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            S.P.A.R.K. - Single PArents Raising Kids
                    (in the DC, NoVA, MD area)

SPARK is a nonprofit organization of single parents who are
building a community where they can share the knowledge and
provide the mutual support needed to experience a rewarding life
for themselves, while raising their children to be competent and
well-adjusted people.

The primary means of accomplishing this mission is the active
participation of membership in planning and presenting a balanced
program of educational, family, and social activities.

Events for September include:

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 1994

DISCUSSION: Visitation and the Relationship with our child's
other parent.  The issue of visitation, or lack of, is something
that affects all single parents.  Let's discuss ways to make
visitation a successful experience for all concerned.

Address:  Germantown
Cost:     FREE

FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL:  Kick back.  Let your hair down.  Visit with
old friends and make new ones.

Address:  Germantown
Cost:     $3.00

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 1994

Potluck Dinner and All About  911" and Safety.  Bring your
favorite sub ingredient to share and enjoy a meal with your SPARK
friends, then sit back and learn all you ever wanted to know (but
were afraid to ask) about 911 and safety.

Address:  Olney
Cost:     Sub ingredient.  SPARK will provide the drinks.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 1994

New Member Orientation.  Share the SPARK experience with your
friends and share your friends with SPARK.  Bring them to
orientation today. 

Time:     4:00 to 5:00 pm
Address:  Waters Landing Community Center,
          20000 Father Hurley Blvd.
          Germantown
Cost:     Free
Childcare Information: Free childcare on site

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 1994

Labor Day Pig Roast. Returning again this year!  Last year's
largest event promises to be even better this year.  Get your
reservation in early, mark your calendar, and come for the fun,
food and friendship. 

Address:  Boyds (County Map coordinate p12, G-3)
Cost:     $4.00 per family plus side dish to share

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 1994

Dinner before the Library Moms and Dads, how about a quick
no-cook dinner before we all go to the library to learn the
latest technology there?  It's easier to pay attention on full
tummies.

Address:  Roy Rogers
          2315 Randolph Road (across from the Fire Station) 
          Wheaton
Cost:     Pay As You Go

Library Tour for Grades K-5.  A special tour for kids to learn
what's available at the library and, if you don't already have
one, get your very own library card.

Address:  Wheaton Library
          11701 Georgia Avenue (Route 97)
          Wheaton
Cost:     Free

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 1994

Special Interest Group: Parents of Adolescents.  An opportunity
to share the never ending challenges that are always available
with adolescents. 
Address:  Silver Spring
Cost:     Free

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 1994

Four and Under Trip to the Zoo.  This is the way to enjoy a late
summer Saturday.  A visit to the Zoo it is for the four and under
group.  Maybe we'll see the baby elephant.

Address:  National Zoo Connecticut Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C.
Cost:     Free except for parking.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 1994

Leekin Park Picnic and Model Trains.  This is your chance to get
away for a fun Sunday excursion.  Bring a picnic lunch, enjoy the
park and then check out the model trains.

Address:  Leekin Park (off Security Blvd.)
          Baltimore County
Cost:     Free.  Bring a picnic lunch for your family.

Childcare Co-op Meeting.  Monthly meeting of childcare co-op. 
Bring names of members you would like to sponsor.

Address:  Silver Spring
Cost:     Free; bring your own brown bag dinner.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 1994

Education Committee Meeting.  You're welcome to join this
committee that's creating SPARK's education program.  Kids
welcome.

Address:  Olney
Cost:     $1.50 contribution for pizza before the meeting. 

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 1994

Calendar Coordination.  This is where the work of all the
committees come together into the calendar for November. Let's
start the weekend with something to ear and then get to work.

Address:  Germantown
Cost:     $3.00 per family for dinner

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 1994

Civil War Train Ride!  Hop aboard and ride back into history on
the Gettysburg Railroad.  See the battlefields, meet Abe Lincoln
on this 1.5 hour Civil War re-enactment trip.

