Friday Focus

We apologize for the delay in getting this electronic version of "Friday Focus" out to you, due to technical difficulties....

Joy of the Library

Where can your child explore far away places or go on wild adventures--while putting reading skills into practice? At the library!

Why not visit the quiet coolness of your local library and discover what it has to offer.

Check it out. If your child doesn't have a library card, take a few minutes to get one. Then watch the proud expression on his face when he gets to use it for the first time. (Tip: If it's your child's first visit to the library, ask the librarian if someone can give you a tour.)

Find answers. Whether your child loves snakes, stars, or seals, the library has lots of sources that are loaded with information. Try books, magazines, books on tape, encyclopedias, and even videos and DVDs!

Point and click. Your library should have computers available for your child to use. Learning to use a computer is an important skill for the future. Play educational games or surf the net for sights safe for kids. (Tip: Watch your kids on myspace.com--it's the #1 site for online predators!)

Get involved. Ask about summer reading programs. Then offer small rewards like stickers, bookmarks, or Jamba Juice. Take advantage of other library programs--story times, visiting authors, family nights, and puppet shows.

Visit your local library for some great summer ideas!

Remote Control Car Races

Monday is RC Car Day at school. Bring your favorite RC Car for races at lunch time!

Summer Camp

Summer camp for this summer has been cancelled, due to only a few students registering.

Summer Office Hours

Our office will be closed the week of June 26-30. During the summer, office hours will be from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Thursday. Our office will be closed on Fridays.

Religion at Traffic Lights

The story is not mine, and I would have missed it except for Suzy's kindness in forwarding it to me. But it makes an interesting point.

It tells of a good citizen who was being tailgated by a stressed-out woman on a busy street. Suddenly, the light at the intersection just in front of them turned yellow. The good citizen did the right thing by stopping at the crosswalk--even though he could have beaten the red light by gunning it through the intersection.

The tailgating woman hit the roof--and her horn. She was screaming in frustration because she had missed her chance to get through the intersection. As she was still in mid-rant--alternately pounding the steering wheel and gesturing to the fellow in front of her--she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer.

The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He put handcuffs on her. He took her to the police station, where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a police captain approached the cell and opened the door.

The woman was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, "I'm very sorry for my mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cursing a blue streak. Then I noticed the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'What Would Jesus Do?' bumper sticker, the 'Follow Me to Sunday School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car."

Ouch! Somewhere through the centuries, an idea has gained currency that says we can be Christians in the same way most people are Democrats and Republicans, Rotarians and Lions Club members. We show up for meetings, pay our dues, and wear the insignia. For the most part, however, it is acceptable to be "just like everybody else." We're devout Christians on the weekend, but we curse or flirt or cheat or tell racist jokes the other six and a half days of the week.

We have so institutionalized the Christian faith that membership has come to count for conversion. It isn't just Vito Corleone of "Godfather" fame who could live as a criminal so long as he attended Mass and gave gifts to his church.

If one's faith is more than self-delusion, it must inform and transform her life in all the routine and ordinary events of life. Even at traffic lights.

--Rubel Shelly