Alicia at Great Wall

Alicia at Great Wall
Alicia Keys is set to make history by performing at the first international pop music concert staged at the Great Wall of China. The Grammy award-winning artist is the first to confirm her participation in Wall of Hope -- China 2004, which will be staged at the Wall's "Ju Yong Guan" North Gate in Beijing on Sept. 25. Presented to an invitation-only audience projected at 10,000, proceeds from the landmark event will benefit the China Children and Teenagers' Fund, China's largest charitable organization. Additionally, the event will commemorate the 20th anniversary of China's Great Wall restoration project.
Wrist action
Be the first of your crew to sport the latest accessory with a message: a yellow "Live Strong" wristband. That would be the mantra of five-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. The idea is to sell enough wristbands to raise $5 million for the Lance Armstrong Foundation's programs that help young people with cancer to "live strong."
The foundation teamed up with Nike to create the wristbands -- yellow because Armstrong says the color is one of "hope, courage, inspiration and perseverance" and made of a durable silicone rubber so you can exercise, work and be your general rough self while wearing the inspirational band.
At a buck each, the wristbands are cheap enough so you can buy one for yourself and all your friends. Good thing, too, since you can only get them in packages of 10, 100 or 1,200 (enough for the whole school!). Snatch them up at www.wearyellow.com.
Area rock shows
Upcoming shows at Section 8 skate park in Hubbard:
UWithin Distance, Stars Turn Cold and By All Means, Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $6.
UOne Forth Awesome, 7 p.m. Thursday, $5.
Teens and the Bible
Despite recent upsurges in worship service attendance among U.S. Protestant teen-agers, less than one-third of that group report that they read the Bible at least once a week, according to the National Study of Youth and Religion at the University of North Carolina.
The majority of U.S. Protestant teen-agers -- 68 percent -- say that they read the Bible less frequently than once a week or not at all, the report said. Of all U.S. teen-agers, about one in four reads the sacred Scripture of their religious tradition weekly or more often.
The incidence of low Bible reading contrasts with increased numbers of U.S. teen-agers claiming religious affiliations and attending worship services in recent years, principal researcher Christian Smith said.
"The findings here suggest that far fewer U.S. teens regularly engage in more personal religious practices of faith -- like Scripture reading -- that many religious traditions, especially Protestantism, have long emphasized as crucial for spiritual growth," he said.
Quote/Unquote
" 'Hey Eve, I'm Adam.' I hate that. They still use it." -- Eve, on pickup lines she's heard, in People magazine.
"I can turn my tongue right over -- completely over -- and stick it out. And I can play the oboe." _ Actor Ioan Gruffudd ("King Arthur"), on his hidden talent, in InStyle magazine.
Want to model?
Young people are being sought for the Shenango Valley Mall back-to-school fashion show Aug. 14. Some stores may offer discounts on outfits, and models will be eligible to win prizes. To participate, call the mall at (724) 346-4564 or visit the mall's customer service office. You can also get more information at the Web site, shopshenangovalleymall.com.