Granny Ranny's Addenda

Happy Birthday Netman!

2008-05-16T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Netman, aka Samsunshine Levy, who is celebrating his 37th birthday today. My son Sam, who is also the KIDS FIRST! webmaster has always been the "Sunshine of My Life." Thanks Sam for being you. I remember when you were seven, when you had a empty jar with a perforated top that you would sprinkle onto everything, in order to make it "ever so much more so." You are "ever so much more so" yourself. I love you more than all the magic in the world. (photo of Sam and his beautiful sister, Alanna)

PBS KICKS OFF A “GET UP AND GO SUMMER ROAD TRIP”

2008-05-15T01:00:00.000-06:00

This summer, PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! invite children on a virtual road trip with a destination all about being engaged and healthy. Beginning June 2nd , kids can fuel their minds and bodies with health-themed episodes and online activities learning how their favorite character role models in ten different series live healthy and smart. Kicking off the trip with some new tunes, Arthur, WORDGIRL’s Captain Huggyface and others join in an exclusive new music video entitled “Get Up and Go” featuring music by famed rock band, THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS.

And with parents at the wheel, PBSParents.org is supporting their role with more popular health content and resources around their child’s well-being and development. “PBS KIDS is committed to supporting the whole child - cognitive, emotional, social and physical. Helping kids and families embrace a healthy lifestyle is not just a one-time message; it’s a lifelong journey,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President, Children’s Media, PBS. “Parents trust PBS KIDS to guide their children as they explore how to live healthy and active lives.”

Throughout the summer, pbskidsgo.org will offer downloadable content, games and printable activities and dances for early elementary school kids through the “Get GOing!” and “Smart Food” links on the Web site. For preschoolers, the interactive story board – Dot’s Story Factory – on pbskids.org will encourage children to express and share how to be healthy. Ten of the stories from Dot’s Story Factory will air on television during the PBS KIDS preschool destination, home to the #1 show CURIOUS GEORGE, and other favorites, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG, SUPER WHY! and DRAGON TALES. On-air, children will embark on a virtual road trip of health-related episodes, visiting characters from ten series to learn how they live healthy.

And since no road trip would be complete without music, THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS -- along with Arthur, Ruff Ruffman, the CYBERCHASE gang and others -- turn up the volume to “Get Up and Go.” A downloadable extended version of the music video will be available at pbskidsgo.org, accompanied with a printable and customizable dance sequence. The extended version will also play in movie theaters across the country as part of a partnership with Kidtoons, an organization that arranges weekend G-rated movie screenings for kids and their parents.

To support parents who seek information and resources to help steer their children towards success and well-being, PBS Parents (pbsparents.org) is launching a new section focused on children’s health titled, “Keeping Kids Healthy and Fit.” Topics and discussions will range from winning over picky eaters and choosing healthy snacks to book suggestions and fitness games. For nearly 40 years, PBS’ children’s service has supported the well-being of the whole child - cognitive, emotional, social and physical.

In response to the dramatic predictions around children’s health and longevity tied to obesity, PBS KIDS launched a children’s health initiative to strengthen existing health-related content and resources in December 2007. PBS convened a group of health advisors including public television and Web producers; PBS member stations; community and education partners; experts in children’s media, development, health and nutrition; and others, to provide strategic counsel and build upon PBS KIDS’ legacy and assets.

The summer road trip, leveraging PBS KIDS’ library and characters that reinforce the importance of good nutrition and physical activity, is an example of the many assets. A project that would support a cohesive grassroots campaign to build sustainable healthy communities is in development. PBS KIDS first kicked off a content line-up dedicated to inspiring children to live healthy lives with PBS KIDS and Sesame Workshop’s Happy Healthy Summer in 2005, and continues to model healthy behaviors throughout the series year-round.

Direct from Cannes - Webcam

2008-05-14T13:14:00.003-06:00

Back by popular demand - the Cannes Cam returns to IFC.com, starting today. Enjoy live 24/7 webcam view of the red carpet at the Grand Palais, the hottest location at the Cannes Film Festival. Have lunch at your desk - watch and listen to the sights and sounds of the Croisette to your heart's content. Every day at midday Eastern time (evening in Cannes), IFC News host Matt Singer will be joined by special guest commentators during all the red carpet premieres. IFC.com will also have expanded coverage of the event with articles, photos, additional video and recorded video of the previous red carpet events caught on the Cam.
Watch it live now at ifc.com/cannes

Here's the complete competitive lineup for the May 14-25 fest:

IN COMPETITION

24 City, China, Jia Zhangke
Adoration, Canada, Atom Egoyan
Changeling, U.S., Clint Eastwood
Che (The Argentine, Guerrilla), Spain, Steven Soderbergh
Un Conte de noel, France, Arnaud Desplechin
Daydreams, Turkey, Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Delta, Germany-Hungary, Kornel Mundruczo
Il Divo, Paolo Sorrentino, Italy
Gomorra, Italy, Matteo Garrone
La Frontiere de l'aube, France, Philippe Garrel
Leonera, Argentina-South Korea, Pablo Trapero
Linha de Passe, Brazil, Walter Salles, Daniela Thomas
La Mujer sin cabeza, Argentina, Lucrecia Martel
My Magic, Singapore, Eric Khoo
The Palermo Shooting, Germany, Wim Wenders
Serbis, Philippines, Brillante Mendoza
The Silence of Lorna, U.K.-France, Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Synecdoche, New York, U.S., Charlie Kaufman
Waltz ith Bashir, Israel, Ari Folman

International Conference on Media, Education and Youth

2008-05-13T01:00:00.000-06:00

June 5 - 7 New York City Free and open to the public, this conference provides an open forum for exploring media, education, and youth within an international context. It includes screenings of youth-produced media, as well as panels on media literacy education initiatives from the Arab and Gulf region, Asia, and Europe.

Open conversations and discussions will explore the potential of media as socio-economic equalizer in education, the global relevance of media literacy education, design as media, and cross-cultural perceptions of media in formal education. The conference includes the US premiere of "Afghan Chronicles", a documentary produced by InformAction on Afghanistan's multimedia company The Killid Group.

The conversations will accent the positive approach of providing young people with the tools and the critical thinking skills they need in today's media saturated society. Selections of new youth-produced media will be presented by: The European Observatory of Children's Television, Arts Engine/Media That Matters Film Festival, and The Reel Teens Festival.

Panelists from Afghanistan, Australia, China, Egypt, Korea, Kuwait, Spain, Sweden, UK, and the USA will lead the conversations. Attendees will include media industry professionals, educators, students and the general public.

Organized by: Duende Pictures and The European Observatory on Children's Television. In collaboration with: The Paley Center for Media, Fordham University's Department of Communication and Media Studies, and the Chelsea Art Museum. With the support of: Arts Engine/Media That Matters Film Festival, Reel Teens Festival, and InformAction.

This conference is made possible with the support of: Aldeas Infantiles SOS, Spain; Fundacir Jaume Bofill, Barcelona,Catalonia; ICIC/Generalitat of Catalonia; IORTV/RadioTelevisisn of Spain; TV3/Televisir de Catalunya and Catalunya R`dio. Project Directors: Jordi Torrent and Valentm Gsmez i Oliver

All panels and screenings are free of charge and open to all audiences.

For complete schedule visit: http://www.mocnyb.org/ (RSVP required, rsvp@mocnyb.org).
For additional information, please contact Aneka Flamm, Conference Coordinator, at info@mocnyb.org.

