APRIL, 22nd : EARTH DAY

Earth Day is a day which has been designated for people all over the world to show that they care for the environment, to act out against pollution, and to work towards the protection of endangered species. Earth Day is commemorated on April 22, although when this day falls during the week, events are often held on the nearest weekend.
The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. About 20 million Americans took part in the first Earth Day, attending protests against the destruction of the environment.
In the same year, the American Government created the Environmental Protection Agency and the environmental movement has continued to grow ever since.
Earth Day is often observed by doing earth-friendly projects such as recycling or planting trees. Some people have taken part in ‘energy fasts' where for the duration of the day they endeavour to not use man-made pollution-causing energy.
Concerts and walks are often held on Earth Day, and each year the Earth Day Fair is held in Central Park, New York
In 1990, the first International Earth Day was organized. More than 200 million people took part from more than 141 countries. Each year this number continues to grow.

WHAT CAN ONE PERSON DO TO HELP STOP GLOBAL WARMING ?

A lot! Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere from our normal daily activities. Carbon dioxide contributes to global warming. Leaving the water running while you brush your teeth, having Mom or Dad drive you to school instead of walking and throwing out a paper cup after one use, are bad for the environment.

Here Are 10 Things You Can Do to Help Stop Global Warming:

1. When you change a light, replace a regular bulb with a more energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulb.

2. Drive less ! Walk, bike, use public transportation like a subway, bus or even car pool. Talk to your parents about considering a hybrid, or alternative fuel vehicle.

3. Recycle more ! Think before you throw away trash. Recycle instead. Cut down on how much you throw in the trash, which ultimately ends up in a landfill. And be sure to take e-waste, like computers, cell phones and hazardous waste to a special recycling facility.

4. Avoid products with a lot of packaging ! When it comes to your shopping habits, consider buying products that are better for the environment or that are made from recycled materials, and have less or no packaging. And when it comes to food, support local farmers markets.

5. Use less hot water ! It takes a lot of energy to heat water..

6. Adjust your thermostat ! Moving your thermostat down 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in summer can save a lot of energy. And ask your parents if your local utility company offers alternative power. If so, consider switching.

7. Plant a tree ! A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.

8. Turn off electronic devices ! Simply turning off your TV, DVD player, stereo, and unplugging your iPod and cell phone charger when not in use, will save you thousands of pounds of CO2 a year.

9. Spread the word ! Talk to your friends, family and school teachers. Teach them what you've learned and make your house and school as green as possible. Think of ways to raise awareness & educate others, create fund-raisers in your local community to make a change.

10. Go Green ! Work to make these changes in your daily life so it becomes second nature.

FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL COUPLE ON UK STATE VISIT

On March, 26th President Nicolas Sarkozy began the first state visit to Britain by a French president in 12 years.
During his two-day trip, he has been a guest of Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, he has held talks with British Prime minister Gordon Brown and has addressed members of both Houses of Parliament.
Thousands lined the streets to welcome the couple, whose visit comes just weeks after they married following a whirlwind romance. And on arrival, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh seemed to fall under her spell too.
The highlight of the visit for the Queen was the state banquet at Windsor Castle, which took months of planning. They had a sumptuous four-course meal including turbot, noisettes of lamb and rhubarb pudding washed down with Krug 1982 champagne.

The president had earlier received a standing ovation in Parliament after delivering a speech in which he outlined his new vision of Anglo-French relations.
Instead of the famed Entente Cordiale, he said, it was time for an Entente Amicale - our two nations should become close friends rather than just allies.
Paying tribute to British sacrifices in the two world wars, he said: "France will never forget that when it was virtually wiped out, it was Britain who stood by us."
( adapted from The Daily Mirror)

HARLEM

VARIATION ON THE SAME THEME : Imagine you grew up in Harlem. Write about your childhood

MARGAUX ( 3°4 )
During my childhood, I lived in Harlem, to the north of Manhattan. At first, I had good marks but I was considered as a traitor. Then , I decided to get bad marks in order to be accepted. My parents didn't undertand, but I was happy, I had friends. After school,with my friends, we used to smoke cigarettes and drugs to be cool and to be accepted in a group. Sometimes, when I wasn't respected, my parents encouraged me to fight, it was the one solution. Besides, I went downtown Manhattan and the kids rejected me just because I lived in a shabby area and Ididn't have as much money as them.
All my childhod was a battle in order to be accepted and respected. Now, I have managed to have a normal life, with a wife and children, but I can't forget that period of my life.

