Election Time!

The Hitchhiker, by Roald Dahl

The Hitch-Hiker is a short story by Roald Dahl about a man who picks up a hitch hiker whilst driving to London. They talk, and the driver tells the hitch hiker about himself. He explains that he is a writter, the hitch hiker says that the drivier is in a skilled profession, stating also that he is in a skilled profession. The persona is driving a brand new BMW car, and the hitch hiker challenges him to see if it really can go 130 mp/h. They reach a stretch of flat even road, and the driver opens up the throttle, he reaches 130mp/h just as a police officer flashes his sirens and pulls him over. The officer issues threats of life imprisonment etc, and gives hom a fine. The officer asks the hitch hiker what his address and occupation is, he tells him his address and also explains that he is an hod carrier. The police officer says he will be checking up on them both, and tells them to be on their way. After this meeting, the persona is worried about the fine, the hitch hiker assures him that he won't get thrown into prison. He then reveals that he is a "finger smith" a very skilled pick pocket, he then tells the persona that he has taken the police officer's ticket and note books, adding that they should leave the highway and make a bonfire to burn them on.

Pros and Cons of TV

Television’s advantages:
· Great source of information;
· The best means of communication;
· Source of entertainment/ It keeps us company;
· Advertising gives us the chance to know new types of products;
· We always receive information of the moments which can prevent disasters or accidents;
· It’s fast to broadcast information;
· There are many kinds of programmers;
· It reaches to a great number of people.

Television’s disadvantages:
· Excess of hours in front of TV;
· Health problems (vision and obesity, for example);
· It can harm school learning;
· Children can imitate what they see. For example, bullying.
· No dialogue among the members of the family;
· Family conflicts;
· Sometimes, it shows an unreal world;
· Excess of programmers without educative or informative content;
· Excess of advertising and propaganda;
· Influence of the mass media in public opinion.

Bruna; Carla; Miguel; Ruben - 801

Wall.E

Title: Wall.E
Running time: 90 minutes
Genre: Animated film
Cast: Ben Burtt - WALL·E / M-O (voice)
Elissa Knight - EVE (voice)
Jeff Garlin - Captain McCrea (voice)
Fred Willard - Shelby Forthright - BnL CEO
MacInTalk - AUTO (voice)
John Ratzenberger - John (voice)
Kathy Najimy - Mary (voice)
Sigourney Weaver - Ship's Computer (voice)

Plot: In a distant future, approximately seven hundred years later, the Earth is over-run with millions of garbage and without any plant or animal life.
This is the consequence of years of pollution. The humans planed to live temporarily in a spaceship while the robots Wall-e were cleaning the planet. But something went wrong and only one robot was still working on the planet. And the humans had to live in the Axiom and forgot all the beauties of life, and the Earth! One day, a space probe returned from Earth. It had found life (a plant) in the planet. Finally the people could go back home! And then a great adventure begins! However, they had lots of setbacks. It wasn’t as easier as they thought because just outside of the city, plants had already begun to flourish.

Review: This film is very interesting because calls our attention to the problems of the environment and the effects of the new technologies in people’s lives. It is about a love story between robots (Wall-e and Eve): this shows that everybody has feelings. The special effects were very good too.

Recommendation: It’s a must-see. You will have a good time seeing this film. It also won an Oscar, in this year (2009) “Best Animated Feature Film of the Year”.

Rating: ****

Ana Paula Abreu; Cristiano Martins; Joana Azevedo - 801

The Strangers

Title: The Strangers
Running time: 90 min aprox.
Genre: Drama ; horror; thriller
Director: Bryan Bertino
Cast: Liv Tyler (Kristen Mckay) ; Scott Speedman ( James Hoyt) ; Gemma Ward (Dollface) ; Kip Weeks ( The man in the mask) ; Laura Margolis ( Pin-up Girl) ; Glenn Howerton ( Mike)
Plot: After returning from a wedding reception, a couple staying in an isolated vacation house receive a knock on the door in the mid-hours of the night. What happens is a violent invasion by three strangers, their faces hidden behind masks. The couple find themselves in a violent struggle, in which they go beyond what they think they are capable to survive.
Review: the movie is awesome, The actor that we think that is the coolest is Kip Weeks, the man with the white mask. The story of the film hasn’t much sense, but is a good film. It’s based on a true story.
Recommendation: this film is a must-see, the best that we have ever seen. We hope that the next one comes fast.
Rating: 10/11

Fábio; João Lopes; José Pedro e Tomás - 801

Eco-heroes in Action

Colin Carlson, First Place, Age 11, Connecticut, U.S.A. - The Cool Coventry Club
Seeing climate change firsthand on a trip to the Galapagos Islands, Colin became concerned about climate health. After viewing Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, he decided to "think globally and act locally." He said that he decided to launch "The Cool Coventry Club...to educate people about global warming and encourage energy conservation at individual, business and governmental levels." Colin created a Web site, The Cool Coventry Club, to educate and motivate people to change their attitude and behavior. Colin has organized 25 CCC events in 10 towns. He presented expert speakers and handed out printed matter about global warming and related topics. He also organized youth and school events, spoke in front of local governments in support of energy policies and passed out low-energy light bulbs.

