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.

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.

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!)

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!

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!

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.