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Central Times

Volume 3 No. 5

Central Times Staff

Eleanor B.Emmi B.Chanel C.Ryan C.Rachel C.Maddie D.Julie E.Sami G.Ethan H.Lucas H.Andrew K.Eric K.Michael L.Ryan M.Clint M.Gabe O.Justin R.Ryan T.Jason W.Martha W.

Faculty Advisor:Mrs. Dalleska

Return of the Aral Sea By: Rebecca R.Marira Nurkisheva is trying to bring back life to the Aral Sea.

Maria is an ecologist. The Aral Sea is a vast inland lake on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Maria is hoping in that a few years, the Aral Sea will be much healthier than it is now.

Four decades ago the Aral Sea had many, many fish. Then the Soviet Union started to sponsor irrigation projects. By the late 90’s people started calling the Aral Sea the fastest disappearing sea on Earth. In 1970, the sea was starting to dry up in huge amounts. The Aral sea was starting to become salty. In 1980, 10,424 square miles had become a desert for the sea. Anything that had ever lived in the Aral Sea was now dead. Because of the shortage in the water and food that usually comes from the sea, many animals were dying. There were no fish for men in the local area to catch so many families moved to the city to find work. The Aral sea was so toxic that breathing in the air that was near it was very risky.

Many countries started to become worried so they sent over cleaning supplies, food, fresh water and much more. The pollution is still spreading. In some place it has spread as far as Asia. The devastation will continue, but the world will keep on trying to save the Aral Sea.

The Aral Sea in September 1989 The Aral Sea in August 2003

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Better Than Blood?

Grace LeClair had just finished eating dinner with friends when she got the phone call every parent dreads. The chaplain at the Medical College of Virginia was on the other end. “Your daughter has been in a serious accident. You should come to Richmond right away. LeClair was in Virginia Beach at the time, a two-hour drive from 20-year-old Bess-Lyn, who was now lying in a coma in a Richmond hospital bed. The friend who was with Bess-Lyn has since filled in the details of that day in March. The two women were bicycling down a steep hill, headed toward a busy intersection, when Bess-Lyn yelled that her brakes weren’t working and she couldn’t slow down.

A man-made, pure-white compound called Oxycyte carries oxygen 50 times as effectively as our own blood. Researchers are betting that it’s the best way to treat America’s leading cause of accidental death: traumatic brain injury.

Her friend screamed for her to turn into an alley just before the intersection. But Bess-Lyn didn’t turn sharply enough and crashed, headfirst, into a concrete wall. She wasn’t wearing a helmet. By the time the ambulance reached the hospital, Bess-Lyn was officially counted among the 1.5 million Americans who will suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) this year. With her mother’s verbal consent, Bess-Lyn was treated with a type of artificial blood called Oxycyte, the subject of a clinical trial led by doctors at the teaching hospital of Virginia Commonwealth University. In animal tests, the compound has been proven to cut the effects of brain damage nearly in half.

Oxycyte is the newest product in a family of compounds known as artificial blood. The search for a synthetic substitute for human blood began at least as early as the 19th century, when doctors actually tried using milk to replenish blood loss. The idea was that these substitutes could replace the use of donated blood in transfusions, during surgery, and in patients who had experienced major blood loss through injury.

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The Flying Luxury HotelBy: Lucas H.

Flying in on January 15, 2007, we won’t need to take planes or ocean liners across the ocean. This ship travels on air, not water. THIS IS NOT A BLIMP! It is a flying Queen Mary 2.

Unlike the dirigible ancestors, such as The Hindenburg, the dirigible contains 14 million cubic feet of helium to hoist it off the ground. Three propellers in the back help steer. It is as long as two football fields. Its top speed is 174 mph. It can hold up to 250 passengers. Its purpose is for long-range travel for passengers who are more concerned with the journey than their destination. The air ship contains luxury staterooms, restaurants, and even a casino.

