School Fundraising- Is a Candy Bar Fundraiser a Good Choice for My School? - Business - Fundraising

The type of fundraiser that you choose will greatly impact the profitability and success of your fundraising efforts. There are many different school fundraising options from candy fundraisers to cookie dough fundraisers to car washes and catalog sales. All can be profitable choices for your school. Let's look at some factors to consider as you strive to determine if a candy fundraiser is an appropriate choice for your next fundraising endeavor.

Do You Have the Initial Investment Available?

Candy bar fundraising requires an initial investment. Basically your school will purchase cases of candy bars and then will sell them and keep any money earned. While these fundraisers are often very profitable, you will have to invest money upfront, so if your school doesn't have money to put down you may want to choose another fundraising option like a cookie dough fundraiser or a catalog sale.

Who Will Buy Your Candy Bars?

Candy bar fundraisers can be especially profitable when the product can be sold at school. For example if your high school football team carries around bags of candy bars they may be able to sell many to fellow students between classes and before and after school. Many schools have nutritional regulations that may limit your ability to sell at school. If you plan to sell outside of the school you need to figure out who the students will sell to and where so that you aren't left with a lot of product that you can't move. Since you invest in the candy bars in advance any items not sold cost you money and cut into profits.

How Large is the Fundraiser?

Candy bar school fundraisers are often a great choice for smaller school groups and organizations. This is primarily because the fundraiser can be very profitable, even if you aren't able to sell a large amount of product. Often you can earn profits around 50% even with only selling one case. If you do have a small group make sure that you find a fundraiser that you can handle. If you have a large group, it might be worth doing some research to find out if another type of fundraiser like catalog sales or cookie dough fundraising could be more profitable.

Is the Fundraiser Seasonal?

Even if you decide to go with a candy bar fundraiser you will still need to choose your product. There are many different types of product available, so you can easily host a seasonal candy bar fundraiser or an anytime fundraiser. Both can be profitable. If you are hosting a seasonal fundraiser make sure that your sale won't be competing with other school fundraisers held at the same time. For example if your school is hosting a school wide holiday gift wrap fundraiser it might not be the best time to also hold a holiday candy fundraiser. Remember people only have so much money available and if your fundraisers are competing against each other you might be cutting into profits.

Selling candy bars, suckers and other treats can be a great school fundraising option. Use these questions found in this article to determine if your next fundraiser should be a candy bar fundraiser.

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Football Recruiting - Harness the Power of Video to Get Recruited for College Football - Sports

As a high school football player, getting recruited for college football is one of your primary goals. There is nothing like playing football for your college, and getting recruited is just the first part of that step. To make your journey to college football easier, make sure that you harness the power of video. In this visual age, the power and impact of a video of your game can make a huge difference when it comes to college recruiting.

First off, you need to invest in a decent video camera. Most households these days already have one, but if you don't put together some funds and buy a decent quality video camera that can shoot videos in a variety of formats. Don't make the mistake of getting an ultra-cheap, low quality camera that will give you poor results and may actually cost you points in the coach's good books.

Once you have the camera, hand it over to a friend and ask him to record all your games. If you had a particularly good game, make sure that your friend is recording it!

Once you have a video of yourself, it is time to edit it. Most video cameras these days can upload the video directly to your computer. Then, you can use a simple, free program like Windows Movie Maker to add some finishing touches to the video. You don't want to do anything fancy. Just make sure that you emphasize any good move you made, and add in some simple transition effects if you want. Resist the tempation to add glowing titles, soundtracks, etc. You don't want the video to come off as too cheezy. Make it crisp, and professional.

What do college football coaches really look for in a football recruiting video? Just like in a real game, they want to see your best moves, your strengths, and your attitude in a live game. Thus, it is important to send the coach more than one video of your game(s). You want to give him a glimpse of your strengths and best moves through different highlights, and you want him to see you in a live game atmosphere. Make sure that along with the edited out highlights, you also send a copy of the full game video that shows how you behave in a game setting.

Once you are done with the video(s), it is time to share it with the coach. There are two ways of doing this. You can either rip the video on a CD and mail it to your coach (if he is less internet savvy), or upload it online on a site like YouTube. Once you've uploaded it, simply mail the coach a link to the video. If you believe this is too informal, or you've never spoken to the coach before, send in a CD with a personal letter along with a copy of your athletic resume.

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Show Off Your School's Texas-Sized Spirit with a Mascot or Logo by a Professional Muralist - Art

The only thing bigger than Texas is the ferocity of its sports fans. And when it comes to Texas sports there is no limit to the school spirit surrounding high school football. Fans large and small, young and old, passionately route for their home team at every pep rally, bonfire, school assembly, and Friday night game under the lights. While the players feed off the emotions of the crowd, there is usually one unsung hero who keeps the energy flowing strong and the spirits soaring high.

