Sep 10

to this week's
Teaching At Home
Newsletter

September 10, 2007

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You are probably asking yourself what in the heck is that a picture of up above... Are you really sure that you want to know? That is a picture of Dae's project for the day. She wanted to decorate a cake, so we went out and bought all of the things we needed to do so. She baked the cake all by herself. She made the icing all by herself... and then.... Well, let's just say it was a good first try. First the icing would not come out, so we heated it a little. That was better but still not good enough. So we added some milk. That was too runny. So we cooled it off... It was too hard again... Arghhhhhhhhhhh! She did have a blast though! We are going to be busy busy this week getting ready for our trip, but when we get back, I will be calling a very good friend of mine (Yes, I'm talking about you Ms. Kimberly Brooks) who is very good at cake decorating to see if she can spare some time to show Dae the basics.

We also took the time to make our "science kit". This is a huge picnic basket full of all of the things listed in our book "Pop! Bang! Flash! Fizz!" which is a book of very fun, interesting, and educational science experiments. You all know how Dae and Dalton love science, so I want to have on hand all of the things that they will need for their experiments. There is nothing that will kill enthusiasm like hunting down the stuff for an experiment and then not being able to find it. This basket is full of things like: baking soda, peroxide, rubber bands, straws, marbles, pliers, tongs, safety glasses, gloves, rulers, tape, eye droppers, liquid starch, etc... I have put it on a shelf where it can be easily accessed by both children. I got this great idea from Ms. Vesta Bidwell! Thanks Vesta!!!

I have had several of you ask me if I was thinking of starting a Yahoo Group for Teaching At Home or for Everest Academy. Is there a big interest in this so you guys can not only communicate with me but with each other? If so, contact me and let me know. If you are interested, I will do it!!!

Also, I have started a new blog with my daily ramblings... This is just stuff that goes on around my house and with my kids.. Sometimes it will be very interesting, and sometimes just plain boring, but I hope that you will tune in and check us out!!! Live and Learn

Do I have any families interested in the Scripps Spelling Bee? If so, I will sign us up for it. Please let me know ASAP. Please see information below.

Please remember that all the new information or changed information is in BLUE!!!

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...

KOA Deal at Disney - The KOA at Lake Buena Vista (aka Fort Summit KOA -- basically right beside Disney property) is offering 7 nights for $229 for RV sites AND offers a free shuttle to Disney. Not sure about Kamping Kabin specials. To access the info, go to the main KOA site and click on "Hot Deals," then go to Florida and check out the deals -- this KOA has more deals than the 7 night special but that was the best deal I found for the week. Many thanks to Mary Geeza for this awesome resource!!!

Saving Our History - The History Channel is giving away 4 free teaching packets dealing with various aspects of US history. You can order them here: http://www.history.com/classroom/flag_form.html Thanks to Rachel!

Lightning Readers Homeschool Book Club in Montgomery for ALL ages! (we really need older kids - please come!) at 10:00 AM on 9/10/07 at the Main Branch library, upstairs in the auditorium. We will have a presentation then pick up the books that will be discussed at the next meeting. Anyone can come, even if they don't have a library card, or are from another county. The book club has its own library account, and all books are checked out to that. All you have to do is provide the librarian with contact information when getting your copy of the book(s). Questions? Please email Melanie at josephmelanie@bellsouth.net

Oct 15 - Scripps Spelling Bee Enrollment Deadline. Teaching At Home/Everest Academy will enroll in this if there is enough interest. Please let me know ASAP if you think you would like to participate. The Birmingham News, sponsor of the Alabama Spelling Bee, is proud to once again bring you the opportunity to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee program. There are several changes in the method of participation in the state and national spelling bee program this year including a school and/or home school association enrollment fee of $99 due to Scripps. In Alabama home school associations with less than 10 families participating, each family may enroll individually by paying a $10 fee. After enrollment, activities with the Alabama Spelling Bee will proceed as usual. The great news for students: The official study guide Spell It! now appears FREE through www.myspellit.com. Interactive links, challenge words, activities and printable study lists will be on the site. (There will not be a printed version of the study booklet.) The great news for home school associations: Three grade-specific levels of the new 2008 Classroom Guide for teachers and the 2008 School Pronouncer Guide will be available online at no extra charge to the association spelling bee coordinator. After enrollment with Scripps, the Coordinator will receive log-in instructions and a password to access the materials. (Families who are enrolled individually will receive passwords to the classroom guides only.) The Alabama Spelling Bee Handbook with the state calendar, deadlines, winner forms, rules, and other important information will be available online in mid-August at www.bhamnews.com/bee. In order for your students to participate in the Alabama Spelling Bee program, you must enroll through www.spellingbee.com by October 15, 2007. Visit www.bhamnews.com/bee for more details.

