GEOteens

Visit the library on Flickr and Facebook!

2011-07-29T13:40:00.003-04:00

The GEOteens blog is no longer being published. To find out about recent or upcoming events, check out the library's Flickr page at ACPL or our Facebook page.

International Youth Exchange Expo

2011-04-07T11:31:00.001-04:00

Are you a young person who is interested in traveling and studying abroad? If so, you might want to check out the International Youth Exchange Expo, which will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at IPFW's Walb Student Union.

Here is the line-up of workshops that will be held that day:

1. How you can afford the international experience. (9:15-9:45 and 10:30-11:00)

2. Which exchange program is for you? (9:15-9:45 and 10:00-10:30)

3. For parents: "My child wants to do what?" (10:00-10:30 and 10:30-11:00)

4. Just for teachers and counselors! (10:00-10:30)

5. "The World Is Flat" panel discussion. (10:00-10:45)

No Longer Accepting Applications for Summer Jobs

2011-04-01T00:00:00.001-04:00

The library is no longer accepting applications for summer employment. They will begin accepting applications for 2012 on December 1st.

If you have already turned in an application, expect to hear from the Human Resources office sometime in late May as to whether or not you will be getting one of our summer jobs.

Any questions about summer employment should be directed to the Human Resources office at 421-1230.

College costs

2011-03-24T13:45:00.001-04:00

From the office of Indiana Senator David Long:

State survey data reveals about 70 percent of Indiana's would-be first generation college students don't think they can afford post-secondary education. We want those students to know college is possible for all Hoosiers, and encourage them to take advantage of the resources and assistance available to them.

There are several helpful websites:

IndianaCollegeCosts.org - This free service provides Hoosier families with consistent and accurate estimates of college costs across all Indiana campuses, both public and private. The site features side-by-side comparisons of college costs, expected family contribution estimates, "Ask the Expert" sessions and more.

CashforCollegeIndiana.org - Updated annually in the lead-up to Indiana's March 10 financial aid deadline, Cash for College works to equip students and families with the practical steps needed to plan and pay for college. The campaign supports local students and communities with a variety of helpful resources, including grade-specific goals, student contests and special events. Indiana's Cash for College Campaign is made possible by Learn More Indiana, a partnership of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the Indiana Department of Education, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana. Additional support is provided by Indiana's colleges and universities, the Lumina Foundation for Education, USA Funds and the U.S. Department of Education.

LearnMoreIndiana.org - Indiana's one-stop-shop for helping Hoosiers plan and pay for college is available online at this website. It features specific goals for all students, promotional materials, details on special contests and events, links to a variety of online resources and more. Updates on Learn More Indiana are also available on Facebook and Twitter.

Deadline for Summer Jobs is Almost Here!

2011-03-01T11:00:00.002-05:00

If you are interested in working at the library this summer, you need to get your application in before April 1st! Applications are available on the library's website. You may apply for a Summer Assistant or the Team Read program.

Summer Assistants perform such tasks as shelving, helping out at Summer Reading Program registration tables, checking out materials for patrons, and preparing crafts for programs, among other duties. You must complete a skills test at the time you turn in your application for summer employment or your application will not be considered.

Team Read Teen Readers work as part of a team visiting library branch locations, schools, and parks to assist young children with reading skills. To be a Teen Reader, you must be between the ages of 16-19 during the summer. To see more on what the Team Read program is about, check out this video:

Don't Forget! Job Prep Program this Saturday!

2011-02-28T14:15:00.000-05:00

This Saturday, March 5th, from 3:00 - 4:00pm I will be holding a job prep program in the large meeting room at the front of the branch. This program is for high school students only.

In need of income? Thinking of applying for a summer job, or looking for something more permanent? It's a tough job market out there. Want some tips? Join me for a discussion about what to do and what NOT to do as you fill out applications and go for interviews.

Ductigami!

2011-02-25T10:05:00.001-05:00

We had a lot of fun yesterday making creations out of duct tape! Many followed patterns to create wallets, but several branched out on their own to make unique designs. Check them out!

Winter Carnival

2011-02-21T14:50:00.000-05:00

Saturday, February 26, 1:00-4:00 pm
Community Center, 233 W. Main St.

Bundle up, Fort Wayne, for some good, old-fashioned winter outdoor fun! Bring the family and enjoy snowman building, a snow angel contest, crafts, refreshments and more! We’re hoping for snow, but the carnival will go on regardless of the weather conditions. FREE!

Don't forget - Zoo Volunteer Application Deadline!

2011-02-20T14:53:00.000-05:00

Don't forget, the deadline to apply to be a volunteer at the zoo this summer is February 28th!

Adults age 18 and over assist zoo visitors, teach education programs, show small animals to children, prepare animal food, or host special events. Training classes for adults begin March 22.

Teens age 13-17 can apply now to join the summer Z-Team. You’ll assist our keepers and camp counselors, help at special events, and more. Download an application.

For more information, call the Volunteer Office at 260-427-6828 or e-mail.

Job Prep Program at Georgetown

2011-02-15T14:13:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, March 5th from 3:00 - 4:00pm, I will be holding a job prep program in the large meeting room at the front of the branch. This program is for high school students only.

In need of income? Thinking of applying for a summer job, or looking for something more permanent? It's a tough job market out there. Want some tips? Join me for a discussion about what to do and what NOT to do as you fill out applications and go for interviews.

Allen County Youth Summit

2011-02-15T11:53:00.000-05:00

There is still time to register for the Allen County Youth Summit!

The Allen County Youth Summit is for ALL 7-12 grade students interested in improving their community through service projects. The Summit will be taking place on Saturday, February 26th from 8:30am - 1pm at the Northeast Indiana Public Safety Academy, 7602 Patriot Crossing Fort Wayne, IN 46816.

Registration is easy. All you have to do is fill out the form and turn it in. The whole process will only take a few minutes! Make sure you register by February 19, 2011 in order to ensure that you take advantage of the discounted registration fee. As with all conferences, and gatherings there are some costs associated. However, the Allen County United Youth Summit will cost you only $5. Register as a group and pay less!

