Holiday Baking Competition (4-week run beginning Nov. 30, 2015) - ABC TV Network

The Great Holiday Baking Show

“The Great Holiday Baking Show,” based on the hit UK series, “The Great British Bake Off,” is hosted by Nia Vardalos (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”) and husband Ian Gomez (“Cougar Town”). “The Great Holiday Baking Show” stars some of the nation’s best amateur bakers as they compete in a series of themed challenges and eliminations all hoping to be crowned Holiday Baking Champion. For four weeks, James Beard Award-Winning pastry chef and author, Johnny Iuzzini, joins England’s “Royal Queen of Baking,” author and television personality Mary Berry, as they judge the decadent and delicious holiday fare these bakers create as they throw down their best culinary skills.
http://abc.go.com/shows/the-great-holiday-baking-show

Quotation - "Think and Let Think" - John Wesley in "Character of a Methodist"

“The Character of a Methodist.” There Wesley describes a Methodist as someone who, through the Holy Spirit, has come to know God’s love and as a result loves God and neighbor. That is, Wesley’s Methodism was a movement focused on renewing hearts and lives both within and outside the church. This is why he states “The distinguishing marks of a Methodist are not his opinions of any sort.” Like all Christians, Methodists believe in the inspiration of Scripture and the divinity of Christ, and like all Protestants believe in Scripture as “the only and sufficient rule” of faith and practice. “But,” he says, “as to all opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity, we think and let think” (¶ 1). Here Wesley clearly distinguishes between the essentials that all Christians or Protestants believe and the opinions that divide one denomination from another. . . .- See more by Henry H. Knight III at: http://www.catalystresources.org/consider-wesley-58/?utm_content=bufferdfac0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#sthash.Fm5k48Y2.dpuf

8 x 10 view Camera - Photography that is art

Daniel Jones always shoots for picture-perfect

November 29, 2015, 9:10 AM|CBS Sunday Morning feature story

 In this "Short Take," Long Island photographer Daniel Jones, renowned for his evocative landscape images, demonstrates his use of a large-format 8x10 view camera, and talks about his growth as an artist.
http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/daniel-jones-always-shoots-for-picture-perfect/

The Piano Guys

Featured on CBS Sunday Morning segment (www.cbsnews.com/ )


MUSIC: The Piano Guys
If you spend any time at all on YouTube, you've no doubt heard of The Piano Guys. Their unique team approach to playing songs on the piano has made them an Internet sensation. And it all started at a small piano shop in St. George, Utah, where for fun five friends started looking for new approaches to playing the piano -- not just by pressing the keys, but by tapping the wood, plucking the strings, and a lot more.
Their videos have captivated millions around the world, and so our Lee Cowan pays the Piano Guys a visit to see just how the magic happens.


http://www.cbsnews.com/sunday-morning/show-notes/

Give thanks on this day for the gifts we have (Nov. 26, 2015)

