After a three-month multi-million dollar makeover, Crayola Experience in Easton, will reopen at 9:30 a.m. Friday with a 110th birthday party for the eight original crayons.

The popular tourist attraction now boasts 60,000 square feet of exhibit and has added 7 more exhibits to bring the total to 21, filling all four floors of the Two Rivers Landing. There is plenty that’s new, although some fan favorites - such making a design with melted crayon wax and drawing at an oversized crayon caddy - have been retained. Here we give you the scoop on what is new and what is returning, but with changes.

WHAT’S NEW

“Arts Alive” The I pad generation will love coloring and animating picture on one of 48 small computer screens and then having their designs appear on one of several large landscape images on the wall. Kids can interact with their design by moving their hands or body in front of the screen making the water ripple, plants part, clouds move and animals wiggle.

“Color Playground” The two-story play structure is sure to be popular. Parents can join their kids in the sturdy playground that features climbing areas, a tube slide, a net bridge and punching bags. Also kids can draw on the relocated Chalk Walk and color large white animal figures with dry erase markers.

“Crayon Clinic” On the fourth floor, kids can strip a crayon of its label in a special machine and then feed the crayon into another machine, similar to a glue gun, that melts it and drips the wax into a mold of their choice of a heart, a car, a bug, a figure of the Crayola character Tip or a crayon ring.

“Drip Art,” Also on the fourth floor is another interactive melted crayon activity. After stripping off the label of a crayon, children can place their crayon in a device that works like a spin art machine. The device spins and allows the wax to spatter a concentric design on a piece of paper.

“Puzzle It” Near the Color Playground, little artists can paint or draw a design on provided piece of cardboard and then use a row of hand-cranked puzzle cutters to turn the image into their choice of a 6 or 12-piece puzzle.

“Wrap It Up” This is one of three activities that require a $.50 token. Kids can pick their favorite color crayon and print a label with their own name and the date on it. They then can wrap the printed adhesive label around a crayon using a template.

“Marker Mania” Another activity that requires a token is the banks of machines that allow children tomake their own custom blended marker. Choose two different colors and then watch through a glass window as both colors are injected into the marker using the same technology used by Crayola.

“Café Crayola” Replacing the former McDonald’s on the first floor, the new café offers pizza hot dogs, macaroni and cheese and salads and has additional seating for 150 in a bright, sun-room-style dining area with the Big Blue crayon, the largest crayon in the world, as the centerpiece.

WHAT’S RETURNED BUT AMPED UP

“Crayola Factory” You can still learn how crayons and markers are made, but now the live “crayonologist” is joined by two interactive animated crayon characters Scarlet and Turk who help the explain the manufacturing process. Vintage Crayola commercials now play before and after the show.

“Doodle in the Dark” Returning is the popular drawing on glow boards with glow-in-the-dark markers. The activity has been combined with an interactive move screen featuring eight Crayola Tip characters that respond to, and mirror a visitor’s movements. Also featured is an interactive lighted floor.

“Toddler Town” The ball maze that once snaked along the ceiling has been redesigned to look like a giant crayon box with more levers so more children can affect the balls as they roll through the maze. In the same spot as before, the toddler area is now open with no walls, but has lots of seating for adults. Also for little ones is an oversized light peg board.

“Be A Star” Another popular returning activity, there are now three stations where kids can sit in front of a green screen and have their image printed on a coloring sheet featuring Crayola characters, a pirate ship and other rotating scenes.

“Meltdown” Remember how crowded it got in Meltdown? The activity has been moved to the melted crayon heaven of the fourth floor, where there are now five separate circular stations with eight melted crayon hues at each to accommodate more creative kids.

“Modeling Madness” Crayola’s Model Magic-making station hasn’t moved, but now there are self-service machines that accept tokens for packs of modeling compound, which now comes in an array of colors. Also available to buy with tokens, are packs of accessories such as jewelry or animal parts, to decorate creations.

“Water Works” The 75-foot-long water-filled model of a canal with working locks also is in the same location, but the walls have been removed to improve traffic flow. The gray canal boats have been replaced with primary-hued crayon-shaped boats and the canal backed with a mural of “Crayonopolis” complete with marker skyscrapers and crayon box buildings.

“Crayola Store” Relocated from the Alpha Building to the first floor, the store is refocused on offering unique items such as a two-pound replica of Big Blue; a choice of nearly 500,000 crayons along a 40 feet long wall and a station where a child’s photo or drawing can be transferred onto a t-shirt, puzzle or canvas.

Kathy.lauer@mcall.com

610-778-2235

The area dedicated to children’s entertainment will be along the Chew Street side of Ag Hall during the day Friday through Monday.

