Cajun/Zydeco Music
And one more great idea from a friend:
If you happen to be a fan of Cajun/Zydeco music, this website
is a great local resource to learn where you can go to listen or dance. From it I found a couple events coming up that look like they would be appropriate for kids, too:
September 30 Saturday
Squeeze Bayou (Local Cajun)
@ Mason District Park: 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
10:00 – 11:00 AM – Free
Outdoor Festival
FFIC: 703 324-7469 : http://www.fairfax.va.us/parks/performances/
October 1 Sunday
The Alligator Zydeco Band (PA Zydeco)
@ The Baltimore Museum Of Art: 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore MD 21218
FREE
Other Bands 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Zydeco from 3:00PM – 5:00PM
FFIC: 443-573-1834 : http://artbma.org/visitorinfo/index.html
And there’s lots more there for those who can stay up past 8pm!
There’s a newsletter you can sign up for, too, if you want to get up-to-date info each week.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Tours of the Washington Post
A friend sent along this cool opportunity:
Washington Post Reader’s Day
Free plant tours of the Springfield VA printing plant.
Sunday Oct 8 11am to 4pm
Call by Oct 5 to make reservations: 202-334-7969 during business hours
Tour lasts about 45 minutes and there are no rest stops on the way. Ad doesn’t mention age limitations, and when I called they said there is no restriction–anyone can come.
Plant is located at 7171 Wimsatt Road. From Shirley Highway (I-395), take the Edsall Rd West exit. Go to the 4th traffic light. Turn left onto Backlick Rd and go to the 3rd traffic light. Turn right onto Wimsatt Rd and go to the Washington Post parking lot. (I got all the info from an ad in the Food section, can’t find a link on-line.)
Thanks!
Free Ice Cream Today at Cold Stone Creamery (9/28)
Here’s another great tip from Jennifer:
Cold Stone Creamery is giving away free 3-oz portions of ice cream today from 5pm-8pm while supplies last. 100% of all donations collected during the promotion will be given to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Thanks!
Oooops! Wrong Book.
In my last post about homeschooling resources I suggested a book by Linda Dobson entitled, “Homeschooling: The Early Years”. I said that this book has a great appendix of resources. It turns out I listed the wrong book. I have several of Linda Dobson’s books out from the library right now, and while I think “The Early Years” book has a lot of good information, it does not have an Appendix. Check out “The Homeschooling Book of Answers” by Linda Dobson instead.
Resources for Teaching Kids
I have begun to explore the option of homeschooling my children and I am finding that there are some wonderful resources created for the homeschooling community that are terrific for encouraging children’s natural love of learning whether or not you plan to homeschool. Many of the web sites and books have great ideas for projects you can do at home, suggestions for excellent books on all kinds of subjects, and even reviews and recommendations for suppliers of educational toys and products for kids of all ages.
Here are a few I have found to be very helpful so far. All of the books , except the one of science experiments, have been readily available at my local library:
“The Homeschooling Book of Answers” by Linda Dobson – This book has a great appendix of resources in the back.
“The Complete Home Learning Sourcebook” by Rebecca Rupp – This book is a catalog (with helpful reviews) of educational products, books, toys and games for subjects ranging from Arithmetic to Zoology.
“Home Learning Year by Year” by Rebecca Rupp – Written to help homeschoolers design a curriculum, this book walks through each grade, from kindergarten through high school offering suggestions for subject matter, questions to investigate, resource material, and books to read.
“730 Easy Science Experiments with Everyday Materials” by E. Richard Churchill, Louis V. Loeschnig, and Muriel Mandell – I just purchase this book at BN.com for less that $10 hardback, but I saw it at Borders for $25 for a paperback, comb-binded version. Go figure. It pays to shop around. Anyway, this book is great for my 4-year old who is very interested in why things happen. The experiments are easy, short, and most aren’t too messy (a plus for me). I think this one will keep us busy for many years.
A friend also recently sent me links to these interesting sites:
http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/by-title.shtml
From the University of Missouri, collections of resource links for hundreds of different topics, ranging from Adinkra cloth to Yellowstone National park. Intended for educators but you can access and use the links for free.
http://www.nationalreadingpanel.org/
Has study-based recommendations for teaching kids to read at all levels. Some interesting articles.
http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/
print out your own free handwriting worksheets
(This site is lots of fun as you can print out directions for your child’s name, or other phrases that would get your child’s attention.)
Enjoy and I will add other great resources as I find them. If anyone has some to add, or useful homeschooling advice for me, please let me know!
