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What to watch with your kids: ‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’ and more

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Friday, August 2, 2024

Harold and the Purple Crayon (PG)Age 8+Aged-up picture book adaptation includes peril and fight scenes.“Harold and the Purple Crayon” is based on the popular 1955 children’s book of the same name. While Harold is a young child in the book, the movie transforms him into an animated adult (Zachary Levi) who uses his magic crayon to transport himself and his pals Moose (Lil Rel Howery) and Porcupine (Tanya Reynolds) into the real world. There, he meets a widowed mom (Zooey Deschanel) and her still-grieving son (Benjamin Bottani). Although the Harold books were appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers, this adaptation has a fair bit of action and some potentially frightening moments. A child is taunted and hurt by bullies, Harold’s creations cause a fair bit of chaos and destruction, and there’s a climactic fight involving fire-breathing creatures. There are also a few jokey, suggestive comments that make it seem like Harold is romantically interested in another character — even though he has no such inclinations in his innocent, childlike state. The bullying scenes involve some harsh comments, but the movie also promotes creativity, courage and teamwork. (92 minutes)Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (Unrated)Age 6+Female-led SpongeBob spinoff has slapstick action and mild peril.Coming from the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise, this hybrid of live action and animation shines the spotlight on the squirrel sidekick Sandy (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence). The violence is slapstick, the peril is not truly worrisome, and the villain Sue Nahmee (Wanda Sykes) and her minions are over-the-top silly. Still, be prepared for bizarre images of distorted bodies that may disturb small children. There’s a reference to a character’s flesh being sewn together (with an animated visual), and a human head bounces around and gets attached to nonhuman bodies. Expect some potty humor and use of “butt.” Sandy is a great role model who is passionate about her work as an environmental scientist, and teamwork also looms large as Sandy and SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) come to the aid of their friends. (86 minutes)A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (TV-MA)Age 14+Intriguing teen mystery has drugs, violence and language.Based on the books by Holly Jackson, this mystery series stars Emma Myers as Pip, a girl who is motivated to solve the five-year-old murder of another teen in her small U.K. town. We see a bloody head wound, and one character threatens sexual assault. Drug use and dealing play a major role in this story, and characters are seen snorting ketamine at a wild party. Rohypnol use is another plot point, and underage characters drink alcohol frequently. Language includes “s---” and “f---.” Teens kiss and find romance. There’s some discussion of nudes, and a character finds condoms while snooping in another teen’s room. While there is definitely some edgy content, Pip (the titular “good girl”) is driven by a strong sense of justice and often learns from her mistakes. (Six episodes)Batman: Caped Crusader (TV-Y7)Age 9+Lots of action in stand-alone superhero stories; violence.This animated superhero series has a retro, film noir vibe and lots of cartoonish violence and action — gunfire, fistfighting and explosions. One character drowns in a suitcase, and another is fatally stabbed. Batman (expertly voiced by Hamish Linklater) breaks a villain’s hand. Language includes “damn,” “a--,” “load of bull,” “freaking” and “hell.” Older, comic-loving kids should enjoy this group of fresh, action-packed tales from the heart of Gotham City. (10 episodes)Available on Prime Video.Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. Go to commonsense.org for age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites and books.

Common Sense Media also reviews “Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie,” “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” and “Batman: Caped Crusader.”

Harold and the Purple Crayon (PG)

Age 8+

Aged-up picture book adaptation includes peril and fight scenes.

“Harold and the Purple Crayon” is based on the popular 1955 children’s book of the same name. While Harold is a young child in the book, the movie transforms him into an animated adult (Zachary Levi) who uses his magic crayon to transport himself and his pals Moose (Lil Rel Howery) and Porcupine (Tanya Reynolds) into the real world. There, he meets a widowed mom (Zooey Deschanel) and her still-grieving son (Benjamin Bottani). Although the Harold books were appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers, this adaptation has a fair bit of action and some potentially frightening moments. A child is taunted and hurt by bullies, Harold’s creations cause a fair bit of chaos and destruction, and there’s a climactic fight involving fire-breathing creatures. There are also a few jokey, suggestive comments that make it seem like Harold is romantically interested in another character — even though he has no such inclinations in his innocent, childlike state. The bullying scenes involve some harsh comments, but the movie also promotes creativity, courage and teamwork. (92 minutes)

Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (Unrated)

Age 6+

Female-led SpongeBob spinoff has slapstick action and mild peril.