from WHITE HOUSE Press Department (whitehouse.gov) :
Rooted in a story of generosity and partnership, Thanksgiving offers an opportunity for us to express our gratitude for the gifts we have and to show our appreciation for all we hold dear.  Today, as we give of ourselves in service to others and spend cherished time with family and friends, we give thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon us.  We also honor the men and women in uniform who fight to safeguard our country and our freedoms so we can share occasions like this with loved ones, and we thank our selfless military families who stand beside and support them each and every day. 
Our modern celebration of Thanksgiving can be traced back to the early 17th century.  Upon arriving in Plymouth, at the culmination of months of testing travel that resulted in death and disease, the Pilgrims continued to face great challenges.  An indigenous people, the Wampanoag, helped them adjust to their new home, teaching them critical survival techniques and important crop cultivation methods.  After securing a bountiful harvest, the settlers and Wampanoag joined in fellowship for a shared dinner to celebrate powerful traditions that are still observed at Thanksgiving today:  lifting one another up, enjoying time with those around us, and appreciating all that we have.
Carrying us through trial and triumph, this sense of decency and compassion has defined our Nation.  President George Washington proclaimed the first Thanksgiving in our country's nascence, calling on the citizens of our fledgling democracy to place their faith in "the providence of Almighty God," and to be thankful for what is bequeathed to us.  In the midst of bitter division at a critical juncture for America, President Abraham Lincoln acknowledged the plight of the most vulnerable, declaring a "day of thanksgiving," on which all citizens would "commend to [God's] tender care" those most affected by the violence of the time -- widows, orphans, mourners, and sufferers of the Civil War.  A tradition of giving continues to inspire this holiday, and at shelters and food centers, on battlefields and city streets, and through generous donations and silent prayers, the inherent selflessness and common goodness of the American people endures.
In the same spirit of togetherness and thanksgiving that inspired the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, we pay tribute to people of every background and belief who contribute in their own unique ways to our country's story.  Each of us brings our own traditions, cultures, and recipes to this quintessential American holiday -- whether around dinner tables, in soup kitchens, or at home cheering on our favorite sports teams -- but we are all united in appreciation of the bounty of our Nation.  Let us express our gratitude by welcoming others to our celebrations and recognize those who volunteer today to ensure a dinner is possible for those who might have gone without.  Together, we can secure our founding ideals as the birthright of all future generations of Americans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 26, 2015, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.  I encourage the people of the United States to join together -- whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors -- and give thanks for all we have received in the past year, express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and share our bounty with others.
www.whitehouse.gov/

On Nov. 25 -- Birthday of Pope John XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli)

from Writer's Almanac (American Public Media, Garrison Keillor):
November 25 is the birthday of Pope Saint John XXIII, was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in 1881. He was the fourth of 14 children born to sharecroppers in Lombardi, Italy. He served as a sergeant in the Royal Italian Army during World War I, as a chaplain and stretcher-bearer. Before being elected pope, he served at posts in Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, and Turkey.
His papacy was unexpected due to his advanced age (76), and he arrived in Rome for the voting with a return train ticket, not believing he would garner enough votes.
He was considered one of the most compassionate popes. He said, “We were all made in God’s image, and thus, we are all Godly alike.” He was the first pope since 1870 to make pastoral visits in the Diocese of Rome, when he visited children afflicted with polio at a hospital and then visited a prison. He told the inmates, “You could not come to me, so I came to you.”
Pope John is largely known for orchestrating the Second Vatican Council in 1962, which produced major change in the Church for the first time in hundreds of years. Most obvious were changes in the Mass, which had been said in Latin, with priest facing away from the congregation, often speaking quietly (even mumbling). It was impersonal at best, and for most, not understandable.
In 2000, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II.

N.C.I.S. star prays and gives thanks following attack near her church (Hollywood United Methodist, CA)

ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT dot-com website (November 2015):


Pauley Perrette showed up for church Sunday morning (Nov. 15), just days after being assaulted by a "psychotic homeless man."
An eyewitness at the Hollywood United Methodist Church told ET that the NCIS star was in "good spirits" as she attended the service with her police friend Nicole, who was with her following the attack, and her pal James, who helped track down the man police arrested.
The pastor called attention to Perrette's traumatic event during his sermon.
"Even though this man was punching her and threatening her life, Pauley prayed for her safety and for him," the pastor told the congregation. "One, she was able to pull the strings of God's love for each of us ...and was able to ask his name, then connect with him on a human level and say, 'Your name is William?' That's my sweet nephew's name too. When Pauley was telling her story to the media on Friday, first by proclaiming herself as a person of faith. ...Second, she proclaimed her forgiveness for the man who assaulted her. And third, she not only called attention to the critical need for mental health services in our country but especially here in Hollywood."
The pastor also spoke of the man behind bars, 45-year-old David Merck, who was arrested on felony assault charges. "He's now hopefully receiving treatment but he's definitely in jail," he said. "And we just wanted to say we are so glad that you (Perrette) are here and we love you very much."
Following the sermon, church members applauded the 46-year-old actress, and Perrette gave thanks by putting her hands in the air. The CBS star was greeted by parishioners with hugs and kisses.
http://www.etonline.com/news/176129_pauley_perrette_goes_to_church_following_violent_attack/

