The Buffalo News - NeXt http://www.buffalonews.com Latest stories from The Buffalo News en-us Sun, 19 May 2013 00:32:20 -0400 Sun, 19 May 2013 00:32:20 -0400 <![CDATA[ Kidbits ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130516/LIFE04/130519398/1306 “The Sasquatch Escape: The Imaginary Veterinary: Book I” by Suzanne Selfors; Little Brown, $15.99.

Ten-year-old Ben Silverstein is sure that spending the summer living with his grandfather in the boring town of Buttonville is going to be the worst summer ever. There’s no swimming pool, hardly any other kids, and his grandfather’s idea of fun is Pudding Day at the senior center.

But on the way into town he spots what looks like a dragon overhead. And then his grandfather’s cat drags what appears to be an injured tiny fire-breathing dragon into Ben’s bedroom. Ben meets Pearl Petal, who loves adventure, has a reputation as the town troublemaker and lives in an apartment over the Dollar Store. The two start investigating Dr. Woo’s Worm Hospital and are enlisted in the hunt for an escaped Sasquatch (who likes to sort things by color and is VERY fond of chocolate).

At the end of the book are a bunch of ideas for writing your own stories, plus a recipe for chocolate pudding!

This is the first of what promises to be a very entertaining series from the author of the “Smells Like Dog” series and many other books.

– Jean Westmoore“Dig with the Experts” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Penn Dixie Paleontological and Outdoor Education Center in Hamburg. Paleontologists will be available to assist visitors and provide instruction on how to increase the quality, quantity and diversity of the fossils collected at Penn Dixie. Registration is $25-$30. Space is limited. Call 627-4560 or visit www.penndixie.org.When the radio was first invented, it was used as a wireless telegraph. Messages between ships at sea were transmitted in Morse code – a series of electric “dots” and “dashes.” Early radio operators identified themselves with shot call letters that they could easily tap out in Morse code. At the time, people made up their own call letters. Soon things got very confusing. To avoid this confusion, the world’s nations got together and gave each radio operator a set of call letters to use. That’s why today every radio station (and every TV station, too) has its own unique set of call letters.

– Time for Kids: Big Book of Why ]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 16:53:22 -0400 <![CDATA[ Alyssa Rodemeyer speaks out against bullying ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130516/LIFE04/130519399/1306
Thus was the opening line of Alyssa Rodemeyer’s speech at St. Joe’s as part of the Eric Scott Pitman Lecture Series, an annual event in honor of late St. Joe’s student Eric Pitman in advocating the development of ethics and social justice. This installment of the series covered diversity, bullying and accepting differences within a community. With her confident gaze, Alyssa addressed an audience of parents, teens, friends and faculty.

A senior at Williamsville North High School, Alyssa is a social activist who speaks across the nation with her family. Alyssa’s brother Jamey ended his life last year after relentless bullying. The event shook the region and made evident the horrors of bullying and the costs of not accepting others.

Alyssa believes that talking about bullying can diminish its power.

“It’s not just because of what happened to my brother,” she said. “A lot of people suffer through it and it’s become such an expected issue and unfortunately it has such long-term damage.”

Alyssa addressed several key points during her talk, highlighting issues that she believes are important. When asked what her personal connection to the subject was, Alyssa smiled. “Mostly my brother. Also, personal experience and relevance made the issue real to me.”

During her talk, Alyssa spoke about her initial trepidation regarding public speaking. She describes the time when her parents urged her to speak. “My parents would go on the stages of shows and events and speak out, and I would stay in the back room.”

Alyssa eventually found her voice when she realized how much good can be done and how much she can effect change. She talks all over the country, inspiring teens. She was even urged to speak by her brother’s favorite musical artist, Lady Gaga, when the singer launched an anti-bullying campaign.

“When Lady Gaga tells you to do something, you do it,” she laughed.

A core aspect of her message is the effect that teenagers can have on others. Alyssa pointed out that many kids today don’t believe that they can do anything and that whatever effect they may have would be minimal at best. Alyssa urges teens to get involved in their school communities, stressing the significance of human relationships.

“If you’re going to be a bystander you may as well just be the bully … just saying ‘hi’ has such a big effect on someone’s day,” she said.

With the advancement of technology and the increased influence of the Internet, bullying has taken on a new face – one of anonymity.

“Social media makes bullying impersonal and distant. Kids can hide from behind computer screens and lash out malicious phrases and put down other kids from a place of protection,” Alyssa said. She added that this allows the negative effects of bullying to have a greater reach and impact. People can now extend their influence, and she warned against the potential dangers of this type of bullying.

Alyssa also pointed out that the victims of bullying and those who are picked on aren’t the only ones that suffer. Bullies often suffer from low self-esteem issues, and they are able to elevate their own sense of self and their position by putting down others. Alyssa tells of a girl in middle school who gave her trouble, but after Jamey’s death, the girl came to be one of Alyssa’s close friends. She believes that acceptance begins when we get to know people without immediately judging them.

“If we work directly with the bully, we stop the problem at its source,” she said.

“One of the keys to maintaining self-esteem is to accept compliments when they come,” Alyssa added. “We so quickly disagree when we shouldn’t.”

Reflecting on the events of the past year, Alyssa acknowledges that her world view has changed.

“My brother’s death changed me,” she said. “Before I was super cynical, but throughout this process I came to find that there is a lot of good in the world and I found more positive people. My faith in humanity increased.”

Alyssa is planning to study psychology at the University at Buffalo.



Patrick Asamoah is a senior at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute. ]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 16:53:18 -0400 By Patrick Asamoah

NeXt Correspondent

]]> <![CDATA[ Hype ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130516/LIFE04/130519400/1306 MOVIES: Opening Friday, “Star Trek Into Darkness” (PG-13); coming May 24, “Fast and Furious 6” (PG-13), “Epic” (PG); coming May 31, “After Earth” (PG-13).

CONCERTS: David Bromberg Quartet, 8 p.m. Friday, Seneca Niagara Casino Bear’s Den, 310 Fourth St., Niagara Falls.

The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash, 7 p.m. Saturday, Seneca Allegany Casino Events Center, 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd., Salamanca.

Dark Star Orchestra, 8 p.m. Saturday, Town Ballroom, 681 Main St.

The Thermals with Space Wolves, 8 p.m. Sunday, Tralf, 622 Main St.

Of Montreal with Wild Moccasins, 7 p.m. Monday, Town Ballroom, 681 Main St.

Richard Buckner, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave.

John Brown’s Body with Moon Hooch and Thunderbody, 8 p.m. next Thursday, Tralf, 622 Main St.

THEATER: “Grace,” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Alden Christian Theatre Society, 1470 Church St., Alden.“Joey Fatone was in love with me. He took me to Friendly’s on a date, and he bought me an ice cream. Such a sweetheart.”

