A Zarin Book Recommendation - make your voice heard!

Naomi and her parents highly recommend this book! Ruby Mae Has Something to Say, by David Small. It's a picture book aimed at ages 4-9, but the message works at any level. Here's the first page: The town of Nada, Texas was small. You could stand on one side of town, whisper something, and be heard on the other side. It was that small. Still, Nada had a few things in it. There was a general store, an abandoned train depot, a three-legged dog, and the World Headquarters for Universal Peace and Understanding. (See if they sell it at your local library here).

Real Life, Real Talk Follow Up

Family Planning is hosting an annual comprehensive sex ed conference -- it is fairly cheap ($40/$30) and I think I might go... would any of you be interested in joining me?

Karen Montenaro and Mime

When I was just a little older than Grace I went to a 2 week summer camp at the Celebration Barn Theater in South Paris (they still offer tons of classes and performances, but I don't think they have a summer camp anymore). I don't remember if Tony Montenaro was there, but I do remember Sam Kilbourne and Randy Judkins and a magically creative summer. I remember my parents being so amazed at the talented adults working at this program, while us kids just took them for granted. Now I'm that amazed adult, so grateful that FSP kids get the opportunity to dig into a creative arts experience that even culminates in a performance. I'll be looking backward and forward on Friday night (kids in grades 3-5 need to be there @ 5:30 / show starts at 6!)... thank you FSP for making this happen!

(see the youtube side bar for some images of Karen... she is so cool!)

April Vacation

Are folks thinking about April vacation yet? Maine Audubon offers a vacation day camp if anyone is in need of childcare (grades 1+ unfortunately (for me) ) Other ideas?

Library Sale

The Falmouth Public Library has it's children's book sale this Saturday afternoon... and there are apparently still a few spots left at the AON fundraiser if the urge for a little grown-up R&R hits...

It is also Maine Maple Sunday -- link above...

Real Life, Real Talk

We had a great crowd for RL-RT and generated a lot of topics to talk about. It left me wondering about how we develop infrastructure for following up and creating more space for deeper conversation and action. Would people be interested in a regular kind of study group of some kind, next year, or are we all just too busy?

I have some thoughts about the limits of sorting this all out in our own, but I put them on my personal blog. However, I have to put in a plug for collective action / social change and say : check out the No Make Over for Dora campaign at Hardy Girls, Healthy Women

Somewhat connected, Add Verb Productions, a social change theater group in Portland, has developed plays about many of these issues. They are offering a free showing of Its a Thin Line, a play about eating disorders, in Freeport. It's at an awkward time, but has great reviews in terms of opening up thinking and discussion about eating disorders and other mental health issues in our families. Here's the info:

Through the generosity of area businesses, Freeport High School is presenting a free public performance of Add Verb Productions nationally touring one woman play, The Thin Line. A limited amount of seating is available for parents and community members, and there is no charge for admission. When: Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 11:00am Where: Freeport Performing Arts Center 30 Holbrook Street, Freeport, ME RSVP: Please RSVP as seating is limited. Contact Amanda Bailey at 207-772-1167 or email amanda@addverbproductions.com Who should attend: Anyone who would like to better understand how eating disorders impact family, friends and the community. Suitable for mature middle school, high school and college students and their supporters.

Kinderconcert on Friday -- Update

** Another Update -- Linda said there are plenty of seats left on Friday. Tickets are $3.00 if you reserve with her in advance, or $4.00 at the door.

So far, we have a few families indicating they are coming. Dan Z. found a web site with the teacher's guide if you want to do some coloring or other prep. And if you're going to the library anytime soon, Kate and I pulled out Zin, Zin, Zin a Violin the other day, which is just such a good book!

This homeschool blog has a a list of other picture books featuring music (there are lots of ads on the site)

And the Cooperative Children's Book Center offers a list of picture books about music for older children.

Everybody needs a stone to roll

The Quaker Meeting song right now is called Little Road and a Stone to Roll, by a different John Stewart (circa 1970). You can hear it here. (you can listen on your computer with out buying it) And some lyrics are : Everybody needs a fire inside Everybody needs a dream to ride Everybody with a growing soul Everybody needs a stone to roll Everybody needs some old, loose shoes Everybody needs some new, good news Everybody needs a sheet to fold Everybody needs a stone to roll Everybody needs a Carol King tune Everybody needs a little more room Everybody needs their own deep hole Everybody needs a stone to roll

Kinderconcert on Friday

There are tons of great things to do this weekend (see links above). On Friday, March 13th FSP has an in-service day and the Portland Symphony Orchestra is offering a kinderconcert in Scarborough. We did not manage to organize group ticket sales, but if people are interested in getting tickets and meeting there, they are usually really well done concerts and I'd think would be interesting to kids through even the 3rd and 4th grade although I think they are aimed at slightly younger kids.

