WEEKEND PICK: Life is good Festival on Boston Common Saturday!

From sack races and seed-spitting to an old-fashioned tug-of-war you'll find all the backyard activities you need at the 2008 Life is good festival on Boston Common Saturday. Bay State Parent magazine is one of the media sponsors of the event. Stop by -- we'll be near the sack races -- and say hello!
The FREE festival, which benefits charity, begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m.
100% of all funds raised -- including those from 2008 World's Greatest Backyard Athlete Competition -- plus sale of Life is good products and personal donations that day will go to the Life is good Kids Foundation.
There is a lot of entertainment planned, including several musicians. And this outdoor concert is-FREE!

At 11:30 a.m. - Steve Songs performs for an hour

At 1 p.m. see Double Dutch & Hula Hoop demonstrations

At 2 p.m. - Check out Electric Youth

At 3 p.m. - Listen to Melvin Sparks Funk & Groove Trio

At 4:30 p.m. - the World Greatest Athlete Finals take place

At 5 p.m. -- Listen to Robert Randolph Pedal Steel Driven Blues for an hour

The festival, produced in conjunction with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, benefits 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.


Life is good's festival features:

* The Olympic Village: This is the site of the 2008 World’s Greatest Backyard Athlete competition.

* Jaketown: Features games aplenty, including lacrosse, speed pitch, soccer kick, Frisbee toss, basketball, tug-o’-war, volleyball, etc.

* Chillville: Features arts and crafts, face painting, and a kids stage.

* The Joy Zone: Features kids’ games hosted by Project Joy, including a 50-foot multi-colored parachute.

For additional information, visit www.lifeisgood.com
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Mini Golf Fundraisers To Help Children Who Need Homes

The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange invites the public to play miniature golf this Sunday, July 13 and Monday, July 21 as a way to help children in foster care find permanent homes. Local mini-golf courses are donating 5% - 10% of their proceeds to MARE from designated Mini-Golf for MARE days, scheduled for:

Sunday, July 13 – Bogey Lanes, E. Brookfield
Monday, July 21 – Funway USA, Foxboro

“We hope everyone will brush up their mini-golf skills and visit these great facilities,” said MARE executive director Lisa Funaro. “Over 600 children in Massachusetts foster care right now are waiting to join a permanent, caring family. Thanks to the support of these golf courses, you can make this the summer you help a child find a home.”
The participating miniature golf courses include the following:

Bogey Lanes, “Where the FUN is,” can be found at 199 North Brookfield Rd., East Brookfield, , 15 miles west of Worcester and 35 miles east of Springfield. Bogey Lanes offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including candlepin bowling, 6 pool tables, ice cream bar, and a 17-game arcade, as well as an 18-hole miniature golf course. For more information visit http://www.bogeylanes.com/.

FUNWAY USA, “America’s Playground,” is located on Route 1, just a mile north of Gillette Stadium, at 2 Washington St., Foxboro. Funway features miniature golf, go-karts, batting cages, bumper boats, moon walk, rock wall, obstacle course inflatable, a bungee run inflatable and a bungee trampoline. Visit http://www.funwayusa.net/ for more info.

About the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange: The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) is a private non-profit agency, founded in 1957, to find “a permanent place to call HOME” for harder-to-place children waiting in foster care, including older children ages 6 – 18, children of color of all ages, sibling groups, and children with emotional, physical and intellectual challenges. MARE works in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Social Services (DSS) and private agencies.
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To learn more about Mini-Golf for MARE or about adoption from foster care, call 617-54-ADOPT (617-542-3678), toll-free at 800-882-1176 or visit http://www.mareinc.org/.
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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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July 5th: Red Sox Pitcher Bill Monbouquette Joins Baseball Celebration in the Berkshires

Bill Monbouquette, former pitching ace for the Boston Red Sox, has been added to the line-up of an all-star baseball celebration to be held at Norman Rockwell Museum on Saturday, July 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. Mr. Monbouquette is a 20-game winner and multi-year All Star who played for the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees, and the San Francisco Giants. He was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2000, and will share stories from his baseball career, which included a no-hitter and spanned from 1958 to 1968.
At 1 p.m. meet Master of Ceremonies Carl Beane, the Voice of Fenway Park and the 2008 World Championship Boston Red Sox, who will share stories about the Red Sox past and present. Try a World Series ring on for size, and snap a picture to capture the moment.
At 2 p.m., meet award-winning illustrator Graig Kreindler, whose paintings depict watershed moments in baseball history. A print signing will follow the artist's illustrated talk.
At 3 p.m., hear about life in the Major Leagues from former Red Sox pitcher Bill Monbouquette, or design your own baseball card in an art class for all ages.
Finally, see what baseball looked like in 1886, with a visit from the Pittsfield Elms Vintage Baseball Club at 3:30 p.m. The Elms will toss the ball and discuss the evolution of the game. Other highlights include a reading of "Casey at the Bat," and appearances throughout the day from representatives of the North Adams Steeple Cats and Pittsfield Dukes baseball teams. PJ Moynihan, director and producer of "Eye on the Dream," will also be on hand to screen his documentary celebrating the game of baseball in its purest form.
The afternoon is free with regular Museum admission.

Norman Rockwell Museum is open daily in Stockbridge. General public admission is $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors, $10 for students, and free for visitors 18 and under (five per adult). Kids Free Every Day is a gift to families from Country Curtains and the Red Lion Inn. The Museum is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through October; from November through April, weekday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekend/holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Fenway on the Big Screen

From Fenway Park to the Big Screen! Watch live Red Sox games on the big screen in high-definition at Blackstone Valley: Cinema de Lux and Showcase Cinemas in Randolph, Revere, Woburn, and Worcester North. Big Screen dates are tomorrow night, July 3 and July 25 vs. the Yankees. Tickets are on sale now and available at the theatre box office.
Admission is $7-$10 and Kids are $5.
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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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Athletic Parents Sought for Annual Pledge Competition to Raise Money for the Life is good Kids Foundation

World’s Greatest Backyard Athlete to be Crowned at Life is good® Festival July 19 on Boston Common
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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® website 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.
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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.

About Boston Parks and Recreation Department: As caretaker of the city’s open space, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department (BPRD) oversees 2,200 acres of parkland, including 215 parks and playgrounds, 65 squares, urban woodlands and street trees, three active cemeteries, 16 historic burying grounds, and two golf courses. In addition to maintaining the historic integrity of such famous landmarks as Boston Common, The Public Garden, and other parks comprising Frederick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace, the Department services and upgrades facilities ranging from neighborhood tot lots to the 527-acre Franklin Park. The Department historically has offered a wide variety of recreation programs, including sports and tournaments, special events, and concerts designed to bring people into the parks.

Freedom Trail Foundation 18th Century Guides Sport Green Socks in Honor of Celtics 17th Championship!

The Freedom Trail Foundation 18th century costumed guides hit the Trail today with thousands of other Celtics fans to celebrate the historic championship decked out in green socks.
“Green socks are not exactly historically accurate, but they sure are a great way to link two of Boston’s iconic institutions. The Freedom Trail is a vibrant, vital part of America’s heritage and what is excellent about the city of Boston and the Celtics have brought basketball excellence back to this historic city. ” said Mimi LaCamera, president of the Freedom Trail Foundation. “The Players are thrilled to be able to show our support with a little greening of the Trail.”
The Freedom Trail Foundation is currently celebrating 50 Events to Celebrate 50 Years, a year-long, citywide program that celebrates the 50th anniversary of one of the country’s most valued historic treasures – Boston’s Freedom Trail. Major events that are part of this celebration include the first British soldier encampment on Boston Common since 1776 and an international fife & drum pageant.
The 16 Freedom Trail sites, the Freedom Trail Foundation and 20 other city entities are presenting Freedom Trail and American Revolutionary history-related events that mark Boston’s role in America’s founding. Under the leadership of the Freedom Trail Foundation, tourism partners are helping promote the events, which are available at TheFreedomTrail.org

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About the Freedom Trail: The Freedom Trail is made up of 16 distinct, original historic sites related to the establishment of the country. It is a repository of some of the country’s most valuable historic and cultural artifacts. The Freedom Trail Foundation is charged to protect, restore, conserve, and raise public awareness of these sites of exceptional cultural and historic significance. Established in 1958, the Freedom Trail is a national icon and draws domestic and international visitors, resulting in more than $800 million in spending annually. The Freedom Trail was designated as a Millennium Trail in 2000 by First Lady Hilary Clinton. It attracts more than three million tourists, residents of Massachusetts and school children each year.

Lowell Spinners Opens 2008 Season Tomorrow Night

The Lowell Spinners, Class-A affiliate of the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, are set to open their 2008 season Tuesday night (June 17th) when they take on the Tri-City ValleyCats at 7:15 p.m.
The Spinners 2008 roster features a number of highly regarded prospects and high draft picks, highlighted by 2007 fifth-round selection Will Middlebrooks. A top-high school prospect, Middlebrooks signed late in the summer of 2007 and will be making his professional debut with the Spinners on Tuesday night.
This year’s roster also includes nine members of the Red Sox 2008 draft class, highlighted by a pair of third round picks: Stephen Fife and Kyle Weiland. Red Sox first-round draft pick Bryan Price is also scheduled to report to Lowell following the conclusion of the College World Series.
“We are excited to again have some of the brightest young players in the Red Sox organization here in Lowell,” said Lowell Spinners Vice President/General Manager Tim Bawmann. “You never know who will be the next top prospect to follow the path taken by guys like Jacoby Ellsbury and Jonathan Papelbon.”
Also as part of the Opening Day ceremonies, the Spinners will honor the 2007 Red Sox World Series victory and 10th Anniversary of LeLacheur Park. Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner and former Spinners manager Dick Berardino will be on-hand to throw out ceremonial first pitches.
The Spinners open their 10th Anniversary season at beautiful LeLacheur Park Tuesday, June 17, with a six-game homestand to start the season.
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Standing Room tickets are available for $4 through the Spinners Box Office, Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. or by phone at 978-459-BALL.
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To order tickets for other games visit www.lowellspinners.com
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June 29: Stitch N' Pitch Event

The Sheep Shack will present the First "Stitch N' Pitch" on Sunday, June 29 at 105 p.m. at the Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field in Worcester.
Fans of baseball and The Five Needle Arts -- knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, embroidery, and needlepoint -- will sit together as a group and cheer on the Worcester Tornadoes, due to host the Quebec Les Capitales.
Tickets to participate in this celebration of two timeless American traditions are $9 and are available only at The Sheep Shack; seating is limited and tickets are first-come, first-served.
"It made sense to bring two of the biggest passions together in one afternoon," confirmed Christina Lentz Larsen, proprietor, The Sheep Shack. "So many needle artists work feverishly through the professional sports playoffs, through the Olympics, and during their kids' team games. Since we are so fortunate to have a great Minor League team right here in Worcester, why not play ball and be creative at the same time . . . and, do some good charity work while we're at it!"
Billed as "The Perfect Double Play," "Stitch N' Pitch" events – a program of The National Needle Arts Association (TNNA) – are popping up in increasing numbers all around North America. The June 29th event in Worcester is the first in Central MA, and a unique treat for all New Englanders.
"We're very excited about the upcoming Stitch N' Pitch," explained Miriam Hyder, Director of Group Sales, Worcester Tornadoes. "This is a first for the Tornadoes! We're looking forward to it becoming an annual tradition."The Sheep Shack has purchased a block of 25 seats for that day's game located in Rows 7-9 directly behind home plate. Fans of both pastimes will sit together, strengthening community, promoting the needle arts, and enjoying the Great American Sport. Tickets are $9 per person and must be purchased from The Sheep Shack directly, located at 787 Main Street in Holden;. E-mail info@thesheepshack.com

CHARITABLE EFFORT
At the Sunday, June 29th Stitch N' Pitch, participants are asked to work on a community charity project while enjoying the game. The selected project is to create handmade PIC line covers to donate to Worcester-area hospitals. (A PIC line allows repeated doses of intravenous [IV] fluid to be administered without having to repeatedly stick a needle in a vein. This is helpful when one has been told to administer IV antibiotics daily for six weeks.) During times of inactivity, the PIC line is covered to keep it from catching or pulling out, and it provides privacy to patients wearing short sleeves. The Stitch N' Pitch attendees will make colorful and creative PIC line covers, which The Sheep Shack will then distribute to area hospitals.

About Stitch N' Pitch: A program of The National Needle arts Association (TNNA), Stitch N' Pitch has hit a homerun with wildly successful events that have popped up in stadiums all over the US and Canada. Fans attend games while knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, cross-stitch, and embroider. For more information, visit StitchNPitch.com or TNNA.org

About The Sheep Shack: Currently located at 787 Main Street in Holden, Massachusetts, proprietor Christina Lentz Larsen has brought her lifelong love of knitting to the fiber arts community since 2003. The Sheep Shack carries a large selection of diverse fine yarns, as well as patterns, books, kits, and supplies. Additionally, The Sheep Shack is a certified Louet dealer and offers hand spinning tools, spinning supplies, and special order capability for spinning wheels. Ongoing classes and workshops run the gamut, for the beginner to advanced student of all ages. And, this LYS (Local Yarn Shop) hosts special events throughout the year, including book signings, special celebrity appearances, field trips, and community outreach initiatives. For more information, visit www.thesheepshack.com for a comprehensive list of classes, supplies, and fun information.
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Saturday, June 7: Compuer Recycling Day in Worcester

The New England Surge is excited to co-sponsor a Computer Recycling Day with Bay State Savings Bank this Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This event will take place at Bay State Savings Bank’s newest branch location at 2 Eastern Ave (off of I-290, Exit 16)., Worcester.
Bring used electronics from your home and/or office, including computers, monitors, printers, televisions, and other equipment that may be stashed away in a garage or closet, that needs to be recycled.
For $10--$15 per item, Computer Recycling USA will accept equipment and provide a “Certificate of Recycling” which guarantees complete hard drive erasure to prevent identity theft and satisfies all government environmental compliance regulations, including HIPPAA.
In addition, $5 of every item will be donated to Art beCAUSE, a local non-profit foundation who is committed to funding research dedicated to eradicating environmental causes of breast cancer.
For every item recycled, the New England Surge will provide ONE FREE TICKET to their last regular season game that is taking place that evening at 7:30 PM at the DCU Center in Worcester.
Roy Lucas, Jr., Founder and President of the Surge states, “We are very excited to support Art beCAUSE in their work towards breast cancer research. This is a viable cause and a terrible disease that affects 1 in 7 women; it is a cause that is very personal to the New England Surge.” Lucas continues, “One of our key objectives is to give back and be a vital part of our community—what better way to do that, than to recycle items and have proceeds go to breast cancer research, with one of our key corporate sponsors!”
BayState Savings Bank alone has over 350 items they will be recycling, contributing over $ 1,750 to this cause.
"We are thrilled to be able to partner with the New England Surge," said Diane M. Giampa, Vice President - Human Resources and Marketing at Bay State Savings Bank. "Like the Surge, Bay State Savings Bank is committed to giving back to the communities that we serve, and to being a responsible corporate citizen. This is a great event, and we hope to raise a lot of money and awareness for breast cancer research. It is great working with other likeminded organizations as the Surge, for such a worthwhile cause."