To register as a group, fill out the Group Online Registration form.

To register by yourself, fill out the Individual Online Registration form.

Or to print and mail in your paper, fill out the Registration Form.

For more information, visit the website or send an email.

February Valentine's and Friendship Party

2011-02-14T13:21:00.002-05:00

School was canceled so it was a small group for our annual Valentine party. We still had fun, though! The gift grab game gave away lots of cool prizes, and some people actually took home the cookies they decorated. :)

CD Clocks - January Teen Thursday

2011-02-14T13:16:00.001-05:00

Took me a while to get these on here, but here are some pics from when we used old CDs to make clocks!

Don't Forget - Romance Book Swap & Sale!

2011-02-07T15:01:00.000-05:00

February 8-10, 8 am-7:30 pm
Community Center, 233 W. Main St.

Love a good romance novel? Here’s your chance to trade in the ones you’ve read for some you haven’t . . . and just in time for Valentine’sDay. Books may also be purchased. You may trade up to 5 books on each day of the event. Purchases are unlimited.

Zoo Volunteer Fair

2011-02-01T15:47:00.000-05:00

Join the Fun – Be a Zoo Volunteer!

Tuesday, February 8, 6:00-7:00 pm
Franke Park Pond Pavilion

Come and learn about all the opportunities available at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo! For more information, call the Volunteer Office at 260-427-6828 or e-mail.

Adults age 18 and over assist zoo visitors, teach education programs, show small animals to children, prepare animal food, or host special events. Training classes for adults begin March 22.

Teens age 13-17 can apply now to join the summer Z-Team. You’ll assist our keepers and camp counselors, help at special events, and more. Download an application. Application deadline is February 28.

New Fiction

2011-01-30T10:58:00.008-05:00

Click on the cover for more information!

New Manga and Comics

2011-01-29T10:53:00.005-05:00

More New Books!

2011-01-28T13:51:00.010-05:00

To find out more about a book, just click on the cover!

New Supernatural and Fantasy Books

2011-01-27T13:44:00.009-05:00

For more information, click on the book cover.

The Oscar Race begins!

2011-01-26T21:45:00.001-05:00

It's Oscar time! Have you been keeping track of the nominated movies? Send me an email with your votes!

Actor in a Leading Role

* Javier Bardem in “Biutiful”

* Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”

* Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network”
(I have not seen the movie, but I love this trailer)

* Colin Firth in “The King's Speech”

* James Franco in “127 Hours”

Actress in a Leading Role

* Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”

* Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole”

* Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter's Bone”

* Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”

* Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine”

Library Closed Friday!

2011-01-26T16:43:00.000-05:00

All locations of the Allen County Public Library will be closed Friday the 28th.

New Nonfiction, Comics, and Books on CD

2011-01-26T13:35:00.010-05:00

Click on the book cover for more information!

Romance Book Swap & Sale

2011-01-25T14:59:00.000-05:00

New Stuff in the Teen Room

2011-01-21T11:20:00.011-05:00

Click on the book cover for more information!

New Fiction in the Teen Room

2011-01-20T11:13:00.008-05:00

For more information, just click on the book cover!

D&D and Magic giveaways

2011-01-17T18:03:00.001-05:00

Starting next Monday and continuing for 12 weeks, Georgetown will be giving away
Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering supplies.

Two ways to enter:

1. Hand write an entry and place it in the box, which will be located in the D&D book section in the Teen Room.

2. Email an entry to the Teen Librarian.

Different topics will be posted for each week’s contest. All you have to do is write one paragraph on that topic and your name will be entered to win.

You may enter more than once, with different paragraphs. You may win more than once, depending on the number of entries received.

Must be between the ages of 11-18 to enter!

More New Books!

2011-01-13T11:35:00.005-05:00

Click on any image for more information about the book!

New Books!

2011-01-12T11:35:00.008-05:00

Click on the image to see more information!

Allen County Youth Summit

2011-01-06T11:53:00.001-05:00

The Allen County Youth Summit is for ALL 7-12 grade students interested in improving their community through service projects. The Summit will be taking place on Saturday, February 26th from 8:30am - 1pm at the Northeast Indiana Public Safety Academy, 7602 Patriot Crossing Fort Wayne, IN 46816.

Registration is easy. All you have to do is fill out the form and turn it in. The whole process will only take a few minutes! Make sure you register by February 19, 2011 in order to ensure that you take advantage of the discounted registration fee. As with all conferences, and gatherings there are some costs associated. However, the Allen County United Youth Summit will cost you only $5. Register as a group and pay less!

To register as a group, fill out the Group Online Registration form.

To register by yourself, fill out the Individual Online Registration form.

Or to print and mail in your paper, fill out the Registration Form.

For more information, visit the website or send an email.

New Stuff in the Teen Room!

2010-12-30T11:50:00.004-05:00

Click on the image to learn more about the book!

New Books in the Teen Room!

2010-12-29T13:52:00.007-05:00

Click on any cover for more information!

Community Kwanzaa Celebration

2010-12-26T14:35:00.000-05:00

Weisser Park Youth Center
802 Eckert • 427-6780
December 30 & 31, 6 pm

Join the Weisser Park Youth Center on Thursday, December 30 for the “The Black Candle,” an award-winning and illuminating documentary film using Kwanzaa as a vehicle to celebrate the African American experience. It is directed by M. K. Asante and narrated by poet Maya Angelou. The program on Friday evening will include various performing artists and a delicious feast. Please r.s.v.p. at 427-6780.

Botanical Gardens $1 Sunday

2010-12-23T20:00:00.000-05:00

It's the day after Christmas. Do you need to get out of the house?

December 26, from 12:00-4:00 p.m., the Botanical Conservatory will be open and you can get in for $1.00. Enjoy the beauty of the holiday gardens and exhibits at the Botanical Conservatory. Their gift to you -- only $1 per person… and no wrapping paper to clean up!

Youth Kwanzaa Celebration

2010-12-23T14:34:00.000-05:00

Weisser Park Youth Center
802 Eckert • 427-6780
December 28 & 29, 3 pm

Kwanzaa is an African-American cultural holiday. Weisser Park's celebration includes fun activities that teach the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Children of all ages are invited to participate.

New Audiobooks in the Teen Room

2010-12-21T15:50:00.009-05:00

Click on the audiobook for more information!

And a book to grow on...

Serve as a Statehouse Page!

2010-12-20T13:40:00.002-05:00

Area senators today invite local middle and high school students to make the Indiana Statehouse their "classroom for a day" by serving as Senate pages during the 2011 Indiana General Assembly.

Pages have the opportunity to spend a day at the Statehouse working with their senator and Senate staff in the upcoming legislative session, which runs from Wednesday, Jan. 5 to Friday, April 29.

"Students who page, learn about the legislative process through observation and participation," said State Sen. Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn). "By interacting firsthand with legislators and staff, state government is brought to life. Pages get to see lawmakers introduce bills, debate and vote on important issues, all while meeting other students from Indiana."

State Sen. Tom Wyss (R-Fort Wayne) said interested students should submit page requests as soon as possible in a letter or e-mail. The student's name - as it would appear on a certificate - address, home telephone number, age and school affiliation should be included with requests. Friends wanting to page on the same day should send requests together. Wyss said specific date requests will be considered, but may not be possible.

State Sen. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) said the Senate's page office will confirm the scheduled date after processing incoming requests.

To be a page, e-mail requests to the following addresses or all four senators can be reached toll-free at 1-800-382-9467 or by U.S. Mail at 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204:

Senator.Long@iga.in.gov
Senator.Kruse@iga.in.gov
Senator.Wyss@iga.in.gov
Senator.Banks@iga.in.gov

You may also get information on paging for a one of our Democrat representatives by visiting their website.

Participating as a page is an excused absence from school. Pages must arrive at the Statehouse by 8:30 a.m. to begin their day in orientation.They then tour the historic Statehouse and observe proceedings in either committee rooms or the Senate Chamber.

Parents are responsible for transportation and student pages provide their own lunches, which can be economically priced at the Government Center Cafeteria, Circle Centre Mall or one of the many downtown restaurants.

For additional information, call the Republican office at 1-800-382-9467 or the Democratic office at 1-317-233-9814.

Oracle of Dating

2010-12-19T15:47:00.003-05:00

Author Allison van Diepen has written two books which the library owns, The Oracle of Dating, and the new release, The Oracle Rebounds. Maybe you've read one or both of them. But did you know there is also a website tied in with the books? Not surprisingly, it's called Oracle of Dating and, as in the books, is a romance advice site! Visit the site to read through other people's questions and the advice the Oracle gives, or to post a question of your own! And come to the library to check out the books! :)

New Fiction

2010-12-17T11:02:00.010-05:00

Click on the image for more information.

Teen Thursday - Chocolate Art!

2010-12-17T10:28:00.002-05:00

The teens had a great time making chocolate pieces of art. Check out the slideshow!

New Comics, Manga, and Nonfiction!

2010-12-16T10:42:00.016-05:00

To find out more about any title, just click on the cover image!

Chili Challenge Bike Ride

2010-12-15T14:24:00.001-05:00

Saturday, January 1, 1:00 p.m.
Psi Ote Pavilion in Bob Arnold Park
Parnell Ave. at East State Blvd.

Start the New Year with a chilly and challenging cycling adventure! Take the rugged off-road route or opt for a smoother ride on city streets and the Rivergreenway Trail. Ride departs from the Psi Ote Pavilion in Bob Arnold Park shortly after 1:00 p.m. and riders return to a steaming bowl of chili! This FREE event is co-sponsored by the Fort Wayne Velosport Club and the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department. For more information about the ride please call Tim Claypool at 484-0339 or visit the Velosport Club.

Young Naturalist Awards

2010-12-15T10:13:00.003-05:00

The Young Naturalist Awards is a competition for students in grades 7-12 to promote participation and communication in science (specifically in astronomy, ecology, Earth science, or biology).

The Young Naturalist Awards program invites you to plan and conduct your own scientific investigation, one that will include observations, questions, predictions, trips into the field to gather data, and analysis. You are not expected to make a new scientific discovery. However, your investigation should provide you with a new understanding about your question. Write up an essay (no longer than 20 pages!) about your observations that includes tables, charts, or graphs and artwork or photographs that help illustrate your findings. Need help planning a project? Check out this link.

Essays can be mailed to the Museum beginning December 1, 2010, and received no later than March 1, 2011. Print a copy of the entry form to include with your essay. Then mail your items to:

Young Naturalist Awards Administrator
NCSLET
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West at 79th Street
New York, NY 10024

Be sure to read through the rules for submitting your essay.

A panel of judges will review each essay, and twelve winners, two from each grade, will be chosen. Winners will receive cash awards. In May 2011, they will be invited, along with a parent or guardian, on an expense-paid trip to New York City to attend an award ceremony at the Museum and to take a behind-the-scenes tour. In addition, their essays will be published on the Museum's Web site. Check out eligibility here.

For more information, check out the website.

Teen Thursday - Ornaments and Memory Books

2010-12-11T13:09:00.002-05:00

We had a lot of messy fun this week at Teen Thursday! The teens used blank ornaments as their canvas and created some really unique tree hangings! The Memory Books were also made using special papers, brads, feathers, markers, and other bits and pieces.

New Fiction and Comics

2010-12-08T15:00:00.007-05:00

Just click on the image for more information.

Playaway version

New Nonfiction

2010-12-07T14:49:00.010-05:00

Click on the book cover for more information!

58th Annual Wassail Celebration

2010-12-02T14:36:00.000-05:00

Jennings Recreation Center
1330 McCulloch St. • 427-6700
Sunday, December 5, 4 pm

This annual event kicks off the holiday season. Children perform in song and dance and light refreshments are served, including the traditional Wassail punch! FREE!

