People, Places, and Cultures

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FEATURES 12 The Land of Columbus 8by John Mitchell is a Way of Life 12by Colette Weil Parrinello Baseball’s Next Stars: 16Dominican Youth Academies by Colette Weil Parrinello 6

Santo Domingo: A City of Firsts 18by Christine Graf 28 The Land of the Hurukan 22by Marcia Amidon Lusted For the Love of Chocolate 28by Lee Gjertsen Malone A Taste of the Caribbean 34by Becky Schrotenboer 12 Kites . . . On the Ocean? 38by Marcia Amidon Lusted The Most Wonderful Thing in the Kingdom 42retold by Marilyn Sullivan 34 DEPARTMENTS 2 High 5 4 At a Glance 6 Critter Corner 36 Where in the World? 32 A Closer Look 20 41 Face Facts 46 Art Connection ACTIVITIES 48 Editor’s Pick 31 Dominican Republic 48 Say What? Crossword 38 49 One Last Face 37 Your Turn 41 Fallen Quote CONTEST 47 Portrait Mosaic 34 C HIGH FIVE

hen landed on the shores of WHispaniola 500 years ago, he was in awe of its beauty. He saw sandy beaches, impressive mountains, and fertile plains. Columbus also encountered friendly people. Today, the Dominican Republic makes up two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola. The people are still friendly and outgoing, but much has changed on the island since Columbus arrived. Here are five fun facts about the Dominican Republic to get you started on your journey.

1. Before Christopher Columbus arrived, Hispaniola had been home to the Taino people for thousands of years. Within 50 years of Columbus’s arrival, the Taino had been nearly wiped out. Today, some Taino communities remain in the hills of a few Caribbean islands.

2. Baseball may be America’s pastime, but it is a way of life on the Dominican Republic. Almost every Dominican boy dreams of making it to the Major Leagues. Today, about 10 percent

of all Major League players are from this small Thanks to its beautiful beaches, tourism is becoming Caribbean nation. a large part of the Dominican Republic’s economy.

2 3. The capital city of is a city of firsts. It was the first permanent European settlement in the Americas and many of its buildings were the first of its kind in the New World.

4. About once every 23 years the Dominican Republic is by a strong hurricane. These storms, which usually form during the months of June through November, bring high winds and flooding and can cause serious damage.

5. Up, up, and away! Kite surfing is one of the fastest growing activities in the Dominican Republic. Kites used in surfing are not your typical kites. They are inflatable and pull riders through the water on what look like short surfboards. Cabarete, a small Dominican village, is one of the best kite surfing sites in the world!

3

At a Glance

Name: Republica Dominicana

Area: About 18,704 square miles

Population: 10,478,756 (July 2015 estimate)

Capital: Santo Domingo

Location: The Dominican Republic makes up the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola located in the West Indies. Haiti is to the west. The Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea surround the island.

Climate: The average annual temperature is about 77 degrees. Tropical depressions and storms, cyclones, and hurricanes often hit the island, especially the southern area.

Official Language: Spanish, though English is also widely spoken

Religion: 90 percent Roman Catholic

Chief Crops: Sugar cane, coffee, cocoa, and tobacco CRITTER CORNER ARANTU T ’S ’ E’ ENSY L E MOTHER WEENSY A H YOUR SPIDE T NOT R’’

Tarantulas may look terrifying, but they are relatively harmless to humans.

by Pat Betteley

act or fiction? There are hairy, big-bodied, eight-eyed spiders that will paralyze and suck Fout the insides of their prey. You guessed it . . . fact. Thankfully, tarantula venom is not known to be deadly to humans, as the bite of many species is about as painful as a bee sting. There are more than 850 species of tarantulas in the world, most being calm and harmless to people. A species called the Dominican Giant Tarantula (called “cacata” by the locals) is native to the Dominican Republic.

Cacatas are hunters. They hide under rocks and debris by day, and come out at night to hunt. With fangs almost an inch long, cacatas are intimidating predators with some heavy-duty adaptations. Though they don’t spin webs, some spin a trip wire to signal when prey is approaching their burrows. The tarantulas then grab their unfortunate victims with their appendages, inject them with paralyzing venom, and secrete a digestive enzyme. This enzyme turns the insides of the prey into mush that is sucked up through straw-like mouth openings. If an intruder, such as a raccoon or skunk, tries to dig it from its burrow, the tarantula has urticating hairs (fine hairs on its abdomen) that it can fling at its enemies. These are painful if they come into contact with eyes or skin.

6 TARANTU THE LA

Better to see you with! Spiders have multiple eyes that can detect light The hair on a spider’s body helps it detect vibrations in the air. and dark and help them keep watch on their prey.

Speaking of efficient predators, the tarantula by this spider suffered from an uncontrolled has an enemy of its own, a wasp called urge to dance. Victims would perform a frenzied Tarantula Killer (“matacacata”) by the locals. The dance called the “tarantella” for three or four matacacata has an iridescent blue-green body days to sweat out the poison. Some 300 years and orange-red wings that grow to two inches later, it was discovered that tarantulas were or more in length. This super-predator either harmless. The real culprit was a relative of the captures the tarantula in its burrow or stings widow spider. As for the crazy dancing, some the spider out in the open and drags it to a safe conclude that it was just an excuse for hard- place. The wasp’s sting paralyzes the spider. The working peasants who were suppressed (not Tarantula Killer then lays eggs on the spider’s allowed to show emotion), to have wild parties. body. When the wasp larvae hatch, they gorge So, unless big, hairy spiders are the stuff of on the paralyzed, but still-living tarantula until it your worst nightmares, perhaps you’ll agree dies. that the facts about tarantulas are every bit as Female tarantulas periodically molt (shed intriguing as the wildest fiction! their outer skin), and can even replace internal organs and regrow lost appendages. The males do not molt, which may be part of the STATS reason that they do not live as long as females. Latin Name: Phormictopus cancerides The other reason involves the tarantulas’ Diet: carnivore reproductive rituals. After mating, a male who Average life span in the wild (females): up to 30 years knows what’s good for him will scuttle away Size: body 2 inches by 4 inches quickly, as the hungry, no-nonsense female Range: West Indies to Brazil sometimes eats her mate. Why does the tarantula have a bad name? Word Help Its name comes from a Southern Italian town Intimidating means frightening. called Taranto. In 1370, a mysterious epidemic An enzyme is a chemical substance in plants/animals that broke out. The locals thought it was caused helps to cause natural processes, such as digestion. by the bite of a large, hairy wolf spider, which Iridescent means shining with many different colors, as became known as the “Tarantula.” People bitten seen from different angles.

7 The Land of Columbus

Party time! Dominicans celebrate in the streets during Carnival.

by John Mitchell

hen Christopher Columbus first set eyes Won Quisqueya (the Taino Indian name for the eastern part of the island of Hispaniola) on his historic first voyage in 1492, he fell in love with the delightful Caribbean isle. He renamed it La Isla Española, or “Spanish Island,” and wrote in his logbook that, “in all Castile there is no land to be compared to this in beauty and fertility.”

