We will be back on August 1st, 2017, with our back to school issue and our usual book and literacy corners and our community boards.
We will still be doing our weekly book reviews over the holidays watch for them every Saturday, in the meantime have a great safe and fun summer.
Pool Safety by Joanna Murray
This summer my family and I embarked on a new fun outdoor activity, we added a pool to our backyard. Summer time is such a wonderful time of year, with this new season comes many outdoor fun enjoyments. One of the adventurous activities we all can participate in is swimming. No matter what stage of life you are in this is one of the universal sports we can all enjoy. As with any sport, there are some rules and precautions that everyone should consider and keep in mind.
With three children, for my family safety was a priority. The first thing we did was invest in a gate around the pool that you may attach and un-attach, when you are having a party etc.. Secondly, we installed alarms on the doors throughout the house to forewarn us if anyone goes outside. Third was to install reverse side gate latches so you have to be inside the gate to open them.
First and foremost, no matter what you do, you should always watch your children when they are in or near the pool.
As a precaution, the more safety tips and rules that will help facilitate a safe environment.
Teach your children safety rules around the pool.
Keep children away from pool drains, pipes, and other openings.
Have a phone close by at all times.
If child is missing, always look in pool or spa first.
Make sure everyone in the family knows how to swim.
Share safety tips with family and friends who visit.
Learn CPR and update your skills regularly
Understand basic life-saving skills
The best thing a family with a pool can do is ultimately invest in swimming lessons for your child. If money allows check local community centres such as the YMCA to see if affordable courses are available. As you would teach a child to put on a seatbelt when in a car, teaching your child basic water safety skills is essential
“Powerful. Clever. A solid … a choice for both girls and boys.” —Publishers Weekly
Fifteen-year-old Tess O’Brien finds her life inexplicably intertwined with the rebellious teen Cain Mathews and the conflicted Wesley Thayer as they search the vast Wisconsin woodlands for a mystical albino deer herd.
An ominous curse, a mysterious fog, and villainous poachers plague their journeys as the three struggle to come to terms with their lives, their parents and the wilderness they love.
Filled with page-turning action and suspense, Ghosts of Manitowish Waters is a coming of age story about finding your own path and following it. It’s a lesson in knowing when to obey your parents and when to have the courage to defy them.The book has an interesting opening hook that kept me reading. In fact, once I started reading the book, I could not put it down until I had finished. The story moved along at a nice pace and leads the reader through a coming of age story mixed with some Indian lore and some action. This book is suitable for all ages fifteen and
The book has an interesting opening hook that kept me reading. In fact, once I started the book, I could not put it down until I had finished. The story moved along at a nice pace and leads the reader through a coming of age story mixed with some Indian lore and some action. This book is suitable for all ages fifteen and up.
The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) is a non-profit organization that represents an international network of people who are committed to bringing children and books together. One project, the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities, is located at North York Central Library and includes:
Outstanding examples of books for and about young people with disabilities
4,000 titles in over 40 languages
Specialized formats such as Braille, PCS and Sign Language
Tactile and textile books
Read about the 2017 IBBY selections and more on our blog.
Location and Access
*The IBBY Collection is currently unavailable due to renovations. Please email ibby@tpl.ca for assistance and other options.
The collection is located on the main floor in the Children’s Department at the North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge St, Toronto, Ontario.
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Join the AW Teen Summer Reading Challenge to win FREE books and other prizes!
Read any AW Teen title (click here for a full list) and review it anywhere (your blog, Instagram, YouTube — wherever!). Reviews from September 1, 2016, to August 31, 2017, will be accepted. Yep, even older reviews! You will receive one entry for every AW YA book you submit a review for. You can receive extra entries for sharing your review on sites like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Netgalley, Goodreads, and Edelweiss. And if you follow AW on their Albert Whitman or AW Teen Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or YouTube, you can get even more extra entries!
One lucky participant will win the GRAND prize: A beach basket full of 10 AW Teen titles and summer reading goodies including lip balm, nail polish, perfume, water bottle, beach towel, sun hat and more! Four participants will win the book pack of the same 10 titles!
Reviews are accepted until August 31, 2017, and winners will be randomly selected on September 1, 2017. Submit the link to your review here. Happy Summer Reading!
Welcome to Professor Owl’s Book Corner where in addition to supporting those with special needs and learning challenges, we are also committed to being more focused on YA/New Adult reading and literacy. We will be featuring tips from a certified literacy tutor to help make your reading experience the best it can be.
We will also be encouraging young writers and artists with tips, writing exercises and will still be updating our Community News Boards with the latest news from Variety Village and The March of Dimes.
Professor Owl’s Book Corner hopes you enjoy our new format! Please feel free to give us your feedback on our new issue, also send us any ideas you may have to help Professor Owl’s Book Corner be all that it can be. We look forward to hearing from you and to bring you a new, more interesting newsletter.
You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax all you need is a book!” – Dr. Seuss
“Every man who knows how to read has it in his power to magnify himself, to multiply the ways in which he exists, to make his life full, significant and interesting.” – Aldous Huxley
Adult Literacy: Better Reading Comprehension, How to Speed-Read, and Some Life-Changing Literature to Improve Your Life
According to a survey done by the Jenkins Group, in the USA, 42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college and 33 percent of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives.
This is quite alarming and it’s definitely something that we all should worry about, especially when we’re presented with many other studies that link the high likeability of people ending up in prison if they have literacy problems.
Now, there are many factors that lead to literacy problems in people of all ages, such as the inadequate education system and school infrastructure, living in countries with high poverty and unemployment rates, or growing up in places that have a high crime rate…etc. But, what about the people who are simply not interested, let’s say, in reading books for pleasure?
Society’s views and taste in reading books has changed a lot in the last decade and the technological innovations allow us fast access online to the information we want in just a few clicks. But this kind of behavior has not only damaged the need to read and digest longer pieces for personal advancement or just for the sole fun of reading something but has also shortened our attention span as well. It’s not uncommon for people to buy books and never finish reading them.
Literacy is not only about reading and writing, but it’s also to help people understand the complexity of the world and life in general. To improve the way you think, communicate and act; to make you a better and smarter human being.
download or read this book Laubach Way to Reading 1Sounds and Names of Letters Free Ebook …
If you would like to complete these lessons and email them to Professor Owl’s Book Corner ~ send your answers to professorowl@outlook.com. We will include a lesson every second Thursday along with a newly released book review and if you email in your answers. At the end of every month, we will have a draw for everyone who emails their answers~ and one lucky person will win a book.
A tattered photograph. A lock of hair. Keepsakes of his mother have triggered strange dreams for Max, dreams of a dank prison cell and an oddly familiar teenaged girl. But it’s the disturbing vision of a train accident that convinces Max to investigate his mother’s death.
