Tuesday, October 30, 2007

North East Ohio Girl Scouts Applaud Center Staffer

We take great pride that many of our hard working staffers are involved in a variety of community causes and organizations outside the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. Girl Scouts of North East Ohio recently applauded the volunteer work of Center Education Program Specialist Bev Walborn with a 2007 Honor Pin. Walborn, a volunteer Senior Girl Scout Troop Leader within the award-winning Bay Village Service Unit #605, received the individual kudos as part of this year’s Adult Recognition Awards.
Calling Bev a “tremendous asset” to all girl scouts, the Council also praised her work at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center “developing and presenting badge programs that benefit Girl Scouts throughout Northeast Ohio.” Bev says she draws on her long-running service as troop Leader when she helps to lead or design a scout program for the Center. “I try to take my experience as a leader and blend that with what I do as an educator."
This is the second year in a row that Lake Erie Nature & Science Center staffers have won recognition from the Girl Scouts. In 2006, The Lake Erie Council recognized Education Program Coordinator Carole Lynn Stradtman, who is also a Girl Scout volunteer, with an Appreciation Pin. The scouts also presented a 2006 Community Appreciation Award to the Center, praising our expanded Girl Scout programming as a “priceless” resource.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Junior Naturalists Visit Dike 14

A group of our Junior Naturalists and their families got the chance to visit the wild and beautiful Dike 14 Nature Preserve on Cleveland's Lakefront over the weekend. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is part of the Dike 14 Environmental Education Collaborative that's developed some cool environmental education resources for children and families. The 88-acre preserve, which developed on a former dredge disposal site, is now home to a remarkable diversity of plants and animals. Your Lake Erie Nature & Science Center contact for more information about Dike 14 is Education Specialist, Bev Walborn, 440-871-2900 x 220. Click here and scroll down to find out more about Junior Naturalist classes for kids ages 10-13.

How to Spot Newly Brightened Comet Holmes

No doubt you have heard the buzz about Comet Holmes, the obscure comet that has surprised EVERYONE in the planetary astronomy community, including our own Schuele Planetarium Director, Jay Reynolds. This comet suddenly became a million times brighter last week, making it visible to the naked eye. Jay, who took the photos and created the sky chart posted here, says before Holmes brightened, it could not be seen even with a very large telescope.

Here are Jay's instructions for spotting Comet Holmes in the night sky over Northeast Ohio:
"At 9:00pm, Look to the North Eastern sky, you should see a bright star rising, that is NOT the comet, it is the star Capella. Directly above Capella, you may see another noticeable, less dim star, the comet will be in that area and appear as a fuzzy star. Grab ANY type of Binoculars and sweep in that area, you won't miss it."
You'll want to take advantage of the first clear night we get to get a look at Holmes. The comet could fade in a matter of days or stay bright for weeks! Astronomers have not yet discovered the reason this comet suddenly burst into high wattage on the sky scene. Stay tuned as the mystery of Comet Holmes unfolds!

Friday, October 26, 2007

StarLab Wows Students in Mansfield

When our planetarium staff isn't busy teaching inside the Schuele Planetarium, you can often find them on the road, bringing the night sky along with them through the magic of our inflatable StarLab planetarium. A recent trip to Mansfield drew the attention of the Mansfield News Journal. Reporter Lou Whitmire really caputured the essence of our staff's great interactive style of teaching. The story and Dave Polcyn's photo of Planetarium Director Jay Reynolds in the middle of a hands-on lesson about force and motion are posted at the Mansfield Journal's website.

Abused Red-Tailed Hawk Rehab

A Red-tailed Hawk that's rehabbing at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is featured in the news this week, a sad reminder that humans should not try to make pets out of wild animals. A concerned citizen found the bird, emaciated and with zip ties around its ankles, on a Cleveland street in late August.

Elyria Chronicle Telegram reporter Lisa Roberson and photographer Chuck Humel put together a great story for the daily paper's October 26 edition. You can read the article and see Chuck's photo on the Chronicle's website as well.
WKYC-TV sent videographer Tom Genevese to capture the transfer of the bird to our largest flight cage. The story and videotape are posted on the Channel 3 website.
If you didn't catch Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist Amy LeMonds' interview on WTAM-Radio, you can hear the entire interview and see a photo and story by News Director Darren Toms by going to the online home of NewsRadio 1100.
You can also look for a still photo by talented WestLife photographer Larry Bennett in the next edition of that weekly newspaper.
Before the hawk can be released, it will have to regrow damaged flight feathers, demonstrate that it can hunt and regain a healthy fear of humans. This bird faces long a rehab, but we're hopeful it can be returned to the wild where it belongs. Our Wildlife Rehabilitation Program takes in more than 1,400 injured or ill wild animals each year with the goal of returning them to the wild. We don't charge for our services, relying solely on the donations of caring animal lovers.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Center Board Member Returns From Africa

While Lake Erie Nature & Science Center specializes in Ohio wildlife, one of our board members recently took her passion for animals to a whole new level, traveling to Africa to volunteer at a Rhino sanctuary. You can read more about Rhonda Miller's adventure and check out pictures too at cleveland.com under the headline Bay Village Woman Returns From African Adventure.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Painted Turtle In Rehab



This Painted Turtle was hit by a car and brought to the center on October 19. The entire corner of its shell is cracked. In order to help the shell mend, I used epoxy to place cable tie mounts on the sides of the cracks and used zip ties to pull the shell together and hold it into place. The turtle is on pain medication and antibiotics. It will take months to heal, but I hope for a full recovery.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Steelhead Seminar Postponed - Go Tribe!

Since the only thing on many minds around Cleveland tonight will be the hope of reeling in the ALCS trophy, Ohio Sea Grant has rescheduled tonight's Steelhead Angling Seminar. The seminar, now set for Thursday, November 15, will cover the latest on Ohio's steelhead stocking program, steelhead biology and the ins and outs of flying fishing and spin fishing for steelhead. Kelly Riesen, Fisheries Extension Program Coordinator, (who is based at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center) is heading up the seminar that runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The $5/person admission fee benefits the Center. Reservations are necessary and seating is limited. Call Kelly at 440-808-5627 to reserve your spot. We hope to see all you baseball and fishing fans on November 15, following a World Series win by the Indians!

Check Out Our Wild New Wheels

Intense owl eyes and blazing comets adorn the eye-catching new 'ride' that will transport the Center's traveling wildlife and portable planetarium. Our new outreach mini-van is wrapped to reflect our nature, wildlife and planetarium programs. It arrived yesterday to the oohs and aahs of the staff. They previously relied on their own transportation to carry skunks and snakes and much more for our hands-on, educational outreach programs. Kudos to Patricia McRoberts who donated the beautiful wrap that puts the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center message on wheels. Check out our website for information about wildlife outreach or our traveling StarLab planetarium programs.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Fall Hayride In the Sun Spotlight

The smiling faces of happy families and volunteers at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center were featured in the October 11 edition of the West Shore Sun News. The newspaper printed a montage of photos from our October 5 Family Hayride Night for it's Hot Shots feature. If you missed the print edition, all the pics, plus additional photos are posted on the Sun News website. See anyone you know?
You can join the fun in person at our Halloween Hayride Night coming up Friday, October 26! Don't forget to wear a costume.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Halloween Hayride & Trick or Treat!

Now that it finally feels like fall, we're really looking forward to our October 26 Halloween Hayride Night. This is a great evening of fun for the entire family! Costumes are encouraged and your kids can trick-or-treat through our Wildlife Gardens. In addition to treats, you'll take home a Halloween-y craft and enjoy a hot chocolate after a pizza dinner. Hop on a hayride and take in a star show in the Schuele Planetarium. Relax by a crackling fireplace and catch up with friends or family. Join us for all the fun from 5:30 - 9 p.m., but register early! Space is limited and our October 5 Fall Hayride sold out this year. The cost is $15/adult; $10/child; members $10/adult; $5/child. (Another great discount for folks with a Center membership, which costs just $50 for a family!)

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Planetarium Cancellation

It's rare that the show does not go on in the Schuele Planetarium, but such is the case this week for two of our most popular star shows. Our Stellar Stars program will NOT be held on Wednesday, October 10 and Twinkle Tots has been cancelled on Thursday, October 11. After one day off for each program, the normal weekday schedule for both will resume next week. Hope to see you and your little ones under the stars soon!

Friday, October 5, 2007

Weekend Sky Watching Tips

Planetarium Director Jay Reynolds, who snapped the recent view of Venus (left) through a telescope, has a heads-up for all Northeast Ohio sky watchers this weekend. In addition to a cool celestial line-up of Venus, the crescent moon and Saturn, Jay says the Space Station will pass over us Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Friday's pass is the best chance to see what appears to be a very bright and fast-moving star. Here are the details from Jay:

Friday 8:18 p.m. - Starts 10 degrees in the West South West (fairly close to bright Jupiter), then will pass nearly directly above us at 8:21. This will be the BRIGHTEST object in the sky. Passing to the North East by 8:22.

Saturday 8:42 p.m. in the West, passing only a third of the way up the sky, as it heads to the North. Pass ends at 8:45.

Sunday 7:29 p.m. Starts 10 degrees in the West South West (fairly close to bright Jupiter), then will pass nearly directly above us at 7:32. This will be the BRIGHTEST object in the sky. Passing to the North East by 7:35. (This pass will be a duplicate of Friday's pass, only the times will be different.)

Venus is the REALLY bright star in the morning in the Eastern sky. Early Sunday morning, Venus, Our Crescent Moon & Saturn will line up in a row. CANT MISS IT. A great photographic opportunity!! Star looking due East about 5:00-5:30 a.m.


Happy sky watching!

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Volunteers Wanted!

Volunteers help the non-profit, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center thrive in so many ways from animal care to administrative work. How can you can get involved and support the Center?

  • We’re looking for someone with the creativity and skills to make reusable signs promoting our annual events, including Duck shaped signs for our annual Fun Fest & Duck Race.
  • An Internet savvy volunteer can help us by entering Center programs into online events databases from home.
  • We need someone to tidy up and organize the toys and books in our Critter Corner on a weekly basis.
  • We’re already thinking of next year’s annual benefit, looking for volunteers to serve on committees that will seek corporate underwriting and auction donations.
A host of other service opportunities exist. Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Julie Mistur, 440-871-2900, x215 to match your talents with our needs!

Give Twice:Nature & Science Gift Ideas

Okay, we know, it's three weeks until Halloween and already we're talking about holiday gifts. But, it's not to early to think about how you can avoid contributing to the collection of seldom used toys and gifts around the your home. In fact, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center has more than one way your gift dollars can do double duty… delighting the receiver and making a difference in the world. You can Adopt An Animal or make a donation in your loved one’s name; give a Center Gift Certificate good for a fun class, program or party; or present the gift of a Center Membership.

For the holidays, you can add great Logo T-shirts to your membership kit, animal adoption certificate, or gift certificate and we’ll bundle it all in a Center gift bag. You can also order T-shirts separately. For $10, Children’s 50% cotton tee’s come in bright orange or purple with a white screen-print Center logo on the front and “Discover the Universe In Your Backyard!” on the back. Adult, 100% cotton shirts have the Center’s tri-color logo embroidered on the front. Women’s sizes S-XL* come in pink, white and sky blue for $15. Men’s M-XL* are available in green, blue or white for $20. (*2x and up additional charge.)
Stop by the front desk to see samples and order your gift package today. Don’t delay! You need to place your order for T-shirts by November 15 to guarantee your size and color will be ready for pick-up by December 15. We’ll also take credit card orders over the phone at 440-871-2900.