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.

View and download a Swine Flu and Seasonal Flu comparison and Information sheet at www.ftemag.com and click on “Special Offers.”

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. 11, Wed.: FREE meals for Veterans at Applebees Restaurants.

Go to: http://applebees.com/vetsDay/default.aspx for more details.

Nov. 11, Wed., 7:30 p.m.: Saint Martin’s University Chorale, under the direction of Professor Darrell Born, will celebrate the Feast of Saint Martin at its seventh annual Sacred Music Concert in the Abbey church. The concert is open to the public and free of charge. Saint Martin’s University is located at 5700 Pacific Ave, Lacey. Entrance to the Abbey Church is from 6^th Ave. SE and College Street. Follow the directional signs.

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. 17, Tue., 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Evergreen Graduate School Fair is Free and open to the public. The event will take place at The Evergreen State College, Library Building Lobby, second floor. The Evergreen State College is located at 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA

Representatives from more than two dozen graduate schools from Washington, Oregon and beyond will be on hand to field questions and provide counseling on next steps to pursuit of graduate education. Learn about Evergreen's Master of Public Administration, Master in Teaching and Master of Education, Master of Environmental Studies programs as well as a wide range of other graduate degree opportunities. The fair will feature degree options from the Northwest and across the country. Some of the participating schools include the University of Washington, Prescott College, Willamette University, Walla Walla University School of Social Work & Sociology, Lewis and Clark College, Antioch University--Seattle, Saint Martins University, Bainbridge Graduate Institute and Vermont Law School, among others

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. 21, Sat., 10 AM to 4 PM: 9th Annual Rotary Cool Jazz Festival at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Olympia, showcasing local high school bands during the daytime and an evening wine tasting with great music and dancing, featuring local swing rock band "7 on 7". The festival will feature ten local high school jazz “swing” bands. Bands play for a panel of professional musicians lead by local jazz great Syd Potter, retired director of jazz at Fort Steilacoom Community College. The panel offers suggestions to help the bands in their upcoming competitive season. This provides a non-competitive format for local high school musicians to hone their skills, shake off the cobwebs at the end of marching band season, and prepare for the jazz band season. All the funds raised will benefit the following three programs: POSSCA CAPS musical instruments for local school districts, The Malawi Clean Water Fund, and the Thurston County Youth Development Training Summit. For additional information about this event contact Renee Reis (360) 790-4150 or at renee@recordsearch.com

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.

Nov. 29. Sun., Noon-5pm: The Olympia Downtown Association presents the annual Downtown for the Holidays: Noon-2:30pm Free horse-drawn wagon rides for the kids - Sylvester Park;

Noon-2:30pm and 3:30-5:00 Visit & Photos with Santa in the lobby of the Olympian Hotel by photographer Cortney Kelley from Studio Four 18; Noon-4:00pm Free Electric Trolley rides for the family - Washington St. & Legion Way; Noon-5:00pm (Sat. & Sun.) Gingerbread Holiday Cottages Competition - Located at the Urban Onion Ballroom in the Olympian Hotel. Come view, build your own and vote for your favorite gingerbread cottage. Competition organized by South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity; 1pm-2:30pm First Christian Church Chime Choir - Olympian Hotel Lobby 2nd Floor; 1pm-2:30pm Masterworks Choral Ensemble - Outdoors on 5th & Capitol Way; 3pm Holiday Parade - Capitol Way, from Farmer's Market to Sylvester Park - Parade Honoree: PAUL SEABERT - Retired business owner, teacher, counselor and strong advocate and volunteer of downtown Olympia ; 3:45pm Olympia Highlanders Bagpipe Band - Sylvester Park; 4:00pm Singing Christmas Tree performance by Capital Playhouse's Kids in Koncert - Legion Way at Sylvester Park; 4:30pm Tree Lighting Ceremony - Sylvester Park.

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., 9am-5pm: Homeowners assistance and foreclosure intervention workshops, at Cleveland High School (5511 15th Ave. S.). In spite of the many programs and workshops, foreclosures continue to be a huge problem for homeowners throughout our state. Many may be facing foreclosure and not know where to turn for help. A dedicated group of volunteers, lenders, lawyers and counselors have been working to provide assistance and foreclosure intervention workshops

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