ANNA-CHARLOTTE ( 3°4 )

When I was a child, I lived in Harlem, a destitute area of New York. It was a world apart. I lived in a shabby neighborhood where there were unemployed people, junkies and ethnic problms.
I was used to fighting in order to be accepted. My parents even urged me to fight whenever I felt threatened !
We weren't used to communicating to solve our problems. We had to show that we weren't cowards. We had to show that we were tough guys.
Besides, I was in a very strict school which took a hard line with the pupils. If a student broke the rules, he was automatically thrown out.However, being good at school was considered as acting white, so good pupils had to get bad marks in order not to be rejected. I was quite clever but I wanted to be accepted, so I deceived the others by getting bad marks. So, I eventually failed. Nevertheless, I later resumed my studies and now, I live downtown Manhattan !

LUCIE ( 3°4 )

My parents and I came to Harlem in 1958. Since this moment, I really had to be strong. Harlem was a world apart, so different from downtown Manhattan. Iwas living in a derelict, destitute area, wih drug-dealers.
I remembr my first day of school very well. I was walking in a crowded corridor when I pushed a boy, unintentionally. The boy thought I wanted to "diss" him, which meant to disrespect him. A fight started between him and other guys, but the principal came and separated them. I was afraid. I have seen so many fights start just because of a simple glance.Thus, the kids of Harlem were used to fighting to solve their problems.
Likwise, I was sometimes getting A's and one day, I was told that I was a traitor. Indeed, I was acting white, which was a lack of respect for our culture.
My parents even urged me to fight to earn respect whenever I was threatened. But I didn't want to, all the more so as I was weak.
Luckily, thanks to some people, Harlem has become a better place.

VICTOR ( 3°6 )

I spent my childhood in a world apart. Harlem is the worst city I've ever seen. In Harlem, there are no laws except the law of the fittest.
I remember I used to work badly not to be a traitor. I used to fight with the other gangs. My best friend was killed in Harlem. When I was six, my brother was kidnapped by the worst gang of Harlem because my father had killed one of them, which was amazing.
I remember Mr Kostakis was the principal of my school but I got excluded because I had dealt some drugs to pay the rent of our flat, therefore, I became homeless.
I wrote this book to make teenagers aware of the educational problems in Harlem. Today, I live in Harlem and there are still the same problems. Unfortunately, Mr Kostakis has died, killed by a hispanic gang. Then, the school got closed and the war of the gangs has continued, which is stupid. That's why I have decided to build a school which isn't compulsory and only the most motivated students attend it and there are a lot of teenagers who want to succeed in their studies.

OLIVIA ( 3°5 )

I've spent my childhood in Harlem. I know what you're thnking about ! Yes, I'm white and my parents were white too, but they weren't rich. That's why I used to live there...That underprivileged area wasn't that bad. Don't you believe me ? Let me explain...
In Harlem, there's the law of the jungle: the stronger you are, the better it is. If you don't fight, they will hit you anyway. Imagine me, the little white, nerdy boy ! No need to tell you they weren't nice to me, especially because I was the only one who was getting good marks. " having good marks is acting white", they used to say.
Now you're thinking : "Oh, my god! It must have been terrible! Why did you say it wasn't that bad ? ". Well, my dear readers, I'm going to tell you...
Even though it was really hard, ( I don't even remember how many times I've cried !). Now, I can say: "I've come a long way !".

JULIA ( 3°4 )

When I was a child, I lived in Harlem which was a dilapidated area. There were a lot of drug-dealers and junkies.

My family was lucky because both of my parents had a job, which wasn't usual when you live in such a poor neighborhood. Although Harlem is situated in Manhattan, it was a world apart. One day, my friends and I went downtown. We felt a lot of anger because the kids of Manhattan didn't have the same standard of living as us. Indeed, we had fewer things than them. The people of Manhattan had beautiful cars, they wore nice clothes...I was jealous. So, I thought I had to study hard in order to have a good job and to improve my situation.

My school was situated in Harlem and it was created out of a former school which was closed down because of its terrible reputation. It became such a good school that it attracted students from all over the city. In Harlem, a lot of kids used to fight to solve their problems, but in the school, fighting and weapons were banned. If a student broke the rules, he was excluded.

