I hope you enjoy your week Teaching At Home, and I hope to see you all soon! 

Deb Spradlin

 
Homeschool Directory

Please contact me directly at everestacademy1@gmail.com if you would like to be included.  Please include your information in this order:  county, your name, area, contact information, children's year of birth, and any other information you would like added.  Please consider adding your information here!  This could be SUCH a great resource for you!

New Resources...

• Oct. 27 - Nationwide ACT Testing Date  The regular registration date is Sept. 21, and the late registration deadline is Oct. 5.
• Beverly's Dance Unlimited is offering Dance Classes for students that are Home Schooled!  We have a combo class for ages 6-9 where they learn tap, ballet, pre-jazz & tumbling. We also have a Clogging Class for ages 8 & up and a Hip/Hop Jazz Class.  Each class is one hour long and $40.00 per month. There is a $25.00 Registration Fee per student.  Proper shoes are required for classes taken and can be purchased at the studio. We have a year-end recital in May, (this is optional), and there is a $45.00 recital fee due in March. Also costumes are required for the recital at $60.00 each. Classes will start Sept 4th and are held on Tuesdays from 1:00-2:00.  If you have any further questions please call Carla Leslie at 205-681-1955  Many thanks to Beth O'Donnell for this info!
  

• Huntsville Teen Scene -  We are now a group of about nine families each with one or more teens ages 12 to 17.  We are from all over the northern part of AL/southern TN ---Florence to Fayetteville—but I don’t believe any one of us is more than an hours’ drive from everyone else.  On Friday, September 7, I’ll host “Scarecrow Trail at the Gardens”.  The Huntsville Botanical Gardens will have scarecrows made by local families, church groups, non-profit groups and companies lining the paths of the gardens.  Each scarecrow has a different theme and they are competing for prizes.  We will meet at the Visitor’s Center at 11:00, walk the gardens, then head back to the main gazebo for picnic lunches (bring your own).  Admission is free with membership, $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 – 18.   Our family has done this several years and have had fun with the wildly different and very clever scarecrows.  You are allowed to walk, run, tumble, etc. on the grass (in case you haven’t been to the HBG before.)  This is not your grandmother’s stuffy formal garden kinda place.  For more information, please contact Kristen at http://kristen@lindelowkoon.com
  

• Mantis Awards ~ Deadline: March 1, 2008 -  Mantis sponsors this award program in support of charitable and educational garden programs that enhance the quality of life in their host communities. NGA will select 25 gardens to receive a Mantis Tiller/Cultivator. We welcome applications from all nonprofits; past winners include community gardens, schools, ministries, colleges, master gardening groups, and hospices. Learn more here

• Technology Classes for ages 5-adult at beginners, intermediate and advanced levels. As a parent and fellow Homeschooler I am always excited to find someone in the body that can help in a certain area with our children. Please pass on this info to anyone you know needs it.   You can contact me at : Wolex Technologies Seun Peters205-585-6847
• Pump It Up is still offering the Homeschooler's Session on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. The cost is $5.00/child (parents FREE), and don't forget to wear or bring socks. They have already begun the sessions for the year, so tomorrow--the 3rd Thursday--would be a great way to beat the heat & let the kids burn off some energy!!  Thanks for the info Bri!
  
• Lightning Strikes bowling is trying to develop a homeschool bowling league for this year. Unfortunately, I have been unable to get detailed information about this. But, there is a meeting tomorrow--Thursday, 16th--and another on Friday, 17th, at 11:00am to get information about the new league. The only thing I can tell you so far is that there is no charge for tomorrow's meeting at 11am, followed by the kids bowling at 11:30am. I can tell you that the bowling shop there has some reasonable rates on a beginner's bowling set, if that is needed/preferred for the league.  Thanks for the info Bri!
• Art Classes - Treat your creative child to this fun and educational art class taught by local artist Karen Lesser in the student's home..  Students will learn the basic principles of design, such as repetition, to name just a few.  Also touched on will be Art History as it applies to the lesson being taught.  Lessons will be presented in motivating ways using everything from charcoal to watercolor.  This class will challenge and help to develop the child's creative thinking process, while also improving and developing artistic skills.  Cost is $35.00 per child.  Ages:  PreK - 6  Dates:  Aug 27 - 29 OR Aug 31.  Time  9:00 - 12:00.  To register, please contact Karen Lesser at 621-7038. 
  
• Homeschool Ice Skating is back at the Ice Plex in Huntsville! The Ice Plex is located  on Leeman Ferry Road off of Drake Avenue.  It is every Friday, unless there are tournaments, from 11-1 and the cost is $4.50 which includes skate rental! Only skaters pay!  Homeschool stick and puck is $5.00 and is on Fridays from 10-12. Come on out and support our local ice rink and hang out with homeschoolers! It's a great time!
  
• Trussville YMCA - Talked to Fred Hatcher at the YMCA.  He said they could start a homeschool session beginning Sept. 24.  It would run through Oct 17.  Classes would be Mon and Wed from 12:30 - 2:00p.m.  They have be finished by 2:00 because the workers have to start heading out to pick up school children.  They would do sessions of basketball, soccer, and gym games.  The first 1/2 hour would be skill instruction, and the last hour would be playing the games.  Swimming and tennis might be on the schedule too.  It is $20.00 for members and $35.00 for non-members.  We'll need to have about 30 to make it a go.  They are modeling it after the Homeschool program already in session at the Shelby County Branch. Interested families can contact Sara at 661-3841 or Fred Hatcher at 655-2224.  Thanks for the info Jane!
• Inspire Your Budding Renoirs - Little artists will love Tux Paint, the free drawing program for children ages 3 to 12. It combines an easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and a cartoon mascot who guides children as they use the program. Here’s How: Go to www.tuxpaint.org.  Thanks Lisa!
  
• Kid - Sized Critcs - Students ages 9–13 get the chance to write book reviews and have them published in Moment magazine’s Publish-a-Kid Contest. All entries should be between 250 and 500 words.  Deadline: December 15, 2007  Here’s How: Send your students to www.momentmag.com.
• Shelby County Park Day in Helena -  For those of you in Shelby County or close to it, we are starting a new park day and would love to have you join us. We will meet the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month at Joe Tucker park in Helena (the new part behind the lake and to the left) at 1:00.
  
  
  

  
  

Dates to Remember...

• Aug 22 - Oak Mountain "No School Zone" Swim Party at the beach area at Oak Mountain around 11:00.   This will be on a Wednesday, so we should have the beach to ourselves.  We will set up camp in the grassy area at the beach.  Please bring plenty of drinks (water) and snacks for the kids.  I will bring ice and papergoods.  This is a great time to meet new friends!  I hope you all can come!  
• Sep 1 - Teaching At Home & Everest Academy enrollment due
  
• Sep 1 - JMG payment due
• Sep 1 - Dauphin Island payment due. 
  

Sign Up!!!...

• Children's Theater - Hi Gang!  It's time again to sign up for Children's Theatre.  They have a great season this year!!!  Check here for full information: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/teachingathome/355709/
•  Alys Stephens Center Free Performances - This series allows the Alys Stephens Center to share the arts with area students and aspiring young artists. These one-hour performances by internationally acclaimed artists let students experience the thrill of a live performance in a world-class performing arts venue.  During these interactive presentations, artists will engage students with anecdotes about their educational and artistic training and life as a professional, touring artist. They will also offer insight into the music they will perform, as well as strategies for perfecting musical techniques. Resource materials are available for some performances.  Please look here for full details:  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/teachingathome/356110/
  

• FREE Field Trip Aug 25 - Cathedral Caverns near Grant, AL  with Fresh Air Family.  Beat the August heat in the cool 60 degrees of the cavern!  See the world's largest frozen waterfall and the world's largest stalagmite in the cathedral-like rock formations.  The cavers is cited as one of the best scenic attractions in Alabama and the South.  Bring a picnic lunch, water, and wear shoes/boots for walking.  
  Beat the August heat in the cool 60 degrees of the cavern! See the world's largest frozen waterfall and the world's largest stalagmite in the cathedral-like rock formations. This cavern is cited as one of the best scenic attractions in Alabama and the South.  Caravan will depart from the Lakeshore Dr. WalMart at 9:00 a.m.  Please register with Fresh Air Family Register Here
  
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• Aug. 31 - Spring Valley Beach Homeschool Day in Blountsville from 10:00am - 6:00pm.  Cost is $10.00 per person (ages 2 and under are free) to get in.  You will pay at the door.  You can bring your own food and drinks.  I am going to rent a pavilion if enough show an interest.  We went last year and had a blast!  This is a very family friendly place.  www.springvalleybeach.com  Please R.S.V.P. And let me know if you would like to attend with Teaching At Home, and I will arrange for us to have a pavilion.

