Category Archives: Kids ‘burgh

Accordion Pool Party in Lawrenceville

chicago accordion
Image by gadgetgirl via Flickr

On Saturday, September 12 from 3-7PM, Leslie Park swimming pool at 4700 Butler St. in Lawrenceville will thrum with activity-and not a drop of water.  The site will host Accordion Pool Party, an ethnic music and dance festival and quirky spectacle of culture and community pride.  The one-day event is a also a catalyst for a more lasting civic endeavor, Pool Planning Workshops to involve residents in shaping the future of the Leslie Park Pool site.

Accordion Pool Party involves about 20 seasoned Pittsburgh accordionists and 30 costumed folk dancers performing in the empty pool a mix of genres including Cajun, tango, polka, French, Israeli and Balkan music. Special guest Guinea West African Drum and Dance Ensemble will open the program.  The event will be emceed by Michael “Zombo” Devine.

The event will also feature refreshments courtesy of the Estelle S. Campbell Boys and Girls Club (neighbors to Leslie Park Pool), and light fare by Lawrenceville’s eclectic cafés and restaurants.  Several eateries will also host busking accordionists on the day of the event. There is a $5 suggested donation for the event.  Visit  http://www.accordionpoolparty.org/ for more information.

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May 30, 2009 – Free Family Bike Fun and the Major Taylor Cycling Club

Major Taylor racing in Paris
Image via Wikipedia

Saturday,  May 30 is Beyond Bikes Day – a family friendly bicycle celenbration for beginners – I wan’t to make sure to point out that this is beginner friendly – I know we have posted lots of bike information but I am a bike begginner myself and I know that it can be intimidating.  

Beyond Bikes Day is organized by Venture Outdoors and the Major Taylor Cycling Club

The event will be held Saturday, May 30, at the Kingsley Association Community Center at 6435 Frankstown Avenue from noon to 3 p.m. This particular event will encourage biking as a family-friendly activity, as well as showcase some of the bike lanes in Pittsburgh, particularly the bike lane along East Liberty Boulevard. Riders are encouraged to bring their own bikes and helmets. A limited number of loaner bikes will be available. Raffle prizes will be given away throughout the day, including kids’ bikes and biking gear.

I had seen a reference to the Major Taylor Club before but I didn’t know much about it.  The Pittsburgh Chapter is a project of Pitt’s Center for Minority Health.  

Do you know Major Taylor? 

In the late 1890’s bicycle races drew crowds that filled Madison Square Garden; the biggest draw of all was Marshall W. Major Taylor. Having become the undisputed black champion of America, Taylor overcame racial segregation and intolerance to become the one-mile sprint world champion in 1899, and by the end of 1898 held seven world cycling records! 

Why is this important? 

The University of Pittsburgh‘s Center for Minority Health and Adventure Cycling Association share the goal of encouraging people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds, including African Americans, to explore the landscapes and history of America by bicycle. That is why these two organizations are committed to creating an Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. Throughout history black people have used bicycles as a mode of transportation. Both Major Taylor and the Underground Railroad represent the struggle to freedom from slavery and the challenge to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities.  

More info on the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club is availble here.  Also the blogger Pittsburgh Guy has a great post about the Major Taylor Club and their ride to show support for the families of the police officers that will killed in April. Continue reading →

Kid Friendly Event – Celebrate Moms, Kids Books and Local Book Sellers

Thanks to @suzigurl for sending us the link to this event. It is kind of a cool story that started with a Tweet back in Decemeber – a group of people organized some events in New England to celebrate authors of kids books.  So a group of Pittsburghers are working to bring the events to town in time for Mother’s Day – Mothers Love Kids Books.  This weekend there will be a number of authors reading their books at local book stores.  A great way to spend some time with Mom and support local book stores.

Friday, May 8

Joseph Beth at Southside Works
11:30 Read-aloud storytime with:
Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard 
Rebecca O’Connell

Saturday, May 9

Barnes & Noble at the Waterfront
11:00 Read-alouds and author talks with:
Rita Bergstein 
Dave Crawley
Marc Harshman

Borders Eastside
2:00 pm Read-alouds and author talks with:
Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard 
Sydelle Pearl

Penguin Bookshop, Sewickley
2:00 pm Read-alouds and author talks with:
Dave Crawley
Marc Harshman
Many Ly

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WYBMND 2.0 – Celebrate Mr. Rogers and Neighbors on March 20th

framelessImage via Wikipedia

I think I really should make a t-shirt with WYBMND on it.  One of the amazing reasons to love Pittsburgh is that it really is Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.  Mr. Rogers was a really remarkable person who was a tireless advocate for children and had an impact on many people (check out some of the thoughts from other bloggers about Mr. Rogers here).

To celebrate Mr. Rogers and continue his work – the folks at Family Communications celebrate each year with Sweater Day and a whole week of activities about neighbors.

March 20, 2009 is Sweater Day.

You can also join in the fun by wearing your sweater to see a screening of My Tale of Two Cities at Waterworks Cinema.  After the 7pm showing Mr. McFeely  will lead the crowd in singing won’t you be my neighbor – more details here.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGiKc7KuZ4A[/youtube]

Click here for a complete list of WYBMND Events. Continue reading →

Free Lecture – Playground of the Future

ryerson public school playgroundImage by striatic via FlickrLast week, I listened to something on NPR about what the future of libraries will look like (I can’t find a link to the story anywhere – if you remember what program this was on let me know).  It was pretty exciting to hear about ideas for how libraries will function in the future – think less books, more shared tools like podcast studios and meeting spaces.

I back in October, as this group organized a photo scavenger hunt as part of their research on playgrounds.

Learn more about what Carnegie Mellon University‘s ETC program is discovering in their research about Playground of the Future at this free lecture on December 16, 2008, noon @ the Schenley Park Visitors Center.

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