HUB news update-March 26

Homeschool HUB Weekly News--March 26   Homeschool HUB phone: 269-240-6094 email: homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   website: www.hshub.org  Editor: Annette Ernsperger   The information below is offered to you as a service.  Please research and decide for yourself the value to your family.  The Homeschool HUB does not endorse any programs or services other than those offered by the Homeschool HUB.     Send information to be added to the update no later than the Thursday before the week you want it to appear:  homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   Details for the following events are on the calendar at: www.calendar.yahoo.com/homeschoolhub ON THE CALENDAR: Mar. 29 and Paril 1--Open swimming for homeschoolers at Niles YMCA, 2-4 pm, $2  April 2--Homeschool bowling, Strikes and Spares, 1-3, $5 April 3--Chess at Niles library, 9:30 a.m., free HERE'S THE BUZZ: 1) Travel club 2) International food fair 3) Interesting TV program 4) Nest Watch project 5) Online math classes 6) Michigan home education convention And LAST BUT NOT LEAST: classified ads and links of interest at the end of your weekly news.  See also the Letting it Ride section at the end.  1) Travel Club forming The Homeschool HUB is planning to start a homeschool travel club.  We will plan two trips each year, one big trip and one smaller trip.  Next year we want to go to London in the fall and to Chicago in the spring.  If anyone has information on good deals for airfare or hotels please let us know.  As we get things set up we will send out the details.  If you want to help, contact Donnelda Lohr at 269 683-2372.  To raise some of the money homeschoolers can work concessions for Silverhawks games in South Bend this summer.  Call Kathy Joyce at 269 695-1654 this weekend to find out the details and dates available for working the games. 2) International Food Fair at Andrews This Sunday from 1 - 7pm is the annual International Food Fair at Andrews University.  This is an opportunity to go out for lunch or dinner, spend $5 - $8 per person, and buy a meal made up of samples of genuine ethnic food from many different lands.  We've gone several times and always loved it.  For a description from the Andrews web site go here:  http://www.andrews.edu/news/2010/03/food_fair_2010.html 3) Food Revolution Here is a show that looks interesting and educational - Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.  The trailer is here - http://www.jamieoliver.com/about/jamie-oliver-videos/jamies-food-revolution-trailer and the show is tonight (Friday) at 9pm.  We are taping it for the HUB resource library if you are a member and you miss it tonight.     4) My name is Laura Burkholder and I'm the new leader of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's NestWatch project. As you may know, collecting information about nesting birds is what NestWatch is all about. The new season is just getting underway--and we need friends like you to help gather information from across the continent.  The always-popular NestCams are also back in action. You can get a live peek into nests and nest boxes across the country. Live cameras for Barn Owls, Barred Owls, and Wood Ducks are online right now with Eastern Bluebirds and other species soon to follow at www.nestcams.org. Everything you need to take part in NestWatch is available online at www.nestwatch.org, including directions on how you find nests, how to build and put up nest boxes, and how you monitor nests without disturbing the birds.  5) Move over Saxon, Math-U-See, and Teaching Textbooks, there's a new kid on the block! TabletClass online homeschool curriculum delivers high quality video math lessons for middle school and high school students without the high price tag.   ·Free Trial ·Experts in Middle and High School Math ·Special Discounts/Group Plans   Don't make your homeschool math curriculum selection before seeing the amazing benefits TabletClass Math can offer- you'll love us!   www.TabletClass.com      Check out a full review of TabletClass Math at the PEAH Homeschool Site:  http://www.homeschool-curriculum-savings.com/online-homeschool-curriculum.html      Best regards, John Zimmerman, President "Clear and Understandable Math" 6) Michigan's largest homeschool event of the year is coming May 14 and 15 to the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave.,  in downtown Lansing… Are you coming, too?!?   Registration and details are now available on the INCH website: inch.org ~ Visit today and register by March 31 to get the best "early bird registration" rates! Featuring: Three amazing keynote speakers… Plus more than 50 other talented and knowledgeable workshop leaders Over 70 informative, inspiring workshops… on topics for every homeschool family Expanded shopping hours… Exhibit hall opens at 10 am Friday for 16 hours of shopping pleasure Special onsite programs for children and young adults… Led by Children's Conferences International and HSLDA's Generation Joshua Discount group rates at local hotels… Plus FREE host homes offered by local homeschooling families NEW Used Curriculum Sale, "Taste of Homeschooling", and Leaders' Seminar… All offered on Thursday Discounted family registration rates… Make it a family affair, and bring your children, teens, young adults, and even interested grandparents! Concerts, movies, networking, recognition of 2010 homeschool grads… and much, much more! Become an INCH fan on facebook to keep up with all the latest convention details and developments. http://www.facebook.com/INCHMI We invite you to join thousands of other home educators from around the state ~ Attend the 27th annual Michigan Home Education Convention in Lansing on May 14 & 15, with Pre-convention activities beginning on Thursday, May 13! Hurry… Early bird registration ends March 31!   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  CLASSIFIEDS   Have something for sale, free or trade?  Advertise here! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LAST BUT NOT LEAST--LINKS OF INTEREST (links do not imply endorsement):  Virtual field trip to Peeps factory: http://www.justborn.com/resource/corporate/popups/virtualTour.cfm Fun family science experiments:  http://www.justborn.com/resource/corporate/popups/virtualTour.cfm Live owl cam: http://www.sportsmansparadiseonline.com/Live_Owl_Nest_Box_Cam.html Online geography games: http://www.maps.com/FunFacts.aspx?nav=FS Interactive geography game: http://www.homefires.com/click?billybug Do you have any favorite websites?  Send them to us and we'll share them! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LETTING IT RIDE: The Homeschool HUB is continuing to collect Campbell Soup labels, Campbell's Chunky Soup labels, Campbell's Healthy Request labels, Campbell's Select harvest, Franco-American, Pepperidge Farm, Spaghettios, Swanson, V-8 Beverages, V-8 Fusion, Prego Italian Sauces and Campbell's Food Service.   Give your labels to any board member or bring them to our homeschool functions. --AND-- We are still accepting Boxtops for education labels.  You can find these on: Betty Crocker goods Gold Medal Flour Nestle products Cherrios Cascadian Farm products Chex Cocoa Puffs Cookie Crisp Country Cornflakes Fiber One products Golden Grahams Honey Nut Clusters Lucky Charms Oatmeal Crisps TotalTrix Wheaties Green Giant vegetables Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Totino Pizza olls Hamburger Helper meals Old El Paso Suddenly Salad Yoplait Fruit Flavored shapes Ziploc Kleenex Scott Kotex Poise Depend Hefty Nature Valley Cottonelle  Huggies Goodnites Pull Ups Avery School supplies Go to Boxtops for Education.org for more info, and then SAVE SAVE SAVE  those labels.  Each one nets 10 cents and every 10 cents adds up. You can give them to any HUB board director or bring them to any of our functions that we will be having.  Thank-you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DISCLAIMERS:  While the Homeschool HUB believes that these events or opportunities may be of value to home educators, announcements do not constitute an endorsement by the Homeschool HUB, or its Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of individual parents to determine the appropriateness of any event or opportunity for their children. Participation in any event is voluntary and the participant assumes complete responsibility and liability for themselves, their family, anyone accompanying them, and their personal property.

