Traverse City Record-Eagle

Education

July 13, 2009

Education in Brief: 07/14/2009

Anime convention coming to TC

TRAVERSE CITY -- The Northern Michigan Anime Convention has announced Vic Mignogna as special guest for the August convention at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City.

The convention, Aug 8-9, will host special guests from the anime industry and feature anime screenings.

Well-known voice actor Mignogna is best recognized for his role as Edward Elric in the anime Fullmetal Alchemist, which was a nationwide hit when it aired on the Cartoon Network's adult cartoon block, "Adult Swim."

NMACon will feature a new event this year: Cosplay Arena, in which convention attendees battle in a video tournament as the characters their costumes represent. The convention will also feature a special, secret event during the entire NMACon, which will not be revealed until opening ceremonies. Other planned events include tabletop gaming sponsored by Gaming for a Cure and Mr. and Mrs. NMA, touted as "like prom king and queen for those of us who never stood a chance".

Tickets will be $25 for both days, or $15 for one day. A percentage of NMACon's profits will benefit Gaming for a Cure, to raise funds for a cure for Cancer.

NMACon is the official convention for members of the global anime community of Ani-Pock (www.ani-pock.net). More information can be found at www.NMACon.net.

GT Bay YMCA offers art camps

TRAVERSE CITY -- Grand Traverse Bay YMCA has a new day camp offering, The Arts Camp, for children entering 4-6 grades.

The weekly Y Arts Camp runs July 13-Aug. 7. Each week will feature a different theme in various media. July 13-17 is "Native American Art." July 20-24 is "Arts through the Ages." July 27-31 is "Michigan Wildlife." Aug. 3-7 is "Art Expression."

Registration fee for each week is $125 for program members and $105 for YMCA facility members. For details visit the blog at gtbaymca.blogspot.com, the YMCA website at www.gtbayymca.org, or call (231) 933-9622.

Production assistant boot camp offered

TRAVERSE CITY -- Northwestern Michigan College is offering a "boot camp"-style course on becoming a film production assistant.

The 20-hour workshop will be held Aug. 4-7, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at NMC's M-TEC Building on Aero Park Drive. The cost is $395.

Students will learned the basics of working on a set, including the players and their roles, film vocabulary, basic grip and lighting and the role of a PA, according to filmmaker Rich Brauer, instructor.

Students will also explore set operations and etiquette and experience the process from the director's perspective. The last session features the grip truck and equipment, a wrap-up Q & A with the instructional team, and a certificate of completion to add to your learning portfolio.

For more information or to register, visit www.nmc.edu/ees or call NMC Extended Education 995-1700.

NMC observatory debuts telescope

TRAVERSE CITY -- NMC's Rogers Observatory debuted its first computer-controlled telescope at Saturday's public viewing night.

The Meade 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain computer-controlled telescope allows more celestial objects to be viewed through a larger lens. It replaces the observatory's former telescope, a Celestron C-14 purchased in 1976, and has been mounted into the observatory's main dome.

The Rogers installation is the first time this telescope has been used. It was originally built for NASA's space network, but found its way to a private owner. It was assembled twice but never viewed through due to its size and weight. NMC astronomy students saw its first light on July 7. It was funded with grant dollars and a partial donation.

The older, C-14 telescope, originally purchased with funds from the NMC Barbecue, will be remounted on a pier behind the Observatory in a second dome. The NMC Astronomy Club is seeking donations for the dome.

Eat ice cream, help the Titan fund

TRAVERSE CITY -- A "Titan Sundae" at Moomers benefits the Campaign for the Titan Excellence Fund.

For every Titan Sundae sold, a portion of the sale will benefit the Regional Community Foundation Titan Excellence Fund.

Additionally, Moomers will host "Titan Sundae Monday" July 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. Campaign volunteers will be on hand to answer questions.

The Campaign for the Titan Excellence Fund, sponsored by the Regional Community Foundation, was launched last year by a group of four Traverse City West Senior High alumni and several volunteers with a goal of establishing a permanent endowment fund to benefit TC West.

For more information or to support the Titan Excellence Fund, visit www.4good4ever.org.

GTACS Hall of Fame nominations due

TRAVERSE CITY -- The deadline is Wednesday for nominations to the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools Hall of Fame.

To nominate a person (living or deceased), download the form at www.gtacs.org and clicking on the GTACS News link. Forms are also available in the GTACS Business Office in St. Francis High School on 11th Street.

For more information, call 995-8425 or e-mail cweber@gtacs.org.

'Get Animated' tour coming to Boyne

BOYNE FALLS -- Comcast and Cartoon Network have partnered to bring the network's national "Get Animated Tour" to Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls July 19 from noon to 6 p.m.

The event is designed to motivate, energize and educate kids 6-14 about healthy living choices. Activities include a climbing wall, soccer challenge, bicycle race, basketball drills, Crayola tent and interactive HOPSports program. All activities are themed around Cartoon Network's line-up of shows.

A special lodging package is available for the night of July 19 and includes admission to Avalanche Bay indoor waterpark. For reservations, visit www.BOYNE.com or call (800)GO-BOYNE (462-6963).

Shoppers can help children's literacy

TRAVERSE CITY -- Macy's shoppers have the opportunity to help Reading Is Fundamental, a national partnership to raise awareness and support of children's literacy.

Customers can give $3 and receive a coupon for $10 off a $50 in-store purchase at any Macy's. The $3 goes directly to RIF.

The campaign runs through Aug. 31. For more information, go to www.rif.org.

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