Great American "Smokeout" (Thursday Nov. 19)

from CDC dot-gov =
Prepare to quit smoking during the Great American Smokeout on November 19.
If you're a smoker, quitting can be the single most important step you take to protect your health and the health of your loved ones. Smoking causes immediate damage to your body, and it threatens your future with increased risks for cancer, heart attack, lung disease, and early death. Many people have probably urged you to quit smoking already, but we all know that quitting can be hard. Just as every journey begins with a single step, so, too, does quitting.
That's where the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout can help. This event takes place on November 19 and encourages smokers to quit or to use the day to make a quit plan. Free help is available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) and at 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569) (for Spanish speakers).
When you quit smoking during the Great American Smokeout, you have the support of many other people across the nation. And you're taking an important step towards a healthier life.

Five Ways to Get Ready to Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking can be hard, so a good plan can help you get past symptoms of withdrawal. Five steps can help.

1. Set a quit date. Choose the Great American Smokeout or another quit day within the next 2 weeks.
2. Tell your family and friends about your quit plan. Share your quit date with the important people in your life and ask for support. A daily phone call, e-mail, or text message can help you stay on course and provide moral support. Try SmokefreeTEXT for 24/7 help on your mobile phone.
3. Be prepared for challenges. The urge to smoke is short—usually only 3 to 5 minutes. Surprised? Those moments can feel intense. Even one puff can feed a craving and make it stronger. Before your quit day, write down healthy ways to cope.
   • Drink water.
   • Take a walk or ride your bike.
   • Listen to a favorite song or play a game.
   • Call or text a friend.
4. Remove cigarettes and other tobacco from your home, car, and workplace. Throw away your cigarettes, matches, lighters, and ashtrays. Clean and freshen your car, home, and workplace. Old cigarette odors can cause cravings.
5. Talk to your pharmacist, doctor, or quitline coach about quit options. Nicotine patches, gum, or other approved quit medication can help with cravings.

http://www.cdc.gov/features/GreatAmericanSmokeout/

Let us be in prayer for Paris and the people of France - Warner H. Brown, Jr. for U.M. Church denomination

www.unitedmethodistreporter.com/


The President of the United Methodist Council of Bishops issued the following statement about the November 13, 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris:
John 11:35
Jesus wept.
This week, we weep for those in Paris. We weep for the senseless violence. We weep for the innocents whose lives were cut short. We weep for those who are grieving, who are frightened, who are hurting. We weep for those whose hearts are breaking, in France and all over the world. As several world leaders have stated, this is an attack on all humanity.
Even as we weep, we know that God is with us, that he sustains us with hope and that he will dry our tears. Once again, the forces of evil have tried to dominate; but, as disciples of Jesus, we must make our witness that the darkness will not overcome our light.
Let us be in prayer for Paris and the people of France. These events have impacted them in the way September 11, 2001, grieved the U.S. Also, please pray for communities around our world that will not make the news, but cringe under the threat of violence. May the Holy Spirit guide us in ways that will break this cycle of violence.
Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr.
President, Council of Bishops

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese - Fasts (Nativity Fast before Dec. 25 - forty days from Nov. 15)

Fast Days and Fast Periods
Four main fast periods are included in the ecclesiastical year. They are:

1. The Great Fast (Lent)--beginning on a Monday 7 weeks before Easter.
2. Fast of the Apostles--varying in length from 1 to 6 weeks; it begins on a Monday, 8 days after Pentecost, and ends on June 28--the eve of the feast of Saints Peter and Paul.
3. Fast of the Repose of the Virgin Mary--August 1 to 14.
4. Christmas Fast--lasting 40 days, from November 15 to December 24.