– Pink, on dating ’N Sync’s Joey Fatone back in the day, to Glamour ]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 16:53:14 -0400 <![CDATA[ Movie review: “Great Gatsby” is a work of art ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130516/LIFE04/130519401/1306
“The Great Gatsby” is set in the electrifying 1920s, a time when, according to narrator Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), “the buildings were higher, the parties were bigger, the morals were looser and the liquor was cheaper.” The teens in our generation can appreciate the domineering “you only live once” attitude throughout the movie. The film follows Carraway as he describes one life-changing summer in New York City. While there, he meets the mysterious Jay Gatsby and follows interactions among his cousin Daisy (dazzlingly played by Carey Mulligan) and her husband, Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). Without giving away much of the movie, Tom and Daisy’s relationship is strained, and with the help of Nick and Daisy’s friend Jordan Baker, Daisy is reunited with Gatsby, whom she met five years earlier.

The drama that unfolds is portrayed beautifully by DiCaprio, who, despite his past history with the award, deserves the best actor Oscar for this role. Mulligan and Elizabeth Debicki, who plays Jordan Baker, are also perfect for their roles.

Luhrmann’s directing style is evident throughout the film. As a huge fan of “Moulin Rouge” (2001), I was excited to see what he would do with this film. His lavish set designs and bright colors make every scene in “The Great Gatsby” a work of art. Luhrmann’s other signature in his films is contemporary music, which has been cause for dispute. Usually, when a film is set in the Jazz Age, people expect to hear jazz music. However, Luhrmann teamed up with rapper Jay-Z to collaborate on the music for this film. As a result, the soundtrack features artists such as Beyoncé, Lana Del Ray and will.i.am. Although the music is unexpected and unprecedented, it fits the movie more than I imagined it would.

The coolest part about this film is the fact that our generation can relate to it. Upon entering the theater, I saw so many teenagers and college students, including numerous people from my school. For this, I thank the teachers that have sparked interest in a remake of a classic piece of literature. I wouldn’t have been half as interested in this film if not for the dynamic teaching of Karen Fina from Williamsville North High School. I think Luhrmann should thank these teachers as well. Without them, the buzz of “Gatsby” would not reach nearly as many people.

This movie is truly a piece of art. Many versions of “The Great Gatsby” have tried and failed to capture a generation. Luhrmann’s interpretation of this classic American story makes “The Great Gatsby” relatable. The green light at the edge of the dock has been grasped, and Luhrmann has achieved his goal of creating an unforgettable masterpiece.



Emily DeRoo is a senior at Williamsville North High School. ]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 16:53:09 -0400 By Emily DeRoo

NeXt Correspondent

]]> <![CDATA[ News & Notes ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130516/LIFE04/130519402/1306 www.niagaratheatre.com.

• The Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus will be holding auditions for next season from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Wednesday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 6595 E. Quaker St., Orchard Park. To schedule an audition, call Cindy Mayo at 947-9108.

• ABC Bel Canto Choirs will hold auditions today for choristers entering grades three through 12 at Christ United Methodist Church, 360 Saratoga Road, Amherst. Call Sue Fay Allen at 759-6428 for times and information.The Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus will mark its 25th anniversary with a concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1080 Main St. Cost is $5 at the door. A gala will be held following the concert at Pearl Street Grill.A chess open house with Archangel 8 Chess Academy will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Central Library, Lafayette Square. USCF competitors need to preregister at Knightsof64@yahoo.com. For more information, call 858-8900 or visit www.buffalolib.org.Area teens will model the latest bridal and special occasion dresses at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Forestview Banquet Hall, 4781 Transit Road, Depew. Susan Makai’s Personal Best will sponsor the event that will benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. For more information, call 831-3870 or email smpersonalbest@yahoo.com.A Sweet Jenny’s Ice Cream Social will follow each performance of “Flat Stanley” at the Theatre of Youth, now playing through June 2 at the Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. For information, visit www.theatreofyouth.org.The Sew What?? Sewing Class for Teens by Darellyn McKnight will begin with the basics of hand sewing. Students will learn how to sew a straight basting stitch, how to hem clothing with a blindstitch, the proper way to sew on buttons and more. Classes will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Fridays beginning May 31 through June 21 at Hobby Lobby, 2090 George Urban Blvd., Depew. Cost is $27.50 a week, which includes all sewing supplies except fabric, but 40 percent coupons will be provided (cost should be less than $15 for fabric). Space is limited to 10 students. To register, call 986-7099 or email darellynm@gmail.com. ]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 16:53:07 -0400 <![CDATA[ Clarence students stress importance of music ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130516/LIFE04/130519403/1306
Music is on the chopping block at Clarence High School.

If a proposed tax increase of 9.8 percent fails to pass at Tuesday’s budget vote, serious cuts will be made to the school’s budget – cuts that cannot be taken out of state-mandated courses. This means that, should the budget fail, the future for Clarence High School’s music department looks bleak.

The significance of musical education in schools should not be overlooked. According to professor Norman M. Weinberger in Psychology Today, practicing music in the long term can reward students with increases in creativity, reasoning and language and social skills, increasing productivity in many areas of the brain.

“Being in the music department at CHS has prepared me with the people skills I will need later in life,” said Ashley Moulin, a senior who currently sings in two of the three choruses at Clarence and plans on majoring in theater in college. “Listening, thinking and sharing opinions is something we need daily in chorus.”

In addition to promoting cohesion and cooperation, music classes can provide a haven where kids feel like they belong, something that is imperative during the turbulent and emotional years of middle and high school.

Junior Lillia Woodbury, a flute player in Clarence’s symphonic band, feels most at home playing her instrument or organizing props for the school musical.

“The music department is where I fit in throughout high school and without that, I might not have ever fit in anywhere,” Lillia said.

Many students agree that musical ensembles are like a second home or family. Similarly, music provides an opportunity for students to relieve some of the stress they are confronted with on a daily basis.

“If there was no music program, I’m not sure if I would be able to handle school and all of the stress that goes along with it,” Lillia said.

Perhaps most important is the sense of identity that accompanies participation in a music class.

“Music is a part of my life,” says sophomore Josh Wilde, who has sung in chorale and starred in both musicals since he has been a student at Clarence High School. “It’s essential to being human and expressing yourself.”

Ashley agrees. “Without music, I have no idea who I would be,” she said.

Many of the more than 1,700 students at Clarence High School would be devastated by the loss of the music department, and even more by the loss of other popular electives. Some students are taking an active role in trying to get the budget to pass, hoping to save the school not only for themselves, but for younger siblings and other children, who would be affected the most.

“I don’t want to see this school and district lose its integrity and legacy, because it has taken hard work, sacrifice and love for this district to get where it has gotten,” Josh said.

It’s tough for kids to imagine a school without music, and concern for the music department’s future has driven a handful of students to do everything possible to raise awareness for the cause, hoping that it will be enough.

“We’re not trying to be selfish, we’re just trying to save what we love,” says Lillia. “We just want to save our school.”



Sarah Probst is a junior at Clarence High School. ]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 16:53:04 -0400 By Sarah Probst

NeXt Correpsondent

]]> <![CDATA[ Students join Orchard park Chorale for concert ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130516/LIFE04/130519404/1306
The students in the combined honors chorus are from Williamsville East, Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts and City Honors, and are involved in music programs at their schools. They were chosen by their school music instructors.

“Our students can feel part of the greater Western New York musical tradition of excellent choirs,” said George L. Davis II, music director at Performing Arts and a member of the chorale. “By working with other masterful teachers in the area, my students can learn from a broad spectrum of musical tastes, experiences, disciplines.”

