Mid-July 2007

HEART OF TEXAS
Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc.


MID-JULY 2007 ISSUE
Home School News and Events
Dear Home School Leaders and Friends,

We are excited to share with you some information about several events that may be of interest to home schoolers in the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas region. Please feel free to pass along this information to the homeschooling families in your network.

If you would like for us to help you spread the news about an event or activity that your group is doing, or if you know of an event or activity that would benefit other home schoolers, please drop us a line at info@HEARTofTex.org so we can include it in the next issue of our bi-weekly e-newsletter.

Thanks so much!

www.HEARTofTex.org

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Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc., (HEART of Texas) is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to serving the home schooling community. Our mission is to provide leadership, training, and support, as well as to encourage political participation within the home school community through communications, networking activities, and events directed at home school support groups and families in the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas region.


This information is provided as a service to our fellow home schoolers. HEART of Texas does not necessarily endorse, warrant, or represent any of the activities, events, or organizations listed, or their content, views, opinions, or recommendations. Please use your own judgment when considering taking part in or attending any of these events or activities or visiting any of the websites or links provided. HEART of Texas assumes no responsibility for the content of any ads, promises made, or the quality/reliability of the products or services offered.


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~~July Highlights~~


JUNE 16-21
SALE AT CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS RESOURCE CENTER IN ROWLETT

20% OFF Bible Curriculum Products


Location: Christian Eduacation Resource Center
3810 Industrial Street, Suite 300
Rowlett, TX 75088


For More Information: http://www.cerconline.org


View Newsletter Headers

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JUNE 19
MARDEL’S EDUCATORS SALE --- SAVE 20%

8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Save 20% off on all education, school supplies, home school and kids’ products!

For More Details: www.mardel.com

View Newsletter Headers

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JUNE 21
SECOND ANNUAL HEART OF TEXAS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE


Time: Registration -- 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Conference -- 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Location: Restoration Church
1350 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, TX 76040
Featured Speakers: Tim Lambert, president, Texas Home School Coalition
Jube Dankworth, national director, Home Schooling Family to Family

Special Guest Speakers: Doug and Patsy Arnold of Texas Special Kids
Dana Tillman of World View Classes
Suzanne Nasser of Speak Out North Texas


Theme: Get Connected


Admission: $15/person $25/married couple
HEART of Texas Members: $10/person $20/married

$25/person $35/married couple (walk-ins at the door)
HEART of Texas Members: $20/person $30/married couple


Lunch is Provided


To Register: Use our online registration form:
www.heartoftex.org/registration/registration.php
Pay at the door when you arrive.


Info about the conference:
View Newsletter Headers


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JUNE 23
ANIMAL FASHIONS CLASS & TOUR (Open Event)

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:30

Details: Investigate the different costumes animals wear on their bodies, from an insect’s exskelton to the feathers of a bird or a turtle’s shell. Share a picnic lunch after this morning class, then take a guided tour of Fossil Rim.

For more Details: www.fossilrim.com/visiting/home_school.html
To Register: homeschool@fossilrim.org
or call 254-897-2960 ext. 216



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~~What's Inside This Issue ~~
(Click on the links below)

  1. North Texas Library Summer Programs --- Summer 2007

  1. Ringling Brothers Reading Club --- Through 8/15/07 ---- Participating Texas Libraries

  1. Sunkist "Take a Stand" Free Lemonade Stand Program --- Summer 2007

  1. THEO Offering Summer SAT Classes and Summer Activities

  1. AMC Theatres Summer Movie Camp --- Free Movies --- Summer 2007

  1. Achievement Testing Available at CERC in Rowlett

  1. BEST Robotics 2007 Preview: 2021 a Robot Odyssey

  1. Speak Out North Texas Speech and Debate Club Information

  1. Private One-On-One Tuturing in Mathematics--- www.ed2netlearning.com

  1. Lewisville Area Homeschool Speech --- Intro to Competitive Speech Classes --- Registration Open

  1. Legacy Home School Enrichment Program at First Baptist in Euless --- Registration Open

  1. Library Used Book Sales in North Texas --- July/August
Grand Prairie, TX – July 21
Wichita Falls, TX – Aug 4
Flower Mound, TX – August 18

  1. Sharkarosa Open-to-the-Public Days --- Every Saturday in July

  1. Shows at the Fort Worth Omni Theater --- July

  1. Shows at the Dallas Imax Theatre -- Museum of Science and Nature – July

  1. Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge Programs --- July

  1. Sounds of Lewisville Free Concert Series --- Every Tuesday in July

  1. Theater Performances at Artisan Center Theater ---Hurst --- July
The Miracle Worker --- July 13 – August 4

Artie's Playhouse Presents: Red Riding Hood and the Big White Lie ---July 16 – August 3
Character Focus: Honesty