8 The great explorer built a fort on the island are the first Catholic cathedral, university, hospital, using wood from one of his ships, the Santa and fortress built in the New World. They line Marìa, which had wrecked on the Atlantic shore. the plaza and streets of the city’s Colonial Zone. He left 39 men behind, and then sailed back to The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Spain with glowing reports of riches and friendly Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has preserved the natives. However, when Columbus returned Colonial Zone as a World Heritage Site. the following year with 1,200 to 1,500 men and supplies, he discovered that his small colony had been destroyed. No one knows what happened, but one theory is that Columbus’s men fought one another over local women. The Taìnos, who had been harshly treated, probably killed those who survived. Another settlement, La Isabela, was established in the northern part of what is now the Dominican Republic. La Isabela became the center of the colony, but, plagued by disease and famine, it was soon abandoned. In 1496, Christopher Columbus’s brother, Bartolomè, founded Nueva Isabela (New Isabela) at the mouth of the Ozama River on the island’s southern coast. This settlement gave the Spanish a foothold in the New World. Renamed Santo Sugar cane harvesting is difficult work. Domingo in 1502, the new city grew into a bustling port and center of Spain’s expanding empire. The Dominican Republic shares the island From here, Spanish conquerors called of Hispaniola with Haiti, a former French colony. conquistadors set out to conquer Mexico and The Dominican Republic is about twice the size of what is now Central America and South America. Vermont. It is a tropical and geographically diverse Many countries tried to gain control of Santo land of sandy beaches, high mountains, pine Domingo because of its ideal location in the forests, and fertile valleys. Caribbean. It even survived attacks by pirates. One Agriculture is the main economic activity such pirate, Englishman Sir Francis Drake, torched in the Dominican Republic. Farmers grow sugar part of the city in 1586. cane, tobacco, cocoa, coffee, and tropical fruits Today, Santo Domingo is a modern city of for export. Sugar cane, which was introduced by about two million people. It is also the capital the , is still the major crop. Dominicans of the Dominican Republic, which became an also work in factories that make textiles, shoes, independent nation in 1844. The Spanish built and many other goods. Tourism is becoming grand stone palaces and governmental buildings increasingly important to the island. Every year in Santo Domingo. Many of these structures are more visitors discover the country’s beaches and still standing. Among these 16th-century treasures friendly people. a99 Sugar cane production shaped much of government was elected in 1996, bringing Hispaniola’s early history. The Spanish found little renewed hope for freedom and prosperity. gold on the island, so they quickly put the Tainos Present-day Dominicans are vibrant to work on sugar plantations. In less than a people who can boast Spanish and African century, the harsh labor of slavery and exposure heritage. The country’s diversity is in the island’s to European diseases completely wiped out the music and festivals. Merengue music, popular Tainos on the island, who may have numbered throughout the Dominican Republic, is an two million to three million people. energetic mix of Spanish and African rhythms. It During the 16th century, thousands of is ideal music for dancing. Africans were also brought to the island to During Carnival season, people in towns harvest sugar cane. They were cruelly treated and cities wear colorful masks and celebrate in by their European masters and did not win the streets. When Semana Santa (Easter Holy their freedom until 1797. The 20th century Week) arrives, statues of Jesus and the Virgin saw economic and political turmoil in the Mary are paraded through the old sections Dominican Republic. Falling demands for sugar of Santo Domingo. The conquistadors were and high foreign debt limited the nation’s greedy and showed little respect for the original development and caused high unemployment. inhabitants of Hispaniola. But if Christopher Also, strict dictators such as General Rafael Columbus had not stumbled upon this verdant Trujillo ruled the Dominican Republic for island, the Dominican Republic would not be many decades. A new and more democratic the lively mix of peoples and cultures it is today.

The waters of the Caribbean are clear and warm.

10 A statue of Christopher Columbus stands in Santo Domingo.

Word Help Verdant is used to describe something that is green and rich in plant life.

Dominicans are known as friendly people.

11 Baseball is a Way of Life by Colette Weil Parrinello

aseball has been the heart and passion of Play ball! Baseball is the most the Dominican Republic since the 1800s. The popular sport in the country. B sport is not just a pastime, but also a lifestyle. Kids and adults play in the streets, on fields, in alleys, everywhere. Astoundingly, this small country of 10 million people (the population of the state of Georgia) produces more players for U.S. (MLB) than any other country in the world, other than players from the United States. In fact, 10.3 percent of all the players in the major leagues, 25 percent of the upper minor league rosters, and nearly half of the lower minor rosters come from the Dominican Republic. Dominican’s baseball roots started in Cuba. In 1866, American sailors brought the game to Cuba. When Cubans fled to the Dominican Republic after the Ten Years’ War, the game was passed to Dominicans and their passion for “beisbol” exploded. Workers in the sugar cane fields formed baseball teams for entertainment. The sport turned competitive with neighboring countries in the 1920s and the Dominican Baseball League was born. The sport weathered a financial downturn in 1937 and professional baseball emerged in 1951. Ozzie Virgil, by GloriaSr. Lannomwas the first Dominican-born player in the MLB in 1956.

Passion, Economics, and Training But why are there so many professional baseball players from this small country? The answer lies in a combination of factors contributing to the success of Dominican players in the MLB — passion, economic need, and training infrastructure. The Dominican Republic is a poor country with 37 percent of the population living below the poverty level. Kids love the sport and see baseball as a respected way out of poverty. 12 A coach assesses the latest group of players.

Famous Dominican players such as and Pedro Martinez bring pride and respect to all Dominicans, and serve as role models for the whole country. They demonstrate Dominican power, speed, grace and joy of the game. Along with their outstanding accomplishments of elite athleticism, fame, and fortune, they have also given back to their local communities. The sport thrives because the passion and Talent is identified and nurtured at early talent are groomed. Kids regularly drop out ages by buscones. Buscones are independent of school to play. The number of Dominican scouts or agents who will find players or have players in the MLB skyrocketed in the 1980s talent come to them. When the player is ready, when MLB teams started building professional the buscon will contact the MLB team scouts, training academies. To acquire a player in the if the team scouts haven’t already seen the Dominican is far cheaper for MLB teams than prospect. in the United States. Dominican players are not The business of baseball is a source of pride subject to the U.S. player draft. Today, all 30 for communities and gives them an economic MLB teams have an academy in the Dominican. boost. Successful players return to invest in Academies provide training, food, nutrition, their local towns. Academies have brought education, and housing to nurture young new construction and jobs. Local people are talent. employed for the services in the academies At age 16 Dominican teens can try out for on the grounds, in coaching, education, the MLB team academies and earn a signing food service, and maintenance. Local small bonus if they make it on a team. The average annual 2015 income in the Dominican was $6,040. In 2011, the average academy signing bonus was $131,000 — and ranges today from a few thousand dollars to over a million. This is a tremendous boon for the young player and his family that may now be able to buy a house, car, pay for healthcare, or fund a business. And, this is before they have made it to the United States. The young player is not eligible for U.S. MLB teams until age 18. An MLB team can acquire many young Dominican players Dominican players hope their hard work pays for around the price of one second round draft off with an offer from a Major League team. pick in the United States 13 businesses serve the needs of the player’s family, buscones, academy employees, and visitors to the academies. Kids see baseball as hope for a change in their lives. They are motivated by their deep enjoyment of the game and the opportunities that the game may offer. The infrastructure of buscones and the MLB academies helps make this a reality for many, and the successful athletes are a source of Pedro Martinez was treated to a hero’s welcome after it was announced he had been elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2015. national pride.

Colette Weil Parrinello is a frequent writer for magazines. She loves Fast Facts: baseball, the , • The impact of MLB academies in the Dominican and is a co-regional advisor for the Republic is that 400-500 players are signed every year. Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. • Twenty-seven of the 30 MLB academies are located in eastern Dominican Republic between the resort town of Boca Chica and San Pedro Macorís.

The baseball diamond . . . the stuff of dreams. 14 Stars Dominican Republic’s Top Baseball

JOSE ALBERTO (ALBERT) PUJOLS

Team: Position: 1st Base Age: 36 Nickname: The Machine Born: Santo Domingo College: Maple Woods CC, MO Debut: April 2, 2001

2015 AL All-Star ROBINSON JOSE CANO Three-time (NL) MVP Team: Seattle Mariners 2006 & 2011 Jersey: #22 Championship nd Base Position: 2 Nine-time NL All-Star Age: 33 Six-time NL Silver Slugger Born: San Pedro de Macoris Two-time Rawlings NL Gold Glove High School: San Pedro Apostol, San Pedro de Macoris Two-time NL Award Debut: May 3, 2005 Two-time Hitter of the Year (GIBBY’s) 2009 Lou Gehrig Award 2011 Home Derby Winner 2008 Award Championship 2006 Performance of the Year Six-time (AL) All-Star (GIBBY’s) Five-time AL Silver Slugger 2004 NLCS MVP Two-time Rawlings AL Gold Glove 2001 NL Rookie of the Year Two-time Wilson Team Defensive Player of the Year 2005 AL Rookie of the Year (GIBBY’s – Greatness in Baseball Yearly)

JOSE ANTONIO BAUTISTA

DAVID AMERICO ORTIZ

Team: Nickname: Big Papi Jersey: #34 Position: Team: Age: 40 Nickname: Joey Bats Born: Santo Domingo NELSON RAMON CRUZ Jersey: #19 Position: Right Field High School: Estudia Espallat, DOM Age: 35 Debut: September 13, 1999 (Ortiz has Team: Seattle Mariners Born: Santo Domingo announced he will retire after the 2016 season) Jersey: #23 College: Chipola Junior College Position: Right Field Debut: April 4, 2004 MVP Age: 35 2013 Award Born: Las Matas de Santa Cruz 2015 Best Play, Offense-Esurance MLB Award 2013 Post Season MVP (GIBBY’s) Debut: September 17, 2005 2004, 2007 and 2013 World Series Six-time AL All Star Three-time AL Silver Slugger Championship 2015 AL Silver Slugger Two-time AL Nine-time AL All-Star Four-time AL All-Star Six-time Edgar Martinez Outstanding DH of 2011 ALCS MVP the Year Six-time AL Silver Slugger Two-time Hitter of the Year (GIBBY’s) 2011 2010 Derby Winner The baseball diamond . . . the stuff of dreams. 2005 AL Hank Aaron Award 2004 ALCS MVP 15 Baseball’s Next Stars: dominican youth academies

by Colette Weil Parrinello

outh academies in the Dominican play an at local facilities or at his residential academy. Yimportant role in developing and grooming Many young players come from poor families baseball athletes. The country is such a fertile and the buscon invests in them. He translates area for talent that there are now academies for them, feeds and houses them, takes them run by buscones (buh-scones), private groups, under his training wing to prepare them former professional players, and Major League for competition, and represents them in Baseball (MLB) teams. negotiations with MLB academy teams. Dominicans look on buscones favorably as a partner helping players reach their goals. The buscon provides coaching and encouragement, and for some boys, he is a friend, mentor, or father figure. He invests in the young player — and in return receives a portion of the player’s signing bonus from an MLB academy team. Players are showcased to MLB team scouts by the buscones when they are under 15, but formal tryouts take place at the academies when players are 16. However, many of the perceived top prospects have already made oral agreements through their An academy prospect works out at a facility. buscon agent with a team at age 13, 14, or 15. The pathway to professional baseball often The $8 million academy starts with a buscon (from the word buscar, is on 50 acres outside of the capital city of “to search”). A buscon is a self-styled agent or Santo Domingo. The academy has four fields, talent scout. He identifies players with potential four batting cages, a weight room, and two sometimes when they are as young as 12 or locker rooms. The academy 13, and keeps his eye on others as young as can house 80 players. The dormitory rooms eight. With more than 1,000 buscones looking are off the clubhouse, along with a training for talent, it is highly competitive and the room, weight room, cafeteria, computer buscon may hire handlers to be the first to room, classroom, and rooms for the staff. The spot young talent. The buscon may help the academies also provide nutritional counseling, families financially and provide baseball training uniforms, English language and culture

16 training, and additional schooling. Some provide Cenapec classes (long distance learning for GED — General Education Development or high school graduation equivalency) for 10th, 11th and 12th graders in all subjects, although it is not a requirement for the academies. English language classes are often offered to the players. But being accepted by an academy is not a sure sign a player will make it to the major leagues — in fact under 5 percent will do so. Less than 50 percent will make it to the minor leagues. The competition is fierce at the academies. When young players receive their signing bonus from the MLB academy team, many need to be reminded that they haven’t already “made it.” If they are cut from the team, and are not from a middle class family, they leave the academy with limited, if any, education or job training and broken dreams. A shadow puppeteer must be able to juggle But every player with a bat or many roles at once! a strong arm hopes that they will become the next Albert Pujols or Pedro Martinez — and it just might happen because of their love of the game, a hunger to leave the island for the American dream, their talent, and the professional training. All Major League teams run academies in the Dominican Republic.

17 Santo Domingo:

A City of Firsts

Santo Domingo was the first permanent European settlement in the New World. Today it is home to about one million people.

by Christine Graf

anto Domingo is recognized as a city of Sfirsts. It was the first permanent European settlement in the Americas and quickly grew in importance. It became the seat of government for all of Spain’s possessions in the Americas and its principal New World outpost. Santo Domingo was also the starting point for most of Spain’s expeditions of exploration and conquest.

18 Many of the buildings that were constructed in by the late 19th century it was being used as the city were firsts of their kind in the New World. an insane asylum. Some of the cells and the In 1502, construction began on Fortaleza Ozama, shackles that were used to contain and restrain the New World’s first military fort. The city faced patients are still visible among the ruins of the the constant threat of pirate attacks, and the fort’s monastery. hilltop location and 60-foot (18 m) tower provided Santo Domingo became home to the New excellent vantage points of the Ozama River and the World’s first university, Santo Tomas de Aquino, Caribbean Sea. Its six-foot-thick (2m) walls are still in in 1538. It was made a university by order of excellent condition as are some of its cannons. The the Pope, but had operated as a seminary and fort was used as a prison until the 1960s and is now institute of learning for Roman Catholic monks a popular tourist attraction. since 1518. The university closed in 1832 Santo Domingo is also home to the New but was reopened in 1914 and renamed the World’s first hospital. Built in 1503, San Nicolas de Bari Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. It operated for 350 years before closing due to a lack is no longer affiliated with the Roman Catholic of funding. Earthquakes and hurricanes weakened Church, and it receives the majority of its its stone walls, and today only its ruins remain. funding from the government. As a result, Construction began on Monasterio de tuition is very affordable. Francisco, the New World’s first monastery, after The Roman Catholic Church has always Franciscan monks first arrived in Santo Domingo had a strong presence in Santo Domingo, and around 1505. The monastery was the center of Catholicism remains the predominant religion operations for their efforts to convert the Taino of the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo, people to Christianity. It was rebuilt twice, and once the headquarters of Catholicism in the

The National Palace houses the offices of president and vice president.

19 Visitors can still see the remains of Fortaleza Ozama, the New World’s first military fort.

New World, was also home to the A guard keeps watch at the National Pantheon where many New World’s first cathedral, Catedral de of the Dominican Republic’s honored citizens are laid to rest. Santa Maria la Menor. The cathedral’s first brick was laid in 1514 by Governor Diego Columbus (son of Christopher), but construction wasn’t completed until the early 1540s. In 1586, the church was badly damaged after Englishman Sir Francis Drake, nicknamed “The Queen’s Pirate,” invaded the city with 1,000 of his men. They held the city for ransom as retaliation for the Spanish embargo of British goods. Paying the ransom required the citizens of Santo Domingo to forfeit all of their gold and jewels. Although Drake occupied the city for only about one month, he burned down many buildings and badly damaged others. He and his men desecrated the Catedral de Santa Maria la Menor, plundered its tombs, burned its records, and stole 20 The people of Santo Domingo are proud of their historic city.

everything of value from it. The church century structures. Reminders was able to recover and continues to of the city’s past and its operate as a place of worship and a important place in history are popular tourist destination. It is filled with easy to find in this city of firsts. priceless artifacts, beautiful pieces of art and furniture, and 16th century tombs. Christine Graf is a frequent The cathedral once housed what are contributor to FACES. believed to be the remains of Christopher Columbus. In 1992, they were moved to a lighthouse built to commemorate the Fast Facts: 500th anniversary of his arrival in the New • The Taino people were World. exploited by the Spanish Today, Santo Domingo is the settlers and used as slaves to financial, political, industrial, and build many of their buildings. commercial center of the Dominican The Spanish also brought with Republic. It is home to a million people them numerous diseases that including a large number of urban poor killed large numbers of the who live in crowded and unsanitary Taino. slums. Despite these challenges, the • Seville Cathedral in Spain people of Santo Domingo are proud also claims to be in possession of their history. Their city is filled with of the remains of Christopher museums and beautifully restored 16th Columbus. 21 The Land of the Hurukan

A satellite image of Hurricane Frances in 2004 shows it moving through the Caribbean.

by Marcia Amidon Lusted

he Taino people, who were native to Tthe Dominican Republic, called them “hurukans,” which supposedly came from the Incan word for the God of Evil. These fierce tropical storms, with their high winds and high tides, were familiar events to the Taino. When the Spanish arrived in the 15th century, they didn’t have a word for such powerful storms, so they borrowed the Taino word, which eventually became “hurricane.”

22 The Dominican Republic is no stranger to hurricanes, which usually form during the months of June through November. The island of Hispaniola, which the Dominican Republic shares with Haiti, usually receives a serious hurricane every 23 years, and less powerful storms every five years, although this frequency is changing. Hurricanes are classified using the Saffir-Simpson Scale, based on average wind speed and storm surge. Hurricane Sandy caused widespread flooding in 2012. Each category of hurricane increases exponentially as the scale goes up, meaning that a Category 4 hurricane isn’t 4 times as intense as a Category 1 hurricane. Instead, it’s 255 times more intense! Category 1 hurricanes may have winds of 74-95 miles per hour and a storm surge of 3-5 feet, but a Category 5 hurricane has wind speeds over 156 miles per hour and a storm surge of more than 19 feet. These are the most devastating hurricanes. As climate change impacts On the move. Scientists keep a close eye global weather, hurricanes have become on the path of Tropical Storm Erika. more frequent and more intense. This is due to higher ocean temperatures, as hurricanes and other tropical storms get their energy from warm ocean water. Rising sea levels also make it more likely that coastal areas will flood as a result of storm surges. Storm surges are a wall of ocean water that the storm pushes inland, which occurs from the combination of high tides and high pressure generated by that storm. Hurricanes are also beginning to form at times of the year when they are not normally seen. In January 2016, a rare hurricane, named Alex, made landfall in the Azores. It was the first hurricane to form in January since 1938.

23 The wind gusts from Tropical Storm Erika topped out at about 50 mph.

Hurricanes wreak their damage two ways. all of the men and gold onboard. It is still First, their high winds and wind gusts can flatten called the Columbus Hurricane. Hurricane San buildings and other structures, especially if Zenon in 1930, a Category 4 hurricane, and those buildings are old or not constructed using Hurricane David in 1979, a Category 5 hurricane, hurricane-proof building methods. Second, the devastated the Dominican Republic. Hurricane storm surge that accompanies a hurricane floods Georges in 1998 dumped more rain than any low-lying coastal areas as well as rivers. Bridges other storm in modern history, destroying food are often destroyed and dams may be broken, crops and the pastures for livestock, which causing even more flooding. Salt water destroys were contaminated by seawater. Food had to vegetation for pastures and contaminates the soil be shipped in from outside of the country so for crops. that people would not starve. Even smaller The Dominican Republic’s record of storms, such as Jeanne, a Category 1 hurricane hurricanes goes back to the days of Christopher in 2004, can cause damage and destroy bridges Columbus, when he predicted a hurricane and roads, making travel impossible. Hurricane in 1502 and warned the Spanish governor Sandy in 2012 also caused widespread flooding, of Hispaniola not to send a fleet of 30 ships covering 70 percent of the streets in the city carrying gold back to Spain. His warning was of Santo Domingo and submerging many ignored and the ships sank in the storm, losing vehicles, impacting transportation around the 24 country. Large areas of the country were also Some tourist sites recommend avoiding the destroyed. Dominican Republic during the peak hurricane The Dominican Republic is taking steps months of August and September. At the very to minimize some of the devastation that is least, visitors are told to be alert for hurricane caused by hurricanes. With the help of several warnings, and to be prepared to evacuate if non-government organizations such as necessary. Habitat for Humanity and Oxfam, the country Hurricanes are a fact of life in the has started implementing many programs for Dominican Republic, as they are in many reducing the risk from hurricanes, especially in parts of the world, and are likely to become coastal communities. Because many farmers even more frequent and severe as the earth’s lost all of their livestock during previous climate shifts. But as with any tropical climate, hurricanes, an alert system has been created it’s just one of the issues that go along with that tells farmers when they should take living in a warm, sunny place. It pays to be their livestock to special shelters and if they alert and prepared when a “hurukan” threatens, themselves should seek emergency refuge. whether you live there or are just visiting.

Hurricanes and tropical storms can leave a path of destruction in their wake.

25 Salt of the Earth

by Ramona Scarborough

Sodium chloride, or salt, may improve the taste of your food, but too much of this mineral can cause health issues.

id you eat any rocks today? If you put salt Don your eggs or ate salty potato chips for lunch, you did. Salt or sodium chloride is a mineral we eat.

What you sprinkled out of the shaker on your table may have come from the Dominican Republic. In Monte Cristi, a small town near the border of Haiti, workers extract salt from the Caribbean waters. How do they do it? In this low-lying village, as the tide comes in, seawater flows into manmade shallow pools. The trapped water is heated by the tropical sun. As the water begins to evaporate, the pools turn a reddish hue. When the water recedes even more, the top layer is bleached white. The concentrated portion is then scraped off manually with wooden slat rakes.

26 The coarse, grainy crystals are scooped up by train or truck to a manufacturing plant. Here, into wheelbarrows, cleaned, and milled to a finer the salt often is refined into even finer grains or an consistency. The resulting sea salt is poured into anti-caking agent may be added before packaging. large shipping containers. Then, it takes another long truck ride to your Salt of the Earth Underneath the skimmed off white salt, grocery store or market and your family brings it the remaining layer is still a deep pinkish color. home. Laborers harvest and press these leftovers into Next time you season your food with salt, think blocks. This product is sold as salt licks for cattle about how it was processed and how far it came to and horses. get to you. Both the table salt and salt licks are hauled to nearby Pepillo Salcedo (Pep-e-yo Sal-see-doe) Ramona Scarborough has published five and brought to Pier Manzanillo (Man-zan-ne-yo). books. Her stories and articles have appeared Kids and adults alike gather to watch the ships in international, national, regional, and local arrive from the United States and Europe. One magazines and a number of anthologies. large cargo ship at a time moors alongside the long dock jutting out into the ocean. Ships are loaded with the salt as well as plantains, bananas, and rice. By the time salt arrives on your table, it has Fast Fact: traveled thousands of miles by ship. It may have • In the sixth century, the Moors traded salt for been transported hundreds of miles from a port gold, ounce for ounce.

Salt is taken from the waters of the Caribbean in this Dominican coastal town.

27 Cocoa pods can grow to about the size of a football.

For the Love of Chocolate by Lee Gjertsen Malone

eople around the world love the flavor as sugar and coffee, but it is a growing part of Pof chocolate in everything from candy the local economy, according to Dr. Amanda bars to breakfast cereals to drinks — and each Berlan, a professor at Coventry University in the American eats almost 10 pounds of chocolate United Kingdom who studies cocoa production. confections every year, according to research “Back in the 1980s, Dominican cocoa was group Euromonitor International. But few people seen as being of poor quality and could not understand what goes into making that candy be used to make high quality chocolate,” Dr. bar sitting in the corner store. Berlan says. As chocolate companies began to Chocolate starts its life as the seeds of the see the potential of growing the beans there, fruit of the cacao plant. The fruits, called pods, improvements were made in how they were can be reddish brown, green, or purple, and can dried and fermented. “As a result, Dominican grow to the size of a football. Each pod holds cocoa is now used by leading chocolatiers 20 to 50 large bean-like seeds, covered in a across the world.” milky white pulp. The plant is native to South Turning cacao beans into chocolate is America, but today is also grown in Africa and a multi-step process. First, the pods must the Caribbean. be harvested. Unlike many plants, the fruit Cacao (ckah-KOW), sometimes called cocoa, does not ripen all at once, so pods must be is not as big a crop in the Dominican Republic harvested several times a year. Then the pods 28 are opened — traditionally with a large knife as good roads and reliable electricity supplies called a machete — and the white pulp and and where problems such as flooding can be beans are removed and laid out for several days quite common,” Berlan says. Unprocessed or low until the pulp ferments and liquefies, leaving the quality cacao does not fetch high prices, which seeds behind. This process, called “sweating,” is is one reason why Dominican farmers have tried extremely important because if it is not done to improve the quality of the product they grow. properly the resulting chocolate can taste bland In addition, she says, “One of the big challenges or the beans can become moldy. faced by farmers in the Dominican Republic Once the beans have sweated, they are is hurricanes. While these do not happen that fermented and dried for as long as a week. In often, they are a risk to the farmers, their families the traditional process, this is done outside in and communities and can destroy their farms. the sun, but major manufacturers use artificial For example, Hurricane Georges wiped out heat sources. The beans can then be crushed, almost two-thirds of the cocoa crop in 24 hours roasted, ground up, and made into a wide in 1998. This left many of the farmers deeply variety of chocolate treats. frustrated and worried about the future. Farming cacao is a demanding job. In the Because farming can be a difficult life, many Dominican Republic, “Cocoa farmers live in rural young people in the Dominican Republic are areas that typically do not have resources such turning to different types of jobs, Berlan says.

Drying the cocoa seeds is a vital step in the production of chocolate. by Lee Gjertsen Malone

29 “This is not just a problem in the Dominican Republic; across the world generally fewer and fewer young people are going into farming. This is a very challenging situation as it raises questions about who will grow food in the future. The global population is increasing and therefore we need more people to go into farming in order to feed the world.”

Lee Gjertsen Malone is a chocolate-loving writer in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her middle grade novel, THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH’S, was published by Aladdin/Simon & Schuster in February.

Fast Facts:

The seeds of the cocoa fruit are encased in a white pulp. • It can take a whole year’s crop from one tree to make half a kilogram of cocoa (source: European Campaign for Fair Chocolate).

• Anthropologist believe that parts of the cacao plant were first consumed by humans in South America as early as 1400 B.C. (source: the National Academy of Sciences).

A worker uses a machete to cut down a cocoa pod.

30 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Crossword

ACROSS 1. sodium chloride is commonly referred to as ____ 3. a rich stew made with vegetables and meats 7. most popular sport in the Dominican Republic DOWN 8. the Dominican Republic shares 2. the cacata is this type of spider this island with Haiti 4. sea that surrounds the Dominican 9. European who landed in the Republic Dominican Republic in 1492 (two 5. hurricanes usually form during the words) months of June through ____ 6. the capital of the Dominican Republic (two words) Answers are on page 48.

31 The Merengue A CLOSER LOOK compiled by Carolee Miot McIntosh

he Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic, Tand throughout much of the Caribbean and South America. Given its African roots, the upper class and European descendants initially rejected the dance. Dominican dictator (1891- 1961) helped to advance its popularity and acceptance by using it as a campaigning tool to gain the support of the economically disadvantaged population.

The Story There are several versions of the Merengue’s origins. Some say the Merengue steps mimic those of slaves chained together and dragging one foot as they moved. Others say a war hero returned injured to a celebration. In sympathy, the crowds moved to music with a limp and gave life to the Merengue. The Merengue may even have been named for its likeness to the dessert meringue made of whipped egg whites and sugar.

The Dance The dance began as a circle dance with male and female partners facing each other and holding hands. As with many African dances, the focus was on footwork and shoulder movements. Hip movement and partners dancing closer evolved over time. With its clear beat and constant rhythm, it is considered a very simple dance and is included in all celebrations. And the music that accompanies the dance is just as popular. The basic Merengue step is taking small steps to the side with the partners holding each other in closed dance position. This side step basic is called paso de la empalizada, or stick-fence step. Ballroom dancers may call it a chasse, the chase (with one foot chasing the other to the side). Turns are added in as solo or two- handed turns for added fun and interest. While the dance can be done to an eight count, it was unlikely it was intended to be so rigid.

32 The Music A Merengue group or ensemble is called “Conjunto Tipico.” The ensemble includes a diatonic accordion, a two-sided drum held on the lap called a tambora, and a güira. The güira is a homemade percussion instrument made from a sheet of metal perforated with a nail and then rolled into a cylinder and played with a stiff brush.

When the occasion calls for a band or orchestra, instruments such as a saxophone, piano, timbales, hi-hat, conga, and electric bass guitar are added.

33 s s os s s s s s s s s s s s o A Taste of the s

s ] Caribbean ]

by Becky Schrotenboer

o o s s s s s s s s s s s s

ow would you like a bowl of hot stew on a humid, H90-degree day? In the Dominican Republic, where the weather is generally tropical and warm even in winter, stew is a typical meal. In fact, when asked what their favorite meal is, most of my Dominican friends answer, “sancocho” (saahn-COACH-o). Sancocho is a rich stew made with vegetables and meats. It is served on special occasions, such as birthdays and Christmas. 1234567890-= Sancocho, like many Dominican dishes, is quite flavorful. Some of the ingredients that make Dominican meals so rich are oregano, garlic, coconut, and molasses. Most people qwerty eat the main meal of the day, called comida (co-ME-dah), around noon. A common meal would be meat, rice, beans, plantains, salad, dessert, and strong black coffee. uiop[]\’; Most ingredients for sancocho can be found in a supermarket. Larger supermarkets may carry plàtanos (PLAAH- tah-nos), or plantains, in their produce section. Plantains look lkjhg like large green bananas, but they taste more like potatoes. They grow on trees in bunches like bananas. Yucca (YOU-kah), an ingredient that may be more difficult fdsazxc to find, is actually the root of a plant. The outside is a brown bark-like skin and the inside is a hard white flesh. An ingredient that surprises many foreigners as they feast on stew is the vbnm,./ chicken foot. Dominicans use an entire, cut-up chicken, including the feet, in sancocho. Most Dominicans enjoy chewing on a chicken foot, and one should be served in their bowls of stew. Note: Since only one whole chicken is used in the stew, only two people will receive a foot in their bowls.

34 s i o ] [ Sancocho Savory Stew Sancocho is a popular stew throughout the Caribbean. ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Adult supervision may be required. You Need: 1 green plantain (green cooking banana) 1 3-pound chicken, rinsed and cut into pieces (or 1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, rinsed and cut into pieces) 2 pork chops, cut into pieces 1/2 pound Italian hot sausage 1/2 teaspoon oregano 1 garlic clove, minced 1 sprig parsley 1 sprig cilantro 1 green pepper, minced 1 onion, chopped 1/2 tablespoon salt 2 tablespoons vegetable oil water 1/4 pound yucca, peeled and cut 2. In a bowl, combine the chicken, pork, into pieces (optional) sausage, oregano, garlic, parsley, cilantro, 1/2 pound butternut squash, peeled and green pepper, onion, and salt. Let this cut into pieces marinate (sit in the bowl together) for about 1 carrot, peeled and cut into 4 or 5 one hour. pieces 1 large potato, peeled and quartered 3. Put the oil in the frying pan and place 1 ear corn, broken into 4 pieces over medium heat. Remove the chicken, (optional) pork, and sausage from the bowl and place 2 large glass mixing bowls them in the pan. Cook until all the meat is 1 large frying pan browned. Remove the meat and set it aside 1 large soup kettle in another bowl. utensils

1. Peel the plantain by cutting off both ends with a knife. Slit the skin from one end to the other. Repeat, making three more slits the length of the plantain. Pull off the skin in a downward motion. Scrape off any remaining fibers carefully because the skin and flesh of the plantain stains. Cut the Plantains plantain into 8 pieces and set aside. 35 4. Place the marinade (the mixture left in the first bowl) and 1 cup of water in the frying pan and simmer. Stir constantly until all the pan drippings are scraped up from the bottom.

5. Pour the mixture from the frying pan into the soup kettle. Add 5 more cups of water and heat the mixture on medium high until it boils. Add Yucca the plantain and yucca. Ten minutes later, add the butternut squash and carrot. In another 10 minutes, add the browned meats, potato, and corn. Continue cooking 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

6. Serve sancocho with white rice and avocado slices. Serves 6-8.

As they say in the Dominican Republic, “Buen provecho!” (Bwayne proa-VAY-cho.) Enjoy your meal! WHERE IN THE WORLD?

s reader is enjo thi yin re g he he HERE IS A HINT: w r co This body of water is the Dominican w p o y Republic’s largest natural lake. n k o u f F o A y C o E D S

?

The answer is on page 48. 36 YOUR TURN

Baseball is a way of life in the Dominican Republic! Get your creative juices flowing and create a logo for a fictional baseball team. What would your team name be?

Team Name:

Send your design to FACES Cap, Cricket Media, 70 E Lake Street Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60601 by May 16, 2016. Your artwork could appear in an upcoming issue of FACES.

* All submissions become property of Cricket Media and will not be returned. 37 Kites…

on the Ocean?

Kiteboarding is one of the Dominican’s fastest growing tourist activities. by Marcia Amidon Lusted

Above beautiful Kite Beach in Cabarete, has even hosted the Kiteboarding World on the northeast coast of the Dominican Cup. But just what is kiteboarding, and Republic, huge colorful kites dart and dip how has it become so popular? The idea in the breeze. Kites aren’t an unusual sight of using kites as a kind of transportation on any beach, but these aren’t ordinary actually goes back to China in the 13th kites. Instead of being flown by people century. Then in 1903, Samuel Cody of standing in the sand, these kites, which are England used “man-lifting kites” to pull inflatable instead of being flat like regular a small canvas boat across the English kites, are actually pulling men and women Channel. But today’s sport of kiteboarding through the water on what look like short is relatively young. Two brothers from surfboards. Some even leap high above the France, Dominique and Bruno Legaignoux, waves, twisting and jumping, as their kites began experimenting with inflatable kites pull them up into the air. Welcome to the in 1984. In the United States, Cory Roeseler sport of kiteboarding, one of the world’s and his dad, who worked in aerodynamics hottest new watersports! for the Boeing airplane company, invented Cabarete, a small village, is one of the KiteSki, which used a board similar the best kiteboarding sites in the world. It to a surfboard. The Legaignoux brothers

