The Review

the review Magazine

The Winter Edition

TheReview Review The

CookiesforSanta

Cinnamon cookies

1 cup butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups white sugar; 1 egg; 1 1/2 tablespoons molasses; 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/8 teaspoons baking soda; 1 tablespoon ground Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

Cream together butter and sugar.

Mix in egg and molasses, blending well.

Mix flour, baking soda and cinnamon; add to creamed mixture, mixing well.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Peanut butter cookies

1 cup Shortning; 1 cup Peanut Butter; 1 cup Sugar; 1 cup Brown Sugar; 2 Eggs; 1 tlb Milk; 2 cups Flour; 1/2 tsp Salt; 1 tsp Baking Soda With Mixer, mix first 6 ingredients; Mix last 3 ingredients; Mix Step 3 into Step 2; You can double or triple this recipe without problems; You can add chocolate chips to recipe with great results; Bake at 325 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool.

Double chocolate chip

1 cup margarine, softened; 1 cup white sugar; 1 cup brown sugar; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Grease cookie sheets.

2. In a medium bowl, cream together the margarine, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Sift in the flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder; mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips. Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into balls and place them one inch apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.

3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Ginger Snaps

2 3/4 cups self-rising flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ginger; 1/4 teaspoon cloves; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 3/4 cup margarine or butter, softened; 1 egg; 1/4 cup light molasses Combine flour, soda, and spices in a bowl and set aside.

Cream sugar and margarine.

Beat in egg and molasses until light and fluffy. Stir in flour mixture just until blended. Chill for 2 hours or more. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls, roll in granulated sugar, and place on lightly greased baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Bake about 8 to 10 minutes, until set.

Classic Sugar

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1 cup butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups white sugar; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside. 2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla.

Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.

Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

Chocolate Chip

1 cup butter, softened 1 cup white sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons hot water 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup chopped walnuts Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water.

Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts.

Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.

Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned.

The Creators of The Review Amber M.

Amber Mangalindan is currently a freshman at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy. She is very outgoing and enjoys reading, acting, and hanging out with her friends. Amber has been involved in Yearbook for three years and Newspaper for four years. This is her first time creating an electronic magazine, but she is very excited and hopes you’ll enjoy it.

Articles contributed by her were “White Col-

lar”, “New Moon”, “Blame the Parents”, and “ Netboooks vs. PCs”

Jordan D.

Jordan D. is currently a student at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy high school. She enjoys math and art, but is not in any extra curricular activities, as she would prefer to watch TV when she gets home(some of her favorites are Degrassi and the ABC movie marathons). She hopes to attend the McCallum school of Fine Arts next year, and is in the process of applying. Some of Jordan’s favorite Ezineactivities were using InDesign and creating the blogs.She contributed to this magazine “Teaching the Basics”, “Have Movies Lost Their Touch?”, and “Cookies for Santa”

Danielle D.

Nikita P.

Nikita P. is a 15-year-old girl that loves movies. She would marry movies one day if she could. She is a very energetic, happy girl who always wears a smile on her face.

She loves to listen to all kind of music, play piano, make music, and visit various new places.She wants to be a surgeon when she grows so she can help save peoples’ lives.

She dislikes people who are not outgoing and pessimistic. She contributed to this magazine “No More Summer?”, “The New “‘Toy’” and the “Horoscopes” and “Christmas in

a Nutshell.”

Danielle D is a 14 year-old student at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy who loves music and dance. She plays violin and cello and hopes to one day also learn to play the piano. Although Danielle is not a very sporty person, she does enjoy playing volleyball and tennis when she gets the time. She, like group member Nikita P., also aspires to be a doctor in the upcoming years, either a veterinarian or cardiologist.

Her favorite school subjects are English and Latin. Danielle says, “The thing I liked most about Ezine was being able to show other people how to use it. Computers are not my specialty, so it felt nice to be able to show my friends something for a change.

Danielle contributed to this magazine “A Deeper Meaning”, “Twilight: Serious Saga or Air-Headed Attempt?”, and “How Well Do You Know Michael Jackson?”

the review Magazine

The Winter Edition

IN EVERY ISSUE

Entertainment

04-05 Meet the

30 31

Staff

Entertainment Cont.

20 How well do you know Michael Jackson?

Horoscopes Chirstmas In a Nutshell

Culinary arts

02-03 Cookies for Santa

Table of Contents

Reviews

14 Twilight Saga: New Moon 08 White Collar

38

A Deeper Meaning

24

Blame the Parents

26

Teaching the Bassics

Have Movies Lost their Touch?

16

The New “Toy”

No More Summer?

12

22

Twilight Obsession

10

WHITE COLLAR

N

eal Caffrey

has a charming and childish personality and not to mention, incredible wit. Peter Burke is an old-school style FBI agent with everything Caffrey dreams of having, a loving wife, a successful job and a welcoming home. When Caffrey escapes from prison just four months away from his release in order to track down his girlfriend who has mysteriously disappeared, he is captured by Burke. Caffrey still hooked on his dream of “true love,” strikes up a bargain: in exchange for his eventual freedom, he will wear a tracking device around his ankle while helping the FBI catch other white-collar criminals like himself.

USA Network’s new series “White Collar” premiered on Friday, Oct. 23. The story revolves around criminal mastermind Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) and FBI agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay). The unlikely partnering of the two adversaries creates an interesting comedy. Jeff Eastin created and executive produces “White Collar” with a creative mix of Steven Spielberg’s “Catch Me If You Can” and CBS’s TV show, “The Mentalist.” The hour-and-a-half pi-

8 The Review

by: Amber M.

lot episode of the series like most, drags a bit but sets up the plot quite nicely and allowed a great deal of character development, which seems to lead into a promising first season.

Matt Bomer has also starred in ABC’s “Traveler” and New Line’s “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning.” Tim DeKay also starred in “Carnivále” and “Tell Me You Love Me.” Co-Star Tiffani Thiessen plays Peter Burke’s wife Elizabeth and has also starred in “Beverly Hills 90210,” and “Hollywood Ending.” Co-Star Willie Garson who has appeared in over 250 TV episodes and starred in “Sex and the City” plays Mozzie, Neal Caffrey’s friend and ally who supplies him with connections in the criminal world.

Eastin pulled together the perfect cast.

The actors capture the emotions of their characters exceedingly well and match the personalities completely.

Between the mystery, comical drama and action, “White Collar” will most likely become USA Network’s next hit show. “White Collar” is an absolute must see and keeps its viewers on their toes.

Have Movies Lost Their Touch?

I

n

1977,

Titanic

DVD

want.

Video for $4 dollars. Why do people go to the movies and pay $30 when you can wait a month and rent it? There is current trend of movie theaters not making money like they used to.

The Review

of

$1,848,813,795

it at Blockbuster or Hollywood

10

cost

you the convenience to watch it when you

longer shown at the

is

cheaper

weekend and a total of while

it

Within months after it was no

it

and

rentals.

was being shown in theaters.

believe

convenience

$600,788,188 in its opening

theaters, we could rent

I

earned

because

the

Renting or purchasing a DVD gives

And renting or purchasing a DVD is

much cheaper than going to a movie theatre.

Many people would prefer to rent a DVD

Renting a DVD allows you to watch it multiple times or even watch the movie over multiple days if needed.

because it is cheaper and it

at

you

can

home

in

watch bed.

Also, when you don’t like a movie, you can run it back to blockbuster and trade it out for FREE. You can rent and return movies using the mail also. Now I can I

December 2009

you may not be able to sit with the friends you are going with.

And perhaps the most inconvenient

part of going to a theater is that you have to watch 20 minutes of previews and commercials.

The

convenience

of

renting

and

watching

a

movie out weighs the inconvenience of going to a theatre by a landslide. This is one reason that theaters are not making money like they used to.

People say that they go to the movies for

the environment. environment?

But what’s so great about the

Is it the overly buttered popcorn

can make you feel sick for days afterwards? Or rent a movie on

is it the nachos, with that weirdly colored cheese

demand and, I can

that has probably been sitting out for days? Not

go to netflix.com

to mention the candy that has probably already

and watch a wide

expired.

selection of movies.

theaters that equal the movie watching experience

While watching a

in the theater.

DVD, if something

you get the same sound experience as in the

comes up, you can

theater.

start and stop a

babies crying that come with theater watching.

movie at your own

convenience.

If

the Alamo Drafthouse where you can see a

you don’t like the

movie with entertainment and food added. The

movie you see at

food is great and so is the service. At the Alamo

the

you

they show box office movies and older movies

can’t get a refund,

with a twist. A good example is the midnight

and you can’t exchange it for another movie. If you

double feature of the rocky horror picture show.

want to see a movie at a theatre then you have to

see it at a time when it is showing. The times aren’t

that theaters are old fashioned and inconvenient.

well spaced and it could be hard to get over to the

More and more people rent DVD’s everyday, and

theater in time. It is also inconvenient to drive to

we just have to face the fact that Blockbuster and

the theater and find parking. Then if you are late,

Netflix are going to run theaters out of business.

theater

And today, many people have home

Systems have surround sound so

But you don’t get the people talking or

There are some acceptable theaters like

I believe that people are starting to realize

by: Jordan D.

11

The Twilight Obsession: Serious Saga or Air-Headed Attempt?

S

Shocked expressions followed by intense

September. The basic theme of the program is

grimaces. This is the reaction you’ll get these a human girl who gets stuck in a love triangle days if you tell a person you don’t like Twilight.

between two vampire brothers. HBO also has

It seems as if every time you look around

a fairly recent program called True Blood,

more and more people are trying to make

which aired in 2008, that takes place a future

books and films with similar plot lines as those where everyone is aware that vampires exist. of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight, New Moon,

After reading a summary of the major

Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. For example: The

ideas in the novels by L.J. Smith, I see drastic

CW’s newest horror show, based off the 1990’s

similarities

novel series recently republished early last

Comparing this to Stephanie Meyer’s bizarre

between

them

and

Twilight.

year, The Vampire Diaries, just aired this past write-up on http://www.stephaniemeyer.com

12 The Review

December 2009

of how she came up with the idea for Twilight, makes me pretty suspicious. I don’t think I would be going to far of a stretch to say she ‘borrowed’ a few ideas from authors and filmmakers past (Interview with a Vampire, The Vampire Diaries). It’s hard to be very original with the idea in the first place, seeing as it’s hard to make anything bloodsucking seem sweet other than by making them fall in love.

I also think that people held too high of expectations for the movie. A movie based off of a book will never be exactly the same.

I understand people like the fact that it’s a romance, mystery, and adventure novel all rolled into one, but when trying to fit it all into a movie, it makes the story line complicated to understand, and rather cheesy. The writing of Twilight was gender-geared and poor to begin with,

so

should

people

give

the

directors a break.

Twilight becoming

is

over- it are all teens these days want to read. This

rated and I think

is causing authors to decide whether they

it takes away from want to write a book that will be read and well some of the better novels in this world. It gets

liked, or to write about something they feel

harder and harder each time one of the new

more passionately about, even though they

movies or books is released to find something

don’t think it will get that much recognition.

more suited to my tastes, because books like

by: Danielle D.

13

NEW MOON STARRING Robert Pattinson, Kristin Stewart, Taylor Lautner DIRECTED BY Chris Weitz

14 The Review

F

rom the swooning girls in the back of the theater, to their frustrated grunting boyfriends it was clear the audience wasn’t there to enjoy the actual movie.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon was released on Nov. 20, starring Taylor Lautner (Jacob Black), Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen) and Kristin Stewart (Bella Swan).

The story begins with a nightmare and a bloody birthday scene, leading to the breakup between Bella and Edward. After several boring and pointless scenes of Bella alone and depressed, she notices she is able to hear Edward’s voice in life threatening situations.

She begins hanging out with 16-year-old Jacob, who just happens to be turning into a werewolf. After a few chaotic events and a handful of shirtless scenes, which sent all the girls cheering, Edward thinks Bella had

by Amber M.

suddenly committed suicide and travels to Italy to provoke the Volturi, the powerful vampire coven that enforces the vampire law of secrecy, into killing him also.

Chris Weitz, who had also directed The Golden Compass, replaced the Twilight Saga’s first director, Catherine Hardwicke. New Moon also beat Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and now holds the record for the biggest midnight opening in the domestic box office history.

The awesome special effects and the frightening scenes with the Volturi added action and a fast tempo to the otherwise dark and depressing movie.

Other than this, the movie was slow paced and nothing special. It is a good movie and deserves to be seen at least once, but it is not interesting enough to be obsessing over or seen repeatedly.

December 2009

Top 5 Box Office Movies 1. Titanic 2. The Dark Knight 3. Star Wars 4. Shrek 2 5. E.T. Extra Terrestrial

Visit our blog to hear our views on these movies

12

The New “Toy” Every year, kids all around the world anxiously wait for the “New Toy.” This year it happens be the Zune HD.

A

By Nikita P.

crisp wind blows through Austin on a Saturday afternoon, clouds scattered through the sky. Instead of enjoying the rarity of the cool weather, teens flood into Best Buy and Fry’s for the release of the Zune HD. Teens pour over the display, their faces pressed against the glass case exhibiting the Zune HD, begging their parents to own the newest “toy.”

The Zune HD, a MP3 player from Microsoft Corporation, was released in stores on September 15, 2009. It’s the first of all the MP3s to have an OLED screen, or organic light emitting diode. This new technology in the Zune HD gives people a look at the new level in MP3.

16 The Review

There are two options available for the Zune HD, the 16GB or the 32 GB MP3. According to Zune HD by Microsoft, 32 GB can hold up to 10 hours of HD video, 8000 songs or 25000 pictures. The 16GB Zune can hold up to 5 hours of HD video, 4000 songs or 25000 pictures.

Wi-Fi is available through the Zune, allowing people to purchase and play music and surf the web.

Through Wi-Fi you can access the Zune Marketplace, which allows you to download games, music, TV shows and podcasts on to the Zune. The Zune can also connect to an HD television where you can watch movies at 720 p.

The most popular feature in the Zune is the HD radio that allows you to tune into countless number of FM stations

December 2009

and other local radio stations with a crystal-clear sound.

“If I had to buy a Zune HD, it would be for the HD radio,” Fry’s Electronics employee Chuck Coffman said.

With this radio, you can tune into HD2/HD3 channels, stations that give a clear sound. You can tune into hundreds of free stations across the nation, giving you more choices. In addition, you won’t be loosing any stations. With the Zune, it is possible to have both analog and HD radio stations so you can keep the stations you like but also have many more to choose from. Another great feature of the Zune is the OLED screen that gives incredible picture quality.

“OLED is one of the plus points of the Zune HD that makes it a quality product,” Coffman says.

According to “OLED-Display.NET”, OLED is a brand new technology using organic materials, or carbon based substances such as wood or sugar found in a majority of plastic material. OLED provides great picture quality, and blazing fast responses. There are two types of OLED, small molecule OLED or polymer OLED.

O

rganic material is place in between two conductors that is placed in between two pieces of glass, one on the bottom and one on the top. When an electric current is passes through the conductors a bright, luminescent light. Red, blue and green pixels are produced from this light. The organic layer thickness is modified to adjust the concentration of each pixel. Then to produce the final clear color, the pixels pass through a filter.

“I think because of the new touch screen, HD radio, and the amazing picture quality because of the OLED, people are buying the Zune,” says Coffman.

The main consumer of the Zune HD is the younger population. Not only do the specs of the MP3 appeal to the people, but the price is also affordable. Prices range from around 219 to 289 dollars depending on which type of Zune you get. Comparing that to the iTouch, which prices start and 199 and go all the way up to 399, the Zune is pretty cheap.

“The Zune is best sold at value price, making the product really good,” says Nathan Lanford, another employee at Fry’s Electronics.

Some may claim that Microsoft bumped MP3 entertainment to the next level, but in a few more months, teens all over the country will probably be begging their parents to own the newest “toy.”

17

how well do you know michael jackson?

1. when and where was Michael Jackson born? a. 1943, New York City, New York b. 1958, Gary, Indiana c. 1967, Austin, Texas

2. Who was Michael Jackson’s first wife?

A. Uma Thurman B. Lisa Marie Presley C. Angelina Jolie

3. What was Michael Jackson’s abest selling album?

A. Thriller B. Fame C. Carousel

4. What are michael jackson’s three kids named?

A. Samantha, Thomas, and Jeffrey B. Paris, Prince Michael I, and Prince Michael II C. Eliza, Kevin, and William

5.

When did Michael Jackson die?

A. 1978 B. 2009 C. 2003

18 The Review

answers: 1. 1958, Gary, indiana 2. Lisa Marie Presley 3. Thriller 4. Paris, Prince Michael 1, and prince Michael 11 5. 2009 December 2009

Pricey Laptop or

The electronics section of Best Buy was the their eyebrows knitted together noisiest part of the store. Employees rattled and mouths set in a line on their facts off the top of their heads, persuading faces reviewing their options. customers to buy a computer. Teens played Netbooks are the fastest growing with the lines of laptops on display hoping for computer category. Many people buy one to be theirs. Parents squinted at prices, a netbook, also called mini laptops,

by: Amber M.

TOP

Netbook Market Share

subnotebooks

or

ultraportables,

because of the cheaper prices, but they don’t know the actual differences between a netbook and a laptop. In an interview with Fox Business, NPD group vice president Stephen

Baker

explained

the

ACER

38.3%

market was partly at fault for this.

ASUS

30.3%

Retrevo, a product search engine,

HP

5.8%

students

MSI

5.7%

laptop. 58 percent of them plan

DELL

2.8%

OLPC (One Laptop Per Child)

According to CEO Vipin Jain of want

longer

battery

life, smaller size and a lighter on spending less than $750, and only 18 percent have a budget over $1,000. While most laptops begin around $400 to $500, netbooks typically cost $250 to $500 and up.

2.3%

“Probably the most dominant reason

Medion

2.3%

people are buying netbooks, is the

Kohjinsha

1.0%

cost,” LASA Freshman Cali Dorsch

Intel

1.0%

lot of money on a machine their kids

Lenovo

0.7%

will use mostly for email and games.”

Toshiba

0.5%

main computer, the way a laptop

All Others

9.1%

said. “Parents don’t want to spend a

Netbooks aren’t meant to be a can be. According to “Netbook or Ultraportable: Which Is Best for the Job?” by James A. Martin,

20 The Review

December 2009

Cheaper Netbook

“ ”

the keyboard of a netbook is often

I’m very happy with my laptop, it’s only slightly bigger and better in so many ways

92 percent of the size of a standard laptop’s. They aren’t as powerful as

laptops and they lack an optical disc

drive (CD or DVD drive) although, most come with USB drives. Netbooks are also

limited by processing power, battery size and storage space. Most netbooks

-Cali Dorsch

currently run on Windows XP and have

a 2 GB ceiling memory. Really, they are

netbook and the first thing I

designed for Web browsing, e-mail and

thought was ‘Wow, mine can do

“basic office productivity tasks.” Also, a

that function a 100 times faster.’”

netbook usually weighs less than three

In the end whether it is a pricey,

pounds and has a smaller screen that is

slightly faster laptop or a smaller,

seven to ten inches says netbooks.com.

more

affordable

version

“I’m very happy with my laptop, it’s

fewer

programs,

the

only

in

of which to buy depends on

so many ways,” Dorsch says. “I’ve

what the buyer will be using it

compared it [my laptop] to a friend’s

for and the buyer’s price range.

slightly

bigger

and

better

with

decision

21

No More Summer?

“It’s summer!” kids scream as they pour out of the school doors to head home and start there days of gazing at the sun and hanging out with friends. They go to places all over the world and some stay at home doing really nothing. I am one of the several kids who do absolutely nothing all summer, and I say three months is way too long of a time to spend doing nothing.

T

he school system we have today was based on the agrarian society, time for harvesting. Farmers needed their kids to help them tend the fields and give a helping hand around the farm.

Summer was a time set-aside from school for kids to be able to give that helping hand. But as Arne Duncan the Education Secretary says “not too many of our kids are working the fields today.”

President Obama and Arne Duncan are prosing to add time to the present school year and splitting up summer into many breaks that would be spread out throughout the entire year. Meaning he will make the school year all year long, with longer breaks at multiple intervals. I agree with this because as weird as this seems, summer vacation makes me miss out on so much.

This plan will be beneficial for several

22 The Review

By Nikita P.

reasons. During the summer season, air tickets cost a fortune, making it harder for middle class families to take foreign vacations. When I travel to India in the summer, the tickets are about twice the cost that they would be during other parts of the year. According to Delta Airlines, tickets to India now would cost about 900 dollars, and during the summer season, tickets cost a minimum of 1500 dollars. With the holidays spread out during the year, you would be able to avoid the summer rush and prices.

It will be easier to spend time with distant families at weddings, or birthdays or other types of celebrations. These things can wait a few days but not months. The majority of my family lives in Mumbai, India. I have missed many important family events like a few weddings and new births into the family. I always have to wait until sum-

December 2009

mer comes to be able to go to India and see all of my family. I miss out on getting to know all my cousins, but the breaks that President Obama is planning to add will make it a lot easier to go to India frequently and see all of my relatives.

With the breaks in between you will be able to relax and rejuvenate. At school, especially high school, students are pushed to the extreme, with tests and quizzes and all sorts of deadlines every week, and it is necessary to take breaks in between. The weekend really isn’t a break considering the fact that most kids spend time inside doing homework. Students need at least a week off so they can unwind before another vicious six weeks.

The fact that there will be a continuity of school throughout the entire school year will help a lot of kids improve. The lapse of 3 months causes kids to forget what they learned during the school year. This is even worse for poorer kids who cannot afford to go to places like Kumon or Sylvan to refine the skills they had learned during the year. “Disadvantaged kids, on the whole, make no progress in the summer. Some studies suggest they actually fall back. Wealthier kids have parents who read to them, have strong language skills and go to great lengths to give them learning opportunities such as computers, summer camp, vacations, music lessons, or

playing on sports teams,” says Karl Alexander, a sociology professor at John Hopkins University.

This plan has some big drawbacks though.

To get this plan into play will cost a lot of money. The travel industry will be dramatically affected. According to Joe McInerney, president and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, this new plan will dry up the industry’s labor source, consisting of mainly high school and college students, radically effecting the hotel and resorts around the nation.

Joe McInerney is right. The industry will definitely loose money, but if the holidays are spread out throughout the year, people will be more willing to take vacations or just spend time with their families.

This means there will be a flow of money throughout the entire year, rather than in just one season.

To help make this proposition a reality there are a few things that people can do. Write to your local senator and tell them why it is a good idea.

Also people can spread the word about the benefits of the plan and explain how they could bring about the change. Tell them that this plan will give students more time to relax and wind down. It will be easier to have vacations that you normally could only have during the summer. With all these benefits, there really should be no debate at all.

23

O

Blame the Parents

24 The Review

ver 155 million kids of the world’s children are either obese or overweight. There are over 1 billion overweight adults in the world; according to Medical News Today (http://www. medicalnewstoday.com/ articles/8277.php), at least 300 million of them are obese. Nearly two out of every three Americans are overweight or obese.

America is one of the top overweight countries today. I believe that many

kids are becoming obese not only because lack of exercise, but because of their eating habits that start in their homes. These eating habits consist of things like the amount of food they consume each day and what they eat as compared to what they should be eating.

Fast food and junk food are advertised everywhere with children as their goal, for it is the children of today who are buying these products

December 2009

and convincing parents to buy junk food rather then taking the time to cook a nutritional meal at home. Kids today are being spoiled to the point that parents don’t even know how to say “no” to their kids anymore. So they are giving into their child’s demand for more money and more junk food. Mean while, kids are consuming larger proportions and are living in an unhealthy environment.

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute website, (http:// www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ obe/obe_causes.html), as you get older, you need to either reduce your calorie intake, or suffer from weight gain, which can lead to diseases like Type 2 Diabetes and Syndrome X.

In this economy, parents are working later to keep up with the everyday expenses of a large family.

As a result, they are cooking less and giving in to their cravings of a quick meal of cheap grease and sugar.

Out of adults mouths and even some kids, I hear that it is kids’ fault America is overweight. It is the kids’ fault for America being one of the top over weight countries in the world, because “they are the ones who are eating it everyday for each meals,” “they are the

Top 10 Overweight Countries

of

1.

2.

Nauru Federated Micronesia 3. Cook Islands 4.

Tonga 5.

Niue 6.

Samoa 7.

Palau 8.

Kuwait 9. United States 10.

Kiribati

94.5 States 91.1 90.9 90.8 81.7 80.4 78.4 74.2 74.1 73.6

http://www.healthkicker.com/705819375/most-overweight-and-healthiest-nationin-the-world/

ones who are too lazy to make themselves a meal” and “they are the ones who are spoiled to the point that all they eat is junk food.” Now while I can agree with some of these arguments, it is really the parents’ fault because, where are unemployed kids’ getting the money to buy these food products? Who is spoiling the kids? And who is at fault because they cannot control their child’s desires? All of these answers can be summed up with one word, parents.

This is eventually passed down to the next generation, which is passed down to the next generation, etc. and becomes an endless chain, causing the world to eventually become overweight and obese, and causing unhealthy conditions like diabetes.

Bad eating habits caused by parents are continuing on to future generations and kids are getting less nutrition, forming a long chain that will eventually lead to the overweight, obese population and a world full of disease. by: Amber M.

23

Teaching the Bassics Michael Scaccia is in a band, “Ryan Beaver,” ranked #31 in Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, Texas and sometimes Tennessee and Alabama. Michael Scaccia has been the bass player for the band for about a year and a half, although he has been in many bands before “Ryan Beaver.”

Michael Scaccia playing bass at The Longhorn Saloon in Fortworth, TX

“Bass is the absolute baddest ass instrument,” says quirky LASA English teacher Michael Scaccia.

He has asked his students to be on the lookout for cool items like couches, and posters to place around the classroom to help make his students more comfortable. He wants them to come after school to help paint his room. He makes jokes in class frequently, and has an extension class during LASA students advisory period called, “That’s what she said.” Most students tend to think their teachers don’t have a life outside of school, but LASA English teacher Michael Scaccia certainly does.

Michael Scaccia is in a band, “Ryan Beaver,” ranked #31 in Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, Texas and sometimes Tennessee and Alabama. Michael Scaccia

December 2009

has been the bass player for the band for about a year and a half, although he has been in many bands before “Ryan Beaver.” The band plays two to three shows weekly, and has played almost 200 shows throughout its history.

“[Ryan] steals the sunshine,” says Scaccia. This is the cause of many of the bands fights, but when it finally comes down to it, the band would do anything for the others.

“All of our band members would take a bullet for any of the others,” says scaccia. Another cause is how often the band is together, although they never practice, they do so many shows that they are normally in touch or near each other.

“I was referred to Ryan by a friend of mine,” based on previous work he had done other bands, says Scaccia.

After college, Scaccia was so moved by his muses, that he needed to express himself so he decided to join a band, and has been a member in many bands including Drew Kennedy, The spoken work project, The Austin civic orchestra, Teague, and Love County.

The band’s most popular song is “Under the Neons” and was ranked #18 in the national charts. Scaccia says it has the “best response.”

“Bass is the instrument you feel, I touch a string lightly and I move air like thunder,” described Scaccia. He loves playing bass, and goes through many obstacles to be able to balance it and teaching. For instance, during the first week of school, Scaccia went to the LASA road show Wednesday night and got home at ten o’clock, and taught Thursday from eight to two. Thursday night he went to Denton and played a show from ten o’clock to eleven thirty o’clock, got home around four o’clock AM and only slept two and half hours. Then taught Friday from eight to

Michael Scaccia teaching his 3rd period class at LBJ highschool

twelve and then drove to Pittsburg, he came home Saturday morning. Another instance is a couple of weeks after when he played a show in college station on Wednesday, and taught Thursday, after teaching he drove to Tyler Texas and drove there and back and taught Friday.

Scaccia says, “Its a lot of work,” and causes him to suffer from sleep deprivation.

“I would like to get students to become intimate with books,” this is one of Scaccia’s main goals with teaching. He loves reading and he hopes that he can share his enthusiasm with his students.

“I try to do everything possible with my life,” Scaccia says. He is still on his quest to complete everything he can while he is young and alive. “Ryan Beaver” will continue to do shows across Texas, and beyond. Hopefully the band will rise even higher in ratings and be very successful. Scaccia will continue to try and share his enthusiasm of reading with his students, and help them be successful later on in their high school and college careers. by:Jordan D.

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A Deeper Meaning It has been said that volunteering is good. It helps build character, gets you involved with the community, and looks great on a college application. Desiree Waugh explains what she likes best about her volunteering experiences.

T

HERE’S A REASON students come to this school-to get one of the best educations in Austin in order to prepare them for the top universities. Everyone is looking for a

way to make his or her applications stand out.

One of those ways: volunteering. It shows that students are compassionate and involved in the community.

“There’s a lot of stuff to do-studying for

AP tests, signing up for SAT tests and SAT prep classes, attending college visits here and abroad, and researching colleges that specialize in my major,” says Desiree Waugh, a junior here at the A member of LBJ Cares helps clean-up an Austin park.

Liberal Arts and Science Academy. She knew how

December 2009

highly colleges and universities regard seeing

volunteer work on an application, so she got to

LBJ Cares, an organization run by Charles

work.

