TEAM UP; WE’LL MULTIPLY YOUR EFFORT
- COVER STORY—October is National Bullying Prevention Month and our publishing house is making a special offer to encourage readers to “team up,” just as 36 national cartoonists have done in the amazing new book Bullying Is No Laughing Matter. We’re donating to the national PACER campaign—$1 for every book sold this month. Read about this special month—and special “team up” invitation—in this story.
- THANKS TO OUR ALLIES—If you “team up,” you’re joining a Blue Ribbon circle of allies. First, a big Thank You! goes to Detroit News columnist Neal Rubin for contributing one of his Gil Thorp comics to the new book—and for supporting this effort in an ongoing way. Many newspapers are helping. The Petoskey News in Michigan reports on an upcoming author appearance by the comic book’s organizer Kurt Kolka. Another Thank You! to Parade Magazine‘s Dr. Nancy Berk for recently Tweeting her ongoing support.
- FREE COMICS & ACTIVITY GUIDES—How do parents enjoy this new book with kids? Ask the right questions! This week’s new free discussion guide features Jump Start. Or, see all of the free guides on this page.
- GET THE BADGE—Another way to show your support is to get the free “web badge.“
Do It Yourself Videos:
Do you use ’em? Do you make ’em?
- NEW in OurValues This Week—Have you ever looked at a YouTube video to learn a new skill or how to fix something around the house? Well, we certainly have. This week we’re wondering what’s behind the generous impulse that leads folks to share their expertise so freely, helping the rest of us learn how to whistle, fillet a pike, braid challah or degunk the carburetor on an old lawn mower.
- PART 1—Why are so many sharing so much?
- PART 2—Want to whistle with your fingers? Need to fillet a Northern pike?
- PART 3—Might there be a new life for TV French chef Julia Child?
- PART 4—Want a tandoor oven? ‘Simple Nick’ simply shares his wisdom.
- PART 5—What are the best DIY tips for making DIY videos?
FOOD AND FESTIVALS: SUKKOT!
- JEWISH HARVEST FESTIVAL—Millions of Americans are shopping for pumpkins, decorating their yards for Halloween—and thinking about who to invite for American Thanksgiving dinner. This week, learn about an ancient forerunner of such festivals: Sukkot. Jewish scholar Joe Lewis and our own holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton bring us this delightful story. Their combined column is packed with fascinating details, including: a $50,000 sukkah!?!
- ALL THE HOLIDAYS—Tell friends about www.InterfaithHolidays.com, our master index to coverage of holidays, festivals and major milestones.
- PAVLOVA WARS—Have you heard of the century-old feud between Australia and New Zealand about the creation of a dessert to honor a famous balerina? Bobbie Lewis has the story—and a recipe! Yum!
- NEW YEAR / NEW CHALLENGE—Columnist Debra Darvick brings us a thought-provoking photo in her His Lens / My Pen series.
- GODSIGNS—Columnist Suzy Farbman whisks readers to the shores of Big Sur for a story of a wedding around which, yes, the earth moved. And, she tells a true story about a nurse whose life was shaped by an angelic dream.
INTERFAITH PEACEMAKERS
- MEET ALL THE PEACEMAKERS—The front page of the Interfaith Peacemakers website links to more than 100 inspiring profiles.
- GOOD NEWS FROM BERLIN—As a reader, if you’re weary of the tragic news reports about religious and ethnic conflict around the world—then you’ll be inspired by this news from Berlin. Atop the ruins of a centuries-old Christian church, Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders are working to build a single sacred space—a House of One.
FAITH & FILM: Great Movies; Provocative Questions
- NEW ISSUE of VISUAL PARABLES JOURNAL—Veteran faith-and-film writer Edward McNulty provides more than 1,000 thoughtful film reviews at no charge to our readers—but he does hope that readers will pay for a subscription to his popular Visual Parables Journal. That’s the monthly magazine (Now in its 229th issue!) that is packed with complete study guides you can use to spark faith-and-film discussions in your community. You can preview the new October issue here. Please consider supporting Ed’s work by subscribing to Visual Parables Journal.
- REMEMBERING ROBIN—Ed continues his tribute to the late Robin Williams with a review of The Bird Cage.
- And starting with the BEST in Ed’s free movie reviews—Alfred Molina and John Lithgow are terrific in Love Is Strange. (5 out of 5 stars)
- THE BOXTROLLS—It may surprise you, but this stop-action animated feature, based on the popular novel Here Be Monsters, is simply wonderful! (4.5 out of 5 stars)
- THE GOOD LIE—You may think Reece Witherspoon is the reason to see this gripping drama; but the really impressive cast is made up of Sudanese actors. (4.5 stars)
- MY OLD LADY—Kevin Kline stars as an American who discovers one surprise after another in Paris. (4 stars)
- THE MAZE RUNNER—A powerful fantasy explores what it feels like for young people to be abandoned and face dangerous choices. (4 stars)
- A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES—A repulsively violent ending is a major flaw in this otherwise promising film. (3 stars)
- IF I STAY—“It’s unbelievable!” And not in a good way, Ed says. (3 stars)
- THE TRIP TO ITALY—Go see one of the other films, above, Ed advises. This comedy isn’t as funny as its director thinks. (3 stars)
- AND FROM JANE WELLS—Check out Yellow Flicker Beat, the first song from the Hunger Games Mockingjay soundtrack.
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