Jennifer Hartwick

Recycle your Cycle in Columbia Missouri

Today's newspaper contained some information that made me contemplate the contents of my garage and my old bike from college that has been sitting unused for longer than I will admit.

Get About Columbia is asking local residents to recycle your bicycle. Do you have a gently-used bicycle that is taking up space in your garage, on your porch or in your basement? Donate it to GetAbout Columbia. They will fix it up and pass it along to families in Columbia who could really use the bicycle. What a wonderful impact this gift can have on our community.

Donated bikes can be dropped off at the GetAbout Columbia office at 101 N. Seventh Street.

For more information on our local program, please visit http://www.getaboutcolumbia.com/

In celebration of National Arbor Day April 26, the Tree Keeper volunteers will sponsor their annual tree give away at the ARC parking lot at 1701 West Ash Street. The giveaway will be from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, or when quantities are out. The public can select from six types of saplings: bald cypress, pin oak, tulip poplar, Norway spruce, pitch loblolly and redbud. To learn more about the program and the tree giveaway you can visit GoColumbiaMO.com! Get there early, by the time we made it last year, they were all gone!

Apparently there is a theme to my blog lately!! I have put some focus on the variety of activites available for the children in Boone County this summer! I'm a "planner" by nature and it is time to register! I know I'm not the only mom looking for ideas of activites to share with the kids.

Do you have a young artist at home who has ever wanted to explore their creativity? If this sounds like the sort of thing your young artist would like to do this summer, then read on and sign them up for the Columbia Art League's Young Artists' Summer Art Camp .

Classes cost $175 per child per week and classes will be capped at 12 children to allow all young artists plenty of one-on-one time with their teachers. There is no limit to how many camps a child may apply for. Young artists should bring a packed lunch with them. A mid-morning snack will be provided. Please make sure that the Art League is notified of any allergies or health issues your child may have.

If you have any questions, please contact Diana Moxon at 573-443 2131 or artleague@centurytel.net.

For more information you can visit there website at http://cal.missouri.org/

Camps are available for ages 6-14 and run weekly from 9:00 - 3:00 pm.

I'm sure that I am not the only parent looking at the multitude of summer opportunities for my school age children. I have my lists of options that range from a summer enrichment classes offered by our local school district to day camps offered through Parks and Recreation.

Sports camps are always a popular choice among parents and children. The University of Missouri offers sports camps that focus specifically on one area. In my previous life, I worked directly with some of the coaches on these camps and can tell you first hand how much time is spent planning activities and preparing to provide this opportunity for your children.

For more information on sports specific camps sponsored by the University of Missouri- Columbia I'm including a link.

http://mutigers.cstv.com/camps/miss-camps.html

Right now our plans are Summer Enrichment Classes, Soccer Camp and Camp Mudd sponsored by the YMCA. I'd like to add Horse Camp and Gymnastics Camp. But, there are only so many weeks in the summer and I would actually like to spend some times with my children. I wonder where the mom's summer day camp is?

Thursday, April 10 - Saturday, April 13 from 9:00 - 7:00 pm

Just Between Friends
Boone County Fairgrounds
Off Route 63
Columbia, MO
http://columbia.jbfsale.com/

Just Between Friends is a consignment sale where you can participant as either a buyer or a seller. There is no need to shop overpriced mall and department stores, and no more running from garage sale-to-garage sale. Just Between Friends puts is all under one roof! It is the best in gently used childrens and maternity clothing, as well as baby equipment, nursery and maternity items, outside playground equipment, books, kids movies, shoes and toys, toys, toys!

As a consigner, what a great way to clean out no longer needed items and earn some money. You tag your items and JBF sells them for you for a small commission.

I have signed up before as a consigner, but this year I promise I will actually do it! The past two times, I just didn't take the time to get everything done. This year, they have a new computer tagging system and it has made things MUCH easier. I already have 25 things tagged and I'm patting myself on the back for that!

There are sales all over the country so check out the website to see if there is one around you. If you decide to consign in Columbia, tell them I sent you!