Fun

Farmer's museum

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

Sugaring off

carousel

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

The weekend at long last--

Friday March 27th, 2009 (today!) Mar 27 at 12:10 p.m. is a Lenten organ recital at Oneonta's First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St.; open to the public.

Also today: Teen Activities at The Sidney Memorial Public Library from 4 to 5:30 p.m. (each Friday).

Tonight: at 7 p.m. "Laugh at Love" is two humorous one-act plays about love, presented by the Sidney High School Drama Club at the Sidney High School Auditorium.

Sat Mar 28th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. the Greater Oneonta Historical Society History Center--worth a visit while the historic electric train set and kid's section are still available. 183 Main St. For info: 432-0960.

At 2 p.m. Sat, The Puppet People present 'The Elephant Child' at Stamford's Kiddie Corner Preschool; for children ages 3 and older.


Sat 8pm: Second annual Beach Party goes to midnight at St. Bart's Parish Center, East Main Street, Norwich; featuring live music by Splash!, to benefit the Children's Center. For info: 336-4499


Maybe for older kids and adults: 11 a.m. Sat, learn to drawn arctic animals at the Schoharie Free Library, Knower and Bridge streets; with Bruce Hiscock. For info: (518) 295-7127

Family interest: Sat 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. is a free seminar to learn about the adoption process both domestically and internationally, at the Bluefields Cafe, 40 Walnut St., Oneonta, NY. Phone Number: 413-448-8367

Sat at 8:00pm the BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS CABARET returns to Oneonta at the Foothills. Tickets $15. ($5 off for clowns in makeup). Cash Bar 21+, Info: bindlestiff.org

The Shaver Hill Maple Farm, in Harpersfield, is hosting a pancake breakfast Saturday from 9am to 4pm plus maple cotton candy, horse drawn wagon rides, miniature horses and a pot belly pig. Shaver Hill Farm: http://www.shaverhillfarm.com. Maple Weekend link: http://www.mapleweekend.com/ Daily Star article: http://www.thedailystar.com/local/local_story_077041538.html

Sunday: Maybe I'll see you at Sugaring Off Sundays at the Farmer's Museum, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., in Cooperstown, state Route 80; featuring pancake breakfast, demonstrations, activities and more. For info: 547-1450.

Looking ahead:

Tues Mar 31st: Suny Oneonta chamber singers and percussion ensemble perform at the Hunt Union waterfront, 7:30 pm.

Also Tues: the history center is open from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Wed Apr 1 at 9 a.m. is the Mothers of Preschoolers annual Easter brunch. If you've always wanted to go but never made it out the door, here is a great opportunity to meet some wonderful women. Main Street Baptist Church, Oneonta. Child care provided. For info: 432-5712.

Wed April 1st The SUNY Observatory, run by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and located at the College Camp is hosting a public observing opportunity. This Wednesday's presentation begins with a film at 8pm followed by stargazing (let's hope for a clear night!) http://www.oneonta.edu/oas/collegecamp/observatory.asp

Early childhood enrichment

From the Vice President of our board, Andrea Thies:

"Attached is a link to a very good article about early education and the overwhelming evidence that kids require enriched experiences well before they get into school. This is one of the arguments in support of OWL's mission ... Besides, Education circles are all the buzz about early childhood literacy development."

Here is a quote is taken from the first page of the article:

Past efforts tended to focus on later childhood, but “the cost-benefit ratio is more favorable in early childhood than at any point in the life cycle,” says HGSE dean Kathleen McCartney. In the case of some skills and abilities, in fact, by the time a child enters school it’s too late to have maximum impact. Children’s vocabulary at age five very reliably predicts the number of words they know in sixth grade ...'

Read more at http://harvardmagazine.com/2009/03/the-developing-child

Today

Marble table

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

Science Saturday

Making stargazers

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

Let the fun begin.

Science saturdays! Signing in.

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

The weekend!!!

Friday 20 March 2009: The Turtle Island Quartet will perform at the Hunt Student Union on the SUNY College at Oneonta Campus, info: 865-6540 or 432-0147.

