Monthly Events

Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month. Sponsored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to promote the adoption of dogs from local shelters. For more information, including a photo contest, go to www.aspca.org/adoption/adopt-a-shelter-dog-month.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Created by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed back in 1987. Its purpose encompasses mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, and connecting those who work to end violence. For more information visit www.ncadv.org

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Created to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to screening services. For more information visit go to www.nbcam.org/index.cfm

Crime Prevention Month. Established in 1984 by the National Crime Prevention Council to promote awareness of important issues such as victimization, volunteerism, and creating safer, more caring communities. For more information visit http://www.ncpc.org/programs/crime-prevention-month

Weekly Events

National Newspaper Week, Oct. 3-9. With Americans reading print newspapers less and less in favor of scanning websites and watching television news programs, this week spotlights the value of the written word in print and celebrates the role newspapers have played in influencing society. For more information visit http://www.nnaweb.org/?/nnaweb/content01/1920/


World Rainforest Week, Oct. 10-16. Every year, the Rainforest Action Network designates a week in October as World Rainforest Week to encourage individuals to recognize the beauty and wonder of the world’s rainforests. For more information visit
http://www.ran.org/

National Freedom of Speech Week, Oct. 18-24. Free speech defines the American way of life. Talk to your kids about freedom of speech and how it affects their lives. Exercise your right to freedom of speech by posting a message online, composing a poem, writing a letter to the editor—whatever works best for you. For more information visit http://www.nfsw.org/?flv=1

Magic Week, Oct. 25-31. Abracadabra! For more than 40 years the Society of American Magicians has recognized the anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini with a week of special events to highlight the fun of magic and the charitable work of the Society. For more information visit http://www.magicsam.com/magicweek.asp

Daily Events

World Vegetarian Day, Oct. 1.“World Vegetarian Day was established as an annual celebration to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism. The day was originated by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978.” Source NAV. For more information go to http://www.navs-online.org/ and http://www.worldvegetarianday.org/

World Smile Day, Oct. 1. Created by commercial artist Harvey Ball, creator of the widespread "smiley face," who believed that all of us should devote one day each year to smiles and kind acts. Yes, the cute smileys are corny but the message is clear. For more information visit http://www.worldsmileday.com and http://www.worldsmile.org/

International Walk to School Day, Oct. 6. Communities celebrate walking or biking to school as the first step to creating inviting environments for all. For more information visit http://www.walktoschool.org/

Columbus Day, Oct. 11 (observed on this day). Celebrating the arrival of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in the Americas on Oct. 12, 1492. For more information visit http://www.history.com/topics/columbus-day

National Bosses Day/Boss's Day, Oct. 16 A day to let your boss know that you appreciate her/him. If your boss has been good and fair, a thank you would be nice. ;-)

Halloween, Oct. 31. For most it is a day of fun, costumes and trick or treat! For more detailed information visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween