Craft Festival, Parenting Acitivities and Opera in the Park

On Monday, August 12, natural parenting retailer The Nesting House will host a 10 a.m. support group for new moms. The group meets weekly and is intended to help mothers "share their experiences, joys and challenges...[and] develop support systems and play groups."

Then, at 2 p.m. Monday, there's a blood drive at the Oaklyn Fire Hall in memory of the late Marie Fowler. Stop by and show your support.

On Tuesday, August 13, The Nesting House hosts a 9 a.m. children's story hour with co-owner Chris Kinka.

Later in the evening, National Picnic designer Betsy Cook will co-host an end-of-season trunk show with jewelry designer Marisa Lombardo at Sapori. From 7 to 9 p.m., the event will feature "homebrew, refreshments and fashion chatter in the company of the designers." 

At 9 a.m. on Wednesday, August 14, the Nesting House will also demo cloth diapering with co-owner Jen Kinka, founder of the Philadelphia Cloth Diaper Connection.

Then, at 2 p.m. at the SoHa arts building, professional psychic medium Tracy Farquhar will host a workshop on intuition for teenagers. At $25 apiece, the course "will begin with a guided meditation and then will lead discussion and practice using psychometry (holding an object to connect with its owner's energy) and using tarot and oracle cards."

Everyone's invited back the next night, Thursday, August 15, for the 6:30 grand opening of Farquhar's Spirit Light Services at SoHa. Come snack and drink, and then stay for that 8 p.m. spirit gallery, where Farquhar will "connect with spirit to give messages to the audience."

At 7 p.m. on Thursday, GMO Free NJ will screen the documentary Deconstructing Supper at the Collingswood Public Library. The film is child-appropriate and will be followed by a discussion with group members afterward.

Finally, Camden County puts on a special "opera in the park" event for seniors at the Jack Curtis Stadium on North Park Drive in Cooper River Park. The show, which features Frank Tenaglia, Jim Longacre and Dorothy Cardella, starts at 8 p.m., but there's a special “Just for Seniors” VIP reception at the Camden County Boathouse from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call (856) 858-2986 to RSVP.

Friday, August 16, Grooveground hosts Camden's multi-instrumentalist Beanhead at its Fridays Live performance series.

Saturday, August 17 brings with it the Collingswood Craft and Fine Arts Festival, with more than 150 vendors displaying their works on Haddon Ave. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.

Saturday is also a day for children to enjoy outdoor activities at the Oaklyn Baptist Church (29 Bettlewood Ave). Free, the event runs from 4 to 7 p.m., and features a gigantic inflatable water slide, a pirate-themed water park for kids, facepainting, a live petting zoo, karate demonstration and snacks.

The Craft and Fine Arts Festival runs into Sunday, August 18 as well, or you can also take your kids to Cooper River Park to meet the folks in the Activentures meetup group for a field day of sack races, water balloon tosses and group exercise activities.

As always, if you want your event to be seen in our Week Ahead or Today in Collingswood calendar roundups, post stuff to our events calendar. It also ensures that your promotional efforts get into our e-mail blasts.