“I believe that my role as a music educator is not only to educate students in music but to prepare them for lifelong musical experiences beyond graduation, whether it is singing in their church, local theater, community choir or as a professional singer,” said Maureen Riley, a featured soloist. “Hopefully after this event my students will want to continue singing and give back to their community.”

The Voices Across the Americas concert was developed to reflect North and South American traditions through a variety of songs.

“There is something for everyone,” said Riley. “There are familiar songs as well as lively new songs to the repertoire.”

The chorus will be singing “Frostiana,” which is a collection of Robert Frost’s poems set to music, as well as selections from “West Side Story,” which will feature solos from soprano Jessica Wheaton and tenor Ben Streeter.

Also on the program are a French Canadian folk song, “J’entends le Mouin” (“I Hear the Mill”), “Te Quiero” (“I Adore You”), “Salmo 150” (“Psalm 150”), “Everyone Suddenly Burst Out Singing,” “Lift Every Voice,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

“Adding the student voices to these pieces brings a special energy to the selections,” said Kathleen Keenan-Takagi, music director of the Orchard Park Chorale, in a press release. “The student singers and the chorale began rehearsals separately and came together in April. It’s wonderful to see and hear how two groups work together to interpret this program.”

...

The concert will be performed at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bethel AME Church, 1525 Michigan Ave., and 7 p.m. Sunday at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 4369 S. Buffalo St., Orchard Park. Tickets are $5 to $25 and are available from OPC members or by visiting www.orchardparkchorale.org.



Rebecca Brandel is a freshman at Mount St. Mary Academy. ]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 16:52:59 -0400 By Rebecca Brandel

NeXt Correspondent

]]> <![CDATA[ Teen talks about battling addiction ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130516/LIFE04/130519406/1306
Matt Blenker is part of that 10 percent.

His addictions began around age 11 when he was in seventh grade at Holland Middle School, but they spawned from things that happened at a much younger age.

When Matt was 4 years old, his brother died.

“After that my parents and family like just kind of went downhill,” Matt, 18, said. “There was a lot of fighting and yelling over money. I have two older sisters and when I was around 9 or 10, my one sister packed up and moved to Florida ’cause she couldn’t deal with all the fighting anymore.”

With only him and his sister Nikki left at home, the problems in the Blenker family escalated. Nikki would go out with her friends often, leaving Matt home to watch the fights between his parents.

“I didn’t know what to do,” Matt said. “I was so young. I couldn’t do anything about it really.” His dad ended up leaving, “and I didn’t see him for a year or two after that.”

With his father gone and his sister coping with the family troubles by being with friends, young Matt was left home alone a lot. He felt helpless watching his mother deal with her own problems.

“I just felt really alone, like I didn’t have anyone,” Matt said. “I had really good friends at school. We always scored high grades and played sports and stuff … They started noticing something was wrong with me but I never told them what was wrong with me because I didn’t want them to know, but I knew word got out because it was such a small town; everybody knew everything that happened.”

Matt isolated himself from everyone.

“I just kinda got fed up with everyone asking me what’s wrong,” he said. “I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I shut down and tried to force those friends out of my life.”

That’s when his grades began to drop; his whole attitude on life changed. Matt just didn’t care anymore. He looked for an escape, which he found when he made some new friends. Matt noticed a difference between them and other kids. They seemed “cooler” to him.

“I would hang out in the town with them and go skateboarding,” he said. “They would go off and come back and I noticed something was different. Then one day I went with them. I saw they were smoking weed.”

They offered some to Matt. Although Matt refused at first, he couldn’t help wanting the happiness these kids seemed to have and so he soon gave in to the temptation.

“I wanted to try it,” Matt said. “It took away a lot of my problems. I thought I didn’t have to deal with it ’cause I was high. I started smoking a lot, like every day. I was only 12.”

The biggest instigator in Matt’s life was the emptiness he felt because of his family issues. When his mother brought home a new boyfriend, who moved in with his 15-year-old son, Matt, then 13, smoked cigarettes with the other boy. It wasn’t long before he offered Matt “something new.” Those words began Matt’s stint with cocaine.

Of course, a 13-year-old without a job can’t afford a cocaine addiction for long.

“I started going into school to find kids with ADHD problems and stuff like that,” Matt said. “Everyone always told me Adderall and Ritalin were ‘poor man’s coke’ because it was the same feeling but cheaper … but after awhile I couldn’t put up with staying up for days and days.”

So with the help of a friend, he moved into his next drug adventure.

“My friend told me he got Lortabs from his mom, so I went to his house and tried it. I felt nothing. I felt completely numb. I loved that feeling,” he said. “My friend’s mom would call me in the bathroom and she would have Lortabs for me. I thought that was awesome ’cause I was getting high with a parent.”

Soon Matt was taking eight or nine Lortabs at a time. When he realized he couldn’t take so many, he resolved to switch to something new.

“My friend’s dad broke his back and he was getting morphine. So my friend would get that from his mom,” Matt said.

All this happened before Matt even began high school. His drug use caused him to fail eighth grade and he had to go to summer school.

Matt said he would go to school and yell profanities at his teachers.

“They would ask me what’s wrong and say, ‘This isn’t you. You’re a good kid.’ I would never say anything about how I felt ’cause I was just really angry and messed up,” Matt said.

Soon his actions in school led to his expulsion and Matt was sent to an alternative school. His lifestyle continued to lead him down a path of destruction which included overdosing on Xanax while at school.

“I remembered I was threatening the paramedics and the police, so they handcuffed me and took me to ECMC,” he said. “I went back home, slept for a day and woke up the next day and thought nothing of it.”

Matt was expelled again at age 15. He earned his GED diploma and continued his partying lifestyle.

“Everything escalated,” he said. “I was doing the opiates and the pills and I was drinking a lot more. I got sick of the friends I had because I thought they were just using me for my money and my drugs.”

His answer to this was simple: switch friends.

“My new friends were doing a lot of different drugs,” Matt said. “They were going to pharmacies and stealing cough and cold medicine. When I tripped for the first time on cold medicine, I thought I had the world but really I was just high. It made no sense.”

Matt didn’t realize his lifestyle didn’t make much sense until he had a rude awakening after throwing a party. His friend’s brother got into a fight that didn’t end well.

“My friend’s little brother got hit and fell back and hit his head on the concrete,” Matt said. “He got Mercy Flighted to ECMC. He was in a coma for three weeks and had a blood clot in his brain. I remember going to see him. He was a great kid, everyone loved him and to see him with all those tubes coming out of his head; it destroyed me. I felt like it was my house, I should have done something.”

Matt’s guilt perpetuated his drug use. However, he was brought up on charges in connection with the party.

“When I went in front of the judge, he looked at me and said, ‘You can either go do your time in jail or you can go to Renaissance House.’ Of course I wanted to do rehab,” Matt said. “The district attorney didn’t feel I should be released, but the judge looked at me and he, like, screamed at me, saying, ‘Why should I let you back on the streets? You’re burglarizing homes. Why should I even let you go?’ I couldn’t even answer, but he released me anyway. I went into rehab April 12, 2012. I went in kinda open-minded and willing.”

Matt was at Renaissance House, a residential treatment facility in West Seneca for teens addicted to drugs and alcohol, for three months until he had another court date. He was sentenced to a year in prison, and that hit him hard.

