Newspapers try to be help- ful. Read the story on page 3 about how to make a friend. There is a news story on the left and an advice column on the right. What’s the difference? You can find advice columns in The Denver Post. Look in the Play section ( F). New Orleans far from rebuilt New Orleans, LOUISIANA – One failure in leadership at all levels here,” year ago on August 29, 2005, Hurricane said Reed Kroloff, who was leading Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast. the Bring New Orleans Back group. More than 1,300 people died, and cities President Bush also expressed along the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, frustration as the money gets caught and Alabama were left in ruins. in the large wheels of city, state, and New Orleans suffered the most federal government politics. damage in its history, with mile “The money has been appropriated after mile of homes and businesses (set aside); the formula is in place. devastated. Thousands of homes are The whole purpose is intended to get still in shambles. In many areas, there’s money into people’s pockets to help no phone, gas, or cable service. them rebuild. Now it’s time to move The recovery is painfully slow. forward,” said Bush. The U.S. government appropriated Priscilla McKenzie, 58, escaped (set aside) $110 billion to rebuild the from New Orleans with her daughter. city, yet only about half of the money She is happily settled in Alabama but has actually been sent. Blame for the worries about her friends back home. problem is thrown back and forth. “On the phone we cry and pray together. I feel so blessed to live where The blame game it’s warm and safe and friendly. I am AP Images “Almost every agency has to accept not ever planning to go back to New Chris Robinson chopped a hole in his roof and was rescued from his New Orleans home part of the blame. There’s been a Orleans,” said McKenzie. when Hurricane Katrina hit. Only about half the city’s residents have returned home. Good boy! Woman trains her husband Moorpark, CALIFORNIA for a year and discoved that animal congratulated Scott every time he threw a as a state park ranger, and Crystal trains – Reporter Amy Sutherland training was often as simple as dirty shirt in the hamper instead of on the dogs as guides for the blind. was amazed to see cougars rewarding good behavior and floor. It worked! For more information on the school, see: walking on leashes and baboons ignoring bad behavior. She turned her experiences into a column www.ColoKids.com skateboarding at the Exotic When she came home, for the New York Times. Her columns became Animal Training program in Sutherland used those methods so popular she wrote a book called “Kicked, Southern California. She stayed to train her husband, Scott. She Bitten and Scratched” that has become a best seller for its publisher, Penguin Books.

Training the trainers Moorpark College is delighted with the publicity. The college and its zoo are on five acres and home to 200 different animals. “Students come to Moorpark to learn how to train all kinds of animals. New behaviors take time and work to learn. Almost anything can be taught as long as the animal is capable of that behavior,” said Chuck Brinkman of Moorpark College. Graduating students work with animals Photos courtesy of Moorpark College all over the world. Some train animals for Students at Moorpark College learn how to train animals. A student TV and film. A graduate named Joel trains Tammy Carroll trains Schmoo, the Cali- named Crystal feeds a giraffe. Shamu at Sea World in Florida, Brett works fornian sea lion. You’ll crackNeed Needup over aa friend?friend? this new Seeadvertising.See PagesPage 3.3. See Page 2. Colorado Kids and The Denver Post are available Teachers, get the latest news every week. Teach your students to be FREE of charge for educational use. Call 303-954-3999 comfortable with the wonderful genre of journalism. We highlight world, or 1-800-336-7678 for details. national, state, and health news with an emphasis on character education.

Teacher swims 1,770 miles in 90 days Madison, ALABAMA – She Alabama. Mission: Environment electricity or water. Reduce what you dived over dead rats in Bulgaria Choosing the Danube because it Why not just swim in a pool? use, reuse what you can, and recycle and swam past viperine snakes in runs through 10 countries in Europe, Hughes wanted to bring attention to the rest,” said Hughes. Croatia, but she kept on swimming. Hughes is the first person to swim the the environment. Even as a child she Hughes is not in a big hurry to swim All summer, high school reading Danube without using swim fins. cared about pollution and litter. So, long distances any time soon. Her body teacher Mimi Hughes, 50, swam down the Hughes wore a wet suit and how can kids help the environment? is still recovering from the 1,770-mile length of the Danube River in Central and crossed 61 dams. She braved rain, “Know what is going on – READ! journey. She lost 20 pounds during her Eastern Europe. She swam from the Black cold, boredom, and trash to complete Plant trees; they help curb global adventure. Thankfully, her hands and Forest in Germany to the Black Sea in her journey. Her daughter, Kelsey, 20, warming. Don’t be wasteful with feet are not pruny anymore! Romania, about the distance from Denver, traveled beside her in a kayak. They Colorado, to Baltimore, Maryland. camped along the shore at night. Stoke after stroke, she swam eight “Kelsey and I were overwhelmed to ten hours a day for 90 days, traveling by the hospitality of the people. Kids about 2 miles an hour. Hughes hurried were actually let out of school in a home on August 6 and is now back at few towns to greet me and run along Bob Jones High School in Madison, the river as I swam,” said Hughes. Swim for life “Swimming is the perfect sport for kids, especially those not done growing. It’s low impact so it saves your joints, tendons, and ligaments from stress,” said Photos courtesy of Mimi Hughes Mimi Hughes, a mother of four children. Mimi Hughes learned to “Swimming is a sport that can be done even when you’re 100 years old and can’t walk. My mother-in-law learned how to swim at 75 years old. She’s my hero!” said Hughes. swim at the age of 30. Since Other benefits of swimming: then, she’s conquered three • Swimming is good for the heart, but unlike running, it doesn’t stress your body major rivers, one in Russia, by pounding on pavement. one in Alabama, and one • Swimming builds endurance and muscle. in Europe. • Learning how to swim can save your life. It’s never too late to learn. • Swimming uses all the important muscle groups and you a total workout. • Swimming leaves you refreshed and energized. Mimi Hughes, 50, swam 1,770 miles down the Danube River in Europe to draw attention to the environment. Her daughter paddled alongside her during the 90-day journey.

President gets A+ on exam Washington, D.C. – President health. Six days a week he rides his President Bush (left) Bush got a superior on his most mountain bike 20 miles. He also recent test – his physical exam. Once stretches, works out with weights, exercises and a year, the president gets a 4-hour and jogs on a treadmill. eats right. physical by nine doctors to make While at the National Naval Here he rides with sure he’s healthy. Medical Center for his checkup, legendary cyclist “We find him to be fit for duty,” President Bush took the opportunity said the White House doctors in to visit 27 men and women who were Lance Armstrong a written report on August 1. The wounded in the war. (right) at the report found the President to be in President’s ranch better health than most men his age. Colorado Kids is brought to you by in Texas. “I’m doing fine. My health is fine. Real News Inc. (www.RNRK.com) I probably ate too many birthday and in partnership with Post News Educational Services. cakes,” said the President, who turned The articles are compiled from wire 60 in July. He gained five pounds service sources and personal interviews. from his last checkup. He weighs 196 The views in the stories and ads are not pounds and is nearly 6-feet tall. necessarily those of the publisher or Photo courtesy of the White House President Bush takes care of his individual advertisers.

Send your comments to Colorado Kids, Post-News Educational Services, 101 W. Colfax, Denver, CO 80202. [email protected] 303-954-3964. Play sports – safely! Sports by Ian Murrin U.S. Youth Sports Playing sports can do you a world Therapy in Madison, Alabama. of good – you can stau in great shape, with the Greatest learn how to be a team player, and Prevent Injuries build skills and self-esteem. • When playing soccer, first make Risks of Injury To keep having fun, sports safety sure the field does not have holes. • Football must come first. Injuries can occur • Always wear your helmet when Bicycle riding in any sport at any time. Fall sports • biking or skateboarding. It can mean Basketball brings thousands of children to the difference between life or death. • emergency rooms for treatment. • Soccer • Drink plenty of water so you won’t One study showed that 30 percent • Skateboarding of kids who play sports get hurt. get dehydrated and tired. That’s 30 out of 100. • Stretch so your muscles are loose • Baseball/Softball “We find that more injuries happen and ready to move around. • Gymnastics to girls than boys these days. Your • “If you do play sports year round, • Swimming/Diving child is more likely to get knee and try different sports, and don’t Trampoline jumping ankle injuries in soccer, volleyball, • overwork the same muscles and Weightlifting and basketball than from football. It’s joints,” said Russell. • the pivoting (quick spins) and quick Be on the lookout for more articles Sources: Consumer Product Safety stops that are dangerous,” said Dale about sports safety in your own Commission, ESPN Russell, owner of Madison Physical newspaper, Colorado Kids. Sports Injury Statistics Fall sports can be fun if you stay • At least 480,000 kids go the emergency room for injuries during fall sports. safe. One study showed that • Thirty percent of parents reported that their child has suffered a sports-related every year 5 million American injury. • Most sports injuries are preventable, which means they can be guarded against. children are seen in emergency Source: USA SafeKids istock photo rooms for sports injuries. America – land of the lonely? How can I Durham, NORTH CAROLINA Researchers offer several reasons make friends? – You can e-mail or chat with a why Americans seem lonely. Empowering Kids and Parents virtual roomful of friends on the “People are increasingly busy. We By Marvin Kalachman, PA-C, M.S. Physician Assistant & Manager Internet. You can pick up the phone expect things instantly and don’t spend and call someone with just a few the time it takes to have real intimacy Hey, kids – Do you have trouble place of worship, on teams, and buttons. You can text message your (closeness) with another person,” said making friends? Ask yourself ... in your neighborhood. Ask them friends on a tiny screen or instant psychologist Margaret Gibbs. about themselves and what their message them on a larger one. Children are busy with schoolwork What kind of friend am interests are. and video or hand-held games. Authors I looking for? Americans today have a number Where do I go from there? of ways to stay in touch. Yet, a recent of the studies found that people watch so much TV that they don’t connect Think about what interests you. Invite the new person to join you study funded by the National Science Do you like art, video games, pets, Foundation found that Americans of with other people. in something you both like to do, Adults travel farther to work, or skateboarding? What interests such as riding bikes. It’s not fun for are getting lonelier every year. would you like a friend to have? which takes away time from home. someone to watch and not join in. If it doesn’t work out, don’t give Home alone They also spend so many hours O.K., I’ve done that, now what? on the job and on the Internet they up. Try again. If after a few times he Twenty-five percent of the homes 1. Stay positive and be friendly. People or she keeps saying no, don’t take it (25 out of 100, or one out of four) in don’t take time to build personal friendships. are more likely to want to be with some- personally. It may the USA now have only one person one who is smiling. Wouldn’t you? have nothing to living in them, alone. In 1950, only 2. Learn to compliment people. For do with you. Start 10 percent of the households were again with some- single-person. example, how would it feel if some- one said to you, “Hey, those are great one new, and stay Families eat dinner together about positive. 40 percent less often than they did 40 jeans?” But don’t overdo the praise. You should mean what you say. It’s important years ago. to have a few A study at Duke University 3. Talk to kids at school, at your close friends. showed that almost 44 percent of Good luck, Americans feel as though they do not istock photo friend! have one person to share their secrets Friends make the world brighter. New and dreams with. studies show that Americans are connecting -Marvin- online but not making deep friendships. 7501 South Memorial Parkway, Suite 103, Huntsville, AL 35802

www.PostNewsEducation.comwww.PostNewsEducation.com To order To a orderFREE a setFREE of Colorado set of Colorado Kids and Kids The and Denver The Denver Post for Post your for classroom, your classroom, call 303-954-3999 call 303-954-3999 or 1-800-336-7678. or 1-800-336-7678. 1) Why is New Orleans having a hard time Danube River recovering from Hurricane Katrina? r) Much of the rebuilding money is not getting to the people. y) The devastation is so widespread. a) So many different agencies and levels of government are involved. l) all of the above

2) What does President Bush do to stay healthy? e) He doesn’t discuss politics. a) He rides his bike and works out. x) He never eats cake and donuts. h) He goes to the hospital every week.

3) Why did the teacher swim down a river in Europe? n) She wanted to bring attention to the problem of environmental pollution. e) There were no rivers long enough in America. j) She wanted to meet the friendly Europeans. t) She liked the palm trees along the Danube River. RN Map Graphic/Butler A teacher swam down the Danube River. Can you count how many countries 4) How many young athletes in America get hurt she swam past? As you name the countries she swam through, color them in. playing sports every year? b) about 90 percent o) about 3 billion c) about 30 percent What gets j) about 100 kids wetter 5) What would be a good way to make a friend? m) Be friendly and compliment people. the more s) Talk to kids about what interests them. k) Invite the new person to do something fun. it dries?

e) all of the above Atowel!

Fill in the letter of the correct answer from the questions above. He won a bike-ride race through France; a friend of the Illustrated by Ivan Mader President, his name is …

2 3 4 5 Word Bank “New Orleans far from rebuilt” Hurricane Katrina – the hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast in Find a friend the USA in August, 2005. Americans are often lonely, even in a crowd. Sometimes appropriated – set aside money for a special purpose friendships just happen; other times it takes hard work to “Teacher swims 1,770 miles” find and keep a good friend. Here are a few tips. Danube River – river that runs through Central and Eastern Europe reduce – make less or fewer • If you see someone sitting alone on the playground or at lunch, go and sit near him or her. “President gets an A+ on exam” • Friendship is mostly about giving and sharing. physical – a medical exam to check on your total health • Volunteer at your school, church, or a helping organization to meet people you can do things with. “Play sports – safely!” pivots – quick turns and spins • Keep an open mind when you meet new people. Your next friend might be an elderly neighbor or someone with a different skin color or a disability. preventable – can be stopped or guarded against