• FREE FIELD TRIP  September 29  - Hick's Village Meet at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens - Birmingham, Alabama at  9:00AM.  Join us as we tour the Hicks "primitive village", 6-7 log & wooden buildings (including a general store, carriage house, schoolhouse-church & smoke house), all full of old implements, tools, antiques & household items. Amazing display!   Gordon & Cecilia Hicks host this event on their 300-acre tract on Spring Creek. We are also going to see fall color. Bring a sack lunch, plenty of water and comfortable shoes/boots for walking.  This trip is with Fresh Air Family.  Please register here:  Hick's Village in Colbert County
• Nov. 26 - 30 - Disney World Trip Teaching At Home will be going to Disney World in Orlando again this year.  We went last year and had a blast.  You can check out the information from last year here:  Disney Trip 2006 .  The trip will include a 5-day hopper pass to all four parks plus two visits to either Typhoon Lagoon or Disney Quest.  We visited Typhoon Lagoon and Disney Quest last year and had an absolute blast.  These tickets will also include one Y.E.S. Program for the students.  These are absolutely wonderful programs, and my kids are still talking about the one they attended last year.  The rest of the time is your's to spend as a family.  Disney Information
• Dec. 13 - Alabama Ballet Presents The Nutcracker at the Samford Wright Center at 10:00am.  While visions of sugarplums have not yet danced in your heads, the Alabama Ballet is already working towards our holiday season production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker.  Alabama Ballet is currently one of six companies in the world licensed to perform Balanchine's performance.  Cost is $7 per adult.  Children free.  I know it is early for this; however, the quicker we send in our reservations, the better seating we will get. Deadline for sign up, cancellation, and payment is Oct. 15. 
  

• Aug 21 - How to Do Business With the Government at Hoover  Library from 9:15a.m. - 12:15p.m.  Facilitated by Joe Primm from the Small Business Development Center/UAB.  Reservations required at 444-7800.
  
