During the last week of each year, The Almanac devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children. The results are always remarkable. It is a keepsake edition for many families.

The annual Children's Almanac is a tradition of well over a decade, and we begin getting inquiries from teachers and parents about submitting artwork and writing almost as soon as summer is over.

We publish artwork, poetry, essays, creative writing, opinion pieces, short stories, photography, photos of sculpture or gardens or other creative efforts.

We ask that all submissions be digital so they can be sent through email or delivered on CD or flash drive. Writing should be submitted in rich text format (.rtf). Artwork should be photographed or scanned and provided in jpeg format.

Some suggestions:

• Drawings or paintings or photographs of your family, friends, pets or some favorite activity. These should be photographed or scanned and submitted in jpeg format. Photos of sculpture or larger art projects are also welcome.
• Short answers (50 to 100 words) to some of the following questions: If you could give your parents any gift that didn't cost money what would that gift be? What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming year? What is one thing that you would change about school? What do you want to be when you grow up? What is your favorite animal? What is your favorite toy? What makes a good parent? What makes a good friend? What is the best or worst thing that ever happened to you? What is the best gift you've ever given? Ever received?
• Your opinion (50 to 100 words) about traffic, sports, restaurants, video games, toys, trends, politics, etc.
• Poetry or other creative writing.
• News stories from school newspapers.
• Photos and text about activities or events.

We welcome contributions from public and private schools, individuals and homeschoolers.

Email submissions for the Children's Almanac to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com.

Identify each piece of writing or art, including the student's full name, age, grade and town of residence, plus the name of the school, name of teacher and town of school location. Please provide the submissions by Monday, Dec. 8.

To send CDs or flash drives containing artwork and typed, electronic submissions, mark them clearly by school and hometown and mail the CD to Children's Almanac, 1606 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Please send all submissions by Dec. 8. The Children's Almanac will publish the week of Dec. 27, 2012.

Halloween Parties, SoberRide

Halloween is now as much of an adult party as a children's festival. Along with the Fourth of July, the holiday period including New Year's Eve and a few other dates, Halloween stands out as a holiday connected to increases in drinking and driving.

If you will be out celebrating with alcohol, you can plan ahead. Assign a designated driver. Celebrate at home. Take public transportation. But if these plans fall through, the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) Halloween SoberRide program provides a safety net.

For six hours from 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31 until 4 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1, SoberRide serves as a way to keep impaired drivers off the road. During this six-hour period, area residents ages 21 and older celebrating with alcohol may call the toll-free SoberRide phone number 1-800-200-TAXI and be afforded a no-cost (up to a $30 fare), safe way home.

For more information visit www.wrap.org