How can the pervasive effects of advertising, media, and our consumer culture influence a child’s view of the world? How do you find ways to create meaningful family times and healthful environments for our children? How can you develop a child’s connection to nature and foster his or her creativity?

Find out at Healthy Children, Healthy Planet, the eighth workshop from the Northwest Earth Institute sponsored by the Vineyard Haven Public Library Evening Lecture Series. The workshop will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3 and continue each Wednesday through Nov. 21.

Please sign up on line or at the front desk in the Vineyard Haven Library so the staff order the right number of workbooks. The cost for the workbook is $18. Chapter titles include: cultural pressures, family rituals and celebrations, advertising, food and health, time and creativity, technology and the media, and exploring nature.

For a longer description of the workshop, see online For other questions, call Betty Burton at 508-696-4211, extension 16 or e-mail