MEDIA: Overseas Conversations
June 5 - 7 / New York City
http://www.mocnyb.org/

Thursday, June 5
The Chelsea Art Museum (556 West 22nd Street)
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
"Design as Media"
Presentation by David Walczyk (Pratt Institute, NYC)
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Opening Reception

Friday, June 6
The Paley Center for Media (25 West 52nd Street)
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Screening - Highlights of OETI/ITVB 2007 - Presented by Valenti Gomez i Oliver
The Barcelona International Television Festival is an annual event of the European Observatory on Children's Television. It includes the award of the prestigious UNICEF Prize, which goes to audiovisual productions devoted to children and youth that highlight ethical values and the
defense of human rights according to the Convention of the Rights of Children.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Screening - Highlights Reel Teens Festival 2007 - Presented by Jordi Torrent
The Reel Teens Festival is an annual three day event held in early June that celebrates the creative genius of young people by screening films and videos made by teenagers from around the world.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Screening - Afghan Chronicles - Presented by Shahir A. Zahine (Founder, The Killid Group)
The documentary Afghan Chronicles tells the story of the press agency Killid Media, dedicated to fighting ignorance and illiteracy and its daily struggles within the changing Afghan society.
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Screening - Arts Engine's Eighth Annual Media That Matters Film Festival - Presented by Maia Ermita and Leah Sapin Arts Engine supports, produces, and distributes independent media of
consequence and promotes the use of independent media by advocates, educators, and the general public. By fostering the production and use of independent film, video, and new media, Arts Engine connects media makers and active audiences in order to spur critical consideration of pressing social issues.

The Media That Matters Film Festival is the premiere showcase for short films on the most important topics of the day. Local and global, online and in communities around the world, Media That Matters engages diverse audiences and inspires them to take action.

Saturday, June 7
Fordham University / Lincoln Center Campus (113 West 60th Street @ Columbus Avenue)
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Panel: Media Literacy Education (Arab region)
Samy Tayie (Cairo University, MENTOR, Egypt)
Rawia Alhumaidan (College of Basic Education, Kuwait)
Moderated by Renee Hobbs (Temple University, USA)
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Panel: Media Literacy Education (Asia)
CK Cheung (Hong Kong University)
Hyeon-Seon Jeong (Media Educator, Korea)
Michael Dezuanni (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)
Moderated by Lance Strate (Fordham University, USA)
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Panel: Media Literacy Education (Europe)
Cary Bazalgette (Media Educator, UK)
Manel Jiminez (Pompeu Fabra University, Spain)
Moderated by Pkr Lundgren (World Summit on media for children and youth
Karlstad Sweden, 2010, http://www.wskarlstad2010.se/) http://www.mocnyb.org/

For program information, please contact Jordi Torrent (jordi@mocnyb.org)
Press contact: Aneka Flamm (info@mocnyb.org)
RSVP required (rsvp@mocnyb.org)

Earth Day 2008: Action Around the World!

2008-05-12T01:00:00.000-06:00

Earth Day 2008 was an overwhelming success and helped move the needle substantially on the climate change issue. A diverse coalition helped raise the bar for climate action and Earth Day Network's Call for Climate rallied millions across the country and across the globe. Tens of thousands called their government to ask for tough and fair action on climate change, and took action in their own lives to reduce their carbon footprint. Now more than ever, Earth Day has put the climate change issue at the forefront of public policy and has set the stage for global political action.

In the U.S. the momentum from Call for Climate will be carried into the next year as Congress considers proposals to reduce greenhouse gases, which we will be working to strengthen. Already, the Presidential candidates are discussing this important issue.

In the U.S., some 320,000 people turned out for the eight Earth Day events in major cities plus club events over the weekend of April 19 and 20, co-produced by Green Apple Festival and sponsored by Chase. In Washington DC, 50,000 came out to hear inspirational speakers such as Chevy Chase, Edward Norton, Thomas Friedman, and James Hansen of NASA deliver a strong global warming message and call for tough and fair climate action by Congress. Top-tier talent such as O.A.R., Umphrey's McGee, Warren Haynes, Mambo Sauce and Blake Lewis of American Idol entertained enthusiastic crowds, and the event was covered live by CNN and The Weather Channel.

Tens of thousands also turned out in New York, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco to hear global warming speakers and artists like Joan Baez, Los Lonely Boys, the Neville Brothers and Ricky Scaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Kathleen Rogers, president of Earth Day Network and other staff urged crowds to call the switchboard number of Congress on Earth Day as part of the Call for Climate.

In an effort to bring together environmental awareness and public art, ten globes from the Cool Globes exhibit were on display at the National Mall. The globes will be in Washington, DC throughout the summer and then auctioned-off to benefit Earth Day Network's Green Schools program.

A highlights video program will be coming to Earth Day TV in the next few weeks! Earth Day Network's campus program had a record 1,100 campuses rally behind Earth Day this year, and tens of thousands of students joined the Call for Climate and signed Sky Petition, which calls for a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants, renewable energy, efficient buildings and protection for the poor and middle class in the new green economy. At Earth Day events across the country hundreds of students signed up to vote in the upcoming elections, creating a new green youth voting force. Earth Day Network exceeded its goal for the campus Presidents' climate challenge with 539 campuses signing the pledge for carbon neutrality and investment in the new energy future.

EDN also ran a media campaign urging editorial cartoonists to use global warming themes for Earth Day. During Earth Week, editorial cartoonists around the US published environment-themed cartoons to raise awareness about the lack of action on global warming. Earth Day Network's thousands of partner organizations around the world also rallied millions to demand a cleaner, healthier environment in their communities and to spur action on global warming. From Barcelona, where 100,000 people attended the Earth Fair, to Pakistan, where a school commemorated Earth Day with educational activities for their students, Earth Day 2008 succeeded in bringing together people from all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities with a strong message of action for our planet.

Also during Earth Week, Earth Day Network's staff was hard at work on school greening projects in Denver, Chicago and New York, co-produced by Green Apple Festival and sponsored by Chase. At Denver's Ellis Elementary, volunteers created an outdoor classroom with a garden of native species, monitored water and air quality, and addressed energy efficiency and waste in the cafeteria. Earth Day Network installed an 8-panel solar energy system that will save the school $48,000 over the next 30 years. In Chicago, students at Percy Julian High School held an "Earth Fair" with displays including solar panels that the school will be installing, organic fruits and part of a green roof that Earth Day Network hopes to place on the school building. In New York, students at Merrick Academy were greeted by a new "living wall" made of plants that filter air and water, and students helped paint an eco-mural using "green" paint. Some 3,000 students and faculty were exposed to key environmental issues through these events. Green schools will help improve students' well-being and academic performance, while reducing the impact on the environment.

Earth Day Network reached out to the religious community this Earth Day by bringing attention to our environmental message. The opening of our Earth Day 2008 event in Washington, DC featured a religious convocation with leaders from the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faiths. In light of the opportunity provided by Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States this year, Earth Day Network reached out to Roman Catholic parishes across the country, inviting them to participate in Earth Day Sunday, April 20, 2008.

Earth Day Network reached out to thousands of parishes, and the response was overwhelming. Many churches pledged to join Earth Day Sunday ceelebrations by including climate change and equitable sustainability in their homilies, post information in their weekly bulletins, and/or offer intentions for the environment during Mass; others filled us in on their year-round parish green programs. Many parishes enacted environmental measures, such as the Church of the Holy Spirit in Tempe, AZ, which posted information in their weekly bulletin for Earth Day Sunday and limited their electricity usage in the church.

For more information, visit http://www.earthday.net/

Bob The Builder New DVD Coming Out May 13

2008-05-11T01:00:00.003-06:00

Bob the Builder™ and his Can-Do Crew welcome friends Meg MacDonald, a Scottish dairy farmer, her assistant Piper and their hilarious dairy truck Dodger to Sunflower Valley in five delightful new adventures in Bob the Builder: The Three Musketrucks, delivering onto DVD May 13. Includes the following episodes:

Dodger the Milk Truck – Bob and the team are under the clock to finish Meg’s new house so they can give her milk truck, Dodger, a proper reception before he arrives. Problem is, she’s mixed up the days and Dodger shows up not only to no greeting party but no townsfolk anywhere! Sadly, he carries out his duty of delivering the milk. When everyone realizes what’s happened, they work together to greet Dodger and welcome him enthusiastically to the team.

The Three Musketrucks – A big new shipment is arriving at the docks. Inspired by the famous motto “All for one, and one for all,” Scrambler, Packer and Dodger become the Three Musketrucks and vow to deliver the goods. Despite a mix-up caused by a hasty decision and a brief ride trapped aboard a ferryboat, the trio proudly and successfully completes its mission.

Dodger’s Dairy Disaster - Bob and the team are building Sunflower Valley’s new creamery so Meg and Piper can make a variety of cheeses using local flavors. Dodger, sent to pick up the ingredients, is feeling pressure to be liked as much as fan-favorite Packer. He decides to use his funny horn sounds to make people laugh during his deliveries, but in his haste to win them over he accidentally mixes everything together. All’s well though when Meg uses the new blend to make a delicious tasting cheese everyone loves.

Scrambler the Goat Herder – Everyone is off to Snowcap Mountain to turn an old barn into a new weaving studio for Meg. Bob asks Scrambler to play herder and lead Giddy the goat down from the peak to the shearing station so Meg can use his wool in her loom. It’s no easy task but eventually Scrambler figures out exactly how to get his goat!

Packer’s Big Delivery – Sunflower Valley is getting its first General Store! While Bob and the crew get to building it, store owner Barbara sends Packer and Scrambler out to retrieve the wares, including seaweed, sunflower oil and pineapples. When Meg calls down from Flowery Ridge asking for her goat’s milk to be picked up, Packer insists he can make it up to her despite the treacherously paved mountain road. It’s not long before Packer gets stuck and it’s Bob and Scrambler to the rescue!

Every episode of Bob the Builder finishes with a job well done and a lesson learned about the value of positive attitude, problem solving and teamwork. Bob the Builder and his machine team always demonstrate that The Fun Is In Getting It Done.

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-10T01:00:00.001-06:00

PBS Kids Sprout celebrates Mom with two special live programming blocks, hosted by Nina from The Good Night Show, on both Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11, 12 noon-3p. On Saturday the block will feature mom-themed episodes of Berenstain Bears, Angelina Ballerina and Pingu, as well as showing viewer-submitted Mother's Day cards, craft ideas and so on. Sunday will showcase preschoolers calls talking about their moms. Throughout the weekend Sprout will air live-action video in which real moms talk about being moms.

KIDS FIRST! sponsor, Qubo has created a set of nutritional guidelines designed to "dictate advertising decisions" (on-air and online) for the qubo channel and its like named programming blocks on NBC, Ion Television and Telemundo. This effort builds off of Ion Media Network's advertising and media initiative to fight childhood obesity unveiled last summer for both qubo and Ion Life. Developed with an expert in childhood obesity, qubo will now only accept ads from those company's that meet the acceptable nutritional intake criteria set out in its new guidelines, which includes limits for meals and snacks broken down by calories, grams of fat, as well as saturated and trans fat, sugar, protein, fiber and sodium. Last week qubo introduced a new series of kid-aimed healthy eating and exercise Public Service Announcements with partners US Dept. of Health & Human Resources, the Ad Council and the US Olympic Committee.

The beloved Eloise books will come to live in a new live-action feature film, Eloise in Paris from HandMade Films, directed by Charles Shyer with Australia actress, Jordana Beatty (9) in the lead role. The cast includes Uma Thurman, who plays the Nanny. Filming is set to begin August 12 in Paris, NY and the south of France. The movie is based on the Eloise books by author Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Knight.

National Geographic Kids Entertainment and Kidtoons will launch National Geographic Kids' Big Screen Safari nationwide in theaters this June in 100+ theaters.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will announce the award-winners for the 35th Daytime Emmy awards in the kid categories on June 20 at 8p. Kid category nominees include:

Design Squad (PBS)
Greatest Inventions with Bill Nye (Discovery Channel)
Jack Hanna's Into the Wild (Syndicated)
Postcards from Buster (PBS) Children's Animated Series
Arthur (PBS)
Charlie and Lola Disney Channel)
Curious George (PBS)
Little Einsteins (Disney Channel)
Peep and the Big Wide World (Discovery Kids) Preschool Series
Between the Lions (PBS)
Blue's Room (Nick Jr.)
Jack's Big Music Show (Noggin)
Sesame Street (PBS)
Super Why! (PBS) Writing in a Children's Series
Between the Lions (PBS)
Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman (PBS)
Sesame Street (PBS) Writing in Animation
Arthur (PBS)
Curious George (PBS)
Jakers! the Adventures Of Piggley Winks (PBS)
Peep And the Big Wide World (Discovery Kids)
Wordgirl (PBS)

Undercover Shoppers Find It Increasingly Difficult for Children to Buy M-Rated Games

2008-05-09T10:44:00.002-06:00

The Federal Trade Commission today released the results of its latest nationwide undercover shop of movie theaters and movie, music, and video game retailers. The FTC conducted a survey with 13-to-16-year-old undercover shoppers to collect data about the extent to which retailers prevent unaccompanied children from buying tickets to R-rated movies, R-rated DVDs, Unrated DVDs of movies that were R-rated in theaters, M-rated video games, and music CDs labeled with a Parental Advisory Label – “PAL” – for explicit content.

The survey found that 20% of underage teenage shoppers were able to buy M-rated video games, a major improvement from all prior surveys, and down from 42% in 2006. While CD and DVD retailers demonstrated some improvement since the 2006 survey, roughly half of the undercover shoppers still were able to purchase R-rated and Unrated movie DVDs and PAL music CDs. The fact that so many children were able to purchase Unrated movie DVDs – some of which contain content that, if rated, might result in an NC-17 rating – indicates that retailers need to re-double their efforts in this area. Although movie theaters have improved since the 2000 shop, they still sold R-rated movie tickets to unaccompanied children 35% of the time, demonstrating no statistically significant improvement in ratings enforcement since 2003.

The survey found that results of the undercover shopping varied by retailer and product. Three movie chains – National Entertainment, Regal Entertainment Group, and American Multi-Cinema – turned away 80% or more of the underage teens who tried to buy a ticket to an R-rated movie. Wal-Mart did the best of the major retailers shopped for movie DVDs, denying sales of R-rated and Unrated DVDs to 75% of the child shoppers.

With regard to M-rated video games, Game Stop rejected an impressive 94% of underage shoppers, while Wal-Mart and Best Buy spurned 80% of them. Some stores had very different results for different media. For example, while Best Buy rejected 80% of underage buyers of video games, it turned away underage shoppers for PAL music only 47% of the time, R-rated movie DVDs only 38% of the time, and Unrated movie DVDs only 17% of the time. Similarly, Target refused to sell M-rated games to underage buyers 71% of the time, but refused sales of PAL music only 40% of the time, R-rated movie DVDs only 35% of the time, and Unrated movie DVDs in only 23% of the cases.

For the complete press release go here.

Do Something.

2008-05-06T01:00:00.000-06:00

Staples, Inc., and Do Something.org's Do Something 101 have partnered with recording artist Jordin Sparks (American Idol) for a teen-targeted public service announcement effort. The PSAs feature Sparks encouraging teens to get involved with their communities this summer by collecting school supplies, and dropping them off at Staples stores, which will then be distributed to kids in need during back to school season.

