weekend

Tonight: The Joys and Trials of Toilet Learning, free seminar at Bugbee Chidlren's Center, auditorium. Info 436-2484

Terpsichorean, the SUNY Oneonta student dance company, presents Backstage Pass: Confessions of a Choreographer, at 8PM on Thursday, April 30, Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, in the Goodrich Theater, Fine Arts Center, SUNY Oneonta campus, with an additional matinee performance at 2PM on Saturday, May 2. Tickets are $5 for general admission. Call 436-2748.

Saturday:

Science Saturday May 2, 2009: OWL presents hands on chemistry activities for children age 2 and up. SUNY Oneonta faculty present Chemistry of Fireworks workshops for children age 5-13. Join us for fun at the Science Discovery Center from 10am-12:30pm as we close out a wonderful series of Saturdays. Pre-registration is required only for the workshops: http://www.oneonta.edu/academics/sdc/

Fishing Derby in Morris, NY, Saturday May 2nd. 8-9am registration, 9-12 kick off, located up at the creek off of Dimmock Hollow Rd. Fish, prizes, fun!

8:30am Saturday May 2, Sport Tech 10 mile bike ride, register 432-1731

8am Sat May 2, Bird Walk at Robertson Lodge, Pine Lake campus, info 431-4520

9am-2pm Delarc bike-a-thon at Delaware County Fairgrounds, info 865-7126

The Catskill Symphony Orchestra will perform 8PM on Saturday, May 2 in the Hunt Student Union, SUNY Oneonta campus . A generous grant allows any one or two adults to bring any number of children or older students to the performance without charge. Phone x2670 for more information.

Sunday:

Sun May 3rd, Leatherstocking Region MS Walk 11am-4pm in Neahwa Park, call 1-800-FIGHT-MS

Looking ahead:

Tues May 5th at 7pm, join us at our monthly Oneonta World of Learning (OWL) meeting, in the Main Street Gallery next to the Oneonta Fire Station.

Cinco de Mayo Festival at St. Mary'school, 5pm-7pm May 5th. Info 432-1450.

Summer Opportunities:

The Cooperstown Crew rowing club is launching this summer, open to college bound high school students. No previous experience is necessary and the free program includes a comprehensive coaching program. Interested students should call Andrea at 433-0160.

2009 Science Summer Camp, free thanks to funding by by the National Science Foundation, for local 10th & 11th grade students. Camp Application at: www.oneonta.edu/academics/pr2eps/

Check it out!

Here's our window display on Main Street! There's a little something from all our events in the past year. We're so grateful to the owners for loaning us the window space, to the SUNY Oneonta students who took time out of their schedules to clean the windows and most of all, to Andrea House, who has really done the design and put it all together very professionally.
Above: "Who Whooo Whoooo Wants a Children's Museum" above our Centennial Parade float.

Below: Yes--that's the globe from New Year's on the right (Tom painted the continents on this side). Behind are the pop-art OWLs from Paintfest! 2008. Front left is Mayor John Nader getting painted.

ACM Conference

Follow the Association of Children's Museum Interactivity 2009 conference with Jen Alexander, founder of Kidcity (and one of our heros):

http://www.livinginkidcity.blogspot.com/

Quick reminder

'The Joys and Trials of Toilet Learning,' a free workshop offered by Bugbee Children's Center is this Thursday, from 5-6:30pm, in the Bugbee Hall Auditorium, State Street, Oneonta. Childcare, pizza all for free (let them know ahead of time if you plan to take advantage of the free childcare). Info: 436-2484 or childcenter@oneonta.edu.

Emerging Museums Conference

Our Board VP, Andrea Thies, is even now attending the Emerging Museums Conference of the Association of Children's Museums, at her own expense, in Philadelphia--I'm sure she'll be exhausted but I can't wait to catch up with her and find out what she's learned. Two years ago, she attended the same conference in Denver (two whole years already?). The inspiration she came back with has been a sustaining force for this project. More than that, she returned with a great deal of insight as to the routes other museums took to success. So she got a healthy dose of common sense along with the enthusiasm. Like I said, I can't wait to hear everything.

OH Fest a hit

OH Fest was fun--Connie brought some really terrific puzzles (with a math theme) including a set based on the work of M.C. Escher. Carolyn's 'Mind Games' were fun--I found it difficult to read the words like RED, YELLOW, GREEN when they were written in the 'wrong' colors... And the disappearing coin boxes were fun to make with the kids. Kudos to everyone who helped fold, tape, and cut holes in nearly 400 boxes.

