Bear Essential News for Kids

KIDS, PARENTS, TEACHERS!

ESSENTIAL NEWS

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February 2013 • Phoenix Edition • www.bearessentialnews.com

In this Picture: Find Cupid’s arrow, the word LOVE, Lincoln’s hat, a snake, a Mardi Gras mask, an apple, Washington’s ax, a broom, a candy heart and the word PREZ.

FEATURE

NEWS

NEWS

PARENTS S— FAMILIE for ide Look ins pons, u o c Parenting Tips from Dr. Leman great ts. e n u ven page 8 tips & f

We Love to R ead!

Circus R ingm aster

Tackling G un Violence? New Kid by Friday!

Local celebs share their faves Pages 10 & 11

& more news kids can use! pages 5, 6, 15 & 17

Spotlight on the Netherlands News Highlights page 7

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February 2013

Happy Birthday,

ZIVA!

Ziva’s Birthday Celebration Feb. 15–17

It has been one year since Ziva, the rescued green sea turtle, traveled across the country to SEA LIFE Arizona.

We are celebrating with a weekend full of fun activities in honor of the first sea turtle to live in the state.

CONGRATULATIONS to SEA LIFE Arizona’s New 2013 Young Environmentalists!

Introducing 4 of the 12 students selected to participate in the program. Panelists will help SEA LIFE Arizona with conservation themed activities throughout the year. Look for their reports in Bear Essential News.

Abhi Desai Kelsi Reid

Desert Cove Elementary, Paradise Valley

Highland Lakes, Glendale

Being able to see the amazing beauties of nature is such a privilege and we want to preserve these wonders of the natural world for many, many generations to come. The world is only beginning to know about what harm we are causing nature. Why harm nature when it has given so much to us?

“The earth has music for those who listen.”— G. Santayana

If we took good care of all of these animals we can find more interesting facts about them, but if we kill them and they become extinct the world will be full of questions that nobody would know how to answer. If we don’t take care of these animals Kelsi Reid people in the future will never get to experience having them on this earth.

Ruby Prescott Lulu Walker, Tucson

Our sea life is filled with plants, animals, and all sorts of other beautiful creatures. If we humans don’t protect the sea life, the seas and oceans all around the world could be polluted with trash and chemicals.

For more information call

Sadhana Kumar Knox Elementary, Chandler

This affects the entire food chain including humans. Animals rely on other small animals or plants to live, which is why if some animals get endangered, the rest will, too.

Sadhana Kumar

480-478-7600

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

February 2013

Bear essential news for kids!

In this issue!

Check Out All of Bear’s Contests!

Page 2…Young Environmentalists for 2013 at SEA LIFE Arizona!

Page 4…Win Tickets! A Family 4-Pack to Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium could be yours, if you win.

Pages 5, 6, 15 & 17…Get the Scoop! Young Reporter meets a clown-turnedringmaster at Circus Vargas and more great news by kids, for kids.

Page 7…News Highlights. President rolls out plan for reducing gun violence. Cyclist Lance Armstrong admits he cheated. Spotlight on the Netherlands

Page 8…Have a New Kid by Friday. Don’t let your child bully others! Advice by Dr. Kevin Leman

Page 9…NEW! Ask the Zookeeper. Keeper of the cats at the Phoenix Zoo.

Check Out BearEssentialNews.com

Pages 10 & 11…We Love to Read. Learn what books local celebs loved reading when they were kids! Some great reads from the Common Core, too

Page 13…Letters to Boomer. Boomer answers your questions and gives advice.

Page 14…Water Wise with CAP. Big study looks into our water future!

Page 16…Fun & Family. Activities for the whole family

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Avoid the flu, get a vaccine!

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February 2013

Win a Family 4-Pack of Tickets!

Complete the dot-to dot and send it with the completed form below for a chance to win a Family 4-Pack of Tickets to the zoo! Winter, the snow white tiger cub, is just one of the many new arrivals winners will see on display during their visit.

BIG CATS! Winter may not look like a big cat, but this snow white tiger cub at Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium definitely is!