More than 11 million kids in the US live below the poverty line and don't have the basic supplies that they need to succeed. So, let's Do Something about it!
Led by teens nationwide, Do Something 101 is a campaign to collect new school supplies for kids in need. Drop off new supplies at any Staples store during July and August, and Do Something and Staples will make sure that they're delivered to people who need them. Start thinking about your summer collection drives and be sure to check back for more details!
Watch the PSA
Watch the Outtakes
11 Facts About US Education
How to Run a Supply Drive
11 Most-Needed Supplies

It's pretty easy to see that poverty is a cycle that's hard to break. The donations you collect will help kids who want to learn and can't afford the basic school supplies they need to succeed.
What is the Poverty Line, anyway? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it's a family of four (two adults, two children) that earns less than $19,157. Still, $35,000 is basic-needs budget for a U.S. family of four (two adults, two children), as calculated in An Atlas of Poverty in America.
In 2006, nearly 37 million people Americans lived in poverty; 12.8 million were under the age of 18. In the US, poverty is still tied to race: 33% of black children live below the poverty line while 10% of white children do. School budgets are tied to property taxes. This is why schools in poor neighborhoods get about half as much money per student than schools in affluent neighborhoods.
Three-quarters of the nation's schools (almost 60,000) report needing repairs, renovations or modernization in order to reach good condition. Not surprisingly, most schools in bad condition are in cities where at least 70% of students are below the poverty line. Urban students are less likely to graduate than their suburban counterparts. In 2004, the overall graduation rate for urban districts was 60.4% compared to 74.9% in suburbs. Graduation rates are also lower among certain groups, particularly ethnic minorities and males. In 2004, the graduation rate among African-Americans was 53.4% compared to 76.2% for whites. In 2004, 17 of the nation's 50 largest cities had high school graduation rates lower than 50%, with the lowest rates reported in Detroit (24.9%), Indianapolis (30.5%) and Cleveland (34.1%). Children of poor families are up to six times more likely to drop out than wealthy children. Are you inspired to make a difference? Check out our tips for your drive!

11 Most Needed Supplies
Some supplies are definitely in higher demand than others. Here is a list of some supplies you should encourage people to bring to your drive. Remember to only accept new donations.

Pens & #2 Pencils

3-Ring Binders

Box of Colored Pencils

Loose-Leaf & Copy Paper

Book Covers

Spiral Notebooks

Planners

Highlighters & Markers

Index Cards

Folders with Pockets

Calculators

How to Run a Supply Drive
Get your friends on board You don't want to do this alone so recruit all your friends to help you out. Make it fun! Spread the word You need to market your drive! Make posters and flyers with all the details and hang them in local stores, at sports fields and around town. Don't forget Facebook events and Myspace bulletins!

Get attention. Be creative and decorate collection boxes. You can even put the Do Something 101 logo on t-shirts, banners, whatever!

Make it easy. People are more likely to help if it's simple, so go where the people are. Baseball games, the pool, summer camps - you know your community best.

Make sure they are new - We all know that having "new" supplies for back to school is important to everyone, so make sure not to accept anything used or damaged.

Finishing up - Officially end the drive by letting everyone know how many supplies were collected and give a special thanks to everyone who helped.

Tell Do Something about it and you could be featured on the homepage!

Dropping them off - Donate the supplies you've collected to a Staples store in your area in July and August. Drop off bins will be located near the registers.

DOWNLOADS Supply Drive Poster (blank)Supply Drive Poster Do Something 101 logo

Sesame Street Love the Earth DVDs - May 13

2008-05-05T01:00:00.000-06:00

A beautiful sunny day sweeps Elmo, Zoe and Baby Bear away on an eye-opening expedition into Bear National Park in Sesame Street: Love The Earth, arriving on DVD exclusively at Wal-Mart on May 13th from Genius Products and Sesame Workshop. Accompanied by their Bear Scout Leader, Papa Bear, the three scouts search for the magnificent Blue-Feathered Swallowing Swallow so that they can earn their Bird-Watching Badges. The elusive swallow continually evades them, as they learn valuable lessons about littering, recycling, re-using and conserving water during their quest.

Teaching budding conservationists the importance of preserving nature’s wonders and how to truly love the earth, Sesame Street: Love The Earth is one of many green-friendly initiatives from Sesame Workshop. In an effort to teach children to love nature, Sesame Street is increasing its environmental messages and materials for kids. Sesame Street: Love The Earth will be available exclusively at Wal-Mart as part of their Earth Month program which highlights products that make a difference for the Earth and our future.

Fighting Obesity

2008-05-03T18:18:00.002-06:00

Since 1980, the number of overweight children has doubled

1/3 of young people in grades 9-12 don't regularly engage in vigorous physical activity.
Out of overweight 5 to 10-year-olds, 61% have one risk factor for heart disease, and 26% have two or more risk factors.
Hospital costs related to treating overweight and obese children and adolescents more than tripled from $35 million during 1979-1981 to $127 million during 1997-1999.

KIDS FIRST! sponsor, Qubo and NBC Universal are partnering with the US Department of Health & Human Services, the Ad Council and the US Olympic Committee to introduce a new series of nationwide Public Service Announcements addressing childhood obesity. The PSAs feature young 2008 summer Olympic hopefuls with animated characters from Qubo's shows, such as Jane and the Dragon and Veggie Tales. Created pro bono by qubo and its programming partners, the PSAs begin airing this week on NBC, ION Television and the Qubo Channel. For more information, visit the Ad Council's website, Coalition for Healthy Children.

The Coalition for Healthy Children's goal is to help address the obesity crisis that confronts our nation and its children. Their mission is to provide clear, consistent, research-based messages to children and parents on the importance of practicing a healthier lifestyle and offer them the means to do it.

The Coalition's members have made a commitment to the promotion of healthy living to our nation's families and have agreed to incorporate the Coalition's strategic messages into their marketing materials, which include advertising, packaging, web sites, grassroots programs, in-store promotions and collateral materials. Results of Coalition for Healthy Children consumer research, gathered in partnership with Yankelovich Research, indicates that Americans are confused about what it means to live healthfully and that they don’t know what to do about it. MessagingFighting the childhood obesity epidemic requires communicating directly to children and, just as importantly, to their parents and other adults. The Coalition has crafted messages to these audiences based on five basic communication strategies to promote healthy lifestyles:

Physical Activity

Food Choices

Food Portions

Balance between food and activity

Role modeling

These specific messages are the results of careful research, made possible by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and are designed to speak to both children and adults in a way that is more likely to resonate and encourage a lifestyle change. Click here to see complete list of messages

Great Debaters Coming to DVD May 13

2008-05-01T14:11:00.003-06:00

A controversial figure, challenging the social mores of the time, Professor Melvin Tolson (Washington) used unconventional and ferocious teaching methods to shape a debate team at Wiley College, a small African American university in Texas during the 1930s. Fighting against all odds and paving their way to success, the team reaches a pivotal moment when they are faced with one of their greatest challenges yet, going up against Harvard University's critically acclaimed national championship debate team.

This inspiring film captures a time in history that is difficult to remember where racism was rampant in our country. Denzel proficiently tackles the story in a compelling fashion with high drama that at times makes you cringe, yet brings a smile to your face at the end. There are some graphic depictions of violence but they are paramount to telling the story and historically accurate.

Two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington directs and leads an ensemble cast including Oscar winner Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Jumee Smollett and up-and-coming actors Nate Parker and Denzel Whitaker. Winner of four NAACP Image Awards including Best Motion Picture, THE GREAT DEBATERS chronicles Professor Melvin B. Tolson, a brilliant and steadfast debate team coach who uses the power of words to shape a group of students from a small African American college into a historically renowned debate team.

THE GREAT DEBATERS garnered numerous awards including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture, the African American Film Critics Award for Best Picture, the Stanley Kramer Award and the Freedom of Expression Award.

Recommended DVD - Pearl Diver - Released April 29

2008-04-26T01:00:00.009-06:00

Sidney King, the writer/director/producer of "Pearl Diver" graduated in 2000 from Goshen College where he studied German and music performance. In 2001 he wrote, produced, and directed "A Shroud for a Journey," an award-winning historical documentary about the disappearance of a student from Goshen College. He pursued graduate studies in folklore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before writing, directing, and producing "Pearl Diver." "Pearl Diver" won Best Feature and Grand Jury prizes at the East Lansing Film Festival and Indianapolis International Film Festival, Best Narrative Feature at the Winnipeg International Film Festival and is showing now at the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival 2008. The film's DVD release is handled by our good friends at Monterey Media. I recently had the opportunity to visit with Sidney about his film and his future plans. Allow me to share our conversation with you.

RL. Congratulations on the success of your film, Pearl Diver. You received some very prestigious awards for it and, of course, we're delighted to be screening it at our KIDS FIRST! Film Festival this quarter. This is your first feature, correct. What does all of this mean to you?

