| Schools remind parents of reduced-cost meals
Collier County's public school district is reminding parents and guardians that reduced-price breakfasts and lunches are available at each public school. The price of lunch in the elementary schools is $1.85 and in the secondary schools is $2.10. Breakfast for students at all grade levels is $1. Low-income families and those faced with difficult financial situations may be eligible to receive school meals either free or at a reduced price and their child's meal status will be confidential. To find out if a child qualifies, visit www.collier.k12.fl.us/foodservice/frlunch/ and click on the "Income Chart" link on the left side. If you qualify, print the online meal application, full in the requested information and mail the completed application to: The Department of Nutrition Services, 5775 Osceola Trail, Naples, FL 34109.
AINA makes a school subject out of gardening
He could not make a connection between the carrot in his hand and the orange cubes in a frozen mix of peas and carrots. "That's kind of scary, that kids these days have never tasted or seen" a fresh carrot and think food comes from the supermarket, says Betty Gearen, co-director of a new program called AINA in the Schools. The Kokua Hawaii Foundation originated the AINA program, whose name means "land" in Hawaiian, and also is the acronym for its mission: Actively Integrate Nutrition and Agriculture in Schools. The program is now in effect at Waialae Charter and Sunset and Aikahi Elementary schools for the second year. The AINA program has turned the garden into a classroom for 200 or so kids at Waialae. "They just love us -- they give us hugs" when they see Gearen and her helpers coming for bimonthly lessons, she said.
3 Cents Blog
If someone broke into my home and I knew I hadn't done anything wrong, I would shoot first and ask questions later. The police should have had more evidence than "an unnamed" source before they broke into the boys house. We have become a police state where the police can do as they please and not have to answer for it. I'm sorry for the officer's family but I blame the death on his department, not the young man who was awakened by and Unknown intruder. Teresa, Chesapeake -People need to realize that the police were not simply knocking down a random door for no good reason. His door was broken down because he WAS doing something wrong previously and they were there to try and put a stop to it. To believe his teary-eyed tales of total and complete innocence of anything is a waste.
Dons enjoy Good Liffe late on
AFC Wimbledon skipper Jason Goodliffe is hoping he can lift his strike rate in a bid to chase down Ryman League Premier Division leaders Chelmsford City. The 33-year-old centre back bundled in an injury-time winner to hand the Dons a 2-1 triumph over Margate on Tuesday - moments after lashing a close range volley well wide. It put Wimbledon's play-off hunt back on track after Saturday's disappointing defeat at Heybridge Swifts by the same score. But Goodliffe has not given up hope of claiming the title, warning his team mates of the mistakes they have made in the past. "I've been short on goals this year, but that is my third and hopefully it will be the catalyst for a few more by the end of the season," he said. "It is all about getting as many points as we can to keep the pressure on Chelmsford, so if they have a bit of a blip we are ready to move on them.
Longview daycare forced to close, teacher fired
LONGVIEW, Wash. - The Little Rascals Academy daycare center in Longview has been forced to close its doors after a state inspector witnessed some disturbing behavior. According to the state, kids were being restrained for nap time right in front of a state license inspector, who reported seeing a toddler placed face down on a mat with his head covered with a blanket and then a worker covering the child's body with her two legs. Cheryl VanCleef, the daycare center's operator, told the inspector she "didn't know what else teachers were supposed to do" to control children. Her daughter, Nicole VanCleef, who works at the center, said the teacher who restrained the child was fired. However, the state contends that Cheryl VanCleef didn't seem to treat the incident seriously and they had to take action because the facility was already on probation for past alleged violations.
Reviews of all the latest DVD releases
Fast Food Nation (15), new on DVD from Tartan Video. Fast Food Nation is a revolting film, a truly revolting film, a film which looks at America's fast-food industry from every aspect and finds it grossly wanting in each. From the corrupt executives who cover up poor food-processing to the immigrant workers bullied and maimed in the factories, it offers a stomach-churning picture of mass food production for instant gratification. Excrement makes its way into the burgers; workers' limbs are ripped off; and so too are the consumers, unaware of the gruesome processes which lie behind the smiling face of the big companies who churn out such filth. The film pulls no punches. The film of animals being slaughtered and disembowelled will doubtless increase veggie numbers. But does the film work? Just about yes, but there is scope for plenty of reservations.
GMO Crops: A Growing Concern
Let's see if we can cut through some of the hyperbole and deal with facts. First, some complain that companies that invent genetically modified seeds should not be able to patent them and charge royalties to farmers. The first thing to note is that patent rights were expressly provided for by our founding founders in the Constitution. Second, patents promote innovation and have brought innumerable valuable products to people, such as the light bulb, the telephone, computers, and a host of medicines. Next, it cost hundreds of millions, indeed billions, to develop some genetically modified crops. Assuming that profit is not a dirty word, how are these costs to be recovered so that additional research and development can take place, workers can be paid, and a reasonable profit can be made on the investment? Gee, I guess that means the company will have to charge for its invention.
Digitize your cassettes and LPs
While it's fantastic to be able to instantly download an album from iTunes or Amazon.com to your iPod, many classic recordings will never make the jump to a digital store. If your music collection stretches back several decades, odds are you have at least a few beloved analog titles on cassette or vinyl. They need not languish unloved and unheard simply because they're in an old format. With just a few steps, very little money, and a reasonable amount of time, you can bring those classic recordings into the digital era. Getting Started .
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