Vampire

MOVIE REVIEW: "Underworld: Evolution"; rated R for graphic violence, explicit sex, strong language; 105 minutes In "Underworld: Evolution," the sequel to the big hit "Underworld," Selene, a female vampire played by Kate Beckinsale, hunts her own kind in Eastern Europe. She is also protecting a vampire-werewolf hybrid named Michael, played by Scott Speedman. The movie involves flashback across the span of human history to recall moments in the eternal struggle between werewolves and vampires.

Since 2008, the "Twilight" movies have been one of my favorite annual traditions.  Not because of the movies themselves, which are drippy romances with endless lovelorn dialogue, but because of the reactions of the audiences that accompany the films. The camera's obsession with the actors' looks is painful. Hundreds of girls' obsession with the actors' looks is hilarious. There is no sound in the world quite like a sold-out auditorium squealing over the sight of Robert Pattinson's face or Taylor Lautner's abs. The storylines and dialogue are downright laughable, but it's such a genuine laughter that it turns out to be a positive reaction.

Bring on some cold - and then . . .welcome Spring! Greetings, neighbors. Looks like we are finally going to experience some real winter temperatures this week. As much as I have loved the unseasonable warmth, we will appreciate Spring so much more after what I hope will be a brief cold snap. I noticed out on Mapleville Road this week that some forsythia has jumped the gun on the season and blossomed. Come learn about backyard bird feeding tonight Have you been watching for that first spring robin to appear in your backyard?

Anyone who is a member of Team Edward, Team Jacob or Team Jasper is probably eagerly awaiting the release of "New Moon" (especially you, Team Jacob fans), the latest theatrical installment in the "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer. While you are waiting, instead of rereading the series for the -nth time, why not explore some other vampire books, both the classics and more modern tales involving the famous fanged creatures. My favorite vampire books are "House of Night" by P.C. and Kristin Cast.

Amanda Krehbiel, 13, will be a freshman in the fall at North Hagerstown High School. She enjoys watching "Star Trek" while reading vampire books. Sadie Reynolds, 15, will be a junior in the fall at Clear Spring High School. She enjoys singing and writing.

Stephenie Meyer has done it again with her captivating new novel, "Eclipse. " The book picks up from the surprise, tense ending of "New Moon," the previous book in the "Twilight" series. So automatically, dedicated readers are drawn into "Eclipse. " Havoc magnet Bella Swan, a normal teenage girl in her last year in high school, finds herself in a bunch of sticky situations at the beginning of the book. Since Bella moved to Forks, Wash., to live with her dad, everything in her life has turned upside down.

Why are parents and grandparents - who are grown-ups and must be able to take care of things most of the time - sometimes so clueless when it comes to giving Christmas presents to teens? The Pulse writing team got together at Valley Mall in Halfway recently and spoke to teenagers about their best and worst presents. Andrew Christman, 16, is a junior at Greencastle-Antrim High School. He said his best present was the bike he received when he was 7. His worst present? That would be "a pack of socks" - boring.

A 14-year-old boy admitted Wednesday in Washington County juvenile court that he bit an Oak Hill House staff member on her neck in July. Disposition for the youth, who now lives in Baltimore with his grandmother, was delayed. The staff member who was bitten July 12 told Circuit Judge Donald E. Beachley, sitting in juvenile court, that the bite did not break her skin. She said that a couple of boys had talked about biting her on the neck "like a vampire" and he did. "My biggest concern ... I just want him to learn from the experience and move forward," she said.

For Friday through Sunday Movie times listed are those provided as of noon Wednesday and may be revised by theaters at any time. MARYLAND     LEITERSBURG CINEMAS 20145 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown • 240-329-2093 www.leitersburgcinemas.com Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (R) - Fri./Sat. - 11 a.m., 1:15, 3:25, 5:35, 7:45, 9:55 p.m.; Sun. - 1:30, 3:40, 5:50, 8 p.m. The Avengers (PG-13) - Fri./Sat. - 10:55 a.m., 2, 5:30, 9 p.m.; Sun. - 2, 4:50, 7:35 p.m. Brave (PG)

Anais Delilah Fournier, 14, of 669 Highland Way, Hagerstown, Md., died Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, due to sudden cardiac arrest. Born Feb. 28, 1997, in Frederick, Md., she was the daughter of Wendy (Kline) Crossland of Hagerstown and Richard Fournier, formerly of San Antonio, Texas. She was an avid honor student at South Hagerstown High School. Anais was a caring and giving person who donated her organs to help others avoid a similar tragedy.