旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 켠� � � 爐� 靈� 靈� 켠� 靈� � � 爐� 靈� 爐� � 靈� � 爐� � � � 픔� 픔 � 픔� � � 픔� 픈� � � � � � � � 픔 � � � � � 懃� 聃� � � � 聃� � � � � 聃� � � � 聃� 聃� 懃� � 突袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� THE CAT CHRONICLE ----------------- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE * * July 7, 1995 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The CAT Chronicle is published weekly, every Friday by Children's Animated Television (CAT). CAT produces educational videos for children and teens on social issues such as AIDS and diversity, as well as provide a free public service computer BBS. -------------------------------------------------------------------- CAT CURRENTS: ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dr Furball's BBS is still alive and well. This BBS is offered by CAT as a public service. What does this mean for YOU??? * Educational files and games * Health education and general information for kids, teens, educators and parents. * All material is 'G' rated, contains no violence and will keep your child busy for hours. * Unlike the Internet, you don't have to worry about your child accessing 'adult' files or graphics. * Dr Furball's BBS is easy to use. The best news of all is that we are planning to make this BBS a beacon for the most current educational materials around! So if you haven't had a chance to call, take a few minutes to check us out!!! Please call 617-455-8415 _or_ 617-433-0026. Web Home Page News ------------------ We are still working on our Web site. Look for it to be operational next week. This Web Page will include updates on CAT events, the latest on the GLB video and information on other educational resources on the WWW and the Internet. The Web site will be simple and visually appealing, so keep an eye out for it next week!!! World Wide Web Auction Announced ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CAT will be holding its first annual auction on the World Wide Web. People with only Internet E-mail access will also be able to bid, as well as in writing via US Mail. Products from worldwide and services (redeemable ANYWHERE in the continental US) are sought as donations from corporations and individuals. If you or your business would like to participate, please contact CAT for further details. Your companies product(s) will have a picture as well as who it was donated by listed. This years proceeds go to benefit our latest video production on GLB teen self esteem and suicide prevention. Multiple small items are OK... A separate press release will be issued shortly including an application form. CAT People: ~~~~~~~~~~ The CAT person for this week is Mike Reddin from the south shore area of Boston. We were very fortunate to find Mike through our press releases posted at Software Creations. He will be writing a weekly column for gay, lesbian and bisexual (GLB) youth. His premiere column is below. Thanks Mike!!! GLB Youth Advisor: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Introductions prove difficult for someone unusually shy; However, I will give it my best. My name is Mike Reddin. I am 25 years old and live in Plymouth, Mass. I am involved in many different projects, by trade I am a weather forecaster and an aviation ground instructor. My life is dedicated to helping people learn the various aspects about flying aircraft, navigation and giving information about weather. However, my interest in writing and helping young people prompted me to write this column. Growing up gay provides a challenge for most young people, especially if no means of support exists. I understand these difficulties because I still face them on a daily basis. My first gay feelings emerged by age twelve, although I failed to recognize the meaning of these feelings and desires until age fifteen. In the future, the columns I write for you will relate my experiences and feelings about growing up gay in America. In particular, I want to communicate with other young gay people because we need each other. Even today, I still experience the feelings of isolation and loneliness that stem from being gay. These feelings frequently result from living at home or with roommates in college who do not understand our problems. Growing up today is not easy for anyone. We are no different in that respect. Unfortunately, typically we cannot sit with our friends or family to discuss these problems openly. I want you to realize that this is not your fault. Unless you experience the feelings of being gay, the notion seems unacceptable. You will find that some religions teach people that being gay is unacceptable. Someone cannot fault you for feelings you find natural and comforting. We were born wanting the same sex, in the same manner your friends want the opposite sex. United, we can help others understand our feelings and gain acceptance and support. You are not alone. Millions of young gay Americans await someone special to enter their lives each day. We need only to make it easier to reach out and support one another. We have not just aimed this column at gay youth, but the friends and family of gay youth. There are some wonderful organizations such as PFLAG {Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays}, dedicated to supporting the entire gay community. This group unites parents, relatives and friends of homosexuals, concerned about their safety and mental health. As you know, growing up is tough for anyone, but perhaps more than anyone else we need your understanding. If we are to gain acceptance and become healthy individuals, encouragement from a respected source makes the difference. Family or friends have rejected many of us, and we can only heal these wounds through caring and friendship. Your support of gay youth might even save lives. The emotions are that intense. In the coming weeks, I will address the problems affecting gay youth. Problems including developing a positive self image, self acceptance, dealing with homophobia, depression and coming out to friends and family. These represent particular problems for most of us. I would like to hear your comments and stories about these various topics. Mike Reddin Volunteer GLB Youth Advisor for Children's Animated Television Internet Address: wxman@pcix.com Child Safety Corner... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Child safety tip of the week: HOME ALONE. School's out and it's common for children to be home alone this time of year. Here are just a few safety tips: * Make sure your children know how to use the telephone. Teach them how dial your phone number, another adult, 911, or other emergency phone numbers. * Keep a current list of telephone numbers near all phones. * Make sure each child knows their full name, address, and telephone number, since most police or fire stations will not display the callers information, and 911 may not either. The information your children provide could be the only way to get emergency personnel to find them. * If your child is old enough, enroll them in a first aid or "Baby-sitters" course. * Keep a first aid kit in your home. * Teach your children to NEVER open the door for strangers. * Teach your children not to use the stove alone. * Teach them what to do if the smoke detector goes off. * Talk with your child about being home alone. It's important to know if your child is afraid or uncertain, and address those fears before an emergency should happen. Jeff Sam Volunteer Child Safety Conference Moderator on Dr Furball's BBS -------------------------------------------------------------------- CAT is a 501-C-3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Contact Information: Bessie Hadley Executive Director Children's Animated Television, Inc. 1492 Highland Ave, Suite 3 Needham, MA 02192 Voice: 617-449-9699 FAX: 617-449-2238 Dr Furball's BBS: 617-455-8415 node 1 617-433-0026 node 2 Internet: hadley@usa1.com Claude DiDomenica President of CAT and Sysop of Dr Furball's BBS Internet: didom@usa1.com Coming soon, CAT's WEB Home Page: http://www1.usa1.com/~furball/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Get CAT's latest info releases from Software Creations BBS * * "Home of the Authors" * * <<*-*-*-*->> * * Internet Access: Telnet BBS.SWCBBS.COM * * <<*-*-*-*->> * * WEB Access: http://www.swcbbs.com * * <<*-*-*-*->> * * 2400/9600/14.4 USR HST/Dual Standard Public Access (508) 368-7036 * * 2400/9600/14.4/28.8 USR V.Everything Public Access (508) 368-6604 * * 2400/9600/14.4 USR HST/Dual Standard Member Access (508) 368-7139 * * 9600/14.4/16.8/28.8 USR V.Everything Member Access (508) 368-3424 * * <<*-*-*-*->> * * At Main Menu, type: J 178 * * for "Dr Furball's Educational & Philanthropical Conference" * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1995 Children's Animated Television, Inc. All Rights Reserved This newsletter may be freely distributed as long as it remains intact and this notice is not removed. Please do not post on USENET, FIDONET, WILDNET etc. without permission of the conference moderator. # # #