NOTE: I am currently working on a BIG site update (re-design), so am a little behind replying to emails regarding new business listings, etc. Look for updates soon!

This page is for special events in the Madison area...I post them here and not just on the calendar because they require ticket purchases or advanced registration, occur over multiple dates, or I think it is good to know about them in advance! Look to the right for new upcoming classes with registration deadlines!

Special Events | Ongoing Events/Multiple Dates| Upcoming Classes - Register Now!

Great Events and Classes coming up at OOMPA!

Story Time and Book Signing with Local Author Ellie Schatz
When: Saturday September 11, 2010, 1pm- 3pm
Where: Oompa Toys, 1970 Cayuga Ct, Middleton WI 53562
What: Join us for a book reading at 1pm and 2pm with crafts and face painting in between! Local author Ellie Schatz will read "Grandma Says It's Good to be Smart" in honor of Grandparents Day. Bring the family, and join us on the floor for an interactive story time!
Cost: FREE
Call: (608) 831-4880
Web: www.oompa.com/store
Email: store@oompa.com

Kindermusic Class
When: Tuesday September 14, 2010 at 11am
Where: Oompa Toys, 1970 Cayuga Ct, Middleton WI 53562
What: Join us for a FREE kindermusic class with Debbie. The class will be geared primarily toward 18m to 3 1/2 years, but all are welcome. Bring your dancing shoes!
Cost: FREE
Call: (608) 831-4880
Web: www.oompa.com/store
Email: store@oompa.com

Half Pint Resale offers Parents an Eco-nomic and Eco-Conscious Solution!

As a parent, you are always looking for ways to spend less on quality clothing for your children.

Get your reusable shopping bags ready. The semi-annual Half Pint Resale consignment sale begins September 17th at 2:00 p.m. at the Goodman Community Center! This 2-day sale will feature fall and winter kids clothing and gear from 200+ consignors. In it’s third year, Half Pint hosts the tow largest children’s consignment sales in the Dane County area.

Half-Pint is the brainchild of two local moms, Lisa Seidel and Ellen Carlson, who were frustrated trying to find affordable, quality, used clothing for their children.

As moms, Lisa and Ellen realized most parents do not have time to dig though bins of kids clothing at second-hand shops or garage sales. These moms make sure the Half Pint sales are highly organized and tightly run. All clothing is inspected to Half Pint provides only top quality used children’s clothes, sizes 0-7. The fall sale will include newborn and toddler gear as well as toys.

Shopping starts on Friday, September 17th from 2-8pm and Saturday, September 18 from 8-noon. The Half Pint “Half Price” sale will begin at 1:00pm on Saturday and conclude at 5:00pm.

The sale is free and open to the public and will be held at the Goodman Community Center located at 149 Waubesa Street in Madison. More information can be found at www.halfpintresale.com

Register Now for Olbrich Fall Classes!

Classes for families and children - check out their full fall schedule online!

A few coming in September:

Cathy’s Animal Garden
Children’s Book Reading and Author Signing
at Olbrich Botanical Gardens
September 11   Saturday   10 – 11:30 a.m.
Registration Deadline:  September 8
Free!
Join us for a reading of Cathy’s Animal Garden by Stacy Tornio, children’s author and editor of Birds & Blooms magazine. She will read her book and offer free plantable bookmarks and a free late summer gardening activity for all children attending. A garden giveaway and author book signing will follow the reading and activities; books are available for purchase.
Cathy’s Animal Garden – When Henry’s homerun ball lands in Creepy Cathy’s yard, he and his buddy Andy go after it, despite their friends’ warnings that they might not come back out. The boys search through Cathy’s animal garden, discovering that things aren’t always what they seem.
Grades K through 3. The book reading and signing is free, but early registration is advised since space is limited. Registration is required by September 8. For more information or to register call 608-246-4550 or visit www.olbrich.org.