  1. CATS Theatre Performances --- Arlington --- July
Adventure of Nate the Great --- July 31 - Aug 2

  1. CATS Home School Theatre Classes --- Arlington --- Registration Open for 2007-2008 School Year

  1. Plano Children’s Theater --- Plano --- July/Aug
Androcles and the Lion --- July 11 – 26
Bridge to Terabithia --- July 20 – 29
Stinky Cheese Man --- August 1-30
The Wizard of Oz --- August 2-11
Anne of Green Gables (Musical) --- August 10-19
Thoroughly Modern Millie --- August 23-26

  1. STAR WARS: Where Science Meets Imagination Exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History --- Through Sept 3

  1. Dallas Museum of Art Exhibit --- July

  1. Dallas Heritage Village --- at Old City Park --- July

  1. Texas Discovery Gardens --- July

  1. Day Camps at Camp Tonkawa --- July

  1. Fridays at the Farmstead --- Heritage Farmstead Museum --- Plano --- August

  1. Enjoy Free Ice Cream at Blue Bell Ice Cream's 100th Anniversary Celebration – Various North Texas Cities --- August

  1. Book It! Reading Program --- Now Enrolling for 2007-2008

  1. Braum’s Book Buddy Reading Program – Now Enrolling for 2007-2008

  1. Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program --- Earn a Free Book


  1. Smoothing the Way Meetings in North Texas--- Denton/Tyler --- August


  1. Bible Curriculum Sale at CERC in Rowlett --- July 16-21

  1. Mardel’s Educator’s Sale --- 20% Off --- July 19

  1. Discounts 30/80 Percent for Health Care--- www.rrussell.dreambigger.net

  1. Second Annual HEART of Texas Leadership Conference --- Euless, Texas --- July 21

  1. The Rebelution Conference --- July 21 (Pre-registration ends July 14)

  1. Star Parties at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History --- July 21

  1. Dallas Children’s Theater Performances --- July
Pinkerton!!! --- Through July 22

  1. Animal Fashions Class and Tour at Fossil Rim--- July 23

  1. Meet Children’s Author and Illustrator Steven Kellogg --- Dallas --- July 23

  1. An Evening with Author Tim Madigan friend of Mr. Rogers --- Bedford --- July 28

  1. Ancient Treasures of the Holy Land Exhibit at Embarcadero Building in Dallas Fair Park --- Through July 28

  1. Borders Summer Reading Program --- Buy 3 Get 4th Free --- Through July 30

  1. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus --- Dallas/Fort Worth
Dallas --- August 1-12
Ft. Worth ---- August 15-19

  1. State Fair of Texas Creative Arts Competition --- Entry Forms and Fees Due by Aug 2

  1. Homeschooling? How? Seminar --- Rowlett --- August 2

  1. Symphonic Saturdays --- Addison --- August

  1. ECCHO’s Home School Q&A Night --- Glen Heights/Red Oak --- August 3

  1. Used Curriculum Fair --- Watauga --- August 4

  1. MASTER THE SAT/PSAT AND GET FREE COLLEGE--- www.collegeprepgenius.com

  1. PE Fair --- Rowlett – August 11

  1. Performance at Bass Hall – Wizard of Oz --- August 14-19

  1. State Convention and Family Conference --- The Woodlands --- August 16-18

  1. Mobile Dairy Classroom --- Rowlett Public Library --- August 21

  1. Effective Communication Course – Dallas --- Aug 27–Sept 1

  1. 11th International Conference on Rethinking Education in Irving --- Keynote John Taylor Gatto ---
August 30 - Sept 3

  1. Irving 1st Annual Home School Showcase --- Lee Park Recreation Center – October 6

  1. Registration Under Way at Tarrant County College for Home School Classes --- FREE MATH ASSESSMENT

  1. Volunteer Opportunities Available for Home School Students in 21 Counties --- American Cancer Society

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1. SUMMER PROGRAMS AT NORTH TEXAS LIBRARIES --- SUMMER 2007

Summer Reading Clubs, Story Times, Events, Activities, and more! Libraries in North Texas are gearing up for an action-packed, fun-filled summer that will inspire a love of reading!

