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]
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
VanDam Keeps Things Interesting; Holds Lead at Kentucky Lake Bassmaster Elite Series Event
Paris, TN – Just when it seemed Kevin VanDam had a virtual stranglehold on the Tennessee Triumph, the five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year uncharacteristically loosened his grip heading into the final day of competition. Despite weighing 21 pounds, 11 ounces, Friday, the Kalamazoo, MI, veteran lost nearly half of his 6-pound advantage as Kelly Jordon smashed 24 pounds, 0 ounces, to close the gap.
Kentucky Lake guru VanDam – he has posted a second-, third and first-place finish in the past three BASS events here – amassed a three-day total of 70-13 (Jordon has 67-2) but has seen his weight decline each of three competition days. Much of that can be attributed to the tremendous boat pressure VanDam is coping with and the bad news for KVD is that the impending weekend should only bring increased traffic.
Day 3 Leader Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, MI. 70lb13oz. (BASS Communications/Seigo Saito)
Forever Plaid brings doo wop to the Roxy Regional Theatre
Austin Peay State University along with John McDonald and Tom Thayer of the Roxy Regional Theatre offered attendees of the APSU Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts’ Spring Salon Series a sneak preview of the upcoming Musical Forever Plaid.
John McDonald spoke in between musical numbers about the history of the Roxy Regional Theatre, and their plans for the future. They are currently seeking 1000 donors to contribute $1000 each to provide the funding which will allow them to begin the process of building the new Roxy Regional Center for the Arts. If you love the Arts in Clarksville, TN your name should be among the contributors!
Five Authors Whose Books You Don’t Want to Miss
Summer typically provides at least a few more hours for reading, whether it’s during vacation or just because you have more daylight hours for relaxing. Here are some authors I consider worth reading:
1. Karen von Blixen-Finecke (Isak Dinesen). “I had a farm in Africa” in the romantic OUT OF AFRICA (first published in 1937) is one of the most memorable first lines in any book I’ve ever read. These six simple words somehow create an atmosphere of intrigue that extends throughout the book. If you have seen the movie and enjoyed it, you will love the book. [Read more]
No Surprise: VanDam Takes Early Lead on Kentucky Lake at Bassmaster Elite Series Event
Day 1 Leader Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, MI. 25lb. (BASS Communicaitons/Seigo Saito)
It was more a question of when, not if, five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam was going to make a late-season charge. Heading into the Tennessee Triumph this week, the planet’s best angler was in 26th in the Angler of the Year standings. Respectable for mere mortals, yes, but for VanDam, it wasn’t good enough.
But this week looked like an obvious springboard. VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., has posted first-, second- and third-place finishes on Kentucky Lake in the three previous Bassmaster competitions here. A Wednesday limit of 25 pounds, 0 ounces, on the fish factory has him in the catbird seat to start the week. Just ounces off the pace, Rick Morris of Lake Gaston, Va., registered 24-15 and sits in second.
Unlike in years past on Kentucky, things have been a struggle thus far, VanDam said. The current didn’t run until late in the day and the bass aren’t schooling up and prone to quick flurries, most likely due to the recent flooding.
“It’s not easy out there,” said VanDam, a three-time Bassmaster Classic champion. “The areas that I typically go to have been beat to pieces. The biggest thing that has changed is everyone has the equipment to find fish out here. And it shows. But you still have to know what to throw and how to throw it to get the big bites.”
No Surprise: VanDam Takes Early Lead on Kentucky Lake at Bassmaster Elite Series Event
Day 1 Leader Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, MI. 25lb. (BASS Communications/Seigo Saito)
It was more a question of when, not if, five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam was going to make a late-season charge. Heading into the Tennessee Triumph this week, the planet’s best angler was in 26th in the Angler of the Year standings. Respectable for mere mortals, yes, but for VanDam, it wasn’t good enough.
But this week looked like an obvious springboard. VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., has posted first-, second- and third-place finishes on Kentucky Lake in the three previous Bassmaster competitions here. A Wednesday limit of 25 pounds, 0 ounces, on the fish factory has him in the catbird seat to start the week. Just ounces off the pace, Rick Morris of Lake Gaston, VA, registered 24-15 and sits in second.
Unlike in years past on Kentucky, things have been a struggle thus far, VanDam said. The current didn’t run until late in the day and the bass aren’t schooling up and prone to quick flurries, most likely due to the recent flooding.
“It’s not easy out there,” said VanDam, a three-time Bassmaster Classic champion. “The areas that I typically go to have been beat to pieces. The biggest thing that has changed is everyone has the equipment to find fish out here. And it shows. But you still have to know what to throw and how to throw it to get the big bites.”
Central Art Teachers Exhibit Work at Austin Peay Downtown Gallery
For 16 years, Vicki Ranck has taught art to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at Montgomery Central Middle School, and she relies on her experience as an Austin Peay State University alumnus to motivate the young artists in her classroom.
“We had an excellent art program and professors at our disposal at APSU,” she said. “I tell (the students) my room is set up like a ‘mini’ APSU in that there are centers of study to explore.”
Ranck’s analogy of a “mini APSU” however extends beyond her classroom to encapsulate the three campuses off Highway 49 that make up Montgomery Central Elementary, Middle and High schools. Or rather, a “mini APSU art department” resides in those buildings because Ranck is one of four APSU alumni teaching art at those schools. [Read more]
