Foster parents and kinship caregivers of children in Washington have a new option for their training needs; the DSHS Resource Family Lending Library. The Department of Social and Health Services' Children'' Administration created the resource library in collaboration with counterparts in Alaska and Oregon and a non-profit organization, Northwest Resource Associates. The DSHS Resource Family Lending Library distributes books, DVDs, tapes and all its resource materials free to caregivers in Washington via a free mail-order service, similar to the type used by popular movies-by-mail companies. Materials are mailed out in an eco-friendly reusable pouch with postage prepaid for the return of materials. Licensed and relative caregivers of children in Washington state can request materials from the DSHS Resource Family Lending Library by calling toll free 1-877-517-0820 or online at the DSHS foster parent Web site at http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/fosterparents/index.asp. Catalogs are also available to view at selected DSHS offices.

Nov 2, Mon, 2-4:00 pm: The nationally recognized Certified Public Manager program is holding an informal open house to showcase our new nine-month online hybrid model. This Governor sponsored certification program provides current and would-be managers with practical skills in areas like supervision, team building, process improvement and project management. Session is free and open to the general public. Refreshments will be provided. Location: South Puget Sound Community College Hawks Prairie Center, 1401 Marvin Road NE, Suite 201, Lacey. Please RSVP by calling 360-596-5752 or send email to jdelisle@spscc.ctc.edu For more information, visit our website at www.hawksprairie.org

Nov. 3, Tue., 7:00 p.m : FREE Public History Presentation by Bigelow House Boardmember Edward Echtle, Unseemly Olympia: Regrettable Chapters in the History of Washington’s Capital City at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street, Room A, Olympia

Nov. 4, Wed: Your November 2009 issue of the FTE News Magazine will be available online today, with delivery beginning in Lacey, West Olympia, and Tumwater on Wednesday; Thursday in Olympia. Due to changes in Postal Regulations and increased postal costs plus saving the environment, the FTE News Magazine will no longer be mailed to all state offices. Please inform your co-workers to view current issues online 24/7 at www.ftemag.com

Nov. 4, Wed.: Clam diggers got the go-ahead to proceed with the second razor-clam dig of the fall season on evening tides at two ocean beaches. Twin Harbors will open for four late-evening digs Nov. 4-7, while Long Beach will open on Nov. 4, 6 and 7 only. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the digs after a series of marine toxin tests confirmed the clams were safe to eat. Digging at the beaches will be restricted to the hours between noon and midnight. Additional digging opportunities are planned at five ocean beaches in mid-November.

Nov. 7, Sat., 10:00 am - 4:00 pm: Merrill Garden’s Holiday Bazaar. Begin your Holiday Shopping early with a wide selection. Door Prizes and more. Come and join us and ask about our specials and take a tour. Merrill Gardens Olympia is located at 616 Lilly Road NE, Olympia. For additional information, please call (360) 456-0601.

Nov. 7, Sat., 5:30 pm at the Olympia Center: Senior Services Annual Dinner & Auction! To assist local seniors in need? An Evening in Monte Carlo, Sponsored by Olympia Federal Savings Catered by Pellegrino’s Italian Kitchen. Mexico~Hawaii~Alaska~France~and a 12 day Cruise are just a few of the things we have available for bidding this year. $50 per person, or for a full table of 8 people $400. To register online and preview items visit our online auction pages:

http://southsoundseniors.maestroweb.com/ or call (360) 586-6181.

Nov. 11, Wed.: National Veteran’s Day Observance. A state holiday. All state offices will be closed. Go to: http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/ for Regional, State and National observance information. .

Nov. 15, Sun. 2-3:30 pm.: Cranberries Beyond Relish. Instructor Nancy Hebb goes beyond basics with Cranberry Curd, Pork Chops in Cranberry and Brandy Sauce, and Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies. at Bayview School of Cooking’s “Sunday Stirrings: Mini Cooking Classes” Classes are short takes that will have a big impact on your culinary ability, for only $25. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 360.754.1448. Classes will be held in the Bayview Thriftway demo kitchen. For information on these and other classes and activities go to BayviewSchoolofCooking.com or stop by Bayview or Ralph’s Thriftway and pick up a brochure.

Nov. 19, Thur., 8:30am-10:00am: Garden Courte Memory Care Community Breakfast series - Denise Judd of Care Medical to discuss: “ Walker Workshop” product, safety, and care on Complimentary Breakfast will be provided by “Rubi’s Kitchen” of Garden Courte. Space is limited. Please RSVP to 360-491-4435

Nov. 20, Fri., 7:30 p.m. to Midnight: Together with the Tacoma Astronomical Society, the Olympic Flight Museum will host the annual Celestial Observation Bash In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy, there will be a celestial scavenger hunt, hands on exploration of how telescopes work, and a short film “There Once Was a Night Full of Stars.” In the event of rain, additional activities will be provided indoors, including make and take solar systems and a bonus movie, “400 years of the Telescope”. Complimentary hot cocoa and popcorn will be provided. The event is suitable for both youth and adults. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 7-12, and children under 6 are free. For more details about the event, call the Olympic Flight Museum at (360) 705-3925 or visit: www.olympicflightmuseum.com

Nov. 21, Sat., 9 am to 3 pm: Senior Action Network Holiday Bazaar & Gift Show,

Lacey Senior Center, 6757 Pacific Avenue SE, in Lacey. Finish Your Holiday Shopping Here! There Will Be Vendors Such as Mosaic Storybooks, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Bavarian Corner and Fabulous Personal Gifts Such as Handmade Pine Needle Baskets, Baked Goods, Knitted Items, Jewelry, Infant Clothing and More. The Dollars We Raise Goes Back into the Community to Help Seniors,. For More Information or Vendor Information, Call Cyndi @ 360-528-8726.

Nov. 25, Wed.: Deadline for ads, articles and insertions for the December 2009 FTE News Magazine at: FTEmag@comcast.net

Nov. 26, Thur.: Thanksgiving Day - A State Holiday - All State Offices are Closed.

Nov. 27, Fri.: A State Holiday - All State Offices are Closed.

Nov. 28, Sat., 1-3 p.m. : Book Launch Party: Olympia, Washington: A People’s History

Reception and book signing of 150th anniversary history book of essays by local historians including Bigelow House board members Karen Johnson, Roger Easton, Shanna Stevenson, Edward Echtle, and many others. Compiled and edited by historian Drew Crooks. At the

State Capitol Museum, 211 21st Ave. SW, Olympia.

Dec. 2, Wed.: Your December 2009 issue of the FTE News Magazine will be available online today, with delivery beginning in Lacey, West Olympia, and Tumwater on Wednesday; Thursday in Olympia. Due to changes in Postal Regulations and increased postal costs plus saving the environment, the FTE News Magazine will no longer be mailed to all state offices. Please inform your co-workers to view current issues online 24/7 at www.ftemag.com

Dec. 5, Sat., 12-4: Annual Olympia Holiday Tour of Historic Homes. Join us for our annual peek inside several of Olympia's historic homes. Tickets available the week of November 23: $15 each, includes dessert from Chica's Cafe. Bigelow House open 11-4. Homes to be toured include:

1825 S. Water St. - The Eugley House, 1628 S. Water St. - The Dufault House, 401 SW 17th Ave. - The Janet Moore House, 215 NW 19th Ave. - The Baude House, 211 W. 21st Ave - The Lord Mansion, and 918 E. Glass - Bigelow House. A portion of this year's ticket sales will be donated to the Save Outdoor School – Olympia Kids, which is raising money to keep the Cispus Learning Center open for students.

posted by FTEmag.com Staff at 12:01 AM