www.whyville.net Feb 27, 2005 Weekly Issue



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Greetings, TV viewers!

Some broadcast and cable programs contain material included in the pubic school curriculum and on standardized exams. Here are home viewing suggestions for February 28-March 6, 2005.

The topic for this week's Media Hour is soldiers at war. Do you know someone who has gone to war? Talk with them about their experiences. Maybe it was a grandparent in World War II or Korea; an uncle, aunt, neighbor or parent in Vietnam, or someone even closer who went to the Gulf "War" or Iraq. What was the experience like, "over there" and when they came back home?

Tuesday's show, on PBS, investigates how members of the American military are returning home from Iraq to face the same emotional and mental stress that soldiers over the years have faced. What is the U.S. government doing to care for the one in six returning veterans who suffer from major depression, anxiety, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? Watch the show and check out the website!

We'll talk about the toll war takes on those who go, and those who stay, too.

Think you've got the smarts to answer a few trivia-type questions? You'll need to watch the shows and read the websites to be sure!

Remember to come to Saturday's Media Hour prepared. It's all about an open discussion, with everybody pitching in on a good topic -- bounce off of what other people say, too, and talk amongst yourselves while I'm down there! Explore what everyone thinks and remind us to think about what was in the shows and on the websites. The more you help others discuss things (and the more you know about the shows), the better your chances of getting on stage, or even earning clams.

What's the Media Hour? Watch the show(s)-of-the-week, jot down some ideas, then come and talk about them with me and other citizens (including other City Workers, if they're available). We get together at the Greek Theater (next to City Hall), every Saturday morning at 9 a.m., Whyville Time. You'll find that discussions are easier in the Theater, since everyone's chat bubbles overlap a little less than in other rooms, and City Workers are able to direct people's movement and behavior, when we need to.

Monday, February 28
7:30-8 p.m. E/P
BET Social Science, Middle and High School
"The Cousin Jeff Chronicles: The Bridge Is Over"
In this new in-depth forum and talk show, host Jeff "Cousin Jeff" Johnson will tackle hard-hitting issues in the Black and Latino communities. This first episode explores the disconnect between the Civil Rights and the Hip Hop generation. Johnson poses the question, "Have we gone from 'let freedom ring' to 'bling bling'?" He interviews Princeton professor Cornel West, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, recording artist Common, and others in the community.

Monday, February 28
9-10 p.m. E/P
Discovery Channel Science and Technology Middle and High School
"Monster Garage: D.C. High School Build"
The host of the "Monster Garage" series shows up at a Washington D.C. high school -- a surprise to the students -- and leads them in a marathon technology lesson. In five days they build a motorcycle from the ground up. The team, barely old enough to drive such a thing, balances hitting the books, hands-on engineering and even practicing for band. TV-PG.

Tuesday, March 1
6-7 p.m. E/P
Travel Channel Ancient History and Archaeology Middle and High School
"Lost City Of Atlantis"

The story of Atlantis as recounted by Plato is one of the greatest mysteries of the present day. The whereabouts of Atlantis is a genuine mystery, but did this utopian society ever exist or was it the working of one man's vivid imagination?

There's a news report suggesting that Atlantis may have been located near Spain at http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20040607/atlantis.html.

Tuesday, March 1
9-10 p.m. E/P
PBS Social Studies High School
"Frontline: The Soldier's Heart"

There are many kinds of support we can lend our troops serving, and those who have served, in Iraq. For soldiers who have survived the fighting in Iraq, the battle is not over. For some, the return home can be as painful as war itself. This program tells the stories of soldiers who have come home haunted by their experiences and asks whether the government is doing enough to help. (A medical study estimates that more than one in seven returning veterans are expected to suffer from major depression, anxiety or post traumatic stress disorder.)

Further info at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/heart.

