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March 2003 - Innovations Newsletter It's March!I always write my own articles, but am making an exception this issue. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to spend a day herding about 150 pigs. It was a very interesting day! So, when I read this I couldn’t resist asking the author for permission to include it in my newsletter. The following guest article courtesy of: Craft Site Directory Your Guide to Arts & Crafts on the Internet http://www.CraftSiteDirectory.com March 1st is National Pig Day According to the book, "Chase's Annual Events", it is a day to "accord to the pig its rightful, though generally unrecognized, place as one of man's most intelligent and useful domesticated animals." I don't think this includes bacon and eggs for breakfast, but a pig craft project sounds appropriate! Enjoy these links to free pig day projects. Free National Pig Day Cross Stitch Design: Visit: http://www.hillsidesamplings.com/FreeGraph.htm Free Gingham Pig Sewing Pattern: Visit: http://www.craftown.com/country/craft4.htm Paper Mache Patchwork Piggy Bank: Visit: http://www.frugalcrafts.com/craft_projects/Kid's_Crafts/pigbank.html Crocheted Pig Finger Puppet: Visit: http://members.aol.com/SAG55/pig.html Free Applique Pig Quilt Pattern: Visit: http://www.cottonwoodquilts.com/free.htm Pig Crafts for Kids: Visit: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/pigs/ More Pig Crafts for Kids: Visit: http://www.potbellypigpets.com/crafts.html Preschool Pig Themed Activities and Crafts: Visit: http://www.first-school.ws/theme/animals/farm/pig.htm And now to this months web sites: Homeland Security: With everything going on in the world today, it seems like a good time to prepare for emergencies. Prepare, not panic. This is a well done, government site, that provides information on just about any emergency you can think of. http://www.ready.gov Do You Forget Birthdays? I used to, but then I got smart and wrote them all down on one calendar. Each year I transfer the dates and names to a new calendar. Works great for me. If you’d like someone else to remember for you, check out birthdayalarm.com. According to their site “… as a BirthdayAlarm member you can quickly and simply get reminders of your friends' and family's birthdays. Basically - you will never forget a birthday again. Members have access to our wide range of e-cards. We also make it simple for you to get reminders of anniversaries and holidays. As you can see from our Testimonials - our member's love our service. We believe you will too.” http://www.birthdayalarm.com Buffalo Soldiers I had a chance recently to meet and talk with a “Buffalo Soldier”. No, not an original, but a member of an organization whose goal is to preserve the memory and accomplishments of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments which were comprised of black soldiers who became known as “Buffalo Soldiers”. He was in full uniform and I listened to him give a talk about their history and how their accomplishments never made it to the history books. When I was in grammar and high school, I spent a lot of time reading. I got in trouble reading books that weren’t “approved” by my teachers. I found that the history we were being taught was distorted, watered down or missing important facts. If you would like to know more about this fascinating, and little known part of American history, please visit the Buffalo Soldiers web site at: http://www.buffalosoldiers.com. If you have a child in school, it could make a very interesting paper which he or she could turn in for extra credit and probably a very interesting class room discussion. ASIMO TOUR I grew up reading Isaac Asimov’s science fiction stories and even got to meet and speak with him for an hour, at our local library, when I was a teenager. He was wonderful to talk to. When I heard about ASIMO I naturally thought about him. “ASIMO is designed to operate in our world, where we need to reach for things, pick things up and navigate along floors, sidewalks - even climb stairs. That's why ASIMO has two arms and two legs and is what is called a humanoid robot. In fact, ASIMO is the world's only humanoid robot that can walk independently and climb stairs. This is important, because in a world full of high curbs, uneven surfaces, obstacles and stairways, this ability is absolutely necessary for ASIMO to be able to easily function and truly assist humans.” He is currently on tour and will be in Atlanta at the new SciTrek Museum of Science and Technology (March 15th and 16th). ASIMO is an event the entire family can enjoy together. http://www.asimo.honda.com/index.asp Build a Baby Book If you’re family is spread out all over the country (or the world), here’s a site that might make keeping in touch with all the new little ones a bit easier. “Build A Baby Book provides an online baby book service to mothers and fathers around the world. Everything, as for now, is done through the internet, making your child's baby book viewable to friends and family anywhere in the world! http://www.buildababybook.com/ Site for Teenagers This isn’t a personalized products site, but I was so impressed with it decided to mention in anyway. On the home page is the following: "I'm really excited about all the resources I've collected for us that are fun, and educational. Plus we have open forum's for your comments on a variety of subjects; Ask Stacey, Tips for Boys, Tips for Girls, Tips for Parents, and Christian Youth. Lots of good stuff for kids / teens. The "Ask Stacey" page is one of my favorites because it enables me to interact online more with others regarding friends, family, school, or whatever. I love hearing from online visitors." It’s a site run by a 16-year-old girl who seems to have it all together. If you’re worried about today’s youth check out her site. If you have teenagers, you might want to tell them about it, after you look it over yourself. http://www.catchstaceyhere.com/ PAWS Island Here’s a cute sight that your little ones will enjoy. You might too, It offers Activities, Games, Toons, and of course, things to buy. The musical background reminded of Disneyworld. http://www.pawisland.com/ The Treasure of Balduhyr I get many requests for books for teenagers, but at this time don’t carry anything suitable. I discovered a sight in England with a free story aimed at 11-14 years olds. The home page states: "This is a Children's Book I wrote at the beginning of 2002. It is aimed at the 11-14 year old age group and centres around a small 14 year old boy and the myths and legends of Cornwall. As yet, I haven't found a publisher who wants to publish it but I'll keep trying. Apparently, hundreds of children's books are sent to publishers every month.......Maybe one day!" I haven’t had a chance to read the entire story, so I’d appreciate feedback from someone who has the time to read it. Thanks. http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/web_graphics/ Hanky Kids A way to record what your little one are doing day to day and preserve the memory of their childhood. Here’s a description from their home page: “… Have you ever stopped and wondered what your child did today? When was the last time you sat and talked with your child about their day? As a parent, you search high and low for books that will help you stay in touch with your child. Hanky Kids has created such books that will provide you with the tools to communicate with your child. Hanky Kids is a publishing company that has created unique books to help parents and children alike. These books are unique and you will find nothing else like them anywhere. Especially in today’s society, there is nothing more important than knowing what your child is doing. The line of communication you build with your child now will make all the difference in the world later. Learning to talk with your child is half the battle these days. Finding the way to do it shouldn’t be that hard.” http://www.hankykids.com/ MYCD Interactive Stories (Personalized CDs) A new company is launching personalized Story CDs next month. They are just like personalized books, but the story is on a CD which plays on your computer. Similar to the “Living Books” programs that were very popular a few years ago, but personalized for your child. You can see a preview of the titles at: http://www.rwrinnovations.com/story_cds.htm We will be offering them as soon as they are available. We are proud to announce that we are the US Distributor for this brand new product. If you have your own business, or have thought about starting one, dealerships are available. http://www.rwrinnovations.com/story_cds_dealer.htm RWR Innovations Personalized Books make great fund raisers. Personalized Children's Books P.O. Box 460939 Papillion NE 68046-0939 402-592-9199 Webmaster: Ron Nixon wa8zde@bellsouth.net 3807 Shadowood Parkway SE Atlanta GA 30339-2301 770-850-1400 Site Map 3/2/2003 |