If you have roofing issues in or around Victoria, BC, the guy to call is John from Bang On Roofing. He was prompt, efficient, and he gave me the complete lowdown on what I did and didn’t need to do. I’d use him again in a heartbeat. Now I can stop worrying and settle down to write.
The blessings and curses of rain
15 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in News
Yesterday was the second day of rain we’ve had in months. The salmon streams desperately needed water. So did the forests. We always have water conservation during the summer months; still, our reservoir was dangerously low. So the rain was truly welcome. Unfortunately, it’s the day my roof chose to leak. Apparently no one comes out for leaky roofs on Sundays, so I hope I can get someone here today because another storm is on it’s way…
Chek News visits my little library…
13 Oct 2012 3 Comments
in News
Chek News did a nice little piece on piece on my free mini-library tonight. Thanks to Bruce Kirkpatrick for his visit to my little library. By the way Bruce, I’ve written 14 books, not just the two you saw in my library. If you want to catch it, it’s the October 13, 2012 piece on little library www.cheknews.ca
Orca Book Launch
12 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in For Kids, For Parents, for teens, News
If you plan to be in Victoria on November 5th, come by Bolen’s Books help launch seven new books.
It’s free and it’ll be fun so see you there!
My mini-library is about to be a star
10 Oct 2012 2 Comments
in News
I spent a half hour with Bruce Kirkpatrick and a cameraman from CHEK News this morning. They’re doing a story on my mini-library on Saturday October 13th at 5pm (channel 6 in Victoria). My mini-library is about to be a star!
Island Santa passes it’s test run with flying colors
09 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Parents, News Tags: Christmas books
Island Santa had it’s first test run today. Joining illustrator Sheena Lott and I at the launch of our new picture book at the beautiful historic South Park School in Victoria was Jeneece Edroff. The grade 2-3 class was treated to Sheena’s original artwork while I read the story. The kids were awesome, and so was Jeneece, Vancouver Island’s “Penny Girl.” Her fundraising efforts resulted in the opening of Jeneece Place. Jeneece Place is a home away from home for families whose children need to leave their communities for medical care.
The kids loved the story and they loved hearing about how Jeneece started raising money for families when she was their age. They also loved hearing about the idea for the story. It was based on Karre Norgaard, and his passion for helping others. Every year he turned his boat into a floating sleigh to deliver Christmas presents to families in isolated coastal communities. The Norgaard Foundation also helped make Jeneece Place possible. Jeneece and Karre never met, but they are so alike in their commitment to helping others.
Check out this short video clip from CTV News. Fast forward to see part of the launch. 4:49-6:04
Teacher Alert:
The Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island has put together a fabulous free teacher’s guide to use with Island Santa. Download it here.
So much be be thankful for
06 Oct 2012 1 Comment
in News
Pumpkins galore and blue sky making this a perfect Thanksgiving weekend made even more perfect since I’m on my way to the ferry to pick up one of my girls. We’ll all be together for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. My youngest daughter and her boyfriend won’t arrive until late tomorrow after a full day of work. Who cares if we have to eat late…we’ll all be here together packed into my tiny house, eating and drinking and sharing stories and love. I have so much to be thankful for. I hope you do too. 🙂
Island Santa has arrived!
05 Oct 2012 1 Comment
in News
Just got my copies of my new picture book, Island Santa. It’s a gorgeous with illustrations by Sheena Lott. The proceeds will support the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island and Jeneece Place, a home away form home for families who need to leave their communities to get medical care for their children. Island Santa is available at a bookstore near you. If your local bookseller doesn’t have it, get them to order it from Orca Book Publishers.
Writing opportunity: Ladies’ Home Journal
04 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Help for writers, News
If you’re a struggling writer and happen to live in the US, below are details for a contest that might be worth checking out…sorry my Canuck friends, you are sadly out of luck on this one!
Ladies’ Home Journal is having a “Tell Us About The Day That Changed Your Life” personal essay contest that could put some serious coin in your pocket and put you on the publishing map; not to mention give your ego a serious boost. They are a community that shares stories — and they want to hear yours. If you win their essay contest, they’ll give you $3,000 and the chance to have your essay published in the Journal. You’re free to interpret the topic in whatever way you like, but keep in mind that they value creativity and clarity.
Essays will be judged on their emotional power, originality, and the quality of their prose. They should be no more than 2,000 words and ideally typed or written in a Microsoft Word document.
You can enter the contest by e-mailing your submission as an attachment (with your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address) to LHJessaycontest@meredith.com or by mailing a copy to Personal Essay Contest, Ladies’ Home Journal, 805 Third Ave., 26th Fl., New York, NY 10022. Entries are due by December 7, 2012.
Check out the contest rules here, and last year’s winning essay here.
Celebrate Science Nov. 3, 2012
03 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in For Kids, For Parents, News
|
2212 Main Mall, UBC Vancouver 604 827-4955
|
CELEBRATE SCIENCE 2012
Turn Kids On To Science!
Saturday November 3, 2012
9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Register at:
Join us for our third annual celebration of science—an event for educators, writers, librarians and parents. Find out how to inspire young minds to love science and math through interesting science books, simple hands-on activities and science collections!
Featured Scientist
Dr. David Close (traditional name Himko-kaps-kap) of the Aboriginal Fisheries Research Centre will share his passion for protecting the Pacific lamprey—an eel-like fish with a large, sucking mouth full of horny teeth. Through cutting-edge science and traditional knowledge he furthers our understanding of one of the oldest native fish species and why it is disappearing in British Columbia.
Featured BC Science Writers
Dianna Bonder, illustrator of Leon’s Song; Alex Gabriel, science centre/museum interpreter and writer; Tanya Kyi, author of the 50 Questions Series; Shar Levine and Leslie Johnston, authors of over 70 hands-on science books such as Backyard Science, Nature Science, Projects for a Healthy Planet; Michelle Mulder, science enthusiast.
Here’s your chance to visit one of Vancouver’s premier museums and be treated to a guided tour! Learn about their fascinating collection and about their exciting programs. Did we mention the best part? This year the event is FREE! Who could turn down a fun-filled morning featuring the skeleton of a blue whale?
SPACE IS LIMITED, REGISTER EARLY! ONLY 100 TICKETS AVAILABLE.
Sheryl McFarlane 