SK. I produced a documentary right out of college but this is my first feature. It's success is still yet to be seen. The awards are great! The film doesn't have big name movie stars or the kind of narrative hook that would attract a big distributor. So, that puts it at a definite disadvantage. But, the awards make someone like Monterey Media look at it. The awards are sort of a seal of approval - they make it stand out. They are not cast awards, just icing on the cake. It did win a cash award at Heartland Features - their crystal heart award.

RL. You are a graduate of Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana - right in the midst of Amish country. I love how you portray the Mennonite people in this film - with great sensitivity, etc. How much did your experience there influence this film?

SK. It Influenced me quite a bit. I started an early draft of the script while a student there so a lot of these locations were already in my mind. The characters as well. I'm from a Mennonite background myself. My family is a little more progressive - not quite as plain as the people featured in the film. I guess it makes you more aware, more sensitive to the fact that these are not just simple, plain people. They live complicated lives - not the simple lives that media likes to portray them as. I was trying to go for a nuance that went beyond how they are usually portrayed.

I grew up in North Carolina. There aren't the sizeable Mennonite communities like Goshen or Pennsylvania but that was my cultural background. The character of Hannah who left the community - I see that happen a lot - where people choose to leave the faith community they grew up in but they still have the values they grew up with.

What's the difference between Mennonites and Amish?
There's quite a range, you have the conservative Mennonites who shun technology, ride the horse & buggy. If you get to the more liberal Amish and the conservative Mennonite, there's less of a distinction. The two women in this story are Mennonites, not Amish. They drive cars and use powered farm machinery. That was an issue. In planning the film, it was walking a fine line to distinguish between them.

RL. I read in your producer's statement your comments about why you made this film. You tell this story: "I’m taken to a cramped basement apartment in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1971, a clogged space punctuated by the cries of a newborn and plagued with only occasionally functioning plumbing. Here a young married couple struggles to keep things going, scraping and clawing their way through medical school while raising a child, somehow managing to do both with precious little money. And it’s during a particularly lean holiday season when they find a Christmas dinner, complete with turkey and all the trappings, literally left on their doorstep. Later they will receive an anonymous gift covering their rent for several months. "Who is this story about? How did it affect you?

SK. That was my parents. It was an anecdote. It portrayed the idea of mutual aid and made an impression in me.

RL. And this story inspired you to write the Pearl Diver?

SK. I think so. It was the kind of story that showed the impact that it made on my parents, even years later as part of a faith community where people really try to take care of each other. The part in the movie about trying to cope with the accident, when they collect money at church, exhibits how the community comes together to help each other. Or, when the sister wants to help her sibling. I think the audience who sees this might side too much with the Hannah character. So, I wanted to show the value of the other perspective as well.

RL. Have you had any criticisms of the film that made you rethink it at all?

SK. Yes, I have. There was one reviewer who said this is nothing but conservative propaganda where the religious character is idolized. But, another expressed how insightful it was. It all depends on how you interpret the psychological elements of the film.

RL. Is there anything you would change at all?

SK. There were a couple of storylines that got cut from the film that I hated to see cut. One explained the criminal elements of the community which would have explained where the necklace came from. I've gotten some critiques about the ending because the necklace seems to pop out of nowhere and save the day. And, in some ways it's right. But the story is not really about the necklace or the money. So, I would consider going back and finding a way to make that issue more clear. Although, if I made all those changes it would possibly bring up other stuff. Keeping things in that explained the criminal made it too long.

RL. What will success look like for you in the release of this film? Audience? Money? What's important to you?

SK. I guess, at this point it's played in festivals and a few theaters but hasn't really gotten out to a mass audience. I still hear from people who want to see it but they're not in a place where it's been available. There was a small theatrical release and Monterey's DVD release is on April 8. It's being broadcast on cable in Canada, but not in US yet. I never thought of the film as geared towards younger audiences. I spoke with one Mom whose daughter was 12-years-old and she really got it. But then, I spoke with a 10-year-old for whom it was too intense.

RL. Many of us have people or experiences in our lives who have profoundly affected them in their careers and personal development. To what do you attribute your success?

SK. Artistically or personally? (both) Personally, I would say a lot of the questions in this film were inspired by a teacher at Goshen College who had this wonderful class about Mennonite or Baptist history. That class brought up a lot of issues that came out in this film. He was also instrumental in the doc I produced in college, "A Shroud for a Journey." Peter Weir is my absolute favorite filmmakers. He directed "Witness." There are a lot of filmmakers who present the Amish in a slapstick way but he didn't.

RL. What advice would you give to producers who are struggling to produce their first independent film? What do you know now that if you had known at the beginning of this journey would have made your path so much easier?

SK. If I had known what I was getting into…Would I have gotten into it? I shot this in 2004 . If I had thought that I'd still be working on it in 2008, would I have started? I had no idea. But, it's typical. You have to really be prepared for the long haul. The one thing I learned is that you can't really wait for everything to fall together and be perfect. You have to make a decision at some point that you're going to do it. You might not have the money you want or the locations you want. Or both. Just do it. Don't wait for everything to line up just right. So many things can go wrong while you're trying to plan it. If you let anything stop you - you won't do it. I would also say to trust the audience. I've been so surprised, being with a lot of different audiences. They can be very smart and very perceptive and pick up on little things that you're trying to do. So many films seem to be dumbed down for the audience. But I've been surprised. For example, with the character John, there's a scene where he's talking about what to do and I ended up cutting it from the film. But, I was surprised, it's one thing that the audience talks a lot about. They see his internal struggle. If I was going back, I probably wouldn't have written that monologue. I would have let the audience see it from his acting. You don't have to spell everything out. The audience does pick up on subtleties.

RL. What's next up for you?

SK. Actually, I was thrilled to death. I won a Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. They give out about five a year. It gives you a lot of exposure in the industry. Since that's happened, I've had a lot of doors opened for me. I've got a lot of people interested in my writing. I've got two scripts - one is also set in a small mid-western town in Iowa. I'd love to get one of those scripts going. I'd love to get some other producers involved. Producing is a tough, tough road. If I can find some other producers, that would be an answer to my prayers.

To contact the writer/producer, go to his website: pearldivermovie.com

RL. Thanks for taking time to talk with me and to share your insights with KIDS FIRST! News. Best wishes for successful DVD sales and for finding a producer of your new scripts. And congratulations for winning the Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship. That's a great feather in your cap.

New Toddworld title and Bigfoot Presents on Shelves April 22

2008-04-20T01:00:00.001-06:00

ToddWorld: Making New Friends and Bigfoot Presents: Meteor And The Mighty Monster Trucks- Shifting Gears both arrive April 22nd. Both of these programs have been endorsed by KIDS FIRST! and air weekdays on Discovery Kids as part of their "Ready Set Learn!" block. Filled with simple lessons and silly fun, ToddWorld: Making New Friends and Bigfoot Presents: Meteor And The Mighty Monster Trucks- Shifting Gears both feature six fun-filled episodes and special bonus episodes of Paz and The Save-Ums!

Earth Day - April 22 - Get Involved

2008-04-19T01:00:00.000-06:00

Do you remember the first Earth Day? Or the first one you celebrated? As we prepare for the 38th annual Earth Day, I encourage you to get involved. And a great organization to get involved with is Earth Day Network

Founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network (EDN) promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide. Earth Day Network is a driving force steering environmental awareness around the world. Through Earth Day Network, activists connect, interact, and have an impact on their communities, and create positive change in local, national, and global policies.

EDN's international network reaches over 17,000 organizations in 174 countries. Its domestic program engages 5,000 groups and over 25,000 educators who coordinates millions of community development and environmental protection activities throughout the year.

Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a half billion people participate in Earth Day campaigns every year. EDN's mission is to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. They pursue these goals through education, politics, events, and consumer activism.

EDN is committed to expanding the definition of "environment" to include all issues that affect our health, our communities and our environment, such as air and water pollution, deteriorating schools, public transportation and access to jobs, rising rates of asthma and cancer, and lack of funding for parks and recreation. Their latest research document, the Urban Environment Report, ranks the health of 72 U.S. cities by more than 200 environmental, health and quality of life indicators.