Yu here at LASA working to help out local

In addition, she also volunteers for

It was through a friend during her

Austinites. It was established back in 2007

sophomore year Desiree found out about Ten

and focuses primarily on environmental

Thousand Villages, a non-profit organization

projects, participating in things such as

that sells handmade gifts, blankets, and

park clean-ups, Blue Santa, feeding the

jewelry from third world countries. Desiree

homeless, and this year, the Yellow Bike

has been volunteering there for almost a year

Project. They also take part in The Trail

now, usually once a month, sometimes twice a

Foundation’s Annual Trail Clean Up, It’s My

month in the summer. Things she does to help

Park Day, and helping set up for the Trail of

the organization vary from assisting customers

Lights and even have an annual Lake Clean

and cleaning up the shop, to recruiting more

up where they go and kayak on Ladybird

volunteers. What’s her favorite part though

Lake to clean up the shoreline.

about volunteering at Ten Thousand Villages?

advice is to young teens today looking for a

“Personally, I like to be in charge of

When Desiree was asked what her

the cash register. You get to meet so many

good place to volunteer she answers,

interesting new people. They tell you their

stories,” Desiree said. “It always pleases me to

you’re interested in. Just type in ‘non-profit

learn about another person’s culture. It makes

organization’ in Austin and a ton of things

you feel more involved in the world. ”

pop-up.”

T

HE ORGANIZATION has come far since

“My advice is to look for something

by: Danielle D.

it first began opening company stores back in 1997. Its total sales for fiscal

year 2007 was $23,488,000, and in 2008, it was even named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by the Ethisphere Institute and Forbes Magazine. There is a whopping more than eighty-one stores nationwide. The people that give their time at Ten Thousand Villages have worked hard to help artisan families back in third world countries, as Desiree stands for all in her message about what she hopes to accomplish this year:

“I guess the biggest thing I hope to

accomplish this year is higher sales. That way the organization earns more money to help send back to the people and their families. ”

A Ten Thousand Villages

Chrismas in a Nutshell

30 The Review

December 2009



Taurus

April 20-May 20



Gemini

May 21-June 21



Scorpio

Oct. 24-Nov. 21

Your plans depend on someone else’s mood -- and Things are undoubtedly confusing, they follow through in a big way! Sometimes more so than they have to be. What you’ve got to take a chance in order to get what you really you need right now -- and it’s easy to come by -- is a shift in perspective. See things as a want, and you can tell that things are really swinging your way. friend does -- or as an alien might!

Sagittarius

Nov. 22- Dec. 21



Even if you’re well off Today is all about

and feeling like a splurge, now trial and error - you

is a good t ime to hold back on almost certainly

By Nikita Prasad spending. Whether you need to need to get your

invest that spare change or just people to recognize what’s going on at a hide it in the mattress for later, hang on to it. deeper level.

Horoscopes





Cancer

Capricorn

June 22- July 22 Dec. 22- Jan. 19 Though you are still reading You’ve got to deal with someone who’s people quite accurately, you may most interested in what you’ve done, find that the opposite isn’t true. See if you not who you are or what you look like. That can get them to take a step back if they get should only work to your advantage, so don’t upset over something you didn’t say. be shy about bragging on yourself!

Leo





Virgo Aug 23.- Sept. 22

Aquarius



July 23- Aug. 22 Jan. 20- Feb. 18 You are having the hardest time trying to figure Make sure that you listen to every out what’s really going on around you -- and, word you’re being told today -- it maybe more importantly, why. Now is not the time to ask all counts, and details really matter! You almost certainly need to deal with someone big questions, though. You need to get busy! who’s less patient than they need to be.



Pisces Feb. 19- March 20

You may not be a manager -- or your authority Try to move forward with some new might not be what you need -- but you can tell that your plan or project that needs a lot of optimism -- your good energy should provide group (family, business or other) needs a shot in the arm. all you need! Your ambition may inspire Give it whatever you can! others to join up with you.

Libra Sept. 23- Oct. 23



Old memories are coming down on you in a big way today -- though you’d rather they go harass someone else! It may just be one of those days when you have to relive the past rather than plan for the future.

Aries March 21- April 19



Take a breather -- you’ve been moving fast for a long time, and you can see that you’ve got some intense work ahead of you. If you slow down the pace a bit, you a re sure to find that things are easier.

31

The End