Parents in the Evansville area will have a new option next year for childcare with the opening of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation’s Little Panther World. Little Panther World will be housed at Daniel Wertz Elementary School and will be open to children ages three to five and will operate from 6:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

According to Erin Ramsey, EVSC director of Early Childhood Education, Little Panther World will offer the same learning opportunities as all of the early childhood programs within EVSC.

Sixth Annual Indiana Money Smart Week April 21-18

Several free classes and events that help consumers learn to manage their personal finances will be offered April 21-18 throughout the Tri-State during Money Smart Week.

The week is coordinated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, which serves most of Indiana, and hundreds of partner organizations dedicated to financial literacy. It is designed to educate consumers about money management and generate awareness of financial education available on a wide range of topics such as saving, investing and using credit wisely.

Have fun turning trash into art by participating in Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden’s Recycled Art Contest.  In celebration of Earth Day, the Zoo is holding an event titled Party for the Planet, Sponsored by Alcoa, on Earth Day this April 22. The Recycled Art Contest will be held in conjunction with this event.  There are categories for all age groups, including adults.

Entries must be created using recyclable materials or “trash.” Examples of acceptable materials to use for your project include cans, plastic, bottles, metal, glass, wood, paper, batteries, or anything that you would discard as garbage.

Sculptures, collages, or pictures are just a few project ideas.  Be creative as you recycle trash into a treasure.

Entries will be judged based on the following five divisions: