Fun Ways for Kids to Learn during Summer Vacation
According to research by Harris Cooper of Duke University, the average student loses at least a month’s worth of learning over the summer. Math skills are supposed to take a greater hit than other subjects. What can you do to help your child avoid the slippery slope?
First, make every day a learning experience. If appropriate, have your child take classes in summer school or go to vacation Bible school. In addition, everyday activities can teach many things to children. [Read more]
Grants available from the Tennessee Arts Commission
Guidelines and Applications For Fiscal Year 2011 Ongoing Grants Available Online
Nashville, TN — The Tennessee Arts Commission has announced availability of grants in the ongoing grant categories. Grant categories include Touring Arts, Professional Development Support, Technical Assistance, Special Opportunities, Arts Education Mini-Grants, and Arts Education Teacher Incentive. Applications and guidelines are now available online (www.arts.state.tn.us). The grants will be available for Fiscal Year 2011, which begins July 1st, 2010 and ends on June 30th, 2011. Deadline for each grant is 30 days prior to the event. [Read more]
Debut of New Ads to encourage children to play outdoors coincides with National Get Outdoors Day
USDA Forest Service and Ad Council Join DreamWorks Animation to Launch New PSAs Featuring Shrek to Help Get Children Outside and Re-connected with Nature
(The Ad Council)
Washington, DC — In an effort to encourage children to spend more time outdoors and re-connect with nature, the USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council are joining DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. today to launch a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) featuring characters from DreamWorks Animation’s beloved Shrek films. Hank Kashdan, Associate Chief of the Forest Service, unveiled the PSAs on June 11th at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in coordination with National Get Outdoors Day. The ads will be distributed to media outlets nationwide this week.
Children in the U.S. spend fifty percent less time outdoors than they did twenty years ago, according to the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. As a result of this limited interaction with the outdoors, many children are unaware of the benefits that nature provides, including improving their physical and mental health and emotional well-being. Research shows that children who play outside have lower stress levels and more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems and are more likely to become environmentally conscious in the future.
New Campaign Featuring Shrek Aims to Help Get Kids Re-connected to Nature. (The Ad Council)
Managing the Cost of College
Boston, MA — Paying for college can be a daunting task for many students and their families. In addition to the typical confusion over all the available options for paying for college, there is the aftermath of the financial market meltdown, tightened credit and recent federal government changes to student loan structures. At the same time, two primary sources of education funding have diminished over the last few years — savings and home equity. Altogether, these factors have had a profound effect on families’ ability to pay for college. [Read more]
Holy Grail of Military Aviation comes home 68 Years After Take-Off
Fallen B-17E Bomber ‘Swamp Ghost’ unveiled at ceremony honoring America’s war heroes.
Long Beach, CA — It’s a sacrifice Americans said they would never forget. And today, more than 68 years since a group of young U.S. servicemen in a B-17E Flying Fortress crash-landed in a primitive New Guinea swamp, a group of the air crew’s surviving relatives and supporters will welcome home the fallen aircraft to honor the heroes of World War II.
A formation flyover by a vintage P-51 Mustang and P-40 Warhawk above the Long Beach Harbor will launch a ceremony to unveil the recovered bomber, nicknamed Swamp Ghost and known by historians as the Holy Grail of military aviation.
Swamp Ghost emerged from beneath water and tall grass in the primitive New Guinea Swamp where it slept for 64 years. (Aero Archaeology)
VanDam wins 17th BASS Victory at Kentucky Lake Bassmaster Elite Series Event
Paris, TN – Kevin VanDam has set the bar so high that when the Kalamazoo, MI, veteran goes a few tournaments without a victory, bass fishing fans are left to ponder if he has lost the magic. But VanDam is undoubtedly on top of his game and Saturday, he laid waste to rumors of a struggle, extending his Kentucky Lake domination at the Tennessee Triumph with a four-day total of 92 pounds, 5 ounces.
A triumphant Kevin VanDam after winning the Tennesee Triumph Bass tournament
Lemonade stand to bring awareness and fundraising to childhood cancer
In the neighborhood of Savannah Lakes, Breanna Drew, Cate Nelson, Caroline Schroeder, Autumn Brown, and Nichole Romero will be hosting a lemonade stand, June 11th-13th, to raise money for childhood cancer- just like Alex. They are hoping to make $300.00 dollars by the end of this weekend to help hospitals find cures to save kids lives. What they would like for you to do is come out and support them! You can do many things to help them out, such as, coming out to help sell, make, or advertize the stand, and spread the word!
The lemonade stand is in Savannah Lakes behind 416 Treemont Drive, Clarksville, TN on Carraige Way and will be open 12:00noon – 3:30pm.
Cars.com Announces Top Picks for Cost-Conscious Car Shoppers
Editors Choose Top Vehicles for $10,000
Chicago, IL — The economy may be rebounding, but the quest for an affordable ride lives on. To help those consumers looking for a quality vehicle that is easy on their wallet, Cars.com editors put together a list of the best cars that $10,000 can buy.
“There are a lot of great cars available for buyers on a budget,” says Cars.com Editor in Chief Patrick Olsen. “However, it is important for car buyers to consider the entire package when choosing a wallet-friendly model. Our best $10K cars help buyers find cost-friendly options that still deliver features like safety and gas mileage.” [Read more]
Ellis Heating and Cooling announces new company structure and name change
Clarksville, TN — Air Service Now! Heating & Cooling a leading provider of residential and commercial heating and cooling repair services today announced that they are acquiring Ellis Heating and Cooling; a company specialized in heating and cooling services to enhance its residential heating and cooling division.
“A partnership was formed with Ellis Heating and Cooling to help Air Service Now! Heating and Cooling broaden its residential heating and cooling market” commented Greg, Operations Manager. [Read more]
The Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen
Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist for Raymond James Investment Services
Scott J. Brown Ph.D., Chief Economist Raymond James Investment Services
The economic data were generally soft, consistent with a lackluster-to-moderate pace of economic growth. The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book noted that “economic activity continued to improve since the last report,” although most Fed districts described the pace of growth as “modest.” Retail sales were much weaker than anticipated, falling by 1.2% in May, down 1.1% excluding autos. Weakness was concentrated in building materials, which could reflect the acceleration in March and April (due to the pending expiration of the homebuyer tax credit). Ex-autos, building materials and gasoline, sales edged up 0.1% following a 0.2% decline in April.
The stock market mood remained negative, with plenty of intraday volatility. However, Chinese export data suggested that the European debt crisis has not had a major impact on foreign trade. Global equity markets improved on that news and short-covering may have exaggerated the impact in the United States. The disappointing retail sales figures dampened the mood again on Friday. [Read more]