Summer Jobs at the Library

2010-12-01T10:00:00.002-05:00

The library is now taking applications for summer employment. You must be at least 16 years of age to be employed at the library. Applications are available via the library's website.

You may apply to be a Summer Assistant or a Team Read Teen Reader. Summer Assistants perform such tasks as shelving, helping out at Summer Reading Program registration tables, checking out materials for patrons, and preparing crafts for programs, among other duties. Team Read Teen Readers work as part of a team visiting library branch locations, schools, and parks to assist young children with reading skills.

To be a Teen Reader, you must be between the ages of 16-19 during the summer of 2011. To see more on what the Team Read program is about, check out this video:

Remember, no applications for Summer Assistant or Team Read will be accepted after April 1st, so get your applications in soon!

Christmas at the Farm

2010-11-30T20:53:00.000-05:00

Saturday, December 4, 6:00-10:00 pm
Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Rd.

Mark your calendar now and join the folks at Salomon Farm for a traditional Christmas celebration on the farm with a live nativity scene, horse and tractor drawn wagon rides, stories from St. Nicholas and refreshments. There is no admission charge; however, free-will donations are welcomed. For additional information please call Tony Acosta at 427-6008.

New Fiction in the Teen Room!

2010-11-30T15:47:00.007-05:00

Click on the book cover for more information!

Seventeen Magazine's Taylor Swift Speak Now Sweepstakes

2010-11-30T12:18:00.001-05:00

Taylor's new record is all about being honest and saying how you feel. Tell Seventeen Magazine in 1,000 characters or less about a time you told someone how you really felt - or a time when speaking out helped someone in need, righted a wrong or gave you your own "voice” - and you could get the chance to tell Taylor in person!

10 readers will also win an autographed copy of Taylor's new album, Speak Now.

Beginning November 16, 2010 at 12:01 AM (ET) through January 4, 2011 at 11:59 PM (ET), go to the website and complete and submit the entry form. Winners will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received on or about January 7, 2011.

One grand prize winner will win a trip for winner and guest to meet Taylor Swift in 2011, location and date to be determined. In the event the winner is a minor, the traveling companion must be parent or legal guardian. Prize includes round-trip coach air transportation for two people from major airport nearest winner’s residence and hotel accommodations for two people for two nights (one room, double occupancy).

Ten first prize winners will receive a “Speak Now” CD signed by Taylor Swift. Winners will be notified via phone, e-mail or postal mail, at Sponsor’s discretion, on or about January 12, 2011.

Limit one entry per household. Open to females between the ages of 13 and 29 who are legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia at time of entry.

For more info on the contest rules, visit the Rules page.

New Manga and Nonfiction

2010-11-29T15:34:00.006-05:00

Click on the image to find out more information!

Santa & the Reindeer

2010-11-29T15:10:00.000-05:00

Saturdays, December 4, 11, 18, 12:00-4:00pm

Have little brothers or sisters? Like reindeer yourself? Santa and two of his reindeer will be on site at the Botanical Conservatory to greet the children while Mom and Dad take pictures to capture the moment. Explore the Conservatory in its holiday glory; this year’s theme is “Candyland”. Regular Conservatory admission fees apply: $5/adult, $3/child age 3-17. Children 2 and under are free. For info, call 427-6440.

Leaky Cauldron Wizarding World T-Shirt Contest

2010-11-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

The Leaky Cauldron website has its December contest posted!

You are the owner of the struggling wizarding clothes shop, Bolts and Bobbins, trying to drum up business. You hit upon the idea to get more kids into the shop. You’ve decided to market a line of T-shirts for Hogwarts students bearing slogans, quips, and phrases appealing to teenage wizards and witches.

For December's contest, create an original design for a T-shirt you think could be a best-seller. Winning entries will be made available for our readers to download and transfer to their own T-shirts!

General Rules:

* Anyone 13 years of age and over may enter the contest.
* One entry per person.
* All submissions must be the original work of the contestant.
* All entries must meet PG-13 standards of decency and good taste.
* The first place winner will receive a handcrafted wand donated by Wizard Wood Wands (changes monthly) and 200 MyLeaky points. Second, third, and honorable mention(s) will receive 150, 100, and 50 MyLeaky points respectively.
* Please refer to the FAQ if you are not sure of something.
* If you have any questions not answered on the FAQ, or would like to discuss this Contest, please come to the Contest Corner Forum of The Leaky Lounge.

Contest Rules

* Design a T-shirt (via computer or hand) to be sold to teenage witches and wizards. Base your design on an originally worded slogan, quip, or phrase. You may put a wizarding twist on an existing joke or saying if the change gives the words a new meaning. Please do not include quotes or illustrations from the HP books, interviews, movies, official licensed products, or any such official media, owing to copyright issues.

* Please remember this contest is for teenage witches and wizards and not for us as readers and fans so quips like "I've got a SIRIUS obsession" would not work for this contest since Sirius is considered a criminal in the wizarding world.

* Your design may be for the front or back of the shirt, or both, and may include an illustration. An illustration or fancy design is not required since simplicity works just as well to showcase the slogan.

* Please create a full-scale illustration of your design which can be copied for screening onto a t-shirt. Create a separate illustration showing the format and placement of the slogans on the shirt (front and back if needed). You may indicate the colors you recommend for both the shirt and the printing if you feel they are important to the overall effect.

* Please submit your entry in .jpg, .png, or .gif format. You may submit two files (one for the full scale design and the other for the format (front/back in one file)). File sizes no larger than 2 MB, please.

* Please include the name you would like to have appear with your slogan (real name, Leaky Lounge, MyLeaky, etc).

* All submissions must be e-mailed to contests@the-leaky-cauldron.org by 11:59 pm (EDT) on December 17, with "T-shirt Slogans" in the subject line of the e-mail.

New Books!

2010-11-28T11:53:00.000-05:00

Click on the book cover to find out more about the item!

Holiday Tales From The Heart

2010-11-27T11:37:00.000-05:00

As part of state government's celebration of the holidays, a very large Christmas tree will soon be placed in the rotunda of the Indiana Statehouse. Students can help bring the holiday tree to life by transforming their favorite seasonal memories into ornamental storybooks.

