THIS WEEKEND: Events for teens and parents

Posted by Philissa at 10:54 AM

On Saturday, the United Federation of Teachers is holding its annual parent conference, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year's theme is "Strengthening the Home-School Partnership." Registration was required but if you're interested in attending the conference, which attracts more than 3,000 parents, you might still be able to get in. For more information, call 212-598-9205. Map

And Saturday evening, teens in Brooklyn will be throwing a concert to benefit Darfur relief. "Teens for Darfur" is the third annual benefit concert thrown by the vibrant Brooklyn teen rocker community; in previous years teens raised money for street children in the Philippines and relief efforts in New Orleans. This looks like a fun way to support kids' artistic and philanthropic interests, neither of which get enough attention in their schools. 6 p.m. at the Old Stone House in Park Slope. $5 for kids; $10 for grown ups. Map

Free teen creative writing program

Posted by Philissa at 11:07 PM

Calling all teen writers! The PEN Writing Institute at the PEN American Center has let us know that it is currently accepting applications for its fall writing workshop series for teens who attend New York City public schools. The PEN American Center is part of an international literary organization aimed at protecting free speech; it runs a variety of programs, including the fascinating World Voices festival each spring. The Institute's five Saturday morning programs will feature published writers as lecturers and instructors. Submit an application and 2-4 pages of creative writing by Oct. 15. For more information, contact Stacy Leigh at 212-334-1660 x109.

Kids bored? City's Summer Fun Guide can help

Posted by Philissa at 2:32 PM

If you haven't already seen the city's Department of Youth and Community Development "Summer Fun Guide," you should definitely check it out. The department compiled free and low-cost events for every day of the summer, beginning in June and running through Labor Day. Just this weekend, there's an origami workshop for kids in Staten Island, a Shakespeare performance in Inwood, a family science fair at the Bronx Zoo, and the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Flushing, among many, many other exciting events. The guide also contains a comprehensive list of family-friendly city spaces, such as pools, libraries, and parks -- a perfect resource for these long, hot August days.

Harry Potter VII hits shelves tonight

Posted by Philissa at 10:48 AM

If you have a kid or are one yourself, chances are you've got big plans for tonight, when the hotly anticipated final installment of the Harry Potter saga goes on sale. New York magazine has a rundown of the city's biggest Potter parties. I'll be joining the horses and quidditch players at the Community Bookstore in Park Slope before falling silent tomorrow to read along with other Potter fans the world over.

If you haven't read any of the leaked versions of the book, what do you think will happen in it?