Museum Day - FREE Museum Admisson on Sat., 9/26

I have just found out about a great FREE event coming up this weekend (Sat., 9/26/09). I know, there are already lots of fun things to do in your own local area this weekend. The LocalKidFun.com calendar is full and we picked our top picks of the week in the LocalKidFun.com Weekly Update (Click Here for subscription). However, if you have some extra time this weekend and are planning to head up to Atlanta or would like to take a short drive to Macon or LaGrange, you have to check this out.

Museums nationwide are partnering with Smithsonian Magazine to offer FREE Museum Day 2009. A list of Georgia participating museums is below. Heading out of town this weekend or would like to share this with friends and family, you can go to www.smithsonian.com/museumday to check out other participating venues. This is a great way to introduce/encourage art and culture with your family.

To get the FREE admission (2 per household), go to http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/admission.html. You must fill out the form, print the free admission card and present it at your participating museum.


List of Atlanta, and Atlanta Southern Crescent Participating Museums:

LaGrange, GA

Legacy Museum on MainFull-screen, 136 Main Street, LaGrange GA, 30340


Macon, GA

Georgia Music Hall of Fame, 200 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Macon, GA 31202
Museum of Arts and Sciences, 4182 Forsyth Rd., Macon, GA 31210
Hay House, 934 Georgia Avenue, Macon, GA 31201

Madison, GA (I20 East past Covington)

Madison Museum of Fine Art, 290 Hancock Street, Madison, GA 30650

Atlanta, GA

High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Hammonds House Museum, 503 Peeples Street, SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Museum of Design Atlanta, 285 Peachtree Center Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303
CDC/Global Health Odyssey Museum, 1600 Clifton Rd at CDC Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30333

Now go have FUN in your LOCAL communities with your KIDS. http://www.localkidfun.com

Festival for the Grand Opening of the New Interpretive Center at the Chattahoochee Nature Center

Saturday, June 20 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday, June 21 from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Admission:
$8 Adults, $6 Seniors, $5 Children 3 - 12,
Children 2 and Under and members Free


Take your family for a short drive to visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell, GA for a two-day festival celebrating the Grand Opening of the New Interpretive Center for the Chattahoochee River, Lakeside Pavilion, and Gardens! Travel through the new interactive Explore your Watershed Gallery where you will discover the exciting components of the forest, wetlands, and river!

Entertainment: Laughing Pizza takes the stage at 10 AM and 2PM on Saturday to get you and your kids moving in the Lakeside Pavilion. Sponsored in part by The Together Fund

Mickle-A-Do will perform on Saturday at 12 PM and 4 PM and on Sunday at 1PM and 3:30 PM in the Lakeside Pavilion!

Crafts and Face Painting Explore more about water and watersheds while making fun crafts including bubble art, pitcher plant toss, and water-saver signs!

Exhibits:
Find out what organizations are doing along the Chattahoochee River Watershed and about companies helping you to conserve our resources including:
REI
EARTH University
Atlanta Audubon Society
Southeast Green
ECOVIE Rainwater Collection System
National Park Service

Parking is available in the CNC parking lot. Space is limited so please carpool or bike! Additional parking is available at St. Francis School on Willeo Road just south of Hwy 120. A free shuttle bus service will be provided for convenience.

Chattahoochee Nature Center / 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell, GA 30075 / (770) 992-2055 / http://www.chattnaturecenter.org

For questions or additional information, contact Rebecca at 770-992-2055 ext. 236 or r.gilbert@chattnaturecenter.org.

Regal Cinemas Announces Summer Free Movie Schedule

Once again, selected Regal Cinemas will offer free movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10am during their Free Family Film Festival. It’s a fun-filled nine weeks of movies for kids and parents. All of the free movies are rated G or PG. First-come, first-served seating is limited to theatre capacity.

You can go to the Regal Entertainment website http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx and click on a state to find the participating theatres in your area. Check it out before you go on vacation this summer as a back-up plan for a rainy day.

The Georgian Stadium 14 (232 Newnan Crossing Bypass, Newnan ,GA 30265) will host the FREE movies this Summer 2009 in the LocalKidFun.com area. Movies will be listed on the LocalKidFun.com Calendar and on the Free page. See schedule below.