Visitors can see her at the popular Baby Animal Nursery. She receives round-the-clock care by Wildlife World keepers, including being fed a bottle of special formula for big cat cubs several times a day. While she’s already up to 20 pounds, she may grow to 300–400 pounds in just a few years! Recently, she has begun the transition to eating meat, but still gets her bottle, too.

Tigers once ranged over most of Asia and may have numbered over 100,000. Today, according to the IUCN, tigers are critically endangered, having lost over 93 percent of their home range. Current wild population estimates are about 3,000. Poaching is also a major threat to tigers.

Wildlife World also has another big cat cub—a jaguar named “Fitz” after Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Jaguars are the largest cat found in the New World and third in size behind lions and tigers. Males can grow to about 200 pounds and have the strongest bite of any feline species. Their stocky build enables them to climb rainforest trees with ease, helping them to stalk and ambush their prey.

Most jaguars are yellow with black spots, but a sizable part of the population, like this new cub, is black with black spots.

Jaguars range throughout Central and South America, and at least a couple have been “spotted” here in Arizona! While not yet listed as threatened, jaguars face an uncertain future due to habitat loss and fragmentation.

Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, in Litchfield Park, is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, including all holidays. Zoo exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last zoo admission is at 5 p.m.)

Aquarium exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Daytime admission includes access to the zoo and aquarium. Special reduced evening Aquarium-Only admission is available after 5 p.m.

Discount coupons available: www.BearEssentialNews.com

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February 2013

From Clown to Ringmaster!

Dare to Dream

by Reporter Zach Smith, Greenfield Junior High school and outside Have you been to the circus? I have, on two ocof school. And when casions—first, to interview ringmaster Jon Weiss and I was a teenager second to see the world’s greatest performers on one stage. Weiss is the ringmaster at Circus Vargas. He has and finally finished 31 years of experience in the circus industry and was in school, I was admitted to Ringling Brothers Clown College.” a movie called “Water for Elephants” featuring Robert I asked what can people expect from Circus Vargas.

Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon. Circus Vargas is an Weiss responded, “More than just any circus entertainanimal-free show with lots of interaction from the perment show you imagined. It’s very interactive. We pull formers and the crowd. Circus Vargas is housed under people from the audience and let kids step in the circus the “big top” which holds about 1200 people. Circus ring to learn some circus skills. The show is animal free Vargas travels about 10 months a year to states like and it has all the elements of a three-ring production in California, Nevada and Arizona. one ring.” Weiss says, “The performers here at Circus My interview with Weiss was two days before the Vargas believe it’s just a treat to see people walk away opening performance in Arizona. You can see the “big with a smile on their face and a memory every time they top” from the freeway. Weiss talked in an East Coast accent (he is from New York). I asked him, “How did you come see our show.”

When I went, my family and I had the time of our get in this business?” Weiss said, “Well, my family was lives. There were tumblers, motorcyclists, and even a never in the circus business. But when I was about 12 human cannonball. It’s a once in a lifetime experience! years old I started balancing things on my foot, knee, shoulder, head, and nose. And because of my balancing Circus Vargas stays in Arizona until Feb. 18. For more information, go on circusvargas.com. skills through the years I started to entertain people at

Reporter Shares Favorite MLK Jr. Quotes

by Reporter Farah Eltohamy, BASIS Chandler Martin Luther King Jr. is an inspirational figure in American history. He represents freedom within us all.

Born on Jan. 15, 1929, in an African American family, King faced a lot of racial discrimination.

As King grew up, he became a social activist fighting for rights for African-Americans peacefully. In August 1963, King gave his monumental speech “I have a dream” to 250,000 Americans, which made a huge impact in history. Unfortunately on April 4, 1968, King was assassinated by James Earl Ray. Many Americans (including me) have been inspired

by Martin Luther King Jr. and his extremely motivational

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quotes. I would like to share with you my favorite MLK Jr. quotes: “The quality, not the longevity of one’s life is important” We should not take pride in how long we live; instead, we should take pride in how many achievements we did in our lives.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” There is no place for justice and fairness if there is injustice in the world. In other words, to have justice, we must eliminate injustice.

