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Thursday, May 31, 2012

FREE summer movies at the Central Point library

JCLS Family Literacy Fair 6/9


  • Tears of Joy Puppet Workshop: 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
  • Behind the Scenes Tours: 10:00 a.m., 1:00, and 2:00 p.m.
  • Children’s Crafts: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Bilingual Storytime: 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
  • Stories under the Tree: 1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
  • Let’s Go Lego: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
  • Bryan Jeffs Music Program: 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
  • Ms. Annie “Manners Matter”: 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
  • Behind the Scenes Tours: 10:00 a.m., 1:00, and 2:00 p.m.
  • Wii Games in Teen Library: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Zumba Dance Party: 12:00 noon – 12:30 p.m.
  • Henna Body Art in Teen Library: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
  • Duct Tape Crafts in Teen Library: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
             

Summer Line-Up for Bugs R Us

visit their website for more details!


Here's a schedule of UPCOMING PUBLIC shows
(subject to change).....

Saturday, June 2nd BATS at the CITY OF MEDFORD PARKS AND REC DEPT. 701 N. Columbus Ave. 1-2 pm Call 541-774-2400 for more info.

Saturday, June 2nd BIRDS and BIRDNESTS at the CITY OF CENTRAL POINT PARKS AND REC DEPT. 140 S. 3rd St. 3-4 pm Call 541-664-3321 for more info.

Wednesday, June 13th BATS at the Prospect Branch Library 150 Mill Creek Dr. 10:30am Call 541-560-3668 for all the details. FREE!

Wednesday, June 20th OWLS and OWL PELLETS at the Gold Hill Branch Library 202 Dardanelles St. 3pm Call 541-855-1994 for more info. FREE!

Saturday, June 23rd OWLS and OWL PELLETS at the CITY OF MEDFORD PARKS AND REC DEPT.701 N. Columbus Ave. 1-2 pm
Call 541-774-2400 for more info.

Saturday, June 23rd OWLS and OWL PELLETS at the CITY OF ASHLAND PARKS AND REC DEPT. 620 N. Mountain Ave. 3-4 pm
Call 541-488-6606 for more info.

Tuesday, June 26th OWLS and OWL PELLETS at the Phoenix Branch Library 510 W. 1st St. 1:30 pm Call 541-535-7090 for more info. FREE!

Friday, June 29th OWLS and OWL PELLETS at the Eagle Point Branch Library 239 W. Main St. 11am. Call 541-826-3313 for more info. FREE!

Saturday, June 30th BUGS! at the Rusk Ranch Nature Center 27750 Redwood Hwy Cave Junction. 1-2 pm Call 541-287-2164 for more info.

Saturday, July 7th BUGS at the CITY OF MEDFORD PARKS AND REC DEPT. 701 N. Columbus Ave. 3-4 pm Call 541-774-2400 for more info.

Saturday, July 7th BATS! at the Talent Branch Library 101 Home St. 1pm. Call 541-535-4163 for more info. FREE!

Tuesday, July 10th BATS! at the Ashland Branch Library 410 Siskiyou Blvd. 1:30pm Call 541-774-6986 for more info. FREE!

Thursday, July 12th OWLS and OWL PELLETS at the Jacksonville Branch Library 340 W. C St. 2:30pm Call 541-899-1665 for more info. FREE!

Saturday, July 14th BUGS! at the CITY OF ASHLAND PARKS AND REC DEPT. 620 N. Mountain Ave. 1-2 pm Call 541-488-6606 for more info.

Saturday, July 14th REPTILES and AMPHIBIANS at the CITY OF CENTRAL POINT PARKS AND REC DEPT. 140 S. 3rd St. 3-4 pm Call 541-664-3321 for more info.

Thursday, July 26th OWLS and OWL PELLETS at the Ruch Branch Library 7919 Hwy. 238 3:30pm. Call 541-899-7438 for more info. FREE!

Saturday, July 28th BATS! at the Rusk Ranch Nature Center 27750 Redwood Hwy Cave Junction. 1-2 pm Call 541-287-2164 for more info.

