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On the Blackboard

FREE MEALS DURING DOG DAYS ... Schoolchildren from economically disadvantaged families will get a boost from the state this summer, according to the State Superintendent Jack O'Connell. While free school lunches are not available during summer, students can get meals at locations statewide, including in Palo Alto at Camp Unalayee at 3921 East Bayshore Road. For more information, call the camp at 650-962-8234 or visit the state Web site at www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sh/sn/sfs200843.asp.

A BIT OF MENTAL MASSAGE ... Ever wonder what the only English word with five consecutive vowels is? Then queue up for Score Education Centers' Trivia Challenge, free and open to kids from 4 to 14 years old. The contest will focus on academic subject areas, and kids will be grouped by grade level, according to a press release from Center Director Kristen Harvey. It will take place at the El Camino YMCA at 2400 Grant Road in Mountain View on Saturday, July 26, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

HIGH-SCHOOLERS FROM AFAR ... Teens from far afield are coming to Palo Alto this fall and need a place to sleep, according to Sean Taddiken, a coordinator for the STS Foundation. The Arizona-based nonprofit places students from abroad with host families. Describing some of the students, Taddiken said that Thea from Germany enjoys teaming up for a tennis match, while Napat from Thailand wants to cook Thai food for his host family. For more information, call Lillian at 1-800-522-4678 or e-mail lillian@stsfoundation.org or visit www.stsfoundation.org.

LAST-MINUTE CAMP ... There are still spots available in the Digiquest Workshop on Studio Production running Aug. 4-8, the Community Media Center has announced. Students ages 11 to 17 will create a show in the center's professional TV studio by using programs including Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Live Type, GarageBand, Motion and Flash Animation. Each day runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the week costs $495. For more information, call Danielle at 650-494-8686, ext. 37, e-mail danielle@communitymediacenter.net or visit www.communitymediacenter.net/digiquest.html.

BEACH READING REDUX ... Kids interested in reading publications from around the world can check out the Palo Alto library Web site. Using a library card number, users can log on to read the Berliner Zeitung or the Zimbabwe Business Weekly — free. The site is at www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/lib/default.asp; click on "Library Press Display" under the "Newspapers" heading.

TRAVELS BRING SCHOOLS DOLLARS ... When shoppers stocking up on travel goods turn to Edwards Luggage in the Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto schools will get a bit of cash, the store has announced. In a combination of eco-consciousness and school-boosting, the travel store will donate a quarter to Partners in Education for every plastic bag customers decline to use when checking out, according to co-owner Laura Reininger. The 62-year-old business is owned by the Reiningers, a Palo Alto family and an original tenant in Stanford Shopping Center, she added. The store sells leather goods, wallets, travel accessories and gift.

INSPIRATIONAL ED ... School's out, but students seeking to beat summer doldrums can turn to the Entrepreneurship Corner, a Stanford University Web site featuring videos and recommended reading. Speakers from venture capital firms and tech giants such as Google weigh in on topics including innovation, risk-taking and failure. The site, edcorner.stanford.edu is debuting this week and is a revamp of the earlier Educators Corner.

On the Blackboard is a monthly feature announcing news and events related to schools and youth. Send news to School's Out Editor Arden Pennell at apennell@paweekly.com.