Posted in News and Issues

Posted in News and Issues

Posted in News and Issues

Browse the article 15 Tornado Safety Tips

by the editors of Publications International, Ltd.

 ( From How Stuff Works )

15 Tornado Safety Tips

Funnel clouds have been observed on every continent except Antarctica. The United States has significantly more than the rest of the world because of low-lying geography and a climate that breeds strong thunderstorms. With wind speeds up to 320 miles per hour, tornadoes kill about 60 people every year in the United States when uprooted trees and debris turn into deadly missiles. Check out our list of tornado safety tips to get prepared!

1. Determine the best locations for shelter at home and work.

The safest location is always a basement, below the deadly wind and projectile objects. If you can't go underground, find a small interior room or hallway on the lowest level of the building.

2. Conduct tornado safety drills with your family.

Make learning quick and fun, and children will remember the basics of what to do, especially if you go through the motions several times. Just as most kids know what to do if their clothes are on fire, the same drill could be applied for tornado safety -- instead of "Stop, drop, and roll" try "Run, duck, and cover!"

A tornado warning means one has been spotted.

3. Prepare an emergency supply kit.

Experts recommend that each person (and pet) has supplies for at least three days, including bottled water (two quarts per person, per day), nonperishable food, and a first-aid kit that includes prescription items as well as aspirin and antacids. Make sure you have tools such as a can opener, utility knife, wrench (for turning power valves), whistle, battery-powered radio, several flashlights, and batteries. Each person will need blankets, clothing, rain gear, and heavy-soled shoes or boots. Lastly, stash away some cash and a copy of credit cards, passports, social security cards, phone numbers, and insurance information. Once a year, check your supplies and determine if family needs have changed.

4. Make an inventory of your possessions.

For insurance purposes, videotape or photograph everything you would need to replace in case you lose it all. When you're sure that you've included everything, keep the inventory somewhere away from the premises, such as a safe-deposit box.

5. Know how your community sends its warnings.

If it's a siren, stay inside and take cover. Know where the designated shelters are in the buildings where you and your family spend time.

6. Know the difference between a "watch" and a "warning."

There's a big difference in the danger level between the two terms used during stormy weather. A watch simply means that conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop. Be alert, but you don't need to take shelter. If there's a warning, a tornado has been spotted. When a warning is posted for your area, take shelter immediately.

 

As part of the tornado safety drill, print out this list and review it with all members of your household.

7. Stay away from windows.

At 320 miles per hour, shards of glass can be deadly. You can eliminate this risk if you make sure your shelter area is free of windows. If this isn't possible, protect yourself with a heavy blanket.

8. Don't bother opening windows.

It's true that air pressure equalizes when there's an opening in the building, but the American Red Cross says that it's far more important to get to safety than to open windows. If there's flying debris, the windows will most likely break on their own!

9. Get in position.

Once you're in your shelter, find a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a workbench or table, and stay under it. Curl into a ball on the floor, and lock your hands behind your head to protect it from flying debris. If you can't find a table to get under, crouch under a door frame because the beams will offer some protection.

10. Mobile home residents need to take extra precautions.

If you live in a mobile home, never try to ride out a severe thunderstorm at home; go to a prearranged shelter. As a last resort, go outside and lie flat on the ground using your hands and arms to protect your head. It might be hard to believe that you're safer outside, but since your mobile home isn't built into the ground, it can be picked up and turned into an airborne missile.

11. What if you're in a public building?

The first choice is always a basement or lower level. If that isn't an option, avoid wide-open spaces such as cafeterias or auditoriums -- there's just not enough physical support for you there. Look for an inside hallway, or a small closet or bathroom (with no windows).

12. What if you're in a vehicle?

Never try to outrun a tornado. Get out of your vehicle and try to get inside a building. If there isn't time, lie down flat in a ditch or any low-lying area away from the vehicle. (Hiding below an underpass isn't safe because you're still exposed to flying debris.) Use your hands and arms to protect your head.

13. What if you're outdoors?

Finding a building is your best bet, but if there's no time, follow the same instructions as above.

14. What to do when the storm has passed.

Treat injuries with your first-aid kit, but don't attempt to move anyone who is severely injured. Use the phone only for emergencies, such as calling for an ambulance. Then, listen to the radio for emergency information. If the building you are in is damaged, beware of broken glass and downed power lines as you evacuate. Check on neighbors who might need assistance, but otherwise stay out of the way so that emergency crews can do their work.

15. Beware of fire hazards.

Never strike a match until you're sure you haven't had a gas leak. Anything that holds gas can rupture and be vulnerable to explosions if you see (or smell) leakage after a storm. If you think there might be a gas leak, open all doors and get out of the house. Also watch out for severed electrical wires, which can spark debris piles. Check appliances to see if they are emitting smoke or sparks.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Helen Davies, Marjorie Dorfman, Mary Fons, Deborah Hawkins, Martin Hintz, Linnea Lundgren, David Priess, Julia Clark Robinson, Paul Seaburn, Heidi Stevens, and Steve Theunissen

Hope this will be helpful to someone. Living in "Tornado Alley" here in Texas this is a very serious concern.

Grandma Rosie

Posted in News and Issues

Greetings from the Publishers of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine!

With Spring upon us, we find ourselves in need of a few good independent contractors to join our team here at TOS.  

Spring is that time when homeschoolers start coming out of the woodwork. Homeschool conventions come alive, vendors begin making plans, and parents excitedly begin their quests for quality products and resources for the upcoming school year. Parents, homeschool leaders, and companies/vendors have come to count on The Old Schoolhouse to help in these endeavors.  And we are always up to the challenge!  Quality is what everyone is after - and that's where you come in.

We need a few good additions to our staff. Here's something to keep in mind: while we love working with homeschool moms and dads (and we will consider inquiries from such), we *really* are looking for older folks to come on board with TOS. If you, or someone you know, are a parent or grandparent of homeschooled children who have graduated, you have the time to put in, and are skilled, YOU in particular are who we are looking for. Of course, we will also consider inquiries from anyone.
 
Would you like to work for Alpha Omega Publications instead?  They are looking for a few good work-at-home editors. Our contact at AOP is very interested in bringing on one or more persons for a current project. Think you are up to the challenge? Alpha Omega expects high quality, just as we do here at TOS. They've asked us for some referrals for editors who can work from home. If you are interested, email us with these exact items:
 
1. Subject line must say "Alpha Omega Work At Home".
2. In the email, provide a brief summary of who you are and please detail your qualifications
   (attach resume if desired).
3. Include a writing piece if you'd like (short).
 
If you'd like to be considered for doing some simple editing on a project basis for TOS, do the same thing, only instead of the subject line saying, "Alpha Omega Work At Home," have it read, "TOS Editing". Feel free to send one of each, if you are interested in working for both of us.
 
General Editor - This position is opening up at TOS Magazine. This is the main editor; the one responsible for keeping our themes and calendar, slating authors, issuing and collecting writer contracts (lots of filing), and doing a PRISTINE job editing our magazine. The General Editor must be extremely friendly (not high strung), highly organized, and have a working knowledge of homeschooling in general. Will work closely with Gena Suarez and Deborah Wuehler (Senior Editor) on a daily basis. Must have a college degree or equivalent. Email us with "General Editor" in the subject line. Include a resume, other qualifications, and a detailed summary of qualifications. What can you bring TOS as its General Editor?
 
Interviewers/Reporters - We need more interviewers and reporters who can dig up stories about homeschooling's growth and successes. Approved candidates will be expected to pitch (and sometimes write) stories, but also will be assigned interviews. This position pays by the piece. Put "Reporter" in the subject line and include a summary of qualifications. Feel free to attach a writing sample.
 
Public Relations - Can you write a good press release? Can you write ad copy that attacts attention? What about representing TOS on the radio? Attach a sample press release you've written, as well as fictional (phony) ad copy for TOS Magazine. Subject line should say: Public Relations.
 
Researcher - Must have working knowledge of Excel databases. Must be skilled at online searches and not afraid to phone organizations for information. Put "Research" in the subject line of the email. Include a summary of experience.
 
TOS e-Book Project Manager - We have three successfully selling ebooks. We need seven more for 2008. Candidate must be an excellent researcher and have the ability to work with others. Team player mandatory. Excellent writing and design skills. Send a sample of previously made ebook(s) and resume. Subject line: e-Book Manager.
 
Sales opportunities - Do you like forming new business relationships? Our top advertising sales reps make a very good income working full-time for TOS Magazine. Email us with "Sales" in the subject line, and we'll get you set up to talk with a manager. Attach a resume if you'd like. Be prepared to put in several hours per week in order for this position to work for you. Sales is commission-based only.
 
Conference Booth Reps - Put this in the subject line when you email. Candidates must be very outgoing and able to commit to representing the TOS booth in their state. Only professionals please apply. Must be outgoing enough to agressively sell from the booth (drawing people in from the aisles). Strong math skills, organized, and smiley.
 
Renewals - Care to talk with other TOS subscribers on the phone? Our Winter issue just hit the streets, and with it came over 8,000 families we need to renew - their subscriptions just ended. This is a telemarketing position; email us with "Renewals" in the subject line if interested.
 
