Latin Music Concert

Music Faculty Concert

Friday, January 29
Presented by UT Dallas - Conference Center
$5
Go here for a schedule of more great art events and a map to the concert.
An evening of Latin music celebrating the 40th anniversary of UT Dallas.

Free Poetry Workshop for Teens

Moving Words Poetry Workshop


Saturday, February 6

Presented by Dallas Public Library - Mountain Creek
FREE!
Teens will learn the fundamentals of writing poetry.
Dates:
Saturday, February 6, 2010 @ 2:00 pm
Go here to find a map to Mountain Creek Library.

Free Money Workshop For Teens

Money Matters Workshop


Event Type: Teen Center

Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010

Start Time: 5:00 PM

Library: North Oak Cliff
Go here for more info.

Description:When it comes to money which spender are you? The one who's just getting by, the Big Spender or the one who get's it? Money Matters is a 60 min workshop to help you figure out how to keep more of the of the money you earn.

Free Writing Workshops for Teens

Date: 2/6/2010

Start Time: 2:00 PM

End Time: 3:00 PM

Moving Words is a one hour literacy camp with local writers to assist teens in the art of creative writing. Teens will develop or enhance their ability to express thoughts, feelings and emotions. Teens will focus on writing creative fiction, poetry and playwriting.

Library: Mountain Creek Branch Library

Go here for more info. (I can't promise that the cute boys in the photo will actually be in attendance, girls!)

You and Your Girl

You and Your Girl is a Mother-Daughter day at First Baptist Church Carrolton for moms and girls ages 10 - 18.  It is $30 for mom and $30 for the first daughter.  There will be positive messages, worship, girl time, and break out sessions. The speaker and musicians, Vicki Courtney and Sunflowerz, are nationally recognized.Click here for more details.

Jane Austen Teaching Guide

In anticipation of watching Emma tonight on Channel 13 with my soon-to-be teenager, I discovered this wonderful resource on the pbs website.  Moms of teen girls:  go here for an extensive teachers guide for watching PBS movies based of Jane Austen's novel.

If you missed Emma on TV, you can watch it from your computer during this week whenever is convenient for you.  Pop some popcorn, then here to start the movie.

KidFilm Festival

Go here for the complete schedule and movie description for this weekend's KidFilm Festival at the Angelika in Dallas.  We go every year and there are sometimes fun surprises like actors or directors who talk about the movie afterwards.  Expect to see us belting out Muppet Movie tunes at the sing-along tomorrow (Saturday) at 12:30. 

Free Shakespeare and Stage Combat Workshop

This 5 week advanced workshop will be taught by Master Junior Player Instructors Valarie Hauss-Smith & Kent Williams. The workshop will be focused on Shakespearean text and basic stage combat techniques. The workshop will conclude on March 6th with a culminating exhibition/performance. This is a great opportunity for those wanting to audition for our summer Shakespeare production!


Details:

Age Range: 9th thru 12th Grades

Dates: February 6th thru March 6th (Saturdays Only)

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: Sammons Center for the Arts, in Kurth Hall (4th floor)

Address: 3630 Harry Hines Blvd. Dallas TX 75219

To register for this workshop or if you have any questions please call Program Director Rosaura Cruz at 214-526-4076.

Great Deal on New Veggie Tales DVDs

Do your kids love Veggie Tales?  Here's a great deal on a new release that I came across on http://www.mydallasmommy.com/


You can get a bundle, each costing $6.25 or $25 for everything!

The bundle includes: Pistachio DVD, Silly Little Thing Called Love DVD, God Made You Special CD and Christian Hit Music CD.

Here’s how to work the deal:

Go HERE to the VeggieTales site.

Click on “Free Shipping Special Offer” on the right hand side. Don’t click the Pistachio movie advertised on the homepage – this won’t get you the same deal.

Then, click on “Pistachio Love” Combo on the right hand side and add it to your cart.
Use coupon code DEALS2BUY at checkout.

You will pay now and it will be arrive on or near February 27th – it’s release date!

Free Pie on National Pie Day

Friends,  Come to my neck of the woods for some unforgetable Norma's Pie.  Norma's is a classic home-cookin' diner that's been around since the 50s.  They are known far and wide for their pie.  Both Norma’s Café locations will offer free slices of pie on National Pie Day, January 22nd!  Look for me eating their peanut butter chocolate chip pie.


