Lending Libraries: Can you use up to $3,000 for purchasing new books?

Available grants from $500 - $3,000 for public libraries, school libraries, and charitable 501 (c)(3) organizations. Liberal guidelines include non-profit abuse centers, rehab centers, detention centers. Give your community the gift of reading.

LEARN MORE, CLICK HERE.

Edi Birsan - The Pulse of Concord...

PLEASE take a few seconds and complete this short survey.

From our friend, Edi Birsan. In the Summer, Edi will be running for Concord City Council. This survey is very important to him and to our community.

Edi advises that:

“The Pulse of Concord is designed to be a quick 10 question survey of perspectives, issues, concerns or simply snap shots of the Concord views.

The first round of questions came from walking around talking to people after the budget workshops and at various community gatherings in the course of my campaign for Concord City Council. From the responses I will be gathering a panel of people to help craft questions. All of this will develop a greater profile of what makes people’s blood pressure pump here as well as explore perceptions of our community."

CLICK HERE to take the survey.

BTW, Thank you Edi taking an interest in the "Lemon Lady" garden produce/fresh fruit hunger mission, for helping collect fruit, for visiting me at the Farmers' Market last Summer and for inviting me to speak at your Concord Rotary Meeting. Edi has engaged the Sun Terrace Community in harvesting fresh fruit for the hungry. Edi's efforts are truly making a difference with increased fruit donations to area food pantries - and I'm very grateful for the help and support!

American Graffiti - Win Passes to the Saturday, May 22nd screening

I really need a date night and I've never seen American Graffiti either! Maybe I have been spending too much time under the lemon trees.

Just learned about California Independent Film Festival and Diablo Magazine's Classic Film Series at the Orinda Theatre. To sweeten the deal, Diablo Magazine is giving away FREE passes to the Saturday, May 22nd screening of American Graffiti. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Have a great weekend!

Natural Baby Diapers...A natural-born eco-friendly dream!

Photos courtesy: www.naty.com

Have you ever considered the toxins and chemicals we expose our skin to on a daily basis? What about all the chemicals in baby products? I believe in choosing more natural aand organic products whenever possible. In my search for an alternative to traditional disposable diapers, I fell in love with Nature BabyCare Healthy Baby, Healthy Planet, Natural, compostable diapers. I'm not sure if anyone actually composts parts of the soiled diaper, per se. The main reason we choose natural diapers is to limit our precious baby girl's bottom to unnecessary plastics, perfumes, and other chemical exposure.

I can't say enough wonderful things about these diapers. They perform equal if not better to the other name brands we've tried. For older toddlers, Nature BabyCare is available in size 5 and 6 pull on pants. These used to be sold at our local Target Store, however, I've had great success ordering through Amazon.com. Fair price. Fast service. Excellent product.

Sweet Treat, May 18th - Enjoy a Free Scoop...

Life is so much more than just lemons. It's all about ice-cream. Sweet Treat tomorrow! Haagen-Dazs 50 years of flavor. Enjoy a FREE scoop, Tuesday, May 18th, 4pm-8pm.

CLICK HERE for Haagen-Dazs Shops located throughout California and the Bay Area. This is a Nationwide Celebration, so visit Haagen-Dazs site directly for nationwide zip code searching at:

http://www.haagen-dazs.com/shops/default.aspx

Have a happy Tuesday!

Brentwood 2545 Sand Creek Road - Suite 100 925.626.3811
Concord 1 Sun Valley Mall (925) 676-3060
Fairfield 1530 Travis Boulevard 707-421-9500
Pleasanton #B-120 - One Stoneridge Mall (925) 924-0328
San Francisco 865 Market Street 415-896-1550
San Francisco 3251 20th Avenue-Space 159 415-242-3434
San Jose 925 Blossom Hill Road 408-224-4700
Santa Clara 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd. #9118 408-260-8882

Aye, Aye, Mate! I spy an excellent find at $1.00 per pound...

An end to a fun and busy weekend. Here's a little tip for friends and family. Dine like it's a holiday!

My little pirate Ava spied an excellent find: Flame Glazed. Spiral Sliced. Uncured Ham. No nitrates or nitrites. A few of my favorite words to see. I couldn't believe my eyes...$7.02 for a 7 pound ham, price reduced from $28.01. A dollar a pound for quick sale at Trader Joe's. Gotta love the price. The TJ's clerk mentioned the sale should be Bay Area Wide and ongoing until the stock is gone. Have a great week.

