Teen News

Now there's good news for many of you who may have been disappointed when we were not able to give you coverage for your events due to space constraints. In an attempt to accommodate as many of your requests and to give all of you as much publicity as possible, we are asking you to write in short notices about the events you would like to publicise. The requests will be featured on 'Teen News' in the Mirror Magazine and who knows, we may even contact you to do a special feature.

Gateway's new web site

If you're surfing around looking for a new website, why not try logging on to www.gatewaycomputer. 4mg.com, launched by the Gateway International School's Computer Society earlier this month.

The website, launched by Kushan Amarasiri and Manjula Fernando, students of Gateway, includes topics related to computing and a computer glossary designed to help students studying computer science familiarise themselves with computer jargon.The web site also provides links to game, news and movie sites. There are also facilities to download action games free from the school's server as well as being able to download the latest software and shareware.

For further information email the Gateway Computer Society at gate@computer.com.

'Netalia'

'Netalia' is now two months old. Who? Netalia, a project started by 13-year-old Jose Carlos of Colombo International School. It aims at gaining views from children around the country as to how they feel about the country's current situation. It has currently held workshops aimed at providing children with a better understanding of the present situation and has also organised workshops for orphanages, providing the children with fun and exciting activities. Write in, let Netalia know how you feel at netalia@lakmail.com or log onto the website at www.itmin.com/netalia.

Bridging cultural gaps

Sri Lanka took wing to The Hague, Netherlands when Janeen Fernando of St. Sebastian's College and Dulantha Kern of D.S. Senanayake Maha Vidyalaya participated at the Second World Water Forum recently. The two, who were part of the Students' Programme where children from 120 countries participated, performed a traditional 'viridu' for the international audience at a cultural show.

A traditional wedding

Tradition predominated the beautiful rock carved Ramanathan Kovil, tastefully decorated with lotus blooms, jasmines, flickering lamps, gokkola and oriental music when Dinesh Sellamuttu was married to Sonali Senaratne, following all the Hindu rites associated with such an occasion.

Dinesh is the son of Wicky and Sheranee Sellamuttu and the great great grandson of Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, who built this magnificent Hindu Temple. Sonali is the daughter of Sriyantha and Anthea Senaratne. The couple were married in keeping with family traditions, which have been carefully handed down through generations of the Rockwood and Sellamuttu families.

The bride was accompanied by a retinue of 12 beautiful bridesmaids. Following a theme of colour, white, red and gold, the bride was clad in a white silk saree with a border and pallu in red and gold, together with heirloom jewellery. Her hair was adorned in masses of white jasmines, with touches of red, which covered the plait. The 12 bridesmaids wore sarees of white also bordered in red and gold, complete with ruby and diamond jewellery, including padakkams, ottianams and hair ornaments, besides the strands of white jasmines cascading from their hair. The groom made a regal impression in white silk sherwani complete with a turban of silk trimmed in gold diamonds and feathers. For the Koorai silk saree once again the bride wore the traditional red and gold brocaded silk, matched with heirloom jewellery.

All that glitters is not gold

'Sometimes, aren't there causes for jealousy and suspicion in a marriage?' asked Anoja. 'Oh yes', I told her, 'especially today when due to the competitiveness in the job market, husbands and wives tend to spend more and more time in office.'

'Generally this leads to an empathy between close associates in an office. Say for instance a secretary knows all the problems her boss has in office. She acts as a kind of springboard and is a mine of information of what transpires in the office and so a kind of mutual dependency begins. Unfortunately what happens is that more than office matters are discussed. If the husband has a problem at home, if his wife feels that he is spending too much time in office and wants him more at home, or any argument crops up between husband and wife then he tends to discuss these matters with his secretary. On the other hand if she has problems at home, her husband drinks or does not hold a good job, or there are financial difficulties, then she starts confiding in her boss, and soon what was limited to office conversation moves on to a personal level, and the typical 'tea and sympathy' situation arises, where each sympathises with the other and official empathy gets translated to an emotional relationship.'

