THE CIRCLE GAZETTE Volume 4, Issue 5
THE FULL EDITION
Summer 2013
A Newspaper by Children, of all Ages, from all Over the World
A Portrait of Courage by Jack Osborn, Age 14 Hollywood, FL
What do you do when the events of your life just don’t make sense? When you have to ask yourself why this happened to you and how you could have avoided the outcome? Is there really always an opportunity to make things better? These are the questions Michael Stolzenberg was faced with when he was a young boy. At eight years of age, Michael Stolzenberg contracted a serious bacterial infection named Chromobacterium Violaceum. After scratching a mosquito bite, the scraped area became septic. Ultimately, Michael fell into a coma lasting approximately two weeks. Gangrene developed in all of his limbs and, sadly, Michael became a quadruple amputee. Following his operation, Michael received seven months of physical therapy. Not wishing to spend his days in a wheelchair, Michael received and learned to use prosthetic legs. With a deep belief in himself, he worked to become a stalwart character and role model to many. Michael’s physical condition did not deter his daily life nor his fervor for sports. I am a classmate
of Michael’s, who is affectionately known as Mikey, at Pine Crest School on the Fort Lauderdale campus. Michael is no different from any other student in the seventh grade. He enrolled at the Pine Crest Middle School beginning in the sixth Grade. His brothers also came to Pine Crest when he became a student there. He avidly plays lacrosse on the Pine Crest Middle School team and Michael’s commitment on the field is commendable and inspiring. Michael has the tenacity to reach above and beyond, as the word “limit” seems to have no meaning for him. He easily writes with his elbows, and when a teacher asks the students to raise their hand if they have a question, Michael jokes that he would if he could. New challenges come into our lives on a daily basis, though it is how we deal with those challenges that makes us better people. Michael develops into a more remarkable human being each and every day of his life. He does well in school and is always friendly to others. The calamity of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings remains appalling. Nearly one hundred forty victims were injured, many
Michael and Harris Stolzenberg, co-founders of “Mickey’s Run”, a benefit to raise money toward prosthesis and rehabilitation for the Boston bombing victims. of whom lost limbs. Mikey understood their situation and wanted to help. He created an organization to support the victims who have lost limbs and will, like Mikey, recuperate and struggle to learn
how to live. He and his brother Harris founded this organization, which is currently known as Mikey’s Run (mikeysrun.com). Michael’s goal is to raise one million dollars to aid those in need
Nordstrom’s Big Sale City of Coral Springs by Jackie Kahn, Age 16 Boca Raton, FL “Fashion is ever-changing and knowledge is ever-changing.” That is what drives Nordstrom, a department store with “more than just high-end retail.” In a recent interview with Nordstrom’s fashion creative director Gregg Andrews, he expressed his excitement with the great variety Nordstrom offers. He also explained that “[It’s] not just for your mom or dad.” Nordstrom has a department for everyone, even the teens with their newly remodeled section called “BP.” This department contains items of lower price points and the latest trends. Mr. Andrews explained that he
did not start out as the fashion creative director. He was, in fact, a salesman in the women’s shoe department. He also stated that he became known for “dressing clients with more than just shoes.” He never obtained a formal education in fashion, but Human Resources recommended him as creative fashion director for an upcoming fashion show because of his background in theater. The different seasons allow Nordstrom to introduce new items to their fashion lines. Mr. Andrews mentioned that his favorite clothing season is fall. He says, “The fabrics are so amazing. Lush. Irresistible!” So with the upcoming fall season, customers can look forward to “jewel tones,
Please turn to page 8
celebrates its big 5-0 in style by Ismail Ercan, Age 16 Coral Springs, FL
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the City of Coral Springs. The city has certainly come a long way from being part of the nation’s largest bean farm, to the thriving suburban community it is today. Throughout the year, Coral Springs residents have been celebrating their city’s birthday with numerous events such as the Holiday parade last December, the “Once upon a Dream” musical in March, as well as the Half Marathon “Half Century” Celebration. The latest event, concluding the celebrations, was the Birthday Block Party hosted by the city on Wednesday July 10. This was exactly 50 years to the day that Coral Springs was chartered in 1963. The event brought thousands of local residents together in downtown Coral Springs from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. The Block Party, presented by Al Hendrickson Toyota, featured plenty of music, food, games and entertainment for all
of rehabilitation services. Next year, Harris will participate in the 2014 Boston Marathon. By doing so, Harris, a freshman in college, will honor the victims who have
Please turn to page 4
Mikey’s Fun Run Saturday, July 27, 2013
Hosted by Mikey’s Run ages throughout the night. Food for sale (and free sampling) was provided by numerous restaurants including BurgerFi, Delvecchio Pizza, Chimi & Kimichi Grill, Tijuana Taxi, Hotdog Hound, Coral Springs Tap House, Taco Bell, and Daily Melt. Music was provided by 4 local bands on two stages, performing classics like Don’t Stop Believin’, I’m a Soul Man and good old bluegrass fiddling. Radio Disney played music for the younger kids, and numerous activities like face-painting and dance-off competitions helped entertain the young ones. The city officials interacted with all Coral Springs citizens throughout the night. Mayor Vince Boccard, Vice Mayor Tom Powers, and Commissioners Claudette Bruck, Larry Vi-
Please turn to page 4
To benefit the Boston Marathon victims. The cost is $20 per person if you register online at mikeysrun.com $25 per person on the day of the event.
Pine Crest School 1501 NE 62nd Street Ft Lauderdale For more information:
mikeysrun.com
Movie Review: Iron Man 3 & After Earth Summer Adventure Stories Award Winning Poetry Fiction: Messaki Sports: Miami Heat, Ice Dogs Hockey & ACC Tennis Youth Open Mic Night
PAGE
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
2
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE A Newspaper by Children for Children Independent print and online publication available to children of all ages. This publication is an initiative of THE ENRICHMENT CIRCLE, INC. A Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization for the Advancement of Education 7551 Normande Ct. Margate FL 33063 Phone: 954-918-2541 circlegazette@enrichmentcircle.com info@circlegazette.org
Editor in Chief Patty Gómez
Serena Serrano
Patty Gómez
Editorial Team
Sandra Wolkov Christie Voss
Sandra Wolkov
Pedro Gómez Lee Bruno
Production Lee Bruno
Robyn Rader
Serena Bruno
Christie Voss
Graphic Designers & Pre-press Dora Font
Christie Voss
Cartoonists and Illustrators
Arion Rashad Kate Maier Sofia Serrano Daniela Gómez
Regular Columnists
Sarah Thompson Aaron J. Cross
Daniela Gómez Lydia Szakacs
Emma Gómez
Sara I. Cross
Emma Gómez
Regular Contributors
Ismail Ercan, Aaron J. & Sara I. Cross, Sarah Thompson, Sofia Serrano, Kate Maier, Alizdair Ray, Aaron Organ, Nathalie Thelemaque, Reagan Olenick, Danny & Andy Hernandez, Elizabeth Abrams, Emily Greenfield, Daniela, Emma & Ellie Gómez
Proof Readers
Sandra Wolkov
Serena Bruno
Christie Voss
Robyn Rader
Web Page Master
AR
Word From The Editor edlines?
There is a quote by Dorothy Parker that says “I hate writing, but love having written.” Most people can agree that writing is difficult. I will say it again. Writing is difficult… but so worth it. When you finally get the words on paper, it’s euphoric. There is a universal need in all of us to express ourselves. To tell our story. To be heard. Many of us might pretend that we don’t like to write so we will not have to expose our ideas and our thoughts, thus suppressing our creative expression. But we all have something to say--something to write. Instead of keeping these thoughts inside our head, will you consider sharing them? You will be surprised to learn that other people will find your writing interesting. At The Circle Gazette, we receive a lot of pieces that writers like you have bravely submitted with the hope of being published.
Please know that we read every piece carefully before deciding if it will be published in our next edition. Sometimes a piece may not be accepted because the content is not right for our upcoming issue, or sometimes the writing is not polished enough. However, the overwhelming majority of pieces we receive are gently edited and published. Our goal is to maintain the writer’s voice, language and message. We treasure each student’s writing product. We pride ourselves on publishing pieces based on merit, so keep writing and keep submitting. Through our Redlines Program, we provide feedback on pieces received that did not make it to publication. Such “redlines” are editing marks and suggestions for the writer to improve their piece. Redlines are also available for those pieces that have been accepted for publication as well. It’s of great value to the writer to see the adjustments made by editors before the article or story got published. Perhaps the editors de-
Victoria Martinez
Subscriptions available
1 year subscription: $40/year/12 issues 6 months subscription: $24/year/6 issues Individual copies: $4/each With the purchase of each copy you are supporting the printing of future issues and the creative work of young writers and artists.
Circulation
The Circle Gazette is available online and is distributed in paper via individual, classroom and library subscriptions. The Circle Gazette is distributed in more than 30 cities in South Florida and has subscribers and contributors from Ohio, Tennessee, New Mexico, Texas, New York, Virginia, California, Kentucky, Rivas-Nicaragua, San Jose-Costa Rica and Caracas-Venezuela
Free Copies Available at Community Partner Institutions
The Coral Springs Museum of Art - The Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre - The Northwest Broward County Library - The British School Caracas - Bricks For Kids, Coral Springs - Arts Alive, Coral Springs - Daggerwing Nature Center, Boca Raton - ArtWorks! New Bedford, MA
Sponsorships, Sales & Advertising Mindy Joseph Jodi Jaffe 954-684-9096 954-253-6584
TO SUBMIT WORK
The Circle Gazette is a publication available to public school, private school and homeschool students. Email a copy of your work, as a Word or text file, attach images as JPEG files, to submissions@circlegazette.org or submit your work online at www.circlegazette.org. All entries should be accompanied by the parent/guardian consent to print form found online.
Information to contributors
The Circle Gazette reserves the right to edit, accept and refuse articles in the interest of brevity, clarity and the appropriateness of subject matter.
About
The Circle Gazette is packed from cover to cover with the latest stories and creations of children as of all ages; about local affairs, the environment, art, sports, entertainment, stories, poems and puzzles that engage and inspire young minds!
YOUNG CHILDREN CAN PROVIDE A WEALTH OF WISDOM, FRESHNESS AND NEW PERSPECTIVES! The Circle Gazette is a one-of-a-kind publication because: • It transcends one school/homeschool community. It goes beyond a state or a country. It’s about widening writer’s and reader’s horizons! • It is addressed to children and the content is created by children • It involves a multiage/multilevel group of contributors • The editorial team keeps a holistic and nourishing quality on the selection of content and design • It’s a high quality mix of a variety of styles and topics • It offers valuable feedback to authors
Your Work can be Published too! “How To Submit”
The Enrichment Circle 501(c)(3)
A Non-Profit Organization for the Advancement of Education
SUMMER 2013
Scan our QR Code with your smart phone to read more online and see the latest featured writers!
cided to shorten or re-arrange the piece. Perhaps they caught little things that needed tweaking in the interest of brevity, clarity and appropriateness of subject matter. You can order your redlines at a nominal fee at www. circlegazette.org. We offer other useful editorial services like mentoring and tutoring. Send us your piece; it will be read and edited by a professional editor. These “tutoring” sessions will help improve your writing skills. Please contact us for more details about these services at info@circlegazette.org. Remember, writers can be reluctant to share their work. Writing is personal to us, and if our writing is rejected, we feel rejected. No one wants to be rejected. We want to encourage you to write. There is only one you and only one person who can think and write like you. There is no right and wrong way to write. The only mistake you can make is to choose not to write. Keep Writing, Robyn Rader
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
SUMMER 2013
Kids Hiking!
How to Start Young and Keep it Fun
Let’s Start Young Ergonomically designed baby carriers make it easy and fun to carry babies and toddlers everywhere, so families can start hiking with little ones from very early on. Make plans with your parents and siblings to walk to your favorite park or beach. Bring a friend. Stop often and explore. Make your hike a routine and you’ll look forward to it. Be the leader! Explore and show the way to your hiking partners. Stop and explore that bug, leaf or rock. Inquire about the animals, rocks, trees, and flowers or tell the stories you know about them. Getting to the destination is less important than having fun on the way there. Count Down to the Adventure Get psyched in advance researching the place you’ll visit. Find pictures, videos, maps and books. Visit the park’s website… Set a countdown on a special room in the house where you can share the enthusiasm with your family! Suit Up in Comfort, Style and the Latest Technology Take this checklist with you shopping so you get all bases covered: • Footwear: Little ones (3 and under) can wear a comfortable pair of water resistant shoes. Older kids enjoy wearing lightweight trail shoes or boots with a sturdy sole. A Vibram sole with a waterproof breathable liner is preferred. Wear non-cotton, moisture wicking, synthetic or wool socks. • Clothing: Dress for the weather! Wear non-cotton synthetic, wool and fleece clothes and dress in layers. Wear multipurpose clothes like pants that zip off into shorts or shirts with roll-up sleeves. Pack a waterproof breathable rain parka. Dress for the season and always bring a hat with a wide brim for sun protection. • Packs: Get age- and size-appropriate backpacks that fit each hiker comfortably. • Trekking Poles: Get a pair of adjustable, collapsible poles with an ergonomically designed handle for each person. • Fresh, Clean Water: You can get a hydration hose system for your pack or just use bottles. Prepare wild water using hitech, portable water treatment systems such as a UV wand or micro-straining filter. • Communication: Bring a smart phone so you can take lots of pictures and, if there’s connectivity, email to family and friends
or upload to your online blog or Facebook page. Carry a GPS unit to keep you located on the trail and for geocaching. • Other Must Haves: Pediatrician-recommended suntan lotion and bug repellent containing Deet or Picaridin; First aid kit that accommodates the whole group and first aid knowledge to go along with the kit. Bring a compass and map and brush up on how to use them. Learn how to make a shelter to keep you warm and dry. Keep matches and a lighter in a dry place and know how to make a fire to keep warm. Carry a whistle and a signal mirror in case you get lost. Pack a survival knife with a locking blade. Bring a head lamp flashlight, extra batteries, 50 feet of rope or twine, and always have several feet of duct tape for that unexpected repair. Food and Drink Keep a healthy stash of snacks and plenty of water. Stop often for a drink and a snack. Pack Fun Items Fill your adventure pack with bug catchers, magnifying glass, binoculars, a camera, a map and compass, whistle, or flashlight. Don’t forget your favorite plant and animal identification guide; and yes, you can pack a few of your favorite items that are no hiking related. Play Games and Bring a Friend Play I Spy using your surroundings as you walk along. Create your own scavenger hunt in search of animals, plants and views along the way. Make up rhymes and sing songs as you walk. Bring friends along. Put to use your computer savvy skills with the high-tech hiking gadgets like GPS, headlamp flashlights and pedometers. Use your GPS and go on a geocaching adventure. Take Advantage of Park Activities and Guided Nature Experiences Utilize and enjoy the amazing services and resources offered by our parks, trail and recreational system and associations. “It’s time to get off the couch and hit the trail...” – Jeff Alt Jeff has lots of great advice about how to make sure you and the kids have a great time outdoors. Book by Jeff Alt A Walk For Sunshine A 2,160Mile Expedition for Charity on the Appalachian Trail A Hike For Mike Four Boots, One Journey (ebook) Get Your Kids Hiking
Did You Know... …that Jeff Alt is a travelling speaker and hiking expert who provides seminars in collaboration with the Shenandoah National Park staff? In addition to walking the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail, Jeff Alt also walked the 218-mile John Muir Trail with his wife, and trekked across a 50-mile path of Ireland with his wife, young daughter, and extended family? He and his wife emerged from the church doors on their wedding day wearing backpacks, and his son was taken on his first hike at 8 weeks.
ECO
PAGE
FEATURE
The Benefits of “Zeroscaping”
Green Tip 2.
by A. J. Cross, Age 16 Boca Raton, FL
People always want their yard looking nice. It increases property value and is the first thing people see when they come to your house. Keeping your yard neat and tidy will help present a positive image for your family. To get your yard in this state you can go to the gardening store to pick out some plants you like, hire a landscaper, or a combination of the two. But while searching for plants to buy you should be aware that an awful lot of them have unforeseen environmental impacts. Many of the plants sold at gardening stores are shipped in from foreign places. As with anything that is shipped in, these plants have a chance at becoming invasive and out-competing the native plants. In many places the native animals rely on the native plants to live. An example of an invasive plant that was brought here for decorative purposes is the Brazilian pepper tree. This ornamental plant multiplies rapidly and releases toxic fumes when burned. The Brazilian pepper has now taken hold in South Florida, and eradicating this species is a challenge. Plants can also carry insects which also become invasive; such as the Sri Lanka Weevil which has spread throughout Central and Southern Florida. This insect eats fruit tree leaves and its larvae eat roots. Although the scale of damage done by the larvae is unknown, the adult weevil is destroying our native trees, and there are few pesticides that can kill them. Another situation is where the foreign plants do not do well in the native environment and thus require high maintenance in order to survive. Depending on your area, the foreign plants
might need extra water or fertilizer in order to stay healthy. Native plants are, by definition,
eign plants. Most areas have nice-looking native plants, and landscaping with these will increase habitat for native animals as well as save you money on water and fertilizer. This method of landscaping is usually called “Xeriscaping,” but according to
Seagrape “Coccoloba uvifera” tree, fruit and leaves. Image courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr, Wikimedia Commons. able to survive the native climate with minimal care, thus reducing the amounts of chemicals and wasted water being dumped into the ecosystem. Finally, here is what we can do about this problem. Whenever you are looking to buy plants for any reason, you should keep in mind the issues that arise from imported greenery. Before shopping look up online what plants are native to your area and try to get those instead of the for-
Merriam Webster dictionary this term only applies to conserving water. I like to call it “Zeroscaping,” because this method of landscaping has zero environmental impacts, in addition to being water efficient. For more information on creating a green landscape visit www.floridayards.org. If you have any comments or questions about this article, or have any suggestions for future articles; please contact me at: heroicaajc@gmail.com.
Did You Know... … that the word “xeriscape” is derived from the Greek “xeros,” meaning dry, and “scape,” a kind of view or scene? Together, xeriscaping is landscaping with slow-growing, drought-tolerant plants to conserve water and establish a wasteefficient landscape. (Source: http://livinggreen.ifas.ufl.edu/ landscaping/xeriscaping.html)
Did You Know... … that it is estimated that 2 – 3 million people visit the Appalachian Trail every year? It is roughly 2,180 miles in length and runs through 14 states from Georgia to Maine. To find out more about the Appalachian Trail visit: http:// www.appalachiantrail.org/.
Did You Know... … that the John Muir Trail, one of the most well-known hiking trails in the U.S., was named after John Muir, a wilderness preservation activist in the U.S.? “The Camping Trip That Changed America” by Barb Rosenstock is a picture book that tells the story John Muir and President Theodore Roosevelt’s camping trip that ultimately led to the establishment of U.S. national parks.
Empowering children to help others by offering opportunities to be of service, locally and globally.
BEACH CLEAN-UPS BOOK CLUBS NURSING HOME VISITS & MUCH MORE visit www. one-beautifulworld.org Email: info@one-beautiful-world.org
3
PAGE
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
4
SUMMER 2013
Living Healthy In a Nutshell by Sara Cross, Age 12 Boca Raton, FL
Hi kids, and welcome to Living Healthy, a column that talks about how to keep your body healthy and energized. This month is the second anniversary of this column, so I’m taking you back over the past two years and going through the most important and easy tips that you should remember. TV? Stay exercised by cutting down on the TV usage. Swimming, gymnastics, dancing, running, biking, skating, skateboarding, and yoga are all wonderful ways to enjoy yourself and to keep your body energized. Dehydration Drink before you feel thirst. If you are thirsty, you are already in the beginning stages of dehydration. Gulp, don’t sip. If you take a gulp you can get a much bigger intake than if you take four sips. When you are home, leave a cup on the table and whenever you pass it, take a drink. This will keep you hydrated. Sleep Encourage Melatonin to be released. Melatonin is a sleep-inducing hormone that is released
around darkness, calmness, and quietness. Try to encourage these, and if you still do not sleep, talk to your doctor about taking it in a supplement form. Health in Mind Switch to raw turbinado sugar. Raw sugar contains lots of minerals that white sugar does not, without the bleach and other chemicals. Be Hurricane Ready, and Healthy too When you are buying food, always be sure to check the ingredients list. Just because a product is on the shelf at a health food store does not necessarily mean it is healthy. Always check for artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, trans fats, MSG and high fructose corn syrup. When a label says cane sugar, unless it specifies otherwise, assume that it is highly processed. Raw sugar and cane juice are good sugars. If the label lists salt, it is normally sodium chloride. Sea salt is good. Anything that you cannot pronounce is probably too complex a chemical to be good for you. Skin Safety
Image Courtesy of Vibratlife.com Protect your skin from the sun. A lot of sunblocks might keep the sun away, but the chemicals in them can cause worse skin problems than the UV rays. You can make your own sunscreen using olive oil and a sunblocking agent; if you want you can add essential oils for smell. You should only apply sunscreen or block if you are going to be outside for more than twenty minutes. Your skin needs some sun to make vitamin D, a vitamin that
your body needs to be healthy. Smile A smile a day keeps the stress away. Stress is a common problem in people of all ages. Whether caused by school, work, or family, stress somehow finds a way into our lives. According to WebMD, stress can take a huge toll on your body over time. It has been proven to cause or worsen problems like obesity, diabetes, depression, headaches, and asthma. There is a simple
TIPS FOR THE HOT SUMMER A Portrait of Courage by Maria Gallego, Aged 10 Coral Springs, FL When you realize the school year is about to end, you also know it is almost summer! This means a lot of fun under the sun. You can do many outdoor activities like camping, going to the beach, playing sports, swimming at the pool, or playing with friends. Sometimes you even feel angry at the sun for being so hot and you do not want to talk, play, or even walk.
Here are some ways you can cool off: *Get your bathing suit on and go for a swim at the pool *Ride your bike and feel the chill breeze on your face * Have something cold like ice cream, popsicles, or a nice cold drink. You can have fun during the summer, which – here in South Florida – it’s more than 150 days long and there are many ways to enjoy it! DON’T FORGET TO WEAR A HAT AND SUNSCREEN!
Continued from page 1 by Jack Osborn lost something that will never be regained. Through these endeavors, Michael demonstrates empathy with the victims and proves that good can come from a tragedy. Oprah Winfrey discussed his efforts during her Harvard University Commencement Speech. She quoted him as saying “First, they will be sad. They are losing something they will never get back and that’s scary. I was scared. But they’ll be okay. They just
treatment for stress, one that you will probably enjoy: smile. Do whatever it takes to make yourself happy; I suggest joke books, music, and spending time on a hobby. To expand on any of these tips, or to get more, contact me at vannillakitty@.comcast.net. I am always eager to hear from you. I hope you enjoyed my last two years of columns, and I hope that you will enjoy my third year too. See you in August!
don’t know that yet.” It is easy to feel sympathy for Michael’s plight, but he has converted his tragedy into something remarkable, celebratory and astounding. He has inspired many people of all ages and freely shares one thing: hope. On Saturday, July 27, 2013, Mikey’s Run will hold an event called Mikey’s Fun Run to benefit the Boston Marathon victims. The cost is $20 per person if you register online at mikeysrun.com or $25 per person on the day of the event. Mikey’s Fun Run takes place at Pine Crest School, 1501 NE 62nd Street in Ft Lauderdale. Go to http://mikeysrun.com for more information.
“Bombs Bursting in Air…” Coral Springs 50th Birthday Or in the Street? Continued from page 1 by Ismail Ercan
by Emma and Daniela Gómez, Ages 9 and 13 Margate, FL Heading out from Mullins Park, we continuously discussed the fabulous firework display that had occurred only moments before. It was July 4. We were making our way to our car out in the grassy parking area. We hopped in the car and everybody got comfortable assuming their regular seats. We took off moving slowly forward, followed by many other slow-moving cars with their impatient families inside. Finally, after what seemed like hours, we started to pick up speed, driving at a more normal pace until we reached an intersection where traffic was being controlled by several police officers. We had to stop for a while (there really was a lot of traffic). We watched, amused as we saw fireworks launched by other people in their own backyards. Suddenly, a malfunctioning firework came our way and exploded in the street, right in front of the car and disappeared. It startled us. Our little sister practically broke down in tears. Even worse was the fact that there were two teenagers walking down the side at that time and the rogue firework almost hit them. Just then another firework repeated the same routine; this explosion was bigger, louder, scarier and it landed closer to our car. The fireworks attack ceased. For a few seconds we silently wondered if there were more coming and what if they hit us? It was an intense moment. There were plenty of cars and there wasn’t space for us to move away from that spot if the “bombs” came again. Luckily, whoever was setting up the fireworks must have realized that there was something wrong and they stopped. We started to move again. Slowly. We were all shocked and surprised at that “display.” Emma said “That was some experience,” with fear in her voice. We had recovered from our fright by the time we got home. We all ran inside as bright colors lighted the sky by the nearby golf course. A few minutes later, in our backyard, sparklers waved in our hands and we all laughed as flecks of fire flew in the air. We went for seconds until the boxes were empty. After the fire died out on our sparklers, we went to bed feeling that this had been our most adventurous 4th of July yet.
gnola, and Dan Daley were all very approachable and took the time to pose for photos with citizens. They also cut the 50th Anniversary cake, graciously provided by Publix Supermarkets. Even non-Coral Springs residents attended the block party, like Susan Israel and her friend Mary who livesin Tamarac. Both have children who live in Coral Springs. They explained their love of the city. “It (Coral Springs) has a nice look and feel to it. When I was raising my kids, I used to say the city was a great place to raise kids…now that my kids have kids, they are saying the same as well.” Teenagers could be seen enjoying the activities as well, and they eagerly commented on Coral Springs. “We like the sense of the community, the peace and quiet from the city life” said sisters Cara and Saha Kodjori, who were visiting from Manhattan. “This city seems like it would be a great place to live in.” Niabelle Thelemaque, a life-long resident of Coral Springs who is currently enrolled at the University of Central Florida, said she really missed her true home and was enjoying the party. “Coral Springs has been my home for all my life…now that I’m in college, I really miss the sense of community, the vibe of the town.” The weather had been a concern for residents because most of the Block Party
was outdoors. South Florida weather can be quite unpredictable, often with both scorching heat and tremendous thunderstorms the same day. July 10 was no exception. Through the first hour of the celebrations, there were clear skies with a few white clouds over the horizon. After the cutting of the birthday cake, Mother Nature said “Happy Birthday Coral Springs!” with a 30 minute sun shower. This did little to dampen the fun, however. People simply pulled out their umbrellas and more people even started to arrive. Free ice cream was given out by Blue Bell Ice Cream Company throughout the night. With lengthy lines throughout the night, the men inside the Blue Bell truck were kept busy. When asked how much longer “it” would last, the ice cream scooper said, “My arm, or the ice cream?” Such an event would not have been possible to run without the help of numerous city volunteers. Over 40 high school students and over 60 city employees devoted countless hours to the Block Party. Their help before, during, and after the event ensured its success. Overall, the Coral Springs 50th Anniversary Block Party was a smashing success. While most of the people who attended may not have been living in Coral Springs since it was chartered, they certainly appreciate what the city and its officials offer to its citizens - a wonderful family-raising community. And they wish the city a very Happy Birthday!
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
SUMMER 2013
PAGE
5
MADISON ZACK: FIRST GIRL NAMED CAPTAIN OF AN ALL-BOYS HOCKEY TEAM Christie Voss Editor Ten year old Madison Zach was nominated team captain last year for the Ice Dogs, a junior hockey league that plays at The Glazier Ice Arena in Illinois. Madison, on top of being a great defenseman, is also the only girl on an all-boys team! Madison relates being Captain of her team as similar to being a captain on an NHL (National Hockey League) team. She is responsible for keeping morale up and setting a good example by being dedicated and doing hard work on the ice. Last year, Coach Jason Wright, called over his players and asked them to nominate three players for Team Captain and Assistant Captain. Votes were tallied and the players with the most votes got the positions, thus Madison was named leader
Madison Zack plays defenseman for the Ice Dogs Hockey League. among her peers. Becoming Team Captain on an all-boys hockey team has brought a lot of attention. She giggled when she acknowledged she had done lots of interviews, “…about eight I would say, eight or ten.” Her favorite part about being in-
terviewed has been that it allows her to promote her rink. As is the case for committed athletes, Madison feels that is a big sacrifice to play hockey. Now that season is over, she attends hockey camp, soccer camp and a camp “just for fun.” She is busy but she loves it. Madison recently met one of her role models, Duncan Keith, who plays #2 for the Chicago Black Hawks. She proudly wares the #2 for her own jersey. If she could go back in time and chat with Duncan again, she would talk a lot more. She was in awe that first time. This summer, Madison is taking family vacations with hockey friends, Josh and Ryan and siblings to Galena. She has a dog named ‘Teddy,’ named that way due to his striking similarity to a teddy bear when he was a puppy. Madison likes to draw and write and spends her free time hanging out with friends and family.
When she grows up, aside from wanting to play on a NHL team or playing in the Olympics, Madison wants to be a sport newscaster, for hockey, of course.
In September, when the next season starts, she will do try outs again, be placed on a team and face a strong possibility of making team captain for a second year.
Did You Know... ... that modern hockey is believed to have evolved from outdoor stickand-ball games adapted to the icy conditions of Canada during the 19th century? The games of British soldiers and immigrants to Canada (influenced by First Nations stick-and-ball games) may have influenced the game played on ice skates (often with a puck) with sticks made by the Mi’kmaq people of Nova Scotia. Another theory is that the game was introduced by Icelandic immigrants adapting the game of knattleikr. These immigrants moved to Canada and the U.S. after the eruption of a volcano in Iceland in 1875. Immigrants from Iceland played for Canada, winning the first Olympic medal in hockey.
ACC Men and Women STRUGGLES OF THE MIAMI HEAT Tennis Championship by Ismail Ercan, Age 16 Coral Springs, FL
by Alizdair Sebastien Ray, Age 9 Hope Mills, NC My Mother and I went to the Cary Tennis Park in Cary, North Carolina, on April 25, 2013. We were volunteers for the day and it was a lot of fun. We had to make sure that everyone had credentials to go to the player tents. The participants in the championship were from the following schools: Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. There were men and women on every team.
Dominic Cotrone, from Florida State, and Alizdair Ray. We were able to watch a few matches on our break. I was lucky to see the #1 college tennis player, Dominic Cotrone from Florida State, play in a match. His athletic trainer was sitting beside us and invited Dominic
“Volunteering for the day was a lot of fun!” to come over to us. I enjoyed telling him that he played great and to keep up the good work. He gave me his autograph and I got a picture taken with him, too. I told him that we lived in South Florida for 7 years and moved to the Carolinas last summer. Go Seminoles! The matches reminded me of the Sony Ericsson Tennis Open, but the players here are in college and not professional tennis players. The facility was not large but they have been hosting the ACC Tennis Championships for about 8 years. They did a great job making sure everyone enjoyed the game of tennis. If you are taking a holiday around the ACC Tennis championship next year, you need to remember about the Cary Tennis Park. You will see some great tennis being played there by great college players. I can’t wait to go back next year in 2014.
Did You Know... … that the Miami Heat won the 2013 NBA Championship against the San Antonio Spurs in a 7 games series. At the last game, LeBron James scored 37 points, including five 3-pointers, and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Miami to a 95–88 victory in Game 7. With the win, the Heat captured their second consecutive NBA championship.
This season marks the third year of the Miami Heat’s dominance of the 30-team National Basketball Association (NBA). But recently the Heat have been struggling in the crucial postseason after an incredible season which included a 27 game win streak, the second longest in the history of the NBA. Their sudden problems have included the Big 3’s lack of form, as well as the disappearance of the amazing 3-point shooting bench the Heat assembled last offseason. LeBron James, once again the league’s most valuable player, has continued to carry the team’s load offensively and defensively, but basketball is a team sport, not an individual one. Fortunately for him, the Heat still managed to make it to the NBA Finals, after being scared by a valiant Indiana Pacer team in the Eastern Conference Finals. Judging by the Heat’s standards, if they lose in the Finals to their opponents, the San Antonio Spurs, after such an amazing regular season, the season will surely be considered a failure. But that’s the consequence of last year’s successful championship. The Heat’s 3-point shooting bench was once considered very formidable, possibly better than some NBA teams’ starting lineups. With 3-point sharpshooters like Shane Battier, Ray Allen, Mike Miller, James Jones, and Rashard Lewis, the Heat could finish off games in under a minute with several timely threes. But with the exception of Chris Andersen, the lively Heat center, Norris Cole, and Mike Miller, the Heat’s bench has been average at best, far from their consistently reliable form during the regular season. The “Big Three” of Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh used to be considered the deadliest trio in basketball. Currently, they are viewed more as the big one and a half, due to Wade’s and Bosh’s postseason struggles. Wade has a decent excuse for his lack of form, his
The Heat have been struggling. health. Wade’s “banged up” right knee made him miss the Gold medal-winning 2012 summer Olympic US basketball team. It has also made this year’s playoffs Wade’s worst of his Hall of Fame career. His explosiveness to the basket and his defensive tenacity were both hampered by his knee and Heat opponents have made them pay for keeping him in the game. It has sometimes been a disadvantage to even have him on the court. Bosh, on the other
”Worst Hall of Fame.” hand, has simply been out of form. He has settled for threes (far from his specialty), instead of his 18 foot jump shot, and has been outmuscled in the paint, where he usually picks up easy points. Heat fans have yet to see any positive things from Bosh this postseason. Looking into the future, regardless of how Miami does this
postseason, is frightening to say the least. Dwyane Wade, a pivotal part of the Heat, continues to age, which means he won’t be able to perform one hundred percent consistently. Chris Bosh will have to step up his game to give the Heat a fighting chance. Elsewhere, the young Indiana Pacer team that challenged Miami to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals will only gain more experience from their playoff run. The Oklahoma City Thunder, last year’s finalists, will have Russell Westbrook, their star point guard back. He was injured in the first round of the playoffs this year. The Chicago Bulls, who lost to the Heat in this year’s playoffs, will have their star point guard and former league MVP Derrick Rose back from an ACL injury. And of course, the San Antonio Spurs, if healthy, are always a threat to win a title, as they have proven this year. On top of that, other teams like the New York Knicks, the Brooklyn Nets, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Memphis Grizzlies have legitimate championship aspirations to contend with as well. So whether or not the so called “Heat Dynasty” will survive next season is yet to be seen. Heat fans and the city of Miami have taken for granted the amount of success that their team has made in three short years. In the meantime, Heat fans should embrace this year’s success before it is too late.
PAGE
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
6
SUMMER 2013
Youth Open Mic Night Offers Area Youth Opportunity to Perform by Claire K. Cabillot Smith and Emma C. Rose, Ages 8 Davie and Weston, FL
A Monthly Movie Review by Sarah Thompson, Age 14 Boynton Beach, FL
Iron Man 3 Rated: PG-13
The plot: The third installment in the Iron Man series involves Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) battling against a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin. He is not only a threat to the entire White House, but also threatens to destroy all other aspects of Tony’s life by attacking his home and all the people close to him. The verdict: Let me start out by saying that I absolutely love Marvel movies. I love the heroes, I love the battles, I love it all. And last year’s The Avengers was definitely one of my favorite movies of 2012 for that reason. It was the ultimate superhero movie and probably the best movie Marvel has made so far. Iron Man was one of the stars of The Avengers, and is one of my favorite superheroes.
His witty, cocky, arrogant personality isn’t what you would expect to find “endearing,” but Tony Stark remains one of the fan favorites nonetheless thanks to his humor and compelling back story. Iron Man 3 really takes a sudden turn from where the second Iron Man left off. This is by far the darkest, most intense movie in the series and, although the humor is still scattered here and there, it’s a lot harder to laugh or even crack a smile with all the terrorist attacks and shootings and death happening. (Something that feels disturbingly realistic lately, due to all the tragedies going on in America right now.) It’s a gripping film that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the moment it starts up until the credits roll, with nonstop action and a million twists and turns to keep you guessing. It can be difficult to follow at times because of the fast-paced nature of the film. I feel like I should rent it once it’s on DVD
and watch it maybe two more times before I can fully wrap my mind around the whole thing. There is just so much action and suspense, it leaves you feeling pretty shaken. No spoilers, but I will tell you that the ending is a bit of a shock, and really makes me wonder how Tony Stark can transition into Avengers 2 after all this. I really liked the scene at the end of the credits too, and how one of my other favorite Avengers had a cameo in it! Iron Man 3 is a pretty good “filler movie,” to fill the gap until the next big film, Avengers 2, comes out. It’s entertaining and provides a taste of that superhero genre to help us dedicated fans survive until 2015, when the second Avengers will be released. For that alone, Iron Man 3 can be appreciated.
If you like making music, then this is the place for you. On the fourth Friday of every month, Your Big Picture Café in Davie hosts a youth open mic night. Young musicians from all over South Florida come to perform before a live audience. There are soloists, duets, and even bands. The café provides sound equipment and a host for the event. Usually, the performers play instruments or have live musical accompaniment, but the sound system can also be used to play backing tracks for vocalists. There is a sign-in sheet, and all kids interested in performing simply sign up for a slot. Each performer will do a set of up to three songs. Generally, there will be regulars and first-timers at each open mic night. Among the regulars are Max Hess, 14, who, with his father, has served as a host for youth
Chinyere Taylor, age 11, sang Summertime, “Blackbird,” and “Strange Fruit.” the opportunity to perform often at the open mic night, are becoming seasoned professionals, and each act is worth the trip to the café. At June’s open mic night, the performers ranged in age from four to seventeen. Several of the performers were first-timers, including two teenage girls with spectacular voices. One, Chinyere Taylor, age 11, sang “Summertime,” “Blackbird,” and “Strange Fruit.” While it was her first time at the café, she has been singing for four years,
Competing in a Debate/Speech Tournament by Alizdair Sebastien Ray, Age 9 Hope Mills, NC First, I want to say that I love speaking in front of people and this tournament was a great experience for me. My parents were not aware that there was a homeschool tournament until I learned about it in my public speaking class last fall. The teachers taught us to be more confident, and we learned about different types of speeches. The organization is called CCOFSE. The full name is the Christian Communicators of the South East. Homeschooling parents started this to encourage kids to be great speakers and honor God. I immediately wanted to do the Junior Varsity Great Speeches and I was encouraged to try the JV Apologetic and the JV Impromptu. The JV Great Speeches is an individual speech event for speeches of eight minutes and under. You have to memorize a published or nonoriginal speech. The JV Apologetics is an original speech that has to show your faith in God. The JV Impromptu is when the speaker is assigned a subject and then has three minutes to prepare a speech. I started preparing after Christmas because the first tournament (Cape Fear Classic) was April 6, 2013. I wasn’t nervous. I felt very prepared because I recited the lines to my parents every day for months. It takes a lot of effort to learn so many lines, but I did it. The tourna-
Congratulations Alizdair! ment was an all day event and there were three rounds. You deliver your speech to different judges at each round. It helps your confidence when you can make an error in one round and come back and improve in the next one. There was lots of competition but I felt that I did my best and that is all you can ask for. I did the JV Great Speeches and JV Impromptu. I selected the “Challenger Disaster” by Ronald Reagan to recite because I wanted something different from the other kids. The awards ceremony was later that evening and we all were curious about the winners. I told my parents that I would be alright about not placing because I felt I tried my very best. The category of JV Great Speeches
was my favorite in the whole tournament. I heard the 3rd place winner announced; it wasn’t me but I was glad for Kelly. The 2nd place winner’s name was me and I couldn’t believe it. I went up to get my certificate and medal and couldn’t speak a word. My mother was shocked and yelled when they called my name out as the 2nd place winner. Yessenia won 1st place for her “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. I learned that winning is possible with hard work. My parents teach me to always do my best and you will be rewarded for it. I think I caught the Debate/ Speech bug, because I was ready for the next tournament. The last one for the year was called the Southern Classic tournament held in Concord, North Carolina. It was about a 3 hour drive for my parents, but they don’t mind driving. This was similar to the previous tournament and I felt very confident. There were a lot of kids but I felt good about my speeches. I decided to do JV Great Speeches again, but this time I also chose JV Apologetic. I wrote a short speech about “There is evidence of God.” The rounds seemed to go quickly, and soon it was time for the awards ceremony. I placed 3rd in JV Great Speeches; the 1st place winner had performed the same speech. I really was proud of myself and I felt I had the best coaches. They were my mother and father. I look forward to fall and more competitions.
Carmen, an extraordinarily talented nineyear-old who sings and plays guitar and piano. open mic night. Max sings and plays the piano and melodica. Max enjoys performing for an audience. He told us that youth open mic night runs from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., and that musicians and nonmusicians are welcome to attend. Another regular is Carmen, an extraordinarily talented nineyear-old who sings and plays guitar and piano. She says she likes open mic night because she wants to share what she enjoys. There are professional musicians, as well as talented amateurs, at youth open mic night. Wayna, a band of siblings and cousins specializing in Andean music played on traditional instruments, performs throughout South Florida, often at libraries, schools and cultural events. “Wayna” is the Quechua word for “youth.” Wayna’s young members range in age from 10 to 16, and the father of two of the members, Paco Moreno, is the musical director. These young people, who take
and performs in musical theatre. Some of the younger audience members even took the stage for an impromptu version of “Under the Sea,” accompanied by the host on guitar. While there are tremendously talented kids taking the stage each month, the open mic night provides a very supportive environment for kids to try performing for the first time. If you have been studying an instrument, or just like to sing, come down to youth open mic night. Your Big Picture Café is a coffee house by day, and a performance and education venue by night. In addition to the youth open mic night, there is also an adult open mic night, and a folk night. The venue is also used for a variety of classes. Please see Your Big Picture Café’s website (http://www.yourbigpicturecafe.com/index.html) for additional information. Your Big Picture Café is located at 4900 South University Dr., #110, Davie, FL 33328.
