'Opal' the latest YA novel for adults ("How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild and Got a Life," written by a 19-year-old Kaavya Viswanathan gets a love letter from USA Today...it's the first book I plan to read when mine is finally done, hopefully on a beach somewhere far, far away)

- The Ruben Studdard after-school program ("The 'American Idol' winner is launching The Music Alternative Project, an after-school program aimed at keeping young people away from gangs by teaching them behind-the-scenes aspects of music production, including songwriting, marketing, accounting and mixing." - This makes me happy. But this makes me kind of sad.) (WSFA) (The Advocate)

- Some candy for 'O.C.' fans (AP has an interview with Josh Schwartz, who really does look like his main character Seth Cohen) (via Yahoo! News)

- It's not just clothing...(it's a game. "Edoc Laundry's shirts, caps, wallets, belts and backpacks are the newest permutation in alternate reality games, or ARGs.") (L.A. Times, reg. required)

- Is 'Passions' trying to be the 'Lost' of daytime? (new site with lots of clues, easter eggs and other content to keep its viewers coming back for more) (Promo)

- Industrious Kid's site in beta (it's called imbee)

- Rhino and Destroy partner up in the action sports space (to sell ots of music-infused mobile products via the Destroy Network) (press release)

- Tight jeans are back! (and I thought my ass was just getting bigger. I'm so glad it's actually a trend...) (The L.A. Times, reg. required)

- More high schools offering online courses (they're not just for homeschoolers anymore!) (The Christian Science Monitor via USA Today)

Posted by anastasia