Show off your school's Texas-sized spirit with a custom mascot or school logo mural. With the help of a seasoned professional muralist, you can bring school spirit to life in the gym, locker room, cafeteria or on stadium walls. From armadillos and killer bees to wasps and eagles, Watson Design will custom paint your school's mascot or logo in a mural anywhere you want. Watson Design will work closely with you and your school to meet any and all size, color, and design specifications.

Whether you already have the exact design in mind or are looking for some creative input, Leigh Watson of Watson Design is the Texas muralist with the most school spirit!

Call Today for a Custom Sketch

Watson Design will meet with you in your subject space to determine size, color, design and/or layout. Mural design will require a custom sketch to be approved by the client prior to start date, but there is no charge for the initial consultation and preliminary sketches. Once design and quote price are agreed upon, a deposit will be requested for additional supplies and the start date will be scheduled.

Leigh Watson of Watson Design is an Austin muralist that creates spirited mascot murals, logos, and beautiful mural art for schools, residences and commercial spaces all over the State of Texas. Her artwork can be seen in homes, daycares, hospitals, schools and churches and it ranges from dinosaurs, safari jungles and sports stadiums to fairy-tale castles, underwater themes and your favorite storybook characters (Dr. Seuss, Where the Wild Things Are and Beatrix Potter, etc.).

Mascot murals, custom logos, mobile murals, wall mural paintings, baby nursery murals and office murals make walls and spaces jump to life under her creative, skillful hands. She has also mastered the art of trompe l'oeil and can turn any blank wall into your favorite scenic get-a-way or rustic wine cellar. Visit Leigh Watson at / to set up an appointment today!

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The Differences of America Football Compared with Australian Foot - Sports - Football

Comparing with American football, Australian football is a much faster game. The game is only stopped for a few seconds per time. It's one of the great things about the sport from my view. These guys are frequently running around the field like soccer players. Their legs are like tree trunks! Kicking is the most crucial ability in Footy as well. You can run with the ball, but you have to throw it down every few steps. You can pass it by punching the ball, but firstly the players kick to their teammates to advance the ball. You can score by kicking the ball through goal posts (inner two is six points and outer posts are one). You can't run the ball into the goal, but you can gain one point by hitting it through.

It is quite similar with American Football, but they don't wear pads, and the play only stops for a few seconds when you're tackled. The length of a game of Australian Football can vary from league to league, but it is usually around 15 to 25 minutes per quarter. In the AFL, each quarter runs for 20 minutes excepting intermit time. The clock is stopped from time to time, for example, the ball going out of bounds, injuries, goals being kicked, or when the referee is setting the angle of a free kick on goal. Time is kept by two off-field officials, known as timekeepers, who make a sound of siren at the beginning and end of each quarter. A typical AFL quarter might run from 27 to 33 minutes, but might run to 35 minutes if a stretcher injury arises undue delay. In the AFL, the four quarters are each 20 minutes, with the clock stopping when the ball is out of play. This clock is seen by the coaches and on TV. Therefore, the clock at the ground counts up from 0, and does not sto p. However, spectators and players never know accurately how much time is left in the game.

There are 60 minutes in collegiate and professional football games, divided into four quarters of 15 minutes each. In high school football, they usually played 12 minute quarters. The clock is stopped frequently, however, so that a typical college or professional game can exceed three hours in duration. The umpire controls the game clock and stops the clock after any incomplete pass or any play that ends out of bounds. On the side, each team is allowed 3 timeouts in each half that they may use at their own discretion. The clock may also be stopped for an officials' time-out, after which, if the clock was running, it is restarted.

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Drafts Sharks Fantasy Football Review - Sports - Football

Monday Night L.A.P. DanceLeonard A. PappanoOctober 18, 2010** I wish producers would ban the term "rookie mistakes" from being used by NFL game announcers. Gentlemen, the old, fat guy on the couch knows not to catch the punt at the 3 yard line. A 22 year-old professional who played 4 years of high school football, 3-4 years of college football, and went through an NFL training camp and several preseason games should know the same thing.** Part of offering the color commentary on a game involves stating the obvious. I get it. They're killing time between plays. But Chris Collinsworth has taken it to a new level. Enough already. It's the final game of a long Sunday. Just pan the crowd in between plays and show us the hottest chicks or the best drunken fan fights.

