Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year!

The countdown in Fort Wayne has not yet started, but around the world people have already got their party going!

Fireworks explode at midnight above Sydney harbor and the Sydney Harbor Bridge to celebrate New Year's Eve in Australia today.













Balinese dancers perform during a cultural parade at the New Year's Eve celebration in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, today - despite threats of a terror attack.













Fireworks light the sky over Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong during a pyrotechnic show to celebrate the New Year today.












Father Frost (the equivalent of Santa Claus) and Snow Maiden accompanied by a brass band march during a New Year parade in central Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan today.











This New Years' Eve is also a special one because it will be a full moon AND a blue moon. What is a blue moon? It doesn't mean the moon will look blue, though it could. Blue moon simply refers to the second full moon of the month.

Whether the moon makes you howl or not, whatever you do this New Years' Eve, keep it safe and make it happy! See you next year!

(Pictures taken from http://www.dailymail.co.uk)

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Be a Senate Page for a day!

Middle and high school students are invited to make the Indiana Statehouse their "classroom for a day" by serving as Senate pages during the 2010 Indiana General Assembly.

Sen. Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn) said throughout the day, pages spend time in the Senate Chamber observing the introduction of bills, listening to debates and delivering important messages among senators and staff.

Sen. Tom Wyss (R-Fort Wayne) said interested students should submit page requests in a letter or e-mail. The student's name - as it would appear on a certificate - address, home telephone number, age and school affiliation should be included with the request. Friends wanting to page on the same day should send requests together. Specific date requests will be considered, but may not be possible. The Senate's page office will confirm the scheduled date after processing incoming requests.

To be a page, e-mail requests to your senator:

Sen. David Long (R)

Sen. Dennis Kruse (R)

Sen. Tom Wyss (R)

Participating as a page is an excused absence from school. Pages must arrive at the Statehouse by 8:30 a.m. Parents are responsible for transportation and student pages are responsible for their own lunches, which can be economically priced at the Government Center Cafeteria, Circle Centre Mall or one of the many downtown restaurants.

For additional information, call 1-800-382-9467.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Recycling Video Contest

The Allen County Solid Waste Management District is seeking creative minds to help spread the word about recycling in our community. To do this, they are having a Recycling Video Contest for Allen County students grades 6–12.

1. Create a 30-second video that encourages recycling in our community

2. Submit it to their group page on You Tube

3. Fax in an entry form

4. Win prizes

Videos are due February 15th. If you have any questions, please contact Kira Blacketor.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

November - Bingo for Books

Lots of books were given away at Bingo for Books!

November - Ductigami

A few of the creations from the duct tape program.



Erin's duct-tape snack holder.


Gabe's duct-tape flag.


Caleb sings and Tyler plays guitar as we try out the new Beatles Rock Band.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The Howard Nemerov Creative Writing Awards

Sponsored by Washington University in St. Louis.

This competition is open to juniors and seniors currently enrolled in high school. Three prizes of $250 each will be awarded both in fiction and in poetry. Students may send a single entry in each genre (one poem and/or one short story or novel chapter). All entries must be typed, with the student's name, home address, telephone number, high school name and address, and the genre (poetry or fiction) of the work on the first page. Entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2009. Awards will be announced May 15, 2009. Please keep a copy, as entries cannot be returned.

This competition will be judged by faculty in the Writing Program at Washington University, including fiction writers Kathryn Davis, Marshall Klimasewiski and Kellie Wells, and poets Mary Jo Bang and Carl Phillips.

Send entries to:

The Howard Nemerov Creative Writing Awards
Washington University
Campus Box 1122
One Brookings Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63130-4899

For further inquiries, contact David Schuman at (314) 935-7130. Visit the website.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Teen Thursday - DDR



Isaiah does the robot.


Kevin and Tyler have a dance-off.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Do Something Good!

Youth as Resources (YAR) is offering grants from $100 to $750 for projects that meet the following goals:

* Empowers the youth of Allen County to plan and implement service projects to meet a community need
* Recognizes and promotes youth as volunteers
* Educates youth to become philanthropists
* Fosters youth/adult partnerships

What does it mean? If you and some of your friends have a special community project you'd like to do, like building a ramp for a handicapped neighbor, using a vacant lot to start a community garden, or something else that will be good for your school or your community, you may apply to Youth As Resources to try to receive a grant giving you the money to carry out your project.

