Chia Pets for Earth Day

Earth Day was a hit for Young Adults in the SSC Library.  I scheduled a Homegrown "Chia" Pets program as an after school event and we had fun playing in the dirt.

Grass seed was used in place of Chia seeds, VERY COST EFFECTIVE!

This class was an hour in duration.  Many of the students had never planted seeds before, so I can only hope they cared for these pets as advised. Nonetheless, they enjoyed creating these fun little creatures and getting crafty after a day of school work.

The Table O'Crafty Stuff

The supplies for this program were very inexpensive.  A large bag of soil, 2 bags of grass seed (only 1 was needed) and nylon socks (obtained for free from shoe stores) were the major cost, roughly $15. This was more than enough to serve at least 20 kids.  Our large stock of craft supplies spread on the table entertained the students creativity.  Donated plastic eggs aided in the designs.

Ch-Ch-Ch...Grass Seed!

I highly suggest this simple, yet educational program.  

Please enjoy this fuzzy creature experiment I created to show off at the Children's Desk.

Fuzzy Wuzzy Caterpillar

The Roots

Spring Break 2015

Spring has sprung in the Southern Finger Lakes region.  Our robins are raiding for worms, even if the wintry weather gives us woe.  The Full Pink Moon is pending and I am just coming up for a breather after a week of entertaining young adults on Spring Break. 

I had initially planned 3 Spring Break programs, but tossed in a fourth option last minute.

Tuesday, March 31 was a Sand Art experience.  You may have made one of these at your town carnival or County Fair.  Those bottles can cost up to $15 or more, depending upon location, but this program cost less than $20 and served nearly 10 kids, with lots of extra.

The difference is we had bottles cleaned and donated by various patrons.  I purchased Play Sand for just under $4 per 50 pound bag at our local hardware store.  The sand was natural color, so students had the chance to dye their own sand for a more original look.  This tutorial helped guide the group on this simple process.  The results are fantastic!

Wednesday, April 1, was April Fool's Day and I was a fool with double Young Adult programs.  One room was quiet with a http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/05/play-recipes-homemade-bounce-balls.html, but the impromptu Fashion Club with Tat became a flurry of activity all afternoon.

As we have been preparing for REcycled Runway, Tat and I realized during our last class that adding another few hours to the plan was a good idea.  Luckily, Spring Break week had the space and time available with most of the classmates in attendance.  We brainstormed, snacked, and got giddy as our design made a big transformation.  It is amazing how much progress can be made in just three hours!  Remember:  only teaser shots until the big reveal on May 30, 2015 at Corning Museum of Glass...get your tickets!!!

Thursday, April 2, was another entertaining event leaning in the realm of science experiment.  We made Glow in the Dark Bouncy Balls from household ingredients.  This class was full and quite the experience, because I did not test the instructions beforehand.  I wanted to approach this class just as fresh to the idea as my students.  I learned that the tutorial was slightly misleading.  The ingredients allowed us to form a ball, but left at room temperature, it became a slime puddle.  The project was still educational and fun, but not what we intended.  This is the case with many experiments.  Nevertheless, we had a ball!!!

Today is Good Friday and the library is barren...of kids at least.  I am mentally preparing for First Friday Art Club and creating Crayon Encaustic paintings.

Check out the First Friday Art Club blog next week for the details.

Until next time, enjoy these peeps...

 Happy Spring!

Fashion Fridays with Tat

Who wants to be a fashion designer?  Designing and creating my own fashions is my lifelong love.  I studied Fibers and Textiles in college>>check out Tyler School of Art to discover an amazing school.  Our local ARTS Council has an annual fundraiser called "Recycled Runway Fashion Show" each year, which showcases regional design talent in a juried fashion show.  My designs have been on the runway and I wanted to offer the opportunity to young artists.

 Enter Tatyana Buchholz (aka TAT), a fellow designer with a mission to teach fashion design to our younger generation.  Tat's design was  in the first annual REcycled Runway show in 2012 and I was so enamored with her design, we became instant friends.

We joined forces and created a Fashion Fridays with Tat program at SSC Library in order to present a youth created fashion design on the runway this Spring.  Through special arrangements with The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes, our proposal was selected!  We just needed many happy hands to help create our spectacular avant-garde design.

There are 10 budding designers in the program and we are fascinated by the results of these hard workers!!!

Fashion Fridays with Tat runs the fourth Friday of each month, February through May, in order to finalize our design.  The progress is amazing!  Our next class is rapidly approaching.  I will only give glimpses and sneak peeks of our design until the runway.

Please check back to check our progress.  This design will be worn by a budding designer in our group.  The REcycled Runway Fashion Show is Saturday, May 30, at The Corning Museum of Glass auditorium.  This show must not be missed!  Purchase a ticket to attend and cheer on our local (and young) talented designers.

Until our next update, please check out the Slide show from 2014.

(you might find me wearing my "Hair of the Dog" ensemble...)

If you have a yen to sew, get more information from Tat.

She runs her own Corning Fashion Club!

DANCE Away (the) Winter (Blues) Break

Winter Break is winding down in our town, but I have to share the fun we had learning to dance the Merengue and Salsa in the local Union Hall this week.

Let the dancing begin!

James Wang approached me early this year while I was planning teen programs for Spring 2015.  He is an avid dancer who learned his moves in New York City and wishes to spread the joy and exercise to our region.  The library is fully carpeted, so we requested use of the Local 1000 Union Hall in the Civic Center Plaza.

I like to offer new and unusual options for young adults, especially during breaks from the school routine.  This dance program was a first time programming effort for me, but I feel it was very successful.

1, 2,3..5,6,7.. learning to count and make our feet coordinate.

As we practiced the simple steps, we hesitantly partnered with other dancers to perfect our new skills.  Let's just say, I have at least two left feet!  Some participants, moms and their progeny, really got in the groove and could truly "cut a rug," as the saying goes.

Coordination is KEY!

By the end of our 2 hour session, we discovered we burned calories, learned some simple moves we can put to use on the dance floor...or kitchen floor, and had a great time together.

SOMEONE decided to show off his goofy moves, perhaps what he felt pulled all of our skills together in a classy way...

Keep an ear out for more dance programs the Corning regioin with James Wang.  He has held fundraisers at the Corning YMCA for his child's preschool.  These events are inexpensive and return promise to our young learners.

IF you are in the market to buy a house, contact James to show you the ropes.  He is so talented, his day job is a real estate salesperson at Coldwell Banker

Check back for more incredible Young Adult library programs.  As one our followers on Twitter commented...

@SSCLibCorning What library is that?! sounds like library from Heaven!

That is correct, our library has a set of angel wings!!

Winter Break on ICE!

How do you like to spend your free time when school is closed for Winter Break?  How about some fresh air and exercise?  I like to plan for these moments and offer free & fun options to occupy your time.  This winter break, we took to the ice>>>the Corning City Ice Rink was THE place to BE on Tuesday, February 17.

Through a special collaboration with Corning Parks & Recreation, I was able to provide a 2 hour skating session, FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL REGISTRANTS!!!  Did you miss out on this fun??  It pays in many ways to check out the library and see what we offer>>it's WAY MORE THAN JUST BOOKS.

Here we go loopty loo
Here we go loopty li
Here we go loopty loo
All on a day off from school!

There were 30 skaters in my group and a few were families enjoying the sunshine together.

Two hours were a lot for many to go round and round in circles in subzero temperatures, but we all worked our bodies as much as we could considering the cold.  There were chairs available for skaters of all ages to use if needed.  There is always a safety team on duty to ensure everyone is in good condition for moving their limbs on frozen water.

Luckily this skater just needed a rest, no injuries!

I calculated my lap speed at 2 minutes per lap.  Therefore I looped the rink approximately 60 times!  Good thing I didn't get dizzy trying to coordinate my form and take pictures!

 

There were many falls, lots of giggles and many, many skate-by-high-tens from my skaters.

This video is my favorite glimpse into the afternoon on ice...

   

The program ended with barely a soul in sight, but one special machine to remove the grooves...

STOP!  It's ZAMBONI TIME!!

Check back soon to see what else occurred in the Teen Universe of SSC Library programs.

Mad City Money with Corning Credit Union

Suppose you are given a folder...
Your life's details are laid out with a chosen career, selected spouse and pre-named child for whom you need to dress, feed and educate.  Surprised by these circumstances?  Do you have the skills to survive this game of Life??  This is exactly how Mad City Money is played.

Everyone needs a little FINANCIAL LITERACY, especially young adults.  On January 30, 2015, Corning Credit Union was invited to lead this real life simulation game in the library.

There was a short training for volunteer "vendors" and each game player.

This training is serious business.  You never really get a chance to PRACTICE at LIFE.

After a short introduction to the game, everyone got to work learning how to balance big decisions in all of life's avenues.

There is no "pause" button in The Real World.  

 There are 8 vendor stations.

Clockwise from top left:  Corning Credit Union,  Home Stuff, My Closet, Fun Stuff  

Clockwise from top left:  Really Realty, Gotta Eat, Mad City Mall, Kid Care

The goal of the game is to purchase items and services from all 8 vendors and only have $100 in your bank account.  To many, having only $100 left seemed like unwise planning, which proved these kids are aware of life's hardships.

The Corning Credit Union was busy with financially strained "families."

It was quickly realized that "adults have it tough," 
as one participant summed up the scenario. 

Some sales people are more helpful than in real life, but watch out for Fate

Big Wheels are fun to buy.  Beware of unforeseen costs...

As many adults know, Fate can strike at any time.  You may need to buy new tires for your car when, SURPRISE!, your washing machine breaks.  The choices you make determine your successes and strides in life.  These choices are very difficult, especially when consulting with a spouse or house mate.

   The Fickle Finger of Fate is the one vendor no one anticipated.  You can never prepare for these "special" surprises.  Sometimes you win, most times you struggle.

Southeast Steuben County Library offers programs that inform, inspire, enrich, and amaze, creating an environment that fosters lifelong learning and community connections. 

Mad City Money is one of such programs.  All parties involved had an excellent time. There was no school on this particular day, but we educated more young adults in financial literacy than we average in most of our regular craft programs.  

This game is designed for high school students, but it is effective with younger kids, too.  

A patient parent is the best guide in this game.

Please join us next year for another chance at "LIFE."  

We can all use a little practice before the big league.