Five Star 4-H Club in Oneonta - The first meeting of the year will be Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., at the Frank Green Building auditorium, 415 Fifth Avenue East, Oneonta. The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m., September through May. The first meeting will be an introduction to the Blount County 4-H Program, including en-rollment and nominating and voting in new officers for the coming year. To fill out the enrollment form in advance or for questions about the program, contact Wendy Ulrich at the Blount County Extension Office, 205-274-2129.

National Geographic Bee - "Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for this entertaining and challenging test of geographic knowledge... Bee registration is open to schools and homeschool associations with students in grades four through eight who are not over the age of 15 by the time of the national level. A student must be enrolled in a school or homeschool association that is registered with the Bee. Also, students of the eligible grade levels must be following a school schedule and academic course load comparable to the majority of the student's grade-mates and age-mates. A student may not be enrolled in more than two academic courses at the high school and/or college level during each school year of the competition." Registrations must be received by October 15, 2007.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/society/ngo/geobee/

September 13 - Homeschool Moms Lunch sponsored by www.alabamhomeschooling.net at Panera Breat at Patton Creek in Hoover. Time: Noon. Some of us will be meeting earlier around 10 to shop together in the Patton Creek center. Cost: Depends on what you want to spend…Panera Bread is comparable to any fast food priced place. For more details, questions, chat or any changes in plan… go to the www.alabamahomeschooling.net/forum and scroll down to "Other Stuff!" click "Moms" and then click "September Moms lunch".

Birmingham Annual International Festival October 2007 - June 2008 will salute Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. For more information, see www.bifsaltues.org

Twin Hearts Meditation - Unity of Birmingham, 2803 Highland Ave. Meditation aimed at achieving divine consciousness Mondays at 6:30 p.m. Free.

Filmmakers - The Alabama Moving Image Association presents Sidewalk Salons, a discussion group that features guest speakers for those working or itnerested in the film and television industry. First Monday of each month, call for location, 7p.m. www.sidewalkfilm.org .

Ham Radio - The Shelby County Amateur Radio Club meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at Hoover Public Safety Center on Valleydale Road at 7:00 p.m. Visitors welcome. http://w4shl.com

Birmingham Shambhala Meditation Center offers meditation Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Free admission. Call 871-8838 or www.birmingham-shambhala-meditation.org

The Vocalizers Toastmasters Club meets on the first and thrid Thursday of each month at Hoover Public Library at 6:00 p.m. 823-4931 or www.vocalizers.com

Rocks - Alabama Mineral and Lapidary Society meets the second Friday of each month (except June) at Vestavia Hills Library from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. www.lapidaryclub.com

SciFi - The Blue Box Companions meet the second Saturday of each month to view "Dr. Who" videos as well as other British science fiction and comedies at Homewood Public Library from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. 491-6772

Skateboarding - Skateboarders' Club meets the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m Call 620-4715 or www.rideskateboards.com

Soaring - The Sylacauga Soaring Society conducts weekend flight operations in FAA - registered gliders. Training and demonstration rides available. sylacauga Municipal Airport. For details, 410-9535 or www.sylacaugasoaring.com

Dates to Remember...

Sep 14 & 28 - Adamsville Park Day I hope to see you all at Adamsville Park on Spring Street from noon until whenever!!! Please do come! Bring kids of all ages - our teens love to get together as well!

Directions:

I-59 to Hwy 78/Arkadelphia Rd exit (#123) north.

Go approximately 9 miles to the Adamsville McDonald's and turn left

Go approximately 2 blocks to stop sign and stay straigt

Go approximately 2 blocks and come to area where you can go left or right - go right (left will take you over railroad tracks and is the wrong way)

Go approximately 2 blocks to stop sign - Go straight or left - either way will bring you into the park

Of Note: If it is a bad weather day, we meet at Adamsville McDonald's!!!

Sep 14 - American Girl Club

Sep 15 thru 22 - I will be in Gulf Shores relaxing on the beach. I will begin returning messages on Sep. 23.

Sep 21 - Tiempo Libre at Alys Stephens Center at 10:00. Please meet in the lobby no later than 9:45 a.m.

Sep 18 - T&N Acres in Cleveland, AL http://tnacres.com sponsored by OATHE. Here's a brief list of some of the animals that they have: camels, yak, lemurs, porcupines, small alligator, serval, bear cat (binturong), as well as all the basic petting zoo type animals--cows, rabbits, ducks, etc., She also uses any baby animals she currently has for kid presentations/petting. There is a pavilion, and restroom facilities are on site. Time - arrive 10:00am. Cost - $8.00 per person (includes feed for petting zoo portion); paid upon arrival. Location - 55 Copeland Road, Cleveland, AL 35049 *actually in Locust Fork, right off Hwy 79, just past the high school. Deadline for sign-up - Wednesday, 9/12/07 *email Briana at: self-educated@earthlink.net to sign-up
Sep 26 - Oakville Indian Mounds featuring the largest 2,000 year old Woodland Indian Mound in Alabama; an early settlers cemetery with false crypts; a Copena Indian Burial Mound; Black Warriors’ Path; and an 8,000 square foot Cherokee Council House containing a 12-foot statue of Sequoyah and thousands of artifacts dating as far back as 10,000 B.C. Butch Walker, an expert in the area of Celtic/Native American history in the Southeast, will be speaking. Arrival time is 10:00. Cost is $2.00 per person. Please make reservation with Angela Broyles at Angela.Broyles@gmail.com or 256-762-7153.

