I just spoke with Jennie McClintock VP of MOMS Club of Lansdale. The organization is hosting its first  Scarecrow Contest
So get  your creative juices flowing, you have a few weeks to come up with a  most unique scarecrow.   Deadline for entries is Sept. 29.

Check the group's contest Facebook page for more information.
Families, groups, teams, classrooms and other organizations, including businesses can participate. Entry fee is $20. Also, they will be conducting online voting via Facebook and in person as well during Lansdale's First Friday on Oct. 7. Check http://www.facebook.com/LansdaleScarecrowContest.


Here are the rules:

2011 CATEGORIES TO ENTER:

• Mascot Scarecrow

Create the person, place or thing - past, present or future that best represents your business, group or organization!

Prizes:

 1st: CASH PRIZE & 1 yr Ad in MOMS Newsletter & Trophy (Bragging rights)

 2nd: CASH PRIZE & 6 Month Ad

 3rd: CASH PRIZE & 1 Month Ad

  

• Traditional/Contemporary Scarecrow

 Pay homage to the scarecrows that have been "scaring crows" from the farmer's fields and gardens for centuries or create the scarecrow of the future!  You may choose to add parts that move or make noise.

Prizes:

 1st: CASH PRIZE & 1 yr Ad in MOMS Newsletter & Trophy (Bragging rights)

 2nd: CASH PRIZE & 6 Month Ad

 3rd: CASH PRIZE & 1 Month Ad

• Now That’s Entertainment Scarecrow

 Open a world of possibilities as you create a scarecrow interpretation of your favorite television, movie, or book character - human, animal or animated!

Prizes:

 1st: CASH PRIZE & 1 yr Ad in MOMS Newsletter & Trophy (Bragging rights)

 2nd: CASH PRIZE & 6 Month Ad

 3rd: CASH PRIZE & 1 Month Ad

OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

 1. Fill out an entry form and return form along with entry fee of $20.00 to MOMS Club of Lansdale PA by September 23, 2011. A written description of your entry and title must accompany your OFFICIAL SCARECROW COMPETITION ENTRY BLANK. MOMS Club reserves the right to refuse a scarecrow entry which we feel may be offensive to the general public.

 2. Scarecrows must be built to fit on an approved stake. When you drop off your scarecrow, you must provide a stake which will be secured in the ground at your display location the weekend of October 7th.

 3. Please attach a permanent weatherproof sign on the lower part of your scarecrow stand with the name and category of your entry as well as the name of your business/organization.

 4. Scarecrows may not touch the ground; and no materials may be put on the ground around or under your scarecrow.

 5.  IMPORTANT: Your scarecrow MUST BE WEATHER-RESISTANT & STURDY in order to qualify for displaying and judging.  Consider the wind and rain when choosing and securing materials to your creation.  We strongly encourage entrants to visit their creations the weekend of display for periodic check-ups.  During the time your entry is on display you may make any necessary repairs but no additions/alterations.  MOMS Club reserves the right to remove any scarecrows that do not hold up to the weather.

 6. NO PERISHABLE GOODS may be used in the construction of your scarecrow (i.e., pumpkins, squash, etc.).

 7. MOMS Club is NOT RESPONSIBLE for the security of the scarecrows on display.

 8. Your scarecrow must be completed and ready for photographing September 30th at which time your display location will be issued. You will be given the drop off location at this time as well.  NO EARLY CROWS.  MOMS CLUB REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE AT THE DROP OFF LOCATION TO GIVE YOU YOUR OFFICIAL ENTRY NUMBER AND SCARECROW LOCATION. Scarecrows will be on display from October 7^th until October 10^th.  You are responsible for dropping off your scarecrow at the time arranged.

 10. The public may vote for their favorites    http://www.facebook.com/LansdaleScarecrowContest  

during the week of September 30^th through October 7^th.  The public may also vote on their favorites at October 7^th First Friday at the MOMS Club table in the Kugel Ball Area.  Winners will be announced at approximately 8:30 pm the evening of October 7^th First Friday at the main stage in the Kugel Ball area.  Winners will also be posted on the website and prizes will be awarded the following week.  You do not have to be present to win.

 11. Scarecrows must be picked up Monday, October 11th. Any scarecrows that are not claimed and whose creator(s) have not arranged for alternative pick-up by October 11th will become the property of MOMS Club.

 12. MOMS Club reserves the right to photograph entries for any promotional purpose. Photographs become the property of MOMS Club.

 13. Scarecrow contestants who take their entries off the property prior to the close of the display or remove their entries for promotional purposes during the display without expressed written permission from MOMS Club will forfeit their prizes and titles.

 

• I had never heard of this organization. Have you?  
  It's an opportunity to recognize a special mom.

Nominate An Awe-Inspiring Mother!

Washington, D.C. – We all know at least one incredible mother who balances it all: a social life, a spiritual life, her job, her family, and her bank accounts, but what’s even more impressive is that she manages to do all of this while also making time to volunteer or lead organizations that help others. These women are an inspiration and American Mothers wishes to recognize and honor them for what they have achieved.
American Mothers, Inc. ® is a national non-profit organization that has a long tradition of honoring outstanding moms across the country and is now seeking nominations for the 2012 National Mother of the Year® and Young Mother of the Year. “It is our hope to recognize and thank moms for the many jobs they do on a daily basis and the significant contributions they are making in the community and our country,” says Connell Branan, president of American Mothers, Inc. “We’re searching for those ordinary moms doing extraordinary things and invite anyone to nominate that inspirational mother in their life.”
Nominations are also being accepted for a new Mother of Achievement Award. This recognition is given to a mother who has given great service and positive support to her children and/or other children and families in the community. “American Mothers, Inc. created this award to acknowledge a mother for her significant talents and community service,” explains Branan.
To qualify for the National Mother of the Year award, at least one of the nominee’s children must be over the age of eighteen, and for the Young Mother of the Year award, all of the nominee’s children must be under the age of eighteen.
The 2011 winners were:
Ernestine Allen – Mother of the Year – Washington, D.C.
Shawnalee Eyre Pothier – Young Mother of the Year – Gilbert, AZ

To submit a nomination, visit  www.americanmothers.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
American Mothers, Inc.
Contact: Sandy Sponaugle – Sandy@platinumpr.com
1666 K Street, NW, Suite 260
Washington, DC  20006
877-242-4264

NASA Accepting Applications For Aeronautics Scholarships

 

 

WASHINGTON -- NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate is accepting scholarship applications from graduate and undergraduate students for the 2012 academic year. The application deadline is Jan. 15, 2012.

Graduate students must apply under a specific research topic to align with NASA's aeronautics research programs. The list of available topics is posted online.

NASA expects to award 20 undergraduate and five graduate scholarships to students in aeronautics or related fields. Undergraduate students entering their second year of study will receive up to $15,000 per year for two years and the opportunity to receive a $10,000 stipend by interning at a NASA research center during the summer.

Graduate students will receive up to $35,000 per year for up to three years, with an opportunity to receive a $10,000 stipend interning at a NASA research center for up to two consecutive summers.

"Pairing our best aeronautical innovators at NASA with the nation's brightest students, through internship opportunities in our scholarship program helps ensure we will continue to have the talented workforce we need to solve the challenges of 21st century aviation," said Jaiwon Shin, associate administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

Students not committed to a specific academic institution or program still may apply. If accepted, they must be admitted by fall 2012 into an aeronautical engineering program or related field of study at an accredited U.S. university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Scholarship money may be used for tuition and other school-related expenses.

NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate conducts cutting-edge, fundamental and integrated systems research in traditional and emerging disciplines. The intent is to help transform the nation's air transportation system and to support development of future air and space vehicles.

Its goals include improving airspace capacity and flexibility; aviation safety and aircraft performance; reducing overall noise, engine emissions and fuel usage.

For details about this scholarship program, a list of available research topics and the application process, visit:

http://nasa.asee.org/

For more information about aeronautics research at NASA, visit:

http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov

To stay healthy another reminder is not one too many in my book.

And, as kids head out to school here's some health advice for parents. You can print it and keep it on hand or pass it on ...

http://1.usa.gov/p6q7JG