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The Twain Times
A weekly newsletter from Mark Twain Elementary School
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In This Issue
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PTO President Message
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Operation Pershing Proud
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Art a La Carte Meeting, 11/2
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"Race to Nowhere" Screening, 11/2
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Dad's Camp Out on Friday, November 4th
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Book Fair at Mark Twain, Nov. 14-18th
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Name that Book Informational Meeting 11/8
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Storybook Parade, 11/17
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Pershing Zoned Family Open House, 11/17
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Magnet Awareness Week
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Student Directories are Here!
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Soccer Tournament, 11/19
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Art Fundraiser Order Forms Coming Home Today!
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Save the Date: Huckleberry Bash, 2/10/2012
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Sally Foster Online Fundraiser Deadline: 11/29
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Drink Pouch Brigade - Save and Recycle Drink Pouches
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Spooky Snapshots Wanted
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HISD Magnet Open House, November 5th 9-12pm
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Parent Involvement Day Celebration, November 17th
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Pershing Family Open House
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Breakfast in the Classroom
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Order Your Birthday Grams
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Rewards Programs
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Community News and Events - Bellaire Events, Turkey Trot, Free Book
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Mark Your Calendar
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November
11/1 - PTO Meeting, 6:30 pm
11/2 - Art a La Carte Meeting, 3-5th, 8am
11/2 - Pershing Proud Informational Parent meeting, 7pm, 3842 Durness
11/3 - Friends & Family Sponsor Breakfast, 8:00 am
11/4 - Dads' Club Campout, 5pm
11/9 - Early Dismissal, 12:30pm
11/7-11th - Magnet Awareness Week
11/11 - Monthly Staff Appreciation Luncheon, 10:30 am-12:45 pm
11/11th-21st - Fall Food Drive benefiting Kids Meals Houston
11/14-18th - Mark Twain Book Fair
11/16 - Book Fair "Family Fun Night", 5-7:30 pm
11/17 - +Book Club "Raising Happiness" by Christine Carter, 8:15am
11/17 - Storybook Parade, 9am
11/17 - Pershing Open House for Zoned Families, 6pm
11/19 - Soccer Tournament, 1-5:00pm
11/29 - Picture retake day
11/29 - Dual Language Recruitment Meeting, 6:30pm
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Thank You to Our
2011-2012
Corporate Sponsors
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Tom Sawyer Level
Huckleberry Finn Level
Toni Rodriguez Salon
Samuel Clemens Level
Aunt Polly Level
Becky Thatcher Level
Evans and Mossman CPAs
smossman@jbecpa.com
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 | November 1, 2011 | |
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Dear Parents,
This week we look forward to the Dad's Club Camp Out to be held Friday on the playground. It is a wonderful opportunity for kids to spend time with their dad, uncle or other special person in their life.
Classroom teachers will be asking parents to sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences on November 9th. I encourage you to come in and visit with the teachers about your child's progress. These conferences will be limited to approximately 10-15 minutes so that all parents will have an opportunity to come in and conference.
I have attached below some pertinent information on head lice from the Harris County Department of Education. Unfortunately, head lice is not uncommon in elementary schools. If a case of head lice is reported in your child's class, the classroom teacher will alert the rest of the parents in the class. Teachers will monitor closely and the school nurse, Charlotte Stephens will be available to check when needed.
The Mark Twain faculty and staff are grateful to the many individuals and groups that have donated to the school. Those donations have made it possible to continue with the implementation of the PYP program, upgrade technology and provide materials and resources that allow us to provide the quality education that your children deserve. There will be a breakfast honoring sponsors on Thursday, November 3. I look forward to seeing you there!!
Have a great week!
Melissa Patin
Principal
mpatin@houstonisd.org
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| Message from our PTO President | | |
Dear Mark Twain Families,
Can you believe it is November already? November always makes me think of all the reasons I am thankful and of course, Mark Twain Elementary School always ranks high in the list. I am so thankful for the wonderful teachers, administration and involved families that contribute to my children's educational experience. Last week, Mark Twain hosted a very informative Middle School Forum that was highly attended. Not only do we get to better understand our middle school options but those schools also get a peak at our great students and families. Many thanks to Leslie Roffwarg for organizing the event! Along those lines, we also have a Pershing Middle School Informational Coffee on Wednesday, November 2nd at 7:00 pm at the home of Wendy and Cade Burks.