Kennedy Center Open House Arts Festival
This sounds like a fun way to spend Saturday:
To celebrate the Kennedy Center’s 35th birthday, join us for more than 30 free performances and activities all around the building. With “Arts Along the Gulf Coast Highway,” you’ll enjoy sights and sounds from East Texas and Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle – including Grammy winners Nanci Griffith, BeauSoleil, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and more. We’re also casting the spotlight on the National Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Center’s very own The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and many great local and regional talents. Bring the entire family and make the most of all that’s in store!
OPEN HOUSE ARTS FESTIVAL
featuring Arts Along the Gulf Coast Highway
A FREE DAY OF FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
Sat., Sep. 16 from 12 – 7pm
Throughout the Kennedy Center – Two Parades at 12 & 3pm
Check out the Kennedy Center web site from more information and a schedule of events.
3rd Annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival
This Saturday, September 9, 2006 is the third annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival. It kicks off with a Jazz Parade at 2pm and runs until 10:30pm. Performances will be held in Veteran’s Field (“the green thing”) in dowtown Silver Spring.
2:00 New Orleans Style Jazz Parade
(local high school bands perform a New Orleans style caravan)
3:00 Cutting Competition
(Borders/JazzTimes trophy awarded)
4:00 Michelle Walker
(modern jazz vocalist)
5:15 Felix Contreras & Afro Bop Alliance
(latin jazz featuring the conga drums)
6:30 The Marcus Johnson Project
(smooth jazz featuring the piano)
7:45 Terell Stafford Quintet
(straight ahead featuring the trumpet)
9:00 Spyro Gyra
(contemporary jazz legends)
Page-to-Stage New Play Festival
Looking for something interesting to do this rainy Labor Day Weekend? The Kennedy Center is hosting the Page-To-Stage Festival this Saturday, Sunday & Monday (Sept. 2-4). According to the Kennedy Center web site:
During this three-day event, the Kennedy Center welcomes more than 35 theaters from the D.C. metropolitan area with the goal of producing and supporting the success of new plays and musicals. Featuring free readings, special events, and panel discussions, the festival lets you catch a glimpse of upcoming Washington premieres in the 2006–2007 theater season. This year will include new works by Norman Allen, Joe Calarco, Richard Dresser, Thomas Keneally, Jon Klein, James Magruder, and more.
Performances are held throughout the Kennedy Center from 2pm to 10pm each day. The event is free and no tickets are required, although seating is limited. You can check out the schedule on-line.
Thanks to an anonymous Stone Soup DC reader for this tip!
Birthday Freebies
This great resource was sent in by Julie:
This came from a website called http://www.slickdeals.net/ Not all of the freebies are local, but quite a few are! All deals are up to the specific location. So you can call ahead and see if they do them or not. ALFY'S PIZZA - free mini pizza ALL-AMERICAN CAFÉ - free dessert APPLEBEES - free dessert AUSTIN GRILL - free meal (register first) BAKERS SQUARE - free pie BANDIDO'S [IN] - free entrée BASKIN ROBBINS - free ice cream treat BEACHES RESTAURANT - free meal BENIHANA'S JAPANESE RESTAURANT - free dinner WITH 3 other paying guests BENNIGANS - free dessert + song BJ's - Free Pazookie!! (best dessert) BOB EVANS - Free Kids Meal for kids Under the age of 12 https://kids.bobevans.com/birthday.asp BOB'S BIG BOY - free hot fudge ice cream Boston Market also has a free kids B-Day! meal coupon for kids under 12, and coupons online for their various entrees. B-Day meal: http://www.bostonmarket.com/offers/i...dsBirthdayClub Sirloin coupons: http://www.bostonmarket.com/coupons/sirloinCoupons.jsp BUFFALO WILD WINGS (BW3) - free dozen hot wings BURGER KING - free kids meal to all kids club members CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN - free kids meal during the month of their birthday (register first) CAPTAIN DIZZY'S CAR WASH - free car wash CARROWS - free cake CATTLEMEN'S - free dessert and cowboy hat CHEVY'S - free dessert and sombrero