Northborough Patch makes it easier for you to put a plan in motion for the coming week. BEST BETS OF THE WEEK• 2011 EARTH DAY FESTIVALWhere/When: Ecotarium, 222 Harrington Way, Worcester, Friday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Why Go: Learn what your family can do to help the planet, and have a blast doing it. The day is jam-packed with entertainment and activities for the whole family. Explore the science of wild weather by builing your own earthquake-proof structure and play with tornado storm models, dance to great music played by WXLO or listen to live music by Chuck and Mud, take a train …

Northborough Patch makes it easier for you to put a plan in motion for the coming week. BEST BETS OF THE WEEK• COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT AND FUN DAYWhere/When: Chapel of the Cross, 160 Flanders Rd., Westborough, Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Why Go: The hunt is on for 2,000 eggs. Enjoy free hot dogs and snacks, a moon walk, face painting, crafts, games and more. Attendees are asked to bring non-perishables for donation to local food banks, with the goal of collecting 2,000 pounds of food. There is no charge for the event or for any of the activities. Anyone in need and unable to bring …

Northborough Patch makes it easier for you to put a plan in motion for the coming week. BEST BETS OF THE WEEK• DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS PRINCESS WISHESWhere/When: DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester, April 7-10. Show times are Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.Why Go: Enter a world of wishes with your favorite Disney princesses: Tinker Bell, Ariel, Snow White, Jasmine, Cinderella, Belle and Aurora. Pricing: Tickets are $55.75 (Limited VIP Floor), $40.75 (Limited VIP), $26.75 and $18.75 and may be purchased on the Ticketmaster …

Northborough Patch has compiled a list of things for you to choose from this week. BEST BETS OF THE WEEK• ARHS TOMAHAWKS BOYS VOLLEYBALL Where/When: Marlborough High School, 431 Bolton St., Marlborough, Thursday, March 31, 5:30 p.m.Why Go: To cheer on your local high school boys volleyball team as they take on the Marlborough Panthers. JV game at 5:30 p.m.; Varsity game at 6:45 p.m.Pricing: Free• MULLETS, MUSIC AND MAYHEMWhere/When: JJ's Sports Bar and Grille, Friday, April 1, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.Why Go: Because '80s hair metal cover band, Mullethead, puts on a show like no other. Sporting mullet…

Northborough Patch has compiled a list of family-friendly activities to do this week. FAMILY BEST BETS OF THE WEEK• JAZZ NIGHT WITH THREE TIME GRAMMY WINNER JEFF COFFINWhere/When: Algonquin Regional High School on Wednesday, March 23, at 7 p.m.Why Go: The Algonquin jazz instrumental and choral ensembles will perform with Jeff Coffin, saxophonist for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and Dave Matthews Band. The Melican Jazz I and Trottier Jazz Band will also get a chance to meet and perform with Mr. Coffin during the concert.Pricing: $5 for general admission, $3 for students/seniors, and NSMA …

Northborough Patch grabs you by the reins and leads you to cool, fun, educational events for you and your kids to do together this week. FAMILY BEST BETS OF THE WEEK• "PAWS" AND READWhere/When: Northborough Free Library, Saturday, March 19, 10-11:30 a.m.Why Go: Independent readers have an opportunity to read to a specially trained R.E.A.D. dog. Each participant has 10 minutes to read independently to the furry friend. To register, call 508-393-5025, ext. 4.Pricing: Free• THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERSWhere/When: DCU Center in Worcester on Friday, March 18 at 7 p.m., then again on Sunday, March 20 …

Northborough Patch assists parents in responding to the eternal cry of "I'm bored." FAMILY BEST BETS OF THE WEEK• THOMAS AND FRIENDS LIVEWhere/When: The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester on Friday, March 11 at 6 p.m. and on Saturday, March 12 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.Why Go: See Thomas and Friends live, on stage, in a spectacular performance of “Thomas Saves the Day," a story for the whole family. The story teaches life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation. See Thomas, Percy, Sir Topham Hatt and friends as they work together to save the Magic Lantern Festival, …

Thanks for clicking on our our Grab and Go Kids Calendar, which serves to help struggling parents respond to the age old cry, "I'm bored!" Bundle 'em up, and tote 'em somewhere fun. Jedi training, an American Girl Doll workshop and a family music concert are a few to choose from this week.FAMILY BEST BETS OF THE WEEK• ALGONQUIN DRAMAHAWKS PERFORMANCEWhere/When: Algonquin Regional High School Auditorium on Thursday, March 3 and Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m.Why Go: To see Northborough's own Algonquin Dramahawks perform John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men." Pricing: Tickets are $7, and are sold at the…

Thanks for stumbling upon our Grab and Go Kids Calendar, which serves to assist you with getting the young-uns out to some entertainment in town or close to town. Bundle 'em up, and tote 'em somewhere fun. Science experiments, a PJ party and ice skating are a few to choose from this week.FAMILY BEST BETS OF THE WEEK• SCIENCE EXPERIMENTSWhere/When: Northborough Free Library on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 7-8 p.m.Why Go: Children will learn to dust for fingerprints and try to walk on paper cups without crushing them. It can be done. Recommended for ages 8 and up.Pricing: Free - Call to register at 508-…

Thanks for stumbling upon our Grab and Go Kids Calendar, which ought to assist you in getting the young-uns out to some entertainment in town. Here’s kids karaoke, book club, play group, Lego creations and pottery painting  — pick and choose from this week’s array of events.FAMILY BEST BETS OF THE WEEK• KIDS KARAOKEWhere/When: JJ's Sports Bar and Grille on Wednesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m.Why Go: Treat your kids, and your wallet, to a free meal with the purchase of one entree. Then let them take the stage to show off their talent by singing their favorite songs.  Pricing: Free• READING AMBASSADORS …

By now, some parents must be simply going bonkers trying to deal with their often- snowbound kids bouncing off the walls, both literally and figuratively. To that, we say we're glad you clicked on our new Grab & Go Kids Planner, which started last week on Northborough Patch. We've assembled a weekly calendar of kid-friendly activities and new places to try out with children - a calendar that may serve as a tool to assist in your quest to provide stimulating fun to the offspring. The focus is on inexpensive, local stuff to enjoy, and each week, we'll give you the info on the five best …

Glad you clicked on our new Grab & Go Kids Planner!We've assembled a weekly calendar of kid-friendly activities and new places to try out with children.Each week, we'll give you the info on the five best family activities or events for theweek.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. Even if you disagree with our picks, let us …