Verizon store is hosting Kids’ Day at Quail Springs

Tomorrow and Saturday (March 11-12), Verizon Wireless will celebrate the opening of a new store at Quail Springs Mall with events for kids and adults alike.

According to a news release, the fun will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, during which the company will present a $1,000 check to YWCA of Oklahoma City. And for all us techie parents, at 5 p.m., the store will unveil the new iPad 2. 

Festivities will continue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the store’s Kids’ Day, with FREE family activities, such as face-painting, a moon bounce, complimentary tacos from Big Truck Tacos (YUM!!) and prize giveaways.

“The focus is around family and getting the children involved,” said Michael Perry, Quail Springs store manager.  

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com


Libraries gear up for summer

Do your kids enjoy reading or being read to?  Or do they sometimes need a little encouragement or incentive?

The Metropolitan Library System has just the reward – the 2010 summer reading program called “Make a Splash – Read!”

Children from birth through sixth grade can win prizes in June and July at any Metropolitan Library branch.  Kids can be read to or read on their own.  For every reading goal completed (8 books, 800 pages or listening to 8 hours of reading), a child can enter drawings for big prizes like a Nintendo Wii or digital camera. Kids also get smaller rewards along the way for the first two goals achieved.

There also will be shows at several library branches throughout the program. Go to metrolibrary.org or contact your local branch to find out when performances are.

On Monday, more information about the summer reading program will be available on the website as well.

Also, the Metro Library System is seeking volunteers to take their books out into the community to read to children at elementary schools, after-school programs and summer programs. This is a great opportunity to create lifelong readers out of children who may not get enough exposure to books or reading for enjoyment.

The library system released a video explaining the “Come Read with Me” volunteer program. Click here to watch the video.

Happy reading!

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com


Reap rewards at your library

booksIf you visit one of the libraries of the Metropolitan Library System and haven’t enrolled your child in the summer reading program, you’re missing out on some neat prizes. 

“Be Creative @ Your Library” is a free program for children and teens. Just to get you and your child started, you’ll get a packet with all kinds of free goodies: stickers, a coupon for free tots at Sonic, a couple of bookmarks, a reading log, free admission to local attractions and a chance to win tuition from Oklahoma College Savings Plan.

Then all you need to do is read 8 books to your child to reach your first goal.   Do that, and your child gets a really nice award ribbon, and coupons for free food at area restaurants.

For each goal met (8 books, 8 hours or 800 pages read) , your child is entered in drawings for really cool prizes.   There isn’t a list of books, and you don’t have to just read books checked out of the library (although kids do love getting new books to read). 

So sign up today at your local Metro Library branch or go to www.metrolibrary.org  for more information.

~Erica Smith, copy editor

esmith@opubco.com