**A group of about two dozen people protested the return of Ben Roethlisberger outside Heinz Field yesterday. As a Steelers fan and father of a daughter, I'm not unsympathetic to their view. And I'm glad we live in a country where even a minority opinion can be peaceably promoted. But... I was a bit upset to learn that the protest group offered VEGAN options at its tailgate party. That's just wrong.** Brett Favre is scheduled to meet with NFL Vice President of Security tomorrow about allegations he sexually harassed former Jets employee Jenn Sterger. The meeting is just a formality. I have to backpedal from what I said last week, as it looks like nothing will come of these charges after all. Sterger issued a statement last week in which she referred to the "alleged" incident. She isn't going there, and I frankly don't blame her. Maybe all the justice she wanted was served in the nut-shot Favre took in practice.** A few people emailed me last week because my list of the all -time top-6 NFL players were all Italians. As I noted in the blurb, last Monday was Columbus Day. It was a joke. I'm stupid -- but not THAT stupid. But I'm still stupid enough to have misidentified Gino Marchetti as a New York Giant. He was, of course, a Baltimore Colt.

** I used to be a big proponent of the excessive celebration penalty. But after watching Cowboys WR Miles Austin get flagged for leapfrogging Roy Williams in the end zone, it seems that the cure is worse than the disease. Loosen up the rules and let the players (and fans) enjoy a TD.** Steelers LB James Harrison was asked what his thoughts were after he knocked out Browns WR Josh Cribbs with a wicked shot to the head. "That ends the wildcat," said the Pro Bowl LB without a hint of sarcasm.

** Top-5 NFL (read: AFC) Power Rankings: 1. New England Patriots - Best QB in the league and second-best coach in NFL history.2. NY Jets - They do everything well, and find a way to win.3. Indianapolis Colts - Peyton Manning can carry a team.4. Baltimore Ravens - took the Patriots into OT and beat the Steelers at Pittsburgh5. Pittsburgh Steelers -- solid defense, but 3-game road trip will expose them as the team that ended 2009. Ravens already did that in Pittsburgh.** The 2-4 San Diego Chargers lead the NFL in total offense (433 yards per game) and total defense (255 yards per game). Don't be shocked if they beat New England in San Diego next Sunday, and eventually sneak into the playoffs.** The 1-4 Dallas Cowboys are 4th in total offense and 3rd in total defense. If they have any shot at the playoffs, QB Tony Romo needs to go Ryan Leaf on a reporter instead of acting like Richie Cunningham in that goofy hat he wears to the post-game press conferences. Tony, throw a chair , drop a string of f-bombs. Something. Anything to make folks (especially your teammates) think that losing actually pisses you off.** The Bills managed to avoid a loss yesterday. A great day in western New York.** The Palm Beach Post reported that the Dolphins signed WR Davone Bess to a 2-year deal that makes him the NFL's highest paid slot receiver. Even more than New England's Wes Welker. Gotta admit -- I didn't see that one coming.** The NY media is delusional for defending the pass interference call that was gifted to the Jets yesterday. The call against Denver S Renaldo Hill at the 2 yard line was easily the worst call of the 2010 season thus far. Mark Sanchez heaved a deep pass to Santonio Holmes on a 4th-and-6, and he and Hill were jockeying for position when the referee tossed the flag. Terrible.** Kolb vs. Vick. I would pick Vick because I like the way he hands off the ball to LeSean McCoy better.

** Here's a gem from the Baltimore Sun: "After the New England Patriots gained 24 yards on a first-and-25 play, outside linebacker Terrell Suggs and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady got into an animated verbal exchange as they walked down the field. It got so heated that the players banged their facemasks against each other. Asked about the conversation, Suggs said, 'He was trying to tell me how to bag a Hollywood actress. He was like, 'Sizzle, if you want to get a Hollywood actress, take my seminar on Saturday.' When informed that the chat didn't seem that friendly, Suggs replied, "You have to read his lips. We were going over the Dow, the economy and politics. We really don't talk football out there." Ok, Terrell - check this. Before you started running your mouth at the league's best QB, your team was winning. By the time it was over, Brady had kicked your ass. Connect the dots, Sizzle.** Redskins RB Ryan Torain showed last night that he has the talent to be in the NFL. B ut, honestly, he has to be the slowest 225-pound RB in the league. His Combine 40 time was 4.61. From what I've seen, you could time the kid on a sun dial.** Mike Mulligan of the Chicago Sun Times suggested that the Bears "bench" offensive coordinator Mike Martz. His complaint was that the Bears threw the ball 79.7% of the time on Sunday, and that Martz was turning the Bears into a one-dimensional throw-long-often offense. We're giving the Windy City writer a mulligan for making such ridiculous criticisms. Jay Cutler should be throwing the ball till his brains ooze out his ears, or until he breaks something that can't heal in 6 days. Mr. Mulligan obviously has no appreciation for the millions of Cutler owners across America.

** The Saints were 31st in rushing offense until yesterday's 212-yard effort. They also had season highs with 475 total yards and 31 points. Seems like they did that most every week last year.** Raiders QB Jason Campbell finished the day against the Niners completing 8-of-21 passes for 83 yards and 2 INTs. That garnered him a QB rating of 10.7 - a single-game low to which even JaMarcus Russell never descended.

** Greg Jennings' 133-yard day against the Dolphins was the first 100-yard day by any Packers WR this season.Thanks,Lenny PappanoDraftSharks.com

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Football in the US - How To Play The Game - Entertainment

One of the more popular games in American sports is called football. There are other sports that have their fans and followers just like this game. Every season, the fans gear up and start rooting for their favorite football team. Football usually begins in the fall as most college students are headed back class looking forward to playing the game. There is much to understand for those learning the game, and of course each player must work to become physically fit and ready to play. Whether you're watching college or high school football, Friday night the biggest day of the week for seeing football action.

We'll investigate the offensive line and answer some of the questions. According to game rules, the offensive line will have five player positions. The player's duties are essentially to defend the quarterback and the backfield. If the play involves running, then the offensive line must block the defense and create holes through which the runner can pass. The player in the middle of the five positions is the center, who will snap the football to the quarterback. On each side of the center the two guards take their place. For their protection the guards are defended by the two tackles on either side of them.

Whether you're watching a professional game, or college-level playoff, there are rules that have to be followed. Everyone knows that the defense, as well as the offense, cannot cross the scrimmage line before the ball is in play. Players must cover specific parts of the field and certain players on the other side. It is as simple as sticking to the plan called by the quarterback and watching your space. Although the names of players and their positions have changed, you need to know what your job is regardless. Along with each position on the defense, there will be particular movements and patterns that fall within the coverage they are assigned. Players must also memorize the plays that will be given during the game to execute them properly.

Moving the ball down the field by either one of two primary methods, is what American football is all about. We all know that players run with the ball, and that is rather simple. Rushing is what running the ball is called, but it is also used for other things like when the defense is rushing the quarterback. The other way that football teams move the ball down the field is the forward pass.

The line of scrimmage is the imaginary line across the field, and whoever is throwing the forward pass must be behind that line. To get the ball to another player, it can be handed, tossed underhanded, or tossed over handed, and it can be backward, anywhere, or forward, only behind the line of scrimmage. There are, of course, rules that each level has that are exactly the same. Therefore, when a player makes the transition from one level to another, the process shouldn't be a problem. Remember, your coach is most certainly the best person to go to for information when you're learning how to play football.

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Movies for Football Fans on Direct TV - Entertainment

These make even the burliest linebackers sentimental: the films} that appeal to both our undying love for sports, and that basic human desire to watch the little guy succeed. If you're an avid football fan, each of the following films deserves your close attention (or at least, a reserved spot on your Direct TV HD DVR!). All of the major movie channels on Direct TV offer these movies on a continual basis, so flip through the simple, interactive channel guide and you'll most certainly be able to find at least one.

Friday Night Lights: A cult classic directed by the broadly celebrated Peter Berg, Friday Night Lights covers the season of a Texas high school football team. In West Texas (or so the story would have us} believe), football is life, and vice versa. Since made into an award winning TV show, if nothing else Friday Night Lights is a gripping tale of the fragility of youth. We particularly recommend this movie for teens and young adults. Try to catch it on Direct TV.

Any Given Sunday: The cast alone makes this movie a must-see. Jamie Foxx, Dennis Quaid, Cameron Diaz, Al Pacino and James Woods all together in one film? Throw in cameos by rapper LL Cool J and former football star Lawrence Taylor, and you have the makings of a very entertaining blockbuster feature. After an injury to the first-string quarterback puts him in the starting lineup, Jamie Foxx's character is suddenly thrust into the limelight. Unfortunately, this new world of fast cars, loose women, and high definition televisions blaring rap videos 24/7 quickly begins to unravel, and the leading man is compelled to deal with issues including bigotry, drug addiction, and sexual misconduct. Quite Possibly a veiled attempt at an inside look into the National Football League, Any Given Sunday provides a couple of hours of riveting entertainment.

Rudy: This is the classic feel good story, a tale of perseverance, hard work, and determination. Rudy is a young man from a hamlet in Indiana with just one dream: to wear the gold helmet of the Notre Dame Fightin' Irish. Unfortunately, his short, somewhat pudgy build doesn't come close to matching his immense will to succeed. The story traces his ups and downs, and transcends sports as a tale of emotion and the endurance of the human spirit. If you're trying to introduce a young person to the sport of football, make sure that Rudy precedes your subscription to the NFL Sunday Ticket.

The Replacements: Our last classic football film deviates from the other three by a bit. The Replacements are a team of labor scabs led by has-been Shane Falco (played by Keanu Reeves). These "replacements" are really a serious crew of misfits, including a player just out of prison for the sole purpose of playing, in addition to an gambling addict, alcoholic Brit. Those descriptions alone should let you know you're in for a good time. Choose any of Direct TV's wonderful movie programming packages, and you'll enjoy access to these movies and more. All of the above are the ideal complement to the great action on Sunday and Monday Night.

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