During his investigation, Max discovers a connection with Julia, a classmate with dark secrets of her own. Her mother also died mysteriously and was linked to Project Mindstorm.
I would highly recommend going on the adventure in “Twisted Fate” with many twists and turns. Time-travel, visions of paranormal activity, secrets and psychics; a book that explores everything. Once I picked the book up I could not stop reading until I finished it. I always love to read Simon Rose’s books, they are great to read for most ages. Looking forward to his next book.
In this compelling collection of first-person stories, adults who have made outstanding achievements in adult literacy were paired with writers to tell of their transition to reading. These are people who have had the courage to overcome the barrier of words to break into a broader sense of themselves, to feel more empowered in the world. Courageous, too, is the very sharing of these stories, in which private moments are opened wide with the hope that others will take the same steps. Whether confronting undiagnosed dyslexia, a Canadian Tire store manager to ensure Christmas for a child, written tests for the military, certification exams, or jumping from an airplane, these people are heroes.
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” ~ Nelson Mandela
Your mission should you choose to accept it…
It’s time that you broke up with your biggest fear. What better way for you to say goodbye than by writing them a letter telling them how horrible they are and why they no longer have a place in your life. Have fun with it, in my opinion, if you can learn to laugh at what scares you, then perhaps you won’t see that fear as being so intimidating.
✒ Write, be creative and most of all HAVE FUN! ✒
Attention all aspiring authors: Its’ that time again, we have one month until the July edition of Camp NaNoWriMo! 🙂 Now is the time to outline your novel and do your research! 🙂
Haven’t heard ofNaNoWriMo.org? Here’s the goods: every November thousands participate in an online writing event to complete 50,000 words in just 30 days. Now they’ve made it even better, CampNaNoWriMo.orgis a virtual writer’s camp, designed to inspire you and keep you motivated while you work on your masterpiece. Camp NaNoWriMo.org runs twice a year in April and July and unlike NaNoWriMowelcomes word-count goals of 30,000 and up. Writers can tackle any project they’d like, including new novel drafts, revisions, poetry, scripts, and short stories. So sign uptoday! See you at camp!
Monthly Journal Challenge
June Journal Prompts
All you need is a pen, journal and 15-30 minutes a day to write down your thoughts.
Open your journal, set a timer and write! 🙂 Use the prompts to start your journal entry i.e.
“My favourite thing about June is….”
Your favourite thing about June.
A cause near and dear to your heart.
One thing you would change about the world.
Your favourite book genre.
A hobby you would like to take up,
Three things you are grateful for.
Your favourite song at the moment.
A fictional character you would like to meet.
Favourite summer activity.
Your least favourite food.
What you would like to do in the future.
Three good things that have happened to you this week.
Favourite thing about nature.
Someone who inspires you.
Lazy day rituals.
Three things you want to change in your life.
How you handle difficult challenges and how does it work for you.
One thing that cheers you up on bad days.
A compliment that you received that sticks with you.
A goal you want to accomplish this month.
What it would take to make your dreams come true.
Favourite thing to watch on TV.
Favourite place to visit.
What good moment always makes you smile.
A movie that describes your life.
A secret you haven’t shared with anyone.
What you’ll miss about school over the holidays.
Write about a picture that catches your eye.
What you wish you could change about your life and steps to do it.
Favourite person in your life.
Variety Village
Please note the following correction in the May 2017 Newsletter for the
VVAC Athletic Banquet:
Qssim Banquet Hall
3474 Kingston Road, Scarborough
6:00pm – 10:30pm
Thursday, June 15
Each year the teams’ athletes, coaches, parents, and sponsors gathered to celebrate the accomplishments, teamwork, and contributions of these incredible, inspiring young athletes. Join us as we celebrate our achievements & milestones of the 2016 – 2017 season
$15 Athlete/$30 Guest
Cash Bar This event is for VVAC Team
members only.
Pride Toronto is a not for profit with a mission to bring people together to celebrate the history, courage, and diversity of our community. One of our wonderful members, Eric Martin suggested we raise the Pride Flag in recognition of Pride Month and our own diverse community.
We think that’s a great idea!Join us on Thursday, June 1 at 1:00 pm to help us raise the flag and enjoy cake and coffee afterwards in the lobby.
Inclusivity:Pride Toronto welcomes everyone and wants everyone to be welcomed. Pride Toronto is accessible to everyone as they create a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
Diversity:Pride Toronto celebrates the uniqueness of all voices while bringing people together as one community.
These are Pride Toronto’s values, which are shared by Variety Village’s own mission, vision, and values.
Get ready for a show filled with laughter, song, and dance… ‘It’s
MIKHELA’S
18TH BIRTHDAY
ZUMBA PARTY
Join us and celebrate Mikhela’s Birthday the ZUMBA way!
Date: Sunday, June 11, 2017
Time: 3:30pm – 6:00pm (Doors open at 3:30pm)
Where: Variety Village Fieldhouse
Tickets: $20/person For ticket inquiries please contact:
Aida Go 416 577 5769
Rose Benavidez 416 902 1102
Featured vendors: ZUMBA Shop by Kizzy Adams Cookie Tells by Syen Chong
ZUMBA Instructors:
Mariko Kamata
Eric Jones Ison
Kay Morishima
Aida Go
Cherrylyn Murayao-Sera
Kizzy Adams
Marissa Burias
Jeff Chupa
Meet Mikhela Go. She is turning 18 on June 2017. She is a lovely young lady and always has a smile on her face. She loves going to Variety Village. She is very involved with the Drama program. This year, her drama class is doing a spin off from Grease “Sandy”. She is a Black Belt Young Choung Taekwondo Academy – Variety Village and has done competitions over the years. She enjoys swimming and goes to lessons all year round at the Sunshine pool at the Village.
Mikhela has been a member of this organization since she was 5 years old. It has provided her a home away from home where she can meet new friends and be accepted as a growing young woman. She is also an ambassador. Variety Village has been a huge part of Mikhela’s growing years. It is time for her to give back to this organization that brought so much joy and happy memories for her. Her mom, Aida Go, who is a certified Zumba instructor, has organized this Zumba event to raise funds for Variety Village.
All proceeds from the event will support Variety Village.
Electrifying!’.
GREASE!
The Variety Village Drama Company presents their uniquely adapted theatrical production GREASE! The annual showcase takes place on Saturday, June 10 with a Matinee performance at 2:00 pm and an evening performance at 7:00 pm. Reception to follow.
Matinee: $10 per person Evening performance: $15 per person
Tickets available at Variety Village reception or contact: Valeria at valeria.alvia@gmail.com
Tickets on sale at the door. CASH ONLY
St. Columba Theatre Room 2723 St Clair Ave E, East York, ON M4B 1M8
The Variety Village Drama program provides a variety of educational creative arts for youth and adults with disabilities. Funds raised through this Annual Showcase ensure Variety Village continued offering of quality programs that enhance self-esteem and encourage social development in an arts-focused environment.
