eNews February edition

eNews

Your source for what's happening at the Manitoba Children's Museum.

February 2008

In This Issue
	Much More Munsch Exhibit Opens February is I Love to Read Month Festival du Voyageur New Space Party! Manitoba Children's Museum Shop MCM at St. Vital Shopping Centre See the Museum in a New Light After Dark Mini Mondays Rogers Movie Nights Membership Card Pick up Volunteer Camp Counselors Needed Spring Break Day Camp Thank You for Dine Around! Hours & Special Dates

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Greetings!

Clang, clang, rattle, bing-bang...the Manitoba Children's Museum invites you to come make some noise at the Grand Opening of our new traveling exhibit: Much More Munsch. Join us on Saturday, February 2 at 11 a.m. On Sunday, February 3, we are kicking-off I Love to Read Month with HOT 103 FM. Join Ace Burpee and Chrissy Troy as they read their favourite Munsch stories and invite the audience to animate the pages! Event starts at 1 p.m. Mr. Mark will have you dancing at 2 p.m. Join us every Saturday and Sunday in February for I Love To Read activities, guest readers and crafts. TV personalities, local authors and The Story Fairy will all make special appearances. Spring seems like a long way away, but Spring Break is already next month! Sign up your kids for our Kids Explore Spring Break Day Camp today! Keep reading for news on Mini Mondays, Rogers Movie nights and more...

Much More Munsch Exhibit Opens

Much More Munsch World Premiere Grand Opening February 2, 11:00 a.m. Clang, Clang, Rattle-Bing-Bang... The Manitoba Children's Museum is going to make noise at 11:00 a.m. as we celebrate the World Premiere of Much More Munsch, our new travelling exhibit based on the books of celebrated children's author Robert Munsch. For the past twenty years, Robert Munsch has created a distinctive method of imagining, developing and telling his stories. His books are the outcomes of a dynamic creative process. This 1,200 sq.ft. bilingual exhibit welcomes kids into Robert Munsch's home, encourages them to explore his world and discover their own creative abilities. Mix and match words, phrases, scenes and sounds and discover the art of storytelling. Perform for your friends and family. Stomp your way to Mortimer's room. Get Thomas into his snowsuit. Create your own cast of characters. Be one of the first to read and hear unpublished stories. It's fiction! It's fun! It's fantastic! It's the Much More Munsch world premiere! For ages 12 and under. Included with museum admission. Accompanying School Programs: I Want to be a Storyteller: Preschool-Grade 3 (3 versions) Writer's Workshop: Grades 4-6 Call 924- 4004 or email schools@childrensmuseum.com for program details. Much More Munsch is presented by Friesen's and generously supported by the RBC Foundation, Premiere Van Lines, The Department of Canadian Heritage and The Winnipeg Foundation.

February is I Love to Read Month

February is I Love to Read Month! The Manitoba Children's Museum and HOT 103 FM are celebrating our love of stories on Sunday, February 3, 1-3 p.m. Join us and HOT 103's Ace Burpee and Chrissy Troy for our I Love to Read Kick-Off event. Kids will be invited to animate the words as Ace and Chrissy read some of Robert Munsch's most popular books. Mr. Mark will get you dancing at 2 p.m! Be ready to get moving and have fun! Every weekend in February, the Manitoba Children's Museum will be celebrating "I Love to Read" month with storytime adventures. We will be joined by local Manitoba authors, TV and radio personalites, and a special group offering a storytime under the stars. Come join us in February as we celebrate this special month! Sunday, February 3 1-3 p.m: Kick-Off Party with HOT 103 FM. Special guests: Ace Burpee, Chrissy Troy and Mr. Mark Saturday, February 9 1 p.m: Local French author France Adams will be here to share some of her stories like "Regarde par-ci! Regarde Par-l�! Regarde Partout! 2 p.m: Bill 'n' Jay and Cool Beans will perform folk favourites and some original songs for the whole family to enjoy. 3 p.m: Global TV's Eva Kovacs will share some of her family's favourite stories. Sunday, February 10 11 a.m: Things get started with a home run as Andrew Collier, the General Manager of the Winnipeg Goldeyes will be here to share his favourite tales. 1 p.m: Stardome will be here with a portable planetarium to tell us "Skystories" (4 shows.) Saturday, Feburary 16 1 p.m: Be one of the first to hear local author Joe McLellan read from his newly-released book "Goose Girl." Sunday, February 17 2 p.m: CBC's Janet Stewart will share more wonderful stories with us. Saturday, February 23 1 p.m: Education Minister Bjornson will show us that reading isn't just about learning. 2 p.m: The Story Fairy will delight one and all with fairy tales. Join us for I Love to Read crafts and other activities in the foyer. All events are included with regular museum admission! I Love to Read Month at the Manitoba Children's Museum is generously supported by TD Bank Financial Group.

