Young Adult Authors Unplugged From Arroe Collins

Confident, wild, joyful, fearless, resilient, creative, strong. Girls are all these things, and more. A mother of two loud, messy, freckled, and amazing daughters, Kate T. Parker began taking pictures of her girls in everyday life—biking, playing soccer, discovering tide pools—and quickly came to realize the most resonant images captured her daughters’ true, authentic selves. Striking and fresh, the photos morphed into the Strong Is the New Pretty, photography series, which went viral in 2015 and has now been expanded into a book of the same name.STRONG IS THE NEW PRETTY (March 2017; Workman; $17.95) is a celebration of the tenacious spirit inherent within all girls. Featuring Parker’s stunning photography alongside advice and wisdom from her subjects, the book demonstrates that all girls—not just the athletic ones—are unstoppable. Girls reading or studying, girls jumping in mud and leaves, girls comforting a best friend, girls on the playing field, and girls creating art—STRONG IS THE NEW PRETTY reminds us that beauty is not about being a certain size, having your hair done a certain way, or wearing a certain dress. It is about being yourself.Filled with more than 175 color and black-and-white photographs, this important collection will inspire girls and women to be their best selves—to challenge and test their limits, to nurture their curiosity and intellect, to find strength in being creative and kind—in bold displays of anger and joy, and in quiet determination. Because as Grace F., age 13, says: “Being a girl has no limits.”

Created by Emmy®-nominated writer/producer JJ Johnson (Dino Dan), Annedroids is a live-action adventure series about a young female genius, her human friends, android assistants and the amazing scientific discoveries they make while undertaking the biggest experiment of them all: growing up. Aimed at children aged four through seven, Annedroids -- which tied Sesame Street for the most Emmy® Nominations in 2016 (10) -- returns to Amazon Prime Video for its fourth season on March 3. The new season explores the concept of a “modern day family,” which isn’t necessarily defined by blood relation, but rather the people that are closest to you.JJ Johnson, who received previous Emmy® nominations for Dino Dan and The Wonder Pets, is available to discuss the secret behind the show's popularity, the key to creating successful children's TV programming, and the importance of teaching science to kids at a young age.

The National Wildlife Federation Celebrates 50 Years of Ranger Rick!Speak with Wildlife Expert & Media Personality David Mizejewski about Teaching Children to Love Nature and Wildlife Since 1967, the iconic Ranger Rick raccoon has introduced millions of children and their families to the wonders of wildlife and nature through the National Wildlife Federation’s award-winning Ranger Rick magazine. Timed to its 50th birthday, and the holiday gift-giving season, the National Wildlife Federation will celebrate with a special collector’s edition of Ranger Rick magazine, new publications for younger readers, and educational products that help kids develop a lifelong passion to learn about, explore and protect nature.David Mizejewski is a media personality, award-winning author and naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation. He's starred in TV shows on NatGeo Wild and Animal Planet (Pet Talk, Are You Smarter Than, Backyard Habitat), and is a regular guest on Conan, The Today Show, The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, Access Hollywood Live, CNN, Fox & Friends and many more. He's the author of Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife, and blogger for Animal Planet, Huffington Post and National Wildlife Federation.David can discuss the significance of Ranger Rick's historic 50-year milestone, and offer tips to help foster a love for the great outdoors in the hearts and minds of children of all ages.

Ever wonder how Michael Jordan seems to float in mid-air on a dunk? Or how bike gears help you ride uphill? Wonder no more! Introducing The Book of Wildly Spectacular Sports Science: 54 All-Star Experiments (Workman Publishing / on sale December 2016 / Ages 9 and up / $14.95), a fact-filled and whimsically illustrated tour through the physics and physiology of athletic excellence from Sean Connolly. Inside the pages, readers will find 54 awesome, hands-on experiments that demonstrate the scientific principles powering a wide variety of sports and activities. The results? Some major learning opportunities—and fun!—to be had by all, proving just how useful science can be on the playing field.The Book of Wildly Spectacular Sports Science is divided into seven chapters by sport type, including Bat and Ball Sports and Goals and Field Goals. Each entry within the chapter poses a compelling question like “Why Throw Forward Passes in a Spiral?” Then it goes on to set the scene for the science that makes it all happen. And finally, it’s time to experiment! Using common household objects, each project includes step-by-step instructions, tips, and a detailed explanation of why the experiment worked and how it relates to the real sport.Observe how marbles sink in water to understand the unpredictability of the knuckleball.Discover how martial arts experts use Newton’s second law of motion with a Ping-Pong paddle karate chop.Replicate the angular momentum of lacrosse shots with a daring leap onto a playground merry-go-round.Plus, how a Frisbee flies, the secret to a figure skater’s spin, and more.In The Book of Wildly Spectacular Sports Science, Connolly takes the tradition of scientific exploration and applies it to familiar and compelling situations. Each experiment creates exciting and memorable learning opportunities designed to appeal to lovers of both sports and science, and those who need a little push!ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Sean Connolly has written more than 50 books for children and adults. His lifelong fascination with Fenway Park’s Green Monster, coupled with years of trying to master the one-handed backhand and the simple two-putt, have taken him to the intersection of where sports science, and wonder meet. An American, he lives in Bath, England. @seanconnolly007#SportsScience

Julie Andrews is one of the most recognized figures in the world of entertainment, best known for her performances in The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, and The Princess Diaries. Julie has been a celebrated children's book author for thirty years, and her works include Mandy, The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles, and the Little Bo series. Her memoir, Home, was a #1 New York Times bestseller.Emma Walton Hamilton is a bestselling children's book author, editor, arts educator, and theater professional, and author of Raising Bookworms: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment. Together with her mother, Julie Andrews, she has coauthored many books for young readers, including the #1 New York Times bestselling Very Fairy Princess series; the Dumpy the Dump Truck series; Simeon's Gift; The Great American Mousical; and Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies, and Julie Andrews' Treasury for All Seasons, two books for families to treasure and share.ABOUT THEIR NEW BOOK THE VERY FAIRY PRINCESS: ATTITUDE OF GRATTITUDEFrom the beloved mother-daughter team of Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton comes another delightful story in the #1 New York Times bestselling Very Fairy Princess series, perfect for Thanksgiving sharing!It's Gratitude Day at school! Gerry is ready to be grateful and kind all day long. She's excited to give her best compliments, she's donated a beautiful painting to her class's art gallery, and she even has the perfect jar contribution ready for the food drive. But when disaster strikes, it's tough to stay grateful--even on Gratitude Day! Can Gerry prove that a fairy princess always has the right attitude of gratitude?

It’s time to get scared silly with FRIGHTLOPEDIA: An Encyclopedia of Everything Scary, Creepy, and Spine-Chilling, from Arachnids to Zombies (Workman Publishing; August 23, 2016; Ages 8 and up), written by Julie Winterbottom and illustrated by Stefano Tambellini.From the spooky to the outrageous, FRIGHTLOPEDIA features everything you need to know about ghosts, werewolves, aliens, mummies, and more. Readers will encounter real-life creepy creatures, petrifying plants, and ghostly places they never imagined existed, plus gain practical information like how to say “boo” in 15 languages and escape from quicksand. Not limited to great scary reading, FRIGHTLOPEDIA also includes DIY creepiness like making fake blood, tips for a perfect séance, and how to look like a true zombie.

From A to Z, arachnids to zits, Oh, Ick! (Workman Publishing; $14.95; Ages 8 & up; November 1, 2016) encourages curious ​kids to roll up their sleeves and think like a future Nobel Prize winner​. With easy-to-find materials, readers can dive into many areas of science, including chemistry, biology, physics, and a bit of entomology, engineering, and forensics, too!Budding scientists will perform real science with ick-speriments (think Ooze Olympics and Stinky Burp Factory), build or craft something with ick-tivities (Worm Condo, anyone?), and investigate nature and the wilds of their home with ick-splorations (join us on an Insect Safari!). Every activity comes with easy-to-follow, step-by-step directions and is accompanied by gross (yet fascinating) explanations of “What Just Happened.” Brave readers will also create a stinky burp factory and bacteria hotels, solve a clogged toilets case, embark on a scat scavenger hunt, and hang out with some worms.Whether in a kitchen, a classroom, or in the backyard, Oh, Ick! will introduce future Marie Curies and Albert Einsteins to the ooey, gooey, amazing world of science that surrounds them.

Each year, teachers spend more than $1 billion on basic supplies and learning materials. According to a report from The NPD Group, 91 percent of teachers spend an average of $500 of their own money per school year to make sure students do not lack resources. As a former school teacher, Charles Best founded DonorsChoose.org, a crowdfunding platform where teachers post classroom project requests and the public chooses what to support. In the last 16 years, the non-profit has raised hundreds of millions of dollars to fund more than 750,000 projects. And for the eighth year, DonorsChoose.org is once again teaming up with SONIC® for the Limeades for Learning® fall voting campaign. Between September 26 – October 23, consumers across the U.S. will determine how SONIC will donate $1 million to teachers this fall by visiting the Limeades for Learning website and voting for the projects they want funded. Charles Best and Christi Woodworth, Vice President of Public Relations at SONIC® are available via satellite to discuss: Why crowdfunding has been a key part of education in AmericaThe impact funded projects have in the classroom and the types of programs most in needHow viewers can get involved and give $1 million to public school teachers in their communitiesDonorsChoose.org’s longstanding partnership with SONIC Drive-In and SONIC’s pledge to donate $15 million to public school classrooms over the next five years Limeades for Learning® is a national initiative of SONIC®, America's Drive-In® to support public school teachers in local communities which will provide essential funds needed for learning materials and innovative teaching techniques to inspire creativity and learning in today's youth. Since 2009, SONIC®, has donated $6,176,337 thru the Limeades for Learning® campaign. Through last year’s campaign alone, nearly 91,000 students were impacted and over 3,000 teacher projects were funded. DonorsChoose.org makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Teachers at 73% percent of all the public schools in America have created project requests, and 2,253,197 people have donated $457,457,861 to projects that inspire them. Over 19,531,416 students—most from low-income communities, and many in disaster-stricken areas—have received books, art supplies, field trips, technology, and other resources that they need to learn.

Workman Publishing is proud to introduce a groundbreaking new entry in the educational market with The BIG FAT NOTEBOOK™ series (on sale August 9, 2016 / $14.95 each) — a suite of revolutionary study guides for middle school students that focuses on the five core subjects. Much as BRAIN QUEST makes learning fun, The BIG FAT NOTEBOOK series makes studying-up cool, delivering everything a student needs to know to ace Math, Science, English, World History, and American History. In addition, they provide a model for teaching students how to effectively write and organize notes of their own; an important skill they’ll take into their high school years and beyond.The series is based on an ingenious concept—borrowing notes from the smartest kid in class—and features a highly designed notebook format that will wow students with its neon covers, illustrated doodles, and highlighted content throughout. Every detail has been developed with the middle school student in mind. Never before has there been as thorough and appealing a resource for this age group.Inside the pages, readers will discover every subject’s key concepts, easily digested and summarized along with:Critical ideas highlighted (using a color-coded system)Doodles that illuminate tricky conceptsMnemonics for memorable shortcutsMaps, timelines and chartsAnd quizzes to recap it all!So what’s inside each Big Fat Notebook?Everything You Need to Ace Math . . . covers everything to get a student over any math hump: fractions, decimals, and how to multiply and divide them; ratios, proportions, and percentages; geometry; statistics and probability; expressions and equations; and the coordinate plane and functions.Everything You Need to Ace Science . . . takes readers from scientific investigation and the engineering design process to the Periodic Table; forces and motion; forms of energy; outer space and the solar system; to earth sciences, biology, body systems, ecology, and more.Everything You Need to Ace American History . . . covers Native Americans to the war in Iraq. There are units on Colonial America; the Revolutionary War and the founding of a new nation; Jefferson and the expansion west; the Civil War and Reconstruction; and all of the notable events of the 20th century—World Wars, the Depression, the Civil Rights movement, and much more.Everything You Need to Ace World History . . . kicks off with the Paleolithic Era and transports the reader to ancient civilizations—from Africa and beyond; the middle ages across the world; the Renaissance; the age of exploration and colonialism, revolutions, and the modern world and the wars and movements that shaped it.Everything You Need to Ace English Language Arts . . . takes students from grammar to reading comprehension to writing with ease, including parts of speech, active and passive verbs, Greek and Latin roots and affixes; nuances in word meanings; textual analysis, authorship, structure, and other skills for reading fiction and nonfiction; and writing arguments, informative texts, and narratives.The BIG FAT NOTEBOOK series meets Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and state history standards, and is vetted by National and State Teacher of the Year Award–winning teachers.

recent poll found the majority of today’s tweens and teens believe it’s their job to fix the environment, and teachers across the country are updating their lesson plans to help with that fix. Charles Best, founder and CEO of the educational nonprofit “Donors Choose Dot Org” joins us to talk about “environmental education” and a new one million-dollar fund to help teachers across the country.poll from 2011 revealed that the majority of kids surveyed (ages 13–18) felt that previous generations have damaged the environment and left it to their generation to fix. Now, more than ever, our youth are becoming increasingly more aware of their environment. With back-to-school season right around the corner, how do we – parents and educators – keep them involved with making our planet a greener place to live?Charles Best, founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org and former teacher, is available LIVE via satellite with easy, hands-on ways that students can help the environment. He can also discuss: · Unexpected things the environment can teach students· Simple, fun ways kids can help the environment· Tom’s of Maine “Green Your School Fund” giving $1M to help fund classroom environmental projects. Charles Best leads DonorsChoose.org, a nonprofit organization which provides a simple way to address educational inequity. At DonorsChoose.org, public school teachers create classroom project requests and donors can pick the projects they want to support. Charles launched the organization twelve years ago out of a Bronx public high school where he taught history. DonorsChoose.org is one of Oprah Winfrey's "ultimate favorite things" and was named by Fast Company as one of the "50 Most Innovative Companies in the World," the first time a charity has received this recognition. For three years, Fortune Magazine has named Charles to its "40 under 40 hottest rising stars in business."