MEMBER APPRECIATION
You’re invited! With the support of Zurich Insurance, Variety Village is hosting a Member Appreciation Day. Everybody is welcome!
Monday, June 12 | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm in the Courtyard BBQ Hot Dogs, refreshments, popcorn! Games, giveaways and a chance to win great prizes.
Get Active and Out in Your Community by
Walking or Rolling across Ontario and British Columbia
June 1 – 9, 2017
The annual Walk ‘n’ Roll fundraiser held across Ontario and now in British Columbia by March of Dimes Canada, encourages people with physical disabilities or aphasia, to get active and out in their communities, supporting vital programs that help independence, improved communication, community participation and improves health and fitness as a bonus. We hope that you can be a part of it!
Dates: June 1 – 9, 2017
About: Participants, volunteers, friends and family members of March of Dimes Canada’s stroke, acquired brain injury, aphasia and communication disabilities, post-polio, and supportive living programs, will walk or roll through a designated course in their community and put up displays about support groups to raise awareness and money for vital community programs and services.
Help us reach our goal of $70,000!
8th Annual March of Dimes Canada’s
Ability & Beyond Dinner
Ability and Beyond Dinner 2017
June 7, 2017
5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Fairmont Royal York Hotel
100 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario
On Wednesday, June 7, 2017, renown actor RJ Mitte will inspire the audience with his candid talk about his strategies for overcoming obstacles, including being bullied, and how he has set and achieved his lofty goals.
Although RJ Mitte was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the young age of three, that has never deterred his drive to succeed in television and film. Mitte played Walt Jr., the son of Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) on the Emmy-winning AMC drama Breaking Bad. Mitte reemerged in 2016 on the big screen in his first non-handicapped leading role in Dixieland, which premiered at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. Mitte serves as the official Ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Hospitals for Children and is the celebrity face for the #CutTheBull campaign in support of children with disabilities. Currently, he is working with PACER’s National Center for Bullying Prevention on a nationwide campaign designed to educate those who see bullying, leveraging peer-to-peer support.
We are happy to announce that the evening will once again be hosted by the engaging Carolyn MacKenzie, Anchor of The Morning Show, on Global. And the evening’s Chair will be Scott Beckett, President, Edgewater Financial Group Inc. and his wife Kelly Beckett.
Special thanks goes out to our committee members; Michael Cole, Executive Vice President & Chief Information Office, Bell Canada & MODC Board Member; Eric Lo, President, GenX Solutions; Dave Wilkins, Account Executive, Integrated Solutions, People Corporation; and Faisel Saeed, Senior Manager in Enterprise Analytics, BMO Financial Group & MODC Board Member.
All the funds raised from this event will support our Conductive Education® program, which helps children and adults with neurological motor disorders, such as Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Acquired Brain Injury and Stroke survivors, to be more independent.
www.alphca aplus .ca ~ In these pages you will find resources and information to enrich your learning experience. www.homeworkcentral.com ~ Register with this site and you get information on Online tutoring, words and vocabulary, homework help and much more. www.funbrain.com ~ Lots of fun and challenging activities for you and your family.
The #WATWB was created as a mission to negate the overwhelming negativity that has been present in our social media streams. For every negative news story in the world, there are plenty of positive, uplifting stories that show hope, compassion and the resiliency of everyday people who face insurmountable challenges. Our hope is to share heartwarming stories that lift the human spirit.
Conductive Education® is a community rehabilitation program offered through March of Dimes Canada whose mission is to maximize the independence, personal empowerment, and community participation of people with disabilities.
This program is important to me as my husband, and I have a friend who had a stroke and with the help of this program has been able to lead an almost normal life. He was paralyzed down one side and spent many months in hospital and rehabilitation. It has been several years, and he is now able with the help of a cane or walker to get around. He is seventy-three and still plants a vegetable garden every year, and made a great little patio with low walls and beautiful flower garden. He attends several functions always cooking a dish to share. He is a positive and caring man and a joy to be around. He not only looks after his garden but when the occasion arises, he is willing to help others who are less fortunate than he is.
Conductive Education® (CE) is a program that combines physical rehabilitation and education to help children and adults with neurological motor disorders or who have had a stroke or brain injury. Conductive Education works on the brain to change the body. Participants are taught skills and techniques to help them overcome the challenges of their disability – they learn how to apply these strategies to their everyday life, becoming more independent.
Check out this video….
Designed specifically for people with neurological motor disorders, Conductive Education offers an alternative group setting approach to rehabilitation for people living with:
· Cerebral Palsy
· Spina Bifida
· Multiple Sclerosis
· Stroke
· Parkinson’s
· Acquired Brain Injury
For information on The March of Dimes or any of their programs ~ Please visit http://www.marchofdimes.ca
What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.
Anne Lamott
Dyslexia represent from 80 to 90% of all learning disabilities.
What is Dyslexia? It is a difficulty with the alphabet, reading, writing and spelling despite normal or above-normal intelligence, conventional teaching methods, and adequate sociocultural opportunity. Dyslexia is thought to be genetic and hereditary.
Common Myths about Dyslexia:
Dyslexia is rare: Dyslexia touch about 23% of the population.
Dyslexics will not succeed in life: A vast majority of dyslexics have invented or done something great for humanity.
Dyslexia will prevent your child from succeeding: Your child should succeed not despite dyslexia but because of it.
Dyslexia: Why the Confusion? Dyslexics are learning disabled: Dyslexics can also be learning disabled but usually they only become learning disabled because of ineffective teaching.
It is difficult to diagnose: It is easy once we know what we are looking for.
Reading difficulties disappears with age: Not if it is Dyslexia
Repeating a school grade can remove dyslexia: To do more of the same that made you fail in the first place.
Dyslexia is limited to those who reverse letters or numbers: Only 10% of dyslexics reverses letters.Dyslexia is caused by parents who do not read to their children: Some parents read often to their children, some are writers, own book shops, are translators’
Dyslexia cannot be diagnosed until a child is in third-grade: It should be diagnosed in kindergarten
Only a psychologist can assess individuals with Dyslexia: Only if he has received training in the assessment of people with dyslexia
For more about on Dyslexia read the following booklet:
Characteristics of dyslexia vary greatly from one individual to another. The dyslexic person can experience difficulties in many areas, including:
formation of letters;
correctly writing letters of the alphabet in the proper sequence;
naming the letters;
associating sound (phonetics) with the symbol (grapheme);
appropriate sequence if individual letters, and a series of letters which make up a word, in the reading or writing process (e.g. b-d, was-saw, quiet-quite);
reading, spelling, writing;
finding a word in the dictionary;
expressing ideas in writing;
finding the right word when talking;
expressing clear ideas verbally;
distinguishing left from right, east from west;
telling time, days of the week, months of the year;
inconsistent performance and grades from day-to-day;
high stress resulting from having to perform on the spot;
lack of organization and study habits that are not in keeping with the personal 0f intelligence.
Forms of Dyslexia:
The Dyslexia Determination Test (DDT) will determine the three fundamental types of dyslexia and its seven permutation patterns. It is used to investigate specific aspects of language problems relating to reading, writing and spelling. The test is in three parts; the first one involves checking for written reversals of numbers and letters. The second part tests the mode of decoding words: eidetic or phonetic. The third and last part consists of assessing whether encoding is eidetic or phonetic.
Examples of the three fundamental types of dyslexia: Dysnemkinesia (motor)
A deficit in remembering how to do the movements needed for writing.
For example: The student will make reversals.The student will write b instead of d.
Dysphonesia (auditory)
A deficit in the ability to sound off, to syllabicate, to pronounce and to distinguish sounds of unfamiliar words. For example: The student reads house instead of home. The student writes aminal instead of animal.
Dyseidesia (visual)
A deficit in the ability to recognize whole words by sight and match them to whole-word sounds.
For example: The student reads ball instead of bell. The student writes enuf instead of enough.
IMPORTANT: A student with a Non-Verbal Learning Disability and/or a visual acuity problem will not demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia on the DDT.
If you are diagnosed with Dyslexia, there is help out there ~ below you will find several famous people that have still been able to live their dreams.
Famous People with Dyslexia ~ Authors:
Agatha Christie (1890- 1976), was an English crime fiction writer. She also wrote romances under the name Mary Westmacott, but is remembered for her 66 mystery novels. Her work with mystery novels, particularly featuring detectives Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple, have given her the title the ‘Queen of Crime’ and made her one of the most important and innovative writers in the development of the mystery novel. Christie has been called – by the Guinness Book of World Records, among others – the best-selling writer of books of all time, and the best-selling writer of any kind second to William Shakespeare.
Edgar Allan Poe (1809 – 1849) was an American poet, short story writer, editor, critic and one of the leaders of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of the macabre, Poe was one of the early American practitioners of the short story and a progenitor of detective fiction and crime fiction. He is also credited with contributing to the emergent science fiction genre.
Ernest Miller Hemingway(1899 – 1961) was an American novelist, short-story writer, and journalist. His distinctive writing style is characterized by economy and understatement and had a major influence on the development of twentieth century fiction writing.
Jules Verne (1828 -1905) was a French author and a pioneer of the science-fiction genre best known for novels such as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea (1870), Journey To The Center Of The Earth (1864), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873). Verne was noted for writing about space, air, and underwater travel before air travel and submarines were invented, and before practical means of space travel had been.
Famous People with Dyslexia ~ Politicians:
Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790) was one of the most well-known Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a leading author, politician, printer, scientist, philosopher, publisher, inventor, civic activist, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As a political writer and activist, he, more than anyone, invented the idea of an American nation, and as a diplomat during the American Revolution, he secured the French alliance that made independence possible. Franklin was noted for his curiosity, his writings (popular, political and scientific), and his diversity of interests. His writings are proverbial for being wise and scintillating to this day. As a leader of the Enlightenment, he gained the recognition of scientists and intellectuals across Europe.
John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963), was the 35th President of the United States. He served from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. His leadership during the USS PT-109 incident during the Second World War in the South Pacific was a turning point in his life. Kennedy represented Massachusetts from 1947 to 1960, first as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and then in the U.S. Senate. He was elected President in 1960 in one of the closest elections in American history. He is the only Roman Catholic to be elected President of the United States. Major events during his presidency include the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the building of the Berlin Wall, the Space Race, early events of the Vietnam War and the American Civil Rights Movement. John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas.
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (July 8, 1908 – January 26, 1979) was an American Vice President, governor of New York State, philanthropist and businessman. A leader of the liberal wing of the Republican Party, he was Governor of New York from 1959 to 1973, where he launched many construction and modernization projects. Scion of one of the world’s richest and best known families, he failed repeatedly in his attempts to become president, but he was appointed Vice President of the United States of America in 1974. He served from 1974 to 1977, and did not join the 1976 GOP national ticket with President Gerald Ford. He retired from politics when his term as Vice President was over.
Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) was an English statesman, soldier, and author, best known as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Well-known as an orator, strategist, and politician, Churchill was one of the most important leaders in modern British and world history. He won the 1953 Nobel Prize in Literature for his many books on English and world history. Sir Winston Churchill was voted the greatest-ever Briton in the 2002 BBC poll the 100 Greatest Britons.
Famous People with Dyslexia ~ Actors
Jack Nicholson (born April 22, 1937) is an iconic, three-time Academy Award and seven-time Golden Globe winning American method actor known for his often dark-themed portrayals of neurotic characters. He has been nominated for an Academy Award 12 times (winning 3 of them), more than any other male actor, and second only to Meryl Streep (who has 13 nominations and 2 wins) in total nominations. He is tied with Walter Brennan for most wins by a male actor, and second to Katharine Hepburn for most acting wins overall (Hepburn had 4). He has also won seven Golden Globe Awards and he received a Kennedy Center Honors in 2001.
Robin Williams (born July 21, 1951) is an Academy Award-winning American actor and comedian. As an actor, he has had starring roles on television, stage, and film. The majority of Williams’ acting career has been in film, although he has given some memorable performances on stage as well (notably as Estragon in a production of Waiting for Godot). His first starring roles, Popeye (1980) and The World According to Garp (1982), were both considered flops, but with Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) Williams was nominated for an Academy Award and established a screen identity. Many of his roles have been comedies tinged with pathos, for example, The Birdcage, Mrs. Doubtfire.
Tom Cruise (born July 3, 1962) is a three-time Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe Award-winning American actor and film producer. Counted as one of the most successful movie stars in Hollywood, he is the only actor to have six consecutive $100 million plus blockbusters on his resume. His first leading role in a blockbuster movie was 1983’s Risky Business. From then on, he starred in many top films, becoming an iconic celebrity of Hollywood. Despite the recent scrutinizing media coverage of his personal life, mainly regarding his support of Scientology and his related criticism of psychiatry, he remains a star of worldwide renown
Famous People with Dyslexia ~ Scientists:
Albert Einstein (1879 -1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist widely considered one of the greatest physicists of all time. While best known for the theory of relativity (and specifically mass-energy equivalence, E=mc2), he was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his 1905 explanation of the photoelectric effect and “for his services to Theoretical Physics”. He was known for many scientific investigations, among which were: his special theory of relativity which stemmed from an attempt to reconcile the laws of mechanics with the laws of the electromagnetic field, his general theory of relativity which extended the principle of relativity to include gravitation, relativistic cosmology, capillary action, critical opalescence, classical problems of statistical mechanics and problems in which they were merged with quantum theory, leading to an explanation of the Brownian movement of molecules; atomic transition probabilities, the probabilistic interpretation of quantum theory, the quantum theory of a monatomic gas, the thermal properties of light with a low radiation density which laid the foundation of the photon theory of light, the theory of radiation, including stimulated emission; the construction of a unified field theory, and the geometrization of physics.
Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) was a Scottish scientist and inventor who emigrated to Canada and later the United States. Today, Bell is widely considered as one of the foremost developers of the telephone, together with Antonio Meucci inventor of the first telephone prototype and Philipp Reis. In addition to Bell’s work in telecommunications technology, he was responsible for important advances in aviation and hydrofoil technology. Much of his later work was done in Canada.
Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) was an American inventor and businessman who developed many devices which greatly influenced life worldwide into the 21st century. Dubbed “The Wizard of Menlo Park” by a newspaper reporter, he was one of the first inventors to apply the principles of mass production to the process of invention, and can therefore be credited with the creation of the first industrial research laboratory. Some of the inventions attributed to him were not completely original but amounted to improvements of earlier inventions or were actually created by numerous employees working under his direction. Nevertheless, Edison is considered one of the most prolific inventors in history, holding 1,097 U.S. patents in his name, as well as many patents in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. He lived to the age of 84.
Below the following links lead to several interesting videos’ and stories about Dyslexia:
The year is 1779, and Carlo Morelli, the most renowned castrato singer in Europe, has been invited as an honored guest to Eszterh¡za Palace. With Carlo in Prince Nikolaus Esterh¡zy’s carriage, ride a Prussian spy and one of the most notorious alchemists in the Habsburg Empire. Already at Eszterh¡za is Charlotte von Steinbeck, the very proper sister of Prince Nikolaus’s mistress. Charlotte has retreated to the countryside to mourn her husband’s death. Now, she must overcome the ingrained rules of her society in order to uncover the dangerous secrets lurking within the palace’s golden walls. Music, magic, and blackmail mingle in a plot to assassinate the Habsburg Emperor and Empress–a plot that can only be stopped if Carlo and Charlotte can see through the masks worn by everyone they meet.
Reviews:
Romance, music, and dark alchemy rise to a pitch-perfect ending in this wonderful historical novel. Memorable and utterly delightful. Aliette de Bodard, Nebula Award winning author of The House of Shattered Wings This deftly told and hugely engaging story weaves together the glittering court life of eighteenth-century Europe with a love for music (and Haydn), a thrilling taste of love and politics, and the bitter threat of a deadly magic. Kate Elliot, author of Cold Magic and Court of Fives Elegant and exciting Masks and Shadows celebrates diversity in taking us to a corner of the fantasy world few have ever visited. Stephanie Burgis plays her magical music with assurance and a profound knowledge that delighted and enlightened me as much as it entertained. Ellen Kushner, author of Swordspoint and the Locus Award winning The Privilege of the Sword Terrific. A lush adventure fueled by music and alchemy, and peopled with irresistible characters. Masks and Shadows blends history and magic into a rich, believable love story fraught with royal intrigue. I finished it in one sitting. Donna Thorland, author of The Dutch Girl.
Katie always thought her dad was smart; he is one of the busiest attorneys in town! People are always asking him for advice! She has been a bit confused since asking him for help with her weekly spelling list. How can her very smart dad struggle with one of her spelling words? This definitely didn’t make sense. The word Mississippi has changes everything… Book Series Endorsements: “It is hard to overstate how much better children are served if they believe, rightly, that their efforts to improve academically actually make a difference. Research by Dr. Carol Dweck and colleagues has shown, in impressive detail, that children’s beliefs about the nature of intelligence–as being either malleable or axed–can greatly impact both their attitude towards learning and their academic achievement. It is far better to believe in a malleable rather than a fixed notion of intelligence. Thus it is a delight to see books like the present one put much needed, and scientiï¬cally credible, tools in the hands of educators, parents, and children.” Dr. Jeremy Gray, Yale University Professor of Psychology “The Mainstream Connections book series teaches that challenges and differences are part of the spice of life, not something to hide or fear. Each child in the series faces a challenge that makes him or her feel different and maybe not as good as other kids. Young readers will learn the value of facing challenges directly, and to respect everyone’s unique challenges. Success comes from practice and improvement, especially on the things that are hardest to do.” Dr. Brian Nosek, University of Virginia Professor of PsychologyThe Mainstream Connections Children’s Book Series conveys a message that could have been lifted straight from a psychology research journal: there is more than one way to define ‘being smart. As these stories illustrate, for every person, large and small, there are skills that are relatively difficult to master and others that seem to come more naturally. These books emphasize the important empirical conclusion that just as regular exercise makes the body stronger, so, too, does practice and the effort to improve academically–with all the struggle, fatigue, and initial failure that it entails–allow people to capitalize on the malleable nature of human intelligence. Dr. Samuel R. Sommers, Tufts University Professor of Psychology I applaud Barbara Esham for finding a way to teach young children how to be more mindful. In so doing, she sets the stage for their greater well-being as adults. Dr. Ellen Langer, Harvard University Professor of Psychology “This is a wonderful book series. Each story shows children that success is about effort and determination, that problems need not derail them, and that adults can understand their worries and struggles. My research demonstrates that these lessons are essential for children. Dr. Carol S. Dweck, Stanford University Professor of Psychology “If You’re So Smart How Come You Can’t Spell Mississippi? is a fantastic way of bringing this information to the many smart children who find reading and spelling especially difficult–and especially to those who are beginning to doubt their potential.” Drs. Brock (M.D., M.A.) and Fernette (M.D.) Learning Experts As consultants, the Eides are international and national professional advisors for organizations such as SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted).
We would love to hear about your favorite books and your views on the ones we recommend here… send them
To: professorowl@outlook.com
Short Story Starter….
“A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” ~Winston Churchill
Most of us have told a little white lie at least once in our lifetime. We’ve told a lie to spare someone’s feelings or blamed a sibling for eating the last cookie; the lies are small and seem harmless enough. What happens when a little white lie takes on a life of its own? Write about the consequences of a lie that gets out of hand. Does someone get hurt, do you lose a friend in the process or does something more sinister happen?
✒ Write, be creative and most of all HAVE FUN! ✒
Monthly Journal Challenge
May Journal Prompts
Your favourite thing about May.
A person who has made a difference in your life and why?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Your favourite book, why did you enjoy it?
A movie you want to see.
Your favourite hobby.
Favourite comfort food.
What type of music do you like?
Favourite fictional character?
Favourite thing to do when the weather is warm.
Your least favourite chore
Favourite family tradition
Three good things that have happened to you.
Something you have too much of.
A book you want to read.
A word to describe your best friend.
Three things you like about your life.
Three wishes for your future.
Your favourite TV show.
Your favourite actor/actress.
A goal you want to accomplish.
