Kids' fun planned for battle anniversary

PLATTSBURGH -- Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration activities for children take place this weekend.

Today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Beekmantown Lions Club features lots of games typically played in 1814 on the lawn at Plattsburgh City Hall.

At 11:45 a.m. both days is the popular Kids' Muster, with troops forming into their own Kids' Parade around Trinity Park. Eric Geoffrey's High Peaks Juggling Show is at 11 a.m. today in Trinity Park and then at noon inside Israel Green Tavern (Trinity Episcopal Church undercroft).

Admission buttons to all Battle of Plattsburgh events are $10 each for those over 18. Kids are free. For more information, go to www.battleofplattsburgh.org.

Fun Runs to kick off Sept. 18

PLATTSBURGH -- Fall Fun Runs for families with children ages 4 to 12 will take place in Cumberland Head State Park on Thursdays, Sept. 18 and 25; and Oct. 2, 9 and 16. Registration on those days is 4:45 p.m. with the event following at 5 p.m. The Clinton County Youth Bureau program includes pre-run stretching, group warm-up runs and running tips. No pets allowed. For information, call 565-4750.

Library offers contest, teen group

PLATTSBURGH -- Teens are invited to compete in the performance art competition "Teens Slam!" at Plattsburgh Public Library from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, in the second-floor auditorium. Each entrant will present a three-minute performance art piece based on his or her writing; it can be poetry, story, hip-hop or song (with or without music). Clean language is a must. Registration deadline is Sept. 18, and parental permission is required.

The top five performers will win a student membership to the Adirondack Center for Writing in Paul Smiths.

Also at the library is the new Teens Library Club, an advisory group formed so young people can give input on library activities. The first meeting is 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, in the auditorium at the library.

Sign up for either or both events at: www.plattsburghlib.org.

Safety-seat inspections free on Sept. 20

PLATTSBURGH -- Safe Kids Adirondack will have certified technicians available at Bill McBride Chevrolet on U.S. Avenue in Plattsburgh from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 to provide free on-site child-safety-seat inspections.

Every year, according to a press release from Safe Kids, motor-vehicle crashes take the lives of hundreds of young children. Parents and caregivers are urged to make sure their child safety seats are properly installed in their vehicles. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research, 8,325 lives have been saved by the proper use of child restraints during the past 30 years. In 2006, among children under age 5, an estimated