Sunflower Creative Arts
Notes from the Garden

Summer 2011  

In This Issue
2011-2012 Registration Form
It's Sunflower's first Freecycle Fundraiser Party!
What's New on the Sunflower Blog
Today in PLAY links

 
Susan Caruso
Artistic Director 
  Jennifer Ligeti
Managing Director
Jaime Greenberg 
 Communications Director
Victoria Green
Social Media and PR Manager
Dorota Salas
Bookkeeper
Carol Vogt
Quickbooks Consultant 

Ellen Stone 
Cultural and Environmental Consultant
 
 
Sunflower Board of Directors
 

Crystal MacLean

President
Ani Smith 
Vice President 
Claire Teller  
Secretary/Treasurer
Sharon Baker
Bill Epstein

Lora McCoy

Edgar An

Keith Richardson

Russell Parker

Susan Caruso

2601 Saint Andrews Blvd.
Boca Raton, FL 33434

561 482-3412

topGreetings!

In just a few weeks I say goodbye to my summer of grandkids, yoga, Lake Michigan, the incredible Chicago skyline, picnics with the Chicago Symphony at Ravinia, Piven theatre workshop classes, piles of books actually read and my tree-nestled second home in Evanston. I trade one magnificent life for another in fantastic Florida. Doesn't get better than that!

 

I am very excited to see all of you and share all that I learned over the summer through my newly refreshed nurtured and quite flexible self!

2011-2012 Class Schedule and Registration Form   

Check out our wonderful fall schedule, featuring our new Sunflower Afterschool class for ages 5-8, and lots of new parenting support!

 

We are getting a big response, so hurry up to save your spot! Many thanks to all of you who are forwarding the link on to new families who would love to know about Sunflower! If you need a hard copy just let us know.   

 

Click here to download the schedule/reg form
2011-12 Registration Packet
It's Sunflower's first Freecycle Fundraiser Party!

Because the best things in life are free......

 

What is a freecycle party? Everyone brings new or lightly used toys, clothes, and household items that need a good home.  On the night of the freecycle, you get to "shop" all of the items, for free! We will put names in a hat for items that have a current value of over $65, and the item will then be given to the person who wins. Light food and drink will also be provided. This event is only open to Sunflower families. Save the date, the party will be at 7:00 pm, Thursday, Sept. 15.

 

What about the fundraising? The goal of this event is to raise money to purchase instruments, and bring more music into the Seedlings experience. To join in the fun, each Sunflower family will be asked to pay a door fee of $20.

 

Seedlings playing music
We're raising money to purchase instruments for Seedlings!

 

More details

What to donate? This is your chance for guilt free re-gifting! Clothes, toys, and household items will all be accepted.  Please donate new or gently used items in good condition; clothes need to be free of stains or pilling. Please keep this event in mind as you do your spring cleaning and back to school organizing.

 

When to drop off? From Sept. 7-14, on Seedlings days. As we need to organize the items, please make your donation at least one day prior to the event.

 

Anything else? If you'd like to help out, please contact event organizers Jennifer Ligeti, Crystal MacLean, or Denise Carreau, 561 452-8411. You can bring a dish to the event or help organize items.

 

Need Childcare?  Please let us know early as there will be a limited number of spots available for $10 per child.  


See you at the party!

   
On the Sunflower Blog
Sunflower may be on break, but Susan, Victoria and Jaime have been blogging all summer! Until classes start up again, get your virtual Sunflower fix by checking out our latest entries.

07-21-2011
Jaime blog author photoby Jaime

I recently got back from an amazing vacation, visiting a wonderful, playful, up-for-anything friend and seeing my most favorite band in the world (Dave Matthews Band ♥love them!♥). I went completely on my own-no kids, no husband-and it was beautiful. For five days I got to play, play, play and do exactly what I wanted to do. [...]...»  

 

07-14-2011

Victoria blog author photoby Victoria

One of my challenges as a parent (and a person who resists change) is to recognize and adjust to constantly changing situations. The fluctuating needs and desires of my children can make this more difficult. Like me, my older son sometimes needs time to accept and adapt to something new. Here are two recent occasions [...]...»  

 

07-05-2011

Susan blog author photoby Susan

It's Friday 5:30 AM, on my way to 6 AM yoga. This morning I am met with a damp chill and sweet smelling air filled with birdsong. Over my shoulder I nod a good morning to the lake, still and barely awake. A white feather floats down before me as I cross the street. I [...]...» 


children in a wagon
Today in PLAY!
Links to some of the latest articles, research and resources, all about Play!

Can a Playground Be Too Safe? New York Times, July 18, 2011

Children and Nature: Who Let the Kids Out? GreatSchools.org, July 9, 2011

Alliance for Childhood promotes policies and practices that support children's healthy development, love of learning, and joy in living. This link includes a list of current articles about children's play. 

KaBOOM! the national nonprofit dedicated to saving play for America's children

Children & Nature Network building a movement to reconnect children and nature
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Visit our blog There's always good reading on the Sunflower blog!

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All the best,


Susan Caruso
Sunflower Creative Arts