Friday will feature youth performers from the Allentown School District all day with a special appearance at 6:15 p.m. by Team Identity, three teens from Liberty High School who competed as finalists on Disney Channel’s “Make Your Mark: Shake It Up Dance Off.”

Radio Disney will present the interactive program “The Magic of Healthy Living” from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Other highlights Saturday include a “Playground Song” concert by Dave Fry at 3 p.m. and the Great Djembe Jam interactive drum circle at 1:30 p.m.

Sunday highlights include YogiDance at 10:30 a.m. at which kids can play games, hula hoop and do yoga; ballet performance by Repertory Dance Theater at 11:30 a.m. and hip hop by Born into the Arts at 4:30 p.m.

A special treat is Dave Fry’s “RockRoots: A History of American Pop Music” at 8 p.m. Saturday. In this program created for schools, Fry and his band take listeners on the history of American music through Delta blues, swing, Motown, rock, disco and world beat.

On Monday catch the zany ventriloquist act of Scott Wagstaff at noon and the old-time flair of the Banjo Man at 3 p.m.

All weekend kids can become a knight or princess with Middle-Earth Studios Interactive Children’s Theater or help paint the 80-foot-long mural created by artist Rosemary Geseck.

Weekend-long adult tickets are $5 at the gate or $4 in advance. Kids age 10 and under are

Two-time Olympic gold medal swimmer Cullen Jones will help kick off the festivities when the water park in South Whitehall Township opens at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Jones who won a gold medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics and a second gold and two silver medals last summer will talk to kids about the importance of being able to swim, and then host a question and answer session at 2 p.m. at the center stage in Dorney Park. Jones also is a spokesman for the USA Swimming Foundation's water safety initiative, Make a Splash, which encourages children to learn to swim.

Wildwater Kingdom features more than 3 dozen slides, pools, rivers and water play areas, including the 70-foot-tall Aquablast, one of the longest elevated water slides in the world and two wave pools with a total of more than 950,000 gallons of water.

Both Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom will be open daily through Sept. 2. Through the end of June, water park hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Also on Monday, Dorney Park will present a fireworks display at 9 p.m. in honor of Memorial Day.

Tickets are $49.99, gate; $39.99, online for anyone 48 inches or taller; $29.99, gate; $27.99, online for under 48 inches or over 62 years old. Kids under 3 are free. Info: www.dorneypark.com, 610-395-3724.

Kathy Lauer-Williams

Welcome the babies Saturday and Sunday and May 25 asnd 26 at Quiet Valley’s 25^th annual Farm Animal Frolic. You can also watch more chicks hatching in incubators and see the ducklings using the duck slide. The mother animals will also be on hand.

Other activities include puppets, storytelling and opportunities to play old fashioned games and jump in the hay. There will be sheep shearing all day on Saturday and spinners will turn the wool into yarn Saturday and May 25. Kathy Uhler from the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will give a show on local wildlife at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. May 25.

Explore the One Room Schoolhouse Sunday and May 26. Re-enactors will make homemade bread and cookies in the outdoor brick bake oven.

The event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8, adults; $5, ages 3-12. Info: www.quietvalley.org, 570-992-6161.

Val will join a troupe of performing Asian elephants in the center ring of the circus set up under its distinctive red and yellow striped big top.

Laugh at the crazy antics of the clowns, be amazed at the Fassion family from South America who do balancing feats on a thin pole and watch as the human cannonball Jose Bermudez is shot out of the world’s largest cannon.

Other highlights include a trio of aerialists who perform on a ring, by hair and with fabric strips; Vincenta Pages and her white Bengal tigers; a thrilling daredevil motorcycle act and the Tabares family who perform a high wire act in which they form a human tower.

Download and print a coupon for a free child's ticket for those age 12 and under here.

Shows are at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Tickets are $16 to $23.

Info: www.colebroscircus.com.

Children ages 5-12 can download a template from the LVHN website and draw their favorite thing about attending an IronPigs game. Mail  to Lehigh Valley Health Network, Cover Design Contest, Public Affairs, 2100 Mack Blvd., 5th Floor, Allentown, PA 18103. All entries must be received by May 31.

Entries will be scanned and posted on the LVHN Facebook page beginning June 10 where Facebook fans can vote for their favorite drawings through June 14.

The winning child will have his or her drawing appear on the cover of "Pork Illustrated" during a three-game home stand at Coca-Cola Park, Allentown. Aug. 14-16, and will be featured in a story inside the issue. The winning entry also will receive four free tickets to the Aug. 16 game and be involved in the ceremonial first pitch.