Three things you like about yourself.
Talk about your pets or one’s you’d want.
Three accomplishments you are proud of.
What comforts you when you’re sick.
What’s the best dream you’ve had?
Something you are looking forward to.
Favourite subject to study.
What makes you happy on bad days?
Favourite thing to do on a rainy day.
What do you want to do this summer?
Variety Village
UP COMING EVENTS
Save the date! Tuesday, May 9 | 11am-9pm
MEDIUM PEPPERONI PIZZA only $4.39 + tax! WALK-IN ONLY | While supplies last | Limit 2 per customer $1.00 from each pizza sold supports Variety Village!
TAG YOUR PIZZA SELFIES!#ThatsAmore @Variety_Village @PizzaNovaGuy
Toronto Police Children’s Games:
SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2017 | 9:00 am 2:00 pm
Welcome to the 35th Annual Toronto Police Children’s Games. Participants with disabilities and their siblings are invited to join us for this fun day of inclusive sports and games. This invitation will welcome 200 registrants to join teams lead by Toronto Police volunteers.
EVENT SCHEDULE 9:00-9:30AM Registration (Fieldhouse) 9:30AM-10:00AM Welcome (South Side – Fieldhouse) 10:00AM Opening Ceremonies 10:30AM-12:30PM Activities (Sports And Games) 12:30PM Closing Ceremonies And Awards 1:00-2:00PM Registrant BBQ
Tickets: $20/personFor ticket inquires please contact: Aida Go 416 577 5769 Rose Benavidez 416 902 1102
Featured vendors:ZUMBA Shop by Kizzy Adams Cookie Tells by Syen Chong
ZUMBA Instructors: Mariko Kamata Eric Jones Ison Kay Morishima Aida Go Cherrylyn Murayao-Sera Kizzy Adams Marissa Burias Jeff Chupa
Meet Mikhela Go. She is turning 18 on June 2017. She is a lovely young lady and always has a smile on her face. She loves going to Variety Village. She is very involved with the Drama program. This year, her drama class is doing a spin off from Grease Sandy. She is a Black Belt Young Choung Taekwondo Academy Variety Village and has done competitions over the years. She enjoys swimming and goes to lessons all year round at the Sunshine pool at the Village.
Mikhela has been a member of this organization since she was 5 years old. It has provided her a home away from home where she can meet new friends and be accepted as a growing young woman. She is also an ambassador. Variety Village has been a huge part of Mikhela growing years. It is time for her to give back to this organization that brought so much joy and happy memories for her. Her mom, Aida Go, who is a certified Zumba instructor, has organized this Zumba event to raise funds for Variety Village.
All proceeds from the event will support Variety Village If you would like any further information on any of the events shown above
Rock for Dimes is a corporate battle of the bands held to benefit March of Dimes Canada’s programs and services for children and adults with disabilities. Amateur musicians compete in this friendly fundraiser for the title of their city’s best corporate band and showcase their talents in front of a roster of Canadian music industry professionals.
Since its inception, Rock for Dimes has raised over $1,300,000 to support our Conductive Education®, Stroke Recovery Canada and Campers Helping Campers Outdoor Recreation programs, and has become March of Dimes’ flagship national fundraiser held in communities coast to coast.
Come out and support Rock for Dimes! Join the fun for a great cause. It’s an exciting way to rock out for charity in your community.
If you love the TV show “Storage Wars” then you will love CaraCo Annual Storage Charity Auction for March of Dimes Canada!
May 27, 2017 at 11 a.m. ~ 31 Steve Fonyo Drive, Kingston, Ontario
On Saturday May 27, 2017, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. CaraCo Storage Solutions, in conjunction with the March of Dimes Canada, will be holding a charity storage units auction at 31 Steve Fonyo Drive in Kingston, Ontario.
How it Works
Just like you see on the TV show, the door of the storage unit will be opened, you will be allowed to take a peek at the unit (without entering it) and the bidding will start. Once the bidding starts, the individual with the highest bid will win the storage unit.
Bill Hall from CKWS will be the host and a BBQ will be held for all those who attend to enjoy!
All of the auctions and BBQ proceeds will go to the March of Dimes Canada programs and services to help people with physical disabilities.
Bid on storage units, support a great cause, and win some treasures!
We look forward to seeing you at the BBQ and auction on May 27th!
For more information about the auction, contact:
Linda Yielding, Manager, Special Events & Fundraising
www.alphca aplus .ca ~ In these pages you will find resources and information to enrich your learning experience. www.homeworkcentral.com ~ Register with this site and you get information on: Online tutoring, words and vocabulary, homework help and much more. www.funbrain.com ~ Lots of fun and challenging activities for you and your family.
The #WATWB was created as a mission to negate the overwhelming negativity that has been present in our social media streams. For every negative news story in the world, there are plenty of positive, uplifting stories that show hope, compassion and the resiliency of everyday people who face insurmountable challenges. Our hope is to share heartwarming stories that lift the human spirit.
The most rewarding volunteer work I had ever done was to become tutor for the Laubach Literacy program. I received so much satisfaction and pleasure when my students reached the goals they set for themselves. The stories for most of my students had a happy ending just like Shanda’s below.
Shanda’s Story: My Second Chance
Shanda’s life had been affected from childhood with reading and spelling problems and she was pegged as a troubled teen. However, her story started in high school, she seldom attended classes as her reading skills were such an embarrassment, it made her hate school.
Her last memory of school is one that has continuously haunted her; it was in her grade ten cooking class. The teacher announced that everyone would participate in reading through a story about salmonella poisoning. She assigned parts of the story to each student and it was to be read aloud. Although she pleaded with the teacher who was insistent that she should read her part. At this time her classmates started laughing she was so embarrassed she walked out of the class and that was one of the last days she attended that school.
Since she had dropped out of school and was without responsibility, her Mom felt it was time for me to get a job. Her Mom had talked to her boss at work; who agreed to give her a job in his factory. She took this job gladly. She would have never been able to make a proper resume or fill out a job application. With this job came more responsibilities, Shanda was to pay her Mom rent and gas money for rides to work. At this time she was only fifteen years old and had never had to be this accountable before. As life went on, and years had passed her by she had been through a few different jobs, and never really liked any of them.
She became a mother at the young age of 18, and had no choice but to keep jobs she didn’t like. Often her reading problems would interfere with the jobs. She believed this is what caused her to dislike her jobs even more. How could someone who was hiding the fact that she couldn’t read, ever feel comfortable in a work environment?
Once her child became of school age, she really started to dread the fact that her daughter would soon start to figure out that her Mommy wasn’t able to read. She couldn’t imagine herself trying to explain to a four year old that she couldn’t read and knew something had to be done.
The next step was to admit her problem to others and try to find help. After some searching to the best of her abilities at the time, and ended up finding a private tutor. This only lasted a few months, due to the fact that the cost to have her help was just too much for her to afford.
