Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites - Kids Kaleidoscope

The Santa Barbara 24th Annual International Film Festival ended in February, and was a great opportunity for everyone to see the best in films, especially animated films. The schedule included the "Applebox" collection of films for kids and their families, as well as some great documentaries. I found "Inventing LA: The Chandler's and Their Times," a documentary on the Chandler's who started the Los Angeles Times very interesting, especially when this is one of my family names. The photo history of LA from the 1800s to 2009 was very educational, and learning about the men who built a great newspaper was also interesting.

Some great animated films I would recommend are WALL-E and "How Children Fly" "It's Not Me, I Swear" was a very funny movie about a family in French Canada that really made everyone laugh. The ten year old brother does things that most kids think of but never do. This movie was unreal, but so funny!

The Oscar's gave big votes to WALL-E and that's good. They also thought Slumdog Millionaire was great! It makes me feel good when these guys agree with the things real kids like.

FYI -- This was written by
A 15 yr. Old SCHOOL KID IN ARIZONA
New Pledge of Allegiance (TOTALLY AWESOME) !

Since the Pledge of Allegiance And The Lord's Prayer
Are not allowed in most Public schools anymore
Because the word 'God' is mentioned....
A kid in Arizona wrote the attached

NEW School Prayer :
>
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
>

If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
>
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
>
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
>
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks..
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen

If you aren't ashamed to do this,
Please pass this on.

Jesus said,
‘If you are ashamed of me,
I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'

-- $1 from every tea tin sold will help Room to Read educate the world’s children --

The Republic of Tea’s new LITTLE CITIZENS’ HERB TEAS, enjoyed hot or iced, is the first line of naturally caffeine-free, organic Rooibos based, Fair Trade Certified herbal teas for children. For every tin of LITTLE CITIZENS’ HERB TEAS sold, The Republic of Tea will contribute $1 to Room to Read, an organization that impacts the lives of millions of children in the developing world by providing the lifelong gift of education. Through this partnership, The Republic of Tea will provide funding to establish bi-lingual libraries for underprivileged children in South Africa, as well as help Room to Read establish libraries in other countries in need.

THE LITTLE CITIZENS’ HERB TEAS are Fair Trade Certified by TransFair USA. The collection offers three flavors, including: STRAWBERRY VANILLA TEA, TANGERINE TEA and APPLE CHERRY TEA. This line is made from organic Rooibos (ROY-Boss) or Red Tea, a naturally caffeine-free, anti-allergenic herb from South Africa, recognized for remarkable antioxidant properties and as an aid to the immune system. Rooibos is paired with only the highest quality herbs (not standard commodity tea herbs) and all-natural ingredients to produce each tin of LITTLE CITIZENS’ HERB TEAS.

Room to Read, founded by John Wood in 2000, is a leader in providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children around the world. Room to Read was established based on the belief that education is crucial to breaking the cycle of poverty in the developing world. Since then, the organization has supported nearly two million children by catalyzing the construction of more than 700 schools and 7,000 bilingual libraries with 5 million books and supporting the education of over 7,000 girls. Room to Read is providing opportunities that change children's lives and communities throughout Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Zambia. Its goal is to create an additional 5,000 libraries, bringing education to five million children by 2010. Please visit: www.roomtoread.org.

LITTLE CITIZENS’ HERB TEAS are sold separately and have a suggested retail price of $10.50 for a tin containing 36 unbleached, round tea bags, free of unnecessary strings, tags or staples. The cost per serving is less than .30 per tea bag. LITTLE CITIZENS’ HERB TEAS are available nationwide at select natural and specialty food stores, through the company Web site, (www.REPUBLICofTEA.com), The Republic of Tea’s mail-order catalogue and by calling 800.298.4832.

LITTLE CITIZENS’ HERB TEAS are contained in The Republic of Tea’s signature tea tin. Each label depicts a fanciful, richly-colored image of the LITTLE CITIZENS’ HERB TEAS mascot, Bamboo the panda bear and his animal friends enjoying tea and books amid exotic locations including India, South Africa and Vietnam. In addition to brewing instructions and ingredients, each label, in words and graphics, tells a tale of Bamboo and his adventures, as well as the history and mission of Room to Read. Children can discover a different story of Bamboo and his reading friends on each of the three LITTLE CITIZENS’ HERB TEA tins.

The Republic of Tea enriches people’s lives -- emphasizing a Sip by Sip Rather Than Gulp by Gulp lifestyle -- through premium teas, education and innovation. Founded in 1992, The Republic of Tea sparked a specialty tea revolution. The brand offers an unequaled selection of the highest-quality teas, herbs and ready-to-drink unsweetened iced teas, available exclusively at specialty retailers throughout North America and the first varietal glass bottled iced teas for fine restaurants and hotels. Further, The Republic of Tea is mindful of how its actions impact on the greater community and actively supports worthy organizations like Sunny Hills Services, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Room to Read and The Ethical Tea Partnership. For more information, please visit www.REPUBLICofTEA.com or call 1.800.298.4832.