Scout registration: all together now

When my son came off the school bus six years ago all amped
up to join Cub Scouts, I was hesitant. But I’ve learned it’s possible to love
the Boy Scout program even if you don’t agree with every policy.

Since he joined, my son — once quiet and passive — has
developed confidence and social skills. So what if our basement is cluttered
with woodworking projects and camping gear bursts from every closet? At least
he’s not ordering bomb-making supplies off the Internet.

My son’s currently a Second Class Boy Scout with first-class
adult leaders. Together, the leaders represent an ideal parent figure. Some
excel at coordinating outdoor adventures and trips to places like Gettysburg,
some teach merit badges such as disability awareness and public health, while
others focus on community service.

So when my younger child asked to join Brownies, I happily
suppressed memories of gluing macaroni onto paper plates and immediately signed
her up. Her experience has been equally worthwhile and completely
macaroni-free.

Local scouting organizations are accepting registrations
from boys 6 to 17 and girls 5 to 17. It’s a great time for 11-year-olds or
fifth-graders to join (that’s the point at which Cub Scouts and Juniors can
become full-fledged Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts). For Boy Scout info, go to
www.otetiana.orgor call the Otetiana Council
of the Boy Scouts of America at 244-4210. For information on Girl Scouting, go
to www.gsgv.org or call the Girl Scouts of the Genesee Valley at 292-5160.

— Linda Kostin (www.junkstorecowgirl.com)

This week for
families:

Brighton Memorial
Library storytimes: Mondays 10 a.m. (ages 3-4), 10:30 a.m. (ages 1-2.5);
Thursdays 7 p.m. 2300 Elmwood Avenue. 784-5300, www.brightonlibrary.org

Head Start/Early Head
Start now accepting applications, Action for a Better Community. 325-5116
ext 3300

Henrietta Public
Library storytimes: Tuesdays 11-11:30 a.m., Wednesdays 10:15-10:45 a.m.,
455 Calkins Rd. 359-7092, www.hpl.org

Hot Shot Final
Competition Thurs, Apr 7. ages 9-18, Carter St Community Center, 500 Carter
St, 6-9 p.m. Free. 428-7294, 428-7828

Kindflict Workshop Sat,
Apr 9. For families, New Life Presbyterian Church, 243 Rosedale St, 9 a.m.-1
p.m. Free. 624-2382

The Mammoth Follies Wed, Apr 13. Hudson Vagabond Puppets, Smith
Opera House, 82 Seneca St, Geneva, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. $4.50. 315-781-5483

Model Matzah Bakery Wed-Thurs and Sun-Mon, Apr 6-7 and 10-11. first-hand Matzah baking experience,
Jewish Community Center, 1200 Edgewood Ave, Wed-Thurs 4-6 p.m., Sun 1-5 p.m.,
Mon 4-6 p.m. 271-0330

Owl Prowl Sat,
Apr 9. Braddock Bay Lodge, Braddock Bay Park, E Manitou Rd, Greece, 8 a.m.
Free. 321-1616

Penfield Public
Library through Apr 30. poetry contest, grades 6-12. 1985 Baird Rd,
Penfield. 340-8720

Tiny Ninja Theatre Presents Macbeth Fri-Sat, Apr 12-May 7. Big
Theatre for Little People, Geva Theatre Center, 75 Woodbury Ave, Fri 7:30 p.m.,
Sat 2 and 9:30 p.m. $12, $9 kids. 232-4382, www.gevatheatre.org

Writers & Books Sat,
Apr 9. Saturday of Unfortunate Events, ages 8-13, Writers & Books, 740 University
Ave, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $40. 473-2590, www.wab.org

Small mindfulness

And here we are, with
our thumbs and our big brains, inventive, creative, aggressive, aware in some
ways, oblivious in others, still struggling to learn the lessons our ancestors
bequeathed us: That everything changes. That everything is interdependent. That
we survive by cooperating, sharing resources, pooling information. That change
can come suddenly, cataclysmically, and when it does, the small are better fit
to survive… — Starhawk, The Earth
Path

The case of Terri Schiavo is a tragic lesson in relational
complexity and a cultural climate ill equipped to deal with same. One afternoon
this week I will take a walk with my kids, tossing aside half-developed
opinions, ax-grinding outlooks, and unshakable beliefs to climb into a pit of
hurting souls.

I’ll tell my children the story of a mom and dad so devoted
to their child that they grasped for scant flickers of response and swore to
love and protect her no matter how profound her disabilities. How sacred was
her life to them! And then I will speak of a husband who for 15 years refused
to abandon the shell that was his wife, and how he continued to fight for what
he believed she wanted, no matter how others bribed, threatened, and vilified
him. How sacred was her life to him!

Eventually, my kids will ask me what should have been done.
I won’t answer. They need to see adults comfortable in uncertainty. I hope they
will learn that two rights don’t make a wrong.

— Rev. Corey Keyes

This article appears in Apr 6-12, 2005.