Song of the Deep, the newest game from Insomniac Games in partnership with GameStop, is a passion project from Insomniac’s Chief Creative Officer, Brian Hastings. The game has a simple and compelling message: no matter who you are, you have the ability to overcome adversity when you don’t give up. Sterling Children’s Books is proud to be publishing the illustrated tie-in novel that tells the complete story of the game’s heroine, twelve-year-old Merryn. In the book, Merryn lives with her fisherman father in a cottage by the sea. Each day, her father braves the tumultuous waves and returns home in time for dinner. One stormy evening, he doesn’t come back. Merryn has a vision that he’s been dragged underwater by a terrifying sea creature, and he needs her help. Determined to rescue him, Merryn builds a submarine and embarks on a journey through undersea worlds she’s only heard about in her father’s lullabies. As she faces the dangers and wonders of the world below the sea, she realizes that her father’s stories were real.

Educational Ideas for Families in the Car This SummeroMany parents worry that their children will experience “summer learning loss,” the loss of some of what they’ve learned in their time away from the classroomoKids can lose up to three months of prior learning due to the extended summer breaks and the time it takes away from the next year’s instruction as teachers work to bring students back up to speedoEnrichment in the form of free reading and exposure to books and printed materials can not only stem the tide of this summer slide, it can also boost students’ achievement levels when they DO return to school oHonda Road Readers provide families a fun and educational way to keep kids’ minds engaged this summer and helps families turn car time into quality time oOne-third of Americans plan to take a family trip this year, and the most common type of trip they plan to take is a road trip (according to a 2016 AAA survey)oThe Honda Road Readers app:oInspires young listeners to vividly imagine with their familiesoLets families share the infectious fun of reading together oExposes children to a variety of great authors, books, writing genres and literary stylesoIncreases the sense of shared experience and connection among family membersoInvites young people to dream, imagine, question and wonderoStrengthens reading comprehension and appreciation through the use of high-level questions designed to enhance a child’s understanding of stories, their meaning, and their emotional impactoThe Honda Road Readers app is available for Apple® and Android™ phones, and provides Honda drivers access to five free audiobooks for children and young adultsRelated Honda SurveyoHonda Road Readers program aims to help better utilize the time—roughly 208 hours—the typical American family spends driving each year.oHonda commissioned a survey of more than 1,500 parents with one or more children ages 5 to 16 and learned:o77% of parents think listening to books or stories read aloud is very important for children’s cognitive development and for developing their listening skills o69% of parents polled were concerned that their children are spending too much time in front of screens (cell phones, computers and TV)Other Ideas for Family Quality Time in the CaroExplore What Your Kids Love. Do they like trains? Landmarks? Point them out while on the road and ask them where they imagine the train is headed or why a particular landmark is special. Let these questions turn into a story you make up together.

Time Magazine is now calling parenting America’s most competitive adult sport as we drown in endless athletic schedules, music lessons, and enrichment activities. What’s missing from these over-scheduled days? The FUN. Study after study has shown the value of fun and play; it improves communication, connectedness, and creates an enhanced sense of self and healthy behaviors. Emmy-nominated television family lifestyle expert Donna Bozzo has shared her secrets for parenting playfulness for years through national TV appearances, magazine features and on her website. Now, she gathers hundreds of easy and creative ways for infusing day-to-day life with a jolt of fun in WHAT THE FUN?! 427 Simple Ways to Have Fantastic Family Fun. Join Bozzo on May 19th as she shares why FUN is so important, and discusses some activities that can be added into the daily routine—from mealtimes to bedtime, on special occasions, or whenever the family can use a break from the grind, including: •Glow in the Dark Bowling: Spray paint an old basketball with glow in the dark paint. Fill soda bottles with water and glow sticks, set them up in your driveway, and—STRIKE!•Family Book Club: Pick a book to read together. Celebrate the finish with a book party with activities that pair the book’s theme and characters.•Follow The Bubbles to School: Have your littlest ones chase bubbles to add a bit of fun to the walk to school. •School Drop Off: Velcro a Joke-A-Day calendar on the car dashboard to start the day with a goofy laugh.•Indoor Camping: Pop a tent in your living room and roast marshmallows by the fireplace Perhaps the greatest gift to give children is to raise them to be adults who are able to enjoy life. Bozzo’s WHAT THE Fun?! helps parents set the tenor and make wonderful family memories. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donna Bozzo has worked in the TV business for fifteen years. In addition to appearing on Today, all the Chicago TV stations, The Morning Blend, Veria Living TV, Great Day St. Louis, and Daytime, she worked for many years as a reporter, TV producer writer and creative director. She has written for Chicago Parent, Make it Better, Family Circle, Working Mother, and American Baby.

Calling all wannabe millionaires! From the creators of the nationally syndicated, Emmy Award–winning public TV shows Biz Kid$ and Bill Nye the Science Guy, HOW TO TURN $100 INTO $1,000,000 (Workman, April 2016, $12.95) is a comprehensive first guide to earning, saving, and investing money. Written in a humorous yet informative voice that speaks directly to kids age 10 and up, How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000 is the perfect book for budding entrepreneurs and young Shark Tank fans. It’s also the gift that every parent who wants to raise financially savvy and unspoiled children should buy for their kids. Packed with lively illustrations, engaging infographics that make difficult concepts easy to understand, and interactive worksheets, this book is everything an aspiring millionaire needs to start small, but think big. The skills of earning, investing, and saving money are more important now than ever before, with 17 states including financial literacy in their curriculum and 43 incorporating it in their educational standards. Chapter by chapter, How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000 demonstrates how, with a little focus, patience, confidence, and knowledge, anyone can develop a Million- Dollar Mind-Set. And the best part is… it’s easy! Remember, millionaires are people who save money, not people who spend it. How to develop a Million-Dollar Mind-Set:•Open a savings account•Commit to short-, medium-, and long-term financial goals•Find a first job or build a successful business to earn a steady income•Make a monthly budget—and stick to it, dude!•Grow your money using the power of compound interest•Start investing (with a little crash course from the experts!) This book is sure to inspire important conversations around the dinner table and honest dialogue between parents and children about money. About the Authors - James McKenna and Jeannine Glista, along with Erren Gottlieb and Jamie Hammond, are cocreators of Biz Kid$, a national financial educational initiative based on the Emmy Award– winning TV series of the same name. Matt Fontaine is a writer living on Vashon Island, Washington. Co-created and co-executive-produced by the creators of Bill Nye the Science Guy, the Biz Kid$ series is broadcast worldwide and accessible through numerous outlets. Since its premiere in 2008, the show has reached an average of 1 million viewers per episode and been seen by more than 15 million people. Biz Kid$ has been approved as a financial education recommended resource in 16 states

Sid and Marty Krofft’s most beloved characters from their cult classic H.R. Pufnstuf will return to kids TV for the first time in over 45 years in the Kroffts’ latest live-action preschool series, Mutt & Stuff, on Nickelodeon. Featuring H.R. Pufnstuf, Cling and Clang, Freddy the Flute and the Rescue Racer, the special is part of an additional 20 episode order that Nickelodeon has greenlit, bringing the total to 40 for Mutt & Stuff’s first season. Production on the special, "H.R. Pufnstuf Comes to Mutt & Stuff!,” will begin this fall with a premiere date set for early 2016. “H.R. Pufnstuf was the first TV show my brother and I created, so it has always held a special place in our hearts,” said Marty Krofft. “Our fans constantly ask us to bring back Pufnstuf, and we feel the vibrant world of Mutt & Stuff is the perfect setting to revitalize these colorful characters and build excitement for new fans.” In "H.R. Pufnstuf Comes to Mutt & Stuff!," Stuff’s favorite uncle H.R. Pufnstuf decides to visit him at the canine school. When H.R. Pufnstuf arrives with his friends from Living Island, Stuff goes overboard in an attempt to impress him and make sure everything is perfect. Set in a unique school for dogs, Mutt & Stuff stars Calvin Millan and his dad, Cesar, star of Cesar 911 and original star of Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, interacting with a cast of both real dogs and puppets. Mutt & Stuff currently ranks as the number-one preschool show in its time period on all TV and the series is created and executive produced by the Kroffts (H.R. Pufnstuf, Land Of The Lost), along with Bradley Zweig. Cesar Millan also serves as executive producer. Mutt & Stuff airs regularly weekdays at 10 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. “H.R. Pufnstuf’s wildly imaginative characters made an indelible impression on an entire generation, and now preschoolers and parents will get to see the two fantasy worlds of Sid and Marty Krofft come together on Mutt & Stuff through the same creative storytelling that defines both series,” said Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon Group. “It has been an amazing experience to be a part of Mutt & Stuff with my son Calvin,” said Cesar Millan. “The show is an amazing platform to educate kids on the responsibilities of being a dog owner and we are excited to be bringing it back for another 20 episodes.” Mutt & Stuff follows Calvin Millan and his best friend Stuff, a larger-than-life dog with a personality to match, as they take preschoolers inside the doors of Mutt & Stuff, a school for dogs, to explore the daily lives of these canine companions. Each episode features incredible tricks, training lessons and high-spirited humor. With the help of 15 playful puppies and charismatic puppets, Calvin educates preschoolers on how to train and guide their dogs, as well as showcase the friendship and loyalty that puppies can provide. The series has a social-emotional curriculum that helps preschoolers identify and manage emotions, build interpersonal awareness and develop social skills. Mutt & Stuff also carries a message of pet adoption and responsible pet care based on Cesar Millan’s philosophies. Nickelodeon, now in its 36th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB

When he was twelve years old, Florida-based Jake Marcionette released his debut book, Just Jake, a loosely autobiographical, laugh-out-loud comedy adventure. With that book, Jake made history in two ways: the youngest author to hit the New York Times Bestseller list and the youngest author in the history of Penguin Books to land a publishing deal.Now three years later, Penguin has published Jake's third (and best) book in the series, Just Jake 3: Camp Wild Survival - the first must-read Children's Middle Grade book of 2016.So how did Jake accomplish all this at such an early age? I recently had the pleasure of sitting with the young author who also tours schools as a motivational speaker for students nationwide. Anybody at any age would feel energized and motivated after meeting Jake, who radiates positivity and enthusiasm for life.Xaque Gruber: So how did your writer's journey begin?Jake Marcionette: When my sister and I were much younger, my Mom would have us write from breakfast to lunch every day during summer vacation. Education is very important to my Mom who runs the education website http://spellingclassroom.com/. At first I hated the daily writing, but eventually I got into it and wrote about how my day was going and how I was feeling. I have my Mom to thank for my developing my love for writing.XG: So how does one make the leap from writing at home during summer vacation to Best Selling author?JM: I knew I wanted to write books for kids, about a kid, and from my experiences being a kid. I had moved from Florida to Maryland and so I wrote my first book about a kid named Jake who moves from Florida to Maryland who has to adapt to a new school, which I did. I wrote it all down by hand and put it in a binder. I shared it with friends to get feedback and printed out a list of agents. I had no idea what I was doing. I would say "Hey my name is Jake. I'm twelve. I have a cool book. Do you want to read it?" I got a lot of hang ups and "no's." People would say "How old are you? Twelve?!" Then I called Dan Lazar, an agent at Writer's House in New York City, and he said "Email it to me, sure." Then a couple days later, he said he liked it and wanted to represent me. Then a month after that, I was in New York meeting with four major publishers at a boardroom table where all these strangers in suits were asking me lots of questions about my book. Ultimately, I went with Penguin.XG: The new Just Jake book delves into a "wild survival" theme. Are you an avid lover of camping?JM: I'm an avid lover of watching survival television shows with Bear Grylls and Les Stroud.XG: Tell me about your motivational speaking at schools.JM: I love speaking to kids. I think a lot of young people are scared to write a book because they think they can't do it, but let's face it - It's either "no" or your dreams come true. You have to be fearless and be passionate and take all the chances you have and do it with an open mind. Set a goal and it doesn't have to be a huge goal. My goal was to get published, which is a pretty huge goal. If you are passionate about something, you can make money and make a career at it. Everything starts somewhere. XG: What is everyday life like for you?JM: I'm in Tenth Grade now and I'm just like any other American kid my age, I love playing and watching sports, hanging with my friends and hitting the beach. I also love to read. Lately I've read biographies on Jon Stewart, Coach K (of Duke's Men's basketball), Coach John Wooden (UCLA's men's basketball), and the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. My all time favorite book is The Godfather by Mario Puzo. I'm a huge fan of the Vordak The Incomprehensible books.XG: So beyond Just Jake, are there other projects?JM: Actually I'm working on a spin off book series. I can't talk about the details just yet - but people who like the Just Jake books will definitely like these. And I'd love to see Just Jake get adapted for TV or film. That would be cool!Just Jake 3: Camp Wild Survival For more info on Jake and his world, check out his site: http://justjake.com/ QUICK BIOJake Marcionette is the youngest fiction author to ever become a New York Times Bestseller at just 12 years old with his debut Young Adult Novel, Just Jake, which has sold millions of copies. Now at 15 years old, Jake is again proving himself as a force of nature with his third Just Jake book, Just Jake 3: Camp Wild Survival, available everywhere now. When he isn't writing bestselling books, Jake travels the country speaking to schools about writing and goal-setting. He also gives motivational talks to students around the world via Skype, helping his peers deal with being bullied, being the new kid in school, basically all the trials and tribulations of growing up. There really isn't anyone quite like Jake!

Twenty-five years after its original publication, DO I HAVE TO SAY HELLO? Aunt Delia’s Manners Quiz for Kids and Their Grownups is back, and do we and our kids all need it. In a series of light-hearted multiple choice quizzes, alternative scenarios, and true-or-false questions, Delia Ephron and Edward Koren, the author and illustrator team who brought us the best-selling How to Eat Like a Child, depict a range of possibilities that reflect life as it is as well as life as it ought to be. Covering table manners, car manners, video game manners, school manners, soccer manners and more, this is a book that is sure to delight (and horrify) adults and children of all ages.Aunt Delia knows what makes the difference between a pleasant and an excruciating visit to a friend’s house in the company of a young child. She accounts for every possibility in an awkward situation, and asks us to put some things in the correct order: (a) Throw up; (b) Get out of the car; (c) Ask Uncle Jerry to pull over. In short, she is practical and basic: she does not get into fish forks, but she knows how not to ask for vegetables – “Yo, corn.” She deals with such things as kindness, sharing, consideration, generosity, conversation, and diplomacy. Delia Ephron’s painfully on-target text is complemented by Edward Koren’s hilarious drawings, which – as ever – present us not as we might wish to appear, but as we really are. DO I HAVE TO SAY HELLO? is a high-spirited and wickedly funny guide to manners for readers of all ages.About the AuthorsDelia Ephron is a bestselling author and screenwriter. Her movies include The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, You’ve Got Mail, Hanging Up (based on her novel), and Michael. She has written novels for adults and teenagers, including her most recent, The Lion Is In; books of humor, including How to Eat Like a Child; and essays. Her journalism has appeared frequently in The New York Times, and also in Vogue and Vanity Fair.Edward Koren, a cartoonist and illustrator, is a regular contributor to The New Yorker. Among his many books are How to Eat Like a Child and Teenage Romance, both published with Delia Ephron.

