Bill for additional Library Funding

I’m forwarding the information about the new House Bill that’s just been introduced to provide additional state funding for public libraries. If passed, this will mean at least $10,000 for Fontana Regional Library to buy books, magazines, movies and computer software.

Please contact Representative Phil Haire or Representative Roger West (he represents the far western part of Macon County). I’m including a link to both of their pages on the General Assembly website for contact information.

Phil Haire: http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/viewMember.pl?sChamber=House&nUserID=162

Roger West: http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/viewMember.pl?sChamber=House&nUserID=267

Please share this with other members of your Friends groups, Library Boards, staff or anyone you know who cares about public libraries

Now is the time to contact your legislators in the House and urge them to sign on to HB 2090 bill.

House Bill 2090

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2007

H D

HOUSE DRH50795-LG-662 (4/23)

Short Title: Funds for Public Libraries. (Public)

Sponsors: Representatives Crawford and Jeffus (Primary Sponsors).

Referred to:

1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

2 AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE STATE'S PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 SYSTEMS FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY COLLECTIONS.

4 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

5 SECTION 1. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the

6 Department of Cultural Resources the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) for the

7 2008-2009 fiscal year. These funds shall be allocated to all public library systems

8 eligible to receive funds from the Aid to Public Library Fund and used for public library

9 collections. The funds appropriated in this act are not to be considered or distributed as

10 part of the Aid to Public Library Fund. Each public library system shall receive the

11 following:

12 (1) A base grant of $10,000; and

13 (2) A portion of the remaining funds based on the population of the library

14 system's service area.

15 SECTION 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 2008

David M. Paynter, Director

New Hanover County Public Library

201 Chestnut St.

Wilmington, NC 28401

910/798-6309 910/798-6312 fax

dpaynter@nhcgov.com

We've been hacked

The Swain Aces blog had an unauthorized post yesterday, which I have deleted. I believe the entry came thru an email posting feature to the blog which is available to some of the homeschool parents who used to post here regularly. I believe the post was a random event by a someone who used a spamming feature to blast the email out to a bunch of email addresses - this blog's just happened to get caught up.

If this continues to be a problem, I'll lock down the security on the site a bit tighter. There haven't been all that many posts lately, but it's still a useful mechanism to publicize events.

I'm sorry about the spam, hopefully it won't happen again.

- Mark Tyson

Mountain Landscapes Initiative - Looking for input

The Mountain Landscapes Initiative is an effort, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Western NC and the Southwestern Commission, to create resources that can help communities throughout the mountains of western North Carolina address growth and development challenges. The first phase of this initiative, which is being carried out in 2007-08, is aimed at designing a growth management “toolbox” for Region A—the area encompassing the state’s seven westernmost counties and the Qualla Boundary. The toolbox will equip local governments, developers, and landowners to guide development in ways that foster economic prosperity while stewarding environmental and cultural resources.

In order for the Region A Toolbox to be useful, it must reflect the values, concerns, and visions of the region’s citizens. Therefore, the project team is soliciting public input during a series of Community Forums. At each Forum, participants will view a documentary video based on interviews conducted around the region. Then they will have a chance to share their own vision for the region's future. The dates of the forums are as follows:

Macon: Th, April 3 / Community Facilities Bldg / drop in 10am – 6pm; meeting 6:30pm – 8pm

Haywood: Tu, April 8 / Waynesville Rec Center / drop in 10am – 6pm; meeting 6:30pm – 8pm

Swain: Th, April 10 / SCC (Old Almond School) / drop in 10am – 6pm; meeting 6:30pm – 8pm

Clay: Sa, April 19 / Courthouse / drop in 10am – 2:30pm; meeting 3pm – 4:30pm

Cherokee: Tu, April 22 / Murphy Library / drop in 10am – 6pm; meeting 6:30pm – 8pm

Qualla Boundary: Th, April 24 / EMS Building / no drop in; meeting 5pm – 8pm

Graham: Sa, April 26 / Community Building / drop in 10am – 2:30pm; meeting 3pm – 4:30pm

Jackson: Tu, April 29 / Community Services Bldg / drop in 10am – 6pm; meeting 6:30pm – 8pm



These forums are a great opportunity for you to have a say in how our region grows; we hope you will participate. All participants will have the chance to win a free ride over the region in a small plane, courtesy of SouthWings!

Also, save the dates for the charrette (public workshop) at which the Region A Toolbox will be designed: May 13-20.