Write about your favorite "Christmas memories" in tiny handcrafted books and submit them by mailing or delivering decorations to the Statehouse Tour Office located at 200 W. Washington St., Room 220, Indianapolis, IN, 46204.

Submitted storybook ornaments will be hung on the Statehouse tree at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14. Selected stories will be featured on Daniels' website at www.in.gov/gov/firstlady.

Certain guidelines should be followed when constructing books:

* Decorations should be no larger than 8 inches square;
* Decorations may contain short stories of up to 300 words;
* Decorations should be made out of non-breakable or non-perishable materials like construction paper, poster board, pipe cleaners, wood, yarn and photographs;
* Decorations should have hooks or fasteners attached; and
* Decorations should be labeled with names of students and their schools.

Mail or deliver decorations to the Statehouse Tour Office located at 200 W. Washington St., Room 220, Indianapolis, IN, 46204. Please keep in mind storybook ornaments will not be returned.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn't until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November was formally proclaimed.

This first harvest meal has become a symbol of cooperation and interaction between English colonists and Native Americans. Although this feast is considered by many to the very first Thanksgiving celebration, it was actually in keeping with a long tradition of celebrating the harvest and giving thanks for a successful bounty of crops. Native American groups throughout the Americas, including the Pueblo, Cherokee, Creek and many others organized harvest festivals, ceremonial dances, and other celebrations of thanks for centuries before the arrival of Europeans in North America.

What foods topped the table at the first harvest feast? Historians aren't completely certain about the full bounty, but it's safe to say the pilgrims weren't gobbling up pumpkin pie or playing with their mashed potatoes. Following is a list of the foods that were available to the colonists at the time of the 1621 feast.

Foods That May Have Been on the Menu

Seafood: Cod, Eel, Clams, Lobster
Wild Fowl: Wild Turkey, Goose, Duck, Crane, Swan, Partridge, Eagles
Meat: Venison, Seal
Grain: Wheat Flour, Indian Corn
Vegetables: Pumpkin, Peas, Beans, Onions, Lettuce, Radishes, Carrots
Fruit: Plums, Grapes
Nuts: Walnuts, Chestnuts, Acorns
Herbs and Seasonings: Olive Oil, Liverwort, Leeks, Dried Currants, Parsnips

However, the only two items that historians know for sure were on the menu are venison and wild fowl, which are mentioned in primary sources.

The pilgrims didn't use forks; they ate with spoons, knives, and their fingers. They wiped their hands on large cloth napkins which they also used to pick up hot morsels of food. Salt would have been on the table at the harvest feast, and people would have sprinkled it on their food. Pepper, however, was something that they used for cooking but wasn't available on the table.

In the seventeenth century, a person's social standing determined what he or she ate. The best food was placed next to the most important people. People didn't tend to sample everything that was on the table (as we do today), they just ate what was closest to them!

Our modern Thanksgiving repast is centered around the turkey, but that certainly wasn't the case at the pilgrims's feasts. Their meals included many different meats. Vegetable dishes, one of the main components of our modern celebration, didn't really play a large part in the feast mentality of the seventeenth century. Depending on the time of year, many vegetables weren't available to the colonists.

The pilgrims probably didn't have pies or anything sweet at the harvest feast. They had brought some sugar with them on the Mayflower but by the time of the feast, the supply had dwindled. Also, they didn't have an oven so pies and cakes and breads were not possible at all. The food that was eaten at the harvest feast would have seemed fatty by 1990's standards, but it was probably more healthy for the pilgrims than it would be for people today. The colonists were more active and needed more protein. Heart attack was the least of their worries. They were more concerned about the plague and pox!

taken from http://www.history.com

Festival of Trains at Science Central

2010-11-21T19:49:00.000-05:00

On November 26th, 27th and 28th, the Festival of Trains will be taking place at Science Central. Train enthusiasts of all ages are invited to observe model train sets provided by various local model train groups. Climb aboard for holiday fun with a visit to the Twelfth Annual Festival of Trains at Science Central. Area model railroad and historic railroad groups will be chugging in to Science Central Station to fascinate the young and old alike. The weekend will include an extravaganza of model railroading in conjunction with several area model railroad clubs. Kids (2 yrs & under) get in for free. Everyone else pays $7.00 admission. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Downtown HolidayFest

2010-11-20T19:38:00.005-05:00

On Wednesday, November 24, Downtown HolidayFest takes place! If you've never been to it before, it's the night when the large Santa is lit, along with the Wells Fargo tree and the One Summit wreath. The Festival of Gingerbread will be open in the Historical Museum, and so will the Festival of Trees at the Embassy. The lighting ceremony starts at 5:00pm.

From 4:00-7:30 p.m., Santa’s Workshop at the Community Center (233 W. Main St.) will be taking place. Start off your downtown celebration at the Community Center with free holiday activities. There will be balloons, crafts, refreshments, movies and a free photo with an elf. Donate a new or gently used bear and enter a drawing to win a giant elf bear. Kids can shop for inexpensive holiday gifts for $1 or less at the North Pole Stop-n-Shop. Mom and Dad can shop that night, too. Community Center patrons have been crafting holiday items to sell on Candy Cane Lane. The money raised from the crafts will be donated to the Community Center’s wellness classes. Finally, check out the expanded Santa’s Workshop light display on the Community Center roof!

Holiday Kick-Off Party at the Botanical Gardens, 5:00-9:00 pm. Enjoy hot chocolate and a cookie, make a wish, meet Mrs. Claus, get a photo with Santa. You can also meet Becka and Teeka, two live reindeer that know all about the North Pole. Come along for the ride! Regular Conservatory admission fees apply.

Experience 150 amazing gingerbread creations on display at the Historical Center! Admission required, all ages welcome! Festival runs November 26 - December 12.