38 eventually patented a kite with inflatable tubes pulling power. Kites also come in several and a harness system of strings that allowed designs: C-kites, or leading edge inflatable a rider to control the kite from the water kites, have inflatable chambers that give them Kites… and relaunch it easily if it crashed. Modern a crescent shape and make them easy to kiteboarding was born, and by 1998 the first relaunch if they fall into the water. Foil kites kiteboarding competitions were taking place in have cells or chambers that are inflated by Hawaii. the wind, instead of permanent inflatable How does kiteboarding work? The rider chambers. However, some types of foil kites wears a special harness around his or her waist, cannot be relaunched from the water. Kite where the kite is attached by a set of four lines boarders also wear wetsuits, helmets, booties, that are fastened to a control bar that the rider and gloves to protect them. holds onto with both hands. These lines steer Kiteboarding has become increasingly the kite as well as making it possible to change popular in the last 10 years, and many places how much wind power the kite is using. The all over the world offer kiteboarding lessons kite pulls the rider along on a board that is for beginners. While it takes some skill to similar to a wakeboard or short surfboard. The learn to manage a kite and stay upright on rider’s feet fit into rubber cups to help them stay the board, with practice you’ll find yourself on the board without slipping. skimming along the waves, pulled by the Kites come in different sizes and riders colorful, playful tug of your kite. And if use the kite that is best suited to the wind you’re lucky enough to be in the Dominican conditions where they are riding. Smaller kites Republic, you’re already in one of the world’s are easier to control, but large kites have more best places for kiteboarding!

The conditions for kiteboarding are so ideal in Cabarete that world championship events have been held in this small village.

39 Help Wanted: Expedition Seeks Explorers

Expedition seeks explorers brave enough to face bizarre, glow-in- the-dark creatures. Must be able to navigate safely past vents spewing liquid carbon dioxide, erupting mud volcanoes, and a treacherous lake of molten sulfur. What strange corner of the universe is this expedition headed for? It’s a cozy little planet called Earth...

Explore the world of science with MUSE® Magazine!

Subscribe at Shop.CricketMedia.com/Try-Muse FALLEN QUOTE

Jumbled here you will find a proverb from the Dominican Republic. The letters are directly below the column in which they fit, but are mixed up within the column. It is your job to determine where each letter goes.

I S G R O A R T Y W H E R D E O H U A B R O O U

N H N N E Y A D

Answer to Fallen Quote on page 48

Want to check out prehistoric bugs? A museum in Puerto Plata features many pieces of amber, a fossil tree resin formed millions of years ago, with ancient bugs and flora trapped within.

Face facts by Janise Gates 41 rful Thing in ost Wonde the Kingd The M om

retold by Marilyn Sullivan • illustrated by Rachel Baker

nce upon a time, Prince Enrique, Prince Gordo, and Prince Juan lived in a stone castle by the sea. All three brothers loved the beautiful Princess Carmelita, whose father, OKing Francisco, ruled a nearby kingdom. As they could not all marry her, Carmelita’s father created a plan. “Whoever brings back the most wonderful thing in my kingdom will marry my daughter,” declared the king. “Do not be fooled by appearances,” he warned. “When a choice must be made, let Juan decide. He is the wisest.” Setting out on their journey, the brothers soon came to a place where the road divided. Three faded signs pointed the way to the Endless Desert, the Shadow Forest, and the Orchard Valley. “I am the oldest, so I will choose first,” said Prince Enrique. “But I am the smartest,” said Prince Gordo, frowning at his brother. “The king said I should decide,” reminded Prince Juan. “Enrique, take the road to the right and Gordo, go straight ahead. I will take the left road.” The brothers agreed to meet under the signpost in three days, then went their separate ways.

42 rful Thing in ost Wonde the Kingd The M om

retold by Marilyn Sullivan • illustrated by Rachel Baker

After walking many miles through the hot Endless Desert, Prince Enrique came to an oasis. As he stopped to get a drink of water, he heard a man call out. “Magic carpet for only 2,000 pesos!” the man said. Enrique turned to see a merchant sitting in the doorway of his booth, holding up a faded, tattered rug. “Prove it’s a magic carpet,” Enrique ordered, walking over to the man. “Step on it and say where you want to go,” said the merchant. “To the top of the sand dune,” Enrique commanded as he stood on the rug. Instantly, the prince was whisked to the top of the dune. “This magic carpet is the most wonderful thing in the kingdom,” said Prince Enrique. After paying the merchant, he hurried away to meet his brothers. Prince Gordo was exhausted when he finally entered the Shadow Forest. As he leaned against a tree to rest, he saw an old man in a nearby clearing looking at the sky through a long tube. “What do you have there?” Gordo called out. “A telescope for only 4,000 pesos,” said the old man, approaching the prince. “Your telescope is not worth that price,” said Prince Gordo. “It is scratched and bent.” “It is magic,” said the old man. “Prove it,” said Gordo, folding his arms.

43 “Tell it what you want to see,” said the old man, handing him the telescope. “Prince Enrique,” said Prince Gordo, peering through the telescope. Instantly, he saw his brother at the oasis, buying the rug. Believing the magic telescope was the most wonderful thing in the kingdom, Prince Gordo paid the old man and went on his way. After traveling all day, Prince Juan came to the Orchard Valley. As he entered an apple orchard, he saw an old woman sitting beside a basket of red apples. “Good day, Señora,” he said, bowing. “May I buy one of your apples? I am hungry.” “Six thousand pesos,” answered the old woman, holding up a wrinkled, wormy apple. “Why such a high price?” asked the prince. “It is a magic apple,” explained the old woman. “If a sick person smells it, that person will be healed instantly.” This magic apple is the most wonderful thing in the kingdom, thought Prince Juan. He paid 6,000 pesos and started back to meet his brothers. When Gordo and Juan arrived at the crossroad sign, Enrique was waiting for them. “My carpet will take me anywhere I choose,” bragged Prince Enrique, spreading the rug on the ground. “My telescope will show me anything I

44 want to see,” Prince Gordo boasted as he pulled the long tube out of his bag. “Princess Carmelita,” he said, looking through the telescope. “My apple will heal any sick person,” said Prince Juan. “The princess is very ill!” blurted out Gordo. “Step on my rug,” said Enrique. “To Princess Carmelita!” he shouted. Instantly, the brothers were transported to the bedside of the princess. She lay still, her eyes closed, her face the color of white marble. Juan held the apple close to Carmelita’s nose. As the color returned to her cheeks, she opened her eyes and smiled. “Prince Juan has brought back the most wonderful thing in the kingdom,” declared King Francisco. “He wouldn’t have arrived in time to the princess without my carpet,” protested Enrique. “He wouldn’t have known that Carmelita was ill without my telescope,” argued Gordo. “No one has asked me whom I want to marry,” said the princess, sitting up. “I choose Juan,” she said, taking his hand. “He has always possessed the most wonderful thing in the kingdom — a gentle, unselfish spirit.” Enrique and Gordo soon found other princesses to marry. After a big wedding, they all lived happily ever after.

Word Help An oasis is a place in a desert where plants and other vegetation can grow because there is water.