HUB news update--March 20

Homeschool HUB Weekly News--March 20   Homeschool HUB phone: 269-240-6094 email: homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   website: www.hshub.org  Editor: Annette Ernsperger   The information below is offered to you as a service.  Please research and decide for yourself the value to your family.  The Homeschool HUB does not endorse any programs or services other than those offered by the Homeschool HUB.     Send information to be added to the update no later than the Thursday before the week you want it to appear:  homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   Details for the following events are on the calendar at: www.calendar.yahoo.com/homeschoolhub ON THE CALENDAR: Mar. 22--Ice hockey, Ice Box in South Bend, $5, ages 7-18. Call Marv Bolt at 574-234-1584 for more info Mar. 22 and 25--Open swimming for homeschoolers at Niles YMCA, 2-4 pm, $2  Mar. 26--Homeschool bowling, Strikes and Spares, 1-3, $5 HERE'S THE BUZZ: 1) Free history DVDs 2) Stores offering discounts 3) Homeschool Bookshoppe 4) Six Flags reading program 5) Easter baskets 6) Homeschool science classes at Andrews University 7) Senior banquet 8) Bethel College plays And LAST BUT NOT LEAST: classified ads and links of interest at the end of your weekly news.  See also the Letting it Ride section at the end.  1) America The Story of US — premiering on HISTORY™ April 25 at 9pm/8c — is a six week event that provides a fascinating look at the stories of the people, events, and innovations that forged our nation. It will provide you with an unprecedented opportunity to bring our nation's history to life for your students. This 12-hour series will be supported by educational materials tied to curriculum standards and is copyright cleared for Fair Use in the classroom by instructors or pupils in the course of face-to-face teaching activities. HISTORY is offering "America The Story of US" on DVD to every school in the United States. School must be an accredited public, private or home school, for grades K-12 and college. In order to receive your school's DVD, your school principal (grades K-12) or Dean of Students (college) should fill out the request form at the link below. HISTORY strictly limits one request per school. DVD requests must be made prior to July 1, 2010. DVD's will be mailed around August 2010 and free shipping is included in this offer. http://classroom.history.com/america-dvd/event/form 2) Here's a coupon for 35% off at United Art and Education, good Sat. and Sun. only:  http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe5b1573726c0d7f7314&m=ff041670776403&ls=fdeb12747560007b7d13757d&l=fe8715777263037a71&s=fe5517737763017b7d1c&jb=ff9c1671&ju=fe31157677610075741572&r=0 --AND-- Border's Educator Appreciation 30% off discount:  http://ebm.cheetahmail.com/c/tag/hBLoaasAQfEXsB8D$IZAFyVY5GR/doc.html?t_params=I_FROM%3D1%26I_NEW_FOOTER1%3D0%26EMAIL%3Dkathyjoyce%2540yahoo.com%26SEGMENT_ID%3D14&cmpid=SA_20100318 3) The Homeschool Bookshoppe in Elkhart, IN opened in 2002 and we carry new and used homeschooling curricula.  Popular publishers are always in stock and discounted 10% off the retail; used curricula is 60% of the retail and goes down from there depending on condition.  We accept current edition used curricula on consignment.  We will be having some great sales this summer as well.   Even though we're only open one day a week, it is fine for customers to just show up because the store is in our home!  We're next to Meijer right on US 33 so it's very easy to find.  Customers may also make an appt. if they want to guarantee I'll be there.      The Homeschool Bookshoppe 23188 US 33 Elkhart, IN  46517 (574) 875-0523 sprygal8@gmail.com Near Meijer in Dunlap, next to First Source Bank Year Round Thurs. 1-6 August only Thurs. & Fri. 1-8 Or by Appt.     4) The Six Flags reading program is for elementary students (gades K-6). You need to log 6 hours of reading by February 24th.  List the teacher, who will also get a ticket.  If you have two children, list mom as teacher for one, and dad as teacher for the other and submit 2 separate forms (only one ticket allowed per teacher).  Send the form, with a stamped, self-addressed envelope, to the Homeschool HUB:  P.O. Box 286, Niles, MI  49120 attn: Peggy Schindler. We should receive it no later than March 1st.  Please don't forget the SASE -- we need it to send you your 6 Flags tickets when they come.  Admission tickets will be valid at participating Six Flags theme parks from June 14 to August 8, 2010.  For more info, contact: Peggy Schindler at 269-695-2686. 5) Friends we need your help!  We have the Easter Baskets, the grass and 400 plus kids in Foster Care and at local shelters in Berrien County waiting for their baskets.  We just need YOUR help in getting enough Candy and items to fill the baskets.  