With all this cool weather, it is aperfect weekend for the Dad's Campout this Friday. I can't wait to drive by and see the tents set up all over the schoolyard - it is always quite a sight! Thanks to Sam Smith for organizing such an anticipated event - the kids LOVE it (and I think the dads do also)!
Thanks to all of you for all you do - your efforts definitely count!
Don't forget that we have a PTO meeting tonight in the library at 6:30 pm. As always, babysitting will be provided in the music room for all potty trained children over the age of 3. I hope to see you there!
Best,
Deanna Sheaffer, President
Mark Twain PTO: United We Build Community
deannasheaffer@yahoo.com
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| Operation Pershing Proud - Get in the 'ZONE', 11/2 | |
Prospective parents are invited to attend a meet and greet with Pershing Middle School Principal Robin Lowe. Come hear about experiences other Mark Twain families have had and learn about all of the great programs Pershing has to offer. This informational for parents will be held at the home of Cade and Wendy Burks, 3842 Durness Way on Wednesday, November 2nd at 7:00p.m. Please RSVP to Ann Radtke aradtke2@comcast.net or 281-794-8875.
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| Art a La Carte Meeting, 11/2 | |
Please join me, along with other parent volunteers, for the November lesson planning session. We will be discussing the November Art a La Carte lessons, looking at examples, and giving out the materials needed for the projects. This session will take place in the cafeteria at 8:00 am:
- Wednesday, November 2nd, for third, fourth and fifth grade
If you are teaching the November lesson in your child's class; we would love to see you there! Questions/concerns? Contact Suzy Brown at brown.suzy@comcast.net.
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| "Race to Nowhere" FREE Screening, 11/2 at 6pm | |
Roberts Elementary is proud to sponsor a screening of "Race To Nowhere" on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at the Pershing Middle School Auditorium. The event is open to the community, and is a free event. You may learn more about the event and reserve your seat online at http://www.racetonowhere.com/epostcard/5413.
Seats remain, but must be reserved in advance. This event is an opportunity to bring us together in raising strong, competent, healthy children, and is part of our long term goal for creating a strong, +community. The screening will be followed with a panel discussion to include Dr. Stuart Twemlow, and Sarah Fisher, co-founder of +Works.
Here is what others say about the film:
"Another inconvenient truth" George Lucas Educational Foundation
"Culture changing" Rachel Simmons, Author, The Curse of the Good Girl
"A growing grass-roots phenomenon." Washington Post
"Must see movie" NY Times
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| Dad's Camp Out on Friday, November 4th | |
Please join us for the annual Dad's Camp Out this Friday, November 4th starting at 5pm.  The Dad's Camp out is a great Mark Twain tradition and always a fun time for all. Pitch a tent on the playground, grab some pizza and enjoy the activities and movie. Registration MUST be done online this year, there will be no on site registration. Please sign up soon so we can get a good idea of numbers for food and beverage.
Details and Registration are here: https://www.onlineregistrationcenter.com/register.asp?m=216&c=54.
Sign up to help volunteer here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/campout18.
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| Book Fair at Mark Twain, November 14-18th | | |
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| Name that Book Informational Meeting, 11/8 at 3pm | | |
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| Storybook Parade, 11/17 at 9am | |
Save the Date November 17, 2011, 9:00 AM! Mark Twain Elementary will be having a Storybook Parade and we are inviting all the students and their teachers to participate. Be creative, use your imagination and come join the celebration of the literary characters we love. Students and teachers are encouraged to dress up as their favorite story character. Participants who don't want to dress up can also create a poster that represents the story or even just carry their favorite book. Start thinking of your costume, poster or even which book you want to carry!
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| Pershing Zoned Family Open House, 11/17 at 6pm | |
Pershing's Zoned Families Open House will be held Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 6:00pm in the Pershing Middle School Auditorium. This is a great opportunity for zoned families to meet the Pershing faculty, staff and families. Learn about the exceptional programs and departments Pershing has to offer. Following the session all parents and students will be invited to tour the school. We look forward to meeting you!
