Prepare your best work for Story Day

January 7, 2011

From the man who brought you “Square Root Day,” Ron Gordon is back to promote “Story Day,” and the story must begin, “Ones Upon a Day.”

Gordon, a teacher in the Sequoia-Union School District in Redwood City, Calif., first brought Square Root Day to the attention of Spirit readers and others around the country during Groundhog Day 2004 — 02.02.04, two is the square root of four.

The last Square Root Day was March 3, 2009 — 03.03.09, three is the square root of nine — and the next Square Root Day will be April 4, 2016 — 04.04.16, four is the square root of 16.

The turn to 2011 has inspired Gordon again, this time realizing that Jan. 1, 2011, read 01.01.11 — thus the idea for “Ones Upon a Day.”

“So write a story, read a story, or climb a story,” he said, noting that in 2011, there are three more opportunities: Jan. 1, 2011 (01.11.11); Nov. 1, 2011 (11.1.11); and Nov. 11, 2011 (11.11.11). “Then be patient, because there isn’t another until next century — 01.01.01.”

Gordon’s contest? Write the best (short) story or poem. It must start with “Ones Upon a Day.”

As for prizes, Gordon said he’s giving away the date in dollars: $11.11 to each of the 11 best entries.

“We won’t make you rich, but you can always brag about how ‘Ones Upon a Day’ you won a contest,” he said.

The deadline to enter is the next Story Day — this coming Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011.

To submit your entry in a message, go to Facebook and search for Story Day Contest; e-mail your entry to rgordon@seq.org; or via post to Box 5133, Redwood City, Calif. 94063.

For more information, call Gordon at (650) 364-0652.