Remnants of the Rainforest – Live Tropical Animals
at Olbrich Botanical Gardens
September 11   Saturday   1:30 – 3 p.m.
Registration Deadline:  September 7
$9 Olbrich members/$11 public
See animals of the tropical rainforest up close in this educational program featuring live animals. Learn about tropical animals such as spiders, insects, amphibians, snakes, lizards, turtles, birds, and mammals found in the rainforests around the world. Hear about the special stories of these animals and the places they live from Biologist Dennis “Dino” Tlachac.  The animals in this program have been adopted from wildlife rescues and humane societies. This program is for the whole family. Ages 2 and up and adults. Each person attending pays the registration fee. The cost of the class is $9 for Olbrich members and $11 for the general public. Early registration is advised since space is limited. Registration is required by September 7. For more information or to register call 608-246-4550 or visit www.olbrich.org.

Toddler Story & Stroll:  Autumn Adventures
at Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Class Date Topic Reg. Deadline
September 21   Tuesday   10 – 11 a.m. Wind September 14
September 28   Tuesday   10 – 11 a.m. Squirrels September 21
$6 Olbrich members/$8 public
Play and learn with your youngster in this fun, hands-on series that focuses on the seasonal changes of fall. Classes include a story, tour through the outdoor gardens, and theme-related activity designed for you and your preschooler to spend quality time together. Dress for indoor and outdoor activities. Sign up for one class or the entire series. Ages 2 to 4. The cost of the class is $6 per child for Olbrich members and $8 per child for the general public. Early registration is advised since space is limited. Registration is required by September 14 for the September 21 class. Registration is required by September 21 for the September 28 class. For more information or to register call 608-246-4550 or visit www.olbrich.org.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is located in Madison, Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Monona at 3330 Atwood Avenue.  For membership information call 608-246-4724. For more information call 608-246-4550 or visit www.olbrich.org.

MOPS of Waunakee (and surrounding areas too!) *Speakers, Food, Crafts, Faith, Fun!!

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) is for all Mothers of all walks of life who have children aged birth through Kindergarten (if you are expecting your first child or are in the process of adoption, please join us!). MOPS is an international organization providing an opportunity to meet other moms and make the journey of motherhood together. Waunakee MOPS at Night exists to equip, encourage, develop and bring moms what they want and need. You do not have to be a member of St. John's (where the meetings are held), a specific denomination, or even a "church-goer" to join us.

Our first meeting of the year is Tuesday, September 14th, 6:45 pm - 9 pm. Subsequent meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month Sep - May. Meetings are held at St. John's School Cafeteria 114 East Third St. Waunakee. Come and check us out to see if it's for you!!

www.stjb.org - click on MOPS for more info.

Food For Thought Festival
September 24-25 2010
on Martin Luthur King Jr. Blvd.

The annual Food for Thought Festival is a fun, festive forum that explores and celebrates our many opportunities to eat more pleasurably, healthfully and sustainably.

Events at the Festival include
• Informational and interactive displays
• Speakers and Presentations
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Kid's Activities, Animals, Great Food, and More!

At the annual Food for Thought Festival you will
• See, taste, and smell the pleasures of locally produced food,
• Meet members of your community,
• Learn what you can to support small family farms, eat healthily and protect the environment,
• Have fun!

Visit the website for all of the fun activities and full schedule!

Fall Events & Classes at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center! Register soon!

Wonder Bug Preschool Program

Introduce your toddler or pre-school aged child to a safe and wonderful natural world at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. This program is specifically designed for children ages 2-5 (before entering kindergarten). Each week, we’ll explore a different seasonal topic through hikes, outdoor exploration, music, puppetry, songs, stories and more. Each session will include a snack. Programs will be held rain or shine, so please dress appropriately for the weather. In the case of severe weather, outdoor activities will move indoors. An adult must accompany all children to the program.

Programs are offered twice a week throughout to provide flexible options for busy schedules. Choose EITHER Tuesday or Wednesday, as the program will be the same on both days.

ALNC members: $5/child; Non-members: $6/child

Migration Madness
9:30 – 10:45am
Tuesday, September 14 OR Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Registration Deadline: Friday, September 10, 2010

Spread your wings and get ready to fly south for the winter. In this session, your toddler will play games and explore the world of migration. You may just want to join the gaggle of geese by the time we’re done!

Leafin’ Safari
9:30 – 10:45am
Tuesday, September 28 OR Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Registration Deadline: Friday, September 24, 2010

Let’s go leafin’ now, everybody’s learning how, come on take a leaf trip with us! Your youngster will learn about trees, leaves and how they change with the seasons.

