EB Big Top!

The EB Music Parents Association has brought the Coles Bros. Circus to town from June 22 and 23 at the EB Community Center's field. The Circus is a fundraiser and all proceeds will directly benefit the EB Music Parents Association.

Before the circus starts you can watch the tent being raised. This will take place on June 22 at 7:00 AM. Seeing a circus tent raised will prove to be an amazing site and a great way to start of the summer. Doug Lee, father of beginner band saxophonist Peter Lee, said, "You don't see stuff like that often now-a-days". Unfortunately, this creates a problem because June 22 is the last day of school and that's where most kids will be.

The Cole Bros. Circus is one of the best circuses in the country, the best to its employees, and the most humane to its animals. It is also the oldest circus in America and is celebrating it's 125th anniversary. "The world's largest circus under the big top" will feature entertainment for all ages including acrobats, clowns, the human cannonball, and animals like dogs, horses, camels, and elephants. It's going to be a crazy circus, so don't miss the Cole Bros. Circus in E.B.

E.B. Spring Band Concert

Last night, at G.W.M.S. the 4th grade chorus, the beginner's band(5th grade), 5th and6th grade chorus, and 6th grade band held a free concert. It was a night of music and fun as the chorus sang their hearts out and the band blasted out notes.
The first group to perform was the 4th grade chorus. Standing high up on the risers they proudly sang their tunes. They ended with the upbeat song "Footloose", complete with dance moves and everything.
Then, the beginner's band performed. This was only their second concert, but it was obvious that they were very confident. They performed "Friar Jacques", "Mexican Hat Dance", and last but not least "Let's Go Band". "Let's Go Band" is an upbeat tune that features each part of the band and then the band as a whole. It got the crowd clapping along. The saxophone section seemed to have fun as the bobbed along to the music as they played. They even waved to the crowd at the end of the song, awaiting their applause.
Next up was the 5th and 6th grade chorus. They were missing many members due to either flu or a softball game, but they still gave a wonderful performance. The chorus performed a song about peace, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", and a three part song about baseball. The three part song was very funny and very lively.
Last but not least, the 6th grade band performed. They played songs such as "Grand Old Flag" and of course "Let's Go Band". They even added their own cheer at the end, "6th GRADE BAND! BEST IN THE LAND! YEEEEAAAAAHHHH!"
All of the performers did a wonderful job and further prove that EB Music Program is truly, "A Tradition of Excellence".

Blog Post 10: Beat Shell: Summer Reading Shell

http://www.kira-kira.us/cracker.htm Cracker! by Cynthia Kadohata is a story about a bomb-detecting dog and her trainer Rick Hanski who are both serving in the Vietnam War. At first they hate each other, but then become very close and a great team. Interestingly, the story is told through both Cracker's eyes and Rick's eyes. The book is recommended for kids ages 8-12.
http://www.chrismoore.com/fluke.html Fluke by Christopher Moore is the hilarious story of marine biologist Nate Quinn and his research team. They are working in Hawaii trying to figure out why humpback whales sing, but the more research they do, the more strange answers they find. First, Nate sees the words "BITE ME!" written on a whale's tail. He's just overworked right? But then, his lab is ransacked and the film with tail shot of the "BITE ME" whale is missing! What else can possibly go wrong? ;) This book is recommended for teens and adults.
http://www.johngroganbooks.com/marley/index.html Marley and Me by John Grogan is the story of a troublesome yellow lab and his family, or as Grogan put it, "life and love with the worlds worst dog". You follow Marley's life from when he was a puppy to his golden years. It's laugh after laugh as Marley gets into more and more trouble. There's awes when Marley does something cute and tears when the biography comes to and end. (My advice, since this is story about Marley's life you know Marley will die, but try to forget that as you read. It's not the point of the book.) This book is recommended for teens and adults, but John Grogan has also written a version of Marley and Me for younger readers and even picture books. They are Bad Dog Marley! and A very Marley Christmas. Don't forget to check out the movie when your done with the book! ;)
http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=0812975464 Walking in Circles Before Lying Down is about a woman named Dawn Tarnauer who hasn't had the best luck in life. Her parents weren't really supportive to say the least, she has been through two divorces, and her new boyfriend just dumped her. She used to have a loyal dog named Swentzle to help her through it all, but he died. So, Dawn turns to a pit-bull mix named Chuck that she adopts from the pound. Chuck does more than just console her with those sad puppy eyes. He actually talks to her and gives his own opinion of life! And Chuck's opinion on life is hysterical. Can his doggy instincts point her on the right path? This book is recommended for teens and adults.
http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=1599211823 From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, The War, and a Dog Named Lava by Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman with Melinda Roth is a heartwarming memoir. It tells the story of a group of marines called the Lava Dogs that find a puppy in an abandoned building. The marines keep the puppy in spite of General Order 1-A, which forbids pets. They name the puppy Lava and it not only makes itself at home in their command post, but also in their hearts. This book is recommended for teens and adults. (I'm sorry that I can't give you a more detailed description, but I'm in the middle of the book myself ;p)
http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=0140384235 Kävik the Wolf Dog is a touching story about a wolf-dog and champion sled dog named Kävik and a boy named Andy. Andy saves Kävik from a plane crash and nurses him back to health, but Kävik's original owner comes to claim him. However, the wolf-dog will have no part of that. He runs away and loyally tries to find Andy. He travels 2,000 miles from Washington to Alaska, battling the wilderness and following his wolf instincts. Kävik the Wolf Dog is a action packed novel and one of my favorite books. This book is recommended for kids ages 8-12.

