Travis County Youth Show - Auction

The TCYS Auction will be on Saturday, January 23, 2010.
Travis County Exposition Center
Luedecke Rodeo Arena
10:00 a.m. to ???

To view the auction from the floor of the arena, the cost is $20.00 per person - Youth or Adults (The $20.00 fee will include food). If you choose not to be on the floor of the auction, you may view the event from the bleacher type seating.

2010 National 4-H Congress

The 2010 National 4-H Congress will take place November 25 - 30th in Atlanta, Georgia. The cost for youth to participate is $1400. Online applications will open on 4-H CONNECT starting February 1, 2010 and close on April 16, 2010. The Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program strongly encourages all youth between the ages of 14 and 18 to apply. For more information on attending National Congress please see the following document at travis4h.com (Be sure to look under the tab " upcoming events).

San Antonio Youth Baking Contest

For those interested, the San Antonio Livestock Show offers a Youth Baking Contest. The rules and guidelines and entry form are posted at www.travis4h.com (look under the forms tab). The contest is on Saturday, February 6. Deadline for entries is January 16, 2010.

4-H Spurs Military Night

The San Antonio Spurs are pleased to announce another 4-H night, this time in honor of our 4-H Military Program!

The event will be held on Friday, January 29, 2010 at 7:30 PM. This is a special night in which the Spurs will be honoring fallen & injured soldiers, veterans of war, and children of military families.

Packages starting as low as $12 per person will include a game ticket and a food voucher for a hot dog, chips & soda. Don't wait long to place your order - availability is limited! Please see the attached order form for details.

Please check out the flyer at www.travis4h.com for more details and ticket order information.
(look under the tab - "upcoming events"

Are you looking for Community Service Hours?

Discover Green is a non-profit organization, started by one of our Travis County 4-H Members, Matthew Evans. Below is a great opportunity for several reasons:
1. Giving back to the community
2. Working with and supporting fellow 4-H members
3. Free validated ticket to a Disney Park for your service hours
Check out the websites below or talk with Matthew. His email is listed below

If you register for one of the Discover Green service projects during 2010 - we will validate your service and you get a free ticket to a Disney Park.

For more information - www.disneyparks.com

For more information about Discover Green -- www.discovergreenyel.org

We have events starting on January 18th - MLK day.

We look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Matthew Evans,

volunteer@discovergreenyel.org

Shearing of Lambs and Goats for County Show

There is an opportunity for youth to have their lambs and goats sheared for the county show. Thursday, January, 14th is the preferred day and you will need to plan to arrive around 7:00 a.m. or a little after. Once the shearer is done on Thursday and no one is in line, he will be leaving, so please plan to arrive early on Thursday morning. If you cannot make it on the 14th, you can try to come on the 12th or 13th, but you may have a longer wait than on the 14th.

This will take place at the Travis County Exposition Center
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. on the 12th and 13th
7:00 a.m. to when he is done or no one in line. (plan to be early this day)
Cost is $10.00 per head

If you have any additional questions about this opportunity, please contact Brad or Cory at 512-854-9600.

Wanted...Adventurous Youth

Last seen skateboarding down Main Street, shopping at the mall, meeting with their 4-H Club, at the high school basketball game, and playing video games with friends, we are in hot pursuit of all youth between the ages of 9 and 14 who possess an adventurous spirit, enjoy the outdoors, and are up for an exciting challenge! Join us for the Texas 4-H Conference Center’s Adventure Treks 2010!

The Adventure Treks are a great opportunity for youth to learn about conservation and minimum impact use of natural resources, develop their teambuilding and leadership skills, and best of all, go on a fun and action packed outdoor adventure with other youth from across Texas! These week-long outdoor adventures require the participant to have neither previous outdoor experience nor any equipment; all the essentials and necessary training are provided!

The basic thrust of the program is built around the National Outdoor Leadership School’s “Leave No Trace” Curriculum. This curriculum is designed to provide progressive learning and adventure challenge to help participants develop a true love of, and comfort in, the outdoor world, as well as learn and practice concepts and skills of minimum impact use. Adventure Trek guides (instructors) strive to instill in participants a sense of responsibility for self, others, and the world around them through hands on activities and learning experiences. Program topics include: Teambuilding, Leadership Development, Overnight Trip Planning, Backpacking & Minimum Impact Camping, Kayaking & Boater Safety, Survival Skills, Wildlife & Plant Identification, Aquatic & Terrestrial Ecology, Outdoor Cooking & Food Safety, Orienteering, and much MORE!!

Again in 2010, we will be offering the "Assistant Trek Guides" Program for returning participants! To qualify as an Assistant Trek Guide, participants must: meet all requirements to be a trek participant—with the exception of maximum age, have successfully completed a previous trek, and be willing to assume some leadership and directed teaching responsibilities. For 2010, two Assistant Trek Guide positions will be available for each trek. Assistant Trek Guides will be offered a reduced cost, and positions will be filled on a first come first serve basis, subject to approval by the Lead Trek Guide. **Note: Assistant Trek Guides may be over the age of 14.

Adventure Treks are open to ANY youth age 9-14. 4-H membership is NOT required to be eligible to participate.

A new adventure at a different destination is offered each year! Several of the past years’ adventures have included: “Colorado Bend Kayaking Adventure”, “Fishing the Watershed of Texas” Colorado River Basin, “The Great South Llano Adventure”, and “Far West Adventure” Exploring the Magnificence of Far West Texas.

Exciting plans are in the works for 2010!! Keep an eye on your inbox and check the 4-H Center website frequently for the announcement of this year’s destination and itinerary. Space is limited! A maximum of 14 youth will be selected on a first come first serve basis to participate in each of the Adventure Treks.

For more information about the Adventure Treks program, please visit the Texas 4-H Conference Center website at http://texas4h-ctr.tamu.edu or contact:

Laci Chapman, Lead Trek Guide

Program Director, Texas 4-H Conference Center

rlchapman@ag.tamu.edu

Phone: 325-784-5482

Charolais Association of Texas - Calf Donation Program

The Charolais Association of Texas has a program that donates Charolais calves to individuals who've never owned a registered Charolais, for the purpose of showing as a project. Applications are being accepted and the deadline has been extended to December 21, 2009. The link to the program and application is http://www.charolaisassociation.com/odbutler.html. We ask that you relay this information to your youth and encourage them to complete the application if they qualify. Remember, all applications must be postmarked by December 21, 2009.

Summer Program Assistant Positon at the National 4-H Center

Looking for youth with a high school diploma/preferably some college experience.

Do you know a 4-H'er who has a passion for government, history, political science, working with youth, public speaking, or leadership? If so, encourage them to apply for the position of Program Assistant (PA) at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center! Application deadlines are approaching soon and we want to give 4-H alumni and Collegiate 4-Hers an opportunity to make a difference during their spring or summer semester. Our PAs will be touching the lives of thousands of high school-aged students from all over the United States while working for the Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) program in Washington, DC.
CWF gives 4-Hers the opportunity to strengthen their communication, leadership, and other citizenship skills on a national level. Nearly 2,000 young people exchange ideas, practice respect, and form friendships with other youth from diverse backgrounds throughout the summer. Through hands-on activities, simulations, and tours of various monuments and memorials, participants figure out what citizenship means to them and develop action plans to make a difference in their home communities. As a CWF Program Assistant, these 4-H leaders will create, develop, and facilitate curriculum to be used during the 2010 program.
We are looking for individuals with at least a high school diploma (preferably some college experience) and a passion for youth development, hospitality, teaching, history, politics, or leadership. If you know a college student looking for credit towards graduation, National 4-H Council will happily work with the student and the school to make this possible. Listed below is the link for information and application materials.

Citizenship Washington Focus Program Assistant:
Application due January 18, 2010
http://www.citizenshipwashingtonfocus.org/programassistant.aspx

For more information please contact:
Molly Young Freeman Thompson
Director, Youth Opportunities Coordinator, Youth Opportunities
myoung@4HCenter.org fthompson@4HCenter.org
301-961-2812 301-961-2917

SALE Youth Day Activities

Saturday, February 6, 2010
Photography Contest and Fashion Show at the San Antonio Livestock Show
Booths will also be setup by clubs and groups to showcase their interests and project work. If your club would like to set up a booth, please contact Cory for further discussion.

Please Check out the flyers at www.travis4h.com (look under the upcoming events folder)
Entry list will be due to Cory Talley at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu by January 19, 2010

Please email Cory if you have questions!

Photography Contest

If you enjoy taking photos and would like to receive recognition for your work, take the time to enter the Photography Contest. Each 4-H member is eligible to submit 4 (four) photographs to be judged. Each member may also submit a creative display (a one page (size - 12"x12") with pictures and embellishments). 4-H'ers may only submit 1 (one) creative display project.

4-H'ers may submit any number of photos for the county contest, but must designate the four photos they would like judged at the district contest. There is no charge for the county contest, but there is a $5.00 charge for the district contest. To be eligible to compete at the district contest, youth must register via 4-H Connect to be considered for judging. Registration will be open March 1- 15, 2010.

Photos must be submitted to the County Extension Office by Thursday, March 4, 2010. To view the divisions and classes, please check out the flyer at www.travis4h.com. Each photo must also have the label attached to the back on the photos. Photos may be in color or black and white and must be 8"x10" mounted on black or white foam board of 8"x10".

Please check out the www.travis4h.com website for the label and classes/divisions.

San Antoni Livestock Show School Tours

If you are interested in serving as a School Tour Guide for the San Antonio Livestock Show, please review the dates below and let Cory know by December 10 ,2009 at noon. Please look closely at the schedule and make sure that the date you choose does not conflict with a show date, time or anything else. Once you commit, you have committed and will be expected to carry out the duty on the day you signed up for. You are committing from 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on that day.

2010 Tour Dates – Week 1
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010

2010 Tour Dates – Week 2
Monday, February 15, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
No Tours on Thursday, February 18, 2010
No Tours on Friday, February 19, 2010

If you have any questions, please let Cory know. cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu

Teen Retreat at the Texas 4-H Conference Center

Howdy! The Texas 4-H Conference Center is pleased to announce plans for the first event of 2010. The Texas Teen Retreat to be held January 8-10, 2010 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center! This retreat will be an excellent opportunity for senior 4-H members ages 13-19 to learn numerous basic personal skills and leadership techniques. Our unique theme this year is “Fasten Your Seat Belts... 4-H is FUN!” a look at the new Recreation Handbook. Participants will see, learn, and get some practice leading recreation activities for any and all age groups! Teen Retreat participants will be equipped to return to their counties and lead activities with afterschool programs, 4-H clubs, Youth Boards, and more!

Registration is being conducted via 4-H Connect. The cost of this event is $120.00. Travis 4-H will pay half of the registration fee, only after you have paid for the event in full and attended the event. New additional sponsor - of the $60.00 remaining fee you will pay, due to a gracious sponsor, you will now only have to pay $30. For youth who attend. $90.00 will be refunded to each participant upon returning from the trip. If interested in this event and would like more information, please talk with Cory via email at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu or by phone at 512-854-9600. Need to register via 4-H Connect by December 28, 2009.

Travis County 4-H T-shirt Orders

Orders are being accepted for Travis County 4-H T-shirts. The order form may be found at travis4h.com - (look under the tab "4-H Forms". Long or short sleeve shirts may be ordered.
Short Sleeve - $12.00 and Long Sleeve - $15.00. Order forms are due to the County Extension Office by December 1, 2009.

*** A correction is being made to add a hyphen between the 4 and the H.***

Travis County Youth Show Junior Superintendents

Opportunity for youth in the 8th-12th grades. The application must be completed and turned in by November 16, 2009 to the Travis County Youth Show Office. Application may be found at travis4h.com under the "forms" tab or on the TCYS website

Youth will be notified by phone on November 23, 2009 and invited to attend the December 2nd Board Meeting to meet the superintendents.

JUNIOR SUPERINTENDENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO ASSIST THE SUPERINTENDENTS WITH VARIOUS AREAS OF THE SHOW & AUCTION. THEY WILL BE EXPECTED TO WEAR YOUR OFFICIAL NAME TAG. THIS OBLIGATION WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH YOUR OWN SHOW TIMES.

Please mail applications to
P.O. Box 1110
Manor, TX 778653

or Email to: tcys@live.com

Travis Extension Education Association Bazaar

Saturday, November 14, 2009
9:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m.

Faith Lutheran Church
6600 Woodrow Avenue
Austin, TX

Great Holiday Decorations, Craft and Gift Items, Delicious Homemade Bake Goods, Breakfast Tacos, Hot Soups and Sandwiches, Desserts, Drinks.. and Much More

Travis County One Day 4-H Activities

Please take a look at the 4-H Website - www.travis4h.com to check out some photos of the One Day 4-H Events. If you have photos you would like posted of one day activity, please email them to Cory at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu.

