At the southern end of the Columbus RiverWalk, Oxbow Meadows offers a view of the ecoregion of West Central Georgia and the Chattahoochee Valley and provides access to samples of the area’s rich communities of plants and animals. Opened in 1995 as a collaboration among Columbus Water Works, Columbus State University, and the City of Columbus, the Center provides exhibits, displays and nature trails, and also offers formal and informal programs about the ecology and natural history of the region. Interpretive and hands-on programming is provided by Columbus State University professional staff. We are excited to resume our in-person programming and invite the community to a fun and educational experience for all ages! 2021 Spring Schedule WEDNESDAYS LITTLE NATURALISTS Ages 2-5 Wednesdays from 10am-12pm $5 per child, per session (pre-registration required) Daily Schedule: 10-10:30am Check-in 10:30-11:30am Program 11:30-12:00pm Tour of Center 12pm Departure Time* March 31 – The Shape of a Grape “There are lots of shapes on your plate! What shape is a grape or watermelon? We will look at shapes as we sort fruits and vegetables, and make our own craft “diet” for an animal.” April 7 – Frogs in the Bog “Frogs on logs in the bog are waiting […]

By Jeannine Scott, Branch Manager, North Columbus Public Library  Now reopen, the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries are excited to serve families in our community!  Our services may look a bit different, so here’s a know-before-you-go guide to make the best out of your next visit. All branches, 24-hour kiosks, and book drops are open You can browse the shelves and use the computer Visits limited to 1 hour, but scheduling not required Masks are required for anyone over the age of 2 Temperature checks are taken at the door We host virtual family-friendly story times and craft programs every week! (Like us on Facebook @chatlibraries and subscribe to our YouTube Channel!) We’d love to hear from you!  Call to request a customized book bundle. Share your child’s interests, and we’ll select great reads to match. We can also select based on reading level or for AR testing. Short on time? Grab a pre-made book bundle! Enjoy a story time at home with a variety of fun titles and a craft project. We have added over 1000 new children’s books this year, including WONDERBOOKS! You can still check out park passes, including the Zoo Atlanta. Visit cvlga.org/blog/park-passes/ for updated information.   For […]

Does your child suffer from pediatric eczema?  At least one in 10 children have eczema (atopic dermatitis). Eczema can cause unbearable itching that can interfere with the quality of life and make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Local research company IACT Health is conducting a drug trial to help innovate new therapies for pediatric eczema. If your child is under the age of 12, they could play a vital role in this medical advancement by participating in this local study. Find out more at  iacthealth.com/studies/eczema-clinical-trial. Did you know that no advancements can happen in healthcare without clinical trials? No new innovations, no new medications, and no new treatment options happen without the clinical trial process. This can be especially important when it comes to children. Children are not just small adults – their bodies work in very different ways and they often undergo many changes as they grow from infancy towards adolescence and adulthood. Because their bodies work differently, it’s important to create child-specific medicines and treatments instead of modifying adult doses and therapies. There is no cost, insurance, or referrals necessary for participants to receive care from IACT Health. Clinical trials not only allow participants to […]

In January 2021, Turn Around Columbus, a local community development organization, broke ground on its new project, the Victory Garden and Farm. The garden and farm is being developed on 10 vacant acres on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Columbus. This project is part of the organization’s mission to provide work-based education programs that help youth gain self-confidence and teach them important life skills they can use to help revitalize their community. As part of the first phase, Turn Around Columbus is offering a Saturday Gardening Program at the Victory Garden and Farm. This program is free and runs Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. During the garden program, students participate in math and science lessons while doing hands-on work in the garden, practice literacy skills and create arts and crafts projects. Currently, the program is only available to students of J.D. Davis Elementary School. However, Turn Around Columbus has formed a partnership with the Muscogee County School District and plans on making the garden program available to all elementary schools in the Muscogee School District in the future. As the development of the Victory Garden and Farm progresses, Turn Around Columbus plans on growing affordable food for the East Columbus community and providing agricultural […]

For 38 years, Feeding the Valley Food Bank has served families in need in the Chattahoochee Valley region. The need for nutritional assistance is not limited to the holiday season and Feeding the Valley Food Bank works year-round to help families in an 18-county region. In the last fiscal year, Feeding the Valley Food Bank distributed over 13 million pounds of food within the organization’s service area. Feeding the Valley Food Bank relies on both food donations and monetary donations to assist those in need. Food donations, that are not in glass containers, can be dropped off at Feeding the Valley Food Bank’s central warehouse at 6744 Flat Rock Road in Midland, GA. Some of the most needed items include canned tuna, canned meats, pasta, peanut butter and evaporated milk. A complete list of the most needed items can be found on the organization’s website at feedingthevalley.com. If you can’t drop off food items, cash donations can be made through their website too. If you are interested in hosting a food drive at your church or your child’s school, a form to request food drive collection barrels is available on the website. Carleen Frokjer, of Feeding the Valley Food Bank, says, “Since the […]

Parents are more concerned than ever before with their child’s development and wondering if they are doing enough to support it. Did you know that 80% of a child’s brain is developed by the time they are three years old? What if there were five simple, free, and fun ways for parents and caregivers to engage with their children to give them a great start in life? With “The Basics,” it’s possible! “The Basics” were developed by Harvard University researcher Dr. Ron Ferguson, who was studying the academic achievement gap in kindergartners. When research showed that children as young as two began to have gaps in their development, Dr. Ferguson created “The Basics” based on scientific evidence to help every child reach their potential in school and beyond. “The Basics” Chattahoochee Valley, launched in 2019, is the first ‘Basics’ community in Georgia and strives to share these five powerful tools with parents, caregivers, and community organizations in the area. “The Basics” are: Maximize Love, Manage Stress; Talk, Sing, and Point; Count, Group, and Compare; Explore Through Movement and Play; and Read and Discuss Stories. By practicing “The Basics” every day, parents and caregivers can develop their child’s intellectual, social, and […]