“My past came back to get me,” Matt said. He tried to explain to the judge “that I was in Renaissance House, trying to better myself but he told me that I made my decisions and I had to sleep with it now.”

While in jail, Matt’s sentence was reduced to 40 days.

“I was still scared,” he said. “I was just tired of everything. Then I learned in Renaissance House that I couldn’t be able to help myself until I finally surrendered. I went to church one night and got on my knees and prayed. I fully surrendered. I asked God to help me.”

Apparently Matt’s prayers were answered.

“I went back in Renaissance House Aug. 20, 2012. I wouldn’t be who I am today without that place and Kids Escaping Drugs.”

Matt began talking to kids in schools about his story and he graduated from the program Feb. 15. Matt moved to a halfway house and continues to share his story.

Kids Escaping Drugs helped him get accepted and earn a scholarship to Trocaire College, where he will study hospitality management.

Matt’s sister Nikki Blenker, 22, looks at this whole story as a learning life experience.

“It made me want to better myself to be a better role model for him and to have a better family life because we didn’t really have that,” Nikki Blenker said.

Matt and Nikki are close now and see each other almost every weekend. Despite the horrible things Matt has experienced and the distance family troubles and drugs put between them, the siblings have come together to support each other.

...

Kids Escaping Drugs and the Western New York National Honor Society chapters are teaming up for the 20th annual Walk for Kids from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at Medaille College, 18 Agassiz Circle. All proceeds from the walk will benefit the Renaissance Campus, which includes three residential buildings where 62 young patients are given the opportunity to learn to rebuild their lives. For information, call 827-9462 or visit www.makeachangewny.org.



Hannah Gordon is a senior at Immaculata Academy. ]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 16:52:34 -0400 By Hannah Gordon

NeXt Correspondent

]]> <![CDATA[ Kidbits ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130509/LIFE04/130509298/1306 “Otis Dooda: Strange But True” by Ellen Potter; Feiwel and Friends; $13.99 (Publication June 4).

The author of the best-selling Olivia Kidney books puts her imagination and offbeat sense of humor in overdrive in this entertaining, wacky tale of a boy who moves to New York City and the bizarre people he encounters in his new apartment building. Otis Dooda (called such terrible nicknames as Otis Doo Doo, Otis Toilet Twinkie and Otis Chewbacca Chunks) and his family have to move to the city after his father gets a new job and their new home is on the top floor of a 35-story apartment building called Tidwell Towers. Older brother Gunther loves his pet rat Smoochie but spends a lot of his time picking on Otis (calling him “Lego nerd,” etc.).

Among the strange new neighbors are a boy who hides in the potted plant in the lobby and tells Otis he is going to break all his bones; crabby Miss Yabby who gives Otis the “stink-eye” and posts rude notices about the Doodas in the hallway; and the Hooper family that makes a living putting on circuses at birthday parties, keeps a miniature pony, disguised as a dog, in their apartment, and practices shooting kids from a cannon into a swimming pool full of marshmallow fluff. Then there are the pink and blue “Poodles of Mass Destruction.”

Other stories by this author: “The Humming Room,” an update of “The Secret Garden,” and “The Kneebone Boy.”

– Jean WestmooreThe Theatre of Youth will present “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley” beginning at 7 p.m. Friday in the Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. The production will continue at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through June 2 (no performances May 26 and 27). Tickets are $24-$26. For information, call 884-4400, Ext. 301.The Berlin Wall divided West Berlin and East Berlin during much of the Cold War. After World War II, Berlin and Germany were divided. The Soviet Union and its allies controlled East Germany and East Berlin. The United States and its allies controlled West Germany and West Berlin. On Aug. 13, 1961, the East German government built a wall to stop those living in East Berlin from escaping to the West. On Nov. 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall came down when communism began to lose its influence in Eastern Europe.

– Time for Kids: Big Book of Why ]]> Wed, 8 May 2013 20:48:47 -0400 <![CDATA[ Hype ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130509/LIFE04/130509299/1306 MOVIES: Opening Friday, “The Great Gatsby” (PG-13), “Peeples” (PG-13); coming May 17, “Star Trek Into Darkness” (PG-13); May 24, “Epic” (PG).

NEW ON DVD: “Jack Reacher” (PG-13), “Safe Haven” (PG-13) and “Mama” (PG-13).

CONCERTS: Bullet For My Valentine with Stars In Stereo, 7 p.m. Friday, Town Ballroom, 681 Main St.

Peter Murphy, 7 p.m. Saturday, Town Ballroom, 681 Main St.

BPO performs the Music of Led Zeppelin, 8 p.m. Saturday, Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle.

The Rebel Waltz with the Elektra Kings, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Tralf, 622 Main St.

Device with Nonpoint and Gemini Syndrome, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Rapids Theatre, 1711 Main St., Niagara Falls.

Drum Wars featuring Vinny and Carmine Appice with Mike Hund, Jim Crean and Guy Nichols, 7 p.m. Tuesday, the Icehouse, 512 Third St., Niagara Falls.

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave.

THEATER: “Grace,” 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday, Alden Christian Theatre Society, 1470 Church St., Alden.

“Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff,” through Sunday, 710 Main Theatre, 710 Main St.

POETRY & LITERATURE: Poetry reading by Marc Pietrzykowski and Randy Rumley, 7 p.m. today, Talking Leaves Books, 3158 Main St.When a publisher announces a game that ties in with a forthcoming movie, it can either go one of two ways. Either it’s a glorious affair that presents a worthwhile experience that matches up to, or surpasses, the film (like, say, Disney’s “Aladdin” on the Sega Genesis or the more recent “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”) or it’s a piece of crud that doesn’t even measure up to its source content (like the unfortunate “Aliens: Colonial Marines”). Sadly, “Star Trek: The Video Game” (for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360) leads more toward the latter, a game that had some interesting ambitions, but failed to live up to them, thanks to cruddy development.

In the game, you guide Captain Kirk and his right-hand Vulcan Spock, as portrayed in the 2009 “Star Trek” film directed by J.J. Abrams, as they battle the Gorn, an evil race of lizard beings that want nothing more than primitive-style domination over the universe. Thanks to a horribly guarded Helios device, they just might be able to complete the job, unless these two can save the day. But there are problems when the gameplay begins, mostly with bugs. “Star Trek” is riddled with them, and it gets to the point of absolute frustration.

I expected more from “Star Trek,” probably because of my excitement for the upcoming “Into Darkness” sequel (due out May 17) and the way I loved the original 2009 film, lens flares and all. But Namco Bandai failed to capitalize on a good thing, thanks to shoddy bugs that may never be fixed, bad level design that mixes far too often with the very few good ones, and iffy co-op that never lives up to its innovative potential. If you’re a true “Trek” fan, proceed with caution and rent it. Otherwise, skip it. Making a purchase would be, as Spock puts it, “illogical.”

– GamerHub.tv“Expelliarmos!”

