A Walk for Others
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1909865,00.html
An 11-year-old travels to Washington, D.C., to raise help for kids
By Joyce C. Tang
Zach Bonner is "pretty tired," he says. Instead of going to camp this summer, Zach, 11, decided to walk 668 miles from Atlanta, Georgia, to the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. Why? Zach hopes to raise awareness about the plight of homeless kids. His journey to help others began two years ago. Zach walked from his home in Tampa, Florida, to Tallahassee. Then, in 2008, he did it again, this time walking from Tallahassee to Atlanta.
From Zach's House to the White House
Since May, Zach has traveled 12 miles every day in his trusty Adidas shoes. Along the way, he has collected more than 1,000 letters about homeless children. He hopes to give the letters to President Barack Obama. Zach says he wants his walk to make a difference.
More than 1 million children in the United States live in shelters or on the streets. During his pilgrimage, Zach spent 24 hours with a group of homeless children so he could learn the difficulties they face.
On Thursday, Zach walked the last mile of his long journey. More than 500 supporters, including 300 homeless kids, joined Zach. They marched with him down the National Mall. "It was a long walk," Zach says, "but it was definitely worth it."
A History of Service
In 2005, Zach participated in an episode of the television show "Extreme Makeover Home Edition." He says that helping to build homes made him realize there were people who didn't have anywhere to live. That's when he decided that he wanted to help homeless youth. He was also inspired by a movie he saw about Mildred Norman, an activist who promoted world peace by walking 25,000 miles. Zach thought that walking would be a good way to draw attention to his cause.
Zach is also the founder of the Little Red Wagon Foundation. The purpose of the non-profit is to help needy youth. Through his group, Zach has raised money and donated school supplies. "A lot of homeless youth don't get the opportunity to succeed in school because they don't have supplies," he says.
Zach's volunteerism has even inspired a Hollywood movie based on his life. "He's the most extraordinary ordinary kid I've ever met," says Michael Guillen of the Philanthropy Project, who is making the movie. "He hasn't just talked the talk. He has literally and figuratively walked the walk."
As difficult and tiring as the journey was, Zach won't be trading in his walking shoes. "When homeless kids get tired of being homeless, they don't get to quit. So why should I quit when I get tired of walking?"
To find out more about Zach Bonner and his walk to the White House, visit zachtracker.com.
Max-I think Zach is a good person because of helping poor and homeless children. He donated money to the children that are poor and homeless to buy things, and even walking from his house to the white house to help children! I hope more and more people will join Zach and help children.
2009/07/16
Lady Liberty's Crown Reopens
Lady Liberty's Crown Reopens
Visitors climb to the Statue of Liberty's crown for the first time since September 11, 2001
By Laura Slot
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1908850,00.html
After terrorists attacked the United States on September 11, 2001, officials closed the Statue of Liberty and its surrounding grounds on Liberty Island. They worried that the site wasn't safe. In 2004, visitors could access the island and the base of the statue again, but not the crown. On Independence Day, as a special gift to the American people, the White House reopened the crown.
The skyline of downtown Manhattan, seen from the top of Lady Liberty.
A Big Climb
Anthony Weiner, who represents New York in the House of Representatives, pushed for years to have the crown reopened. "It's nice to stand and breathe the air on Liberty Island, but you really haven't lived the experience until you've gone up to the crown," he said. "A lot of Americans are able to see that now."
Andrea Balfour and her daughter, Mona, were among the lucky few to climb to the top on July 4, which happened to be Mona's 13th birthday. Mona earned the honor by winning an essay contest sponsored by the New York Daily News. Andrea Balfour takes the Staten Island ferry to get to work. "I pass it every day and we just wave to it or take pictures. Now we actually get to go inside," she said.
The spiral staircase inside the statue has 354 steps. It is dark and narrow. Some steps are too small to fit an entire foot. That's why only ten people at a time are allowed to go into the crown. A lottery system decides who can go up. Visitors are guided by park rangers during the climb.
Visitor Chris Bartnick and his daughter Aleyna enjoy the view from the Statue of Liberty's crown on July 4.
Symbol of Freedom
Before September 11, 2001, nearly 6 million people toured Lady Liberty each year. After, the number of visitors fell by almost half. Now that the crown is open, about 14,500 tickets have been sold. Most of them are for visits taking place this summer. Tickets for re-opening weekend sold out in just hours.
The 305-foot statue came to the U.S. in 1885. It was a gift from the people of France, honoring the 100 years of friendship between the countries since the American Revolution. The statue came to symbolize freedom, democracy and a safe haven for immigrants.
Max-The Statue of Liberty is very beautiful but was been closed after the attack. The terrorists are so evil that after the attack they closed the statue! Now it reopens, so we need to protect the statue so we won’t let the evil terrorists attack it again!
