Just wanted to mention a few things.

First, the June workshop I mentioned earlier this week has been officially scheduled for June 20, not June 13.  So, change the date on your calendars.  More info to come as we continue the planning process.

Next, I noticed that the lovely Alice McGinty http://www.alicebmcginty.com/ was mentioned in this weeks Publisher's Weekly Children's Bookshelf.  I have had the pleasure of meeting Alice many times at different SCBWI events around Illinois.  She recently wrote a book about Charles Darwin, (Darwin, due Feb 2009 Houghton, Mifflin Children's Books) and it was mentioned as part of their Lincoln/ Darwin 200th Birthday article.  Check her out.  She was also recently promoted to Assistant Regional Advisor of the Illinois SCBWI.  Congratulations Alice!! 

You also may want to check out the latest edition of The Prairie Wind http://www.intelligentlight.com/PrairieWind/.  It is Illinois SCBWI's version of a quarterly publication, which is fabulous!  Check it out!!  And our fabulous editor, Kate Hannigan, is moving on, and being replaced by Heather Banks.  Thanks for all your hard work, Kate, good luck.  And welcome Heather! 

And one final, unrelated note.  I watched another really great movie yesterday.  It's called 7 Pounds, starring Will Smith.  It is highly worth the time to watch it.  It is a bit confusing, especially if you go into not knowing anything about it.  I even had to look up the Wikipedia mention of it so I could follow better.  (I wouldn't recommend reading the Wikipedia blurb, as it gives A LOT away.) Here's a little synopsis:  The movie opens with Will Smith's character calling 911 stating that someone is about to commit suicide.  Who?  "I am" replies Will's character.  It then immediately goes into flashback mode.  Without giving anything away, Will's character (Ben Thomas) is planning to commit suicide in order to help out 7 other people, mostly by donating his organs.  I won't tell you any more.  You figure it out for yourself.  But GO SEE IT!!  I envy the people who are able to think up this stuff, amazing!

Anyway, ta ta for now ......................
Have a great weekend!!!