Coming from the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise, this hybrid of live action and animation shines the spotlight on the squirrel sidekick Sandy (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence). The violence is slapstick, the peril is not truly worrisome, and the villain Sue Nahmee (Wanda Sykes) and her minions are over-the-top silly. Still, be prepared for bizarre images of distorted bodies that may disturb small children. There’s a reference to a character’s flesh being sewn together (with an animated visual), and a human head bounces around and gets attached to nonhuman bodies. Expect some potty humor and use of “butt.” Sandy is a great role model who is passionate about her work as an environmental scientist, and teamwork also looms large as Sandy and SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) come to the aid of their friends. (86 minutes)

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (TV-MA)

Age 14+

Intriguing teen mystery has drugs, violence and language.

Based on the books by Holly Jackson, this mystery series stars Emma Myers as Pip, a girl who is motivated to solve the five-year-old murder of another teen in her small U.K. town. We see a bloody head wound, and one character threatens sexual assault. Drug use and dealing play a major role in this story, and characters are seen snorting ketamine at a wild party. Rohypnol use is another plot point, and underage characters drink alcohol frequently. Language includes “s---” and “f---.” Teens kiss and find romance. There’s some discussion of nudes, and a character finds condoms while snooping in another teen’s room. While there is definitely some edgy content, Pip (the titular “good girl”) is driven by a strong sense of justice and often learns from her mistakes. (Six episodes)

Batman: Caped Crusader (TV-Y7)

Age 9+

Lots of action in stand-alone superhero stories; violence.

This animated superhero series has a retro, film noir vibe and lots of cartoonish violence and action — gunfire, fistfighting and explosions. One character drowns in a suitcase, and another is fatally stabbed. Batman (expertly voiced by Hamish Linklater) breaks a villain’s hand. Language includes “damn,” “a--,” “load of bull,” “freaking” and “hell.” Older, comic-loving kids should enjoy this group of fresh, action-packed tales from the heart of Gotham City. (10 episodes)

Available on Prime Video.

Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. Go to commonsense.org for age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites and books.

Read the full story here.
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How to Volunteer in Costa Rica’s National Parks and Wildlife Areas

Most travel experiences are learning experiences, and in Costa Rica, much of tourism markets itself as ecotourism. Yet, only a handful of programs stand out as both ecological and educational. For tourists looking to complement their beach time with something more impactful, Costa Rica offers opportunities to protect turtle eggs in national parks or study […] The post How to Volunteer in Costa Rica’s National Parks and Wildlife Areas appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Most travel experiences are learning experiences, and in Costa Rica, much of tourism markets itself as ecotourism. Yet, only a handful of programs stand out as both ecological and educational. For tourists looking to complement their beach time with something more impactful, Costa Rica offers opportunities to protect turtle eggs in national parks or study volcanoes alongside university professors. Various nonprofit environmental organizations have prioritized educating the public, including tourists. The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) has, for decades, provided scientists from around the globe with research and knowledge-sharing opportunities at its three field stations. In recent years, they have expanded their offerings to include undergraduate and graduate programs emphasizing ecological and environmental issues, language study, and tropical culture. These programs range from day hikes and workshops to semester-long courses. The goal is to make Costa Rica’s biodiversity accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. “Our programs are designed to provide hands-on, mentored-research experiences to undergraduate students from groups most underrepresented in the sciences,” explained an OTS representative. “As soon as you arrive at our field stations, you’re immersed in a scientific community dedicated to tropical ecology research.” OTS has expanded its reach beyond Costa Rica, now offering programs in South Africa as well. Day hikes and workshops start at around $50, while longer programs can cost several thousand dollars for a semester. Visitors at the biological stations—La Selva in Sarapiquí, Las Cruces in San Vito, and Palo Verde in Guanacaste—can experience Costa Rica’s premier botanical gardens, diverse bird species, dense jungles, and wetlands. Prices vary depending on the program and duration. PROMAR, a project dedicated to marine conservation, shares this educational mission. “To conserve effectively, we can’t operate in isolation. We must engage with the public,” said a PROMAR representative. PROMAR offers various tools and guidelines for local action against marine litter, including pilot projects like river interceptors and strategies for integrating marine litter management into municipal waste plans. The Association of Volunteers for Protected Areas (ASVO) continues to allow anyone over 18 to help protect Costa Rica’s Sea turtles. Through ASVO, volunteers guard turtle eggs, clean beaches, and maintain trails in protected areas. Volunteers are typically asked to commit to at least two weeks, with options for longer stays. International participants pay a fee that covers meals and lodging, with free time to explore local attractions. Conservation efforts now emphasize the importance of involving local communities and promoting sustainable practices. Many programs now include components on sustainable tourism, cultural exchange, and environmental education. With Costa Rica’s tourism market projected to continue to grow significantly in the coming years, these educational ecotourism initiatives play an important role in promoting responsible travel and environmental stewardship. As Costa Rica continues to be a leader in ecotourism and sustainability, these programs offer unique opportunities for visitors to engage deeply with the country’s rich biodiversity while contributing to its conservation efforts. The post How to Volunteer in Costa Rica’s National Parks and Wildlife Areas appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

A Historic but Dilapidated Illinois Prison Will Close While Replacement Is Built, Despite Objections

The Illinois Department of Corrections has spent September moving hundreds of inmates from Stateville Correctional Center in suburban Chicago in preparation for replacing the century-old lockup

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — When film star James Stewart went on location in 1948 at Stateville prison's notorious roundhouse while portraying a Chicago newspaper reporter whose work freed a wrongly convicted killer in “Call Northside 777,” the lockup had already been standing nearly a quarter of a century.Now, 76 years and hundreds of millions of dollars of neglected repairs later, the Illinois prison home of infamous killers Leopold and Loeb and Richard Speck, and the site of John Wayne Gacy's execution, is shutting down. The Illinois Department of Corrections already has begun transferring inmates from the facility in the Chicago suburb of Crest Hill, a contentious decision bolstered by a federal court order last month. Last spring, Gov. JB Pritzker's administration announced a $900 million plan to replace Stateville, which opened in 1925, with a state-of-the-art facility on adjacent, state-owned land. The campus also could see a new women's prison. Supplanting the deteriorated Logan Correctional Center in central Illinois is part of the proposal; it might move to the Stateville campus. Completion could be three to five years away. But that's about all the administration has said. There has been no disclosure of a design plan; no timeline for demolition, groundbreaking or even deciding what will happen to prison staff. Nonetheless, Corrections officials' decision to shutter the facility this month was made long before the court decision made it inevitable. Ruling in a decade-old lawsuit challenging the health and safety of Stateville's environment, U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood on Aug. 9 ordered most of the prison's 430 inmates to be evacuated by Sept. 30. “The primary reason for the facility’s closure during the rebuild is to address serious safety and security concerns posed to those who work and live in Stateville,” acting Corrections Director Latoya Hughes told a legislative review panel in June. “This is not just a matter of preference but a necessary step to ensure safety, efficiency and the fulfillment of our rehabilitative mission.”Employees and service providers, such as institutions that supply a variety of educational courses and social programs to inmates, want Stateville to stay open while its replacement is constructed to avoid disruption to services or destruction of a tightly knit and highly experienced staff. The prison is behind on maintenance by $286 million, according to a long-range capital needs study released in May 2023. It identified $12 million in immediate upgrades, but Hughes said that “grossly underestimates the full spectrum of urgent needs.” Wood's court order focused on falling chunks of concrete, bird feathers and feces and foul-smelling tap water. The ramshackle F-House, a circular unit with cells around the perimeter and a guard tower in the middle, was closed in 2016 — the last of the nation's roundhouse prison housing units — although it was briefly reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic to put more space between inmates. F-House and other buildings no longer in use are part of the backlog of repairs, but they still require maintenance, Hughes said. It doesn't make sense to pay for rehabilitation while also preparing for a huge outlay on a new facility. What's more, much of the work would require moving inmates anyway, Hughes said.But it doesn't make sense to state Sen. Rachel Ventura that the department has not followed through on resolving concerns she and other lawmakers raised during public hearings in June — she said in one case, an inmate promised a continued education course no longer has access post-transfer. The Joliet Democrat said she has asked repeatedly for updates but is told there's no new information. “If they’re going to shut it down (Sept. 30), well, what are you doing with it? Are you transferring furniture out of there? Are you getting out a demo plan? Are you getting an environmental study done?” Ventura said. “These would be the next logical steps, but to have nothing, no response from DOC on this — again, highly concerning.”An email was sent to Corrections’ spokesperson, followed up by a telephone message, seeking comment on activity at Stateville: timelines for closure, demolition and groundbreaking, and what measures are necessary after inmate evacuation. The hearings in June before the bipartisan, bicameral legislative Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, were understandably packed with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees members jittery about not just losing their jobs but breaking up collegial, cooperative staff environments at Stateville and Logan. Stateville has 939 staff members, including 676 who provide security. Hughes noted that Corrections Department understaffing works in their favor. In June, she said the agency had 1,000 vacancies within 63 miles (101 kilometers) of Stateville, including at facilities that will remain open on the Stateville campus. There are 500 vacancies to the south at the larger — and older — Pontiac Correctional Center and 168 at Sheridan prison to the west. When Stateville reopens, its former employees will have first dibs on returning. But many employees have a long commute to Stateville. Charles Mathis drives 45 minutes from his south Chicago home. A transfer to Sheridan or Pontiac would mean a one-way trip of up to two hours, to say nothing of double shifts employees work once they get there because of staff shortages.“That kind of commute round trip would take an enormous toll on my mind and body," Mathis said. “It would take away from the precious time that I have with my family and friends. I speak for all my co-workers when I say that that may be nearly impossible to justify.”Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Photos You Should See - Sept. 2024