Sep 29 - Scientific Snorkeling Trip at Pensacola Beach, Florida. There will be two separate trips: 8:00am (first trip) 1:00 pm (second trip) Bad weather day will by Oct. 6. Act fast, so you don't miss out! Students can get up-close and personal with marine life during this super-fun-field-trip. An educational snorkeling trip with an ecologist from Pensacola's Emerald Coast has been arranged for all home-schoolers ages 5 to 99. All equipment will be provided. Professional Scuba Instructors will accompany the crew, compliments of Pensacola Divers Inc. All staff members are medically trained as well. Students will not enter water above their heads. This is a unique experience of coordinated efforts between the staff at Pensacola Divers, ecologists from FSU and Bethany Learning Academy designed just for home schoolers. Cost: $40 per person for the Snorkeling/ Science Exploration. Total number of participants will reflect the group rates for rooms. There is an average of 20-25 dollars per person in each suite. RSVP: Bethany Learning Academy must have a deposit of $20.00 per person by September 15, 2007. Contact: Billie Glazier at Bethany Learning Academy, 205-680-4332 bglazier@uab.edu Paradise Inn is offering group rates for those who would like to stay overnight. The boat can pick everyone up at this hotel. There are many accommodations including a swimming area, picnic area, volleyball and more. Please RSVP and I will email you all the details and a map.

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

Oct 1 through 3 - Camp McDowell The Huntsville Christian Homeschoolers are going to Camp McDowell. You don't have to be a member to join us! Our target age is 4th grade-7th grade. Our classes and evening programs will include: canoeing, pond, compass skills, team adventure, woods walk, Native Americans and Earth, Night Hike, Alabama neighbors. We will learn team skills, communication skills, about animals, reptiles, birds of prey, the water cycle, and lots more! We will have a parent meeting on Monday, September 10, 2007 at 6:30 PM. If you are even slightly interested, please come! You may attend this camp with your child(ren). You will have to pay the same price...$116.20. This includes 2 nights lodging, meals and snacks, and all the wonderful classes and experiences! Please contact Jennifer Cullars for more information at: 256-527-1198
jvcullars@hotmail.com

Oct 5 - Sharitt Petting Farm in Hayden at 10:00. Cost is $5.00 per person and that includes interaction with all the animals. They bring them up one at a time and talk about each one and let the kids pet them. They only schedule one trip per day, so you can take your time They have a place where you can have a picnic. Now if the kids want to ride an animal it would cost more--$1.00 for a horse, donkey, or pony ride. If there are little ones they let them ride on their miniature horses while being guided. Then there is Clem the camel--you can ride him for $10.00, but it is so much fun. Deadline for sign up, cancellation, and payment is October 1. For more information or to sign up, please contact Trisha Jones at rtojones@bellsouth.net

Oct 26 -Dismals Canyon http://www.dismalscanyon.com/index.html Time: 12:30 noon The tour will take about 3 hours.It is about one and half miles long. Please eat before the tour and bring a snack along with your water. Fees: 1st-6th Graders $4.75 each, 7th-12th graders $7.00 each, and parents are $7.50 each. Please contact Angela Broyles to make reservations at 256-762-7153 or Angela.Broyles@gmail.com

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 Blizzard Beach 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. Sign up with Debbi Spradlin at everestacademy1@gmail.com

Free Stuff....

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 11 through Nov 13 - The Alpha Course is a great way to learn about the basic concepts of Christianity. If you are interested in the Christian Faith or have basic questions such as "Who was Jesus?" and "Why did Jesus Die?". This is a very practical course that is presented in a straighforward manner. Course is held worldwide and originated in England. Includes Free Dinner and Childcare. Trinity UMC 1400 Oxmoor Road Homewood, AL 35209 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Sep 11 & 12 - Sloss Fright Furnace is currently seeking ghouls for our newly defined and produced terrifying journey through the netherworld. We are looking for those individuals 16 years of age and up who like to perform and do not mind staying up late. Auditions for the new trail will be held at Sloss Furnaces on Tuesday, September 11 and Wednesday, September 12 at 5:30 p.m. This is an open call for actors, therefore no appointment is necessary. Actors are invited to audition in costume and make-up if they would like their characters to be considered for inclusion in the production. New actors may use stock costumes and props provided by the event to audition. There will be mandatory tours of Sloss Furnaces conducted by Mr. Ron Bates, a historian on staff at the site, as well as ongoing workshops and a soft opening during the week leading up to the event. All hired actors are required to attend these important functions. http://www.frightfurnace.com