Alec Loorz, Third Place, Age 13, California, U.S.A. - Sea Level Awareness Project
When Alec learned that global warming could cause the sea levels to rise high enough to cover a good part of his city, he became concerned. To his surprise, he discovered that many people in his town either didn't believe in global warming or didn't understand the possible devastation that could be caused by it. He decided to develop a public awareness program called SLAP (Sea Level Awareness Project) to awaken the city to the threat of a sea level rise. To take action "I give presentations to educate youth on the science of global warming and empower them to take action," he says. "I am now leading a team of 40 kids to make it happen in May of this year." Alec built a Web site, kids-vs-global-warming.com, and has given 16 presentations to schools and environmental groups so far. He has designed posters, made videos, met with officials, and started environmental teams at other schools. Alec feels that the more education and knowledge that the public has about global warming; the more they will feel a personal responsibility to take action and support legislation to combat this serious problem.


Benjamin Workinger, Honorable Mention, Age 8, Tennessee, U.S.A. - Monarch Butterfly Safe Haven
When Ben read a New York Times article on the decreasing numbers of the migrating monarch butterflies, he became interested in helping them. Monarch butterflies are vulnerable to extreme weather changes such as droughts or hurricanes, and are dependent on the prairie grasses and other healthy ecosystems for their survival. Ben and his classmates turned their school garden into a habitat that serves as a way station for monarchs on their migration between Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The garden provided a safe haven for other species of butterflies, as well as hummingbirds and bees. The school's efforts increased awareness about the plight of monarch butterflies in the local community. Ben and his school plan to maintain this garden for as long as possible. Ben says he has learned a lot about nature and is thinking about studying it later in life.


Alexander Lin, First Place, Age 14, Rhode Island, U.S.A. - E-Waste Solutions
Alexander was appalled by the global crisis of e-waste. When he researched e-waste, he discovered that only a small portion of it was recycled. "All consumer electronics are a serious threat to human health as well as our environment," he says. In 2002, Alexander created WIN, Westerly Innovations Network, and started Project WIN '05 to recycle and reuse e-waste. He renovated old computers from his high school's computer class and returned these computers to the local area for everyday use. WIN projects also included running e-waste recycling drives, educating children in schools, educating the community and lobbying for a local and statewide bill banning the improper disposal of e-waste. He began a new project this year entitled Project WIN '08: A Green Bridge across the Digital Divide. Alex is working with partners in Africa to set up Internet cafes and computer centers and is lobbying to build state of the art e-waste recycling facilities in those countries.


Dylan Pidich, Age 10, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. - Kids for Earth
Dylan said, "I want people to know that we need to take care of our planet and its helpless animals. If we continue on our current path, many humans and animals will die and our amazing earth will die. If we all work together we can make a difference and save the earth." Dylan created a survey that lets kids check off things they could do at home to help save the environment. He started his project when he was nine and he is "confident that we can make a difference even if we're small." Dylan is working on a Web site and has made a documentary movie that he hopes to put on TV.


Vania Santoso, Second Place, Age 16, East Java, Indonesia - Recycling and Organic Waste
Vania was inspired to clean up her country after reading a 2005 World Health Organization report naming Indonesia the number one dirtiest country in the world. Her work involves public outreach and education through a series of workshops in the communities and schools in her area, emphasizing the importance of recycling non-organic waste and composting organic waste. Because Vania enjoys music, she sings about the protecting the environment on stage and shows documentaries about the problems of pollution. She has also written articles about the waste issues to teen magazines to reach her generation. On those occasions when Vania has spoken on the radio, she gives easy tips for at-home composting and recycling.

http://www.actionfornature.org/ (adapted)

Angels & Demons - Synopsis

When Langdon discovers evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati - the most powerful underground organization in history - he also faces a deadly threat to the existence of the secret organization's most despised enemy: the Catholic Church.

When Langdon learns that the clock is ticking on an unstoppable Illuminati time bomb, he jets to Rome, where he joins forces with Vittoria Vetra, a beautiful and enigmatic Italian scientist. Embarking on a nonstop, action-packed hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and even to the heart of the most secretive vault on earth, Langdon and Vetra will follow a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols that mark the Vatican's only hope for survival.