North Dallas Location
17721 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, TX 75287

Oak Cliff Location
1123 West Davis Street
Dallas, TX 75208

Free Ebook: Thriving On Less

Go here for a Free ebook: Titled – ‘Thriving on Less – Simplifying in a Tough Economy’.

Chapters include:


1. A Simple Lifestyle

2. Focus on the Essentials

3. Thriving on Less, Not Struggling

4. Focusing on Enough, Not More

5. Make Small Financial Changes First

6. Look at Large Expenses for the Long Term

7. Changing Your Spending Habits

8. A Guide to Getting Out of Debt

9. Tools for a Frugal Life

10. Resources

Stock Show Rodeo Coupon

Click here for a coupon to the Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo
My husband has done some research and this is the best coupon he can find.

Free Sprinkles Cupcakes!

Sprinkles Cupcakes

4020 Villanova Drive
Dallas, TX 75225

Sprinkles gives away FREE cupcakes every single day if you know the word of the day! The first 50 people to whisper the word of the day, will get free cupcakes...check out their twitter handle or Facebook page!
Go here for Sprinkles locations.  Click this for the word of the day on their Facebook page.

Free Printable Graph Paper

After eight years of teaching math to SALT students and to my own kids, I know many mistakes are made because students have messy papers and can't read their own numerals.  Using graph paper helps kids to slow down and to put the numbers in the right place value spots.  Somehow it helps them want to be neater. Go here for free printable graph paper of all kinds.  You can even chose your color and size of grids.

Homeschooling Through Grief

I came across this article in a website I frequent.  It is written by Julie Bogart, the author of the Brave Writer curriculum.  Maybe you could pass it on to a homeschooler who is experiencing loss.

Grief is such a strange thing. You can be perfectly calm at a memorial service and then burst into tears in the supermarket line. You feel energetic from a good night’s rest, but can’t remember phone numbers. Your brain feels scrambled. Sometimes you’re living under water, all actions slow motion and blurry, hard work, yet the pain is dull not sharp. Then guilt jumps you and you wonder why you can’t pull yourself together to get things done when you’ve already cried your tears and the event that triggered the grief was so long ago (whatever amount of time that is: six hours, four weeks, one year).


Homeschooling under those conditions is grueling. You feel responsible yet unable. It happens to school teachers too. My American Literature teacher in 11th grade lost his fiance in a freak tidal wave on the California coast. It derailed our class for the rest of the year. He spent one session telling us the vivid details of what happened to her, through his tears. From that day on (early fall), he never did get himself together. We limped our way through The Great Gatsby, Steinbeck and Hemingway without much insight or clearly defined writing projects. He missed many classes. Yet we survived. He did too.

One benefit to homeschooling is that you literally are in a house. Taking breaks, napping, crying in the bathroom are more viable than in a school setting. Remember that. Give yourself a break. Additionally, if you’re grieving the loss of someone in the family dear to you (as you are Kelly), chances are your kids are too. They can understand if you say, “I need this morning to just lie down and rest because I’m sad.”

I’ve been through one of the toughest years of my life (2009). My grief was not induced by death, but it’s been a process of loss anyway. I can’t say I survived it well, but I will share with you a few things I know about living with grief and adjusting homeschool to that unhappy rhythm.

“You can’t cheat the dark gods.” If you’re sad, you’re sad. Don’t pretend not to be or it will squirt out in irritability or anger when one of your kids spills the orange juice or giggles too loudly. If you feel blank and unfocused, chances are supporting a rigorous routine will elude you. Then you will heap guilt on your already weary spirit. Start by recognizing that you’re in a process that will take some time to get through. Acknowledge your feelings, in a journal if nothing else, and find ways to slow down the pace of life to accommodate your sadness.

Get a support system. Don’t rely on your kids to talk to you or to help you through the blues. Pick a friend you can call any time of day or night. Then talk to that person. Or if you prefer, create an email dialog with someone who understands your pain. Exchange emails. Don’t keep your emotions in. Find an outlet of support. (Hint: Husband may not be the best person for this if he is going through a similar grieving process.)

Pace yourself. This is when it helps a lot to go back to basics. What aspects of homeschool are most nurturing to all of you? What can you do with your kids that is the lowest stress? I found that reading aloud was a great way to stay on track and to be restful. I also liked using DVDs and the computer for some of our education. I relied more on tutors and group learning (co-op) so that I wasn’t in charge of so much. Remember: you can catch up next year. No need to press too hard this year.

