Survey data from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicate that many parents are concerned about the amount of sex and violence that their children see on television. Earlier proposals for parental warnings appeared on the cover of CDs with explicit lyrics and on television programs with inappropriate material and language. The growth of the media and networking has adapted an unsuitable roll on behalf of the youth identity, social networks, and parent-child relationships.

The media is an essential leg to the table of current issues, awareness and news. However, the Committee of National Academies explained that “claims and counterclaims about possible benefits and detrimental effects of different kinds of media exposure appear regularly in the popular press, but often without strong grounding in peer-reviewed research.”

Media exposure among children seems unstoppable, because in addition to the use and placement of television, newspapers and magazines, an increasing number of daily activities are now constructed through digital technology. Computers are now the playground of kids and adults, and kids have learned the ability to multitask at the speed of light, working in a word processing program while tuning into background music and taking distraction breaks to play an electronic game and send e-mails and instant messages.

Cell phones can be used in an overwhelming number of ways. For instance, every cell phone introduced features technology to transmit digital photographs and MP3 players to download video clips, movies, songs, and accessible television shows one can view right from their palm.

The media’s role in society, along with the technology epidemic, has deprived youth of a traditional upbringing and transformed it into a technological one. Kids see the easy access in not having to do anything when they’re sitting behind a computer or have a cell phone in hand. Parents, committees, organizations and teachers must continue to educate their children on how far we’ve come. Parents especially need to nurture their kids and continue to be aware of what they are exposed to.

Sam Brownback, Republican senator from Kansas, is involved with the Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD), and recently pointed out how “American children now grow up with electronic media at their fingertips, have no natural tendencies or sources for communication and the role of electronic media in children’s overall cognitive, social, emotional and physical development is altered.”

Ultimately if people and committees succeed in raising awareness nationwide, we can empower parents, educators, and children to make informed choices about their media consumption. If the media continues on this path, eventually a cell phone with every song a kid wants to hear and a computer with worldwide exploitation and unlimited accessibility can’t be considered habits any longer, it will be human nature.

For more information visit the provided Web sites:

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/ (Institute of Child Health and Human Development)

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/295/5564/2377.pdf (The Effects of Media Violence

on Society)

http://hubpages.com/hub/Mass-Media-Influence-on-Society

http://www.worldandi.com/public/1994/july/mt2.cfm

Formerly president of the Harvard Crimson newspaper at Harvard University, McKibben joined the New Yorker magazine as a staff writer after graduating, and wrote much of the “Talk of the Town” column from 1982 to early 1987.

Today, McKibben is a scholar in residence in Environmental Studies at Middlebury College, and author of numerous books, including The Bill McKibben Reader, Fight Global Warming Now, Deep Economy, and American Earth.

McKibben told of dozens of scientists who visited a submerged mountain range in the Arctic Ocean near the North Pole and found the arctic ice caps severely melting at a fast pace. Some scientists say there may be no summer ice in the arctic by 2015, and refugee numbers will increase due to climate change and rising water, as a seven-foot rise in sea level would occur if Greenland’s ice melted.

“Morals are a big part of this global warming dilemma,” said McKibben, “and wealthier places could fix rising [water levels] with dikes and levees, but poor countries could not.” For third world countries, this may cause a drastic death rate. Over the last 60 years, we have been trying to build houses as far away from each other as possible, and now the only houses retaining value are those around cities. Credit and insurance companies will go out of business because the world will change along with water levels and temperatures. McKibben said fossil fuels must be properly priced to get real change because a global cap on carbon is needed. Exxon Mobil, one of the most successful gas companies in the nation, “last year made the most money by a single company in the history of money,” he said.

McKibben emphasized that a tough global cap on carbon is essential to accomplish anything. “The safe upper bound for carbon is 350 parts per million (ppm) in our atmosphere, but the most important issue of our generation is our atmosphere because right now we are at 387 ppm and the number is rising 2 ppm per year,” he said.

McKibben has achieved teamwork and cooperation on this issue with Americans all over the country. He has walked in Vermont with 1000 people, resulting in getting congress in Vermont to pledge and sign a petition to cut carbon 80 percent by 2020. McKibben also got all 50 states to protest global warming.

This Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, Barack Obama will discuss global warming and McKibben encouraged everyone in the audience to “locate and watch” his words. With his farewell, he motivated everyone to become more involved and to teach about climate change/global warming by visiting 350.org.

For more information on Bill McKibben or climate change, please visit

http://www.billmckibben.com/, http://www.350.org/, and http://www.wecansolveit.org/

Perez Hilton, born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., has vowed to bring the truth. The self-proclaimed Queen of Media does just that, while putting his two cents in.Hilton has gained both friends and foes among the celebrities he blogs about on his Web site. He calls such artists as Katy Perry, Mika, and even Madonna his friends, but he doesn’t have all of Hollywood on his side. Stylist Rachel Zoe and actress Sienna Miller have both shown their dislike for Hilton for not always saying the nicest of words about them.

Hilton has managed to make his blog stand out by incorporating his own opinions of celebrities, both good and bad. He also keeps things interesting with his “white pen” he uses to doodle on photos, or by introducing his new favorite band or actor.

Hilton has even been said to have the ability to make or break the careers of newcomers. Artists Mika and The Saturdays have gained popularity thanks to Hilton.

But still, the question remains: why do we love gossip so much? College student Meghan McDonough says, “Me and my friends never run out of things to talk about, there is always something going on. Keeping up with the latest gossip and trends has become part of my generation.”

Hilton never runs out of stories for his blog. He has revealed in many interviews that he regularly updates the site personally, sometimes even 50 times a day. “There is always something new; it keeps my days interesting,” says Katie Sullivan.

Hilton never reveals his sources, but always insists they are credible and firsthand. Though we may never who these sources are, it is almost more fun to wonder who his friends may be on the “inside.”

DOVER, N.H.–Everyone remembers the crossroads they approached their senior year of high school: the decision of what the next step will be in their trail of life. Each potential path presents windows of opportunity as to what their lives may be and the type of person they will become. Currently Amelia Wright, a senior at Cocheco Arts Technology Academy in Barrington, N.H., is facing said crossroads.