Festival du Voyageur

Festival du Voyageur February 15-24 It pays to wear your button! We have teamed up with the Festival du Voyageur to offer museum savings to everyone who wears their Festival button. Simply show your button when you visit the museum February 1-24, 2008 and we will discount $2.00 off regular museum admission. One button per discount and cannot be combined with any other offer or coupon. Wear it & save. Bon festival!

New Space Party!

We have a new birthday party theme! Space Ages 6-12 (two versions) Blast off with our newest party theme! Your budding astronauts will participate in space challenges that are out of this world. They will learn about planets and their place in the universe. When the work is done, kids can get refreshed with super space drinks. For more information or to book a party, call 924-4004 or email birthdays@childrensmuseum.com.

Manitoba Children's Museum Shop

Shop is full of great things! SIGG bottles We're freshly stocked with SIGG bottles ranging in size from 0.3L to 1L with cute, wild and beautiful designs. Envirosax Join the latest craze in environmentally friendly shopping/tote bags: Envirosax. Shop has a dozen designs to choose from- retro, contemporary, classic and more. The're washable and fold to fit in your purse! With the arrival our our new exhibit, Much More Munsch, Shop has more Robert Munsch titles than you can imagine! Find all your favourites and some books you may not have read. We have toys, activity & craft kits, puzzles, games and all kinds of things that are great entertainers during the cold winter months. They also make great birthday gifts. Whether your kids are into dinosaurs, space, fairies or princesses, we know you will find small treasures in our Shop. We also offer birthday party goodie bags in five different themes and gift certificates in any denomination! Your Purchase Counts Every purchase made at Shop goes directly back into the museum! As a non-profit, charitable organization, the Manitoba Children's Museum relies on earned revenue to cover approximately 70% of its operating costs. These funds enable us to present blockbuster exhibits, create new exhibits like the Dream Gallery, develop educational programs, offer new services and maintain our permanent galleries. By supporting Shop, you are supporting the Manitoba Children's Museum. We look forward to seeing you soon! Telephone: 943- 1449 Email: shop@childrensmuseum.com

MCM at St. Vital Shopping Centre

Mark Your Calendars! MCM visits St. Vital Shopping Centre Monday, March 31 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Come see us at St. Vital Shopping Centre beside the Play Park. Learn about our newest birthday party theme, our Much More Munsch exhibit , new school programs, Summer Day Camps and so much more while your kids are making spectacular Spring crafts! We hope to see you there. Join the St. Vital Centre Kids Club and enter to win your very own Exclusive Birthday Party with us! You will also enjoy special savings on Kids Club days at the museum. Visit the Customer Service Centre at St. Vital Centre to learn more.

See the Museum in a New Light After Dark

See The Museum in a New Light....After Dark! Available Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Ages 6-12 Only $15 per child (plus GST) Adults are free! Sleepovers include: Museum staff to help facilitate your event Museum Mystery Scavenger Hunt Movie viewed on a 50" TV! Extras: Cotton Candy $1/bag T-Shirt Spinning: $10/shirt with 3 paint colours Sleepovers are designed for 50+ kids and must be booked in advance. They are ideal for youth groups, Sparkes, Cubs, Beavers, Brownies, schools, 4 H clubs and more! Call 924-4004 to book your sleepover today!

Mini Mondays

Mini Mondays Mondays are special days at the Manitoba Children's Museum. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Monday, we tailor crafts and activities to our preschool visitors and their caregivers. Storytimes are at 11:30 and 1:30 in the foyer. Every week is a new theme! February 4: Much More Munsch February 11: Finding Neverland February 18: No Mini Monday- Louis Riel Day February 25: Fairy Tales Theatre

Rogers Movie Nights

Rogers Movie Nights are Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. Grab a treat and enjoy the show! February 2: The Game Plan Running Time: 110 mins. Rated G Joe Kingman is a famous professional quarterback who is living the good life until he discovers that he has a seven year old daughter. Joe soon learns there is more to life than football, money and his celebrity status. February 9: Beauty and the Beast Running Time: 84 mins. Rated G When Belle's father gets lost in the woods and is captured by the Beast, Belle goes off to rescue him. The Beast agrees to release her father as long as Belle agrees to stay with him. Although she finds the Beast hideous at first, Belle soon finds that beauty is more than just skin deep. February 16:The Little Mermaid Running Time: 82 mins. Rated G Bored with life under the sea, Ariel dreams of a life on land and the attention of Prince Eric. In order to trade her mermaid fins for legs, Ariel must make a deal with an evil Sea Witch by the name of Ursula. When Ursula uses her new talents to destroy Ariel's father and his kingdom, she must decide between saving her father and the life she loves on land. February 23:Cinderella Running Time: 74 mins. Rated G Cinderella is a beautiful young lady who is forced to do all the chores for her wicked stepsisters. With the help of her fairy godmother, Cinderella gets a chance to go the Prince's ball, where all her dreams come true. Please note that movie titles are subject to availability. Parental discretion is advised. All movies are free with museum admission. Call 924-4000 for more information.

Membership Card Pick up

New and Returning Members: Thank you for helping us to reduce administrative costs! Several months ago, we made the decision to no longer mail out membership cards. Please remember to pick up your new card at the Admissions desk on your next visit.

Volunteer Camp Counselors Needed

Join the MCM Volunteer Team! Each year, the Manitoba Children's Museum offers spring break and summer break day camp. Volunteer counselors provide active and effective support to MCM staff and day camp programs. The volunteer counselor role provides an excellent opportunity for volunteers to develop communication, leadership, and other employment-related skills in a safe and encouraging environment. Each volunteer counselor is asked to contribute at least one full day during spring break camp and one full week during summer break camp. Day camp volunteers should be 15 years of age or older. Each volunteer counselor needs to attend an MCM volunteer information session and an orientation session. The next MCM volunteer information session is on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. The volunteer counselor orientation for spring break day camp will be on Saturday, March 22 at 1:00 p.m. Volunteers need to pre-register for both the information session and the counselor orientation. Please contact the Volunteer Resources Manager at 924-4002 or email lsilver@childrensmuseum.com to confirm your attendance.

Spring Break Day Camp

Kids Explore Spring Break Day Camp Monday, March 31-Friday, April 4 9:30-4:30 (Early drop-off & Late pick-up available) $140 ($125 members) Registration is open for Spring Break Day Camp. Join us for 5 great days of fun! Monday: Sports On your mark, get set, go! This camp is action-packed from start to finish! Tuesday: On Stage Drum roll, please...Karaoke, air bands, plays and puppet shows. Kids will showcase their talents on stage all day. Wednesday: Whoa! Everything's Backwards This is a wild and crazy day for kids. We're doing everything in reverse. It's not all fun. It's hard work! Thursday: Mad Laboratory Kids have a chance to be mad scientists all day! Messy experiments and creative innovations are encouraged here! Friday: Abracadabra! How did he do that? Is this a trick? It's magic! Campers will be amazed to learn magicians' secrets and become amateur magicians themselves. Spaces are limited. Call 924- 4000 to register today!

Thank You for Dine Around!

16th Annual Dine Around - THANK YOU! A big thank you to all of the participants, restaurants, prize donors and reception donors for making the 16th Annual Dine Around a tremendous success. Through your support and generosity, net proceeds totaled over $15,000 and will be used to enhance programming and exhibits. On January 18th two hundred adventurous diners met at the Manitoba Children's Museum, where they enjoyed a cocktail reception and auction while they eagerly awaited the restaurant draw that determined where their group would be dining that evening. We extend special recognition to all of the restaurants for donating the delicious meals and to the Reception Sponsors for providing the tasty appetizers and beverages. The Manitoba Children's Museum thanks the 16th Annual Dine Around Restaurants: Bailey's Restaurant & Bar Billabong Bar & Bistro Bistro 71/4 Civita Confusion Corner Bar & Grill D-Jays Restaurant Earl's on Main Gasthaus Gutenberger Hu's on First Hy's Steak Loft Mona Lisa Monticchio Ristorante Italiano Nicolino's Oui Bistro & Wine Bar Pasta la Vista - Downtown Pasta la Vista - Kenaston Spuntino's Sydney's at the Forks Tavern in the Park The Current The Gates on Roblin The Keg on Garry The Round Table Tre Visi Reception Sponsors: Homer's Restaurant Hotel Fort Garry Saucer's Caf� Kenaston Wine Market Molson Keeping with tradition, the event was sold out and it was one of the coldest nights of the year! Next year's event will be held on January 16, 2009. Mark your calendar!

Hours & Special Dates

Museum & Shop Hours Sunday- Thursday: 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday: 9:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. February 18- Louis Riel Day: Museum & Shop open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

As a non-profit charity, everything we do at the Manitoba Children’s Museum helps children in our community. Our goal is to provide an environment where children and their families, caregivers and classmates have the opportunity to let their imaginations soar and engage in self- discovery. We look forward to seeing you and your family soon at the Manitoba Children's Museum.

email: general@childrensmuseum.com

phone: 204.924.4000

web: http://www.childrensmuseum.com