Send a picture of your unusual pet

The deadline to enter 18 & Under’s unusual pet contest is 5 p.m. Friday. If you’ve got a rare reptile or unusual dog — or an ordinary hamster with Houdini abilities — send your photo with a brief description of why your pet is unusual.

The winner will receive two free movie passes, but the Journal-World will run as many photos as space allows.

Photos may be dropped off or mailed to the News Center, 645 N.H., Lawrence 66046, or e-mail them to teens@ljworld.com. Call Steve Rottinghaus at 832-7254 or Christy Little at 832-6361 with questions.

Get involved

Teen Advisory Board to meet Sept. 22

Students in fifth through 12th grades may join the Journal-World Teen Advisory Board. We’re seeking story ideas, writers and photographers for the 18 & Under page.

The board will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at the News Center, 645 N.H. Meetings run about 45 minutes.

community service

Search under way for state’s top volunteers

The ninth annual search for Kansas’ top youth volunteers has begun. It honors outstanding contributors in fifth through 12th grades.

Application forms for The 2004 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards will be available in the next two months in middle-level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H offices, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs, Camp Fire USA councils and member Volunteer Centers of the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network. They also may be obtained by visiting www.prudential.com/spirit or www.principals.org/awards/prudential.cfm, or by calling 1-888-450-9961.

The deadline to enter applications is Oct. 31.

The top two candidates from each state will be named state honorees in February 2004, and will receive $1,000 awards, engraved silver medallions and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in May 2004 for four days of national recognition events. Runners-up at the state level will receive bronze medallions or certificates of excellence.

Entertainment

What to watch, read

On “The O.C.” (8 p.m. today, Fox, Sunflower Broadband Channel 4), Summer’s feelings for Seth change; “All the Presidents’ Kids” (7 p.m. Sunday, A&E, Sunflower Broadband Channel 73) looks at pressures for children who grew up in the White House. New to video are “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” and “Identity.” New materials at the Lawrence Public Library include “What a Girl Wants” on DVD, “Maze of the Minotaur” by Thomas Misuraca and “Nightmare Academy” by Frank Peretti.