Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in denver, CO

Polarpalooza!

by Aimee Giese

October 05, 2009

Organizations funded through the public's SCFD (Science & Cultural Facilities District) tax are hosting a variety of low cost and free events during the month of October to thank the citizens of the seven county district for their support. Events being offered are listed below.

October 7 - Denver Zoo Free Day
Over 60 SCFD funded organizations will be offering free performances, crafts, face paiting. Click for printable schedule.
Main Gate Performance Schedule:                                                    
9:00 - 9:30          Media/SCFD/Denver Zoo                                          
9:30 - 10:00        Denver March Pow Wow                                           
4:00 - 4:20          South Jeffco Youth Orchestra                                  
5:00 - 5:30          Aurora Symphony Orchestra                                             
5:30 - 6:00          Aurora Symphony Orchestra            
All Day                Aurora Fox

Conoco Zoo Gardens Performance Schedule:                                               
9:40 - 10:00         Tango Colorado                                                         
10:40 - 11:00       Belliston Ballet   
11:40 - 12:00       Aurora Dance Arts                                                
12:40 - 1:00         CM Dance                                                                   
2:20 - 2:40           Colorado Chamber Players
2:40 - 3:00           Hannah Kahn Dance Company                              
3:40 - 4:20           Aurora Fox                                                                            
4:00 - 4:20           Rocky Mountain Arts Assoc.                                              
4:40 - 5:00           Kim Robards Dance    
5:00 - 5:20           Rocky Mountain Children's Choir
5:40 - 6:00           Longmont Chorale
Wild Encounters Theater Performance Schedule:
9:20 - 9:40           Children's Museum of Denver
10:20 - 10:40       Think 360
11:20 - 11:40        Parker Arts Council
1:20 - 1:40            Parker Arts Council
2:20 - 2:40           Denver Zoo

Wildlife Theater Performance Schedule:
10:00 - 10:20      Augustana Arts
11:00 - 11:20      Su Teatro    
1:00 - 1:20          Christian Youth Theater
2:00 - 2:20          A Child's Song
3:00 - 3:20          Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
5:00 - 5:20          Colorado Hebrew Chorale

Primate Panorama Performance Schedule:
11:30                Arvada Center for Arts & Humanities
2:00 - 2:30        Denver Urban Gardens
4:00 - 4:30       Colorado Children's Chorale

PLUS many organizations will be located throughout the Zoo providing interactive activities for the whole family.

Heritage Fine Arts Guild of Arapahoe County will be holding an Art Show at the Bemis Library.  The Library is located at 6014 S. Datura Street, Littleton. The juried show starts Sept 29th and runs to October 27th and is free and open to the public. The opening reception is Thurday October 1st from 6:30 to 8pm. Otherwise the lower gallery is open during all library hours. Come and experience all kinds of painting from watercolor and oil to acrylic and pastels.

October 1 -The Alliance Française will have a free happy hour French conversation night on Thursday. French Conversation Happy Hour. Practice your French and meet other Francophiles in the Denver area. 571 Galapago Street - 5-7pm - FREE, hors d'oeuvres and wine provided - RSVP:  303-831-0304, afd@afdenver.org

October 3 - Edelweiss Preservation Foundation - German Day - 11am - 10pm, 14197 E. Exposition Ave, Aurora, CO 80012 Join us for German Music, Food and Drinks, German Entertainment, Military Tribute, Vendor Booths, German Reunifcation Day.

October 4 - Boulder History Museum offers the first Sunday of every month as a free day, Sundae Sundays. Guests will receive free admission to the Museum and free ice cream at the conclusion of their visit. We are located at: 12th an Euclid Ave. on ‘the Hill', Boulder - Free parking

October 4 - The Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys will be beginning our collaboration with Buntport Theater's tRUNks with free day activities at the Museum. Visitors to the Museum on Oct. 4 from 1-4 can make a mask and draw an entry for the Super Hero Drawing contest.

October 4 - The Boulder History Museum offers the first Sunday of every month as a free day. Guests will receive free admission to the Museum and free ice cream at the conclusion of their visit. 12th an Euclid Ave. on ‘the Hill', Boulder www.boulderhistory.org 303-449-3464 Free parking.

October 7 - 12:00 to 1:00 - Brown Bag Lecture - A panel of artist's from the Paint, Sculpt, Shoot exhibit will discuss the show and many of the events that lead up to the exhibit. The lectures are held at the Art Center on Wednesdays from 12:00 to 1:00pm and are free to the public. The Arts Evergreen is located at next to the Buchanan Rec. Ctr. on Hwy 74 and Squaw Pass Road). For more information call 303.674.0056 or visit www.evergreenarts.org.

October 7 - Broomfield Cultural Affairs is offering a FREE CU Jazz concert in the Broomfield Auditorium. This is a tribute to the great American songwriters and the music of Cole Porter, George Gershwin and more. This event is sponsored in part by SCFD funds.

Cherry Creek Arts Festival will be offering free viewings of the Mobile Art Gallery to the public throughout the week of October 7th in celebration of Polarpalooza.  The Mobile Art Gallery will be on tour in Lakewood at Carmody Middle School which is located at 2050 S. Kipling Street.

October 8 - "Evening of Hebrew Round-Singing in the Sukkah" What: Annual Evening of Hebrew Round-Singing in the Sukkah, includes food, fun, and instant music-making! Where: 2 Ash Street, Denver When: 7:30 p.m. Who: For Singers and Listeners of All Ages Cost: Free and Open to the Public Sponsored by: the Colorado Hebrew Chorale Info: (303)355-0232 or visit www.coloradohebrewchorale.org

October 14 -NMAA presents - Marvels of Motion- Children will got on a journey thorugh the world of Newton's 3 laws of motion.  This interactive event is all about the fun-damentals of moving science.(Designed especially for young children) 10:00 am at the Perl Mack Community Center, 7125 Mariposa Street, Denver.

October 15 - Boulder International Film Festival is offering a free viewing of The Human Experience - 7PM, AT THE BOULDER PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM - 1000 Canyon Boulevard

Spotlight on the Boulder International Film Festival - Directed by Charles Kinnane (USA - 2008) Drawing sellout audiences and a winner at dozens of film festivals around the world, this remarkable film is the story of a band of brothers who travel the world in search of answers to the questions: Who am I? Who is Man? Why do we search for meaning? Their journey brings them into the lives of the homeless on the streets of New York City, the orphans and disabled children of Peru, and the abandoned lepers in the forests of Ghana, Africa. What the young men discover changes them forever. Through one-on-one interviews and real-life encounters, the brothers are awakened to the beauty of the human person and the resilience of the human spirit. In English. (90 minutes)

October 20 - Edelweiss Preservation Foundation - GERMAN LANGUAGE FILM NIGHT "Monster's Inc." - 6:00 P.M. Front Range Community College - Room C1517 Great for kids or adults learning German as well a fun night for those who are fluent! FREE ADMISSION

October 20 - 21 - WOW Museum presents: Planet Earth - Curious about how to approach science with your kids?  Join us throughout the fall months for family science fun!  We will explore a different science topic each month!  Drop-in science is an informal interactive science program that is available for exploration from 10:00am-12:00pm and again from 2:00pm-4:00pm.   Included with Museum admission for the general public; free for Museum members!

October 21 - 12:00 to 1:00 - Brown Bag Lecture - Reno Carollo, sculptor, will be speaking about public sculpture and how people interact (and react) to various pieces of art found around Denver and our mountain community. The lectures are held at the Art Center on Wednesdays from 12:00 to 1:00pm and are free to the public. The Arts Evergreen is located at next to the Buchanan Rec. Ctr. on Hwy 74 and Squaw Pass Road). For more information call 303.674.0056 or visit www.evergreenarts.org.

October 29 - 30 - 9am - 8pm and Saturday, October 31st 10a - 8p - Trick or Treat Street at The Children's Museum Denver - Get your little goblins, superheroes and fairies ready for the sweetest fall festival in town! Travel through the pumpkin patch down Cider Lane and onto a trick-or-treating adventure full of yummy treats, exciting entertainment and fun surprises. Try your luck at the monster carnival, hear stories about creatures and critters, make arts and crafts projects to take home, see theater, music and dance performances, and meet roaming costumed characters! For a full schedule of events, visit www.mychildsmuseum.org.

October 29 - Boulder International Film Festival if offering a free viewing of Sita Sings the Blue
7PM, AT THE BOULDER PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM - 1000 Canyon Boulevard
Spotlight on the Boulder International Film Festival - Directed by Nina Paley (USA - 2007)Nina is an animator whose husband dumps her by email. Sita is a goddess dumped by her husband Rama. Why couldn't these two women, 3,000 years apart, make their marriages work? This award-winning, beautifully animated interpretation of parts of the Indian epic, Ramayana, was rendered on a laptop by a single animator mostly using Flash. Nina Paley lays down wildly imaginative musical interludes that use authentic 1920s blues recordings to link the narratives of these two unfortunate ladies. Why did Rama reject Sita? Why did the animator's husband reject the animator? Find out in this groundbreaking triumph of personal motion picture art. Winner of Best Animated Film at the Boulder International Film Festival and many awards from around the world.  (82 minutes)

October 30 - Friday - 5:00pm to 8:00pm - Evergreen Artists Association Fall Member Show - Members of the Evergreen Artists Association will exhibit their Fall Member Show from October 30 through November 20. The opening reception is Friday, October 30 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the Center for the Arts Evergreen. The Art Center is located at 32003B Ellingwood Trail (Hwy. 74 & Squaw Pass Road - next to the Buchanan Rec. Center). www.evergreenarts.org

October 31 - The Littleton Symphony offers a free Children's Concert on Halloween, featuring the Colorado premiere of ‘The Composer is Dead' and various other spooky music. Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 South Datura, Littleton. Doors open at 2pm - Performance begins at 2:30pm

CYT Denver presents the musical comedy "THOROUGLY MODERN MILLIE". Performance dates are November 6, 7, 13 & 14th @ 7pm. Matinee performances on November 7 & 14th @ 2pm. Tickets are $12 if purchased online at www.cytdenver.org and $15 at the door. Shows are performed at the beautiful Pinnacle Dinner theatre in Littleton. 9136 w. Bowles ave. Littleton, Co. 80123

End of Summer Fun in Denver!

by Aimee Giese

July 31, 2009

Here are some fun upcoming things to think about doing in Denver as the summer starts to wind down. {I can't believe I just typed that! Summer can't be over yet!]

