Show whats healthy instead of ban

Many children in America suffer from obesity and now the people that are blamed are the ones that put up the fast-food commercials during children television hours. However, according to Newsday, a recent study by experts has suggested that by banning fast-food commercials during children television hours, it would reduce the number of obese children. The commercials depict unhealthy menu items such as greasy hamburgers, French fries, and other undesirable items for young children. While, this study has been brought up, it is suggested that instead of removing all fast-food commercials that depict unhealthy items, they should be limited and instead introduce healthy items that fast-food chains carry to children.

Many of the fast-food chains including McDonalds, Wendy’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken offer healthy substitutes from the traditional fast-food items such as hamburgers, fries, and fried chicken. These substitutes range from chef salads, vegetables, and wraps filled with meat for chicken.

Newsday has reported that experts say if fast-food commercials were banned, then young children would not be drawn into it and it would reduce obesity rates in children by 18 percent. It would also reduce obesity in young adults under 18 by 14%. This would be by completing eliminating all fast food commercials during children’s television hours. However, it may be possible to draw children to these commercials, but instead draw them to the healthy choices that fast-food chains now offer.

Cruising For a Vacation

Now that the holiday season is approaching, families are getting ready to pack their bags and head to their relatives or go on vacation.  While some people are interested in going on exotic getaways like Cancun or the Atlantis, or have children and want to take them to Disney World or Universal Studios, people are unaware of the excitement and fun that can await them on a cruise.

According to MSNBC, cruising is the best vacation if you put some work and expectations into it.  Some of the most popular cruise lines include Royal Carribean, Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Disney Cruise line.  Each cruise line offers a different array of things to do and caters to different groups of people.  While Carnival, Royal Carribean, and Disney are designed to cater to younger people, particularly those with families and children, Norwegian and Celebrity usually respond more to an older crowd, usually middle aged couples and senior citizens. 

The most popular time of year for people to cruise is usually during the holiday season; however it is also the most expensive.  MSNBC reports that the most expensive season for the cruise industry is during Christmas and New Years Eve.  This is also the time when the cruise ships are surrounded by huge amounts of families and hundreds of teenagers and children.  However, the off peak season for cruise lines include the month of January and other times of year when children are in school and most adults are at work.  The price during those times is relatively cheaper compared to Christmas Week

While a cruise price may range anywhere between $800.00 to $3,000.00 a person, it includes almost everything.  The price that the cruise lines charge usually includes the cabin, majority of meals, entertainment including the pool, shows, ports of call, some drinks, and physical fitness facilities.  However, there are charges for alcoholic and drinks and fountain beverages, use of the spas, casino gambling, and shopping inside the promenades that majority of the larger ships usually have.  Majority of the cruise lines do not accept cash on their ships.  Instead your room key cards acts as a credit card that posts all onboard purchases onto your final bill.

In order to get a cabin on a cruise ship, most people purchase it through a travel agent who handles all the arrangements for the individual and his or her family.  Travel agents usually require and deposit several months before the date of departure and require the final payment usually within 70 days of trip.  Most cruise lines also require that all persons that are leaving the United States on one of their vessels have with them at all times a US passport.

Halloween Belonged to the Politicians

It was no surprise that this years most popular Halloween costumes were of politicians.  It was not uncommon to walk down the block to find someone either wearing a mask of presidential candidate Barack Obama or candidate John McCain.  These types of costumes are were the most popular due to the upcoming presidential election that will determine who will be in the White House for the next four years. 

All throughout the week before Election Day, voters were not only going to vote early but also going to decide what they were going to be for Halloween.  At Capital Costumes which is located in Colony Mall in Guilderland, the owner was swarmed with customers who were looking for masks of Obama and McCain.  Unfortunately they were unable to find any.  Lisa, Owner of Capital Costumes said she wanted to stay away from politics this year.  “Normally I buy masks of politicians like Hilary and others, but this year I wanted to stay as far away as possible from it,” said Lisa.  The reason she gave was she was afraid it would bring bad business. 

Many other stores including Spirit Costumes, Spencers, and the Costumer had a wide arraignment of costumes that pertained to politicians including McCain and Obama masks.  They have claimed that it was the most popular thing that they sold throughout the season.  Some customers were even buying them not for Halloween but to where them when they go voting.  “Hey I want to support my candidate and if that means dressing up like them, then hey I’m for it,” said Joe the customer.  When asked why people are doing this now for Halloween, Joe said “this is an important election and it’s a coincidence that it happens right after Halloween, but we need to show support in any way and if it gets a laugh then we did a good job.”  Joe was preparing to dress up like McCain for a Halloween party that he was going to attend.

Politics have always influenced the lives of Americans in one form or another.  Halloween is just another way Americans can impact the election.

The Best Online Photo Galleries

Now that we live in an age when anybody can be considered a contributor to the journalism profession simply by blogging and posting photos, it is sometimes hard to distinguish what posted materials can be considered of a professional nature.  Still there are professional journalism websites that contain photo galleries that should be noted.  Examples of these types of professional galleries can be found at online newspapers such as the New York Times, The Sun Sentinel, and Newsday.

The online edition of the New York Times has a very elaborate and well developed photo gallery.  It develops its main page by indicating several stories that have accompanied photographs.  Please note that the main story is not there, but they do summarize the stories that the photographs correspond to in a sentence or two.  The types of photo essays and stories that are on the New York Times range from NFL games, furniture, entertainment, and of course hard news and current events.  The photographers that take the pictures employ the basic techniques that all photojournalists use to develop great focus.  They employ high birds angles to add emphasis on some of the photos and also use wide and medium shots. 

Another online newspaper that has a professional photo gallery is the Sun Sentinel.  The Sun Sentinel is a newspaper that runs throughout parts of southern Florida.  The thing that makes this online editions photo gallery interesting is that unlike having multiple galleries like the New York Times where they are separated by stories, this paper goes into detail on specific photos.  They blow up the photos and elaborate on them in extreme depth.  The photographers who took the photos did a terrific job in capturing the scenes whether it was underwater or looking at the cheerleaders.  The photos also are depicted not just in color, but also in black and white.  This attracted my eye in looking at what some photographers don’t do. 

Newsday’s online edition has perhaps the best photo gallery on the internet.  This newspaper’s online edition has a gallery that is so organized; it is easy to find anything.  Out of the three galleries that I had visited, they were the only one that had a side bar with a list of the types of galleries.  They were listed in terms of popular stories, then groups such as animals, bridges, space, full page reprints, etc…  The photographs themselves are absolutely beautiful.  The photographers probably waited till the ideal moment of the day to get some of the images, especially the scenic ones.  The thing that is also interesting about these papers galleries is that they are not in software that you click on the number to access the next photograph.  They appear right next to each other and all you do is click to enlarge it on another page.

Shea memorabilia may be available, but is it necessary?

Now that the Mets have played their last game at Shea Stadium, parts of the stadium are up for grabs.  In a recent article in Newsday, Neil Best tells readers what parts of the stadium are for sale.  Barry Meisel, president of the MeiGray Group that handles the sales for the stadium is selling products that range from a men’s room sign at $75 dollars to the official Mets dugout that goes for $ 50,000 dollars.  Even though the die hard Mets fans may be there bidding for these priceless items, it has been brought up if these items are necessary to buy during this period of economic trouble?

People and families all across the country and especially in New York have been experiencing economic troubles for quite some time now.  These economic issues can range from the average price of gasoline adding up to $ 1.72 to the increase in food prices and public services.  Some people are looking to just buy the necessities that are needed.  These items may range from food to fuel.  Still there is the excitement of finding things people are interested in to keep them happy.  One of these interests can include baseball.  Now that the New York Mets are moving from Shea Stadium, loyal fans may consider that taking home a piece of Shea Stadium is a necessity in their lives and not something extra. 

According to Best, a sale of Mets products began with the “Premiere Club” on September 17-19 where 100 people were paying non-refundable deposits towards their purchases.  Best says that one of the items that were purchased during those days was the 1986 championship flag which was sold for $50,000 dollars.  “Whatever is left October 6 will be sold on the Internet via auction or fixed-price sale.  But the list will evolve as the stadium is taken apart.”  People who are thinking of purchasing these products will have to make the choice as to whether or not it is necessary to collect them during these times.

Will the Halloween Season suffer in Albany

For the longest time, the economy has been taking its toll and everyone can feel the pain in their pocketbooks and wallets.  In a recent article in the LoHud, it is speculated that the pain coming from Wall Street will lead to tighter spending whether it is a car, or just that little bit extra.  There is also a belief that there will be a decline in sales and restaurants.  This may have some impact during the upcoming Christmas season with retailers and customers.  However more recently, it is wondered if the strain on the economy will have a negative impact during the Halloween season in Albany. 
All throughout the capital regions, Halloween stores such as the Party Warehouse and The Costumer are getting ready for the upcoming frightful season.  Stores have costumes and accessories and supermarkets are stocking up on bulks of candy.  However will the customers be there to partake in the Halloween goodies?  With the economy the way it is right now and many people working hard to make ends meet, it is possible to wonder if families are able to squeeze in enough to provide their children with costumes and candy that are all part of the Halloween season. 
Albany families are not the only one who may ponder if they have room for this year’s Halloween.  Many stores are working very hard to just get through this season.  In a recent trip to Capital Costumes which is located in the Colony Center Mall in Albany, very few children and adults were visible in the store on that Saturday afternoon.  Lisa, Owner of Capital Costumes said that it is expected to be slow during this time of the year.  “Once we get into October, we will hopefully start seeing the store filled with more people.” 
The Halloween season is not complete without the local haunted houses.  However this year Albany’s closest haunted attraction is the Altamont Orchard.  The Orchard consists of three attractions which includes the traditional haunted house, a crate maze, and haunted hay ride.  Tickets are $19 dollars per person for the haunt which begins on October 10 and ends on November 1.  As summer ends and the fall season begins, the economy may determine whether Albany residents have the extra dollar to take part in all the things that make up Halloween.

More Security in the Paris Street

Though the world has been filled with people who have committed acts of violence and hate against the Jewish people, there are people in this world who will not stand for such behavior.  In a recent article published in the Jerusalem Post, Pope Benedict XVI accused individuals that have committed acts of Anti-Semitism to be “Anti-Christians.”  This was his reaction during his visit to France where more recently acts of anti-Semitism have been taking place. 

According to the Arutz Sheva Israel National News and The Jewish Community Online, on September 6, three young men which were wearing kippots were assault in Paris 19 District.  The assault was allegedly committed by Muslim immigrants from Africa who were throwing chestnuts and yelling out anti-Semitic slurs in Arabic.  The three young men who were attacked where apart of the Bnei Akiva youth movement in Paris.  All three victims received injuries in their faces.

 This specific area of Paris is said to be an area where attacks of an “anti-Semitic” nature have taken place, yet very little has been done to prevent it.  Rafi Zaush who heads up the youth movement told the Arutz Sheva that this happens all the time. 

Earlier in June of this year, a young man was attacked in the same area as he was leaving a synagogue where he attended Shabbat services. 

The police have not been able to determine if the September 6 event was an anti-Semitic attack because they claim no hate slogans were uttered.  However, Paris Mayor and other officials have called for an investigation and more security as to the attacks that have taken place.  Hopefully as the Jewish Holidays approach, more security will be implemented in this area. 

Is It The Season For Film?

This summer’s biggest box office hits included “The Dark Knight,” “Mamma Mia,” “Pineapple Express,” and the comedy hit “Tropic Thunder.”  However, now that the summer season is over and children are returning back to the classroom, it is time for the movie theatres to begin screening not so great films.  During the course of the year studios decide when to release certain films.  Studios know to release their box office hits during the summer.  After that the next prominent time for a big release is during Thanksgiving, followed then by the Christmas Holiday. 

 

Film Studios know to release box office hits during these times because of many reasons.  The most prominent reason is that studios know that movie theatres will make more money when children and adults are not in school or at work. 

 

When studios know that the movie theatres will not be crowded, they tend to release films that are not guaranteed to be a success or that they know are really bad.  In a recent article in Newsday’s Movie section, Rafer Guzman discusses why this weekends new releases which include “Babylon A.D.,” “College,” and “Disaster Movie” are not screened in advanced for critics.  “It’s a common but somewhat problematic movie-studio strategy that could mean one of two things: Either these films are so bad the studios don’t want to risk a rash of poor reviews (likely), or these films are so incredibly good that they’re immune to any criticism at all (slightly less likely).  During the prime seasons for good movies, studios usually hold advanced screenings for highly anticipated box office hits so that critics will give a good review for those films. 

 

Now that it is not prime season for pictures, movie goers will have to wait for the next anticipated season for good films which happens to be Thanksgiving.  This Thanksgiving hopes to include highly anticipated films such as “Quantum of Solace” The next James Bond Film, and “Harry Potter and The Half Blooded Prince.”  Both films are expected to do very well since they are both installments to very successful franchises.  Until then studios will have to take their chances as to what films will be successful.