June 2-4, 2009 - Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G) or Shrek The Third (PG)
June 9-11, 2009 - The Tale Of Despereaux (G) or Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)
June 16-18, 2009 - Charlotte's Web (G) or Surf's Up (PG)
June 23-25, 2009 - Horton Hears A Who (G) or Journey To The Center Of The Earth (PG)
June 30-Jul., 2 2009 - Space Chimps (G) or Star Wars: Clone Wars (PG)
July 7-9, 2009 - Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G) or Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)
July 14-16, 2009 - Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G) or Nim's Island (PG)
July 21-23, 2009 - Everyone's Hero (G) or Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)
July 28-30, 2009 - Mr. Bean's Holiday (G) or Kung Fu Panda (PG)

Here is a good site where you can check the content of the movies, read reviews, and see if the movie is age appropriate for your child. http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews

APRIL IS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

Public Invited to PCA Fayette Benefit Dinner, Tuesday, April 28at Four Seasons International Restaurant in Peachtree City, 5-9pm.

Fayette, GA - This April, Prevent Child Abuse Fayette (PCA), part of FACTOR (http://www.fayettefactor.org/) joins Prevent Child Abuse Georgia and Prevent Child Abuse America in raising awareness for child abuse prevention. PCA Fayette Coalition held a very important training on April 14, 2009 at Christ our Shepherd Lutheran Church for Mandated Reports and First Responders. The topic was not easy as it dealt with an issue we think will never happen to our children, our relative’s children, or anyone we know for that matter. But it does, all too often. The topic was child sexual abuse. 1 in 4 girls are molested by their 18th birthday; 1 in 6 boys are molested by their 18th birthday. Any child abuse, but especially sexual abuse, leaves wounds and scars for a lifetime. The training, Darkness to Light, helped us look at steps to better protecting our children and how to advocate for them.

The next PCA Fayette event will be a benefit dinner at the Four Seasons International Café, 114 Huddleston Rd., Peachtree City, GA 30269 on Tuesday, April 28 from 5-9pm. Many community leaders have graciously agreed to assist FACTOR/PCA Fayette in raising awareness and funds for our community Child Abuse Prevention coalition. The public is invited to enjoy a delicious meal that night served by the volunteer community leaders. They will be your waiter/waitress for the evening! All tips and donations will go to support the work of the coalition. Four Seasons International Café, www.fourseasonscafeptc.com offers great food in a relaxing atmosphere, with a menu filled with Mexican, Chinese, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. The night’s musical entertainment will be provided by local youth. Come, enjoy and support the work of Fayette’s Child Abuse Prevention Coalition. Your gift helps build a better future for our children. FACTOR is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

Preventing child abuse means reducing the risks that threaten the health and safety of children, and increasing the strength of factors that keep families and communities strong. These protective factors are conditions that help assure the well-being of children and families. According to PCA Fayette Coalition, protective factors are positive attributes that strengthen all families and include such things as love, nurturing, acceptance, and protection. Becky Smith, Executive Director/FACTOR says, “As communities, we have a responsibility to one another. If we work together, we can help parents recognize and effectively address challenges, and we can collectively invest our resources in supporting all families.”

PCA Fayette partners; DFCS, Health Dept, CASA, Integrated Family Services, DJJ, Fayette Youth Protection Home, Promise Place, REACH Headstart, Fayette School System, Christ our Shepherd, Oasis Counseling, Mom on a Mission, www.LocalKidFun.com- all share core values - valuing children, strengthening families and engaging communities. The coalition mission is to plan and implement activities and events that bring awareness and education regarding the “why and how” of preventing child abuse in our county.

“Individuals from all walks of life can, and must, take an active role in the work of child abuse prevention,” says DePriest Waddy, Chief Executive Officer of PCA Georgia. “Investing in the well-being of all children is a sound investment. When families are healthy and strong, communities are healthy and strong. It’s that simple.”

Some ways that Becky Smith says communities can strengthen families are:

• Partner with parents. Parenting is hard work! Understand that all parents have strengths and help them build on those strengths.

• Help parents identify networks within their family and community for emotional support, encouragement and assistance.

• Promote PCA Georgia’s confidential an anonymous 1-800-CHILDREN Helpline as a source of information, support and access to community resources.