(Please Note.....All library shows include Preserved bugs and Bug CRAFTS INSTEAD of the LIVE insects. No LIVE critters at the Libraries.)

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Used Curriculum Sale 6/16

USED CURRICULUM SALE
Saturday, June 16th - 9:00am to 2:00pm
12:00pm to 2:00pm Half Price Sale
at First Baptist Church . 649 Crater Lake Avenue, Medford
It is time to begin setting aside books that you no longer want or need for the Annual JCHE Used Curriculum
Sale! The date and location will be Saturday, June 16th, at First Baptist Church, Medford. This sale is a great
place to sell and buy books, curriculum, and educational materials. Total sales last year were almost $8,000.
We will run it as we have done in the past, in which you bring your labeled books the day before and volunteers
organize them according to categories. You won't need to stay at a table all day so that means time
to shop! You will be asked to volunteer for a shift either on Friday, the set-up day, or on Saturday, the day
of the sale.


The information packets are ready and available on the JCHE website (www.jchenews.com) in the "Newsletter
Download" section. You may also request a packet from Robin Reed. Once you have your packet, contact
Robin at allthereeds@yahoo.com  or call her at 541-779-0665 for your vendor number and to sign up for your
volunteer time. For more information you may also call Therese at 826-3560.


The Used Curriculum Sale is a great place to find bargains on books, graded curriculum, DVDs, and games
and manipulatives. All are welcome to attend the sale on Saturday, June 16th. It will start at 9:00am til noon.
Then we will close for about 15 minutes to reorganize for the half price sale, which will go until 2:00pm. All
general sale shopping must be completed by noon. No books may be set aside anywhere in the gym for the
half price sale. Any books that are found to be set aside will be placed back on the sale tables for the half price
sale. For more information about the sale call Therese at 541-826-3560 or email her at therese@jchenews.org.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Win a Family Pass to the OCEANetwork conference!

If you didn't know already, I'm happy to share with you:

OCEANetwork has a new blog, "Encouraged Together with You."(They've got some giveaways going between now and the conference June 22nd.)


Win a Family Pass to the OCEANetwork conference. Read the latest latest blog entry: A Veteran's Opinion: Why Conferences Still matter, and submit your entries through Rafflecopter.

Are YOU going to the OCEANetwork conference in June?

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The May HS Gathering~ Honoring Motherhood 5/28

HS Mamas~ Please join me for a special evening of fun, food & fellowship, in honor of that most precious calling to motherhood.
The May HS Gathering~ Honoring Motherhood
Monday, May 28, 2012
6:00pm until 9:00pm
Medford, OR

♥Please RSVP to Tika Weeks at hsgathering@gmail.com




**rescheduled from May 13th!**

Monday, May 21, 2012

Solar protective eyewear


If you purchased solar protective eyewear to view last night's solar eclipse, be sure to hold on to them! On June 5th, you can use your solar protective eyewear to view the Transit of Venus.



What is a transit of Venus?

When Venus passes directly between earth and the sun, we see the distant planet as a small dot gliding slowly across the face of the sun. Historically, this rare alignment is how we measured the size of our solar system.

When is it?

The next transit of Venus occurs June 5 or 6, 2012, depending on your location.**  Observers in North America see it the evening of June 5. This will be the last transit of Venus to occur in your lifetime.

***For Southern Oregon, this will begin around 3pm on June 5th and complete around 10pm.**


Thursday, May 17, 2012

OCEANetwork has a new blog!

OCEANetwork has a new blog, "Encouraged Together with You." Check it out at http://blog.oceanetwork.org. (They've got some giveaways going between now and the conference June 22nd.)

Be sure to check it out:)

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

HSG FAMILIES~ IMPORTANT INFO!

Dear HSG families,
As you know, I have been trying to plan an educational field trip for our group to the Oregon Caves this spring. Many of you joined us for the wonderful field trip to Crater Lake National Park in October and were excited to explore the caves this spring. It is with great regret that I must now cancel this field trip.

