Thursday, May 28, 2009

New Links Be sure to check out our New Links. 11:18:53 AM     Upcoming Summer Events at HPL Summer Reading Program-Opening Day 12 - 4 PM Monday, June 15 Kids will sign up for the “Be Creative” reading game, pick up their Reading Logs, and design “Be Creative” Tie Dye Shirts. Bring a clean white T Shirt to take part. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Outdoor Storytime I “Just Imagine” 6:30 PM Wednesday, June 17 Storytime fun on the Library’s East Lawn. Create your own World’s Tiniest Puppet Theater after the tales. For ages 3 - 7. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Gordon Russ Magic Workshop 2 PM Monday, June 22 Magician Gordon Russ leads an interactive workshop for beginner magicians. The class is loaded with tricks, easy to learn but good enough to fool mom and dad. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. How Does Your Garden Grow? 11 AM Friday, June 26 Dig in to gardening fun with Master Gardener Connie VanDeKoppel. Kids will create a sunflower garden around the Library and join the Tallest Sunflower Contest. There will also be seeds and plants to take home. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Sunshine Art 2 PM Monday, June 29 Use sunlight to create artistic masterpieces. Kids will make Crystal Plate Suncatchers and Design-It-Yourself Window Clings. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Outdoor Storytime II Midsummer Meltdown 6:30 PM Wednesday, July 1 Stories and activities about all the fun things you can do in hot weather. For ages 3 - 7. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Bubble Day 2 PM Monday, July 6 The bubbly fun includes: Giant bubble-making, a Bubble Gum Contest, Super Foam Blowers, Soap Bubble Volley Ball and more. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Patchwork Pear Theatre 6:30 PM Wednesday, July 8 Patchwork Pear presents free Outdoor Theatre on the Library lawn. The talented duo presents a creative mix of mime, music, juggling and spoken word. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Braveheart Raptor Rehabilitation Center 2 PM Tuesday, July 14 The Raptor Center rescues injured birds of prey and returns them to the wild. Director Susan Stamy will visit with some of the “guests” at the Center and tell about raptors. Visiting birds may include the Barred Owl, Turkey Vulture, Peregrine Falcon or American Kestrel Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Invention Day 2 PM Thursday, July 16 Creative activities based on kids’ inventions. An Invention Fair will let kids show off things they’ve made. The Invention Game gets kids to think up unusual solutions to ordinary problems. As the program finale kids will make Lie Detectors and other weird gizmos. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Z’s Kids Club Traveling Animal Show 11 AM Monday, July 20 John Ball Zoo’s Mobile Zoo brings live animals to the Library. Kids will learn how animals too can Be Creative when they solve problems of food, shelter and survival. Zoo docents lead the program and let kids see the animals close up. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Living Sculpture Tour 2 PM Wednesday, July 22 Sponsored with the Muskegon Museum of Art Tour Muskegon’s downtown sculptures then join a digital photo team to create a living version of each. MMA education curator Cathy Mott will lead the program. After the short walking tour create an original abstract sculpture at Hackley Library. The program starts at the Library. Adult accompaniment is required on the tour. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Outdoor Storytime III “The Magic Crayon” 6:30 PM Monday, July 27 Tales of magical pencils, stories you can draw and pictures that can fool you. Kids will help draw a story in the air. For ages 3 - 7. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Annual Kids Flea Market 10 AM - 1 PM Thursday, July 30 “On the Lawn” Hackley Administration Bldg. Kids run their own booths Kids sell old toys, books, games, card collections, stuffed animals and more 50 cent price limit keeps things fun Registration required. Phone 722-7276 The Kids’ Flea Market provides a grand finale for “Be Creative” activities. Children will run their own booths (parent help is recommended) and keep the money they earn. A 50 cent price limit per item will keep things fun and safe for all. Rain date Fridaym July 31 Sales ideas include old books, collectibles, stuffed animals, fast food prizes puzzles and craft items. Lemonade stand yummies are good sellers, too. Please don’t bring used clothing or other items of interest to grownups only. Sellers should bring their own tables and chairs, or a beach blanket to sell from. Registration is required. To sign up phone 722-7276, ext. 230. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Book End Art 2 PM Tuesday, August 4 Turn the ordinary bookends into works of art for the Library shelves. Kids will work with decoupage and acrylics to give book holders an all new look! Teacher and artist Ronace Hogan will lead the project. Registration required. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Altered Jeans for Tweens 2 PM Saturday, August 8 Bring an old pair of jeans to this program for grades 4 - 7. Everyone will make a cool jeans purse and go home with plenty of ideas for more advanced projects. HPL staffer Cassandra Hamilton leads the program. Registration required. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. West Michigan Symphony “Instrument Petting Zoo” 2 PM Thursday, August 13 Discover --- and really play --- the amazing instruments of the symphony orchestra. Kids will see, touch and hear the trombone, snare drum, cello, tuba and more. WSSO Education staff lead the program Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Family Rock ‘n’ Roll Show 6:30 PM Wednesday, August 19 It’s Rockin’ Fifties Family Fun that everyone, toddlers to grandparents, can groove to. Dynamic perforrner Guy Louis blends a driving beat with plenty of comedy. Expect lots of zany audience participation. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Ruff Reader - “Kids Read to Dogs” 2 - 4 PM Saturday, August 22 Kids can boost reading skills and confidence at private read-aloud sessions with a trained Listener Dog. They’ll go home with a Paw Print Diploma and a new enthusiasm for reading. The friendly pooches are from West Michigan Therapy Dog, Inc. Children sign up for 15 minute sessions. Registration opens in August. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Summer Memories Scrapbooking 2 PM Thursday, August 27 Kids will create a Scrap Book with pages made from Paper Bags! The bags hide pull-out sheets for hidden surprises. Use it to remember this summer’s special moments. Bring a few photos or other fun keepsakes to start your Book. Registration required Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. 11:16:55 AM     Childcare considerations As I sit here writing this entry, my cousin is giving birth to her first child. (Although, I hope she's not still in labor by the time you are reading this.) My family is so excited to meet the newest addition to the clan. We're all sure she will be the perfect little baby. And I don't know about anyone else, but I'm more than happy to offer free babysitting services when I can. Childcare can be a challenging subject for many new parents to deal with. They have to decide if they want to leave their child with family (if that's an option) or with a babysitter or in daycare if both parents work full time. Childcare.gov is a great resource for parents who aren't sure about their options. They can find providers in their area as well as familiarize themselves with different laws and regulations to make sure their child gets the best care. There's a whole checklist of things parents should consider when thinking about childcare. It includes things like child to supervisor ratio, first aid training and director qualifications. If you have other great childcare resources feel free to share them in the comments section. - Jess [Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog] 10:54:45 AM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 6/1/2009; 10:22:01 AM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien