Important Dates & Upcoming Events

Maine Nutrition Council Annual Conference Learn how to create positive, sustainable change for all school foods and the nutrition environment at this year's MNC annual conference titled: School Meals: Changing the System to Feed Success on March 18, 2011 from 7:30-3:30 at the Augusta Civic Center. Hear from keynote speakers Dayle Hayes, MS, RD and Janet Poppendieck, PhD. Conference Objectives include:

 Childhood Obesity Healthcare Institutes are a series of one-day learning sessions for providers and their office teams who want high-level, cutting-edge skill sets for treating children with obesity. What participants can expect to learn at each session:

Nominate Someone Making an Impact! Looking around our communities, most of us can name at least one outstanding person who works hard to create positive change, often without much recognition or reward. MYAN has launced a new and expanded awards program, called the Impact Awards to recognize and celebrate youth leadership and the support systems that empower youth. These awards are all about finding and showcasing youth and adults who are making a positive impact on each other, their communities, and their worlds. Impact Awards will be given in 4 categories:

• Youth Leadership & Advocacy for a young person age 12-18 who had demonstrated strong leadership and/or been a strong advocate
• Empowering Adult for an adult who has gone above & beyond to engage youth
• Group Achievement for a school or community-based group that exemplifies youth-adult partnership and has made a difference in their community
• Empowering Organization for an organization, school, or business that exemplifies the engagement of youth in decision-making and planning

Nomination Deadline: April 15, 2011 FMI: www.myan.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=466181&post=118517

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Upcoming Events  

Maine School Garden Day The 3rd Annual Maine School Garden Day event will be held at Medomak Valley High School Heirloom Seed Garden in Waldoboro, ME on April 9, 2011. Keynote speaker, Paul Tukey, will speak to participants about Gardening from Classroom to Community. FEE: $25 includes lunch. FMI & Registration: maineagintheclassroom.org   

Summer Teachers' Institute Save the date for the 2011 institute to be held at the University of Maine, Farmington the week of July 25th. Participants will explore fiber production and learn to felt; visit dairy, crop, and aquaculture farms in addition to one of New England's largest greenhouses. New Ag in the Classroom programs will be showcased, including an apprenticeship program for high school students. Hands-on learning, CEUs, taste testing, and more! FMI: maineagintheclassroom.org 

Introductory Workshop in Restorative School Practices The Restorative School Practices Collaborative of Maine will be offering two one-day introductory workshops this spring for Maine educators on March 18, 2011 8:30-3:30 at the University of Maine in Orono and March 25, 2011 8:30-3:30 at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. Workshops will:

FEE: $75 includes lunch and snacks. FMI: Barb Blazej at barb@rjpmidcoast.org 

KV YMCA

Free Trial Memberships Try the Y for two weeks between January 2 and March 31, 2011 and see everything the Y has to offer. Free visits include access to pools, wellness centers, group exercise classes, and more!  

JOIN AND WIN! 

If you join the Y before March 31, the first month is only $20.11 and you will be entered in a drawing to win great prizes, including a one-year family membership at the Y! For more information visit kvymca.org 

SPARK Monthly Webinar: It's My Party and I'll Play if I Want To  

Do you invite your young learners to the physical activity "party" in your classes each day? Do your children enjoy moving in new and creative ways, playing with a variety of colorful manipulatives, and move their little bodies to engaging music? Register for the next SPARK webinar and take these "party favors" home with you. Attendees will learn:

 4-Day Service Learning Summer Institute The KIDS Consortium Institute guides K-12 educators to create a classroom environment where students take responsibility for their learning while demonstrating essential knowledge, skills, and disposition. Graduate Credits available. Save the date: July 19-22, 2011, Portland Area. FMI: www.kidsconsortium.org/professional_development.php

Great Orono Bike Swap May 1, 2011 10:00-2:00 Drop bikes off between 8:00-9:30AM. University of Maine's Student Recreation and Fitness Center, Orono 

Buy a bike, sell a bike or do both at the swap. This year's swap will feature hundreds of bicycles of all kinds, a large area for test riding, exhibits by local bike shops, food and drinks for sale, and more. Admission is $3.00, with free admission for students at the University of Maine, University of Southern Maine, University of New England, Southern Maine Community College, and children 12 or younger. A small commission on all sales supports the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's work to improve bicycling in Maine. FMI and to see a video about the swap, visit BikeMaine.org or call 207.623.4511. 

10th Annual Women's Ride June 5, 2011 9:00AM. L.L. Bean's Casco Conference Center, Casco Street, Freeport. This all-women's ride is suited for all ages and fitness levels, with distances of 5, 15, 25, and 50 miles. The ride offers beautiful views of the countryside and coast. Proceeds benefit the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's work to improve bicycling in Maine. Preregistration is encouraged. FEE: $25 members; $35 public rate includes 6-month trial membership in the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. FMI and to see a video about the ride, visit BikeMaine.org or call 207.623.4511. 