As homeschooling families, I believe you will be interested in finding out why. Please allow me to explain:
  • My initial contact, at the end of December, was to the park ranger in charge of organizing the Oregon Caves educational program. I was inquiring about the cost of the educational field trips and to schedule a field trip for our homeschool group.
  • The park ranger did not reply until mid-February and sent me information to apply for the fee waiver, as well as this statement, referring to the two options we could choose from (Geology for 3-5 grade and Watersheds for 6-8 grade)~ "The fee waiver program is for groups whose students fall outside of our curriculum-based education program age range or who are not studying these topics.  Both options require an application process and to have the fee waived, you must qualify." We were also required to offer evidence of "a direct relationship between the visit purpose and the use of the Park. The visit must be to study some aspect/resource    specific to Oregon Caves. A general statement to the effect that the visit is for “educational purposes” is insufficient by itself. An explanation of what the educational purpose entails and how is related to the Park resources is required. (Course outlines, lesson plans, or a copy of the curriculum meet this requirement)." Initially, I had planned to offer a one or two day workshop on Bear Creek Watershed in the Rogue Valley (using materials from the North Mountain Park in Ashland).
  • I replied "We are not an accredited educational institution. Each homeschooling family has a letter from our county ESD office, registering and confirming our intent to home educate our children under state law, but I doubt this is what you are looking for. Last fall, we were able to visit Crater Lake National Park and receive the same education program that is offered to schools, free of charge. We also received an Entrance Fee Waiver." The ranger then assured me that the letter from ESD would suffice...if one was received from each attending family. She also told me that if we didn't qualify for the fee waiver, we could have the group rates they offer and they would make sure extra rangers were available for our group tour.
  • Not comfortable with asking you all for your ESD letter, I replied (at the end of March now) that we were changing course, not offering the class (and therefore not qualifying for the fee waiver), but that we would like to go ahead with the group rate for a 10 am tour on May 31st. I sent that email on April 1st.
  • Having received no further communication, I sent another email May 1st, asking to confirm our date and time. I received this reply on May 12th:
    "Hello,
    Sorry.  I meant to respond sooner!
    There is already a group scheduled to arrive that day in the morning and we will be training new staff.  We will not have additional rangers available until later in afternoon at about 2pm.  If 10:00 is the only time that fits in with your schedule, you of course can come up, but expect a wait of up to an hour or more."
  • The feedback I have received from the families signed up to go, overwhelming leaned towards rescheduling the field trip and "fighting it out" to get the educational program as well. I agree.
Not only did I find their policy of only offering the educational programs to "qualified" educational institutions, it sadly was discriminatory towards home educators! Furthermore, I found their general communications to be inconsistent and a terrible disappointment after dealing with the very helpful and accomodating rangers at Crater Lake! Both the Oregon Caves and Crater Lake are National Parks and are subject to the same regulations for educational field trips, as per National Park Service  Regulations (NPS-22).

I have been encouraged by the letters and responses from many of our local homeschool families to pursue this matter further. Yes, we DO qualify, according to Oregon law, to be recognized as an educational entity. As much as I would love to do this, I have several "big" personal matters to attend to and I cannot give this my full attention. I would like to reschedule this field trip for the fall, but I will need help to make this happen. If you are available to help in any way, please email me as soon as possible.

Thank you all for your patience and prayers!
Blessings to you and yours,
Tika Weeks
The HS Gathering of Southern Oregon
hsg

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Caves Field Trip

If you were planning on attending the Oregon Caves field trip on May 31st and have not received an email from me, please try again. There have been changes and I want to make sure I'm not missing anyone!

Thank you,
Tika

Friday, May 11, 2012

Re: Eclipse Viewers (TIME SENSITIVE!!!)

From DeeAnn Todd:
Solar Eclipse

LOCAL FRIENDS

On May 20th we will have a solar eclipse and it is imperative that you use eye protection when viewing the eclipse. I have looked locally for eclipse glasses and have not been able to find them. There are ways to make viewing boxes but I do not see myself doing that for all five of us! I found them on line for .85 each but the shipping is a killer. If we were to f...
ind 16 or so families the shipping would be about $1 per family.

