Kim Melin

Cultural events in Edina are offered throughout the year. From September through May, cultural performances are held indoors at the Edinborough Park Amphitheate. From June through August, cultural performances are held outdoors at the Maetzold Amphitheater at Centennial Lakes Park.

It is wise to understand cultural values and customs other than one's own. Participating in cultural events is one of the best ways to broaden one's perspectives. Events offered in Edina are excellent educational opportunities for getting to know this region's cultures in a context that permits interaction with local communities.

Activities such as plays, films, art exhibitions, dance and musical performances are scheduled. The most recent schedule is always posted on the city's website.

If you would like to learn more about Edina, or would like to view homes in Edina, please contact me.

Each quarter the Park and Recreation department of City of Edina produces a catalog with information about youth sports and family activities. The name of the publication is the "Park & Recreation Insider".

This spring there are a myriad of activities and programs available for the entire family. The Junior Golf Program at Braemar is always popular and gives kids between the ages of 10 and 18 a chance to learn the sport of golf.

The Edina Aquatic Center will open in early June and is fun for the entire family. It's children’s pool features spiral and tunnel slides, a tire swing, sprays, fountains and other water-in-motion amenities. But the main attraction is an Olympic-sized pool with a three-meter diving board, a one-meter diving board and lap swimming lanes. Swimming lessons are also provided at the Edina Aquatic Center.

Other programs offered this spring are "Spring Time Art", "Social Skills and the Arts", and a Cheerleading camp. One of my favorite activities outlined in the publication is the "Mom and Me Spa Party". This special event for mom's (or aunt's) and their daughters include: Paraffin Hand Wax, Express Manicure, Express Pedicure, Face Cleanse, Mask and Conditioning.

The camps this year include a Safety Camp, Youth Basketball Camp, and Mini Hawk Camp.

For more information about the Edina area, please contact me or visit my website.

Come hear Mayor Hovland and Superintendent Dressen speak on the state of the community. This event will be at Edinborough Park on Wednesday, February, 18^th beginning at 11:15 a.m. They will be speaking on growing stronger through challenging economic times. You can register on the Edina Chamber of Commerce: http://www.edinachamber.com/

http://www.edinaunplugged.org/

Kids want more unscheduled time to spend with their families. "Edina Unplugged" is part of our community's response to that request. We are also building on the experience and initiatives of other communities. Barbara Z. Carlson and William J. Doherty, Ph.D. authors of Putting Family First: Successful Strategies for Reclaiming Family Life in a Hurry-Up World, began a grass-roots organization in Wayzata, MN called "Putting Family First. " This group is dedicated to finding balance in our overscheduled lives, and organized Wayzata's first family night in March 2005. Visit their website at www.puttingfamilyfirst.org. Their "research" and "FAQ" pages are especially good, and they have some nice ideas for things to do in the backyard and while driving, as well as recipes, conversation starters, and bedtime rituals. Alvin Rosenfeld, M.D. (author, with Nicole Wise, of The Over-Scheduled Child: Avoiding the Hyper-Parenting Trap (formerly titled Hyper-Parenting: Are you Hurting Your Child by Trying Too Hard?) has created National Family Night/Family Night a Month. Read their mission statement at www.familynightamonth.org; don't miss the interesting collection of newspaper articles at the bottom of the page. You can also check out the site for Rosenfeld's book at http://www.hyper-parenting.com/start.htm, and read a transcript of his talk to parents on "Harvard, Soccer, Over-Scheduled Families." For further reading, see: "Are We Pushing Our Kids Too Hard?" This article, originally published in Psychology Today Jan/Feb 2003, discusses what children miss out on when they're overscheduled, and what parents can do. "Is Your Child Too Busy?" Good tips for recognizing signs that your child is too busy, and ways to slow things down. "Overscheduled Children" Nice perspective. "Is Your Child Overscheduled and Overstressed?" A University of Michigan update on the issues including links to more articles.