This has been efficient because most of us have done long studies. Thanks to these studies, I've got a great job : I am a writer and I live in New York City.

CHARLIE CHAPLIN - Emma G. ( 4°4 )

Charlie Chaplin was born in 1889, in London. His parents were singers, that's why he appeared on the stage when he was only eight. Later, when Charlie was ten, his father died and then his mother had to go to a mental hospital. As she couldn't take care of him any more, Charlie had to go to an orphanage until he found various jobs. In the meantime, he spent a poor and miserable childhood.

From then on, he began a film career in Hollywood, in 1913. Charlie, who was both an actor and a

film director, spent forty years in the States, until he had to leave in 1953 because of political

and personal problems. Meanwhile, he became an extremely popular star who acted in seventy

silent films.

He finally died in Switzerland in 1977, thirty-one years ago.

APRIL FOOLS' DAY HAS GOT FRENCH ORIGINS !

Happy April Fools' Day !
April Fools' Day is about more than playing jokes, tricks and pranks. That's just the most fun part of the day! Check out why we're all so mischievous on April 1st.
The History dates back to the 16th century : France celebrated the New Year just like we do today, except they partied on April 1st. In 1562, Pope Gregory changed the calendar to the one we use today and from then on, the New Year began on January 1st. Lots of people didn't know about the new calendar, or they ignored the new calendar and kept celebrating on April 1st. Everyone else called them April fools and played tricks on them.

In France today, April 1st is called Poisson d'Avril, which means April Fish. Children tape paper fish to their friends' backs and when the young "fool" finds out, the prankster yells "Poisson d'Avril!"
In England, tricks can only be played in the morning. If a trick is played on you, you are a "noodle." In Scotland, you are called an "April gowk," which is another name for a cuckoo bird. In Portugal, pranksters usually throw flour at their friends.

Practical jokes should be done in good fun and not meant to harm anyone. The best jokes are the clever ones where everyone laughs, especially the person who had the joke played on them.
Here are some examples of good jokes :
* Put food coloring in milk.
* Superglue coins to a sidewalk. This works best on an old, worn sidewalk.
* Go with a couple of friends, stand near some busy street corner - stare and point up at the sky. Watch the reactions of people around you!
Click here for more practical jokes for you to pull on your friends and family!

I hid in my mom's closet before she got out of the shower at 6 am. When she got her clothes on and headed out, I grabbed her leg and made her cry!Kidz Submit by:Nickname: pirateAge: 14

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY-MARCH, 17th

For a more official version of the story see : http://www.history.com/

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY -MARCH, 17th- CELEBRATE THE GREEN !!

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY - UNTIL RECENTLY, A MORE AMERICAN THAN IRISH CELEBRATION !

Ironically, for almost its entire history St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated with far greater fanfare in Boston or New York than it was in Galway or Dublin. Until recently Dublin's St. Patrick's Day parade was largely made up of American participants—marching bands and drum majorettes.
In Ireland, banks, stores, and businesses were closed on March 17, but the day was primarily been celebrated as a religious feast day. Until the 1970s, pubs were in fact prohibited from opening on March 17.
In the United States, however, as anyone not color-blind knows, St. Patrick's Day is simply a celebration of Irishness. And as there are 30 million Americans of Irish ancestry, it's no wonder the celebration has been so successful. Compare that to the 4 million Irish living in Ireland.

Since 1995, Irish people have been catching up with the Americans. There are about 100 St Patrick's Day parades in the US whereas there are now about 30 in Ireland. The holiday in Ireland has become a "festival" which expands to a whole week. Last year, more than one million people took part in the festivities in Dublin.

WHO WAS SAINT PATRICK ?

St. Patrick is said to have converted almost all of Ireland to Christianity within his own lifetime. He is now so closely identified with Ireland that his feast day, March 17 (the alleged day of his death), has become a celebration of Irish culture. He is a patron saint of Ireland, Nigeria, excluded people, and engineers.

Patrick is thought to have been born in Britain, perhaps to a Christian family. Tradition has it that he was forced into slavery in Ireland, escaped and became a monk on an island near present-day Cannes, and eventually returned to Ireland as a missionary. There are more legends than facts associated with his work in Ireland; the most famous tells how he banished all the snakes (a pagan symbol) out of Ireland.