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| Magnet Awareness Week is Here! | |
Mark Twain Elementary Literature Magnet Tours will be held the week of November 7th-11th at these times ONLY:
Monday, 11/7: 1-2 pm
Tuesday, 11/8: 1-2 pm
Wednesday, 11/9: 9-10 am
Thursday, 11/10: 1-2 pm
Friday, 11/11: 1-2 pm
To find out information about tours after Magnet Awareness Week, please contact Jackie Black: jblack@houstonisd.org
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| The 2011-2012 Printed Student Directory Has Arrived! | |
All families who registered their contact information online by the deadline will be receiving one free printed directory. This directory will be sent home in your oldest child's backpack; please look for it this week.
If you wish to purchase a printed directory, the School Store will be selling them for $5 each (quantities are limited). And, don't forget, you can use the online directory at www.marktwaindirectory.org. if you have registered your contact information online.
Thank you to all the families who registered their contact information and purchased ads for the directory. More than 85% of Mark Twain families registered their contact information for the student directory. And, 19 teachers will be receiving $25 Target gift cards since 90% or more of the families in their class registered. Click here to see the list of teachers. If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Shah at twaindirectory@hotmail.com.
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| Soccer Tournament, 11/19 | |
 The Mark Twain Annual Soccer Tournament will be held at the school on Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 1pm to 4pm. All kids K-5th are encouraged to participate. No soccer experience necessary. This is a free, fun event for all kids! We need parent volunteers for this event! To volunteer or for more information, contact Liliana McKean at lmckean1@comcast.net.
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| Art Fundraiser Order Forms and Squickers are Here!!! | |
 They're here!!! Coming home today in the Tuesday folders are the Square 1 Art order forms and Squickers! This fundraiser takes your child's artwork and makes it into great products for you to purchase. These products are wonderful keepsakes and gifts for family and friends. Please stop by the library and take a look at the wonderful samples in the window.
Please turn in completed forms with payment in the PTO Parent Workroom by Friday, November 11, 2011. Remember, NO LATE ORDERS will be accepted. The money raised from this fundraiser will enable the Mark Twain PTO to continue its efforts in supporting our students. Remember, the SQUICKERS are yours to keep. If you have any questions, please feel contact me at twb42701@yahoo.com or 713/857-3731.
Thank you, Tracey Bailey
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| Save the Date for Huckleberry Bash, 2/10/2012! | |
Each spring the Mark Twain PTO holds The Huckleberry Bash, our annual auction and largest fundraiser. The event features live and silent auction items created and/or donated by students, parents, teachers and the community. The Bash will be held February 10, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza Reliant. The theme for this year is "Lights! Camera! Bash!" Last year, over 400+ people attended and supported our school by purchasing hundreds of auction items and tickets to social events hosted by Twain families and/or teachers. We hope to see even more families participate this year so mark your calendars now!
What is Bash? Click here to learn more about this annual adults only fundraiser.
There are many ways that you may help out with Bash:
- Hosting a social gatherings (parties)
- Donating items (or funds for items) anything big or small
- Soliciting donations from businesses that you frequent
- Volunteers for any number of roles necessary to put on the event
Click here to see detailed information in the letter. Click here to print out a donation form.
Completed donation forms can be placed in the Huckleberry Bash box in the Parent Workroom or emailed to us. Questions? Feel free to email us at dkoenig@TheLittleGym.com or jnkschultz@sbcglobal.net.
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| Sally Foster Online Fundraiser until 11/29/11 | | |
 Sally Foster is AVAILABLE online for you, your family & friends!Use the email feature found in the Seller's Section at www.SallyFoster.com to order gifts and wrapping paper or send ordering information to your family & friends.40% OF EVERY PURCHASE GOES DIRECTLY TO MARK TWAIN! MARK TWAIN ELEMENTARY school's number is 54491. Our Sally Foster® fundraiser is available online year round but this campaign will run through the month of November. Click here to see the Sally Foster flyer for Internet Shopping for Mark Twain 2011.
