September Issue Off to The Printers This Afternoon

look for it next week at your favorite locations...

Reader Wins Camp Rock Soundtrack CD

Congrats to Paula Flaherty Bolotin of Whitinsville, a reader of many years of Bay State Parent magazine. She is the winner of the magazine's & Buena Vista Records Camp Rock CD contest! Her favorite Bay State Parent magazine features are Day Trip Destination, Parenting 1-2-3, & Tween to Teen.

CAMP ROCK, which aired on the Disney Channel, earlier this summer, stars the latest tween & teen sensation the JONAS Brothers (whose new album hits stores next Tuesday) and singer-songwriter-actress Demi Lovato. Camp Rock is the story of a talented yet unsure teen who yearns to share her songs with the world and of a tempestuous young superstar who's lost his passion for music and is sent packing by his band mates. Together, at a camp for aspiring young music artists, they learn to believe in themselves and to value the freedom to be who they really want to be. The movie's soundtrack is available at retail outlets.

Congrats to all the readers who entered the contest.

To enter current contests, visit http://www.baystateparent.com/common/contests.html

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CONTEST WINNERS: Betsy Bubblegum DVDs

Congrats to the following Bay State Parent magazine readers. Each will receive a copy of the DVD Betsy Bubblegum's Journey Through Yummi-Land.
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*Laura Adams of Lowell. A reader of the magazine online. Her favorite features are Pondering Parenting, Mom's Plate Date, and the calendar.
.**Heidi Boyle of Webster. A reader for the last 4 years, her favorite feature is Day Trip Destination.
** Pam Koskovich of Natick. A reader for 5 years, her favorite features are the calendar & Adoption Insights, and the featured articles.
** Karen Peters of Leominster. A reader for 5 years, her favorite features are the calendar and Day Trip Destination.
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The DVD is the first-ever movie featuring the Yummi-Land Girls. The DVD also contains several special features including a build your own sundae game, a gooey guessing game, a sing-a-long, and sweet secret surprises.If your are unfamiliar about Yummi-Land, here is quick synopsis about it and the DVD movie: When Betsy Bubblegum arrives in Yummi Land for the first time, she is overwhelmed by the super-delicious sights and scents. Flowery fragrances, fruity flavors, and sweet sounds tempt Betsy to explore the mouthwatering metropolis! After returning with her Uncle, Mayor Marshmallow, Betsy meets the Candy Pop Girls, the Flower Pop Girls, and the Ice Cream Pop Girls. Even as she makes new friends and helps out with a major Yummi-Land event, Betsy discovers her own unique talents.The movie is about 45 minutes. Manufacturer's recommended age is 4 an older.
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Congrats to everyone who entered!
To see current contests offered to Bay State Parent readers, visit http://www.baystateparent.com/common/contests.html

CONTEST WINNERS: WALL-E CD

Congrats to the following Bay State Parent magazine readers. Each will receive a copy of the soundtrack to the Disney animated summer movie hit -- Wall-E.

**Heidi Boyle of Webster. A reader for the last 4 years, her favorite feature is Day Trip Destination.
**Mary Jaquith of Franklin. Her favorite feature is Day Trip Destination, too.
**Jen Lee of Newton. A reader for 3 years, her favorite features are Parenting 1-2-3 and the Calendar.
**Patricia Minton of Shrewsbury. A reader for two years, her favorite feature is the calendar.
**Stacy Smith of Waltham. Her favorite features are Working Mom & the calendar.
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The Walt Disney Records CD features a score written by 8-time Academy Award-nominated composer Thomas Newsman and the original song Down to Earth written and performed by Peter Gabriel. (It's my personal favorite song on the CD.) The soundtrack also includes two songs from Hello Dolly performed by Michael Crawford (It Only Takes A Moment and Put On Your Sunday Clothes and the Louis Armstrong classic La Vie En Rose.
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To see current contests offered to By State Parent readers, visit http://www.baystateparent.com/common/contests.html
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CONTEST WINNERS:

The following 5 were contest winners for a copy of the Spiderwick Chronicles DVD.
Shyiesha Brown, Worcester
Cam Smith, Natick
Trinity Carlson, Barre
Grace Knutson, Oxford
Sydney Davey, Sturbridge
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To enter current Bay State Parent magazine contests visit: http://www.baystateparent.com/common/contests.html
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CONTEST: Sunday is Final Day to Win an Autographed EcoTarium Book

Siegfried the Stegosaurus, who went AWOL from the EcoTarium to take a ramble through downtown Worcester, is now safely back home, and a book chronicling his adventures was unveiled earlier this summer -

The book about Siegfried's odyssey was born when Ann "Cookie" Nelson, who designs the EcoTarium's annual fund materials, learned from EcoTarium President Stephen Pitcher that this year the museum would have a new exhibit, DinoTracks. "Whatever happened," she asked Steve, "to Siegfried, the dinosaur that my children loved when the museum was on Elm and Cedar Streets?" She learned that until very recently, Siegfried, a life-sized sculpture, had been exiled to a spot in the woods on the EcoTarium's grounds, but that now he was located in a more prominent position near the museum entrance.

What if Siegfried, discontented at being alone in the woods, had decided to walk away from the EcoTarium and explore Worcester, visiting the city's famous landmarks? That thought has turned into a colorful children's book written by Cookie Nelson and illustrated by Michael McMenemy, a Worcester artist and graduate of the Pratt Institute whose whimsical illustrations brought Siegfried and the sights of Worcester to life. And what did happen to Siegfried when he ran away? He investigated Mechanics Hall, the Worcester Art Museum, the restaurants of Shrewsbury Street and lots more. To find out all the exciting details, you have to read the book!

EXCLUSIVE CONTEST: The EcoTarium has generously offered 5 autographed copies of Ann Nelson's new book Siegfried the Stegosaurus to Bay State Parent magazine readers.

5 readers, drawn at random, will each win an autographed copy.

To enter, please fill out the form at: http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html

Please select Siegfried book in the pull down menu.

The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 10 at 11:59 p.m., EST.

Winners will be announced on the magazine's blog.

Books will be mailed to winners, upon verification.

Contest is limited to Massachusetts residents only.

About the EcoTarium: EcoTarium, A Museum of Science & Nature, is a unique indoor-outdoor museum offering three floors of interactive exhibits, wildlife habitats, interpretive nature trails, a digital planetarium, and a narrow- gauge railroad. The museum, located at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors, college students and children ages 3-18. Parking is free. For information, visit http://www.ecotarium.org/.

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Shakespeare in Harvard Square This Weekend

The Harvard Square Business Association Presents Shakespeare in the Square today through Sunday, Aug. 3. Actors from the Shakespeare Project, American Repertory Theatre, and Revels bring exceptional, out of the box, profoundly original Outdoor Elizabethan Theatre to Harvard Square!

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
American Repertory Theatre Performs Shakespeare Slams!
Shakespeare Slams is a modern-day, plugged-in Shakespearian mash-up featuring 18 performers from the American Repertory Theatre's A.R.T. Institute for Advanced Theatre Training in a multidisciplinary, electric, energetic approach to the Bard's verse. Marrying Shakespeare with a wide range of contemporary music, movement, and culture, Shakespeare Slams seeks to bring the lives of Shakespeare's characters to a diverse 21st century audience.
When: Friday, August 1st 6 pm, Saturday, August 2nd 4:30 pm, Sunday, August 3rd at 7:45 pm.
WHERE: Winthrop Park (corner of JFK and Mount Auburn Street).
PRICE: Free!

Actors' Shakespeare Project Presents Love's Labour's Lost:
Actors' Shakespeare Project will present an encore presentation of their highly successful interpretation of Love's Labour's Lost in conjunction with the Harvard Square Business Associations' Shakespeare in the Square. Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost is a sweet and hilarious dance of courtship. Four young lords swear an oath to give up the company of women for three years and devote themselves to study. Soon after, the Princess of France arrives with her three friends and the four lords are instantly smitten. The women decide to torment the men, and boy, are they easy marks! In ASP's rendition of this classic comedy, six actors play sixteen roles-dancing back and forth between male and female, pursuer and pursued!
WHEN: Friday August 1st at 7:15pm, Saturday 2nd at 7:30pm and Sunday 3rd at 3:00 pm
WHERE: Winthrop Park (corner of JFK and Mount Auburn Street).
PRICE: Free!

