The economy is bad but there is hope. April brings us Financial Literacy Month. Take a look at MyMoney.gov and find out what you can do to ease the financial strangle hold. This month is also National Garden Month; when all else fails, take time to stop and smell roses.

Monthly Events

National Autism Awareness Month. The Autism Society of America and local chapters educate the public about autism and related issues within the autism community. Go to www.autism-society.org/

National Poetry Month. Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996... when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Thousands of businesses and non-profit organizations participate through readings, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events. For more information go to https://www.poets.org/

Financial Literacy Month. The stock market is struggling to stay afloat. Many people are trying to find answers about their personal finances. For help go to https://www.mymoney.gov/default.shtml Also visit Amazon.com to see The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness

National Garden Month. “Gardeners know, and research confirms, that nurturing plants is good for us: attitudes toward health and nutrition improve, kids perform better at school, and community spirit grows,” says the National Gardening Association. Go to https://www.nationalgardenmonth.org/

National Volunteer Month. Get involved. Be a volunteer. See my article Pay It Forward by Volunteering, you will find ideas, suggestions and several related volunteer sites to get you started. https://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art26378.asp Also check out https://www.mosssociety.org/news.php?id=56


Weekly Events

National Public Health Week. April 6-12. The American Public Health Association (APHA) serves as the lead organizer of NPHW. With the help of its 50,000 members and hundreds of organizational partners, APHA educates people about the importance of public health. Go to https://www.nphw.org/nphw09/default.htm

National Environmental Education Week. April 12-18. National Environmental Education Week increases the educational impact of Earth Day by creating a full week of educational preparation, learning, and activities in classrooms, nature centers, zoos, museums, and aquariums. This year’s theme is “Be water wise!” Go to https://www.eeweek.org/

National Library Week. April 12-18.“For more than 50 years, National Library Week has been a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide.” Actress (and author) Jamie Lee Curtis is the Honorary Chair of National Library Week 2009. Go to https://www.ilovelibraries.org/nationallibraryweek/index.cfm

Daily Events

World Health Day. April 7. Marking the founding of the World Health Organization, World Health Day is WHO’s effort to raise awareness of a key global health issue selected each year. Go to https://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_health_day/en/

National Start! Walking Day. April 8. You can help to support the fight against heart disease by participating in National Start! Walking Day. If you cannot walk, take time to visit the site. Go to www.americanheart.org

Earth Day. April 22 Celebrate the world. This day marks the beginning of the Green Generation Campaign. In 2010 we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Go to https://www.earthday.net/earthday2009

National Day of Puppetry. April 25. Puppets hold a place in the public’s heart that is rivaled by few other art forms. Sponsored by the Puppeteers of America and brought to you by the local Puppeteers of America guild in your area, the National Day of Puppetry takes place all over North America. Go to https://www.puppeteers.org/fest_ndop.html. For some fun check out Punch and Judy World https://punchandjudyworld.org/home.html