Holiday Houses for Habitat is one of Fort Wayne's newest holiday attractions, where hundreds of "snow village" homes, manufactured by Department 56, are showcased at the Grand Wayne Convention Center for families to enjoy throughout the holiday season. Individuals and families can sponsor a Holiday House for just $25, the proceeds of which will go to build real houses for those in need, through the efforts of Habitat for Humanity! Come join us from 6-9 p.m. during HolidayFest’s Annual Night of Lights.

The Festival of Trees at the historic Embassy Theatre and Indiana Hotel is a highly anticipated tradition during the holiday season. For one week in November, the lobbies of the Embassy Theatre and Indiana Hotel are transformed into a beautifully decorated wonderland of Christmas trees. Founded in 1984, the Festival of Trees is a fundraising and community goodwill event that supports ongoing operational and restoration efforts for the Embassy Theatre Foundation, Inc. Visit the Festival of Trees during the HolidayFest! Admission required.

Or just come to be part of the event. Hot cocoa is available from street vendors. Live music will be played. It's an amazing, fun time for everyone!

HeadWaters Park Outdoor Ice Skating Fun!

2010-11-17T19:52:00.002-05:00

This year the ice rink opens for the season on Saturday, November 21 and runs through February 28. There will be an ice skating show at 2:00pm that day, with an encore presentation at 7pm to celebrating this season's opening.

Skating admission will be: $5 for children ages 14 - adults, $3 for children 13 and under. Skate rental (for those needing skates) $2.

12:00-10:00pm Friday and Saturday.
12:00-8:00pm Sundays.
3:00-8:00pm Monday through Thursday.

Every Friday Free for children under 14.

What is Veteran's Day?

2010-11-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

An Act approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday — a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

taken from http://www1.va.gov

Vote for Your Favorite Animal Shelter!

2010-11-09T12:10:00.002-05:00

The Animal Rescue Site and Petfinder.com are sponsoring the Shelter Fan Photo Contest. Enter your pet's photo and the name and location of your favorite rescue organization to give them a chance to win a $2,000 grant to help animals! Rescue organizations in Fort Wayne are Aboite Feline Sanctuary & Adoption Center, Allen County SPCA, Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control, Fur Heaven's Sake, GO CATS GO, H.O.P.E.- for- Animals, Happy Tales Rescue Club, and Perfect Paws Pet Rescue, Inc.

For your photo to qualify, please ensure that it is a happy pet photo. The contest celebrates the accomplishments of your favorite rescue organization with happy pets in happy homes. Please click here to learn more about the Shelter+ Challenge and how you can help your favorite rescue organization win, or to place your vote!

The contest ends at midnight (PST) on December 19, 2010.

The Prizes for the favorite shelters are:
Grand Prize: One $10,000 grant!
Second Prize: One $5,000 grant!
Third Prize: One $2,000 grant!
Dark Horse Prizes: Eight $1,000 grants!
Shelter Fan Photo Contest Prize - November: One $2,000 grant!
Shelter Fan Photo Contest Prize - December: One $2,000 grant!
State Winners: Fifty-one $1,000 state grants
Canadian Winners: Three $1,000 grants will be awarded.
International Winner: Two $1,000 grants will be awarded.
Weekly Winners: Thirteen $1,000 grants will be awarded, one for each week of the Shelter+ Challenge.

Halloween Party

2010-11-07T21:52:00.004-05:00

We had a Halloween party a couple of weeks ago for Teen Thursday. We played toilet paper mummy, pin the tail on the cat, had a balloon relay race, eyeball toss, and a balloon pop for prizes. Books, trinkets, and candy were given away and a good time was had by all! Check out the pics:

Good Stuff to Read!

2010-11-06T16:14:00.019-04:00

Click on the book cover to find out more information about the book!

New Books in the Teen Room

2010-11-05T15:32:00.010-04:00

Click on the image of the cover to find out more about the book!

Check out the Big Kitties!

2010-11-02T20:06:00.003-04:00

Do you have a cat? I bet not a cat like these! This is a video from the Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida. After Halloween, they gave the cats pumpkins to play with. Do cats play with pumpkins? Watch the video to find out!

Seventeen Magazine's Fiction Contest

2010-11-01T11:09:00.002-04:00

Seventeen Magazine is holding a contest where females between the ages of 13-21 can have a chance to talk to Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins! One grand-prize winner will a cash prize of $5,000; have the story published in a 2011 issue of Seventeen; and receive a phone call from Suzanne Collins. (Male or female, if you have not read The Hunger Games, you should go check it out right now - it's amazing!)

To enter, fill out the form and include an original fiction short story of no more than 500 words. You can also enter by mailing in your entry to: Seventeen, 2011 Fiction Contest, 300 W. 57th St., 17th Floor, New York, NY 10019. The deadline to enter is December 31, 2011. All mail-in entries must be post-marked by December 31, 2011 and received by January 7, 2011.

All entries must include an original fiction short story of no more than 500 words. Entries must be must be typed, double-spaced, on one side of each sheet of paper, and must not have been previously published in any form, with the exception of school publications.

All entries will be judged by a Seventeen editors and Suzanne Collins, based on the following criteria: 33% originality, 33% creativity and 34% writing ability. Multiple entries are permitted for this contest.

Open to females, legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia and Canada who are 13-21 years of age in their state or province of residence at time of entry. Void in Puerto Rico, Quebec Province and where prohibited by law.

For the full official rules, check out the website.

New Supernatural Books

2010-10-31T17:00:00.007-04:00

For more information, click on the book covers!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).

The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.

By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils.

As European immigrants came to America, they brought their varied Halloween customs with them. Because of the rigid Protestant belief systems that characterized early New England, celebration of Halloween in colonial times was extremely limited there. It was much more common in Maryland and the southern colonies. As the beliefs and customs of different European ethnic groups, as well as the American Indians, meshed, a distinctly American version of Halloween began to emerge. The first celebrations included "play parties," public events held to celebrate the harvest, where neighbors would share stories of the dead, tell each other's fortunes, dance, and sing. Colonial Halloween festivities also featured the telling of ghost stories and mischief-making of all kinds.

