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February
Month-Long Celebrations
Week-Long Celebrations
AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month: Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss. Low vision aids can make the most of remaining vision. American Heart Month: During this month, the American Heart Association will focus on women with "Go Red For Women," and educational movement about women and cardiovascular disease. Each year cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of nearly 500,000 women. For all of the women you know who have been affected by cardiovascular disease, participate in Wear Red Day on Friday, Feb 3. www.americanheart.org Bake For Family Fun Month: The Home Baking Association has designated February as "Bake for Family Month," dedicated to the great tasted, good nutrition, economy and family fun of traditional home baking. www.homebaking.org February Is Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month: Strawberries in February? You bet your snow boots! Though it's cold and dreary in many parts of the country, February is fabulous in Florida where strawberry growers are harvesting their winter crop and shipping handpicked fruit to key markets. Strawberries dipped in chocolate or champagne are a Valentine's Day delight. Consider using the ripe, luscious berry in a variety of recipes from salads to shortbread. www.straw-berry.org International Boost Self-Esteem Month: A month to focus on the importance of nurturing and cultivating self-esteem to beat the winter blahs, to boost morale and to inspire yourself and others to seize new challenges. International Expect Success Month: If you want good things to happen to you in the new year, you must "Expect Success...then work like there is no other option." For details and information on how to make this your most successful year yet by letting the power of positive expectation work for you, Contact iExpect Success. www.karlaspeaks.com Library Lovers' Month: A month long celebration of school, public and private libraries of all types. This is a time for everyone, especially library support groups, to recognize the value of libraries and to work to ensure that the nation's libraries will continue to serve. www.librarysupport.net Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month: Volunteers across the country distribute items with a heart theme and educational information about Marfan syndrome and related connective tissue disorders that can result in life-threatening cardiovascular problems as well as orthopedic and ophthalmologic handicaps; it affects about 200,000 Americans. www.marfan.org National African American History Month: Traditionally the month containing Abraham Lincoln's birthday (Feb. 12th) and Frederick Douglass's presumed birthday (Feb 14). Observance of a special period to recognize achievements and contributions by African Americans dates from February 1926, when it was launched by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. 2006 theme: Celebrating Community: Black Fraternal, Social And Civic Institutions. Variously designated Negro History, Black History, Afro-American History, African-American History, the observance period was initially one week, but since 1976 the entire month of February. www.asalh.org National Bird Feeding Month: To spread the word of how difficult it can be for birds to survive in the North American winters, in 1993 the National Bird-Feeding Society named February National Bird Feeding Month. The widespread awareness generated by this event has contributed tot he safe passage of winter for our feathered friends. Providing wild birds with food, water and shelter supplements their natural diet and helps them survive. www.birdfeeding.org National Cherry Month: To publicize the colorful red tart cherry. www.usacherries.com National Children's Dental Health Month: To increase dental awareness and stress the importance of regular dental care. www.ada.org National Get To Know and Independent Real Estate Broker Month: February has been named "National Get to Know and Independent Real Estate Broker Month" by the National Association of Independent Real Estate Brokers. www.NationalRealEstateBrokers.org National Hot Breakfast Month: Take time out of this month to start your day with a good hot breakfast. www.jimmydean.com National Parent Leadership Month: In order to recognize, honor and celebrate parents for their vital leadership roles in their homes and communities and in state, national and international arenas, Parents Anonymous Inc has designated the month of February as National Parent Leadership Month. This annual event will acknowledge the strengths of parents as leaders and generate awareness about the important roles parents can play in shaping the lives of their families and communities. Founded in 1969, Parents Anonymous Inc is dedicated in strengthening families by preventing child abuse and neglect all around the world. www.parentsanonymous.org National Patient Recognition Week: The Day when health care providers, professionals and personnel make a special effort to recognize their patients through planned interactions and events. Annually, the first seven days of February. www.nprw.com National Pet Dental Health Month: A nationwide effort cosponsored by veterinary dental groups and Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. to educate consumers on the importance of good dental care for pets. www.petdental.com National Senior Independence Month: A month to increase awareness of and celebrate seniors who choose to age with dignity in their own homes and maintain their independence. Per a National Home Instead Senior Care survey, 83 percent of seniors surveyed are very or somewhat likely to remain at home rather than move to a care facility. www.homeinstead.com National Time Management Month: This is the month when those noble plans made in January start to go awry. This event is dedicated to renewing those best-laid plans; breaking open those new calendars that have yet to be opened, and reevaluating and reprioritizing harried, out-of-balance lives - making specific commitments to balance them. www.springboardtraining.com National Weddings Month: As the wedding season gets into high gear, this observance is to call attention to the fact that more than 2.5 million weddings are celebrated in the US each year. www.BridalAssn.com Plant The Seeds Of Greatness Month: Think globally - build for the future - Plant the Seeds of Greatness. If you're unhappy with your present situation, discover how you can remove the barriers and make a change in your life for the better. Use this month to put to use your own unique prosperity consciousness and plant the seeds for your new career, life, objectives or goals. Make a difference for yourself, your family, your business or your community. Get outside of your comfort zone and take action on your ideas and dreams. Publicity for Profit Week: Harness the power of free publicity for yourself, your business or your our organizations. Spend each day this week getting free publicity by doing one task to promote whatever you deem important. www.wackydays.com Relationship Wellness Month: Recapture the spark and zeal of personal relationships. Rekindle the flame with your partner or spouse. Get close, communicate, laugh, love and live. This is a time of forgiveness, harmony and trust. Set new goals as a couple, and establish relationship priorities. Go out on a date once a week. Be irresistible. Be patient. Seek forgiveness. Avoid nagging and complaining. Give bear hugs and gentle kisses. Return Shopping Carts To The Supermarket Month: A month long opportunity to return stolen shopping carts, milk crates, bread trays and ice cream baskets to supermarkets and to avoid the increased food prices that these thefts cause. Annually, the month of February. Robinson Crusoe Day (Feb 1): Anniversary of the rescue of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor who had been put ashore on the uninhabited island of Juan Fernandez, at his own request, after a quarrel with his captain. His adventures formed the basis for Daniel Defoe's Book Robinson Crusoe. A day to be adventurous and self-reliant. Solo Diners Eat Out Week (Feb 1-7): Treat yourself to a meal in a restaurant - all by yourself. Settle in at a communal table, nab a stool at a counter or opt for a select table for one. Revel in a meal entirely of hors s'oeuvres or even desserts! It's your choice during this special week. www.solodining.com Wise Health Care Consumer Month: Teaching consumers to make better health care decisions in a proven way to reduce health care costs. For this reason, companies, hospitals and HMOs are offering medical self-care programs for employees, subscribers and patients. Wise Health Care Consumer Marketing packets are available. www.HealthyLife.com Women's Heart Healthy Day: As American Heart Month begins, here is a day to promote awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of American women. www.libov.com Women's Heart Week: Women's Heart Foundations' Nationally recognized program to raise awareness about the number one killer of American women: heart disease. The program introduces fun activities to promote healthier living. View the Women's Heart Week video online at www.womensheart.org Youth Leadership Month: This month is dedicated to celebrating young people who take on leadership roles in their lives. It is also dedicated to encouraging those who have not yet done so to consider doing so because they can. Programs that focus on youth leadership opportunities and effective leadership skill building are appropriate for this month. www.springboardtraining.com Candlemas Day, or Presentation Of The Lord: Observed in the Roman Catholic Church. Commemorates presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the purification of Mary 40 days after his birth. Candles have been blessed since the 11th century. This marks the end of the Christmas liturgical season. Formerly called the Feast of Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Old Scottish couplet proclaims: "If candlemas is fair and clear/There'll be two inters in the year." Groundhog Job Shadow Day: Students spend part of the day in the workplace "shadowing" an employee as he or she goes through a normal day on the job. Job shadow day demonstrates the connection between academics and careers and introduces students to the requirements of professions and industries. www.jobshadow.org Children's Authors & Illustrators Week (5-11): To celebrate and recognize authors and illustrators who create books for young people and promote literacy by inspiring enjoyment of quality literature. During this week, members of the Children's Authors Network speak at schools, libraries and children's shelters. Motivate children to read and write: invite authors and illustrators to school and venues near you! Annually, the first full week in February. www.childrensauthorsnetwork.com Get Paid To Shop Week (5-11) Love to shop? Got those post holiday, maxed-out credit cards, can't go to the mall blues? Start getting paid to go shopping as a mystery shopper. Businesses use thousands of mystery shoppers to tell them what their customers won't - the truth about service, cleanliness and more. And if you work up an appetite shipping, mystery shoppers also get paid to eat out in restaurants. Annually the first full week in February. www.idealady.com/shopping.htm International Coaching Week (5-11). To provide a week each year to educated the public about the value of working with a personal, business or executive coach and to provide an opportunity for coaches and their clients to acknowledge the results and progress made through the coaching process. Annually, the first full week in February. www.coachfederation.org or www.coachingweek.com Leadership Week International (5-11). As leadership is foundational to all organizations, this week is dedicated to the development of leadership that is both great and morally good. Freelance Writers Appreciation Week (6-10). Freelance writers do more than query editors and write and submit articles and books (nonfiction and fiction). They provide overworked editors with material, as well as inform and entertain readers. Annually, the second week of February. www.profitable-pen.com Funeral Service Education Week (6-12). This weeklong event has two purposes: it will educate and prepare the public for death of a family member and/or loved one - providing an understanding of how to plan a funeral wisely, economically and emotionally; and it will create an awareness of the funeral profession. Annually, the first full week of February. www.krausefuneralhome.com Just Say No To Powerpoint Week (6-10): All across America businesspeople are being asked to make presentations without the use of PowerPoint. We challenge them to communicate with their audiences rather than merely slideswiping them (reading one boring words-only slide after another after another). www.nancystern.com Love a Mensch Week (6-12): Mensches are decent, responsible men or women. During this week singles look to meet a mensch as well as take time to appreciate how mensches enhance our lives. www.lovecoach.com National School Counseling Week (6-10): Promotes school counseling in the school and community. Annually, first full week of February. www.schoolcounselor.org Rejection Awareness Week (7-14): An annual event celebrating the risk that leads to love. Syndicated advice columnist Harlan Cohen founded RAW in 2003 to help expose the unspoken truth about dating and relationships -that relationship rejection is an unavoidable, normal and natural part of the search for true love. Celebrate RAW 2006 by taking the risk that leads to love. Annually, the week leading up to Valentine's Day. www.helpmeharlan.com Laugh and Get Rich Day (8th) Recognition of laughter's power to add to the bottom line. People are more effective and tend to remember things better, and laughter helps to lower the turnover rate. Love May Make the World Go 'Round, But Laughter Keeps Us From Getting Dizzy Week (8-14): This week is dedicated to Victor Borge's notion that "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people" and Joel Goodman's notion that "Seven days without laughter makes one weak". This is a chance to lighten your relationships and to reinforce the connection between "heart" and "hearty laughter." Annually the week leading up to and including Valentine's Day. www.HumorProject.com Chocolate Festival (10-12): A Chocolate lover's Dream! Home made and commercially made chocolates, tortes, cakes, pies and creams available at Galesburg Antiques Mall. www.visitgalesburg.com Plimsoll Day (10): A day to remember Samuel Plimsoll, "The Sailor's Friend," a coal merchant turned reformer and politician, who was elected to the British Parliament in 1868. He attacked the practice of overloading heavily insured ships, calling them "coffin Ships." His persistence brought about amendment of Britain's Merchant Shipping Act. The Plimsoll Line, named for him, is a line on the side of ships marking maximum load allowed by law. White Shirt Day: Anniversary of UAW-GM agreement following 44-day sit-down strike at General Motors' Flint, MI factories. Blue-collar workers traditionally wear white shirts to work on this day, symbolic of workingman's dignity won. Darwin Day is an international celebration of science and humanity. Events are coordinated around the world to commemorate the life and work of Charles