SALT Kids Volunteer at Homeless Daycare

Last night, thirteen SALT students and parents helped entertain children who have recently been homeless at the Vogel Alcove near downtown Dallas. We sang Christmas carols, played games, and worked puzzles with the kids.  We also got to visit with the moms, who all seem to be doing a good job with their kids. The children were very sweet and smart.

Afterwards we made s'mores at Tillman's Roadhouse in the Bishop Arts District.

Rock Cycle Fudge Recipe

If you are studying geology with the kids this year, here is a fun lesson where you explain the rock cycle while making fudge.  I tried it yesterday with my General Science class and wished I had had more time to fully explain how each step of the recipe corresponds to the rock cycle.  I think this would be best done in a smaller group at home when you have plenty of time to discuss.
Click here to print out the lesson.

If you find yourself headed north...

Try out the new Red Mango frozen yogurt shops with a free small yogurt and one free topping.  They are giving them away at all location on Saturday, Deember 12 for their grand opening.

I'll be going for their pumpkin spice fro-yo with graham cracker topping

NorthPark:  8687 N. Central Expressway
McKinney Avenue:  2811 McKinney
Lovers Lane:  5700 W. Lovers
Cedar Springs:  4123 Cedar Springs

Boxtops Savings

Log on to www.boxtops4education.com, click on marketplace to take advantage of these great deals:






Old Navy: Sixty gifts at $6. PLUS, save 20% on any purchase with code ONSAVE20 until Dec. 15th and free ship on $50

Overstock: 25 Days, 25 Deals through link at marketplace and free

shipping sitewide

Piperlime: Free Shipping and free returns

Sky Mall: 10% off, no minimum with code LS10J

United Vacations: save $200 with end of year sale

etoys: Huge outlet blowout, save up to 70% PLUS free shipping on $49

Expedia: save $200 on your next trip

Best Buy: 5% to 20% off select digital cameras

Staples: FREE case of paper instantly when you spend $100

Apple Store: free shipping on an ipod

Target: One Day Daily Deals, always free shipping through link

Dell Home: 8 Days of Deals through link

Famous Footwear: BOGO 1/2 off

Lillian Vernon: 15% off $65 order plus free ship over $59

(Hint--they have martial arts belt racks at about $20--you can have them personalized...I have two and need to buy a third. A great place to keep and display all those old belts!)

1-800-Flowers: flowers from $24.99, same day delivery ( I have used

them before, and they are a good value)

Sears: $5 off $50, with code 5OFF50

Hotels. com: save up to 30% off through link

Cabela's: $20 off $100 through link and free shipping on $99 with code

9WINTER

Finish Line: $10 off $60 with code HOLIDAY1060

Smart Bargains .com: free shipping through boxtops marketplace link

Discovery Store: free shipping over $75 with code FREESHIP

Is your child struggling in math?

What's the big deal about math?
Why is my child struggling?
Complimentary Parent Seminar and Math/Problem Solving Screening
When: Thursday, December 10 from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Where: 5136 Village Creek Drive in Plano

Who: All parents and professionals are invited.

What: Is math a big deal in your family? Is your child struggling to learn math facts? Is your child unable to independently solve problems? Does it take your child too long to complete math homework? Come and get an understanding of why your child is experiencing difficulty with math.

Guest Speaker: Connie Newville M.Ed., Math Specialist. Connie has been tutoring students for 20+ years. She motivates students of all levels to succeed on math concepts in grades Pre K- 8.

How: To register, please call 972.267.8900.

Pecan Pies and Fudge

Once again we will be offering Lauren's Perfect Pecan Pies and our "newest addition" Carson Frick's Fantastic Fudge for sale at SALT next week. To ensure your choice will be available, you may pre-order by emailing mailto:alifrick@verizon.net  Perfect Pecan Pies are $12 and Fantastic Fudge is $8 for an 8x8 size pan. Please order by Sunday, December 13th. All orders will be delivered to Salt on Wednesday December 16th. All proceeds benefit our summer Washington DC trip. Merry Christmas, The Frick Family

RSVP for Roller Skating in Duncanville

Please RSVP to purpleangel27@sbcglobal.net.  If we can get 25 more skaters, the cost will be $4/skater.