Applications are due by January 31, 2010, so if you're interested either send an email to Anne Duff or apply online at www.leadershipfortwayne.org.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Teen Read Week

Help celebrate Teen Read Week - October 18-24 - by telling us about one of your favorite books and getting a free book in return!

Even better – if you let us videotape you talking about your favorite book, you get two free books and your own 15 minutes of fame! Videos will be posted on the Georgetown Branch Teen Blog.

Videos may be done on your own or with a friend or two. Remember, it’s not a speech – it’s just you talking about a book!

If in doubt, check out a couple of examples or send your questions to Sarai

December

Festival of Gingerbread at The History Center
November 27-December 13
If you need more information, go here.


5K Reindeer Romp
Saturday, December 12, Starts 10:30 am
This 5K run will take you down through Calhoun Street’s historic business district, back up Harrison Street, with a mad dash to the right down Douglas Street for the finish line. Dress up in your favorite Christmas gear as a part of the costume contest! Costumes are not mandatory but prizes will be given out for best adult, best parent and child, and best child. For more information and registration please visit the site.


Santa & His Reindeer Visit the Zoo
Saturday, December 19
Programs begin every half hour from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Fee: $14 children; $10 adults

November

Headwaters Park Skating Rink Opens
November 20
For more information, visit the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation website.

Holiday Kick-Off Party at the Botanical Gardens
Wednesday November 25, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
For more information, go here.

Holidayfest Lighting Ceremony in downtown Fort Wayne
Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 6:15pm
Admission is FREE!
For more info, visit the website or contact Courtney.

Festival of Gingerbread at The History Center
November 27-December 13
If you need more information, go here.

Festival of Trees at The Embassy
Nov. 25-Dec. 1, 2009
Check out their schedule of events.

Young Naturalist Awards

The Young Naturalist Awards is an inquiry-based science competition for students in grades 7-12 to promote participation and communication in science. The deadline is March 1, 2010.


For more information, visit Young Naturalist Award.

Monday, October 19, 2009

We Talk Books!

Darius - Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney.

Jeffrey - Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney.

Alex - Monkey High, by Shouko Akira.

Erin - Nightwing, by Martin Cruz Smith.

LeAnna - Runner, by Robert Newton.

Josh - Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury.


Have a book you'd like to rave or rant about? Send me an email or stop by Teen Thursday and we'll get your video on the blog!

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Sunday, October 18, 2009

January

Bookworms’ Book Sale
Saturday, January 30, 12:00-4:00 pm
Franke Park Nature Lodge, 3411 Sherman Blvd.
It’s time to sell the books we’ve read so we can make room for more books! We are avid readers, so there will be lots of books to choose from and very reasonable prices. If you have too many books, we will accept donations through January 22. Proceeds from the book sale will benefit Parks and Recreation Outdoor Recreation programs such as the Bookworms Book Club. For more information, contact Renee Baines at 427-6005 or via email.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Help

Check out these websites for information on area agencies that offer social services. Please note: the library does not endorse these agencies. They are listed here as a private, confidential way for you to seek information that might be of assistance to you or someone you know.


Dial 2-1-1 for FREE, confidential, 24-hour information and referral assistance for:
Housing • Shelter • Food • Legal Aid • Clothing • Education • Counseling • Utility Assistance • Health Care • Transportation


CANI helps communities, families, and individuals remove the causes and conditions of poverty. CANI has many programs, including:
* CANI’s Weatherization Program provides free, energy-efficient improvements for the homes of low-income families. Improvements may include insulating attics, walls, and mobile home bellies. CANI also fixes heating systems, such as repairing poorly installed equipment or leaking heating ducts, and can repair some furnaces.
* Community Alliance for Healthy Families is a free, voluntary program in Allen County offering support services to families during pregnancy or shortly after their baby’s birth. The program provides in-home services to help a family develop a healthy and supportive family environment by building on their individual strengths.
* CANI is a proud member of Covering Kids & Families of Indiana Inc. (CKF-IN), a statewide organization committed to ensuring that all children and families eligible for Medicaid and the State’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) are enrolled.


The Center for Nonviolence on West Creighton Avenue provides education, support, and advocacy to end domestic and other forms of violence while modeling equality and power sharing.


Community Harvest Food Bank has a network of more than 460 member agencies in our nine county service area. These agencies range from soup kitchens, to pantries, and camps that help feed the hungry children and adults of Northeast Indiana.


Erin's House for Grieving Children offers our community grief support and education through bimonthly, on-site peer support Program Nights; in-school peer support programs; Teen Retreat- overnight retreat for 14 to 19 year olds; and telephone support for grieving families, friends and members of the community, as well as with other programs. Since opening in October 1993, Erin's House has served more than 10,000 individuals. Healthy grieving is not just important for the bereaved; it is important for the entire community. Research has shown that unresolved grief and the inability of a young person to cope with the death of a loved one plays a significant role in poor school performance, alcohol and drug abuse, depression, anxiety and an increased risk of suicide.


Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health MEDICAL ANNEX
4813 New Haven Ave
Fort Wayne, IN 46803

• The HIV/STD Clinic offers confidential testing and treatment services. The clinic is openMonday through Friday 8 a.m. to 11 and 1 to 4 p.m. by appointment. The clinic takes walkinson Tuesdays and Thursdays. For questions or to make an appointment, call (260) 449-7504.
• The Infectious Disease Clinic/TB Clinic offers testing and treatment for tuberculosis andcontact investigations for other communicable diseases. For questions or to make anappointment, call (260) 449-7920.
• The Immunization Clinic offers immunizations to children two months to 18 years of age andsome adult immunizations. The clinic will be open 8:30 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment. For questions or to make an appointment, call(260) 449-7514.


Homebound Meals delivers meals at a low cost to adults who are homebound and/or disabled.


Catering to women and men experiencing unplanned pregnancy, A Hope Center's services are geared to provide hope, help, and healing in difficult circumstances.


i-SAFE is a non-profit foundation dedicated to protecting the online experiences of youth everywhere. The goal is to educate students on how to avoid dangerous, inappropriate, or unlawful online behavior.


Kids Help Phone is Canada's only toll-free, 24-hour, bilingual and anonymous phone counselling, referral and Internet service for children and youth, but just because it's Canadian doesn't mean you can't visit their site! They have lots of good information on bullying, dating, family life, and other topics of imortance to you, so check them out.


Matthew 25 provides health care and dental care services to uninsured, low-income families in Allen County.


National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a website you can visit to get information if you or someone you know needs help. You may also call the free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-273-8255.


The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center has links to information on alcohol abuse, bullying, dating violence, depression, and school violence.


The Rape Crisis Hotline and the Sexual Assault Treatment Center have information here.


Rescue Ministries includes The Rescue Mission for men, Charis House for women and their children, and Bargains Galore, our thrift store where donations of household goods are passed on to our residents with the excess sold at minimal prices to low income people in the community.


SCAN stands for Stop Child Abuse and Neglect. SCAN has two primary service areas: Prevention and Family Restoration.The Prevention programs include Healthy Families, The Network For Safe Families, and Community Partners for Safe Families. and Prevention Through Education. The Family Restoration programs include Home-Based Family Centered Case Management, Visitation Facilitation, Home-Based Family-Centered Therapy, and Home Maker/Parent Aid Services.


S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® is a nationally recognized treatment approach, professional network, and educational resource base, which is committed to helping you and others achieve an end to self-injurious behavior. Self-injury is known by many names,including self-abuse, self-mutilation, deliberate self-harm, parasuicidal behavior, and non-suicidal self-injury. Visit the website or call 1-800-DONT-CUT (1-800-366-8288).


Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities' mission is to 'enhance the lives of all persons with physical disabilities and their families'. If you are interested in learning more about Turnstone, please call or feel free to stop by for a tour.


Fort Wayne Women's Bureau offers three distinct programs: Women’s Business Center provides business counseling and mentoring, technical assistance, networking, and business-oriented classes and workshops; Transitions is a drug and alcohol treatment program for women and their children (up to age 10), offering up to an 18-month continuum of services including residential treatment and continuing care; Rape Awareness program, which includes a 24/7 rape crisis hotline and crisis and on-going counseling services for survivors of sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, and domestic violence.


Youth America Hotline is the first and only toll free, peer-to-peer hotline network linking callers to community-based peer counseling hotlines in the nation. If you or someone you know needs help right away, you can call 1-877-YOUTHLINE (1-877-986-8454) toll free to talk to a trained youth peer-to-peer counselor.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Applying for a Job - The Basics

Are you thinking about getting a summer job this year? Or maybe you need to get regular, year-round employment to help pay for car insurance or new clothes? Have you filled out applications before and not gotten the job?

