Now that we’re getting into the rainy season, it’s a bit more difficult to tell when we can stay outside without getting soaked without warning. Here are some ideas for good, indoor fun.

When the lights go out and you’re at home with candles and board games, make sure you have the following essentials in your game closet. A great but little-known game is The Settlers of Catan. This is an obscure title to those who don’t visit gaming stores often or are on the watch for interesting board games, but it is great for preteens all the way through adults. The game is available in some Wal-Mart stores, so call your Central Wal-Mart to make sure they have it in stock, and then go get it. The original game is four 2 – 4 players, so if you’ve got 5 – 6 people at home, buy the 5 – 6 player extension. Settlers of Catan is a unique strategy board game. The setting is a small island country called Catan that all of the players are “settling.” It usually takes one run through the game to gain an understanding of the rules and to begin developing strategies. It’s an engaging game that many people can enjoy. Don’t be afraid to create some house rules, too, if it makes the game more enjoyable for you.

Another fun, not-so-traditional board game is Battle of the Sexes (also available in some Wal-Marts, so call ahead to be sure the game is in stock). The game has 2 teams, men versus women. Each team must answer questions that the other team would typically know to progress in the game. For instance, the men may be asked a question like, “How do you stop a run in stockings?” while the women may be asked something like, “How many lugs are on the typical wheel?”

If you’re looking for a fun game with the younger kids, Apples to Apples Jr. is great for family. This version is just like Apples to Apples but without the pop culture and history references younger kids won’t know yet. The game is played with an alternating judge every turn. The judge plays a green card, which has a noun on it, and all of the other players anonymously play a red card, which has an adjective on it. The judge then chooses the adjective they like the most for the noun they’ve played. Seeing what all of the other players lay down is funny and entertaining. Apples to Apples Jr. is very family friendly, and a blast for all members of the family. You can also get Apples to Apples and Apples to Apples Jr. at Wal-Mart.

So before you end up with the candles lit playing the same old games for the fiftieth time, stock up on some new, entertaining games.

By Michelle Freneaux

If you’re tired of the same old dinner parties and movie nights, here’s an idea to bring an interesting twist to your social life this weekend: Have a music party. Now a lot of us know it’s hard to entertain without food, so there are a few ways you can approach this music party: the easy way and the hard way (that’s a bit more fun).

The simple way to have your music party is to provide simple snacks and/or get some pizza from one of our great pizza places in Central, like Fox’s Pizza at the corner of Wax Rd. and Greenwell Springs, Dominoes at the corner of Sullivan Rd. and Greenwell Springs, Papa John’s on Wax Rd. across from Wal-Mart, or Papa Murphy’s, in the same shopping center. Get together with your friend who has the best stereo, and invite everyone to bring their laptops, MP3 players, CDs, and records (if you have a record player available). Be sure you tell your friends to pick one genre or artist and 1 – 3 songs that show why this is their favorite. You don’t want to listen to 8 full CDs in one evening. This is a good plan if you won’t have time to cook, don’t have friends who cook well, or just want to keep it really casual.

The more interesting way is also a bit more interactive, but requires more planning. Set a date ahead of time, and make sure you have access to a good quality stereo, ask a friend to have it at their house if they have a good stereo and you’re worried about the one you have at home. Get all of your friends to pick their favorite music and have each person or couple you’ve invited prepare a dish that reflects their choice of music. For example: a person bringing a jazz album may prepare a classic New Orleans dish, or they may be more literal and make a dish in the shape of a saxophone. If you’re bringing a blues album, accompany it with a blueberry cobbler, or try a dish that has some unexpected flavors that make it more interesting, like blue notes in one of your favorite songs. Try to reflect, either interpretively or literally, something characteristic about your music. What country singer doesn’t claim to love fried chicken or shrimp and grits? You may bring a dish that reflects the place of origin of your music, or the style of your music. If you love Bach, make a dish that is very ornate like one of his fugues. If you bring folk music, try a dish from its country of origin. Don’t forget to include your beverages in your theme! Be sure you have enough for each of the courses, and order the presentation of music to the order of courses in the meal. As each person presents his or her dish, they put their favorite album on and tell what they love about it, and how their music and dish relate to each other. Limit each person to 1 – 3 songs to avoid an all-nighter.

Finally, don’t forget to plan how each person will be able to play their music. Check to be sure you have the right cables to hook up laptops and MP3 players to the stereo system. Test your CD, tape, & record players to be sure they work properly. If you’re not sure you have the right cables or know how to hook everything up, call a friend for help. If you don’t have access to cables to hook up laptops and MP3 players, tell your guests to only bring CDs, tapes, or records. To facilitate a smooth transition between guests’ music, make sure each knows where his or her song begins on the CD, tape, or record.

The most important part of sharing music is to keep an open mind, and really listen to the music that others bring. You may not like everything you hear, but it is your friend’s favorite artist, so try to see why he or she likes it, and look for things you may enjoy in the music, too. Chances are, your friend will be able to recommend an artist to you that is similar to what they brought, but fits your tastes more.

Gill is an elementary school teacher who has published 60 books for young children.  Gill also completed a reading program for LPB called “Storytelling with JJ and Friends.”  This special storytime will include lots of audience participation!  Groups must register in advance.  For more information, call the individual library.

 

**Central Branch Library, 11260 Joor Road
Monday, June 7, 2:30 p.m.

 

**Greenwell Springs Road Regional Branch Library, 11300 Greenwell Springs Road
Tuesday, June 8, 2:30 p.m.

Children’s Knitting Group
Thursdays, June-August, 5 p.m.
Kids, want to learn to knit? Children ages 8-11 are invited to the Central
Branch every Thursday evening to practice knitting! Beginners can learn
from more experienced knitters and crocheters, and brave adults are also
welcome! Registration is required.

 

Aquarium Fish Keeping
Saturday, June 5, 2:30 p.m.
Clay Trachtman of the Southeast Louisiana Aquarium Society will give
children ages 5-11 a brief introduction to general freshwater fish
keeping. The presentation will focus on setting up and maintaining a
freshwater aquarium as well as basic fish selection. Aquariums with sample
fish will be brought in for the children to examine. In addition, brief
introductory books will be provided (until supplies run out). Registration
is required.

 

Cheese Man
Monday, June 9, 2:30 p.m.
Chuck Boeneke of the LSU Dairy Science Department will present a movie on
cheese-making, provide a live demonstration, and read the book “The Stinky
Cheese Man” by Jon Scieszka to children ages 5-11. Books on farming and
farm animals will also be on display.

 

Mo Willem’s Elephant and Piggy Party
Tuesday, June 15, 10:30 a.m.
Children ages 4-8 are invited to a party with games and fun featuring Mo
Willem’s Elephant and Piggy characters. Registration is required.

 

Father’s Day Make and Take
Friday, June 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Children ages 4-11 are welcome to stop by the Children’s Room and make a
special wall hanging for their fathers for Father’s Day.

Kelley, a former teacher who has released seven CDs and performs all over the country, will present this totally interactive family show at various library branches in June. Kelly’s performances provide an opportunity for both children and parents to participate.

This program was supported in part by funds from the Louisiana State Arts Council and the Louisiana Division of the Arts and by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge through the Decentralized Arts Funding Program. For more information, call the individual library branch. The show will be at the Central Branch Library on Wednesday. June 2nd beginning at 2:30 PM. It will also be at the Greenwell Springs Road Branch on Thursday, June 3rd at 2:30.