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 - Activist Angela Davis to Speak at UAB Social activist and author Angela Davis will present a lecture, "Leadership and Democracy," at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Alys Stephens Center, located on the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) campus,1200 10th Ave. S. Davis, a native of Birmingham, came to national prominence in 1969 when she was removed from her teaching position at UCLA because of her social activism and for being a member of the Communist Party. She also was associated with the Black Panther Party. In 1970, Davis was placed on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted List." After an intense police search, Davis was arrested and imprisoned for 18 months. She was acquitted in 1972. Davis has since published eight books and has lectured throughout the United States and internationally. She teaches at the University of California Santa Cruz where she is a professor in the History of Consciousness Program. Her most recent books are "Abolition Democracy" and "Are Prisons Obsolete?" She is now completing a book on prisons and American history. Davis says she is especially concerned with the general tendency to devote more resources and attention to the prison system than to educational institutions. Having helped to popularize the notion of a "prison industrial complex," she now urges audiences to think seriously about the future possibility of a world without prisons and to help forge a 21st century abolitionist movement.

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 through 19 - Used Book Sale at Leeds Library 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

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? Saturday JSU’s Dr. Frank Romano will introduce you to a popular group of animals known as Tardigrades or water bears! www.desotostatepark.com

Sep 15 - Calligraphy for Special Occasions Washington D.C. calligrapher and Master Penman Pat Blair will give a lecture and slide show on calligraphy for special occasions. Included in the slide show will be samples of invitations, menus, name cards, place cards, and so forth. The focus of the the lecture will be on how to use calligraphy for special occasions. This event is sponsored by the BIrmingham Calligraphy Guild. Mountain Brook Board of Education Building, 32 Vine Stree, Auditorium from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Sep 15 - Pretty Crafty and Clever at Emmet O'Neal Library Grades 7 - 12 from 2:00 - 4:00 Scrapbooking! Registration required at 445-1101

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 - Children's Meditation For 3-6 year olds and their adult escort. use of group activities including play, stories, crafts and discussion related to mindfulness, kindness, and other thoughtful interactions. Parents are active participants in group led by experienced meditation practitioners. Birmingham Shambhala Meditation Center 714 37th Street South (entry in rear of building) Birmingham, AL 10:00 - 11:30

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 16 - Children's Meditation For 7-10 year olds (some flexibility)use of group activities including play, stories, crafts and informal,group discussion related to meditation, and buddhism. Oppportunity for children to share experiences about how they experience the world in atmosphere open to all traditions. Birmingham Shambhala Meditation Center 714 37th Street South (entry in rear of building) Birmingham, AL. 1:30 - 3:00

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

Sep 18 - Peace Corps Party You are cordially invited to a fun event. Please come to a most enjoyable party, reception and recruitment function--all in one evening. Discover exciting opportunities in countries like Samoa, El Salvador, Ghana and Thailand. The function is sponsored by the Greater Birmingham Returned Peace Corps Volunteers at the Smolian International House, 1600 Tenth Avenue South on the UAB Campus in Birmingham on Tuesday, September 18, 2007, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Sep 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 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 20 - ONE Campaign to Make Poverty History The ONE Campaign seeks to raise public awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease and efforts to fight such problems in developing countries. Guest Speaker: Derreck Kayongo of CARE Brock Forum 1st floor of Dwight Beeson Hall Samford University 800 Lakeshore Drive Homewood, AL http://www.one.org

Sep 21 - Black & Gold Senior Preview Day for Prospective Students at Birmingham Southern Named for the college's colors, the preview event gives high school seniors a sampling of campus life, which includes academic program information, a tour of the campus, and a complimentary lunch. Students also will have an opportunity to attend class, listen to student panels, and learn about scholarships and financial aid.

Sep 21 - Invisible Wonders of Little River Canyon JSU microbiologist Dr. Benjie Blair will explain how the creatures you can't see affect you every day. Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm at DeSoto State Park's Campfire Circle.

Sep 22 - Piney Woods is a family oriented event that has been a community tradition for the past 23 years. The festival serves as a major fundraiser for the library, to help to continue the adult and children programs in the community and also raise community awarenes. Offered at the festival will be art and craft vendors, local vendors from different venues, food and a used book sale. Entertainment will include Mayor David Frings' Exotic Animals, Shelby Remote Airplanes, Thompson Jazz Ensemble and local dance troops. Children's Area will feature inflatables, games, crafts, face painting and a book mark contest offering a chance to win a $20 Books A Million Gift Card. Also available for the kids to enjoy will be Pony Rides. Albert L. Scott Library 100 Ninth Street NW Alabaster, AL 35007 9:00 - 3:00 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 22 - Dayhike in Bankhead Forest This is an absolutely gorgeous hike. The scenery is some of the prettiest we have seen in Alabama. We'll walk along a lovely, shallow creek and see hemlock trees, high cliffs and the start of beautiful fall colors. The trip is rated moderately strenuous since there are several ups as well as downs, most of the hike is off trail, and participants will be required to cross Capsey Creek by rock-hopping several times. Carefully-supervised, well-behaved children age 10 and older welcome. Bring a picnic lunch and water. Also bring wading shoes with substantial soles (old sneakers are very suitable), a small towel to dry your feet and a plastic bag with twist tie in case we need to actually wade to cross the creek in places. Showers available after the hike. Optional dinner after. Meet 8:00 a.m. at the Kmart Green Springs. Info: Dan Frederick, 631-4680

Sep 22 - Parasite of Little River Canyon Dr. Benjie Blair of JSU returns to talk about more creepy crawlies that would like to make a home...inside of you! 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at DeSoto State Park's Campfire Circle.

