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

Photo by Flickr user chimothy27

*Corrections have been made in this column concerning the Philadelphia Circus School Event*

Things have been a little crazy in this momma Phillyist's sphere of life, so this week's column is late and abbreviated to strictly weekend happenings. We apologize for the inconvenience and promise that it won't happen again. Hands have been slapped and television privileges taken away.

The Wooden Shoe Bookstore on South is hosting a parents-only event that I thought we needed to include in this week's abbreviated column. Jennifer Silverman, editor of My Baby Rides the Short Bus: The Unabashedly Human Experience of Raising Kids with Disabilities, will be reading aloud from the collection which prides itself on providing parents of special needs children with a welcome chuckle. While this event is adults-only, I think everyone dealing with a challenge needs to find support and it looks like this might be a great "networking" event. The reading begins at 3 p.m. and is set to last (roughly) until 4—and it's free.

The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts is having a graduation—and you're invited. Curtain goes up at 8 p.m., and kids ages 10 and up (along with their families) no one but adults are invited to watch students perform individual and duet acts of their own creation. Later, the children adults can "mingle" with performers, ask questions, and get detailed information about how everyday objects found in their garage can be ingested in the search to breathe fire. Best of all, there is a dessert bar with "hot beverages" what kind of hot beverages I'm not certain. All I know is that they will be hot. Admission is ten bucks a head and while advanced registration is not required it is strongly encouraged. Either call 215-849-1991 or visit their website for more information.

Feel like going to a robot party? Maybe a pirate party? The Big Blue Marble is having a birthday weekend extravaganza and everyone's invited. Beginning Saturday at 1 p.m., this kid-focused bookstore is celebrating their fourth anniversary by hosting a slew of activities, refreshments, and book readings. Mara Rockliff will be reading her work, The Busiest Street in Town to kick things off and then later Mark Rogalski will be hosting the aforementioned robot party with a reading from his work, Robox, crafts, and treats. Sunday sees further readings from the likes of Marc Rosenthal and pirate themed activities and pirate goodies. All activates are free and great for all ages but if you need more information on all goings-on, visit their website.

The Tyler Arboretum is holding a crafty kids hour (10 a.m. to 11 a.m.) on Saturday, the 21st for children ages 7 to 9. For a pretty reasonable fee of $8 a head ($6 for members) kids can create Thanksgiving centerpieces. And you know what? Tyler Arboretum gets a special pat on the back for not asking them to decorate mini-Christmas trees. Filling baskets with seasonal fruits, gourds, pine cones, and nuts will create a masterpiece that will make any grandparent reach into their wallet for the standard $5 cuteness charge. Parent participation is welcome, but really not necessary. Advance registration is required. Visit the Arboretum's website for more details.

Continuing with the apparent literary theme of this pre-Thanksgiving weekend, the Philadelphia Free Library is holding a fundraiser for their summer reading program this Sunday. Hosted in Children's Book World, a number of distinguished young adult book authors will be on hand to sign copies of their work with 20% of all purchases made donated to the library. Now here's the catch: The authors will only be signing copies of books purchased there on the day of the event. While I would normally cry foul, the library needs money so badly, I'm standing behind this policy. For more information on authors and times, visit the website.

I will leave you with a final, non-bookish type tip. The Kimmel Center is holding a free concert this Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Featuring Svitanya, a woman's vocal ensemble performing Eastern European folk music, the Commonwealth Plaza stage is welcome to all people, all ages. No advanced registration is required, but if you'd like to know more call 215.893.1999 or visit the website.

So that's the abbreviated and late-to-run baby deal column for the week. I'll be back next week with a full run through of the week's events. Remember, if you have a tip you'd like to see here or gripe you'd like to see elsewhere, please email me at amym@phillyist.com. Have a great weekend!