June 23rd, 2011 by admin
Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs
A True Story of Bad Breaks and Small Miracles
By Heather Lende
Published by Algonquin Books
978-1-61620-051-0
Description
After a near-fatal bicycle accident in her tiny Alaskan town, bestselling author Heather Lende has an opportunity to contemplate faith and friendship, observe the breathtaking beauty of the northern wilderness anew, and truly come to appreciate the remarkable inhabitants of Haines, Alaska, without whom she could never have recovered. Lende’s idea of spirituality is rooted in community, and her irrepressible spirit and commitment to living life on the edge of the world deepens our understanding of what links us all. Like her own mother’s last instructions, ”Take good care of the garden and the dogs,” Lende’s writing, so honest and unadorned, offers profound lessons to live by. Here she reminds us (courtesy of Ralph Waldo Emerson) that “the proper response to the world is applause.”
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October 12th, 2010 by admin
By Jilliane Hoffman,
Author of Pretty Little Things
Last December, New York’s Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced that more than 3500 registered sex offenders had been purged from the social networking sites Facebook and MySpace in the state’s first database sweep for sexual predators.
That’s 3500 caught, convicted and registered sex offenders who’d actually used their real names when they signed up for a Facebook or MySpace page. That’s not counting all the deviants that haven’t yet been busted, pled to a lesser charge, had charges dropped, never registered their emails with their probation or parole officers, socially communicate using an alias, or live outside the Empire State. With that in mind, consider this sobering statistic: According to the Center for Sex Offender Management (CSOM), the average sex offender offends for 16 years before he’s finally caught. In that time span, he has committed an average of 318 offenses and violated 110 victims.
Wow. Now just imagine who your kids may be chatting with online. Read the rest of this entry »
June 2nd, 2009 by admin
It is so important for the future generations to see parents out there and involved, which is why I’m excited to invite you to volunteer in your community as part of the brand new volunteer program, TogetherGreen Community Passport!
So, what exactly is the Community Passport and how does it work? First, start thinking about what types of volunteer activities you’d like to participate in. Next, simply visit http://www.togethergreen.org/communitypassport and read “How It Works.” Read the rest of this entry »
February 27th, 2009 by admin
The activity of selling cookies is directly related to the purpose of building Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship skills in girls. Supporting cookie season means helping to support girls that will someday become the strong, successful women in our community. Many successful business women today say they got their start selling Girl Scout Cookies! So isn’t it neat to think that when your local Girl Scouts come calling with this year’s best-selling cookies, you’re saying hello to tomorrow’s future business leaders?
Every local troop/group is encouraged to set realistic goals, such as planning field trips and community service projects, to accomplish during the year. The money earned from cookie activities helps the troop/group achieve its goals.
Did you know?
· Girl Scouts practice life skills like goal setting, money management, and teamwork—and they have fun!
· Customers get a great product and get to support girls in their own community.
· All of the proceeds support Girl Scouting in the local community.
Through Girl Scouts, girls discover fun, friendship, and the power girls can have by working together. Each skill learned through Girl Scouting really is invaluable to our future generations. Girls are able to find out who they are and develop their full individual potential early off, when it matters! To find out when and where cookies will be sold, and what varieties will be available in your community please visit www.girlscoutcookies.org.
December 14th, 2008 by admin
The LEAGUE is now offering students a great scholarship opportunity through funding provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
The KNIGHT scholarship is a national scholarship competition where 3 students will receive $5,000 each for their writings or reflections on civic experiences in one of three categories: Persuasive Essay (building awareness and inviting action for change in your school, community or the world), Personal Narrative (experiences with service and volunteerism), or News Story (creating newspaper articles that reports acts of service and volunteerism by young people). The scholarship is open to high school seniors from all over the country, even students who are not part of a LEAGUE classroom can apply!
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation (http://www.knightfoundation.org) promotes excellence in journalism worldwide and invests in the vitality of 26 U.S. communities. Since 1954, the foundation has given more than $300 million in journalism grants.
Applications will be posted at www.theleague.org beginning January 5th. Students must submit their applications before the March 6th deadline. For more details about The LEAGUE and the KNIGHT scholarship please visit www.theleague.org.