• Advocate for programs and policies that support children and family stability.

• Give of your time and resources to organizations working to build strong families and healthy communities To find out more about building protective factors within families call PCA Georgia’s Helpline at 1-800-CHILDREN (244.5373). Information is also available at www.fayettefactor.org or www.pcageorgia.org.

Coweta & Fayette United Way Shoebox Personal Care Packages Collection

Please join the United Way in creating personal care packages for homeless men, women and children by donating a shoebox filled with a combination of items listed below.

The shoeboxes will be distributed to The Community Welcome House, One Roof Ministries, Coweta County DFCS, Angel’s House, Bel Air Family Center, Promise Place, Fayette Youth Protection Home, and Fayette County DFCS.

Fill a shoebox with some of these suggested items:
Travel size shampoo - deodorant - travel size soap - toothbrush and paste - travel size lotion -hair comb / brush - sun protector - lip balm - adhesive bandages - hand towels - antibiotic ointment -warm socks - female hygiene products- - travel size hand sanitizer - travel size tissue packs - travel size baby wipes - non-alcoholic mouthwash - travel size water bottles - rain poncho - re-sealable zipper storage bags - prepaid phone call cards. We cannot accept any used or pre-opened items. If decorating your box, please allow for safety inspections by making sure your shoebox can be opened.


Drop off locations:
• Coweta County: United Way of Coweta & Fayette office at 61 Hospital Rd., Newnan 770-254-3755.
• Fayette County: Images by Rainy, 255 East Lanier Ave, Fayetteville 30214 770- 460- 0319

Collection begins February 9 and ends March 20, 2009. For questions about drop-off or the shoebox project please call United Way of Coweta & Fayette Counties’ office at 770-254-3755.

Upcoming Speedway Children’s Charities Kobalt Tools 500 Events

Atlanta Motor Speedway Chapter set to host Clay Shoot and Fast Talk

The Atlanta chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities will host two fundraising events preceding the Kobalt Tools 500 on March 8, the 2^nd Annual Clay Shoot on March 5 and the Fast Talk presented by AutoTrader.com at Club One on March 6.

The 2^nd Annual Clay Shoot will feature instruction from the USA Olympic Shooting team and 2008 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Johnny Benson will be in attendance in addition to other NASCAR drivers and celebrities.

The SCC Clay Shoot will be hosted at the Cherokee Rose Sporting Resort in Griffin, just minutes from Atlanta Motor Speedway, and prizes will be awarded to the top-three finishers in each of three divisions. On-site registration begins at noon on Thursday, March 5 or you can register in advance online at www.speedwaycharities.org.

One night later, Fast Talk presented by AutoTrader.com will include dinner, drinks and a viewing of Georgia Power Qualifying Night from one of the most unique and luxurious seats in NASCAR, Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Club One. The event will also feature a post-qualifying question-and-answer session.

The question-and-answer session will feature notable NASCAR luminaries, including Speedway Motorsports, Inc. owner Bruton Smith and NASCAR president Mike Helton, among other speakers. The event will be hosted by Performance Racing Network’s Doug Rice. Fans wanting to attend can register online at www.speedwaycharities.org.

Updates to the NASCAR drivers and celebrities attending these events will be posted to www.speedwaycharities.org as confirmed. For more information on either event or Speedway Children’s Charities, please contact Shaun Birindelli at shaunb@atlantamotorspeedway.com.

Making a difference in a child’s life is the focus of Speedway Children’s Charities and we strive to do this in collaboration with the non-profit organizations we support nationwide.

Individually, SCC’s local chapters identify the needs of children in their communities and award grants to local organizations that address them.

Bargain Hunters: How will the CPSIA Law requiring lead testing for children’s products affect YOU beginning February 10, 2009?

There has been a lot of circulating information over the past few days about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act that will go into effect nationwide February 10, 2009. For those of you not familiar with the hype, let me help you get back up to speed. ALL items intended for children under 12 are to be tested for stricter levels of lead and other contaminates, even if the item is intended for adults but can be regarded as "kid's stuff" such as comics, games, stuffed toys, etc. This will certainly drive up the costs of children’s products across the board and many specialty businesses will go under due to the high cost of testing. Personally, I'm glad the government wants to make our children safer and healthier, but they took it a little too far when the Act never considered, included or excluded second hand resellers. Here are the regulations in a nutshell...

