Philly Spells Writing Center Presents "Write Your Own Fairy Tale!"

You may have heard of bestselling author Dave Eggers (What is the What, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) or you may have heard of his excellent writing center in the Mission district of San Francisco, 826 Valencia, that gets kids ages 6-18 excited about writing and helps teachers inspire their students in the literary arts.

The creativity and inspiration of both Eggers and 826 Valencia is heading to Philadelphia in the form of Philly Spells Writing Center, a wonderfully welcoming, unabashedly wacky world of self-expression. Their mission is to excite young people about all forms of writing through wacky and wonderful programs. They open their physical space in 2010 but offer free workshops throughout the year to the public, schools, and youth-based programs. They'll be working hard throughout the city to raise funds to open the center, but in the meantime Germantown Avenue parents can support the cause right in our own neighborhood!

“Once upon a time, a little boy lived in a big city, on a medium-sized street, in a tiny house. One summer afternoon, he walked out of his front door…”

And THEN what happened?

Bring your budding – or resistant – writers to finish this story or start one of their very own! Join Spells for Write Your Own Fairy Tale, a free wonderful and wacky writing workshop. Led by educator and author Angelina Sciolla, the program culminates with each child writing a unique timeless tale.

SPELLS WRITING CENTER PRESENTS
Write Your Own Fairy Tale
Saturday, July 11, 2009
2pm-4pm
Big Blue Marble Books
551 Carpenter Lane
Cost: Free!*
Best for children in grades 2-6, but open for all ages.

*Space is limited! Call 267-670-0869 or email write@phillyspells.org to reserve yours now. And please check out their fabulous website for event updates, information on writing programs, and how to donate to this wonderful new writing venture!

Bamboo Photography- Unique School Portraits and More!

I'd like to welcome Bamboo Photography, Mt. Airy's newest business, a photography studio that captures the essence of community -- focusing on the spirit of children, the evolution of eco-consciousness, and the heart of local culture. Dana Scherer, owner of Bamboo Photography, has recently opened an office in the Green on Greene building on the corner of Greene Street and Carpenter Lane, which also houses the Environmental Homestore and the Moving Arts Studio of Mt. Airy.

Bamboo Photography will hold an open house on Saturday, June 13, 2009 from 11:00 am-3:00 pm, introducing their new location and offering children's activities, refreshments, and giveaways. The children's activities for the day include African storytelling by Yomi Awodesu at 12:30pm, a children's drum circle with Joe Tayoun at 1:15pm, and a special portrait session/door prizes giveaway at 2:45pm.

Scherer started Bamboo Photography with the actual image of bamboo in mind. "Bamboo is very sustainable, resilient, flexible, strong, and adaptable," she says, "much like the qualities of children.” She feels that working with children is a gift, a constant reminder of why we must strive and give the best of ourselves, and work to build communities where our children are embraced and given strong roots to grow.

Focusing her efforts in the local community, Scherer is redefining school photography, offering parents and schools a creative approach to this traditional service. “As a parent, I’ve been too often disappointed with the lack of choices and the quality of my own children’s school portraits, and I felt there was a definite need for something different.” Scherer says. “If I can create portraits that make parents smile, then I know I’m doing something right.” She does away with the studio backdrop all together, preferring the natural light and setting of the outdoors.

Aside from offering a high quality service and product, Scherer is also creating a business model based on sustainable and eco-conscious decisions. “If we are to consider our shared future, we have a responsibility to our children (and theirs) in making conservative and innovative choices about how we live and do business today.” Bamboo Photography represents a vision where the future of our children and our environment go hand in hand. From using digital film, which bypasses harmful chemicals, to offering a completely online ordering process, and working with local artists on collaborative and eco-friendly products, Bamboo Photography is continually evolving their eco-conscious mission.

Scherer was drawn to Mt. Airy because of the community spirit, family focus, and positive energy of the neighborhood. For more information on Bamboo Photography and their open house please visit their website: Bamboo Smiles, or contact Dana Scherer at 215-796-4758.

Tennis

As the weather gets warmer and warmer I've been thinking about tennis-- a sport I used to do as a kid and absolutely loved. I never took lessons and never got very good at it but I adored taking up the racket and hitting the ball as hard as I could, and then trying different swings, imitating Andre Agassi as I played.

It got me thinking about tennis courts in this area, and on my walk to Germantown Pediatrics the other day I went past the Woodford Tennis Club, right on Wister Street in Germantown, tucked behind large trees with a beautiful, gigantic house in the front. I didn't get a chance to walk through and check out what it was all about but if this intrigues you like it intrigued me, I suggest looking at this website list of Philadelphia Tennis Courts where there are listings for an Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis Center and more in and around this area.

Let me know if you find any free tennis lessons for children or tennis camps. Heck, let me know if there are tennis groups for moms who are reminiscing about their past sporty selves too.

And of course, you can always just stop by Allen's Lane Playground and try and reserve a tennis court there. Happy swinging!