Briefs: Zoo to celebrate Week of the Young Child with activities

Tennessean---Special Events Nashville Zoo will welcome Mayor Karl Dean to officially launch Week of the Young Child, a week of activities focused on early childhood education, at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 12. The kickoff celebration will include a proclamation from Dean; children's activities; and entertainment. As part of the celebration, the zoo will offer free admission, beginning at 2 p.m., for children 12 and younger. At 3 p.m., Adam and the Couch Potatoes will offer a free concert in the zoo's amphitheater. After the concert, Dean will proclaim the Week of the Young Child. The program will end with an educational animal show. Afterwards, guests may explore the zoo and participate in an array of children's activities. The purpose of Week of the Young Child is to focus attention on the rights and needs of young children. Literacy Jazz Café raises money for scholarships The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Nashville Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter will have a Literary Jazz Cafe from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 20, at The Place, 217 Second Ave. S. The Literary Jazz Cafe is a way for the group to raise money for its scholarships in partnership with the Fortitude Foundation. The event will feature local artists, authors and spoken word guests and the talent of the NMAC Deltas. Walk & Roll takes benefits agencies to help disabledHCA/ TriStar will present "Walk & Roll — Focus on Abilities" on Saturday, April 19, at the Centennial Park Event Shelter, adjacent to the train in Centennial Park. The event is a fundraising walk/run to benefit four nonprofit agencies that provide services to children and adults with disabilities in Middle Tennessee. Organizations that will benefit from the event are A.B.L.E. Youth, www.ableyouth.org; League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, www.leagueforthedeaf.com; Progress Inc., www.progress-inc.org; and Technology Access Center; http://tac.ataccess.org. Events will include a 5K Run, 5K Walk, and ¼ Mile Accessible "Roll." The 5K Run begins at 8 a.m. The 5K & Accessible Short Course walk begins at 9 a.m. The team registration deadline is Friday, April 11. Individual registration will take place through the day of the event. The entry fee for the 5K run is $25. Participants may pre-register by visiting www.active.com. Everyone is welcome to participate in the family-friendly 5K & Accessible Short Course walk in a show of support for individuals with disabilities. Activities are planned for the enjoyment of the entire family. A family registration rate is available. Anyone contributing $25 or more will receive a walk T-shirt. Participants are encouraged to raise additional funds in support of the event. Prizes will be awarded to top fundraisers. Event proceeds are equally divided among the collaborative partners. For more information, contact Susan Jakoblew at 399-3000, ext. 39.