REVELS REPRESENTS at SHAKESPEARE IN THE SQUARE
The area immediately around Shakespeare's Globe Theatre was filled with musicians, jugglers, dancers and other disreputable street performers. Revels is proud to represent the earthy side of Shakespeare in the Square, and under the leadership of the disgruntled former Shakespeare employee and Morris dancer, Will Kemp, will provide entertainment for the groundlings. Expect lusty music from Tom Zajac and friends, fine singing from Tapestry with Doug Freundlich, instrumental fireworks from Renaissonics, as well as Morris and Sword dancing and expert heckling of the actors.

Shakespeare in the Square Event Schedule

Friday, 8/1/08
5:00pm - 7:30pm: Commonwealth Morris Men and Orion Sword Dancers perform around Harvard Square.
6:00pm - 6:45pm Shakespeare SLAMS - American Repertory Theatre's A.R.T. Institute.
7:15pm - 9:45pm Loves Labour's Lost - Actor's Shakespeare Project.

Saturday, 8/2/08
2:45pm - 4:15pm Renaissonics Performance.
4:30pm - 5:15pm Shakespeare SLAMS - American Repertory Theatre's A.R.T. Institute
7:30pm - 10:00am Loves Labour's Lost - Actor's Shakespeare Project

Sunday, 8/3/08
1:30pm - 3:30pm Commonwealth Morris Men around Harvard Square
3:00pm - 5:30pm Loves Labour's Lost - Actor's Shakespeare Project
5:00pm - 7:00pm Orion Sword Dancers around Harvard Square
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Tapestry and Tom Zajack Trio performs
7:45pm - 8:30pm Shakespeare SLAMS - American Repertory Theatre's A.R.T. Institute

Shakespeare in the Square Restaurant and Shopping Events from Aug 1-3, please see www.harvardsquare.com for special menus and offers.

About our Distinguished Local Performing Companies:
The AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATRE (A.R.T.), one of the country's most celebrated resident theatres and the winner of numerous awards, including the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize, was recently named the third best theatre in the country by Time magazine. Over its twenty-eight-year history the A.R.T. has welcomed Major American and international theatre artists whose singular visions generate and define the theatre' s work, presenting a varied repertoire that includes new plays, progressive productions of classical texts, and collaborations between artists from many disciplines. The Company has performed throughout the country, and worldwide in twenty-one cities in sixteen countries on four continents. The A.R.T. recently inaugurated its second stage at Zero Arrow Theatre, also in Harvard Square.

The A.R.T. INSITITUE FOR ADVANCED THEATRE TRAINING was established in 1987 by the A.R.T. as a training ground for the professional American theatre. In 1998, the Institute began an exclusive collaboration with the Moscow Art Theatre (MXAT) School. The union of the two schools has created an historic program that provides unparalleled opportunities for training and growth. Upon graduation, students receive a Certificate of Achievement from the A.R.T. at Harvard University and a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree from the MXAT School. Institute students have toured their productions throughout Europe, performing in Russia, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland.

ACTOR'S SHAKESPEARE PROJECT: The Actors' Shakespeare Project was founded in 2004 by Benjamin Evett and actor-colleagues with the intention of creating a resident acting company in Boston that would produce Shakespeare in intimate, stripped-down productions that celebrate the relationships between actors, audience and text. Since then ASP has produced 13 plays in venues all over Boston and Cambridge to critical acclaim and the company's productions have been honored with three Elliot Norton awards. In 2006, Ed Siegel of the Boston Globe wrote, "This is Shakespeare the way it's supposed to be performed. The troupe plays to the crowd hilariously, speaks Elizabethan verse beautifully, and posits a smart interpretation of the play. Actors' Shakesp eare Project has to be listed as a local treasure." Jeremy McCarter of New York Magazine called ASP's King Lear "A triumph of classical acting" and in spring 2008, The Wall Street Journal's Terry Teachout called ASP "one of America's finest Shakespeare troupes."
For More information: www.actorsshakespeareproject.org or 617-547-1982
*Member, Actors' Equity Association

REVELS: Now, in its 38th year of performances, Revels is a non-profit performing arts company producing Music Theater, recordings and educational materials.
At the heart of each Revels production are the singers, actors, dancers, and storytellers who preserve the arts and traditions of their own cultures. Through its respect for the customs of many cultures, Revels has created its own traditions. Widely known for the annual Christmas Revels, our organization celebrates the cycles of life and the seasons through the arts. Revels' productions of Spring Sing, RiverSing, and SummersDay Revels bring together a community of professional actors, musicians, designers, and directors, along with a volunteer chorus of children and adults. Celebration is at the core of Revels and audience participation is an organic consequence of that impulse.