Once summer comes to a close, school-aged children are not the only ones who dread the first day of school. According to a recent survey by RetailMeNot (www.retailmenot.com), a leading digital offers destination that helps consumers save money, and Kelton Global (www.keltonglobal), saying goodbye to summer break generally causes parents to feel stress about the financial burden that back-to-school shopping brings. A majority (87%) of parents plan on purchasing new school supplies this year, and more than half (59%) of Americans believe the cost of education has increased since they were in school. Back-to-school spending looks like it will be down slightly from last year ($246 vs. $263 per child). Over a quarter (26%), of all parents plan to spend more than $300 per child and yet, more than 1 in 4 parents (26%) express concern over the cost of their children’s education this year. When to shop? Parents typically spend nearly two weeks on average shopping for back-to-school necessities. Even though discounts are available as early as July, just over a third (34%) of parents actually wait to shop during early fall sales. A savvy choice, as discounts are typically quite deep in early September.Free at last! While some parents find back-to-school shopping stressful and education costs a financial burden, 90% are happy to have class back in session for a variety of reasons. More than a third (36%) of these moms and dads are most looking forward to having extra time for themselves, and 23% are eager to return to a more routine budget. What’s cool this school year! Retailers know the way to a child’s heart, and by offering character-themed school supplies from some of Hollywood’s biggest box office hits, they are able to create excitement surrounding the return to school. Parents are most likely to predict their little ones will favor Minions-themed school supplies the most (33%), followed by Jurassic World (31%), Sponge Bob (24%) and Star Wars (22%).Ready for the first bell to ring? Do you know what’s cool for back to school? Take this quiz to find out what’s hot and what’s not! At the end of the quiz, shoppers can browse the RetailMeNot Back-to-School page, featuring top back-to-school deals.

This week Master Harris and I break into a great conversation about what it takes to create a leader. Are we born leaders? What does it take to become a leader? Can we move through the mountain without having to rely on others who seem to be weighing us down?

Body language is everything. I can spot a bad mood 25 steps from your nearest touch. But how can you control the way you walk, stand or have conversation? Master Todd Harris opens the can of worms and shares the journey.

Throughout his expansive career, international country music star Lee Greenwood has earned multiple CMA and ACM Awards, a GRAMMY for Top Male Vocal Performance on "I.O.U," in 1985, and a multitude of prestigious award nominations. His discography includes twenty-two studio albums, seven compilation albums, seven No. 1 hits, and thirty-eight singles including songs like “Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands,” “Dixie Road,” and “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” among others. His stand-out hit "God Bless The USA," has been in the top five on the country singles charts three times (1991, 2001 and 2003), giving it the distinction of being the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat. It was also No. 1 on the pop charts after 9/11. Known for his stand-out patriotism and support of the U.S. military, Greenwood has been honored with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's National Patriot’s Award, and entertained troops on more than 30 USO Tours. In November 2008, President George W. Bush appointed Greenwood to a six-year term as a council member on the National Endowment for the Arts. The California native wrote his second book in 2012, a collection of inspirational essays titled Does God Still Bless the USA; A Plea for a Better America (Tate Publishing). His latest projects include a brand-new fully-illustrated children's book, Proud To Be An American, in stores Memorial Day Weekend, 2015, as well as a seven song EP, I Want to Be In Your World, featuring more songs penned by Greenwood and him on saxophone. Lee and his wife, Kimberly, a former Miss Tennessee, currently reside in Nashville and have two sons.ABOUT HELPING A HEROHouston-based Helping A Hero is a 501(c)(3) non profit, non-partisan organization providing support for military personnel, severely injured in the war on terror. Our principal activity is to provide specially adapted homes for qualifying service members as well as engaging the community to provide services and resources for our wounded heroes and their families. Thanks to the HelpingaHero.org Home Program, 100 severely wounded heroes from 22 states have been awarded a custom adapted home tailored to restore their independence. HelpingaHero.org is the 2nd largest 501(c)(3) organization building homes for our severely wounded heroes in the nation. And all of this has been accomplished with no paid staff for our first 6 years and now with a bare bones staff. For more information on Helping A Hero and to find out how you can contribute to the cause, please visit helpingahero.org. OTHER LINKS / INFORMATION ON LEE GREENWOOD:http://www.leegreenwood.com/ - OFFICIAL WEBSITE http://websterpr.com/leegreenwood - WEBSTER PUBLIC RELATIONS CLIENT PAGE http://websterpr.com/leegreenwood/1925-lee-greenwood-embarks-on-national-tour - TOUR PRESS RELEASE http://websterpr.com/leegreenwood/1820-alabama-lee-greenwood-phil-vassar-the-grascals-and-ryan-weaver-added-as-performers-for-charlie-daniels-40th-anniversary-volunteer-jam - CHARLIE DANIELS’ VOLUNTEER JAM (AUG 12 2015)

Our Camp encourages campers ages 9-12 and ages 13-18 how to work with each other using broadcast media and technology arts, while engaging with others in an increasingly connected world. They will learn the basic media tools in a fun collaborative environment which provides our youth with the skills to utilize the media technologies in a positive and productive way. This camp is a great way to break the fear of public speaking and will teach campers how to articulate. Campers will be able to tour newsrooms, create a series of hands-on media projects. This camp provides many possibilities of creative media making. Special Guest speakers within broadcasting such as Career News Reporters, Radio Host, Sports Reporters, and Journalists will drop by to speak and answer questions with the youth. Campers will work with live-action video, video-editing, interactive media and design, video/audio recording, and more. Every week-long camp ends with a screening and we encourage friends and family members to come watch 5:15-6pm.http://www.charlotteybc.com/

This week Master Harris and I cover the view of a persons accepted stress filled life. What are we truly teaching our children about stress? Is it the new American dream? If you aren't stressed out then how do you expect to be successful?

Child Care Resources Inc. (CCRI) is a private, non-profit agency that works to ensure that all children have access to quality, affordable early learning and school-age experiences that enable them to succeed in school and in life. CCRI offers its free and confidential Child Care Search service to all families seeking child care, and provides child care financial aid to income-eligible working families in Mecklenburg County. CCRI delivers free and low-cost professional development services to help early educators and school-age child care practitioners improve the quality of services provided to children (birth through age 12).Learn more about CCRI in our annual report: http://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2014-Annual-Report.pdfInteresting Info•CCRI administered $45 million in child care subsidies to Mecklenburg County families to offset the cost of child care for low-income working families last year.•Nearly 6,000 families were assisted by CCRI in their search for quality child care on behalf of nearly 9,000 children last year.•CCRI delivered training and/or technical assistance to 83% of the licensed child care workforce in Mecklenburg, Union and Cabarrus counties.http://sharecharlotte.com/nonprofit/child-care-resources-incFacebookTwitter: @CCRINewsfeedAbout SHARE Charlotte:SHARE Charlotte is a one-stop shop dedicated to creating a more involved community by connecting individuals with local nonprofit organizations and causes. Launched in December 2012, SHARE created an intuitive website which makes learning about and getting engaged with local nonprofits easier. The website, www.SHARECharlotte.com, is a free, local and centralized collection of more than 300 nonprofits that serve Mecklenburg County. Sign up as a neighbor (it’s completely free!) to explore the hundreds of ways you and your family can get involved in the community.www.sharecharlotte.comFacebookTwitter: @ShareCLTInstagram: sharecharlotte

How do you take a vivid imagination and turn it into a leader? Can today's workplace stand to gain in strength when those making decisions are lucky enough to have a job. With so many people playing it safe... aren't we falling down as a nation?