Movies in Skyline Park: Willy Wonka (G)
August 1, 2009 at dusk
Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc.
Denver Parks and Recreation presents free showing of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (G). Guests should bring along lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic goodies. Concessions are available.

India Association of Colorado Annual Picnic
August 1, 2009
India Association of Colorado
Picnic activities include: Cricket, volleyball, musical chairs, tug of war, lemon spoon race, sack race, card games, pinata games and lots of BBQ food and soft drinks.

Colorado Renaissance Festival
June 13, 2009 - August 2, 2009
Colorado Renaissance Festival
Hundreds of authentically costumed merrymakers live and work throughout the village, performing, continuously, on the festival's seven stages. Our tips: Get there early; bring plenty of sunscreen, hats, water, and comfortable walking shoes; bring only strollers designed for "off-road" travel as the festival grounds are very bumpy and dusty; dicount tickkets are available at all King Soopers. Cost: Adults $17.95; Children (5-12) $8, (under 5) free.

(Other) Mile High Movies
June 13, 2009 - August 8, 2009
Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc.
So you've snagged a few friends for happy hour and dinner, and now you're looking for a place to stretch out under the stars? Perhaps you're taking the kids to see the sights downtown and want to cap the evening off with one final treat? Check out Mile High Movies in Skyline Park! All movies begin at dusk behind the historic D and F Clocktower on 16th and Arapahoe.

Boulder County Fair
July 31, 2009 - August 8, 2009
Boulder County Fair
The Boulder County Fair showcases local 4-H and FFA clubs and features animal and agricultural exhibits, free car shows, weaving and spinning demonstrations, dance performances, interactive entertainment and concerts by local artists, a daily carnival, ticketed grandstand events, and special activities for the kiddies.

Mighty Machines
August 8, 2009
Children's Museum of Denver
Monstrous construction equipment is taking over the plaza! Climb up into the driver's seat and explore these huge machines!

Let's Make History: Colorado Inventions
August 8, 2009
Colorado Historical Society
Who makes history? You do! Join the Colorado History Museum for Let's Make History, a Saturday program just for families. Did you know the cheeseburger was invented in Colorado? Learn about local innovations and then create your own invention from everyday items.

The Good Old Days at CCHP
June 2, 2009 - August 9, 2009
Golden History Museums
Join Pat Hughes at the Clear Creek History Park every Tuesday starting for some fun activities, including ice cream making, gardening and pioneer games, to name a few. She'll be ready to share her knowledge of the Clear Creek History Park and her pioneer expertise with anyone passing by. On Sundays starting scheduled tours of the historic cabins and school-house start at 10:00, 11:00am, 12:00pm, and 1:00pm.

Fragile Nature
April 25, 2009 - August 9, 2009
The Wildlife Experience
Ever wonder what it's like to go "On Assignment" for National Geographic? Wonder no more. In his new photo show, photographer Joel Sartore takes the viewer on assignment with the world's greatest magazine. It's a journey into the natural world across much of North and South America, from jaguars and macaws to gray wolves and grizzly bears.

Movie and a Milkshake - Bee Movie
August 26, 2009
The Wildlife Experience
Attention all parents! Go out for the night while your kids are at The Wildlife Experience enjoying themselves as well. During Movie and a Milkshake events, the museum staff will entertain kids of all ages with museum tours, a yummy dinner and other amazing adventures themed around the movie. Tonight's movie will be Bee Movie. This event is for children ages 5-10.               

The Little Star That Could
May 29, 2009 - August 28, 2009
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
It's hard to be a little star in a big universe! Follow one star's journey to find a name and family of its own in the new animated space program, The Little Star That Could. Young sky watchers, from toddlers to second graders, will learn that the sun is a star, what stars are made of, why stars are different colors, how some stars are just the right size and temperature to support life on their orbiting planets, and how stars combine to form star clusters and galaxies. Runtime: 22 minutes

Chile Harvest Festival
August 29, 2009 - August 30, 2009
Chicano Humanities and Arts Council
The Chile Harvest Festival will celebrate contemporary Chicano art, traditional Spanish Colonial art, music, food and of course chiles, with beautiful views of the Rocky Mountain foothills as a backdrop. The festival is an outreach effort to educate, enlighten and entertain the community with the many different facets of Chicano and Latino culture. Its goal is to give people a well-rounded cultural experience. The festival will feature up to 65 artists, showcasing both contemporary and traditional art forms. There will also be music, dancing and storytelling as well as many other cultural and art activities for the kids.

Junior Jobsite
June 1, 2009 - September 7, 2009
Children's Museum of Denver
Learn the nuts of bolts of construction in this kid-sized jobsite! Hard hats, blueprints and safety vests will help you paint walls, feed bricks up the conveyor belt, discover the pathways of plumbing with airplay, and explore the basics of electricity. The youngest crew members to the oldest can construct, configure, build, form, and assemble! 

Hop Skip and a Jump Start
September 12, 2009
Children's Museum of Denver
The 3rd annual Hop, Skip and a Jump Start 5K is the perfect fitness event for the whole family to enjoy! The stroller-friendly 5K follows the Platte River and is filled with surprises around every turn. Children of all ages can participate in mini-meets in the Kid Course, Toddler Trot, and Infant Crawl. After the races, enjoy a fun-filled day of activities! All proceeds support the Children's Museum of Denver. 

Art For Edison!

by Aimee Giese

May 01, 2009

Everyone is hurting these days. Especially our local schools.

Have you heard about ART FOR EDISON?

Due to DPS wide budget cuts, the Edison Elementary CSC was forced to cut the art teacher position for next year. This was a devastating blow to the Edison community, and a groundswell of calls for action emerged. As this quickly changing scenario unfolded, Christopher Scott, PTA President, immediately began working to address this through the PTA. Christopher floated the idea of raising money to hire a teacher by Randy Thomae. As an entrepreneur, raising money and quickly achieving the Big Goal triggered a subprimal urge within Randy. Randy and Christopher set out to solve this problem. They started Art for Edison on February 22 to provide Art to all 575 Edison students next year. They can do this by meeting the Big Goal:

Raise $60,000 by May 28.

This will allow them to hire a full time Art teacher. This is 3 times their fundraising goal for the entire school for the whole year, in 1/3 the time.

HOLY COW.

How can you help? Edison is hosting restaurant nights over the next few weeks all over Northwest Denver:

May 6: Duo 2413 W. 32nd (303) 477-4141 and Red Trolley 2639 W. 32nd (303) 433-7200

May 11: Patrick O’Carroll’s 3961 Tennyson (303) 458-6666

May 13: Shazz 4262 Lowell (303) 477-1407 and Bang 3472 W. 32nd (303) 455-1117

May 20: Venue Bistro 3609 W. 32nd (303) 477-0477

GO. EAT. SUPPORT.

Or... support the school directly with donations or purchase of student art.
http://www.artforedison.org/support/

As a graphic designer, of course I believe in this cause. But you should too.

Elliot Eisner, an education professor at Stanford University, has spent his career studying the mental abilities and disciplines developed by the arts. Here are a few items from his impressive list:

• The ability to wrestle with problems that have no single correct answer.
• The ability to analyze a problem from many different viewpoints.
• The ability to absorb new information even while immersed in a project.
• The ability to change strategies and even set new goals, if that's what new information demands.
• The ability to make good judgments in the absence of fixed rules.
• The ability to work with others toward a common goal.
• The ability to imagine what doesn't yet exist.

Need another reason?

ART. IS. FUN.

Go get 'em Edison. 

Win a Family 4-Pack to Sesame Street Live "Elmo's Green Thumb!"

by Aimee Giese

April 09, 2009

Who doesn't love Elmo? My going on 7 year old still loves Elmo. Even me - at near 39 - *I* love Elmo. And if your kids (or YOU) love Elmo, Being Savvy Denver would love to help you get to see him and all his friends from Sesame Street.

I have one free family 4 pack to give away to the readers of this blog. All you have to do is comment on this post before midnight (Mountain time) Sunday, April 12th. On Monday, I will use a random number generator to pick one winner from the comments. Comment as often as you like. Please be sure your email address is in the comment so we can contact you with the prize!

GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!

=====================

Sesame Street Live
"Elmo's Green Thumb"
Denver, CO - Magness Arena - University of Denver
April 16 - 19, 2009

When Elmo's sunflower, Sunny, outgrows his flower pot, Big Bird's garden seems to be the perfect place for Sunny to flourish. An excited Abby Cadabby, Sesame Street's fairy-in-training, casts a spell to make Sunny grow faster. The spell does just the opposite and, instead of growing, Elmo and his friends shrink! As Abby tries to reverse the spell, Elmo, Zoe, Telly and friends explore Big Bird's garden from a smaller perspective and learn some big lessons about patience, overcoming fears and appreciation of nature. From dancing ladybugs to grouchy beetles, get ready for a fresh, original Sesame Street Live on a whole new scale!

Sesame Street Live is a larger-than-life, musical touring stage production featuring Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie...and more. Each performance is 90 minutes of singing, dancing and audience participation, including a 15-minute intermission. The perfect length for very young children!

Ticket information:

• Ticket prices: $15.00, $20.00 & $25.00. Limited $35.00 Gold Circle seating available.
• Opening Night (April 16, 7:00 PM)-All seats $12.00 (excluding Gold Circle seating).
• Kids' Matinee (April 17, 10:30 AM) - All seats $10.00 for school/daycare groups 15 or more.
• Additional group discounts available.
• Additional fees/surcharges may apply.
• To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.

Performance Schedule:
Thursday, April 16: 7:00 PM
Friday, April 17: 10:30 AM & 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 18: 10:30 AM, 2:00 PM & 5:30 PM
Sunday, April 19: 1:00 PM & 4:30 PM

The Public Library: What All Does It Offer?

by Aimee Giese

March 25, 2009

Denver is is very lucky in many ways - and one of the ways we are VERY lucky is our huge public library system. AND! Not only do we have a huge library system by location (see listings below), the offerings from the Library is amazing.