If this interests you, and you would like to join a group order then you can pick them up at my house, or Rich’s office, after they come in.

Let me know asap if you would like to be included. In order to have them here in time I would need to order today. They can e-mail thetoddfamily@earthlink.net or call (626) 589-0844 is my cell number.

California Theatre Center presents


I have organized group rates in the past for local homeschool families, however this time I am asking for a volunteer willing to set this up. If you are available to make the arrangements with CTC (it's really easy!) and collect payment from attendees, please let me know so I can re-post your contact information here. Thank you!
~Tika

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Book-It Reading Incentive Program 2012-13

 
It's Time to Reserve Your 2012-13 BOOK IT! Materials
Please accept this email as your reminder to request FREE BOOK IT! materials for your K-6 homeschool students.
Enroll online at www.bookitprogram.com
Program Dates: October 1, 2012 - March 31, 2013

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The May HS Gathering ~ POSTPONED!!!

Please note: The May HS Gathering has been postponed!!! Please watch for a later date to be announced soon ♥
Happy Mother's Day to all of you,
Tika


HS Mamas~ You are cordially invited to an afternoon tea party in honor of...YOU!


"An afternoon Gathering of old and new friends,
 To celebrate motherhood and chat to no end!"

Saturday, May 12th at 2 o'clock in the afternoon


 Please RSVP as soon as possible to Tika Weeks hsgathering@gmail.com to receive your formal invitation!


*Hats are optional, but please dress up in all your lady-like finery! ♥

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

For you skywatchers: “Supermoon” 5/5

From Space.com

Skywatcher Tim McCord of Entiat, Washington caught this amazing view of the March 19, 2011 full moon - called a supermoon because the moon was at perigee, the closest point to Earth in its orbit - using a camera-equipped telescope.
CREDIT: Tim McCord
“Skywatchers take note: The biggest full moon of the year is due to arrive this weekend.

The moon will officially become full Saturday (May 5) at 11:35 p.m. EDT. And because this month's full moon coincides with the moon's perigee — its closest approach to Earth — it will also be the year's biggest.

The moon will swing in 221,802 miles (356,955 kilometers) from our planet, offering skywatchers a spectacular view of an extra-big, extra-bright moon, nicknamed a supermoon.

And not only does the moon's perigee coincide with full moon this month, but this perigee will be the nearest to Earth of any this year, as the distance of the moon's close approach varies by about 3 percent, according to meteorologist Joe Rao, SPACE.com's skywatching columnist. This happens because the moon's orbit is not perfectly circular.”

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Parks & Rec: 7th Annual Cardboard Boat Races

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7th Annual Cardboard Boat Races
Come join us for a fun-filled morning of cardboard
boat racing! This fun event is always a crowd pleaser.
Give us a call and we’ll send you an entry form and tips
on how to build a cardboard boat. In case you don’t
know, these boats are paddled by you, the captain. We
provide the paddles! All boats are made of cardboard
with duct tape on the seams, so anybody can build a
boat and enter. Awards will be given to winners in each
category with special prizes for the Best Design, Best
Decorated, and the Titanic, a.k.a. First to Sink.
Ages 14 & under #14251 Youth Division
15 and up #14252 Adult or Business Division
Date Saturday, July 14
Times 8:00am Check-in (Pre-registration is required.)
8:30am Rules Meeting immediately followed by
Boat Judging and Boat Races
Place Jackson Aquatic Center
Cost FREE !

