New England Mamas

Lifetime TV's "The Pregnancy Pact". A teachable moment?

Lifetime, a network I normally avoid like the plague, except that now they are the home of Project Runway and I loves me some Tim Gunn and the Drama with a capital D that happens on that show, premiered their "original" movie, The Pregnancy Pact, on Saturday.  "Original" is in quotes because it's loosely based on the real story of 17 teenage girls from Gloucester High School who allegedly made their own pregnancy pact in 2008, so exactly how does that make it original?  And I say "loosely based" because the truth of an actual pact has been debated and denied by those involved. 

Anyway.

What's Happening this Weekend - Indoor and Outdoor fun!

The Friends of Ipswich Elementary Schools (FRIES) - Doyon Chapter and Boston's Chinese Folk Art Workshop are teaming up to welcome the Year 4708, the Year of the Tiger, with a performance of a variety of traditional Chinese folk arts such as Dragon Dance, Lion Dance, Taiwanese Drums, Chinese yoyo and Folk Dance at the Ipswich Performing Arts Center on Saturday, January 23, 2010.  Performance starts at 3:00 p.m.  Work out some of those winter blues and try out some of the dances, instruments, and folk arts with the performers at the conclusion of the event. 

Tickets are $8.00 each and will not be available at the door. Tickets can be purchased online.   

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Feeling outdoorsy?  Snowshoeing for Families at Mass Audubon Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester, Sunday, January 24 from 1:30pm - 3:30pm.  They’ll teach you how to use snowshoes before heading out onto the trails and then teach you how to look for signs of wildlife as you enjoy the beauty of the sanctuary in winter! Registration is required.

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More of the indoor type?  Visit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art this weekend.  Spend the day  with the family and take in exhibits like “Golden Legacy: Original Art From 65 Years of Golden Books”. 

What's happening this weekend - Massachusetts

Our regular feature, What's Happening this Weekend, is highlighting Massachusetts events this week.  Enjoy!

Central Mass:
Whether you’re a full-fledged farmer, a wanna-be hobbyist organic gardener or somewhere in between you’ll want to check out NOFA*/Mass annual winter conference “Food from Farms to Families” at Worcester Technical High School in Worcester, MA this Saturday, January 16, from 9 am to 5:30 pm.   

Over 40 workshops (including ones specifically for teens) on organic farming, gardening, landscaping, and sustainable living, as well as exhibits to check out, and even a children’s program (for kids 3 and up) that runs during workshops times.  You won’t have to worry if there’s something for you at the NOFA/Mass annual winter conference, you’ll have to worry about narrowing down your choices!  A must attend for anyone interested in healthy eating, an organic lifestyle and supporting local farms.

Western Mass:
For fans of art and fans of children's book illustrations - The 20th Annual Children's Illustration Show at R. Michelson Galleries in Northhampton, MA (ongoing until Jan. 31, 2010).  Featuring the work of acclaimed artists such as Dr. Seuss, Mo Willems, Maurice Sendak, Eric Carle, and Tomie DePaola.  Open Monday through Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 12-5pm. And the best part about it is, it's free! 

Eastern Mass:
For the little ones who love to dance and sing and let's face it, the adults too - Ben Rudnick and Friends at the Center for Arts in Natick on Saturday, January 16 at 11am.  Adults are $9 and kids are $6.  Love to jam?  You'll love iParenting and Parent's Choice award-winner Ben Rudnick.  He's groovy.

[image credit - BenRudnick.com]

*Northeast Organic Farming Association