Sample free comics

Sample free comics
July 3 is Free Comic Book Day.
Both Mahoning Valley locations of All American Cards and Comics will join with thousands of other shops around the world on that day in celebrating this unique American art form by giving away comic books. Everything from super-hero adventures to intense slice of life crime noir to kid-friendly humor will be free.
"We want to spread the word that comics are alive and well in 2004," said Greg Bartholomew, owner of All American. "We invite everyone to see for themselves how vital, relevant, powerful and just plain cool comic books are."
The event runs from noon until 5 p.m. For more information, call the Downtown Warren store, 161 W. Market St., at (330) 393-3137, or the Boardman store, 1295 Boardman-Canfield Road, at (330) 629-8754, or visit www.FreeComicBookDay.com.
"You'll find a great variety of free comics," promises Bartholomew. "There are comics for children and adults and especially for people who think they would never read a comic book."
Battle of Bands winner
The first Battle of the Bands/Battle for Your Fans, which pitted about 100 Mahoning Valley bands against one another in a competition to see who's the best, was won by Hubbard metal band Red Tragedy. Taking second place in the event, which was held at The Dome Concert Club in Girard, was Black Casket, while One Breath took third. The winners were announced after a three-day final challenge Memorial Day weekend.
Skateboarding demo
Have you ever seen a 360 disaster on a verticle ramp? Now's your chance. Skateboarding pro Doug Brown will demonstrate why he's an award winner, at two TeenXTreme programs sponsored by the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Brown will set up ramps and do a live demonstration at the main library, Youngstown, at 1 p.m. July 10, and at Austintown Library at 1 p.m. July 31. Both programs are free for teenagers. Sign-ups are not necessary. Go to www.TeenXTremeOnline.org for more information.
A weighty matter
Thirty percent of U.S. kids are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. Here's what kids ages 9-13 think about their own weight:
Think they are:
UAbout the right weight, 55 percent
USlightly or very underweight, 23 percent
USlightly or very overweight, 22 percent
Have tried to lose weight:
U59 percent
Worry about their weight:
U Girls: 67 percent
U Boys: 41 percent
Spike's 'Miracle Boys'
Controversial director Spike Lee always does the unexpected. Lee next will direct the premiere episode of The N's first miniseries for teens, "Miracle Boys," based on the novel of the same name. The story of three orphaned brothers living in Harlem, "Miracle's Boys" will be filmed in Harlem and will air next February. The series is being produced by Lee's wife, Tonya Lewis Lee.
Quote/Unquote
"I feel like I'm running for president. There's nothing they don't know about me." -- Ashton Kutcher, on being in the media, in J-14 magazine.
"It's over. There's nothing more to say. We're friends. We're cool." -- Actress Lindsay Lohan, on her rivalry with Hilary Duff, in People.
Web site of the week
Fans of J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" books should make sure they have plenty of time on their hands when they visit the author's new Web site, JKRowling.com.
The page opens with a view of a cluttered desk -- pens, pencils, notebooks, newspapers, old gum wrappers and other assorted junk strewn about messily. Scrolling the mouse over the various items reveals many features, like news updates about the next book.