“A lie cannot live” We must be honest and truthful in our lives and never lie because a liar will always be exposed.

“We must use time creatively” We shouldn’t waste time on nothing, instead, we should use it for creative and helpful purposes.

“It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.”

To achieve peace is not just by saying words, we must perform peaceful actions in order to maintain peace. Nonviolence actions are the answer to every political and moral issue.

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by Reporter Evelyn Gonzalez Integrity Education Centre Do you Dare to Dream? We did on Jan. 9.

That’s when my teacher, Ms. Lane, and her granddaughters, Layla and Ava, went to Disney on Ice’s Dare to Dream at US Airways Center. We all headed upstairs before the show to the Gorilla Greenhouse Young Reporters enjoy Party Room to the preshow meet a Princess.

Princess Rapunzel was there as a surprise for everyone that came to have dinner and play games before the show. It was also part of the Disney On Ice hair donation campaign to benefit the charity organization Children With Hair Loss.

Children With Hair Loss gives hair replacements and care kits at no cost to over 300 children a year, including those at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

The event raised 269 locks of hair for the organization and Disney on Ice invited the Phoenix Children’s Hospital patients to the Disney dinner we went to. We met hairstylist Nicole Moretti from Riposa Salon in Mesa. She donated her time and salon along with Master Cuts at AZ Mills Mall to cut 269 people’s hair in just one day.

“People who donated hair had to have at least 8 inches for cutting. It takes a lot of hair, approximately 30 pony tails to make only one wig,” Moretti explained. “People who donated hair ranged from 3 to 70 years old,” Moretti added.

We met Disney Skater Alexander Moss.

He is 28 and has traveled to 22 countries in four years. Moss loves to skate and practices four times a week. He has been with Disney for about eight years. “It doesn’t feel like work because I love my job,” Moss shared. Later we saw Moss dancing with all the other skaters. The show was awesome and filled with princesses, frogs, dancers, singers and lots of lights on the ice. We also got cotton candy to eat and princess crowns to wear to the show.

Adviser: Stacey Lane

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February 2013

Continued from page 5

Avoid Sickember

by Reporter Kaelie Zelms, Wildfire Elementary You might be walking in the park when you notice that everyone around you is sick. That’s probably because it’s flu season. Flu season usually comes around November and leaves around April, or it comes in the fall and leaves in the spring—it’s hard to tell exactly. But no matter if it’s flu season or not, you should still be doing healthy things.

The flu likes to work fast, so if all of a sudden you feel terrible you might have the flu. You might notice that you are getting muscle aches, head aches, fever, sore throat, congestion, runny or stuffy nose, or even start coughing a lot. These are all signs that you might be getting the flu.

To prevent the flu is very easy. All you have to do is wash your hands. Also germs could be on your objects so try to not touch your eyes, mouth or nose.

Also you could consider getting a flu shot. It might not be fun but it does help.

Taking medication when you notice those symptoms will help you prevent yourself from getting the flu.

The best thing you should do if you have the flu is to rest. Taking a day off from work or school would help a lot. You can also take medicine. But if the flu is stopping you from doing things you love you should go see a doctor.

The flu is not fun to get but after you’re better, you will feel refreshed and ready to start the day.

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Offering dance and cheer classes for all ages: Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Mommy & Me, Tumbling

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

Obama Rolls Out Gun Violence Plan WASHINGTON, D.C.—In the shadow of the deadly shooting at a Connecticut elementary school in December, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden recently presented their plan to reduce gun violence in America.

“I asked Joe (Biden), along with members of my Cabinet, to come up with some concrete steps we can take right now to keep our children safe, to help prevent mass shootings, to reduce the broader epidemic of gun violence in this country,” President Obama said at a special White House gathering on Jan. 16.

Biden’s task force came up with a broad, 23-step plan. A few of these steps, the president put into effect by signing what’s called an executive action or order.

But other steps would need to be passed by Congress.

On Dec. 14, a mentally ill gunman STORMED into Sandy Hook Elementary and killed 20 first-graders and six adults. This may be the most tragic in a string of mass shootings in the United States. Just two years ago in Tucson, a gunman killed six people and wounded 13, including former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head but survived.

