Festival of Sand 2010

Firstly, I would like to take this time to recognize and thank the inventor of the poncho, as the morning of Festival of Sand kicked off with a soggy start. That rain didn't discourage the teams sculpting their celebration themed designs. To honor Kids on the Block's 25th birthday, some teams chose a birthday route, while others like Sportsmanship Award winner, Old Union School played off another popular party--the very merry un-birthday celebration from Alice in Wonderland.

Winner of the sculpting competition, Briarwood Elementary, honored the 25th birthday celebration with a huge cake, peeking presents, and a great big gift. A recent addition to the rules allows teams to include a single prop to accent their sculptures. Briarwood included a colorful birthday banner. Approaching the sculpture, visitors felt like they were walking into a giant party on a dazzling tiled floor. It's just too bad that giant cake was not edible! Perhaps there will be a celebration featuring an enormous cake in the not so distant future...

Volunteers, Green Dots, and Pool Parties, Oh My!

Well, we've certainly rounded out the end of July with big excitement!

"We'll tough it out," volunteers agreed as thunder rolled and rain threatened the area yesterday. Sure enough, these dedicated individuals continued to weather the conditions and completed the day's task just minutes before the full force of a summer storm broke open over Bowling Green.

Kids on the Block would like to express sincere thanks to our four volunteers from Camping World that participated in the United Way Day of Caring nationwide event yesterday. After contributing their time in the morning at the Family Enrichment Center, volunteers visited our building to complete our "Cleaning up the Block" project. Now, with a weed-free, newly spruced up yard, we're looking sharp and ready to start our busiest season of the year off right.

Today, the staff participated in the Green Dot training, a program that aims to reduce violence and promote safety by encouraging bystanders to take action. Through the training we learned how to connect to an issue of violence and how to properly respond. Using the "Three D technique," standing for Direct, Distract, and Delegate, staff is more alert and prepared than ever to respond to acts of violence.

For more information on the Green Dot training or to schedule a session with your business, call Jenny Neville at Hope Harbor by dialing (270) 782-5014. Visit Kentucky's Green Dot site by clicking here.

Last but not least, our troupe is helping kick off a new school year by performing two Water Safety programs at the Russell Sims Aquatic Center this Sunday between 1 and 5. The performance is a part of the WKYU Back to School Pool Party which will feature activities and handouts for children and, of course, general fun in the sun. So bring the kids for the show and don't forget the SPF!

More Love for the 'Ville

Throughout past week, Louisville has opened her welcoming arms to our troupe. Yet another award for the area has been made, rounding out the work week with 3 grants for performances in Louisville. Today's award, made by the Department of Public Health and Wellness in Louisville, Kentucky, as a part of the Mayor's Healthy Hometown Movement, brings our show total to 10 for the big city in the upcoming school year. Specifically, this new program features 5 obesity shows where children will not only learn about developing healthy lifelong habits, but each participating child will receive a pedometer, too. We think it's a great way to keep kids motivated to reach the small goals they set during our program.

Thanks, Louisville, we'll see you soon!

New Look in September

Today is a big win for the performance team here at KOB! Thanks to the great advisory council at the WHAS Crusade for Children, we're receiving a grant that funds a new backdrop for performances. Inspired by the Chattanooga troupe's setup, our new backdrop will feature a burst fabric display that proudly dons our logo at the top. And it doesn't stop there--the Crusade for Children is also funding a number of programs for us to educate the children in Louisville (and show off our new look, too)! So come September, we'll be ready to kick back performances back into high gear with our new backdrop.

Of course this would not have been possible without the generosity of the people of Kentuckiana who participated in this year's telethon, so a great big thanks to all of you!

Heading West

Get ready Muhlenberg County elementary schools, Kids on the Block will see you next school year! Thanks to a grant from the Felix E. Martin Jr. Foundation, our troupe will be performing in Bremen, Central City, Greenville, Longest, and South elementary schools starting in August. The $5,200 grant delivers 2 shows of the principal/guidance counselor's choosing to each school. Freedom to choose any topic from our catalog of 20+, makes this project highly customizable for these administrators. That's two shows to present to each elementary school however each administrator feels our services will suit his/her school's needs. Let me tell you, these principals were excited as I spoke with them on the phone prior to completing the grant. I can't wait to deliver the good news and schedule our shows!

Big Thanks To The Cralle Foundation

Get ready, Louisville, we'll see you again soon! Thanks to the Cralle Foundation, Kids on the Block will return for performances in 2011. The $5,735 grant will fund 10 performances for Louisville elementary schools. KOB offers over 20 topics for performance which includes the Bullies & School Safety program, a highly sought after program in Louisville and local schools alike.

Also, our tickets for Garden Tour have been printed, so expect them to show up at our seller locations: Schott Gardens, Warden & Co., Riley's Bakery, MacKenzie's, and Fern Runners! I'll be posting more information in the coming weeks before the big event on Saturday, June 19!

Kids Meet the “Fellowship of Achievers”

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Co-Director of the First Baptist Senior Adult Fellowship, Vivian Foe, takes the podium to introduce the day’s program.

She opens today’s program by introducing herself as a member of the Bowling Green Woman’s Club, the same one that brought Kids on the Block to Bowling Green by purchasing its first puppet. And here we are 25 years later!

While our typical audience usually consists of their grandchildren, the men and women of the S.A.F. Program laughed on right on cue with the puppets’ antics.

The full house delighted in the program and plan to help connect our organization with members in the community in need of our services.

As the end of the school year approaches, please remember that our troupe is still available to schedule programming for camps, clinics, libraries, etc. free-of-charge in the Bowling Green/Warren County area throughout the summer. Our programs are live and On Demand! Call the office at 842-2259 to schedule.

For those very observant readers, did you notice the presence of flowers in the pictures? Maybe Garden Tour fever is catching on…