August Issue At Your Favorite Location Starting Today!

August Back-to-School Issue Off to the Printers Today

Catch Between the Lions LIVE!

Since 2000, the popular PBS KIDS series Between the Lions has been helping children learn how to read, and this summer, the Lions are hitting the road yet again to engage live audiences in read-alouds and performances and to celebrate the show’s upcoming eighth season on the air.
On Thursday, July 24, mother of the pride, Cleo, and cub Lionel will be joined by executive producer Chris Cerf when they visit several locations in Boston and Burlington on the first leg of the show’s 2008 summer road tour.
The Between the Lions Lions are scheduled to make public appearances, live, on Friday, July 25th at the main branch of the Boston Public Library and at the Boston Children’s Museum. On Saturday, July 26, the Lions perform at the Burlington Mall. Franklin Prk Zoo, and at WGBH's Theatre.
“Cleo and Lionel can’t wait to visit with their fans, says Sirius Thinking executive producer Chris Cerf. The children they meet are so excited about meeting them in person an d reading along with them. And since the regular episodes of the Between the Lions television show are not performed in front of a live audience, it's a special thrill for all of us involved in the series to get out around the country and interact with our viewers."
After a rest from their travels, cast and crew will set out on the second leg of their tour and visit Tulsa, Oklahoma City and San Antonio from September 8-13. In the summer of 2007, kids, their parents, teachers, and caregivers enthusiastically welcomed the crew in Baltimore, Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans. The producers plan to continue the grass roots tours over the next two summers, providing opportunities for more children to meet the Lions up close, and to demonstrate directly to their families the value of using BETWEEN THE LIONS as a way to teach reading skills. According to independent studies, kindergarten students who watched BETWEEN THE LIONS improved their reading skills and outperformed students who didn’t watch by four to one.

July 25:

10m.: Boston Public Librarym700 Boylston St

4 p.m. Boston Children's Museum (included with the cost of admission)

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July 26:

10 a.m.: Burlington Mall, 75 Middlesex Turnpike

1 p.m.: WGBH Yawkey Theater (attendees should sign up at http://support.wgbh.org/btlevent)1 Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135

4 p.m.: Franklin Park Zoo (included with the cost of admission) One Franklin Park Road, Dorchester, http://www.franklinparkzoo.org/

About Between the Lions: BTL is produced by WGBH Boston, Sirius Thinking, Ltd., and Mississippi Public Broadcasting. The series is funded in part by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Education's Ready To Learn grant, and by the Barksdale Reading Institute. National corporate funding is provided by Chick-fil-A, Inc. The BTL team is committed to making quality television available to all children. Each episode is accessible to blind and visually impaired viewers through WGBH Boston's innovative, Emmy Award-winning Descriptive Video Service (DVS). The series is closed captioned by the Caption Center at WGBH for viewers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Movies on The Mystic River: Tomorrow Shrek the Third at Dusk

Assembly Square is hosting movies on the Mystic starting this week through Aug. 17.
Come stretch out your summer weekends with Federal Realty and the City of Somerville as it shows FREE family favorites including Shrek the Third, Happy Feet, Antz, Jumanji, and Back to the Future on the big screen at Assembly Square. Mark your calendars now for Sunday evenings starting through August 17th.
Tomorrow night, there will be a special showing of Shrek The Third, tomorrow evening, July 22nd.
Movies will be shown at dusk (approx. 8:30pm). Bring your beach or lounge chairs to the lot adjacent to Assembly Square (behind Assembly Square Marketplace parking lot) to join in the family fun. Food and soft drinks are available for purchase at all movies.
Movie Schedule:
7/22 Shrek The Third (Special Tuesday Night Showing)
7/27 Happy Feet
8/3 Antz
8/10 Jumanji
8/17 Back To The Future

.For more information on the Assembly Square Marketplace,visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001bDh5eA0AAHF60Pb4ETUky59WlS-TIo2LNFf8e3-Kvl44pdf7wlc0CGYwaAQIJRjeatwWQuYuzNCp79FB0BwLCn-qY9u_kP0c5S3AWgnXWEA6ZdcpOsO9VQ==
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Winner: Autographed In My Backyard Book

