Local Self-Defense Course for the Ladies

                                       

We've all heard the news stories of young ladies who've been hurt or stolen away from life far too young.  Recently, some as close as Maplewoods Community College or Johnson County, KS.  We do our best to teach them things they'll need to know moving forward into college and eventually the real world, but nothing can prevent them completely from being exposed to potential dangers.  We can though, give them the knowledge to protect themselves.  That mission is the primary goal of the The Ali Kemp Educational (T.A.K.E.) Foundation.

The importance of this class should not be overlooked and we encourage you to attend not just as an individual, but as a team, with the ladies in your life you love most.  The trainers at T.A.K.E Foundation devote their time to train women of all ages on how to defend themselves against a would-be attacker. 

So how can you participate?

 

A T.A.K.E. Defense Course 

will be hosted on April 13^th at 10:00am 

@ Staley High School.

Tickets to participate are $20/Individual or

 $30/Team of two.

Visit www.takedefense.org to register. Ticket payment will be collected at the event.

50% of the proceeds will go to T.A.K.E. Foundation in support of wives, mothers, and daughters everywhere.  The remaining 50% will benefit the After Prom Event designed to support Staley students during Prom time.  If you are unable to attend, please consider donating to the cause directly through the T.A.K.E website or by dropping your donation by the main office at Staley High School.

While nothing can protect them completely, won't you consider giving your loved ones a fighting chance?

If you have questions, please contact staleyfalconclub@yahoo.com 

or beccag1418@gmail.com

~~~If you don't see a silver lining...make one~~~

Chalk it up!

Hi there!  As usual, I'm always looking for easy, cheap ways to keep my life from tumbling into shameless familial chaos.  You know that I'm only slightly addicted (A LOT) to Pinterest.  Well, several times I've seen neat little tricks to turn something ordinary into something fantastic through a little bit of chalkboard paint.  

As this project was not a high priority, I've taken my time getting all the pieces.  If three items are to much to handle, TURN BACK NOW!  If not, proceed. :)

This little genius idea is perfect for anywhere in the house, but I've found it very beneficial in the kitchen.  I spend most of my time in this favored gathering space and while there I come across items we are running low on.  In the past, I have grabbed a notepad and pen to start a list.  The problem is that everyone does that...using the same notepad..  BOO!

This leads to the unfortunate forgetfulness of necessary items while grocery shopping.  The beauty of this project creates one immovable central location where items can be written down  and no one can run off with it!  Then when I make my grocery list I add any items from the board.

So, here is what I used.

1 - Can of Chalkboard Spray Paint for less than $5.00 at Home Depot 
1- Plastic Dollar Store cutting board...obviously a $1.00 (plus tax)
1-Roll of blue painters tape.  I had an extra roll laying around the house from past projects, but even if you don't have one they aren't expensive.

Here are the steps:

1. Making sure your cutting board is clean, wrap the edges of the board with the painters tape.  Be sure to use a hard surface when you press down on the edges of tape that will be closest to the paint.  This will eliminate the tape lifting and create an nice clean edge.

2. Tape down some papers you are going to recycle or an old newspaper to a flat surface outside, or if indoors, a well ventilated area.  (I used the benches built onto our deck).  Then follow the directions on the can of chalk board paint to spray the paint on your cutting board.  Be sure to cover all the areas you wanted painted and allow it to dry thoroughly.

3.  Once it's dry, remove the tape.  Be careful when lifting the tape edge closest to the paint just in case there were any leaks.  Voila!

 4. Place your chalkboard in a place everyone can reach and keep chalk on a string or ledge nearby for easy writing.  I used command strips and hung it on a pantry door.
 

  
I'm not sure why my pictures are grainy, but the cutting board had a bit of texture to do it so maybe that's the reason.  Regardless, it works!  I used a paper towel to erase but I'm going to find a chalk board eraser because it seems the paper towel is just rough enough to scrape off some of the paint after enough rubs.  The nice thing about using spray paint is that its easy to reapply as necessary.  

Hopefully this will help you get a little more organized at home.  Plus it's an easy project that the kids can help with.
 
~~~If you don't see a silver lining...make one~~~

After Prom 2013

Staley High School Prom/After Prom 2013

Starting last year I was fortunate to join a leading Missouri PTSA (Parent/Teacher/Student Association), Staley Falcon Club, at my children's high school.  I joined when my oldest son became a freshman and immediately felt welcomed into the group. 

I was very excited to learn that the 2012 school year would also be the first year Staley high school would have an official After Prom event.  Back when I went to school, (in the stone age my kids would say) the only events that took place after prom were in someone's basement or a hotel room and most of them were....questionable at best.

Now that I have teenagers, I can look back in hindsight and wonder "how did I survive some of the wild things I did"?  I also realize that, given an alternative, I might not have participated in some of those activities. (Now keep in mind that I used to be a wedding/event consultant when I make my next statement.)  Imagine my excitement when I heard they were looking for volunteers to help plan the first ever After Prom!

I couldn't have been more ecstatic to participate!  I could give my own children, and so many others, an alternative to potentially hazardous behavior AND I could be involved in planning a HUGE event.  Not to mention I had amazing people to work with.  It was like heaven.....that is, until we presented it to the students.

Needless to say, there wasn't as much excitement radiating from the students.  They were leery, didn't want to be locked in at school all night and Lord knows, they couldn't have ANY fun while on school property. So we had a tough go at it.  Ultimately though, we pulled off a pretty cool event with approximately 120ish students who attended.

We had all kinds of activities to do; interactive shows like a Hypnotist and Staley Idol (our version of American Idol), tons of food including a chocolate fountain, Buffalo Wild Wings and cotton candy, a photo AND cash booth, DJ, dancing, sports and more....  

We received really positive feedback from the students and knew that next year (2013) would be much easier.  So here we are again, knee-deep in event planning.  Some of last years attractions will be returning due to high demand, such as the Hypnotist, caricature artist, chocolate fountain and cash/ photo booths. 

We've also got some new activities planned.  A 17' rock wall to climb, a dodge ball tournament, were adding a nacho fountain and Minute to Win it Challenges.  Oh yeah, there will still be tons of prizes just given away!  And just between you and me, we're working on a really BIG grand prize of the 4 wheeled kind.  But until it's for sure, keep it hush hush will ya? ;)

As of right now, we are currently accepting donations of the monetary, prize or food variety.  If you would like to support your community and local students, please consider this cause.  It isn't just about throwing a big party.  Take a look at our 2013 Brochure for some scary statistics as well as how you can contribute to the After Prom event.

   2013 After Prom Brochure by   Rebecca Graham

 
Check out Staley's first ever After Prom Movie for a glimpse into all the fun we had last year.

Click here to learn more about Staley's 2013 After Prom or Staley Falcon Club.  Feel free to email either staleyfalconclub@yahoo.com or myself if you have questions. 
  Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to "AP" day.

~~~If you don't see a silver lining...make one~~~