Children’s Workshop with Traci Jansen

Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 12:30pm

@ West End Museum

Traci Jansen / Head of Children's Programming at the

Middlesex Canal Museum

Ages 7-11 Years Old

FREE
 

This child friendly introduction to the Middlesex Canal will include a short lecture about the canal, a role play of canal personalities, as well as paper boat building.  Participants will use maps, drawings, and models to learn about this engineering marvel. Please reserve your space with Traci Jansen at middlesexcanal4kids@gmail.com. 

Check Out the Events our West End Museum is offering!!

Middlesex Canal Show Programs at the West End Museum

June 1 – July 9, 2011

Middlesex Canal Show Opening
Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 1:00pm – 4:00pm
@ West End Museum
Refreshments & Entertainment
FREE

Bulfinch’s Granite Buildings / Museum Talk
Monday, June 6, 2011 at 6:30pm-7:30pm
@ West End Museum
Duane Lucia / Executive Director of the West End Museum
FREE

26-Mile Bike Tour of the Middlesex Canal
Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 9:30am – 4:00pm
@ West End Museum to Billerica
Bill Kuttner / Tour Guide
Participants responsible for one-way train fare

Billerica Day: Middlesex Canal Museum Visit
Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 9:30am
@ West End Museum to Billerica
Duane Lucia / Coordinator
Participants responsible for round trip train fare

Children’s Workshop with Traci Jansen
Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 12:30pm
@ West End Museum
Traci Jansen / Head of Children’s Programming at the
Middlesex Canal Museum
Ages 7-11 Years Old
FREE

"Common Boston: Walking Tour of the West End"
Saturday, Jun 18, 2011 at
@ West End Museum
Jim Campano / West End Museum Founder
FREE

2-mile Walking Tour of the Charlestown Mill Pond
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 6:30pm
@ Sullivan Square Station to West End Museum
Bill Kuttner / Tour Guide
FREE

Museum Talk: “A Longer Journey Than I ever Imagined”
Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 6:30pm
@ West End Museum
Tom Raphael / Executive Committee Chairman
Middlesex Canal Commission
FREE

Film: “The Canal That Cut Boston In Two”
Friday, July 1, 2011 at 7:00pm
@ West End Museum
Roger Hagopian / Filmmaker
FREE

Lunch Hour Artist Talk: “The Incredible Ditch”
Friday, July 6, 2011 at 12:00pm
@ West End Museum
Tomas Dahill / Artist
FREE

Fun Stuff for the weekend

MFA Playdate
Friday, May 27th at 10:30am
Museum of Fine Arts
Adults free with museum admission; kids Free

Bring your toddler or preschooler for a drop-in, read aloud storytime followed by a short tour of specially selected art that both kids and adults enjoy.


The Pool at the Clubs at Charles River Park OPENS!!
Saturday, May 28th
Let's hope the weather cooperates!


ICA Playdate
Saturday, Mau 28th from 10am-4pm
Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave
Free for families with up to 2 adults accompanied by a child 12 and under

Take part in sketching, familt games and music on Boston's harbor walk in front of the ICA. Then visit the galleries and join a contemporary arts scavenger hunt.


Family Drop-In
Saturday, May 28th from 11am - 1pm
Arnold arboretum
125 Arborway
Free

The whole family will enjoy scavenger hunts, science investigations, craft activities, stories and guided walks


Memorial Day Open House
Monday, May 30th from 10am - 4:45pm
Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Ave
Free

Free general admission to the museum, including free admission to the Chihuly exhibit!

It is almost Memorial Day weekend??

We saw the sun last weekend and there are hopes of sun tomorrow... Let's hope it's true!!

I'm SOOO tired of all of this dreary weather!! The pool at Charles River Park opens this weekend! Let's hope we have some good weather!!

Chiara

MIT Museum

Thanks Karyn!

Not sure if you have been but the MIT Museum is pretty cool for the older kiddies. Matthew (4.5) loved it but not so much the little ones. It is short walk from Central Square T, but we drove at 10:00 today and there were plenty of street parking spots just in front. Under 5 is free. Adults are $7.50
web.mit.edu/museum/

Correction!!!!!

Sorry everyone!

I had a listing that EarthFest was both saturday and Sunday, but apparently it was just yesterday!!!

MY APOLOGIES!!!

Chiara

Fun stuff for TODAY Sunday, May 22!

The second annual Book, Toy and Bake Sale

Phillips Street Playground (Phillips St on Beacon Hill)
Sunday, May 22, 2011
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Come support the Phillips St playground. But a cd, toy, or some lemonade!
Many events are scheduled including music performances, a "Picnic in the Park" series taking place on Tuesday evenings with various forms of entertainment, and the Fall Harvest Festival. 


