991119 Are Reusable Bags Dangerous? – Michael

November 15, 2010
Are Reusable Bags Dangerous?
After a report finds high levels of lead in reusable grocery bags, a U.S. senator calls for the government to investigate
BY JAIME JOYCE

To help the environment, many Americans have made the switch from paper and plastic bags to reusable grocery bags. But a report by a Florida newspaper says that reusable grocery bags sold by some supermarkets contain high levels of lead. Lead is a metal that can be harmful to humans, especially young children. Now, Senator Charles Schumer, of New York, is asking the U.S. government to investigate the use of lead in reusable shopping bags.
"When our families go to the grocery store looking for safe and healthy foods to feed their kids, the last thing they should have to worry about are toxic bags, "Schumer said in a statement. "A quick and thorough investigation will allow everyone to make informed, timely decisions," Schumer added.
Shoppers, Beware





A store clerk in Connecticut packs groceries in a reusable shopping bag. This bag was not tested in the Florida study.

The Tampa Tribune newspaper, in Tampa, Florida, bought more than a dozen bags from Florida supermarkets. They paid a lab to test the bags for lead. The results showed that certain bags sold at Publix and Winn-Dixie supermarkets had lead levels that were a concern to health officials. Some bags had enough lead that they could be considered hazardous waste if people were to throw the bags out with their household trash.
Lead in the bags is not likely to rub off on food. But over time, paint on the bags can chip and the bags can wear out. When this happens, lead can be released.
What Consumers Can Do
The affected bags were found in Florida. But Publix has more than 1,000 stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. Publix says that all of its bags comply with current federal laws regarding lead content, but that they have asked the makers of the bags to reduce the lead levels in the product.
Winn-Dixie has hundreds of stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Officials at Winn-Dixie say refunds will be given to customers who return the bags.
The bags with the highest levels of lead had fancy designs and many pictures. Plain reusable bags without decoration were found to contain little lead. Consumers worried about lead levels in reusable bags can switch to cloth or string bags. Paper bags are also a good choice, since paper can be recycled.
Since 2007, Publix supermarkets have sold more than 13 million reusable bags. The store says because shoppers have made the switch to reusable bags, it has saved more than 1 billion paper and plastic bags.


http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,2031453,00.html


991119 Are Reusable Bags Dangerous? – Michael
Reusable bags are good for the environment but if the reusable bags are not good for the environment then people will not use it. There is a report wrote by a Florida newspaper said that the reusable grocery bags were sold by some supermarkets and the reusable grocery bags contain high levels of lead. That is very bad to human because lead we harm our body especially to children and babies. Lead will cause potentially permanent learning and behavior disorders to children. So, Senator Charles Schumer, of New York, is asking the U.S. government to investigate the use of lead in reusable shopping bags. If there are a lot of leads in the bag then the US government might tell the company that produces the bags to stop producing it. I think using paper bag is another good way to help the environment because paper bag can be recycled. When you use the lead bag for a long time the paint on it will chip off the bag easily and then the lead will be release and then children or adults that are not careful might eat the lead. Our body will think that the lead is a different kind of metal and start using it instead of using the original metal and that is how you let your body start to get worse.

991112 Justin Bieber Tells All-Michael

November 10, 2010
Justin Bieber Tells All
The pop star talks to TFK about his new autobiography, First Step 2 Forever: My Story
BY TFK KID REPORTER TAYLOR PANNELL

Justin Bieber is giving fans a sneak peek into his world with his new autobiography, First Step 2 Forever: My Story, on sale now. In the book, the singer describes his road to fame, from his first video on YouTube to his superstar status today. Readers are also treated to never-before-seen photos of Justin onstage and off.


COURTESY HARPER COLLINS

TFK Kid Reporter Taylor Pannell with Justin Bieber.

The 16-year-old pop sensation spoke to TFK about his decision to tell his story. Read on to see what Justin said about who he looks up to, how he deals with being in the spotlight, and more.
TFK:
Why did you want to write a book about your life?
JUSTIN BIEBER:
Well, number 1, you are probably wondering why I am wearing glasses. That's because I'm [in a British accent] "an authah." Second, you're probably wondering why I'm talking with a British accent. Well, most authors have British accents, so it's just another trademark . Just kidding! No, seriously. I decided to write a book because my fans needed to hear something from my perspective.
TFK:
What is the best part of writing a book?
JUSTIN:
Being able to put everything in my own words and being able to tell everyone how I'm feeling.
TFK:
What do you want people to learn about you?
JUSTIN:
I want people to learn that you can do anything. Just set your mind to it and be motivated to work hard, and anything is possible.
TFK:
Who do you look up to?
JUSTIN:
I look up to Shaquille O'Neal because he's tall, so I always look up to him. I can't look down on him. No, just kidding. I look up to [musicians like] Michael Jackson, Boys II Men and Stevie Wonder.
TFK:
What is most challenging about being a star?
JUSTIN:
I don't consider myself a star. I just consider myself a regular kid. I like to hang out with my friends and stuff. It's hard to be away from your friends all the time.
TFK:
How do you stay grounded?
JUSTIN:
I have great family [members] and friends who are always on my back. You know, I don't have people who always say yes to me. If I want something and it's unreasonable, then they'll say no. That really keeps me grounded. Reading the Bible keeps me grounded, too.
TFK:
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
JUSTIN:
I like to hang out with my friends, play basketball and play Xbox.
TFK:
Where do you get ideas for songs?
JUSTIN:
Some of them are just ideas in my head that I just think of and some of them are actual stories.
TFK:
Which of your songs is your favorite?
JUSTIN:
My favorite song is "Down to Earth."
TFK:
People are always talking about you. Some of the comments are positive. Some are negative. How do you deal with all of that?
JUSTIN:
I just live my life, and I don't really pay attention to it.
TFK:
You've worked with some incredible people. Do you ever feel nervous or intimidated?
JUSTIN:
Not really. They're just regular people, so I don't really feel nervous.
TFK:
What do you think you'll be doing 10 years from now?
JUSTIN:
Ten years from now, like, exactly this time of day? Ten years from now, I'll probably be celebrating the 10th year anniversary of you asking me this question. [Laughs] Just kidding. Ten years from now I'll probably be making music—good music.

