<body><script type="text/javascript"> function setAttributeOnload(object, attribute, val) { if(window.addEventListener) { window.addEventListener('load', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }, false); } else { window.attachEvent('onload', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }); } } </script> <div id="navbar-iframe-container"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://apis.google.com/js/platform.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> gapi.load("gapi.iframes:gapi.iframes.style.bubble", function() { if (gapi.iframes && gapi.iframes.getContext) { gapi.iframes.getContext().openChild({ url: 'https://www.blogger.com/navbar/4440566920153561497?origin\x3dhttp://cherishwilsonstar.blogspot.com', where: document.getElementById("navbar-iframe-container"), id: "navbar-iframe" }); } }); </script>

Coming up this week... 7.16.2007 |

Here's some of the stories I'll be working on this week...

  • Kidsenses, in Rutherfordton, will be celebrating it's 100,000 visitor. Hopefully, I'll be there to cover (and partake) in the festivities!
  • A local teacher has received statewide recognition for her work to keep students safe
  • The Lumina Foundation, the YMCA and GWU have gotten a grant to study certain populations of college students
  • Background checks...what do you get? How far back does it go?

Have I missed something? Any questions you'd like answered? Leave a comment or email me to let me know!

Labels: , , ,

KidSenses confirms my geekdom... 7.05.2007 |

KidSenses Museum in Rutherfordton is aimed at children age birth to 10 years old. I'm a little older than that but let me tell you -- I had a blast.

Of course, I went with adult supervision...Photographer Jeff Melton. Jeff is used to seeing me run around a little crazy. It may come as no surprise that I have a reputation for being easily amused and highly excitable. Add to that Kidsenses' lethal combination of bright colors and interactive exhibits and I'm hooked.

In some museums, there's a feeling of being overwhelmed as soon as you walk in the door. But KidSenses -- since kids were in mind during the design -- is artfully laid out. There is a sense of much to do, make no mistake. But there is also the feeling that it's all doable and rushing through it all wouldn't be very wise.
The entrance is packed with all the props a kid could need to have a fulfilling make-believe experience. A fire truck, a grocery store, a news studio, an art studio...I'm missing something, no doubt. Unfortunately, I'm too tall to convincingly play in the fire truck and I dwarfed the kid-sized grocery store. Jeff might tell you that fact didn't stop me from trying out everything but Jeff is just jealous he was definitely too tall do play in any of the exhibits.
There was a room dedicated to bubbles! You CANNOT go wrong with a room dedicated to bubbles. Big bubbles, too. You should not bring your kids to KidSense with the anticipation that they will be gazing, chin raised at various exhibits explaining tectonic plate movement and moving begrudgingly down the Hall of Early Man. It's interactive to the nth degree.
At $5 per person (though I recommend a season pass...) it's a nice way to beat the heat (or dodge bad weather) and keep the kids from vegging out. If you're a nerd like me, it's a great place to take the special kid in your life...cousin, niece, nephew, little sister... and surreptitiously enjoy your visit, too.


I did find at least one thing that fit me...a throne. That's no coincidence. I want this to be my new office chair.

Labels: , , , , ,

Storms: All you ever wanted to know and then some... 6.26.2007 |

National Weather Service 7 day forecast -Not only is this a great Web site to get weather information from (no ads, very localized information) it has a geek factor unrivaled. Under the "Additional Forecasts & Information" click "Forecast Discussion." It's not exactly Vitale's color commentary, but if you're interested in the blow-by-blow of severe weather, it's kind of cool. And when severe weather isn't rolling though, NOAA and NWS both have a lot of content to browse through on each of their homepages.

Here's what the area looked like at 4 on Tuesday...


Storm Prediction Center - Another good bit of storm goodness...here you can see national trends.

Coast Guard Storm Center - In a boat? No Jonah to throw overboard? Take a few tips from the guys that KNOW weather and water the Coast Guard. (More about hurricanes and the high seas but still, good stuff to know.)

American Red Cross - A good resource that covers a lot of basic safety tips for being around severe weather.

Disaster Kits - Here's what you need in your home, workplace or car. Trust me, if you have this stuff on hand, you'll end up being someone's hero.

StormChaser's Code - If you're intrepid (or as my grandmother insists, stupid) enough to chase after these storms, this is a code to live by.

Weather on the Radio...on your computer... - Live streaming audio of NOAA's weather information.

Labels: , , , ,

C.S.I. Jefferson... 5.26.2007 |

Second and first graders at Jefferson Elementary were treated to a visit from the Catawba Science Center Friday. The event, sponsored by OrthoCarolina, is designed to marry learning about science with having fun.
Different stations explained concepts of science and how those concepts could be used to identify people or evidence. At each station, students completed an activity which gave them clues as to the identity of their mystery suspect...
Students look at different rocks and minerals under a black light to find which one will fluoresce.

Students check out an ant colony and learn about efficient work.

Riley Taylor, Madison Hedgepath and Drew Darnell test unknown liquids to determine if they are acidic, basic or neutral. Volunteer Terri Seen explains the color changes.

Isaiah Etchison and Christopher Guest watch as volunteer Beth Larry explains how scientists can use the shape of a tooth to determine what kind of food an animal eats.

Adaya Howard is measured by volunteer Brandy Green. Scientist will measure certain parts of animals to help figure out how old they are. If Adaya was a bear, she would be just a year old!

Labels: , , ,

Readers and those who have stumbled upon Apres Moi...

Welcome to my blog. Here you're going to find three main focus points: education in Cleveland County, green living, and my foray into the theatrical arts. Often, a post will have nothing to do with previously listed topics. That's how I roll.