• Aug 22 - Alabama War Dogs at Birmingham Public Library starting at noon.  Hear the oft forgotten story of War Dogs, also referred to as military working dogs. John O'Malley tells the story of war dogs, their training, and their jobs in the military. A special emphasis is given to the dogs that accompany our armed forces in harm's way with true stories about Alabama war dog handlers and their canines companions.
• August 23 - Through the Back Door: The Music that Bridged the Bayou is part of the Alabama Humanities Foundation Road Scholars 2007-2008. They say in Southwest Louisiana that you can be a Cajun in one of three ways: by blood, by the ring (marriage) or through the back door (by befriending the culture). This program paints a portrait of Cajun and Creole music and musicians and the role that music played in allowing non-Cajuns to slip "through the back door" into the world of the spirited people of Southwest Louisiana. This presentation includes stories and anecdotes collected from more than 50 Cajun and Creole musicians as they talked about the importance of music in their own lives and the lives of their families. The stories are funny, touching, sometimes irreverent and often deeply moving. The presentation includes samples of the music itself, both in its early style and its modern-day sound. This program is presented by the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library and the Leeds Arts Council. 6:00 - 7:30
• Aug 25 - Gardening for Health www.southernhomesandgardens.com. Free admmission. Southern Homes and Gardens, 3561 Wetumpka Hwy.--Guest speakers will discuss how gardening is a key element for physical and mental health.
• Aug 25 - Find Fido Fast Family Fun Day  from 1:00 - 6:00p.m  Bring your whole family to Shelby Humane Society's microchip clinic kick-off event! There will be a moon walk for the kids, $20 microchips for pets and free Bud's Best chocolate chip cookies for all! Meet with local experts from the Red Cross, Animal Control, Fire Department, Police Department and DART.
• Aug 25 - Muster on the Tallapoosa, Living History (Alexander City) - Aug 25, Alexander City 8th Annual "Muster on the Tallapoosa," Living History 256-234-7111. www.nps.gov/hobe. Free admission. Horseshoe Bend National Military Park—Various activities throughout the day, living history camps of the Creek and Cherokee Indians and the Tennessee Militia, and guest speakers who offer insight into the Creek Indian War. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Aug 25 - En Fuego, a huge outdoor, all day Christian Concert in Verbena Alabama.  HUGE bands will be there.  Free admission, bring money for concessions.  (You'll want to buy lots of water!)  August 25 (Saturday).  More info?  www.enfuegoinfo.com
  Many thanks to Sue Thomas for this information!
• Aug 29 - The Imprisonment of Geronimo at the Birmingham Public Library at noon.  Please join us to hear Jackie Matte talk about Geronimo the leader of the last American Indian fighting force to surrender to the U.S. Government. Geronimo and his followers, Chiricahuas, were shipped to Fort Marion and later to Fort Pickens, Florida. After a year they group was relocated to the Mt. Vernon barracks in Alabama where were held until 1894 when they were taken to Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
• Aug 30 - Newfangled Meets Old School:  Stories of Cupids, Computers, Food Fads, and Old-Fashioned Home Cooking at Springville Road Public Library from 6:30 - 7:30p.m.  Award-winning story performer Dolores Hydock presents a pair of hilarious stories that ponder whether "new" always means "improved." Find out what happens when a 1960s-era computer tries to make romantic dreams come true, and how an organic diet gets fried in a 60-year-old skillet. Not recommended for children under 12.
• Sep 1 - Butterbean Festival in Pinson from 9:00 - 4:00.  Outside event featuring live music; Tail Waggin' dog pageant; Regional Elvis impersonator competition; BBQ cookoff; Butterbean/Cornbread recipe competition; 5K and 1 mile race; century bicycle run; softball tournament; bowling tournament; golf tournament; lots of arts and craft vendors and three stages of entertainment.
  www.butterbeanfestival.com
• Sep 3 - Coondog Graveyard Labor Day Celebration in Tuscumbia www.coondogcemetery.com. Free admission. Coondog Cemetery, off U.S. Hwy. 72W & AL. Hwy. 247—Graves are freshly decorated for the event. View over 185 graves. Enjoy buck dancing, liar's contest, speech-making, and entertainment. Barbecue available. 1-4 p.m. Come on people!  Some of us NEED to go to this!
• Sep 3 - Burning Man Birmingham Arts Festival brings artists and dancers together to create and celebrate art. Participation is the only rule. The art will do the rest.  Oak Mountain State Park Free with Paid Park Admission
• Sep 4 - Homeschoolers Book Club at Trussville Library at 11:00a.m.  Organizational meeting for homeschooled children and their parents.  Children between the ages of 6 and 10 are invited to attend and learn about a new library program just for them.
• Sep 5 - Music of the Mines, Mills and Railroads of the Birmingham District  at Birmingham Public Library at noon.  Migrants pouring into Birmingham's industrial district, whether from the cotton fields or the Appalachian hills, brought with them their own unique styles of music. Sloss Furnaces curator Karen Utz will present personal recollections of musicians and an array of recordings ranging from soulful ballads to union songs to old time fiddling.
• Sep 5 -Moonlight & Magnolias at Emmet O'Neal Library from 12:30 - 1:30p.m.  Members of the cast and crew of BFT's "Moonlight and Magnolias" appear at the O'Neal Library to discuss the play and its fascinating subject, the frantic writing sessions and production issues that constantly disrupted the making of "Gone with the Wind." This debut entry of an ongoing Page to Stage series by BFT at the library will feature the show's director and a screening of behind-the-scenes footage from the epic's troubled set. GWTW fans and movie fans, in general, will not want to miss this brown bag lunch show about the making of a legendary Hollywood picture.
• Sep 5 - How to Build a Scarecrow Seminar at the Aldridge Gardens at noon.  Learn the easy way to build your own scarecrow from expert Dawn Bowman. Dawn has won several awards for her scarecrow designs during the Gardens' "Scarecrows in the Gardens" and she will pass along her tips to you. Whether you want to enter "Scarecrows in the Gardens" or simply learn how to build a scarecrow for your own home or business, you won't want to miss this seminar.  Deadline for entering "Scarecrows in the Gardens" is Monday, September 24.
• Sep 6 - "Standing by the Fire: Living in John's Symbolic World." at Reid Chapel, Samford University 800 Lakeshore Drive Birmingham, AL 35229 at 10:00 a.m.  This year's lecturer is Dr. Richard B. Hays, professor of New Testament, Duke Divinity School, Durham, N.C. His topic will be "Standing by the Fire: Living in John's Symbolic World."
• Sep 6 - Copyright & Trademark Law at The Arts Council 700 Monroe St. Suite 2 Located inside the Von Braun Center Huntsville, AL 35801 from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.  Alabama Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts (ALAArts) along with The Arts Council are hosting a free workshop entitled Copyright and Trademark Basics. Arts and Entertainment Attorney and founder of Alabama Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts, Mr. Marcus Hunt will present information on the everyday issues that relate to those in the arts and arts organization in the areas of Copyright and Trademark Law. This workshop will benefit songwriters, musicians, writers, poets, visual artists, craftsmen, producers, actors, dancers and performers, as well as, those involved in arts organizations.
• Sep 6, 20, Oct 4 & 18 - Culture Kids at Gardendale Library from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.  Culture Kids is a super cool club for children in grades 4 and up.  Each month explore a new culture through music, dance, crafts, and food. 
  
