Posts by Marks33Jordan:
Hidden Grove Elementary Talent Show a Big Hit With Bumper Stickers
March 13th, 2010This winter our school Hidden Grove Elementary decided to put on a fundraiser. We wanted to get the kids new musical instruments for the band and for private practice. But musical instruments can be expensive – we knew we would have to raise a lot of money. In this economy – holding a school fundraiser seems like a tough thing but families really do want to be involved.
We spent a little time thinking about what type of fundraiser to hold. It was important that we choose a fundraiser with minimal expenses and something that had families involved right from the beginning. With the popularity of American Idol and other talent TV shows, we decided a talent variety show would be an ideal choice. The kids and adults could compete to win trophies and we would have community leaders as judges. The entire school and community as a whole got very excited about the talent show fundraiser – so we knew we had a hit on our hands from the very start.
One of the biggest challenges you face with a fundraiser is getting the word out about it. It was important that we not only get the families involved but also to invite other members of the community to attend. Selling tickets was the top way we were making money. With a large auditorium we knew we could make a lot of ticket sales – if only many people could find out about the event. That’s when we came up with the bumper sticker idea.
We ordered a bumper sticker announcing the Talent Show with the date, time and ticket price and a contact telephone number. Our bumper sticker was in our school colors, purple and yellow so people would instantly know it was for Hidden Grove Elementary. The bumper sticker started out as a success right away. Every teacher was given a stack of bumper stickers to give to children to bring home to parents. Soon we saw bumper stickers on every family car as they pulled up to pick up kids. The school office kept a stack of bumper stickers for visitors and other school staff members. Everyone working for the school put a bumper sticker on their car.
The bumper sticker became so popular in part because people realized it was a way to support the community. With bright colors it was easily seen. Our fonts were fun and eye catching. We had lots of choices when we selected designing our bumper sticker – which was ideal. So we think we really chose the best of the best. What was ideal was that we chose a bumper sticker that attracted so many people in the community and our school family.
The night of our Talent Show we opened to a full house! It was such a thrill to look out into that audience and to watch the kids and adults perform. Knowing that we were raising money for musical instruments the kids would enjoy was a wonderful feeling. And our bumper sticker was a great key to our success. We know we’ll be using one for our annual Spring Carnival this April!
Lawrence Reaves orders his bumper stickers from mavericklabel.com, the best online resource for bumper stickers, custom labels, and more.
How to Throw a Good Old Backyard Barbeque!
January 13th, 2010Barbeques are a great way for friends and family to get together and celebrate a holiday, a birthday, a graduation, or any other special event. The casual laid back atmosphere creates a light hearted feel for all. Kids can run around and play outdoor games or swim if there is a pool. Adults can socialize and enjoy a variety of food and drinks all while relaxing in the comfort of the backyard.
How can you ensure that your barbeque is the best that it can be? Focus on three main aspects- food, drinks, and entertainment!
Food
Make sure you have a quality grill and plenty of cooking space. If your backyard is due for an upgrade, consider one of the many outdoor kitchen designs on the market today. They provide an easy way for all the preparation and cooking to take place outside, so you can spend time with your guests.
The menu for a barbeque is pretty self explanatory- anything that can go on the grill! Standard hotdogs and burgers are a must. Barbeque chicken, spare ribs or kielbasa are also tasty choices. As for sides, grilling corn on the cob is quick and easy. Pick up or make coleslaw and a salad, like- pasta, macaroni, or potato. Appetizers can be simple too. Chips and dip, pretzels and spicy mustard, and a veggie tray will be enough to please all. And, a cookie tray, apple pie, or cakes are perfect dessert choices.
Drinks
Beverage options vary depending on the type of party and the size of your guest list. If it is a kid’s only party, juices like apple or lemonade work well. Be sure to have plenty of water for those active youngsters. If the party will include adults, there are also alcoholic beverages to consider. Beer and wine always go over well. They can be kept outside in a large ice tub. If you are having a larger party, you can save money by getting a keg of beer instead of bottles or cans. This will also help during clean up time! Having a signature drink, like a mango margarita or a sweet tea cocktail is a great idea too. Be sure to include drink garnishes, mixers, and plenty of ice.
Entertainment
A great way to get everyone involved is with yard games like baggo, bocce ball, horse shoes, or wiffle ball. You can even design tournaments for team play. Get a poster board, draw out the brackets for an ongoing competition, and top winners receive a prize!
If you are lucky enough to have a pool or hot tub, take advantage of their entertainment aspects. Kids can splash around in the pool, playing marco polo or tag. And, adults can relax and talk with one another in the hot tub. Just be sure to have supervision for the pool when children are present.
So, all in all, a backyard barbeque is a great party option- simple to plan and easy to please. Focus on the food, drink, and entertainment aspects and it is sure to be a success!
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Control Your Psoriasis and Reduce Flare-ups with Home Remedies
June 23rd, 2008Although no cure currently exists for psoriasis, you can control your psoriasis with a wide variety of treatments. For the most effective course, you’ll want to use natural at-home remedies along with your prescription medications.
The most common way to control your psoriasis is to use an ointment or topical cream. While some of these are over-the-counter, many are prescribed by your doctor. Dovonex, salicyclic acid, tar, and anthralin are all topical treatments.
One of the most common medications used to control your psoriasis is corticosteroids. They reduce swelling with their anti-inflammatory properties. Like any medications, they may have side effects, so discuss them with your doctor if you have any questions or experience any unusual reactions.
Ultraviolet light therapy might be used to control your psoriasis. This treatment requires your skin to be exposed to artificial ultraviolet light B. This phototherapy is especially popular for extensive cases of psoriasis.
In addition to medication from your doctor, you’ll also want to adopt a healthy lifestyle to help control your psoriasis. One of the first steps to this is to eat a well balanced diet. This diet should be low in meat and dairy while high in vegetables. Essential Fatty Acids, which can be found in both fish oil and flax seed oil, are important and should be supplemented.
Many people choose to use an alternative form of therapy to help control their psoriasis. This might take the form of acupuncture or a traditional Eastern form of healing such as qigong. These alternative therapies are meant to complement traditional Western treatment and not used alone.
There are many things in you kitchen cupboard that can help you control your psoriasis. One of these is olive or vegetable oil, which can be added to bath water to help relieve itching. Another is baking soda, which, when added to water, can make a mixture that can be applied to the skin with a washcloth. Apple cider vinegar treatments are a popular way to control psoriasis.
Stress can make your psoriasis worse, so reducing stress in your life is an important part of controlling psoriasis. You can do this with exercise, yoga, breathing exercises, or meditation.
Although there might not be a cure for psoriasis, there are many treatments available to help control it. Take an active role in your own health and work closely with your doctor and others to control your psoriasis.