Everyone was dying in the heat! But I think only because we're all used to winter weather. Come summer we'll be hoping for 'just' the 80's.

Best of all, we were right in front of our window display, next to the 'new' coffee shop on Main Street. Andrea House gets all the credit for a fabulous design. I don't think there has been a better window display since I've lived here.

Next weekend will be our final Science Saturday of 2009. The chemistry department from SUNY Oneonta will present workshops on the Science of Fireworks for kids age 5-13. Meanwhile, Oneonta World of Learning (OWL) will present chemistry related science projects appropriate for kids of all ages. All of this will take place at the Science Discovery Center on the SUNY Oneonta campus. Call Hugh at 436-3177 or register online at oneonta.edu/academics/sdc or email gallagha@oneonta.edu. Registration is recommended for the workshops, but not required for the OWL activities.

The only regret for today: I didn't get a chance to wander Main Street and meet some of the friends, such at OneontaOnTheMap.com, which I've made on Twitter. Yes, Oneonta World of Learning is now on Twitter: Follow me at http://twitter.com/OneontaWOL. Oh, I do wish I had some pictures of the event, but there wasn't time to take any--

It may have been chilly and drizzly, but turn out for the Celebration of the Young Child on Main St Onoenta was great this year, as always. One attendee assured me that the Bubble Man put on a great show and "mixed it up" a little this year at the YMCA following the parade. Many thanks to the Association of Young Children for another great event!!!

The Foothills presents: Tom Sawyer the Play (written by Mark Twain) 8pm Fri and sat, 2pm sun. Free. Look for more Mark Twain/literacy related events in the near future.

SUNY Oneonta's theater dept presents Sweet Charity this weekend: a steal at $5/ticket--they have some great talent this year! Details: 436-3100. The post I found described 8pm performances Thurs and Fri and a 2pm Matinee Sat.

Friday 24 April, 2009: Peep Show (Marshmallow peep show) in Hartwick's Anderson Center for the Arts lobby from 3-4pm. Contest entries involving peeps in some way accepted from 9am-noon.

Fri 6-8:30pm, BBQ with Orpheus Theatre and get a sneak preview of Beauty and the Beast, 6465 County Highway 10, East Meredith ($10/child, $25/person, $45/couple) 278-9641.

Sorry I didn't get this out earlier: 'There's a Monster in my Closet' at 11:30am Friday at St. Mary's School, 432-9392. Appropriate for Pre-K through 3rd Grade.

Saturday: OH Fest hits Oneonta. Join the fun on Main Street (weather should be great) from 1-5pm, then head to Neahwa for the music. Look for Oneonta World of Learning--our theme is Mind Games and the Science of Perception. Do a science related craft and check out the Science Discovery Center's travelling exhibit. OH Fest info: OH Fest

Looking ahead:

Tuesday April 28, at 7:30PM in the Hunt Union Ballroom, the State University Concert Band performs. The finale will be 'Disney at the Movies.' Call 436-3415 for info.

Wed at SUNY Oneonta College Camp Observatory: Public Observing Series begins with a film at 8:00 p.m. Visit observatory

Don't forget to sign up for The Science of Fireworks with the Science Discovery Center and OWL next Sat (May 2nd), the final Science Saturday of the semester! 436-3177 or gallagha@oneonta.edu or oneonta.edu/academics/sdc

Sunday, June 28 – Thursday, July 2 – 2009 is Science Summer Camp for 10th & 11th grade students. Free. Details and application at: sci camp

The City of Oneonta Parks and Recreation Department is now on Facebook: Parks dept

"Mind Games!" Science Saturday meets OH Fest

Join us on Main Street, Oneonta during OH Fest, Saturday April 25th, 2009 from 1-5pm.

OWL will be offering fun and crafts involving illusion, perception, problem solving and science 'magic.' The traveling exhibit from SUNY Oneonta's Science Discovery Center will also be on site for some hands on fun.

Then mark your calendars for the first weekend in May, when we team up once again with the distinguished faculty of SUNY Oneonta (you'll find them to be surprisingly fun loving and approachable). The theme for our final Science Saturday of 2009 is The Chemistry of Fireworks!

OWL will present hands on chemistry activities for children ages 2 and up. SUNY Oneonta's Chemistry department will present two workshops for children aged 5-13.