SUMMER 2013
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
PAGE
7
The Giraffe George’s Marvelous Medicine and the Pelly by Roald Dahl Book Review and Me Aidan Gunning, Age 8 by Roald Dahl by Boca Raton, FL
Book Review
by Bryce Gunning, Age 8 Boca Raton, FL
Lydia’s Book Corner by Lydia Szakacs, Age 11 Coral Springs, FL How the Oysters Saved the Bay by Jeff Bombek
This book is very informative and fun. It tells about oysters and how a group of oysters save a bay. The book describes how oysters can filter out the water in a bay to keep it clean and how important this is to all the living plants and fish in the bay. The book has great pictures. The pictures make you want to remember the book. Although the pictures don’t tell the whole story, they add a great deal of interest to the book. I would recommend this book for grades Pre K and Kindergarten. I rate this book 8 out of 10 stars. If you are interested
in sea life and how certain sea creatures can really make a difference in the sea, this book will be good for you. The True Story of Miracle Man by Lois Szymanski I think this book is spectacular. It is a heartwarming story about a horse that was found injured and how people helped it become well again. The book is well written and the photographs and illustrations are out of this world. I wouldn’t change anything about this book. The book is perfect as it is. I would recommend this book to grades 4 through 8. I rate this book 10 out of 10 stars. If you like inspiring stories, or stories about horses, I would recommend this book to you.
…that Roald Dahl always wrote in pencil on yellow paper? He did not start writing for children until he had children of his own. Dahl was 6’5” and wrote a total of twenty one books for children. He also penned the screenplays to the children’s film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Roald Dahl wrote his books in a white hut, which he got his friend to build for him with a yellow front door. He never allowed anyone inside and never dusted.
A Monthly Movie Review
not great, but good. The special effects looked decent and I just love the sci-fi / dystopian genre. But after reading some reviews for it online, I saw that perhaps I was mistaken. I brushed the reviews aside, thinking the critics were just being harsh…after all how bad could it be? Well, as it turns out, really, really bad. The biggest problem with After Earth is the acting. I could easily excuse the holes in the plot or the really obvious green screens if the actors gave some impressive performances. But the acting in this movie was so very bad, I couldn’t focus on anything else. Through the entirety of the movie, the cast was completely overacting. Jaden
Smith has had nowhere near enough acting experience to carry a big production like this - he seemed stiff and awkward. In the emotional scenes when we were supposed to be moved, I found myself fighting back laughter because of the ridiculous, over-thetop emotion. None of the characters are appealing. The father/ son relationship at the center of the movie is underdeveloped. The special effects are cringe-worthy. If you are going to make a sci-fi movie, special effects is one of the most important aspects of the whole thing. If the special effects isn’t at the same level as your imagination, the movie will come off looking cheesy and disappointing - two words that describe my feelings for After Earth perfectly. It is so rare for me to write a negative movie review. I love movies so much, I can almost always find positives and conclude that the movie was worth seeing. This is not the case with After Earth. I cannot think of a single positive thing to say about the movie. Definitely one of the worst movies I have ever sat through.
Gruk!: Sound made when stomach goes up into throat Liverish: Queasy Regurgitatin’: Hurling lunch Put the kye-bosh on: Stop Yerk! Yerk!: (Laughing) Ha! Ha! Jeeks!: Gosh! Golly! Gee whiz! Ba-Gruff!, Blorp!, Brp!, Bruk!, Erp!, Gop!, Gruk!, Grup!, Gupp!, Korp!, Rk!, Roop!, Rrrup!, Rruhk!, Rukk!, Rup!, Uk!, Urrk!, Urruk!: All Burps To help finish the third book, Sands Hetherington has created The Night Buddies Adventure Contest for kids. The goal is to
find new words to add to the expansive Crosley Speak vocabulary. The winning words will be in Book Three of the Night Buddies Adventures series. Excelsior! Contest details: http://familiesmatter2us.blogspot.com/ The story is filled with welldrawn fascinating characters embellished with some excellent illustrations by Jessica Love. The fonts change with emotion and circumstances, a fact that makes every page a little artwork that keep the child’s eye involved in the book.
After Earth Rated: PG-13 The plot: One thousand years after Earth was abandoned by humanity, a legendary General named Cypher Raige and his son Kitai (played by Will and Jaden Smith) crash-land on the planet, which is now filled with dangerous creatures who have evolved to kill humans. Kitai must make the journey across the hostile land to find the missing rescue beacon before it’s too late. The verdict: This is one of those movies that reminds me just how misleading movie trailers can be. After seeing the trailer for After Earth about five times at the theater, I was convinced it would be a pretty good movie. Maybe
The investigation starts out fine but things get a little crazy when Crosley, who is allergic to water, gets wet. Hilarious things happen when Crosley’s allergy to water kicks in. When they get to the pineapple cheesecake factory and meet Big Foot Mae, the investigation gets more complicated and zany than either of them bargained for. Kids twitter with enjoyment with the use of new words that
parents won’t understand. Luckily, each Night Buddies book contains a glossary. Parents take note in Crosley Speak: Snerk!, Snk-Snork!, Wuff!, Fup!: Waking up noises Snog!, Gnf!, Gorf!, Gak!, Snert!, Snorf!: Expressing annoyance Splut an’ Blather!: Expressing extreme annoyance Yigg!: Oh no! Rats! Excelsior!: Totally super! Redolent: Smelly Har?: (Questioning) What? Huh? Pardonay-moy!: Bad French for Pardon me!
gets taller. You’ll have to read it to find out if she gets nicer. I want you to read this book because it is humorous and Roald Dahl is my favorite author!
Did You Know...
by Sarah Thompson, Age 14 Boynton Beach, FL
Fantastic and delightful fun-filled chapter book for kids wins top Indie Award for Children’s/Juvenile Fiction
Night Buddies and the Pineapple Cheesecake Scare by Sands Hetherington is the winner of the 2013 Indie Awards for Children’s/Juvenile Fiction. This delightful and kid pleasing book is an after lights-out adventure story that will delight young readers and middle graders who relish roller coaster fantasy. It is fun-filled with unforgettable characters and an astonishing and inventive collection of magical whatchamacallits. The book is all about the nighttime adventures of a young boy named John, who is not ready to go to sleep, and his friend Crosley, a bright red crocodile who turns up under his bed. They sneak out of John’s house using Crosley’s “I-ain’t-heredoodad” which makes them invisible to John’s parents. They then embark on an adventure chasing down enemies and cleaning up one mess after another as they solve the earthshaking mystery: who stole all the pineapple cheesecakes from the only factory in the world that makes them!
The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me is about a boy meeting three special animals, a giraffe, a pelican and a monkey. They did tasks for a rich man’s servant. For example, they picked cherries for him and washed his windows. Because they did these tasks, they were given three wishes by Duke, the rich man. The giraffe wished to stay with Duke, the pelican wished for fish from his lake and the monkey wished for walnuts. I liked this book because it was funny and I recommend it to other kids because it said the funniest things!
I liked George’s Marvelous Medicine because the main character, George, made a medicine that no one else made. His grumpy grandmother drank it and shrank. She always yelled at George and when his parents weren’t around, she was even grumpier! So George decided to make a medicine to change her, but when she drinks the medicine, she floats up and down and gets fat and then skinny. Finally, she
PAGE
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
8
! n m u l o C w Ne FASHION GREETINGS
FASHION GREETINGS
by Jackie Kahn, Age 16 Boca Raton, FL
Top 8 Summer Trends! This summer is going to be a hot one, so it’s necessary to wear the proper apparel! Swimsuits are a given in the scorching Florida sunny weather, but what are the other clothing items to wear? The cliché “t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops” are expected to be
worn, but there is a way to make your outfit look and feel fresh! A great organization is coming soon to Target. They are called FEED. They create items to sell and then donate the money to feed people across the world. The FEED USA line of clothing, household items, electronic cases, and more will be available at Target on June 30. Check out
your local Targets for more information and you can visit for more information.
Crop Tops and Skirt Sets—This is a very comfortable outfit idea for the summer. It’s just like you have three outfits in one! The top and bottom are separated and can be worn separately but if worn together, they match with being the same pattern.
SUMMER 2013
TEEN FASHION, AT NORDSTROM? Yes! by Jackie Kahn, Age 16 Boca Raton, FL In a recent interview with Nordstrom’s Fashion Creative Director, Gregg Andrews, teen fashion was a major topic. He offered many tips for teens. Andrews remarked that Nordstrom has many possibilities for adolescents to “find their style” in their newly remodeled junior department. The department is called “BP” where affordable and in-style fashion can be found. Andrews believes that young people are always finding new ways with clothes, especially, by reinventing older fashion into new and fresh trends. “What teens do with fashion is remarkable-” Andrews said excitedly. They are now purchasing items with a bigger purpose: more than
Loose tanks or blouses—Wearing a loose tank such as a graphic tee is a great way to stay cool. They give off a casual look with a “fun” design! Pair them with a pair of denim shorts or pants and you’re good to go!all work and give similar effects. Cutout Dress—This type of dress, depending on its structure, can be a day or night dress. One with a pattern or shape can create a “fun” look. These dresses give off a fresh look and are well liked. Graphic Shorts—Graphic Shorts give that “summer fun” to an outfit! Especially when they are patterned. Floral, polka-dots, tribal print, anything! They all work and give similar effects. Maxi Dress—Here is one of the most fashionable pieces that can keep you cool and is VERY comfortable. There is a great variety of maxi dresses for the day or night. Day maxis are usually casual and night maxis are a little dressier.
Top 8 Summer Trends! Pendant Necklaces—These necklaces will bring the right kind of bling to an outfit! They are long necklaces and many stores are now selling them. Jumpsuits—Chic, fun, and free are three words that come to mind when I think of jumpsuits. With the top and bottom attached, it’s basically like a one-piece. Also, there are formal and informal jumpsuits to wear during the day or at night. It is one of the best outfits that could help anyone try and beat the heat! Denim Cutoffs—These are best thing to pair with a casual outfit! At the park, at the beach, or in the mall! It works for all! They are very fashionable and are a staple piece in a wardrobe.
one use. For example, a graduation dress that once was worn with fancy heels later on will be worn with sandals and a denim jacket. “They always find new ways to style their clothing making it look fresh every time,” Andrews added. His advice for teens that are trying to define their personal style is that they need to be “willing to experiment.” Anything that “expresses personality” is what rules when most teens choose their style. They want something they feel the most comfortable in. Comfort is very important. Lots of teens look at celebrities and runway models and merge those styles into their own. But it’s best always to look at yourself and find your own look. Visit Nordstrom. You’ll find lots of good and affordable items for you.
Nordstrom’s Big Sale Continued from page 1 by Jackie Kahn ruby red, all shades of purple, floral prints, black leather, and skinny denim!” An interesting point Mr. Andrews made was that just because it is fall it does not mean there cannot be any lace or sheer fabrics like the ones customers shopped for in the spring. He believes that every season truly prepares for the upcoming one, so some of the pieces could be featured again in the next one.
Customers should look forward to the new upcoming fall season, especially with the Anniversary Sale coming very soon! Every department will have brand new merchandise for the fall with sale prices for two weeks. After the two weeks, everything will be back to regular price. What is different about this event is that the sale prices are not just on old inventory. This is also a great opportunity to prepare for the holiday season! Mr. Andrews remarked “even the E-bar will have coffee on sale!”
Annie's Organic Buying Club making organics affordable for everyone!
Coordinators serving your area now! Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Parkland & through out Florida! go to:
www.AnniesBuyingClub.com
a grassroots effort for the freshest affordable organics Annie’s Buying Club 800-517-5121 862 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229
SUMMER 2013
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
PAGE
My Trip to the
International Spy Museum
in Washington, D.C.
by Lucas Puls, Age 7 Hollywood, FL
Last week I went to Washington, D.C. with my Papa, my Dad, my Uncle Greg, and my Mom. We did a lot of fun things, but my favorite was the International Spy Museum. At the museum they have a lot of really cool spy tools. There was a watch that had a camera inside of it. The spy would wear the watch on his wrist and take pictures or videos of things without anyone knowing. The copier pen is another useful tool for a spy. He could take the pen and roll it over a top secret document and the pen would copy it and later the spy could transmit the information to his agency. I also saw something called a microdot, which is a tool that spies use to pass information from one to another. Documents can be shrunk down to a tiny microdot, so small that it needs to be seen through a microscope. It can be hidden in just about anything a spy can pass off in a secret operation, and no one can identify it. Another item, the micro transmitter, is for hearing things when you can’t be there. Micro transmitters nowadays can be as thin as a human hair, so small you can’t even see it. Here is something really funny. I saw a micro transmitter that was actually hidden in dog doo. No one would suspect that someone was listening to everything that you are saying from some dog doo on the ground! That was just some of the real spy stuff I saw. The last thing I want to tell you about is the James Bond car. Its license plate can turn around, the back bumper can come up to block missiles, the headlights can flip down and machine guns come out. The rearview mirrors on the sides of the car can break off and missiles come out to shoot the bad guys. I think that is super cool! If you ever have the chance to go to Washington, D.C., I would recommend that you go to the International Spy Museum. It was an awesome experience.
Did You Know... Speak the Language of Espionage Babysitter – Bodyguard Bagman - An agent who pays spies and bribes authorities Birdwatcher - Slang used by British Intelligence for a spy Clandestine Operation - An intelligence operation designed to remain secret Compromised - When an operation, asset, or agent is uncovered and cannot remain secret Cryptology - The science of secret writing in all its forms Dead Drop - A secret location where materials can be left for another party to retrieve Mole - An agent of one organization sent to penetrate a specific intelligence agency by gaining employment; a term popularized by John Le Carre Shoe - A false passport or visa (Source: www.spymuseum.org)
VISITING THE COLOSSEUM by Sofia Serrano, Age 7 Frankfurt, Germany The Colosseum (in Rome, Italy) is very big. It looks very different now than it did when it was built. Now it is brown, but before it was white. Our
tour guide said it was from the pollution in the air. It was built for races and challenges between men and animals. More than 5,000 animals were killed during the opening ceremonies, when the Colosseum was first built. I would not want to see all those poor animals
killed. But, I would have liked to see the swimming races. They flooded the center of the arena sometimes for swimming races and also mermaid performances. Now the Colosseum is only used for tourists to see it and take pictures and learn what it was like long ago.
Built for races and challenges between men and animals. Pencil on paper by author.
Warm Memories of Ft. Myers Beach by Kate Maier, Age 9 Sunrise, FL Last summer, my family and I packed up our minivan and headed west across the State of Florida to Fort Myers Beach. I live near the beach already, so I wasn’t expecting much. Boy was I surprised. I knew this beach was special the minute I saw it. I walked on a narrow, dusty path through waist-high grass. It ended at a huge, flat beach. The blank sandy white canvas waited for my brushstrokes. My feet danced, hopped and ran alongside my brother’s as we raced down the shore to the sea’s fingertips. We were not alone. The sandpipers added their own touches, too. The dry, smooth sand that crunched under the weight of our heels and toes was nothing short of a masterpiece. The peaceful ocean stretched out to the horizon. She welcomed me with her warm, loving
arms and rocked me back and forth as I sat on her lap. The sun sat low in the golden sky and warmed my face with its smile. Mother Ocean reflected this happy face across her rippling waters. Her low tide revealed a private island just for me. I shuffled through the deeper waters to announce my arrival. A tickle on my foot made me squeal, “Hello to you, Mr. Stingray.” My body twirled, lifted and skipped along the sandbar. How wonderful it felt to walk on the water. It energized me. A gentle wave cleared away a thin layer of sand and exposed a tiny star. It sat in the palm of my hand and kissed me before I placed it back in its home. We sat side by side and admired the work of the sun as it set for the day. Calm and peaceful, I whispered, “Goodnight.” Fort Myers Beach holds a special place in my heart. My memories are as warm as the ocean’s comfortable embrace. I hope to return again soon to visit with my old friends. I miss them so.
Did You Know... … that the Colosseum was covered with a giant sail known as the velarium? This protected the spectators from the sun and rain. It was attached to large poles on top of the Colosseum and anchored to the ground by large ropes. The Colosseum was built in only 9 years. Construction began in 72AD and completed in 81AD. Around 50,000 people could be seated inside. Because of its 84 entrances, they could all be seated in only 20 minutes.
Did You Know... …that Sands Hetherington credits his son John for being his principal motivator? Sands raised his son as a single parent from the time John was six. He read to him every night during those formative years. He and young John developed the Crosley crocodile character in the series during months of bedtime story give-and-take.
A gentle wave exposed a tiny star.
Skipping along the sandbar.
twitter.com/circlegazette
9
PAGE
10
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
Messaki by Jadzia Escoto, Age 12 Coral Springs, FL
Softly padding down the musky corridor, Messaki bravely continued. The dark cloaked her but couldn’t extinguish the bright glow of her silver fur. The ground was stone, covered in moldy moss and soaked in water, muffling the sound of Messaki’s footsteps. As she walked deeper into the corridor, a dim golden light stood out in front of her like a beacon. Inching closer, she could hear husky voices talking under their breath. Another’s wolf scent filled her nostrils and she realized she wasn’t alone. She slowly turned around and was met with a fierce pair of crystal blue eyes that were clouded with hate. Messaki whimpered and took a step back as the blue eyed wolf gracefully lunged for her. Instincts took over and she dodged. Messaki tried to counter-attack, but she sensed more wolves. Taking a quick scan around her, Mes-
saki realized she was surrounded. As three wolves lunged for her, she jumped over them and away from the center of the group. And she ran. Every heavy step she took scraped the soggy moss from the ground, slowing her down. All she could think about was escape as her blood thundered in her ears. She could no longer hear the wolves behind her when she burst out from the dim corridor and into the night. A black sky dotted with bright white stars lit her way and Messaki worked her way through the tightly-packed trees and to-
wards home. The crunching of the leaves beneath her was a friendly reminder that she had made it out. Then she was hit by a realization; Messaki could hear one pair of footsteps behind her. Taking a sharp turn, Messaki darted into a low bush. As she peeked through an opening, she saw him. The same wolf from the corridor. His blue eyes shone brightly in the dim light. He lowered his head to the ground to try and find her scent, his fur glimmering with sweat. Then his head shot up and those beautiful eyes settled on
SUMMER 2013
hers. They gazed in each other’s eyes and both felt a tingle, small at first, but quickly growing to sharp, prickly sensations. Suddenly, a strong electrical shock went through them. Messaki yelped, jostling the two wolves from their trance. The blue-eyed wolf was about to jump at her when suddenly a twig snapped behind him. Looking around his large frame, Messaki could see Luke, her friend. He was large and beautiful, fur like coal. His black eyes shone in the stars’ dim light, and in them, Messaki saw anger. Luke pounced on the blue-eyed wolf from behind, catching him off guard. As Luke pinned down the wolf, Messaki made a run towards home. Zigzagging through the trees, she could hear the faint muffles of a struggle where she had left Luke and the blue-eyed wolf alone. By the time she made it home, she was exhausted and out of breath. Sweat drenched her coat and chilled her. Closing her eyes and clenching her teeth, she thought of her human form. Messaki could feel her wolf form melt away into her human body. Sighing with relief after she fully transformed, Messaki made her way to her room, ignoring the curious looks from the oth-
ers. Slamming the door behind her, she thought about Luke. Panic hit her, but then she heard Luke downstairs closing the front doors, announcing that he was back and safe. Not realizing she had been holding her breath, Messaki breathed out and gulped in oxygen. She was sticky and filthy, so she decided to shower. After letting the steaming water relax her tense muscles, she wrapped a white fluffy towel around her muscular body. Messaki knew she was envied for her appearance. She had silky, chocolate-brown hair that flowed around her and silver eyes with tiny purple specks. Along with that, she had flawless skin and perfect white teeth. Men tripped themselves over her, but she didn’t care. Messaki wasn’t one to date. A soft knock at her door broke her from her thoughts. Opening the door, she found Luke standing there. Realizing she had nothing but a towel around her, she excused herself and quickly changed into a pair of ripped jeans and a black hoodie. Letting Luke in and gesturing him to the couch, she plopped herself down across from him. “What’s up?” she casually asked.
Supporting your writers and artists… supporting the Circle Gazette
PLACE AN AD
Send your message to those whose work you appreciate For special Occasions ♦ birthdays ♦ graduations ♦ celebration of milestones ♦ achievements or SPONSOR AN ISSUE OF THE Circle Gazette Honor your writers and artists by supporting their favorite newspaper. Deadline to submit your design/message is the 1st of every month.
For details call 954-918-2541 or email us at info@enrichmentcircle.com
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
SUMMER 2013
The Craftsman
Did You Know... … that “The Craftsman” poem was entered into the “Odes to Olympians” poetry contest? The Craftsman by Sarah Thompson an honorable mention. Hephaestus was the God of fire and the forge who created many magical inventions throughout mythology.
Jealousy by Daniela Gómez, Age 13 Margate, FL
Jealousy. A taste of bitterness On your tongue. Never leaving, Terrible. Jealousy. Is a wizened crone; Seeing her writhe Whispering angry Words. Jealousy. Is food left rotting. Reeks of betrayal. Sad smells, Sorry. Jealousy. Feeling sharp, rough glass. Pinches my heart, And yours. Painful. Jealousy. Is screams and wails. Groaning and moaning. Calling fearful Sounds.
PAGE
Never Forgotten
by Sarah Thompson, Age 14 Boynton Beach, FL
by Aterahme C. Lawrence, Age 16
The craftsman works with strong hands; Skillfully he selects his tools.
I will never forget the girl with round glasses, Who I sat next to in all of my classes. I saw the blue black bruises on her skin. She was in a constant fight and could never win.
He does not fear the fire; The flames bow at his command. The craftsman works with magic; It courses through his fingertips. How easily he enchants his creations; How wonderful they are. He does not stand. He does not walk. He does not need to. The craftsman’s hands are enough.
Nature’s Paradise
Shelter Island, NY
Ms. Harper asked her as we sat in our chairs, She said “I only tripped down the stairs.” When I heard that I knew something was wrong. But she held back her feelings; she was strong. Some days she just wouldn’t show up at school. Whoever was doing this was awfully cruel. Then occurred a long week of no return, No knowledge, no lesson for the girl to learn. That night as I lay safe in my bed, A weird thought popped in the back of my head. The thought I had, ran on and on. Where had the girl with the round glasses gone? As I arrived in class the next morning, What soon followed came without warning. The melancholy look on Ms. Harper’s face, I thought that school was a happy place.
by Daniela Gómez, Age 13 Margate, FL
The sad news about the young girl’s death Made me wonder about her last breaths. Parents who should protect and defend, Were the ones that brought her life to an end.
Nature’s paradise, It was once a wonderland. Now a mourning place.
The sound of her cries seemed to fill the air. An innocent child neglected, no care. At the funeral I began to cry. But then I realized there’s no reason why.
Can you hear the calls? Can’t you understand the pain? What is there to do?
The young girl who once sat next to me, Had no more pain she was finally free. To this day tears still fall from my eyes, As I look for her spirit, high up in the skies.
Ruined and destroyed, Try to make it once again Nature’s paradise.
Crocodiles by Emma Gomez, Age 9 Margate, FL
Crocodiles sleep Don’t go by them, you will creep Crocodiles sleep
Father’s Day by Alizdair Sebastien Ray, Age 9 Hope Mills, NC It’s a time when you enjoy making memories With your father. I’m lucky to have my father with me On this special day. I have friends and family that don’t have their fathers And it is so sad. Time is short and you can’t take anything for granted. My father is my best friend and my role model in life. I love him very much. I look up to him because I want to be a great person like him. I’m lucky to be his son. Happy Father’s Day to my father and all fathers.
I will never forget the girl with the round glasses, Who sat next to me in all of my classes. The girl whose life was short and sad, Was never forgotten and that makes me glad.
Swimmers by Emma Gómez, Age 9 Margate, FL
Swimmers: powerful, strong hardworking, splashing, kicking always at their practice running, diving, throwing dedicated, fast. Athletes.
“Ducks Swimming By” by Tanner Gunning, Age 6, Boca Raton, FL Crayon on paper.
11
THE CIRCLE GAZETTE
JUNE 2012
The tree.
12
“Angry Bird Fight” by Joanna Castellon, Age 5, Coral Springs, FL Crayons and pencil on paper.
The flower.
“Queen BerNet” by Jala Robinson, Age 12, Plantation, FL Colored pencil on paper.
“Bad Day” by Daniel Castellon, Age 8, Coral Springs, FL Pencil on paper.
The larva.
The egg on a leaf.
The butterfly.
The caterpillar.
PAGE
“Giant Swallowtail” by Emily Greenfield, Age 7, Sunrise, FL Chalk pastel and colored pencil on rice paper.
The chrysalis.
“Whitney Houston” by Jala Robinson, Age 12, Plantation, FL Pen on paper.
“Me in the NHL” by Madison Zack, Age 10, Lake Zurrich, IL Pencil on paper. Drawn at age 5. Attached is a cookie fortune “Participating in sports may lead you to a lucrative career.”
The butterfly.
“Watering the sunflowers on a sunny afternoon.” by Sienna Tang, Age 5, Coconut Creek, FL Crayon and pencil on paper.
“Life cycle of a butterfly.” by Sophia Greenfield, Age 5, Sunrise, FL Marker and pencil on paper.