First and foremost, we can't forget the Central location at 14th and Lincoln which was designed by Michael Graves (yes, THAT Michael Graves of Target fame). This location is clearly an architectural wonder - but also is so centrally located, a quick trip to the Capital and the Denver Art Museum is also a hop, skip and a jump away. But the Central location also has great activities planned nearly every Saturday. I can't tell you how many times my husband and son attended Book Babies when Declan was very young. In fact, we still stay in touch with friends we made through that program.

The good news for those not close to the downtown location is that ALL public libraries in Denver have fun things going on, ALL the time. Check their official web site for a continually updated list of activities. From storytimes, magic shows to special classes - [and oh yeah - BOOKS]... the library offers so many things to enrich our kids lives. And nearly all of it is completely FREE.

Talk about an amazing resource.

CURRENT DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY LOCATIONS:

The Central Library
10 W. Fourteenth Ave. Pkwy. (80204), 720-865-1111, TTY: 720-865-1472

Athmar Park Branch Library
1055 S. Tejon St. at W. Mississippi Ave. (80223), 720-865-0230

Bear Valley Branch Library
5171 W. Dartmouth Ave at S. Sheridan Blvd. (80236), 720-865-0975

Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library
2401 Welton Street (80205), 720-865-2401

Byers Branch Library
675 Santa Fe Dr. at W. 7th Ave. (80204), 720-865-0160

Eugene Field Branch Library
810 S. University Blvd. at E. Ohio Ave. (80209), 303-777-2301, TTY: 303-733-7435

Ford-Warren Branch Library
2825 High St. at E. 28th Ave. (80205), 720-865-0920

Hadley Branch Library
1890 S. Grove St. at W. Jewell Ave. (80219), 720-865-0170, TTY: 303-935-4267

Montbello Branch Library
12955 Albrook Dr. (80239), 720-865-0200

Pauline Robinson Branch Library
5575 E. 33rd Avenue at Holly St. (80207), 303-370-1530

Ross-Barnum Branch Library
3570 W. First Ave. at Lowell Blvd. (80219), 720-865-0145

Ross-Broadway Branch Library
33 E. Bayaud Ave. at S. Lincoln St. (80209), 720-865-0135

Ross-Cherry Creek Branch Library
305 Milwaukee St. at E. 3rd Ave. (80206), 720-865-0120

Ross-University Hills Branch Library
4310 E. Amherst Ave. at S. Birch St. (80222), 720-865-0955

Schlessman Family Branch Library
100 Poplar Street (1st and Quebec) (80220), 720-865-0000, TTY: 720-865-0045

Smiley Branch Library
4501 W. 46th Ave. at Utica St. (80212), 720-865-0260

Valdez-Perry Branch Library
4690 Vine St. at 47th Ave. (80216), 303-295-4302

Virginia Village Branch Library
1500 S. Dahlia St. at E. Florida Ave. (80222), 720-865-0940, TTY: 303-504-5790

Westwood Branch Library
1000 S. Lowell Blvd. (80219), 720-865-0215

Woodbury Branch Library
3265 Federal Blvd at W. 33rd Ave. (80211), 720-865-0930 

Rally for Early Childhood Ed at the Capitol March 12!

by Aimee Giese

March 11, 2009

I am proud to have a guest blogger today from the Early Childhood Education Association of Colorado. Please join her in supporting this important cause, and if you can make it - come down to the rally at the Capital on Thursday, Marsh 12th. I wish I could join you, however I will be en route to Austin for SXSW. But trust me, I will be there in spirit!

Rally at the Capitol March 12!

By Kathryn Hammerbeck
Executive Director, Early Childhood Education Association of Colorado

Who takes care of your kids while you're at work is likely one of those decisions you've spent countless hours considering. You want someone you trust, someone who doesn't just plant your kids in front of a television, and someone who helps your child get ready for the day they head off to school.

That's why we're holding a rally at the Capitol this Thursday, March 12. With Colorado facing a budget shortfall of over $600 million, funding for the Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) and Colorado Preschool Program (CPP) is in line to get cut. We believe the most important learning happens in early childhood. Kids who are enrolled in early education programs have substantially lower dropout rates, are more likely to attend college, and develop a love of lifelong learning. Our goal is to ensure that children of working parents have the best opportunity to succeed.

That's why we're reaching out to teachers, non-profit organizations, and moms just like you to join us in support of early childhood education programs.  We've set up a Facebook group to keep everyone up to date on our progress, and an online petition to show our Legislature how many people support early childhood education.

We'd love for you to sign our petition and show your support. And please pass it on to anyone else who supports our cause. Many voices speaking together yields a powerful message, and considering we're up against almost every other program in the state, we need all the help we can get.

Thanks for all your support, and we'll see you at the Capitol on March 12!

Interview With Emme About Weight Bias & Our Children

by Aimee Giese

February 23, 2009

Editors from Savvy Source recently had the great pleasure of participating in an interview with Emme, the supermodel and nationally recognized body image and self esteem advocate. Emme has twice been selected as People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful Women.

Emme is working with Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity to educate our country about weight bias, weight discrimination and wants to share with you helpful ways to teach your children about the harmful effects of weightbias and how to support a child in your life who is the victim of such a horrible experience.

