The Dayton Metro Library invites creative teens to show off their photography skills by entering the 2014 Teen Photo Contest sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Entries will be accepted February 3 through March 3, 2014, from any teen in grades 7-12 living in the greater Dayton area. The contest categories are Color, Black & White, Digital Enhancement and Phone Photo.
All photos must be submitted by email to [email protected]. Please put “Photo Contest Entry” in the subject line and include name, contact info, school, grade, photo title and category in the body of the email. Teens may enter up to three photos. If entering separate categories, please send separate emails.
All photos will be printed and placed on display in the Main Library’s auditorium and an awards/reception will be held on April 22. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category. Winners will receive $100 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third. Amy Kollar Anderson, Artist and Gallery Coordinator for the Rosewood Gallery, will judge the entries and select the winners.
A popular choice award will also be offered. All viable entries into the contest will be featured on Pinterest and votes can be cast by liking a picture (with a Pinterest login). The Pinterest link will be announced in early March. The winners of the Popular Choice Award in each category will win a $25 gift card to a photo store.
Questions about this contest can be sent to Elaine Fultz, Teen Specialist – [email protected] or call 937-496-8510
The Dayton Metro Library is one of the oldest and largest public library systems in Ohio, consistently ranking among the best in the nation. The DML consists of 20 branch locations in Montgomery County, Outreach Services and the Main Library in downtown Dayton. In order to fulfill its mission to inform, inspire and enrich the community, the DML offers programs, materials and services for all ages and stages of life. It is funded in part by a portion of the state income tax and local levy support. Specialized services and resources are available for schools, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, literacy providers and job seekers. The library houses a unique collection of local history materials. Computers are available free of charge for public use and computer instruction is available at many library locations. In November, 2012, Montgomery County voters passed a $187 million bond issue to fund new construction and renovations for the DML. Highlights of the multi-phase, multi-year project include consolidating branches from 20 to 16, establishing an offsite operations center and completely renovating the Main Library. When the project is complete in 2017, library users will enjoy modern, efficient facilities providing superior services and technology for the 21st century. Progress on the project is posted regularly on the DML website atDaytonMetroLibrary.org.
color
Discovering Dayton’s Wild Side
Fall at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
Greetings Daytonians! I’m Val Beerbower, a Jack-of-all-pens writer, novice cook, bad movie paramour and public relations specialist with Five Rivers MetroParks. I’ll admit, I wasn’t much of an “outdoorsy” person when I took up my marketing mantle in the summer of 2009, but since then , my journey with this park system has opened my eyes to a world of educational experiences, recreational opportunities and conservation principles that are waiting right in your own back yard. For those who have a little trepidation approaching nature and haven’t quite wrapped your head around tree hugging methods, fear not. I shall be your guide to Dayton’s Wild Side, taking the baby steps right along with you. Together, we’ll divest ourselves of the remote or mouse and step outside into the glaring, glorious light of day. I promise it won’t hurt a bit.
Let’s start with something easy – fall color. Who doesn’t like pretty trees? I learned that shedding leaves is a survival strategy for the trees. Broad leaves from deciduous trees, even though they collect a huge amount of sunlight for photosynthesis, do require more energy from the tree to maintain. Because Ohio winters are dark and dry, it’s easier for the tree to just shed the leaves and remain dormant until the warmer months return.
Leaves change color for a variety of reasons. Some leaves are naturally yellow or orange, but the activity of photosynthesis (process plants use to turn sunlight into glucose) produces a green hue that overpowers any other color present in the leaf. When photosynthesis shuts down, the other colors shine through. In other instances, the glucose gets trapped inside the leaf and the hues you see are actually the sugars (maples are a vibrant example).
The best seat in the house for nature's annual fashion show is reserved for you! Visit Twin Creek MetroPark and other natural parks while the display is still up.
If you want to learn more, there are a few programs you might want to attend:
(For the kids)
• Stroller Strut: What Do Leaves Do?
• Tike Hike: Pile of Leaves
• Tike Hike: My First Leaf Collection
(For grown-ups)
• Nature Center Discovery Hike
For hike ideas and places to spot fall’s radiant color (hurry! Limited quantities available while supplies last!), visit metroparks.org/FallColor.