Donations are being accepted through March 23rd at the Volunteer Center Offices at 605 Pleasant Street in down town St. Joseph or 210 E. Main Street in downtown Niles.  Items can also be dropped by at the Hampton Inn in Stevensville.  The Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan is a United Way partner agency. 6) Homeschool high school science classes:  A deposit of $75 is required to hold a spot in either class.  Below are the age/grade levels we believe are appropriate for the courses we offer.  There are overlaps allowing for difference in maturity, science interests and math skill level prior to taking a course.   Approximate Level COURSE-Year offered AGE range GRADES MATH SKILL LEVEL     1 Physical Science-11/12   13-16 8-10 Pre-Algebra or Algebra     1 Biology-10/11  13-16 8-10 Pre-Algebra or Algebra     2 Chemistry-11/12   16-18 10-12 Algebra or Advanced Math     2 Adv. Biology-10/11  16-18 10-12 Algebra or Advanced Math Courses in levels 1 or 2 can be taken in any order within that level but it is important to take Physical Science before taking Chemistry and Biology before taking Advanced Biology. Note: It is my goal to continue offering these courses as long as they are needed but the above schedule cannot be considered a guarantee as personal circumstances could dictate otherwise. Costs – Biology: $ 340 Tuition for the year Advanced Biology: $400 Tuition for the year Lab costs for either class: $90 approximate for the full year. The $75 deposit goes toward these lab costs. Feel free to contact me with any questions.      Randy Graves, M.S. gravesr@andrews.edu 269.473.5935 7) Senior banquet--watch for information about this fun high school senior banquet! 8) Charlotte's Web at Bethel College- The field trip performance on Thursday, March 25 @ 9:30 am has sold out.  Bethel has kindly added a special admission matinee for Saturday, March 27 @ 2:00 pm.  There are also evening performances.  Please call Bethel directly for more information.  574-257-3425 Mendel Center presents, "Are You My Mother?" Diane Day has reserved seats for this play for the 10 am performance on March 22.  Tickets are $3 each. Please contact Diane Day to confirm your seats.  T Diane Day 269-445-1900 269-370-4589 (Centennial/AT&T)   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  CLASSIFIEDS I have a friend whose daughter needs some interactive learning.  We can't afford ABeka DVD's and would like more than just D.I.V.E. for math.  Does anyone have any? Are there any other less expensive interactives out there?  I love the idea of ABeka but I hate the price!  And no resale! Contact Diane: joharding_20@yahoo.com   Have something for sale, free or trade?  Advertise here! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LAST BUT NOT LEAST--LINKS OF INTEREST (links do not imply endorsement):  Virtual field trip to Mount Everest: http://www.homefires.com/click?everest Online geography games: http://www.maps.com/FunFacts.aspx?nav=FS Interactive geography game: http://www.homefires.com/click?billybug Do you have any favorite websites?  Send them to us and we'll share them! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LETTING IT RIDE: The Homeschool HUB is continuing to collect Campbell Soup labels, Campbell's Chunky Soup labels, Campbell's Healthy Request labels, Campbell's Select harvest, Franco-American, Pepperidge Farm, Spaghettios, Swanson, V-8 Beverages, V-8 Fusion, Prego Italian Sauces and Campbell's Food Service.   Give your labels to any board member or bring them to our homeschool functions. --AND-- We are still accepting Boxtops for education labels.  You can find these on: Betty Crocker goods Gold Medal Flour Nestle products Cherrios Cascadian Farm products Chex Cocoa Puffs Cookie Crisp Country Cornflakes Fiber One products Golden Grahams Honey Nut Clusters Lucky Charms Oatmeal Crisps TotalTrix Wheaties Green Giant vegetables Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Totino Pizza olls Hamburger Helper meals Old El Paso Suddenly Salad Yoplait Fruit Flavored shapes Ziploc Kleenex Scott Kotex Poise Depend Hefty Nature Valley Cottonelle  Huggies Goodnites Pull Ups Avery School supplies Go to Boxtops for Education.org for more info, and then SAVE SAVE SAVE  those labels.  Each one nets 10 cents and every 10 cents adds up. You can give them to any HUB board director or bring them to any of our functions that we will be having.  Thank-you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DISCLAIMERS:  While the Homeschool HUB believes that these events or opportunities may be of value to home educators, announcements do not constitute an endorsement by the Homeschool HUB, or its Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of individual parents to determine the appropriateness of any event or opportunity for their children. Participation in any event is voluntary and the participant assumes complete responsibility and liability for themselves, their family, anyone accompanying them, and their personal property.

