As we were disappointed to report last month, AFC is unable to sell discounted Storyland tickets for June, as usual. They have discontinued the program we used. However, the Family Action Network of Winchester is selling a FUN PASS 2013 coupon book for $30 which includes a Storyland coupon. The coupon is for “One Storyland admission free with purchase of one admission. Valid during the 2013 season.” The book includes many other discounts throughout New England, including some for Drumlin Farm, Boston Duck Tours, Canobie Lake Park, the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, skiing locations and many other kid-friendly attractions. Please consult with their representatives on any potential fine print.

Purchase information and a full list of attractions can be at www.fanwinchester.org/fundraising/discounts.aspx.

If we hear of any other Storyland discounts we will be sure to pass those along as well. We also recommend keeping an eye on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StoryLandNH) for potential coupons.

AFC has reserved tickets for the Lowell Spinners game on Saturday August 3, at5:05pm. See this Single-A affiliate of the Red Sox take on the Batavia Muckdogs.

Spinners games have near-constant action, even between innings with Frisbee-catching dogs, funny mini-car races, dancing toothbrushes and more! It is great, even for younger kids. According to the Spinners’ website, this will be a promotional game where it is “Superhero Night.” Fans are encouraged to wear their costumes and there will be prizes and contests throughout the evening. Also, the first 1,000 kids (12 and under) receive a Spinners toothbrush holder.

Stay-tuned for online tickets sales soon!

Newsletter Editor: Can you contribute three to four hours a month? Do you like meeting new people? As an editor you will work with others to collect and edit articles (you can write as little or as much as you want), attend the monthly planning meeting, and occasionally help out with layout. If you are interested, then we need you! Please contact Lauren at newsletter@arlingtonfamilyconnection.org with questions.

Communications and Publicity Coordinator: Manage all emails sent to AFC members (about 30 minutes a month). Manage the publicity for AFC public events and AFC as an organization. Tasks include drafting press releases, notifying, via email, local newspapers and web sites of our major public events (approximately four to five a year) and making sure posters are in place around town (with help from other AFC volunteers). This requires a couple of hours a month when AFC has an event. It can be done almost entirely on your own time (nights, days, weekends, etc.). Contact Louise at publicity@arlingtonfamilyconnection.org for more information.

Clerk: Schedule monthly meetings, manage steering committee agendas, attend all monthly meetings in order to take and send minutes from meetings, update and distribute (quarterly) Steering Committee Directory, manage and update email aliases, keep appropriate records (meeting agendas and minutes, directory, passwords, inventory lists, etc.). If you have any questions or would be interested in volunteering, please contact Tracy at clerk@arlingtonfamilyconnection.org.

Childcare and Preschool Options Committee (2-3) and Chair: Each year, AFC updates its popular “Childcare and Preschool Options in Arlington” booklet, and hosts a fall open house. The booklet lists all licensed daycare and preschool providers in Arlington and details how, when, and who to contact for applications or further information. The open house, called “Options Night,” is one of the most anticipated and well-attended events of the year. The “Options” booklet is sold all year as well as on Options Night. Booklet update happens in the spring/summer. Past volunteers are available to answer questions. To volunteer or with questions, contact Rebecca Bromark at rbromarkafc@gmail.com.

We would like to get your opinion about what AFC offers.  Please fill this survey out, if you are a member or not.  It takes no more than 5 minutes.  Thank you in advance.

AFC President Louise Friel, Newsletter Editor Lauren Magoun and AFC member David Brecht represented AFC in the Arlington Education Foundation’s Annual Trivia Bee. Answering questions on a variety of topics from science to Arlington-specific trivia, the team “bee”t out 27 other local teams, all in fun costumes. The event raises money for the Arlington Education Foundation, a local nonprofit that works to support and advance public education in Arlington. They fund system wide initiatives and creative new projects to enhance the educational experiences of Arlington’s teachers and students. More information on AEF can be found on their website: www.arlingtoneducationfoundationma.org.