Greetings Homeschoolers,


We know that most families are very busy this time of year, however a couple of hours off may help moms/dads relax and the children have some free time. Next, Friday, December 11 at 12p-2p Redbird Skate will open for us. The rate will be determined by the amount of skaters. For example, if we have at least 40 skaters it will be $5/skater and that includes the skates. If we have more than 40 the amount will be less. Please RSVP so that we can get a count. The rink is located at 1206 N. Duncanville Rd, Duncanville, TX. The rink is right off Interstate 20 pass Spur 408. I know some of you don't leave in the Duncanville area, but just wanted to invite you anyway.

Have a great day!

Angela Edwards

Free- Santa's Dock Party

Enjoy a boat parade and fireworks over Joe Pool Lake, this Saturday at Lynn Creek Park from 2-7.   Free with a donation.  Go here for more info:  http://www.santasdockparty.com/

Tamale Orders Due

Tamale Orders are due this week for delivery next week. This is our last order before Christmas so be sure to order plenty for Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve dinners/parties.


Blessings,
Susan

smramsey@flash.net

A Christmas Carol-- Pay What You Can Night CANCELLED

The Pay What You Can Night has been cancelled.  Watch for entries about purchasing tickets for this show for $10 through Event Alert.  When they become available, I'll let you know ASAP.

Boxtops Savings

Here are the latest deals at the boxtops4education marketplace.

http://www.boxtops4education.com/

Galam Yoga Gear--20% off entire order plus free shipping with code EMSH20

Discovery Store--Free Shipping Weekend this weekend on ALL orders with code FREESHIP

and three new deals a day

Office Depot--Every Friday is Black Friday--Get a FREE Wii game with your Delivery order of $150

$30 off $150 through link

Famous Footwear--BOGO 1/2 off

Shoes.com--take 15% off entire order with code SNOW

Online Shoes .com--20% off through link at marketplace with code 9JOY

Lillian Vernon--15% off $65 through link, plus free shipping

FTD--save 10% today, Friday

Blair--12 Deals of Christmas, one new one posted daily through marketplace link

Ebags--free shipping over $25 through link and save 20%

Vision Direct-15% off first order. code NEWVISION15

Get $20 off contacts order of $133 or more with code 2020VISION

JCPenney--free shipping now through marketplace link

KMART up to 70% off, $5 off $50 and free shipping over $60 with code KMART5OFF50

SEARS--$5 off $50 with code SEARS5OFF50

Old Navy--free shipping on orders over $50 through link

nick shop .com 15% off plus free shipping on $40

Overstock--free shipping site wide!

Best buy---click on link at marketplace for current special offers

Apple Store--iPhone 3G now shipping

Aeropostale--free shipping on $100

Hickory Farms--free shipping $50 per recipient. Must click on boxtops marketplace link to redeem.

Not signed up for marketplace? No problem. Our zipcode is 75146 and register as a supporter of SALT Educational Co-op. It's free and painless!

Free Writing Workshops for Teens

Moving Words Writing Camps are a series of tuition-free one-hour writing camps taught by local writers who assist teens in the art of creative writing. Each one-hour camp will focus on either Fiction, Poetry or Playwriting. The camps are presented by the Dallas Public Library system and Thriving Minds, with the classes being taught by Junior Players' teaching artists. (You don't have to live in Dallas to participate.)


Upcoming camps include Fiction, Playwriting, and Poetry, and will be provided throughout Dallas. Please read below for details.

Details for the Saturday December 5th Playwriting camp:
Class: Playwriting
Date: Saturday December 5, 2009
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Age Range: 13 -19 years old
To register for this Playwriting class, please call or visit any of the libraries listed below.

