YOUTH PROGRAMS

Youth programs
HOWLAND -- Howland Township Summer Youth Sport and Recreation Program will offer two camps July 25 through 29: Tennis for children ages 10 through 13 at Howland High School; children should bring athletic shoes, a can of tennis balls and a tennis racquet if possible. And golf for children ages 6 through 9 at Howland Township Park; children should bring athletic attire and athletic shoes. Registration forms are available at Howland Schools and the Howland Township Administration Building, 205 Niles Cortland Road, N.E. Registration fee is $20 for residents, $35 for non-residents and includes a t-shirt. For more information, please call (330) 856-2340.
Quote/unquote
"Well, I've moved on from playing an elf!" -- Actor Orlando Bloom, on his new muscular physique, in Twist magazine
"I try to eat healthy on the road, but it's hard. When I'm disciplined it shows, and it shows when I'm not disciplined!" -- Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas, in Teen People magazine
"Why is this attitude even there -- that to be loved and successful and wanted in life you have to be thin? I mean, how do those things add up?" -- Actress Kate Winslet, in Self magazine.
Perfect protection
Sure, sunscreen should be everyone's must-have summer accessory. But it can be totally weird to have a friend rub the stuff all over your back. Plus, what happens if they miss a crucial spot, like between your suit strap and the back of your arm? Talk about ouch!
Well forget throwing a shirt on to block out the blazing sun's rays, because Coppertone's got your back. They recently introduced a continuous spray sunblock, which means all you have to do is press and hold. OK, details. You DO also have to either carefully aim the spray at yourself or hand the can over to a trusted friend. (And we really mean that, since sunburns should be avoided at all costs!)
Of course there are other benefits to having sunscreen in spray form, like how quickly the sunscreen dries, no greasy fingers and easy application to awkward (and often easily forgotten) places like your scalp and your ears. Also, forget about getting sunscreen goo all over the inside of your tote. Instead of a lift-off lid, the cap twists to one side to spray and back to lock the button and protect against spills. And did we mention the can works upside-down? Talk about handy.
Get the Coppertone spray (about $9) in Waterproof or Ultra Sweatproof Sport formula, both SPF 30, at drug and grocery stores and mass retailers like Wal-Mart and Target.
Pod people
OK, everyone and their brother has come up with iPod add-ons and cases. But when found this case just makes you smile.
Meet iGuy. You can pop your iPod inside his rubberized case and get bending. His face is the screen, the click wheel his round belly. He has bendy arms to hold keys, wave, hug your iPod mini (sadly, they only fit regular iPods) or just make him dance. And when he needs a rest, he sits down on the charger to relax and, literally, recharge.
The iGuy works with any fourth generation or photo iPod. And while the case is a little pricey at $40 (actually only $10 more than many iPod add-ons), you have to think about the duality of iGuy: he protects and he entertains. What a deal. Get iGuy at www.fredflare.com.
Hot site
A good way to understand a city is to look at its youth, who not only represent the present but also offer a glimpse of the future. The Teen Chicago Web site (http://www.teenchicago.org/index.asp), a project of the Chicago Historical Society, chronicles teen life in the famed metropolis throughout the 20th century. As Chicago changed, so too did the lives of its adolescents.
The Teen Chicago site looks at four areas of teen life -- work, school, home and play. As you browse these areas, what you'll discover may surprise you. In 1900, for example, only about 11 percent of American teenagers attended school regularly. Most teens were expected to financially contribute to their family's income. It wasn't unusual for 14-year-olds to work full-time in one of the sweatshops in Chicago's bustling garment district. How much could a teen hope to earn working such an eight-hour shift? Only $4.
The site also includes audio clips of adults sharing their memories of coming-of-age in the Windy City. You can hear first-hand accounts of what it meant to be a teenager in the 1930s and 1960s. There's also a message board where visitors post their stories of growing up in Chicago as well.