We are bringing you this interview as the week of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week begins. Please take a moment after reading this post to visit the site!  

With me on the call were several Savvy Source City Editors ... read on for the interview :

SS Pittsburgh - Tell us how you became involved with Yale University's Rudd Center for Food and Obesity? 

Emme - I met Kelly Brownell a few years ago.  I was very much influenced and made aware of his impact in food policy and his efforts over the years. I have always viewed Kelly as a professional and the voice of reason.  Whenever I had to speak on this subject, I would get his perspective. In the past two years, the Rudd Center was developed to be able to really take a stand in the prejudice and discrimination with obesity. We're very lucky in this country to have Leslie Rudd, Kelly Brownell and the Rudd Center. 

SS Silicon Valley - What exactly is weight bias? Why is it such a growing problem in the US? 

Emme - The issue with childhood obesity is that it has doubled in the past 20 years. 30% of adults are obese. 1 in 5 children are overweight. The obesity rate in teenagers has tripled in the last 20 years. If you read the studies that are being done, you realize that children who are obese have the same type of feeling as a child going through cancer treatments. 

They get mobbed, they get verbally assaulted by their parents, other friends, coaches, teachers. To think that these kids are walking around, having to deal with this? It is vitally important that government take it past just talking about. Nothing is really being done behind the scenes.

SS San Antonio - How can we help reduce weight bias at home and at school? 

Emme - Exactly what we're doing right now. We're talking to different avenues in the media. Openly communicating about the issue. It is definitely not about keeping silent. It is definitely about encouraging the conversation around the kitchen table. It is about talking to kids who are not obese and talking to kids who are obese. As a society, we need to treat each other better. If families were better aware of these issues, when children see that teasing going on in the classroom, on the playground, in bathroom stalls, it would be easier to deal with the situation.

When they see an obese child, encourage your child to stand up for that child. We need to have more peer to peer efforts  working in our favor. Open communication. I use the sunflower idea often.  Imagine a field of sunflowers that all look the same... that wouldn't be very creative. We need every flower to be different, otherwise every flower would look the same... we need the world to look different. When obesity is kept a secret, it really does lead a child down a really really bad road.

Be aware - as parents - how YOU speak to children about obese people in the movies, in a restaurant, in an image. As a mother myself, I am aware that 80% of women aren't satisfied with their bodies. A lot of negative talk is going on just inside the home... telling children that our self-esteem is surrounded just by our body image and shape. 

SS Newark - How do you talk to your children about the negative advertising by diet companies and negative media?

Emme - First let them know that they are trying to sell us a product for us to buy and make us believe that it will fix you... not everyone can look like the models in those commercials! They are trying to influence you. When you buy that product, it probably wont do what its supposed to do. Once again, are we ALL supposed to look the same? 

Tell your child: "Look at mommy. Look at mommy's friend so and so. Do all mommies look the same?"  Bring up real life examples of how everyone looks differently. 

Use your voice when you see negative ads. Write to companies and news stations about the advertising and tell them to stop.

SS Tampa - What do you hope to accomplish with www.emmestyle.com?

Emme - Emmestyle.com is about to take a very large leap and create a revolution. I can't tell you everything, but it's going to be more than anything has ever been. It will become a site for women that has been neglected. It will be THE plus-size destination. There will be a plethora of women there who love themselves. We are in the midst of getting into the down and dirty of creating this revolution.  Join as a member and we'll keep you posted about all of the changes.

SS Cincinnati - Your motto, Shattering the Myth is a great one - how can we personalize that in our own small towns and with our immediate families.

Emme - You can instill change by doing a call to action... ask every friend to write a letter concerning a specific offensive ad.  Big companies get away with things because they are not being held accountable. Don't be a couch coach... take that finger and instead of pointing it at the company, point it towards yourself.  What are YOU going to do about the situation?

Use your voices ... it will make such a change, especially with the internet.  Women and mothers can come together and make a change with the internet.

Specifically concerning your children:  Regularly ask your child how was your day... keep your ear attuned - if you hear anything about teasing or anything about body size, listen. Try so hard to not react to it or make excuses for it. Simply listen neutrally because then they will be able to tell you what's going on and you'll then have a bit of time to give words of advice. Children that are just below being obese, that aren't thin-thin, they are affected too. 

When talking to overweight children and beign supportive, point out their strengths... tell them, you are a creative soul, you are a great chef,  you are an awesome swimmer, etc.   Get away from the physicality and focus on their strengths.

Talk to teachers and communicate with the them to let them know its going on.  The more people you talk to, the louder the issue is heard.  If you can come together and not cause blame, the issue can be closed down quicker.

It is important that we have more positive role models ... this is a challenge.  Find people -not just celebrities - but role models in the child's life that happen to have curves on their bodies. 

SS Cleveland - Yale University's Rudd Center has recently produced two videos.  What do you hope the videos will accomplish in the fight against weight bias?

Emme - To increase public awareness of its consequences.  One video is geared towards teachers/parents and one is geared towards the medical community.  Surprisingly enough, there is quite a weight discrimination between doctor and patient!

The other goal is to try and change the negative attitudes about obese individuals and replace it with tolerance and respect.  It's awfully hard in this culture right now when there is such loathing and fear around food. It's hard to ask any of us overnight, to just be nice and be kind. There needs to be so much more education and exposure, so many more conversations and so much more knowledge.

