Libraries plan free summer events for kids

Thu., June 26, 2008

Mary Jane Honegger The Spokesman-Review

Now that the days are long and the kids are out of school, it’s time for summer reading programs and community outdoor concerts.

As usual, the Kootenai-Shoshone Library District’s summer program, “Catch the Reading Bug,” includes a reading program and other special adventures designed to keep kids busy all summer long.

Library professionals believe that children who read over the summer maintain or improve their reading skills when they return to school in the fall. That’s why every area library is participating in a free Summer Reading Program through Aug. 15, for ages 4 and up.

Kids who register are asked to set reading goals for themselves and maintain a summer reading log. The young readers will also receive jokes, book lists, games and activities to keep them entertained. At the end of the summer they will be given a special prize and a certificate to show their teacher or school librarian when they return to school.

Although a few of the summer programs about bugs have already been held, Rathdrum kids still have the chance to learn about the little critters. “It’s a Bug’s Life” will be held today at Rathdrum City Park at 11 a.m.; and kids will have the chance to learn about “Creepy, Crawly Critters” on July 10. Children are asked to bring their library card and a sack lunch to the event. The Rathdrum Library will also be offering storytime and crafts classes for children preschool age to 8-year-olds at 10:30 a.m. on July 1 and 15.

The kids in Spirit Lake will go buggy a little later this summer with insect-related crafts, games, music and special presentations. Registration is now open for “Creepie Crawlies” with Debra Lawsen on July 10; “Grand Bug Safari” with scavenger hunt on July 17; Puppet Show on July 24; “Bug Hootenanny” with Brad Sondahl, July 31; Insect Art on Aug. 7; and the “Ants in your Pants” picnic at the park with the Bookmobile on Aug. 14. All programs will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. at the library.

Contact your local library or check out the Kootenai Shoshone Library District Web site at www.ksalibraries.org for more information.

Time for summer concerts

Summer concerts offer kids of all ages the chance to enjoy some great music for free, while enjoying warm summer evenings in the park. This year’s lineup is eclectic, promising music that will appeal to musical enthusiasts of every type.

Spirit Lake will be hosting concerts throughout the summer, beginning with the annual Fourth of July bash at 1 p.m. in the city park and ending with five full days of music and entertainment during their centennial celebration over Labor Day weekend. In addition, the Spirit Lake Historical Society is sponsoring an old time country and blue grass concert at city park at noon on July 26; and the Spirit Lake Youth Equipped for Success will host a carnival and concert on Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon. All concerts are free.

The Herborn Band from Germany will be performing at the Grand Pavilion at Q’emiln Park in Post Falls on July 4, rain or shine. The 6 p.m. concert will be followed by fireworks at dark. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring along a picnic dinner or can purchase barbecue food prepared by Post Falls Community Volunteers.

The Stoneridge Concert Series will take place at the Stoneridge Golf and Recreational Community in Blanchard on Friday evenings from 6 to 8:30 pm. The concerts include The Kelly Hughes Band, July 11, and Swing Street Big Band, Aug. 8.

The Rathdrum Concert Series will take place on Friday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rathdrum City Park on Highway 53 at Latah Road. The concerts include: The Culprits, a blues, rock band, July 25; Everyday Prophets, reggae, Aug. 1; Generations, big band rock ‘n’ roll, Aug. 8; and Southern Comfort, country western /country rock on Aug. 15.

The Hayden Concerts will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Hayden City Park, 8930 N. Government Way. The summer lineup includes Coeur d’Alene Big Band, big band swing orchestra, July 9; Loose Cannon, rhythm & blues, July 16; Too Hot To Handle, bluegrass, July 23; Simon Sez, rock ‘n’ roll, July 30; Big Mumbo Blues Band, “blues with a feelin’,”Aug. 6; and Thunder Road, country western/country rock, Aug. 13.

The Downtown Coeur d’Alene Concert Series will be held on Tuesday evenings at Sherman Square Park, 316 Sherman Ave., from 6 to 8:30 p.m. In case of bad weather, the concert will move to the Coeur d’Alene Resort Plaza at Third Street and Jefferson. The concerts include The Dixie Dandies, Dixieland jazz and more, July 1; Blisstrz, rock ‘n’ roll, July 8; Coeur d’Alene Big Band, July 15; Coeurimba, African Rhythms on marimbas, July 22; Thunder Road, July 29; The Crosstow Band, blues, Aug. 5; and Too Hot to Handle, Aug. 12.

A variety show including Deep Roots, Irish music; Cool Stream Band, original blues and folk; and Lake City Harmonizers, barbershop choir, will be held on Aug. 19. The final concert in the series will be Revolver, a Beatles tribute band to the early years, on Aug. 26. Contact your local communities for more summer concert information.

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