Today, April 9, I attended the National Geographic Bee- California finals.
The 102 students at the competition were narrowed down to 13 for the final round.
The adults sitting near me who were trying to figure out the answers on paper were often stumped by many of the questions that the 4th-8th grade finalists nailed.
Could YOU be a state champion?
Here are some of the questions courtesy of the National Geographic Society. See how you do.
Scroll down to the bottom for answers...
1. What country includes the islands of Melville, Mornington, and Bathurst?
2. Saxony is a state in what present day country?
3. The island of Rapa Nui is more commonly referred to be what English-language name?
4. Beja, located in the region of Alentejo, is an administrative district in which European country?
5. The Rift Valley Province, whose capital is Nakuru, is located in which equatorial country?
6. Rotorua, a city famous for its geothermal pools and Maori culture, attracts tourist to what country?
7. The countries of Montenegro, Macedonia, and Croatia are all located on what peninsula?
8. Jeddah is the port for the holy city of Mecca and is located on what body of water?
9. In the 1960s, Rwanda and Burundi gained their independence from which European country?
10. Hainan, an island located east of the Gulf of Tonkin, is part of what country?
1. Australia
2. Germany
3. Easter Island
4. Portugal
5. Kenya
6. New Zealand
7. Balkan Peninsula
8. Red Sea
9. Belgium
10. China
Friday, April 9, 2010
Mrs. Elk Grove, Stacey Ferguson, 42, is on a mission to spread the word about childhood obesity.
She speaks to school children and their parents about the issue. Ferguson recently spoke at Florin High School.
Her platform in the pageant circuit is “childhood and adult obesity.”
A graduate from California State University, Sacramento, Ferguson said one out of five children are obese.
Ferguson taught English for 18 years at St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Elk Grove. She now works as a substitute teacher.
The Mrs. United States pageants are for married women “who are successful in their careers,” she said.
To read more about Mrs. Elk Grove, visit Stacey’s blog.
To learn more about the Mrs. United States pageant visit http://www.mrsunitedstates.com/
She speaks to school children and their parents about the issue. Ferguson recently spoke at Florin High School.
Her platform in the pageant circuit is “childhood and adult obesity.”
A graduate from California State University, Sacramento, Ferguson said one out of five children are obese.
Ferguson taught English for 18 years at St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Elk Grove. She now works as a substitute teacher.
The Mrs. United States pageants are for married women “who are successful in their careers,” she said.
To read more about Mrs. Elk Grove, visit Stacey’s blog.
To learn more about the Mrs. United States pageant visit http://www.mrsunitedstates.com/
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Making The Rounds On All Fours
A furry wagging tale brings some cheer into a sterile hospital environment.
The Australian Shepherd walks the halls, almost appearing to smile at all the attention he is attracting.
Dandy is a therapy dogs who visits Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento with his owner and handler Nikki Carpenter of Sheldon.
Therapy dogs are used to brighten patients' days in hospitals and convalescent homes.
Janet Perrone is one of the people who brought the dog assisted therapy program to South Sacramento.
“You can just see a difference in people’s attitudes when they leave," Perrone said. "Their day is brightened after the visit."
Nikki and Dandy entered the Kaiser program over one year ago.
Even people who aren’t “dog people” enjoy a visit from Dandy, Nikki said.
On March 31, Nikki and Dandy make the rounds on the second and third floors at Kaiser in South Sacramento to greet patients.
Danell Woolley sat in a chair recovering from surgery, with her grandson, Cody Woolley seated next to her. Dandy approached Danell and nuzzled her lap.
“I think it’s a real smart idea,” Cody said about the dog-assisted therapy program.
Danell said she used to work at a retirement community and a convalescent home where therapy animals were brought in to cheer up patients.
JoAnn Turnbull of Delta Society, which registers therapy dogs and connects people with information about local training classes, said handlers must be advocates for their dogs.
“They’re watching out for their animal,” Turnbull said about handlers.
Animals should enjoy volunteering as much as the person.
Dandy seemed chipper, even though he was neutered the day before. He still rolled over with enthusiasm and placed his paws on the beds of people who seemed excited to see him.
Other patients were groggy but effortlessly smiled when they saw Dandy.
Tina Fuller of Sacramento said, “he’s cute,” as she lay in bed.
Dandy’s intuitive nature and intelligence makes him a great therapy dog, Nikki said.
When Dandy placed his front paws on a hospital bed where one woman rested, Nikki said, “he senses something that I don’t.”
“I love this dog!” the woman exclaimed, adding that she has an Australian Shepherd at home.
“He has one blue eye,” commented the man standing next to her bed.
“He’s a blue merle,” the woman said.
There are four types of Australian Shepherds; blue merle is the most common.
A common physical feature in a blue merle, such as Dandy, is one blue eye and one brown eye.
Nikki began raising Australian Shepherds in the 1970s. She also trains Golden Retrievers as therapy pets.
“They are two of the smartest breeds,” she said. “They can out think you better than kids can.”
Nikki has another Australian Shepherd at home who will soon become a therapy dog at Kaiser.