• Sep 6 - The Tale of the Iron Man at Leeds Library at 2:00 p.m.  The Seasoned Readers, a special wing of The Seasoned Performers presents The Tale of the Iron Man by Lee Eric Shackleford. Through dramatic readings this senior adult troupe will share the ups and downs of Vulcan's first 100 years.
• Sep 7 - Prehistory Cultures of Little River Canyon at DeSoto State Park from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.  JSU's Dr. Harry Holstein will fascitnate you with stories of the Ice Age to DeSoto's 16th Century Spanish expedition.  JSU’s Dr. Harry Holstein will fascinate you with stories of from the Ice Age to DeSoto's 16th century Spanish expedition.
• Sep 7 - Ballet & the Beasts www.montgomeryballet.com at the Montgomery Zoo--Enjoy an evening of entertainment under the stars as the Montgomery Ballet and the Montgomery Zoo present this annual production, featuring new repertoire of The Montgomery Ballet Professional Company. Gates open, 6:30 p.m.; performance, 7:30 p.m.

• Sep 8 - Spanish Exploration of Northeast Alabama at DeSoto State Park from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. JSU's Dr. Harry Holstein will take you through their amazing adventures of the first European explorers search for the ancient town of "Coosa".
  

• Sep 7 & 8 - ArtWalk Twelve city blocks from 2nd Avenue North to 2nd Avenue South between 22nd and 25th Streets will be transformed into a vibrant arts district with more than 100 visual artists within the first floor retail and loft space… Plus musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors and a great old-fashioned trolley to ride around the neighborhood.
• Sep 8 - Learning By the Lake Series:  Butterflies  Join United States Forest Service biologists and JSU Field School experts for an interesting hour of educational fun at Coleman Lake Recreational Area in the Talladega National Forest at 7:00 p.m   Take advantage of the beautiful location and camp for the weekend! Family friendly.
  

• Sep 9 - Grandparent's Day Celebration at McWane Center from 2:00 - 5:00p.m.  Enjoy an afternoon of fun and learning with your grandparents.  McWane Science Center members are invited to bring their grandparents for FREE adventure hall admission.  Present your valid McWane Science Center membership card for admission to the Grandparent's Day Reception.  Refreshments and activities will be provided for the entire family.  Please RSVP to (205) 714-8218. 
  
• Sep 10 - Birmingham Pledge Annual Teen Summit  at the Civil Rights Institute from 8:00 - 2:45p.m.  Annual conference for metro-area high school youth, on issues related to justice, cultural understanding, prejudice reduction, diversity and inclusion, and building a community that provides dignity and respect for all its members.  High-school aged youth are invited to come in small groups (3-6 students and an adult chaperone)  to participate in an active program that includes two plenary sessions and four breakout small group sessions. Since lunch is provided, pre-registration is important. Space is limited to approx. 120 teen participants. Call the Birmingham Pledge Foundation 254-3022 for further details.
• Sep 11 - Flowers and Botanicals of Ancient Pompeii at Birmingham Museum of Art . Verna Gates, ethnobotanist, storyteller, and photographer will discuss and give illustrated examples of the plants and flowers that thrived in Pompeii before the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. Great for a garden club outing!  Noon - Meet in the lobby.  
• Sep 10, 24, Oct 8 & 22 - Character Club at Gardendale Library from 3:30 - 4:30p.m.  Character Club is a new fun interactive program for kids K-3rd grade.  Ms. Janet uses character development through games, scrapbooking, stories, movies, and more. 
  
• Sep 12 - Learn to Dance Like the Stars at the Birmingham Public Library from 12:00 - 1:00p.m.  Come join us in this fun interactive brown bag program featuring the Birmingham Ballroom Dance Association. We are bringing them back for a repeat performance. You will learn some of the basic dances used in ballroom dancing. You don't have to bring a partner to join in the fun, just come in and put your best foot forward.
• Sep 12 - Mark Seymour will entertain today. He is a musician, magician, and all around entertainer. Join us today to find out what kind of magic he will make!  Emmet O'Neal Library 12:30 - 1:30 
• Sep 12 - Oh! Henry:  The Surprising Short Stories of William Sydney Porter  at Cullman Public Library from 1:00 - 2:00p.m.  Award-winning story performer Dolores Hydock presents a program on the surprising life and work of William Syndey Porter, better known as "O. Henry." The program tells of Porter's unusual professional and personal life, and includes several of his classic "surprise ending" stories.
• Sep 13 - Dog Day Birthday Bash at Zydeco from 6:00 - 9:00p.m.  Three Friends have joined their birthday's together to throw one big party for animal rescue groups. There is food by Little Savannah, the lovely Samaraya belly dancing and the talented Paul Hutchinson flamenco/classical guitar. The party is Free but please bring donations for the rescue groups. Some suggestions are: Ca$h, Wal-Mart gift cards, dog food, cat foot, litter, bedding, food bowls, leashes and pet carriers.
• Sep 14 & 15 -  Family Weekend DeSoto State Park JSU Field Schools and De Soto State Park will offer fun activities Friday night, all day Saturday and Saturday night for families who want to learn about nature together.  Join JSU Field Schools Renee Morrison and Dr. Fran Romano for fun "live animal" Campfire Talk on Friday and Saturday nights. Can Snakes Crawl Backwards?  Did you know that snakes cannot crawl backwards?    www.desotostatepark.com
  
• Sept 15 - Gulf Shores 20th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup 251-929-0900. www.alabamacoastalcleanup.com. Mobile, Baldwin & Escambia counties—Volunteers convene to "get the trash out of the splash" by cleaning up Alabama's beaches and waterways. This event provides participants with a first-hand experience that improves the ecosystem. 8 a.m.-noon.
• Sep 15 - Backpacking 101 Workshop 205-913-9911. http://hikealabama.org Gardendale Civic Ctr. 857 Main St.—This workshop will teach you the basics of backpacking from equipment needed to cooking to hiking with children and everything in between. 9 a.m.-noon.
• Sep 15 - Morgan Creek's Annual Grape Stomp in Harpersville is the biggest event of the year celebrating the harvest or "crush" as it's known at wineries. Visitors get to stomp grapes with their feet in wooden barrels, take free tours, enjoy free wine tastings, plus food and other fun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Sep 16 - National College Fair Wondering what college is right for you? Learn about admission, and explore your college options at the Birmingham National College Fair! This free event will take place from 1pm- 4pm, 2007 at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. Meet one-on-one with college admission representatives from around the country. Discuss admission requirements, financial aid opportunities and more.  At the fair' s counseling center, students and parents can meet with experts to assess their individual needs. For more information about the Birmingham National College Fair, visit www.nacacnet.org.