On Saturday, March 6, we will be having a special program specifically for teens who want to get the basics on applying for a job. You'll hear tips about how to fill out your application, things not to do, and other common-sense hints you might not know yet. I can't guarantee you'll get a job, but this will help you to make your application look as good as it possibly can!

Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest

Check it out! Create a duct tape prom outfit and you could win $3,000 in scholarship money!

Visit http://www.stuckatprom.com/contests/prom/default.asp to view the awesomeness.

These are no 10-minute creations. Prepare yourself to be amazed.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Homework Help

The Main Library offers free homework help for students in grades 6-12 provided by skilled volunteers. No appointment necessary but please be sure to remember your textbook or assignment sheet. Call 421-1255 or visit the website for more information.


From the ACPL Children's Services page comes this list of websites you may visit to get homework help. Just 'cause it's for kids doesn't mean you can't find what you're looking for here!


Other:

I Need A Pencil is a website that can assist students in studying for the SAT's so they can get the best possible scores and have better chances at getting into the college they want.


Part of the Discovery Channel's Discovery School Web site. Students can find links for homework help in all subject areas at thishomework help site!


Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Homework Hotline provides free math and science homework help to Indiana students in grades 6-12. Students may call The Homework Hotline toll-free at 1-877-ASK-ROSE from 7 PM to 10 PM (EST).


Try The Homework Spot. In addition to subject area help, this Web site contains study tips, special theme reports on topics such as "The Ocean," "The Middle Ages," and "Natural Disasters," and a "You Asked For It" question and answer section.


Newton BBS is operated by volunteer scientists from all around the world. Their purpose is to provide a means to have questions answered that are not going to be easily found on the web or within common references! Questions and answers between 1995-2005 have been archived on the site, so your question may already have an answer waiting for you!


General reference information can be found at infoplease.


Cliff's Notes are available online for free! Download to your iPod or read online.

Monday, February 16, 2009

May

Lego Club
Wednesday, May 26 at the Georgetown Branch in the large meeting room
3:30 - 5:00pm
Lego Club has arrived! Join your friends and fellow Lego fans and see where your imagination and building skills take you! Participants will borrow our Lego sets and build for an hour, leaving time in the final thirty minutes to share their creations.



Lindenwood Nature Preserve
600 Lindenwood Ave.
427-6740
Season: April 13-October 31
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 am-6 pm; Sunday, 12-6 pm

Lindenwood Nature Preserve is a 110-acre wooded park featuring 4 hiking trails of varying length (one is wheelchair and stroller accessible), a pond and an open-air pavilion. Hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, picnicking and just relaxing are a few of the activities you’ll enjoy at the preserve. In addition to the Department-sponsored programs listed here, the Lindenwood staff also provides programs for scout groups, church and school groups, home school, clubs, and private parties.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

College Information

It's never too soon to start thinking about college. If you believe you might someday want to go, here are a few websites to get you started.

Funding Education Beyond High School has information about federal student aid programs. Learn how to plan for college and find out sources of financial aid.

Trip to College is a site for those wanting to go or thinking about going to college. It has grade-driven timelines, real answers about planning for college, and steps and strategies for paying for college. The material is Indiana specific, too!

Drive of Your Life is a fun online career exploration game that helps middle-school and high school students learn more about themselves, higher education and careers. This free educational tool lets you answer a series of questions about yourself to learn what careers could interest you and then go on a virtual drive to learn more about each of those careers – all in your own customized car! There's lots of great information here! Check it out!

KnowHow2Go: The Four Steps to College is a great starting place if you're not sure where to go or how to get the money for school. It has links for middle schoolers and high schoolers, and even a quiz to find out how much you already know about getting into college.

College.gov has lots of good information, including descriptions of the different kinds of colleges out there, online resources to help you pick the best school for your needs, and what you need to know about scholarships, grants, and loans.

How much does a farmer make? How about a secretary, or a lawyer? Find out what your earning potential might be at the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Learn what kind of training you'll need, what will likely happen with that kind of position in the future, and what it really means to do that job.

Want to know more about a specific college? Check out the brief descriptions here or go to the list of college links here.