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 at (205) 682-8019 are required by September 19.

Sep 23 - Fall Container Gardening with Linda Askey at The University of Alabama Arboretum in Tuscaloosa from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. The demonstration will take place at the Arboretum, and admission is free. Askey will discuss and demonstrate such topics as container and plant selection, soil preparation, watering techniques, and proper feeding.

Sep 24 - Guest Lecture Recital at Samford Brock Recital Hall at 7:30pm ST Kimbrough is the author and performer of "Sweet Singer," a one-person musical drama depicting the life and work of Charles Wesley.

Sep 24 - American Girls Club at Trussville Library from 6:30 - 7:30pm. Meet Kaya, a fictional young Nex Perce girl who in 1764 dreamed of becoming a courageous leader for her people. Reservations required at 655-2022.

Sep 25 - Girls Night Out at Gus Mayer in Brookwood Mall from 5:00 - 8:00 Join us for martini's and appetizers. Drawings every 15 minutes. Complimentary make-overs and skin care consultations. This would be great to teach Tween and Teens about skin care and makeup application.

Sep 26 - Tailgating: Keeping it Fun and Safe at Birmingham Public Library from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. During football season, where there's smoke, there's usually tailgating. Join us for a presentation by Ms. Angela Treadaway, Regional Extension Agent from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. She will share food safety, preparation, and preservation tips for Game Day cooking.

Sep 26 - Marketing Your Business - Everyone talks about the importance of a business plan, but how many people have a marketing plan? Hutch Cole of SCORE discusses the planning and execution of a marketing plan and explains the importance of outlining your objectives and the strategies you'll use to achieve those objectives. Brenda Cox of the UAB SBDC addresses how to market and sell your company's products or services to departments and agencies of the federal state, and local governments. Learn how to identify the best customers for your business and successfully focus your marketing. This is the first in a three part Small Business series. Birmingham Public Library from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Sep 24 through 26 - Diane Ferlatte is at the forefront of the multicultural renaissance of the oral tradition as she augments inventive stagecraft with the actor´s skill at expression, gesture, and intense emotion, to create multiple characters for each story. Embracing her role as a traditional preserver of folk history, culture, and values, she weaves tales from many cultures, while naturally many of her stories have African, Southern, and African-American roots. In her performances, the multi-talented Ferlatte sings, signs (American Sign Language), uses percussive instruments, and is frequently accompanied by Erik Pearson on banjo and guitar. With a repertoire of hundreds of stories and songs, she tells folk-tales, fables, legends, historical, contemporary, and personal stories for all ages. Sep 24 at Bham Public Library 10:30am, Sep 25 North Avondale Library 1:00pm & Springville Library at 6:30 pm, and Sep 26 Emmett O'Neal Library from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Sep 26 - Samurai Animanga Club at Homewood Library for grades 6 - 12 from 3:30 - 4:30pm. Anime episodes, snacks and discussion of this month's theme.

Sep 27 - Ms. Arawana Hayashi, a master teacher of dance, meditative movement and mindfulness meditation, will speak about the relationship of the creative arts and accessing our intrinsic spiritual wisdom. Ms. Hayashi is a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage, and has a long history of involvement in western and asian dance genres. UAB Honors House at 7:00 p.m.

Sep 27 - Firemen and Their Tools at Springville Library at 4:00pm. Celebrate Fire Safety Month with firemen and their equipment for a fun and educational afternoon!

Sep 27 - National Public Lands Day at Conecuh National Forest in Andalusia at 9:30AM at The Conecuh District Shooting Range. Join the US Forest Service and help clean and beautify the Conecuh National Forest. Be sure to bring your gloves and hardhats. Enjoy a day of free food and activities! Contact Ben Battle at 1-334-222-2555 before September 19th if you can attend.

Sep 27 - Dreamers and Deadbeats: Favorite stories from American authors Award-winning story performer Dolores Hydock brings classic characters from American authors to life in this story concert sponsored by the Friends of the Vestavia Hills Public Library. Coffee and refreshments at 10 a.m.; story concert begins at 10:30 a.m. Free and open to the public. Not recommended for children under 12.

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 28 thru 30 - Gulf Shores Alabama Open Invitational 850-206-2519. www.alabamaopen.net. Free. Gulf State Park—Geocachers of all levels from around the country will gather on the beach for a weekend of fellowship, geocaching and fun.

Sep 29 & 30 - Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival The festival, free to the public, is a tribute to all of the great jazz musicians who hail from Birmingham. The Taste of Fourth Avenue Jazz Festival is a dynamic event featuring local and internationally renowned jazz artists. Taste's Jazz Festival is a community event providing first class entertainment on one huge stage, jazz artists, commercial booths, children's activities, and a diverse selection of food vendors.

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!

Sep 29 - Creek Cleanup Southeastern Outings is pleased to offer to its members and friends the opportunity to participate in the 8th annual Shades Creek Cleanup organized by Friends of Shades Creek. Every year this cleanup is a better event. It is not just about picking up trash but more so about taking a walk in the creek and seeing the creek and the world from a different perspective. Depending on the number of participants SEO people will have the opportunity to clean a section of the creek as a group or by joining with other volunteers. At the end of the morning you will feel a sense of accomplishment and feel differently about the creek. This is a great opportunity to lead by example. A large turnout gives the creek a stronger voice. As a participant you have the choice of getting in the creek (i.e. getting wet) or staying on the creek bank or the path along the creek (i.e. staying dry). No charge. Wear old clothes and sneakers, something you do not mind getting wet or dirty if you choose to get wet or dirty. Meet 8:30 a.m. inside the West Gate to Samford University on Lakeshore Drive in Homewood. Reservations not required. Bring a friend or many. Information: Contact Hans Paul 807-7357 cooterp@mindspring.com or Michelle Blackwood 879-6866 mkblackwood@earthlink.net

Sep 29 - Getting Started Researching & Writing Your Family History at Coldwater Books in Tuscumbia at 10:30 - Family history research is similar to becoming a detective. You will learn more than you could ever dream about research skills while digging into history on a level you never thought possible. You will soon be addicted to finding the next missing link or piece of information. We are going to look at how to research family histories using the steps below to local history and preserving it through the written word for the future generations. Bring a notepad, pencil, and an open mind; we are going to have fun! For more Information, please contact Coldwater Books 256-381-2525 or Angela Broyles 256-762-7153

Sep 29 - Ghosts on the Mountain at Cheaha State Park Join Renee Morrison, storyteller for JSU Field Schools, for a fun family friendly storytelling night on the highest mountain in Alabama. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Sep 30 - Discovery and Adventure: Meet the Authors Dr. Doug Phillips, Ecologist-Educator, Discovering Alabama, APT Roger Reid, Co-Writer/Producer, Discovering Alabama, APT Birmingham Botanical Gardens Ireland Room Birmingham, Alabama from 2:30PM - 4:00PM with light refreshments FREE Event - Registrations required Members of BBG and the general public are in for a special treat at BBG! Season after season you have enjoyed Dr. Doug Phillips and his faithful dog Turkey on Emmy nominated Discovering Alabama on Alabama Public Television. They have hiked through Alabama woodlands, exploring our state's highest peak to our southern gulf coast. Dr. Doug and Roger Reid, co-writer and producer of Discovering Alabama, will be making two presentations for your afternoon pleasure: Adventure Just Outside and Discovering Alabama Forests. This is our chance to get up close and personal with two amazing authors. Following their presentations, each will be signing their recently published books. Bring your copy for a book signing or purchase your books at BBG during the event. You may also check out Discovering Alabama DVDs and videos from our BBG Library. See their website at www.discoveringalabama.org.

Sep 30 - Guitar Shorty Booked for September 30th Phelan Park series (4th Street & 15th Avenue South – across from Dreamland Barbecue) from 3:00 - 6:00.

Oct 3 - The Storied Past of Rickwood Field at the Birmingham Public Library from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. David Brewer shares the storied past of Rickwood Field and the continuing restoration of America's Oldest Professional Baseball Park.

Oct 3 - Protecting Your Business at Birmingham Public Library from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Chances are you need people to help you in your business. Every business owner needs to be familiar with the employment laws governing personnel related issues. Terry Price of SCORE reviews some of the most common employment issues ranging from creating the employment relationship to terminating it. Growing companies frequently need a financial team, too. Coffee Colvin of SCORE tells you what to consider when choosing the people to help protect your profits. This is the second seminar in a three part series.

Oct 5 - Sloss Furnace Iron Pour Birmingham-Southern College 900 Arkadelphia Road Box 549004 Birmingham, Alabama 35254 Art Plaza, Kennedy Art Center/ Azar Art Studios, outside from 5:00 - 8:45 p.m.