For a quiet travel experience, the aft-mounted propellers will be electric and powered by a renewable source, such as hydrogen fuel cells. A sophisticated buoyancy-management system will serve the same purpose as trim on the airplane, allowing for precise adjustments in flight dynamics to compensate for outside conditions and passenger movement. The automated system will draw outside air into compartments throughout the ship and compress it to manage onboard weight.

The company envisions a cargo carrying version that could deliver a store's worth of merchandise from a centralized distribution center straight to a Wal-Mart parking lot or, because the helium-filled craft will float, a year's worth of supplies to an offshore oil rig. "You can land on the snow, you can land on the water. It's a new vision of what can be done in the air."

As said at the beginning of this article, the Zeppelin will be landing on January 15, 2007. Keep your eyes open for anything in the newspaper.

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Old Theories of Posture are Out...Slouch in Your Chair!

Have you ever been scolded for not sitting up strait in your chair? Well, no more scoldings for you!

Scottish scientists released a study at the McCormick Place meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (anything with that long of a name has to be important). The study showed that sitting with your back at an approximate 135 degree angle is better for your lower back.

Dr. Waseem Amir Bashir came to these conclusions using a newly developed system of viewing the spine. He was able to take x-ray-like photos of the spine while people were sitting, so he was able to determine which position stressed the back the least. Although this may seem like a new concept to us, ergonomists have had this theory about sitting positions for a while, but it was just recently proved. Scientists agreed that it would be difficult to work at a computer while leaning at a 135 degree angle, but would be achievable to lie like this while talking on a phone or reading a book. “Assuming any position for a long period is a bad practice,” said Judy Lesse, an ergonomics consultant for Herman Miller.

So apparently, slouching in your chair was better all along! Go ahead...be a slouch.

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Interviews for “Annie”INTERVIEW 1Reporter 1: First of all, what is your name?

Actor: Hi, my name is Eli R. and I play Henry Morganthaw in the school play this year.

Reporter 2: I know you have just recently started rehearsing, but from the look of it, do you think that the play will turn out to be fun?

Actor: Yes, because the cast is totally awesome!

Reporter 1: Who is the director for this year’s play?

Actor: His name is Michael.

INTERVIEW 2Reporter 1: First of all, what is your name?

Actor: Hi, my name is Jake and I am part of the ensemble in the school play this year.

Reporter 2: I know you have just recently started rehearsing, but from the look of it, do you think that the play will turn out to be fun?

Actor: Yes, because everybody is really focused and excited.

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Bears vs. VikingsThis week the Bears came

away with a victory thanks

to the defense. The Bears

Beat the Vikings 23-13.

Rex Grossman has

continued his throwing

interceptions streak, he

threw four this week and

his passer rating was an

unbelievable low of 1.4 -

extremely terrible. The

defense, even though they

saved the Bears, suffered a

loss. Chris Harris was

taken out of the game. The

defense scored two

touchdowns and a safety.

The offense scored one

touchdown, Benson ran on a

fourth and 1 for some yards

and dove in for the score.

On a side note, Robbie

Gould is the number two

scorer in the NFL next to

LaDanian Tomlinson. In

conclusion, the Bears

improved to 10-2, but at

the rate that Grossman is

playing expect to see

Griese to start warming up

before the game.

Bears vs. RamsThis week the Bears demolished

the St. Louis Rams 42-27. This

week Grossman snapped his streak

of being a terrible QB. He did not

turn the ball over once and had a

passer rating of over 100. Someone

else who had an amazing game was

the rookie out of Miami, Devon

Hester. He scored two special

teams touchdowns today both were

kickoff returns of above ninety

yards. It was also a special day

for him because he acquired two

NFL records. The first that he

received was the most special

teams touchdowns in a season for a

rookie and the second came one

touchdown later when he became

the proud owner of the record, the

most special teams touchdowns in

one season. The entire Bears team

played excellently - improving

their record to 11-2. In doing so,

they have not only clinched their

division, they will now receive a

first-round bye and with Rex

Grossman out of his slump maybe

there will be a Superbowl in the

Bears’ future. Mini fact: Grossman

came in and went out of his slump

on Monday Night Football.

Bears vs. BucsThis week the Bears played the

Tampa Bay Buccaneers and defeated

them in overtime with a 25 yard

field goal from Robbie Gould. This

week the Bear’s defensive tackle

Tank Johnson did not play because

of ongoing police matters. The

Bears started out playing an

amazing game and had a fourteen

point lead by the end of the third

quarter. They gave up seventeen

points in the fourth quarter which

led into overtime. The Bears forced

an early turnover in overtime which

set up a 37 yard attempt which was

barely missed by Gould. The Bucs

and the Bears went scoreless until

there was about four minutes left

when it was third and ten for the

Bears, who were barely out of field

goal range. Grossman threw the ball

to Rashied Davis, who made a

stunning catch over the head of the

defensive back. Robbie Gould’s field

goal ended the game 34-31 Bears.

Rex Grossman might be coming out

of his slump because he was 29-44

with two tds and zero interceptions

with 339 yards. Pro bowler Devon

Hester was shut down by the Buc’s

special teams.

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James Bond:Casino Royale

A review by Spencer R. and Daria M.

Casino Royale is the newest edition to the James Bond movie series. Sadly, they

have replaced the most recent James Bond (Lee Tamahori) with a new actor (Daniel

Craig). Though it is sad that Tamahori was replaced with a younger actor, Craig plays

the role with pride and dignity, resulting in great movie! This movie is rated PG-13. It

is full of action and fun. It is definitely a must see.

“It was a great thriller movie!”

-Brad M.

“Really exciting!”

-Michael R.

“The torture scene was awesome!”

-Joe M.

“I loved the actresses!”

-Eli K.

“James Blonde was the best James Bond!”

-J. J. G.

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TWO THROUGH THE SEASWritten by Lucas H.

CHAPTER V: ADVENTURES ON THE GRASP

As Emma and I slowly walked down the hall to the kitchen we realized that a fire had started. The fire door was closed, and a red light was flashing. I was out of breath, and so was Emma.

“Do you know a way to go around the kitchen?”“Yes. When I was running from Frank, I found all these different passageways. Follow me.”

Emma took me by the hand and led me to an Employee Only door.“We’re not aloud to go this way,” I said. “Who cares? We’re on a capsized ship with nothing but ourselves.”“You’re right. Let’s move.”Emma slammed open the door leading to three passageways. We had no clue where to go.“I think we go…that way.” She pointed to the left passage.“Okay.”As I took lead again, we were led into darkness, then to a door. As I slowly opened the door

and hopped to see another room, we were inside the kitchen. There was only a small fire by the door. “I’m so sorry,” cried Emma. “It’s okay. We just have to walk through the kitchen.”As I took my first step into the kitchen, with Emma following me I was able to look around.

Carts and pans and glass were piled up on one side of the room. The cooks were included in the pile, all dead.

“Maybe we can get through it this way,” said Emma, pointing to an elevator door.“Maybe it’s still working,” I said as I pushed a button.Nothing.“Maybe we can open it.” I touched the door and it was fiery hot. I took off my jacket and

pulled open the elevator door. Then I put back on my jacket.The long elevator shaft had to be the length of the ship, because it just seemed to continue

forever. I looked up. The elevator was above us, at deck one, just hanging there. “How are we going to get across?” asked Emma. I looked up.“There,” I said. A part of the elevator door was opened, one deck above us. “How are we going to get across?” asked Emma again. I looked around.“How about that bench?” A upside down silver bench was propped up against the wall. “That might work,” she said.

“Help me with this,” I said as I went to one side of the bench. Emma followed to the other side. We grasped it.