For more information: www.mountainlandscapesnc.org Gabriel Cumming, Outreach Director: gabriel@ncperspectives.org, 919-260-1891 Ben Brown, Communications Director: benbro@earthlink.net, 828-508-5002

15th Annual Organic Growers School

Note: We attended this last year, and really enjoyed ourselves. Vance participated in the Childrens program, and made a scarecrow which is still standing in front of our garden area! - Mark Tyson Getting ready to kick off the 2008 growing season? Registration for the 15th Annual Organic Growers School is now officially open! This year's tracks will include: Beginning Gardening, Back by Popular Demand, Nurturing Healthy Soils, Fruit Production, Commercial Grower, Sustainable Energy Options, Livestock, Homesteading, Pest Management, Sustainable Landscaping, Herbs, Urban Growing, Cooking, Sustainable Forestry and new hands-on, half-day workshops. Here is a sampling of some of the 69 classes we offering this year: Growing Heirloom Tomatoes, Introduction to Organic Beekeeping, Drought-proofing Your Garden, Soil Science 101, On Farm Composting, Minimal Tillage, Beneficial Insects, Solar and Wind Energy Systems, Transitioning to Organic Production, Food Safety Issues, Pastured Lamb Production, Backyard Egg Production, Herb Kitchen Gardens, Stonescaping for Your Yard, Landscaping with Native Plants, Passive Solar Greenhouse Design, Tailgate Marketing, Sustainable Forestry, Home Orcharding, Organic Inputs that Work, Local Food Traditions, Wild Foraged Foods, and Food Preservation. Half day hands-on workshops this year will include: Honey for Medicinal Use, Mushroom Production, Draft Horses, Fruit Tree Grafting, Dry Stack Stone, Native Plants, Food Preservation, Goat Cheese Making, and Organic Home Brewing. Early Bird Registration ends February 28, 2008 at 5PM, so register now and save! For more information, or to register, visit our website: www.organicgrowersschool.org Businesses interested in participating in the school as a food vendor, exhibitor, or sponsor, should contact Organic Growers School Coordinator Meredith Leigh McKissick at meredith@organicgrowersschool.org, or call (828) 450-7996.

4th Annual Children's Program The Organic Growers School is proud to offer its 4th annual program for kids. The OGS Children’s Program seeks to convey the importance of agriculture and the environment by guiding kids through numerous, hands-on activities that involve plants, animals, insects, and food. This supervised, full-day event is open to children ages 7-12 years old, with a registration limit of 30 children. Cost is $30. Click here for more information about the Children's Program.

Chocolate Cook Off at Library on Sunday

The Friends of the Library invite you to sample the area's best chocolate confections at our Chocolate Cook-Off on Sunday, February 10 from 2-5 in the Library auditorium.

This event will help raise money for the Library. Entry tickets are $5 and include samples from all participants and a chance to vote for the People's Choice award. Refreshments will be available for $1.

At last count, there were 14 different entries into the contest. Come support the library this Sunday, and satisfy that sweet tooth at the same time!

Community Youth Forum Sponsored by 4-H*

Swain County youth, voice your opinion!

"In Jonesboro, Georgia, Illai Kenney made her first public speech at the age of nine, founded Georgia Kids Against Pollution when she was 12, and was internationally recognized for her environmental and social activism long before she turned 18."

What are the youth in our community doing? What do they want to be doing? What do Swain County youth need to become the leaders of tomorrow? What are teens in our community thinking about? What inspires them? What can our community do to help?

Swain County 4-H is sponsoring a Youth Forum to find out! This forum is part of a series being held around the Southeast in conjunction with the Southern Growth Policies Board. The Swain County Youth Forum will be held Tuesday, February 5th from 6:30 - 8:30pm at the Middle School Library. Youth ages 12 - 18 are invited to participate in this discussion that will be facilitated by members of the Cherokee Youth Council. The information gathered at this Forum will be included in the Southern Growth Policies Board annual Report on the Future of the South.

"In Mabelvale, Arkansas, 16 year old Chauncey Holloman started her own greeting card company when she had trouble finding the right birthday card for a friend. Within three years she had landed contracts with national chains - and launched a clothing line."

Youth have much to offer but there are issues that need to be addressed. Information from the Southern Growth Policies Board highlights the following trends:

• Many communities, especially those in rural areas, are losing their "best and brightest." Between 2000 and 2005, more than one in four 25 to 29 year olds with a professional or graduate degree and more than one in six of those with at least a bachelor's degree left the South.

• As a whole, Southern youth are not as engaged in community and civic life as youth in other regions of the country. Nine of 13 Southern states fall below the national average in youth volunteer rates and young adult voting rates.

So, let's see what we can do right here in Swain County. First we need to hear from young people. This should not be a problem that adults plan and tackle. We should assist. We should support. We can help youth learn the skills they need to be productive citizens and lead the
rest of us into the future.

