What: Story time over the phone; Where: Your house; When: Any time; Cost: FREE

When I was at the library a few weeks ago, I saw a little slip of paper on the desk advertising Touch Tone Tales so we decided to check it out when we got home. Touch Tone Tales is a phone number that you can dial to hear a story. We heard the story of the Klutzy Duckling complete with sound effects last week. There is a new story each week.

The first time I called, we got through on the first try. This was about seven in the evening. I tried to call a few days later and it was busy for about ten minutes. When I tried to call this morning, it took about three minutes to get through. Right now, they are running a story about the Gingerbread Man.

Touch Tone Tales are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and it is a free service of West Florida Public Library.

Just call 850.595.1219.

It is time for the Fiesta Days Celebration and there are two great activities for family fun!

Saturday, May 19 – Fiesta Children’s Treasure Hunt

The Fiesta Children’s Treasure Hunt is open to children ages 10 and under. Children will search for hidden treasure while learning some of Pensacola’s history.

There will be games, face painting and other activities.

Registration begins at 1pm and the hunt will start at 2pm. I have not been to the Fiesta Children’s Treasure Hunt and but I have heard that it moves quickly like the Easter Egg Hunts do.

Sand Sculpture from contest held in Navarre last year.

Sunday, May 20 – Fiesta Sand Sculpture 

We had the opportunity to see a sand sculpture festival in Navarre last year and it was absolutely amazing. I couldn’t believe how someone can take a pile of our powdery Gulf Coast sand and turn it into a beautiful work of art. The contest is open to professional and amateur sculptors of all ages. Registration begins at 8am behind the Pensacola Beach Gulfside Pavilion. Judging begins at 2pm and awards will be given at 3pm.

The event is free and open to public. Even if you aren’t participating, it would be so much fun to take the family out for a day at the beach. Spend some time wandering around and checking out the different sculptures.

Thanks to a heads up from a reader, we found the Breeze Cinema 8 Free Summer Movie schedule.

Movies are shown every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am. Doors open at 9:30am and the movie begins at 10am. Don’t be late because doors typically close when the theater is full.

I am adding other free movie theater schedules as we receive them.

Mark your calendars!

6/12 and 6/14 Kung Fu Panda 2 and Spy Kids 4

6?19 and 6/21 Hop and Zookeeper

6/26 and 6/28 Rango and Dolphin Tale

7/3 and 7/5 Cars 2 and Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

7/10 and 7/12 Rio and Journey 2

7/17 and 7/19 Puss n Boots and Big Miracle

7/24 and 7/26 Adventures of TinTin and Smurfs

7/31 and 8/2 Happy Feet Two and Yogi Bear

8/7 and 8/9 Secret World of Arietty and The Muppets

8/14 and 8/16 Ice Age 3 and Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Things to Know Before You Go:

• Head to the free summer movies with patience. These movies fill up quickly with day care field trips and families with kids. This is not a date night movie and there will be constant noise during the movie. It does quiet down to a reasonable level but remember that the movie is free and full of kids!
• Doors open at 9:30 but a line begins closer to 9am.
• Concessions will be open and often there is a deal on the Kid’s Pack.
• You may want to go with a friend who can watch your seat if you have to get up for whatever reason.

Ok…it is official. I am ready for school to be out and summer to begin. Finding all the dates for these summer movies is putting me in the mood for popcorn, an air conditioned theater and some quiet movie time with my kids.

The Ridge Cinema 8 has published their 2012 Free Summer Movie to their Facebook Page.

Movies are shown every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am. Doors open 9:30am and movies begin at 10am.

Like I have said before, don’t be late because they lock the doors once the theater is filled.

I will add the other movie theater schedules as we receive them.

Mark your calendars!

6/12 & 6/14: Kung Fu Panda 2 & Spy Kids 4

6/19 & 6/21: Hop & Zookeeper

6/26 & 6/28: Rango & Dolphin Tale

7/3 & 7/5:    Cars 2 & Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

7/10 & 7/12: Rio & Journey 2

7/17 & 7/19: Puss n Boots & Big Miracle

7/24 & 7/26: Adventures of Tintin & Smurfs

7/31 & 8/2:   Happy Feet Two & Yogi Bear

8/7 & 8/9:     Secret World of Arietty & The Muppets

8/14 & 8/16: Ice Age 3 & Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Things to Know Before You Go:

• Head to the free summer movies with patience. These movies fill up quickly with day care field trips and families with kids. This is not a date night movie and there will be constant noise during the movie. It does quiet down to a reasonable level but remember that the movie is free and full of kids!
• Doors open at 9:30 but a line begins closer to 9am.
• Concessions will be open and often there is a deal on the Kid’s Pack.
• You may want to go with a friend who can watch your seat if you have to get up for whatever reason.

What: Grand opening of Community Maritime Park; Where: Community Maritime Park on West Main Street; When: June 9th from 10am to 9pm; Cost: FREE

Mark your calendars, Pensacola, because the Grand Opening of the Community Maritime Park will be June 9th from 10am to 9pm. The Charlie Daniel’s Band will play as well as other bands throughout the day. The official park dedication will occur at 12:30pm.

There will be a fun run/walk, a play zone for the kids, an art festival, stadium events and more. Touch a Truck will also be happening. The kids love this activity whenever Play Pensacola puts it on. There will also be a fireworks show.