Individual fast days include the feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross (September 14), the Beheading of St. John the Baptist (August 29), and the eve of Epiphany (January 5), as well as all Wednesdays and Fridays. There is no fasting, however, between Christmas and Epiphany, during the tenth week before Easter, the week after Easter and the week after Pentecost.
Although the term denotes total abstinence from food or drink, fasting as practiced in the Orthodox Church means abstinence from meat, fish, dairy products, olive oil, and wine. Total abstinence is reserved for the fast of several hours duration preceding Holy Communion. The rules for fasting prescribed by the holy canons are quite rigid; and, although they are still observed in the monasteries and by the very devout, most Orthodox Christians today find it difficult to uphold the traditional practice for the length of time prescribed. Nevertheless, any deviation from the norm is permitted only following consultation with one's spiritual father or with the prior approval of the local hierarchy.
http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7070 [Calendar of the Orthodox Archdiocese of America]

A strong preacher with the heart of an evangelist endorsed for Episcopal Elections (July 2016, Peoria host city)

from IGRC publicity page =

Weatherall endorsed for episcopacy by IGRC delegation

11/12/2015

By Paul Black
SPRINGFIELD – The IGRC general and jurisdictional conference delegation has unanimously endorsed Spoon River District Superintendent, the Rev. Sylvester Weatherall as its candidate for bishop.

Weatherall emerged from a field of four finalists Nov. 7 that capped a month-long period of prayer and discernment by the IGRC delegation as to whether to offer a candidate to the 2016 North Central Jurisdictional Conference, which will be held July 13-16, in Peoria.

“I am both honored and yet, humbled (by the endorsement),” Weatherall said. “It is an honor that colleagues and friends would discern me that I have the leadership gifts needed to lead the church in this set-apart ministry, and yet, I am humbled, knowing that no one can be fully prepared for every situation or issue until they are elected and faced with leading the church.”

Weatherall, who has been Spoon River District Superintendent for the past 3 ½ years, recalled that there was “a learning curve” when becoming superintendent. “The learning curve of the office of District Superintendent was steep,” he said. “But my colleagues have been great teachers and examples that have enabled me to meet the challenges of the office. I am sure the same is true of the episcopacy.”

Bishop Gregory V. Palmer of the West Ohio Conference and former bishop of the Illinois Area, noted Weatherall’s gifts in 2012 when he appointed him to the Cabinet.

“He is a strong preacher and has the heart of an evangelist,” Palmer said. “In every community where he has served he has a track record of missional engagement. He is a compassionate pastor and a committed lifelong learner.”

Weatherall said he sees the role of bishop as being a cheerleader for the pastors of the Area, bringing inspired leadership to those who are in the main arena of disciple-making – the local congregation.

“I have no doubt that God is already at work in local congregations through the United Methodist connection,” Weatherall said. “My job would be as a cheerleader to what’s working and to walk with those where encouragement and hope is needed. It is my prayer that together we will have the strength to love one another – even when the way is not clear to some of us. I seek to find God in each moment we encounter, and I am confident and have faith in the gifts God has given us to serve the Church. And, because God is there, I already feel at home.”

During his tenure as superintendent, the Spoon River District continued to be a leader in the conference’s $2.5 million Imagine No Malaria campaign as well as one of the leading district in the payment of conference and general church apportionments.

Born in St. Louis, Mo., Weatherall graduated from East St. Louis High School, McKendree College and Eden Theological Seminary, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1991. A probationary member in the former Southern Illinois Conference in 1990, Weatherall was ordained into full membership in 1993.

He began serving the East St. Louis Metro Ministry, which later became Washington Park Grace UMC in 1989 and was there for 13 years before being appointed to the Springfield East Side Mission Parish, serving predominantly white congregations at Kumler and Trinity UMC’s and a predominantly African-American congregation at Grace UMC, beginning in 2002.

Weatherall was the first-elected clergy delegate for the 2016 General Conference and was a General Conference delegate in 2012, a General Conference alternate in 2008 and a jurisdictional conference delegate in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.

