News Notes

Three months after the Austin nonprofit FamilyConnections closed amid allegations of fraud by its executive director, a former employee is gearing up to re-open the organization’s library.

Melissa Fuentes, who worked as the library director for FamilyConnections, recently was hired by Child, Inc. to manage its library. In the process, Child, Inc. agreed to assume guardianship of the popular FamilyConnections book and toy lending library.

The Austin Independent School District and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department are offering free food at school campuses and parks this Summer.

The meals are part of the Summer Food Service Program, which offers free meals to children regardless of their families’ income.

Local Students Take Top Honors at National History Day

Knowledge of the past may end-up paving a bright future for two Austin boys.

This issue of Parent:Wise marks our 6th birthday, and boy have we received a great present: for the fourth straight year, The Parenting Publications of America honored us with a slew of Gold Awards in its Design and Editorial Awards Competition (http://parentwiseaustin.com/Publication-Type/Awards).

In the editorial categories, we received six Gold Awards! The judges commended us for our Editor’s Note, News Notes, Cool or Crummy columns, investigative journalism, service journalism, and our My Life as a Parent columns (humorist Wendi Aarons strikes again — and yes, you can read another of her hilarious installments on page 38).

Thirteen local kids got a pat on the back from Kohl’s Department Store in its national Kids Who Kare Scholarship Program.

Earlier this year, Kohl’s asked kids, parents and teachers to nominate kids who excel at volunteering. The organization then narrowed down the nominees to a group of top volunteers who in turn received a $50 Kohl’s gift card and a shot at a college scholarship.

Three Austin eighth graders have a jump start on their college funds, after winning the prestigious 2010 Seedling Foundation Rourke College Scholarship.

Shvanaka Ross, of Kealing Middle School, and Desmon Barrett and Monica Castillo, both of Martin Middle School, each received a $5,000 scholarship last month.

After months of construction and growing excitement, the Boy Scouts’ brand new Frank Fickett Scout Training and Service Center is open for business!

Crocket High School has been named a national “High School That Works”.

If you work for the City of Austin, or are related to someone who does, get out your paintbrushes: the city needs your art!

VSA Texas has once again partnered with the National Arts Program to spotlight the art of Austin city employees and their family members.

What do Lance Armstrong and Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell have in common? The Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas annual “Share the Passion” calendar!