Black History Month on ThinkBright & WNED-TV

February is Black History Month. Join WNED-TV and ThinkBright & Well in celebrating with the following programming! Here's a list of documentaries currently scheduled on ThinkBright. Please visit our new WNED-TV website to find dates and times for programming listed under WNED-TV.

To Market, To Market

By Misty Harris

I don't have a green thumb (I think I already mentioned that). However, I have managed to keep two plants in my house alive for the past year! I even tried my hand at repotting one. The process was pretty intense. I spent at least 15 minutes in the gardening section of one of my favorite stores trying to decide which new pot was coming home with me. Afterwards I placed the pot next to the plant (her name is Linda) and there it stayed for about a month. Linda is now in her new home and continues to grow and love the sun she points towards in my kitchen.

LGBT Pride Month Programming

By Steve Karosik

In observation of June being declared LGBT Pride Month, WNED-TV and ThinkBright & Well / WORLD TV are airing several programs for anyone seeking education and insight regarding gay rights and the cultural change that’s happening in our country and throughout the world. Here are a few highlights:

Thank you, teachers!

By Beth Fronckowiak, WNED/ThinkBright manager of learning/technology

How often do you speak to your child’s teacher? How often do you thank them for their work? Tuesday, May 7 is National Teacher Day. Please take this opportunity to think about everything your children’s teachers do for them every day. Your child spends most of their waking hours in school. It’s really like a second home. A teacher’s job goes beyond academics and test preparation. Your children are also learning social and emotional skills from their teachers. Who should they go to for help when being bullied? Their teacher. Who can show them how they should respond when an administrator says “Good Morning?” Their teacher. Who frequently gives guidance in developing and maintaining friendships? Their teacher. Who disciplines them when they step out of line (maybe literally!)? Their teacher. Of course, much of this is learned from parents, but teachers are really a valuable support that many people don’t think about. Teachers provide much more than test preparation. What can you give your children’s teachers? A simple, heart-felt thank you goes a long way.

Helping Young Writers Thrive

By Beth Fronckowiak, Manager of Learning & Technology, WNED/ThinkBright & Well

We’d all like for our children to excel at reading and writing – maybe even become literary geniuses, writing away in their journals, sketches to accompany of course. But it isn’t always that easy. However, here’s an opportunity that might inspire your young writers! The 2013 PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is underway. Now in its 19^th year (the contest was previously the Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators contest – same contest, new name), the contest is a great experience that children will have their entire lives.

Celebrating Mother Earth

By Annmarie Dean

Sunday, April 22 marks the 42^nd anniversary of Earth Day and what many people consider the birth of the modern environmental movement. In 1970, 20 million Americans demonstrated for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive rallies and since that rally, the environmental movement has led to many milestones, including the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Act. In 1990, Earth Day celebrations went global resulting in a huge boost in recycling efforts.

LiveWell Family Resource Kit: Helping families be healthy and save money

By Guest Blogger Corey Herskowitz, LiveWell program associate

In my house growing up, dinner with my brother and sister consisted of pizza on Wednesday’s, Chinese food on Sunday’s, fast food once or twice a week and countless TV dinners. With no hesitation, we were downing thousands of empty calories and getting an early start on the highway to heart disease and diabetes. Really though, what child would question pizza and french fries? My sister never did and she was borderline obese and had high cholesterol - in fourth grade! Not to mention the ridicule she went through as an overweight teen.

Factoid Friday: Educators Edition

By Annmarie Dean

While I am sure that most of you already know this, WNED has been educating the masses since 1959. We also employ people who have been or are educating children, adolescents and adults. Here’s a run-down of our favorite teachers:

LiveWell: Healthy Lifestyles to Last the Holidays

By Guest Blogger Janet Hinkel

From Thanksgiving to Christmas I eat my favorite foods, rich, hearty, delicious and local – maple-sweetened pies, local apples and pears, the last of the kale and spinach from the fields, free-range meats that are lean and flavorful, squash in all shapes and sizes, organic heavy cream from New York dairy farmers, and steaming, fresh, whole grain bread from the small bakery around the corner.

I love late-harvest, holiday food; I dread the weight gain. What’s a food-loving, health-nut to do?

Celebrating Central City Café

By Guest Blogger Caesandra Seawell

Join us for the celebration of Central City Café's 21st Anniversary and Fall Harvest Festival on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 from 1  – 4 p.m.  at the Central City Café Gymnasium (200 East Eagle St, Buffalo 14204)

Make Your (Healthy) Voice Heard!

By Suzanne Kashuba

If you do something good, tell people about it! I’ve always believed it’s important to set an example for young people. But it’s amazing what young people can do to set an example for their peers when they are truly passionate about a cause.

The Best of Both “WORLDS”

By Suzanne Kashuba

What else is on? Plopped on the sofa on any given evening, that’s what I want to ask my trusty, old TV. There’s not much on the air that appeals to me these days. I like “The Office” and admit to being an “Idol” fan, but, more often than not, I surf the channels wanting something different, something relevant -- programming that’s worth my “eyeballs” and my time.

Creative Culinary Helping the Community

By Suzanne Kashuba

Do you remember the first time you tasted kiwi or tried salmon? Do you still puzzle over the odd-looking items in the produce department?  As we’ve all experienced, eating can be an adventure!  Making healthy choices also can be adventurous, fun and creative.