Layout and Design - Put this in the subject line when you email us about your  qualifications in layout. What programs do you use/possess? We are looking for professional layout people to put our magazine together every quarter. Must have an eye for art and a professional working attitude along with an ability to follow instructions. Must work well with others and be patient with editors. Pays very well.
 
Marketing Helpers - Again, put this title in the subject line along with a written summary of your qualifications. How can you help grow TOS Magazine's subscribership? Please tell us how you think you can (part-time) assist our current marketing team. Attach a resume if you'd like, but certainly include a few paragraphs on why we should consider adding you to our team. The ability to analyze information, including surveys, is an important qualification. Can you take survey results and turn them into strongly written marketing pieces? We need you.
 
Secretarial Services - Use this title in the subject line when yourespond. Let's face it - TOS is growing, and our managers and directors are needing office support. Borders Bookstores nationwide is putting together a new homeschool section, and TOS will be the ONLY magazine on a special shelving unit in that whole section. Not only that, we're launching a digital magazine to go along with the print. Beyond even that, we're hitting the road this season with TOS booths at various conventions nationwide. We need help keeping us organized (Gena especially!).
 
Photography - Have you noticed our covers? They're schoolhouses! We pay for good schoolhouse shots, and we reference the photographer right in the front pages of the magazine. Put "Photography" in the subject line when you approach us about your services.
 
Schoolhouse Store Helper - Our store manager needs help. Take a look at the store. Can you help us organize it? Can you support our manager? Tell us what you can do to assist TOS in this very part-time role. Please put "Schoolhouse Store" in the subject line.
 
State Coordinator - This is the one position that does not pay - it's voluntary. We need leaders to represent TOS at the largest homeschool website on the Internet. If you have a working knowledge about homeschooling in your state and are willing to encourage new parents considering homeschooling, please contact us. Please put "State Leader" In the subject line.
 

All of the above positions are for independent contractors providing services from their home. If your business can help ours, get a hold of us - fast!  If you are not familiar with us, you might consider subscribing to our magazine.  If you are providing services within the homeschool market, you need your trade magazine - The Old Schoolhouse (and it's a tax write off if you are purchasing it for your business reference library).
 
Important to note before contacting us about any of the above positions!

The fastest way to lose a contract position with TOS is by proving to be slow at returning emails. TOS is a fast growing company which has primarily been operated via email alone. We are not brick and mortar. We depend on our contractors to stay very visible by phone and/or email. Our current staffers are extremely fast with communications. We do not renew independent contractors who don't respond to emails on a daily basis. Slow responders need not apply.  :)
 
Perhaps you have a special skill not listed above. We want to hear it. In the subject line, put "Special Skill".  We'll consider you.
 
Thank you for your attention to this request for added contractors over at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. If you know someone who should read this, by all means, forward it - especially to older skilled people (grandparents!) who have the time to devote to our magazine and to growing homeschooling worldwide. Hitting reply to this email will place your communication in the correct box. In order to be considered, just be sure to label the subject line according to the instructions above.

Thank you,
 
The Old Schoolhouse
Publishers

Posted in News and Issues

Save 50% on Your Favorite The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Products!

At The Old Schoolhouse we know that there is more than one right way to homeschool. We believe that each family has to figure out what method and educational philosophy "fits" their family best. Some parents may be juggling work responsibilities and homeschooling. Others are homeschooling as single parents. Some have special needs children, while others are still learning the basics of home education. In all of our products, we strive to present a variety of authors and resources which will inspire and encourage you as you tailor your homeschool to your family's needs.

And now for seven days only, we're putting all of our TOS e-Books and audio books on sale for 50% off.  Plus our back issues normally priced at $9.90 are 50% off too.

If you've never bought an e-Book before, now is a great time to try one!

Each one is under $7 and you'll be able to download them immediately after checkout.

Secrets of Successful Homeschooling covers everything from the questions you should ask to help you determine your philosophy of education to how to make your homeschool more fun and a natural part of your day-to-day life.

Have you crossed the line into high school? Homeschooling the High Schooler: from Transcripts to Graduation has suggestions for reaching your child's heart, teaching the higher level subjects, converting extracurricular activities into credit courses, and much more.

Want to read some of the all time favorite TOS interviews with pioneers and leaders in the home education movement? You'll find these interviews and many more in Homeschool Dialogues.

Would you rather listen to these as audio books? It's a wonderful way to be encouraged as you're driving in the car, working or relaxing around the house. Each is under $9 and at these prices you can buy one for a friend who needs some encouragement too!