HUB news update--March 12

Homeschool HUB Weekly News--March 12   Homeschool HUB phone: 269-240-6094 email: homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   website: www.hshub.org  Editor: Annette Ernsperger   The information below is offered to you as a service.  Please research and decide for yourself the value to your family.  The Homeschool HUB does not endorse any programs or services other than those offered by the Homeschool HUB.     Send information to be added to the update no later than the Thursday before the week you want it to appear:  homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   Details for the following events are on the calendar at: www.calendar.yahoo.com/homeschoolhub ON THE CALENDAR: Mar. 15 and 18--Open swimming for homeschoolers at Niles YMCA, 2-4 pm, $2  Mar. 12 and 19--Homeschool bowling, Strikes and Spares, 1-3, $5 Mar. 20--Chess at Niles library, 9:30 a.m., free HERE'S THE BUZZ: 1) Fort St. Joseph museum program 2) Game night postponed 3) Lego robotics for parents 4) Six Flags reading program 5) Vetavisit 6) Homeschool prom 7) Midwest Homeschool Convention 8) Bethel College--free concert and art show 9) Summer robotics classes 10) Jazz jam  11) Saxophone lessons 12) Volunteer opportunities And LAST BUT NOT LEAST: classified ads and links of interest at the end of your weekly news.  See also the Letting it Ride section at the end.  1) Crafts and More Crafts!  Saturday, March 20, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts will be assisting children at several craft tables set up through out the museum. Children can create some wonderful works of bead work, quill work, and appliqué! Free Admission. No program fee.  Fort St. Joseph Museum  508 E. Main St. Niles, MI  amorales@nilesmi.org 269-683-4702 ext. 236 2) Game Night  The game night has to be postponed due to the unavailability of the space usually use.  Watch for the rescheduled date! 3) Lego Robotics sessions at LMC for parents Two free sessions for parents of kids currently or recently in robotics classes.  Parents will have fun learning how to program the robots and use the sensors.  No experience needed.  Limit 16.  Saturdays, March 13 and 27, from 9am - noon.  At Lake Michigan College Bertrand Crossing Campus in Niles.  For more information and to reserve a spot call Meg Edwards at 269 695-1391.   4) The Six Flags reading program is for elementary students (gades K-6). You need to log 6 hours of reading by February 24th.  List the teacher, who will also get a ticket.  If you have two children, list mom as teacher for one, and dad as teacher for the other and submit 2 separate forms (only one ticket allowed per teacher).  Send the form, with a stamped, self-addressed envelope, to the Homeschool HUB:  P.O. Box 286, Niles, MI  49120 attn: Peggy Schindler. We should receive it no later than March 1st.  Please don't forget the SASE -- we need it to send you your 6 Flags tickets when they come.  Admission tickets will be valid at participating Six Flags theme parks from June 14 to August 8, 2010.  For more info, contact: Peggy Schindler at 269-695-2686. Note: The reading log you need to fill out and return to Peggy is in PDF form as an attachment to this newsletter.   5) Lots of fun learning going on here! This is a free event and always a great experience! VETAVISIT 2010 Website: http://cvm.msu. edu/alumni- friends/vetavisit Vetavisit 2010, the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine's annual open house, will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free admission! No need to register. Allow several hours--there is a lot to see and do! Exhibits and displays are appropriate for all ages. FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN VETERINARY MEDICINE: Our undergraduate advisors will hold seminars for students interested in careers in veterinary medicine. "The Road to Becoming a Veterinarian" seminar will be held at 10 a.m. and repeated at 1 p.m. in the E-100 auditorium, located at the northwest corner of Veterinary Medical Center. At 12:00 Noon, a seminar on careers in veterinary technology will be held in room E-100. Also, forums will be held where the public can meet and talk with veterinary students and faculty--check the website for times and locations. This is another good opportunity to find out what it's like to attend veterinary school. VETAVISIT 2010 Website: http://cvm.msu.edu/alumni-friends/vetavisit Linda Silvers Editorial Assistant Media and Public Relations College of Veterinary Medicine Michigan State University F130 Veterinary Medical Center East Lansing, MI 48824-1314 Phone: (517) 355-0001 6) Homeschool Prom, "A Night of Divine Perfection," will be Saturday, May 1st, from 5-10 p.m.  