Congrats to Kristen Gustafson of Oxford, who is the winner of the autographed copy of the book In My Backyard by Massachusetts author Valarie Giogas.
A reader of Bay State Parent magazine for the past three years, her favorite features are the calendar, Day Trip Destination and Parenting 1-2-3.
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To enter current, exclusive contests offered by Bay State Parent magazine, visit http://www.baystateparent.com/common/contests.html
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About the book: Baby dogs are puppies and they belong to a litter, but what is a baby skunk and what is the name of its group? This clever, rhythmic story tells us just that! Counting from one to 10, familiar backyard animals are introduced by baby and family group name. Each stanza also tells a bit more about each animal by providing clues as to what they eat, how they sound or where they live. The “For Creative Minds” section includes more animal fun facts, information on keeping a nature journal and how to watch for wildlife in your own backyard.
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About the author: Giogas has been writing since she was a child. As a teacher, her favorite part of teaching was the books. She’s been writing for children ever since she discovered that she could combine her love for children’s literature with her passion for writing. The idea for In My Backyard began when her son was in preschool. They always drove by a gaggle of geese, and he would giggle when she told him the group name. When the geese had goslings, the idea for this book was cemented.
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About Sylvan Dell Publishing: Based in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., it is on a mission to create picture books that excite children’s imaginations, are artistically spectacular and have educational value. The company specializes in “Science and Math Through Literature” and provides free supplemental parent/teacher resources for every title. Founded in 2004, Sylvan Dell’s family has grown to include more than 55 authors and illustrators in the U.S. and Canada, and 35 titles – honored as nominees, finalists or winners of more than 50 book awards – line their bookshelf. For more information about Sylvan Dell’s books and free parent/teacher resources, visit http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/

Mike Lowell Joins Bay State Parent in Support of the Life is good Kids Foundation and the World’s Greatest Backyard Athlete Competition

Life is good event is Saturday, July 19 at Boston Common.

World’s Greatest Backyard Athlete to be Crowned at Life is good® Festival July 19 on Boston Common. It may be too late to qualify for the Olympic games in Beijing but there is still time to take the field for a storied athletic competition. The World’s Greatest Backyard Athlete competition will once again be the centerpiece event at the annual Life is good Festival on Saturday, July 19 on Boston Common. More than 100 individuals will compete in this friendly, low-key competition for the coveted title while raising funds for the Life is good Kids Foundation. Proceeds from this year’s festival will be directed by the foundation to Project Joy, a Boston-based non-profit organization whose mission is to use the healing power of play to transform children impacted by violence, poverty and loss into healthy and joyful players in the game of life.The pledge-driven competition, sponsored by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, features men and women putting their skills to the test through a number of old-fashioned backyard games including Frisbee toss, bocce, watermelon seed spitting, and Wiffle Ball Homerun Derby. Competing athletes commit to raise at least $1,000 for the Life is good Kids Foundation. The top fundraiser will win a three night stay at the Four Points by Sheraton Palmas del Mar Resort in Puerto Rico. To sign up for the World’s Greatest Backyard Athlete competition, visit the Life is good® Web site at www.lifeisgood.com/festivals.

“Our Backyard Athlete competition is great fun for the athletes and the crowds that cheer them on, and it’s backed by a serious purpose,” said Bert Jacobs, Chief Executive Optimist for Life is good. “The World’s Greatest Backyard Athlete Competition gives each athlete a day of smiles along with the deep satisfaction of raising major funds for an organization that works to bring joy back into the lives of children in need. Even if you don’t end up with the title, everyone wins in this competition.”

2008 Life is good Festival

The Life is good Festival brings the nostalgia of an old-fashioned American picnic to the heart of Boston. The classic outdoor summer bash will feature great traditional games and activities. The festival will be divided into several “villages”:* The Olympic Village, sponsored by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, will be the site of the 2008 World’s Greatest Backyard Athlete competition.* Jaketown, sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, features familiar games aplenty, including football, lacrosse, speed pitch, soccer kick, Frisbee toss, basketball, tug-o’-war, volleyball, and much more.* Chillville, sponsored by Four Points® by Sheraton and the perfect cool-down spot between physical activities, showcases arts and crafts, face painting, and an entertaining kids stage.* The Joy Zone features cooperative kids’ games hosted by Project Joy, including its amazing multi-colored 50-foot parachute.* Music & Memories: The festival will also feature classic backyard food and great live music from the Main Stage, sponsored by 93.7 MIKE FM, with headliner Robert Randolph..