Go vanilla. This is not the year for glitzy memorable unit studies complete with parties and field trips. Think 3 R’s. How can you keep reading, ‘riting and ‘rithematic going? Let history and science slide (if your kids are not in high school). If they are in high school, rely more on self-study and movies, group learning and tutors (if you can). Recognize that sometimes just keeping up with the basics is about all you can muster, but it is enough. Some years, it’s more than enough. Teatimes are one way to keep a routine that is nurturing. See if these can continue to be in your weekly lifestyle without too much stress.

Let them watch some TV and play computer games. I know, I know. That sounds so cynical. Here’s something I know from experience. Kids learn because that’s what they do. I’ve discovered from having been through a rough year myself that my kids have learned stuff I never taught them from Seinfeld episodes, from reality TV, from music (spending big quantities of time listening to and copying lyrics). Your kids need space to recover too, so let them do some of these “lesser forms of learning” without guilt. Remember the summers of your youth when you vegged out all day watching game shows or old movies? It’s okay. They’ll be okay. A little bit of learning combined with a lot of technology and TV for a period of time (a season) may be the easiest way to recover from such a blow as losing your mother. You’ll all get restless and sick of that lifestyle when your energy revives. You will. Trust it.

Deliberately take time for you. Get away from the house, the family, your responsibilities. If you can spend time each week alone at a library or in nature or at a spiritual center, do it. I go to church alone (my kids go to a different church). In warm weather, I take time after church to go to a look out over the Ohio river. I read, journal, sit quietly, and watch coal barges float by. In the cold weather, I ski each week. Be good to you. Restore yourself. Love yourself.

Evaluate your recovery not by days or weeks, but by months and quarters. Change your measurements to longer spans of time. If you get a writing project done per quarter or maybe per semester, be glad. Affirm what you do. Ignore what you don’t do.

Over time, you’ll heal. You’ll know you’re healing because your energy will rebound. As it does, add in some of the missing pieces. But don’t be afraid to throw stuff out or to have a month where you lapse. Grief isn’t linear. It’s cyclical. You can get a lot of energy back and then one visit from family can send you back into the spiral. And of course, if you find that your grief turns into depression, you know (I’m sure!) to get professional help. Therapy has helped me tremendously and sometimes anti-depressants are the difference between drowning and swimming to safety.

Here’s hoping that each day gets a little better for you, just as the sun’s rays are lengthening a little bit every evening.

Julie

Free Photo Valentine Cards

Right now, you can get 25 free photo cards from SeeHere (by Fujifilm) here, and just pay shipping (around 3 bucks). How you ask?

This is from my friend's blog:  mommyswishlist.blogspot.com
Set up an account here with SeeHere (or login if you already have an account) and then upload and create your photo card for Valentine's Day. Use pictures of your kids, your dog, whatever you'd like. Be sure to save your card in the system on SeeHere when you're done. Then go ahead and put 25 photo cards in your cart and checkout and use coupon code newbaby, and you'll get all 25 free. Just pay shipping. By the way, NEW account members also can get 50 free photo prints too!


FYI: If you've already made your Valentine's Cards, think about 25 free "Thank You" cards! Or "Thinking of You" cards.

Boxtop Progress!

Hello all! It is time to let you know how we are doing in our boxtops campaign. The website has updated our earnings, and I am happy to report that we have been mailed a check for $129.33!!!!! This is great news! This came mostly from families being diligent to clip the boxtops off items already in our homes. The only cost is the time of clipping! I am also excited to report that approximately $5 of this came from marketplace purchases. This was only from two families shopping. I have purchased through there multiple times and I am telling you it is so easy to do. Many times it comes with a coupon code or special offer just through the website.


Thank you to all who have taken the time to contribute to this fundraiser. Our goal for this school year is $500. I believe we can do it. There are 23 families registered at the boxtops website. I am so excited about the potential of this program. I believe that shopping through the website is our biggest untapped earnings potential. If each family made one purchase at the website per month and clipped boxtops we could easily reach our goal. The next deadline is February 28th for the April check. We already have quite a few boxtops building up. Thank you. These go in the basket with the striped lining that is on the tables. Please do not put anything other than boxtops in them.Let me know if you have any questions!

Carrie

Free Ebook

Click here for a free ebook on 100 Free Things to Do With Your Grandkids.  Actually, the activities are great for anyone to do with a kid-- not just grandparents.