The Prom is open for freshman through seniors only.  It will be held at the "Res" which is in the woods amongst beautiful trails and a creek.  The trails will be open from 5-6:30 to walk and dinner will be served at 6 p.m.  After dinner our Christian DJ will start playing some music to dance the night away. We will also take the time to honor our seniors and pray over them.   The cost is $25 a person.  Please make checks out to Dana DoBrodt and send to 58896 Elm Rd., Mishawaka, IN 46544.  Registration must be postmarked by April 15th to be accepted.  We will only take the first 60 people who send their registration in.   We ask that guys wear dress slacks and ties and girls wear modest dresses ("If you are in doubt, probably not" would be a good motto for choosing attire that evening).  Pictures will also be offered that night.   Please fill out the registration form and send along with your check.  Questions can be sent to hiddeneagles@att.net.                                                                               Name ___________________________Phone number_________________________   Year in school______ Member of homeschool group? yes or no If yes, name of homeschool group____________________________________   email _______________________________________________________________   Guest name __________________________ home schooled   yes or no   Guest's phone number __________________Yr in school___________ 7) Midwest Homeschool Convention WORKING SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE A well-run convention requires a tremendous amount of staffing. This includes staffing for the Registration Desk, booth watchers (when an exhibitor needs a break or is speaking), and "wrist-band" checkers that are posted at the entrances.  This great need is met each year through volunteers that love the convention and simply wish to help homeschoolers. Many of these staffing needs are met through our Working Scholarship program. Please click here for more information on the Working Scholarship program: http://www.cincinnatihomeschoolconvention.com/working-scholarships-available/ P.S.  Don't forget to visit the Question & Answer page of the convention website. Most questions are already answered there. --PLUS--  We have exciting news!  Leigh Bortins, founder of Classical Conversations, is a featured speaker at the Midwest Convention coming up in about a month.  Leigh will be giving four fabulous workshops, and we hope you'll join us.  She is a very inspirational speaker, and you will certainly be blessed to hear her speak.  Her 20 years of homeschool experience and down-to-earth personality make her a joy to interact with in person.   8) Bethel College Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles to Perform Free Concert--Conducted by Vicky Tan Warkentien The Bethel College Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles will present time-honored classics and modern gems in a free concert open to the community conducted by Vicky Tan Warkentien, assistant professor of music. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Apr. 12, in the Everest-Rohrer Chapel/Fine Arts Center Auditorium on the Bethel campus. The concert will feature a movement from a classic double concerto, "Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp," and another from a great triple concerto, "J. S Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5." In addition, Beethoven's "The Consecration of the House" will be performed by the full orchestra and selections from Saint-Saëns' popular "Carnival of the Animals: Zoological Fantasy for 2 Pianos and Chamber Ensemble" will highlight various combinations of instruments. Marilynn Ham, associate professor of music and artist-in-residence, will perform several of her own hymn arrangements with the orchestra, while members of the orchestra will also combine in several short works for chamber ensembles. For more information, contact the department of music at 574.257.3393. --PLUS-- Students Showcase Art in Weaver Gallery   The Bethel College department of visual arts will be hosting its Third Annual Juried Student Art Show. The students' artwork will be displayed in the Weaver Gallery, located inside the Everest-Rohrer Chapel/Fine Arts Center. The exhibit will run Feb. 20 to Mar. 22, Mon. through Sat., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.     