Few things capture a child's imagination like a good book...and since the only thing better than reading a good story is writing one, WHTJ PBS is looking for original stories written by children. The PBS Kids Go! Writers Contest is open to young writers in grades K-3. Each entry must be an original (...)
The award-winning television show "Charlottesville Inside-Out," hosted by local singer/songwriter Terri Allard, begins its third season on WHTJ PBS on Thursday, February 4. The program introduces viewers to the people and places that define the Charlottesville area through interviews conducted (...)
J. Joshua Wheeler normally spends little time thinking about what happens at a children's museum. As associate director for the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, Wheeler is typically trying to convince adults about the Constitutional merits of free speech.
"I'm an (...)
Probably putting an end to fears that Albemarle County would close three of its elementary schools in favor of building one giant elementary, Superintendent Pamela Moran issued a press release Thursday night saying that the cost to fix and expand Red Hill Elementary, located in North Garden; B.F. (...)
Registration is underway for Charlottesville Parks & Recreation’s fall classes. More than 200 classes are available for kids of all ages. Classes include aquatics, athletics, fitness, gymnastics, dance, art, enrichment, outdoor adventure, therapeutics, seniors, and much more. To view the class (...)
Downtown denizens who stroll the bricks on a warm weekend evening may have noticed a new addition to the parade of characters haunting the Mall recently. Tall and lean, sporting a grey mustache and spectacles, and clad in a turn-of-the-century cutaway and top hat, Rob Craighurst is exactly the sort of (...)
Virginia Discovery Museum is all lit up with Illumination Station: Lights, Lasers, Lenses. It’s a new rotating exhibit in the Back Gallery with lots of fun experiments that let young explorers learn about things like lights, shadows, and things that glow. Try to get the laser beam through the maze of mirrors or use a prism to create a rainbow. Now through May 9 at the east end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.
Adventurers young and old can discover the dynamics of maps by land, air, sea, and space in a National Geographic exhibit at the Science Museum of Virginia. Chart new territories and plan adventures. Navigate through new technologies and ancient mapping techniques. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 804-864-1400.
Virginia TimeTravelers is back for 2010 with a new twist. The theme for this Virginia educational tourism program for 2010 is “Minds Wide Open!” and focuses on creativity and diversity in Virginia’s museums. Kids can explore Virginia’s museums and historic sites, attend special events, and earn a colorful TimeTravelers t-shirt, a certificate of completion signed by the Governor, and more. See the website for the vast variety of venues all across the state of Virginia, including the Arts Depot in Abingdon, the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond, and the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse in Virginia Beach. For more info, call 804-788-5824.
The 16th annual Virginia Festival of the Book is back offering a stack of bookish programs featuring prominent figures in the literary world. Kids of all ages can indulge their inner bookwork with a great variety of special events for youth and families include school-based programs, a high school poetry evening, and the Annual StoryFest on Saturday, March 20. Various venues. 924-6890.
The sheep are donning their new spring coats at Ash Lawn Highland, and folks are invited to come and watch. Master shearer Emily Chaplein will demonstrate her art with manual shears as well as the modern electric ones. Ash Lawn Highland. 293-8000.
Kids 5 and under who are hungry for a good read are invited to hop in the pot for a generous serving of stories, rhymes, songs, and fun especially designed for mixed ages at Central Library. The soup changes with the age of the ingredients (you), so come add your flavor to the pot. 201 E. Market St. 979-7151, ext. 3.
Local artist Susan Northington returns to Gordon Avenue Library to help us celebrate the March birthday of artistic genius Vincent van Gogh. You’ll learn a little about his life and then create your own masterpiece in his distinctive style in this hands-on program for kids ages 6 and up. Registration is required. 1500 Gordon Ave. 296-5544.
Kate White leads an afterschool program for families at Ivy Creek Natural Area where participants will play nature games, learn songs, do crafts and hear stories. Participants are expected to learn the songs so they can sing with the storyteller. Parents are strongly encouraged to play. This is a full family participation activity for families with children of all ages. Patterned after the invisible school of nature mentoring. Meet in the Education Center at Ivy Creek Natural Area. 1776 Earlysville Rd. 973-7772.
Families are invited to join Kate White for a little green time at Ivy Creek Natural Area. This afterschool program gives participants the chance to play nature games, learn songs, do crafts, and hear stories. This is a full family participation activity for families with children of all ages patterned after the invisible school of nature mentoring. Meet at the Education Center. Earlysville Rd. 973-7772.
The PVCC Student Art Club sponsors Free Movie Friday with films on the big screen in the comfortable and spacious V. Earl Dickinson Theatre. Tonight’s feature is Up in the Air. General seating. 501 College Dr. off route 20. 961-5362.
March is known for its wind. Kids ages 4 and up can come catch it with us at Scottsville Library. We’ll be making a windsock to catch the spring breezes. Registration is required. 330 Bird St. 286-3541.
There are rodents of unusual size running about the Old Michie Theatre, and wee ones just might enjoy their tale of tails. Their performance is staged with hand puppets and includes audience participation, fun, and more. 221 E. Water St. 977-3690.
Children ages 7 - 11 are invited to participate in a print workshop with local artist Fenella Belle at the Kluge-Ruhe Collection. Inspired by their current exhibit, Etched in the Sun: Prints by Indigenous Australian Artists, young artists cancreate their own prints using two different techniques. Reservations are required. 400 Worrell Dr., Peter Jefferson Place. 244-0234.
The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection invites children ages 7-11 to participate in a print workshop led by artist Fenella Bill, inspired by Kluge-Ruhe’s current exhibition, “Etched in the Sun: Prints by Indigenous Australian Artists.” Reservations required. 400 Worrell Drive. 244-0234.
PHOTO courtesy of Red House Productions
“It’s not just a parking lot, it’s a battle with humanity.”
The Paramount Theater brings you the Charlottesville Premiere of the highly anticipated local documentary that everyone’s talking about. Filmmaker Meghan Eckman’s The Parking Lot Movie features the attendants at the Corner Parking Lot located off University Avenue across from UVA. Selected for inclusion in South by Southwest film festival, this documentary is a strange rite of passage for all involved, with themes that include cars and license plates, capitalism, anger, justice, drunkenness, awareness, class struggle all meshing together in the orbit of the Parking Lot Attendant. Q&A afterwards with filmmakers and attendants. Watch a trailer here. Downtown Mall. 979-1333.
Archaeologist wannabes can help out at an actual excavation at the home of President James Madison, Montpelier. Work with trained professional archaeologists as you trowel Montpelier’s historic soils to unearth evidence of stables and slave quarters to the south of the mansion. Call ahead for reservations. 11407 Constitution Highway in Montpelier Station. 540-672-2728, ext. 160.
In Ukraine, the decorating of eggs for Easter, known as pysanky, is unlike the more Western tradition of simply coloring eggs. The word pysanka is derived from the verb meaning write. Russian instructor, Rachel Stauffer, leads a pysanka workshop at Speak! Language Center. In this workshop, participants ages 7 and up will learn how to decorate Easter eggs Ukrainian-style, using traditional tools, beeswax, and natural dyes as they learn about traditional symbols, motifs, and the beliefs behind the decorating of pysanky. It’s a perfect spring craft activity for families. Reservations requested. In the Glass Building, 313 2nd St. S.E., Suite 109 (entrance faces Garrett St.) 245-8255
An inter-generational handcraft group for stitchers ages 8-108 meets at Crozet Library. Bring any handwork you’re working on and join a fun group of fellow crafters. As you work on your own project, we’ll highlight a variety of craft techniques, allowing you to explore and expand your interests and creativity. Registration is requested and is ongoing. In the old train station on Three Notch’d Rd. 823-4050.
Get it writeYoung writers ages 9-12 can work together with the ideas of Gail Carson Levine’s Writing Magic and share ideas about their own writing at a Young Writer’s Workshop at Crozet Library. After school snack provided. Registration ongoing. In the old train station on Three Notch’d Rd. in Crozet. 823-4050.
Young poets ages 8-11 are invited to celebrate National Poetry Month at Northside Library. You’ll act out some poems, share your own, and decorate the library’s Poet Tree. Registration is required. Albemarle Square. 973-7893.
Graves Mountain Lodge hosts Kid’s Day, a fun-filled celebration of Virginia heritage with fishing, activities, craft vendors, and education. The fun includes a turkey calling contest for kids, archery and air-rifle instructions, duck calling, and much more. Directions: 29N to Rt. 231 in Madison, go 5 miles to Banco and turn left on Rt. 670 and drive 4 miles to the Lodge. 540-923-4231.
Amazement Square offers the most egg-citing program of the spring. Our annual Easter Egg Hunt takes a trip through time as we flash forward to the 25th century. As you search for eggs throughout all four floors of the museum and turn them in for egg-cellent prizes, enjoy our futuristic environment and games. 27 Ninth St., Lynchburg. 434-845-1888.
Charlottesville Recreation & Leisure Services and Albemarle Parks and Recreation invite one and all to their annual Easter Eggstravaganza at Charlottesville High School athletic field. The fun includes face painting, moon bounces, and fire trucks, and it all ends with an Easter egg hunt. Melbourne Ave. 970-3260.
Easter.The city of Staunton hosts the Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt at Gypsy Hill Park. Visitors can then ride the Bunny Express Trolley with the Easter Bunny downtown for a party at Byers Street Bistro. Free Prizes, face-painting, food, and fun. 540-332-3867.
The Children’s Museum of Richmond hosts Kids’ Carniball 2010 - Destination: Italy! It’s a fun-filled family day of celebration with activities that include live music, face painting, authentic art projects, delicious food, raffle, and silent auction. Come in casual dress or festive costumes. Reservations are required. 2626 W. Broad St. 804-474-7007.
Steel wool is catching fire. Sand doesn’t get wet, even after it has been dropped into water. And you can feel atoms bouncing around. It’s NanoDay at the Science Museum of Virginia where the world of the very small is very big. Just how small is small? The nano scale is one billionth of one meter, and nanotechnology refers to the science, engineering, and technology that takes place on that tiny scale. Visitors to NanoDay can experience this world and how it works. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 804-864-1400 or 800-659-1727.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens celebrates spring in the gardens, and kids are invited to wear their Easter bonnets and come meet Peter Rabbit, hear classic stories, and listen to a concert by the Richmond Concert Band on the lawn at the Bloemendaal House. 1800 Lakeside Ave. off I-95, Richmond. 804-262-9887.
MountainSide Petting Farm invites kids out to the country for a fun-filled weekend including egg decorating, a walk in the farm yard, and an animal parade. MountainSide Petting Farm.141 Blundell Hollow Rd., Afton. 434-361-0203
Teenage fans of Japanese animation can get a sneak preview of the latest releases and meet other enthusiasts at Northside Library’s Anime Club. There’s food, flicks, and lots of fun for kids in grades 6-12. Registration is recommended but not required. Albemarle Square. 973-7893.
Central Library is Game Central. Players in grades 6-12 can brush up their skills on their favorite game in Wii Sports, then show off their footwork in DDR. There’s Boggle, checkers, and more in between turns at the video games. Snacks, too. No registration required. 201 E. Market St. 979-7151, ext. 3.
Teens ages 13-18 interested in creative writing can join the club and get inspired at Crozet Library. This writing group is a chance to practice your skills, learn new techniques, read what other teen writers are working on, and hear helpful comments about your own writing. 6:30pm. Free. Registration required. In the old train station on Three Notch’d Rd. 832-4050.
Sleepyheads eager for a story can bring their stuffed animal friends to Northside Library for story time and a stuffed animal sleepover. Don’t worry…the librarians will take good care of your friends and they will be ready to return the next day. Registration not required. Albemarle Square. 973-7893.
Kids of all ages are invited to drop in at Central Library to make a frilly and fabulous spring bonnet. You’re sure to be the grandest kid in any parade. 201 E. Market St. 979-7151, ext. 3.
