“Kids go mad for science at Williston library” plus 3 more

Kids go mad for science at Williston library
Tips on playing games with your kids from birth to age 18
RailCats Introduce Tuesday Kids Days At U. S. Steel Yard
Celebrate Healthy Kids Day Saturday at West Essex YMCA

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Kids go mad for science at Williston library

Posted: 21 Apr 2010 05:26 AM PDT

If you think kids are all about video games these days, check out the programs at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library in Williston. And be prepared to change your mind.

More than a dozen children filled the library community room on a recent Monday to make silly putty and try out other simple experiments during the Be a Mad Scientist program. On the way, they had fun and got very messy.

"I wanted to learn how to be a mad scientist because it's so cool," said Williston Central School second-grader Daniel Hibbeler when asked why he took part in the program.

"It's very sticky," said 7-year-old Lia Cote while trying to remove the white, gluey putty from her hands. She took part in the program along with her 9-year-old sister Geneva.

The event was presented by Williston resident and library patron Karen Cutler. Cutler, who has a background in biology and botany and now is a stay-at-home mom, formerly worked as a chemist for the Vermont Department of Health.

"Chemistry is the science of changing things," Cutler said while dissolving Borax, a natural laundry booster, in water. And the Borax solution, mixed with Elmer's Glue, was turned into silly putty.

"This stuff is called a polymer," Cutler explained to her mesmerized audience as she began massaging and stretching the thick and sticky substance.

The participating children, kindergarteners to fifth-graders, had a chance to create their own putty, a bouncy ball, and witness a "colorful volcano explosion." The volcano was actually a small glass bottle wrapped in cardboard and the erupting lava, a bubbly concoction of vinegar, baking soda and dish soap that poured up out of the bottle.

Library director Marti Fiske said about another dozen children were on a waitlist to participate in the program so the library is considering presenting it again in the near future.

Nicki Layman, mother of 8-year old Cale, said her son usually participates in these crafting afternoons at the library. This type of activity makes the library a place that offers more than books, she said.

"They are fun and lots of kids enjoy them. And it's another way to look at the library. This makes it more fun, more inviting," she said.

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Tips on playing games with your kids from birth to age 18

Posted: 20 Apr 2010 09:33 AM PDT

Posted By Rebecca Stewart, FCSS

Posted 21 hours ago

Tips for all parents: • Find games that encourage interaction, • Keep looking for new, fun games, • Add new twists to old favorites.

For Parents with children ages birth to 5: • Ask your child what he or she wants to play, • Play old-time favorites as well as new games, • Play online games with your child.

Parents with children ages 6 to 9: • Incorporate games that encourage reading, • Teach your child simple card games, • Play video games with your child.

Parents with children ages 10 to 15: • Play fast-paced games that get kids thinking, • If your kids want to, roughhouse a bit with them, • Find other adults and families to take part in your games.

Parents with children ages 16 to 18: • Challenge your older teens with new games and rules, • Introduce your kids to unusual games, • Have game nights for your child and her or his friends at your house.

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RailCats Introduce Tuesday Kids Days At U. S. Steel Yard

Posted: 20 Apr 2010 08:44 AM PDT

April 20, 2010 - Northern League (NL) Gary SouthShore Railcats

GARY, Ind. - The Gary SouthShore RailCats are turning Tuesday nights over to the kids, starting games one hour earlier, passing out free hot dogs and picture packs, and giving RailCats Reading Club members free tickets, all as part of Tuesday Kids Days at U. S. Steel Yard.

The newest of six daily promotions, Tuesday Kids Days mark the first time in RailCats history that a weeknight game will start at 6 p.m., letting youngsters get back home early for bedtime. Kids won't go home hungry on Tuesday Kids Days either, with the first 1,000 youths (age 12 and under) getting a free Red Hot Chicago hot dog. Plus, RailCats Picture Pack Giveaways, presented by Great Lakes Orthopedics, are back on Tuesday nights, with the first 1,000 fans of all ages picking up a pack of action photos of RailCats stars, then getting to snag autographs from the featured players on the concourse up to 30 minutes before first pitch.

RailCats games have always been about family entertainment, but Tuesday Kids Days promise to be even more kid-friendly, with themed promotions and contests throughout the game and, of course, a whole lot of Rusty the RailCat and Rascal. Notable Tuesday Kids Day promotions include Bark in the Park June 1, a Rusty Bank Giveaway just for kids June 29 and Sci-Fi Night on July 6.

Tuesday Kids Days are also a chance for the RailCats to highlight their two great school programs, like the RailCats Reading Club. Local students in grade K-8 can participate in the RailCats Reading Club, which encourages students to "circle the bases" by completing four books or stories in order to earn a Reading Club membership card from their teacher. The membership card gives the student a free ticket to every Tuesday Kids Day and $2 off any additional tickets purchased for friends and family.

Members of the RailCats Outstanding Student Program can also take advantage of free tickets this summer, with free admission to three RailCats games - Wednesday, June 2, Tuesday, July 6 and Tuesday, August 3. The three-year-old program allows teachers in The Region to pass out Outstanding Student reward vouchers to any kids in the classroom who reach a designated goal including, but not limited to, perfect attendance, outstanding grades or participation in special projects.

To find out more about the 'Cats School Programs, contact Laura Blakeley at 219.882.2255 or lblakeley@railcatsbaseball.com, or check out the team's website at www.railcatsbaseball.com. All school programs must be coordinated by the schools or individual teachers for their specific classroom.

The first Tuesday Kids Day of 2010 is June 1 - the May 25 game is a Kids Field Trip Day - and seven Kids Days in total are on the RailCats schedule this summer. To order tickets, visit www.railcatsbaseball.com or call 219.882.2255. Single game tickets for all 50 regular season games at U. S. Steel Yard are now on sale.

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• RailCats Icon Tanner Townsend Back In Fold For 2010 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Celebrate Healthy Kids Day Saturday at West Essex YMCA

Posted: 21 Apr 2010 04:25 AM PDT