To find out what your local libraries are doing, visit the website below. It includes links to public libraries all over Texas, so you and your kids can get in on the adventure of reading this Summer!!

http://www.publiclibraries.com/texas.htm

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2. RINGLING BROTHERS READING CLUB --- PARTICIPATING TEXAS LIBRARIES --- THROUGH AUGUST 15

Who Can Participate: Kids ages 2-12
For Details: Participants receive cool bookmarks, clown noses, and coloring sheets.
List of Participating Libraries: http://www.readingwithringling.com/dfw.html
Clown Appearances at D/FW Libraries: http://www.readingwithringling.com/dfw_clown.html

Reading is a great way to spend your summer! And, it can even take you to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® present Circus of Dreams, which will play at American Airlines Center, August 1-12, and Fort Worth Convention Center, August 15-19.

Available for kids 2-12 years of age, it is easy to join. All you have to do is visit your local participating library and read a few books. Then, you will earn a free ticket to the circus this summer!

Your librarian will give you everything to join Reading with Ringling Bros.!® including cool bookmarks, clown noses, puzzles and coloring sheets.

If your library is not listed, tell them about the circus reading program. It’s not too late to join!


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3. SUNKIST "TAKE A STAND" FREE LEMONADE STAND PROGRAM --- THROUGH SEPT 4

Sunkist is giving away 10,000 lemonade stands (while supplies last) to kids ages 7-12 who want to raise money for a charity of their choice.

Who Can Participate: Ages 7-12
How to Participate: To receive a complimentary stand, young philanthropists and their parents must submit their "Take a Stand" pledges online. Details and order forms are available at the Sunkist website. Stands are available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
For Details:
http://www.sunkist.com/takeastand

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4. THEO IN PLANO OFFERING SUMMER SAT PREP AND SUMMER ACTIVITIES

SAT Prep Clases: Tuesday mornings through August 14
For high school students will be offered weekly from 9-12 on Tuesday mornings beginning June 19 and continuing every Tuesday through August 14. The final details will be posted on the web shortly, so watch for updates. The kids will move through four stations which expand their knowledge incrementally without making them feel like they have labored and lost their summer. I am thrilled with the concept we have built into this affordable weekly SAT prep class; I believe you will also be pleased with the results if your students participate.

Summer Activities for ages 13-15: Weekly Throughout the Summer
We have decided that students 13 to 15 years old endure some of their hardest summers. They are too young to work and yet too old to enjoy the activities that once captivated their elementary aged summer vacations. Because of this dilemma, we will offer field trips and activities for students weekly during June, July and August. Some will be service projects, but not all. We want them to have a chance to fellowship—playing games, doing art projects, watching movies, going on field trips and more.

Location: The Summit Church
4101 E. Park Blvd.
Plano, TX 75074

For More Information: www.THEOsonline.org

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5. AMC THEATRES SUMMER MOVIE CAMP --- FREE MOVIES --- SUMMER 2007

Explore the wild side of AMC. Free Movies. Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. All summer long.
Groups can reserve free tickets one week in advance at the box office at participating theaters.

To Find an AMC Theater Near You: http://www.amctheatres.com/smc/

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6. ACHIEVEMENT TESTING AVAILABLE AT CERC IN ROWLETT

For Registration and Other Information: http://www.cerconline.org/testingindex.html

Location: Christian Educators Resource Center
3810 Industrial, Suite 300
Rowlett, TX 75088

Contact: 972-475-4138

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7. BEST ROBOTICS 2007 PREVIEW: 2021: A ROBOT ODYSSEY


Get the first look at the theme for this year's competition!
Visit: http://www.bestinc.org/MVC/

BEST is a non-profit, volunteer organization whose mission is to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology through participation in a sports-like, science- and engineering-based robotics competition.

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8. SPEAK OUT NORTH TEXAS ---- SPEECH AND DEBATE CLUB INFO

Dear Dallas-Fort Worth area homeschoolers:

If you have a student (age 12-18) that is interested in speech or debate, Speak Out North Texas club (north of Fort Worth) is open to new members this Fall who have completed the 2-day training necessary to familiarize students with NCFCA terminology and format. The camps offered by Creative Arts in Action fulfill this training requirement - they are packed with interactive activities and taught by highly accomplished alumni who have been forerunners in the league.

Camps are listed on our website at http://www.speakoutntx.com/caia.htm. Our family has been involved in NCFCA speech & debate for 3+ years...it has been one of the foremost tools the Lord has used to equip our children to be bold communicators for Christ. The Lord is raising up a generation of youth who can communicate their faith and political values with passion and grace. Thru this venue, students can develop Godly friendships with like-minded teens that support and encourage each other and help each other navigate the teen years with Christ at the center. Camps are filling up fast!

To register: Call Creative Arts in Action at (817) 281-2293.

