TeenFusion event

TeenFusion event
POLAND -- A local chapter of TeenFusion is selling tickets for an upcoming Christian rock concert set for Jan. 15 at New Life Assembly of God, 2250 E. Western Reserve Road. The Michigan-based organization networks with ministers of all denominations who work with teenagers.
Tickets are $15 each for the concert which will feature Sanctus Real and Hawk Nelson, two Christian rock bands from Ohio. Gates Called Beautiful, a local Christian band, will be the opening act.
For tickets, call Janyse Cain at (330) 518-5503 or the Heaven on Earth Christian Bookstore at (330) 726-0369.
Things to ponder
By SIMONE BOUFFARD
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
1. Driving a friend's vehicle often requires driving experience. Even a golf cart going 5 mph will find a wall if the driver is untrained.
2. The sharp end of a knife is not the end to grab it by. Bread knives are more dangerous than they appear.
3. Do your homework even if the teacher says he will not collect it. You might actually learn something, and the pop quiz the next day will be significantly easier.
4. Wear shorts under your uniform skirt. The wind cares not if it reveals your knickers to half of the student body.
5. Check the bills you're using before handing them to the cashier. A strawberry soda is for sure not worth $10.
6. The person 3,000 miles away is often the one closest to you. It gets frustrating, however, when you have the urge to hug that person.
7. Cramming the night before the Advanced Placement test usually does more bad than good. If you haven't learned it all in a year, you sure as heck will not learn it overnight.
8. Do what needs to get done now. Procrastination is easy, but it is most definitely not beneficial.
9. You are always, always loved by someone. Love right back!
10. Laugh about the things you did not know sooner. Then, share your new intelligence with someone else.
XSimone Bouffard is is a senior at Carondelet High School in Concord, Calif. She is a contributor to the Contra Costa Times' teen page.
Quote/unquote
"My favorite holiday memory was when I went on a cruise with a bunch of friends including [actor] Frankie Muniz." -- Actress Brittany Snow ("American Dreams"), in M magazine.
"I have a very musical family, so at Christmastime, we love to just stand around the piano and sing carols." -- Jessica Simpson, in M magazine.
"At Christmas, my mom and my brother and I love to drive to Chattanooga, Tenn., to my Nana's house to drop off gifts." -- Usher, in M magazine.
Teens dreaming of a ...
WANTS
U "Halo 2," the video game. If you didn't pre-order it, it might not be around. You DID pre-order it, didn't you?
U Apple iPod mini. Everyone else has one or wants one. You don't want us to be deprived, do you?
U Gift certificate. You know we'll probably want to return whatever you buy us anyway, so this will save you the trouble.
U Digital camera. Nothing under 3 megapixels, please.
STOCKING STUFFERS:
U Gasoline card. Proof that we can be practical. This way, we won't be bugging Dad for more gas money every week.
U More cell phone minutes. )Remember the middle of last month when you couldn't reach me because my minutes were all used up?)
U CDs and DVDs. Call (fill in friend's name). They can tell you what I just have to have.
U Watch. With a watch, I'll make curfew. Honest!
WISH LIST
U Sidekick 2. Hey, it's less expensive than other PDAs.
U Car. We can dream, can't we ...
U Flat screen TV. We only want one, not like that football player who has one at the foot of his bed and one on the ceiling over his bed.
U Vespa. Just think of how far I'll be able to go on one gas card!
U And the ultimate gift is ... a Red Ryder BB Gun. Anybody who's watched "A Christmas Story" as often as we have has to have one of these.
DON'T YOU DARE
U Underwear
U Anything practical
U Anything handmade that you expect your teen to wear, unless it's one of those really cute scarves ...
U Books about puberty, self-esteem, dating or anything with "Chicken Soup" in the title.