How To Plan A PAWsitively PURRfect – And Safe - Vacation With Your Four-Legged FriendTraveling with your furry family member can be a lot of fun, but can also present a unique set of challenges when deciding what to pack, where to go, and how to get there. In fact, according to the U.S. Travel Association, 30 million Americans travel with their pets every year, and that number consistently rises. As we head into the summer travel season, pet parents must make pet safety a priority when preparing for a long journey with your dog or cat. Dan Schachner, Animal Planet Host and Puppy Bowl Referee, will be on hand from a pet friendly resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida to share travel tips to help pet parents make the most out of their summer travel plans. With his dog, Cali by his side, Dan will share tips to make travel safe, easy and fun for the WHOLE family. A few things Dan will discuss during your interview: • How to keeps pets comfortable, safe and secure, in the air or on the road• “Must have” pet supplies to pack for your dog or cat• First time pet traveler? What pet parents need to know to ensure a carefree vacation that’s fun for the whole family.• Fun things to do with your four-legged friend while you’re away from home, and more!

Walden got a pond. I got a window. Since 1994. I've sat next to a window before the sun rises to do nothing more than write. I'm not sure where and why this window became my reasons for creating a conversation. Laughing I say its God looking from the sky on my poor penmanship. Then I get serious when a deer walks up to the writing area and seems to be speaking. I take note of a bright red cardinal. I see the limbs preparing for a change in weather. Life has its share of windows. Which one are you looking through?

Volunteer To Help Us Reach 300 In 30Join Junior Achievement volunteers across the nation as we launch our 300 in 30 campaign locally this Spring. The goal is to mobilize 300 volunteers throughout the month of April in order to impact more than 6,000 local students. Students love working with members of the community just like YOU. Take action today and improve your local community by providing the leaders of tomorrow with the tools they need to succeed.

This week Master Todd Harris finds himself inside a forest in the state of Virginia. Which is perfect because it allows me to get deeper into conversation without there being outside influences. Our subjects this week: Awareness. How to prepare for what may never be there. Think about this... if you are aware... how many attacks against have you blocked?

“I can imagine this book in the glove compartment of every true fan’s car, a handy reference to this beloved game no matter where in the country you are.”—Ken Burns, filmmaker and baseball historianCapturing such quintessentially American pastimes as baseball and road trips in one fascinating work, this updated and expanded guide chronicles more than 500 important events in baseball history with detailed descriptions of the event and information on each location.Packed with historical data, trivia, photographs, and baseball lore, entries include the birthplaces of baseball legends, ballparks, museums and halls of fame, final resting places, and many locations that are no longer standing. From out-of-the-way spots to the most popular stadiums in the U.S. and Canada, no site is too small or insignificant to be included in this comprehensive directory. Entries include the Buckminster Hotel in Boston, where the Black Sox planned their fix of the 1919 World Series; the original little league field and museum in Williamsport, Pennsylvania; the birthplace of Jackie Robinson; the place where Mickey Mantle was discovered by a scout from the New York Yankees; and the site of the original Wrigley Field, erected in Los Angeles in 1925.PRAISE FOR ROADSIDE BASEBALL“What a wonderful book. All the ‘stations of the cross’ of our national pastime are here, big and small, telling and frivolous. I can imagine this book in the glove compartment of every true fan’s car, a handy reference to this beloved game no matter where in the country you are.”—Ken Burns, filmmaker and baseball historian“This one-of-a-kind road atlas takes baseball fans across the United States to out-of-the-way spots and near-forgotten sandlots, where the remnants of baseball history still endure: where a plaque marks the spot of Babe Ruth’s first professional home run, where the lights that once illuminated Ebbets Field now shine on Downing Stadium, where the crumbling bleachers of Cleveland’s old League Park still stand as a Greek ruins of baseball.”—The Sporting News“It's a perfect gift for anyone who loves baseball and travel.”—Chicago Tribune“For the fan, this is the ultimate road trip. Chris Epting is the perfect traveling secretary to lead you to all these great baseball stops.”—Joe Garagiola, announcer and former major league baseball player“If it doesn't make baseball fans feels as if they've died and gone to heaven, it'll at least get them to Dyersville, Iowa's Field of Dreams, where the set for the movie of the same name attracts thousands.”—USA Today“As the ‘Spaceman’ I came from Stengel Field in Glendale, Calif., and ended up in the friendly confines of Fenway Park. In between and beyond, I have stood on the same sacred ground of Holman Stadium where Don Newcomb and Roy Campanella played. I have touched the monument of Mickey Cochrane in Bridgewater, Mass. Roadside Baseball is the GPS that takes us to all this and more. You must have it in your glove compartment when you hit the road!”—Bill “Spaceman” Lee, author and former major league baseball player“Reading Roadside Baseball is like spending an afternoon rummaging around in baseball’s attic.”—Jim Bouton, author and former major league baseball player“Los Angeles-based writer Chris Epting has delivered a stand-up triple (baseball's most exciting play) in Roadside Baseball...he doesn't miss a beat in the 336-page atlas, loaded with pictures.”—Chicago Sun Times“A new and updated edition of Roadside Baseball is out for all those who want to turn their love of the game into a road trip. The $16.95 paperback from Santa Monica Press is organized by state so you can easily find the landmarks and trivia closest to home or your favorite teams by region.”—Associated PressABOUT CHRIS EPTINGChris Epting is the author of numerous books, including James Dean Died Here; Led Zeppelin Crashed Here; Marilyn Monroe Dyed Here; and The Ruby Slippers, Madonna’s Bra, and Einstein’s Brain. He has contributed articles to such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Westways, Travel + Leisure and Preservation magazine. He lives in Huntington Beach, California, with his wife and their two children.