Visitors climb to the Statue of Liberty's crown for the first time since September 11, 2001
By Laura Slot
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1908850,00.html
After terrorists attacked the United States on September 11, 2001, officials closed the Statue of Liberty and its surrounding grounds on Liberty Island. They worried that the site wasn't safe. In 2004, visitors could access the island and the base of the statue again, but not the crown. On Independence Day, as a special gift to the American people, the White House reopened the crown.
The skyline of downtown Manhattan, seen from the top of Lady Liberty.
A Big Climb
Anthony Weiner, who represents New York in the House of Representatives, pushed for years to have the crown reopened. "It's nice to stand and breathe the air on Liberty Island, but you really haven't lived the experience until you've gone up to the crown," he said. "A lot of Americans are able to see that now."
Andrea Balfour and her daughter, Mona, were among the lucky few to climb to the top on July 4, which happened to be Mona's 13th birthday. Mona earned the honor by winning an essay contest sponsored by the New York Daily News. Andrea Balfour takes the Staten Island ferry to get to work. "I pass it every day and we just wave to it or take pictures. Now we actually get to go inside," she said.
The spiral staircase inside the statue has 354 steps. It is dark and narrow. Some steps are too small to fit an entire foot. That's why only ten people at a time are allowed to go into the crown. A lottery system decides who can go up. Visitors are guided by park rangers during the climb.
Visitor Chris Bartnick and his daughter Aleyna enjoy the view from the Statue of Liberty's crown on July 4.
Symbol of Freedom
Before September 11, 2001, nearly 6 million people toured Lady Liberty each year. After, the number of visitors fell by almost half. Now that the crown is open, about 14,500 tickets have been sold. Most of them are for visits taking place this summer. Tickets for re-opening weekend sold out in just hours.
The 305-foot statue came to the U.S. in 1885. It was a gift from the people of France, honoring the 100 years of friendship between the countries since the American Revolution. The statue came to symbolize freedom, democracy and a safe haven for immigrants.
Max-The Statue of Liberty is very beautiful but was been closed after the attack. The terrorists are so evil that after the attack they closed the statue! Now it reopens, so we need to protect the statue so we won’t let the evil terrorists attack it again!
Walrus Worries
Walrus Worries
Biologists in Alaska are counting walruses in the Arctic Ocean. The goal: To decide whether the walrus is an endangered species
By Laura Slot
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1905849,00.html
In 1990, biologists counted 201,039 walruses in the Arctic Ocean. Now, almost 20 years later, there seem to be fewer. After three years of counting, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that there are only 15,164 walruses in the area. But, scientists say, they're not finished counting.
"We're still working on the final population estimate," said Suzann Speckman. She is a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Endangered Species?
What's a possible reason for the lower walrus count? Brendan Cummings, a spokesperson for the Center for Biological Diversity, thinks many walruses are dying. He believes global warming is melting the ice in the waters between Alaska and Russia. That's the area where most walruses live. The chubby mammals with the big tusks use the ice to dive and hunt from.
But other scientists aren't so sure that the walruses are dying out. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Doug Burn said, "We realized we were missing a lot of walrus groups." So the walrus count goes on. The counting hasn't been easy. Scientists sometimes have to guess the number of walruses that are underwater. And some technical problems made counting more difficult. A method that counts the mammals using body heat did not work. It delayed the operation by a whole year.
U.S. law requires scientists to count the walruses every three years. Then, if the mammals turn out to be an endangered species, they will be counted every year. As the current count goes on, it will become clearer to scientists just how the walrus is doing in the wild.
Max-I think that the main cause of fewer and fewer walruses is global warming. Because hotter temperatures will let the ice in the Arctic Ocean melt faster, causing the walruses have no place to live and starting to die. So we need to reduce carbon dioxide to let the walruses have place to live, not to let them extinct!
Biologists in Alaska are counting walruses in the Arctic Ocean. The goal: To decide whether the walrus is an endangered species
By Laura Slot
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1905849,00.html
In 1990, biologists counted 201,039 walruses in the Arctic Ocean. Now, almost 20 years later, there seem to be fewer. After three years of counting, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that there are only 15,164 walruses in the area. But, scientists say, they're not finished counting.
"We're still working on the final population estimate," said Suzann Speckman. She is a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Endangered Species?
What's a possible reason for the lower walrus count? Brendan Cummings, a spokesperson for the Center for Biological Diversity, thinks many walruses are dying. He believes global warming is melting the ice in the waters between Alaska and Russia. That's the area where most walruses live. The chubby mammals with the big tusks use the ice to dive and hunt from.
But other scientists aren't so sure that the walruses are dying out. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Doug Burn said, "We realized we were missing a lot of walrus groups." So the walrus count goes on. The counting hasn't been easy. Scientists sometimes have to guess the number of walruses that are underwater. And some technical problems made counting more difficult. A method that counts the mammals using body heat did not work. It delayed the operation by a whole year.