Do you struggle with trying to find the balance between academics and home life? Does relaxed homeschooling sound good to you, but you wonder if it's really as thorough as public school?  Gena Suarez's Well Integrated Homeschool audio presentation reveals the problems with public education and the blessings of a natural integration of learning at home.

We're sure you'll enjoy each of these resources and all of the great information in our back issues of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Don't forget them!

Our regularly priced $9.90 back issues are all less than $5 for this sale - and the shipping is free. We'll send them right out to you. You'll find words of encouragement from your favorite writers, unit studies, information on the various teaching styles, plenty of homeschool research, and so much more.

Just take a look at the FANTASTIC prices on e-Books, audio books, and back issues and bring some fresh inspiration into your homeschool this year!
Sale Ends midnight Sunday, January 27. International customers please note, due to high international shipping costs, audio books are only available for US customers and back issues require a shipping upgrade.  

Posted in News and Issues

Help Wanted at The Old Schoolhouse

Independent Contractor needed to work from home selling print and web advertising by telephone using an established set of Company leads. The right person will earn commission on everything they sell. Responsibilities include contacting companies and establishing advertising campaigns as well as maintaining existing client advertising arrangements.

This candidate must:

• Excel in an independent work environment with limited supervision.
• Own (and provide, for work purposes) an Internet-ready computer running Windows XP or equivalent, MS office and Excel, along with a functioning on-site printer and FAX machine.
• Possess a professional demeanor, excellent communication and sales skills and a high level of proficiency in MS Office, Excel and e-mail applications.
• Provide telephone service with an unlimited nationwide calling plan (cellular or land line ok)
• Have the ability to dedicate significant periods of uninterrupted time to work related activities.
• Learn quickly and follow instructions

Previous professional sales or advertising experience preferred. This position pays commission only, no salary or hourly pay.

For contact information, please visit this page.  

Kris Price
Senior Editor, HomesteadBlogger.com
www.homesteadblogger.com/hsbfrontporch
www.homesteadblogger.com/athomewithkris

Posted in News and Issues

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has welcomed me to HomesteadBlogger either here on on my personal blog. I know that I have some BIG shoes to fill in Nancy's departure. I don't mean that she has big feet either ... I've met Nancy in person and she is not tall, but she is a friendly, funny and remarkable person. I know that we will all miss her, but she will still be around blogging, I hope!

You may notice a bit of rearranging of this blog. I didn't remove anything, but I personally like a BIG (i.e. wide) blogging area and so I spent some time this morning making this a 2-column blog. I think it's easier to read. Please let me know if a color is not good for you or if the font is too small or anything else that will help make this blog easy to visit. This blog is for YOU!!

Now, I NEED YOU!  I am currently working on the Daily Features part of this blog (see sidebar). I have been in touch with several of the bloggers that have been posting here regularly and we are gearing up to get things rolling again next month. Some I still have not heard back from, but it is still the holiday season and I'm sure they are enjoying some downtime with their family and friends. Once I know who is going to continue to blog regularly, then I'll also know which topics need new contributors. I know for sure that the Quilting and Barnyard features need bloggers and I would like for YOU to consider contributing for a month at a time on these topics. So, if you quilt or if you raise/breed animals and would like to share your talent & experience with our community, please email me (link in sidebar) and let me know! Even your children can blog! I know there are some here who raise indoor animals (rabbits, cats, etc.) and it would be great for a family to blog together on these subjects.

If you are a NEW homesteader and would like to blog about your experience getting started, I'd love to hear from you! Our Homestead or Bust! category would be right up your alley! If several people email me about this, then all of you can share your experiences ... the good -and- the bad! I am not a homesteader with regards to the property that I live on, but I love being at home and taking care of my family. I'll be embarking on some new adventures this year and will share those in my weekly post, "At Home with Kris" on Fridays.

I hope to have some fun contests (and prizes!) in the coming months as well. I'd like to get back to sharing a Featured Blogger and am going to be looking into that. I am very excited about this new "job." I truly love the community here and believe that all of us have something to offer to our fellow homestead bloggers! I look forward to getting to know you all better!

Posted in News and Issues

Well, the Homeschool Blog Awards for 2007 are here.  This is such a fun and wonderful way to find more helpful blogs that I truly can't pass up participating.  Until Nov. 17th you can nominate a blog for any category.  A complete list of rules can be found here, which includes the nomination form.  For simplicity, you can make your nominations on this page as well. 

Even if you aren't interested in seeing other blogs that people like, you simply must nominate the ones you do, so that others can enjoy them as well.  Remember these are the Homeschool Blog Awards, and as such each nominee must be homeschooling a student in grades grades PK-12 for at least part of 2007. 