Saturday 21 March 2009: Science Saturdays continue at SUNY Oneonta's Science Discovery Center. Workshops for age 5-13 plus activities for all ages with Oneonta World of learning, 10am-12:30pm. For registration, info: http://www.oneonta.edu/academics/sdc/ or 436-3177. Suggested donation $5. I'll be at the sign-in desk! Last time the kids did not want to leave after spending the entire morning playing with the science exhibits.

The Shaver Hill Maple Farm, in Harpersfield, is hosting a pancake breakfast Saturday from 9am to 4pm plus maple cotton candy, horse drawn wagon rides, miniature horses and a pot belly pig. Shaver Hill Farm: http://www.shaverhillfarm.com. Maple Weekend link: http://www.mapleweekend.com/ Daily Star article: http://www.thedailystar.com/local/local_story_077041538.html

Kids Kingdom in Norwich grand opening this weekend: http://www.norwichkidskingdom.com/tour.html

Kids Invited to Bounce Around the World at Crayon Carnival Saturday: Bouncy Castle and Rides, Games and New Stroll of Nations. The Cooperstown Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) will hold its annual Crayon Carnival at the Cooperstown Middle/High School Gym from 11 am to 3 pm. This fun community event features inflatable rides, games, music, raffles and a food court. All are welcome to attend.

Sugaring Off Sundays 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. at The Farmers' Museum, state Route 80: pancake breakfast, demos, activities and historic carousel. For info: 547-1450. The cost is about $7 per adult.

Sunday 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. Rite of Spring in Schoharie at the Holiday Inn Express, presented by Landis Arboretum: auction, live music and more. For info, reservations: (518) 875-6935, option 2.

Looking ahead:

Monday Mar 23 at 7 p.m. the Cooperstown Explorers meet at the fire hall in Cooperstown, 26 Chestnut St.

Chamber orchestra and world percussion Ensemble performs at the hunt union ballroom 7:30pm Tuesday March 24, 2009

Next Tuesday through Thursday: 2nd Annual A Taste of Oneonta: Participating restaurants will offer fixed price menus, $20.09, to celebrate the year 2009. Participating restaurants include The Autumn Café, Bella Michaels, The Corfu Diner, The Depot and Stella Luna Ristorante. For info: 434-6755, mainstreetoneonta@hotmail.com

Local interest:

Here's a local website to check out: http://juliepecenco.com/blog/?p=174 (amazing photos)

Music classes for kids start March 27th: http://employees.oneonta.edu/pondolal/info/music_class.html

The weekend approaches:

At 6pm Friday night and 7pm Saturday night, then at 2pm on Sunday is 'Alice in Wonderland' at the Laurens Central School.

Tonight (Thursday March 12, 2009) is Trivia Night at The Green Toad, 198 Main St.; open to the public. For info: 433-8898. 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Also tonight 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Friends of the Libraries Film Series at Sidney Memorial Public Library features 'The Kite Runner.'

Friday March 13: Teen Activities: 'Munchkin Bites' card game - The Sidney Memorial Public Library hosts a teen craft activity from 4 to 5:30 p.m. each Friday.

Fri: Oneonta Hunger Benefit Concert at St. Mary's Catholic Church featuring Redeeming Love, Reservoir Road, The Sweet Adelines, The Singing Waiters, Just Throw Money, and The Catskill Chamber Singers. A free will offering to benefit all the local food banks and feeding programs. 7-9pm. Details are in the Hometown Oneonta or call 432-1385.

Friday at 12:10 p.m. is a Lenten organ recital at the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St. Open to the public.

Saturday, March 14, 10:30 am at the Village Library of Cooperstown: 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,' First-Grade Teacher Mrs. Hayes reads this zany story about a land where the weather is quite different from ours. This program also features the story 'It Looked Like Spilt Milk' and a fun and easy cloud craft. Free and sponsored by the Friends of the Village Library. The Village Library is at 22 Main Street, Cooperstown.

At 10am Sat 10 a.m. is a free family-rated movie at the Masonville branch library.