Wednesday, March 2
8:30-9 E/P
PBS Science MiddleandHigh School
"Scientific American Frontiers: Hidden Motives"

If you think you know why you do things, you're probably wrong. This program explains how our unconscious determines our behavior -- including why we buy things that are "cool." These days, brain-scientists have joined forces with market-researchers to create the new field of neuro-marketing.

Log in http://www.pbs.org/saf.

Thursday, March 3
8-9 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel Social Science and Health Science Middle and High School
"Drill Down: Pararescue"
Training for the profession of para-rescuing combines survival training and paramedic training. This program shows the physical and mental demands that force each man to confront his own limitations. (So far, the training has not enrolled women.) Those who cannot endure heat, cold, exhaustion and physical misery will not pass. In the first 3 weeks of training, more than one third of the class will quit or be dropped. Of the 66 men present the first day of training, less than 20 will emerge 2 years later as Pararescuers. TV-PG

Friday, March 4
7-8 p.m. E/P
History Channel Geography and Technology Middle and High School
"Modern Marvels: Machu Piccu"
The engineering marvel Machu Picchu sits perched on a ridge in the Peruvian Andes. Originally built by the Incas, this magnificent structure remains a mystery. Was it an observatory? Pleasure retreat? Fortress? This program presents the most current theories.

Saturday, March 5
7-8 p.m. E/P
Animal Planet Channel Natural Science Middle and High School
"Weird Nature"
This program explores the ways animal moves with a look at the mechanics of motion. It also delves into the interesting feeding habits of the natural world, including the chameleon, whose tongue is longer than its body.

Saturday, March 5
9-10 p.m. E/P
CNBC Math and Economics Middle and High School
"The Suze Orman Show: Young, Fabulous and Broke"
This is a special report by financial advisor Orman. It contains information that students in math and economics classes can use. She talks to three young guests and shows them how to save, find ways to buy a home, and still be able to have fun if you don't have a lot of money. Based on her new book: "The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke," the program focuses on three "Y, F & Bers." First up is Carlos, a starving artist living in New York City who doesn't want to skimp on his networking and costly nightlife... and Jodi, from Northern California, who wants to break her vicious cycle of debt and buy a home, and Lauren, an up and coming shoe designer who talks about how Suze helped her move up in her career, and how credit cards actually helped her make ends meet while she moved up the corporate ladder and earned her first promotion. The program repeats March 7 at 8 p.m. E/P.

Sunday, March 6
7-8 p.m. E/P
History Channel American History Middle and High School
"Founding Mothers"

In honor of Women's History Month, this program highlights the women who influenced the Founding Fathers, including Abigail Adams, Martha Washington, and Molly Pitcher. Cokie Roberts, author of "Founding Mothers", describes female contributions to the American Revolution. As Abigail Adams told husband John: "All history and every age exhibit instances of patriotic virtue in the female sex; which considering our situation equals the most heroic of yours." With the men away, women defended homes, raised children, managed businesses, and provided political advice. But not all were patriotic -- like Margaret (Peggy) Shippen Arnold, Benedict's wife. Promised freedom, many slaves fought for the British, and in 1781, a slave called Mumbett sued for freedom and won! This founding mother, who took the name Elizabeth Freeman, set a precedent that led to Massachusetts' abolition of slavery. And we examine the role of camp followers and the few women that actually fought, like Deborah Sampson who enlisted in the Continental Army under her dead brother's name. TV-PG

Log on http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womenshistory1.html.

Sunday, March 6
9-11 p.m. E/P
ABC American Literature and History High School
"Oprah Winfrey Presents: Their Eyes Were Watching God"

Based upon the classic novel by Zora Neale Hurston, this film depicts the story a beautiful and resilient woman's quest for love, excitement and spiritual fulfillment, despite society's expectations of a woman of color in 1920s America. Halle Berry stars as Janie Crawford, whose story takes her through three marriages with very different men, and during which she experiences all that life has to offer, from tremendous success to terrible heartbreak. Rated TV 14-S

Log on http://www.zoranealehurstonfestival.com.

 

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