“It’s really terrifying,” admits Wright, smiling nervously. “This is the first major decision you have to make which completely determines the type of person you’ll be.” Currently Wright is targeting a variety of schools, including Lesley College and Suffolk University. “Suffolk University’s unique and diverse campus is very appealing,” she states. “However, the campus appears to not have a strong school community, which is difficult to really like as an incoming freshman.” Wright’s concerns about Suffolk University’s school community stem from the unidentified center of campus.

“I guess the center of campus depends on where you live,” says Suffolk junior Tim Dodge. “If you live in the Tremont dorms, the center would be the (Boston) Common, but if you live at Somerset it may be Sawyer, and don’t even get me started if you’re a commuter student. It completely depends and there is no declared center at Suffolk University.”

However, does the lack of a centralized campus and community discourage incoming freshman students from applying to Suffolk University? “There is a strong need for a greater community,” says junior Brandilee Panebianco. “I think that may stem from the lack of sports and athletics throughout Suffolk. The presence of sports teams allows college communities to bond together to come out and cheer for their team as seen through other universities. I’ve heard rumors of the potential development of new athletic facilities and once that happens, I think Suffolk will unite to create a greater community.”

Despite a lack of campus and a weak community, Suffolk’s location and opportunities may make up for its deficiencies. “My friends and I all are still applying to Suffolk,” counters Wright. “The amazing study abroad opportunities and Beacon Hill location just can’t be compromised.”

While Suffolk boasts a great location, the need for a stronger community remains important. “Freshmen may feel more at home if Suffolk had a stronger community. The small size of the university is ideal but freshman year is a challenging year for everyone. A greater school community will help the students feel a greater sense of support,” says Panebianco. Student’s reluctance to apply to the university may decrease with the presentation of a stronger school community.

Until then, Suffolk will have to rely on its convenient location and diverse opportunities to attract and maintain students.

There was a time when shows were not allowed to show a married couple sleeping in the same bed. For example, “I Love Lucy,” which debuted in 1951, had two double beds in Lucy and Ricky’s bedroom; and when Lucille Ball became pregnant, CBS did not allow the show to use the word “pregnant.” Instead, they had to say she was “expecting” or “with child.”

Today, you are hard-pressed to find something on TV that does not have gratuitous sex or gratuitous violence. The most popular shows amid teenagers today are the ones that incorporate sex, drugs and alcohol into their storylines. A survey done by FOX News in 2005 showed that teens now see an average of six sexual scenes per hour in primetime television. The same study was done in 2002 and it showed that the number of sexual scenes watched then was dramatically less than today.

One of the most popular shows on television is “Sex and the City.” Although it is now off the air, it still remains very popular among teenagers. This show debuted in 1998; it was one of the first programs that openly discussed sex and showed very realistic love scenes. Associated Press performed a study in 2008 that showed teens who watched racier shows, such as “Sex and the City,” were twice as likely to become pregnant.

Parents are worried that television is encouraging their kids to make bad choices. Michelle Hadaway is a mother of a 14 year old, a nine year old and a five year old. She is extremely worried that shows on TV are going to impact her children negatively. “I worry about what is on TV today. These shows glamorize sex. They make it seem like it’s the cool thing to do; they don’t show all of the negative consequences that go along with sex.”

Another mother, Kathy Farina, worries that no matter how hard she tries, she won’t be able to stop her three young children from seeing a show they shouldn’t. “I use the parental controls on the TV, but I know that isn’t a real solution. I work full time; I can’t be with them every second of the day. I know that they are going to be influenced by what is on television right now and it scares me to death. I don’t want my son to come home at age 15 and tell me I am going to be a grandmother.”

Television is a permanent part of society, however children and teens are easily influenced and that’s what is worrying parents. Yes, sex sells and if it was only being sold to adults there wouldn’t be a problem. But when kids and teenagers are being influenced and encouraged to have sex, drink, and do drugs there is cause for concern. Parents have the right to protect their children from whatever they deem harmful; and that includes television.

BOSTON–This fall, appreciate more than just the carved pumpkins and cotton spider webs—by learning the origins of the holiday we have come to know as Halloween.

Halloween is traced back to the ancient religion of the Celtic in Ireland, to a festival known as Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season in the Gaelic culture. When Christianity spread to different parts of Europe, faithful worshippers tried to introduce ideas which reflected a more Christian mindset. As a result, Halloween has evolved into a combination of practices taken from both pagan and Christian traditions.As Christianity spread into Ireland and the surrounding Celtic lands in the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV established All Saints’ Day. It was intended to replace the pagan tradition of honoring the dead with honoring saints and martyrs and was originally celebrated on May 13. In 834 A.D., Gregory III moved All Saints Day from May 13 to November 1. For Christians, this became an opportunity for venerating all of the saints and holy ones who had passed on. October 31 became All Hallows’ Eve, ‘hallow’ meaning saint.

Today, children use the phrase “trick-or-treat,” which traces back to the pagan holiday of Samhain, the ultimate night of demonic worshipping and euphoria. Spirits of the dead were believed to rise out of their graves and meander among local towns and villages, trying to return home. In an attempt to make peace, villagers offered gifts of fruit and nuts and began placing other tasty morsels on their doorsteps. Villagers feared that if they did not abide by this custom, the wandering spirits would destroy their property or harm their flock.

One way of trying to blend in among the spirits in an attempt to remain unnoticed was to join them. Townspeople would masquerade as demons, wearing disguises, masks or even blackening their faces with soot to keep themselves safe. From this came the Halloween ritual of dressing up as devils, witches, ogres and other demonic creatures, which then gave way to additional costumes.

How did we as a nation arrive at these startling facts? In a world where appearance is everything, many people struggle daily with body image and the obsession and conquest for the “perfect” body. Young women compare themselves to others and want to be better, skinnier, prettier, only to make themselves feel superior.

No longer is “skinny” considered skinny; skin and bones has become the new slim. In the constant fight girls endure each day, the one thing they can do to make themselves feel better is to look down on the person next to them. All females are guilty of this. In the fierce competition to be like the elite few–the women featured in the media–we have learned to look at other people around us and make comparisons between them and ourselves.