About the Surge: It is a locally owned professional indoor football team, a CIFL team, and is dedicated to providing exciting, family oriented sports entertainment experience to Central Mass. Through ongoing public and outreach campaigns, the New England Surge organization is committed to high professional and ethical standards and dedicated to actively partnering with communities, schools and youth organizations, local government, business and non-profit organizations to positively impact fans, the players, and the community, while providing fast-paced, action–packed professional football. The New England Surge is 8—2 in the season, having clinched a playoff position in the Atlantic Division of the CIFL. Individual tickets and group tickets are available at DCU Box Office or Ticketmaster.com

STUDY: Gymnasts are Tumbling & Vaulting into ERs

By Jennifer Lucarelli
Contrary to what some parents may think, gymnastics is considered by some as the football of girls sports when it comes to injuries.
Though it's a graceful and exciting sport to watch and participate, a new national study, the first-of-its kind, shows gymnastics has one of the highest injury rates of all girls' sports, ranking it among contact sports like hockey and soccer.
The study, conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio, compiled gymnastic related injuries from emergency rooms nationwide from 1990 to 2005.
The data revealed that children age 6 to 17 averaged 27,000 injuries per year. That totals nearly 426,000 injuries during the 16-year study.
"Many parents do not typically think of gymnastics as a dangerous sport," said study senior author Lara McKenzie, PhD, MA, principal investigator for the Ohio hospital in a release. "In fact, many parents consider it an activity. Yet gymnastics have the same clinical incidence of catastrophic injuries as hockey."
Dr. Lyle Micheli, Director of the Division of Sports Medicine, Children's Hospital, and a clinical professor of orthopedic surgery, Harvard Medical School, agreed with the findings of the study.

To read more of Jennifer's article pick up a copy of the May issue and or visit Bay State Parent magazine's Web site at http://www.baystateparent.com/news/2008/0501/articles/004.html
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New England Revolution's Youth Development Program Holding Tryouts in June

The New England Revolution this week unveiled complete details about its new, fully-funded youth development program, including tryout information for its boys Under-16 and Under-18 teams that will begin play this summer and which will compete in the prestigious U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
In an effort to afford the region's players the opportunity to train and compete at an elite level, the Revolution's youth development program will be fully-funded by the club. Qualified and talented players will be accepted into the program without regard to their financial situation. All players' needs and expenses related to soccer activities - training, facilities, equipment, uniforms, travel associated with competitions - will be provided by the Revolution at no cost to the players or their families.
The Revolution conducted an information session in the Atrium of the East Fidelity Investments Clubhouse (Gillette Stadium, One Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA 02035) on Tuesday, May 20. The Revolution's Director of Soccer, Michael Burns, and Director of Youth Development, Mario Prata, will make a presentation about the team's new youth system and will be available to answer questions about the program.
Tryouts for the Under-16 and Under-18 teams will be held in June on the grounds at Gillette Stadium. First-round tryouts for both the U16s and U18s will be conducted on the indoor turf field at the Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium. Players will only be permitted to attend one open tryout held to their appropriate age group.
Called-back and invited players will participate in the second round of tryouts, which will be conducted later in the week on the stadium turf field at Gillette Stadium. A full schedule of tryouts with dates and times is listed below.

Boys Under 16s Tryouts (born on/after 1/1/92)

Monday, June 9: Open tryouts (Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium), 6 p.m.

Tuesday, June 10: Open tryouts (Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium), 6 p.m.

Wednesday, June 11: Open tryouts (Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium), 6 p.m.

Friday, June 13: Call-backs and invitation-only tryouts (Gillette Stadium main field), 6 p.m.

Boys Under 18s Tryouts (born on/after 1/1/90)

Monday, June 16: Open tryouts (Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium), 6 p.m.

Tuesday, June 17: Open tryouts (Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium), 6 p.m.

Thursday, June 19: Call-backs and invitation-only tryouts (Gillette Stadium main field), 6 p.m.

All tryouts will begin at 6 p.m., but players should arrive by 5:30 p.m.

