by Heath Anderson
On Saturday, February 22nd, The Ant and the
Grasshopper will debut at Circuit Playhouse. One of Aesop's fables,
this play tells the story of a hard-working ant and his new neighbor, a
carefree grasshopper. The classic tale has been reworked by Rob Dearborn,
who has added a refreshingly humorous slant to the production. Among the
characters: a vain butterfly, a ladybug who's not exactly a lady, and a
pregnant spider. Your kids will have a great time watching this motley crew
onstage, and so will you. Performances are every Saturday and Sunday afternoon
at 2 p.m. through March 23rd. This Sunday, February 23rd, it's pay whatever
you can to get in the door. For reservations, call Circuit Playhouse at
726-4656.
For those with strong stomachs only, at 3 p.m. Tuesday, February 18th, at the Children's Museum of Memphis, Stuffee will let anyone take a peek as he unzips his abdomen and spews forth all the major parts of the human anatomy, with an educational talk about each one. At 7 feet tall, Stuffee is a sight worth seeing and informative for those of all ages. It's free with museum admission.
"Will you please pass the Jelly Bellies?" Even if you don't serve these sweet treats at your dinner table, it would be nice to hear them requested at your child's plate in this polite manner, wouldn't it? If your young ones are in dire need of some etiquette polishing, Davis-Kidd Booksellers will be more than happy to help out on Thursday, February 20th at 6 p.m. Your children will say "thank you" after it's all over -- we promise.
On Saturday, February 22nd at 11 a.m., Davis-Kidd will celebrate George Wash-ington's birthday. A reading of Arthur Meets the President and session of making American flags will get your kids in the patriotic mood and build up an appetite for a special treat after they sing Happy Birthday to our first president. RSVP at 682-0042.
MOVE OVER, MR. ROGERS. MEMPHIS has Mr. Chuck.
If you have a child age 6 or under,
you're probably familiar with Mr. Chuck. He hosts the children's programming
on WKNO-TV Channel 10, and also has his own locally produced show, Hello
Mr. Chuck!, Sundays at 9:30 a.m. The program appeals to pre-schoolers,
but also has segments that show parents how to help their children learn.
In real life, the friendly Mr. Chuck is Chuck Scruggs, WKNO's community education manager. On Saturday, March 1st, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Scruggs will host The Ready To Learn Parenting Seminar at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, 70 North Bellevue. The event is designed to help parents prepare their youngsters for school.
Dr. Jane Walters, Tennessee's commissioner of education, will be the keynote speaker. Others offering their expertise include pediatrician Dr. Joseph Parker, nutritionist Brenda Speight, child-development specialist Dr. Roberta Clark, psychologist Pandora Schlitt, librarian Connie Pottle, discipline expert Dr. Amy Beebe, schoolteachers Melissa Harris and Davonda Thomas, Sesame Street Preschool Education Program trainer Cathy Treadwell, and Susan Helms of the Mid-South SAFE KIDS Coalition. Among the topics covered: keeping children safe from violence, the importance of reading to kids, using television constructively, coping with attention-deficit disorder, and much more.
The seminar is free, and every participant receives a "Parenting Survival Kit." If you want the boxed lunch, it's $4, and day care is available for $5 per child. Seating is limited, so reservations are necessary by February 25th. Call 458-2521 to reserve a place. -- Debbie Gilbert