“Once the new wing opens, we’ll really be busy,” Nikki said, referring to the new wing opening some time in 2011.
The Australian Shepherd walks the halls, almost appearing to smile at all the attention he is attracting.
Dandy is a therapy dogs who visits Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento with his owner and handler Nikki Carpenter of Sheldon.
Therapy dogs are used to brighten patients' days in hospitals and convalescent homes.
Janet Perrone is one of the people who brought the dog assisted therapy program to South Sacramento.
“You can just see a difference in people’s attitudes when they leave," Perrone said. "Their day is brightened after the visit."
Nikki and Dandy entered the Kaiser program over one year ago.
Even people who aren’t “dog people” enjoy a visit from Dandy, Nikki said.
On March 31, Nikki and Dandy make the rounds on the second and third floors at Kaiser in South Sacramento to greet patients.
Danell Woolley sat in a chair recovering from surgery, with her grandson, Cody Woolley seated next to her. Dandy approached Danell and nuzzled her lap.
“I think it’s a real smart idea,” Cody said about the dog-assisted therapy program.
Danell said she used to work at a retirement community and a convalescent home where therapy animals were brought in to cheer up patients.
JoAnn Turnbull of Delta Society, which registers therapy dogs and connects people with information about local training classes, said handlers must be advocates for their dogs.
“They’re watching out for their animal,” Turnbull said about handlers.
Animals should enjoy volunteering as much as the person.
Dandy seemed chipper, even though he was neutered the day before. He still rolled over with enthusiasm and placed his paws on the beds of people who seemed excited to see him.
Other patients were groggy but effortlessly smiled when they saw Dandy.
Tina Fuller of Sacramento said, “he’s cute,” as she lay in bed.
Dandy’s intuitive nature and intelligence makes him a great therapy dog, Nikki said.
When Dandy placed his front paws on a hospital bed where one woman rested, Nikki said, “he senses something that I don’t.”
“I love this dog!” the woman exclaimed, adding that she has an Australian Shepherd at home.
“He has one blue eye,” commented the man standing next to her bed.
“He’s a blue merle,” the woman said.
There are four types of Australian Shepherds; blue merle is the most common.
A common physical feature in a blue merle, such as Dandy, is one blue eye and one brown eye.
Nikki began raising Australian Shepherds in the 1970s. She also trains Golden Retrievers as therapy pets.
“They are two of the smartest breeds,” she said. “They can out think you better than kids can.”
Nikki has another Australian Shepherd at home who will soon become a therapy dog at Kaiser.
“Once the new wing opens, we’ll really be busy,” Nikki said, referring to the new wing opening some time in 2011.
FYI- Women Only Boot Camp in EG
I was excited to read about a weight-loss boot camp in Elk Grove. Usually, these types of organized fitness events happen in Sacramento, not Elk Grove.
The program is 3-5 days per week, depending on how many classes you purchase. It lasts four weeks. There's also the option to buy three, four week classes for major transformation.
I've never done this specific program because I have a gym membership, but it sounds like an effective way to lose weight and make new friends.
I visited the Web site and enrollment is always open. The price is steep considering I pay $40 a month for the gym. It costs $299 for five classes per week for four weeks.
However, I can vouch that boot camp is a great way to shed pounds fast. I used to take boot camp classes at the gym I used to go to and it was INTENSE. But don't worry, the instructor notes on the Web site that no one will be left behind regardless of the current fitness level.
I always workout better in a group than alone. How about you?
The program is 3-5 days per week, depending on how many classes you purchase. It lasts four weeks. There's also the option to buy three, four week classes for major transformation.
I've never done this specific program because I have a gym membership, but it sounds like an effective way to lose weight and make new friends.
I visited the Web site and enrollment is always open. The price is steep considering I pay $40 a month for the gym. It costs $299 for five classes per week for four weeks.
However, I can vouch that boot camp is a great way to shed pounds fast. I used to take boot camp classes at the gym I used to go to and it was INTENSE. But don't worry, the instructor notes on the Web site that no one will be left behind regardless of the current fitness level.
I always workout better in a group than alone. How about you?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Citizen Stars
Nominate someone you know for a profile in the Elk Grove Citizen newspaper.
They can be a person who spends numerous hours doing community service or someone who has an interesting life story.
Call (916) 685-3945
They can be a person who spends numerous hours doing community service or someone who has an interesting life story.
Call (916) 685-3945
Tea Party in Old Town
Boba Tea and Gifts in Old Town Elk Grove is hosting a tea party on April 6. The shop, owned by Dan and Sharon Santucci, features a wide variety of loose leaf tea, tea accessories and snacks.
Boba has hosted tea parties in the past with success. They partner with local food businesses and offer tea with other treats.
On April 6 they will partner with Salsa Aurora. The event begins at 7 p.m. and is free to the public. Although, seating is limited, so call ahead.
686-4114.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Not All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings
Today is the 205th B-day of Hans Chrisitian Andersen.
He kept those fairytales real!!
Remember the REAL version of "The Little Mermaid"?
http://hca.gilead.org.il/li_merma.html
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