CHILI'S - free song CHIPS N GIGGLES - free meal CLAIM JUMPER - Free Dessert COLDSTONE CREAMERY - Free Creations DENNY'S - free meal (said to be only kids under 10 now) EINSTEIN'S - free meal EL CHICOS - free dessert ERNIE'S STEAKHOUSE - free meal FAMOUS DAVE'S BARBEQUE - free meal (w/advance signup) FIRESTONE SUBS - Sign up and get an email for a free sub http://www.firehousesubs.com/ecrew/signup.cfm FUDDRUCKERS - free burger **apparently its free sundae and NOT free meal** GOLDEN CORRAL - free meal to Birthday Club members (not just kids!) during month of birthday GRILLFISH - free meal HARD ROCK CAFÉ - free dessert HOMETOWN BUFFET - free birthday cake HOOTERS - free song + tshirt Houlihans - Free Coupon for an entree next visit(up to a week after b-day) IHOP- free meal **apparently its free sundae and NOT free meal** People are reporting getting nothing JOE'S CRAB SHACK - free cake LOTUS - free meal LUTHERS BBQ - free stuff (varies) for "Great Rewards" members MACARONI GRILL - free dessert + OPERA-style "Happy Birthday" song MAGGIANOS - $10 Off purchase of $20 (sign up in advance) MARIE CALENDERS - free dessert MAX AND ERMA [OH] - free $5 dessert Memphis BBQ - coupon good for a free Rack of Ribs & strawberry shortcake (must sign up on website 24 hours in advance) MEXICAN VILLAGE - free meal MOONIES DINER - free meal OLD SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE - free meal OLIVE GARDEN - cake (some say free, most say $$) OUTBACK - free dessert + song PAPPA'S RESTAURANTS (PAPPADEAUX, PAPPASITO'S, ETC) - free dessert PARADISO'S - free meal PERKIN'S - free stack of pancakes PF CHANGS - free cake or cheesecake PONCHO'S - free meal, dessert & picture PROVINO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - free $10.99 meal and ice cream dessert RED LOBSTER - free slice of cake + song RED ROBIN - Free Hamburger ( sign up for Eclub) ROCK BOTTOM - free appetizer for Mug Club members ROUND TABLE - free personal pizza SMOKEY BONES - Free Meal YMMV( up to the location) STEAK AND ALE - free mini choco cake STEAK-N-SHAKE - free dinner for "birthday club" kids TACO BELL - free combo meal of your choice TGI FRIDAYS - Free Birthday Dessert THE PALM - 3lb lobster (must be a member/register first) The Pasta House - free dessert THE VINE TAVERN - free meal TODAI SEAFOOD BUFFET - Free Meal or voucher for Meal Next Visit TONY ROMA'S - free dessert (sign up for Eclub to get coupon) VACCARO'S ITALIAN PASTRY SHOP [MD/DC AREA] - free dessert and drink WENDY'S - free kids meal to all kids club members Z' TEJAS - $15 coupon for the month of your birthday (register first) ZIO'S - free dessert BEAR MOUNTAIN OR SNOW SUMMIT - free skiing/riding BELLEAYRE MOUNTAIN - free skiing/riding DAVE AND BUSTERS - $5 game card credit FOOD PAVILION GROCERY STORE - free movie rental Hallmark - 20% off coupon for one item HARKINS - free movie HOLLYWOOD VIDEO - free video rental SAFEWAY GROCERY STORE - free movie rental SCRUB-A-DUB - free car wash VARIOUS TANNING SALONS - free tan WHITEHALL JEWELERS - free $50 gift certificate Claim Jumper - Free Desert + sing Bakers Square - Free Pie Hollywood Video - free rental http://www.texasdebrazil.com/index2.php (sign up for free $40 gc on B-day) OTHERS: Auto Zone - Free oil change (Most Autozones do NOT do oil changes)YMMV DAVE AND BUSTERS - $5 game card credit FOOD PAVILION GROCERY STORE - free movie rental Hallmark - 20% off coupon for one item HOLLYWOOD VIDEO - free video rental SAFEWAY GROCERY STORE - free movie rental SCRUB-A-DUB - free car wash VARIOUS TANNING SALONS - free tan WHITEHALL JEWELERS - free $50 gift certificate COLDSTONE CREAMERY - Free Creations
Thanks, Julie!
Kids Activity at Silver Spring Whole Foods
I saw a sign about this at the Silver Spring Whole Foods yesterday. It sounds like fun for the kids (and free).
- Half Pints Club: No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls
- Thursday, August 31st
- 3:00–4:00 p.m. Free
Opposite register 10 (by our Catering desk)
This healthy no-bake snack is easy to make with ingredients like peanut butter and honey. Things might get a little messy, so please bring an old shirt. Drinks will be provided. If interested, you must register in person at our customer service desk. No age limit. Space is limited.
Stone Soup DC 