So hop on over to Homeschool Blog Awards and get your nominations entered!  Later today I will posting my final list of nominations on the Journey to Simplicity.  I know you have a few blogs you love for one reason or another.  Some may pertain to a thrifty life, some may pertain to homeschool info, others to current events, etc.  We all turn to certain blogs for specific info, so why not nominate your favorites! 

These are my thoughts.

Leslie Valeska

~Contributing Writer~

Raise the Cup!

Journey to Simplicity

Posted in News and Issues

The Georgia Department of Agriculture is considering a drastic measure to discourage consumers from, well, "consuming" raw milk.

What's that extreme measure?

Regulating the requirement to dye raw milk charcoal gray..........Read the latest here.

Regardless of what the Georgia Agriculture Commissioner is quoted as saying, sounds like politics with corporate agriculture as usual!

HT:  Georgia Organics "eDirt - October 2007"

Waving from the Deep South!

~ Harriette Jacobs

Posted in News and Issues

ACTION ALERT: Public hearing on proposed regulation to tag dairy cows

 Earlier this summer, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)
proposed
 a new regulation that would require all dairy cattle being
transported
 within Texas to be identified with an "official identification device
or
 identification device approved by the Commission."  The Farm and
Ranch
 Freedom Alliance and Liberty Ark sent out action alerts urging
everyone
to submit comments on the proposed regulation. Thank you to those who
sent comments to the agency!

 The TAHC has released the agenda for its next meeting, and the
Commission will be considering adoption of the proposed regulation.
This
is the last chance for people to have input on the proposed
regulation!

WHERE: TAHC's main office, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas.
 WHEN: Tuesday, September 18th, 2007. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m.
We
 don't know what time they'll get to the proposed regulation, although
it
 will probably be mid-morning.

 WHAT: Opportunity for public comment on proposed regulation.

 We urged everyone to submit written comments on the proposed
regulation
 because we all have to stand together on this issue, regardless of
what
 type of animal we own. For purposes of the Commission meeting,
though,
 it is especially important that people who have dairy cattle come to
the
meeting. The Commissioners will pay the most attention to what diary
owners have to say, since they are the ones who are directly
affected.
So if you own a dairy cow, plan to come to the meeting next Tuesday!
Don't own a dairy cow?  Make sure any dairy farmers in your area know about the proposed regulation and the meeting, so that they can come!

 Some background on the proposed regulation is below. You can read the
proposed tagging regulation, as well as other proposed regulations,
at

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/June82007/PROPOSED/4.AGRICULTURE.html.
BACKGROUND/ TALKING POINTS

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has proposed a new
regulation,
 4 TAC section 43(n), which provides that all dairy cattle being
 transported within Texas shall be identified with an "official
 identification device or identification device approved by the
 Commission." The stated reason for the requirement is based on the
risk
 of tuberculosis (TB) exposure from untested dairy cattle.

 The proposed regulation is unnecessary. According to TAHC, the risk
of
 tuberculosis infection is coming from out of state - so the agency
 should be focused on entry requirements and testing out of state
cattle
 coming in to Texas, not burdening in-state producers.

 The proposed regulation also opens the door for the agency to require
 RFID tagging and NAIS premises registration requirements for dairy
 cattle. The proposed regulation limits the identification to a
"device,"
 which may or may not include traditional forms of identification such
as
 tattoos and brands. We've already seen a similar approach in
Michigan.
 The Michigan Department of Agriculture made a "policy decision" that
the
 only form of acceptable identification under its tuberculosis program
 was NAIS-compliant RFID tags, complete with premises registration!

 The proposed Texas regulation by itself won't force dairy cattle
owners
 to register and use electronic tags. But it would be very easy for
the
 agency to take that next step whenever it chooses to, with no
additional
 regulations or notice.

 The Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance submitted comments that explain
the
 issue in more detail. You can read the comments at

http://farmandranchfreedom.org/content/files/7.18.07%20Comments%20on%20proposed%20TB%20regs.pdf

 The proposed regulation can be found at

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/June82007/PROPOSED/4.AGRICULTURE.html#13.
 And you can read the TAHC's meeting minutes at
http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/news/meetings/Synopsis_CommMtg_May2007.pdf.
The discussion of the proposed TB regulation starts on page 3.

 As always, if you have any questions, contact FARFA at
 info@farmandranchfreedom.org

I received this from the dairy owner that we buy raw milk from.  NOT something they want to have to deal with.

Blessings,

Catherine

Posted in News and Issues

Posted in News and Issues

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