“I’m going to do my part…giving law enforcement, schools, mental health professionals and the public health community some of the tools they need to help reduce gun violence,” vowed the president.

But many Americans, mostly gun enthusiasts,

President Oba ma signs an ex ecutive action in hopes of cu rbing gun viol ence.

photo courtesy of

the White House

February 2013

don’t agree with the president’s approach. Many are concerned that some of these steps, including a ban on military-looking semi-automatic assault rifles and limiting the number of bullets that semi-automatic weapons can hold break citizens’ right to bear arms that are protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

It’s a heated argument. On Jan. 30, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on reducing gun violence. People on both sides of the debate, including Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, retired astronaut and Navy officer Mark Kelly, and the head of the progun group, the National Rifle Association, voiced their concerns.

Giffords opened the hearing. “Violence is a big problem. Too many children are dying—too many children.

We must do something,” she said.

NRA chief Wayne LaPierre spoke a bit later. The NRA wants existing gun laws to be more strictly enforced and feels that armed guards at schools would help. The group sees the issue of such gun violence as a problem of an inadequate mental health-care system.

“Law-abiding gun owners will not accept blame for the acts of violent or deranged criminals. Nor do we believe the government should dictate what we can lawfully own and use to protect our families,” LaPierre said.

Cyclist Armstrong Admits to Cheating After years of denying that he used performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) on his way to becoming the most famous cyclist in the world, Lance Armstrong finally admitted that he cheated.

In an Oprah Winfrey interview, Armstrong carefully answered some very tough questions from Winfrey. “It’s too late for probably most people—and that’s my fault. I viewed this situation as one big lie that I repeated a lot of times,” Armstrong explained in his much-hyped interview that aired on Winfrey’s OWN TV network on Jan. 17 and 18.

AP/Wide World Photos Armstrong became famous for his endurance cycling, winning an amazing seven Tour de France races after overcoming cancer.

The Tour is a grueling 2,200-mile, three-week sum-

mer bike race that covers much of France. For years, rumors about him using PEDs swirled around cycling’s most successful athlete ever.

But in October, Armstrong’s world started to collapse when the U.S. Anti-doping Agency came out with a 200page report documenting his cheating and cover-ups.

The agency banned the champion from the Olympics forever and accused him of getting his Tour de France teammates to cheat, too. Uncharacteristically, Armstrong didn’t put up a legal fight to appeal the ruling and was stripped of all seven Tour wins.

“I know the truth. The truth isn’t what was out there.

The truth isn’t what I said,” Armstrong continued telling Winfrey. “This story was so perfect for so long….You overcome the disease (his cancer), you win the Tour de France seven times. You have a happy marriage; you have children. I mean, it’s just this mythic perfect story, and it wasn’t true.”

He isn’t the only cyclist caught using PEDs, also called “doping.” For decades, the sport has earned a bad reputation for widespread cheating. According to Armstrong, he just went along with it, became part of it and did nothing to stop it.

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Queen Abdicates Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced on Jan. 28 that she will step down from the throne at the end of April. The popular Dutch monarch says she’ll abdicate the throne and let her son Willem-Alexander take over as the ceremonial head of the country.

Beatrix is one of the longest reigning monarchs in Europe. She just turned 75, making her the oldest ruler in Dutch history.

“Responsibility for our country must now lie in the hands of a new generation,” Beatrix said in a televised speech.

For the Dutch monarchy, abdicating the throne is not at all unprecedented. Beatrix,

Netherlands Facts Capital: Amsterdam Currency: euro Area: 25,803 sq. mi.

Population: 16,407,491 Language: Dutch Exports: machinery & equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs

North Sea ✪

Amsterdam

NETHERLANDS Germany

Belgium

known as Bea to many of her subjects, has ruled since 1980 when her mother Juliana abdicated. Juliana’s mother, and Beatrix’s grandmother, abdicated in favor of her offspring before that. Willem-Alexander will be the Netherlands first king since Willem III died in 1890.