EarthFest
12-5pm at the Hatch Shell
FREE
Music, performers ans environmentally friendly products and green organizations.

Interesting Websites

Ok, so as the result of a lazy morning because my son isn't feeling well, I have some websites to share!


The first is Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families.
 Here's a excerpt from their site:

Americans assume that chemicals used to make ordinary products are tested for safety — but they are not. From baby bottles made with bisphenol A (BPA) to carpets containing formaldehyde, dangerous chemicals are in our homes, places of work, and the products we use every day. With each new scientific report linking toxic chemical exposure to a serious health problem, it becomes more obvious that the law intended to keep harmful chemicals in check — the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 — is not working.
Now, we have the chance to fix this problem — and to protect future generations from serious harm. By updating TSCA, Congress can create the foundation for a sound and comprehensive chemicals policy that protects public health and the environment, while restoring the luster of safety to U.S. goods in the world market. To be effective, TSCA reform should:
Take immediate action on the most dangerous chemicals
Current laws aren't protecting us from chemicals that are building up in our bodies and threatening our health. These persistent, bioaccumulative toxic chemicals should be phased out of commerce. Our exposure to other toxic chemicals that we know can cause serious health problems, should be reduced. Green chemistry research should be expanded, and safer chemicals favored over those with known health hazards.


The Second is Toygaroo.

From this website you can rent toys and send them back to be disinfected before they visit another family.  This would help solve the huge toy room I have!

See what you think!!

Children's Toys & Bake Sale

WHAT: Adult & Children's Book Fair including
DVD's & CD's, Children's Toys & Bake Sale
WHEN: Sunday, May 22nd, 2011
WHERE: Phillips Street Play Area, Beacon Hill
(Behind 19 Phillips Street - Between Garden Street and Andersen Street)
TIME: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
WHY: To support summer programming at PSPA

If you are interested in making a donation, we are accepting books, cd's, dvd's & children's toys. Great reason to clean out your space!
Drop off location is at the Vilna Shul, 18 Phillips Street
on the following dates and times:
Tues. - Thurs. May 3rd-5th, May 10th-12th, May 17th-19th from 10:30am - 5:00pm
Sunday May 8th, 15th and 22nd from 9:00am - noon

For assistance with drop off or info, contact
Marcy Axelrad at 617-448-7490 or friendspspa@hotmail.com

RAIN LOCATION:
Vilna Shul, 18 Phillips Street

Chiara

Pawtucket Red Sox Games!

Would anyone be interested in getting a group together to go this summer??
let us know!  Leave a comment below!!

View home game schedule

Kids can Bowl FREE through the summer!!

Kids can bowl two free games every day this summer with the 'Kids Bowl Free' Pass. For ages 15 and under.

(You can also purchase a family pass. The Family Pass that includes 1, 2, 3, or 4 adults. You are not required to buy a family pass in order to get free kid's passes.)

How to get your free kid's passes
1. Vist the website of a bowling alley near you:
Participating bowling alleys in Massachusetts
2. Register directly on the bowling center page (The registration is valid only at the bowling center where you register and cannot be used at any other bowling center unless otherwise noted.)

3. Once the program has begun, you will get a weekly email that contains a link to your coupons and family passes for that week.

Are you thinking about joining the pool this summer???

If you are, The Clubs at Charles River Park is offering a special deal!

Pre-Summer Membership Sale

Join by May 21st and get four free guest passes* with each adult summer membership purchased! Get started by filling out the form below to grab your free one-day club pass. Our summer season begins Memorial Day weekend!

Take advantage of this deal before it's too late!
Click here to go to The Clubs at Charles River Park

West End Community Center Stuff!

Free Entry to the Museum of Science

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Afternoons beginning at 2:30 PM

Free admission for RACE: Are We SO Different and Exhibit Halls

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons (March 2 through May 12, 2011) starting at 2:30pm- Main Lobby Check-in Table.

Residents of the cities listed below will be admitted free to the Museum to view the RACE exhibit on Tuesdays , Wednesdays and Thursday afternoons starting at 2:30 during the run of the exhibit.The only exception is the Massachusetts April school vacation week (April 19, 20, 21)
The cities are: Boston: (Allston, Back Bay, Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Fenway/Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, West End) Cambridge, Everett, Malden, Revere, Somerville, Chelsea, and Quincy.
Residents will show a valid picture I.D., such as driver's license, Mass I.D. or passport. Children and teens 3-17, accompanying adults with I.D. will have free admission as well. In the case of college students not having the I.D. forms mentioned above, the accepted I.D.'s are a student picture I.D. and a utility bill with their name and address on it.
No pre-registration is required. Just show up with your I.D Please contact James Boyd in Community Relations at jboyd@mos.org with any questions.

