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Seattle awaits Sweet Adelines International as nearly 7,000 a cappella vocalists from around the world prepare for the 2010 International Convention and Competition. Attendees will converge during the week of October 19-23, 2010 at the Key Arena where from dawn to dusk each day will be jam packed with the best in barbershop singing.

More than 70 quartets and 43 choruses are perking up their barbershop chords and will heat up the stage for five days of flavorful and rich competitions. The convention commences on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6:00 p.m., with Sweet Adelines International’s Harmony Classic Contest, featuring the top small and mid-sized choruses, all competing for the international gold. The vibrant Young Women in Harmony Festival chorus will also take the stage that evening to entertain the audience with a lively performance.

The close-harmony international quartet semifinal competitions will open on Wednesday, October 20, at 10:45 a.m. The top 10 quartets return for the finals on Friday, October 22, beginning at noon. The 2010 International Champion Quartet, Zing!, will relinquish their crowns to one winning quartet.

The chorus semifinal competitions open on Thursday, October 21 at 10:45 a.m. and only the 10 best choruses will reach the finals on Saturday, October 23, beginning at 3:00 p.m. The 2010 International Champion Chorus, Rich-Tone, will hand over the title to the 2010 champion.

On Friday morning, thousands of singers will assemble at the Key Arena Plaza for a spectacular Mass Sing performance in honor of the city of Seattle. In addition to the singing, a secret is brewing that has the potential to reach international recognition as soon as it is unveiled at the Mass Sing. Members of the community and media are invited to join Sweet Adelines International members, friends, family and fans for this unprecedented event. Mass Sing begins at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, October 22 at the Key Arena Plaza. This is a free event open to the general public.

The final day of competition features the youngest singers of Sweet Adelines International who are eager to let their voices soar in the 2010 Rising Star Quartet Contest scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 23 at 9 a.m. This annual barbershop contest offers an avenue for members aged 25 years and younger to present their talents by competing among 20 Rising Star quartets who are harmonizing the world from Arizona, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, Canada and New Zealand. The 2009 Rising Star Quartet Champion VOGUE, will relinquish its title to one winning quartet.

All competition sessions are open to the public. Tickets may be purchased at the Sweet Adelines International ticket office at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center beginning Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 9:00 a.m. Individual tickets range in price from $40-$45 per competition session. For more information on the Sweet Adelines International Convention call 800.992.7464, 918.622.1444 or visit http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/seattle.cfm.

Sweet Adelines International is a musical force in the United States and around the world. The organization is headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., where it was founded in 1945. This nonprofit music education organization is one of the world's largest singing organizations for women encompassing nearly 25,000 members, 1,200 registered quartets and 600 choruses in most of the fifty United States, Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden, The Netherlands and Wales.

Tiny Prints is offering teachers some cards to help with their school preparation. Use coupon code APPLE2010. Offer expires Oct. 31, 2010.

• Nationally syndicated TV show looking for New York area moms, age 40-49 who are empty-nesters, and looking to lose weight. Click here for more info.

From dripping wet children plopping down on the couch after an afternoon in the sprinklers, muddy footprints tracked through the living room, and piles of musty towels found in every corner of the house, the summer can start to feel more like a chore than a vacation.

This year, after the back-to-school shopping is finished and the pencils, notebooks, and lunches are packed, it’s time to reclaim the space that once resembled your living room. For overworked mom’s ready for some peace and quiet, Sure Fit Slipcovers and Home Solutions offers some quick tips for taking back your home this fall.

• Mini Home Make-Over: You’ve pried melted Popsicle sticks off the fabric and scrubbed at Kool-Aid spills until you were red in the face, but you still can’t justify buying a whole new couch. One of the quickest ways to make a dramatic update to your home is by revamping your furniture. Sure Fit Slipcovers and Home Solutions carry a wide variety of colors and styles that are sure to update any room for the season. Try the Faux Leather Collection or to keep you feeling cozy through the cooler months.

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In celebration of Cindy Woodsmall’s upcoming release, The Bridge of Peace we’re giving away a trip for two Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the heart of Amish Country, just minutes away from numerous historic sites, Amish country farmlands, outlet shopping, and abundant antiquing.

The winners will be awarded a trip for two for a three-day, two-night stay in a Lancaster Bed & Breakfast and a sight-seeing tour of the historic covered bridges in Lancaster County. Click here for complete sweepstakes rules, terms and conditions.

For more information: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/2010/08/01/giveaway-win-a-trip-to-the-amish-country/?ref=news_WaterBrook_AmishCountrySweepstakes_Aug2010

All are welcome to break the daily fast of Ramadan with a festive meal in the AANM’s dramatic Community Courtyard and a screening of the multiple award-winning 2008 film Lemon Tree. 6 p.m. Thursday, September 2 Tickets $30; AANM Members pay just $25 Click HERE to purchase. Iftar Menu: Hummus; fattoush; stuffed lamb with rice and nuts; a chicken or vegetarian option; the special Ramadan dessert known as rose cheeks; and beverages. Lemon Tree: Written, directed and produced by Eran Riklis and starring Hiam Abbass, Ali Suliman, Rona Lipaz and Doron Tavory, Lemon Tree is the story of a Palestinian widow who must defend her lemon grove when the Israeli defense minister becomes her new neighbor. Honored with awards at Berlin International Film Festival; Asia Pacific Screen Awards; Awards of the Israeli Film Academy; CineFan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema. To learn more about Ramadan and Islam, click HERE.

Become a Member of the Arab American National Museum You will receive the following Membership benefits: Free AANM admission plus advance notice and invitations to upcoming events Reduced ticket prices for AANM events 10% discount at the Museum Store 10% discount on Museum facility rentals Free guest passes Checkout privileges in the Museum's Library & Resource Center Membership gifts are tax deductible; consult your tax advisor for details Call 313.624.0200 or click HERE to become a Museum Member.

AANM MISSION The Arab American National Museum's mission is to document, preserve, celebrate, and educate the public on the history, life, culture and contributions of Arab Americans. We serve as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country.