Doggy Driver

The following is a fictional story:
Yesterday, a dog named Breeze made a trip to the local Dunkin' Doughnuts drive through, DRIVING A CAR! That's right, the 4 year-old Great Dane decided she needed a doughnut and took her master's car out for a spin. She drove two miles from her home in Littelton, New Hampshire to the Dunkin' Doughnuts.
I'm sure your asking, "How in the world could a dog drive a car?" There are many reasons:

• Breeze's owner Bruce taught her how to drive a golf cart as a joke.
• The Great Dane could easily reach the pedals because she is 4ft 5in tall while standing on her hind legs.
• Breeze had been to the Dunkin' Donughts many times with her master and knew the way like the back of her paw.

Unfortunatly, this joy ride pooch has had her licence suspended. Annie, the worker at the drive-through window, got Breeze out of the car and called the police. (A very smart move.) Everyone at the Dunkin' Doughnuts thought the incident was hillarious. However, the police weren't laughing. Bruce was fined $500 dollars for Breeze's joy ride. He also had to promise to keep Breeze away from all motorized vehicles unless he is the one driving. Oh well, looks like Breeze has to be content with sticking her head out the window!

3 Principles of writing+editing online used in this article:

• simple sentences
• voice
• bullets

Blog Post 12- Should Twitter be used as a Journalism Tool?

Although I am not a fan of Twitter, newspapers should use it. The Internet is a very big part of today's world. People are always on the Internet. Many people even have the Internet on their expensive new cell phones. If newspapers hope to stay in business, they have to reach new customers. The Internet is the obvious answer because everyone is online.
Newspapers can use Twitter in many ways. Twitter allows newspapers to list quick headlines and posts that draw viewers in. Some are used to draw readers into their sites; others are used as websites with up dates and headlines(a stand-alone channel). For example, during the California wildfires, the L.A. times used a Twitter page to provide updates and evacuation notices. Most importantly, Twitter allows newspapers to find an elusive younger audience. Many young adults do not read the paper and the easiest way to reach them is on the Internet. Therefore, it is a very good idea for newspapers to use Twitter.

Blog Post 8:Free Choice Blog Post: Globe's beginnings

There has been much concern in the last couple of weeks about the fate of The Boston Globe, but where did this paper come from? The Boston Globe was founded in 1872 by six businessmen who were headed by Eben Jordan, also the founder of Macy's. The first ever Boston Globe was printed on March 4, 1872. In 1873 Jordan hired the 27-year-old civil war veteran, General Charles H. Taylor, to help the globe over come some financial difficulties. Taylor was later named publisher, and the position was kept in his family until 1999.

Since its founding, The Boston Globe has weathered many changes. The Globe was originally just a daily morning paper, but in 1877 a Sunday edition was added. The Boston Evening Globe also ran from 1878-1979. The Boston Globe moved from Boston's "Newspaper Row" on Washington Street to its current home in Dorchester in 1958. In 1973 The Boston Globe was bought by Affilliated Publications. Then, on October 1, 1993 The New York Times Company bought Affliliated Publications, including The Boston Globe. Boston.com was launched into the Internet in 1995 and has become one the U.S.'s strongest regional websites. The Globe has also invested in other types of media such as Red Sox and NESN, the Boston Metro, and Globe Direct. Let's just hope the changes in 2009 won't be the end of this great paper.

Training Tips-Touch It

It's always fun to teach your dog a new trick. One simple trick you can teach them is "touch it". To teach your dog this trick you will need lots of really smelly treats that can be easily broken into small pieces (lunch meat is a good idea) and a clicker. A clicker is a training tool that when pressed makes a click noise. This signals to the dog that he has performed the trick correctly. Clicker training can be used with any type of dog. (Some people even use clickers to train other types of animals such as horses or giraffes.)
First, you will need to teach your dog to associate the sound of the click with a treat. Just click the clicker and then immediately give your dog a treat. Be sure to have your treats readily available. If you take to long to give your dog the treat, the concept of the clicker won't sink in. Also remember to use verbal praise as well. Act like your dog has just invented IPods. Keep doing this [click, treat, click, treat, click, treat] until you get to the point where your dog will automatically look at you for a treat when they hear the click. Try to keep your training sessions short, 15 minutes at the most, otherwise your dog will get bored and loose focus. Clicker training should be happy, and fun, never a chore or punishment. If you or your dog gets frustrated end your training session for the day.
Next, get your dog to actually touch your hand. Rub smelly treats on your hand and place it a couple inches away from your dog's nose. Do not give your dog the "touch it" command yet. Your dog will sniff your hand anyway when it catches a whiff of the treats you rubbed on it. When your dog touches your hand to sniff it, click and treat. Try to click exactly when the dog's nose touches your hand, no later and no earlier. Dogs are smart and as they catch on they may try to cheat by just getting close to your hand instead of touching it. Do not praise this, wait until your dog touches your hand. Also, always treat with the hand that is not being touched. It will train your dog to look for the treats hidden in your hand not to look at you for a treat.
Finally, when your dog is comfortable with sniffing your hand for a treat introduce the command "touch it". When your dog touches your hand say "good touch it", click, and treat. Keep repeating this and your dog will eventually catch on. Try moving your hand further away from your dog's nose. Soon, you will be able to wean your dog off the clicker. You will be able to just say "touch it" and your dog will rush over.
For more fun, try pointing to objects and saying “touch it”. Start with big and bright colored targets (food container lids work well for beginners) and use the clicker at first to help reinforce praise. Do not praise your dog until he touches the target. If you are having trouble, try putting a treat on the target. I find that peanut butter works with my dog because she will lick it and "touch it" at the same time. I have even trained her to work a bellhop bell! You can also use the clicker to teach other commands. Just catch your dog doing the behavior click and follow the same steps for "touch it". So, get out there and have fun training your dog.

(above)my dog Thistle performing "touch it" with a bell