Womens’ thoughts about how to look and how to be are directly related to what the media portrays as acceptable. What is “good” is now defined by society. In a culture where one is judged solely on outward appearance, many people struggle daily. Young girls, sadly, have fallen prey to this obsession as they, too, want the “perfect” body. The media feeds this desire through “Gossip Girls” and “Desperate Housewives,” between green tea diets and South Beach books, through “Mean Girls” and “Clueless.” Advertisements with a new exercise regimen or abdominal machine clutter the TV. Girls study the habits and trends of Hollywood’s young and glamorous, the elite who dare to be seen at only the most exclusive locations. They pour over Vogue magazines and obsess over Lindsay Lohan’s body or Jessica Simpson in a bikini. They read a magazine titled Us, which should imply equality in looks and social status, when in fact this magazine focuses on people who are not like us.

In order to conform to this fast paced and cutthroat society, girls find themselves taking inexplicable measures. From the obsessive counting of calories gradually comes the elimination of food altogether, commonly known as Anorexia Nervosa. Girls starve themselves and critique their bodies, only to see their emaciated reflections as fat. If they cannot go without certain foods to satisfy their cravings, they will binge eat and afterward force themselves to throw up everything they have just consumed.

Our culture drives women to these extremities of anorexia and bulimia. In what world is this acceptable and almost common? We have become a society fueled by a cold fixation on beauty, an infatuation that presents a bigger problem in the U.S. than in other cultures. In other parts of the world, the craze with body image and appearance is minimal, and less emphasis is placed on looks. As a result, others live a more enriched and free life. Less fixation on celebrities leads to less of a tendency for girls to compare themselves to something that is physically impossible to achieve. Models only have the illusion of perfection, their bodies being cropped to flawlessness in magazine ads, while celebrities have an endless bank account and a world of trainers and exercise regimens at their fingertips.

Once caught in this mindset, all one can do is hang on for a long ride ahead. There is no escaping or hiding from the worry of gaining weight and wanting to be thin. These thoughts are ubiquitous and women have learned to live with them. Young women put themselves through so much exhaustion, pain, and agony wanting to be slim, thinking that this is what will make them truly happy. What they don’t know is that there will always be something, always another thing to worry about and despair over. In a world where appearance is everything, many people struggle daily with body image, and studies show that individuals’ self perceptions are not improving.

BOSTON–The screams echo throughout the luxurious high-ceilinged foyer. Girls populate every visible corner, dancing and moving to the rhythm, together forming a blur of tiny black dresses and silk tops, lost in the music. It is Saturday night, Nov. 15, at The Estate, an elite and upper class club.I can feel the excitement and anxiety in the air as hundreds of girls anxiously watch the stage waiting for the show to begin. Lauren Conrad’s newest line of clothing was to premiere at 9 p.m.

But perhaps the audience is not just hoping for the show to start, but also to catch a glimpse of Conrad, the biggest “it” girl in entertainment today.Conrad is the biggest name of the moment to girls between the ages of 14-30. Making her debut to reality TV eight years ago, she starred on the popular MTV series “Laguna Beach” for two years and then continued in her own spin-off called “The Hills.” Filmed in Los Angeles, Calif., “The Hills” is currently on its fourth season and in talks for a fifth. It is likely the biggest hit MTV has ever seen, and America’s most watched reality show. The show follows Conrad’s workday life at the fashion line People’s Revolution, classes at FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising), relationships with friends and family, and nights out on the town.

Conrad quickly evolved into a style icon, and last year took on another project: a clothing line. Suffolk student Rachel Pelkey talked about Conrad’s style. “I love LC’s style. She always looks so adorable… If I saw similar clothes out in stores I wouldn’t hesitate to buy them if they weren’t too expensive.”

Designing clothes has always been Conrad’s dream and first love, before television. To promote her line, Conrad launched the “Lauren Conrad Collection College Tour,” with five stops starting in Austin, Texas on Oct. 25 and ending in Boston, Mass., on Nov. 15. By joining a Web site called TheQuad.com, young women submitted their profiles and other Web site members voted for their favorites. From the models with the most votes, Conrad personally chose 50 of her favorite girls. Ten different girls walked the catwalk at one of the five locations of the tour. At the close of each show, the model with the most votes won a day with Conrad during LA Fashion Week. The winner of the Boston show, among the 10 other young women, was Suffolk University student Lauren Mae Pelkey.

Screams erupt as the lights dim and the show begins. The young models strut down the runway in a variety of halter, off the shoulder, and strapless dresses, as well as flowing tops. A number of outfits appealed to me, an avid Lauren Conrad fan. As the 20-minute show comes to a close, Conrad herself appears to thank the sponsors and could barely be heard above the cheers. For her, it is nothing but a day in the life of a young star.

Furtado, now 27, was majoring in English at the University of Rochester in N.Y. when she began working as a corps member for Jumpstart, a national early childhood education organization for at-risk preschool students. Here, she began working with Kevin, who had been taken away from his abusive mother. “He needed someone that he could trust,” said Furtado. “It took awhile but eventually I became that someone for Kevin.”

After graduation, Furtado applied to the Peace Corps to further her volunteer work. During the eight-month waiting period, she worked as an infant room teacher in a preschool with a rather progressive approach to education. “They really believed that the 0-3 age group was an important opportunity to begin the learning process,” explained Furtado. “They developed a curriculum for the children so that they were exposed to developmentally appropriate information right off the bat.”

When the eight months were up, Furtado shipped off to Cape Verde, Africa where she began volunteering in local schools. Though her commitment to the Peace Corps was for two years, Furtado was sent home after a year and three months. “I was what they called ‘medically separated’ which basically means I was sick too often,” said Furtado, “I think it happened a lot where I was working because the administration was so paranoid about people getting sick. We started with 27 volunteers and I think there were 14 when I left.”

Once back in the states, Furtado spent some time living with her father in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., while she was looking for jobs. Eventually, Furtado was hired at a marketing agency in Boston, Mass., which provided concierge services for major financial institutions. “Basically some banker from Merryl Lynch could call up and say ‘I want a hotel room in Belize stocked with champagne and cigars’ and we would make it happen,” said Furtado. “It was a high-paying job and I really needed to save some money but at a certain point it just wasn’t worth it. I couldn’t do it.” And after only three months with the company Furtado became unbearably frustrated and began searching for other jobs.