SS Denver - Where can we find out more information about weight bias?

Emme - The Rudd Center's website. When you visit the website, please sign up for their newsletter! I constantly throw stuff over to my Facebook page on the things I learn about there. There are incredible studies and a discussion of all the horrible things happening relating to obesity discrimination.

Our culture is not yet at a place where there is tolerance, so we really need to sit down at our own tables and talk about this. 

SS Denver - What if your child is suffering from being isolated because of his or her weight?  How can you support them while getting any help they may need? 

Emme - Parents should provide open communication, good and bad.  Listen and be neutral.  Let them download.  When you're driving them home from school and you hear chitter-chatter or the kids are having snacks, alot of information is going on then.  Check with your school to make sure that the anti-bullying policy at your school also covers obesity and weight related teasing. 

SS Oakland - How can we set a good example to our children in terms of weight bias?

Emme - You want to be able to find positive role models for your children... people with diversified figures that still do amazing things... just because they have curves doesn't mean they are not role models.  Find those role models and bring them up to your children over and over.  

SS Oakland - When did you first begin struggling with weight?

Emme - I always joke that I was born a size 12.  I was never an extremely thin model, I was a size 12 walking in to my jobs. 

I was extremely athletic. That was my gift, but my gift covered an eating disorder ... at a very young age, I knew what diets were all about.  I purged through altheticism ... if eating was a bar, that bar kept getting higher and higher. I was very confident on camera and in the role i had taken on.  When I was alone, I was beating myself up that I wasn't doing enough.  I finally said that I needed to get off of that train.  I had a meal, and immediately needed to go workout.

SS Toronto - What did you learn, culturally, about being a mother from your experiences growing up in Saudi Arabia?

Emme - I think I found my voice from the experiences of living there - where women are required to be covered and shrouded.  There is a complete lack in self esteem for women in that culture.  When you are together with the women with no men around at the hammam - the bathing areas - where we were able to be together without the shroud, there was a lively bit of self esteem - there was no body bashing. Predominately, if the women were from a middle class family, you found that they had average body shape, if not more rounded. I think what I took from that culture is that my gosh, here we are in America - we have GOT to use our voices, where we are allowed to use them. 

We must continue to speak out about what we're passionate about.  What I found from my living there was that the acceptance of ones self needs to be how everyone feels... back off to anyone else who wants to tell me to look any differently.

Some final comments from Emme:

If we don't get this whole issue with obesity down pat and be able to get some exposure about the inequities in medical, school, we will fall deeper in trouble. We need to be able to be advocates for one another. This is not just about obesity, its about women, it's about men, it's about our children.  It's about all of us - standing up to support each other.

Its a call to action to all citizens... this discrimination kills people.

For more on this subject, visit the site of the National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and view this video, as well as this one. 

Thank you Emme for your dedication to this issue, and for taking the time to talk with us about this important subject!

New Exhibit at the DMNS! Nature Unleashed!

by Aimee Giese

February 13, 2009

Several local bloggers were invited to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science this week to preview their new exhibit, Nature Unleashed, which opens to the public today. Kind of appropriate given the amount of weather craziness this week, including the huge tornado that touched down in Oklahoma - plus I know my kid has *always* been majorly curious about such things. But even more cool was the fact that DMNS curator of astrobiology David Grinspoon was on hand to answer our questions, which made my geeky husband nearly run home and grab his latest Seed Magazine for David to sign. Non-geek translation: David knows his stuff and is very awesome.

The exhibit itself is very awesome too.  It covers all sorts of big weather: hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, etc. The topics can be big and scary, but the museum was sure to also bring things down to kid level - with stuff to touch, buttons to push, videos to watch. Declan loved the section where you raise levers up and down to add gas or silica and create several different kinds of volcanoes.

As for me? My favorite part was standing in a semi-enclosed spot with video walls all around as a tornado approached and passed over you. Creepy and cool and much safer than actually chasing a tornado.

There was also an area to share your own natural disaster stories and pin them to a wall. We got a big kick out of reading the one that said: "1986, paying to see Ishtar."

Declan took the idea and ran with it:

If you can't read that because it's too small or kid-like: "2009. Once upon thare was a dog named Poe and he was 17 week's old and Poe allwase chewed my soks. - Declan"

I can't TELL you how proud I am.

But definitely. Go check out the new exhibit. It's open now through May 3rd, 2009.

And what's even *cooler*? The DMNS has shared a coupon for $2.00 off admission through March 9th, 2009. Just print it out and bring it with you to the museum, easy as pie, have at it, and HAVE FUN.

And let me know what crazy "natural disasters" are up on the wall by the time YOU get there.

It's National Stock Show Time Again!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

January 07, 2009

You can always tell it's January when the signs for the Stock Show start appearing around Denver and there is an infiltration of cowboy hats. For over 100 years, the National Western Stock Show has been coming to Denver, and bringing animals, cowboys and loads of fun with it. I have to be honest, and say that even after living in Denver for over 15 years - we only made it to the Stock Show for  Read more...