The Life is good® Festival is produced in partnership with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. Sponsors for the 2008 Life is good® Festival include Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Newland Communities, SAP, Four Points® by Sheraton, Verizon Wireless, Citizens Bank, and UPS.

Media sponsors include 93.7 MIKE FM, Boston.com, The Improper Bostonian, Bostoncentral.com, & Bay State Parent.

About Life is good, Inc.®: Life is good®, based in Boston, MA, spreads good vibes through its colorful collection of apparel and accessories, and the contagious grin of Jake, its optimistic cultural hero. For more information on Life is good®, please visit www.lifeisgood.com

About the Life is good Kids Foundation: The Life is good Kids Foundation supports extraordinary charities that creat a lasting positive impact on children facing unfair challenges, including the trauma of violence and poverty. The Foundation receives its principal financial support from the public via the charitable fundraising festivals conducted by Life is good, Inc. This year eighteen different festivals will be held in fourteen different states nationwide. 100% of funds raised from these festivals is distributed to 501 C (3) non-profit organizations supporting children in need.

CONTEST: Enter To Win A Sesame Street DVD Featuring Singles & Doubles Tennis Champion Venus Williams

This past weekend, tennis great Venus Williams not only won the singles title at Wimbledon but also the the Doubles title with her sister Serena (whom she beat for the singles title.). Your child can watch Venus and Elmo in an imaginary game of volley & serve and the rest of the Sesame Street gang on Sesame Street: Count On Sports, arriving on DVD July 22nd from Genius Products and Sesame Workshop.


Bay State Parent magazine has teamed up with the two companies to giveaway 5 copies of the DVD to readers. To enter, fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html. Make sure to select Sesame SPORTS in the pull down bar.
The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 31 at 11:59 EST. Winners' names & hometowns will be posted on this site. DVDs will be mailed to winners, upon verification. The contest is open to Massachusetts residents only.

ABOUT COUNT ON SPORTS: Integrating essential concepts into each of the memorable sports segments, this math-tastic presentation is full of numbers, shapes and spatial relations such as short/tall, over/under and forward/backward. With Ernie reporting from ESSN - Ernie's Sports Show News (a parody of ESPN's "Sport's Center") - tiny tikes won't miss a moment of the DVD's amazing athletic adventures such as The Count racing in the Transylvania 300; Prairie Dawn flipping for Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes; Grover shooting hoops with New Jersey Nets basketball star Vince Carter and Elmo serving up a game of imaginary tennis with champion Venus Williams.

Sesame Street: Count On Sports, is about 45 minutes long, will be available for the suggested retail price of $14.93.
About Sesame Workshop: Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. As the single largest informal educator of young children, local Sesame Street programs produced in countries as diverse as South Africa, Bangladesh and India are making a difference in over 120 nations. Using proprietary research to create engaging and enriching content, Sesame Workshop produces programs such as Dragon Tales and Pinky Dinky Doo. In addition, multimedia needs-driven initiatives provide families tools for addressing such issues as children's health, military deployment and emergency preparedness. As a nonprofit, product proceeds and philanthropic donations support Sesame Workshop's educational research and creative content for children around the world. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org

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WINNER: Set of Wally books

Congrats to Tiffany McNamara of Ayer!
She is the winner in Bay State Parent magazine's Cheer on the Sox Contest: Wally the Green Monster books
A reader of the magazine for 4 years, her favorite feature is the calendar. To enter our current contests visit, http://www.baystateparent.com/common/contests.html
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Tiffany won two books written by Red Sox great Jerry Remy and featuring Wally The Green Monster.
In Hello Wally, your child can follow Wally around Fenway Park during game day. Read along as Wally enjoys pre-game festivities on Yawkey Way, visits the Ted Williams Statue, participates in batting practice, entertains Red Sox fans, and cheers the home team to victory. Boston Red Sox Children's Book The 24-page hardcover book published by Mascot Books (http://www.mascotbooks.com/) retails for $14.95.
The sequel book by Remy is Wally The Green Monster And His Journey Through Red Sox Nation. In it, Wally the Green Monster, takes a tour of Red Sox Nation. Read along as Wally's journey takes him from Boston, out to Cape Cod, south to Connecitcut and Rhode Island, then north to Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The hardcover book is $14.95.
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CONTEST: Win A Wall-E Soundtrack

Bay State Parent readers can enter to win one of 5 copies of the soundtrack for the #1 movie in the country -- Wall-E. The Walt Disney Records CD features a score written by 8-time Academy Award-nominated composer Thomas Newsman and the original song Down to Earth written and performed by Peter Gabriel. (It's my personal favorite song on the CD.) The soundtrack also includes two songs from Hello Dolly performed by Michael Crawford (It Only Takes A Moment and Put On Your Sunday Clothes and the Louis Armstrong classic La Vie En Rose.