– Prince William, who joined Duchess Catherine and Prince Harry recently on a tour of the newly launched making of “Harry Potter” studio tour ]]> Wed, 8 May 2013 20:48:44 -0400 <![CDATA[ Movie review: ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130509/LIFE04/130509301/1306
The movie picks up directly after the end of “The Avengers.” Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr., “Iron Man” 1 and 2) is suffering from post-traumatic stress due to the events at the end of “The Avengers.” (I won’t spoil it in case you haven’t seen it, but you really should. It was an excellent film.) He spends his nights tinkering and building gadgets, letting that super brain of his run wild. This concerns his girlfriend Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) – even billionaire playboys have to settle down sometime. Meanwhile, a new terrorist threat arises. The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) is planning to use a new weapon called Extremis to attack American landmarks. The government sends James Rhodes (Don Cheadle, “Iron Man 2”) to stop him. Back home, Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce, “Memento”) wants Stark Industries to merge with his think tank.

The plot summary is a little scattershot. The movie is hard to put into words; you just have to experience it.

Director Shane Black (“Lethal Weapon 1 and 2,” “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”) has completely revitalized the “Iron Man” movie franchise. This film is a gust of fresh air. It’s something completely new and different from a character and a story standpoint. It’s out of the norm of the franchise and better for it (because let’s face it, “Iron Man 2” was kind of boring). The dialogue is hilarious, and the plot is dense and fast-paced.

The movie also boasts a crazy amount of comic references, and if you’re a comedy enthusiast like myself, you’ll really appreciate it.

The movie captures all aspects of Iron Man and Tony Stark. It’s a great character study of him, his friends and the post-“Avengers” environment.

If any of that sounds like a good time, go and see it. You won’t be disappointed.



Max Fisher is a senior at Leonardo DaVinci High School. ]]> Wed, 8 May 2013 20:48:20 -0400 By Max Fisher

NeXt Correspondent

]]> <![CDATA[ News & Notes ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130509/LIFE04/130509302/1306 www.glyswny.org.CEPA Gallery’s community-based youth education program has been chosen as a finalist for the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and its partner agencies. CEPA is one of 50 finalists among 379 programs from 49 states. The awards will be announced in late June and presented by first lady Michelle Obama during a White House ceremony.A daylong celebration of everything bubbles, including a demonstration by the Corning Museum of Glass, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Buffalo Museum of Science, 1020 Humboldt Parkway. The event, which will expand into Martin Luther King Jr. Park with tents full of bubble activities, is included with general museum admission. Additional performances will be held throughout the day for $1-$3. For more information, call 896-5200 or visit www.sciencebuff.org.The Buffalo History Museum will present its Family History Club from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the museum, Elmwood Avenue and Nottingham Terrace. This month’s meeting will focus on the topic of “Collections: What do you collect?” The meeting will include crafts, tours and a scavenger hunt. Cost is $5-$10 for children; free for adults. For more information, call 873-9644, Ext. 0, or visit www.buffalohistory.org.Believe Spirit Investigators will host a fundraiser for the restoration of the Historic Hinsdale House from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday at 3830 McMahon Road, Hinsdale. The event will feature psychic and paranormal lectures, workshops, readings, vendors, entertainment and more. Cost is $20. A ghost hunt will be held on the grounds from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for an additional $30. For information, visit www.hinsdalepsychicandparafest2013.webs.com or find it on Facebook.Penn Dixie Paleontological and Outdoor Education Center in Hamburg will host a viewing of the skies at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $3. For information, call 627-4560 or visit www.penndixie.org.Looking for a good book? Try the used book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the North Tonawanda History Museum, 54 Webster St., North Tonawanda. Bags of books will sell for $5.ABC Bel Canto Choirs will hold auditions today and next Thursday for choristers entering grades three through 12 at Christ United Methodist Church, 360 Saratoga Road, Amherst. Call Sue Fay Allen at 759-6428 for times and information.The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, 180 Thompson St., North Tonawanda, will offer a special Mother’s Day event from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday featuring crafts, activities and a performance by Nan Hoffman at 1:30 p.m. Cost is $3-$6, moms get in free. For more information, call 693-1885 or visit www.carrouselmuseum.org.The Young Audiences Second Saturday Series will feature Stuart Fuchs and His Ukulele for all ages from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Central Library, Lafayette Square. For information, call 858-7182 or visit www.buffalolib.org. ]]> Wed, 8 May 2013 20:47:51 -0400 <![CDATA[ Alden High School students win JA Challenge ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130509/LIFE04/130509303/1306
Students from Alden High School, Hutchinson Central Technical High School, Lancaster High School, Lockport High School and the Science Technology Enrichment Program (STEP) at the University at Buffalo worked with teachers, mentors and JA volunteers from the local business community to create business plans based on their unique product ideas.

Finalists from each school were separated into two groups to pitch their plans to a panel of judges. Participating students explained their plans for producing, distributing and marketing their product. They also addressed social and ethical responsibilities, and explained their personal management style and past business experience. The top team from each room then participated in a “Last Pitch Ditch” final round to determine first place.

Austin Zelasko and Ethan Palizay from Alden High School took top honors with their plan to produce ice packs for coolers of all sizes. Coined “EZ Cooler,” they described it as a reusable, grid-shaped set of foldable ice packs that replaces ice and saves space.

Second place was awarded to Megan Maurer and Matt Gagliardi from Lockport High School for their plan to create a worry-free boarding service for animals that provides attention, care, company and safety called “Animal Kingdom.”

Also placing in the top four teams were Sydney Hetrick and William V. Peters III of Lancaster High School and Katie Kaminski and Alyson Sylvester of Alden High School. Sydney and William’s plan was for a solar-powered phone case called “Sun-Sol” with a retractable power supply cord that fits all smartphones. Katie and Alyson designed a plan for “Warm-o-Wheel,” a long-lasting and reliable heated steering wheel with a quick warm-up and cool-down period. ]]> Wed, 8 May 2013 20:47:48 -0400 <![CDATA[ NeXt writer takes on Julia Child’s ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130509/LIFE04/130509304/1306
Using my own family as guinea pigs, with the passed-down cookbook “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” by Julia Child in hand (and inspired by the 2009 film “Julie & Julia”), I single-handedly attempted to create some time-consuming meals and bring a busy family together. I – a mere high-schooler who can basically bake lemon bars, spaghetti and pancakes – went on a culinary quest. Risking kitchen fires, meltdowns and family strife, I ran into this project head on!



The

menu:

Potage Parmentier

Boeuf Bourguignon

Floating Islands



I chose these recipes because they were some of the most popular from the book, and not knowing what I was really getting myself into.



I started with Potage Parmentier (potato and leek soup); it seemed fairly cheap and easy. And it would be, for someone who knew that if you throw chopped up wet leeks and some potatoes in hot oil, the oil will splatter, not only on you, but on your walls, your stove and your kitchen floor. It took me about an hour to prep the soup of nine ingredients. I peeled and chopped the potatoes, was educated on the proper cleaning of leeks by a very helpful website, cleaned the leeks, cut the leeks, realized I absolutely detest the smell of leeks, chopped up parsley and squeezed a lemon. I began by heating some oil in a pan and figured it was about time to slide in the vegetables, when oil splashed in my face and clung to every surface in a 5-foot radius. After my mom heard my screams of, “Oh Golly!,” “Ahh! Hot oil!!” and “HELP me somebody!!” she came to my aid and rescued me by taking the pan off the burner and turning it off. After that, things went pretty smoothly. I added some water and let it simmer for a while, then blended it and added cream, salt and lemon juice, and it was ready. As I sipped my soup, I realized that years ago, Child made this same soup for dinner one day just like I had today, and I felt connected to her in some uncanny distant way. Now, this was not just a writing project but a voyage to the past, to go back into Child’s kitchen and feel what she felt while cooking her masterpieces.