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| Drink Pouch Brigade®! | |
Turn your used drink pouches into MONEY for our School. We have placed a drink pouch recycle bin in the cafeteria by the lost and found closet. Please encourage your children to deposit their empty pouches there after lunch and feel free to bring your pouches from home. Pouches need to be empty and clean with no straws. Besides turning the pouches into money for the school TerraCycle, Capri Sun® and Honest Kids® are working together to put an end to this awful loss of resources. As an eco-friendly innovator, TerraCycle converts the drink pouch material into unique from tote bags and pencil cases to plastic lumber and pavers! TerraCycle is proud to team up with the largest producer of drink pouches in the country, Capri Sun, and a young organic entry into the market, Honest Kids, to help address this problem! Together with your help we CAN make a difference! For information, contact Liliana McKean at lmckean1@comcast.net.
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| Spooky Snapshots | |
 We saw lots of cameras flashing at this year's outstanding Spooky Spaghetti event and the yearbook team would love to include those photos in the yearbook.
Please send any pictures to marktwainyearbook@yahoo.com using a jpeg format. You may also leave flash drives (which will be returned) or photos cds in the yearbook box located in the parent workroom, all pictures need to be in a jpeg format. Please leave your name and phone number so that we may contact you should we have any questions. Thank you.
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| HISD Magnet Open House, November 5th 9am-12noon | |
HISD will hold a Magnet Open House with information sessions and school booths for interested parents and students. Visit All Magnet Programs! Click here to view the flyer. The event is Saturday, November 5, 2011, 9am-12pm, HISD Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 West 18th St., Hou. TX 77092
Magnet Awareness Week
November 7-11 2011
(Tours daily at 1:00 p.m.)
(Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.)
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| Parent Involvement Day Celebration, November 17, 2011 | |
The Parent Engagement Department of School Support Services cordially invites you to join us at our annual HISD Parent Involvement Day Celebration on Thursday, November 17, 2011 from 9am - 12pm, at the Delmar Stadium Field House, at 2020 Mangum Rd., Houston, Texas 77092, to recognize the value of parent participation in a child's education. We believe in creating a culture of trust through action and have collaborated with many internal departments as well as external community members to provide educational materials and resources at this event.
Promptly following the celebration, 12-1 pm, HISD Deputy Chief Academic Officer Alicia Thomas will provide an overview of and answer questions about the state's new testing program, known as the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). The STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) exams will affect this year's ninth-graders by counting as 15 percent of their final course grade. The same is also true for middle school students taking high school courses that require EOC exams.
HISD teachers are preparing students in elementary, middle, and high school for the new rigorous tests, but we need your help. Parents are encouraged to stay and attend this informational session.
Questions: Contact Kelly Cline, Parent Engagement, 713-556-7290
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| Champion Energy Special for Twain Families | | |
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| Breakfast in the Classroom |
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| Don't Forget to Order your Birthday Grams! | |
Do you want to make your child or a teacher feel special at school on their birthday?
 Then sign up for a Birthday Gram to be delivered to their classroom! Information and forms are available in the Parent Workroom or may be completed online. Click here to order online now! (Please allow 4 days notice if ordering online.)
All proceeds go towards the 5th grade end of year activities. Please support Mark Twain's 5th grade classes this year!
Questions or interest in helping to deliver B-day Grams please contact: Bea Davies at (713) 667-4644, beadavies@yahoo.com OR Marta Fonseca at (713) 667-3394, ed-n-marta@att.net.
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Rewards Programs
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Help with Fundraising through Rewards Programs. The PTO is grateful to participate in programs which reward our school based on the customer loyalty and patronage of our families. A percentage of the proceeds spent are donated back to the school! For detailed information, visit our PTO website rewards page at: http://marktwainpto.org/fundraising/rewards-programs/
Here are some highlights:
- Box Tops - Clip these box tops and turn them in; see related article in this week's Twain Times.