All players who plan to attend a tryout session are required to have consent and liability release forms with them, signed by a parent or legal guardian. Blank forms will be available on the nights of the tryouts. Players without the necessary signed forms will not be allowed to try out that evening. The necessary forms will be emailed to all families who register their contact information at revolutionsoccer.net prior to the event, and will also be available for download at revolutionsoccer.net as the tryout dates approach.
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Contest: Opportunity to Sing at Fenway Park and to sing National Anthem at a Lowell Spinners Game

The Lowell Spinners are hosting Spinners Idol on Wednesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 15 at the Skybox Restaurant in Tewksbury.
The winner will have the opportunity to sing at Fenway Park before the "Futures at Fenway Game" on Saturday, August 9 and have the opportunity to perform the National Anthem prior to the 2008 Lowell Spinners opening night.
On top of both of those prizes the winner will receive complimentary studio time and a free demo tape from MusicBall Entertainment in Boston.
Additionally, all “Spinners Idol” finalists will be invited to sing the National Anthem prior to a 2008 Spinners home game.
To register for a time-slot, candidates must return the registration form posted at the Lowell Spinners website (www.lowellspinners.com).
The first 50 registrations for each night will be given the chance to audition. Each contestant may only audition once.
At this time, there is already 30+ people registered for each night, so don't wait to register.
It is free, but the organization CAN NOT accommodate more than 50 people per night, due to time constraints.

CHEER ON THE SOX CONTEST: Red Sox Coloring & Activity Book

Peg Connery-Boyd, a Springfield native, a mom, and an artist said when her family moved to Mystic, Conn the family's hearts still belonged to the Boston Red Sox (and always will!). Preparing for a long summer road trips with her three sons, she went looking for a coloring and activity book to keep her three boys, who love baseball, busy in the car. She said she was surprised to find that the only book of this kind was a coloring book about the History of Baseball, which was not going to keep anybody very interested for long. So, she decided to try to create a Red Sox Coloring and Activity Book. She did the illustrations, depicting all of "our" favorite players, and she recruited her nephew, Brendan Fitzgerald, a college senior at the time, to work on the project too. After a year of working on the project, they sent samples and a proposal to Major League Baseball. Miraculously, the family was licensed by Major League Baseball last spring and just in time for the start of the new season, fans can NOW order the new 2007 Red Sox Coloring and Activity Book. (See sample pages at: http://www.hawksnestpublishing.com/?q=view_red_sox)
Major League Baseball loved the idea so much they licensed the family to create books for all of Major League Baseball, so Peg and her family established the Hawk's Nest Publishing Company (http://www.hawksnestpublishing.com/) and hired other artists to do a similar book for (okay, don't get offended her, a mom needs to make a living) the Yankees and Mets.
The 64-page 2007 Edition Collectible Red Sox Coloring & Activity Book contains more than 20 pictures to color of current players and scenes from the ballpark, as well as crossword puzzles, word searches, mazes, and games about the team's players, history, and the game of baseball.



CONTEST:
Peg has generously donated a copy of the Red Sox Coloring & Activity Book to Bay State Parent magazine.
To be eligible to win the book (an $11.95 value) please fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html
Please be sure to pull down the bar to select Red/MLB Coloring & Activity Book.
One winner will be selected and the book will be mailed to them.
Winners name will be posted on this blog in May.
Deadline to enter is April 30 at 11:59 P.m. EST.

Cheer on the Sox Contest!

The Red Sox started the afternoon celebrating its second World Championship in 5 years. The team ended the afternoon with a 5-0 win over the Detroit Tigers.

To celebrate the start of the baseball season, Bay State Parent magazine has rounded up 8 products in honor of the 2008 season to giveaway to readers.

The first product is Fisher Price's ESPN Better Batter Baseball Trainer for preschoolers through first graders.

In my opinion, it is the best product on the market for this age group to learn how to hit a ball. It is a great toy for both girls and boys. I love the tee-free design, which helps little ones keep their eye where it should be when they're learning to bat - on the ball and not the tee. By tapping the plate the arm reloads the ball. I also love that the height is adjustable, so it grows with your child. It also means it can be moved to fit multiple siblings.

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

Please pull down to select this product when entering

One winner will be announced by May 1 and the name will be posted on this blog.

Winning product will not be mailed and must be picked up at the magazine's main office on Elm Street in Millbury. (The art department opened the box for a Bay State Parent photo shoot.)

