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Celebrate Independence Day with a Book
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Edited by Scholastic Inc. (Scholastic)
The text of the Pledge of Allegiance is illustrated with stunning photographs of American landscapes, monuments, and flags. The meaning of the pledge, its history, and information about the flag are included.
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE FROM A TO Z
Written by Catherine L. Osornio, illustrated by Layne Johnson (Pelican Publishing Company)
J is for Jefferson and S is for signatures in this illustrated children’s picture book that traces the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence and its subsequent profound impact. Unlike alphabet books that string together unrelated facts, this one actually tells the story of how our nation’s founding document came to be.
For information about local 4th of July celebrations, see the July 2010 calendar and visit www.treasurevalleyfamily.com for the most up-to-date listings.
Summer Music
Music, food and good times just seem to go together. Putumayo Kids celebrates the joys of eating with a globe-trotting CD, Picnic Playground. The music provides a veritable feast of international songs about food, cooking, and healthy eating in a global gumbo of musical styles and languages.
A portion of Putumayo’s proceeds from the sale of this CD will be donated to Vitamin Angels, providing essential nutrients to children in the U.S. and around the world.
Rock Art Perspectives
Rock Art Perspectives: Pictographs and Petroglyphs will be the featured summer exhibit at the Idaho State Historical Museum. From ancient history to contemporary pop culture, the exhibit presents images and text by artists and archaeologists specializing in rock art of the Southwest, Great Basin, and California.
Produced by the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon, the exhibit interprets rock art through a wide variety of images including sketches, paintings, photos, and sculpture. The accompanying text panels explore current interpretations of petroglyphs and pictographs, expressing new directions and thinking on the meaning of prehistoric rock art. While early rock art interpretations focused on “hunting magic” and the role of the male shaman, new interpretations shed light on the role of women in rock art sites associated with plant gathering and also at habitation sites.
The museum is planning a series of educational programs for both children and adults to enhance their understanding of rock art. Museum programming will give kids, parents, and grandparents a chance to learn more about Idaho’s rock art as well as foster respect for cultural diversity.
For more information about the exhibit and the educational programs offered during the summer, visit http://history.idaho.gov or call 334-2120.
Face to Fish Days
In honor of MK Nature Center’s 20th Anniversary, make a Face to Fish connection. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s MK Nature Center opened in 1990. The 4.6-acre wildlife habitat features an underwater fish viewing window, educational programs for school groups, and public events. The Nature Center serves more than 175,000 visitors a year.
A two-day event will highlight this wonderful Boise treasure:
Friday, July 9: All events will take place from 5–8pm. Gyotaku (walk-up fish painting), Class in the Creek (every hour on the hour), Streamwalk (every half hour beginning at 5pm), Rootbeer Floats (ongoing), Nature Arts (ongoing).
Saturday, July 10: All events will take place from 9am–2pm. Gyotaku (walk-up fish painting), Owl Presentation (every hour on the hour), Class in the Creek (walk-up), Streamwalk (every half hour beginning at 9am), Nature Arts (ongoing).
For more information contact the MK Nature Center, http://fishandgame.idaho.gov, 334-2225. The MK Nature Center is located at 600 S. Walnut St. in Boise, adjacent to Municipal Park.
Outdoor Pledge
School has been out and the kids have made a beeline for the video games, TV, and the computer. Break that indoor syndrome with some outdoor fun. Take the National Wildlife Federation’s pledge to get kids outdoors and receive a free Summer Survival Guide to outdoor activities. The pledge to spend time outside encourages families to explore, learn and play in green spaces, which the Treasure Valley has plenty of!
The new Summer Survival Guide has everything you need for an outdoor adventure: what to pack, sun safety tips, ways to keep mosquitoes at bay, itchy plants to watch out for, fun nature activities, and top ten outdoor toys.
The Summer Survival Guide is part of the National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There campaign, designed to get kids and their families outdoors for fun in nature. Be Out There kids are healthier and happier because time in green spaces is good for the mind, body, and spirit.
Take the pledge and access the free Summer Survival Guide at www.beoutthere.org/pledge.
For lots of great ideas on how to spend a day outside with your family, reference the Family Day Trip column (and its archives).
Fresh Summer Produce
One of the great joys of summer is fresh and delicious produce grown locally. Here are a few of the local Farmers Markets that you can visit for local food, as well as arts, crafts, and entertainment.
Caldwell Farmers Market – Wednesdays from 5–8pm, Serenity Park in Caldwell. Continues through September 29, www.cityofcaldwell.com.
Capital City Public Market – Saturdays from 9:30am–1:30pm, 8th Street in downtown Boise. Continues through October 30, www.capitalcitypublicmarket.com.
Emmett Farmers Market – Saturdays from 8am–noon & Wednesdays from 3–6pm, Blaser Park in Emmett. Continues through October 30, www.emmettfarmersmarket.com.
Eagle Saturday Market – Saturdays from 9am–1pm, Heritage Park in Eagle. Continues through October 9, www.eaglearts.org.
Kuna Farmers Market – Saturdays from 9am–noon, Sandstone Plaza in Kuna. Continues through September 25, www.kunafarmersmarket.com.
Meridian Farmers Market – Saturdays from 9am–1pm, Lowe’s parking lot on Eagle Road. Continues through October, www.meridianfarmersmarket.com.
Nampa Farmers Market – Saturdays from 9am–1pm, 12th Ave. South & 1st St. in downtown Nampa. Continues through October 30, www.nampafarmersmarket.com.
Family Golf
July is Family Golf Month, providing a structured, yet casual, opportunity for families to learn the game of golf and spend uninterrupted quality time together. Every family member—young and old—can participate and receive the benefits a round of golf provides, including fresh air and beautiful outdoor scenery as well as a healthy dose of exercise.
For suggestions about how your family can become involved in golf and golf programs, visit www.playgolfamerica.com. For local information and resources, visit The First Tee Idaho at www.thefirstteeidaho.org and Idaho Golf Association at www.theiga.org.
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