He is a two-time winner of the Denman Evangelism Award, having been honored by both the former Southern Illinois Conference and the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. He is a former chair of the Conference Commission on Religion & Race and former chair of the Sangamon River District Committee on Ministry.
http://www.igrc.org/newsdetail/weatherall-endorsed-for-episcopacy-by-igrc-delegation-2844306

Philosopher Grant Sterling - EIU Professor - "I Can Do the Impossible" - Nov. 13 - 14, 2015 lecture / keynote presentation

Illinois Philosophical Association Conference

Friday and Saturday mid-November 2015 @ Eastern IL Univ. Charleston, All Day |            

The Philosophy Department at EIU is hosting the Illinois Philosophical Association Conference this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 - 14. During the two-day event, 22 philosophy papers will be delivered Grant Sterling, IPA President and commented on by philosophers from around the region and the country.
EIU will host Philosophy professors, graduate students and undergraduates from Northern, Western, Southern, & Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and at Springfield, University of Missouri, Duke, University of Chicago, Wayne State, UCLA, Knox College, Hillsborough College,and Coe College.
To cap off the events on Friday, Dr. Grant Sterling, EIU professor and president of the IPA will present, "I Can Do the Impossible," as part of the traditional banquet to be held in the University Ballroom of the MLK Jr. Student Union. Also on Friday, Nathaniel Klaung, Student Essay Award Winner from Knox College, will receive a certificate and $100 for his essay "Marking the Difference Between Immanent and Transcendent Aesthetic Experiences."

Great THANKSGIVING Listen (for High School Students) - sponsored by StoryCorps

This Thanksgiving weekend, StoryCorps will work with teachers and high school students across the country to preserve the voices and stories of an entire generation of Americans over a single holiday weekend.

Open to everyone, The Great Thanksgiving Listen is a national assignment to engage people of all ages in the act of listening. The pilot project is specially designed for students ages 13 and over and as part of a social studies, history, civics, government, journalism, or political science class, or as an extracurricular activity. All that is needed to participate is a smartphone and the StoryCorps mobile app.
https://storycorps.me/about/the-great-thanksgiving-listen/

Former name of this Holiday: Armistice Day

from Writer's Almanac (American Public Media: Garrison Keillor)
Wednesday Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, honoring Americans who have served their country in the armed forces. November 11 was originally called Armistice Day because it was on this date in 1918 the Allies and Germany signed an armistice agreement to end hostilities on the Western Front of the First World War.
By late summer 1918, the war had become unpopular among the German people, and it was also becoming increasingly clear that the military would not be able to hold out much longer against Allied offensives. In early October, at the urging of his cabinet, Chancellor Max von Baden sent a telegraph to American President Woodrow Wilson. The chancellor requested a cease-fire agreement between Germany and the Allies, based on Wilson's Fourteen Points address from the previous January. But Wilson refused to negotiate with a Germany that was not democratic, and didn't put much stock in von Baden's assurances that he was moving the country in that direction, especially after a German U-boat sank the Leinster, a British mail ship, killing some 520 civilians. Wilson angrily said he would let the European commanders end the war on their own terms, but that they would not negotiate while Kaiser Wilhelm remained in power. Wilhelm abdicated and fled the country on November 10, and the new civilian government quickly said they would sign an armistice agreement on whatever terms the Allies put forward.
Under the terms of the armistice, Germany was forced to evacuate all of its occupied territories on the Western Front and elsewhere within two weeks, and Allied forces occupied the left bank of the Rhine. The German military was essentially gutted of its supplies, equipment, and ammunition. In addition, Germany had to agree to accept all the blame — and pay all the reparations — for the war. German leaders felt humiliated by what they viewed as overly punitive conditions, but the country was in no position to do anything but agree to the terms. France's representatives, however, made it clear they thought that the terms of the armistice and the subsequent Treaty of Versailles were too lenient.
The armistice was signed outside Paris at 6 a.m. in the railway carriage of Allied commander Ferdinand Foch, and the cease-fire took effect five hours later: at "the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month."

Declaration of the Rights of the Child (United Nations 1959) annually observed on Nov. 20

By resolution passed on 14 December 1954, the U.N.'s General Assembly recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. It recommended that the Day was to be observed also as a day of activity devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the Charter and the welfare of the children of the world. The Assembly suggested to governments that the Day be observed on the date and in the way which each considers appropriate. The date 20 November marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.

The Convention, which is the most widely ratified international human rights treaty, sets out a number of children’s rights including the right to life, to health, to education and to play, as well as the right to family life, to be protected from violence, to not be discriminated, and to have their views heard.

On the basis of the Convention and joint effort by all the countries and regions, let us promote and celebrate children’s right on the Universal Children's Day, and continuously build up a living-friendly environment for children in the world through dialogues and actions.
http://www.un.org/en/events/childrenday/

World Origami (October - November) - Origami USA

Let's get the world to fold! Celebrate origami by spreading the joy of paperfolding during World Origami Days, held each year from October 24–November 11, a 2-1/2 week celebration of the international community of origami!. Help us make origami as visible as possible: teach a class, fold on the bus, give your friends origami, exhibit your models. The possibilities are limitless, just as with origami itself.
October 24 is the birthday of Lillian Oppenheimer (1898-1992), who founded the first origami group in America. She was also one of the founders of the British Origami Society and OrigamiUSA. A dynamic woman, she was delighted in the magic to be found in a piece of paper and wanted to share it with the world.
November 11 is Origami Day in Japan where the paper crane has become a symbol of peace.
https://origamiusa.org/wod

November 10 annually - World Science Day for Peace and Development (UNESCO)

Established by UNESCO in 2001, World Science Day for Peace and Development is celebrated worldwide on 10 November each year. It offers an opportunity to demonstrate to the wider public why science is relevant to their daily lives and to engage them in debate on related issues.

By throwing bridges between science and society, the aim is to ensure that citizens are kept informed of developments in science, while underscoring the role scientists play in broadening our understanding of the remarkable, fragile planet we call home and in making our societies more sustainable. Recent themes have included ‘towards green societies’ (2011), science for the rapprochement of peoples and cultures (2010) and astronomy (2009). This year's theme is 'Science for a Sustainable Future; celebrating the UNESCO Science report'

Every year, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, scientific research institutions, professional associations, universities, municipalities, the media, science teachers, schools and others are encouraged to organize their own celebration of World Science Day.

Since its inception, World Science Day has also generated concrete projects, programs and funding for science around the world. Several ministries have announced an increase in spending on science, for instance, or the creation of a university or research body. The Day has also helped to foster cooperation between scientists living in regions marred by conflict, one example being the creation of the Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization (IPSO), with UNESCO support.

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/celebrations/international-days/world-science-day-for-peace-and-development/

Who was married on Nov. 4? Significant couple for American History and America's Date w/Destiny in 1865

November 4, 1842 Lincoln is married to Mary Todd in Springfield, Illinois.


www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/

Momentous Election - on this date in history (1860)

ON THIS DAY

On November. 6, 1860, former Illinois congressman Abraham Lincoln defeated three other candidates for the U.S. presidency.

Try an Apple Cider Doughnut today -- one of America's favorite food groups

(November 5, 2015) Doughnuts could quite possibly be on of America's favorite foods. There are so many different varieties and flavors, and they're acceptable no matter what time of day it is.

So appropriately, this delightful treat has its own special holiday!
http://fox59.com/2015/11/05/celebrate-national-doughnut-day-with-apple-cider-doughnuts/

On this date in Electoral History (1968 election between Humphrey - Nixon - Wallace)

ON THIS DAY

On November 5, 1968, Republican Richard M. Nixon won the presidency, defeating Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and third-party candidate George C. Wallace.

Dine out and help ALZ dot-org (Bob Evans Restaurant in Central Illinois)

Dine out to make a difference

Dine out for a good cause this weekend at the monthly Bob Evans Fundraiser. All day long November. 6th-8th, 2015 Bob Evans on North Allen Road in Peoria, IL will donate 15% of your purchase to the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org . Hope to see you there!

Read-athons, Celebrity Appearances, Book Drives -- National Family Literacy Day methods to boost reading

Ways To Make National Family Literacy Day, Reading More Accessible, More Inclusive

October 30, 2015

National Family Literacy Day® falls on Nov. 1 2015. This national observance often kicks off a month of family literacy activities in libraries, schools, and community settings. It is a time for educators, librarians and others to celebrate learning differences and many ways to read. Put a spotlight on accessible digital text and alternatives to print. Build a nation of readers.

Digital, Other Alternatives

All children and youth deserve to read. Some cannot read traditional books in print due to decoding and fluency or book handling difficulties. These can impact comprehension and access to grade-level curriculum for students regardless of their intelligence. For these readers, alternative formats such as audiobooks (with and without learning supports), braille, large print, accessible PDFs and others presentations are the best way to read.
When special education teams act, eligible students receive accessible textbooks and trade books a school owns at no cost to families or schools thanks to the federally funded Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) program.

Add A Message

This year, demonstrate the value of alternatives to print in family literacy events. Be inclusive of struggling readers at your read-a-thons, celebrity appearances, book drives, and more. When schools invite parents, grandparents, and other family members into classroom for a family-school reading day, be sure that alternatives to print are part of the mix.
http://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/aiming-access/7-ways-make-national-family-literacy-day-reading-more-accessible-more-inclusive

Week of Nov. 30, 2015: Charlie Brown Christmas Anniversary and Specials to air (ABC Network premiere)

from N. Indiana affiliate of ABC Network;


“It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown” – In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the beloved PEANUTS animated tale, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Kristen Bell will host a special holiday retrospective, “It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown.” The anniversary special will celebrate 50 years of the iconic classic that has brought joy and a television watching tradition at the holidays for generations of fans. The unforgettable night will feature spectacular live performances, from the memorable music of Vince Guaraldi, to Kristen Chenoweth singing “Happiness” from the “Peanuts” Broadway hit, and a performance from Matthew Morrison of an original song, “Just Like Me.” Other amazing musical guests set to perform classic songs are Sarah McLachlan, Boyz II Men, Pentatonix, David Benoit and The All-American Boys Chorus. This December marks the 50th anniversary of the Emmy-winning special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” – Celebrate the joy of the holidays with the classic animated Christmas-themed PEANUTS special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” created by the late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. In the digitally re-mastered 1965 special, Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season. Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant and Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, Charlie Brown needs Linus’ help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is. (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

“The Great Holiday Baking Show” – SERIES PREMIERE –  It's a delicious addition to television this holiday season when “The Great Holiday Baking Show,” based on the hit UK series, “The Great British Bake Off,” premieres on ABC. Hosted by Nia Vardalos (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”) and husband Ian Gomez (“Cougar Town”) “The Great Holiday Baking Show” stars some of the nation’s best amateur bakers as they compete in a series of themed challenges and eliminations all hoping to be crowned Holiday Baking Champion. For four weeks, James Beard Award-Winning pastry chef and author, Johnny Iuzzini, joins England’s “Royal Queen of Baking,” author and television personality Mary Berry, as they judge the decadent and delicious holiday fare these bakers create as they throw down their best culinary skills. “The Great Holiday Baking Show” is produced by Love Productions for the ABC Television Network. 

Activate Love. Transform Lives. Change the World. (Dec. 1, 2015) -- UM Mission effort called "Giving Tuesday"

This UMC #GivingTuesday United Methodists will activate love, transform lives, and change the world On Dec. 1, 2015 United Methodists will come together for the third year to support the work of Advance projects and missionaries on UMC #GivingTuesday. Sponsored by the denomination’s General Board of Global Ministries, individuals, churches, and annual conferences (regional offices) combine Advent and Christmas seasonal giving with global mission and outreach opportunities. The theme for the 2015 campaign is “Activate Love. Transform Lives. Change the World.” - See more at: http://www.umcmission.org/learn-about-us/news-and-stories/2015/october/1015umcgivingtuesday#sthash.K1GvUNQV.dpuf