• Sep 18 -NASA Discovery Program Workshop for educators to be held in Huntsville at the Educator Training Facility at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.  for  4 - 12 science educators including homeschooling parents. 
  NASA’s Discovery Program of space exploration missions, such as Stardust and Deep Impact, is conducting a Professional Development session for science educators. Come learn about these exciting solar system investigations and receive free classroom-ready materials, including curriculum, posters, bookmarks and decals, to engage your students. Space is limited, and advance registration is required.    For more information and to register, contact Shari Asplund, Discovery Program Education and Public Outreach Manager at  

  shari.e.asplund@jpl.nasa.gov  NO COST TO ATTEND – LIGHT DINNER PROVIDED
• Sept 20 - ArchiTreats: Food For Thought 334-353-4712. www.archives.state.al.us. Alabama Department of Archives & History--Bring a sack lunch and participate in the Lecture Series. This month's topic is "Was There a Religious History of the American Civil War?" presented by George C. Rable. 12:05-1 p.m
• Sep 22 - Family Fun Day at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens from 10:00 - 4:00 Celebrate the colors of the season at the regions most diverse and beautiful outdoor attraction, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Children's activities include Origami, scavenger hunts, popcorn growing, leaf printing and more! Other activities will include a variety of arts & crafts on display in The Hill Garden, music, and snacks; along with hands-on activities that compliment our Discovery Field Trips for area students that includes a Tropical Rainforest tour; harvesting cotton, peanuts and sweet potatoes in the Dr. George Washington Carver garden; learning about the unique ways Native Americans survived off of the Earths natural resources; exploring the Alabama Woodlands to learn how plants need animals and animals need plants: the interdependency message; and the Japanese Garden will be filled with numerous cultural activities sponsored by the Japan America Society.
• Sep 23 - How To Fish at the Aldridge Gardens from 2:00 - 4:00 Kids 4-12 can learn about knot tieing, casting, choosing bait and general fishing tips. Class size will be limited to 30 children and each must be accompanied by a parent. Reservations are required by September 19.
• Sep 28 - My Favorite Poem is a community poetry reading that invites diverse members of the community to come together for an evening to share unique, personal treasures: the poems they love. Modeled after Robert Pinsky’s Favorite Poem Project, MY FAVORITE POEM gives each reader five minutes to share a favorite famous poem and tell how it is important in their lives. The event is at once unifying and electrifying as people from many different walks of life gather to celebrate the power of literature to affect all our lives.  If you are interested, please contact Irene Latham at http://irenelatham@bellsouth.net by August 15 and include your name, address, phone number, occupation, favorite poem including author and complete text and why this poem is important to to you.
• Sep. 29 - Museum Day is a nationwide event where participating museums and cultural institutions across the country offer free admission to Smithsonian readers and Smithsonian.com visitors, allowing for one day only, the free-admission policy of Smithsonian's Washington, D.C.-based facilities to be emulated across the country.  Participants must present the Museum Day to receive FREE GENERAL ADMISSION. The Museum Day Admission Card is valid for you plus one guest and is limited to one per household. You can click on this link to find  participating venues across the U.S.  Thanks very much to Berta for this information!
• Oct. 31 - Southern Ghosts at Homewood Library from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.  Join Alabama author Karen Zwiefel for spooky Southern ghost stories for 6th grade and up. 
  
• Oct. 16 - Alabama Ballet at Homewood Library at 4:30 p.m.  Alabama Ballet presents highlights from their production of Where the Wild Things Are. 
  

Not Free but Worth Every Penny...