Besides being credited with Christianizing Ireland, Patrick is said to have introduced the Roman alphabet and helped to establish a written, and more democratic, legal code.

SAINT PATRICK'S FESTIVAL IN IRELAND

St. Patrick's Festival is Ireland's official celebration for Ireland's national holiday - St. Patrick's Day. Around the globe on the 17th March, Ireland is celebrated with parties and parades but the BIG party is in Ireland where they celebrate in style with five days and nights of fantastic celebratory events, most of which are free!

From March 13th to 17th 2008 there will be so much on offer - music, street theatre, family carnivals, comedy, street performances, dance, a treasure hunt, night spectacles .... culminating on Monday March 17th with the world famous St. Patrick's Day Parade. Over five days, 4000 performers and 1 million people will be celebrating Ireland. So whether you are Irish or just wish you were, Ireland is the place to be next March to enjoy Ireland's biggest party.

On Saint Patrick's Day, lots of people wear green costumes : green jeans, green jumpers, green boots, green hats, and green hair !

What can you eat ? You can eat green sandwiches, green cakes, and have green drinks ! And at McDonald's, guess what ? The hamburgers are green too !

Sometimes, the river Liffey, in Dublin is coloured green too !

STORE WARS

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ebfp_store-wars-vostf

PRESIDENTS' DAY- Third Monday in February

Goeorge Washington

According to the federal government, the holiday observed on the third Monday in February is officially Washington's birthday. But many Americans believe that this holiday is now called "Presidents'Day" in honor of both presidents Washington and Lincoln, whose birthdays are February 22 and Feb. 12, respectively.
The federal holiday was celebrated on Feb. 22 until 1971, when it was moved to the third Monday in February. This means that the holiday is always after Lincoln's birthday and before Washington's birthday without ever coinciding with either.

VALENTINE'S DAY- FEBRUARY 14th

Saint Valentine's Day, Western European Christian holiday, originally the Roman feast of Lupercalia. It was christianized in memory of the martyrdom of St. Valentine in A.D. 270, who, in medieval times, came to be associated with the union of lovers under conditions of duress. The holiday is celebrated on Feb. 14th by the exchange of romantic or comic verse messages called “valentines.” The first commercial valentine greeting cards produced in the United States were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Today millions of such cards are sold annually.

DEADLY TORNADOES RIP THROUGH THE SOUTH OF THE USA

sphereit:www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2008/02/06/GA2008020602834.html

More than 60 toradoes were reported in the southern states last Tuesday and Wednesday, killing dozens of people and injuring hundreds. President Bush flew to tennessee, one of many states consequently suffering, to meet with survivors last Friday.

Rescue crews have been searching for victims of tornadoes that tore across five US states killing at least 48 people. The storms hit states including Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee at the end of Super Tuesday presidential nominating vote.

US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - TUESDAY, FEB. 5 2008 : SUPER TUESDAY

Super Tuesday refers to the Tuesday in early february of a presidential election when the greatest number of states hold primary elections to select delegates to national conventions at which each party's presidential candidates are officially nominated.

More delegates can be won on Super Tuesday than on any other day of the primary calendar and presidential candidates must do well on this day to secure their party's nomination.

Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama are still in the race to represent their party while John McCain and Mike Huckabee compete to be chosen as republican candidates.

MY PARENTS AND ME ( Teresa - 3°6)

My name is Teresa. I'm going to tell you about my relationships with my parents.
I think my parents are nice. I get on well with them. Of course, I have to do some chores, like emptying or filling the dishwasher, setting the table, doing the laundry ( but it's not that hard to do; I think it's good to help one's parents ).
However, I don't have to hoover, clean the house or sweep the floor or tidy my room ( I do this by myself !). I'm supposed to help at home sometimes, to look after my five-year-old brother. He's so nice though, I really enjoy doing this ! I'm allowed to go out, to go shopping with my friends on saturdays. But in the evening, I can't go out, to parties, for example. If I want to go, my parents want someone to accompany me, and someone, an adult, to watch over me. I don't like this. I have to respect the hours that my mother imposes to me. I can't get out late in the evening, at the latest until 6.30 pm.
Sometimes, I'm sick and tired of this situation. My parents should trust me more instead of treating me like a child. I'm fifteen ! In spite of that, I know my life is" abed of roses". I'm very lucky.

MY LIFE IS A "BED OF ROSES" ( Elisa-3°6)

I get on very well with my mother, although sometimes, I clash with her. She's not very authoritarian with me. She wants me to work harder at home to have better results at school. She wants me to do my homework seriously and everyday.
She likes my friends and I can go to the cinema or shopping with them, but I have to come back home before nightfall, otherwise she is worried.
I can play on my computer or chat with my friends, but not for a long time.
I have to set and clear the table every day and it's boring. My mother wants me to tidy my room as well, and I hate that. But she doesn't ask me to clean the house because I do it badly, according to her.
I have never wanted to leave home because I love my mother even if sometimes she treats me like a little child and I don't like it.
I think my mother is more liberal than my friends' mothers.
To conclude, we can say my life is "a bed of roses".

Part-time jobs after school ( Johan- 3°6)

According to me, a part-time job after school isn't that good, because after school you are tired and you can't work properly. Furthermore, if you have a lot of homework, it's difficult to do it after a long school day and to work part time on top of that. Then , in the morning, you can't be attentive in class and if you're not concentrated, you can't get good marks.
I think that if you're a good pupil although you work part time, you're very lucky. However, if you aren't interested in school, getting a part-time job may be a good idea because you can earn some money and see what working life is like and that's a good thing.
So, I think that if you want to do long studies and have good grades, I advise you not to take a part-time job. But otherwise, It might be a positive experience.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE A JOB....( Christina - 3°4 )

I think it's great to have a job while you are a student. Finally, you can earn your own money ! You don't have to ask your parents for money any more. It changes your perspectives in life. You will get more responsibilities. You will see that you will think twice before spending money on something you don't really need.
A job during school time is hard work for you. That's why it's better to get a job while you're on holiday. You will discover that your parents will treat you as if you were an adult. They will trust you more and you will have more self-confidence. Finally, you will be prouder of yourself.
After school, I do some baby-sitting. And I am very happy because this is a form of independence.
And when you earn money and you buy things, you tell yourself that you have purchased it and not your parents.

GETTING AN ODD JOB- PROS AND CONS ( Anne-Charlotte-3°4)

On the one hand, I think it's a good thing for students to get a part-time job after school for they can earn some extra money to pay for their studies for example. Indeed, some schools that have a good reputatin are very expensive and parents can't always pay all the fees.
By working, those students get some extra money to buy clothes and books, for example. So, they can feel responsible and less dependent on their parents.
Students from poor families can help their parents to pay the rent and the taxes.
On the other hand, having a part-time job can present many drawbacks. Indeed, if a student works too much or too late, he won't be fit enough and will feel tired the following day. Therefore, he won't be able to attend the classes or to study properly.
As a consequence, his results may get worse and worse and in the end, the student might fail at his exams.

STUDENTS AND PART-TIME JOBS (Andréa - 3°4)

As for me, getting a part-time job after school is a good thing because it allows you to become autonomous and responsible. For example, you have to make decisions and you mustn't be late. You earn your own money, therefore you needn't ask pocket money to your parents and it shows you how difficult it is to earn money.
I reckon that having a part-time job is a great experience for the future since it enables you to discover what working life is like.
Nevertheless, you must be careful not to neglect your studies. Having a part-time job means being tired and having less time to do one's homework. Moreover, you have less time to devote to your hobbies too, like going to the cinema, going shopping....
To conclude, although having a part-time job presents some inconveniences, I am positive that it's a very good experience.

WORKING AS A SHOP ASSISTANT ( Francisco -3°4)

I'm going to tell you about the training course I went on two months ago in Décathlon. It was a great experience which gave me an insight into the job of a shop assistant.
I worked from monday to friday for a week. My bosses made me learn my job really well. On the first day, they knew how to put me at ease and it really helped me to work. I worked in the department of team sports and in there, you can find outfits to play soccer, rugby, baseball, handball and basketball.
During the first day, my bosses asked me to put away the balls, the shoes, the socks and the sports bags. I was allowed to take an hour and a half off to have lunch and get some rest. In the afternoon, I advised the customers. This is what I did during the whole week.
I really enjoyed my training course as a shop assistant.