---

Family Music Makers

Fridays 9:30-10:15 A.M.
Family Music Makers is a musical journey designed for children aged newborn through 4 and their caretakers. Kids sing, play percussion instruments and dance as they learn musical behaviors, gross motor movement, and socialization with other children.
Classes are ongoing. Register at www.linx-usa.com or call 781-235-3210. Registration includes a CD of songs from Family Music Makers' own locally recorded repertory.

---

Youth Droppin' In

Sundays from 2:00-5:00

Youth drop in center for kids 10-15 of age. A safe, fun, learning environment which will provide homework help as well as broaden their horizons by expanding upon things they are learning in school. We incorporate regular physical activity into our youth program. Occasional field trips to the Museum of Science and the Aquarium will both educate and enlighten participants.
Please contact our Youth Program Coordinator, Merlyne Pierre at mp@westendcommunitycenter.com with any questions about this program.

It's a rainy day...

and the forecast for the week looks like it's going to be cold and rainy...

According to channel 7, this is what the forecast is:

Sunday: Cloudy with scattered showers, embedded downpours, but some dry stretches too. Highs a few degrees either side of 60. Cooler coast. Temps slide back into the low 50s late as winds turn NE.

Monday: Cloudy with a few showers, drizzle. Cool & raw. Highs along the coast near 50.....55 inland.

Tuesday: Cloudy with periods of rain. Cool & raw. Highs along the coast near 51.....57 inland.

Wednesday: Cloudy with periods of rain. Cool & raw. Highs along the coast near 52.....57 inland.

Thursday: Cloudy with periods of rain. Cool & raw. Highs along the coast near 53.....58 inland.

Friday: A few breaks of sun? Possible. Still scattered showers around, perhaps a thunderstorm. Highs in the upper 50s coast, mid 60s inland.

Saturday: Better, clouds, some sun, a passing shower of thunderstorm could pop. Highs low 60s coast, near 70 inland.

Spring Hunt/ Mother's Brunch

It was great to see all of you today!!
I hope the kids had a good time!

Welcome some new parents to the group, and please pass along info about us with other neighbors! We will try and get some flyers up soon!

We hope to see everyone outside as the weather gets nicer! Please let us know about things you hear about so we can share it with everyone!

Check in here at the blog and check for updates!

Don't forget the West End Children's Festival is in August!! We are looking for Volunteers to help plan the fun!! Contact the West End Community Center at 617.670.1900 or Tatiana at tm@westendcommunitycenter.com

Chiara

Race to Nowhere Reminder!!

Friends and Neighbors, 
 
A reminder that the screening of the provocative film Race to Nowhere on Thursday May 19th at 5:30 and 7 at the Warren-Prescott Auditorium. As you may have read, this film is sweeping the nation and is becoming a "must-see" for parents and educators. Its last Boston screening sold out in a week. It has been covered on every major news source. It can ONLY be seen through limited screenings.

Both screenings, at 5:30 pm and 7pm on May 19th, will be at the Warren-Prescott Auditorium. We encourage you to invite friends and buy your tickets today.  $10 online and $15 at the door. Spread the word.

Tickets can be purchased at,
For 5:30 http://rtnwarrenprescott530.eventbrite.com
For 7:00 http://rtnwarrenprescott7.eventbrite.com  

Here is an article from the NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/09/education/09nowhere.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=race%20to%20nowhere&st=cse 

We hope you will join us with friends for the film and the conversation. It is sure to inspire lots of food for thought. 
Chiara

Happy Mother's Day!!

I hope all you mother's have a great day!!

To the most rewarding and challenging job!!

Enjoy!!

Race to Nowhere

Friends and Neighbors,

We are happy to announce a second neighborhood screening of the provocative film Race to Nowhere on Thursday May 19th at 5:30 and 7 at the Warren-Prescott Auditorium.

As you may have read, this film is sweeping the nation and is becoming a "must-see" for parents and educators. Its last Boston screening sold out in a week. It has been covered on every major news source. It can ONLY be seen through limited screenings.

Both screenings, at 5:30 pm and 7pm on May 19th, will be at the Warren-Prescott Auditorium.

Tickets are limited and we imagine that they will sell out quickly as word spreads in the community (They sold out at CWT in a week) . We encourage you to invite friends and buy your tickets today. Spread the word. Tickets can be purchased at,

•  For 5:30 http://rtnwarrenprescott530.eventbrite.com

• For 7:00 http://rtnwarrenprescott7.eventbrite.com  

Here is an article from the NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/09/education/09nowhere.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=race%20to%20nowhere&st=cse 

We hope you will join us with friends for the film and the conversation. It is sure to inspire lots of food for thought.