Sleep on it
If you thought you knew the story of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Princess and The Pea," think again.

Check out "Once Upon a Mattress," at Ephrata High School, April 4 and 5.

The Tony-award-winning musical features music by Mary Rodgers (daughter of Richard Rodgers) and lyrics by Marshall Barker, and offers a show that's hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic and full of side-splitting shenangians.

"Once Upon a Mattress" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in the Hammon Auditorium of the Ephrata High School, 803 Oak Boulevard, Ephrata.

Tickets are $8; $5 for students and children and may be purchased through a cast member or by calling the theatre box office, at 721-1592.

Ticket orders are also accepted by visiting the district Web site, www.easdpa.org. Any unsold tickets will be available at the door on the evening of the performance.

Ephrata High School sophomore Rachel Snavely is the student director, with David Dierwechter directing, plus vocal and orchestra direction by Jill Klinger and choreography by Kristie Ohlinger.
What a gas
How are current gas prices affecting students? That's the question Josh Watts asks in the current issue of Manheim Central High School's Central Point newspaper.

"How much is too much in an America where commodity prices are rising and the jobs of its youngest consumer group (pay) just over $7 — and even that's taxed," he says. "While many students are able to get cheap cars — costing as much as a phone these days — and are able to talk their parents into putting them on the parent's car insurance, many must pay for gas. The current average gas price in the Lancaster area is $3.102, and OPEC is looking at a maximum of a 50 percent increase in barrel prices in the following years. That means gas will be up to $4.65 a gallon! Now with $7 an hour, most students will be working just to drive!"

Watts suggests teens think about ways to combat rising gas prices and offers suggestions including opening a savings account to pay for gas, taking the bus and carpooling.