NIE Matters

It was on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, that man first flew in an engine-powered aircraft. Before that time, such an event was thought to be centuries away. If you’re looking for ways to commemorate this anniversary, here’s the “Wright” place:

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson320.shtml

Included: Five lessons to celebrate the Wright brothers’ achievement, plus links to 20 more lessons.

One of our program resources is the Weekly Storybook, an online serial story with a new chapter every week, complete with a teaching guide.

Beginning October 25, the site will be featuring the 8-chapter serial, Tommy and the Guttersnipe, written by site founder Mike Peterson and illustrated by Christopher Baldwin. This is the story of a young boy trying to help support his mother and baby sister as a newsboy, with the help of a homeless boy on the streets of New York in the 19th century. On December 20, the story will switch to  Jake’s Christmas, which is the holiday special based on the same characters.

Access this resource from this entry or by clicking “Program Resources” on the horizontal menu.

If you haven’t heard, NIE and Smart Start are collecting new and like new purses as a fundraiser. We will be selling them at the Women’s Expo on Saturday, November 14.

Donations of quality purses, pocketbooks, totes, etc. may be dropped off at:

• Sun Journal, 3200 Wellons Blvd, New Bern
• Craven Smart Start, 1917 Trent Blvd, New Bern
• Havelock News, 230 Stonebridge Square, Havelock
• Fall Home Show, Oct. 17 & 18, Riverfront Convention Center 

Volunteers are needed for:
-Saturday, Oct. 17, anytime between 10 am and 4 pm at the Fall Home Show at the convention center. We will have a booth and a collection box and need happy people to take any collections that come in and promote the upcoming sale by handing out “save-the-date” cards. Even just an hour shift would be a big help.
-November 2 through 6 and November 9 through 13 to help us sort and price the bags. There is no set schedule yet, we are just getting some idea of interested people and their availability.
-Friday, November 13 after 3 pm to set up the booth at the Women’s Expo at the convention center.
-Saturday, November 14 anytime between 10:00 am and 4:30 pm to help with the actual sale.

Call (635-5623) or email (mchance@freedomenc.com) if you can help!

Although I shamelessly promote reading the newspaper, I don’t mind if you read books too. Here’s something to make it a little easier:

Waldenbooks (New Bern Mall) is having “Educator Appreciation Week” September 29 through October 7. Current and retired educators save 30% on most purchases for personal or classroom use. You will need to bring proof of educator status. Waldenbooks is part of Borders and here’s the link to read the fine print: http://www.borders.com/online/store/MediaView_teachingzone-teacherbenefits?cmpid=SL_20090915_REW This page also has information about upcoming events (including a Where the Wild Things Are Rumpus) and a new classroom discount card program.

What book are you wanting to buy???

Over the summer you’ve seen thousands of smiles among family and friends. Why not share a moment or two by entering the Sun Journal Summer of Smiles Online Photo Contest?

Smiles are contagious. You may help brighten someone’s day, and if you’re lucky, you may win a prize. Bottom line, something special will happen – it always does when you share a smile.

• Photos may be entered through Sept. 16
• Voting will be online from Sept. 17-30
• The winners will be determined by popular vote
• 1st place Sonic Care Toothbrush for Child or Adult, 2nd place $50 cash
• Photos of the winners will be published in the Sun Journal on Oct 4

The Sun Journal is part of Freedom Communications, Inc., which has filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. In a letter today, Chief Executive Officer Burl Osborne writes: “…daily operations will continue at all of Freedom’s daily and weekly newspapers, TV stations and Web sites. We will continue to serve our customers and the communities that depend on us for critical information.”

The plan will take 120-180 days to be approved. I think little will change in that time. After that? I don’t know. I plan to continue business as usual until I am told otherwise! :o)