The event is free and open to the community. For more information, contact the department of visual arts at 574.807.7022 or visualart@BethelCollege.edu. 9) LMC Middle School Summer Robot Camp This fun and educational camp is designed for students entering grades 5-9 in the fall.  This is a five-day fun and creative learning experience to keep kids busy during the summer.  Kids work in pairs to solve challenges by building and programming robots using the LEGO Mindstorms (RCX) Robotics Invention System.  In addition to having fun, participants learn about mechanical and software design, problem solving, and teamwork skills.  Student teams will complete several projects and mini challenges.  Build your own programmable robot!  Learn some computer programming to control your robot! *  Minimum age is 9 (recommended for ages 9 - 14).  No previous experience required. *  Students will have a partner for most activities, and are expected to cooperate and share well.  Each day includes structured lessons and activities to practice construction and programming skills. *  Student need to bring their own sack lunch, and be motivated and mature enough to stay focused on robotics activities all day. Robot I Courses:   07/12/10 - 07/16/10      CRN 50345 07/19/10 - 07/23/10      CRN 50346 07/26/10 - 07/30/10      CRN 50495 8/02/10 - 08/06/10      CRN 50344 Time: 9am - 3pm Location:  Lake Michigan College, Bertrand Crossing Campus, 1905 Foundation Drive, Niles Limit:  16 students/camp Cost:  $150 Instructor:  Meg Edwards For information and registration call 269 695-1391   10) Last chance to join the jazz improv group The jazz group will meet again Saturday, March 13, from 11am - 1pm at the LMC Bertrand Crossing campus.  This is only the second meeting, so you can still jump in if you want.  They covered a lot of theory the first time, and will do more jamming from now on. 11) Charlotte's Web at Bethel College- The field trip performance on Thursday, March 25 @ 9:30 am has sold out.  Bethel has kindly added a special admission matinee for Saturday, March 27 @ 2:00 pm.  There are also evening performances.  Please call Bethel directly for more information.  574-257-3425 Mendel Center presents, "Are You My Mother?" Diane Day has reserved seats for this play for the 10 am performance on March 22.  Tickets are $3 each. Please contact Diane Day to confirm your seats.  T Diane Day 269-445-1900 269-370-4589 (Centennial/AT&T) 11) I am offering private lessons for classical or jazz saxophone in all levels from beginner to professional at my home in Jimtown (near Elkhart). I have a B.M.E. and a Masters in Music in Saxophone performance.  I have been playing for 33 years and teaching music in public schools since 1989.  Lessons are $15 for 1/2 hour and $30 per hour.  I can be reached at cell 574-220-1756 or at bucharts@verizon.net Thank you very much, Dean Swihart 12) Volunteer opportunities:  *Sarett Nature Preserve is looking for volunteers: Sarett's Spring Stampede is April 10.  Celebrate spring with a run.  They are seeking course spotters for the event.    *Earned Income Tax Coalition: Greeters are needed at the various sites in southwest MI.  Volunteers do the taxes of lower income people - so they can put more of their tax return to good use.  Greeters welcome people as they come in and have them sign in to meet with the volunteers, who do the tax returns. *Silver Beach Carousel in St. Joseph : Do you enjoy helping kids of all ages to have fun?  The Carousel is open when the kids have days off of school and on the weekends.  They also need assistants during evening fund raising events, from 7 to 9:30 pm - when the adults have fun on the carousel.  