Family valued

Memorabilia from within

Some critics say that in
Southern literature, the one continuous theme is Place — the love of the
land, of its people, and their goodness (or badness). Writers in our corner of
the world would probably argue against any categorization, for their works are
diverse, universal, relevant, historical, and apropos for scholar and causal
reader alike.

            We here in the Rochester, Monroe
County, and western New York region are blessed with a multitude of talented
writers and illustrators. Many are nationally known for their talents in many
categories and genres. They include multiple award winners and honorees who
reach a wide audience.

            To celebrate these talents, the
Central Library has inaugurated a series of displays that feature mementoes and
realia from the authors and illustrators themselves. Each display will run for
two months and will include thematic, individual, and group exhibits. Currently
on display on the second floor of the library’s Rundel Memorial Building is Authors at the White House, an exhibit
that features memorabilia from invitational visits to the White House by
children’s authors Linda Sue Park, Mary Jane Auch, Robin Pulver, and Cynthia
DeFelice.

            In celebration of the Lewis and
Clark bicentennial, Carol Johmann’s work is highlighted in the display case
near circulation in the Bausch & Lomb Public Library Building. During your
next visit, check out these displays that illustrate the personalities of our
local artists, while introducing their work to the community.

— Carolyn Schuler

This week for families:

Arts in Action Program Full
scholarships available for Hochstein’s summer arts camps. 454-4596,
www.hochstein.org

Cool
Kids CANimals on Parade, All Day Cool Kids Fest, Fri, July 9, Sagawa Park,
Main St, Brockport, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 637-3984, www.brockportny.org.

City Summer Kids Club
Mon-Fri through Sept 3. For ages 6-10, various recreation centers, 9 a.m.-5
p.m. $50 per week. 428-6767, www.cityofrochester.gov

Harvest International
Family Church Mon-Fri, July 12-16. 4647 Reservoir Rd, Geneseo, 9 a.m.-12:30
p.m. 243-9280

Henrietta Public
Library Family bingo, Wed, July 7, 7-8 p.m. | Movies, Fri, July 9, 2 p.m. |
Red Cross Babysitter’s training, Mon, July 12, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $30. |
Family pajama storytime, Mon, July 12, with police deputy and fire chief, for
ages 2-8, 7 p.m. | Jumbles, Tues, July 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Toddler
storytime, Wed, July 14, 10:30-11 a.m. | 455 Calkins Rd. 359-7093

Mr. Beau the Clown Wed,
July 7. Arnett Branch Library, 310 Arnett Blvd, 2:30 p.m. Free. 428-8214

RMSC Strasenburgh
Planetarium 657 East Ave. A Trip to
Saturn and Pluto, Saturdays 1 p.m. | The Sky Tonight, Sat 10:30 a.m. | I
See The Sky, for ages 3-5, Sat 9:30 a.m.| The Beatles Laser, Sat 10 p.m.
| Reserve seats. Tix: $4-$7. See “Movies” section for large-format film
showings. 271-1880

Rochester Museum and
Science Center 657 East Ave. Surprise!
It’s Science, through May 2005. | Body
Carnival: the Science and Fun of Being You, ongoing. | Rochester’s Frederick Douglass, through Jan 2006. | Live Science
Demos, Wed-Fri 3:30 p.m., Sat 2, 3, 4, Sun 1:30, 2:30, 3:30. | Hours: Mon-Sat 9
a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 12-5 p.m. Tix: $5-$7. 271-1880, www.rmsc.org.

Seneca Park Zoo 2222
St Paul St. Sat-Sun, July 10-11, Alan Hopkins, live music, 3 p.m. Hours: daily
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tix: $5, $4 seniors, $2 kids. 467-9453, www.senecazoo.org.

Strong Museum 1
Manhattan Square. Summertime Musical Fun Week, Mon-Fri, July 12-16, 10 a.m.-5
p.m. | Long-term exhibits include National
Toy Hall of Fame, Can You Tell Me How
To Get To Sesame Street? and Super
Kids Market. | Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat 10
a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 12-5 p.m. Tix: $7; $6 seniors, students; $5 children. 263-2700

Summer Food Service
Program Free lunch and breakfast for kids under 18, Mon-Fri, various sites.
Call for registration and info. 428-7872, 325-1440

Teddi-T Sports Fest Sat,
July 10. Youth sports clinics, Monroe Community College, 1000 E Henrietta Rd,
10 a.m. and 1 p.m. $15 per clinic. 624-5555, www.campgooddays.org.

Vacation Bible Day
Camp Registration Wed, July 7. Trinity Lutheran, 1008 Main St, E Rochester,
7-8 p.m. $5-$15. 586-6088

Victory Fellowship
Center Camp Mon-Fri, July 19-30. 1018 Lyell Ave, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $30.
458-9690

Volunteers of America
Universal Pre-K Programs Openings available, for 4- and 5-yr-olds, free to
city residents, 100 State St or 214 Lake Ave, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. 647-1344,
263-3103

Yoga Play for Kids Sat,
July 10. Ages 5-10, Yoga and Healing Sanctuary, 34 Elton St, 9-9:45 a.m. $9.
737-6848

Wood Library Mehndi madness, temporary tattoos, Thurs, July 8, 2-4 p.m. | Comic creation and
publishing workshop, Mon, July 12, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Reel world film series,
Tues, July 13, kids in grades 7-12, 6-9 p.m. | 134 N Main St, Canandaigua.
394-1381

The
politics of discipline

Only
children under five years old should be allowed to vote. With the wisdom of
infancy they see hypocrisy clearly. Imagine a panel of toddlers discussing
Washington politics, slicing through the spin, and extracting the essential
questions. They care what we do, not what we say. They set their lifelong
priorities by the consistency of our behavior. Albert Schweitzer wrote,
“Modeling is not aform of education. Modeling is the only form of education.”

            I
wonder how much the conduct of leaders and despots reflects their upbringing.
What were Saddam Hussein’s Mommy and Daddy like? We know who our current
President’s parents are but not how they parented his toddlerhood, when it
mattered. How did the parents of 19 young men raise them to believe fervently
that their highest achievement would be to use airliners full of innocents as
bombs?

            I
often recommend that parents construct questions about a child’s misbehavior
from the child’s point of view. Can I keep eating if I throw food? If I run
toward the street do I get to stay outside? What happens if I don’t put my toys
away? Will you change your mind if I keep crying… in public? Can I hurt
people? How many times do I need to misbehave before you decide to act instead
of talk? All of these questions help your child to form an opinion about how
you want the world to be.

            Our
children keep testing our values with their oppositional behavior until they
are satisfied with rules and limits enforced with consistent, meaningful
consequences. The meal is over. No more outside play today. No toys for now.
Crying costs choices. When you hurt people, even by accident, you lose the
privilege of social interaction. When we do not provide clear, respectful
answers, our children become grownups who keep testing, eventually hurting
others.

            When
next you are tempted to give a child attention for misbehavior or choices they
have not earned, ask yourself: How do I want their world to be?

— Laurence I.
Sugarman, MD

This article appears in Jul 7-13, 2004.