Locations:
Arcadia Park Library- 214-670-6446 (Corrie Coleman is attending this one.)
1302 N Justin Ave Dallas, TX 75211

Fretz Park Library- 214-670-6421
6990 Belt Line Rd Dallas, TX 75254

Highland Hills Library- 214-670-0987
Stuart Rd Dallas, TX 75241

Lochwood Library- 214-670-8403
11221 Lochwood Blvd Dallas, TX 75218

Polk-Wisdom Library- 214-670-1947
7151 Library Ln Dallas, TX 75232

There will also be a Poetry Writing Camp on Saturday December 12.

For more information or questions concerning the Moving Words Camps, please call Program Director Rosaura Cruz at 214-526-4076

Opportunity to Serve Homeless Kids

On Thursday night, December 17, the Coleman family is going to host a simple party for children who have recently been homeless.  We will be at the Vogel Alcove, a day care center for homeless children in Dallas.  Their parents will be in the building in another room choosing Christmas gifts for their kids.  We will be entertaining the children.

Let me (Kristi) know if you would like to join us.  You could bring a favorite Christmas book to read to them or a game to play or a snack.

What a neat way to be kind to kids who've already had a rough life!

Homeschool Choir Concert

Dear Home School Families,


I would like to invite you to Faith Bible Church on December 6, at 6:00 pm. We will be hosting a wonderful evening of two great events you won’t want to miss!

The Home School Reflections Concert Choir (an 80 voice choir comprised of home schoolers from the DFW metroplex who have had distinguished honors of singing at such events as the Veterans Day Celebration in Downtown Dallas and the DFW Nat’l Memorial Cemetery, the Rep. National Convention, and will be singing for the troops in Ft Hood in December) will be singing a delightful concert, sharing songs from their Christmas repertoire. It will bless your soul and point you to the “Reason for the Season.”

Dr. John Whitcomb (an expert in the creation science field and well known author and speaker) will be speaking on the subject of The Tower of Babel-Genesis. He will also be speaking at a workshop here at Faith Bible Church on Saturday Morning, December 5 on The Origin of Mankind (9:30 am) and Dinosaurs and Man (10:45 am) and Sunday Morning, December 6 at 9:30 and 10:45 on What is Man? -Psalm 8.

Come and bring your questions to the workshop and be blessed! J

We look forward to having you!

For more information, please contact Faith Bible Church at 972-223-0000

~Deedy Gonzales

Director of Worship and Music

Free Harp Concert in Waxahachie

This info is from a harpist I know named Laurel Allen.  She's been playing professionally for 25 years.
 
Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25? Has the celebration of Christmas ever been outlawed in America? Why do we put tinsel on our Christmas trees? Just what do all those silly words mean in "The Twelve Days of Christmas"? Learn the answers to these questions and more on Sunday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m. I'll be performing my special Christmas program, CHRISTMAS IN NORTH AMERICA at First United Methodist Church of Waxahachie located at 505 W. Marvin, Waxahachie 75165. The program is free and open to the public, although an offering will be taken to benefit Golden Cross, a United Methodist affiliated charity.

Free Tap Dance Show

The Souls of Our Feet: A Celebration of American Tap Dance


Catch The Souls of Our Feet, a dazzling display of 16 flying feet featuring Tapestry Dance Company. The concert starts tap master Acia Gray and the legendary Arthur Duncan from The Lawrence Welk Show. Seating is first come, first served. Free.

Where: Irving Arts Center


3333 N. MacArthur Blvd.

Irving, TX 75062
When: Dec 4

7:30pm
Price: Free
Phone: 972/252-7558
Web: http://www.irvingartscenter.com/

Free Museum Day-- Science Place and Natural History

Free holiday festival featuring Dallas Wind Symphony Quintet concert, free museum visits, kids activities, arts and crafts, The 500 Inc. Holiday Market, plus Esplanade Fountain “dancing water” debut


Sunday, December 6, 2 – 7 p.m.
3 – 6 p.m.

Free admission to all Fair Park museums

4:30 p.m.

Dallas Wind Symphony Quintet concert

6 p.m.

City of Dallas Tree-Lighting Ceremony, Candlelight Military Tribute and a holiday-themed Esplanade Fountain water performance


FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Fair Park Dallas, Texas

Celebrate the season and have a Sunday “fun day” filled with free museum visits, a Dallas Wind Symphony Quintet concert, arts and crafts, kids activities, Holiday Market presented by The 500 Inc., entertainment and more at MetroPCS Fair Park Holiday on December 6, from 2 – 7 p.m.

Come see the unveiling of the newly renovated “Bellagio-style” Esplanade Fountain. Also, two original recreations of the 1936 sculptures will be introduced – Tenor and Contralto, which adorned the Esplanade Fountain during the Texas Centennial Exposition. Armed with 272 jets shooting water as high as 100 feet, the Esplanade Fountain will paint the skies with “dancing water” performances synchronized to music throughout the day.

Other highlights of MetroPCS Fair Park Holiday include free admission to all Fair Park museums from 3 – 6 p.m., a holiday concert by the Dallas Wind Symphony Quintet at 4:30 p.m. and the official City of Dallas Tree-Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m., which includes a special candlelight tribute to the men and women serving in all branches of the U.S. military and a special Esplanade Fountain water show featuring holiday music.

The Holiday Children’s Area in Centennial Hall will house arts and crafts, ornament-making, do-it-yourself gift wrapping (kids only), pictures with Santa, bounce houses, and a variety of activities and entertainment. The 500 Inc. Holiday Market will feature a variety of quality merchandise, gifts and holiday décor.

Concessions will be available for purchase. Admission is free, and parking is $10.

Mini Cake Balls

I learned an easy holiday treat from a chef this week. Mini cake balls are all the rage with the Neiman's catalogue customers. The Highland Park baker who supplies Neiman's has shared the recipe, and it's very easy. All you need is a boxed cake mix, a tub of icing, chocolate for dipping, and something to roll them in. Think toffee chips or toasted pecans.

Get creative with the combinations of cake flavors and icings.

Go here for instructions and ideas..

Homemade Kettle Corn

Here's an easy snack for a relaxing game night over the holidays.

Put 2 Tablespoons of oil and 1/4 cup popcorn in a pan over medium/high heat. When the first kernal pops, sprinkle on 2 Tablespoons of granulated sugar. Cover and shake continuously. Empty from pan quickly after it finishes popping. Salt to taste.

Martha Stewart says to used powdered sugar, but I've never tried that.

Fun Race for the Family

8:30 AM. December 12, 2009

Each Saturday before the White Rock Marathon is the Mayor's Race that starts at Dallas City Hall. This is a three mile race that you can walk or run, and it a great way to introduce your kids to running. After the race, you can stroll through the health and fitness booths at the Convention Center that are set up for the White Rock Marathon. Personal testimony: last year the race and the exhibits got me pumped up about fitness, and I've exercised just about every day since then!

It's $20 for the whole family to race, and you get a t-shirt plus a lot of other goodies.

Go here for info.

The World of Rocks

"The World of Rocks" is the theme for the 52nd annual Dallas Gem and Mineral Show. This is a great opportunity for your kids to learn about geology from experts with wonderful specimens to see and touch. It's this weekend, November 21 and 22 in Mesquite.

The weekend will feature many exhibits to keep your kids interested and learning: rocks and rare specimens, handmade jewelry, fossils, amber, arrowheads, polished gems, open your own geodes and agates, games, demonstrations, kids mine and a flourescent rock display. There will even be a class for scouts to earn their geology badge.

Cost: $8, Kids 4 - 12: $3, Family of four or more: $20, Scouts and leaders in uniform: free.

Resistol Arena Exhibition Hall

1818 Rodeo Drive, Mesquite TX

(1-635 at Military Parkway)

FYI: My flyer says kids four and under free, the website says 3 and under are free.

Go here for more info.

Congratulations to the Gilberts

Congrats to Jill Gilbert and family! Their oldest son, Joseph, starts SMU this spring, and Joy, SALT alum, has been accepted to Baylor University. We're proud of Jill's and her kids' hard work all these years.

Worship fully, spend less, give more.

If you're tired of all the crazy spending at Christmas, check out http://www.adventconspiracy.org/. You'll find ideas of ways to "replace compassion with consumerism." The site will help you tap into ways to give "relational" gifts rather than just piling on more stuff that we don't need.

Drumming Jam

SMU's School of the Arts presents a free concert by their World Music Ensemble. Thursday, November 19, 8:00 PM

Lots of hot drumming from percussion instruments from around the world in addition to guitar and keyboard.

Go here for a map and more info.

Free Gift Wrapping and Bow Classes

If you happen to be by a Container Store on Saturdays, they will be having free gift wrapping and bow demonstrations at 1 and 3 through the holiday season.

New Urban Park in Downtown Dallas

Music at the Park
Saturday, November 21
3 -7pm, FREE

Main Street Garden, 1902 Main Street

Live music from artists. Bring the dog and stretch your legs on the Great Lawn... relaxing in the middle of Downtown.

City Lights

Friday, November 20
Free - 6-10PM
Main Street in Downtown Dallas

7:00 PM: Neiman Marcus Building Lighting, Holiday Window unveiling (which actually allows kids to crawl through them in tubes this year!) and Santa's arrival
7:30 PM: From Neimans to Main Street Garden, follow Santa on a promenade to light the holiday tree, followed by performances from music groups and the Dallas Theatre Center.

Holiday characters stroll the district with music and family actitivities that surround the one-of-a-kind 60 foot Christmas tree.


Visit http://www.yourdspot.com/

Free Dallas Heritage Village

Free Admission to Old City Park: Sunday, December 6

December's Theme is "Simple Celebrations.

Noon - 4

Help the villagers prepare for the holidays and make a gift for someone special. Listen to cell phone tours to learn the history of the buildings.

Go here to find out more.

$1 Day at Dallas Zoo

Dollar Day at the Dallas Zoo

$1 admission, $7 parking (or ride DART)

November 24, 9 - 4

Get there as early as possible to avoid the crowd.

This would save a family of four $40.

Go here for details.

11th Annual Pow Wow

11th Annual Pow Wow

Saturday, November 14, Richland College
12:30 - 10:00 PM in the Gym
arts, crafts, food, singing, dancing and drums
12800 Abrams Road in Dallas
Go here for more info.

Horseback Riding Camps

Camp El Har is having horseback riding day camps for homeschoolers, December 14 -18. It will only cost $30 and they will be there from 8:00 - 4:00. (Great time for Mom to go Christmas shopping or wrap presents....)

Each additional day is $20 each.

Call 214-674-0893 or email kheil@lakeviewcamp.net to sign up. (I would do this ASAP because these are very inexpensive prices.)

Stocking Stuffer Tip

Ms. Alicia has taught us all to combine sales and coupons. Well, here's an easy one to help you stock up on little Christmas gifts. Bath and Body Works is having a sale on their signature products: buy 3, get two free. You can combine it with a coupon that gives you $10 off $30. Go here for the coupon. I just bought six bottles of Warm Sugar Vanilla shower gels for a total of about $20 that would have normally been over $65. (I used a second I got from a mailer.)

1/2 Price Music Lessons!

What if I told you I knew a group of teachers (more than 50 of the best in the US, in fact) you could hire for less than $70 a year who would come to your house as many times a week as you wanted at the most convenient times for your family? These teachers have been teaching guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and voice for 25 years, and they've perfected their teaching style for all levels and ages from absolute beginner to advanced. And they won't even care if you're in your jammies and the house is a mess.

WorkshopLive is an online video curriculum made by the National Guitar Workshop, and these top-quality lessons have been approved by the State of Texas for use in schools.

Today and tomorrow you can join workshoplive for half price! It's less than $70 for a year of lessons. You don't have to choose your instrument. You will have access to guitar, bass, voice, and drum lessons. The site says they have16,000 high quality videos. I've previewed a few and was impressed enough to join.

My brother has been an expert guitar player for over thirty years, and even he learns things from this site. Check it out here and try some sample lesson.

Wizard of Oz and Free Dinner

The Mockingbird DART Station is having a free outdoor screening of the Wizard of Oz tonight, November 4 at 7:00 PM. If you donate a slightly used children's book, your children can eat free at Valpiano tonight from 5 - 9 PM. Go here for more info.

Stuart Little Production Just $5

This weekend at Theater Arlington you can see the production of Stuart Little for just $5 if you go through Event Alert. First of all, you have to email Event Alert to tell them you want to join. (It's free and they send you daily offers for cheaper seats at both theater and music events.) Email them at eventalert@eventalert.org, and they will tell you through email where to mail your money.

For more about the show, go here.

Grand Opening: Downtown Dallas Y Free Open House

This Saturday, November 7th from 11 - 2, the Downtown Dallas YMCA is debuting it's major renovations in a free open house. There will be free exercise classes and nutritional tidbits. Go here for more info.

Best of Broadway

The University of Texas at Dallas presents The Best of Broadway, November 6 at 7:00 and November 7 at 2:00 and 8:00. Admission is free with a suggested $5 donation for their scholarship fund. Performances will be in the University Theater.

Call 972-UTD-ARTS for more info. Or click here.

ScienceFest, this Thursday!

This Thursday is ScienceFest at Southern Methodist University, November 5 from 5:30 - 9:30. It will be held in the Student Center. I had previously posted that it is at Southwestern Medical Center. Oops!

I have arranged for some of the science professors to give us a tour of some of the graduate science labs before ScienceFest begins. If you would like to join the tour meet us at the Student Center at 3:45 PM for a 4:00 tour. Bring some money for a quick dinner.

Click here to email me if you want to come.

4th Annual Romanian Food Festival

Next weekend, November 6 - 8 is the annual Romanian Food Festival, held at the Romanian Orthodox Church in Colleyville. They not only have food but they have "Romanian Culture Primers" as well as Romanian music and dancing. Go here for more details.

Learn About the Old West

My kids had a great time at this event a few years ago. It's super for elementary ages.

Please see below for info on an opportunity to learn about the Old West. This is for homeschoolers and they are looking to fill up one of the sessions.

Here is a description from the link:

Hands-on camp includes 4 stations where students will learn about life during the time of the Texas Cattle Drives and interact with costumed characters such as: a Cook, a "Trail Boss", a Cowboy, the first female rancher, a Texas Ranger, Trapper, etc. The session open session is at 12:45 PM on November 13th, 2009. It will last one hour.
For more information about the program go here

The 10 and 11:15 AM are booked solid.

Interested parents can call or email me (contact info listed below). First come, first serve. The cost is $6/student. Participants should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before their scheduled session time (i.e. 12:30 for the 12:45 session) so the kiddoes can be properly oriented on the camp and any rules.

The camp will be held at the Hall of State in Fair Park , 3939 Grand Avenue , Dallas , Texas 75210 .

Edgar Allan Poe Theatrical Presentation

October 29, 7:00 PM

A live theatrical event exploring the stories and poems of Edgar Allen Poe for the entire family. At the St. Thomas Aquinas School in Dallas Go here for directions. Cost: Pay what you can.

Documentary Screening

Thursday, October 29

Presented by Grace Bible Church

FREE! Call 214.368.0779

Narrated by Danny Glover, At the End of Slavery is a 31-minute documentary that takes you inside the ugly business of buying and selling human beings, from the brothels of the Philippines to the brick kilns of India – and, remarkably, leaves you with hope for a final end to this brutal trade.

The film explores the link between today's anti-slavery movement and the great historical battles for justice it follows, including the abolition of trans-Atlantic slavery and the victory of the civil rights movement in the United States.

They will follow up the screening with a discussion of injustice, slavery, and God. Narrarated by Danny Glover. Music by Johnny Cash & Moby. Produced by the International Justice Mission.(http://www.ijm.org/)

Free Dallas Museum of Art

Free First Tuesday

Families can learn about art while enjoying art-making activities, storytelling, songs, tours, and more. Lots of fun for playgroups and homeschoolers too. Call for times of each activity. All activities take place in the Center for Creative Connections on Level 1.214.922.1200

http://www.dallasmuseumofart.org/

11/3/09

Ages: 0-5

Time: 11am-3pm

Cost: Free

Free Lunchtime Shows

SMU's Brown Bag series of free lunchtime shows features performances of scenes from operas and musical theater. This month's show highlights scenes from fairytales, including La Cenerentola (Cinderella), The Magic Flute, Rusalka, Hansel and Gretel, Once Upon a Mattress, and Into the Woods.

Located in the Bob Hope Lobby in the Owen Arts Center on campus.214.768.1951

http://www.smu.edu/meadows

10/30/09

Ages: 4-18

Time: 1pm

Cost: Free

A Simpler Time

Brazos de Dios, a homestead community of about 1,000 people near Waco, has a free craft and children's fair the weekend of Thanksgiving-- Novemer 27-29. This will be the 21st fair they've hosted. Kids get to make crafts, watch skills demonstrations like barn raising, blacksmiting, sheepshearing, soap making. The food for sale is delicious and fresh. Tour the beautifully restored buildings from the 1700s and 1800s. Our family went three years in row! Tip: About 10,000 people attend this, so leave Dallas by 8:30 AM if you can. Go here for more info.

Presidential Park

Headed to Houston? Check out the new Presidential Park and Gardens in Pearland. They have 18 foot busts of all the US presidents.

Doolittle Tokyo Raid

The Doolittle Tokyo Raid: America's First Offensive Action of WW II, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 6:30 PM

In honor of Veterans Day the Dallas Public Library cordially invites you to a special A Night Out @ Central program, "The Doolittle Tokyo Raid: America's First Offensive Action of World War II," on Thursday, November 12th from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm on the first floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library.

Discover how the mission was conceived, planned, how the crews were selected, how the crews trained for the mission and how the mission was carried out. Learn what happened to all sixteen crews after bombing Japan and the price the Chinese paid for helping the Raiders.

Go here for directions.

Paul Oelkrug, noted historian, archivist and Coordinator for Special Collections at the McDermott Library at the University of Texas at Dallas, will present this fascinating programThe Doolittle Tokyo Raid: America's First Offensive Action of WW IIThursday, November 12, 2009, 6:30

ScienceFEST, November 5th

Join my General Science class and me for the free Sciencefest. From 5:00 - 9:30 there will be presentations and hands-on displays from science professors and scientists. There will be forty-five minute talks (and sometimes explosions!) in the areas of physics, astronomy, chemistry, electricity, aerospace, snakes, and fossils/rocks. Thursday, November 5 at Southwestern Medical School in Dallas Go here for maps and details.

Winston Science Competitions

The deadline to register for Winston Science Competitions is coming up on Tuesday, October 27. My kids have had a great time doing these with friends. They have participated in the Forensic and Trash to Treasure contests. Here are just some of the competitions they offer: Artisan Cheese, Cardboard Armor, Spaghetti Bridge, Adventures in Duct Tape, Cardboard Boat, Egg Drop, Root Beer Brewing, Trash to Treasure. Go here to see more contests and download the registration form. It is $5 a kid to enter.