Oct 6 - Creek Wade This one will be exciting, scenic and lots of fun! Those who participated in this outing last year found it to be one of the most beautiful natural areas we have ever seen anywhere! There are numerous (about twelve) beautiful, small falls in Quillan and various side creeks. We can actually walk up and right through two extensive, gently sloping cascades easily. Quillan Creek is located in a heavily-forested area with hemlock trees and high banks alongside. Participants on this hike must: be able and willing to walk at least 4 ½ miles off trail over rugged terrain including wading 1 ½ miles in a creek which is sometimes knee deep, wear hiking boots and long pants to hike to and from the creek, and bring and wear shorts or swim suits and wading shoes for the creek wade. Sturdy foot protection is required. Old sneakers work fine, but please no bare feet, flimsy beach shoes, flip flops or loose slip-ons! Please don't come if you are unwilling to get wet! Also please do bring a plastic bag with twist tie or Ziploc to put your wet shoes in and a hand towel to dry your feet before putting your socks and hiking boots back on for the walk out. Please bring picnic lunch, drink, daypack and change of clothes (dry underwear also advised) for optional dinner. Rated moderately strenuous due to the entire hike being off trail, some elevation gain, and the need to walk in the creek a good portion of the time. Children age 10 and over welcome. Optional dinner after. Showers available before dinner Please come with us October 6 and enjoy helping count waterfalls. Meet 8:00 a.m. at the Kmart Green Springs or 9:30 a.m. at Jacks Double Springs. Info: Dan Frederick, 631-4680 or seoutings@bellsouth.net

Oct 6 - 44th Annual Bluff Park Art Show from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Bluff Park Community Center in Hoover This year's show has over 130 artists from 12 states. In addition to the outstanding art, the event features hands-on art fun for children and music for all. The Hoover Lions Club cooks BBQ on site and the women of Bluff Park United Methodist Church sell home-made cakes and sweets. This event is the final event of the " Year of Alabama Arts". Free Parking and free shuttle

Oct 6 - Babypalooza and Expo held at the Galleria from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Whether it's questions about nursing, nanny services, maternity fashions, prenatal massage, baby products, finding a photographer or planning the first birthday party, exhibitors at Babypalooza will have the answer," says Cecilia Pearson, Event Producer. Brookwood Women's Medical Center will host pre and postnatal health seminars at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., they will also have several booths providing information for women's and infant health care. More than 80 exhibitors will be set up throughout the mall with products and services for the prenatal to preschool market in the metro Birmingham area. There also will be a Citywide Baby Shower celebrating expectant moms with fun and games between seminar times, a Diaper Derby, Car Seat Safety, Sampling from Barber's Milk and Mayfield Dairy, Product Demonstrations, and lots of giveaways. Admission is free. For more information call (205) 445-1345 or visit www.babypaloozatour.com.

Oct 6 - Birmingham Bravo Arts Festival held at Caldwell Park/Virginia Samford Theater from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Designed as a "season sampler" to showcase Birmingham's best performing and visual arts talent, BRAVO! will feature live performances from outstanding community arts groups. The aim of this event is to demonstrate the wide variety of arts offerings available during the upcoming performance season. BRAVO! also allows each participating art group the opportunity to market their organizations to the public.

Oct 9 - The Art of the Novel: Open Forum Series for Writers at Barnes & Noble The Summit Shopping Center off Highway 280 Summit Boulevard Birmingham, AL starting at 7:00 p.m. The Open Forum Series for Writers, sponsored by Writing Today, presents Dr. Peter Donahue, associate professor of English at Birmingham-Southern, where he teaches creative writing and journalism. He is Conference Chair for the 2008 Writing Today Conference and will speak about writing novels.

Oct 9 - Where the Wild Things Are Alabama Ballet will give a sneak preview at Alabama Ballet Center for Dance
2726 1st Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35223 from 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. Our 2nd Tuesday Series is an informal performance and "studio chat" with our Artistic Director. This Tuesday, enjoy a sneak preview and behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming production, Where the Wild Things Are. Free and open to the public, we invite you to join us for a glass of wine, refreshments, and a behind the scenes look at our 2007-2008 season.

Oct 10 - Just Chillin' Pumpkin Lab 3:30 - 4:30 in the Teens Department of Homewood Library for grades 6 - 12. Decorate a pumpkin! Snacks and pumpkins provided.

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.

Oct 20 - Meet Maud Lindsay & Her Many Beautiful Children Books at Coldwater Books in Tuscumbia, AL. Miss Maud seems to be best known for her work at the First Free Kindergarten. But there is so much more to learn about her! Who was this Miss Maud Lindsay? Born to the Winston family and daughter of Alabama's only foreign-born governor, she also had uncles who were Alabama and Mississippi Governors. Miss Maud could have chosen a life of self but instead gave her life to serve children. We can still see Miss Maud’s impeccable character and precious imitation on the pages of her many children's books. Come meet the legacy of Miss Maud Lindsay. You will love her and the lovely children's story's we will have available for your family’s enjoyment. For Information, please contact Coldwater Books 256-381-2525 or Angela Broyles 256-762-7153

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.

Not Free but Worth Every Penny...

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.

Sep 15 - Morgan Creek Winery 6^th Annual Grape Stomp from 10:00 to 4:00. Cost $5.00 Featuring “Lucy” Look Alike Contest at 2:00 p.m. Prizes for all Contestants and Winner. Wine Tasting and Tours, Harvesting Demonstrations, Sample Muscadines on the Vine. Visit our winery year round Mon-Sat 10:00 to 6:00 Contact info: Morgan Creek Winery 205 672-2053 www.morgancreekwinery.com or email us at info@morgancreekwinery.com

Sep 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 22 - Destination Pluto at Robert R. Meyer Planetarium at Birmingham Southern at 2:00. Cost is $2 per adult and $1 per child.