Earth Day, April 22, is the largest secular holiday in the world, now celebrated by more than one billion people. Since the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, Earth Day has been an annual event for people around the world to celebrate the earth and renew our commitment to building a safer, healthier and cleaner world for all of us.

Earth Day 2008 is expected to be the biggest yet! From Tokyo to Togo, to the flagship event on the National Mall in Washington, DC and 7 other U.S. cities, millions of people around the world will galvinize behind a Call for Climate, EDN's global warming action theme. Hundreds of events are popping up all over the globe and April 22 should be a most memorable Earth Day.

U.S. events, produced by Green Apple Festival, will include A-list musicians and actors, environmental and community leaders, and dozens of exhibits. These special events are the place to be on April 20, right before Earth Day. In Washington, DC you can listen to Roots, Toots and the Maytals, and Warren Haynes. In Denver, the lineup includes The Neville Brothers, Benevento Russo, Saul Williams, Rose Hill Drive, and Jackie Greene. The Call for Climate will go out to the U.S. Congress on Earth Day, April 22 with a goal to to generate 1-million phone calls to lawmakers! Mark your calendar!

New York City's Green Apple Festival

For the third consecutive year, Central Park will host New York’s Green Apple Festival to celebrate Earth Day 2008. Environmental leaders, community activists, A-list talent and top speakers will all CALL FOR CLIMATE, a demand for immediate, effective and equitable action against global warming that will culminate on Earth Day, April 22nd, when we hope to generate ONE MILLION CALLS TO CONGRESS.
Stay tuned! More information to come soon.
2008 Earth Day Network/Green Apple Festival Free Line-up NEW YORK
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Vusi Mahlasela
Vienna Teng

Green Apple Festival Denver

To celebrate Earth Day 2008, Green Apple Festival comes to Denver for the first time with an event for the whole family.Environmental leaders, community activists, A-list talent and top speakers will all CALL FOR CLIMATE, a demand for immediate, effective and equitable action against global warming that will culminate on Earth Day, April 22nd, when we hope to generate ONE MILLION CALLS TO CONGRESS.
Stay tuned! More information to come soon.
2008 Earth Day Network/Green Apple Festival Free Line-up DENVER
The Neville Brothers
The Benevento/Russo Duo
Rose Hill Drive

Green Apple Festival Los Angeles

To celebrate Earth Day 2008, Green Apple Festival comes to Los Angeles for the first time with an event for the whole family.
Environmental leaders, community activists, A-list talent and top speakers will all CALL FOR CLIMATE, a demand for immediate, effective and equitable action against global warming that will culminate on Earth Day, April 22nd, when we hope to generate ONE MILLION CALLS TO CONGRESS.
Stay tuned! More information to come soon.
2008 Earth Day Network/Green Apple Festival Free Line-up LOS ANGELES
Taj Mahal
Ziggy Marley solo acoustic
Juliette and the Licks
School of Rock Hollywood Allstars
The Frequency
Coby Brown

Green Apple Festival Miami

To celebrate Earth Day 2008, Green Apple Festival comes to Miami for the first time with an event for the whole family.Environmental leaders, community activists, A-list talent and top speakers will all CALL FOR CLIMATE, a demand for immediate, effective and equitable action against global warming that will culminate on Earth Day, April 22nd, when we hope to generate ONE MILLION CALLS TO CONGRESS.
Stay tuned! More information to come soon.
2008 Earth Day Network/Green Apple Festival Free Line-up MIAMI
Menudo
Arrested Development
Baby Loves Salsa
Caravan of Thieves

Three Future of Children Events about Children and Electronic Media

2008-04-17T14:32:00.004-06:00

Mark Your celendars for these three events from The Future of Children. They are free and open to the public.

Children and Electronic Media
Trends in Children's Media Use, The Role of Government Policy, and Social MarketingWednesday, April 23, 20089:00 am — 11:00 amThe Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium,1775 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DCRSVP: http://onlinepressroom.net/brookings/new.%20

Children and Electronic Media: Parenting in the Technological Age
Thursday, May 1, 20087:00 pm – 9:00 pmPrinceton University,Robertson Hall, Bowl 16Corner of Washington and Prospect StreetsPrinceton, NJRSVP: http://www.futureofchildren.princeton.edu/media/parents/.%20

Children and Electronic Media: Teaching in the Technological Age
Friday, May 2, 20088:00 am – 3:15 pmPrinceton University,Robertson Hall, Dodds AuditoriumCorner of Washington and Prospect StreetsPrinceton, NJRSVP: http://www.futureofchildren.princeton.edu/MEDIA/.%20

Electronic media has become an integral part of students’ lives and a major point of interest for educators. Questions about the impact of electronic media on student learning and wellbeing have led many school districts to question how and why they should be using technology.
The purpose of this conference is to showcase innovative uses of technology in the classroom and provide school district with ways that they can enhance their classroom curriculums and professional development programs. An overview of the research regarding electronic media and its links to achievement and social development will be provided as well.
This conference is designed in conjunction with the latest journal issue of the Future of Children "Children and Electronic Media". This issue, due to be released in April 2008 shines a spotlight on Electronic Media, focusing mainly on its impact on childhood wellbeing and policy implications.
Click here for the "Children and Electronic Media: Parenting in the Technological Age" Seminar

These events will present findings from The Future of Children: Children and Electronic Media, which is available free-of-charge on our website, http://www.futureofchildren.org/
The Future of Children is a co-production of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and the Brookings Institution.
For more information, email FOC@princeton.edu.

PBS KIDS Celebrates Earth Day (April 22)

2008-04-14T01:00:00.000-06:00

PBS KIDS is celebrating the Earth with PBS KIDS Share the Earth Day,” a special programming and online event on Tuesday, April 22. Curious George, Clifford, Arthur and an all new episode of Super Why will explore fun and engaging ways to keep the planet beautiful. PBS Parents (pbspar ents.org) will offer an Earth Day expert Q&A with Jamie Durie, host of The Victory Garden, discussing how to introduce gardening concepts to kids and what they can learn by digging in the dirt.

On the PBS KIDS preschool block, Miss Lori and Hooper teach kids how to recycle their trash, while new stories from Dot’s Story Factory show how kids at home celebrate the planet. A special never-before-seen episode of Super Why all about the importance of water conservation will debut and join the line-up with Earth Day-themed episodes from Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog and It's A Big Big World, airing alongside themed music videos from the award-winning kids’ rock band, Milkshake.

PBS KIDS GO!, for elementary school kids, celebrates Earth Day with themed programming from Arthur, Maya & Miguel, and Cyberchase. Throughout the late afternoon programming block, PBS KIDS GO! presents creative ideas of how kids can take care of the environment by recycling, cleaning up their neighborhoods and more.

To help parents connect these lessons back to kids’ daily lives, PBS Parents (pbsparents.org) will recommend ideas, resources and activities for parents to share with their children and encourage them to spend more time exploring nature and take an active role in protecting the planet.

New web content on pbskids.org and pbskidsgo.org includes a reduce, reuse and recycling theme for Dot’s Story Factory so kids can tell their own stories about saving the planet; a newly redesigned EekoWorld web site (pbskidsgo.org/eekoworld), where kids can build their own creatures and learn the basics of how life survives in different ecosystems; and a sustainability and green living site titled “Meet the Greens” (pbskids.org/meetthegreens). The Greens are an environmentally conscious family who explore different methods of saving power and reducing waste in a series of short animated episodes.

Episodes for April 22 (check local listings)

SUPER WHY! “Tiddalick the Frog”
Whyatt’s mom tells him that he’s wasting water. This is a really big problem and he’s not sure how to fix it. So the Super Readers dash into the Australian folk tale of Tiddalick the Frog and make the acquaintance of a funny amphibian whose puddle jumping is using up all the water and leaving his neighbors in the dust – literally! As the Super Readers help Tiddalick and his dry friends, they learn how important water is to the planet along with a valuable lesson about conservation.