In her search, Furtado recalled that the national headquarters for Jumpstart, the organization she had worked for as an undergrad, was located right in Boston and she quickly applied for a position as an assistant to the CEO. “They called me back and told me they couldn’t offer me the position because I was overqualified,” said Furtado. “They said they would keep my resume on file for when a more appropriate position became available.” Finally, in July 2006, Furtado accepted her current position as Jumpstart site manager for Suffolk University.

“Kelly’s devotion to this cause makes her an amazing boss,” said Meredith Gamble, a Jumpstart corps member at Suffolk. “Her enthusiasm is contagious.” But while corps members like Gamble have a sincere dedication to their work with Jumpstart, Furtado admits that she hopes to get through to the students for whom Jumpstart is merely a work-study job. “I really want to open their eyes to the importance of their work,” said Furtado. “I want them to know that they can give the kids hugs, be their best friends, because it’s all part of what they need.”

Today, Furtado can be most often found at her desk in the S.O.U.L.S. (Suffolk’s Organization for Uplifting Lives through Service) office, buried in children’s books and paperwork or riding the T to attend a session at one of Jumpstart’s partner preschools. As she continues her work with Jumpstart, Furtado also begins to explore graduate schools and PhD programs for childhood development. She hopes to one day work in New York with the Harlem Children’s Zone, a program that helps underprivileged mothers and fathers prepare for parenthood before their child is born.

For more information on Jumpstart, the Peace Corps or the Harlem Children’s Zone, please visit their Web sites.

www.jstart.org

www.peacecorps.gov

www.hcz.org

BOSTON – It’s finally December and college students throughout the country are nearing the end of their fall semesters − finals week is just around the corner! This is crunch time; but how can students remember everything they’ve learned thus far, with holiday excitement in the air and winter weather weakening their immune systems?Staying physically, mentally and emotionally healthy during finals week is crucial. Some students resort to hair pulling, nail biting, comfort foods and hibernation to cope with their stress, but there are many more effective ways to prepare for final exams.

“When everything comes to a head and is due during finals week, I can get easily overwhelmed,” says Christopher Lopez, a junior at Boston University, “So I try to  spread out my workload the week before to avoid some of that stress.”

Proper nutrition, a reasonable amount of sleep, organizational lists and scheduled study times are just some of the things students can do to ensure a more peaceful and successful week of tests.

With so many low-carbohydrate fad diets in the media it is important to remember that whole grain carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy. Since energy is exactly what students need to stay on top of their school work, pizza and beer will not suffice. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends brown rice, whole wheat bread and whole grain pasta to fulfill the 60% carbohydrate portion of your diet. Fruits and vegetables are often difficult for college students to include in their diets, but they provide the necessary vitamins and minerals to maintain a strong immune system. Aiming to have a large salad for lunch, fruit with breakfast and a vegetable with dinner is the best idea.

Sleep is imperative to retaining the information you gain through studying, however, oversleeping can leave you feeling even more lethargic. Instead of sleeping until noon because you don’t have your normal morning classes, set your alarm to ensure the next day will be a productive one. The recommended eight to nine hours of sleep for young adults remains the most effective number of hours.

Mental organization can be difficult with so many assignments, due dates, and new information floating around in your head.”Cognitive restructuring and trying to remain positive help me prepare for finals week,” says Melissa Demir, a senior psychology major at Suffolk University, “Think about what may be stressing you and write down evidence for and against feeling stressed. Be mindful if your cognitions are irrational. If so, try to modify to be more realistic and it will reduce anxiety.”

Making “to do” lists is a good idea during hectic weeks like these; scheduling specific  study hours and allowing time to pamper yourself will keep the days from running together. If you normally exercise on a regular basis, this is not the time to forfeit those work-out sessions. Maintaining the endorphins and adrenaline you get from exercising will be beneficial and the hour “lost” will most likely not affect your study schedule.

Staying emotionally healthy is where the support of your friends comes in. Remember that not only do you choose to go to college, but that every other college student is going through the same hard times – and you will all survive it. If you can’t study with your friends, try to meet for coffee or take a break to run along the Charles River with a pal.

In a week’s time it will all be over – until the spring semester, anyway; just breathe.

Daniel Craig hit theaters Nov. 14, 2008, reprising his role in the reboot of the famous 007 series, topping box offices and becoming the highest grossing opening night film in November and the highest grossing Bond film ever.

“Casino Royale” was seen as a huge success in the Bond series, the 22nd film marked the reboot of the 007 franchise, with new cast members and new story lines, literally starting the story line from scratch.

“Quantum of Solace” is a direct sequel to “Casino Royale,” starting one hour after where the last movie left off. Bond has just captured Mr. White and is in a car chase to get him into the safety of MI6, the British secret service.

White confesses about a secret organization called Quantum that backed “Casino Royale’s” villain, Le Chiffre, and that eventually leads to the death of Bond’s love, Vesper Lynd.

Throughout the movie, Bond pursues a new villain, Dominic Greene, who is a member of Quantum. Bond seeks bloody vengeance for the fate that had befallen his love—and he gets a whole lot more than that.

Overall the movie was excellent, incorporating the same values that were seen in “Casino Royale.” Bond has been humanized. There are less gadgets and witty humor and more real life drama and politics. No more karate chops to the neck, just gut-wrenching action packed fight scenes that capture your attention throughout the movie.

The action in the movie was a plus, and between car chases and dog fights in the sky, this film encompasses it all. No action movie fan will be disappointed, but what can you expect with a movie geared towards vengeance?

And in this movie, Bond does get hurt. When he gets into a fight he shows his wounds for the rest of the movie, no more disappearing scrapes or bruises. This shows Bond as a real person, not a super hero secret agent.

The movie left a lot to be explained, but you learn more about “Casino Royale.” It picks up all the loose ends and completely changes everything you thought you understood.

The movie has defined ending but you are still left to wonder. Bond went after Greene, but what about the rest of Quantum? In one scene, Bond is able to photograph many of the top members in the organization, but they aren’t revisited throughout the rest of the movie, leaving you to wonder who is next!

The movie might not surpass “Casino Royale” as a fan favorite but it’s definitely a competitor, and with the new edgy and gritty James Bond on the loose, more movies are sure to follow in suit—and hopefully soon!

Blizzard Entertainment released its third installment to the “World of Warcraft” video game series with the expansion, “Wrath of the Lich King,” Nov. 13, 2008. The highly anticipated Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, or MMORPG, is based on traveling to the new land of Northrend to defeat the evil Lich King.

A Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game like “World of Warcraft” is more of a community than a game. Based on teamwork in an open area where all players can interact socially, it is its own little world.

The “World of Warcraft” series has been seen as the highlight of this genre for many years due to its constantly changing world and additions that keep players entertained.

Even though the last expansion to the game, “The Burning Crusade,” was seen as a let-down to veteran players because the new content made the game too easy, Blizzard managed to boost the player base from eight million to 12 million in its two-year span by attracting new players.

The expansion hosts an assortment of new features that Blizzard hopes will attract even more people than the last and still please some of the returning players.

To start, the “Death Knight” class will now be available. A new class has not been added to the game in four years, so this is a big deal to a lot of gamers.

“A new class added to the game brings a whole new fresh experience,” said Chris Viglone, a Suffolk University student and veteran “World of Warcraft” player.

Also added was the continent of Northrend. This area provides new content for players to engage in, including new dungeons and monsters to fight through.

The main highlight of this area, though, is Ice Crown, where the Lich King sits and waits for any who dare to challenge.

“I can’t wait to explore Northrend from end to end,” said Andrew Keiernan, a relatively new player to the game and Suffolk University student.

One focus of the game is leveling your character: the higher your level the stronger you are in the game. The original level cap was 60, but then extended to 70 in “The Burning Crusade.”

Players in the “World of Warcraft” will now be able to reach a maximum level of 80, opening new spells and abilities for the player to use.

In the game, characters are able to learn professions that allow you to craft useful items for you or other players to use.

A new profession called inscription has been added, allowing you to enhance your own and other player’s spells and abilities. You are also able to create scrolls that will give your character certain bonuses for a duration of time.

Finally, new siege weapons have been added to the player vs. player aspect of the game. These include catapults, giant crossbows, and aerial vehicles.

“The new content to the player vs. player battle grounds will definitely help to stir things up a bit,” says Mitchel Belanger, who has been playing the game since it was released.

According to the Blizzard web site, “‘Wrath of the Lich King’ contains some of the best content we’ve created for ‘World of Warcraft,’” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment.

With new content around every corner, only time will be able to show the expansion’s success. Blizzard might gain another four million players or even more. If the trek to level 80 is too much then this game might not be for you, but if you are ready to face off against the Lich King then I’ll see you in the “World of Warcraft.“

Hannum explained that Americans have a very different view of what China is trying to accomplish as a government than what actually is being accomplished. “China is much more concerned with capitalism and making money than buying into democracy.” What China wants the rest of the world to believe is that they are making an effort to become diplomatic, but in reality the Chinese government has no intentions of changing its ways. Hannum surprised most people by saying that China has more billionaires than anywhere else in the world. Unlike in the United States where you see multi-billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffet donate money to numerous foundations, China’s wealthy keep their money to themselves.

Throughout time, China has not let its people speak out against the government and voice their opinion. Ramifications include imprisonment, public beatings, and even death. As part of the Olympic agreement to have the games held in Beijing, protesters could not be punished for using coverage of the games to speak out against Chinese government. Chinese authorities announced that they would set aside a “protest zone” where citizens could apply to protest and have their opinions heard without punishment. Hannum spoke about the Olympic games and how thousands of Chinese citizens took the opportunity to protest against the lack of human rights in China. As agreed upon, no police or government officials bothered protesters throughout the Olympics. As the games came to an end and all visiting countries left, every citizen who applied to protest was thrown in jail without a fair trial.

The recent human rights movement in China was directed toward stopping the illegal search and seizures of homes and land from Chinese citizens. Hannum explained that the government commonly took land and homes away from innocent citizens for no reason. Currently under the new human rights laws in China, cases like these can be brought to court. The problem is that the judicial system is corrupt and judges are controlled by the government. Hannum stated that this makes China look like they’re making improvements in human rights by granting trials, but since the trials are unfair, no progress has been made.

Most would think that the United Nations would step in and do something about the lack of human rights in China. What Hannum explained and most don’t know, is that China is part of the United Nation’s human rights movement, but only to undermine what the UN is trying to accomplish. There are many reasons the UN has not taken any military action against China, including the fact that the US is the biggest and most powerful army of any country in the UN and owes China trillions of dollars. It would be nearly impossible to get the US to make a stand against the Chinese government. Also, the Chinese has a very large and powerful army that possesses nuclear weapons.

Hannum’s speech gave light on the lack of human rights in China. He left listeners with a few words about the future of China saying, “The country of China is so large even if the government wanted to practice human rights, it would be a very difficult and long process.” No one knows what is going to happen with China even two years from now, but with more studies like Hannum’s, Chinese citizens may have a chance to live free from under government control sometime in the future.

After the negotiations were complete, Dice-k was signed to a six-year $52 million contract. This proved the Red Sox owners would stop at nothing to acquire a player that they thought could help the team.

The crème of the free agent crop for this off-season is switch hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira. There is no surprise to anyone around baseball that the Red Sox are putting a plan in place to offer Teixeira a record setting contract. In order to sign him, the Sox brass would need to pay $150-200 million over at least the next six-eight years. To put this in prospective, the entire Tampa Bay Rays ball club has a payroll of just under $44 million dollars. That’s 25 players that cost a third of what it would take to sign the 28-year-old Teixeira. Luckily, the Red Sox have deep pockets and don’t mind spending money on a player in the prime of his career.

It is important that the Red Sox land Teixeira, because their organization is full of great young prospects, but not many that provide power at the plate. In 2008, while playing for both the Braves and Angels he hit .308 with 33 home-runs and 121 RBIs. This is definitely a huge impact hitter the Red Sox are looking for, boosting a line-up that will be in its first full season without Manny Ramirez. There is no question that the Sox would be better off if they added another power hitter in the middle of the line-up, but some fans don’t think offense should be the focal point of the off-season. Sox season ticket holder Mark Salerno thinks the team should focus on other areas especially behind the plate. “The Sox biggest need is a catcher that can hit. Varitek is a black hole in a line-up that scares opposing teams. We can’t have a catcher that hits .220 and looks awful at the plate.” Good news for Mark, the Sox have been looking into this situation and have come up with a few solutions, all coming out of Texas.

They say everything is bigger down in Texas and that includes 6’4” switch hitting catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Along with teammates Gerald Laird and Taylor Teagarden, Saltalamacchia is being looked at as a potential replacement for an ageing Varitek. The 23 year old, out of Palm Beach Fla., has all the offensive tools to be an everyday player in the big leagues. He has the ability to hit for power and drive in runs at a consistent rate, but is inexperienced defensively. If the Sox were looking for defense, they would be hard pressed to take a long look at Teagarden. The 25 year old is way beyond his years in his ability behind the plate, but would not give you the same offense as Saltalamacchia. All this could be a moot point, if the Sox decide to bring back Varitek. They would need the captain to sign a short-term contract for a reduced salary, something his agent Scott Boris would be completely against. Since there isn’t much interest on the open market for Varitek, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back in a Red Sox uniform next season.

If the Sox fail to sign top free agent Mark Teixeira, they will need to look elsewhere to improve their offense. Short-stop is a revolving door for the Red Sox and six different players have had significant time at that position in the last four years. Most recently, rookie Jed Lowrie was seen last playing short and doing a formidable job. Lowrie projects to be a good defensive short-stop who can hit for average with occasional power. Fans have different opinions on Lowrie being the Sox long term-answer at short, or do they need to go out and acquire a proven player.

Todd Jensen is a Boston native who writes a sports blog for Today.com. He believes that the sox need to find player that can provide consistant offense, while Lowrie learns the ropes in the major leagues. “J.J. Hardy of the Milwaukee Brewers, would be a perfect fit at short-stop for the Sox. He can hit around 25 home-runs a year and catches everything he gets to. The one problem is he’s not a free agent and the sox would have to trade a few good prospects to get a player of his caliber.”

Through good scouting and wise draft picks, the Red Sox have stockpiled many young prospects in their minor league system. These prospects can be used in trades for major league ready players like J.J. Hardy. Another route to improve the team would be to spend the seemingly endless amount of money that the Red Sox have on free agents. Either way, expect the sox to improve a team that was one game away from the World Series in 2008. Just when sox fans thought the season was over, things are just starting to heat up.

The event, “Red Zone,” was hosted by the Boston chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The speaker and member of the organization was senior Jazmin Flete, an economics and finance student at Babson College.

The night began with refreshments and snacks. Using a PowerPoint presentation, Flete elaborated on some of the crisis issues our economy is facing, such as the bailout President Bush approved, the sub-prime mortgage meltdown, and the Rescue Plan (Tarp). The slides displayed images and questions on the economy today.

Flete used facts and statistics from Wall Street to explain the issues, such as how asset-backed securities worked, and how they are securities based on pools of underlying assets. For example, residential mortgages provided development of the asset-backed securities market.

In order for the students to understand the economy and how it will affect them, Flete had to relate to the students and ask them questions to encourage participation and understanding. “How did we get here?” Flete asked, “and how can we as college students reconfigure our finances and adjust our habits to the economy?”

The room remained silent because many of the students were not educated on these topics. Flete explained how the new president’s economic reforms will affect our community, and how the bailout passed will affect our economy and why it was passed. Due to banks going out of business and homeowners facing foreclosure, the bailout would help the banks recover and continue to keep businesses moving.

As the event continued, students became more involved and had more concerns. Natori Arrindell asked, “How will we know or who confirms we are in a recession? As a college student, how are we affected?” Flete explained that college students are affected because more jobs are laying off employees and especially for students in their senior year, it will be difficult for them to find jobs. She also elaborated how it will be difficult for students to receive financing from their colleges.

The event gave the students a better understanding of the economy’s issues. The United States must focus on preventing a recession because typically a depression follows a recession. Flete said that many companies and department stores will have reduced prices during the holiday to regain consumers. The goal is to have consumers continue to buy. Even though many homeowners are facing a crisis, the crisis is causing it to be a great market for buyers. Now President Obama has been elected, and he has introduced a new budget plan and is reconstructing Bush’s policies.

BOSTON–Filming coast to coast, the Bravo network is back again with the reality hit series “Real Housewives,” featuring popular women with money. The reality-soap franchise has traveled from Orange County to the Big Apple and is now introducing the Georgia Peaches, in its new show “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

The original series concentrates on five women living behind their gated community in Orange County, Calif.; these women are cougars and provide viewers with insight into their wealthy lives as housewives. The women show the reality of their tasks of parenting, their highfalutin lifestyles, and maintaining their own girlhood.

The second installment features the elite, living-the-fast-life, hard-shell-networking women of New York City. This series can be critiqued as a copy cat episode of “Sex and the City.” “Sex and the City” portrays women living in New York City, and their mission to find love and buy high-end labels. Some of the housewives of New York have found love but all of these five women are into buying the labels. This series shows the lives as they manage their careers and busy schedules with fundraising galas, and live the social life of the rich and famous. These driven women show that money and status are a necessity of life.

The latest edition builds on the success of the previously featured cities. Bravo headed down south and stepped into the stiletto shoes of the predominantly black cast of Atlanta’s own Georgia Peaches.

Atlanta’s cast shows diversity. Housewife Lisa Wu Hartwell is black and Chinese, married to NFL professional Ederton Hartwell. She created her own success by owning a real estate company and developing a jewelry and baby line. The second Housewife is Kim Zolciak, divorced mother of two. Zolciak considers herself “a black woman trapped in a white woman’s body.” She is mysteriously dating a man with the alias, “Big Poppa,” who has chosen not to be featured on the show for privacy and personal reasons. Big Poppa caters to Zolciak by purchasing her an Escalade and spending thousands of dollars showering her with diamonds. The other three housewives featured are NeNe Leakes, an active member of the Atlanta community, who remains involved socially. Leakes is married to a real estate investor with two sons. Leakes is the founder of The Twisted Hearts Foundation, which concentrates on women facing domestic violence. Even though money can buy Leakes the finer things in life, she continues to remain active and donate money to a cause. Though she isn’t a housewife anymore, the show features Sheree Whitfield, a single mother of three and ex-wife of NFL professional Bob Whitfield. Whitfield manages to juggle her busy calendar by launching her own clothing line “SHE by Sheree.” Lastly, we meet Deshawn Snow, mother of three, and wife of NBA professional Eric Snow. Snow concentrates on the Deshawn Snow foundation, an organization that focuses on individuals on welfare and teenage girls facing self-esteem issues.

The first season of the “Housewives of Atlanta” came to a close and the reunion was just recently aired. These five women before the show were good friends, but during the reunion show, these cougars continued to cat fight. Some of their relationships were broken and much was revealed. The reunion show gave the viewers an opportunity to ask the cast questions by e-mail. Some questions consisted of why the women were gold diggers (individuals who seek to find a spouse with money), and other questions were related to their cat fights and backstabbing moments on the show.  All the women answered the questions truthfully and some remained loyal to one another.

As this series continues to expand, the show might want to reconsider its name because some of these women are divorced or engaged, or have experienced the life of being a housewife but some are living their lives as single and wealthy.

The show has high demand but can also attract many critics. Some viewers criticize the show because some real housewives feel the show does not provide a positive light on real housewives. Other critics state these women are just living their life and juggling the funds of their spouses. Many are horrified by the mindset reality television brings and the lifestyle it creates. As the critics critique, these women still remain big spenders and continue their entrepreneurial skills to earn more money to buy the high-end labels.

As Bravo continues the series and goes coast-to-coast, maybe the network will feature the real housewives of Boston and feature women living in their high rises in the city and spending big money on Newbury Street.

For the past year, since Knowles revealed her third solo album I am … Sasha Fierce, the media and fans have questioned who is Sasha Fierce? Why did Beyonce decide to create a double-life concept album?

Knowles’ offstage persona is more difficult to distinguish. Fierce isn’t personable and is never present to do interviews. Fierce is aggressive, outspoken, unafraid, and daring. She is described as an alley cat at night.

The album displays a two-disc set which features both sides of her split personality. The fans are able to experience the best of both worlds of the romantic, girl next door Beyonce and the partygoer diva Sasha Fierce. I am … features ballads that show Knowles’ personal natural side and a second disk featuring upbeat numbers that bring Sasha Fierce to the stage.

One single was released on each disk. The single featured on I am… was the meditative ballad “If I Were a Boy” and Sasha Fierce featured the all-girl party hit maker “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).”

Not only does the album feature songs that reflect Knowles and her alter-ego but she also decided to go in depth with this solo project and create an image her fans will never forget. The first page of the album features a simple image of the singer wearing natural makeup. Turning the album cover reveals Sasha Fierce with big hair, raccoon eyes, and 6-inch stilettos.

Will Knowles’ alter ego sell more albums this time around than her other two last platinum selling albums? This is an album that allows Knowles to step outside of the box. It helps her take more risks and reveals if good girls really go bad.

The Haunted House at Marshfield Fairgrounds is known to be one of the creepiest places to go during the week of Halloween.  This year’s theme, “Hospital of Horrors” is sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield.  Lots of free kids-and-family activities will be provided from 6-10 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29 and Thursday, Oct. 30.

For the third year in a row, the East Taunton Kenpo Karate Haunted House will be open.  Originally designed as a dojo, the people of East Taunton transform it into a creepy walk through a haunted house.  With the lights on, the house is open on Sundays from 4-7 p.m. for children, but at 7:00 p.m., the lights go off and the ghosts come out.  ETKK is open in October for two weekends only, Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 25-26, so be sure to stop by because not many places are both a dojo and a haunted house.

Barnum & Buckley’s Haunted Farm is a famous attraction located in Southwick, Mass.  A family run farm, Barnum & Buckley’s is one of the scariest and most chaotic places in Massachusetts.  The farmers raise meat goats, free range chickens, and heritage breed turkeys, but when the sun goes down it becomes a land full of chaos and evil.

Castle of the Damned at Hammond Castle in Gloucester is another scary attraction.  A spooky place to go in Massachusetts, the Hammond Castle must be a priority on Halloween.  Most attend for the weekend, but is not recommended for kids under 13

Boston Costume and The Garment District are reliable sources for Halloween outfits.  Located in Cambridge, these stores on two floors under one roof, offer costume rentals and ship nationwide.  Open Oct. 1-9 until 9 p.m. and from Oct. 10-31 until midnight.  Boston Costumes is located at 200 Broadway, between Kendall Square and Central Square, and can be contacted at (617) 482-1632.

Eastern Coast Costume (now 911costume.com) is another store specializing in costumes.  The Web site states, “For more than 30 years, this outlet store has been the number one costume store anywhere.”  They promise to deliver superior personalized service and attention to your needs. Eastern Coast Costume offers a full range of quality and affordable products.  With more than 20,000 costumes for both rental and sales, ECC is located at 337 Moody St in Waltham, Mass.  Their new location is open Monday thru Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sundays 12-6 p.m.

Salem, famous for its Halloween extravaganzas, is home to the Salem Witch Museum, which offers the Salem experience as if it were still 1692.  An overview of the witch trials is presented through a history lesson on stage with life-size figures, lighting, and narration.  The museum is open every day from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and on Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1, hours will be extended to 12 a.m.

In addition to the Witch Museum, cemetery tours, and candlelit tours of graveyards are provided, leading up to the big night.  Going through the history of witches, witchcraft, and witch hunts, the tours take you back to 1692.  They also offer the Witches: Evolving Perceptions exhibit, so if you don’t believe in witches now, you will when you leave.

The film touches upon The Roman Emperor Constantine’s conversion to the Christian faith. The film proceeds to illustrate why the Jewish people are held responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus.

The movie projected graphic images at times, but the aspects of faith and politics were apparent.  As it opens in Colorado, Mikey Weinstein, an alumnus of the U.S. Air Force Academy, portrays the pestering that his son Casey, a Jewish cadet, experienced by several evangelical Christians.  Other scenes included the Catholic Priest Carroll tracking down the trail of blood that takes him from Crusades to America’s current foreign policy in the Middle East.

Oren Jacoby, director of the film, interviews residents across Europe, including the Rhine Valley in Germany, Rome, and the Vatican to illustrate how there has been a crusade against the Jewish people from the Catholic Church.

When Mel Gibson’s controversial movie, The Passion of the Christ came out, it hit people in many different ways, but it specifically touched Carroll like no other.  Throughout the film it was clear for Carroll that “a provocative view of Jews as Christ killers was trying to be portrayed.”  He felt that the impact of the Passion resulted in making his film what it is today.