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,2030729,00.html

991112 Justin Bieber Tells All-Michael
Justin Bieber is a new star. He is famous all over the world. I like him a lot too because his songs are all great! He wrote a new autobiography called First Step 2 Forever: My Story. This book talks about how he succeeds. From his first video on YouTube to a big global superstar that is famous all over the world. In First Step 2 Forever, Justin Bieber tells the story of his amazing journey from small-town schoolboy to global superstar. He designed a jam-packed full of exclusive photos and other things else! Although, he has been a global superstar he is still a sixteen years old teenager he still needs his own life. When he isn’t singing he is just a normal teenager and likes to hang out with friends. They go to play together just like the others. His songs are also very popular such as “Baby” this song has received over three hundred and fifty millions hits on YouTube. This is very cool because it has the most hits on YouTube! And all his songs have received over one billion hits! That is incredible! So, I think Justin Bieber is a successful superstar!

991105 Making Halloween Count-Michael

October 29, 2010
Making Halloween Count
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF celebrates its 60th anniversary on Sunday
BY VICKIE AN

Kids nationwide will be doing more than collecting sweet treats this Halloween. They'll be helping needy children around the world too. You'll recognize these Halloween helpers by the bright orange donation boxes they'll be carrying. The easy-to-spot box is a signature item of the annual Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign.












Disney star Selena Gomez is the national spokesperson for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.

UNICEF, or the United Nations Children's Fund, was founded in 1946. It was originally created to help children who were struggling from the devastating effects of World War II. Today, the humanitarian organization provides millions of kids all over the globe with clean water, improved nutrition, health care, access to education and emergency assistance.
More than two million children nationwide are expected to take part in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF on Sunday. The Halloween campaign turns 60 this year.
No Tricks, Just Treats
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF got its start with a family in Pennsylvania, in 1950. The year before, shortly after Halloween, Mary Emma Allison and her three children were shopping in downtown Philadelphia when they stumbled upon a UNICEF parade. The colorful march featured kids dressed in costumes representing countries across the globe. A banner caught Allison's eye. It read: "One cent will buy 20 glasses of milk."
The chance encounter gave Allison an idea. Instead of just collecting candy on Halloween, why not do something good and collect money for UNICEF, too? The following Halloween, the Allison family, their neighbors and their church friends went door-to-door with decorated milk cartons, collecting spare change to send to UNICEF. Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF was born.
Kids Helping Kids
Today, the annual Halloween drive has raised over $160 million for UNICEF programs in more than 150 countries and territories. Through the years, the program has received support from U.S. Presidents, TV shows, celebrities and more.
One celebrity who is passionate about UNICEF's mission is Wizards of Waverly Place actress Selena Gomez. This Halloween marks Selena's third year as the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF national spokesperson. At 18, the Disney Channel star is UNICEF's youngest ambassador. She hopes to use her role to inspire other young people to take action.
"Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is the original kids-helping-kids campaign," says Selena. "Participating in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, or any of UNICEF's campaigns, allows me to use my voice and mobilize my peers to be active members of our global community."
Singing for a Cause
On October 26, Selena used her voice in another way by putting on a charity concert for fans in Hollywood, California. She and her band, The Scene, performed acoustic versions of songs from their two albums, A Year Without Rain and Kiss & Tell. Proceeds from the concert will go to supporting UNICEF programs. Selena urged everyone in the audience to carry UNICEF's signature orange collection box when they go trick-or-treating on Sunday.
"With UNICEF, a little bit goes a long way," Selena told TFK. "Every little bit helps ensure that UNICEF can continue its lifesaving work." To learn more, go to trickortreatforunicef.org.


http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,2028268,00.html

991105 Making Halloween Count-Michael
Halloween is a special holiday in the western countries. They celebrate Halloween on October thirty first. On that day, children will wear scary costumes such as ghost, vampire, and wizards. But the UNICEF or the United Nations Children's Fund had started raising money for children it let the traditional Halloween became very different! Instead of collecting candy the Allison family started to collect money and sent the money to the UNICEF for children. Today the annual Halloween has raised over one hundred and sixty million for UNICEF. This year, the UNICEF marks Selena Gomez as the spokesman for raising money. I think that it will be a lot of fun this Halloween.