CURIOUS GEORGE “The Times of Sand”
A hard hat, a shovel, a wheelbarrow and a ladder - George learns that all four items are necessary when digging a gigantic hole. But why are George and the Man With the Yellow (Hard) Hat digging in their own yard?

CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG “Doggie Garden/Captain Birdwell's Treasure”
It’s “Keep Birdwell Beautiful” month and the kids are doing their part by planting a flower garden. Seeing this, the dogs decide to create a doggie flower garden of their own.

IT'S A BIG BIG WORLD "World Tree Day/World Tree Cuisine"“World Tree Day” -- It is World Tree Day and Snook has made badges to give to all of the residents who do something nice for the tree. “World Tree Cuisine” -- It is time to celebrate the World Tree's birthday and Madge and Snook are planning a surprise party for the tree's residents.

PBS KIDS GO! Episodes for April 22 (check local listings):
ARTHUR “Feeling Flush”
“Feeling Flush” -- When Elwood City experiences a drought, Francine bets Arthur that her family can use less water than his.

CYBERCHASE “EcoHaven Ooze”
When Hacker discovers that the liquid ooze that feeds the animals of EcoHaven also gives him a super energy boost, he decides to drain the pond and take the ooze home.

MAYA & MIGUEL “Every Day Is Earth Day”
“Every Day Is Earth Day” -- For a school Earth Day project, the kids decide to clean up an old lot and plant a community garden.

Kids Pick the President - Sunday, April 13

2008-04-11T01:00:00.000-06:00

Nickelodeon's Kids Pick the President campaign, a year-long initiative to build young citizens' awareness of the election process and issues for the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, continues this month with Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Election Issues '08, the second of four specials, premiering Sunday, April 13, at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT). In this special, kids speak out on the campaign issues that affect their lives, including the war in Iraq, terrorism, the economy, education, the environment, healthcare and immigration.

"It doesn't matter whether you're a kid voting for practice or an adult voting for real," said Ellerbee. "What really matters is that the stakes today are higher than ever before. When it comes to voting, the more you know, the better off you are and so is your country."

Following Election Issues '08, Nick's Kids Pick the President campaign will continue throughout the year, airing two additional specials. Tails from the Trail, which premieres in August, will feature stories from kids actively campaigning for specific candidates. In the final special, Kids Pick the President, which premieres in October, Ellerbee will take kids' questions to the presidential candidates and then encourage kids to go online to www.nick.com/kpp and vote for the next U.S. President.

In Election Issues '08, kids have conflicting views on the war in Iraq. Lydia says, "The next president should continue to support our troops in Iraq and to try to continue this stabilization of Iraq and creating a more democratic government," while Ashley says, "We should get out of Iraq before things get even worse than they already are."

Another important issue to kids is terrorism. Joe believes America needs "more border security on the ports of entry in our country through boats, ships, planes...a lot of boxes go unchecked that terrorists can use for bombs." However, Mischa says, "The government should not be allowed to read your letters, wire tap your conversations or collect any personal information."

Education concerns kids because they are directly affected by this issue, especially the No Child Left Behind Act. Tiffany, from Oakland, Calif., attends Caslemount High School, which the government considers to be a "failing school" due to students' poor tests scores. "The education I'm getting right now is how to take a test," Tiffany says. "I want to learn something else." Adrienne believes "testing is not a good way to see how a child is learning because not all children are really good test takers."

With eight million kids in the U.S. living without health insurance, health care has emerged as one of the main issues facing presidential candidates this year. And it's not just kids' health at stake. Tasha's mother has asthma, an enlarged heart, and no health insurance. Tasha says she worries every day that her mother "is just gonna collapse from her heart." Zach believes "healthcare should be the government's responsibility. I think that if you're an American citizen that healthcare should be free." But Christine thinks "the government's involvement with health care should be limited" and that universal health care is not the way to approach this issue.

As prices on gas, heating oil and food continue to rise, and as some parents are losing their jobs and unable to meet their housing costs, kids are affected. Eyke says, "The rich can afford a yacht, the rich can afford to buy stock on Wall Street but, frankly, the regular American is having a tough time paying for their health care, they're having a tough time paying their rent and that's not right." Alex has another take on the issue. "Instead of using the hundreds of billions of dollars on the war on terror, maybe we should really use it on things we really need here."

About immigration, Vika says, "I understand why the fence between Mexico and the U.S. is being built, but I don't think that it should be there. I feel like it's creating a barrier -- it's actually creating a physical barrier between Mexico and the U.S. and it's making tensions rise and it really just shows our distrust of Mexico." But Michele says, "They come here for a better life; they should be able to get a better life."

Nickelodeon's campaign includes four Kids Pick the President television specials created and produced by the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning Nick News with Linda Ellerbee, and a special online election website http://www.nick.com/kpp/. The website features explanations of the election process, photographs and information about each candidate and their issues, as well as a calendar of the major election events. In January, the first campaign special, The Kids' Primary -- explained how presidents are elected in the United States, the primary system, the current candidates, and what it means to be a Democrat or a Republican. After the special, kids were encouraged to go online and vote in Nickelodeon's first ever kids' primary, at www.nick.com/kpp. In the election, kids chose Barack Obama and John McCain.

The campaign specials will also air on Cable in the Classroom (schedule will be announced), which airs Wednesday and Friday mornings at 6:00 a.m. (ET/PT). Cable in the Classroom provides schools with commercial-free educational television programming. To complement the Kids Pick the President campaign, supplementary materials are available as resources for teachers at http://teachers.nick.com.

Nick News, produced by Lucky Duck Productions, is now in its 18th year, and is the longest-running kids' news show in television history. It has built its reputation on the respectful and direct way it speaks to kids about the important issues of the day. Over the years, Nick News has received more than 20 Emmy nominations and numerous Emmy wins. Most recently, in 2007, "Private Worlds: Kids and Autism" won the Emmy for Outstanding Children's Programming. In 1994, the entire series, Nick News, won the Emmy for Outstanding Children's Programming. In 1998, "What Are You Staring At?" a program about kids with physical disabilities, won the Emmy for Outstanding Children's Programming. In 2002, "Faces of Hope: The Kids of Afghanistan," won the Emmy for Outstanding Children's Programming. In 2004, two Nick News Specials, "The Courage to Live: Kids, South Africa and AIDS" and "There's No Place Like Home," a special about homeless kids in America, were both nominated for the Outstanding Children's Programming Emmy. In 2005, it won the Emmy for Outstanding Children's Programming for its show, "From the Holocaust to the Sudan." Nick News, produced by Lucky Duck Productions, is also the recipient of three Peabody Awards, including a personal award given to Ellerbee for her coverage for kids of the President Clinton investigation. The series has also received two Columbia duPont Awards.

Poetry for Kids on HBO Family Channel

2008-04-10T01:00:00.005-06:00

Check this out! I highly recommend the Classical Baby - The Poetry Show coming to HBO April 12 on HBO Family. Set to classical music, this collection includes classic poetry such as "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost, "The Swing" by Robert Louis Stevenson, "The Red Wheelbarrow" by William Carlos Williams, "Grass Grass Grass" by Woodie Guthrie, "The Owl and the Pussy Cat" by Edward Lear, and many more. The part I loved most about is were the live action segments of real children expressing their thoughts about the poetry. "I like poetry because it can have a lot of different meanings to it." "It's like music in your head when you read it." A group of elementary-age children candidly talk about how the poetry affects them and their comments ring so true. "Poetry is a pretty way of saying something." "It's like music. It has a beat, a rhythm … just like music. Obviously, these kids have thought about it a bit. "Sometimes you have to read it more than once to really get it." "Maybe you love somebody so much that there are no words for it. You just have to write down what you feel." And, they don't miss a beat in terms of execution. "You don't have to put in a period, a comma, or an exclamation point. You just put it down the way it comes out of your head. That's the way it is." Summary - "It's just beautiful." Try it, you'll love it. HBO Family's Peabody and Emmy Award-winning animation team has created yet another winner from the Classical Baby franchise. It's all-star cast includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Susan Sarandon, Geoffrey Wright, Andy Garcia and John Lithgow. It's the brainchild of director-producer Amy Schatz and animator Maciek Albrecht. Schatz produced the Emmy Award-winning HBO family specials "Through a Child's Eyes: September 11, 2001," "Goodnight Moon and Other Sleepytime Tales," "How Do You Spell God?," "Going, Going, Almost Gone! Animals in Danger," and "Twas the Night." Produced in association with the Poetry Foundation, it offers a vehicle to plant the seeds for a lifelong love of the music of words. It is scheduled to play April 12, 16, 20, 24, and 29. Tivo it! It's also coming out in DVD on April 15 and at $9.98, it's a great value for introducing your kids to poetry.