Academy Award-winning writer-director Andrew Stanton (Finding Demo and A Bug's Life) didn't wait long to ask Finding Nemo collaborator Thomas Newman to compose the music for Wall-E. "The night of the Oscars in 2004 (Finding Nemo) we went out for a celebratory toast at the bar in the middle of the ceremony, and right there I remember saying, 'Okay I've got this idea and it involves Hello Dolly and science fiction.' Wondering if he would still talk to me after that..." Stanton described. The Hello Dolly reference didn't scare off Newman - his uncle Lionel was the conductor for the 1969 film.

Though he has written music for a wide range of films Thomas Newman had never composed for a science fiction film. He brought his on unique style to Wall-E. "He's got a very unique style that often involves a lot of overdubes and mixing after he's recorded the orchestra. And it just allow this fresh palette of sounds to come in," said Stanton. "He really nailed an identity for not only the movie but for the characters and for the moments. I can't imagine it any other way."

If you haven't seen the animated film, here is a quick synopsis: What if mankind had to leave Earth, and somebody forgot to turn the last robot off? After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, WALL-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (beside collecting knickknacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL-E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet's future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans (who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home). Meanwhile WALL-E chases EVE across the Galaxy and sets into motion one of the most exciting and imaginative comedy adventures.
The soundtrack it stores on June 24 and the movie opened to box office success three day later.
To win one of 5 CD, fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html. Make sure to select OTHER in the pull down bar. The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 3 at 11:59 EST. Winners' names & hometowns will be posted on this site. CDs will be mailed to winners, upon verification. The contest is open to Massachusetts residents only.
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CONTEST: 4 Readers Will Win A Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker

Bay State Parent magazine has partnered with Jada Toys to giveaway 4 Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker (Retail value $29.99)
Do your tweens & teens love rock and roll? Do they dream of being a rock star when they grow up? If so, they need the new Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker to let them unleash their inner rock star – no video game system required! The Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker uses patented technology consisting of guitar picks and a rockin’ belt buckle that when connected to a wearable, mini-amplifier, allows anyone to freely jam - anytime, anywhere. With an air guitar in hand, the user waves the pick over the belt buckle sensor to determine the tempo of the song. Whether with friends, alone, or even after dinner with the family, every kid will be hooked on the Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker. The Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker is available for $29.99 (includes batteries) in retail stores nationwide, including Toys ‘R’ Us, Target, Best Buy & Wal-Mart,
To enter the Bay State Paent conest, fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html
You could win a Guitar Roker for your son or daughter and your child might actually think you are cool!
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The deadline to enter is August 13 at 11:59 est.
Contest is open to Massachusetts residents only!
Winners' nams nd hometowns will be announced on this blog.
Winners MUST pick up their prize at the Bay State Parent magazine's main office on Elm Street in Millbury, Massachusetts. Prizes will NOT be mailed.
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CONTEST: Yes You Can, Win It! Bob the Builder DVD Giveaway!

Yesterday was the public debut of Bob the Builder: Let's Build the Beach DVD ($14.99) If you haven't purchased a copy yet, consider entering Bay State Parent magazine's exclusive giveaway contest. The grand prize winner gets a box full of Bob the Builder beach tools to build their own sandcastle plus the new DVD to watch on a day filled with thunderstorms. Four 0ther winners each will receive a copy of the DVD. (For details to enter see below...)

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With summer in full swing and Independence Day days away, Bob the Builder heads to Bobland Bay to embark on some beach-building fun as Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment present the all-new Bob the Builder: Let’s Build the Beach DVD. Bob the Builder and his machine team are always ready to tackle any project. As they hammer out solutions that lead to a job well done, Bob and the Can-Do Crew demonstrate the power of positive thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and follow-through. Most importantly, from start to finish, the team always shows that The Fun is Getting It Done!
The building adventures in Bobland Bay continue in September when 14 new episodes of Bob the Builder – Project Build It, set at this seaside location, air on PBS KIDS® (check local listings).

