Bookstore hosts Harry Potter release MEDIA CITY...

Bookstore hosts Harry Potter release

MEDIA CITY CENTER -- Barnes & Noble Booksellers will celebrate the

release of the fifth Harry Potter book with themed crafts, trivia

contest and costume party on Friday night.

Activities begin at 6 p.m. and last until “Harry Potter and the

Order of the Phoenix” becomes available to the public at midnight.

Various areas of the bookstore, at 731 N. San Fernando Blvd., will

be renamed after settings in the series, such as “Kings Cross

Platform 3/4,” “Diagon Alley” and “Leaky Cauldron Cafe.” Activities

include a trivia challenge featuring more than 1,000 questions, a

craft class to make Golden Snitches for the game Quidditch and

pictures with a life-size cut-out of Harry.

Pat Nathan, the general manager of the bookstore, said she

anticipated about 1,000 attendees at the event.

“We’re excited about this because it is the largest

book-publishing event in history,” she said. “This is a book that

will draw the family in.”

Books will be sold for $17.99. Customers who preordered copies

will be given priority.

For more information, call 558-1383.

Jackson Bell

Bell-Jeff student on leadership staff

HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- Ani Khachoyan, a sophomore at

Bellarmine-Jefferson High School has been selected as a member of the

Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program’s junior leadership committee

for 2003-2004.

Ani, who recently completed a year as a representative in the

program, made a commitment to perform 100 hours of community service.

She tutored other students, was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army

at Christmas, ushered at the Colony Theatre, and participated in the

Tootsie Roll Drive to raise money for mentally challenged children.

The school’s new sophomore representative for 2003 is Jeanette

Molina and the alternate is Anna Garcia.

O’Brian’s program began in 1958 when the actor returned from

Africa inspired by a nine-day visit that included working and talking

with Dr. Albert Schweitzer. After returning to the United States,

O’Brian decided to establish the program.

Molly Shore