For the past 30 years, Christmas Outreach of Isabella County has been making the holiday season a little brighter for families facing difficult times. This year, Central Michigan University students and local volunteers helped the charity reach nearly 900 families.

Students for Haiti fundraising efforts
Local schools and students are opening their purses and their hearts for the Haiti earthquake relief effort. Schools, in both the Parkland School Division and the Evergreen Catholic Separate Regional Division in the tri-region, are fundraising in one form or another for Haiti.

Read more on Stony Plain Reporter

Mom steps in to make sure Brooklyn students get to school in safety
Rachael Nickens has taken to the street to ensure the safety of children en route to Brooklyn Primary School each morning. Nickens is volunteering as a crossing guard to escort children across Washington Avenue at Ash Street.

Read more on Bakercityherald.com

What To Reveal During Your Job Search
If you’re a single parent with five kids, or caring for a gravely ill relative, or dealing with a serious medical condition–what do you say and when?

Read more on Forbes

Extortion alleged overhockey roster selection
Over the past two weeks, the Lizard Head Hockey Club has been the target of extortion attempts by disgruntled parents, according to club organizers.

Read more on Telluride Daily Planet

Students for Haiti fundraising efforts
Local schools and students are opening their purses and their hearts for the Haiti earthquake relief effort. Schools, in both the Parkland School Division and the Evergreen Catholic Separate Regional Division in the tri-region, are fundraising in one form or another for Haiti.

Read more on Spruce Grove Examiner

AFL gridiron team makes home in Castle Rock
Big league football returns to Castle Rock. The 40-plus-team Alliance Football League expands into the Douglas County community this year with the newly formed Rocky Mountain Renegades, which makes a home at Douglas County Schools Stadium for its inaugural season May-August 2010.

Read more on Littleton Independent

American Girl fund-raiser at Desmond Hotel
The eighth annual American Girl Fashion Show weekend is coming to the Main Line Saturday, March 6, and Sunday, March 7. The Saturday Club of Wayne will present the event, which will be held at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern. Four fashion shows will be presented at both 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on both days. Benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and the Saturday Club Children’s …

Read more on Main Line Suburban Life

Hog hunting on Lake Lavon
Eleven hunters made it through the application process that saw more than a thousand apply for unlimited hog hunting at Lake Lavon between February and the end of April.

Read more on The Celina Record

Baptist volunteers see Haiti’s anguish
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (BP)–Devastation and despair — that’s what an Arkansas Baptist medical team encountered when they touched down in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 18, just seven days after a 7.0 earthquake ravaged the struggling nation.

Read more on BPNews.net

West student among 40 finalists in the Intel Science Talent Search 2010
Plano West High School senior Elisa Bisi Lin was named one of 40 high school seniors from across the country to be named finalists in the Intel Science Talent Search.

Read more on Plano Courier

Farm Bureau Recognizes Officials
New York Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm advocacy organization, has named 84 state legislators to its Circle of Friends for the year 2009. The award is an indication of each individual lawmaker’s support of New York agriculture and the Farm Bureau.

Read more on East Aurora Advertiser

Unshackle Upstate Leader Coming to East Aurora
The Greater East Aurora Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a presentation by Unshackle Upstate Executive Director Brian Sampson on Wed., Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at 300 Gleed Ave.

Read more on East Aurora Advertiser

Wales Makes 2010 Appointments
The Wales Town Board made appointments to various town advisory committees and posts at its re-organizational meeting Jan. 12. Councilman Gerald E. Klinck, named as deputy supervisor, will also serve as the town’s delegate to the Northeast Solid Waste Team (NEST). The organization is responsible for the overall recycling and refuse efforts in this part of Erie County. Klinck also will serve as …

Read more on East Aurora Advertiser

Classes Aimed at Needs of Single Parents
Single parents interested in learning about food budgeting, meal planning, dealing with home emergencies, home repair, health and other topics are invited to attend one or more workshops in a series hosted by Pathways Christian Fellowship.

Read more on East Aurora Advertiser

EA Students Prepare for “Annie”
Little Orphan Annie, Daddy Warbucks, and yes, even Sandy, will take the stage when East Aurora High School presents “Annie” on Feb. 5, 6, and 7. Over 125 students are part of the production, based on the iconic musical that debuted at the former Alvin Theatre in New York nearly 33 years ago.

Read more on East Aurora Advertiser

Ministry nurtures congregation’s health
By Amy B. McCraw Times-News Correspondent Most of us attend church for spiritual healing. We pray, praise and even seek counseling to help tend our souls. But have you ever thought of getting your blood pressure checked in the sanctuary or taking a health education course in a church meeting room? Or, how about attending an exercise class on the property?

Read more on The Hendersonville Times-News

Twins take home Rotary awards
Byline:  By David Marchesseault Breaking News:  No The two latest recipients of the North Haven Rotary Club’s students of the month award know each other quite well – they are fraternal twins. Photos photo0129_studentsofthemonth.JPG Credit:  Citizen photo submitted by David Marchesseault Caption:  North Haven High School Assistant Principal Andrew Pettola (far left) and North Haven Rotary Club …

Read more on The North Haven Citizen

Business briefs, Jan. 31, 2010
A decision to stick a fork in a company-run free sample business is expected to affect about 18 Sam’s Club employees in St. Joseph. The company announced last week that it will cut 10,000 “demo associate” positions at its stores across the United States.

Read more on St. Joseph News-Press

Conewago Twp: Want to comment, sign in first
Conewago Township officials have unanimously approved adopting a new policy for “public comments” during township meetings. Board Chairwoman Monique Keefe said that beginning immediately everyone who wishes to speak at a public meeting must sign in at a clipboard at the back of the room.

Read more on The Evening Sun

Students get mock bill ‘passed’
Mock legislation to create a California State Parks license plate designed to raise money for the state’s ailing budget was “passed” Monday night by the public at Bill Hearing Night.

Read more on The Santa Ynez Valley News

I am an elementary school teacher in the States and want to use my summers to teach abroad. I have searched and searched online, but many of the programs I’ve found require pricey placement fees and certificates in TESOL/TEFL (which I’m not even sure is necessary). I’m not looking to make any money- just want to travel, learn Spanish, and donate my time. If anyone has had experience volunteering and teaching students abroad, I’d appreciate your input. Thank you!!