In addition to this, Carroll discusses topics from the Holocaust to the Inquisition and making a journey to Auschwitz. Shockingly, a large cross stands in front of a former concentration camp.  After the film, when asked about the idea, Carroll felt, “it is inexcusable and inappropriate.”

First Run Features and Red Envelope Productions are releasing the film in April, from six to 20 possible theatres.

Coming off the bus that day in the beginning of my seventh grade year, I was ready to go to a doctor’s appointment with my mother, but didn’t know exactly why I was going.  I had been complaining for the previous couple weeks about always being thirsty, constantly going to the bathroom, and not being able to see the board in school as well.  I also lost a little weight, but I wasn’t complaining about that! I didn’t think I was sick, but my mother insisted I see the doctor anyway. 

After getting poked and prodded for a bit, my doctor came back with some results and said, “Yep! She has it!”  My mother started crying instantly, and I had no idea what was going on.  When I asked what she was talking about, and was a little perturbed by the fact my mother was crying, the doctor responded with, “You have type 1 diabetes, your mother was right.”  I was left in complete shock.  I knew little to nothing about the disease and was caught completely off guard when she announced that I had it.  I was also surprised that my mother had suspected I had the disease and never said anything to me!

Of course, my mother was crying uncontrollably by now, which only made me start to cry, too.  I honestly was not very scared or upset, but it was one of the few occasions I had ever seen my mother cry, and it had a great effect on me.  I told the doctor that I knew a little about the disease because a girl in my grade had it.  All I knew, however, was that she had to give herself shots everyday, but of what, I was not exactly sure.  My mother knew more about it then I did, which is why she suspected it in the first place.  My grandfather had the type 2 diabetes, a different disease, but with similar side affects.  My mother just sat there and constantly reassured me that, “Everything is going to be alright.  We’ll figure this out.”

My doctor then proceeded to explain the disease to both of us.  Type 1 diabetes is a severe and chronic form of diabetes when the pancreas stops producing insulin.  It typically appears in childhood, but could emerge at any time.  There is no known way to prevent diabetes, since it is caused by a genetic predisposition.  There is also no current cure, but there are several approaches under research to find one.  In order to treat the disease, injections of insulin, either through syringes or an insulin pump, are necessary on a daily basis.  Counting carbohydrates and monitoring blood glucose levels are also required.

After the doctor’s appointment, I had to go to the emergency room with my mother so I could get my body regulated and start the life process of living with diabetes.  The doctors there told me I was very lucky that my mother caught on so fast, because I was considered very healthy when I arrived.  I spent three days at the hospital learning the ins and outs of living with type 1 diabetes.  The nurses taught me how to give myself shots, test my blood sugar, and how to count carbohydrates.  The first week home from the hospital, I had a visiting nurse come to my house several times a day to give me my shots.  My mother was constantly calling the on-call doctor asking him questions whenever we were confused, which was a lot.  For the next six months, my mother was the one giving me my shots.

My life had turned upside down.  I had to wake up early just to test my blood sugar, receive a shot of insulin, and get something to eat.  I was no longer allowed to go to sleepovers, as my mother was too worried to let me out of her sight.  I had to eat specific foods at certain times during the day, which was always frustrating because I started to feel left out with my friends.  I couldn’t go and get ice cream whenever everyone else felt like it.  I also had to measure everything I ate, carefully checking every nutrition label.

But, the beginning was the worst part, and it only got better from there.  After several months, I learned how to give myself my own shots.  This way, after much convincing, I was able to stay over at friends’ houses.  I also learned how to determine what I could eat without measuring food anymore.  After several years, I was able to eat whenever and whatever I wanted due to advances in insulin intake.  I still checked my blood glucose levels several times a day, but that, along with everything else, became second nature.  Today, I don’t have to give myself shots at all, because an insulin pump is attached to my body all the time, consistently giving me the right amount of insulin.  I still count carbohydrates, but barely even notice doing it.

I learned how to deal with so many other stresses in life from living with this disease.  I know now that if I can get through something so life altering, I can get through anything.  During midterms and finals, I can to get really overwhelmed and sometimes want to give up.  I never give up though, because I remember how tough it was being diagnosed with this disease, and I was able to get through that.

My determination and motivation for things I want, and goals I have, are never ending.  Type 1 diabetes has brought me to the realization and strong belief that anything and everything is possible.  All I have to do is want it bad enough.  I wanted to be able to live my life as normally as possible, and the best way to do that was to do everything necessary to take care of myself with the disease I have.  I have learned to discipline myself and have gained a tremendous sense of responsibility.  Having diabetes has given me a life I could not be more grateful for.

Helpful Information

Do you think you, or someone you know, may have diabetes?  Some common symptoms are frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability, and blurred vision.  If any of the symptoms are present and continue to persist, it is important to be formally tested.  It is much safer to be tested sooner than later, because it can be very dangerous to have diabetes unknowingly and untreated.

For those who have been recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, some simple suggestions can help make life a lot easier.  One of the most important things to do is to check your blood sugar, and to check it often.  There is no such thing as checking it too often.  By doing this, it will determine if insulin is needed and how much will be required.  Checking blood sugars will also inform whether or not sugar intake is necessary.  This is important because if the blood sugar becomes too low, and you are unaware of that, then it can become very dangerous and cause you to faint.

Eating properly, exercising regularly, flu shots, and keeping up with doctor’s appointments are other ways to keep the disease under control.  As long as the patient with diabetes is doing everything they are told to do by their doctor, there should be little to no complications.  I have always been praised by my doctors for how well controlled I keep the disease.  I find it easier to do the simple daily requirements than to go against them.  By doing what I’m supposed to do, I feel a lot healthier and happier.  If I were to eat too much, or skip an insulin intake, then I would feel sick, and that isn’t worth it.

The American Diabetes Association offers more helpful information.  There are message boards for children, teens, and adults to share thoughts and feelings within the diabetes community.   Information specific to men or women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes is also available.  The Web site gives information to parents who have children recently diagnosed with the disease as well.  Nutrition, fitness, and other facts are also answered through the Web site.

For more information regarding support groups, nutrition information and helpful recipes, and monitoring blood sugars, please visit: healthcentral.com, diabetesplanner.com, and bloodsugarsolutions.com.