Beatrix was regarded as a calm influence on her country during times of turmoil. Her reign began in tough economic times when there was rioting in capital city of Amsterdam.

In recent years a popular politician and filmmaker were assassinated. Tragedy has touched her personal life, too. Last year her second oldest son, Friso, was caught in an avalanche and has been in a coma since then.

The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy. Mark Rutte has served as its prime minister since October 2010. The country is located at mouths of three major European rivers—the Rhine, Maas and Schelde. It is bordered by Belgium, Germany and the North Sea. Holland is a region in the western part of the country. The term Holland is often used to refer to the whole of the Netherlands.

The Dutch have a saying: “God made the Earth, but the Dutch made Holland.” The Dutch started building dikes 800 years ago. Almost half of the country lies below sea level and more than 1,491 miles of dikes shield the low, flat land from the North Sea. Without the dikes 65 percent of the country would be flooded!

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February 2013

Have a New Kid by

Summer Fun

Is Just Around the Corner!

Don’t Let Your Child Become a Bully!

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by Dr. Kevin Leman

A column to help parents with their kid’s attitude, behavior and character

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We talked here last month about keeping children safe from bullies. But how do you keep your child from becoming a bully?

The whole idea of training up children suggests that this is not a one-shot deal. You repeatedly train, just like an adult who is training to run a marathon.

You don’t just go out and run 26 miles—you train for it.

With kids, it’s important to repeatedly reinforce that other people matter in life.

Kids today have play dates. Apparently, in the world we live in, we need to schedule play times for our kids. Still, a play date is a great opportunity to train kids about simple things like sharing and playing fair. Pay attention at play dates.

Is it your son or daughter who is telling everyone what to do? Perhaps you catch your kid shoving another child.

This is an ideal time to pull your kid aside. I would say, “Let’s sit here in the watching chair and let’s watch other people play for a while.” Take him or her out of that activity and talk about what you saw. Have a conversation about how that other kid must have felt when your child pushed him.

Most kids will be defensive and tell you why they did it. Calmly say, ‘“Honey, we don’t treat people that way. We use polite words.”

Show a child that other people’s feelings and ideas are important. Put the disappointment factor out there, not to make the kid feel guilty but to let them know that mom or dad disapproves of what happened.

In older kids, I suggest trying psychological disclosure. “You know, honey, I’m not a psychologist, but I see how you’ve been treating this kid. I see you being rude to him, disrespectful to him, taking advantage of him. Your time playing together always seems to be on your terms and you put him down a lot. I have the gut feeling—and I could be wrong—but it seems that maybe you do that to make him feel worse so you feel better. Is that it?”

That is the psychological disclosure. Your kid might give you a look that says, “uh-oh, she’s on to me.” The kid recognizes what you are saying is the truth.

Tell your child, “I need you to take some time out and think about this. No one loves you as much as I do, but your life is going to be miserable if this is how you treat people. People will avoid you. We live in a word that is very competitive and whatever you end up doing in life, you’re going to need the cooperation of others. If there are things you need to talk about, I’m all ears. If there are problems you are facing that you don’t want me to know about, maybe we can arrange for you to see a counselor.”

Tell your child, “It seems you are acting out of your insecurity.” I would use that word. That is what it comes down to. Bullies bully out of insecurity. We set this up as parents when we treat kids like the center of the universe.

Keep in mind that girls can become bullies as easily as boys. Girls can be even more vicious. If your child is showing signs of becoming a bully, don’t look the other way—it won’t get better on its own.

Next month: How to talk to your child about a tragedy in the news.

Dr. Kevin Leman is a Tucson psychologist and author of more than 30 bestselling books. His latest is “What a Difference a Mom Makes: The Indelible Imprint a Mom Leaves on her Son’s Life.’’ Read his parenting blogs at www. birthorderguy.com.

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

February 2013

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30 YEARS OF BEAR ESSENTIAL NEWS FOR KIDS!

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February 2013

W

February

Love to READ! E

Local Celebs Share Their Faves!

Greg Stanton Phoenix Mayor

Melinda Cervantes

Lindsey Connor

Pima County Library Executive Director

Higley Unified Teacher of the Year & AZ Ambassador for Excellence

Best Loved Books as a Kid: The Giving Tree

Best Loved Books as a Kid Yertle the Turtle & Other Stories (by Dr. Seuss), Anatole (by Eve Titus)

(by Shel Silverstein), Where the Wild Things Are (by Maurice Sendak), The Little Engine that Could (by Watty Piper)

Best Loved Books Now: “My Beloved World” by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, professional/ leadership books by Jim Collins like “Good to Great”

Best Loved Books Now: Non-fiction by Jon Krakauer like “Into Thin Air” and “The Signal and the Noise” by Nate Silver, also enjoys major newspapers and online info “Being a good reader and a good comprehender has been critically important (to my career),” Mayor Greg Stanton shares. “I believe from the bottom of my heart that if you’re going to be a success in life, no matter what it is—politics, business, a non-profit faith community—you have to learn to be a good communicator.

And that’s a two-way street, being able to read and comprehend books and information, and then being able to speak, write and communicate well. They go closely hand-in-hand.”

“I was one of those under-the-cover-with-a-flashlightat-bedtime readers,” Library Director Melinda Cervantes remembers. Growing up in Ohio, reading was a pleasure for her, especially on cold winter days. She really loved the fun and independence of visiting her local public library.

She also enjoyed visiting her Aunt Gertrude, a librarian at the main library downtown!

“Having a neighborhood library is a wonderful thing.

I do think it’s a rather magical place. It’s not your home; it’s not your school; it’s a place where you can be with other kids; it’s a place where you can EXPLORE. It’s often the first time a child is given a card to actually carry and be responsible for,” Cervantes explains.

John Huppenthal Superintendent of Public Instruction Best Loved Books as a Kid:: The Hardy Boys series, Reader’s Digest family magazine Best Loved Books Now: “The Stand” by Stephen King; research papers on education, economics and philosophy Early on, young John Huppenthal learned the importance of reading. His mom would take him to his neighborhood library near South Tucson. “I just really enjoyed going to the library. Mom took us there every single week, and we’d come out literally with books from our fingertips to our chin,” Huppenthal says. And as the superintendent of schools, he’s still an AVID reader.

He wants all kids to read more and says developing kids’ reading skills needs to start early. “Above all, we find that the typical fifth-grader is reading five minutes or less a day. We have to get that number up to (at least) 20 minutes a day—reading is everything. It’s one of the few things that’s really correlated with academic gains,” Huppenthal emphasizes.

Best Loved Books as a Kid: Angelina Ballerina (by Katharine Holabird), Nancy Drew series, Goodnight Moon (by Margaret Wise Brown) Best Loved Books Now: “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, thriller novels by James Patterson “I really believe that education is the biggest gift you can give a child,” emphasizes Lindsey Connor, Higley Unified’s Teacher of the Year. She’s also one of the top teachers in the state! Growing up in Pittsburgh, PA, “I was very DRAWN to books and how there are so many different genres. There was always something that you could connect with,” Connor recalls.

A beloved seventh-grade math teacher at San Tan Elementary, Connor uses creatively written books to help her students embrace math. “Math doesn’t need to be this cut and dry study. So we try to build in a whole bunch of different activities for the students to experience math with. One of the ways is by reading books that have to do with the math concepts (that we’re learning),” she explains.

Bill Viner Chairman and Co-founder, Tucson Festival of Books and President & CEO, Pepper-Viner Homes Best Loved Books as a Kid: Adventures of Tom Sawyer Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (by Mark Twain), The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (by L. Frank Baum), The Hardy Boys series Best Loved Books Now: Mystery-thrillers by authors like T. Jefferson Parker and Thomas Perry It’s the state’s biggest, brightest and best bookfest—the Tucson Festival of Books.

Chairman Bill Viner helped found this reading extravaganza five years ago. This free event happens March 9–10 at the University of Arizona and expands its fun for kids and teens this year. Children’s horror writer R.L. Stine will be one of about 450 visiting authors. “One of the biggest things is R.L. Stine will receive the Founders Award—he’s the first children’s author that we’ve given the award to. He’s just a phenomenal author because he’s gotten so many children to read. He’s sold over 400 million books,” Viner explains.