Most people don’t know there are more slaves today than at any point in history. Ed Smart, father of Elizabeth Smart, is merging his efforts to fight human trafficking through the Elizabeth Smart Foundation with those made by Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) (http://www.ourrescue.org/), a non-profit organization that specializes in rescuing children held by traffickers around the world and arranging for their captors’ arrests by local law enforcement agencies. The merger has been a no-brainer, Smart says, considering what O.U.R. has done in a short amount of time.•More than 265 enslaved victims of sex trafficking, mostly minors, are free due to O.U.R.’s rescue efforts.•One hundred and twenty-three of these victims were liberated in three highly dangerous, simultaneous rescues in Colombia in a one-hour period in October 2014.•These numbers are actually much higher when you consider that O.U.R. has dismantled several trafficking organizations and created a deterrent effect.•More than 50 traffickers have been arrested, preventing the suffering of thousands of children who would have been subjugated by their captors.“I work with a number of nonprofit organizations designed to protect children; teaming up with like-minded protectors enables us to pool our resources for greater impact,” says Smart, Program Director of Rehabilitation and Prevention of the newly merged organizations.“Their rescue missions not only entail a strike force of experts that include some of America’s best; they also focus on the long-term recovery of victims – a vital part of this issue, as I’ve witnessed in Elizabeth.”In just the last three weeks, O.U.R.’s rescue missions have taken place in four countries across Latin America and Asia. More than 40 victims were rescued and13 traffickers arrested, and lots of follow-up work is being conducted, Smart says.“These guys are impressive, with additional efforts including a new training project we have in place to train local governments, a DNA system and a strategy to help police forces track down and stop traffickers after a mission is been completed,” he says.“What can you do to help? – You can go to O.U.R.’s site and donate anytime.”ABOUT OPERATION UNDERGROUND RAILROADOperation Underground Railroad (O.U.R) is a non-profit organization that rescues kidnapped children from slavery. O.U.R rescue teams are comprised of highly skilled ex-Navy Seal, CIA and other operatives. These teams work in conjunction with and in full cooperation with local police forces and governments to liberate children around the world. The O.U.R mission is straightforward: Using cutting-edge computer technology and human intelligence, O.U.R rescue teams go into the darkest corners of the world to help local law enforcement liberate enslaved children and dismantle the criminal networks.Before dawn on June 5, 2002, Ed’s daughter Elizabeth Smart, age 14, was kidnapped from her bedroom. She was found alive nine months later on March 12, 2003, just a few miles from her home, with her captors, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Lleen Barzee (spelling???). Her abduction and recovery were widely reported in North American media and internationally. Ed Smart has become a nationally renowned spokesperson for child protection, advocating for legislation and non-profit organizations that focus on the prevention and recovery of missing children.Ed is a world renowned child safety advocate and President of the Surviving Parents Coalition, and is internationally recognized as About Ed Smartan advocate for children's safety with particular focus on prevention, protecting children from “abduction, bullying, abuse and sexual assault.” Elizabeth's abduction motivated him to advocate for change in the safety of our children and families.Since beginning his fight for children, Ed along with other children’s safety advocates tirelessly and successfully lobbied Congress and the Senate seeking passage of the National Amber Alert plan, the Adam Walsh Act, The Protect our children Act of 2008 and currently working cooperatively with other organizations on state felony arrestee DNA legislation.He believes that “It is more important than ever to empower our children to know they have choices to options and to remove their fears and feel safer in their world today.” He is currently program director of rehabilitation and prevention for Operation Underground Railroad OUR.Ed received his Masters Degree in Business Administration, specializing in Urban Planning as well as his Bachelor Degree in Finance from George Washington University. He and his wife Lois are parents of six children and currently reside in Salt Lake City.

Starring: Lindsay Pulsipher, Glenn Morshower, Jesse Plemons, Charles Halford and introducing Johnathan Huth Jr. Johnathan (Huth Jr.) is a nine-year-old boy who loves sea monsters, and his 300 lb. pet pig, named Wee Wee. Unlike most kids, Johnathan has nystagmus, which makes his eyes flutter. He also suffers from severe narrow angle glaucoma; an acute condition that if untreated can lead to permanent blindness.JoLynn (Lindsay Pulsipher) cares for Johnathan alone while her singer/songwriter husband David (Jesse Plemons) travels in search of his big break. To treat Johnathan, she grows hydroponic marijuana to relieve the painful intraocular pressure Glaucoma causes. She cooks the marijuana into brownies and feeds them to him in secret.David’s parents, Mark (Glenn Morshower) and Linda (Reis Myers McCormick), live nearby and provide for JoLynn and Johnathan as best they can on a fixed income. Linda is highly critical of JoLynn’s ability to raise Johnathan. During her son’s absence, Johnathan has become more undisciplined than Linda would like. While Mark tries to keep the peace, he is torn between his wife and their daughter-in-law, who he loves deeply.When JoLynn discovers that Linda is secretly mounting a case for legal custody of Johnathan, JoLynn is forced to forego the support of her in-laws. The result is a spiral of desperate acts that force JoLynn to make a decision that will change Johnathan’s world forever.Flutter explores the truest love on earth – the love of a mother and child.

Taking a single thought and building a path that find victory inside every circle. Life is filled with change and challenge. It's how you respond that either makes you a winner or someone that hangs their head. Comedians call it improv. I call it communication.

About Ryan Reed:Ryan’s racing career began at a young age, capturing the Kid’s Kart Track Championship at the age of four. The Bakersfield, CA native made the long move from California to North Carolina at the age of 17 to surround himself with the racing community. In 2011, Reed was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and told that he would never race again. Instead of giving up, he implemented lifestyle changes that included a strict diet and exercise program, the use of devices to provide track data, and reporting all of this information to his medical team in California. Ryan began his first full NASCAR XFINITY Series Season at the start of 2014, finishing ninth in the points standings. Most recently, Ryan finished in first place during the opening race of the season for the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Daytona, edging out many veteran racers. About Dr. Steven Edelman:Dr. Edelman is a professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) and the Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System of San Diego and the director of the Diabetes Care Clinic, VA Medical Center. He has strong interests in education and patient advocacy. He is the founder and director of Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), a not-for-profit organization with the goal of teaching and motivating patients in diabetes self-care. Since 1995, TCOYD has reached hundreds of thousands of people living with diabetes through a variety of education portals including national conferences, publications, television, and community programs. Dr. Edelman has written more than 200 articles and five books. He has won numerous awards for teaching and humanitarianism and was recognized by San Diego Magazine as a Top Doctor eight of the last nine years, an honor only achieved by a handful of physicians.

Welcome to the Hornets' Nest Council.The Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council invites you to join us for some of the best times of your life on a leadership journey of self-discovery and enrichment. Through community involvement and exploration, we’re building girls of courage, confidence and character throughout our eight county footprint. Whether you’re a girl member, a volunteer or an active alum, Hornets’ Nest Council is abuzz with activity and excitement that’s fun for all ages. Come join us!

“Hilarious! A zany blast the entire family will enjoy. Nothing but non-stop fun and laughter!" – Shawn Edwards, FOX-TVPerfect for Easter Gift Baskets, the Blu-ray™ and DVD Come With Two Hopping Penguin Toys Available for a Limited TimeLOS ANGELES, CA – They’re cute...they’re cuddly...they’re back! From the creators of MADAGASCAR comes the hilarious new movie that proves global espionage is for the birds! In DreamWorks’ PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR, your favorite super-spies—Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private—join forces with the elite North Wind team to save the world. It’s a side-splitting, globe-trotting adventure the whole family will love! Introduce the Penguin family to your family when Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment releases DreamWorks Animation’s PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR on Digital February 13 and on Blu-ray™ and DVD March 17.And for a limited time, get 2 hopping Penguin toys only with the DreamWorks’ PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR Easter Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital pack on March 17 making it the perfect gift for Easter baskets.PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR is “a fun, smartly conceived film that will appeal to all movie-goers,” proclaims Bill Bregoli of CBS Radio. A hit with audiences and critics alike, the film received an outstanding audience reaction with a coveted “A-” CinemaScore® and certified fresh on RottenTomatoes.com. Directed by Eric Darnell and Simon J. Smith, PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR features the voice talents of John Malkovich (“Crossbones” Red 2), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game), and Ken Jeong (The Hangover), joining Tom McGrath, Chris Miller and Christopher Knights, who are reprising their roles as the Penguins from the beloved Madagascar franchise.The Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital feature hours of bonus materials that uncover the covert operations of the PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR including several exclusive featurettes, a deleted scene, a music video by Pitbull, a dance tutorial by tWitch, and more.DreamWorks Animation’s PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR Blu-ray™ & Digital

New York Times-bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist Dave Barry should be a happy man. He has all the elements of a good life: a loving family, a nice home, a dog that doesn’t pee indoors without a good reason, a full head of hair and several original teeth. And if all that isn’t enough, he’s had a long and rewarding career that consists of being able to write pretty much any random thing he wants. Yet the harsh truth is that happiness is an elusive thing, and fortunately Dave tells how to capture it—or not—in LIVE RIGHT AND FIND HAPPINESS (ALTHOUGH BEER IS MUCH FASTER). Join Dave Barry on March 18th as he discusses his new book of essays that, according to Dave, "may seem pretty random, but in fact there’s an underlying theme, which is happiness.

