February Calendar of Events

Transcription

1 February Calendar of Events February Event Groundhog Day February 2nd 2, 9, 16, 23 Tales of the Maya Skies 5, 19 friendable Social Club 10 People First Meeting 13, 27 Sensory Friendly Film 27 African American History Fair Don t forget to check out the activities on pages 5 & 6 for some extra furry pawsitive reading and movies at the library!! Groundhog Day originates from an ancient celebration of the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox the day right in the middle of astronomical winter. According to superstition, sunny skies that day signify a stormy and cold second half of winter while cloudy skies indicate the arrival of warm weather. So every February 2, thousands gather at Gobbler s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to await the spring forecast from a special groundhog known as Punxsutawney Phil. Phil the groundhog will emerge from his simulated tree trunk home and look for his shadow, which will help him make his much-anticipated forecast. According to legend, if Phil sees his shadow the United States is in store for six more weeks of winter weather. But, if Phil doesn t see his shadow, the country should expect warmer temperatures and the arrival of an early spring. Therapeutic Recreation Don t forget to check out all of the Therapeutic Recreation Programs being offered at your area recreation centers. For a program listing, please contact your local recreation center. (VA Bch) jbsmith@cityofchesapeake.net Valentine s Day February 14th Valentine's Day, also known as Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is observed on February 14th each year in many countries around the world, and is a festival of romantic love where many people give cards, candy, letters, flowers or presents to their loved ones. President s Day February 15th Presidents Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called Washington s Birthday by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22 Washington s actual day of birth the holiday became popularly known as Presidents Day after it was moved as part of 1971 s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present. For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

2 Did You Know This About the Month of February? The birthstone for February is the Amethyst. Two zodiac signs for February are Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) and Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20) February has 29 days in leap years, when the number is divisible by four. In common years the month has 28 days. THIS YEAR IS A LEAP YEAR!! Viola and the Primrose are the birth flowers. Black History Month, which began in 1926, is celebrated in Canada and the United States. February starts on the same day of the week as both March and November in common years, and August in leap years. February 2nd, Groundhog Day On February 6, 1933, Amendment 20 to the U.S. was proclaimed which moved the Inauguration Day to January 20th. In February 1910, the Boy Scouts of American was incorporated. On February 6, 1899, the U.S. Senate ratified the peace treaty that led to the end of the Spanish- American War. On February 6, 1952, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. February 12th, Abraham Lincoln s Birthday February 14th, Frederick Douglass Birthday February 14th, Valentine s Day February 22nd, George Washington s Birthday For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

3 Tales of the Maya Skies The Planetarium (at Plaza Middle School) 3080 S. Lynnhaven Rd Virginia Beach, VA Tuesday, February 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd 7:00pm $3.00 per person Tales of the Maya Skies is a digital full-dome show that immerses the audience in Mayan astronomy, art and culture through a custom score and visuals. Produced by Chabot Space & Science Center, Tales of the Maya Skies inspires and educates through its description of the Maya's accurate astronomical achievements and how astronomy connected them to the Universe. The program is accompanied by an extensive Educator's Guide. For more information or reservations, please call or Chuck at charlesf.dibbs@vbschools.com Larkspur Middle School 4696 Princess Anne Rd. Virginia Beach, VA Friday, February 5th & 19th 6:00pm - 8:00pm $2.00 per person friendable Social Club The friendable Social Club is a safe environment for adults with disabilities to socialize with their peers. There will be a DJ providing music to dance and sing to. There will also be board games for those who want a quieter way to socialize. Snacks are available for purchase for $. 75 an item. For more information please contact: Joann Mancuso at : For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

4 Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd. Virginia Beach, VA Wednesday, February 10th 5:30pm - 7:00pm In the Libris Room People First Meeting People First is an organization that promotes the self-advocacy of adult persons with developmental disabilities. For more information regarding this organization, please contact Robert Webb at: AMC Sensory Friendly Films Presents - Zoolander 2 AMC Lynnhaven Lynnhaven Mall Loop Virginia Beach, VA Saturday, February 13th & 27th 10:00am (Tickets are $6.37 each) They re back...and they brought a star-studded cast with them! Models Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and Hansel (Owen Wilson) must stop a conspiracy to kill the world's most beautiful people. Sooo...Get Up, Dance, Walk, Shout or Sing...enjoy the movie like you never have before! For more information regarding this event, please contact AMC at: For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

5 African American History Month Cultural Fair Morgan Memorial Library 443. W. Washington St Suffolk, VA Saturday, February 27th 11:00am - 2:00pm (Free & Open to the Public) Explore the history and culture with the Suffolk Public Library as they celebrate African American History Month. Come join in the activities and unique performances lined up to entertain and educate kids and adults of all ages. For more information regarding this event, please call: or Pawsitive Reading at VB Libraries Virginia Beach Public Libraries* Year Round Dates & Times Varies per Library Calling all children in grades K - 5, bring your favorite books and come on out and practice your reading skills by sharing some of your favorite stories with our certified therapy dogs. Improve your reading skills while making a new friend with Pawsitive Reading at the Virginia Beach Public Libraries. For more information regarding Pawsitive Reading, please call: Online registration is required and begins 2 weeks prior to the start date of the program. *Select libraries. Please call for locations, dates and times. For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

6 Movies at the VB Libraries Virginia Beach Public Libraries* Year Round Showings!! Dates & Times Varies per Library Did you know that the Virginia Beach City Public Libraries show movies in the library?!? No...well now you do, so come warm up and enjoy a movie at one of the local Virginia Beach Public libraries! For more information regarding Movies at the Library, please call: * Select libraries. Please call for locations, dates and times. Welcome to the Developmental Services Division 297 Independence Blvd., Pembroke 6, Ste. 218 Virginia Beach, VA Phone: / Fax: MISSION STATEMENT Plans, develops, and implements services for Virginia Beach residents with intellectual disabilities and their families through the provision of person centered services designed to provide opportunities to individuals who have intellectual disabilities to become self-directing and contributing members of our community; support families living with family member with intellectual disabilities; provide early intervention when developmental delays are identified in young children; and, promote the value of persons with intellectual disabilities living and working in the community. For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

7 Chocolate Covered Strawberries 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped 1 pint fresh strawberries with leaves 1. In a microwave-safe bowl, or in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, cook chocolate until melted. Stir occasionally until chocolate is smooth. 2. Holding berries by the stem, dip each one in molten chocolate, about three-quarters of the way to the stem. Place, stem side down, on wire rack and chill in refrigerator until hardened. Serve Chilled and Enjoy! Milk Chocolate Bundt Cake 7 ounces milk chocolate candy bar or morsels 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup chocolate syrup 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 4 eggs 1 cup LACTAID chocolate milk 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and lightly flour a 10-inch Bundt pan. Set aside. 2. Melt chocolate with chocolate syrup in a small saucepan over low heat. Set aside. 3. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time. Mix well after each addition. Add vanilla and chocolate mixture. Mix well. 4. Add flour, salt and baking soda. Mix well. Add LACTAID Chocolate Milk and stir until well blended. 5. Pour batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 60 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. 6. Remove cake from oven and cool on a wire rack for 15 to 20 minutes. Invert pan to place cake on a serving platter and cool completely. Dust with powered sugar as a garnish, if desired. Serve and Enjoy! For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

8 Romantic Lemon Cheesecake Pancakes 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 2 teaspoons butter, melted-divided 2 eggs, beaten Confectioners sugar for dusting 5 teaspoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar 1/2 lemon, cut into wedges 1. Beat the cream cheese together with the eggs in a bowl until the mixture is almost smooth. 2. Stir in the flour, sugar, and 1 teaspoon of melted butter to make a batter. 3. Heat remaining 1 teaspoon of butter on a griddle or in a heavy frying pan over medium heat. 4. Drop the batter onto the griddle in silver dollar-sized dollops; cook until lightly golden brown, about 3 minutes. Turn the pancakes over and cook an additional 2 minutes. 5. To serve, sprinkle with confectioners sugar and drizzle with lemon juice. Serve with lemon wedges. Serve and Enjoy! Creamy Pesto Shrimp 1 pound linguine pasta 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup butter 1/3 cup pesto 2 cups heavy cream 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper deveined 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguine pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain. 2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in cream, and season with pepper. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly. 3. Stir in Parmesan cheese into cream sauce, stirring until thoroughly mixed. Blend in the pesto, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until thickened. 4. Stir in the shrimp, and cook until they turn pink, about 5 minutes. Serve Over Hot Linguine and Enjoy! For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

9 Caramels 2 cups white sugar 1 pint heavy whipping cream 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 cup butter 1 cup corn syrup 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup evaporated milk 1. Grease a 12x15 inch pan 2. In a medium-sized pot, combine white sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, evaporated milk, whipping cream and butter. Monitor the heat of the mixture with a candy thermometer while stirring. When the thermometer reaches 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) remove the pot from the heat. 3. Stir in vanilla. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan and let the mixture cool completely. When cooled, cut the caramel into small squares. Wrap extra in wax paper for storage. Serve and Enjoy! Kickin Collard Greens 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon pepper 3 slices bacon 3 cups chicken broth 1 large onion, chopped 1 pinch red pepper flakes 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 pound fresh collard greens, cut 1 teaspoon salt into 2-inch pieces 1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add bacon, and cook until crisp. Remove back from pan, crumble and return to the pan. Add onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, and cook until just fragrant. Add collard greens, and fry until they start to wilt. 2. Pour in chicken broth, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until greens are tender. Serve and Enjoy! For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

10 Fresh Strawberry Upside Down Cake 2 cups crushed fresh strawberries 3 cups miniature marshmallows 1 (6) ounce package strawberry flavored Jell-O mix 1 (18) ounce package yellow cake mix, prepared as directed on package 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 2. Spread crushed strawberries on the bottom on a 9x13 inch baking pan. Evenly sprinkle strawberries with the dry gelatin powder, and top with mini marshmallows. 3. Prepare the cake mix as directed on the package, and pour on top of the marshmallows. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 to 50 minutes. Cook in the pan for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the pan to loosen the sides, and turn the cake out onto a serving tray. Store cake in refrigerator. Serve Cool and Enjoy! Southern-Style Buttermilk Fried Chicken 2 cups buttermilk 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 5 cups vegetable oil for frying 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces 1. Whisk together buttermilk, mustard, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a bowl and pour into a re-sealable plastic bag. Add the chicken pieces, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 8 hours. 2. When you are ready to cook the chicken, combine the flour, baking powder, garlic powder and onion powder in another plastic bag. Shake the mix thoroughly. Transfer one marinated chicken piece at a time into the dry flour mixture and shake well to ensure complete coverage. After all the chicken pieces have been coated, repeat the process by dipping them in the buttermilk marinade and shaking in the dry coating again. 3. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, making sure not to burn the oil. When oil is hot, fry chicken in batches until golden brown and juices run clear, turning chicken to brown evenly. Serve and Enjoy! For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

11 ARROW BOW CANDY CARD CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE CUPID FAMILY FEBRUARY FLOWERS FOURTEENTH FRIENDS GIFT HEART HUG KISS LETTER LOVE MAILBOX NECKLACE PARTY PINK RED RING ROSES SMILE SURPRISE TEDDY BEAR VALENTINE WHITE For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

12 Instructions: Trace the path through the maze. Help get the rose to your Sweetheart for Valen- Happy President s Day For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

13 For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

14 For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at:

15 February 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday When the weather outside is frightful, grab a book and cuddle up with a furry therapy dog for some Pawsitive Reading at one of the Virginia Beach Public libraries. Check out page 5 for more information Complete the puzzles on pg. 13 Tales of the Maya Skies Make the Southern- Style Buttermilk Fried Chicken recipe on pg. 10 friendable Social Club Make the Caramels recipe on pg Make the Chocolate Covered Strawberries recipe on pg. 7 Tales of the Maya Skies People First Meeting Make the Romantic Lemon Cheesecake Pancakes recipe on pg. 8 Sensory Friendly Film Make the Milk Chocolate Bundt Cake recipe on pg. 7 Tales of the Maya Skies Complete the Puzzles on pg. 14 friendable Social Club Make the Fresh Strawberry Upside Down Cake recipe on pg Complete the Puzzles on pg. 12 Tales of the Maya Skies Make the Creamy Pesto Shrimp recipe on pg. 8 Make the Kickin Collard Greens recipe on pg. 9 Sensory Friendly Film African American History Fair Complete the Word Find Puzzle on pg. 11 Nothing good on TV? Want to catch a good movie for free? Well, check out Movies at the Libraries at one of the Virginia Beach Public Libraries!! Check out page 6 for more information. For questions or submissions of future events, please contact Cindy Buckler at: