River Kids

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Volunteer for Trailnet

You may already be reeling from this weekend's activities, since there
was a TON going on in STL, but if you are already able to think about
next weekend, here's a volunteer opportunity (see below)...River Kids
is already working on the backdrop to the stage for this festival...If
anyone would like to help out with the actual event, just contact Kyle
Oberle at kyle@trailnet.org. He'll get you set up.

Ben

------ Forwarded Message
From: Kyle Oberle <kyle@trailnet.org>
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:07:59 -0500
To: Ben Griffiths <bgriffiths@newcityschool.org>
Conversation: Volunteer for Trailnet
Subject: Volunteer for Trailnet

Hi Ben,

I'm the current volunteer coordinator at Trailnet, and I'm emailing
you as a past volunteer to see if you and/or anyone you know would be
able to help at one of our upcoming events - the inaugural Route 66
Festival at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge on Saturday, October 4. We
need 45 volunteers to help with parking, car show functions,
administration of surveys, clean up, and other general activities. We
have a variety of shifts varying in duration from 9am to 7pm that we
are looking to fill.

Thanks for your help in the past, and please let me know if you're
available to help with this event. If so, I'll put you in touch with
our program manager who will provide more details.

Also, for general info on the event please go to http://www.confluencegreenway.org/route66festival.php
.

Thanks again!

-Kyle

Kyle Oberle
Annual Fund Coordinator

Trailnet
1533 Washington Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63103
314/436-1324 #103
Fax: 314/436-9215

kyle@trailnet.org
http://www.trailnet.org
http://trailnetstl.blogspot.com/

------ End of Forwarded Message

Friday, September 26, 2008

River Cleanup and Art Exhibit

If you've missed one of the earlier cleanups and were wishing for

another, your wish is my command. See below for another opportunity

to get involved along the RdP There's a green home and renewable

energy festival going on in Grandel Square Saturday, as well as a

green home tour on Sunday. I can get details to you if you want.

Lots going on this weekend, no doubt! Have a good one!

See some of you in the library at 4pm for the RK Open House.

Ben------ Forwarded Message

From: Susan Mintz ;smintz@thegreencenter.org;

Reply-To: smintz@thegreencenter.org;

Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:00:19 -0500To: Ben Griffiths ;

bgriffiths@newcityschool.org;

Conversation: River Cleanup and Art Exhibit

Subject: River Cleanup and Art Exhibit;

River Clean-up and Art Exhibit...this Saturday! Get Fired Up! on November 8

National Public Lands Day Clean-up Ruth Park Woods & River des Peres

September 27 9 am - 12 pm All Ages Welcome!

Recent flooding throughout the watershed has damaged homes and added to the debris load in many local streams...your help cleaning up the River des Peres is urgently needed and greatly appreciated!

;http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001c47nE39vhNuqv8hzDpDRH_0DjBjrdl6tAp_n4_K4HoPe5F7yVCNtAJqJTPel_9ktjRWkCIZLaBIl9XFFkCvVf9Y7ZUXwFrVIRfS3KIJCa8D94hu9R2vZJA== ;;http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001c47nE39vhNuqv8hzDpDRH_0DjBjrdl6tAp_n4_K4HoPe5F7yVCNtAJqJTPel_9ktjRWkCIZLaBIl9XFFkCvVf9Y7ZUXwFrVIRfS3KIJCa8D94hu9R2vZJA== ;

As part of the 15th Annual National Public Lands Day, The Green Center and River des Peres Watershed Coalition are co-hosting a clean- up in Ruth Park Woods along the River des Peres. The event will include trash pickup and invasive plant species removal.

Participants should meet at the McKnight Road entrance to Ruth Park Woods (in University City--accessible off of Olive) to check in. Ample parking is available along McKnight and in the shopping center at the corner of McKnight and Olive.

To reduce waste, we ask that participants bring their own water bottles. Dress appropriately for work (sturdy, closed-toed shoes, long pants, etc.). Necessary tools and gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

For more information, contact The Green Center at 725-8314, email events@thegreencenter.org , or visit our website ; .

If you'd like to bring a group to help, please contact us in advance.