• Aug 25 - NOLA Goes Back to School at the McWane Center for ages 11 - 17  from 3:30 - 5:00p.m Fee:  A completed one-gallon baggie of school supplies (CLICK HERE for a list of required school supplies)Other notes:  Space is limited, so reserve your spot today by calling 205.714.8219 Join us for a school-supplies drive for the teen girls of New Orleans who were affected by Hurricane Katrina!  In concert with the Recovery School District of New Orleans, Girls Math & Science Program is working with museums across the country and MacGillivray Freeman Films to give girls the tools they need to go back to school and succeed.  Bring a completed baggie of school supplies* as your ticket to a free screening of Hurricane on the Bayou at McWane Science Center's
• Sep 14 thru 16 - Reenactment of the Battle of Buckhorn Tavern in Huntsville at the Sharon Johnson Park.  This is a reenactment of an actual event that took place on October 12, 1863. It happened on the New Market Road, near dark, on a stormy, rainy evening. The fight was brief and, though fiercely contested, there were few if any casualties on either side. Both Union and Confederate officers later claimed victory in written reports of the incident. Civil War re-enactors from Alabama and Tennessee will be encamped at the park for a living history weekend. The gates open to the public at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Friday is school days for all local schools. The camps are open for public walk-thru all day until 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 15th, and until time for battle on Sunday. Saturday be sure to check out the Western Theater Cavalry Championships. This will be a competition that challenges both horse and rider through a cross county course full of obstacles. There will be a Mounted single class, Mounted 4 man team and a dismounted 4 man team. This event will be one that you will not want to miss. The entire weekend presents a great opportunity to step back in time and see what it was like to be a soldier or civilian in the field during that tragic time in our history. Clothing, equipment, and weapons are as accurate as possible. Abe Lincoln and Jeff Davis impressionists will be on hand to defend the Union and Confederate positions in the War Between the States.  Battles take place on Saturday at 3 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. The Cavalry Championship starts 9:00 A.M. both days.  The admission is $5.00 per adult and $2.00 per child under the age of 16.
  

• September 19–21 - Biltmore Home School Festival is Opening Our Eyes to a World of Art.  We’ll explore the world of art—from the fine art collections of Biltmore House to traditional Southern Appalachian arts and crafts. What is art? Why is it important? What types of art exist? We’ll address these questions and more.  For more information contact Group Sales at groupsales@biltmore.com or 866-851-4661.  Cost: $19.00 per person 5 years old and up.  Dining Options: Picnic, Box Lunches, 3 Restaurants.  Accommodations:  Packages starting as low as $165 for family of 4 includes room, tickets, breakfast - 14 locations offered.  Payment: Due at time of reservation.  Thanks for the info Julie!!!
• Sep. 24 - Homeschool Day at Tennessee Aquarium - Students and their families will be offered discounted tickets to the Aquarium, the IMAX Theatre, and gift shops. Free educational and animal programs will be offered along with crafts for the smaller children. Scavenger hunts, live animal encounters and interactive programs enhance your learning experience while you tour the buildings.  Home school students may purchase tickets at a discounted education rate of $5.75 to the Aquarium and $4.50 for the IMAX. Adult Aquarium tickets are $17.95 and adult IMAX tickets are $7.25. Combo tickets (Aquarium and IMAX movie) are $9.00 per student and $22.95 per adult.  Tickets for a guided behind-the-scenes tour will be available for $5.00 on this special day and must be purchased at the ticket office.  http://www.tnaqua.org/KidsTeachers/Homeschool.asp
• Sept. 22, 2007 through Jan. 6, 2008 - It's BIG...Really BIG...and it's coming to Anniston Museum!  A  T. REX named Sue, appearing exclusively at Anniston Museum of Natural History.  Never before in Alabama.  This tour was created by The Field Museum of Chicago and made possible through the generosity of McDonald's Corp.  For tour info or reservations, call Jennifer Smith @ 256-237-6766, or e-mail tourcoordinator@annistonmuseum.org
• Oct 3 thru 6 - Moundville Native American Festival $7/student and $9/adult but if there is a group of 10 or more it's $7/person and needs to be paid in a lump sum.  We've been going since Zac was 8 months and we always get something out of it.  They have all sorts of things for the children to do including Native American sports, Native American crafts, participating in Native American ceremonies.... Here's the web link:  http://moundville.ua.edu/festival.html  Thanks again Deb!
• Oct 21 & 22 - The Kentuck Art Festival is $10/day or $15 for the weekend.  Children under 12 are free and there is TONS for them to do.   They have a children's section where they can do all kinds of activities--most are free and some have a small charge (carving sandstone is like $3-$5 and tie-dying a shirt is maybe $10 but they can tie dye a handkerchief for free). There are storytellers, musicians, and all kinds of interesting things.  Here's the weblink:  http://www.kentuck.org/festival.html  Many thanks to Deb Carden for this info!