“On three,” I told Emma. She nodded. “One… two… THREE!”The bench slowly rose, and lowered on the other side of the shaft.“We did it,” said Emma as she hugged me. She looked back at the ‘bridge’.“What’s going to hold it,” I asked Emma as she looked around the room.“How about all this stuff,” she said, pointing to all the carts and the benches and everything

else.

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“Good idea.” We soon began to gather everything we could lift and soon we had a sturdy bridge to cross the shaft.

“You go first,” said Emma as she backed away from the shaft.“Whatever is safe for you.” I took my first step into the shaft to see that all this sharp

metal was at the bottom of the pit.I held out my hand. “Grab it,” I told Emma. She grabbed it. “Whatever you do, don’t look

down.” She nodded. As she slowly walked towards me, Emma cautiously looked down and squealed. She swung her arms around me and began to shiver. I looked up.

“Can you give me a boost?” I asked her.She looked up at me. “O…Okay.Emma was able to boost me up to the next deck, and when I was able to get up. I heard a cry

for help. “One second,” I told her. She nodded. I walked closer to the person screaming for help,

and found him, under a pile of chairs. “Jason?”“John? Is that you?”“Yes. I was beginning to think that you were killed when the ship turned over.”“No, I’m alive.”I helped him up and led him to the shaft. The elevator shifted down, and a piece of it broke

off, and fell, whizzing right past Emma, and into the pit.“Hurry, please,” wailed Emma.“Now Jason, I want you to pull her up and close the elevator door’s.”“Okay, dude. Wait, what are you going to be doing?”“I’m going to find a way up.” Jason nodded.Jason was able to get Emma up, and just as he got her up, the elevator came crashing to the

ground. Jason was able to close the doors as the flames had reached the level.“I found a way to the other side,” I said.“That’s wonderful,” said Emma.“Are you kidding me? That’s great!”“We’re going to walk through the pool.”Everyone nodded and I led them to the staircase.“It doesn’t seem promising to walk through, but it’s the only way to get to the other side.”“Okay,” said Jason.“Now, I’m going to need some rope.”We were able to find it, and I tied it to my waist and walked down two levels.The pool was like I expected. A giant pit in the ceiling, which used to be the pool, and the

water from the pool in the skylight. I took one cautious step into the skylight, and another and, soon enough I was at the other side, and tied the rope to the railing, and walked through the pool again. The windows of the skylights suddenly began to crack and I hurried back.

“Hurry up!” I cried to them. Emma and Jason came running down the stairs, just as little streams of water began to come through the cracks in the skylight. “Grab hold of the rope!” I said to them. As we slowly walked across, the windows shattered, and water came pouring into the small room.

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The Violet GirlChapter III: The Search

By: Maddie D.

After Crystal was done talking with Sarah, she decided after school she would go straight home and try to think of a way to find the ancient, mystical power that could heal her disease. By the time school was over, she went to her home, did her homework, and went straight to bed.

“THIS is going to be my only opportunity and if I screw it up, I’m done for. Hopefully everything is going to go right and nothing will go wrong.”

The next morning there was a news report about some ancient mystical stone. It is said the persons who holds this great power will be given any power he or she desires. For Crystal that was her big moment. Now it’s her decision to have or gain the power to restore her life as a normal teenager.

Her social studies teacher, Mrs. Harrison announced, “Now will everybody turn in your permission slips. If you do not have it, you will not be able to go to the museum. When we get there I want all of you to go into groups of four.”

A few minutes later Crystal and her friends were at the museum. Everyone’s faces were filled with happiness and ecstasy.

Crystal cried, “I hope the stone will be there and if not then there is nothing I can do about it.” But Crystal didn’t know is if she didn’t find the power her disease will start to take over her entire body.

After Crystal, May, Jacob, and Sarah headed to the second floor Crystal was starting to feel a little woozy.

“I don’t feel so good, my stomach hurts...what’s happening to my hand!! Oh dear the disease is starting to go in effect.”