Despite persistent scrubbing, my hands still smelled like leeks the next day … and the day after that.

...

Next, I made Child’s Floating Islands. I picked this recipe simply because I liked the name. When my sister saw what I was making, she asked me why the heck I was making an island for a cooking project. This dessert is fluffy and creamy. With a mere dozen eggs, you, too, can make it! Yeah, that’s right – 12 eggs. Well, six yolks and 12 whites to be more specific. There are three elements to the collaborative dessert, crème anglaise, meringue and homemade caramel sauce. Not expecting it to take 3½ hours, I started at 7:30 on a school night. Going to bed at 11 p.m. and waking up 30 minutes late the next morning were worth it though, because Child’s Floating Islands are so very good! The crème is a mixture of six egg yolks, sugar, hot milk, a little vanilla, a pinch of salt and, of course, butter. The yolks must be whipped into a frenzy with the sugar, then adding hot milk, bringing it to a simmer, and then adding the other goodies. Quick, right? Wrong. The yolks would not be brought to “the simmer” no matter what I tried. Finally, after about 30 minutes of my mom and I taking turns slowly whisking, it simmered. But maybe I should not be complaining because once the crème was done, it was liquid sunset: warm, sugary and creamy. Not that I taste-tested it multiple times or anything. I threw that in the fridge and got to work on the meringue. For my first meringue, it came out beautifully. I whipped and whipped some more until the shiny sugar peaks popped up with the mixer, then turned it in to a powdered sugar-coated pan and placed it in the oven. I felt the pride of a peacock when I lifted it out of the oven 35 minutes later. The caramel sauce was a bit of a challenge, and I’m still not sure I did it right, but whatever, it was scrumptious. Sugar, water, a splash of cream and a hunk of butter blended together to make the sauce that was drizzled over the “islands” of meringue in the sea of crème. I got tingly chills, the kind that I only get from things like listening to Susan Boyle singing “Auld Lang Syne” or seeing Army heroes returning home.

I sat on my kitchen floor at 10:45 p.m. and ate the islands while basking in my newfound confidence as a chef, knowing I had just made Child proud.

...

Did you know that “a casserole,” as Child said, can cost as much as $100! Apparently this special dish, a Dutch oven-type of thing, is what you “must” use to make Boeuf Bourguignon, which is technically glorified beef stew. This demanding stew calls for a pound of bacon, three pounds of stew beef and three cups of beef stock, oil, an onion, 20 small onions (whatever those are), a bottle of red wine and some seasoning and herbs. Clearly, it is not for vegetarians, or for high school journalists who have to fund their own experiments. But hey, why not give it a shot? Well before I do, I’m going to have to break the bank and actually buy a casserole pot/oven thing.

I found a 3-quart casserole for $25 at Big Lots – oh goodie!

I took the smoky flavor out of the bacon by blanching it and then fried it. Happy that I had an excuse to eat some bacon, I bit into it and then realized why blanching bacon is not common practice. It was gross. I then cut up the beef and browned it. This is honestly the most raw meat I’ve ever touched. I usually have my mom do the dirty work, but since this was my project, it was my bloody meat. I was happily chopping up vegetables and sautéing them in a frying pan when disaster struck. As my perky little orange carrot pieces sizzled away, sparks flew out from the bottom of the pan and shot up into the air. Screaming for my mother, I realized that the coil on our electric stove had a melty and burned up spot. When my mom came to the rescue once again, she shrieked and realized that our freak explosive stove coil had blown a hole right through her favorite nonstick pan … oops. But at least the carrots were now ready to go into the brand new orange casserole. Forgetting that I was only doing a half recipe, I poured a whole bottle of wine in, not realizing until it was going into the oven with an herb bouquet (made by yours truly). This resulted in a longer cooking time, so dinner was a tad late. Ah, what is a mere hour for a culinary masterpiece? When it came out of the oven, cooked pearl onions and butter-sautéed mushrooms were thrown in and it was ready. It wasn’t too bad, except for the strong taste of cooked wine. But at the end of the day, I realized why people don’t cook this stuff anymore, like for real, who has the time to wait three hours for dinner? It was decided unanimously by the family to throw out the recipe.

...

Some things I learned:

Potage – I learned what “simmer” means and figured out my blender is a rather cool hunk of metal. Clean leeks only with gloves on!

Floating Islands – Meringue is a beautiful thing and worth every egg white used.

Boeuf Bourguignon – Remember, if you cut the recipe in half, don’t pour in a whole bottle of wine. Just make beef stew … seriously.

...

This experience has given me a few notches in my belt as far as cooking with hot oil, meringue and spark-spraying stove coils. I loved it. It made me warm inside to cook for my family. The sensation came as I saw their faces light up upon sinking their teeth into meringue and sipping potage. Though we all gained a few pounds from Julia Child’s dishes, I couldn’t have felt closer to what she might have felt as a chef.



Sabina Mogavero is a freshman at Pioneer High School. ]]> Wed, 8 May 2013 20:47:33 -0400 By Sabina Mogavero

NeXt Correspondent

]]> <![CDATA[ Program grooms students into leaders ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130509/LIFE04/130509305/1306
Established more than 25 years ago, Leadership Buffalo aims – through a variety of programs – to unite diverse leaders from all over the region, as well as develop and groom the next generation of leaders in Western New York. One of those programs is Youth Leadership Erie County, which takes young potential leaders from all over WNY and grooms them into the future pillars of the community. With the ultimate goal of putting Buffalo back on the map – and for all the right reasons – YLEC is playing a big part in achieving that dream.

Founded in 1987 by Susy Warren, YLEC has provided high school students, sophomores to seniors, with a way to experience a side of Buffalo they haven’t seen before.

“Our endgame is to make Buffalo better,” says Althea Luehrsen, the fourth executive director of Leadership Buffalo and a graduate of LB herself. “Kids in YLEC get to be immersed in a part of Buffalo they never knew existed.”

Although YLEC is optimistic about the potential of the city and its bright young minds, it knows that Buffalo has its fair share of problems.

“Sometimes the kids see the challenges we have in Buffalo, but we also help them look at it from a glass half-full perspective, so they can say, ‘OK, we have some challenges in our community, but what can we do to make it better?’ ” Luehrsen said.

Actually, the kids in the 2013 class of YLEC have been working to achieve that goal. They work in teams on community service projects, from a graffiti cleanup to helping newly arrived immigrants become acclimated to the community to cleaning up LaSalle Park, as Park School senior Nadierah Sanders and her group, “Open and Change,” are planning to do.

These teams are assisted by mentors, people from businesses and organizations around Buffalo that help mold and shape the kids’ projects. But this isn’t a case of the adults doing the kids’ jobs for them – in fact, they have very high praise for the students.

“These are some the most creative kids I’ve ever worked with. It’s just been really fun,” said mentor Kathleen Ballard.

Another mentor, Mark Anderson, added, “The kids create the project. The mentors just help mold it into shape.”