Darwin and the theory of evolution by natural selection, and to recognize the contributions and achievements of science and reason. On a brad scale, the program is an effort to advance science literacy, champion the efforts to humanize science and celebrate the adventurous spirit. www.darwinday.org Jell-O Week (12-18) Celebrated annually the second full week in February. The first Jell-O Week was officially declared by Utah legislature in 2001. www.hunterpr.com National Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Week (12-18): To call the nations attention to the activities and goals of the FCCLA and to family and consumer sciences education. Theme: "FCCLA: You Got The Power!" Oglethorpe Day (12th): General James Edward Oglethorp, with some 100 other Englishmen, landed at what is now Savannah, GA on Feb 12, 1733. Naming the new colony Georgia for England's King George II. Oglethorpe was organizer and first governor of the colony and found of the city of Savannah. International Flirting Week (13-19): Celebrating the ancient art of flirting and recognizing the role it plays in the lives of singles seeking a mate, couples looking to sustain their love and those simply exchanging a playful glance with a stranger, acquaintance, colleague, etc. www.lovecoach.com Tu B'Shvat (13th) Hebrew calendar date: Shebat 15, 5766. The 15th day of the month of Shebat in the Hebrew calendar year is set aside as Hamishah Asar (New Year of the Trees or Jewish Arbor Day), a time to who respect and appreciation for trees and plants. Began at sundown on Feb 12. National Condom Week (14th -21st): To educated consumers, patients, students and professionals on the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS and teenage pregnancies. www.ppsinc.org Lupercalia (15th): Anniversary of ancient Roman fertility festival. Thought by some to have been established by Romulus and Remus who, legend says, were suckled by a she-wolf at Lupercal (a cave in Palestine). Goats and dogs were sacrificed. Lupercalia celebration persisted until the fifth century of the Christian era. Possibly a forerunner of Valentine's Day Customs. Susan B. Anthony Day (15th): Honors one of the first women's rights advocates, working especially for the right to vote. Anthony was born on this day in 1820 at Adams, MA. She died Mar 13, 1906 at Rochester, NY International Friendship Week (19-25): Promotion of international friendship and the international language Esperanto. www.friendshipandgoodwill.org National Engineers Week (19-25): The 55th annual observance, cosponsored by more than 140 national engineering societies, federal agencies and major corporations. www.eweek.org Northern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day (20th): At high noon citizens are asked to go outdoors and yell "Hoodie-Hoo" to chase away winter and make ready for spring, one month away. www.wellcat.com United Nations: International Mother Language Day (21st): To help raise awareness among all peoples of the distinct and enduring value of their languages. Annually on Feb 21. www.un.org Carnival De Ponce (22-28): Ponce, PR. Carnival, artisans, parade with floats and colorfully dressed people with papier-mache' masks (vejigantes). Annually, the week before Ash Wednesday. www.ponceweb.org For Pete's Sake Day (26th): A world wonders: after all these years, who is Pete and why do we do or do not do things for his sake? www.wellcat.com National Eating Disorders Awareness Week ( Feb 26 - March 4): NEDAW provides opportunities fore eating disorders organizations, mental health professionals, families and concerned individuals around the world to join together to distribute information and plan events relating to eating disorders. www.NationalEatingDisorders.org National Pancake Week (Feb26-Mar 4): Traditional celebration surrounding Shrove, or Pancake, Tuesday to recognize the history and continuing popularity of pancakes. Shrovetide (Feb 26-28): The three days before Ash Wednesday: Shrove Sunday, Monday and Tuesday - a time for confession and for festivity before the beginning of Lent Telecommuter Appreciation Week (Feb 26- Mar 4): Sponsored by the American Telecommuting Association, this week is designed to all attention to the benefits of telecommuting: the individual and family as well as the employer and society benefit in a win-win situation. Carnival ( Feb 27-28): Period of festivities, feasts, foolishness and gaiety immediately before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Ordinarily Carnival includes only Fasching (the Feast of Fools), being the Monday and Tuesday immediately preceding Ash Wednesday. The peri9od of Carnival may also be extended to include longer periods in some areas. Read Me Week (Feb 27-Mar 3): National and local celebrities and other volunteers read in classrooms wearing readable clothing with school-appropriate messages. Paczki Day (Feb 28): Food lovers pick this day to enjoy these round, sugar-coated fruit-filled Polish pre-Lenten pastries, pronounced "Poonch-Kee," available in bakeries nationwide. Paczki Day coincides with Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.
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