Jacob implied, “Use your breathing machine now before it’s too late.”During the process, Crystal took out her charged portable breathing machine, but it was not

working.

“KEEP HOLD OF THE RO-“ I cried as the water as the water swallowed us up.The water was so cold; it felt like 1,000 razor sharp knives were stabbing at me. I was so

cold. But I refused to let go of that rope. I pulled at it, and pulled, and pulled, until I could breath. I was on the other side. But I was afraid that Emma and Jason didn’t make it, so I waited, and after about two minutes Jason came up to the surface with Emma on his shoulders. Emma gasped for air, and so did Jason.

“You guys made it!” I cried as they both fell to the floor.“I would never let go,” said Jason as he struggled to smile.“Emma, are you okay?” I asked.“I’m okay,” she said, as she continued to cough.“We have to move,” I said as everyone got to their feet. I led them up two decks, and ran

forward. Emma and Jason ran to my side and stare in awe.

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“What in the world is wrong with this thing. Dr. Wolfe gave me a charged one and I haven’t even used it yet.”

All of a sudden there was a person laughing maniacally. It was The Joker wreaking havoc upon Crystal.

“Now that you are under my power there is nothing you can do or even stop it. Ha ha ha ha ha.”

From that very moment Crystal blew up into a blueberry, but with her size she was actually able to roll over him. The Joker was flat as a pancake, but he got away. This is not good for Crystal, she must find the power to stop it.

May, Jacob, and Sarah ran all the way to Crystal, then came up and said, “Are you ok?”Crystal replied, “I am ok, but there is one problem how am I going to be able to find the

stone if I am the size of a huge bowling ball!!!”Was she going to able to find the stone? Luckily, the exhibit they were looking for was

there next to the exhibit about the creation of the iPod.Crystal and her friends were so happy to find it. Now there was one question...how is

Crystal going to be able to obtain that power.“I am so glad the stone is right there and I’m sorry I was yelling. I was just stressed out

about this.”Sarah asked, “Now that you have found the stone, what are you gonna go about it?”Crystal replied, “Well, first I have to fix my breathing machine, ask the owner to have it,

and then tomorrow ask my art teacher, Mr. Satino if I can turn the stone into jewelry I can wear.”

In the next chapter, find out if Crystal will decide to accept the power or if she will say no and let the whole world fall under The Joker’s powers?

Where are these pictures in the school?---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Turn this entry in to Mrs. Dalleska’s mailbox marked “Matt’s Photo Quiz.”

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!Mysterious Universe!This week’s MU is a true story

from your host Clinton G.

It was dark as I sped down the winding roads of the Ennstaler Alps in the German back country. I had just bought my Ferrari and I went to the mountains to test the speed and handling of the car. I could not see much so I had to turn on my high beams. I wasn’t worried I would blind someone because there was no one around. I took a sharp right turn and raced into a tunnel. But there was something strange about the tunnel; it had a kind of sparkle to it. I suddenly saw a young lady walking in the middle of the road. I jerked the hand break up and swerved to avoid hitting the lady, but I could not stop fast enough. And slammed into the lady at over 65 MPH. When the car finally stopped I ran to her. She had long flowing blond hair and icy blue eyes. I started to cry and I felt like I knew her but I had never met her. I lifted her off the ground and laid her behind a bush on the side of the road. I started to walk away from the bush when I heard a noise come from it. I looked back and the lady’s arms were crossed on her chest. I had not put them there before, and I got a little scared. so I ran back to my car. Luckily, there had been no damage to it. I turned the key of the car and drove off not knowing where to go. I was in shock. It started to drizzle… then rain… and finally it poured.

To Be Continued…

Speech with Ms. Nolan

Ms. Nolan is my Speech Therapist. She comes to my school to work with me and my friends. She comes to my school on Wednesday and Thursday. We play games with her, and we talk to her. Speech is one of my favorite classes.