I Have A Baby and Ten Dollars... Now What?

Studio 34, home of a recently featured Mom and Baby yoga mention, is starting a fantastic new class for kids (ages 18 months to 4 years) and they want you to try it out for free. Today, October 15th, check out the kids' ZoomDance series at 10:30 a.m. What is ZoomDance? I didn't know, either, but Studio 34 was kind enough to explain it to me. A high-energy class of dance, music, story-telling, and imagination which promotes literacy and creative expression. In other words, it's kinda a perfect class. Each week the group will read a different book and then act it out, inventing characters, exploring the space, and showing off—everything kids love to do. A seven week course, the whole session will run you $70, however if you sign up before the 15th, they'll knock off ten. Pre-register and get all your questions answered here or, feel free to give Studio 34 a call at 610-937-2032.

In keeping with the Halloween spirit, the Wissahickon Environmental Center will be hosting "Bats—The Mysteries Revealed!," an activity/game-based tour staring Pennsylvania's own brown bat this Friday, the 16th, from 6 PM to 7:30. If you're anything like me, you've at one time or another been concerned about the rumor that rabid bats are attracted to human hair. Maybe you're still on the fence about bats really being blind or if that's just something their PR guy made up for sympathy. Find the answers to these questions and more as the good people of the Fairmount Park district attempt to separate fact from myth and lead you to check out the bats in action before they're gone for the season. While the tour starts at the Wissahickon Environmental Center, people are urged to park in the abundant free spaces along Northwestern Ave and meet up with the tour at the stop sign near the beginning of Forbidden Drive. All ages are welcome and for more information, visit the park's website or call 215-685-9285.

Franklin Square's Pumpkin Patch will be open one last time before Halloween this Saturday, the 17th, from 12-3 p.m. If you haven't checked out the square in a while, take a walk down this weekend, check out the festive decorations, Halloween-themed story telling, and, best of all, the free pumpkins! Children are encouraged to show up in costume, but its certainly not required. Kids can decorate the gourd of their choice and then take it home to display. Inside. Where the hoodlums who tossed my neighbor's goose necked fancy squash into the street can't get it. While you're visiting the Square, taking in all the cobwebs and spooky mini-golf, stop by the Lightning Bolt Express. This train (that runs on wheels no less) only comes to Franklin Square a handful of times each year, so don't put off taking a ride. The Lightning Express will be taking its first passengers on to the tracks at noon, but rides are available until three, and tickets will run you $5 for an adult/$4 for children.

If you're like my neighbors and you've already got your pumpkins and hay bales and have no need to ride a small train, check out Fox Chase Farms this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. as they host their annual Apple Fest. With a corn maize (get it?), cider pressing, games, live music, and hayrides, Fox Chase Farms is going to be hopping. No joke. I've been told by an inside source (namely the man who sits at the gate and gives you all the information about the farm) that things get pretty crazy. They send out shuttles to bus people in because the parking fills up so quickly and most have to park on the side of the road quite a way away. My suggestion is to not even consider trying to park at the farm. Leave early and wear comfortable shoes, because you'll probably will be walking a bit, but trust me, it's worth it. Not only is the farm beautiful, but the walk there isn't so shabby either as it flocked on all sides by Fairmount Park. There is a nominal fee to enter the festival ($5 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-12), but with all the animals to see and great activities taking place, its' a steal for twice that much. For more information, as always, visit the website or call 215-685-0470.

The Central Library continues their fall/winter Sunday on the Stage programming with Souls of Freedom: Our Historic Philadelphia. Presented by the Keepers of Culture, an ensemble group that informs, educates, and enriches, the programming will spotlight African and African-American oral traditions. This event, held in the Montgomery Auditorium and beginning at 2 p.m. will also be ASL interpreted for the hearing impaired. Targeting ages 5 and up, admission is free. To learn more about Keepers of Culture, visit them here and for more information about the Sundays on the Stage series, check out the your local library or call 215.686.5372.

That's all from me this week. These fall weekends are going by fast and the calendar is getting pretty loaded down. Remember, if you have an event (or a gripe, or a question, or a juicy secret) feel free to email me at amym@phillyist.com. Help a mother out.