Of course, all the work that YLEC does would be moot if the kids didn’t enjoy it. However, they give glowing reviews for YLEC.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” says Madeline Caywood, a sophomore at City Honors School. “Everyone’s really friendly, and the whole thing is really interesting.”

Monica Schubbe, a junior at Immaculata Academy, adds, “I learned that Buffalo offers a lot more than I thought. I would definitely do it again.”

“I learned a lot more about how the city works together, and I saw different areas that I normally don’t see,” said Kayleigh Godfrey, a junior at Nardin Academy.

Add in that it also looks great on a college resume, and the students have a recipe for a fulfilling experience.

Buffalo has been making strides in working to improve its image and make the city a destination for business and commerce, and YLEC is playing a role in this citywide face-lift. Helping to foster and retain sharp young people in Western New York might help to make a difference – not to mention how much the students learn and how much fun they have.



Zachary Jabine is a freshman at City Honors. ]]> Wed, 8 May 2013 20:43:45 -0400 By Zachary Jabine

NeXt Correspondent

]]> <![CDATA[ Horse-riding sisters stay connected to classroom ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130502/LIFE04/130509930/1306
All three girls participate in the prestigious FTI Winter Equestrian Festival at Wellington in West Palm Beach, Fla., better known as simply “Wellington.”

“Wellington is the equestrian circuit where riders come from all over the world,” said the girls’ mother, Vicki Gordon Hamill. “[The girls] have friends from all over the world and the States, as the majority of the riders are not from Florida.”

The 12-week circuit is essentially an international equestrian event that many young riders dream of attending.

MacKenzie, 17, is a junior at Nichols School and has been competing since age 8, and riding since she was 4 years old. MacKenzie had been a contender in circuits in places like Mississippi and Ocala, Fla., until three years ago when she made the switch to Wellington. Accepted at Nichols as a sophomore, MacKenzie flies to Florida every Thursday evening to show the long weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), and flies home on Sunday night in order to be at school the following day.

“My dad went to Nichols, and I really wanted to come here,” MacKenzie said. “It seemed like a great school, and it is really supportive. I just have to handle school with keeping my grades up and riding.

“My mom used to ride when she was younger,” added MacKenzie. “I went to Canada to a farm of a family friend when I was little, and I knew that I wanted to ride.”

Vikki Gordon Hamill still remembers the days of bringing school materials to extensive equine competitions such as Wellington. The Hamills have been going south to pursue their sport for the past eight years, and originally they had to pack a suitcase of books and lists of schoolwork that needed to be completed. Communication consisted of lots of faxing and mailing between the girls, their tutors and their schools in order to make their complex situation work.

“Usually I would get all my work in different folders for each class and then do it when I was down there,” said Delaney, 15, a freshman at Nichols.

Delaney has been riding since she was 2 years old, and showing at Wellington for three years.

“I always loved animals, horses and dogs,” she said.

Delaney also remembers going to Canada when she was young. “When my mom brought me up to Canada,” she said, “the first time I saw the horses I fell in love. I knew that I wanted to ride horses.”

Delaney keeps connected to the classroom in a unique way. Her physics teacher, Josh Ring, wears a special headpiece throughout his class that allows Delaney to upload everything that happened in class. Everything that is written on the Smart Board rides the cyber airwaves right to her laptop so that she doesn’t miss a beat while at Wellington.

“I can watch the class as he is teaching it,” said Delaney. “Nichols also has a website, Schoology.”

“The teachers each have their own pages, where they post all their notes,” said MacKenzie. “You just have to make up your tests and stay on top of it.”

MacKenzie and Delaney are not the only Hamills to figure out how to communicate with the classroom while maintaining a busy riding schedule. Ten-year-old Reilly, the youngest of the three sisters, is a fourth-grader at Elmwood Franklin School. Reilly keeps up with her social studies class by utilizing the popular application FaceTime on an iPad.

“She tunes into class and sits through the class, listening and answering questions,” said Vicki Gordon Hamill. “This was new to us this year, and it was great. I really have to commend her, and MacKenzie and Delaney, too.”

“Educators really have changed with the times,” she said. “It’s really very interesting how people change. At one point Nichols really didn’t support the balance of being away for an amount of time. It does interrupt the teachers’ schedules. Elmwood Franklin (where all three girls have attended) always was very supportive of the sport and accommodated them with their riding. We are lucky to have two schools in this area that support the sport like they do. It’s amazing how the education for these young equestrian athletes has evolved with schools that are willing to change with the times. It’s a win-win situation through the education and the riding.

“The girls also have tutors in Wellington,” said Hamill. “They are there for the full amount of time. This being MacKenzie’s junior year, I didn’t want to pull her out fully for the time she spends down in Wellington. She checks in with tutors in Wellington, and takes her tests. It’s important to maintain the connection to the classroom.

“A lot of dedication goes into this sport,” she added. “My girls miss out on a lot of things that their peers regularly do. But you have to either do it or you don’t when you start investing in these creatures. There’s a lot of discipline on both parts. You get up early, do your riding, lessons and training, and then it’s your responsibility to do your schoolwork. The athletes have to make their sport work if they are truly dedicated.”

The Hamills board their horses at Stepping Stone Farm in Albany. The horses are shipped when the girls need to show them in Wellington, and they also ride some horses owned by other people in the show circuit. They do have one pony in Western New York at the Buffalo Equestrian Center on Amherst Street.

This year produced some excellent results for the Hamill girls.

“I did well this year. I had a new horse, so I was still getting the hang of him,” said MacKenzie. “I wasn’t down there training with him during the week. I improved on getting the basics down that I will hopefully be able to carry onto the pros, and I understand how the sport and everything fits together. When I turn 18, I won’t be a junior rider anymore, so by that time I hope to do the Grand Prix and compete against the top riders in the U.S.”

“I did really well actually,” said Delaney. “I ended up with two circuit champions [the highest awards]. One of these noteworthy designations was for equitation [judged on the rider’s position and riding ability rather than the horse itself] for ages 12-14, and the other was for the Children’s Jumper class. My biggest goal is to compete against the top riders in the country. I’d love to win an Equitation Final some day.”

Reilly did well showing the ponies as well.



Emily DelSignore is a sophomore at Williamsville South High School. ]]> Thu, 2 May 2013 10:21:05 -0400 By Emily DelSignore

NeXt Correspondent

]]> <![CDATA[ Hype: What’s happening for teens ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130502/LIFE04/130509923/1306 MOVIES: Opening Friday, “Iron Man 3” (PG-13); coming May 10, “The Great Gatsby” (PG-13).

NEW ON DVD: “The Guilt Trip” (PG-13).

CONCERTS: L.A. Guns with HairNation, 7 p.m. today, the Icehouse, 512 Third St., Niagara Falls.

David Nail with West of the Mark, 7 p.m. Friday, the Icehouse, 512 Third St., Niagara Falls.

Steve Augeri, 8 p.m. Friday, Seneca Niagara Casino Bear’s Den, 310 Fourth St., Niagara Falls.

Hunt Real Estate Art of Jazz Series with Gretchen Parlato, 8 p.m. Saturday, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave.

Bruce Wojick, 8 p.m. Saturday, Tralf, 622 Main St.