Digging Up Fun
9:30 – 10:45am
Tuesday, October 12 OR Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 8, 2010

Does your toddler like to dig in the dirt? So do badgers and moles and other critters! In this preschool session, we’ll dig up facts and fun about diggers while playing games, singing and of course, digging.

Going Batty
9:30 – 10:45am
Tuesday, October 26 OR Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 22, 2010

What do bats eat? Where do bats live? Do bats really have fangs? Bring your preschooler to this program to learn the answers to these questions and more. Get ready to go batty with fun, facts and fiction all about bats!

Hibernation Station
9:30 – 10:45am
Tuesday, November 9 OR Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Registration Deadline: Friday, November 5, 2010

All aboard for Hibernation Station! Your knee-high naturalist will hoard facts about what animals do to prepare for winter while playing games, singing songs and making crafts. You’ll have so much fun you won’t be sleepy!

Coming Up Green
9:30 – 10:45am
Tuesday, November 30 OR December 1, 2010
Registration Deadline: Friday, November 26, 2010

Bring some green back into the dull brown of winter! Teach your youngster to recycle your way to a better environment and explore the evergreen world of conifers. Go green!

To register for Wonder Bug programs, visit www.naturenet.com/alnc, click on Family and Community, Wonder Bugs Preschool Program, then Registration. Fill out the General Registration form and submit. For more information of to register by phone, call 608-221-0404 x1.

NEW Happy Bambino Groups!!

Dad's Group
Come join a community of dads who are home full or part time with their newborn to preschool age child/children. The discussion will be led by the group, but topics may range from fatherhood and the novelty of being an at-home-dad to topics completely unrelated to being a parent, like sports, music, and movies.

Meeting Time: This group meets every Thursday, 10:00 - 11:15am. 4116 Monona Drive. 223-6261.

Cuddlebugs Parent-Baby Group
The experience of having a baby can be a wondrous and simultaneously terrifying experience. Come join a community of parents and babies where parents can ask questions, visit, and interact with other parents of newborns and young infants (0-6 months).
Meeting Time: This group now meets Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:00am - 11:30am. 4116 Monona Drive. 223-6261.

Nightcrawlers Parent-Baby Group
Come join a community of parents and babies where parents can ask questions, visit, and interact with other parents of infants, ages 6-12 months.
Meeting Time: This group meets every Monday from 10:00am - 10:30am. 4116 Monona Drive. 223-6261.

Grasshoppers Parent-Baby Group
They’re creeping, they’re crawling, they’re cruising…This group provides a welcoming and informal space for parents to connect and play with their crawlers and new walkers (12-24 months).

Meeting Time : This group meets every Wednesday from 11am - 12noon. 4116 Monona Drive. 223-6261.

Working Mom's Networking Group
Whether you are a mom who is working a full-time or part-time job, owns her own business, or is working as a consultant or an employee, this free group is for you! Connect with one another, share ideas and resources for balancing work and family, network and build referrals.

Meeting Time: This group meets the 2nd Thursday of the month from Noon - 1pm. 4116 Monona Drive. 223-6261.

Cloth Diaper 101
Saturday 5/15; 1:30-3:30pm; $25/$20 early bird. 4116 Monona Drive. 223-6261.

UW ARBORETUM FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS:

GENERAL ARBORETUM EVENT INFORMATION:
Events are open to the public, and tours take place regardless of weather unless the naturalist decides it would be unsafe. Call 608-263-7888 if in doubt. Unless otherwise noted, public events are free and tours begin at the Arboretum Visitor Center. Visit our Web site at uwarboretum.org
Arboretum Visitor Center Hours: Weekdays 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Weekends 12:30 - 4 p.m.

Nature Net:
The Environmental Learning Network
300 Femrite Drive, Monona
(608) 221-9095
www.naturenet.com
Nature Net is a consortium of not-for-profit nature centers, parks and museums dedicated to encouraging and fostering in Wisconsin school children a love and understanding of the natural world. Sustaining environmental education through family programs, class field trips and hands-on learning experiences, Nature Net offers free and low-cost outdoor resources — online at www.naturenet.com or on-site at locations throughout the Dane County area.