-3523

Watch for the many lectures, speakers and programs offered free of charge on the Skidmore campus. You will find there are often several educational events per month that provide an opportunity to learn or be enlightened.

The Academy for Lifelong Learning also offers several Lunch n’ Learn lectures throughout the year.  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or 587-2100 ext. 2415

Exercise: Marcus Tullius Cicero “It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor.”

Saratoga and the surrounding area offers opportunities to keep the mind as vigorous as you wish.

Start simply by walking the trails in the Spa State Park or strolling the length of Broadway. 

Those who wish to increase the pace have many paths to jog over or the oval track at YMCA is an option. If companionship and competition is what you need while jogging, get in touch with the Saratoga Striders.  There are many local  charity runs that accommodate all age groups,

This is a community of bicycle trails and riding groups. Bicycling is inching up alongside golf as the preferred activity for those 45 to 64 years old. Local bicycle stores are selling more comfort bikes to older adults. A comfort bicycle is a good choice if you want to ride for leisure and fitness around town on streets or easy trails.

Local bicycle shops also offer a hybrid bicycle similar to comfort bikes but with skinnier tires. making them a bit faster on pavement. The salespeople at the Blue Sky Bicycle Shop are also proud of the individual bicycle fitting they offer customers to assure comfort and enjoyment. Of course, for the more serious biker consider the road bike or the mountain bike. Stop by a local bicycle shop for information on group rides and charity rides. www.blueskybicycles.com  or 583-0600

For those who like being on the water, the Saratoga Rowing Association has a Master’s Rowing Program for “…adults of all ages, shapes, sizes and skill levels.” A “Master” rower is considered to be 27 years old or older. You can row for recreation or competition, (587-6697, www.saratogarowing.com)