What Is Happening Today On Gather - Monday - May 19, 2008

Today Monday May 19th is my birthday. However, I have decided to skip my birthday this year. I don't want to get another year older so I proclaim May 19 as "not Connie's birthday." Have you tried this in the past? Do you think it will work?

I have searched high and low in the gather community for new events to share with you but found none. I will instead, post some that are going to be happening this week. Hope they help you have a wonderful Gather Experience.

 LISTENING PARTIES GOING ON NOW!!

Delta Goodrem has already conquered the Australian music charts, and is now coming to America.  Her new album entitled Delta will be in stores this June, but Gather gets a sneak peek this week!  Come on over to the party!

While you are at the party, don't forget that Gather and Columbia Records are proud to present to you an exclusive Listening Party for Steve Winwood's brand new album Nine Lives. Simply click on the song titles below, then click the "play" button to listen to the entire song.

Party On Gather Community! Party on!

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!

Paralyzed Veterans of America invites the Gather community to take part in a challenge. Let's all remember the brave soldiers who died for our country. Through May 31^st, we invite the entire community to salute our fallen soldiers with a special remembrance icon. In celebration of Memorial Day (formerly Decoration Day), decorate your Gather profile with a Remember icon. Read more about this here.

You Could WIN A $100. AMERICAN EXPRESS GIFT CARD

Whether a poem, essay, or testimonial is your style, express yourself and show our heroes how deeply appreciated they are. The Gather community will vote to determine the 10 most touching tributes. These 10 will be posted to the Paralyzed Veterans of America's website at www.pva.org\remembrance. From there, the Gather Editorial Team will choose a Grand Prize Winner, who'll receive a $100 American Express Gift Card to be used as a charitable donation, or any other way the winner chooses.

All entries must be received by 11:59 ET on May 21, 2008. The Gather community will vote to determine the top 10 entries, which will be posted to www.pva.org\remembrance. Then the Gather Editorial Team will choose the Grand Prize Winner, who'll receive a $100. American Express Gift Card.  Read more about this here.

 Money- You Either Love It Or Hate It - But You have To Have It.

Have you been to the Money Group  lately sponsored by Charles Schwab. I noticed that there are lots of members in this group but not very many views to the articles. I was amazed at all the information found there.  This group can help you to master your personal finances. Where should you invest? Ask experts from Charles Schwab. You can join conversations with renowned authors, get advice on budgeting, and talk taxes, retirement, and beyond.

THE MOVIE WAS GREAT EXCEPT FOR THE .....

Have you ever heard someone say "The movie was good except......." 

Would you like to take your family to a good movie?

Are you concerned about the amount of violence, nudity or the language? 

How are  the shows our children watch - affecting them?

 I have found your all-access pass to the big screen . . . and what's behind it. Get the hottest reviews, the critics' perspective, and (of course) the Hollywood latest. Even hear from celebrities themselves. But most importantly, share your own critiques!  The Gather Essential Movie Group is just what you need. You can read reviews on all the latest movies from people who viewed them. Now it can be safe to take your family to the movies because you will know what will be seen and heard in each movie. Cool - huh? Don't forget to post your comments and articles on movies too. They may help someone else.

The Gather Community Is Changing

 1.  Are You Still Having Trouble Setting Up Your Friend Sets?

Jim Bostick  has published an article that may be of benefit to you. You can find it here.  Jim explains the process of making and adding your friends to your sets in a very easy to understand manner.  I found it very helpful when the changes to our friends were made. I just now reread it and again found it helpful.  I hope you find it helpful as well.

2.  Many Of Your Requests Have Been Granted!

Last month, Gather.com introduced "Feeds" to you're My Gather page as well as your Profile page. It was a big shift in the way content is shared, displayed, and discovered on the site.

As a result of your feedback and suggestions, Gather has been working hard to make refinements to your Feed experience. Pam Johnston  happy to report that you will see the first wave of improvements in just a matter of days. Here's a closer look at what you can expect.

3.. Social Bookmarking Sites To Be Available Soon

   Pam Johnston  has also published an article on how to get more views to your gather content. Gather currently supports two social bookmarking sites - Digg and Del.icio.us - but soon there will be MANY more options for you to choose from. Now is the time to get familiar with them. Here is a closer look.

 4.  Publish Articles Just To Selected Friends & Groups

Jim Bostick  has also published an article with the details on how to publish to friends and groups. Sometimes you just want certain people or certain groups to see your article. It is do-able. Jim tells you how to do it. Check it out here.

SHARE YOUR CHILD'S FIRST BIRTHDAY

You can share your experience by posting a comment underneath Annabel's article.  Tell me what you served, or what you are planning to serve at your baby's first birthday party. Five members who respond between now and May 19th will be randomly selected to receive a copy of Anna Belk's book, First Meals. You can read more about this in the parenting group.  Annabel K.  has written more details in her article.

WHAT DOES YOUR CHILD ENJOY DOING?

Capri Sun is working with Gather to bring you the What's COOL for Kids Guide and they are asking for   your help! With this guide, summer vacation activities will be a breeze!

So, what do kids enjoy doing nowadays?
What movies are they watching?
What video games are they playing?
What's their favorite outdoor activity?
And much more!
Click here to Comment on the article and your ideas will be included in the guide!! Stay tuned for the official publishing of the What's COOL for Kids Guide.

All comments must be made by May 23rd to be included.

CARROLL IS LEAVING

Carroll Beauvais, DK Publishing  has been writing articles of interest for nearly a year now. She is going to be leaving DK Publishing to go to graduate school in the fall. We will miss you Carroll, Good luck in graduate school.

Carroll  has published an article telling the details as well as offering a book "Don't Worry Spike, About Making Friends" for kids. They have 10 copies of the book to give away. Comment here for your chance to win one of them.

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR BODY?

Collins Nonfiction  has published a BQ Quiz for you take. This 50 question quiz  is fun and you may be surprised at what you do and do not know.  I was surprised, I actually did good on this quiz. You may want to write down A,B,C or D even though the letters are not on the questions. The letters are used in the answers.   After you take the quiz, you can find the answers in another article found here.  No Cheating!  The quiz is  From "You: The Owner's Manual" by Michael F. Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D.

GROUP SPOTLIGHT

The weather is warming and we are all spending more time outdoors. I thought these groups may be something that you may be interested in. They are about the outdoor as well as children. Children will be outdoors as well. Check them out. 

1.  Holly G. owns the group Macro Shots!  This group is for your best macro shots! Holly will accept articles as well, but you have to have macro photos in them!! If it's not a close up shot, it will not be accepted...this is a moderated group.

2.  Victoria H. is the owner of  =Sky Shots= .  This is a moderated group intended for sky shots. Sunrises, sunsets, clouds, rainbows, storms, the moon, lightning - pretty much anything having to do with the sky. If you can look up and snap the photo, then it belongs here.

This group is for Mom, Dad's, Aunts, Uncles, Grandma's, Grandpa's to post all images and articles relating to KIDS. Show us photos of your children. Grandma's show off your grandkids. Tell us funny stories. The only stipulation is that this group is all about the KIDS in our lives.

4.  House & Garden Magazine  is owned by House & Garden Magazine  House & Garden is a lifestyle group focusing on your environment. Entertaining, home design, gardening, music, recipes, and dining out are just a few of the topics covered. You are invited to ask questions and publish your own articles.

This article is a place where your opinions are always welcome and you will alwasy find a friend.   I do read all comments and usually try to acknowledge those comments as well.  Keyword being "try". There is always a place reserved just for you in the Gather Community. 

 Is there something that you would like to see changed on the "Today On Gather" articles?

Do you know of some exciting activity that is going on in the Gather Community?  Please just let me know.

Just let me know by making a comment in the comment section.  I will be back to chat with you again tomorrow.

Today On Gather article is published each weekday to the group Today On Gather and Gather Essentials: News .

You will find many more updates in  past articles.