Ted Kooser, US Poet Laureate from 2004 to 2006. Photo by UNL Publications and Photography.

When I was a little boy, the fear of polio hung over my summers, keeping me away from the swimming pool. Atomic energy was then in its infancy. It had defeated Japan and seemed to be America’s friend.

Jehanne Dubrow, who lives and teaches in Maryland, is much younger than I, and she grew up under the fearsome cloud of what atomic energy was to become.

Chernobyl Year

We dreamed of glowing children,

their throats alive and cancerous,

their eyes like lightning in the dark.

We were uneasy in our skins,

sixth grade, a year for blowing up,

for learning that nothing contains

that heat which comes from growing,

the way our parents seemed at once

both tall as cooling towers and crushed

beneath the pressure of small things—

family dinners, the evening news,

the dead voice of the dial tone.

Even the ground was ticking.

The parts that grew grew poison.

Whatever we ate became a stone.

Whatever we said was love became

plutonium, became a spark

of panic in the buried world.

American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright ©2010 by Jehanne Dubrow, whose most recent book of poems is Stateside, Northwestern Univ. Press, 2010. Poem reprinted from West Branch, No. 66, 2010, by permission of Jehanne Dubrow and the publisher. Introduction copyright 2011 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006. They do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.

Congressman Mike Thompson and regional Congressional Art Competition finalists, from left to right, including Erika Quezada, Nick Christen, Katelynn Meade-Malley, Thompson and Nilla Marie Mercado. Courtesy photo.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) announced on Friday that Nick Christen from Woodland High School is the winner of the 2011 Congressional Art Competition.

Christen's artwork, a photograph titled “Yolo Bypass,” will represent California’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. Capitol, where it will be displayed for one year. He and a guest will be flown to Washington, D.C. to attend an awards ceremony in June.

“I am always impressed with the talent and creativity of the students who participate in this competition,” said Rep. Thompson. “Nick is an extremely talented artist with a bright future, and I am honored to feature his artwork in the U.S. Capitol. Our entire community should be proud of his achievement.”

Christen was one of six regional winners chosen by Rep. Thompson’s district staff.

The five other finalists were Katelynn Meade-Malley from Lower Lake High School in Lower Lake; Mira Weidman from Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy in Arcata; Joshua Lobue from Fort Bragg High School in Fort Bragg; Nilla Marie Mercado from American Canyon High School in American Canyon; and Erika Quezada from Cloverdale High School in Cloverdale.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents.

Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

Congressional Art Competition finalist Katelynn Meade-Malley of Lower Lake, Calif. Courtesy photo.

Ted Kooser, US Poet Laureate from 2004 to 2006. Photo by UNL Publications and Photography.

Here’s a poem in which 8-year-old Ava Schicke, who lives in Omaha, Nebraska, tells us just who she is and what she thinks.

I am

I am a daughter and a sister.

I wonder when I will die.

I hear the warm weather coming.

I see stars in the day.

I want to learn my whole ballet dance.

I am a daughter and a sister.

I pretend to be a teacher at home.

I feel like I am a teacher.

I touch hands that are growing.

I worry that I will never change.

I cry when something or someone dies.

I am a daughter and a sister.

I understand that teachers work hard for students.

I say that I don’t like bullies.

I dream about me not moving while trying really hard to run.

I try to become a good friend.

I hope that there is no more dying or killing.

I am a daughter and a sister.

American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright ©2011 by Ava Schicke. Introduction copyright 2011 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006. They do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.

Judging by the calendar of the cinema gods, the summer season has already started, which may be news to everyone still waiting for Memorial Day weekend. But for the second week in a row we have another traditional summertime popcorn adventure.

Last week, it was “Fast Five,” which speedily raced to the top of weekly grosses. Now along comes “Thor,” another Marvel Comics creation, a noisy superhero flick with plenty of thunder to ignite the summer season.

