Reading to dogs at Oshkosh Public Library improves literacy skills

Jan. 29, 2013 – Man’s best friend can be a child’s best bet for learning to read better with the Oshkosh Public Library’s Read to a Dog program.

Read to a Dog pairs children with trained reading/therapy dogs to improve literacy skills. Sessions are available by appointment at 236-5208. Registration is required. The program is open to children of all ages. The current session runs through April 15.

According to Sandy Joseph, Oshkosh Public Library children’s librarian, reading to a dog is a fun and effective way for children who struggle with reading to build both skills and confidence.

“Children who are nervous and self-conscious about reading aloud often feel very comfortable reading to a dog,” she explains. “It boosts the child’s confidence, they forget about their limitations, and their reading skills improve.”

The dogs in the program are trained through the Reading Education Assistance Dogs program, a division of Intermountain Therapy Animals.

Read to a Dog is held in 20-minute blocks from 4 to 5:40 p.m. on Monday nights in the library’s lower level meeting room. Register at the Children’s Desk or call 236-5208.

Don’t miss these other programs for children at the Oshkosh Public Library:

Winter Wonderland Storytime: Stories, songs and activities for children of all ages on Mondays at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sessions run through Feb. 25. No registration necessary. 

Pajama-Rama Storytime: A family storytime for all ages at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Cozy Book Corner. Stuffed animals, pajamas, and blankets are welcome (but not required). Sessions available through Feb. 26. No registration necessary.

Dr. Seuss's Birthday Open House & Film Festival: Drop by Sat., March 2, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., for Dr. Seuss books and films, birthday cake, prizes, birthday card signing and a fun craft.

Find more information about library programs for children and families at www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

Supporting Military Kids at Oshkosh Public Library

Area military families with preschool children have a new set of resources at the Oshkosh Public Library designed to help them face the challenges of deployment, stay connected with loved ones who serve and relieve stress during times of tremendous change and uncertainty.

The program, Wisconsin Public Television Supports Military Kids, is a partnership of Wisconsin Operation Military Kids (4-H), the University of Wisconsin Extension, Wisconsin Library Association and Wisconsin Public Television. Through this program, OPL and other Wisconsin libraries received $500 to purchase books, DVDs and other items that address important issues such as staying connected with family members stationed far from home, expressing feelings, coping with deployments and homecomings and dealing with grief.

The collection of books at the Oshkosh Public Library includes titles such as H is for Honor, The Feelings Book and I Miss You Every Day. In addition to the books and DVDs available at the library, families can visit FamiliesNearAndFar.org, a free bilingual social networking web site designed to help bring military families closer together. Using this site, children and families can:

• Create profiles, art, photos or video and messages that can be accessed by loved ones far from home.
• Find information and activities to ease stress and handle changes before, during and after deployment.
• Link to other resources that provide support and assistance to military families. 

The special collection for military families is available in the lower level Children’s Department at the Oshkosh Public Library. For more information about resources, programs and events for children and families, call 236-5208 or visit www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

Oshkosh Area Humane Society offering "Animals & Art" event this Saturday

Animals & Art

Saturday. January 26, 2013
Oshkosh Area Humane Society
4-8 p.m.

Got those winter blues? Sick of the cold and yuck weather? Join us for a great event featuring local artists, handmade crafts, locally made collars, leashes, original artwork, jewelry, pet memorials and so much more!

Food offered by Kangaroostaurant!
Wine, beer and snacks!

Oshkosh Area Humane Society
1925 Shelter Court
Oshkosh
 
See you there!

Oshkosh Public Library offers winter reading program for adults & teens

Readers who are fishing for a good story and like earning rewards just for reeling in a good book can join the Oshkosh Public Library’s 2013 winter reading program for teens and adults. The program runs from Jan. 14 to Feb. 24.

It’s a “read three, get one free” proposition: Participants who read three books and write a brief review for each can choose a free book from the library’s prize case. Audio books and eBooks are included. Register and turn in your entries at the library’s 2nd floor Reference Desk or at www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

Not sure what to read? Here are some suggestions for starting your search:

•             Check out the Lucky Day collection in the library’s front entryway – stocked with bestsellers and other titles in high demand.

•             Browse through the New Books displays on 1st floor.

•             Head up to 2nd floor for novels by your favorite authors and special collections of mysteries, westerns, science fiction and inspirational fiction.

•             Check out the large selection of books on CD on first floor.

