
ķ
    ķ   ķ ķ    ķ   ķ ķ ķ  ķ    ķ 
    Ķ        Ķ         Ķ ½              
      Ľ   Ľ        Ľ     Ľ    Ľ Ľ Ľ 
ͼ

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.
				#  #  #
