FEATURE STORY: Local Food Banks Struggle to Keep Up

Rachel and Eric examine how food banks in Hebron and Marlborough provide assistance to families in today's difficult economy.

FEATURE STORY: Local Businesses Ride Out the Economy

Ben, Evan, and Adam from the Introduction to Video Production class talk to Hebron business owners about the impact of today's economy.

Deadline for GM and Chrysler

The White House, reacting to poor plans for bailout funds and insufficient progress, has rejected GM's and Chrysler's requests for more money. It has also pressured GM CEO Rick Wagoner into stepping down from his post. The administration has given Chrysler 30 days to complete a potential partnership with Fiat, and GM 60 days to restructure. Should either fail to show significant improvement, the administration will withdraw funding.

Source: MSNBC

Box Office Kings

Here is this week's update on the American box office for the weekend. Opening this past weekend, Dreamwork's Monsters vs. Aliens (2009) drew in a monster weekend and took the number one slot. Based on a true story, The Haunting in Connecticut (2009) drew in second place for its opening weekend. Also opening this weekend, World Wrestling Entertainment's 12 Rounds (2009) drew in a dissapointing seventh place. Last week's number one hit Knowing (2009) held its own at third place for its second week in theatres. Comedy I Love You, Man (2009), last week's number two, drops to fourth place this week. Julia Robert's spy comedy dropped two spots this weekend from third to fifth.





1. Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)- $58.2 Million


2. The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)- $23 Million


3. Knowing (2009)- $14.7 Million


4. I Love You, Man (2009)- $12.6 Million


5. Duplicity (2009)- $7.56 Million


6. Race to Witch Mountain (2009)- $5.64 Million


7. 12 Rounds (2009)- $5.3 Million


8. Watchmen (2009)- $2.75 Million


9. Taken (2008/I)- $2.7 Million


10. The Last House on the Left (2009)- $2.61 Million



For more information, please visit http://www.imdb.com/

Earth Hour 2009

At 8:30 this evening, individuals, towns, and cities across the globe turned off their power for one hour as a way to draw attention to climate change. According to CNN, 83 countries in 24 different time zones participated in the event. Perhaps one of the most visible signs of this event was the dimming of the lights surrounding Big Ben in London (see left). About 20 cities in China participated in the event, as well as the area around the Great Pyramids in Egypt, Niagra Falls, and the Eiffel Tower, among others.

This is the third year that Earth Hour has taken place. It started in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million people turned off their lights to call attention to climate change. It has since spread into a worldwide movement. This year's event was officially sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund. WWF CEO Carter Roberts reported to CNN that, "We think we are going to have 100 million people around the world sending a message that climate change is real, and we need to take action now."

For more information, please visit CNN or the Earth Hour website.

Image courtesy of www.cnn.com

Mock Trial Team Advances to Quarter Finals

On Saturday, March 28th, the RHAM Mock Trial team journeyed to the Superior Court of New London to compete in their annual state-wide competition. Other competing schools included Mercy, St. Bernard's, and East Lyme. The RHAM squad won its trials from both the defendant's and plaintiff's sides, qualifying them to compete in the state quarter-finals. This is the first time in the program's three year history that it has advanced to the second round of competition.

RHAM's plaintiff trial was against the team from St. Bernard's. Kelly Moquin, acting as the plaintiff, provided realistic and convincing testimony that aided RHAM on its way to victory. In the post-trial analysis, the professional attorneys who acted as judges for the competition commented that both teams performed exceptionally well and had a commendable knowledge of the facts of the case.

After a brief recess, the RHAM defense team faced the plaintiff's team from East Lyme. After an extremely well-fought case, the court ruled in favor of the defense. The closing statement made by Nicholas Aubin, acting as an attorney for the defense, was a deciding factor in this trial.

The next round of competition will take place during the weekend of April 27th at a location to be named later. Stay tuned for further updates.

The Wizard of Oz

Next weekend the RHAM Trigon Player are performing the Wizard of Oz in the RHAM High School Auditorium. There will be two showings, one on Friday April 3 and the second on Saturday April 4. The show will start at 7pm on both days.

Tickets are now on sale at all three lunch waves. The tickets are $5 for students, $7 for adults, and children 4 and under are free. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

All of the RHAM staff and faculty are entitled to one free ticket for either Friday or Saturdays show. You must pick the ticket up in advance during lunch.