My TRAINING COURSE WITH AN ARCHITECT ( Camille L. 3°5)

From november 26th to 30th, I went on a training course with an architect.
The firt day was stressful. When I arrived in front of the building, it looked as if there was no door ! I eventually found it ! I didn't know if my boss would be nice, but, as soon as I got there, he gave me a warm welcome. Unfortunately, I saw him only on the first day.
After that, two very friendly people took charge of me. They made me do some plans for a hotel in Arcachon. It was such an iteresting activity ! They asked me what I wanted to do later on and why I wanted to do that. A lot of people were working on their computers. Meanwhile, I was writing down my comments on my report card. Then , the secretary called me to ask me if I could try to type the text of a conference. How annoying ! Nevertheless, as I had nothing else to do, I did it.
Later on, my boss let me make a model of a movie theatre in Arcachon, even though I had no experience. What a fascinating activity ! But it is so complicated ! And it took lots of time...
During my training-course, I had to take notes, photocopy some documents and interview some people on their jobs.
On the last day, I went to see the computer designers make 3D films from computer generated images. Isn't that strange and difficult !
To finish with, I had to fill in a questionnaire on my week there which was a very good experience ! It confirmed my choice of career even if this job is difficult ! I do like it !

MY TRAINING COURSE ON AN OYSTER FARM ( Victor F. 3°6)

When you're in 9th grade in France, the school requires you to go on a one-week training course so as to find out wht working life is like.

I did my training-course on the peninsula of Le Cap Ferret, near Bordeaux. It was in a business of oyster farming named "Les Parcs du Nonoît". I don't want to become an oyster farmer but I like strenuous jobs. However, I enjoyed my training course because it didn't take place in an office but outside and that's why I chose this job. During my training-course, my boss let me help him to do a lot of activities. I worked nearly all the time on the barge and on the oyster farm to collect and sort the oysters. I almost fell overboard. I caught a mild cold, therefore on the next day, I wore a raincoat. The Wednesday was a very rainy day.
I think this job is very difficult because oysters farmers have to get up according to the high tide and low tide. This is an exhausting job !

SAFE BLOGGING ( Alexandre B. 3°6 )

Let me give you a few pieces of advice to blog safely.

- First of all, you should be as anonymous as possible. You shouldn't give any personal information like your family name, the name of your school or your personal address ; otherwise someone might try and locate you and it may be dangerous.
- You should check the comments on your blog regularly as a blog is interactive and the readers might read the comments. Some of these comments might be negative or degrading, so you should delete them.
- You shouldn't post embarrassing photos on your blog because someone might download them and share them with anybody. If a parent or a teacher sees the photos, you might feel embarrassed or even get into trouble with a future employer.
- You shouldn't lie about your age because someone might think you're older than you really are and it might be a problem.
- You should control who can visit your blog by making a friends' list and limiting the access only to people you know and trust.
- You should avoid meetings with unknown people met on the net because the person might not be who he says he is.

NEW YORK CITY BALL DROP 2008

Attending the New Year's Eve Ball Drop in Times square is one of the most famous New Year's celebrations in the world.

People have been celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square since 1904 but the first ball drop didn't happen until 1907. For 100 years, the ball has been dropped from One Times Square every year, except in 1942 and 1943 due to wartime restrictions on lighting in New York City.

As the ball drops from One Times Square, beginning at 11.59 p.m on New Year's Eve, there are normally more than one million people in Times Square, not to mention the millions watching the ball drop on nationwide and watching TV from around the world. Once the ball drops, 1 ton of confetti will be released over Times Square.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !! ( Mrs SAULIERE )

The famous fireworks in Sydney harbour / AUSTRALIA.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL !
As soon as the clock ticks 12 o'clock, gone are the 365 days and here comes the New Year packed with all excitement and fun. New Year is an event to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the other. New Year is a time to look for new inspirations and motivations, to achieve what remained unachieved in the passed year, to set new goals and to make new resolutions. New Year celebrations vary from country to country and culture to culture.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA is one of the first cities to celebrate the New Year in the world and it's one of the best places too. What makes New Year in Sydney special is the variety of fireworks. You can see the sky dazzling with more than 80,000 fireworks lit near the Sydney Opera House. Over 1 million people gather around Sydney Harbour every year for the celebrations. The fireworks last 15 to 20 minutes and they can be seen from 16 km around Sydney. No less than 300,000 tourists come on tours to Australia every year just to have a glimpse of the famous fireworks.
The other main attraction of the New Year in Sydney is the Sydney New Year Beach Party with people coming and enjoying bonfires on the beaches.