DVD SYNOPSIS: Join Bob and his Can-Do Crew in Bobland Bay as they welcome exciting new machine team members Splasher and Bristle. Bob is going to need a lot of help to build this new seaside town, so grab your hard hats, buckle up your tool belts and get ready to have some fun with everyone’s favorite builder in these five all-new, never-before-seen episodes:
* “Lofty’s Comet” - Bob and the team are busy building an observatory. When Lofty climbs a mountain to get a better look at the comet, he gets stuck. Will Lofty get back in time to see it with the others?
* “Spud and the Hotel” - When the first guests arrive at the Bobland Bay hotel, Spud helps out by doing every job, with chaotic results. When the new manager arrives, Spud is very pleased to go back to the quiet life of a scarecrow!
* “Tumbler’s Perfect Promenade” - Tumbler wants to help design the new promenade, but can’t come up with an idea. When some friendly animals leave their tracks in his wet cement the Bobland Bay Walk of Fame is born!
* “Clean as a Whistle Bristle” - As Bob and the team prepare for the opening ceremony, Bristle, the street-cleaner, arrives to clean the town. When important items are missing Bob puts the clues together and they all point to Bristle! Is he really the culprit?
* “Super-Splasher” - Splasher, an amphibious vehicle, arrives to take the hotel guests for sight-seeing tours. After a brave water rescue, he becomes known as Super-Splasher. Determined to live up to his new name, he rescues some people who don't need rescuing!
SPECIAL DVD FEATURES include a bonus episode of Fireman Sam™ – “Danger, Falling Sheep” ad a bonus episode of international sensation Fifi and the Flowertots™ – “Stingo Gets Stuck.”

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To enter for the grand prize or the 4 other DVD prizes please fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html. Make sure to select Bob the Builder in the pull down bar.

*The deadline to enter is Aug. 13 at 11:59 est.

* Contest is open to Massachusetts residents only!

*Winners and their hometowns will be announced on this blog.

*Grand prize winner MUST pick up their prize at the Bay State Parent magazine's main office on Elm Street in Milbury, Massachusetts. The grand prize will NOT be mailed. The 4 DVD prizes will be mailed, upon address verification.

* The grand prize toy package includes bubble blowers, sand tools, and a Bob the Builder Scoop watering can.

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Pick Up A Copy of the July issue

CONTEST: Win A Sesame Street Count On Sports DVD

Sesame Street invites toddlers and preschoolers to get their thinking game on in Sesame Street: Count On Sports, arriving on DVD July 22nd from Genius Products and Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street. Bay State Parent magazine has teamed up with the two companies to giveaway 5 copies of the DVD to readers. To enter, fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html. Make sure to select Sesame SPORTS in the pull down bar.

The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 31 at 11:59 EST. Winners' names & hometowns will be posted on this site. DVDs will be mailed to winners, upon verification. The contest is open to Massachusetts residents only.

ABOUT COUNT ON SPORTS: Integrating essential concepts into each of the memorable sports segments, this math-tastic presentation is full of numbers, shapes and spatial relations such as short/tall, over/under and forward/backward. With Ernie reporting from ESSN - Ernie's Sports Show News (a parody of ESPN's "Sport's Center") - tiny tikes won't miss a moment of the DVD's amazing athletic adventures such as The Count racing in the Transylvania 300; Prairie Dawn flipping for Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes; Grover shooting hoops with New Jersey Nets basketball star Vince Carter and Elmo serving up a game of imaginary tennis with champion Venus Williams.

Sesame Street: Count On Sports, is about 45 minutes long, will be available for the suggested retail price of $14.93.

About Sesame Workshop: Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. As the single largest informal educator of young children, local Sesame Street programs produced in countries as diverse as South Africa, Bangladesh and India are making a difference in over 120 nations. Using proprietary research to create engaging and enriching content, Sesame Workshop produces programs such as Dragon Tales and Pinky Dinky Doo. In addition, multimedia needs-driven initiatives provide families tools for addressing such issues as children's health, military deployment and emergency preparedness. As a nonprofit, product proceeds and philanthropic donations support Sesame Workshop's educational research and creative content for children around the world. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org

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