This Week's News - Wii in Hotels, National Library Week coming up

2008-04-09T01:00:00.001-06:00

Nintendo's Wii has maintained its lead as the hot item in videogaming. Wii, which is pronounced like the English word "we," tells you who this console is for -- all of us, everyone. I've talked with everyone from grandparents to kids and it's their game of choice these days. When Nintendo company set out to to dramatically improve the interface for video games, they came up with the Wii. So, what makes it different from other next-generation consoles. I went to "How Stuff Works" to find out.

"If you look at the controllers for the Xbox, the Playstation 2 and the GameCube, you'll notice that they are nearly identical... Nintendo's designers got outside of the box and innovated. The Wii controller looks like the remote control for a TV and it has no joystick. Instead, the primary control is the controller itself. The controller contains solid-state accelerometers and gyroscopes that let it sense movement. The controller’s most-talked-about feature is the capacity to track its own relative motion. This enables players to do things like steer a car by twisting the remote in the air or moving a game character by tilting the remote down or up."

Hotels are the latest to capitalize on the Wii’s success. According to USA Today, the fitness center at Manhattan’s Le Parker Meridien offers guests Wii rentals at $50 an hour. Westin Hotels have announced plans to offer Wii for guests at their 150 locations and resorts. For hotels, offering their customers the Wii is helps maintain their up-to-date image and appeals to their guests who are seeking a new experience. At Wii's price point ($250-300), it's much less costly than installing flat-screen TVs or other add-ons.

And, hey - for the public, it's a great way to try out a new technology while you're on vacation or a business trip.

Next week, April 13 - 19 marks the American Library Association's 50th anniversary of National Library Week. "Join the circle of knowledge at your national library," is this year's them. Honorary chair is actress and author, Julie Andrews, who is featured in a series of TV and radio Public service Announcements celebrating the week. Each year on the Thursday of National Library Week is Support Teen Literature Day, sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association. Teen Read Week 2008 will be celebrated, October 12-18.

AAP Study shows Teens With TVs in Bedrooms Have Fewer Healthy Habits

2008-04-07T01:00:00.000-06:00

Older adolescents who have a television where they sleep are less likely to engage in healthy activities such as exercising, eating fresh vegetables and enjoying family meals, according to the study “Characteristics Associated With Older Adolescents Who Have a Television in Their Bedrooms.”

A study group of 781 socioeconomically and ethnically diverse teens participating in the Project EAT study reported on their television viewing habits, study habits and grades, diet, exercise habits and “family connectedness.” About two-thirds of the teens, who had a mean age of 17.2 years, had a television in their bedroom or sleeping area. They watched four to five hours more television each week.

Girls with a TV in their bedrooms spent less time in vigorous activity each week than girls without TVs in their rooms (1.8 vs. 2.5 hours). They also ate fewer fresh vegetables (1.7 vs. 2.0 servings per day), and had fewer family meals (2.9 vs. 3.7 meals per week).

Boys with TVs in their rooms not only had lower fruit intake and fewer family meals, they also had a lower grade point average compared to their counterparts with no TVs in the bedroom (2.6 vs. 2.9). Overall, teens with televisions in their rooms ate more fast food, consumed more sweetened beverages and read or studied less.

The authors from the University of Minnesota conclude that refraining from placing a television in teenagers’ rooms may be a first step in helping to reduce screen time and subsequent poor behaviors associated with TV watching.

Nim's Island Opens Today - April 4 - KF Recommended

2008-04-04T11:47:00.000-06:00

Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine)and her adventures in the tropics as a precocious yet self-sufficient 11-year-old, will have every kid wanting a zip line installed in the backyard. Nim and her Dad (Gerard Butler), a famous scientist live an idyllic life on a secluded island somewhere in the South Pacific that they refer to as "our own perfect secret world." Clearly, that's the way they want to keep it. Nim's best friends are a lizard and a sea lion named Selkie. She pours over books about her favorite literary hero/adventurer - Alex Rover.

The scene shifts when Nim utters the words, "when my Dad gets back" as he takes off for a four day trip on his sailboat in search of protozoan. A terrific storm blows in unexpectedly and when her father doesn't return, Nim's life goes topsy turvy as she ponders her fate and that of her missing Dad. She reaches out to her hero for help, unaware that the author of her favorite adventures books is Alexandra Rover (Jodi Foster). While her fans think she's the swashbuckling hero of her adventure novels, the truth is Alexandra is a wuss with a crippling fear of leaving her own house - if even to go to the mailbox. All that changes with an email exchange with Nim and her fictional character, Alex Rover eggs her on and go to Nim's rescue. She somehow rises to the challenge but not easily.

What I enjoyed about this film is how the action/adventure/fantasy/Indiana Jones theme has a girl hero. One of the current favorite TV shows for our KIDS FIRST! jurors is Flight 29 Down. I believe the same audience will love this.

Directed by Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett who also brought us "Little Manhattan," it brings out the best of young actress, Abigail Breslin. Miss Breslin's portrayal of Nim is charming, captivating and fun. Jodi Foster's performance captures her comedic qualities but doesn't have the same stickiness as her co-star. Gerard Butler's (P.S. I Love You) performance as both Dad and Alex Rover demands little of the actor beyond his eminent good looks.

This is a great film for tweens who will resonate with an adventure of their peers. There are two issues that make me not give this the highest scores for KIDS FIRST! First, are the scenes of Dad and Alexandria in the ocean without life vests. In real life, neither of these characters would have survived their ordeals in the turbulent seas without life vests and it's inappropriate to even suggest that they would not be wearing them at the first hint of bad weather. The other objection is inappropriate treatment of animals. When Nim is protecting her island from an onslaught of dim-witted tourists, she catapults reptiles onto the beach. Ug. I can hear the animal activist scream in the back of my head. It's not a big enough deal to diss the movie but enough to mention.

My summary: A perfect action fantasy for tweens, where young Abigail Breslin captures your heart along with your imagination.

PBS Kids Sprout VOD Report

2008-04-03T11:00:00.000-06:00

PBS Kids Sprout recently reported they are averaging 17 million views a month on their video-on-demand programs. PBS Kids Sprout is looking at how VOD has changed how preschool households are taking in media. They are the first 24-hour preschool network on TV, on-demand and online (sprout online.com) for kids 2 to 5 and their parents. The network launched first as a VOD service in April 2005, and then began a 24-hour linear channel and Web site that September. A partnership of Comcast Corp., HIT Entertainment, PBS and Sesame Workshop, PBS Kids Sprout reaches 35 million households via Comcast, Cox Communications, DirecTV, Insight, RCN, Time Warner, Verizon and AT&T.

The network offers 60 hours of VOD programming each month, including 10 hours of Spanish-language programming (Plaza Sesamo, Angelina Ballerina, Jay Jay the Jet Plane, Barney & Friends, Bob the Builder and The Berenstain Bears).

Further research on the consumers utilizing VOD revealed that the typical Sprout household is a more active media consumer; parents are 10% more likely to sit and watch TV with their preschoolers and 25% more likely to have selected a kids' VOD program in the past six months. Also, nearly half of the Sprout viewers said they watch TV and VOD with their children daily.

Interesting, are you using VOD yet? If so, write me and tell me more. You can reply to this post. Thanks.