LA Youth » March – April 2007 Issue

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\\ ENTERTAINMENT

Discovering a new band
A night of disappointment when the band she went to see was cancelled, became a night of surprise for Samantha, 17, when she got to see Los Abandoned.
Movie review: Spider-Man 3
Charlene, 14, says that the third installment of the superhero sage was BORING. But Nattalie, 16, counters that with its web of villains the latest Spider-Man is a thrilling ride.
Restaurant review: The Inn of the Seventh Ray
To add a touch of class and elegance to date night, check out The Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga.
Concert review: Saosin
Tanya, 17, says that other than an amazing set by Saosin, the Taste of Chaos festival was a let down.
Movie review: 300
If you love your historical war movies with amazing visual effects, non-stop action and killer music, then you have to see 300, says Nattalie, 16.
TV review: October Road
Even though the new drama October Road on ABC demonstrates that maybe you shouldn’t go home again, Charlene, 14, says that she’ll still watch.

\\ FROM OUR READERS

Letters to the editor (March – April 2007)
Our readers tell us what they thought of the stories in the January – February issue of L.A. Youth.

\\ HEADLINES

The Iraq war four years later
On the four-year anniversary of the invasion, we asked teens around Los Angeles to share their feelings on how the government has handled the war, recruiters on campus and sending 20,000 additional troops.
Confronting the N-word
Just because blacks use it a lot, it doesn’t mean we should, says Trayvione, 17. WITH interviews.
A BB gun on campus caused minimal disruption
Fred, 17, says that he’s glad his school didn’t make a big deal when a student was caught bringing a BB gun on the Birmingham High School campus, because it prevented anyone from panicking.
SAT diary
From fatigue to hunger to time limits, Mindy, 17, tells what it was like to take the test.
Reaction to the Griffith Park fire
As the fire threatened classic Los Angeles landmarks like the newly renovated observatory and the Greek Theatre, it made Nadine, 17, appreciate her Los Angeles home even more.

Illustration by Brian Lopez-Santos, 15, Marshall HS

Prescription for depression
Susan, 15, says that when she was prescribed medication for depression it made her feel worse. When she was finally taken off of it her life seemed hopeful again.

Call to duty
In an interview, a young Marine explains his decision to enlist in a time of war.

Finding my place
Selecting the right college was difficult for Andrea, but she is thrilled with her choice.

Overcrowded schools stunned me
A visit to several overcrowded schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District showed Sally, 15, that conditions at public schools are far from ideal for students and teachers.

Essay contest: What has changed your life?
Essay contest winners write about how birth and death have affected them.

Would he love me?
Martha, 13, has always wondered who her father was, and if he knows she exists.

Kareem’s perspective
Basketball star and author Kareem Abdul-Jabbar honors the many blacks in history who paved the way for minorities to achieve their goals.

The way we look
What's so bad about looking good? Angela, 16, reports on the upside and origins of fashion trends. WITH PHOTO GALLERY.

Restaurant review: uWink
Gaming and food!?!? This new restaurant in Woodland Hills promises fun and great cuisine at the touch of a screen.

Win $100
Take our survey about dating and technology and you could win cash. CLOSED.

Shooting deaths at Virginia Tech
Sadness and Why? After learning that a 23-year-old student shot and killed 32 people and then himself, L.A. Youth teen staff writers offered their thoughts and feelings about what happened.

A reader shares her thoughts about the Virginia Tech shootings
I think it's very tragic that someone wanted to hurt and kill 32 people. He just didn't kill all of them but he hurt their families.

My tunes
Creating mix tapes lets great music speak for Nadine, 17.

Check out some amazing teen artists
High school and middle school students from across the San Fernando Valley showcase their original paintings, sculptures, drawings and other pieces at a special art show featuring teen artists. WITH PHOTO GALLERY OF SELECT ARTISTS' WORK.

The Top 8 shuffle
Nattalie, 16, admits feeling hurt when her friends move her around on their MySpaces.

The big taboo
Why is it so embarrassing to talk about masturbation?

Good nutrition is on the menu
From anorexics to diabetics, patients need dietitians to help them learn to eat right.

Graphic novel review: Preacher
One-eyed hillbillies, aliens, alcoholic preachers, angels and demons. The graphic novel Preacher is like an awesome, crazy, violent Western movie, says Nattalie, 16.

CD Reviews
THREE NEW REVIEWS: Check out the Marie Antoinette soundtrack for a great 80s alt flashback, the techno band Plid and the 70s-rock-influenced, The Colour. Also, our reviewers say: thumbs up for the latest from Christina Aguilera; why Appetite for Destruction is a must-have rock album; and also blast the disappointing pretentiousness of indie rockers Of Montreal.