'This is dangerous, for the office is in a sense an artificial environment. In normal homes there are moments when husband and wife argue, say hurtful things, complain and grumble, all within the family. If an outsider is drawn in without knowing the exact situation then his or her understanding and advice could be misdirected. It could also lead to comparisons, when each think that the other is better, more understanding, more 'everything' than their respective wife or husband.

'I guess that happens often,' said Anoja, 'but could it be prevented?' 'There are no hard and fast rules but a bit of commonsense would help. It is very seldom that office relationships last. After all, it's only a husband and wife who will know each other's weaknesses, the irritating habits, etc. A well turned-out husband may be grumpy and annoying, dropping his clothes carelessly around and not lifting a finger to help. The efficient lady staff officer may be a nagging, demanding wife, who does not bother to keep the house clean or tidy.

'What one is in society is never the real you. So I guess in an office before an infatuation starts based often on the sympathy angle it is necessary that those who have to work in close proximity work out their own parameters. Is it that there is a lack of understanding at home? Is the wife more keen on complaining than listening to her husband? Does he shut her away from his office work? - If that is so, it is time that the couple starts to rebuild their own lines of communication.'

'Often a marriage flounders not because there is any intrinsic problem, but because of the sameness, and routine and the human tendency to believe that the pasture next door is more attractive. A couple should have time for themselves to rediscover the wonder that brought them together. Usually a husband or wife can feel when one or the other is straying, and at that time instead of nagging - which is hard not to do - complaining and fighting, a little bit of patience would help. It is good to remember that a feeling of guilt and unhappiness is in the mind of the partner who feels he is betraying the trust the other has. This may make them more cantankerous and annoying, quick to find fault, eager to create a situation that justifies their actions, but yet I think if one is a little patient, no husband or wife really wants to break irrevocably the bond that made their marriage. Maybe they are indirectly saying as this little verse says:

"take my hand love, say you love me. Please don't scold me for my wrong, take my hand love and say you will forgive me, take my hand and take me home.

The Nanny

Fran Drescher

Fran Drescher stars as Fran Fine, the saucy and outspoken former nanny - and now the new Mrs. Sheffield - in the half-hour comedy series The Nanny now in its sixth season.

Fran, born and raised in Queens, New York, wanted to be an actress from the time she was a child. She attended Hillcrest High School, a career-oriented school, and studied drama.

After a year at Queen's College, Fran decided she needed a practical trade to fall back on and entered cosmetology school. After receiving her licence, she opened a mini-salon giving $5.00 haircuts.

Fran's first feature film role was in Saturday Night Fever. Her other film credits include American Hot Wax, The Hollywood Knights, Ragtime, Cadillac Man, Serious Money and It Had To Be You. Her role in the cult classic This is Spinal Tap won her a "five minute Oscar' from Esquire magazine.

Serving as co-creator, writer and executive producer on The Nanny, Fran still finds outlets for her entrepreneurial spirit.

Nominated for an Emmy, Golden Globe Award and an American Comedy Award for her portrayal of Fran Fine, her film career continues to flourish.

She starred opposite Robin Williams in the Disney feature, Jack, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and most recently the film The Beautician and the Beast, which she co-developed.

Fran is also an accomplished writer who continues to develop projects for film and television. This year she released her first book entitled Enter Whining, a New York Times bestseller that is a humorous look at her life and rise in Hollywood.

Charles Shaughnessy

Shaughnessy, born and raised in London, England, came from a show business family. His father was the principal writer and script editor on Upstairs, Downstairs and his mother was an actress. He started acting in school plays while in grade school and after graduating from Eton College, was accepted at Cambridge University to study law.

Upon graduation, Shaughnessy returned to his first love, acting, and enrolled in drama school in London. Later he was cast in the Agatha Christie television series Partners in Crime. He then won the lead role in the BBC drama series Jury.

Romance brought the actor to America and he moved to Hollywood to marry Susan Fallender, an actress he had met in drama school. Shaughnessy's first Los Angeles appearances included performances at the Mark Taper Forum, the Los Angeles Theatre Company and the Globe Playhouse. He was then cast in the role of Shane Donovan in the daytime series Days of Our Lives. He stayed with the series for seven years and won three Soap Opera Digest Awards.

Among his other television credits are the mini-series Till We Meet Again, and the motion pictures for television Dayo, Everything to Gain and A Degree of Deception as well as guest appearances on Murphy Brown and CTIT's Mad about you.

He will soon be seen in two independent feature films, Denial, starring Jason Alexander and Jonathan Silverman, and Second Chances.

Shaughnessy and his wife live in Santa Monica with their two children.

Nicholle Tom

Nicholle, born in Hinsdale, Illinois, started her career in Chicago appearing in print ads and commercials with her twin brother, David, at age eight.

The family moved to Los Angeles where Nicholle began classes with both the Young Actors Space and Margrit Pollak at the Strasberg Institute. She soon appeared in her first acting role as the older daughter in the feature film Beethoven, and reprised the role in Beethoven's 2nd. Other feature film credits include a co-starring role in Seasons of Change.

Most recently, Nicholle finished production on the ABC telefilm, Unwed Dad, opposite Brian Austin Green. This past year she starred in two highly-rated motion pictures-for-television, for My Daughter's Honor and What Kind of Mother Are You.

Her additional television credits include the recurring role of Sue Scanlon in Beverly Hills, 90210. She lives in Los Angeles with her family and enjoys horseback riding, swimming and shopping for vintage clothing.

Madeline Zima

Madeline, born on September 16 in New Haven, Connecticut, began her career in show business at the young age of 22 months starring in a Downey commerical. She went on to appear in dozens of national commercials in New York before being cast in the daytime serial Guiding Light.

She co-starred in the feature film Mr. Nanny with Hulk Hogan, and has appeared in Last Supper and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. Madeline also guest starred on the TV drama Law & Order.

Madeline and her two sisters, who are also actresses, live with their parents in Los Angeles.

Benjamin Salisbury

Benjamin recently won a Young Artist Award for best performance by a young actor in a comedy series for his work, on The Nanny.

The youngster captured the attention of an agent and moved quickly into professional acting. He appeared in industrial films and commercials and also in two productions of The Nutcracker, with the Cincinnati Ballet Company and The Joffrey Ballet.

Benjamin also appeared in the feature films Captain Ron, The Mighty Ducks and Iron Will. His first television appearance was on the American Playhouse Theatre in And the Earth did not Swallow Him. In addition, he played the voice of the tin boy in the cartoon The Little Wizard.

Lauren Lane

Lane, who was born in Oklahoma City and raised in Texas, graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre and then went on to earn a Master's degree in the advanced training programme at San Francisco's American Conservatory Theatre.

Upon graduation, Lane began her professional acting career in various regional productions. Her stage work, which includes Uncle Vanya, Burn This, The Imaginary Invalid, Boy's Life and No End of Blame, was noticed by representatives of NBC, who offered her a development deal.

Her other television credits include a recurring role on the long-running series. L.A. Law and also appearances in Crime and Punishment and South Beach.

Additionally, Lane is a member of The Actor's Gang, an experimental theatre company headed by actor Tim Robbins.

Daniel Davis

Davis, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, began his career in show business at age 11 on a local television show for children where he sang, danced and performed skits. As a child, Davis' parents ran the local movie theatre and Davis quietly sat in the Cry room and watched every film, which inspired him to be an actor.

He attended the Arkansas Arts Centre and graduated with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Fine Arts.

The actor also performed on Broadway in Amadeus and with Katharine Hepburn in Coco. Davis appeared in the feature films The Hunt for Red October, Havana and K-9.

His numerous television guest starring credits include Cheers, L.A. Law, Civil Wars, Frank's Place, The Equalizer and Cagney & Lacey. He also played the recurring role of Professor Moriaty in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

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