Parks classes hope to bring out your little one's inner Picasso or Gates
Reading the Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation Department's brochure made me reminisce about my childhood.
The parks and recreation department, in collaboration with Tech Adventures Inc., will offer computer lessons for children ages 3 to 5.
The classes will be from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays beginning next week and running through Nov. 14. Classes will be held in the community room of the Lake in the Hills village hall, 600 Harvest Gate.
Kids will become computer detectives on a learning adventure to places such as E-mail Trail or Laptop Lagoon. They learn computer and literacy skills while building self-confidence in a positive environment, the village's Web site says.
Children work on wireless laptops that feature software designed for each mission. Advancing at their own pace, children apply new skills to solve problems and accomplish goals.
When class ends, children can work on some online activities at home.
The cost for the class is $135 for residents and $145 for non-residents.
I didn't learn to use a computer until I was in at least the sixth grade.
Another activity the village is sponsoring is a brochure design contest. This one reminds me of the school magazine cover design contest I entered when I was in second grade.
I don't really have an artistic bone in my body. I drew what I loved -- tennis. Except if one had judged my knowledge of the sport based on that piece of art, they probably would have thought I had never seen a tennis ball, racquet or court in my life.
The tennis ball and racquet we grossly out of proportion, not to mention the tennis court, which was about the size of a football field if drawn to scale. It looked like the person in the drawing was trying to hit a basketball over a 6-foot fence onto the other side of a football field with a table tennis bat.
But I digress.
The parks and recreation department is calling for all artists ages 5 to 12 to submit creations for the village's winter/spring brochure.
Artists are asked to submit an original drawing or painting depicting their favorite winter or spring activity on an 8½-x-11-inch piece of paper. The entry must also include the artist's name, address, phone number and a brief description of the activity in the artwork.
The department will accept entries through Sept. 28. Submissions will not be returned.
There are also activities planned for adults, particularly for those football widows or widowers.
While your significant other is at home watching the Bears take on the Packers on Oct. 7, you can enjoy a day at the Galena Country Fair. The bus leaves at 8:30 a.m. sharp that day from village hall and should return around 6 p.m. Resident rate is $9, non-resident rate is $11. Fee includes transportation only.
While you are enjoying your day trip, I will be running through the streets of Chicago in the 30th Chicago Marathon.
Registration for all programs takes place at the village hall, 600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills, or by phone at (847) 960-7460. Visit the Web site at www.lith.org.