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Tips for helping Oklahoma tornado victims

Tips for helping Oklahoma tornado victims

From The Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas:

The news of yesterday's F4 tornado that swept through the town of Moore, Oklahoma are gut-wrenching. Two schools filled with teachers and children, entire neighborhoods and businesses will never be the same.


"When tragedy strikes, everyone wants to help." said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “As we reach out, please keep in mind that organizations and web sites allegedly created to help victims and relief efforts will spring up overnight, so it’s very important to do your research to make sure your efforts go where you intend and that they get there quickly.”


BBB offers the following advice to guide those want to help:

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"Wiggle Room" Lets Students Release Energy Overload!

"Wiggle Room" Lets Students Release Energy Overload!

Sometimes, sitting still is one of the most difficult tasks asked of young students. That’s why, the Tyler ISD Foundation trialed a “Wiggle Room” grant—so that students could have a place to let off that pent up energy and get back to their lessons.

The grant, written and submitted last fall by Diana Koop, school counselor at Rice Elementary, is now being considered for expansion due to the high level of success.

 

The Women's Fund Announces Grant Training Seminar

The Women's Fund Announces Grant Training Seminar

The Women’s Fund will hold a Grant Training Seminar on June 14, 2013, from 9:00 – 11:00 am. It will be held at the Tyler Chamber of Commerce in the Genecov Room. The seminar is free and open to all nonprofit organizations in Smith County that are interested in applying for a grant from The Women’s Fund. 

You may register for the seminar by emailing The Women’s Fund at info@womensfundsc.org or by calling The Women’s Fund Coordinator, Betsy Hahn, at 903-509-1771, x.104. The deadline to register for the seminar is June 11.

The Women’s Fund is a giving circle and welcomes all women in East Texas. Members pool their donations to give impact grants to local nonprofits for the benefit of women and children in our community.

Experts: West Nile virus may make a comeback in East Texas

The recently released West Nile case
count from 2012 has many people wondering if we'll have incidences of the disease this year,
as well.

Health officials say we will. The
mosquitoes are running a little late this year, but they'll be back.

Local health districts aren't
just sitting around waiting for the biting insects to show up; they are being
proactive.

The report was a long time coming,
but it's finally here. It shows Gregg County had the highest number of 2012
West Nile cases in East Texas with 30, including one death; Smith County
followed with 22 and no deaths.

The cooler weather has postponed
the arrival of those pesky biting pests, but be assured, they are coming.

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East Texas teachers welcome the end of CSCOPE curriculum

TYLER, TX (KLTV)- A controversial public school curriculum system is coming to an end.  Monday, Senator Dan Patrick, the chairman of the Education Committee, announced that Texas schools would not be able to use CSCOPE lesson plans this fall. CSCOPE is a classroom curriculum used by more than 800 Texas School Districts.

Many teachers and parents have spoken out against CSCOPE, saying it doesn't allow any leeway in the lesson plans used to teach students.

East Texas educators are calling the announcement to eliminate CSCOPE lesson plans "a great day for Texas education."

"It means that [teachers] get control back over their classroom again. They get to use lesson plans that they feel are best suited for their class and their students in their class," says Bill Martin, the Tyler Sylvan Learning Center Director.

Tips for smart solar power shopping to help you 'go green'

Tips for smart solar power shopping to help you 'go green'

From the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas:

Whether to save on energy costs, to go green, or both, an increasing number of consumers and businesses are considering solar panel installation. A recent report from Bloomberg Energy Finance forecasts twenty-two (22) percent annual growth in all solar PV installations, so it’s likely an increasing number of solar panel installation companies will result as well.

If you are considering this option for their home or business, BBB reminds you to comparison shop and do your homework to make sure you are working with a trustworthy company and getting the best product for your dollar.  

BBB offers the following tips for those leasing, buying or installing solar panels themselves:

 

Talk to your energy (electric) company.

'All Hands on Deck' boat run to be held May 25

'All Hands on Deck' boat run to be held May 25

From The American Cancer Society:

The 2013  “All Hands on Deck” Boat Run, benefitting the American Cancer Society, will be held on May 25 at Lake Tyler Petroleum Club from 10:30 until 3:30, and early registration begins at 9:30. 

The Boat Run begins at the Petroleum Club where at least one participant per boat registers for $100 and receives an envelope with a map and rules.  Some boats may carry several people. Each person on the boat doesn't have to register, but only those who pay the registration fee can obtain tickets and win prizes.  Payment may be made with cash, check or credit card. Cost is $100 per entry, with unlimited entries.

Each boat then proceeds to 6 different Boathouse stops where they are served drinks, food, hospitality from the boathouse owners and friends.