UPDATE: Trader Joe's Treat/Oak Grove location may be sold out.
UPDATE: Trader Joe's Concord Avenue location may be sold out soon.
Other Trader Joe's throughout the Bay Area are also selling ham at $1.00 per pound. I would definitely call ahead to see what may be remaining at that price. As of 5/17/10, the following stores still had a few for sale:

1372 California Blvd., Walnut Creek, CA (925) 945-1674
1150 Concord Avenue, Concord, CA (925) 689-2990
4040 Pimlico Drive, Pleasanton, CA (925) 225-3600

1122 East Stanley Blvd., Livermore, CA (925) 243-1947

Inspiration for teachers today...a new SAMCAM 860

Be inspired. 100 words or less and your classroom may win a new SAMCAM 860 document camera. Take a break from the hustle and bustle...get lost in your thoughts.

Even amidst budget cuts and education woes, we are still a community that must nurture our young - and support our teachers. Please share with your child's teacher and bring a little hope into the classroom. Entry deadline is June 1, 2010. I hope and dream for a better tomorrow.

Congratulations to a 2009 Bay Area Winner of a SAMCAM, Judy Greenspan at Stege Elementary in Richmond, California.


CLICK HERE for other fun CONTESTS and GRANTS awarding real scholarship and prize money.

CLICK HERE for GARDENING inspiration.

CLICK HERE for updated FREE SEED CATALOGS.

CLICK HERE for GARDENING GRANTS.

Free Museum Day...

A quick and easy calendar with link list to some of San Francisco's most popular museums. If you know when to go, there is a FREE MUSEUM DAY almost every day of the month!

Live, learn, explore. Be inspired. Have fun.

Looks like California Academy of Sciences FREE DAY is upcoming Wednesday, May 19th.

By the way, this site includes other major cities, such as:

Boston
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York
Portland
San Diego
San Francisco Bay Area
Seattle

Field Trip Money Anyone? Mt. Diablo High School was a winner!

83 days until registration opens again! Target gives away Field Trip grants to schools. Did you know that? Mt. Diablo High School in Concord, California knew, because they were one of 5,000 fortunate recipients of last year's grant money. Congratulations to all the 2009-2010 field trip grant recipients!

For TARGET GRANTS, visit: www.target.com/grants

Wonder where the school children wish to go...Perhaps visit an urban farm, art museum, science center, play, ballet. Hope. Dream. Be inspired.

CLICK HERE for other fun CONTESTS and GRANTS to inspire you.

Keep reading...I'll post more neat ideas in the weeks to come. Have a happy day!

Fun...Happy Mother's Day!

Good Granny Bad Granny, by Mary McHugh and Patricia Storms.


Are you my Mother?, by P.D. Eastman.


Dear Mom. Happy Mother's Day. Love, Anna
Dear Grandmas. Happy Mother's Day. Love, Ava

Cute books, they make great gifts.

Happy Mother's Day to all my friends too!

$2,500 to Keep your Community Beautiful...

My favorite saying...If WE do nothing, nothing will ever get done. I welcome those who wish to lend a hand, or a few words on a grant application. :) Have a beautiful day!

From Graffiti Hurts dot org:

"Any of the following groups are eligible to apply for a Graffiti Hurts® grant:

Nonprofit, Civic, and Community Organizations

Includes neighborhood groups (e.g., Neighborhood Watch), crime prevention associations, civic clubs or organizations, and other nonprofit groups.

Youth Groups/Schools

Includes any group of youth such as Girl/Boy Scouts, 4-H, Girls/Boys Clubs, YW/YMCAs, and students in a class, grade or school club.

Government Agencies

Includes city, county, state and federal government agencies, or subdivisions within these agencies (e.g., department of public works), and police departments or other law enforcement."

Volunteers Needed. Do you wish to help the Hunger Cause?

Volunteers Needed Immediately! Hauling produce from Farmers' Markets. Weekly committment appreciated. You may view my Farmers' Market work by watching the CBS5 Jefferson Awards interview. CLICK HERE. Let's work together to feed the hungry today! THANK YOU!

Please contact:
AnnaAndAva@gmail.com
Office: 925.672.1988
Cell: 510.406.1625

Is technology a good investment for schools? Can a student you know use $1,000?

This is a fun opportunity for any high schooler to write a 300 word essay and possibly win a grant of $1,000. Easy as pie! Easier than proramming the DVR. Sharpen your pencils...and get writing!

"Technology costs money. School budgets are tight. Samsung Techwin America is asking students across America to write an essay on the topic of technology as an investment in education. We want to hear what high school students think about the ramifications of spending on education technology as well as alternative ways to invest a school district's limited budget."

Last year, a student from Vacaville, California was one of several winners. How about someone from Concord, Clayton, Martinez, Pleasant Hill or another nearby town? Good luck students out there!

To enter the 2010 Samsung Technology Grant contest, CLICK HERE.

For last year's winning scholarship recipients, CLICK HERE.

Just like picking lemons...if WE do nothing, nothing will ever get done. Let's encourage our youth to invest in our community and make this world a better place. Here's a thousand dollar incentive!