Sep 22 - Primitive Skills Workshop at Ruffner Mountain Nature Center from 10:00am - 2:00pm. Learn basic primitive techniques of shelter building, identification of wild edible plants and other woodland survival skills. Reservations required. Cost is $12.

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

Sep 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 4 - Homeschool Day at Stone Mountain in Atlanta. Stone Mountain Park is the perfect classroom for your home school students. Home School Day Price: $15.00 per person ages 3 and up. That's up to a $9.00 savings per person! http://www.stonemountainpark.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=30

Oct 5 thru 7 - Homestead Hollow Harvest Festival in Springville, AL from 9:00 - 5:00 p.m. Original works of fine art. One of a kind handmade and hand decorated crafts. Recreated pioneer village with demonstrations of candle making, blacksmithing, soap making, open hearth cooking, and more. Home of the only licensed, operating, moonshine still in the state of Alabama. Children's activities including, petting zoo, pony rides, wagon rides and more. Live entertainment. Delicious food. Visit our General Store for some jams and jellies.$6.00 adults, $3.00 children ages 3 to 12, ages 2 and under FREE.

Oct 7 - Salsa in the Garden Family Party at Aldridge Gardens from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m Love to dance? The Pavilion at Aldridge Gardens is the place to be on Sunday, October 7. Carlos Otalora of Latin Soul Productions returns with two dance instructors and plenty of hot Latin music for an afternoon dance party. A dance lesson at 2pm and another at 5pm will teach basic Salsa steps. The Cuban Grill 280 and KoKo Bubble Tea will sell food and beverages. During the dance lessons, children will have a pinata party and build a scarecrow. $8 for members, $10 nonmembers, $1 for children

Oct 8 - Robert R. Meyer Planeteraium: Stars & Constellations at 2:00 p.m. at Birmingham-Southern College 900 Arkadelphia Road Box 549004 Birmingham, AL 35254 Cost is $2 adults and $1 children

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!

Oct 31 - Bodyology at the Alabama Theater at 10:00 a.m. presented by Slim Goodbody, the costumed “health crusader” who appeared for years on Captain Kangaroo and PBS. Bodyology is a show for children in grades K-4. Bodyology uses music, movement, fanciful props, and a large rear screen projection unit to lead youngsters on an incredible journey within. It provides an opportunity for audiences to understand how their bodies work, and inspires them to be the best they can be. Tickets are $6.50 and you can book online at their website: www.slimgoodbody.com.

Links...

Free Rosetta Stone - Rosetta Stone is an online language library that offers a powerful method for fast and effective language learning online. This award-winning program uses recorded voices of native speakers and thousands of real life photographs to recreate the natural process of language learning. There are 29 complete two-year language courses offered here for free!!! http://www.jclc.org/

APTPLUS and Discovery Education– As you may know, Alabama Public Television is pleased to offer the K-12 educational content of Unitedstreaming free of charge to every teacher in Alabama through APT’s free educational, multimedia website, APTPLUS. The Unitedstreaming content is owned by Discovery Education, and Alabama Public Television is leasing the content from Discovery. Contact Libby Davis at ldavis@aptv.org to sign up. Please include the name of your school district and cover group with which you are affiliated as well as your preferred e-mail address for enrollment purposes. This is an awesome resource with over 4,000 educational programs for classroom use. The subscription for this is $1,500 per year, but for Alabama teachers it is FREE!!!! The website for APT is http://www.aptv.org/Learning/APTPlus/ , and there are lots of free resources here as well.
Discovery Education Science Connection - As you all know, APT has paid for all educators in the State of Alabama to have access to United Streaming (If you don't know, look here: United Streaming ). Now they are providing us with a 45 day free membership to Discovery Education Science Education, which is a new online multimedia toolkit specifically for middle-grade science instruction. The info can be found here: Discovery Education Science Connection.

Check out my favorite
Educational Links
!!!!!

Not A Member or Time to Renew?...

Well! We can help you with that! What is Teaching At Home? Teaching At Home is a resource group located in the Central Alabama area for those who desire to home educate their children. You will receive a weekly newsletter FULL of quality resources and activities. We would be happy to send you four free newsletters to see if this group will benefit you. All subscriptions expire August 31 regardless to when joined. There is no proration of fees.

Fee Schedule
$25.00 - Through August 31, 2008.
$20.00 - Through August 31, 2008
FREE - Everest Academy Families

Stuff to Remember!!...

If you need to make payments for anything:

Mailing address:
Debbi Spradlin
1521 3rd St SE
Graysville, AL 35073

or

Paypal
everestacademy1@gmail.com
(no debit/credit cards)

I hope to see everybody soon!
Deb Spradlin
(205) 674-6030