- Kroger Rewards - Link your Kroger card to Mark Twain Elementary
- Randall's - Designate Mark Twain as a beneficiary on your Remarkable card
- Target Rewards - Go online to link your Target card to Mark Twain #98794
- Balance Meals To Go - They will give 10% of all purchases made by Mark Twain families back to Mark Twain Elementary. Balance Healthy Meals To Go, is a new store in the Braes Heights Shopping Center on Bellaire Blvd. Balance makes individually portioned healthy meals and snacks for take-away. To ensure Mark Twain receives proper credit, tell the store "I attend/work for Mark Twain!" at the register while checking out. www.balancemealstogo.com Phone: 281.501.1968
- School House Partners - Use a School House Partners home maintenance service provider and designate Mark Twain as your school. This local owned business connects homeowners to dependable, pre-screened home maintenance providers; painters, plumbers, landscapers, most everything pertaining to home maintenance. Schools receive 20% of what SchoolHouse Partners earns from referrals fees paid by the home maintenance provider.
- Office Depot - Link the Twain Elementary code #70097851 to your Office Depot reward card and the school gets 5% back.
- Champion Energy Services - Special Rates for You and a $25 Donation to Mark Twain Elementary School. With your switch to Champion Energy for your residential electricity service using the promo code MARKTWAIN, you will receive a special rate. In addition, Champion Energy will make a $25 donation for each enrollment and renewal. Click here: http://www.championenergyservices.com/promo.asp?promo=MARKTWAIN
- Bouquelle Cleaners - A percentage of the purchases made by Mark Twain families and Staff will be donated to Mark Twain Elementary PTO. Bouquelle Cleaners, (Schnelle Family) has been providing dry cleaning and laundry services for 14 years in the Bellaire area located at 5118 Bissonnet (HEB Shopping Center); Bellaire, TX 77401 or call 713-666-3450.
- Drink Pouch Brigade® - Every year BILLIONS of drink pouches end up in dumpsters and landfills across America. TerraCycle, Capri Sun® and Honest Kids® are working together to put an end to this awful loss of resources. As an eco-friendly innovator, TerraCycle converts the drink pouch material into unique from tote bags and pencil cases to plastic lumber and pavers! TerraCycle is proud to team up with the largest producer of drink pouches in the country, Capri Sun, and a young organic entry into the market, Honest Kids, to help address this problem! Together with your help we CAN make a difference! For information, contact Liliana McKean at lmckean1@comcast.net
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| Community News and Events | | |
Earth Day Houston 2012 4th Annual Art Contest
Earth Day Houston 2012 is Saturday, April 7, 2012 and all third- through eighth-grade students in the Houston area may submit artwork to our office by January 31, 2012. Earth Day celebrates our planet's wonders. Show what you see when you think of clean air, water, and land. Picture how our land and humankind protects and nourishes each other. Use a plain white sheet of paper that is 11 x 14 inches. Put your name, grade, school, and teacher's name on the back. Please mail or take the art to: Art Contest - Air Alliance Houston, 2409 Commerce Street, Suite A - Houston 77003. Prizes will be awarded for the overall winner as well as first, second, and third place winners from each grade. We will return all art to the teachers.
Be a Bellaire Cheerleader for the Day!
Open to all girls ages 5-12. Join us for a fun day of cheerleading on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Bellaire High School Multi-Purpose Room, 5100 Maple Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here for the attached flyer and registration form. Questions? Contact Gina Taylor at ginataylor41@att.net.
Bellaire Recycles Fest
A variety of events are planned for this annual recycle fest on November 5, 2011 from 9am-1pm at the 7008 S. Rice Blvd. near the Bellaire City Hall. Click here to view the full flyer with detailed information.
Also, eARTh Art and Photo Contest for ages 5 - 18. Click here to see attached flyer for more info.
The 2011 Turkey Trot will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, 2011 (Rain or Shine) at the Dillard's Galleria store Westheimer @ Post Oak. Benefiting Sheltering Arms Senior Services, this race/walk includes a 10K and a 5K Competitive Run / Walk. Deadline for online registration is 7 p.m., Sun., Nov. 20. Click here to see the brochure or visit: www.HoustonTurkeyTrot.org.
Special offer from Scholastic Books and Kellogg's Brand cereals - This fall, give your child the opportunity to choose and own books through a special offer from Scholastic Book Clubs and Kellogg's! Buy two specially marked Kellogg's products at Walmart and enter the 16-digit codes and receive a FREE book or $5.00 off a book order at Scholastic. Visit www.scholastic.com/kellogg for more information about this special offer and to redeem your $5 Book Coupon(s).
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