Also Sat: The Sidney Memorial Public Library presents a monthly Lego Club, open to all ages, meeting from 1 to 3 p.m.

On Sat: 49th Annual Cook-off 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. See who will be the areas top chef. It's a cook-off for all ages at the Morris Conference Center. For info: 432-1000, ext. 255 or epopek@thedailystar.com.

From 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Sat is the Cooperstown Farmers' Market, in Cooperstown behind Key Bank; featuring St. Patrick's Day door prizes and music. For info: 547-6195.

Sat from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. is the 56th annual Sidney Rotary Pancake Day in Sidney at the River Street Fire Station.

Sat 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. is the Inaugural Schenevus-Worcester Rotary Cabin Fever Festival at Schenevus Central School; featuring inflatable amusements, crafts, food and more. For info: 397-1733.

Sunday Mar 14th: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sugaring Off Sundays at The Farmer's Museum: all you can eat pancakes for something like $7 a plate, includes admission to the museum. Don't forget to ride the carousel. Phone Number: 547-1450.

Sunday at 1 p.m. is the Girl Scout matinee in Walton's Walton Theater, Gardiner Place.
Details:The Farmers' Museum, state Route 80; featuring pancake breakfast, demonstrations, activities and more. For info: 547-1450.

Looking ahead:

Bit of Irish By Russ Hotaling Mar. 17 11 a.m. - until its gone Sixth Ward Athletic Club, 22 West Broadway, Corn-beef Sandwiches, macaroni salad pickle & chips. $6.00 eat in or take out, for info: 436-9136.

Also on St. Patty's Day, the Catskill Chamber Players perform in IRC #3 in the Sanford Auditorium, SUNY-Oneonta.

Of note:

I hope you made note of the up-coming music class: music through movement starting Friday March 27th.

And don't forget: Science Saturdays return NEXT WEEKEND! SUCO faculty will be presenting physics workshops 'Art and light.' Oneonta World of Learning will provide science activities and of course, the SUCO Science Discovery Center will come alive with laughter--just add kids! Info and registration: Science Discovery Center or call Hugh at 436-3177.

Music class

Just a quick note to let people know about an upcoming music class for kids: Music Through Movements starts FRIDAY, March 27, 2009 and runs for 10 weeks. More info: music_class

Eagle sitings

For the second time in one month, I was exiting I-88 on the way to my mother-in-law's when an eagle flew over head. I'm almost certain it was a bald eagle. According to the New York Natural Heritage Program, there are three known breeding locations for eagles in Otsego county (http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=6811).

Although listed as threatened, their breeding and wintering populations are said to be increasing in New York State. Their breeding season is from March through June.

CREATE A FRIEND FOR ARTHUR

CREATE A FRIEND FOR ARTHUR

WHO: Children ages 6 to 12

WHAT: Arthur is looking for a new friend. Use the official entry form to describe and draw your charcter.

WHEN: Entries must be postmarked by March 31, 2009

HOW: Teachers can request entry forms by sending an email to JStapleton@wskg.org or visiting this website: http://pbskids.org/arthur/allkidscan

Review of the planetarium and Galileo shows

From one enthusiastic attendee:

"Last night my four-year old son Aaron and I attended the Science Discovery Center of Oneonta's presentation "Night Lights" at the SUNY-Oneonta planetarium, followed by "an Evening with Galileo" at the Goodrich theater. I will start by saying "if you ever get a chance to attend a show at the planetarium jump on it!" It is a top notch facility, and the presentation is stellar. Aaron's eyes popped out when his favorite planets came to life over his head. The show lasted about a half an hour (just right for my pre-schooler). An Evening with Galileo starring Mark Thompson was great, but slightly over Aaron's head which lead to him saying "daddy, I'm ready to go now" half way though it. Over all it was a super night out with my little man, and the shows sparked an hour of great conversation and many interesting questions. Thanks go out to Hugh and all the of the Science Discovery Center team for a delightful night of entertainment.

Tom Pondolfino

The weather forecast changes from 'chance of snow' to 'chance of rain' this weekend, with warmer temperatures...

Fri. Mar 6th 4-5:30pm, weekly teen craft activity at the Sidney Memorial Public Library.

Fri. SUCO Science Discovery Center presents "A Visit from Galileo" at 6pm at the Goodrich Theater, SUNY Oneonta. Dressed in authentic Renaissance attire as Galileo, Mark Thompson- a cantorial soloist and amateur astronomer- tells the fascinating story of "The Father of Modern Science. Admission is free. There are also two planetarium shows planned in coordination with this event (seating is limited for the planetarium shows). Complete details at: http://www.oneonta.edu/academics/sdc/.

Sat Mar 7th, 11am: Build a Bluebird Nest Box. Free program at Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne. Bird boxes will be used at the center to restore depleted bluebird population, but can also be purchased for $10. Bring a hammer if you have one. Registration is requested, call 674-4017.

"Moments in Rock" is a geological exhibit featuring over 25 rock slabs from the Devonian Sea floor to the Ice Age. The exhibit runs from March 7 - April 26 at the Erpf House on Main Street, Arkville. The opening reception is Sat from 3-5pm.

From 6 - 9pm Sat, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta will host an African dinner and movie to benefit Youchaou's School in Kalabonoro, Mali, at 12 Ford Ave, Oneonta. Children may choose to watch the family adventure movie, "Duma," while adults may watch the Cannes Film Festival award-winning movie "Moolaade." $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and younger. Reservations are requested, contact Annemarie at 432-9198 or hosnedas@oneonta.edu.

Sun Mar 8th: Daylight Saving Time Begins.

Looking ahead:

Tues Mar 10th, SUNY Oneonta Concert Band performs at the Hunt Union Ball Room, SUNY Oneonta, 7:30pm. Info 436-3422.

The Family Services Association will host several parenting groups and workshops in the coming months. Workshops meet at the First United Methodist Church at 66 Chestnut St. in Oneonta. Workshops are free but registration is required, call 432-2870.Workshop topics include: Kids in the Middle, Setting Goals for My Family & Myself, Better Money Management, Super nanny Comes to Oneonta, Loving Discipline, Summertime Fun, and Talking to Kids about Difficult Issues.

Sign up now for Science Saturdays: The next session will be Sat. March 21, featuring 'Art and Light.' Details: http://www.oneonta.edu/academics/sdc/. The workshops are already filling up, and an additional workshop may be offered based on the popularity of last month's event.

An Evening with Galileo

This Friday, March 6, 2009 at 6pm, The Science Discovery Center of Oneonta presents "An Evening with Galileo," at SUNY Oneonta's Goodrich Theater.

"Actor Mark Thompson breathes life into the personality of Galileo through music, humor, and drama, telling the fascinating story of The Father of Modern Science."

Admission is free. There are also two planetarium shows (I believe the planetarium is in SUCO's Science I building). There are a few seats left for the 5pm planetarium show.

All the details are at http://www.oneonta.edu/academics/sdc/.

Spring really is coming

If you've passed a skunk that didn't make it along side of the road, then you've witnessed one of the first signs of spring! The skunks are out looking for a cozy spot to nest. This I know because they used to choose the crawl space beneath my mother-in-law's house on an annual basis. (If this happens to you, take heart. After their kids are big enough to venture out, you'll see a lot less of them. And hopefully your home owner's insurance will pay for fumigation).

Another sure sign of spring? The toy isles at Walmart are filled with sand toys, bubble soap, and pool supplies.

The Farmer Museum's Sugaring Off Sundays (all you can eat pancakes and maple syrup + demonstrations and farm animals--$7 per adult, kids free) are yet another sign of spring, although even they had to admit that the sap is not yet running this year. We did ride the carousel several times, which is always a hit with the toddler set.

Green Hour documents some additional signs of spring--buds on the trees! The next time I step outside with the kids (for what classifies more as a 'white hour' at the moment) I'll be looking.

And let's not forget the West End's surest harbinger of spring: Dairy Queen (or should I now say Orange Julius?) is open!!! Follow developments at Twitter and Oneonta's newest web resource: OneontaOnTheMap.com .