To see an enlarged photo of the Sydney fireworks for 2008 see the following link :

http://www.panoramas.dk/New-Year-2008/sydney-new-year.html

THE BIRTH OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT ( OLIVIA L. )

In the 1900's, even though slavery was abolished, black people were still discriminated against in jobs, housing and education. In the south of the USA, there were segregationn laws. Black people couldn't go to the same schools as white people, for example.
One day, in 1955, a black woman named Rosa Parks, was arrested for refusing to leave her seat to a white person on a bus. Shocked by this unfair arrest, the black population decided to boycott the buses in Montgomery, Alabama. They were led by a young clergyman, Martin Luther King. This man decided to create the "Civil Rights Movement" to fight for Black people's rights. He made his famous speech, "I have a dream", in Washington in front of 200,000 people.
In this speech, he told people that he was dreaming of a better world, a world where everybody would be equal.
In 1963, John F. Kennedy created the "Civil Rights Act"which made all segregation illegal. This was a hundred years after the abolition of slavery, when President Lincoln signed the "Emancipation Proclamation".

THE ROOTS OF ROCK'N ROLL ( ANA C.)

"BLUE CHRISTMAS" by ELVIS PRESTLEY


Rock'n roll comes from the work songs the slaves sang while they were working on the southern plantations in the US in the 19th century. The slaves couldn't use their native language or African instruments because their masters wanted to prevent them from expressing themselves, communicating or rebelling. They had to use English. Nevertheless, they managed to communicate by creating a new kind of music, the Gospels. As they couldn't express themselves directly, they used biblical stories in order to communicate hidden messages of rebellion.
The Blues was born after slavery was abolished in 1863. But in spite of the abolition of slavery, Blacks were still discriminated and there were laws of racial segregation in the south of the US. This went on until Martin Luther King fought for their civil rights in the 1960's.
Jazz was born in Louisiana at the beginning of the 20th century. Jazzmen were poor, therefore they used brass instruments left over by the army after the civil war or cheap instruments, like the banjo.
Rock n' roll was born in the 1950's with black performers. Elvis became the King of Rock'n roll. He was white, and yet he sang like a black man.

CHRISTMAS IN THE UNITED-STATES- Mrs Cherubin

Thanksgiving is over and Xmas is at the door! Decorations are out and the evening drive home is lit by a multitude of lights that tell us that Xmas is in the air. Americans love Xmas! The radio plays Xmas songs all day long. My daughter plays Xmas songs on the piano to practice for her piano recital. Actually, she started already in October and by the time Xmas rolls in we are actually fed up with Xmas tunes.
As I said earlier, Americans love Xmas. It brings out their childlike spirit and their "shop till you drop" philosophy. They decorate their houses with an incredible amounts of lights almost bordering tacky. It is almost impossible to fall asleep at night because the houses are all lit up. Everything is on display, from Santa to Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, Mrs. Santa to Frosty the snowman and the Nativity scene, candy canes, snowflakes, etc.etc. We have red lights, white lights, big lights and small lights, everywhere in the front yard, back yard, on the roof and on the windows, bushes, trees, patios and porches. The more the better for all the children's delight!
During this season, people go to concerts to hear choirs singing Xmas carols, they go to the ballet to see "The Nutcracker" performed by big ballet companies and by small obscure ballet companies. They bake cookies, fudge, brownies and they give them as presents to family and friends. Children eat candy canes in all colors and variety and go for sleigh rides with Santa organized by local church groups.
I do not like shopping very much at Xmas time. There are too many people out and about and everybody is rushing to get the last gifts. There are queues at the cash registers and people are stressed and impolite. The true Xmas spirit has to be enjoyed at home around the Xmas tree together with family and friends. And what if there are not a million presents under the tree! Just one thoughtful present is enough to make my heart content. I am also thinking that this year I will send less Xmas greetings, I might save a tree or two. I will use the email, it is more environmentally friendly.
Merry Xmas, everybody!

MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE IN NEW YORK

Every year, Macy's, the world's largest department store, organizes very popular events. Its Thanksgiving Day Parade is a real institution in New York City.
On the fourth Thursday in november, the same day that most Americans gather around the dining table and eat turkey to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade marches through the streets of New York City. Elaborate floats, marching bands, clowns and celebrities creatre a carnivalesque atmosphere.
But the main attraction is the parade's giant helium balloons, many of which represent cartoon characters.
For more than 80 years, the parade has drawn spectators who line the streets and cheer on the participants.
The holiday event grew ( and grew) over time from a small parade of floats and live animals organized by Macy's employees- the majority of whom were emigrants-into a large scale annual tradition. The parade showcases 10,000 participants, and crowds of 2 to 3.5 million spectators cram Manhattan streets for a close-up view. Another 50 million watch the parade on TV.

To make online puzzles on the theme of the Macy's Thanksgiving parade :
http://www.macys.com/campaign/parade/pop/puzzles.jsp

THANKSGIVING 2007 - Thursday, November 22nd

To see a video about the history of Thanksgiving :

http://www.history.com/minisites/thanksgiving

THE ANNUAL PARDONING OF THE THANKSGIVING TURKEY BY GEORGE BUSH

Every year, on the eve of Thanksgiving, in a ceremony at the White House, the President of the United-States pardons a turkey, which means the bird is not killed and eaten.

The animal is chosen from a different farm every year, among a group of birds hatched in April. In August, when the toms ( = the male turkeys) have reached 11kg, six of the most beautriful birds are selected. For four months, they are periodically petted and hand-fed so that they get used to humans.

The week before the presentation, two toms are chosen. They are brought to Washington DC and prepared for the Ceremony. In the meantime, thousands of Americans vote for a name on the White House website, names like Stars and Stripes, Pumpkin and Cranberry, Freedom and Liberty. This year,the names chosen were May and Free. On the day of the Ceremony, the larger and more colourful of the two birds is brought to the White House and hoisted on a pedestal in the Rose Garden, to become the National Thanksgiving turkey.

During the Ceremony, the President pets the bird, makes a few jokes and photos are taken. Afterwards, this year, the pardoned turkey was put in a plane and it travelled first class to Los Angeles where it will live peacefully ( in Disneyland ) until its death ( which usually occurs within two years ).

See the video of President Bush pardoning the 2007 Thanksgiving turkey :

http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Video_Clips&content_type_id=50493&display_order=5&mini_id=1083

To learn more about the history of presidential pardon :

http://www.factmonster.com/spot/tgturkey2.html

THANKSGIVING - by Mrs CHERUBIN

Here it comes again, that time of the year when everybody starts getting ready to celebrate "Thanksgiving" with family and friends. Mothers are busy buying turkeys for Thanksgiving dinners and fishing out old recipes to figure out how long the "Big Bird" has to cook in the oven. No matter how big or small the family is, big turkeys ornate the table while the whole family flies across American skies to be once again reunited around the table.

Thanksgiving is a typical American tradition. It stems from the times of the Puritans, when the early settlers were able to survive the harsh New England winters with the products of the land. The native Indians taught them to cultivate corn, and so corn became a very important staple on Thanksgiving day. A typical meal consists of Turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, corn, and pumpkin or sweet potato pies. The family gathers at around 3 or 4 o'clock and they spend a few hours together eating and having fun. After the meal, they gather around and play games or they sit and watch the football game on their big screen TVs. This is the first big holiday after the summer, and everybody looks forward to see each other again.

The day after Thanksgiving, the official Christmas holiday shopping begins. Many people, gather outside the department stores before opening time to get the early birds deals. I have never done it. I do not see the point of getting up so early to spend money. Anyway, I look forward relaxing at home and getting together with friends to laugh and have a good time!


http://www.joyeuse-fete.com/thanksgiving.html

MARTIN LUTHER KING'S SPEECH : " I HAVE A DREAM.."Aug.28, 1963

video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1732754907698549493

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

AN AMERICAN TEACHER'S MESSAGE TO THE CASSIGNOL PUPILS

NOV. 11 - VETERANS DAY - 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.

People gathered on the Mall in Washington these days to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which was built in 1982. There was a reading of the Names ceremony on Nov. 7th 2007. All the names engraved in the Wall were read over a three-day period.