Parks & Rec: All-Comers Track Meets

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All-Comers Track Meets FREE!!
Events include the running long-jump into sand, 50–yard
and 100–yard dash. Every child receives a ribbon for
each event. No records are kept, it’s all about FUN! No
pre-registration required. See you at the track!
AGES 1–12 years
Days Tuesdays
Dates June 5—19
Time 6:00pm
PLACE St. Mary’s High
School Track

Parks & Rec: BUGS R US PRESENTATIONS

BUGS R US PRESENTATIONS
Children under 12 must have a parent in attendance. **No charge for the parent if attending with child under 12. Instructor—John Jackson
Ages 3 years—Adults**
Days Saturdays
Place Santo Community Center
Cost $7 Resident | $13 Non-Resident
Per Presentation
Limits Min—1 | Max—40
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BATS
It’s all about these flying mammals and their important role in the ecosystem.
The program features a preserved bat specimen as well as a bat
skeleton and bat echolocation sounds. The audience receives instructions on building a bat-house and bat coloring pages at the finish. Creepy and educational.
P1 #14289 June 2 | 1:00—2:00pm
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OWL PELLET STUDY
Participants get "hands-on" with real owl pellets! We'll discuss owls in the environment and the part they play in the food-web cycle. Includes hands on time with a taxidermy barn owl.
P2 #14293 June 23 | 1:00—2:00pm
PORTABLE BUG ZOO
Special attention is paid to the world of insects, bugs in the environment, what bugs eat, insect defenses, and camouflage. Kids get to touch and explore live insects including 3 species of stick insects, a tarantula, 2 species of cockroaches, 2 Hercules beetles, a Vinegaroon and Blue-Berry Beetles.
Other live but non-touchable insects include black widow spiders, bark
scorpions, orb weaver spiders, beetles, praying mantis, and Superworms.
P3 #14287 July 7 | 3:00—4:00pm
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS
This program showcases LIVE animals including a turtle, lizard and frog and a few models. We discuss the differences and the important role they all play in the environment. Also includes handouts for identification of local species.
P4 #14299 August 4 | 1:00—2:00pm
imageimage

Parks & Rec: Flick n’ Float Movie Nights

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Flick n’ Float Movie Nights
Presented by Jackson County Library Services in
Partnership with Medford Parks & Recreation
Flick n’ Float Movie Nights are a family
destination. This family-oriented program
brings together people of all ages. Come
join our staff, enjoy family movies, and take
a dip in the pool on a hot summer night.
All shows begin at dusk and take place at Jackson Aquatic
Center The regular pool entrance fee covers the movie, too!
Bring a water noodle or small tube. On movie nights, Jackson
Aquatic Center opens at 7:30pm and closes after the movie
ends. Family Pool Passes will be honored. A maximum of 225
people will be allowed in the pool area. Flick N’ Float Movies
are intended for people using the pool those evenings.
Please see our Movies in the Park selections on page 27 for
additional free movies this summer.

2012 Flick n’ Float Schedule —Pool Opens 7:30pm
FRIDAYS
July 20 Cars 2 (PG) 2011
August 3 The Incredibles (PG) 2004
August 17 Happy Feet Two (PG) 2011

Friday, April 20, 2012

HSG Business Directory

The HSG Business Directory is a list of business/services offered by local homeschool families. (NOTE: These are listed in the order I received them, not preference or alphabetically.) As you will see, some families have more than one business they operate, so I have "clustered" them together by family.

To have your business added, please email hsgathering@gmail.com with your info (name, website, email, phone number, etc).

 ♦ from Ryan & Jessica Westfall
Westfall Financial
Ryan Westfall 541-601-4324
Financial Advisor who specializes in retirement planning, investments, and life insurance.

♦ from Mark & Yvonne VonHolle
VonHolle Family Services Store
Mark & Yvonne VonHolle 541-702-1933
BUY LOCAL for cell phone, home phone, small business phone, internet, tv, home security, home or business computer support, and gas and electric needs* at a better price including the best national brands that you know and trust.  Contact us at 541.702.1933 for your free technology audit and we will give you a no-obligation/no-cost quote to make sure you are getting the BEST DEAL possible.  Our family thanks you for your support. *utilities not available in all states 

♦ from Rich & DeeAnn Todd
Oregon Pacific Financial Advisors
Rich Todd 541-772-1116

Financial Planner
Specializing in retirement planning, IRAs, ROTH IRAs, investments, and life insurance. Rich also conducts seminars to help people understand the ins and outs of social security.
Web site - http://www.opfa.com/
E-mail - rich@opfa.com

Shaklee Independent Distributer
DeeAnn Todd 541-608-TODD (8633)
Shaklee Distributor
Natural whole-health products. I'm happy to offer a discount for homeschool families.


♦ from Don & Zana Walker
Don Walker 541-941-1500
Contractor 
All kinds of construction from home maintenance and repair to additions, remodels, complete renovations, standard and architectural construction.

♦ from the Beemer/Carlisle
Cathy Beemer  541-865-4370 
Voice Lessons
Bel Canto Technique, free your voice for any purpose.  Perfect for singers and future singers, but also will help teachers and speakers as well. The cost for my lessons is $10.00/half hour in Eagle Point or $15.00/ half hour at your home!

Adam Carlisle 541-865-4370
Martial Arts Instructor
Accepting new students! Martial Arts instructor, Adam Carlisle teaches Koden Kan Jitsu, a blended form of Karate that traces it's roots to Japan through Hawaii. The emphasis is on Self-Defense and Control. He teaches at the beautiful new Dojo/Community Room at Jackson Wellsprings on Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 to 5 PM. He also welcomes experienced students who want to learn a new technique or just stay in shape. They can join the ongoing class and train until 5:30. The cost is $60.00/month. 541-865-4370


♦ from Jamie Daugherty
Rogue Valley RN Consultant
Jamie Daugherty (541) 326-8987

Services
Nursing Delegation
Healthcare Education
Medication Management
Seasonal Flu Shots
Lab Draws
Physical Examinations
Inspection Preparation
And More
All In Your Home
http://www.roguevalleyrn.net/
RogueValleyRN@gmail.com
on Facebook: www.facebook.com/roguevalleyrn

♦ from Kevin & Tammy Hicks
Kevin Hicks Roofing (541) 840-7391
PO Box 3475
Central Point, OR 97502
fax 541.826.1685
kevinhicksroofing@yahoo.com
CCB #159981
licensed-bonded-insured

♦ from Robyn Alleson
Robyn's Nest Boutique
 robynsetsy.etsy.com
on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Robyns-Nest-Boutique/141620032586760

♦ from Joseph & Joan Consiglio
Joseph Consiglio Construction (541) 761-9026
Description Custom remodeling and finish carpentry.
CCB# 152272
LBPR 152272
General Information Joseph has over 30 years of carpentry experience. He specializes in custom cabinetry, remodel and trim work but has also done lots of rough carpentry and has built many houses from the ground up.
Email gaitedgardens@embarqmail.com  
on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joseph-Consiglio-Construction/131868106881389

♦ from Bruce & Kathy Ward
Bruce Ward & Sons Custom Cabinets (541) 535-8435
6054 Colver Rd
Talent, Oregon
License# 065571
on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bruce-Ward-and-Sons-Custom-Cabinets/313729016516

♦ from the Sleadd family
Zip Line Gear
Nathan Sleadd (888) 476-3701
Email: Info@ziplinegear.com

http://www.ziplinegear.com/
Located in Grants Pass, OR. We develop a few custom products of our own and stock a complete line gear for any kind of customer- whether you are looking to put a 50' line in your back yard, or to build and operate a complete zip line tour company.
 
 Sleadd's Adventure Depot
Nathan Sleadd (541) 226-9494 420 SW 6th St, Grants Pass


http://www.sleadds.com/
Sleadd's Adventure Depot is a toy and hobby shop in downtown Grants Pass.
Train sets
Slot Cars
Remote-control Helicopters
Nitro Trucks Nerf Guns
Lego Sets
Rocket Launchers
and much more.


♦ from the Olstad family
Brent Olstad
Brent Olstad Music
www.brentolstadmusic.com
Sheet music, custom arrangements and commissions

Rachel Olstad
Freelance proofreading and editing
rachelolstad@gmail.com

Abel Olstad
Private instructor, drums
abeldude1@live.com
♦ from the Holman family David Holman
Hello Chameleon
Graphic design and art direction for web and print
541 621-2651
www.hellochameleon.com