Xpress, the Coolest Section of the St. Petersburg Times, is the home for features, news and views of interest to young readers. Most of the work in Xpress, which appears on Mondays in Floridian, is produced by the Times' X-Team. The team of journalists ages 9-17 from around the Tampa Bay area is selected every year at the end of the school year to serve during the following school term. The current team of 12 was chosen out of 150 applicants. Watch for X-Team application forms in Xpress during the month of May.
Read the reviews by Xpress Film Critic Billy Norris
X-files
Can't vote? Then report
By Times Staff Writer
Published January 12, 2004
Not old enough to vote? That doesn't mean you're not old enough to care about politics. Scholastic News and NBC News have teamed to give kids VIP access to the presidential election. Called the Scholastic Kids Press Corps, the project will put microphones in kids' hands as they hit the political trail, reporting on the election and related events from their hometowns. The corps is made up of kids age 10 to 14. Their reports will be featured on NBC News' programming and many of Scholastic's publications. The first assignment? The reporters will be dispatched to interview the children of the Democratic candidates, inquiring why they feel their parent would make a good president.
And he's a nice guy, too
Clay Aiken's not just a talented singer but, apparently, a nice guy. The National League of Junior Cotillions seems to think so, anyway. Aiken tops the group's list of the Ten Best Mannered People of 2003. Aiken won because of the "courteous manner in which he treats fellow performers and fans." Wondering about the other well-mannered celebs? Oprah is on the list. And that shouldn't surprise; Oprah defines nice. Look it up. Others on the list include Gen. Tommy Franks, NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw and actor Mel Gibson.
X-Press Quote
"I would rather say, "I worship you, Satan!' than "My favorite baseball team is the New York Yankees.' "
- Ben Affleck tells E! Online about his baseball allegiance to the Boston Red Sox. Affleck's fiancee Jennifer Lopez is the Yankees fan.