10th Annual Maine Lobster Ride & Roll July 23, 2011 staggering start times beginning at 8:00 AM Oceanside High School, Rockland. Cycle on beautiful, country roads, past lighthouses, and the rock-bound coast, then dine on a freshly made lobster roll lunch (tuna and veggie options available). This fully supported ride includes four distance options: 16, 30, 50, or 100 miles. FEE: Preregistration $65 members; $85 public rate includes 6-month trial membership in the Bicycle Coalition of Maine; lower rates for children. The Maine Lobster Ride & Roll supports the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's work to improve bicycling in Maine. FMI and to see a video about the ride, visit BikeMaine.org or call 207.623.4511. 

 Tobacco Treatment Training

Intermediate Motivational Interviewing in Tobacco Treatment This intermediate level training on motivational interviewing principles and strategies is for healthcare and teaching professionals in Maine. Prerequisite: Tobacco Intervention Basic Skills Training and at least one-half day of motivational interviewing training. March 8, 2011 8:30-3:30 Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport, ME Registration Fee: $75 includes continental breakfast, lunch, CEUs, and training materials. FMI & Registration: Becky Hendrix 207.662.7122

Ways to Involve Law Enforcement in Safe Routes to School Webinar This webinar on February 22, 2011 at 1:00PM will provide an overview of why it is important to seek law enforcement involvement in Safe Routes to School programs and how to best involve officers in SRTS efforts. The webinar will also provide information about a successful local effort that involves law enforcement in SRTS. Participants will: learn ways to involve various types of law enforcement including community officers, school resource officers, and traffic officers; get an overview of resources available for officers to help them be most effective in their involvement in SRTS; learn some of the challenges and successes of a SRTS effort; and receive general information and tips on community and neighborhood policing efforts. FMI: contact Michelle Gulley at  mgulley@americawalks.org Register for the Webinar at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/194517313 

Screen-Free Week  Screen-Free Week, sponsored by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, is coming April 18-24 (school vacation week) and, with your help, it can be the best ever! It is easy and fun to organize a Screen-Free Week in your school or community. We know that children are spending way too much time with screens-a staggering 32 hours a week for preschoolers and even more for older kids. The costs of excessive screen time are enormous-poor school performance, childhood obesity, and problems with attention to name a few. Since 1996, tens of thousands of parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, youth organization leaders, and clergy have helped millions of children turn off screens and turn on life by organizing Screen-Free Weeks (formerly TV-Turnoff). For 2011, the new, improved Organizer's Kit will walk you through the process; it includes suggestions, activities, posters, and handouts you will need for a great Screen-Free Week. Order by February 15th to get free shipping. Screen-Free Week is not just about snubbing screens for seven days; it is a springboard for important lifestyle changes that will improve overall wellbeing and quality of life all year round. Go To: www.commercialexploitation.org to learn more or order a toolkit for $17.95.

Maine Distracted Driving Summit Join national leading experts when they visit Portland to highlight the impacts of distracted driving. There will be a special teen panel discussion Changing Attitudes and How to Reach Us moderated by Officer Rocco Navarro of South Portland Police Department. There will be other great speakers seeking lots of youth participation! There is no cost to attend and lunch is provided. February 16, 2011 8:30-2:00 at Portland Ocean Gateway Terminal, 14 Ocean Gateway Pier, Portland, ME 04101 FMI: Rayette Hudon rhudon@nne.aaa.com 

WinterKids Discount Ski Card Program

WinterKids is partnering with

The Ski Card program as a way to raise money for WinterKids. Ski Card members enjoy substantial lift ticket discounts every time they ski or ride at over 40 of the top ski resorts from Northern New England to the Mid Atlantic. WinterKids supporters and friends can purchase The Ski Card at a 10% discount, with 10% of each card sold going to WinterKids. Use promo code "WinterKids" when ordering. The Ski Card makes an ideal gift. To learn more, go to: http://theskicard.com/. FMI: 1.800.639.1941 

MYAN 28th Annual Peer Leadership Conference The Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) annual Peer Leadership Conference on November 10, 2011 at the Augusta Civic Center will bring together hundreds of 7th-12th grade youth and adult advisors interested in youth leadership, youth-adult partnership, and community change from across Maine for inspiring workshops, networking, speakers, and action planning. Participants leave feeling inspired, informed, and ready to take action back home. MYAN plans this event with guidance and input from youth leaders to ensure this event is relevant and powerful for YOU! FMI: www.myan.org/events/event_details.asp?id=142984 

Kids Oral Health Partnership Free Training Available KOHP provides training on how to do oral assessments with young children and provide caregiver guidance and early prevention detection techniques-including fluoride varnish. This training for healthcare, childcare, and other family service providers is available for free. KOHP has also begun to offer a "Train the Trainer" course for those interested in delivering this curriculum. FMI on scheduling a training or becoming a trainer, contact Bonnie Vaughn RDH bvaughan@mcd.org or kohp.org 

MYAN 7th Annual Maine Anti-Tobacco Youth Summit Sponsored by the Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine this FREE event on November 11, 2011 at the Augusta Civic Center mobilizes youth from grades 7-12 from across Maine to come together with adult advisors to fight the battle against tobacco. Attendees take part in various workshops and activities to help them gain information, resources, skills, and connections to fight tobacco in their communities and create healthier homes. MYAN plans this event with guidance and input from youth leaders to ensure this event is fun, inspiring, and relevant for YOU! FEE: Free FMI & Registration: www.myan.org/events/event_details.asp?id=143006