U.S. law requires scientists to count the walruses every three years. Then, if the mammals turn out to be an endangered species, they will be counted every year. As the current count goes on, it will become clearer to scientists just how the walrus is doing in the wild.
Max-I think that the main cause of fewer and fewer walruses is global warming. Because hotter temperatures will let the ice in the Arctic Ocean melt faster, causing the walruses have no place to live and starting to die. So we need to reduce carbon dioxide to let the walruses have place to live, not to let them extinct!
Ants Invade!
Ants Invade!
Scientists have made some amazing discoveries about one species of ant
by Joyce C. Tang
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1909337,00.html
One type of South American ant is spreading around the world and is living in huge super-colonies. Not only that, but these natural fighters seem to know they are family and get along, according to the latest scientific findings.
Super-colonies of Argentine ants may be separated by oceans, but they still recognize each other.
The light brown Argentine ants are originally from South America. Over the years, the Argentine ant has moved to other parts of the globe, possibly by hiding in people's luggage and in cargo. This hasn't always been a good thing since the insects can destroy local plants and affect what animals in that area eat.
Ants are fierce fighters. They protect their territory from invaders, including other types of ants and insects. But Argentine ants, though they live on separate continents, don't fight when they come together, scientists say. "Our research found Argentine ants from three continents were rather friendly, and not hostile towards each other," researcher Eiriki Sunamura told the New Zealand Herald.
Are Ants Taking Over?
There are three known super-colonies of Argentine ants. In Europe, one super-colony is located along the Mediterranean Sea. It is believed to be 3,700 miles long. That's even wider than the United States. Another super-colony is located in California. It covers about 560 miles, or about half of the California coast. The third super-colony is on the west coast of Japan.
Scientists in Japan and Spain have discovered that the insects in the three super-colonies share similar chemical profiles. This helps them recognize one another. To prove this, the scientists matched each super-colony with ants from a different colony in a similar part of the world. The Mediterranean ant colony couldn't get along with a smaller one from Spain. And the colony from the west coast of Japan couldn't get along with ants from another area in Japan. But when the ants from the three super-colonies came together, they got along just fine. In fact, they acted like old friends. And how do old ant friends greet one another? By rubbing antennas to say hello.
All in the Family
The scientists think that the Argentine ant super-colonies are one big family. Because they have similar chemical profiles, the scientists believe they are genetically related. The ants recognize each other by the chemical makeup of their outer shells.
Max-I think the Argentine ants are good ants because it only fights with other colonies, but even the Argentine ants’ colonies are separated into different places, they won’t even fight. I think it is a special kind of ant. But the colonies are too big, they are going to take over the world!
Scientists have made some amazing discoveries about one species of ant
by Joyce C. Tang
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1909337,00.html
One type of South American ant is spreading around the world and is living in huge super-colonies. Not only that, but these natural fighters seem to know they are family and get along, according to the latest scientific findings.
Super-colonies of Argentine ants may be separated by oceans, but they still recognize each other.
The light brown Argentine ants are originally from South America. Over the years, the Argentine ant has moved to other parts of the globe, possibly by hiding in people's luggage and in cargo. This hasn't always been a good thing since the insects can destroy local plants and affect what animals in that area eat.
Ants are fierce fighters. They protect their territory from invaders, including other types of ants and insects. But Argentine ants, though they live on separate continents, don't fight when they come together, scientists say. "Our research found Argentine ants from three continents were rather friendly, and not hostile towards each other," researcher Eiriki Sunamura told the New Zealand Herald.
Are Ants Taking Over?
There are three known super-colonies of Argentine ants. In Europe, one super-colony is located along the Mediterranean Sea. It is believed to be 3,700 miles long. That's even wider than the United States. Another super-colony is located in California. It covers about 560 miles, or about half of the California coast. The third super-colony is on the west coast of Japan.
Scientists in Japan and Spain have discovered that the insects in the three super-colonies share similar chemical profiles. This helps them recognize one another. To prove this, the scientists matched each super-colony with ants from a different colony in a similar part of the world. The Mediterranean ant colony couldn't get along with a smaller one from Spain. And the colony from the west coast of Japan couldn't get along with ants from another area in Japan. But when the ants from the three super-colonies came together, they got along just fine. In fact, they acted like old friends. And how do old ant friends greet one another? By rubbing antennas to say hello.
All in the Family
The scientists think that the Argentine ant super-colonies are one big family. Because they have similar chemical profiles, the scientists believe they are genetically related. The ants recognize each other by the chemical makeup of their outer shells.
Max-I think the Argentine ants are good ants because it only fights with other colonies, but even the Argentine ants’ colonies are separated into different places, they won’t even fight. I think it is a special kind of ant. But the colonies are too big, they are going to take over the world!
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