Blessings, Suzanne Nasser Speak Out North TX (Keller, TX)

For more information about our club: www.speakoutntx.com

For more information about the National Christian Forensics Communication Assoc (NCFCA): http://www.ncfca.org

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9. PRIVATE, ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING IN MATHEMATICS – DONE ONLINE AT YOUR HOME
Ed2Net Learning offers:

Curriculum individually customized and paced for your child
  • Done at home — in an environment most conducive to learning
  • Free initial diagnosis to assess understanding level
  • The assigned tutor conducts regular sessions one on one with your child
  • Flexibility to schedule sessions as per your convenience
  • One hour session that can be scheduled once, twice or thrice a week
  • Supported by multiple online practice sheets , evaluated and explained by tutors
  • Quiz after each chapter and regular feedback and reports for your records
  • The tutor and the child talk and interact on a common screen
  • Offered for Mathematics for grades level 4,5,6 and 7. Grade level 8 to be launched by August, 2007

Children love the concept of working on-line and we include some fun puzzlers, riddles and games also as a part of the lesson.

The charges start at $ 80/month for (4 sessions).

For a FREE diagnosis, FREE trial session and a FREE internet chat headset, get in touch with us now:
Sign up on our website: (http://www.ed2netlearning.com/sign_up_now.asp) or
Call us on 1-866-616-2336
(Do not forget to mention “Heart of Texas” to get the FREE Offers!)

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10. LEWISVILLE AREA HOME SCHOOL SPEECH --- INTRO TO COMPETITIVE SPEECH CLASSES

Registration Open!

Class Dates: August 2007 Through May 2008
Tuesday afternoons

Grade Levels: 6th-8th Grades
Where: Valley Creek Church in Flower Mound
Cost: $40/month

Contact for More Information: Lisa Tetsch
tetsch@juno.com

Class Description: Each semester students will participate in three different Individual Events (IE's). We will concentrate on all aspects of expression-voice inflection, articulation, pace, timing, facial expression, eye contact and physical delivery (blocking, gestures, poise, energy and passion). At the end of each semester the students will participate in a speech competition rated by judges. Students are greatly encouraged and confidence is strengthened. This is a fun class! Even reluctant first-timers will enjoy it.

Year 1, Semester 1 (Fall 2007)
1. Literary Interpretation (children's story)
2. Oratorical Interpretation (famous speech)
3. Expository (self-written) Students will also recite a poem and play impromptu games. These games teach creative, quick thinking and build confidence.

Year 1, Semester 2 (Spring 2008)
1. Oratory (monologue from book/movie)
2. Nomination/Acceptance speech (working in pairs, self-written)
3. Persuasion (self-written) We will cover humor and play more impromptu games. These games begin to prepare students for Limited Preparation speeches.
In addition to speaking, we will be discussing and memorizing scripture regarding our speech. There is a difference between public speaking, as we defend what we believe, and the speech we use in personal relationships (boldness vs. humility).

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11. LEGACY HOME SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM AT FIRST BAPTIST EULESS

Currently Enrolling for 2007-2008 School Year --- Science, History, and Fine Arts Classes
Grade: K-8
Contact: Laura Lewis at 817-267-3313 ext 267
Email: legacy@discoveryfirst.org

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12. LIBRARY USED BOOK SALES IN NORTH TEXAS --- JULY

Looking for inexpensive literature books and other resources to add to your home school library? Library used book sales are excellent opportunities to purchase books at bargain prices. Here are a few sales that we know about in the North Texas area:

GRAND PRAIRIE – July 21
Time: 9-5
Location: Grand Prairie Main Library
901 Conover Drive
972-262-8015
Contact: fgpltx@aolcom

Books: 3,000; 80% donated; 90% hardcover; all items .25

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WICHITA FALLS – August 4
Time: 12 - 5
Location: Wichita Falls Public Library
600 11th Street
940-767-0868 ext. 248

Books: 3,000; 100% donated; 85% hardcover; .50 - $2
Half-price sale on most books the 1st Saturday of each month

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FLOWER MOUND – August 18
Time: 11-5
Location: Flower Mound Public Library
3030 Broadmoor La
972-874-6151

Books: not “picked over”; no buyer restrictions; .25 - $3; credit cards accepted


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13. SHARKAROSA OPEN-TO-THE-PUBLIC DAYS

SATURDAYS IN JULY

Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (last tour begins at 4:30)

Admission: $8 per person; kids 3 and under are free
INCLUDES: - Meet & Greet with our Education Animals (kangaroos, monkeys, lemurs & more) *Animals available for meet and greet vary with the season and off-site events schedule*
- Safari Wagon ride through exotic pastures to see camels, zebra, buffalo & more
- Kids Bucket Train rides thru 22 acres of “wild” trails!
- Use of pavilion for lunch (you may purchase lunch at our concession stand or bring your own)

NOTE: NO OTHER EVENTS(PRIVATE TOURS, FIELD TRIPS, ETC.) WILL BE BOOKED ON OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAYS.
We are currently taking deposits for fall field trip reservations. Please visit the Field Trip page under the "Visiting Section" of our web site for details on booking a field trip for your home school group.