Dan Evans, Republican Former Governor of Washington and US Senator, Dies at 98

Former Washington state Gov. and U.S. Sen. Dan Evans has died

SEATTLE (AP) — Dan Evans, a popular three-term Republican governor of Washington state who went on to serve in the U.S. Senate before leaving in frustration because he felt the chamber was too rancorous and tedious, has died. He was 98.Evans died Friday, according to the University of Washington, where he had served as a regent and where the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance bears his name.“Dad lived an exceptionally full life,” his sons — Dan Jr., Mark and Bruce Evans — said in a written statement quoted by The Seattle Times. “Whether serving in public office, working to improve higher education, mentoring aspiring public servants … he just kept signing up for stuff right until the end. He touched a lot of lives. And he did this without sacrificing family.”Evans was a dominant force in Washington politics for decades and, until current Gov. Jay Inslee, he was the only person to be elected governor three times.Born in 1925 in Seattle, Evans was a civil engineer before entering politics. He was elected to the state Legislature in 1956 and won the governorship in 1964, beating incumbent two-term Democrat Albert D. Rosellini and prevailing in a bad year for his fellow Republicans, one which saw President Lyndon Johnson soundly defeat the GOP’s Barry Goldwater.Known as a moderate to liberal Republican, the avid outdoorsman helped add new recreation and park areas in the state and supported clean air and water legislation. He created the nation's first state Department of Ecology, which President Richard Nixon used as a model for the Environmental Protection Agency. Evans also unsuccessfully pushed to create a state income tax. He opted not to run for a fourth term.After leaving the governor’s mansion in 1977, Evans stayed in Olympia, serving as president of The Evergreen State College. Evans had helped create the state school when he signed an act authorizing the liberal arts college, and as governor he also backed founding the state’s community college system.He built a national profile during his time leading the state and was the keynote speaker at the 1968 National Republican Convention. He was mentioned as a possible running mate for President Gerald Ford in 1976. Never a fan of Ronald Reagan, Evans supported Ford in 1976 and initially backed George H.W. Bush in 1980.As a popular Republican in a predominantly Democratic state, it seemed that Evans would be a shoe-in had he decided to run for the U.S. Senate. He frequently spurned such talk, saying in 1972 that “I don’t like Washington, D.C., very well ... and I could not stand to be in the Senate.”However, in 1983 Democratic Sen. Henry “Scoop” Jackson died in office, and Evans accepted an appointment to serve out his term. Evans opted not to stand for election in 1988, citing the “tediousness of getting decisions made.” At the time he said he was looking forward to returning home to enjoy the outdoors.In later years Evans served as a regent at the University of Washington, his alma mater. He also served on many nonprofit and corporate boards.Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Photos You Should See - Sept. 2024