They also are looking for popcorn sale assistants from 10 am to 1:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 5 pm.  *Volunteers are welcome to join the Comcast employees for their annual Comcast Cares Day event that is taking place on Saturday, April 24.  They have partnered with the local veterans group called, Lest We Forget, but also have incorporated the Blue Star Mothers of Berrien County and the Benton Harbor VFW Post 1137 on Napier.  The goal is to gather at the VFW Post at 7 am to start the day.  All volunteers must sign in when they arrive.  If you register in advance by March 29, you will receive a free t-shirt.  Volunteers are being asked to sign waivers forms to participate by April 16 and so they can finalize the count for lunch.  The color guard and kick off ceremony begins at 7:30 am with elected officials and leaders from each nonprofit speaking.   Group photo at 8 am and dispersing to pre-assigned work assignments.  Some volunteers will: - replace ceiling tiles, paint walls and super clean the VFW post itself. - gather with the Lest We Forget leaders in the VFW parking lot to assemble American Flags on PVC pipe posts for an upcoming veterans event in St. Joseph. - work with the Blue Star Moms inside the post assembling care packages for deployed soldiers using donated items. - disperse to the homes of 4 veterans to perform yard cleaning and general upkeep projects.  Names provided by Dan Stice of the Berrien County Veterans office. The volunteers will re-gather for lunch at the VFW post at 1 pm and then are done.  Contact the Volunteer Center for additional details. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  CLASSIFIEDS   Have something for sale, free or trade?  Advertise here! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LAST BUT NOT LEAST--LINKS OF INTEREST (links do not imply endorsement):  Weekly educational travel column: www.TripsWithATwist.com Travel tips for large families: www.sixsuitcasetravel.com Good quote: If you give a child a fish, you feed him for a day.  If you teach a child to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. But if you teach a child to learn, you feed him for a lifetime  and he doesn't have to just eat fish. Do you have any favorite websites?  Send them to us and we'll share them! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LETTING IT RIDE: The Homeschool HUB is continuing to collect Campbell Soup labels, Campbell's Chunky Soup labels, Campbell's Healthy Request labels, Campbell's Select harvest, Franco-American, Pepperidge Farm, Spaghettios, Swanson, V-8 Beverages, V-8 Fusion, Prego Italian Sauces and Campbell's Food Service.   Give your labels to any board member or bring them to our homeschool functions. --AND-- We are still accepting Boxtops for education labels.  You can find these on: Betty Crocker goods Gold Medal Flour Nestle products Cherrios Cascadian Farm products Chex Cocoa Puffs Cookie Crisp Country Cornflakes Fiber One products Golden Grahams Honey Nut Clusters Lucky Charms Oatmeal Crisps TotalTrix Wheaties Green Giant vegetables Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Totino Pizza olls Hamburger Helper meals Old El Paso Suddenly Salad Yoplait Fruit Flavored shapes Ziploc Kleenex Scott Kotex Poise Depend Hefty Nature Valley Cottonelle  Huggies Goodnites Pull Ups Avery School supplies Go to Boxtops for Education.org for more info, and then SAVE SAVE SAVE  those labels.  Each one nets 10 cents and every 10 cents adds up. You can give them to any HUB board director or bring them to any of our functions that we will be having.  Thank-you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DISCLAIMERS:  While the Homeschool HUB believes that these events or opportunities may be of value to home educators, announcements do not constitute an endorsement by the Homeschool HUB, or its Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of individual parents to determine the appropriateness of any event or opportunity for their children. Participation in any event is voluntary and the participant assumes complete responsibility and liability for themselves, their family, anyone accompanying them, and their personal property.