At this point she had quit a job working for a collections agency. She had a hard time keeping up with the reading that was required. Quitting it was not easy on her home life. She had no income and that alone was a huge problem. If it wasn’t for her Mom helping she would have been without a place for both her and daughter to live. She found herself falling into depression
After a few months of not having income, she had no choices, but go get help from social assistance or having no place to live. Her Mom could no longer provide for her and her daughter, so she did what she had to do. She was really that she had to go this way, but she soon realized this could be her second chance and she was fortunate enough to have social workers who were kind and willing to help as much as possible.
Her second chance came when she had a conversation with a worker about the possibility of a future with a grade twelve. The worker referred me to a program that social assistance runs called the L.E.A.P. program. During the meeting with a L.E.A.P counsellor we discussed where she would begin. She would have to be assessed and then improve basic literacy skills first.
This program helps young people with children reach their goals of furthering their education. Before she could ever think about entering a credit program, she first had to correct her reading difficulties. During a meeting with a L.E.A.P. counsellor discussed where she would be able to go to receive help. This is when she was introduced to the Adult Literacy & Basic Skills Program.
Her first day in the classroom was somewhat nerve-wracking, but this feeling soon faded away. The classroom environment was so much different from anything she had ever seen before. Everyone was welcoming and accepting of each other, also willing to help one another when needed.
Shanda has spent over a year and a half in this program and doing things she never thought she was capable of. Currently attempting to complete a G.E.D online preparation course. Her goal is to get a G.E.D. diploma and to find something that would help her to have a career that will be enjoyable, and allow her to provide for her child.
Welcome Back our new and improved Professor Owl’s Book Corner where in addition to supporting those with special needs and learning challenges, we are also committed to being more focused on YA/New Adult reading and literacy. We will be featuring tips from a certified literacy tutor to help make your reading experience the best it can be.
We will also be encouraging young writers and artists with tips, writing exercises and will still be updating our Community News Boards with the latest news from Variety Village and The March of Dimes.
Professor Owl’s Book Corner hopes you enjoy our new format! Please feel free to give us your feedback on our new issue, also send us any ideas you may have to help Professor Owl’s Book Corner be all that it can be. We look forward to hearing from you and to bring you a new, more interesting newsletter.
World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), observed on April 2, was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 to shine a bright light on autism as a growing global health priority. Every year on World Autism Awareness Day, Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Canada celebrate its international “Light It Up Blue” campaign. Thousands of iconic landmarks, skyscrapers, schools, businesses and homes across the globe unite by shining bright blue lights in honor of the millions of individuals and families living with autism.
The Benefits of Reading
The benefits of reading start with the first book a baby hear and continue into childhood and throughout the child’s life.
If you are familiar with Professor Owl’s Book Corner you’ll know that I’m passionate about reading. I read a lot and have done so ever since I first learned how to do it. I read to my daughter from the time she was born and she has grown into articulate, smart young adult who made the most of her educational opportunities and has the tools to function well in society.
When I retired I took a course in the Laubach Literacy training to be a Tutor and spent several years volunteering at my local Learning Centre and found it the most rewarding volunteer work I had ever done. I would spend my days teaching young adults. The ability to read well is the key to achieving the things that make life worth living: strong relationships, fulfilling careers and helping others.
Below are the 10 Benefits of Reading: The Top 10 reasons why reading is important and why children – and adults! – should read often and widely.
10Benefits of Reading
Kids wh0 read often and widely get better at it
This is pretty much just common sense. After all, practice makes perfect in almost everything we humans do and reading is no different from anything else
Reading exercises our brains
Reading is a much more complex task for the human brain than, for example, watching TV is. Reading strengthens brain connections and actually builds new connections.
Reading improves concentration
Again, this is a bit of a no-brainer ~ Children have to sit still and quietly so they can focus on the story when they’re reading.
If they read regularly, they develop the ability to do this for longer periods.
Reading teaches children about the world around them
While reading, children learn about people, places’ and events outside their own experience. They are exposed to ways of life, ideas and beliefs about the world which may be different from those which surround them.
This learning is important for its own sake however it also builds a store of background knowledge which helps younger children learn to read confidently and well.
Reading improves a child’s vocabulary and leads to more highly-developed language skills
This is because children learn new words as they read but also because they unconsciously absorb information as they read about things like how to structure sentences and how to use words and language effectively.
Reading develops a child’s imagination
This is because when we read our brains translate the descriptions we read of people, places’and things into pictures. When we’re engaged in a story, we’re also imagining how the characters are feeling. We use our own experiences to imagine how we would feel in the same situation.
Reading helps kids develop empathy and it does because you’re identifying with the character in the story so you’re feeling what he’s feeling.’
Children who read do better at school
And they don’t just do well in subjects like reading, English and history. They do better at all subjects and they do better all the way through school. t subjects like reading, English, and history. They do better in all subjects and they do better all the way through school.
Reading is a great form of entertainment
A paperback book or an e-reader like the Amazon Kindle doesn’t take up much space so you can take it anywhere and you’ll never be lonely or bored if you have a book in your bag.
You can read while waiting in a queue, while waiting for a friend who’s running late or during a flight delay at an airport.
Reading relaxes the body and calms the mind
This is a critical point because these days we seem to have forgotten how to relax and especially how to be silent.
The constant movement, flashing lights and noise which bombard our senses when we’re watching TV, looking at a computer or playing an electronic game are quite stressful for our brains.
When we read, we read in silence and the black print on a white page is much less stressful for our eyes and brains.
There you have it – the Top 10 benefits of reading!
LESSON 2
TWO LETTERS – ONE SOUND
Sometimes two consonants work together to make one sound that differs from the sound that either of the letters makes separately.
The consonants s, c, t, and w each work with h to make one new sound.
s + h says /sh/ in ship
c + h says /ch/ in chin
t + h says /th/ in thick
w + h says /wh/ in wheel
Notice that ship has four letters but only three sounds sh ip
Each word has three sounds. Show the letters that make each sound by writing them on the lines in the four boxes. The First one has been done for you.
Professor Owl’s Book Corner ~ send your answers to: professorowl@outlook.com. We will include a lesson every second Thursday along with a newly released book review and if you email in your answers. At the end of every month we will have a draw for everyone who emails their answers~ and one lucky person will win a book.
When I realized that there are two books in this series I just had to read book one first, so that I could do justice to the author Jen Estes and her fans.
In legends, we are told if one dies in their dreams they will die in real life.
Fifteen-year-old Ashling Campbell knows that this is not true because when she closes her eyes every night, she doesn’t dream Instead, she is tossed to the front row of her future self’s execution – fifteen years from now – monsters have taken control of her hometown and she, or rather, her 30-year-old counterpart, is their public enemy number one.