4-H Photos Needed

The 4-H Office and the County Council are requesting photos of 4-H'ers in action as well as photos taken by 4-H'ers. Promotional posters will be put together and printed to use at various 4-H events. The goal of this project is develop a poster portraying the many aspects of 4-H and all that it has to offer. Photos must be sent via email and as a jpeg (will not be accepted in other forms). Please submit photos to cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu. Please note that not all photos may be used. Selection of photos used will be made by a professional photographer.

Helpful Hints Regarding H1NI

For more information, please check out the following websites:

AgriLife Extension's Texas EDEN Flu Resources for your clientele:

http://texashelp.tamu.edu/004-natural/disease-and-epidemic.php#fluHuman

For additional flu information: http://www.texasflu.org/

Here is a list of things we can all do to avoid spreading the flu, compiled by Carol Rice, Extension health specialist:

· Get the seasonal flu immunization as soon as possible and the H1N1 vaccination as recommended for you.

· Recognize early signs of flu: fever at 100⁰F or higher, dry cough, sore throat, muscle aches and pain, headache, and cold symptoms. Stay at home until free from fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicines.

· Regularly wash hands with warm soap and water for 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

· Provide and use disinfecting wipes on commonly touched/shared surfaces like door handles, copy machine buttons, phones, etc.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

· Shield coughs and sneezes with your elbow or upper arm rather than your hands; use disposable tissues and discard promptly after use. Keep tissues readily available.

· Avoid shaking hands.

· Maintain a distance of three to six feet from others who appear sick.

· Keep your immune system strong with regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a good diet.

Fostering Animals Through the Town Lake Animal Shelter

Below is some information about fostering animals through the Town Lake Animal Shelter. If this might be on interest to your family, please read below and feel free to contact the following individual:

Sarah Hammond

TLAC Foster Coordinator

sarah.hammond@ci.austin.tx.us

512-972-6099 phone

TLAC F.A.Q.

What kind of animals need to be fostered?

Animals that benefit from foster care come in many shapes and sizes! The largest foster need TLAC has is for underage kittens and nursing mother cats and their kittens. We also need foster homes for underage puppies and nursing mother dogs and their puppies. Cats and dogs recovering from illness or injuries will enjoy recovering in the comfort of a foster home. In certain circumstances we simply need special temporary homes for a displaced pet.

What do foster homes need to do to become approved to foster for TLAC?

Fosters must live in Travis County, have a valid picture ID and have access to the Internet. All current animals in the foster home must have up to date rabies vaccinations. Foster homes should discuss fostering with their veterinarian – the veterinarian may suggest additional vaccinations or parasite protection for owned animals to protect them. If the foster home rents, we will need permission from the landlord to foster at the address. Ideally, there should be enough room in the foster home to separate them from owned animals.

How long is the typical foster period?

Average time in foster care is 2-4 weeks. If they become ill, it may be longer. Newborn kittens and puppies will need at least 8 weeks in foster care. Kittens and puppies need to be at least 8 weeks old to be eligible for adoption.

Who handles the veterinary care if a foster pet becomes ill while in foster care?

TLAC has a fully staffed vet services department and will handle all medical needs the foster animal requires at no expense to the foster home.

What happens if a foster’s owned animal catches a disease from a foster animal?

Any illness contracted by owned animals is the responsibility of the foster parent and their own personal veterinarian. All fosters animals are screened against certain contagious illness and the shelter’s recommendation is to keep owned animals separated from foster animals to avoid contamination.

What does the shelter provide in order to help care for the foster animals?

Cats and kittens are provided with food, both canned and hard food. Toys, bedding and litter boxes are all provided by the foster home. Dogs and puppies are provided with food, both canned and hard kibble. They also go home with a leash and collar. If appropriate, TLAC will provide a crate or exercise pen. Toys and bedding are provided by the foster home.

Do foster homes find adopters for their foster pets?

Animals return to Town Lake Animal Center for adoption. Foster homes should be able to provide pictures and behavior information about how the animal behaved in their home to help the shelter match the pets with potential adopters. In the event the foster home finds potential adopters for their foster pets, these adopters must come to TLAC to complete the TLAC Adoption Application Process.

Can foster homes adopt their foster pets?

Of course! By becoming a an approved foster provider, you are an approved TLAC Adopter!