Please spread the word to the young people you know. Talk with your own family members, mention it at church, spread the word to the friends of your children, and suggest it to the people you work with. Encourage young people to attend the Forum on February 5th. Please contact me at 488-3848 or nira_franklin@ncsu.edu if you would like additional information or if you would like a flyer or two to post.

"As we look for ways to ensure future prosperity, we need to think of youth development efforts as economic development," emphasizes the Tennessee Commission on children and Youth. We need to seek out, encourage and inspire the talents and passion of the young people in Swain County. Join us at the Youth Forum. Youth, come voice your opinion. Adults, help spread the word.

--
Nira C. Franklin
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
Swain County
NC Cooperative Extension
(828) 488-3848
http://swain.ces.ncsu.edu

Free Rice

Want to improve your vocabulary and do some good at the same time?

Check out the Free Rice website. For each word you get right, Free Rice donates rice thru the United Nations. It is funded by the advertising on the site. Seems to be on the up and up, and the words can be tough.

Give it a try!

"The Smallest Elf" Performance

“The Smallest Elf” Performance

TOP HAT Talented Young Performers - Homeschool Acting Troupe invites you to a FREE performance of our first production, "The Smallest Elf", a Christmas story for the whole family. The Smallest Elf, Elwyn, just can't get any of the toys she makes right. Now, there is a little boy named Luke who doesn't even want a Christmas because his parents are too busy. Santa wants to make him happy for Christmas and has given the elves a challenge to make the perfect gift for Luke by Christmas Eve. Will Elwyn be able to make him a gift that doesn't fall apart? Will Luke be happy for Christmas? Come find out! The touring schedule is: Wednesday, November 28 - 11:00 AM - Haywood Arts Regional Theatre, Waynesville. Friday, November 30 - 11:00 AM - Henderson County Library, Hendersonville. Monday, December 3 - 11:00 AM - Hendersonville Little Theatre, Hendersonville. Friday, December 7 - 11:00 AM - Pack Memorial Library, Asheville. Tuesday, December 18 11:00 AM - Asheville Community Theatre, Asheville. Please RSVP to cary@3dkarting.com for a seat count. Some locations have a limited number of seats and we would like to know how many people to expect. TOP HAT is a new theatre troupe in the Asheville area comprised entirely of home school students. Our cast for this show ranges in age from 7 to 16. They have all worked very hard rehearsing this show, learning lines, and creating their own costumes and set. Come out and see a great show at a location near you while you get to support fellow homeschoolers and the price is right! The show lasts about 40 minutes and will be sure to put you in the holiday spirit!

Rwandans Come To SCC

Southwestern Community College (JACKSON Campus) will be hosting the Mizero
> (Hope) Children of Rwanda Tour, on Tuesday October 23 from 10:00-11:40 in
> Myers Auditorium.
>
> The tour is coming to the States to perform at two UN sponsored events,
> one
> in Montreal and one in New York City. We are able to host the group
> because
> one of the tour group coordinators is a former SCC graduate.
>
> The person leading the tour is Jean Paul Samptu, an internationally known
> musician. In addition to Jean Paul, the group is composed of 12 boys and
> girls ages 9-15 who are either orphans of the genocide of 1994 or AIDS.
> The
> group brings a message of how real reconciliation can come from the world,
> even when it arises out of the worst possible trials.
>
> The 90 minute performance consists of an educational component, some
> testimonies by the children, traditional drumming and dancing.
>
> In addition to seeking support to stay on the radar screen of the world,
> the
> kids are also attempting to raise money to provide basic housing for the
> boys - they live in a bank parking lot when they are home in Kigali,
> Rwanda.
> If they don't get to their parking lot by the time it is locked up at the
> end of the day, the police pick them up an put them in jail, which is both
> unsanitary and unsafe.
>
> Performances like this happen upon us much too infrequently. I hope you
> will seriously consider including this performance in your educational
> offerings.
> If you have any more questions, please give me a call at 800-447-4091 ext.
> 245.
>
> Cheryl
>
>
> Cheryl Contino-Conner, Director
> Student Support Services
> Southwestern Community College
> 447 College Drive
> Sylva NC 28779
> (800) 447-4091, ext. 231
> cheryl@southwest.cc.nc.us

We're on our way home

Hi everyone! We're winding up our out west trip - at present we are in Nebraska, working our way back east. Our target is to arrive back in Bryson City around Oct 20th. Although we are way behind on the website  (http://www.HaveSchoolWillTravel.com), we've stayed busy the last month and a half - visiting Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. We have just wrapped up a couple of weeks in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Vance is very anxious to see all his friends, and it will be great to catch up with everyone.

See you soon!

Mark, Denise and Vance Tyson