Keepsakes: Nature Inspired Ceramics by Patty Sheppard

Opening Reception: September 27 12 pm - 2 pm Location: The Green Center Headquarters, 8025 Blackberry Ave.Exhibit: September 27 - October 24

Free and open to the public All ages welcome!Following the National Public Lands Day clean-up, join The Green Center for light refreshments as we celebrate the opening of Patty Sheppard's new solo exhibit Keepsakes: Nature Inspired Ceramics. Patty's exquisite works demonstrate not only an interest in nature, but a keen appreciation of the detail evident in seemingly simple objects--a wildflower, autumn leaves, a cicada's shed exoskeleton. In her ceramics, these ephemeral objects acquire a rich new life. To read more, see the artist's statement

The exhibit runs from September 27-October 24. Viewing hours are Monday-Friday, 9 am-6 pm, and by special arrangement.

For more information about the reception or exhibit, contact The Green Center at 314-725-8314 or visit our website ; ; .

;http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001c47nE39vhNuSJ8hFl-0PGVr1JpwCoZygUFzINVV1OuGdhqmHKNIEoxwaW1NSXXuvWTxbkQwMobuaNauLnoP1Y9uAhqrq0bSVb0amjAY4j_Mr2fFl1oQmFiHiiD0RIukk4zoj3NBj9jhL-JRmlu8PAL-tcmoPLMyAYdp1Wj0g9igFKWnahsbzCQ== ;;http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001c47nE39vhNuSJ8hFl-0PGVr1JpwCoZygUFzINVV1OuGdhqmHKNIEoxwaW1NSXXuvWTxbkQwMobuaNauLnoP1Y9uAhqrq0bSVb0amjAY4j_Mr2fFl1oQmFiHiiD0RIukk4zoj3NBj9jhL-JRmlu8PAL-tcmoPLMyAYdp1Wj0g9igFKWnahsbzCQ== ;Leaf Tile by Patty Sheppard

Get Fired Up! 10th Anniversary Celebration

Date: November 8Time: 5:30-9:30 pmLocation: The Green Center Headquarters, 8025 Blackberry Ave.Cost: $10All Ages Welcome!

Join us for a night of fire juggling and swallowing, spooky campfire stories around a bonfire on the lawn, and wine-tasting in celebration of the Center's 10th anniversary! Learn about the role fire plays in maintaining native ecosystems, and its use in the art of glass-making and ceramics. They'll be smores, of course, and art for sale. All proceeds benefit our Youth Education programs.

;http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001c47nE39vhNujcH9QcOTAyIaiJOBin_skB5p5M_8eiM3co940BE26PZZAexqo3VwtaoE6eBAqUYUBksf8HnR5bA-WWCMv7OnVFKIyVppAmvMzBqQVnyknrkhP6xHNbdEATYfOOux0P1Kh-G0ug92oURmMnQA46Q7y5VojJ0t0NnWbgyEKRdixh2vfTFEzDAZR ;;http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001c47nE39vhNujcH9QcOTAyIaiJOBin_skB5p5M_8eiM3co940BE26PZZAexqo3VwtaoE6eBAqUYUBksf8HnR5bA-WWCMv7OnVFKIyVppAmvMzBqQVnyknrkhP6xHNbdEATYfOOux0P1Kh-G0ug92oURmMnQA46Q7y5VojJ0t0NnWbgyEKRdixh2vfTFEzDAZR ; MDC conducting a prescribed fire of the 25-acre Calvary Cemetery Prairie ;http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001c47nE39vhNujcH9QcOTAyIaiJOBin_skB5p5M_8eiM3co940BE26PZZAexqo3VwtaoE6eBAqUYUBksf8HnR5bA-WWCMv7OnVFKIyVppAmvMzBqQVnyknrkhP6xHNbdEATYfOOux0P1Kh-G0ug92oURmMnQA46Q7y5VojJ0t0NnWbgyEKRdixh2vfTFEzDAZR ;;http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001c47nE39vhNujcH9QcOTAyIaiJOBin_skB5p5M_8eiM3co940BE26PZZAexqo3VwtaoE6eBAqUYUBksf8HnR5bA-WWCMv7OnVFKIyVppAmvMzBqQVnyknrkhP6xHNbdEATYfOOux0P1Kh-G0ug92oURmMnQA46Q7y5VojJ0t0NnWbgyEKRdixh2vfTFEzDAZR ; .