Manufacturers, importers and retailers are expected to comply with new Congressionally-mandated laws. Starting on February 10, 2009, children's products cannot be sold if they contain more than 600 parts per million (ppm) total lead. Certain children's products manufactured on or after February 10, 2009 cannot be sold if they contain more that 0.1% of certain specific phthalates or if they fail to meet new mandatory standards for toys. Under the new law, children's products with more than 600 ppm total lead cannot lawfully be sold in the United States on or after February 10, 2009, even if they were manufactured before that date. The total lead limit drops to 300 ppm on August 14, 2009. The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children's products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban.

So what does this mean for Second hand re-sellers like church yard sales, individual yard sales, consignment shops, and seasonal consignment sales? Well for a couple of days we were all in a tizzy. Those of us that were even informed about the law knew that it COULD be interpreted INCORRECTLY and POTENTIALLY make our honest and economy friendly business an illegal one overnight? Second hand resellers certainly do not have the funds to test merchandise since testing can go well into the thousands of dollars per unit.

Luckily, the consignment community got involved and stood up for what was needed. ALOT of phone calls and emails were sent to the authors of the bill at Senator Pryor's office as well as contacting other House and Senate Representatives across the Nation. A big thanks to John Wasson of My Sale Manager, a nationwide seasonal consignment sale computer program company, who helped coordinate and rally for clarification on this hastily put together congressional act.

Today, a press release by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) clarified what we've all been anxiously awaiting regarding second hand businesses. “The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children's products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children's products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards. The new safety law does not require resellers to test children's products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children's products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.”

So fear not bargain hunters, it is not illegal to have children's items in yard sales, consignment shops, seasonal consignment sales or thrift stores. However, our children's safety is first and foremost so we all need to pay more attention to new laws, abide by recall listings and be more aware of items that are likely to have lead content. Shoppers and consignors who experience the thrill of Tykes, Tots & Teens 30,000 sq feet, Seasonal Consignment Sale at the GA International Horse Park will have easy access to CPSC recall lists to verify that items are not on the list this April.

See the Press Release from the CPSC http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html
Read the CPSIA Law http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsia.pdf
Check your items for recalls http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html

Blog by Laura Johns, Mother, Bargain Hunter, Founder & Co-Owner of Tykes, Tots & Teens Consignment Sales

The Fayette YMCA Could Expand if SPLOST Renewed

I recently received an email asking concerned citizens of Fayette County to write to the Fayette County Board of Commissioners urging them to include a community center/YMCA (including an aquatic venue, gym, wellness, teen, arts center, etc.) in the SPLOST renewal ballot next November.

After reading the email and doing a bit more research about the SPLOST, I do intend to write a letter to the commissioners asking for a community center in the SPLOST renewal ballot. Developing and maintaining the http://www.localkidfun.com website for the last year has biased me towards support of enhancing the community opportunities for children and families. Although Fayette County already has a lot to offer, a YMCA with indoor facilities could increase the recreational opportunities in Fayette County providing even more options. I am not stating here whether I will vote for or against the SPLOST renewal in November 2009. My vote will depend on what projects the SPLOST actually will include. The Fayette County Commissioners are currently planning the projects which they intend to include in the SPLOST renewal ballot next November. A letter from many of their constituents will help guide their planning.

If you would like to learn more about the current SPLOST and its projects. Click on the following link http://www.fayettecountyga.gov/finance/SPLOST_Information.htm

Here's a link to the Fayette Family YMCA: http://www.ymcaatlanta.org/Branches/FFY-Fayette_YMCA/default.asp

According to Pam Young, Regional Development Director Fayette/Summit Family YMCA's letters can be sent to Jack Smith, Jack Krakeel, Anita Goodbee, the Board of Commissioners and Recreation Commissioners. I think you write the letter to the following address with each Commissioner's name. County Commission, 140 Stonewall Avenue West, Suite 100, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214.

You can also go to the Fayette County Directory to get individual addresses and information: http://www.fayettecountyga.gov/information/address_directory.htm