Bayport Blue Point Library in the future

The Bayport-Blue Point Library is zooming into the future. It may be good and may be bad. For their children's programs registration is on September 12th at 10am, but instead of parents lining up outside of the library at 9am to get into a class - it is going to be done on-line from the comfort of your home.

Each child that you are registering must have their own library card to get into the classes. You cannot register them under your own card. This creates the problem of - what if you are registering two or more children? Who do you want to get the first choice of classes? But I guess everyone else registering is in the same boat. Also with all these people registering at the same time is the system going to crash?

At the library, in the children's department, there are instructions you can pick up on how to register for the children's classes. There are 13 steps to register - too much to list here, but here's a start. Go to the library homepage. On the left side click onto Children's Programs and select the classes you want. Hopefully it is easy to do.

This little inconvenience is well worth getting all these programs for your children at no cost. It is a waste not to take advantage of the Bayport-Blue Point Library. Get your children a library card today, go on-line and set up their password, so you can register for classes on the morning of September 12th.

One other note - the Bayport-Blue Point Library is starting to issue in October photo id library cards with a key chain option. This will be a good thing because your library card will be on your key chain.

The Bubble Is In The Battle On The Bay

Power boaters with families, this weekend in Patchogue is The Battle On The Bay Miss Geico Triple Crown. It is a huge boat race on The Bay just off Patchogue and it's free. The events start on Friday, August 21st on land in Patchogue. There is music, food, vendors and you can view the race boats. On Saturday there are the time trials in the water and more fun on land. Sunday is race day. There are three separate races, starting at noon.

There is a viewing area in the Sandspits of Shorefront Park in Patchogue. If you have a boat, there is a viewing area just off Shorefront Park in Patchogue in The Bay. It is sort of tailgating with your boat in the water! Check out more detailed info at The Battle of The Bay website http://greatsouthbayracing.com/index.html

Even if you do not make it to the races - living in The Bayport Bubble - you will hear the boats!
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Don't Buy Birthday Cards - Make Them!

Once your children start school, they are always getting invited to birthday parties. It's not a big deal to buy a gift, but buying all those birthday cards gets so expensive. Mostly because they just get thrown away.

Try this - get some construction paper or pull some paper out of your printer. With crayons or markers, have them make a birthday card for their pal. Let their imagination flow - you will be amazed at what they draw for their friend. Keep it simple or get really fancy with glue, cutouts and stickers.

Always make a note on the card of what the drawing is and have them sign their name too. The kids feel like they made something special for a buddy and you save money. If the card does get tossed in the trash, it will not be a waste of $3. Who knows, maybe the friend will keep the special card and bring it out again in high school for a laugh!
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Free By The Sea

The National Park Service has free Seaside Stories and Crafts at Talisman on Fire Island. I plan on doing it with my kids, since most Saturdays we are at Talisman anyway. You meet at Talisman Picnic Area at 2pm and it is geared for children ages 5-7, but all are welcome. They also hold free kid events at Watch Hill too. Call 631-687-4750 or check it out at http://www.nps.gov/fiis/upload/FireIslandNationalSeashore_SpecialProgramsThisMonth_August-2009.pdf

* August 8th Whale Day - listen to stories about the seashore and learn about the environment of Fire Island
* August 22nd Catch of the Day - discover marine life in The Great South Bay as you use seine nets and dip nets. You must wear water shoes.

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