; ;

Our Mission The Green Center is an arts and environmental education organization dedicated to helping people understand the natural world through hands-on experiences, restoring native habitats, and encouraging artistic expression inspired by nature.

;http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=press01;;http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=press01 ;

The Green Center | 8025 Blackberry Ave | University City | MO | 63130

------ End of Forwarded Message

Thursday, September 25, 2008

RK Update

Hello, River Kids and Families!

First let me thank those of you who found the time to chip in along the River des Peres last week...in short, River Kids provided about half the volunteers! We made a HUGE difference, and there were many grateful individuals. The attached picture is of Sara Bewen and Tyler Doll with a Stream Team volunteer dragging just a TINY portion of their garbage loot out of the river.

I'm particularly glad that several families were there for this in light of comments made at recent RK Board Meetings. The RK Board was formed to give the kids a place to share their voices and establish a direction for the organization. One of the central themes to our two Board meetings so far has been a desire to focus our attention and activity back on the rivers,learning more rivers and interacting with them directly. We'll be participating in many more river-related activities this year, including many more cleanups!

Thanks to all the RK Board members for their extra work in preparation for this year. The meetings have been therapeutic for some and empowering for all. I'm personally thrilled to hear the passion in the voices of these leaders as they tackle the issues related to being a growing organization. While the increased membership and the energy and enthusiasm for last year's projects were undeniably good things, the side effects of getting so large so quickly needed to be addressed. We are well on our way to doing just that thanks to the Board.

There are numerous changes to the RK structure and programs this year in an attempt to solidify River Kids as a positive force. We will be meeting in the library this year, instead of the congested Performing Arts space. All RK will receive snack through the Extended Day program before attending meetings to avoid distractions and cleanup issues. All large group meetings will be focused on learning about rivers and will include field trips, guest speakers, and activities designed to bolster our collective river knowledge. The benefit is being redesigned to be more directed at our selected cause(and away from celebrating RK) and intentionally designed to be less extravagant. In fact, we are starting from scratch this year and may windup with a cleanathon or concert instead of a City Museum experience. Also,there will be no new projects this year; we will focus on bringing closure to old projects before considering new ones.

Another important issue discussed by the Board was the need to be inclusive and inviting to new members, but directly requiring that members be committed to being a true River Kid, not someone who comes for a good snack and the benefit party.

The Board felt it was crucial that we communicate to families more up front about what it really means to be a River Kid. Thus, they decided to host an Open House for all RK Families, focused on sharing the goals for the year and setting expectations for all before signup deadlines roll around. That way families can make an educated decision about whether River Kids is actually for them.

This RK Open House is this Friday afternoon from 4-5pm in the library. There will be a slideshow and some small presentations from a few of the RK Board members regarding the year. Then there will be a Q&A session for all.

I'm telling you all this information because everyone would benefit from the chance to hear about the kids' plans for the year. Thus, even though this Open House was marketed to new families, I thought I'd extend this explanation of our intent and an invitation to previous members and parents as well.

I hope everything is going well for you all. Please feel free to contact me with questions, especially if you can't make the Open House!

Rock on River Kids!

Ben

Route 66 Art Project

If your child is interested in helping paint the backdrop for the
stage at
the Route 66 Festival up north, he/she may still get in on the
project...We
start painting Monday after school in the art room, 3:45-5pm.

We will paint again Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday if necessary.

Your child does not need to commit to all of these days. We will take
help
on any or all days according to your schedule. We'd really LOVE to have
kids come every day if possible though.

If you have any questions or need more info, let me know. Shannah and
I are
heading this up together, so you may ask her questions as well.

Ben

Monday, September 22, 2008

Art Opportunity

Trailnet is putting on a big Route 66 Festival October 4. They asked
if we
might have some kids that would be able to put together a backdrop for
their
stage. Shannah, the new art teacher, is interested in helping out with
this, but it would have to be done after school a few days this week and
next...

Please check with you child and see if s/he might be interested...let me
know ASAP and we'll set up a few dates for your child to consider. We
really only need a few kids, so I'll take the first ones that respond
and go
from there.

Thanks!

Ben