Challenges are faced every day. But can you handle a swift change? The journeys we take are going to be under attack. If you checked in for an easy ride. Without notice the power drops. But did we stop? Did we become angry because our present needs weren't being met?

I know! To write? Ha! A joke right? I mean... who has the time to write? Authors and Poets are freaks! Why would anyone want to locate the answers to a single line? A line that just happened to take the shape of a word that became a sentence. A stupid line! Who will see it? Does it matter? What if your life could feel less heavy by way of making a single line?

"Titian-haired" is the manner in which actress Tina Louise is usually described. Despite her numerous comic performances, she prefers to be regarded as a serious actress; according to some of her co-workers, her preference in this manner often takes the form of an ultimatum. Louise was born near Brooklyn, where her father ran a candy store. She studied drama at Miami University, the Neighborhood Playhouse, and the Actors' Studio. A nightclub singer in the mid-1950s, Louise came to Broadway as Appasionatta von Climax in the original 1956 production of the musical Li'l Abner. Two years later she made her first film, the then-torrid God's Little Acre.By the early 1960s, Louise was shuttling between Hollywood and Europe, often appearing in productions of the shoestring variety. Louise is fondly remembered for her three-year (1964 through 1967) stint as Marilynesque movie star Ginger Grant on Gilligan's Island, though she despised the role and made no secret of it on the set. Nor did she wish to have anything to do with the Gilligan cartoon and TV movie follow-ups of the 1970s and 1980s, choosing instead to carve a reputation as a versatile, no-nonsense actress, though she eventually capitulated and appeared in The Castaways on Gilligan's Island. Though she would go on to make other film and TV appearances in the decades to come, even penning a children's book and earning her helicopter pilot's license, Louise would forever remain the most well known for the role of Ginger. ABOUT THE FILM LATE PHASES: NIGHT OF THE LONE WOLFThere's something awful hiding in the woods and it's coming after the unsuspecting in the gripping and acclaimed LATE PHASES: NIGHT OF THE WOLF. From the director of Penumbra, Cold Sweat and Here Comes The Devil, the horror film will be available for Digital Download and on Blu-ray and DVD from Dark Sky Films on March 10, 2015.Blind war veteran Ambrose McKinley (Nick Damici) has recently moved to Crescent Bay, a seemingly peaceful community on the outskirts of a dense forest. On his first night in his new home, McKinley hears his elderly neighbor attacked by something he's convinced isn't human.When the creature then kills his seeing eye dog, McKinley's thirst for justice turns into a one-man vendetta against the monster that's terrorizing his neighborhood. And when he's stonewalled by both the police and his fellow residents, he decides to gear up and prepare to fight the beast one-on-one. Now it's man vs. myth as the take-no-prisoners McKinley readies himself for what could be his final battle.With a stunning lead performance ("Nick Damici is great" - Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com), director Adrian Garcia Bogliano's LATE PHASES: NIGHT OF THE LONE WOLF is a suspense thrill ride unlike any other. The Dark Sky theatrical release also stars Ethan Embry (Cheap Thrills, Eagle Eye, Vacancy) and Tina Louise (Gilligan's Island, The Stepford Wives).Bonus Features on the Blu-ray and DVD will include: Commentary with Director Adrian Garcia Bogliano, Making Of Featurette and the FX Featurette.An Official Selection at SXSW 2014 and the Fantasia Film Festival, LATE PHASES: NIGHT OF THE LONE WOLF has received widespread acclaim. Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times called it "a sprightly horror movie." "A masterpiece of the werewolf genre," said Patrick Cooper of Bloody Disgusting. "Like Liam Neeson's The Grey but with the ass-kicking ending those 'Neeson vs. wolves' commercials promised,” wrote Matt Barone at Complex.

Master Harris just had leg surgery. Does that mean the Master is out? Martial Arts is the mind body and soul. Master Harris talks about how to turn pain into a victory. Plus... why don't most adults take Martial Arts? Is there a disconnection from truth? how can you be a leader and locate your champion in the mirror?

Starting with a few Beanie-crazed housewives on a cul-de-sac in Naperville, Illinois, Beanie Babies became the first viral craze of the Internet era. A single Beanie Baby sold for $10,000 in 1998, and on eBay the animals comprised 10% of all sales. More than any other consumer good in history, Beanie Babies were carried to the height of success by a collective belief that their values would always rise.Just as strange as the mass hysteria, was the man behind it. From the day he started in the toy industry, after dropping out of college, Ty Warner devoted all his energy to creating what he hoped would be the most perfect stuffed animals the world had ever seen. Through first-ever interviews with former Ty Inc. employees, Warner’s sister, and the two ex-girlfriends who were by his side as he achieved the American dream, The Great Beanie Baby Bubble tells the inspiring yet tragic story of one of America’s most enigmatic self-made tycoons, who most recently made news when he pleaded guilty in one of the largest offshore tax evasion cases in US history.

Bestseller Ellis the Elephant Delights Kids and Adultsin Callista Gingrich’s From Sea To Shining SeaArlington, VA, October 26, 2014 - Callista Gingrich announces the release of From Sea to Shining Sea (Regnery Kids), the fourth volume in her New York Times bestselling Ellis the Elephant series.A patriotic American history introduction for young children, From Sea to Shining Sea follows an adorable elephant named Ellis in exploring the early years of the United States and the epic journey west into uncharted territory with Lewis and Clark. Charming rhymes and beautiful illustrations make the 50th reading as fun as the first, for children as well as adults!In earlier books, Sweet Land of Liberty, Land of the Pilgrims’ Pride, and Yankee Doodle Dandy, Ellis, the time-traveling pachyderm, learns about pivotal moments that shaped America. Authored by Callista Gingrich and illustrated by Susan Arciero, From Sea to Shining Sea will delight those who want to know how brave Americans forged a growing nation and spread freedom from coast to coast.Callista Gingrich is the president of Gingrich Productions. She and her husband, Newt─ a former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives─host and produce historical and public policy documentaries. Recent films include A City Upon A Hill, America at Risk, and Nine Days that Changed the World.Mrs. Gingrich is also the co-author of Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny. Her photography is featured in the New York Times bestseller Rediscovering God in America. An avid musician, she sings in the Choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. and plays French horn with the City of Fairfax Band in Fairfax, Virginia. She resides in McLean, Virginia with her husband, Newt Gingrich.For more, please visit the website: www.EllisTheElephant.com