WEST SIDE SHOPPER-NEWS • FEBRUARY 14, 2011 • C-5
Focus is on reading, manners for children full of good lessons. “You It didn’t take long for would be a good tester of master storyteller Helen my books,� Irvine told PiPicou and children’s eti- cou, who agreed. Sounds as if collaboration on some quette expert Monica level awaits these two Irvine to determine bright, entertaining they have a lot in women. common. Both are being feaMeeting at Sami’s tured at Smart Toys Cafe in Franklin and Books. Each Square with Lynda Thursday at 11 a.m. in Blankenship, owner February and March, of Smart Toys and there will be “Story Books, the two disTime with Miss Helcussed the ways each en.� Picou, who has a works with children bachelor’s degree in and talked about how elementary educathey might work tor tion, has worked as ppe gether in the future. o h S t a librarian at several SPo For example, Irchildren’s libraries vine coaches chilin Kansas and Oregon, dren in etiquette. She works with ages pre-school and holds young ones enthrough high school and thralled with her animated has written a dozen books style which combines readon the subject of good man- ing and storytelling. She ners for children. Picou is learned to love books at an a storyteller and reader of early age. “I can still hear my own books to children, often using Smart Toys and Boys as Daddy’s voice as he read to me,� she says. her venue. Picou has been associBoth the stories Picou tells children and the books ated with Smart Toys and she reads to them are chock Books for 10 years as a
By Anne Hart
salesperson, staff librarian and resident storyteller. Irvine has developed an exhaustive program to teach etiquette, kindness, table manners, sharing and lots more to children through a combination of music, stories, games, treats and “kind discussion.� Her “Etiquette Factory� camp for children 6- to 9-years-old will be taught at Smart Toys and Books from 4-5 p.m. on Tuesdays in March and April. Topics include introductions, phone etiquette, being a guest, proper hygiene, accepting “no� graciously, dealing with “bullies,� American style dining and more. Space for this special program is limited, so call Irvine at 719-7302 to make reservations, or go online to www.theetiquettefactory. com. Information for homeschool parents and other teachers is also on the site, and Irvine’s books may be purchased there.
Helen Picou, Lynda Blankenship and Monica Irvine settle into a welcoming corner at Smart Toys and Books in Franklin Square to look over children’s books. Photo by A. Hart Irvine says many of the children aren’t excited about attending the program, but once they get there, “they like to talk about their own situations
and share stories.� Other up-coming activities at Smart Toys and Books: on Feb. 25 from 5-7 p.m. experts will show off new games that Blan-
kenship says “will become sure favorites;� on Friday, March 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Clay Rice will be in the store to make silhouette portraits of children.
Mimi’s hosts barbershop party Smokyland Sound Chorus celebrated Valentine’s Day early with a party hosted by Mimi’s CafĂŠ of Turkey Creek. More than 100 members, family and friends gathered on Tuesday, the week before the traditional Feb. 14 celebration, since Valentine’s is a “work dayâ€? for Barbershoppers who deliver singing valentines. Mimi’s supplied gift certificates and muffin boxes, while quartets furnished long stemmed roses, valentine cards and Singing Valentines for six winners picked by drawings every 15 minutes. Widows of former barbershoppers treated to free meals
Mimi’s CafÊ manager Rod McGinley and prize winner Hilda Ingle, Smokyland Sound guest from Oak Ridge. Photo submitted and given the traditional long stemmed rose included Sandy Greaney, Patricia Munson, Nancy Ribble, Helen Forbes, Jean Hays, Oma Heath, Mil-
lie Henley, Gerry Fowler and Jane Hamilton. Bob Roark, a past officer in Dixie District Barbershopping, installed the chapter’s
new officers, including president John Shelton, VP for music John Oxendine and VP for finance Joe Jackson. Other officers are secretary Alex Williams, VP membership Bob Davis, VP marketing Ken Hansen, chorus manager Harry Thomas and immediate past president Dr. Tom Prince. Absent were board members at large David Johnson and Ron Dubois. The event was also a fundraiser for the Smokyland Sound Chorus since Mimi’s has a Community Fun Night program that offers 15 percent of group spending back to community organizations.
Boost for Komen Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Knoxville received $4,247.10 from Food City customers who purchased reusable shopping bags during October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month). Pictured are Nick LeGrand, Food City District 7 supervisor; Jan Powell, store associate; Jane Brannon, executive director of Komen - Knoxville; and Pamela Moore, Morrell Road store manager. Photo submitted
West Knoxville Rotary presents
Rotary
jam
A concert to beneďŹ t the Rotary Foundation’s “Polio Plusâ€? project to prevent and eradicate polio worldwide, plus local charities.
3 great bands
live!
Photo courtesy World Health Organization
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Since 1988, Rotary International and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) – the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – have worked to wipe polio from the face of the earth. When Rotary began its eradication work, polio infected more than 350,000 children annually. In 2009, fewer than 1,700 cases were reported worldwide. But the polio cases represented by that ďŹ nal 1 percent are the most difďŹ cult and expensive to prevent. That’s why it’s so important to generate the funding needed to End Polio Now. To fail is to invite a polio resurgence that would condemn millions of children to lifelong paralysis in the years ahead.
The bottom line is this: As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, all children – wherever they live – remain at risk.