MARIA-HOLIC on sale today

Section 23 has more goodies for you this week – and today you can find 2 items on sale! Maria-Holic Complete Collection is coming out thanks to Sentai Filmworks, and here is a story synopsis for you: It’s not easy to find the perfect girl, even when you’re the same sex! Kanako thought attending an all girls school would be the perfect way to meet the girl of her dreams, but after her hot new roommate turns out to be a guy in drag, and catching the eye of the most popular girl in school only brings down the wrath of all the OTHER similarly obsessed girls, she’s not so sure! Complicate things with a cat-eared dorm leader, her roommate’s rude-mannered maid and identical twin sister (who attends an all boys school, of course,) and WAY too many attractive girls of questionable persuasions and the question becomes whether Kanako can

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Read Across America Encourages Reading in Everyday Life

The National Education Association (NEA) is encouraging organizations to “build a nation of readers” by bringing kids and books together during its March 2nd Read Across America celebration. Huntington Learning Center is joining the bandwagon by encouraging reading, while also offering tips on how to make reading fun. Huntington Learning Center recommends encouraging reading in children by adding just a few new things to your family life: Mark your calendar for reading time. Designate a day and time where each family member in your household comes together for at least 30 minutes to take turns in reading something aloud. Bring reading into the kitchen. Find a recipe for your next family dinner and ask your child or teenager to help you read the recipe and prepare the meal. Children and young adults always love to help out in the kitchen and when it comes time to eat, he or she

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Sony and ESA team up with President Obama for Digital Learning Initiative

While President Obama may have looked at games as the bad guy, he is set to use games to improve science and math comprehension for US students. Launching on December 14, 2009, the is launching and offers two categories – 21st Century Learning Lab Designers and Game Changers. For the Game Changers category, entrants have to use the Playstation 3 game LittleBigPlanet to create content that incorporates science, engineering and math. Sony Computer Entertainment America and the ESA are supporters of the competition, donating 1,000 PS3 systems and copies of LittleBigPlanet to libraries and community organizations in low-income US communities. Jack Tretton said, “When leveraging the innovative technology of LittleBigPlanet and the PS3 system, both advanced and novice gamers have access to an open canvas to learn, build, and explore entirely new kinds of gaming experiences. There’s no better training ground for anyone interested in digital media.” Winners will be

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Activision teams up with researcher for education initiative

Activision is making the move to help parents and teachers learn more about their child’s experience in gaming. They are teaming up with Dr. Cheryl Olson, the co-director for the Center for Mental Health and Media at Massachusetts General Hospital to educate consumers. The “Ratings Are Not A Game” initiative focuses on educating consumers about The Entertainment Software Rating Board’s rating system so that parents can make informed decisions about the games their children play. “Activision is committed to providing consumers with guidelines and information to help them determine which video games are most appropriate for their families,” said Mike Griffith, president and CEO of Activision Publishing. “We are proud to partner with Dr. Olson and believe that these videos will be informative and useful tools for families.” Activision is working with Dr. Olson to create seven videos that help give tips. The first two segments are available now at

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Sony Online Entertainment announces G.I.R.L. scholarship winner

Sony Online Entertainment announced the winner of their 2009 G.I.R.L. Scholarship. Rebecca Gleason of Indianapolis, IN won the second year of the program and received $10,000 to be applied toward tuition and other educational expenses at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Rebecca also has the option of a paid internship of up to 10 weeks at SOE headquarters in San Deigo working on Free Realms. “I feel so honored to be given this opportunity,” said Gleason. “I can’t wait to make the most of it by really diving in, absorbing what I learn and working to promote the mission of the G.I.R.L. program.” Over 160 people applied for the scholarship and finalists were asked to submit original concept art of a new game environment and new characters for Free Realms. Each finalist also had to write two essays discussing their art and views on women in the video game industry. “The

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