45 The Museo Candido Bido features not only the artist’s work, but the artwork of many other Caribbean artists.

by Brenda Breuls A Portrait Mosaic with Candido Bido

andido Bido cared deeply about the arts. CIn addition to working as an art professor, Materials Bido founded numerous art centers, schools, and Paper in light blue, dark blue, museums. He worked hard to promote art education. yellow, orange, and red Bido was inspired by the simple farming life of the people from his rural Cibao community. He used Paper cutter contrasting colors of blue and orange to reflect the White glue brilliant tropical sun, which he typically included in Modge podge all his paintings. Often, women’s heads were adorned Thick black marker with scarves, leaves, flowers, or birds worn like a hat. Bido painted with small dots making his canvas Poster paper or wooden board shimmer with color. His style is fun to imitate.

46 Step 1: Collecting light blue and orange. Use color to make a Choose some paper such as construction paper, distinction between the land, in the bottom two magazine pages, or other special papers. Choose squares and sky in the top two squares. Make colors in light blue, dark blue, red, orange, and shadows on the face by using yellow for the yellow. Using a paper cutter, cut them into highlights and red for the shaded parts. Bido ½-inch squares and sort them according to color. used black to draw the facial shapes, eyes, and hair. When you are happy with your sketch, Step 2: Planning copy it onto the cardstock or wood panel. Start your plan by separating your paper into four equal squares. Make your horizontal line Step 4: Gluing the horizon. Put a circle in one of the upper Lay out the squares of paper on a practice squares for the sun. Draw the figure directly on surface. Transfer squares of color on the poster top of the center where the four squares meet. paper or wood panel, gluing each one as you Make the shapes simple and flat. Erase the go along. Overlap them to create constant lines of the squares that show through in the color with no gaps. Once all the pieces are face. Create a fancy headpiece with leaves or glued down, go over the outlines with a thick flowers, or add a headscarf. You could include black marker and add details. Fill in the eyes some simple birds and butterflies as Bido often and hair. When everything is complete, paint a by Brenda Breuls did. layer of modge podge over the entire piece to protect it. Step 3: Shading Plan where the light will create shadows on Step 5: Displaying your piece. Choose one side of the background When your piece is dry, display it in a nice black to make slightly darker by using dark blue frame. It will make the colors pop and highlight and red, make the other side lighter by using the black lines.

Contest: Portrait Mosaic Send us your “Portrait Mosaic”! Mail your creation to FACES Clay Portrait Mosaic, Cricket Media, 70 East Street, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60601 or email a high-resolution image to [email protected] by May 23, 2016. Be sure to include your full name, age, and address. Select art will be featured in an upcoming issue of FACES. *All submissions become property of Cricket Media and will not be returned. 47 EDITOR’S PICK Answer to Mystery Photo on inside front cover: Not too much! Salt is best used in moderation.

Answer to Dominican Republic Crossword on Growing Up Pedro page 31: ACROSS by Matt Tavares 1. salt; 3. sancocho; 7. baseball; 8. Hispaniola; 9. Christopher Columbus. DOWN Pedro Martinez was one of the best 2. tarantula; 4. Caribbean; 5. November; 6. Santo Major League of all time. He Domingo. won three Cy Young awards and helped Answer to Where in the World on page 36: Lake the Boston Red Sox break an 86-year- Enriquillo has an area of about 102 square miles. old World Series Championship drought. Answer to Fallen Quote on page 41: But this book is less about that story, and “When you are hungry, no bread is too hard.” more about the story of two Dominican Answer to Shopping Frenzy on back cover: brothers who looked out for each other. Pedro watched as his older brother, Ramon, made it to the big leagues. Pedro worked hard and despite many who thought he was too small to pitch in the major leagues, soon followed Ramon to the United States. Both had success in the major leagues, but it is their bond that is the star. A great book regardless of whether you are a baseball fan.

Ages 9 and up Candlewick Press, 2015 www.candlewick.com

Picture Credits: Konstantin Kopachinsky/Shutterstock.com: SAY WHAT? inside front cover; Maciej Czekajewski/Shutterstock.com: 2-3, 11 (bottom), 20 (bottom); Peter Hermes Furian/Shutterstock. com: 4-5; Piotr Przyluski/Shutterstock.com: 5; Mirek Kijewski/ from January 2016 FACES: The New Year Around the World Shutterstock.com: 6; iLight Photo/Shutterstock.com: 7 (left); Yongkiet Jitwattanatam/Shutterstock.com: 7 (right); Daniel- Alvarez/Shutterstock.com: 8; © age fotostock/Alamy Stock “Hey! You said there was a Photo: 9; Lars Christensen/Shutterstock.com: 10; © Odyssey- party!” Images/Alamy Stock Photo: 11 (top); © Michael Dwyer/Alamy Stock Photo: 12, 18; © Keith Dannemiller/Alamy Stock Photo: – Wrenn H. 13 (top); © Tribune Content Agency LLC/Alamy Stock Photo: 13 (bottom); © Xinhua/Alamy Stock Photo: 14 (top); Stefano Ember/Shutterstock.com: 14 (bottom); Joe Nicholson-USA “Someone’s supposed to TODAY Sports: 15 (top left and bottom center); Jayne invite me to a party, am I Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports: 15 (top right); Reinhold right?” Matay-USA TODAY Sports: 15 (bottom left); Nick Turchiaro- USA TODAY Sports: 15 (bottom right); REUTERS/Eduardo – Sophia M. Munoz: 16, 17 (both); Felix Lipov/Shutterstock.com: 19; Ulora/ Shutterstock.com: 20 (top); Goran Bogicevic/Shutterstock. com: 21; REUTERS/STR New: 22; REUTERS/Ricardo Rojas: “Party time already?” 23 (both), 24; REUTERS: 25; chriss73/Shutterstock.com: 26, – Juliet B. 27; © MARKA / Alamy Stock Photo: 28; © Simon Rawles/ Alamy Stock Photo: 29, 30 (top); © Rowan Miles/Alamy Stock Photo: 30 (bottom); Valentin Valkov/Shutterstock.com: 31; © “I’m going to stick my neck Edward Olive/Alamy Stock Photo: 32-33; © robertharding/ out and say there is a party Alamy Stock Photo: 35 (top); bonchan/Shutterstock.com: somewhere!” 35 (bottom); Binh Thanh Bui/Shutterstock.com: 36 (top); © Reinhard Dirscherl/Alamy Stock Photo: 36 (bottom); © Terry – Jon R. Harris/Alamy Stock Photo: 38; © Silvan Wick water-sports/ Alamy Stock Photo: 39; © Hackenberg-Photo-Cologne/ Alamy Stock Photo: 46; David Carillet/Shutterstock.com: “Where’s the cake?” 48; anekoho/Shutterstock.com: 49. Cricket Media has made – Oliver T. every effort to trace the copyrights of these images.

48 ONE LAST FACE ONE LAST

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49 FACES • APRIL 2016 VOLUME 32 • NUMBER 6 Up, Up, and Away! Can you find the two kites that are identical? Answer is on page 48.

illustration by Chuck Whelon

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