Volbeat with All That Remains and Eye Empire, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Rapids Theatre, 1711 Main St., Niagara Falls.

Limp Bizkit, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Town Ballroom, 681 Main St.

Chappo, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Tralf, 622 Main St.

POETRY: Silo City Reading Series with Joe Hall, 7 p.m. Saturday, Silo City, 92 Childs St.

THEATER: “Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff,” 7 p.m. Tuesday through next Thursday.To make your prom experience more memorable for everyone, preparedness is key. Here are a few tips for the big night:

• Make sure you have enough money in case of emergencies.

• Abstain from any drugs and alcohol that may be secretly presented at prom or the after party.

• Set up a curfew time with your parents so they know when to expect you home.

• Have an emergency contact list stored in your phone.

– Alexis Segarra, junior, Frederick Law Olmsted School No. 156Choose your own color and flavor combinations for these luscious homemade lollipops. For each, place three Jolly Rancher hard candies side by side on a baking sheet that’s been covered with foil then topped with parchment paper. Leave space on the sheet for a lollipop stick. Bake at 275 degrees for about 6 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and immediately place the stick into the candy, rolling it a bit to ensure a good bond. Let the candy cool.

– Family Fun magazine“She’s a cool chick. We can hang, and she can roll with the punches.”

– Bradley Cooper, on living with mom Gloria, to Details magazine ]]> Wed, 1 May 2013 22:29:55 -0400 <![CDATA[ Kidbits: For the younger set ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130502/LIFE04/130509924/1306 “The Girl From Felony Bay” by J.E. Thompson; HarperCollins, $16.99.

A South Carolina author has written a thrilling mystery with an interesting setting – South Carolina low country sea islands.

Abbey Force, 11, has had a terrible year: Her father, a lawyer, is in a coma in the hospital after an accident that also saw him accused of a jewelry theft from a wealthy elderly client. The Reward Plantation that had been in their family for generations had to be sold. Plus Abbey (whose mother died of cancer years before) now has to live with her father’s nasty brother Charles and his wife, Ruth. And transfer to a new school.

But then she meets Bee, daughter of the new owner of Reward Plantation, and Bee has troubles of her own. The girls’ explorations of nearby Felony Bay turn up a mystery: Who has bought the property and put up No Trespassing Signs and why are they digging huge holes on the beach?

This nifty mystery has lots of surprise twists and turns and a fascinating setting, complete with poisonous snakes and a giant alligator named Green Lucy.

– Jean WestmooreDo you like to sing? Theatre of Youth will be holding auditions for its 2013 holiday musical at 5 p.m. Monday in the Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. TOY is looking for 12 girls between the ages of 9 and 12 with some acting and singing experience. Parents can call 884-4400, Ext. 304, between 5 and 6 p.m. today to make an appointment. For more information, visit www.theatreofyouth.org.Why did the American Revolution begin in Massachusetts? For more than a decade, tensions between Great Britain and the American Colonies ran high. The British had passed a series of laws to increase their control over the Colonies. Colonies protested these laws, particularly in Massachusetts. To punish the colony, the British refused to let Massachusetts rule itself. Instead, the king sent royal governors to run the colony. In 1775, Britain declared Massachusetts (particularly Boston) to be in rebellion. The British sent troops to put down the “revolt.”

– Time Big Book of Why ]]> Wed, 1 May 2013 22:29:50 -0400 <![CDATA[ Commentary: The Bills get a quarterback, gain speed in draft ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130502/LIFE04/130509925/1306
The Bills had the eighth overall pick going into the draft, and many wondered if the Bills would go after a quarterback. With the Bills in dire need of a franchise quarterback, many analysts and fans thought the team would select Geno Smith from the University of West Virginia, the No. 1 rated quarterback of this year’s draft class. Others thought the Bills would select Ryan Nassib, quarterback from Syracuse Universtiy who has strong ties to new head coach Doug Marrone and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

But the Bills surprised everyone when they traded back to the 16th pick and selected EJ Manuel, quarterback from Florida State University.

Manuel is 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, and known for his strong throwing arm. Manuel is not polished enough to be an NFL starting quarterback, but he may have the biggest upside of any QB selected this year: He’s a very good runner with the football. Many comparisons have been made between Manuel and NFL stars Robert Griffin III, Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick, all known for their stellar ability to run the ball.

The Bills hopefully have selected their next franchise quarterback in Manuel, who has strong ties to Bills’ great Bruce Smith. They come from the same hometown in Virginia, and Smith has been a mentor to Manuel.

Manuel seems excited to come to Buffalo and work with the Bills. He appears to be intelligent on and off the field. He received All-ACC academic honors and has even begun taking master’s level courses at FSU as a fifth-year senior. Manuel respects coaches and teachers, and is a very humble player as evidenced by his presence during interviews with the media.

Another position where the Bills need help is at wide receiver. The Bills hope they have found that player in Robert Woods, their second-round pick from the University of Southern California. Also at receiver, the Bills chose Marquise Goodwin from the University of Texas in the third round.

The Bills also picked up ex-Tennessee Volunteer Da’Rick Rogers as a rookie free agent. He has had off-the-field issues but has the potential to become a tremendous talent.

The Bills seem to be geared up for speed next season with their draft additions to go along with running back C.J. Spiller. But the main question is: Can Manuel perform as an NFL quarterback? Can he lead the Bills to the promised land?



Wesley Watson is a sophomore at Lancaster High School. ]]> Wed, 1 May 2013 22:29:48 -0400 By Wesley Watson

NeXt Correspondent

]]> <![CDATA[ Hypable.com gives you your entertainment fix ]]> http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130502/LIFE04/130509926/1306
But we are a technological people. We like to get our information fast, from one place in a matter of seconds without having to spend hours searching the Web for the latest “Catching Fire” casting information. (We don’t want our favorite fandoms to completely take over our lives more than they already have.)

That’s why Hypable is such an amazing website. You can create an account and personalize it so you can only see the fandoms that you like. You are a complete Potterhead but can’t understand the Twihards of the world? Fine. You can simply check a little box to get only the latest “Harry Potter” information and block all of the pesky “Twilight” info from spamming your news feed.

Hypable has everything. “Modern Family.” “The Hobbit.” “Doctor Who.” “Disney.” The list goes on and on, and it even has podcasts for many of the different fandoms. (Many an hour driving to work has been passed by listening to “MuggleCast” and “The Animation Addicts Podcast.” I think that I officially have no life.)

The best part of this website is that it is written by fans. There is no 50-something sitting behind a desk saying, “Hmm ... A lot of people are talking about this ‘Ender’s Game’ thing. Maybe I should write about that.” The latest “Ender’s Game” information is instead written by the person who has grown up reading all of Orson Scott Card’s books, has attended his writing classes in North Carolina, and has mercilessly sobbed every time the “Ender’s Game” movie has been canceled.

Hypable also has fun articles, author interviews and breaking information. (I am still heartbroken by Hypable’s announcement that there will be no “Friends” movie to be released in 2014. Some scammer who keeps saying that there will be a movie is really starting to mess with my heart.)

You can find all of this and more at www.hypable.com.



Alissa Roy is a senior at Springville-Griffith Institute. ]]> Wed, 1 May 2013 22:29:46 -0400 By Alissa Roy

NeXt Correspondent

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