Here's the link and info -- if people want to e-mail me or use the comments to say if they're planning on attending we can figure out how to meet. Right now, there are tickets available at 10:30 and 12:30. 2008-2009 Season Brass: Blast Off! February 13, 2009 — March 25, 2009 Back to concert information | Email this event to a friend Envelope Scarborough, ME (Map link) Scarborough High School 20 Gorham Road Scarborough, ME 04074 Reservation Coordinator: Linda Gatz 3 Memory Lane Scarborough, ME 04074 (207) 883-3010 lgatz@maine.rr.com

Real Life, Real Talk

Just a reminder that the folks from Planned Parenthood's Real Life, Real Talk will be here this Wednesday evening. It would be great to get as many parents as possible to come, as we want a conversation that helps us think about our kids peer group and community as well as our own unique family conversations and values. 6pm - -some snacks will be there, but feel free to also bring a brown-bag supper!

Solitude

x-posted with my parenting for peace blog This seems like an interesting question for those of us who've come to FSP to think about. What is it for our kids to be in a community that values silence, teaches kids how to quiet themselves and be in silence, and has some intentionality around quiet and silence and what does it mean for them to be in other spaces? What does it mean for other children -- are the conclusions as huge as this?

Podcast: KQED Forum Episode: 1/30/09 "The End of Solitude" Description: The advent of new technologies like text messaging and online social networking makes it easier to connect with friends far and wide, but at what cost? We talk with literary critic William Deresiewicz about the repercussions of hyper-connectivity and a generation that, he argues, seems unable to tolerate solitude and quiet reflection. (I couldn't get it off of itunes store, but did download it from the KQED website which is linked above).

From Kirsten Cappy

My Fine Picture Book Friends, ------------------- River of Words: Melissa Sweet's Caldecott Celebration ---------------------- Saturday, 3/14/09 1PM - 5PM Open House Zero Station 222 Anderson Street Portland, Maine Curious City, 207-699-2755 Picture book readers (and zealots) are welcome at an open house to celebrate Maine illustrator, Melissa Sweet's Caldecott Honor. The Caldecott, one of the highest awards in book publishing, was awarded to Melissa Sweet for her illustrations for the picture book, A RIVER OF WORDS: THE STORY OF WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS. Sweet will be on hand to sign copies of her stunning Caldecott Honor book and to show several of the original multi-media collages created for the book. Readers will be able to create collages with William Carlos William' poems and walk away with A RIVER OF WORDS poster. More here: http://curiouscitycalendar.blogspot.com/ ----------------- SAVE THE DATE: Gorfman T. Frog Party Saturday, 3/21/09 1:30 - 3:30 PM East End School Library 195 North Street Portland, Maine All ages, but best for 6-12 More here: http://curiouscitycalendar.blogspot.com/ ------------------- Many Thanks & Read Well, Kirsten Cappy Curious City: Where Kids & Books Meet 118 Emery Street Portland, ME 04102 207-699-2755 Phone kirsten@curiouscity.net http://www.curiouscity.net ---------------------------------------- Curious City is an advocate for Children's Literature and its Creators. Through unique Publicity Campaigns and kinetic Children's Events, Curious City creates places where kids & books meet.

From the Telling Room

Announcing two new Spring workshops from The Telling Room geared toward younger students! Please find two printable pdf files attached to share with whomever might be interested. To register or for more information, please contact us at 774-6064 or email andrew@tellingroom.org No Strings Attached: Bringing Stories to Life through Shadow Puppetry Grades 2 - 4. Saturday, March 21st and 28th, 10:00-12:00. Taught by Heather Davis and Janelle Dosher. Students will bring new life to old stories by adding unexpected twists, turns, and surprises to some familiar children's classics. We’ll then create an original shadow puppet play to tell their new stories! The workshop will culminate with a performance for friends and family at the Telling Room. Sounds Like... Using noise, sound effects, and music to write stories Grades 4 - 6. Saturday, April 18th, 10:00-1:00. Taught by Jones Franzel, director of Generation PRX Youth Radio. Have you ever wondered what kind of noise the color red might make? Or walked through Portland on a treasure hunt for sounds? Join documentary radio producer Jones Franzel for a morning of writing through sound. We'll use sound effects, music, and creative noise interpretation to write stories and explore new ways of using our ears for better writing. Participants are asked to bring a bag lunch.

Movie Night - This Friday

The movie is called Flushed Away... it is rated PG... Review by Rotten Tomatoes Review by Entertainment Kaboose

FOR FSP Siblings

Squiggles and Mush Art Play classes for children ages 2-5 with a parent/ caregiver will begin its Spring Session March 31st. Tuition: 6 weekly classes, $87 includes all materials. Siblings are $57. Aprons are provided but dress for mess and fun. All materials are non-toxic and washable. Each class is 45 minutes and includes a short story to introduce the art theme for that day, an art project, and a movement activity. This Spring Squiggles & Mush will host an art opening at a local cafe or gallery to show off the children's art work to family and friends. Location: First Universalist Church, 97 Main Street, Yarmouth Weekly classes held Tuesdays at 9 a.m. or 10:15 a.m. For more information please visit our web site or call 799-0599.

Hope Hoffman

If you liked Contra Dancing, or need a creative recharge, check out these family fiddle events, courtesy of Audra...

Another Snow Day

It looks likely that we'll have another snow day tomorrow... Jessica and Ellie both live in Portland and are both open to being contacted about babysitting -- contact info is on the right... I envy all of you who can walk into town... what a nutty winter!