“Thor” operates in alternate universes, from the ancient kingdom of Asgard that floats somewhere in the great beyond to modern day earth in the dusty desert areas of New Mexico. In between, there is a planet of the weird Frost Giants that thrive on frozen tundra.

As the film’s titular character, the Norse god Thor (Australian actor Chris Hemsworth) is a brilliant warrior, but too arrogant and cocky for his own good, if he desires to ascend to the throne.

Thor’s father, King Odin (Anthony Hopkins), is in failing health. Thor is the chosen one to rule Asgard, but Odin fears his son Thor’s eagerness to do battle with the reptilian Frost Giants will prove dangerously reckless.

Meanwhile, standing in the wings, if not in the shadows, is Thor’s younger half-brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), who covets the royal power for himself. I’m not giving anything away, because you can spot jealousy on Loki’s face within two seconds.

But Thor launches a commando raid on the Frost Giants that does not go well. If only he had the training of a Navy SEAL, there would probably have been a different outcome.

Instead, for his heroism in spite of a failed mission, Odin banishes Thor from the kingdom, sending him on a journey to present day New Mexico.

His first encounter is with scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and her sidekick Darcy (Kat Dennings) and mentor, Dr. Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard).

As the Viking god out of his element, Thor speaks like a Shakespearean actor in an Olde English dialect and is obviously puzzled by the modern world.

Thor is also a wonder to behold, with his rippling muscles and charming demeanor. No wonder then that Jane is soon smitten. The chemistry between Thor and Jane is quite good, and sometimes very comical.

The action shifts back and forth between Earth and the realms of mystical worlds in the distant past. The effect of these changing spheres is very intriguing and goes far to explain the predicament for Thor.

On the terra firma of New Mexico, Thor finds that his powers elude him, thereby becoming a mere mortal who must survive on his wits. Odin sought to teach him a lesson in humility, and it appears to work.

Meanwhile, Loki has no interest in seeing his brother welcomed back into the Asgardian fold. His duplicity reaches new lows when acts of treachery betray the family heritage.

When Thor was cast from the kingdom, so too was the magical hammer that affords him superpowers. It is now in the hands of federal agents in dark suits who guard its presence at a secret desert location as if it were a new Area 51.

Thor and his human friends also encounter a new great danger in the arrival of a huge mechanical cast-iron destroyer who tears about the New Mexico village, tossing automobiles like they were milk cartons.

Retrieving the magical hammer becomes an imperative to saving the Earth and returning Thor to where he rightfully belongs. The use of it is just one more terrific special effect that is magnified on the IMAX screen.

“Thor” is brilliantly directed by Kenneth Branagh, a Shakespearean actor who knows a thing or two about epic tales and also has the masterful ability to bring a light, comic touch to the film.

For a summer blockbuster, “Thor” is a rousing adventure carried on the shoulders of another exciting Marvel Comics superhero.

TCM CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL WRAP-UP

Don’t say I didn’t alert you to the good times of the TCM Classic Film Festival, recently concluded in Hollywood.

The festival sold out its passes, resulting in visitors from 49 states and five foreign countries.

Organizers have officially announced the third festival will happen in 2012, probably around the same time of year.

Meanwhile, I can tell you from personal experience that there is nothing better than seeing a nicely restored or digitally enhanced classic film on the big screen.

The Marx Brothers’ “A Night of the Opera” is hilarious, and all the better when seen with an audience.

I liked the little gem of Roger Corman’s low-budget “The Little Shop of Horrors,” which included a weirdly funny performance by a very young Jack Nicholson.

My only disappointment was that for the glorious screening of “Goldfinger” the director Guy Hamilton was unable, apparently due to health issues, to keep his appearance to discuss this classic James Bond film.

I am already looking forward to next year.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

The launch will take place at the Lakeport Yacht Club, 15 Fifth St.

guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner, great entertainment and special guests will be honored and there will be commemorative door prizes.

DeCanti will read an excerpt and sign copies of the book. All of her books will be available for purchase.

There is limited seating. RSVPs are a must.

Contact DeCanti at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

FAST FIVE (Rated PG-13)

After some mediocre sequels, “The Fast and the Furious” franchise has been resuscitated and infused with new energy in director Justin Lin’s “Fast Five.”

Just in time, the director has found his rhythm so that even the most implausible, preposterous action in a multitude of car stunts is grand fun even if it lacks the barest shred of credibility.

In fact, the more over-the-top are the car chases and stunts that defy the laws of gravity the more entertaining “Fast Five” inevitably becomes. This is sheer mindless fun at its best.

The action is kick-started only minutes after master auto racer and car thief Dom (Vin Diesel) is sentenced to prison. Dom’s sister Mia (Jordana Brewster) and old pal Brian (Paul Walker), a former federal agent, engineer a stunning breakout from a prison bus.

Hardly skipping a beat, the action quickly shifts to Brazil where the trio hides out in the squalid favelas of Rio de Janeiro. It looks like being on the lam won’t be glamorous fun, especially when funds run low.

Being outlaws, soon to be sought by bad-ass federal agent Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), Dom, Mia and Brian get drawn into a wild scheme to steal very expensive sports cars from a moving train.

Putting a bold plan into action, the trio turns “Fast Five” into a heist movie, one that grows in reach and scope beyond the initial outlandish and death-defying maneuvers.

The highlight involves one of the cars driving off a cliff and plunging into water deep into a canyon. If you fail to lean forward in your seat and gasp in awe at the pure absurdity of this daredevil stunt, then “Fast Five” is not for you.

Things get dicey when it turns out that the gang has robbed truly villainous drug kingpin lord Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida). He doesn’t take kindly to criminal upstarts horning in on his turf.

As if to put the trio on the side of virtue, the inevitable clash with Reyes, a man so powerful he has most of Rio’s cops in his back pocket, causes street racing to take a back seat, if only momentarily.

While being pursued by Hobbs and gun-toting federal agents, Dom and his crew figure out that they will have to take down Reyes in such a big way that he’ll fold like a cheap suit in summer heat.

Thus is concocted a wild scheme to hit every drop house where Reyes keeps a cumulative total of more than $100 million. To make this happen, Dom calls in old friends from around the globe.

Dom’s dream team includes Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Hang and Gal Gadot, an authentic multicultural ensemble company of specialists and misfits. Planning of the big heist is not so meticulous as to sap the film of constant action stunts.

If you watched the film’s trailer, you’ve seen many of the highlights and, as a result, pretty much know the entire story. There’s no topping the amazing sight of a huge steel vault being towed by hot rods through the downtown streets, wiping out everything in its path.

Did I fail to mention that beyond all the car crashes there are the obligatory hot chicks attracted to street racing? The franchise never forgets the eye candy for the intended male audience.

The action climax of countless cars being wiped out will be hard to exceed in any film, unless it’s a sequel. By the way, be sure to stay for the end credits, for the one scene that almost surely is a tip-off for the next installment.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

We don’t often have the opportunity to screen French films, much less hype them. “Farewell” (otherwise known as “L’Affaire Farewell”), which garnered critical acclaim when it debuted in limited release last July, now gets the DVD treatment.

“Farewell” is the riveting true story of a KGB colonel who, disenchanted with what the Communist ideal had become under Leonid Brezhev, gives top-secret documents to a French businessman working in Russia, helping to hasten the end of the Cold War.

Not motivated by any monetary concerns, the Soviet military man was inspired to seek a new dawn for his fellow Russians.

“Farewell” boasts an international ensemble cast, including familiar names like Willem Dafoe, David Soul and Diane Kruger. Fred Ward plays the role of President Ronald Reagan, the central figure in the ultimate downfall of the Soviet empire.

“Farewell,” based on the book “Bonjour Farewell,” is a terrific spy movie.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.