Absolutely Massive Penguin Chick Named Pesto Wins Fans And Admirers Worldwide

He's huge.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A huge king penguin chick named Pesto, who weighs as much as both his parents combined, has become a social media celebrity and a star attraction at an Australian aquarium.Weighing 22 kilograms (49 pounds) at 9 months old, Pesto is the heaviest penguin chick the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium has ever had, its education supervisor Jacinta Early said on Friday.By contrast, his doting parents, Hudson and Tango weigh 11 kilograms (24 pounds) each.Pesto, right, a huge king penguin chick who weighs as much as both his parents combined, mingles in his enclosure at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, and has become a social media celebrity and a star attraction at the aquarium.Pesto’s global fame has grown with his size. More than 1.9 billion people around the world had viewed him through social media, an aquarium statement said.He ate more than his own substantial body weight in fish in the past week: 24 kilograms (53 pounds), Early said.The veterinary advice is that that quantity of food is healthy for a chick approaching adulthood.His growth will plateau as he enters his fledging period. He has started to lose his brown feathers and will replace them with the black and white plumage of a young adult.His keepers expect him to trim down to around 15 kilograms (33 pounds) in the process.“He’s going to start losing that really adorable baby fluff. It might take him one to two months to really get rid of it. Then he’ll be nice and sleek and streamlined,” Early said.But she expects Pesto will remain recognizable as the sought-after TikTok celebrity he has become for another two weeks.For now, he’s a star attraction.“Such a small head for such a big body,” one admirer remarked on Friday as a crowd gathered against the glass of the penguin enclosure at feeding time.Support Free JournalismConsider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.Hatching on Jan. 31, Pesto was the only king penguin chick to hatch at the aquarium this year and the first since 2022, a year when there were six. The reason why there was none last year isn’t clear.Adult king penguins weigh between 9.5 kilograms (21 pounds) and 18 kilograms (40 pounds), according to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, a global environmental group.They are the world’s second largest penguin species, after the emperor penguin.Support Free JournalismConsider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.

Huge Australian King Penguin Chick Pesto Grows Into Social Media Star

A huge king penguin chick named Pesto, who weighs as much as both his parents combined, has become a social media celebrity and a star attraction at an Australian aquarium

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A huge king penguin chick named Pesto, who weighs as much as both his parents combined, has become a social media celebrity and a star attraction at an Australian aquarium.Weighing 22 kilograms (49 pounds) at 9 months old, Pesto is the heaviest penguin chick the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium has ever had, its education supervisor Jacinta Early said on Friday.By contrast, his doting parents, Hudson and Tango weigh 11 kilograms (24 pounds) each.Pesto’s global fame has grown with his size. More than 1.9 billion people around the world had viewed him through social media, an aquarium statement said.He ate more than his own substantial body weight in fish in the past week: 24 kilograms (53 pounds), Early said.The veterinary advice is that that quantity of food is healthy for a chick approaching adulthood.His growth will plateau as he enters his fledging period. He has started to lose his brown feathers and will replace them with the black and white plumage of a young adult.His keepers expect him to trim down to around 15 kilograms (33 pounds) in the process.“He’s going to start losing that really adorable baby fluff. It might take him one to two months to really get rid of it. Then he’ll be nice and sleek and streamlined,” Early said.But she expects Pesto will remain recognizable as the sought-after TikTok celebrity he has become for another two weeks.For now, he's a star attraction.“Such a small head for such a big body,” one admirer remarked on Friday as a crowd gathered against the glass of the penguin enclosure at feeding time.Hatching on Jan. 31, Pesto was the only king penguin chick to hatch at the aquarium this year and the first since 2022, a year when there were six. The reason why there was none last year isn’t clear.Adult king penguins weigh between 9.5 kilograms (21 pounds) and 18 kilograms (40 pounds), according to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, a global environmental group.They are the world’s econd largest penguin species, after the emperor penguin.Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Photos You Should See - July 2024

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