Last year's contest was won by 7-year-old Ty Bricker of Northampton.

LVHN also sponsors kid-friendly activities at Coca-Cola Park including a a health fair on June 11; “Kids Run the Bases” promotion that allow children to run the bases after every Sunday home game; mile markers around the park’s concourse that promote healthy exercise; and education days when school children learn life lessons, including health tips, through baseball.

Free family movies return to Steelstacks in June.

Families are invited to enjoy classic family movies under the stars during the free movie series presented by ArtsQuest at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, 789 E. First St.

The series kicks off with "Mary Poppins" Walt Disney's classic from 1964 starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke June 19. The film won five Oscars including Best Actress for Andrews.

 Shows start at 8 p.m. Families should bring blankets and lawn chairs to sit on. Free parking is available at the parking lots on First Street next to SteelStacks. Refreshments will be available at the Levitt Pavilion’s Mack Truck Stop.

The schedule is:

"Mary Poppins," June 19

"The Muppets," June 26

"Rise of the Guardians," July 3

"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," July 10

"Paranorman," July 17

"The Lion King," July 24

"The Band of Misfits," July 31

"An American Tail," Aug. 14

"Madagascar 3," Aug. 21

"Shrek,"  Aug. 28

The winners are Jasmine Heroux-Skirbst of Defranco Elementary School, Bangor and Kendall Heiney of Slatington Elementary School.

More than 300 children in first through fifth grades submitted a picture on the theme  “50 Years in American Space Flight" from across the state.

Entries were judged in two age divisions and there are 22 statewide winners, with one winner from each division selected from each of PennDOT’s 11 district offices.

Winners receive a certificate signed by PennDOT Secretary and a mounted, full-color, 16-by-20-inch copy of their entry. The students’ schools will also receive a mounted copy of the artwork for display.

Mothers get in for half price at Lehigh Valley Zoo Sunday. Moms and their kids can visit the newest babies at the zoo – an aoudad lamb, a bison calve and prairie dog pups – and hear a keeper talk about the aoudad family at noon, From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. mom can shop for a perennial such as coneflower or black-eyed Susan, or a colorful annual at the zoo’s annual plant sale (also Saturday). Also learn about the zoo’s penguins at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Jaindl Penguin Pavilion. There will be special Mother Day vendors, music by Kismet Band 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the dining terrace; and a visit from Radio Disney from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the farm in the zoo exhibit. Regular prices are $11.50: $10.50, seniors and $9:50, children age 2-11. Lehigh valley Zoo, 5150 Game Preserve Rd., Schnecksville. Info: www.lvzoo.org, 610-799-4171.

Take mom on a ride back in time along the scenic Delaware River. The Delaware River Railroad in Phillipsburg is giving all mothers a free ride Saturday and Sunday when accompanied by a ticketed rider. Enjoy an hour-plus train ride pulled by a 1950’s era diesel engine along the scenic Delaware River at 11 a.m., 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $16, adults and $8, children. For an additional $5, stop at the Ol’ Susquehanna gem stone mine and learn how to pan for real gem stones or mom can get $10 off a ride on the Warren County Winery Train which includes a tour and tasting at Villa Milagro Vineyards. Info: www.877trainride.com or 1-877-train-ride.

Bring Mom to the Sigal Museum to see the Easton museum’s newest exhibit of portraits by 19^th century Easton artist, Samuel Moon. All moms are admitted free from noon to 4 p.m. See prize-winning children’s artwork using marshmallow Peeps made by Just Born of Bethlehem in the Peeps Art Gallery Exhibit; handcrafted guitars of different designs from Martin Guitar of Nazareth in the music gallery; and other historical items from Northampton County including Pennsylvania German blanket chests and Victorian hair wreaths. Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton St., Easton. Admission is $7 and $5 for children age 3 to 12. Info: sigalmuseum.org, 610-253-1222.

Moms get in for half-price at Dorney Park on Sunday. Mothers just need to identify themselves at the gate of the South Whitehall Township park on Sunday and they will receive a ticket for $25. Season pass holders also can bring mom and up to three friends Sunday for $15.99 per ticket. Moms can get their photo taken with Snoopy from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will receive coupons and a gift at the Mother's Day tent in the Main Plaza. Dorney Park also is serving a Mother’s Day character brunch featuring Charlie Brown, Lucy and other members of the Peanuts gang. The menu includes grilled chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and more from noon to 2 p.m. Tickets are $49.99, gate; $39.99, online for anyone 48 inches or taller; $29.99, gate; $27.99, online for under 48 inches or over 62 years old. Kids under 3 are free. Info: www.dorneypark.com, 610-395-3724.

 The program, “Paper in Bloom” introduces children to the simple method of making paper from natural objects at the historic Smithy at Main and Church streets in Bethlehem.

Learn about the papermaking process using recycled paper, dried plant materials and flowers. Create your own paper that can be used for art projects such as collage, or simply as an artwork itself. Make paper batches and learn how to include color and other materials to add texture and interest.

The 1750 Smithy is a reconstructed blacksmith shop where visitors can watch blacksmiths making tools and other items out of wrought iron  using a forge, hammer and tongs. Stop in Thursday to Sunday to see smiths in action and sparks flying.

The Hunt for History Club meets the first Saturday of every month in Bethlehem for crafts, stories and games.

Upcoming programs are:

June 1: Hooked on History

July 6: Plein Air Painting

August 3: Sounds of Summer

September 7: Magnificent Marbleizing

October 5: Fall Fest

November 2: Picture This!

December7: Jingle Bells

Hunt for History events are free for children with adult admission to the museum of $7. Crafts and activities are best suited for ages 4-12.

Find future programs at www.historicbethlehem.org or call 610-691-6055.

Come and see the amazing antics of 25 rescue cats and dogs when Gregory Popovich's Comedy Pet Theater comes to the State Theatre in Easton Sunday.

The show which features comedy and world-championship juggling, along with the talents of 15 cats and 10 dogs all of whom have been rescued from animal shelters and trained.

You can support local no-kill shelter Sanctuary at Haafsville by bringing a donation of pet food and get a free children's ticket to the show.  The sanctuary also will have pets available for adoption from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Brown-Daub Gallery. The adoption is open to the public.  

Popovich, who has appeared on "The Tonight Show," "Letterman," and "America's Got Talent,"  and is a winner of many international circus competitions, will showcase the talents of his performing pets as they demonstrate their skills in a variety of stunts and skits.

The family-friendly show also includes European-style clowns and world-class juggling and balancing acts. 

Show times are at 1 and 4 p.m. Tickets are $20, adults and $10, children age 10 and under. Free tickets for food donation are limited to one per food item and two per family. The discount is only available at the box office, 453 Northampton St., or by phone at 610-252-3132.

Info: www.statetheatre.org.

Watch the young students demonstrate their ballroom dancing skills while enjoying a meal from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday March 30 at Sangria restaurant, 840 W. Hamilton St., Allentown. The restaurant will donate 20% of the cost of patrons’ meals to the ASD Ballroom Dance Program. Reservations are recommended by calling 610-432-3280. 

The prorgam which started this year is inspired by “Mad Hot Ballroom,” the heart-warming 2005 film that followed a group of New York City students who learn ballroom dancing and compete in a citywide competition.

More than 80 middle school students participate in Allentown’s after-school ballroom dancing program where they learn the waltz, salsa, merengue, tango and swing. Students from each of the four middle schools will compete in the district’s first ballroom dance competition May 9 at Allen High School.

“Ballroom dancing is an art form that focuses on discipline, trust and respect for your partner,” says Irene Blough, a Trexler Middle School teacher and the coordinator of the dance program. “Our first competition will just be for our students, but our hope is to host an annual ballroom dance competition for middle schools throughout the Lehigh Valley.”

Residents of Lehigh, Berks, Monroe, Carbon or Northampton counties can present identification at the ticket booth and get up to 4 half-price tickets for $25 each.

There aren’t any new rides at the South Whitehall Township Park, but you can enjoy the Stinger, a suspended boomerang coaster with three inversions that opened last year, and Dinosaurs Alive!, a 3-acre dinosaur park that features dinosaurs in seven naturalistic scenes. Admission to Dinosaurs Alive! costs $5 extra.

Philadelphia-based chain Chickie's & Pete's has opened a restaurant and bar in the former Game Day Grille. The restaurant, known for its Crabfries, has had two popular food stands at the park since 2011.

New entertainment is planned for later this year when a show by All Wheel Sports, a finalist on the seventh season of “America's Got Talent,” replaces the Snoopy-themed ice skating shows that have been at the park’s Good Time Theatre since 2009.

The show will be part of the park's Summer Nights of Celebration which kicks off June 29 and will include extended park hours and nightly fireworks.

Dorney Park is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through May 24. Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom opens May 25.

Tickets are $49.99, gate; $39.99, online for anyone 48 inches or taller; $29.99, gate; $27.99, online for under 48 inches or over 62 years old. Kids under three are free. Info: www.dorneypark.com, 610-395-3724.

 A: Any parent's behavior -- positive or negative -- will serve as a model for their own child or other children, says the Help for Families panel.

In this case, the father making rude comments and yelling at the umpire is showing inappropriate behavior for his son and other kids, says panelist Rochelle Freedman.

Also if you are telling him his behavior makes you uncomfortable and he is ignoring it, he is sending a message to your son that he is not concerned about what you are saying, adds panelist Bill Vogler.

He should try to stop the behavior out of respect for you, agreed Freedman.

Vogler says he is concerned that your husband may be over-involved in your child's success in sports.

"Parents forget that what a child does on the playing field is about the child and not about the parent," Vogler says. "Living vicariously through your son is not healthy."

You ask how to get through to him, but he seems "stuck," says panelist Michael Daniels.

"What is happening outside of you and him?" asks Daniels. "Is your son upset? Is the umpire calling him out? Are there natural and obvious responses to his behavior? If it is causing distress for your son, it's got to be dealt with."

Perhaps you could enlist another dad who is a friend with your husband to talk to him, suggests panelist Denise Continenza. Try to have a discussion about toning it down, Vogler says.

When you talk to him about this, lead with that he is a good father, Daniels says.

"Ask him, 'Are there ways to help you be calmer, because when you yell I'm concerned about the effect it has on our son,' " Vogler says. "Frame it around how it affects the child. Maybe you could ask questions about the game and try to understand it better. But don't have your son talk to him about it."

He might just need to be ejected from the game to realize he is crossing the line, Continenza says.

Also if he feels he has valid concerns, he can get involved in the league.

"Little leagues have committee meetings and if he's dissatisfied he should talk to the committee," Daniels says.

A: There is no such thing as too sensitive, says the Help for Families panel.

"Everyone has their own level of sensitivity and that's where she is," panelist Michael Daniels says.

This age is a prime time for social challenges, especially for girls, says panelist Joanne Nigito-Raftas. "Your daughter probably isn't seeing things that aren't there," she says. "There are kids who are very mean. She needs to learn how to handle things that come up emotionally."

One of the problems when a child is picked on is they often become "hyper-vigilant," and perceive more things as a threat, panelist Bill Vogler says. "It can be hard for parents to sort out," he says.

It becomes a vicious cycle, agrees Nigito-Raftas. Your daughter reacts and the other kids see her react.

"It can be very challenging," she says. "You don't want to put judgment on the child. It's a no-win for her. But she needs to own her part in it. She may not understand emotional intelligence, but part of it is that we have to take responsibility for our feelings."

She needs to improve her coping skills, Nigito-Raftas says. But with all her history, it may be difficult to just fix in the hallway. Talk to the school guidance counselor and see if there are any social skills groups she could join.

Pick one friend and get her and your daughter together in a comfortable atmosphere.

"Make it a planning project between you and her," Daniels says. "Ask her what she is going to do with her friend and help her create a positive experience. Consider an activity that is physically engaging."

Consider therapy or biofeedback to help her learn how to calm herself down, Vogler says. She can learn to control her body reactions.

Focus on listening to her and being present when she is talking about what is happening, Daniels says.

Identify her strengths, the panel says.

"If a parent can help a child to become confident and good at something, that can be a real confidence builder," Vogler says. "Find something she likes and work at cultivating confidence in that."

You may have to gently push her.

"When children have a low self-esteem, they won't take risks and try new things," Nigito-Raftas says. "Start with small things, and spend time with the child doing one on one things with her. That's why play therapy works, because you are developing a good relationship and giving them a good foundation."

Look into something involving animals, she adds. Kids get a lot of positive reinforcement out of working with animals.

A: There is no such thing as too sensitive, says the Help for Families panel.

"Everyone has their own level of sensitivity and that's where she is," panelist Michael Daniels says.

This age is a prime time for social challenges, especially for girls, says panelist Joanne Nigito-Raftas. "Your daughter probably isn't seeing things that aren't there," she says. "There are kids who are very mean. She needs to learn how to handle things that come up emotionally."

One of the problems when a child is picked on is they often become "hyper-vigilant," and perceive more things as a threat, panelist Bill Vogler says. "It can be hard for parents to sort out," he says.

It becomes a vicious cycle, agrees Nigito-Raftas. Your daughter reacts and the other kids see her react.

"It can be very challenging," she says. "You don't want to put judgment on the child. It's a no-win for her. But she needs to own her part in it. She may not understand emotional intelligence, but part of it is that we have to take responsibility for our feelings."

She needs to improve her coping skills, Nigito-Raftas says. But with all her history, it may be difficult to just fix in the hallway. Talk to the school guidance counselor and see if there are any social skills groups she could join.

Pick one friend and get her and your daughter together in a comfortable atmosphere.

"Make it a planning project between you and her," Daniels says. "Ask her what she is going to do with her friend and help her create a positive experience. Consider an activity that is physically engaging."

Consider therapy or biofeedback to help her learn how to calm herself down, Vogler says. She can learn to control her body reactions.

Focus on listening to her and being present when she is talking about what is happening, Daniels says.

Identify her strengths, the panel says.

"If a parent can help a child to become confident and good at something, that can be a real confidence builder," Vogler says. "Find something she likes and work at cultivating confidence in that."

You may have to gently push her.

"When children have a low self-esteem, they won't take risks and try new things," Nigito-Raftas says. "Start with small things, and spend time with the child doing one on one things with her. That's why play therapy works, because you are developing a good relationship and giving them a good foundation."

Look into something involving animals, she adds. Kids get a lot of positive reinforcement out of working with animals.

A: Your daughter already knows on some level that the arguing isn't good for your granddaughter, the Help for Families panel says. That's why she brings her to your house.

"She doesn't need research to know there are negative effects," panelist Bill Vogler says. "Her own daughter is evidence enough."

No one calls this abuse, but it sounds like it could be verbal abuse, says panelist Ellen Mooney.

"But it sounds like your daughter is not at a point where she is willing to do intervention," she says.

If she gets mad when you talk to her about it, you need to change how you talk to her, Mooney adds. Give her options so she feels she has choices.

"Listen," says Vogler. "Let her talk. Your daughter need support from you right now."

You are getting caught up in your fear for your granddaughter and your desire to parent your daughter, but it is pushing her away, says panelist Michael Daniels. It may be less confrontational to let her know you are worried about your granddaughter.

Labeling it abuse can be both informative and a road block, Vogler says.

"This couple need help dealing with conflicts," he says. "Everybody would be better off if they didn't have screaming matches."

"You can help her get there," adds panelist Joanne Nigito-Raftas. "Label it stress; everyone can relate to stress. Help her see that she needs to make a changes for the child's sake."

Even when you take the child away, she still has that environment in her head, Nigito-Raftas says.

"Look at the larger picture," she says. "Your granddaughter always carries a level of fear inside."

When young children are exposed to a stressful environment, it changes the chemistry in their brain, she says. If the level of anxiety is not corrected, it changes who they are.

"Her 3-year-old brain is being marinated in adrenalin," Vogler agree. "The longer it is steeped in stress, the harder it is to rewire. It could cause irreversible brain change."

Your daughter may be ready for couples counseling to improve communication, says Vogler.

"There is hope," he says. "Couples can learn to interact differently and solve conflict more constructively. It's a learned skill."

If at any point you feel there could be domestic violence, seek help.

About 25 children will join the orchestra at the front of Miller Symphony Hall at the orchestra's Create a Symphony Family Concert at 2 p.m. May 5 and play handmade instruments they have constructed for the concerto.

Flower pot chimes, bottle xylophones, milk carton violins, cereal box cellos, coffee can bongos, comb kazoos and panpipes are among the instrument students can make and bring to the concert.

All children attending are invited to make instruments, bring them and play along with the final piece.

For information on building your own instruments go to the orchestra website and download instructions from pages 17-22 of the ASO Educational Manual.

Also see the video below, in which maestro Diane Wittry demonstrates how the piece was composed, and in which she introduces some of the homemade instruments.

Anyone with a child interested in being a student leader for the concert, contact Destinee Deely at 610-432-6715 ext. 203 or at ddeely@allentownsymphony.org.

The concert also will teach children about the four families of instruments through music by  Bach, Bizet, Mozart, and more.

Brass family is represented by Mouret's "Rondeau," percussion by Fucik's "March of the Gladiators," woodwinds by Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" and string by Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik."

Other pieces include Ravel's "Bolero," and "The Typewriter" by Anderson. Three pieces will be accompanied by orchestra members on homemade instruments including homemade castanets on "Habanera" from "Carmen" by Bizet;  tuned bottles on Bach's "Air from Orchestral Suite No. 3," and hose-a-phone on  "Concerto for Horn No. 1, Rondo" by Mozart.

The concert will conclude with the debut of "Concerto for Homemade Instruments," composed by Wittry.

Children also are invited to attend the Musical Circus at 12:30, free with concert ticket.

Tickets are $10, children and $20, adults.

Info: www.allentownsymphony.org or 610-432-6715.

Seven local YMCAs are among the 2,000 Ys taking part in the free program Saturday to kick-start healthier behaviors now and throughout the summer.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Allentown YMCA & YWCA, kids can learn about avoiding germs and controlling weight from the Children’s Hospital at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

The hospital’s infection control and prevention team will let kids try the GlitterBug, which teaches proper hand-washing technique to avoid illnesses. Apply a nontoxic lotion that glows under a black light to represent “germs,” and then wash your hands and put them under the light again to see how well you did and if any “germs” remain.

At noon, Dr. Kimberly Brown of the hospital’s children’s clinic will talk about childhood obesity and how to help kids maintain a healthy weight.

Radio Disney will bring its Magic of Healthy Living program, focusing on nutritious eating and physical activity, with interactive entertainment and prizes from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

From noon to 4 p.m. the Family YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg & Vicinity, will present active play and educational activities, including a story time with Easton Library; Easton Fire Company demonstrations; visit by mascots; face painting and crafts. Children will be able to try zumba; karate; gymnastics, rookie rugby; basketball; soccer; yoga; an obstacle course and tennis.

From noon to 3 p.m. the Bethlehem YMCA will feature activities to engage families in physical activity. Do all of the activates and fill out your passport of play to win prizes including IronPigs’ tickets. There also will be a tot fun jump, run & row; the Bethlehem Fire Department will have fire trucks and its educational smoke house, and there will be appearances by Ferrous from the Iron Pigs, the Moravian College basketball team and Steel Hawks football players.

Other Area Y’s participating include Catasauqua, Nazareth, Stroudsburg and Upper Bucks.

Hosted by Ju-Ju Monkey, a Schnecksville-based cloth diaper and natural baby care web-store, the baby-changing party is part of an international cloth diaper changing event taking place two days before Earth Day to bring attention to the billions of disposable diapers that are discarded in landfills. In its third year, The Great Cloth Diaper Change event will attempt to break last year’s Guinness World Record of 8,251 cloth diapers changed around the world at one time.

Sara Moore of Ju Ju Monkey, says 66 Lehigh Valley families have signed up to be part of the event at 11 a.m. at Schnecksville zoo. In addition to the Great Cloth Diaper Change, there will also be various booths and other family-friendly activities.

This year the event has registered more than 225 sites in 12 countries including Australia, Canada, Spain, Finland, Great Britain, Iceland and Mexico.

Moore says modern cloth diapers are "not our grandmother’s diapers."

"Modern cloth diapers are easy and save families serious amounts of money," she says.
She says cloth diapering does not have to “all-or-nothing” and she encourages families to use cloth diapers when it works for them.

"Anytime someone uses a cloth diaper there is one less disposable going into a landfill," she says. "We are here to support and teach every family that chooses to try cloth diapering."

To take part in The Great Cloth Diaper Change go to gcdclehighvalley.weebly.com/. The Great Cloth Diaper Change can also be followed on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GreatClothDiaperChange, and on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ClothRecord.

If you're a high school junior or senior who loves to sings, enter "Raise Your Voice" high school vocal scholarship competition for a chance to win prizes and a cash scholarship.

The top senior will win a $250 scholarship and the top junior will win a $100 scholarship in the contest presented by Star of the Day Event Productions. Plus the singers will be judged by experts in the field of music, theater, film and TV, including Stan Dunn, retired opera vocalist with the MET in New York City and owner of the Singing Actors Studio in New Jersey; Andrea Kramer, owner of Ballet Forte and Wings Conservatory, play write, and performing artist and Doug Shapiro, a New York-based actor who did voices for Disney's "Finding Nemo" and has performed on Broadway.

vocal range and personality

Also include your full name, email address, phone number and address in the body of the e-mail. The deadline for entries is Friday April 19. Singers must be available from 6 to 9 p.m. May 31 for a rehearsal and 6 to 9 p.m. June 7.

This is the second year for the compeitition. Shown are last years' winners, Ryan Skerchak, senior vocal champion and Vanessa Ruggiero, junior vocal champion.

“Mad Hot Ballroom,” the heart-warming 2005 film that followed a group of students who learn ballroom dancing and compete in a citywide competition, will screen at 7:30 p.m. April 24 at Civic Theatre’s 514 Theatre, at 514 N. 19th Street. Tickets are $10. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Allentown School District’s Mad Hot Ballroom Dance Competition on May 9.

At 7:15 p.m, there will be a dance performance by the some of the student dancers.

More than 80 middle school students participate in Allentown’s after-school ballroom dancing program where they learn the waltz, salsa, merengue, tango and swing. Students from each of the four middle schools will compete in the district’s first ballroom dance competition May 9 at Allen High School.

“Ballroom dancing is an art form that focuses on discipline, trust and respect for your partner,” says Irene Blough, a Trexler Middle School teacher and the coordinator of the dance program. “Our first competition will just be for our students, but our hope is to host an annual ballroom dance competition for middle schools throughout the Lehigh Valley.”

"Mad Hot Ballroom" is  by director Marilyn Agrelo and writer/producer Amy Sewell about a ballroom dance program in the New York City public school system.  In the film, Agrelo and Sewell show the New York City public school system's ballroom dance program for fifth graders.

Based on an article written by Sewell, the film follows eleven-year-old New York City public school kids who journey into the world of ballroom dancing and reveal pieces of themselves along the way. Told from the students' perspectives, the PG  film shows the kids as they prepare for a citywide competition.

The seventh annual free event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. kicks off with a parade that will features the Liberty High School Bagpipers; Bethlehem’s mounted police and Broughal Middle School band.

Visit one of more than 22 reading stations that are manned by high school and college students and community volunteers at Loopers and Northampton Community College’s Fowler Family Southside site.

At Looper's, enjoy readings by local children's authors, food, music, crafts, face-painting, sports demonstrations, photos with more than a dozen local mascots and free books from Cops 'n' Kids. Children also can explore a police car and fire engine, build with Legos, do a science experiment or plant a seed.

Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent Joseph Roy, Northampton County Sheriff Randy Miller, Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, Bethlehem Police Commissioner Jason Schiffer and other community volunteers will cook and serve free hot dogs and drinks.

A new science and health venue at Fowler Center will include exhibits by Air Products, Moravian College, Parkland, St. Luke’s and PPL.

A local author will read every half hour in an author's tent at Looper's starting at 11 a.m. The lineup includes Josh Berk, “Strike Three, You're Dead;” Troy Hein, “Jay at Play” series; Elisa Rusnock, “Ever-Clever Elisa;” Paul Acampora, “Rachel Spinelli Punched Me in the Face;” Bud Cole, “The Mystery of Little Bear;” Dennis Scholl, “Tales of the Towpath,” and Lori Spohn, “How Letty Lemur Learned To Love Her Eyeglasses.”

There are two main stages where entertainment will abound -- Looper's at 313 E. Third St. and the fourth floor of Northampton Community College Fowler Family Southside Center at 511 E. Third Street.

Bethlehem schools and children's groups will provide entertainment at stages at both sites, from a string ensemble of Holy Infancy School students to a karate school demonstration. There will be plenty of jazz by several school ensembles, dancing and performances from school musical theater productions.

"When you wish upon a song" will be presented in two high energy family shows Saturday at the Creamery On Main in Emmaus.

Enjoy an ice cream cone or one of the Creamery's trademark burgers as you listen to songs including "Be our Guest" from "Beauty and the Beast," "A Whole New World" from "Aladdin," "Hakuna Matata" from "The Lion King," "Part of Your World" from "The Little Mermaid" and "A Spoonful of Sugar" from "Mary Poppins," among many more.

The performers are Kristie Hartz, Jonas Bloomfield, Peter Sikalias and Kirsten Rani Almeida, who had the joint jumping in an oldies show "Shake Rattle and Roll," at the Creamery in January.

Tickets are $8 adults and $5 children under age 12. Food is sold separately.

There are two seatings at 4:30 and 6 p.m.

To make a reservation, go to www.facebook.com/events/555531921132878/

or www.staroftheday.org.

The Creamery is at 332 Main ST. in Emmaus.

An ensemble of 85 students will re-create the underwater kingdom of King Triton and the palace of Prince Eric, as mermaid Ariel dreams of discovering what wonders are to be found above the water.

The show, based on Disney’s classic film and the recent Broadway production, will be presented Thursday through Saturday on Civic Theatre of Allentown's 19th Street Theatre stage.

The stage will be filled with colorful fish, sea creatures and other characters from the popular story about the mermaid who has to defy her father, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl he’s looking for without the use of her voice.

The show features popular songs including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” “Part of Your World,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and “Les Poissons.”

Ariel is played by Jacki Bristel; Flounder is played by Hannah Whitson; Sebastian is played by Jack Ligenza and Prince Eric is played by Hugo Mukkulainen.

Other principlas are Lauren Boyd as Ursula; Dylan Gombos as Scuttle; Rhys Williams as Chef Louis; Alec Mozeko as King Triton; Autumn Colalillo and Steania Schoen as Flotsam and Jetsam; Dawson Budick as  Grimsby; Gavin Ronald as Pilot; Rachel Knappenberger as Carlotta and Marina Furst as Sea Horse.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students and children.

Performances are at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Info: 610-432-0888, www.civictheatre.com