What better way to celebrate Presidents' Day, Monday, February 15, than with a visit from Abraham Lincoln? The Concord Museum is pleased to once again host Steve Wood and his amazing performance as Abraham Lincoln. Matching Lincoln's height and beard, Wood bears enough of a resemblance to our 16th president to make heads turn. His first-person historical interpretation, "A Visit with Abraham Lincoln," includes stories of his early life, campaign debates, the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation. The performance closes with a stirring reading of the Gettysburg Address. 1:00-2:00; recommended for all ages; $10 adult/$5 child; by reservation only (978) 369-9763. Visit www.concordmuseum.org for more information.

The following programs for children will be held at the Concord Public library in February:

• Blast Off! for Space Stories
  Special K: Stories & activities for Kindergarten students. Make a Space Diorama. February 2nd at 4pm.
• Let's Play: Fun with Toys & Games
  Special K: Stories & activities for Kindergarten students. Make a Sock puppet. February 16th at 4pm.
• BookEaters: A Book Talking Club for Third Graders
  The theme is "Let's Explore Fantasy Fiction" and participants will make their own fantasy character from clay. February 17th at 4pm.
• 101 Dalmatians
  February Vacation Family Film. Rated G, 79 minutes. Feb. 19th at 2pm

Shamrock Ball tickets will be on sale at the Concord Recreation Department starting Monday January 25th at 8:30 a.m. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Hunt Gym or by phone at 978-369-6460. This is the 9th annual semi formal St. Patrick's Day dance for girl's grades 2-6 and their adult guests. Flyers will be available in each home room classroom by Monday. This event does sell out. Limited tickets available.

"Guiding Good Choices" with Kathy Bowen, Certified Life Empowerment Coach & Former Concord Public Schools Health Education Coordinator
"Social pressures! How will my child respond???" This 4-part workshop will help you learn about the teen culture and ways to foster healthy family dynamics and steer your kids into making responsible decisions. This is a research-based program that has been effective and well-received by parents. Please register now to secure your place! Choose from either:
Morning Session: 9:30-11:00AM, Feb. 9, 23, March 9, 23 (snow date, 3/30).
Evening Session: 7:30-9:00PM, April 13, 27, May 11, 25. Location: Ripley Building.
Fee: $65-80 sliding scale. (Your full payment helps others who can only pay part.) Pre-registration required.
Contact Angela at the Center for Parents and Teachers: amartinez@colonial.net or 978-202-1143 to pre-register.

Get your child a headstart on the 2010 baseball season at the Line Drive Baseball Winter Clinic! The clinic will be run by Middlesex School and Concord Post 158 Head Coach John Morrissey and will be held from 9:00 am-12:00 pm on February 16-19 in the Middlesex School gymnasium. The clinic will focus on the fundamentals associated with hitting, throwing, fielding, pitching, and baserunning. For more information or to register your child, please contact John at jmorrissey@mxschool.edu.

Donate your gently used children's and household items for a neighbor in need! On January 30th from 9am-1pm at First Parish in Concord, volunteers will be ready to receive your donations of household goods or children items. All donations will go directly to Cradles to Crayons and HGRM to be redistributed to families in the Greater Boston Area. For more information or a list of accepted items, please contact Abby White at: abbygwhite@comcast.net.

Milldam Nursery School hosts its annual children's concert featuring John Fitzsimmons to raise funds for its enrichment programs. Saturday January 30 at 10 am in the Thoreau Elementary School Auditorium. Tickets ($10) are available at The Concord Bookshop or at the door. For more information, visit the Milldam Nursery School website at www.milldamnurseryschool.org.

The 29th Annual Summer Opportunities Fair will be held Monday, February 1, 2010, from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. (snow date is February 2) in the CCHS cafeteria. Over 90 exhibitors will be present to display information on wilderness adventures, educational and enrichment opportunities, foreign language and student exchange programs and volunteer opportunities, as well as traditional, sports and special-needs camps. This event is sponsored by the Concord-Carlisle High School Parents' Association. For more information, click here.

Dr. Michael Thompson, author, national and international lecturer, will speak on, "The Pressured Child," Thursday, February 4 at 7PM at the Concord Carlisle High School. Free and no registration is required. To learn more about this specific topic, please visit www.michaelthompsonphd.com/workshops.htm. Question? Contact Angela at amartinez@colonial.net or 978-202-1143.

The Life in the Balance public forum series continues. Powering the Future, Part 2, is "Our Community and Tomorrow's Energy," a speaker forum on Friday, February 5, 7-9 p.m., which will build on themes framed in The Great Squeeze, the documentary film shown January 22nd. The forum, at the Harvey Wheeler Community Center, will feature guest speakers discussing community-level solutions to energy challenges. Attendees may also participate in group sessions to discuss the issues and local responses. Snow date is Sunday, February 7. For more information click here, visit lwvcc.com/lifeinthebalance.html, email Green_Initiatives@lwvcc.com or call 978-369-3842.