Angels and Demons was the reclusive authors third novel after he gave up his job as an English teacher. It tells the story of Langdons brush with a shadowy secret society, the Illuminati, and his frantic quest for the worlds most powerful energy source, in the company of a beautiful Italian physicist whose father, a brilliant physicist, has been murdered.

The team behind the global phenomenon "The Da Vinci Code" returns for the highly anticipated "Angels & Demons," based upon the bestselling novel by Dan Brown. Tom Hanks reprises his role as Harvard religious expert Robert Langdon, who once again finds that forces with ancient roots are willing to stop at nothing, even murder, to advance their goals. Ron Howard again directs the film, which is produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and John Calley. The screenplay is by David Koepp and Akiva Goldsman.

Fact File

Official Name: Republic of Mozambique
Size: 309,494 square miles (about twice the size of California)
Population: 19,406,703 (July 2005 estimate)
Population Under Age 14: Mozambique's population is young.

Malnutrition, disease and lack of clean water take a heavy toll on the people of Mozambique. Life expectancy is low. The average person lives to be only 40.
Capital: Maputo (formerly known as Lourenço Marques)
Official Language: Portuguese, tribal languages are also spoken.
Currency: Metical
Religion: Catholic 23.8%, Zionist Christian 17.5%, Muslim 17.8%, other 17.8%, none 23.1% (1997 census)
Literacy: 48%
Climate: Ranging from tropical to subtropical. It gets hottest in the north, and the rainy season causes flooding in the south from November to March.
Agricultural Products: Cotton, cashews, sugarcane, tea, cassava, corn, citrus and tropical fruits
Industrial Products: Food, beverage, chemicals (fertilizer soaps, paints), textiles, cement

Did you know?:
Though the official language of Mozambique is Portuguese, it is spoken by only about one-quarter of the population. Most Mozambicans speak their native languages.
Dogs and rats are trained to sniff out landmines. Although Mozambique's civil war ended in 1992, thousands of explosives placed below the ground during the war remain a danger today.
Thirty years ago, 65,000 elephants could be found in Mozambique. Today there are about 15,000.
Mozambican cooking often blends African, Indian and Portuguese influences. Piri-piri is a spicy red pepper sauce that tops many dishes.
Artwork decorates many of the walls in Maputo. The largest of Maputo's murals is 310 feet long. Its images tell the story of the country's revolution.

What is the swine flu?

On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that 40 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the United States. People have fallen ill in several states. All of those who have come down with the flu have either recovered or are recovering. Many of them visited Mexico recently.
The flu is taking a serious toll on Mexico. Officials believe that swine flu may have sickened 1,614 people since April 13. The virus is suspected to have caused more than 100 deaths. The Mexican government has closed all public schools and canceled hundreds of public events in the country's capital, Mexico City. Soldiers handed out six million face masks, hoping the masks will stop the spread of the virus.
Governments around the world are taking steps to stop the spread of the illness. They are questioning travelers and encouraging citizens to take precautions. The WHO is keeping a close watch on the situation. No one wants the illness to become a pandemic (pan-dem-ik), or worldwide outbreak. In 1918, the severe "Spanish flu" killed an estimated 40 to 50 million people worldwide. But the world is better prepared for a flu outbreak today. Antiviral drugs can help fight swine flu. Doctors and hospitals are better equipped than they were 100 years ago.
Here are answers to questions you may have about swine flu:
What is swine flu?

Swine influenza, or flu, is a respiratory disease of pigs. Type A influenza viruses cause it. Humans do not normally get swine flu. But when they do, infections are believed to spread from person to person. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) has determined that swine flu is contagious.
How does swine flu spread?

Flu viruses are mainly spread when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes near another person. Droplets from an infected sneeze move through the air. Sometimes people become infected when they touch a surface that is infected and then touch their mouth or nose.
Can I get swine flu from eating pork?

No. The flu is not spread through eating or preparing food.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

Yes. Your doctor can prescribe drugs that will help you feel better.
Should I be worried?

Officials say that the swine flu situation is serious. You should take precautions, but there is no need for you to worry.

On Sunday, the U.S. government declared a public health emergency. The government is working hard to determine how best to deal with the flu outbreak. More than 12 million doses of flu-fighting medications are being shipped to states. President Barack Obama said on Monday that the threat of spreading swine flu infections is a matter of concern but "not a cause for alarm."
What can I do?

• Wash your hands often with soap or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then throw the tissue in the trash.

• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your arm rather than your hand.

• Let your parents know if you are not feeling well.

• Stay home from school if you are sick.

Time for Kids, by Nellie Gonzalez Cuttler