•             Download eBooks and eAudiobooks at www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

•             Visit the “New arrivals” section under Readers Connect at www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

•             Explore the non-fiction collection on 2nd floor to find books on any topic imaginable – from finance to photography, technology to travel, gardening to golf.

Teens: Visit the OurSpace area to find popular fiction, paperbacks, graphic novels and favorite series.

For more information about the Oshkosh Public Library winter reading program call 236-5205.

Write-in candidates for Common Council: Lazy, careless, opportunistic, all of the above, or something else?

Each year around this time, it’s the same thing. People have approximately one month to announce their candidacy for local elected office; then get the required number of signatures in order to get their name on the ballot. And each year it’s the same thing where someone takes out nomination papers for an office, but fails to return them on time. This year is a little different.

There are three seats open on the Oshkosh Common Council (besides that of mayor) and only two people submitted the paperwork and signatures required to get their name on the ballot: Incumbents Tom Pech, Jr. and Deb Allison-Aasby. Good for them. They did what they were supposed to do. But here’s this year’s twist.

Because there remains one open seat, we now have two Johnny-come-latelys – Brian Poeschl and Don Binder – who originally took out papers, didn’t fulfill the requirements for getting on the ballot and now seem to be opportunistic - hoping to slide into a seat somewhat by default. So that they can campaign and accept donations, Poeschl and Binder have both officially registered as write-in candidates for the Common Council. And unfair as it seems, it stands to reason that with an open seat, one of them will gain a position on the Council.

Poeschl explained to me that there was a problem with the signature pages collected by a friend of his and when the error was called to his attention, he tried to reach the person but couldn’t do so in time to correct the errors in the hour or so remaining before the 5pm deadline. Those pages of signatures were disallowed, leaving him with less than the 200 signatures he needed. He said he had the same problem with the papers he circulated for himself, but at least he was able to correct those errors in time. Why did Mr. Poeschl not look over his paperwork before going down to City Hall? And why did he wait until the last day to file the paperwork? Having run for office in the past, he certainly knows how the forms are supposed to be filled out. And he knows if there are signature problems, those signatures get tossed. The papers are relatively easy to understand and if there are any questions, the city and county clerks and their staffs are very helpful in explaining things. What Mr. Binder’s excuse is for his failure to meet the requirements for getting on the ballot, I do not know. I’m also not sure it’s all that important to me at this point.

I wonder if other people were running for this Council seat we would see these two registered write-in candidates. I suspect not. There may be a good reason to run as a write-in candidate, though I cannot think of one right off-hand. In this particular case, it just seems these two men either weren’t careful enough to properly do the paperwork; or not motivated or interested enough to get the paperwork returned on time; and now seeing an open, uncontested seat, are trying for a quick grab. Seems like the careless, or lazy man’s approach to me and I’m just not sure I can accept that in someone who wants to be responsible for millions of dollars in taxpayer money. One good thing about their tardiness: They won’t be on the ballot. I would also hope that they won’t be rewarded by being asked to participate in candidate forums, etc. Those are things that should be reserved for the people who filled out the paperwork properly and got it submitted in time.  If you want to have the job, you should do the work, and do it properly, to get the job; not rely on opportunism.

Oshkosh Seniors Center Open House

The Oshkosh Seniors Center will be hosting an Open House tomorrow, Tuesday, January 8, 3 – 6 pm. Come learn about OSC programs, activities, services, fitness, and rentals. The community is welcome to attend. We hope to see you!

Julie Kiefer

Fund Developer

Oshkosh Seniors Center

200 North Campbell Road

Oshkosh, WI 54902

920-232-5319

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Jolly Jester Children's Theater performance set

The Oshkosh Recreation Department and the Jolly Jester Children’s Theatre present, “Adventures of the Fearsome Pirate Frank”, a zany musical romp that will shiver your timbers!

“Adventures of the Fearsome Pirate Frank”directed by Tracie Schlaak will be presented on January 25 at 7:00PM, January 26 at 2:00 and 7:00PM and January 27 at 2:00PM at the Alberta Kimball Auditorium. Tickets for all performances are available at the ORD office, 425 Division Street and at the door on the day of the performance. Ticket prices are $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for students and senior citizens. Adult ticket price may be reduced to $3.00 with a donation of a non-perishable canned food item to be provided to a local food pantry.

There are 96 OASD students participating in this production in grades K-8.

 

For more information, contact the Recreation Department at 424-0150.