Free Audubon Center on 3rd Thursdays

Free Third Thursday


Get an fun look at nature—for free!—with guided hikes, kids crafts, amphibian watches and more.
Where: Trinity River Audubon Center

6500 S. Loop 12
Dallas, TX

When: Jan 21
9am-9pm every third Thu of the month.
Price: Free
Phone: 214/398-8722 
http://www.trinityriveraudubon.org/

Foreign Adoption Meeting

Adoption Information Meeting


A representative of Dillon International will give an overview of the licensed, nonprofit agency's adoption programs in China, Korea, India, Haiti and Hong Kong, plus new opportunities in Ghana and Nepal. A domestic adoption program for Texas families and adoption programs in Ethiopia, Russia and Honduras, available through an affiliation with Buckner Adoption and Maternity Services, will also be discussed.
 
Where: Buckner Children's Home campus


5200 S. Buckner Blvd.

Dallas, TX 75227

When: Jan 21
6-7:30pm
Price: Free
Phone: 214/319-3426
Web: www.dillonadopt.com

Free Craft at American Girl Store

Addy's Paper Lantern Craft


Girls ages 8 and older will make cute paper lanterns just like the one American Girl Addy might have made in 1864.
 
Where: American Girl Boutique and Bistro

13464 Dallas Pkwy.

Dallas, TX

When: Jan 18
11am-1pm.
Price: Free.
Phone: 877/247-5223
Web: www.americangirl.com

KidFilm Festival $3/movie

26th Annual KidFilm presented by the USA Film Festival


Programs will include a tribute to award-winning children's book author and illustrator Mo Willems (who will be there in person!), creator of Leonardo, The Terrible Monster; Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale; and Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! KidFilm will also feature new classics including Jack and the Beanstalk, a 20th Anniversary Tribute to Aardman Animations and special sing-along screenings of The Muppet Movie and The Wizard of Oz! To receive a full program schedule, please contact the USA Film Festival at usafilmfest@aol.com or 214/821-3456.

Where: Angelika Film Center Dallas


5321 E. Mockingbird Lane in Mockingbird Station

Dallas, TX 75206

When: Jan 23 - Jan 24
12:30pm, 2:30pm and 4:30pm
Price: $3 per program
Phone: 214/821-3456
Web: www.usafilmfestival.com

Boat and Fishing Show at Bass Pro

Free Boat Show at Bass Pro


January 16th & 17th Bass Pro Grapevine, 2501 Bass Pro Dr. Grapevine (972) 724-2018 Cost: Free. Join the Tracker Experts for some GREAT deals and GREAT family fun. FREE!!! Boating & Fishing Seminars!

Saturday 1pm - Do-it-yourself Service

Saturday 2pm - Women & Boats - The Essentials

Saturday 3pm - Finding Fish with Electronics

Sunday 1pm - Boating Safety

Sunday 2pm - Organizing Your Boat to Fish

Sunday 3pm - Local Fishing Tips

Come in and meet Pro-Angler Gene Ellison as he will be giving you some Tips, Tricks, Tackle, and More.

FREE Family activities: Build your own boat then have a rain gutter race (while supplies last) Test your casting skills at our casting game FREE Snacks & Refreshments starting at Noon; While supplies last

Model Train Show

Dallas Area Train Show


Model train show with operating layouts, dealer displays, how-to-clinics and videos running both days of the event. Ages 4+. Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm in Plano at Plano Centre. Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. $7 per person (children 12 and under admitted free). For more info: 817-721-5064, or click here.

Fort Worth Stock Show

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo


The Fort Worth Stock Show is more than just a rodeo - a wide array of activities and events will entertain Stock Show guests. The carnival midway thrills the young and not so young while fashions, home furnishings as well as farm and ranch equipment will be offered by more than 200 exhibitors. Food for every taste will be found over the entire Will Rogers Complex. Of course the Stock Show is about "stock" and visitors will have the opportunity to see the best cattle, horses, sheep and many other species on display at one of the best livestock events the nation has to offer. All ages. 1/15-2/7; activities vary. Please check website for schedule. In Fort Worth at Will Rogers Memorial Center. General admission tickets permit access to all livestock events, educational programs, commercial exhibits and carnival/midway: Adults/$8, children 6-16/$4, 5 and under/free. Rodeo tickets are separate but entitle holders to general admission. Click here for more info.

Free Wii Gaming

Wii Gaming


Event Type: Teen Center

Date: Thursday, January 21, 2010

Start Time: 6:00 PM

Library: Mountain Creek

Description: Teens will get a chance to compete against each other on the Wii gaming console.

Age(s): Teen
 
Go here to find a map to Mountain Creek Branch.

Free Photography Workshop for Teens

World N Me Photography


Event Type: Teen Center

Date: Saturday, January 16, 2010

Start Time: 2:00 PM

Library: Polk-Wisdom

Description:Learn all about taking great photographs during this hour long workshop with a professional photographer.

Age(s): Teen
 
Go here for a map.

Yearbook Candids Needed

It's time to start putting the yearbook together and we need pictures!!! I know you have all been taking pictures of your classes (teachers, students and parents, too). We need those pictures!!!


Please email snapshots to me at suesueramsey@gmail.com or if you have a lot of pictures you can copy them to a cd and give them to me that way. Or, if it would be better for you, bring your memory card to SALT and I'll copy it to the computer.

Thank you so much,

Susan Ramsey

Misc. Announcements

Produce - Produce Club Pick-Up day is NEXT Wednesday, January 20th. The price is $20. If you have not signed up, and wish to, email Satin Hamilton at satinhamilton@sbcglobal.net



Yearbook Staff Meeting - NEXT Monday, January 18th, 12:45. We will be looking at the Yearbook website and assigning sections to each staff member. The meeting will last at least 30 minutes, so you might want to bring a snack or lunch. We will meet in the lounge.


Picture Retakes - TOP of Texas will be back NEXT Wednesday, January 20th from 9 am to 1 pm to do retakes. If you return your pictures you have already received, you will not be charged for retakes. If you want to purchase new pictures, that's fine, too. If you missed picture day in November, please have your picture taken, even if you do not want to purchase pictures, as we need everyone's photo in the yearbook.



EXTRAS -

* We still are ordering TAMALES every month - check at the front desk.

* You can still get a SALT t-shirt, long sleeve or short sleeve!

* ID cards are available at the front desk for $5 each.

smramsey@flash.net

Kids Vision Fest

Head to the downtown Dallas libary for a free vision screening for all kids.  Kids who qualify will also get a free eye exam and glasses.  You qualify if you have Medicaid or CHIPS or your income in less than two times the poverty level.  Even if you don't qualify, maybe you know someone who does. 

January 19
http://www.dallaslibrary.org/

Acoustic Guitar Lessons

Presented by Duncanville Recreation Center
201 James Collins Blvd.
Duncanville, TX 75116
972.780.4970
$50/month

Call 214.497.8013

If you want to play the guitar, you're in the right place. You'll find expert instruction at shamelessly affordable prices. All materials are provided for you except a guitar. Explore jazz, world, and classical music through the language of the nylon string guitar with Susan Graham.

Susan Graham is the founder and head of one of the most successful university guitar programs in the United States. Her students tour and teach around the globe, as well as in the U.S.. Ms. Graham has been teaching since 1986. All ages and all levels of playing experience are welcome.

Classes are $50 per month, four 30-minute lessons. Classes are on Monday from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Please call Susan Graham for additional information at 214.497.8013.

Free Gallons of Milk

Next Saturday, January 16th, free gallons of milk will be distributed onsite by local Dallas milk processors Borden Milk Products, Oak Farms and Schepps Dairies as part of the Great Gallon Give initiative.


Saturday, Jan 16th, 2010

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday

American Airlines Center

Attendees also may pose for their own Milk Mustache photo and speak with a local registered dietitian.

Moms of Boys, Take Note!

Act fast!  Just an hour and a half left on this offer!  If you're interested in the Nuclear Cowboyz event coming to Dallas on Jan 23rd, make sure and use the code FAISST in the Advance or Promotion Ticket Selection box...where you will pay kids prices for every seat... just $10. The offer expires on Jan 10th!


American Airlines Center – JAN. 23 – 7:30 p.m.

The Nuclear Cowboyz tour has assembled the world's greatest cast of freestyle motocross riders! For more information, go here!

Give Away Items

Give away item:


Twin size box spring and metal frame. No mattress. (believe me, you don't want it!).

Two children's 1-drawer night stands

Tammy Lee, in Ovilla

972.617.6244

Tammy@leebanjos.com

Free Monet Lecture

Lecture-Easels in Eden: Monet's Gardening and Painting at Giverny

Friday, January 15

Both admission and the lecture are free at the Kimbell in Fort Worth
https://www.kimbellart.org/Calendar/