[November 22, 2008]  The YMCA Play Center offers a Toddler & Me class for 2-year-olds along with their grown-up. This class meets twice a month on Tuesdays, noon-1:15 p.m. This is a fun, developmental playgroup centered on music, dancing and fun. Toddlers learn social skills, self-esteem and cognitive development. Sign up today as class size is limited.

When school is out for the winter break (Dec. 22-Jan. 2) and you need a fun, safe place to take your children, the Lincoln Area YMCA has you covered! School's Out Fun Days are offered to children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Each day the children will play games, create arts and crafts, get lessons on character development, and read books. But that isn't the best part! On select days, special guests will visit the YMCA, like from Audra's Studio of Dance, Chris Grey from the drama department at Lincoln College, Logan County Department of Public Health, plus many more. Don't miss out on these Fun Days. Register now. Space is limited to only 36 participants.

The YMCA and the Lincoln College women's basketball team hosted a free basketball clinic to kick off registration for the YMCA Girls Basketball League. Registration for this program will run until Dec. 23, with the season beginning after the holidays. The Y is looking for teams from the surrounding area to participate in the fifth- and sixth-grade league. Come register your daughter so she may take part in this exciting learning experience.

The YMCA will begin to open its gym on Thursday evenings, 7-8:30, for Hoop It Up, an adult basketball program. The first session will be Dec. 4. There is a small fee for this program, and YMCA members receive a 50 percent discount. New teams are created each week. So come out on Thursday nights to take part in some of the best, and worst, basketball that Lincoln has to offer.

YMCA gym rentals for the holiday and winter season are booking up quickly. If you have a special date in mind for your child's birthday party, family gathering or for a social occasion, then call the Y to reserve your winter date as soon as possible.

Your daughter can still join the YMCA cheerleading squad. Practice is on Saturdays, 2-2:55 p.m., at the YMCA Activity Center, 719 Wyatt Ave. The next scheduled community event the cheerleaders will participate in is the Lincoln Christmas Parade, on Dec. 4. More special cheer events are scheduled for the squad, so register your little cheerleader today!

Recently, local third- to sixth-graders have been coming to the YMCA Activity Center on Saturdays, noon-1 p.m., to play dodgeball. Your child can still participate for only $5 per Saturday. All players must be registered to take part in this fun, eventful program.

For more information on Lincoln Area YMCA programs and events, contact the downtown office, 604 Broadway St., Suite 1; visit www.lincolnymca.org; or call 735-3915.

[Text from file received from Lincoln Area YMCA]