In the second half of the nineteenth century, America was flooded with new immigrants. These new immigrants, especially the millions of Irish fleeing Ireland's potato famine of 1846, helped to popularize the celebration of Halloween nationally. Taking from Irish and English traditions, Americans began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually became today's "trick-or-treat" tradition.

taken from http://www.history.com

Two More Seventeen Magazine Contests!

2010-10-30T21:00:00.002-04:00

“Seventeen Style Pros” Sweepstakes: Five (5) winners will each receive a $100 American Express gift card!!!

Go online to Seventeen Magazine to enter. Sweepstakes ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on November 22, 2010. Odds of winning will depend upon the total number of eligible entries received. Must be female, ages 13 – 24 and a legal resident of the 50 United States or District of Columbia. Void where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes subject to complete official rules available at the website.

"Seventeen Magazine Make Me Chic" Giveaway:

Ten thousand (10,000) free studded bracelets will be given away, while supplies last. A notice will be posted when they have received 10,000 entries. Once all bracelets are distributed, there will be no substitute product given away.

Giveaway Rules: One bracelet per person. Must be female, between the ages of 13 and 29, and a resident of the 48 contiguous states within the United States. Void in Canada, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, and where prohibited by law. The giveaway ends November 22, 2010, so get your entry in fast at the Make Me Chic site!

New Fiction in the Teen Room!

2010-10-30T13:10:00.009-04:00

To find out more information on one of the books below, just click on the cover!

Mary Kay’s Your Path to Beauty Sweepstakes

2010-10-29T21:00:00.002-04:00

Ladies, get your chance to win a $5,000 college scholarship!

To Enter: Go to the website before the November 22 deadline. This contest is open only to females, 13 - 24 years of age who are legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia and who are currently enrolled as full or part-time students in a U.S. educational institution. Limit one entry per person/email/household address per day.

To view the complete rules, go here.

New Fantasy and Sci Fi

2010-10-29T13:11:00.007-04:00

Click on a cover for more information!

Seventeen's Ke$ha Meet and Greet Sweepstakes

2010-10-28T21:00:00.001-04:00

Seventeen Magazine is sponsoring a contest where you can have a chance to win concert tickets and meet Ke$ha!

The contest ends November 22, so get your entries in before then! To enter, go to the website and submit an entry form.

Five (5) Grand prize winners will one pair (two tickets) tickets to see Ke$ha live in concert in 2011 in one of the following cities: New York, NY ; Los Angeles, CA ; Seattle, WA; Boston, MA; or Chicago, IL and meet Ke$ha. (Transportation not provided.) Fifty (50) first prize winners will win a Ke$ha fan pack which includes an autographed issue of the November 2010 issue of Seventeen magazine, a t-shirt and Animal CD.

Limit (1) one entry per household for The Ke$ha Meet and Greet Sweepstakes. Multiple entries from the same household will be disqualified. The contest is open to females between the ages of 13 and 29 who are legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

Visit the official rules site for more information!

New Fiction!

2010-10-28T17:22:00.008-04:00

VOYA Teen Poetry Contest

2010-10-28T09:00:00.001-04:00

Librarians, teachers, and other professionals working with youth aged twelve to eighteen are invited to sponsor teens in VOYA's (Voice of Youth Advocates, a library magazine) our annual poetry contest.

Note: Poems must be submitted by an adult sponsor. We DO NOT accept entries submitted directly from teens.

Only one poem per teen, please.

Contest Deadline: December 31, 2010.

VOYA judges will select the top five winningest poems. When notified, sponsors must return the Publication Authorization form which gives parental permission to print the work of the winning poets. Each winner will receive a $20 cash prize and a copy of the April 2011 issue of VOYA.

For more information on how to submit your poem, visit the website.

New Nonfiction and Comics in the Teen Room

2010-10-27T17:22:00.007-04:00

Click on any cover to see more information on the book!

Harry Potter Preview

2010-10-27T08:30:00.002-04:00

Advance tickets are now on sale at your local theatres! I already have mine. Are you planning on going opening weekend?

New Fiction in the Teen Room

2010-10-26T17:22:00.013-04:00

Just click on the cover for more information about the book!

Teen Ink Cover Photo Contest

2010-10-22T20:42:00.000-04:00

Want to put your friends on the cover of a national magazine? Got some great photos of your friends at home, at school or just hanging out? Send Teen Ink your snapshots now!

Every month at least one winning image is selected to appear on the cover of Teen Ink magazine. Monthly contest winners receive a copy of Teen Ink magazine featuring their cover photo. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to choose from an exciting selection of Teen Ink merchandise - apparel and other items - available exclusively from Teen Ink. Selected entries are also published daily at TeenInk.com.

Teen Ink will only consider photographs taken by teen photographers. You can submit as many photographs as you like. There are no deadlines; photographs are accepted and published throughout the year.

For more information, check out http://www.teenink.com/Contests/CoverPhotoC.php.

Fall Festival at the Old Fort

2010-10-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

The "ghosts" from the area extend an invitation to join them at the Old Fort for a time of family fun on Saturday, October 23rd, from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m.

Attempt games of skill and hear tales from the past, among a variety of other activities. Maybe Old Fort´s resident ghost , Lt. Ostrander, will welcome you!

For more information call (260) 460-4763.

Admission is a freewill donation - donate what you can to support the Old Fort!

New Manga and Nonfiction

2010-10-18T18:00:00.008-04:00

Cake Decorating Program

2010-10-18T17:45:00.003-04:00

We had a special Saturday cake decorating program for age 8-18. Everyone got to practice with different frosting tips on wax paper, then on graham crackers, and then on a piece of cake. The room smelled like frosting - YUM! Take a look at pictures from the event!

Downtown Fright Night

2010-10-18T08:30:00.001-04:00

All of downtown comes alive for a frightfully good time at Downtown Fright Night, so grab your super(natural) friends and come enjoy the best thing to happen to Halloween since free candy.

The Zombie Walk. The silent movie. The haunted bus tours. The old City jail. And of course, lots of spooky activities for your little monsters too! With more organizations and venues involved than ever before, you can limp and hobble your way through downtown all night long while enjoying one ghoulish activity after another because this event has all the gory details you crave!

Date: Oct 23, 2010
Location: All over downtown Fort Wayne!

New Fantasy Books

2010-10-17T08:00:00.011-04:00

Just click on the image of the book to find out more information!

The WrestleMania Reading Challenge is here!

2010-10-17T08:00:00.002-04:00

Want a chance to win a trip to WrestleMania in Atlanta?

To participate, students will pledge to read 5 books or graphic novels between Teen Read Week (October 17 - 23, 2010) and WrestleMania 27 on April 3, 2011.

Students who want a chance to win the trip to WrestleMania 27 in Atlanta will need to complete a special project:

Grades 7-8 and Grades 9-12: Form a tag team of your favorite character from literature and your favorite WWE Superstar, and describe and/or illustrate on an 8.5x11-inch piece of paper the strategy you would use to defeat the current WWE Tag Team Champions (as of October 10, 2010). Teens may use art, drawing, collage, poetry and/or writing alone or in any combination in creating your project. All projects must be the original work of the individual teen. Only one entry per person.

Grades 5-6: Design a bookmark illustrating a slogan created by you that promotes reading. All projects must be the original work of the individual tween. Only one entry per person. The students chosen as Grand Prize Winners represent their libraries at the WrestleMania Reading Challenge World Finals in Atlanta on April 2, 2011 and win their libraries $2,000 grants and other prizes.

Between Oct. 25 and Nov. 15, each library will judge all project entries in three groups: grades 5-6, grades 7-8 and grades 9-12. Project winners at the local library level will get a certificate and a prize from the participating librarian's WrestleMania Reading Challenge Kit.

On or about Jan. 10, 2011, YALSA will award a Grand Prize to three students from each regional group who prepared the best project from that geographic region for their grade category (one from grades 5-6, one from grades 7-8, and one from grades 9-12). Grand Prize winners will win $2,000 for their library, a trip to Atlanta to see WrestleMania 27 and also get the chance to compete in Atlanta to be the WrestleMania Reading Challenge World Champion. The sponsoring library for the twenty-one finalists will receive a set of books from Penguin, including a new line of titles featuring WWE.

For more information on the contest, visit ALA's" website.

Teen Thursday - Karaoke

2010-10-16T17:42:00.002-04:00

The gang got together to sing and shout. Here are a few pictures from the program.

New Fiction in the Teen Room

2010-10-16T11:30:00.010-04:00

For more information on these titles, click on the images!

New Books in the Teen Room!

2010-10-16T10:48:00.007-04:00

Book Sale at the Community Center

2010-10-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

On October 19-21 from 8:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m., the Community Center at 233 W. Main Street will be selling used books at reasonable prices! You might find just the book you are looking for! Check it out!

New Fiction!

2010-10-14T18:23:00.004-04:00

Teen Read Week!

2010-10-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

Teen Read Week happens October 17-23. This year's theme is Books with Beat @ your library, which encourages teens to read poetry, audiobooks, books about music, and more.

During Teen Read Week, if you read a book of poetry, a book about art or music, or listen to a book on CD, come in and tell one of the librarians the title and author, and when you started and finished the book, and you get to pick a free book to keep!

Spooky Books in the Teen Room

2010-10-13T17:49:00.003-04:00

We're having trouble getting our links to work, so for more information on these titles, please visit the library catalog.

Halloween Pet Parade this weekend

2010-10-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

* WHO: Four-footed, furry goblins are lining up to take part in the Halloween Pet Parade sponsored by Paws & Remember as a benefit for Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control. . .

* WHAT: Pet owners are invited to come dressed in costume and to bring their costumed friendly pets by leash or by pet taxi to participate in a Halloween Pet Parade and costume judging contest with celebrity judges. . .

* WHEN: From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 16th . . .

* WHERE: Headwaters Park West

Come watch ther parade, or register your own pooch to be in the parade. There is an entry fee of $20 per pet for those who want their own critters to be in the parade. This charge includes costume judging, a chance to win great prizes, food, and also includes a custom color framed picture while you wait.

For more information or to register, visit their website.

New Manga and Nonfiction

2010-10-12T17:34:00.008-04:00

Rock Band

2010-10-12T15:37:00.000-04:00

We played Rock Band a couple of weeks ago. check out the slideshow!

Wild Zoo Halloween

2010-10-10T19:37:00.000-04:00

Wild Zoo Halloween is taking place this year on October 15-17, 21-24, and 28-31 from 12:00-5:00 p.m. The zoo’s Halloween event has a new twist – it’s now the WILD Zoo Halloween! Enjoy the beauty of nature and zoo animals while experiencing a new Halloween tradition. Kids will get candy, enjoy a daily costume parade, visit the Mummy’s Kitchen and the Beauty Shop of Horrors, meet Broomhilda the witch, dance the Monster Mash, see animals munch on pumpkin treats and much more! Admission: $8 children / $4 adults. Zoo Members get $2 off per person!

Fall Color Hike

2010-10-09T19:54:00.000-04:00

Saturday, October 16
10-11 a.m. Lindenwood Nature Preserve
1-2 p.m. at Buckner Park

See the beautiful colors of autumn on a walk with a Naturalist! In the morning you will be hiking at Lindenwood Nature Preserve and in the afternoon you'll go down the road to Buckner Park. Learn to identify trees with and without the aid of leaves and learn why certain trees’ leaves turn bright colors while others turn brown.

Dress for the weather and bring your camera! The hikes will begin promptly at the scheduled times, so please plan to arrive a few minutes early.

The hikes are free. Please call Renee Baines at 427-6005 by October 14 if you plan to attend.

New Fiction in the Teen Room

2010-10-07T16:26:00.004-04:00

Trip to College

2010-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

Trip to College is a site for those wanting to go or thinking about going to college. It has grade-driven timelines, real answers about planning for college, and steps and strategies for paying for college. The material is Indiana specific, too!

New Suspense in the Teen Room

2010-10-06T15:00:00.004-04:00