My Top Ten for 2008

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

December 30, 2008

I can't believe this year is drawing to a close already. And it's been really fun talking about all the great things to do in Denver. And just like everyone does at the end of the year - let's take a look back! Here are my ten favorite posts from 2008. I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did! Local Pride: 5 Awesome Reasons To raise Kids In Denver Top 99 Things We Must Do With Our Kids In  Read more...

Fun Things Around Town For Halloween

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

October 21, 2008

It's time to make sure you have some ghoulish events tucked into your calendar for Halloween! And here is a fine list of fun things going on around Denver for the spookiest night of the year! October 24th Garden of Goodies at Hudson Gardens 5pm - 8pm Got Milk? Spooktackular Storytime at Tattered Cover Highlands Ranch 4pm Scream Scram 5K Halloween Run/Walk and 100M Spooky Sneak for kids at  Read more...

It's Pumpkin Patch Time!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

October 06, 2008

One of my very favorite things about the Halloween season is visiting a pumpkin patch. And, until I was visiting home last week, I didn't realize just how lucky we are here in Colorado - where we have TONS of pumpkin patches to choose from. As I talked to my sister about the fun we have when we go, the wagon rides, the bouncy castles, the apple cider, the hay stacks, and of course, THE  Read more...

Catch Those Summer Sports Before They're Gone!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

September 03, 2008

We've past Labor Day and you know what that means! A blink of an eye and we'll be talking about Halloween costumes (um, as if you weren't already!). But as the temps drop, we can still have some final reminders that it was over 100 degrees only a few short weeks ago. Our summer sports! Things may be drawing to a close and the Rockies may not be making their magical dash to the World Series like  Read more...

Taste of Colorado is THIS WEEKEND!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

August 29, 2008

Are you up for more crowds after a week of the DNC? Then the Taste of Colorado is just in time. even though it is a Labor Day traditon, I am kind of surprised they still decided to have it go on this weekend - the poor grass in Civic Center Park! But the Taste starts today and runs through Monday, September 1st. And if your kids are ones to enjoy lots of people, the Taste is a great family  Read more...

Date Night Ideas

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

August 18, 2008

So, it's THAT time. Time to call in a babysitter and go out on your own with your significant other. But you haven't done it in SO LONG, you have NO IDEA where to go. That's OK, let's use this post to give a few ideas and let others bring on some ideas of their own. Denver is full of great nightlife, restaurants and entertainment options - and many of them DO NOT involve Barney! Take In A Play  Read more...

Detailed Guide to the Denver Zoo

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

August 14, 2008

Sure there may be some bigger zoos across the country, but I we have to feel pretty lucky to have the Denver Zoo sitting in our backyard. It's large, it's well organized, it's forward-thinking - and best of all - it's FUN! So often, it's the first place we take visitors when they come to Denver. Here are some reasons why: Cost Conscious - The entrance fees are reasonable at between $5-12  Read more...

Get 'Em While They Last

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 19, 2008

I know summer is technically not even here yet, but it feels like it's already half over doesn't it? And so many things are whizzing past us at lightning speed. Here's a list of a few things that are ending soon that you may want to get on the calendar. Kids First Free Movies - Sponsored by the Denver Film Society and presented at the Starz Film Center (i.e the Tivoli), these free movies are  Read more...

Two Great Ways To Go West

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 18, 2008

I have jokes several times about how a friend of mine considers Denver as part of the midwest and I think it is solidly part of the west, right? Well, the National WESTern Stock show every January notwithstanding, there are two events happening around these parts this summer to help prove my point. Buffalo Bill Days July 23-27, 2008 Golden, Colorado You don't get any more "wild west" than  Read more...

Summer Music Guide

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 01, 2008

So here we are. The dog days of summer. The perfect time to check out live music, right? And there is a ton going on in Denver, as there always seems to be this time of year. Everyone is ready enjoy the warm air, warm sunshine and listen to some good tunes, right? But are the kids ready for it? That's up to you and what you think your kids are up to, but here are some ideas to get the rhythm  Read more...

A Denver Father's Day Fun Guide

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

June 10, 2008

It's that time of year again. Are you stumped like I am? Next year, I am tempted to make a deal on Mother's Day. No present for me, no present for you. It sure would be a heck of a lot easier, wouldn't it? But, seriously. My hubby is awesome, and I really should make the effort. So here are some things we have done in the past (since he likes stuff to do, rather than just "stuff"), plus some  Read more...

The People's Fair: Yes or No?

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

June 04, 2008

So, it seems like a right of passage for the start of summer, doesn't it? The People's Fair takes over Civic Center Park right after Memorial Day, just as temperatures start to rise. But is it really kid friendly? I say that depends on you and your kid. First, let's be honest. It's a MASSIVE horde of people. Which is really cool in a lot of ways, but you can also lose a child real quick. There  Read more...

Top 99 Things We Must Do With Our Kids In Denver Before They Grow Up

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

May 29, 2008

It's all rushing by way too fast, isn't it? Blink and they grow 2 inches. And all along you keep making these mental notes of things you want to do with them, in your city. Things that will be SO FUN! So memorable! But that you never get around to actually DOING. Ack. That stops here and now. I am going to start a list, with my top 50 things I would like to do with Declan before he grows up (or  Read more...