Time:     Train leaves Gettysburg Railroad Station 1:00 pm
          We will leave Montgomery County at 11:00 am
Address:  Gettysburg (PA) Railroad
Cost:     Adults: $7.00
          Kids 12 to 18: $5.00
          Kids 12 and under $1.50
          (Kids fare includes SPARK subsidy)
          Bring a brown bag lunch.

New Member Discussion:  Yes, We Are Successful Parents. People
often focus on the negative aspects of single parenting. Share
your personal triumphs and learn how others are succeeding.

Address:  Olney
Cost:     Free

House Party.  Our last house party was an OUTSTANDING success!!! 
Can we outdo that one?  OF COURSE!!!!  Let's close out the
summer, relax and have fun - and don't forget to bring a new
SPARK member with you! 

Address:  Olney
Cost:     $3.00

Membership Meeting This is the time to get in the know and hear
what is happening.  Find out the latest plans for the Anniversary
party. 
Address:  Same as party.
Cost:     Free for meeting

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 1994

Gaithersburg Old Towne Day.  Enjoy the streets full of
entertainment, food, games and crafts.  Also, join SPARK's booth
to help promote our group.  You too can face paint, do temporary
tattoos and spread the word to more than 20,000 visitors.

Time:     9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Address:  Old Towne Gaithersburg
          Summit Avenue at Maryland Route 124
Cost:     Free admission.  Food and entertainment: Pay As You Go

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 1994

Dinner before the Library.  Let's gather at the Eatery and have
dinner before we head for the library.  It's one more chance to
avoid cooking. 

Address:  The Eatery in the old Hecht's building
          Colesville Rd.
Cost:     Pay As You Go for dinner

Library Tour for Grades 6-12.  A special tour for kids to see the
latest developments in the public libraries to help us all meet
those challenging assignments.

Address:  Silver Spring Library
          8901 Colesville Rd.
          Silver Spring
Cost:     Free

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 1994

Discussion: Time Management.  Helping with homework, cooking
meals, paying bills, cleaning house, chauffeuring kids, going to
work.  Whew! Let's discuss ways to get it all done and still have
time for ourselves. 
Address:  Rockville
Cost:     Free

Wine and Cheese Party.  Good friends, great conversations! Let's
thank Mary for starting the weekend right!

Address:  Rockville
Cost:     $3.00

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 1994

Stand-up Comedy Special.  Bring your favorite stand-up comic
video and we'll laugh and party the night away!!!

Address:  Germantown
Cost:     $3.00

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 1994

Special Interest Group: Never Married Support Group.  Come join
this ongoing support group for members never married to their
child's other parent.

Address:  Takoma Park
Cost:     Free

Board of Director's Meeting.  Take some time to come and see how
your Board of Directors operates and how they run your
organization.  All SPARK members are welcome.

Address:  Germantown
Cost:     Free for meeting

                              OCTOBER PREVIEW

SUNDAY OCTOBER 2, 1994

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION. Bring your eligible friends to learn all
about SPARK!

Time:     4:00 to 5:00 pm
Address:  Waters Landing Community Center
          20000 Father Hurley Blvd.
          Germantown
Cost:     Free
Childcare Information: Free childcare on site

SPARK also has on its board of advisors a certified mental health
counselor and an attorney.  There is a SPARK Dial-A-Friend
service of members providing support.

The next new member orientation for SPARK is Sunday, September
4th.  SPARK had dues of $18.00 per year, payable upon joining. 
One membership requirement is that you have at least one child
under 18.  You don't have to be the custodial parent.  If you
have any questions or desire additional information, feel free to
contact me, Arnie Unger at (301) 854-9176, or here at:
acunger@nova.umd.edu .

I tried to limit the distribution of this post because SPARK is a
local organization in the DC/Northern VA/MD community and is not
a national organization.  I don't have any information about
groups like this nationwide, but I would suggest that you contact
a Parents Without Partners chapter in your area to see if they
have a similar program.