For three months and counting, it has been the same dream… until an encounter with an antique dreamcatcher. Ash falls asleep to discover she’s no longer a mere spectator in these dreams – now she’s astral-projecting into the body of her future self. Each night, she goes on the run with a ragtag group of rebels – who have no idea she’s really a high school sophomore and not their noble warrior. She must make it through each night so that she can wake up and find a way to change the future. For every action, she does in the present day, she falls asleep to discover it had an equal impact fifteen years later. It’s up to her to manage her two worlds and make sure she’s still got a place in both.
Together her thorny family tree, deal with a friend’s untimely return, and pass her driver’s test – all before she turns… SIXTEEN.
This is the second book in author Jen Estes series ‘The Dreamwalker Diaries’, it is about a girl named Ashling Campbell who keeps having vivid dreams about witnessing an execution, in a dystopian world, where monsters were very much real.
She continues having the same dream, over and over, until one day, out of frustration, she breaks the dreamcatcher she has hanging in her room ~ clearly it was not stopping her nightmares ~ and instead of just seeing the execution happening, she’s living it; the woman her dreams have been dying for the past 3 months is her, 15 years in the future.
With the dreamcatcher no longer shielding her, Ash’s dreams are no longer just dreams; she unknowingly developed the ability to astral project herself into her future self’s body while she’s asleep, and subsequently alters her future by doing things different in the present.
Sixteen delves deeper into the history of the Jumlin, and the Dreamwalkers, giving the reader a better understanding of what drives each. Ash is still coping with what happened in the first book, and trying to figure out how to fix what went wrong. This is proving difficult, however, because her dreamwalking window has closed. She seeks the help of Dr. Dietz ~ the neurophysiologist from the college sleep lab, only to find things are a lot more complex than she originally thought.
In this second book of this series, we get to see what happens when Ash’s past, present, and future collide
Things get interesting and once I started reading this story I could not put the book down until I had finished it.
When I closed the book, I was speculating if there will be another book in this series. I hope so it was a great read and kept me hooked to the end.
They say time waits for no man, but what if it did?
What would you do if you had the ability to control time? Would you make your time at school speed up? Would you make the weekend last longer or perhaps give yourself more time to write? Would you go backwards or to the future?
Your mission should you choose to accept it…
Write a story about what you would do if you had the ability to control time.
✒ Write, be creative and most of all HAVE FUN! ✒
It’s APRIL and CAMP NANOWRIMO STARTS 🙂
Attention all aspiring authors:
Have you heard of NaNoWriMo.org? Every November thousands participate in an online writing event to complete 50,ooo words in just 30 days. Now they’ve made it even better, CampNaNoWriMo.org is a virtual writer’s camp, designed to inspire you and keep you motivated while you work on your masterpiece. Camp NaNoWriMo.org runs twice a year in April and July and unlike NaNoWriMo welcomes word-count goals of 30,000 and up. Writers can tackle any project they’d like, including new novel drafts, revisions, poetry, scripts, and short stories. So sign up today! See you at camp!
Variety Village
EASTER VENDOR MARKET
Hippity hop on down to Variety Village for our Easter Vendor’s Market on April 8th. 2017
JOIN US!
Saturday, April 8, 2017
9:30am-3:30pm
Members and non-members welcome!
$2 Donation for ENTRY into the market.
We have a wide range of vendors including:
Avon, Deezignzz, Nature’s Serenity, Steeped Tea, Usborne Books, Arts & Crafts Vendors and more!
Easter Photo booth!
Cipriano Palmer photography & cinematography will be here in the lobby to take photo’s from 10:00am until 4:00pm.
$8 for one 4 x 6 photo or $20 for three 4 x 6 photos. The first 20 guests will receive a free picture frame!
For the past season, 12 of our youngest Volt Hockey players have been training hard and are now ready to challenge YOU to our first annual Volt Hockey game! We are looking for 4 teams interested in a friendly competition against our newest Volt Hockey teams.
Pizza Nova raised $107,101 during the That’s Amore Pizza for Kids day sale on Tuesday, May 10!
Thank you to everyone who supported the sale and our greatest thanks to Domenic Primucci and all the franchise owners and their staff who worked tirelessly all day to make this the best year ever!
March of Dimes
Independence for Future Empowerment) program at March of Dimes Canada, that supports youth with physical disabilities transition into adulthood responsibilities,
If you love the TV show “Storage Wars” then you will love
Access Storage Charity Auction for March of Dimes Canada!
May 28, 2016 at 11 a.m.
31 Steve Fonyo Drive, Kingston, Ontario
On Saturday May 28, 2016, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Access Storage in conjunction with the March of Dimes Canada, will be holding a charity storage units auction at 31 Steve Fonyo Drive in Kingston, Ontario.
How it Works
Just like you see on the TV show, the door of the storage unit will be opened, you will be allowed to take a peek at the unit (without entering it) and the bidding will start. Once the bidding starts, the individual with the highest bid will win the storage unit.
Dave Zuma from Station 14 will be back as host and a BBQ will be held for all those who attend to enjoy!
All of the auctions and BBQ proceeds will go to the March of Dimes Canada programs and services to help people with physical disabilities.
Bid on storage units, support a great cause, and win some treasures!
Hello, this is my first official “We are the World Blogfest” (#WATWB) post ~~ “Welcome!”
The #WATWB was created as a mission to negate the overwhelming negativity that has been present in our social media streams. For every negative news story in the world, there are plenty of positive, uplifting stories that show hope, compassion and the resiliency of everyday people who face insurmountable challenges. Our hope is to share heartwarming stories that lift the human spirit. The last Friday of every month the #WATWB bloggers will share these stories. Each month we’ll have five co-hosts, this month’s co-hosts are Lynn Hallbrooks,Simon Falk, Belinda Witzenhausen, Damyanti Biswas and myself.
I am very excited to be part of this group and share with others my main passion in life. Over the past ten years, my partner and I have published an online newsletter for and about children with disabilities. A long- time dream of mine has been to celebrate the resiliency of these children and what happens when they have the tools and knowledge to achieve their dreams. Over the years Variety Village Toronto has shared with us the stories and journeys of some of their heroes. Those who have achieved their dreams through the tools and support they received as soon as they walked through Variety Village’s door and met their dedicated staff.
Variety Village is a world-renowned leader when it comes to education about inclusion, awareness, advocacy, accessibility and the integration of children and adults with disabilities within their communities.
Variety has supported thousands of individuals who we like to call heroes on their journey by making their communities, programs and services more inclusive places to live, work and play.
I recently shared a post on another blog that talks about one of these amazing heroes. Please read the story of Madi, one of Variety Villages special heroes.
I’m grateful we have a place like Variety Village. Our children are accepted, safe, comfortable, and included at their “second home.” Madison and all the kids’ like her need your support. Variety …
SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2017 | 9:00 am 2:00 pm