Stay tuned to this blog for the next Red Sox-themed product giveaway announcement.

Don't want to miss the contest announcements? Sign up for the blog's e-newsletter feed at the top right corner of Bay State Parent's blog. An e-newsletter is sent out each time an item is added to the blog but not e-mailed more than once per day.

WEEKEND PICK: See the World Series Trophies in Worcester on Sunday

What better way to kick-off baseball season (Red Sox home opener is April 8) than by heading down to the DCU Center Convention Center in Worcester for a FREE public viewing of the 2004 and 2007 World Series Trophies won by the Boston Red Sox!
After the World Series victory in 2004, the Red Sox shared the triumph with their fan base by taking the World Championship Trophy to different cities and towns throughout Red Sox Nation. The team continues the tradition after the win in 2007, bringing the two trophies to the DCU Center on Sunday, March 30. Viewing will take place in the Showcase Corner of the Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Fans should enter Door #1 of the facility on Major Taylor Boulevard.
This is a free event and open to the public
Also joining the festivities will be Worcester's Sports Mascots including Finz from the Worcester Sharks, Surgeo from the New England Surge and Twister from the Worcester Tornadoes!
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Stay in School or Skip School for Red Sox World Series Parade?

Last time the Red Sox won the World Series - 2004 - the celebration parade was on a Saturday.
This year, the "Rolling Rally" Parade will take place Tuesday (tomorrow) at noon.

So the biggest question for parents is should you allow your child to skip school?
Tell us what you think by posting below

Below is facts about the parade route from the Associated Press:
The city of Boston will host a rolling rally for the World Series champion Red Sox beginning at noon. The team will be carried on amphibious vehicles (Boston Duck Boat Tours) from Fenway Park, down Boylston Street and through Copley Square. They will follow Boylston along the lower part of Boston Common then turn left onto Tremont and continue past City Hall Plaza.
The parade will pause at three spots - Copley, across from the Parkman Bandstand at Boston Common and at City Hall - so closer Jonathan Papelbon can dance his now-famous Irish jig on a flatbed truck, accompanied by Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys. There will be large TV screens set up at each location.
Unlike in the 2004 victory parade, the duck boats will not enter the Charles River.
The parade will end at New Chardon and Cambridge Streets.

WEEKEND PICK: Watch Olympic & World-Class Skates and Help the Jimmy Fund

Tonight and tommorrow Olympic and world skaters, including Harvard University student Emily Hughes, will do triple axels and toe loops to benefit the Jimmy Fund at An Evening with Champions.
In its 38th year, this premier figure skating exhibition is tonight at 8 and tomorow (Saturday, Oct. 13) night at 7 at Harvard University's Bright Hockey Center.
A silent auction will take place half an hour before each show. Paul Wylie, a 1992 Olympic silver medalist and class of 1990 Harvard graduate, will host the performance.
An Evening with Champions has been run entirely by Harvard University students, raising more than $2.3 million for the Jimmy Fund, which supports research and care for adult and pediatric cancers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Tickets cost $32 for adults, $12 for children and senior citizens. Group rates are also available for groups of 10 or more. Harvard's Bright Hockey Center is located on 79 North Harvard Street in Allston.
For more information, updates on performers and to purchase tickets, visit
www.jimmyfund. org/skating. Tickets can also be purchased at the Harvard Box Office at 617-496-2222.

Bay State Parent & Johnny Pesky Night in Lowell!

Tonight was Bay State Parent magazine and Johnny Pesky night at the Lowell Spinners game. Bay State Parent was the media sponsor. Christopher Culkins, 9, of Harvard was the winner of the magazine's contest; thus, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Red Sox legend Pesky threw out the actual first pitch. Afterwards, Pesky signed Culkins' first pitch ball.
The first 1,500 ticketholders to enter the park tonight were given a FREE Pesky Bobble Head.
While our winners and their families and friends had a great time at the sold out game; unfortunately the local team lost to Aberdeen.
Below are a few photos from the festivities tonight: