PJ Library Offers Festive Hanukkah Activities for Kids

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December 6, 2022

This year, PJ Library, a 17-year-old program of the Harold Grinspoon foundation, is providing free resources for those celebrating Hanukkah. Different recipes, activity ideas and podcasts will be included.

The Harold Grinspoon foundation delivers over 680,000 Jewish story books to children all over the world from infants to 12-year-olds. All books are delivered monthly, and thanks to their thousands of donors, free of charge! This year, the program will be celebrating its 50 millionth book. PJ’s Library team of experts and educators have created an age-appropriate reading list, giving children the best reading and learning experience possible.

Jewish families from all backgrounds, including interfaith families, are given the opportunities to sign up their children to receive a book. A couple of resources solely focused on interfaith families are Hanukkah Books for Interfaith Families and a blog post called No, We Don’t Celebrate Both.

An example of a new picture book that is available on PJ Library’s Amazon store is called “Hanukkah at Monica’s” which encapsulates some of the pivotal parts of the holiday! Their Amazon store also has items like aprons and personalized calendars to make it easier to track holidays throughout the year.

Lastly, it’s not just books PJ Library will be gifting children; there is also a Hanukkah hub. Through the Hanukkah hub, age-appropriate Hanukkah stories and activities are provided, one of which is a lava-themed lamp activity that allows children to create faux lava lamps.

Other activities families have access to through the Hanukkah hub are:

The Ultimate List of Books about Hanukkah

10 Easy (and Kid-Approved) Hanukkah Recipes

The Easy Hanukkah Guide: Recipes, Gifts and Activities For Each Night

To donate to PJ Library visit https://pjlibrary.org/donate. To contact PJ Library, call 413-276-0800 or email [email protected].

Glass City River Wall Mural: Educational Toledo Landmark

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Sneha Kamath

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December 5, 2022

Glass City River Wall 1 — The Glass City River Wall mural. Designed by Gault and colleagues, the mural depicts three living Native American models to convey the message that Indigenous people are active members of the community, not people of the past.

On October 15, the Glass City River Wall mural was revealed and officially announced as complete, marking an exciting, culturally significant moment for Toledo.

The Glass City River Wall project was born from a collaboration between Urban Sight, a Toledo-based nonprofit that helps connect the community through art; ADM, an agricultural processing company that donated its silos as a surface for the mural; and Tnemec Company, which provided paint for the project. The mural idea was initially proposed by project organizers and board members Nicole LeBoutillier and Brandy Alexander-Wimberly. Mural design and content were developed by artist Gabe Gault; his designs were later executed through the help of local artists and renowned muralist, Eric Henn.

The Glass City River Wall mural’s reveal on October 15 was accompanied by a celebration that recognized Indigenous culture. The celebration featured visits from the Indigenous models in the mural, tribal blessings from the Dakota Tribe, remarks from the Shawnee Tribe, and traditional Bear, Buffalo, and Eagle dancers.

Gault and colleagues’ mural depicts sunflowers and three Indigenous individuals, a Native American elder, mother, and child. The Indigenous models in the mural are from three different tribes — the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, the Shawnee Tribe, and the Dakota Tribe. Gault chose living models for the mural to indicate that Native American individuals are active and vibrant members of our communities, not people of the past.

In addition to its recognition of Native American culture, the mural’s significance also extends to its educational component. An accompanying set of free supplemental curriculum is available as an opportunity for students everywhere to get involved in the mural project.

Reflecting on this landmark in Toledo and platform for education, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, stated that the mural highlights Toledo’s commitment “to the arts, and igniting conversations around hope, positivity and inclusion that will carry us forward into the future.” Now the biggest mural in the country, the Glass City River Wall mural is a must see. Visit the mural at the ADM grain facility, located on the east bank of the Maumee River.

We Love our Pets Photo Contest

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Digital Media

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December 2, 2022

Rudolph Bike Park Brings More Recreational Fun

By

Olivia Jo Johnson

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December 2, 2022

Located in Rudolph and part of the Wood Country Park district, Rudolph Bike Park is the new community and family friendly hub in our area. This bike park creates a space for everyone, from beginners to those who have been around the trails a time or two. All skill levels are accommodated by the multiple pump tracks that enable everyone to sharpen their skills.

In case you’re unfamiliar, “pumping” is the idea of creating momentum by moving up and down instead of pedaling. A 1,942-foot pump track is dedicated to riders just using this method on the tracks.

With all this fun comes some rules to keep all bikers and spectators safe. The bike park urges those who aren’t riding to stay off of the path for the sake of both the riders’ and spectators’ safety. Also, wearing a helmet and protection for the rest of your body is recommended, including shin, knee and elbow protection.

The Wood County park district also has many volunteer opportunities for those interested in getting involved. To get started, just read and sign the volunteer handbook and register here! Volunteers opportunities include:

One time: No experience is needed.
Long term: Adopt-A-Park, trail or garden
Group: Community and Scouting

With free admission, Rudolph Park also provides many recreational opportunities such as camping, geocaching, bouldering, hiking and kayaking. The park has a list of programs involving education, monitoring, cultural heritage, conservation and more.

Open from 8am until 30 minutes after sunset, this park saves natural spaces, protects the environment, restores natural habitats, and educates its visitors about environmental science and cultural heritage. In 2018, over 2,000 Wood County residents requested the area provided more biking opportunities and bike trails. Rudolph Bike Park is the answer to that request.

For more information about the park and all it has to offer, check out wcparks.org or call 419-353-1897. You can also find the park on the Wood County park district’s Facebook page.