Spring 2009 Newsletter

UB Neighborhood and Family Development Project UBNFDP Spring Newsletter

E ARTH D AY 2009 BY BRENDA LUDWIG

Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, marks the anniver- to a world stage. One result was a huge increase in sary of the birth of the modern environmental move- world wide recycling. With people everywhere be- UBNFDP ment. On this day in 1970, over 20 million Americans, coming more and more aware of the environment. In 206 Park Hall participated in protests and organized coast-to-coast 2000, the issues of global warming and a need for University at Buffalo rallies in streets, parks, and auditoriums to demon- clean energy were brought into the spotlight. For the Buffalo, NY 14260-4110 strate for a healthy and sustainable environment. Earth Day millennium, a combined 5,000 environ- Phone: (716) 645-0177

These events would not have been possible without mental groups from around the world and hundreds of the dedication of Denis Hayes, the national coordina- millions of people in 184 countries joined in the tor, and his staff. The first Earth Day prompted the movement. creation of the Environmental Protection Agency There are many ways that you can do your part too. A (EPA) and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, green home is one that uses less water, en- and Endangered Species Acts. ergy, and natural resources than the average Denis Hayes’ involvement in the envi- home. As a family, you could sit down and ronmental movement grew as he or- talk about the amount of energy used in your ganized a global Earth Day campaign house. Little efforts such as creating a com- in 1990 under the direction of a group post pile, turning the faucet off while you of environmental leaders. For the first brush your teeth, or recycling your cans, global Earth Day celebration, Hayes paper, and plastic are simple ways you can mobilized 200 million people in 141 Inside this issue: (Continued on page 6) countries, lifting the status of environmental issues on

Earth Day Recipes 2 GOING GREEN! Spring Events in WNY 3 A Recycling Guide

Spring Movie Releases 4 DID YOU KNOW… as much water, and sends dirty water into storm Currently, in the United States, about 26% of drains, lakes, and ponds. the waste generated is recycled or composted, 8% RECYCLING MEANS… Jokes and Riddles 4 is burned at incinerators, and the remaining 66% Taking materials from products you’ve finished is disposed of in landfills. using and making new products from them. The average American throws away 61 pounds Using less money, less energy, and less of the Craft Corner 5 of aluminum cans a year. Earth’s resources to make new things. Recycling 1 glass bottle saves enough energy to Less pollution and cleaner air and water. light a 100 watt light bulb for 4 hours. RECYCLING STARTS…WITH YOU!!! Puzzles 5 A car wash uses only 30 gal. of water to clean a By separating recyclable materials from your car, and is then filtered to clean more cars; trash. (Helpful tip: use different labeled contain- Answers for Puzzles, whereas cleaning your car at home uses 5 times 6 ers for your paper/cardboard (Continued on page 2) Jokes and Riddles

“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” ~Rachel Carson (Recycling guide continued from page 1) Helping your parent grocery shop and buying foods in bulk, or with minimal packaging. plastic, tin/aluminum, etc. to make separating easier!) Using cloth or reusable bags to bring home REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WASTE YOU your groceries. PRODUCE BY... Repairing, rather than replacing broken items. Turning off the water when brushing your teeth. Donating old/unused clothes, toys, and house- Taking short showers, not baths. hold items to shelters, churches, and organiza- Making book covers using old newspaper or paper tions, instead of throwing them away. grocery bags (and as an added bonus you can decorate them yourself!) Fun Websites: Donating old books and magazines to friends or the www.knpb.org/kidsgo/discover/resources.asp local library. www.Pbskids.org/eekoworld/ Using old newspaper to wash windows, glass surfaces, or mir- rors, instead of expensive paper towel. www.tealdragon.net/recycle/index.htm

E ASY E ARTH D AY R ECIPES FROM CRAFTS . KABOOSE . COM

YUMMY DIRT CUPS 2. Fill cups about 3/4 full with pudding mixture. Top each cup Ingredients with the rest of the crushed cookies. Add gummy worms and 2 cups milk insects to decorate. Put cups into the refrigerator for about one 1 package (4oz) JELL-O Instant pudding (chocolate ) hour to chill them-- and enjoy! 3 ½ cups (8oz) Cool whip whipped topping 1 pack (16 oz) chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos) crushed Gummy worms or insects

Cooking Instructions 1. Pour the milk into the mixing bowl and add the pudding mix. Beat with the wire whisk until well blended (about two minutes). Let pudding stand for five minutes. Stir whipped topping and 1/2 of the crushed cookies into the pudding (very gently) with rubber scraper until mixture is all the same color. Place about 1 table- spoon of the remaining crushed cookies into the bottom of each cup.

MUDPIE COOKIES keep stirring the mixture the whole time it cooks so that it Ingredients won't burn. 3. The adult needs to take the mixture off of the stove and mix 2 cups sugar the rest of the ingredients with the cooked part of the recipe. 2 Tbs cocoa 4. Then the mixture needs to be dipped, by spoonfuls, on to the ½ cup milk waxed paper and allowed to cool. ½ cup butter

½ cup peanut butter 2 cups oatmeal 1 tsp vanilla flavoring

Cooking Instructions 1. Mix the sugar and the cocoa together in a bowl. 2. Stir in the milk. Have an adult put the mixture in a pot, add the butter, and put it on the stove to cook. It needs to come to a full boil and cook that way for two minutes. The adult should

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E NJOY E VERYTHING T HAT S PRING HAS TO O FFER Bunny Hop Earth Day Expedition Ape-ril Event (Sat. April 11th 11:00am-1:30pm). (Sat. April 18th 11-4pm). (April 25, 2009). Hop on over to The Southgate Plaza Bunny Celebrate the natural world at Hawk Creek Meet the gorillas, and learn what makes each Hop and bring the whole family for a fun Wild Life Center. Enjoy the flying bird one of them unique! The day's activities filled afternoon of carousel rides, trolley show and marvel at the 70 wildlife ambassa- include keeper talks, enrichment and crafts. rides with Mother Goose, and an exciting dors. For more information check out web Since recycling cell phones benefits gorillas visit from Hawk Creek Wildlife. Kids can page at www.hawkcreek.org in the Congo by decreasing the demand for ―clown‖ around with Punkin, Kasper, Mr. 655 Luther Road, East Aurora 14052 coltan mining, each visitor who donates an No and Piccadilly the clown and enjoy the 716-652-8646 old cell phone will receive $1 discount off silly stilt walker. Children can get their pic- regular Zoo admission per phone. ture taken with the Easter Bunny for only Dyngus Day Parade $5.00 (with proceeds benefiting the Our (April 13th, 5pm). Wings of Spring Lady of Victory Infant Home). Children will One of the greatest ethnic spectaculars and (May 9, 2009). receive a FREE coloring book, crayons, and Don't miss this International Migratory Bird displays of Polish Pride in America! The a tasty chocolate bunny while supplies last. celebration! Learn more about the birds liv- Southgate Plaza, Seneca Street & Union annual Dyngus Day Buffalo Parade begins at ing at the Buffalo Zoo, as well as migratory Road, West Seneca 14224 5pm at the Broadway Market and makes its birds and the history and significance of www.southgateplaza.com (716) 674-5050. way through the streets of the city's Historic migration. Informational tables, keeper talks, Polonia District. Marchers will pass numer- crafts and activities will be taking place Tifft Nature Preserve Cleanup ous Official Festival Halls including the throughout the Zoo's Gazebo Lawn area. (April 19 @ 10:00 a.m.). Adam Mickiewicz Library and St. Stanislaus The event runs 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Spend an afternoon outdoors helping with a and is free with Zoo admission. Church before concluding at the magnificent spring clean-up of the preserve and help re- capture the natural beauty of the Tifft on Sat. Buffalo Central Terminal. Bear Awareness Day 4/19 @ 10am. Light refreshments will be (May 23, 2009). served. Buffalo Zoo Visit the Buffalo Zoo and learn about the Tifft Nature Preserve, 1200 Fuhrmann Blvd, Throughout the year, the Buffalo Zoo offers continued efforts at raising public awareness Buffalo, 14203. Call 825-6397 for more guests fascinating animal exhibits, naturalis- about bears and how their habitats are af- information and to register. tic wildlife habitats, beautiful garden areas fected by global climate change. Highlights and several unique areas in which to enjoy include informational tables, crafts, keeper Buffalo and Erie County Naval and an environment that is full of fun, adventure talks and enrichment for the animals. The Military Park and history. The Buffalo Zoo is open daily event runs 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and is (Open seven days a week, 10:00am to rain or shine! The gates are open 10:00am – free with Zoo admission. 5:00pm, April - October). 4:00pm. Admission prices child(2-14). $6, The largest inland park of its kind, it is situ- student $7, adult $9.50, seniors (63+) $7 ated conveniently on Buffalo’s downtown plus an additional parking fee of $3.25 a car. For more events in Western New York waterfront. All branches of the Armed Below are three special events coming up at Forces are represented in the park’s exhibits. the Zoo this spring. For more information on check the website: Visitors are invited to tour the decks and these events and more please call http://www.beenews.com/wnyevents/ hulls of a guided missile cruiser, destroyer (716) 837. 3900 or check out and WWII submarine. Adults $8.00, Seniors http://www.buffalozoo.org/. The zoo is (60+) $5.00, Children (6-16) $5.00. located at 300 Parkside Avenue Buffalo, NY One Naval Park Cove Buffalo, NY 14202, 14214. www.buffalonavalpark.org/, (716) 847-1773.

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K i d ’s C o r n e r

W HATS N EW A T T HE M OVIES T HIS S PRING 2 0 0 9 :

EARTH the Atlantic and Al Capone’s rap sheet and (Earth Day, April 22, 2009 in theaters) mug shot to Dorothy’s ruby red slippers and MPAA Rating: G Archie Bunker’s lounge chair. The first film in the Disneynature series, Earth,

tells the remarkable story of three animal fami- Up in Disney Digital 3-D lies and their amazing journeys across the (May 29, 2009 in theaters) RIDDLES planet we all call home. Earth combines rare MPAA Rating: G action, unimaginable scale and impossible lo- In this comedy adventure, 78-year-old balloon Q. You throw away the outside and cations by captur- salesman Carl Fredricksen finally fulfills his cook the inside. Then you eat the ing the most inti- lifelong dream of a great adventure when he outside and throw away the inside. mate moments of ties thousands of balloons to his house and What did you eat? our planet’s wildest flies away to the wilds of South America. But, and most elusive he discovers all too late that his biggest night- Q. What can run but never walks, creatures. mare has stowed away on the trip--an overly optimistic nine-year-old Wilderness Explorer has a mouth but never talks, has a Hannah Montana named Russell. head but never weeps, has a bed but the Movie never sleeps? (April 10, 2009 in Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs theaters) (July 1, 2009, in theaters) MPAA Rating: G MAPP Rating: G Miley Stewart The sub-zero heroes from the worldwide (Miley Cyrus) blockbusters ―Ice Age‖ and ―Ice Age: The struggles to juggle school, friends and her se- Meldown‖ are back, on an incredible adven- cret popstar persona; when Hannah Montana’s ture...for the ages. Scrat is still trying to nab soaring popularity threatens to take over her the ever-elusive nut (while, maybe, finding life—she just might let it. So her father takes true love); Manny and Ellie await the birth of the teen home to Crowley Corners, Tenn., for a their mini-mammoth, Sid the sloth gets into dose of reality, kicking off an adventure filled trouble when he creates his own makeshift with the kind of fun, laughter and romance family by hijacking some dinosaur eggs; and even Hannah Montana couldn’t imagine. Diego the saber-toothed tiger wonders if he’s growing too ―soft‖ hanging with his pals. On a Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smith- mission to rescue the hapless Sid, the gang JOKES sonian ventures into a mysterious underground world, (May 22, 2009 in theaters) Q. 1 What did one ocean say to the where they have some close encounters with other? MPAA Rating: PG It's a new "Night" and "Museum" for Ben dinosaurs, battle flora and fauna run amuck – Q. 2 What's green and loud? Stiller, who is joined by several other stars and meet a relentless, one-eyed, dino-hunting from the original film, as well as new charac- weasel named Buck. Q. 3 Why couldn't the flower ride ters from history. The centerpiece of the film his bike? Reviews found at: will be bringing to life the Smithsonian Institu- http://www.themovieinsider.com Q 4 What is the one word a dog tion, which houses the world’s largest museum http://kidstvmovies.about.com can say? complex with more than 136 million items in its collections, ranging from the plane Amelia *Answers on page 6* Earhart flew on her nonstop solo flight across

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K i d ’s C o r n e r Make Your Own Earth Day Tin Can Plant Pots from Kaboose.com What you'll need: 3. Cut construction paper to needed size to cover outside of Empty aluminum can can. . Screwdriver and hammer 4. Color construction paper with markers and attach to can Markers with glue. Let dry. Flower stickers (optional) 5. Place enough rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can to Construction paper form a single layer. Craft or popsicle stick 6. Add enough potting soil to fill the can two-thirds full. Thin cardboard Remove potted herb from its container and transplant into Black Sharpie marker the can. Or drop seeds into soil. 5-10 small rocks, stones or 7. Fill edges with remaining potting soil, gently pat down so pebbles that plant is firmly in the can but not compacted so much that 1.5 cups Potting soil it’s too tight. 4-inch potted herb or flower 8. Place can on a plate (to catch any water drainage) and add plant or seed packet some water to the newly planted herbs. Glue 9. Color craft stick whatever color you like. Water 10. Cut a piece of thin cardboard into a small rectangle How to make it: (about 1.5 x 3 inches) using pinking shears. 1. Completely wash and dry aluminum can. If necessary, 11. Glue the rectangle to the top of the craft stick. sand off any rough edges from opening of can. A 4-inch pot- 12. Use a black Sharpie marker to write the herb/plant name ted plant will be enough to make 2-3 vegetable sized cans onto the rectangle. (15 oz) or one larger tomato sauce type can (28 oz). 13. Insert your plant marker into the soil, being careful not to 2. Turn can upside down. Parent should use screwdriver or crush any roots along the way. other pointed object to poke holes in the bottom of the can. 14. Place your new garden in a sunny window and remember Use a hammer to tap the end of the screwdriver to make the to water them! holes.

SUDOKU PUZZLE EARTH DAY WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 5 *Answers to all puzzles are on page 6* UB Neighborhood and Family Development Project

UBNFDP 206 Park Hall “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, University at Buffalo we borrow it from our children." Buffalo, NY 14260-4110 Phone: (716) 645-0177 ~Native American Proverb E-mail: [email protected]

(Earth Day 2009 continued from page 1)

help our environment stay healthy. Answers March 28th at 8:30pm is the next world wide Earth Hour. In 2007 Answers to 2.2 million people and last year 50 million people from more then Riddles To Jokes 35 countries switched off their lights for one hour in their homes or businesses. The project’s goal is to show people how much energy 1. An Ear of Corn 1. Nothing, they just waved. is used in their homes during that one hour. So for one hour turn off

your lights, television, radios, and electronics, build a fire in the 2. A River 2. A froghorn. fireplace and as a family, play a board game by candlelight. Another great family activity you can do this Earth Day is the Earth 3. Because he lost his petals!

Day Family Weekend at the Buffalo Museum of Science Tifft Na- 4. BARK! ture Preserve. On Saturday April 18th from 10:00am—2:00pm the focus will be on cleaning up the preserve so bring work gloves. Re- freshments will be served and the event is free. On Sunday April 19th from 10:00am– 2:00pm, Tifft Nature Preserve will be holding a program that will include environmentally friendly information, tours, workshops, refreshments, and activities. Again this event is free to the public. Tifft Nature Preserve is located at 1200 Fuhrmann Boulevard, Buffalo, N.Y. 14203 For more information call 716.869.5200 ext. 338 or check out the website: http://www.sciencebuff.org/tifft_nature_preserve.php

SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTION EARTH DAY WORD SCRAMBLE SOLUTION Tasrh ……………………… Trash

Thear………………………...Earth

Ccylere……………………….Recycle

Leanc…………………………Clean

Ducree………………………..Reduce

Ppare………………………….Paper

Ncsa…………………………..Cans

Urees………………………….Reuse

On behalf of the entire UB Neighborhood and Family Development Project team, please

Page 6 have a safe and enjoyable Spring!!!