For More Information:
www.sharkarosa.com
940-686-4600(main)
940-686-3715(fax)

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14. SHOWS AT THE FORT WORTH OMNI THEATER - JUNE

Special Effects - through September 3
Explores the magical world of movie illusions.
For More Info: http://fortworthmuseum.org/omni/SpecialEffects.html
For Info About the Movie: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/specialfx

Dolphins - through September 3
For More Info: http://www.fwmuseum.org/omni/dolphins.html
For Info About the Movie: http://dolphinsfilm.com/ or www.macfreefilms.com

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15. SHOWS AT THE DALLAS IMAX THEATER - MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & NATURE --- JUNE

Dinosaurs Alive! - Through August 31
For more Info and to Purchase Tickets: www.natureandscience.org/imax/default.asp
Dinosaurs Alive is a global adventure of science and discovery featuring the earliest dinosaurs of the Triassic Period to the monsters of the Cretaceous “reincarnated” life-sized for the giant IMAX® screen. Audiences will journey with some of the world’s preeminent paleontologists as they uncover evidence that the descendents of dinosaurs still walk (or fly) among us. From the exotic, trackless expanses and sand dunes of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert to the dramatic sandstone buttes of New Mexico, the film will follow paleontologists as they explore some of the greatest dinosaur finds in history. Through the magic of scientifically accurate computer-generated animation, these newly discovered creatures, and some familiar favorites, will come alive…in a big way!

Sharks - Through August 31
For more Info and to Purchase Tickets: www.natureandscience.org/imax/default.asp
Presented by Jean-Michel Cousteau (son of famed underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau), Sharks brings you face to fin with a multitude of shark species, including the Great White, Hammerhead and Whale Shark. Witness them as they really are: not wicked man-eating creatures, but wild, beautiful and endangered animals that have been in existence since a million years before dinosaurs roamed the earth. So join us on this unique round-the-globe expedition and you'll enjoy astonishing up-close encounters for an unforgettable giant screen experience.


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16. FORT WORTH NATURE CENTER AND REFUGE PROGRAMS --- JULY

JULY 22 --- The American Alligator
Time: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Admission: FREE

JULY 28 --- ID Birds by Sound
Time: 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Admission: FREE

JULY 29 --- Interesting Insects
Time: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Admission: FREE

AUGUST 19 ---- Turtles
Time: 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Admission: FREE


For More Information about these or other events: 817-237-1111
http://www.fwnaturecenter.org

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17. FREE --- SOUNDS OF LEWISVILLE CONCERT SERIES

Every Tuesday through July 24
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Enjoy free concerts under the stars with a different band each week, featuring a variety of music.
Location: Vista Ridge Amphitheater, 3049 Lake Vista Drive, in Lewisville.
For More Information: http://www.cityoflewisville.com
972-219-3836

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18. THEATER PERFORMANCES at ARTISAN THEATER IN HURST

Artisan Center Theater holds quality, "in the round" performances that are family-friendly, entertaining, and affordable! Artie's Playhouse, their Interactive Children's Theater, offers original, fun-for-all-ages productions featuring familiar characters and themes, but with fresh twists that keep it entertaining and exciting for parents as well as children. Each story has its own character focus, which is reinforced throughout the play.
The plays are about 30-45 minutes long, and include lots of audience participation to hold the interest of even the youngest child in the family. The theater's full-length stage productions include musicals, comedies, and family dramas which are entertaining, as well as family-friendly. Past performances have included such classics as Godspell, Cheaper By the Dozen, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and The Sound of Music.

THROUGH AUGUST 4 --- The Miracle Worker
Times: 7:30 p.m. (Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays)
3:00 Saturday Matinee
Ticket Prices: Reserved seats: $13.00 for adults, $11.00 for students and senior citizens, $8.00 for children 12 and under.
Mondays and Thursdays are $9.00 adults; $6 12 and under
Reservations recommended.


JULY 16 – AUGUST 3 --- Red Riding Hood and the Big White Lie (Artie's Playhouse Children's Production)
Character Focus: Honesty

Times: