Week of August 1, 2004

Odd Music to the Ears

If you’re tired of trombones and bored with banjoes, head over to Odd Music at www.oddmusic.com to get an earful of some unusual instruments. You can hear anything from the soothing sounds of the Aeolian Wind Harp, which lets nature do the playing, to the chaotic cacophony of the bikelophone, which is made out of an old bicycle. After getting your fill of wacky sounds, head to Featured Sections to see the inspiration behind the Theremin. If you like the scientific side of music, find out how to bend a circuit and make melodies with renegade paths of electrons.

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Connecting to the Renaissance

New ideas came from the minds of artists and inventors during the Renaissance period. Connect to that time of wild change with The Renaissance Connection at www.renaissanceconnection.org. You’ll learn about art and technology and find entertainment with Italian dudes and giggling jesters. As a Patron of the Arts, decide who will paint your picture. Then find out how oil paints brought Renaissance portraits to life. You may not look like Mona Lisa, but you’ll find yourself caught up in the details.(This site is no longer available.)

Chi-Town

Hold onto your hat as you get to know My Chicago at www.chicagohistory.org/ mychicago. Revisit the 1871 Great Chicago Fire and see if you can identify everyday objects that melted together. You’ll find jigsaw puzzles of amazing creations displayed when Chicago hosted two World’s Fairs. The stars on the Chicago flag represent important historical events. After you learn about the meaning of the stars and stripes, you can design your own flag. Be sure to create a scrapbook so that you’ll always remember your trip to the windy city.

	Let the Games Begin The Olympic Games date back to 776 BC, when they were dedicated to the Olympian gods. The participants in the original games competed in running, jumping, wrestling, boxing and the javelin and discus throws. Men competed for victory, the greatest honor. The games took place every four years until 393 AD, when Emperor Theodosius banned the games, saying they were a pagan cult. Centuries later, Baron Pierre de Coubertin of France brought the games back into existence. He believed that the athletic festivals of ancient Greece played an important role in the nation’s rise to glory and wanted to resurrect the games. In 1896, people competed in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens. The modern Olympic Games have brought new traditions, such as the Olympic Flame, Torch and Flag. It also included new competitions, such as swimming, cycling and fencing. This amazing event, displaying some of the greatest athletes of our time, returns to Athens on Aug. 13 and ends on the Aug. 24. Go to www.athens2004.com/athens2004 to investigate this year’s Olympic Games. (This site is no longer available.)   Ask Amy a Question

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