Admission and workshops are free of charge, however a $5 donation to support participating student clubs and OWL is encouraged.

Pre-registration for the Chemistry department's workshops is required. Call Hugh at 436-3177 or register online at oneonta.edu/academics/sdc or at gallagha@oneonta.edu.

The weekend is here

Better late than never:

Sat 2-4pm is The Big Read kickoff event--Double Feature: Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Mark Twain. Intermission surprises, fun and games. 2pm at the Oneonta Theatre on Chestnut St. Free. 431-2080. Presented by Foothills and The Big Read.

9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Vernal pool program, Rogers Environmental Education Center, state Route 80. For info: 674-4017.

10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Craft Demonstration Day, Sidney Memorial Public Library. For info: 563-1200.

10 a.m., Stitch 'n' Pitch, Cooperstown, National Baseball Hall of Fame; featuring free needle arts instruction and activities. For info: www.StitchNPitch.com or 547-7200.

Looking ahead:

Mon, 7 p.m., Woodcarving demonstration, Schoharie Free Library; free, open to the public, with Walt LeClair of Altamont.

Thurs, The Tri-County AEYC will be offering a free children's celebration for the Month of the Young Child. Line up with the toddlers and preschoolers to join the parade at 9:45am on the corner of Market St. and Chestnut St. Ext. The parade will begin at 10am with a march down main street and continue to the Oneonta YMCA. Feel free to bring banners, posters, and musical instruments for the parade. After the parade, bubble man Doug Rougeux will entertain the children at the YMCA.

Toilet Training Seminar (freeeeeee)

The Joys and Trials of Toilet Learning with Gretchen Kinnell--this is a workshop NOT TO BE MISSED! Bugbee Children's Center is providing FREE childcare and PIZZA, so no excuses.

Thursday April 30th, 5-6:30pm
Bugbee Hall Auditorium, State Street, Oneonta

It is said that Gretchen Kinnell wrote 'the book' on toilet learning. Her workshops are enjoyable and geared to both childcare and home settings.

If you've ever wanted to find out more about Bugbee, now's a great opportunity.

If you need to fulfill training requirements in "Principles of Childhood Development," here's 1.5 hours that qualify.

If you are potty training (as we are) or getting ready to, this will give you the tools you need to win your child's cooperation.

To confirm childcare for the event, call 436-2484 or email ChildCenter@oneonta.edu. They are also interested in your pizza preference(!)

Easter weekend 2009:

The Easter Bunny Express departs the Milford Depot at 2pm Sat and again on Sun (432-2429).

FUNDRAISING CONCERT for ONEONTA TEEN CENTER, Sat APRIL 11, 8-11 PM, presenting MEISHLUNDAY, a Great Young Band from Milford playing classic rock standards and dance music. $10 donation at the Armory (4 Academy St Oneonta), for kids of all ages. Info 433-2009.

The Cooperstown Farmers Market will be open from 9:30-11am Saturday. Info 547-6195.

At 12pm Sat in Cooperstown, the Easter bunny parade and celebration kids off at Lakefront Park and the Tunnicliff Inn (547-9983).

The Green Toad on Main Street in Oneonta hosts 'Stories and Easter egg hunt with Mother Goose' from 10-11am (432-1367).

Sat from 10am-4pm may be your last opportunity to see the historic model railroad in operation at the Greater Oneonta Historical Society, 183 Main St. (432-0960).

The library at 42 Gardiner Place, Walton, hosts an Easter Egg hunt at 12:30pm Sat.

At 11am Sat the Rogers Environmental Education Center is offering a children's egg coloring activity (674-4017).

Sunday: The town of Stamford hosts an Easter Egg hunt at 12:30pm at Indian Trail Park.

Looking ahead:

There are probably more openings for theater class with Karen Butler (formerly on The Guiding Light). Acting for 4-8 year olds will be from 4:30 - 6 p.m. Mondays, April 13 to May 18 (note these are new dates). Acting for 9-14 year olds will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, April 7 to May 12. Cost will be $60 for the session. Call 432-2070 for information and to register.

The Sidney Memorial Public Library offers a G rated movie at 1pm on Monday (free--463-1200).

Wed from 6:30-7pm the Sidney Memorial Public Library hosts 'Pajama story time (563-1200).

I'd call it a meeting--

but we're having too much fun!


Every month we've been meeting at The Main View Gallery at 73 Main Street in Oneonta. It's hard to describe but when you step inside, you are just surrounded by a sense of whimsical creativity. There are artistic projects of all types around the room, yet the space feels open, with tables and work stations... it makes your fingers seek a drawing pencil or paint brush. If you haven't visited yet, do.


So far, we've played with funny putty, giggled over the 'hoo hoo' sound on our website (in progress--great work Robin!), listened to a beautiful rendition of Rachel's sister in law singing "I'm a cow," and we're only now getting to the finnance comittee part. Looks like we got our mini-grant from the New York Council of Nonprofits!!! Better start paying attention!

The weekend

Quick note: You can still sign kids up for theater class (see Theater Update below the weekend's listings).

Friday and Saturday April 3-4 at 7 p.m. 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' at the Walton Central School auditorium.

Also Fri and Sat 7 p.m. 'Time Out For Ginger' at the Unatego Junior-Senior High School; presented by Cue and Curtain Drama Club.

Sat and Sun April 4-5 at 2 p.m. ride the Easter Bunny Express Train, Milford Depot, state Route 166, 136 E. Main St.; presented by Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society. For tickets, info: 432-2429.

Sat Apr 4 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. is the Safe Kids of Otsego County bicycle safety promotion at the Oneonta YMCA. For info: 547-5256.

Also Sat at 10:30 a.m. is an Easter egg hunt and carnival at the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi, 4 Clinton St.; hosted by church youth group. For info: 746-2155.

Sat 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. is a Girl Scout mime workshop, United Ministry Church, 46 Church St. Delhi. For info: 432-2910.

Sat 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. is an Easter Bunny breakfast at the Oxford American Legion Fort Hill Post, 17 S. Washington Ave. Oxford. For info: 316-3660.

Sat 11 a.m. join the Signs of Spring walk at the Rogers Environmental Education Center, state Highway 80, Sherberne; guided trail walk on Rogers Center grounds. For info: 674-4017.

Sun at 1 p.m. is the 11th annual Strides for Safety 5k Run/Walk and Health Fair, Oneonta High School; presented by SADD.

Sun at 8 a.m. is the Lake Otsego waterfowl trip, Lakefront docks, Cooperstown; presented by Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society. For info: 547-9688.

Sun at 3pm is an Easter cantata at the Cherry Valley-Springfield Center School auditorium.

Saturday April 4th, the Catskill Symphony Orchestra presents a Cabaret Concert at 8pm in the Dewar Arena, Alumni Fieldhouse, Suny Oneonta. $30 tickets. Info 436-2670.


Looking ahead:

Theater class update: More students are needed for the 4-8 year old group, which would then start not next Monday, but the following Monday. Karen Butler, who trained at Barnard College and had a recurring role on the soap opera "The Guiding Light," will teach acting for children: Acting for 4-8 year olds will be from 4:30 - 6 p.m. Mondays, April 13 to May 18. Cost will be $60 for the session. Acting for 9-14 year olds will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, April 7 to May 12. Cost will be $60 for the session. Call 432-2070 for information and to register.

It's time to apply for Summer Science Camp (open to local 10th and 11th grade students). Info: www.oneonta.edu/academics/pr2eps/

Monday April 6th 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. is Line dancing at the Morris Central School gymnasium. For info: 263-2339.

Tuesday April 7th, 7 p.m. Unatego Senior High School concert in the high school auditorium.

Also Tuesday, 7 p.m., 'Railroading Around Sidney' in the Sidney Civic Center, Room 218, Liberty Street; presented by John Taibi for the Sidney Historical Association. Open to the public.

Wed April 8th, 10 a.m. La Leche League breast-feeding information group First United Methodist Church, corner of Chestnut and Church streets, Oneonta. For info: Kate Seeley, 432-5984.

Theater Class!!!

Performance!
Karen Butler, who trained at Barnard College and Columbia University and has appeared in live theater, television commercials and had a recurring role on the soap opera "The Guiding Light," will teach acting for children.

Acting for 4-8 year olds will be from 4:30 - 6 p.m. Mondays, April 6 to May 11. Cost will be $60 for the session.

Acting for 9-14 year olds will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, April 7 to May 12. Cost will be $60 for the session.

Call 432-2070 for information and to register.

Promoting OWL online

What a great presentation today--all about promoting nonprofits through Facebook and other web tools:

http://www.slideshare.net/michaelwesolowski/orgs-telling-stories-on-facebookand-crm