“Ultimately, the whole focus has been on literacy. We want to make sure that there’s a unique opportunity for kids to come and enjoy all sorts of reading and books and educational tools,” Viner notes. There’s a huge children’s area with lots of exhibitors, fun activities and even a free book giveaway. Families will love the Literary Circus. The very hands-on Science City has expanded, and you can learn about Botball in the Women’s gym! See Festival details on page 18.

30 YEARS OF BEAR ESSENTIAL NEWS FOR KIDS!

Page 11

Fall In Love with a Book!

Great Books from the Common Core Standards Grades K–1 “Are You My Mother?,” by P.D. Eastman “Green Eggs and Ham,” by Dr. Seuss “Pancakes for Breakfast,” by Tomie DePaola Read Aloud Stories “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,”

by L. Frank Baum “A Story, A Story,” by Gail E. Haley

Grades 2–3 “My Father’s Dragon,” by Ruth Stiles Gannett “Sarah, Plain and Tall,” by Patricia MacLachlan “The Raft,” by Jim LaMarche Read Aloud Stories “The Cricket in Times Square,”

by George Selden “Bud, Not Buddy,” by Christopher Paul Curtis

Grades 4–5 “The Secret Garden,” by Frances Hodgson Burnett “Tuck Everlasting,” by Natalie Babbitt “M.C. Higgins, the Great,” by Virginia Hamilton “Zlateh the Goat,” by Isaac Bashevis Singer “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon,”

by Grace Lin

Grades 6–8 “Little Women,” by Louisa May Alcott “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,”

by Mark Twain “The Dark Is Rising,” by Susan Cooper “Dragonwings,” by Laurence Yep “Eleven,” by Sandra Cisneros

Page 10

30 YEARS OF BEAR ESSENTIAL NEWS FOR KIDS!

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February 2013

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February

Love to READ! E

Local Celebs Share Their Faves!

Greg Stanton Phoenix Mayor

Melinda Cervantes

Lindsey Connor

Pima County Library Executive Director

Higley Unified Teacher of the Year & AZ Ambassador for Excellence

Best Loved Books as a Kid: The Giving Tree

Best Loved Books as a Kid Yertle the Turtle & Other Stories (by Dr. Seuss), Anatole (by Eve Titus)

(by Shel Silverstein), Where the Wild Things Are (by Maurice Sendak), The Little Engine that Could (by Watty Piper)

Best Loved Books Now: “My Beloved World” by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, professional/ leadership books by Jim Collins like “Good to Great”

Best Loved Books Now: Non-fiction by Jon Krakauer like “Into Thin Air” and “The Signal and the Noise” by Nate Silver, also enjoys major newspapers and online info “Being a good reader and a good comprehender has been critically important (to my career),” Mayor Greg Stanton shares. “I believe from the bottom of my heart that if you’re going to be a success in life, no matter what it is—politics, business, a non-profit faith community—you have to learn to be a good communicator.

And that’s a two-way street, being able to read and comprehend books and information, and then being able to speak, write and communicate well. They go closely hand-in-hand.”

“I was one of those under-the-cover-with-a-flashlightat-bedtime readers,” Library Director Melinda Cervantes remembers. Growing up in Ohio, reading was a pleasure for her, especially on cold winter days. She really loved the fun and independence of visiting her local public library.

She also enjoyed visiting her Aunt Gertrude, a librarian at the main library downtown!

“Having a neighborhood library is a wonderful thing.

I do think it’s a rather magical place. It’s not your home; it’s not your school; it’s a place where you can be with other kids; it’s a place where you can EXPLORE. It’s often the first time a child is given a card to actually carry and be responsible for,” Cervantes explains.

John Huppenthal Superintendent of Public Instruction Best Loved Books as a Kid:: The Hardy Boys series, Reader’s Digest family magazine Best Loved Books Now: “The Stand” by Stephen King; research papers on education, economics and philosophy Early on, young John Huppenthal learned the importance of reading. His mom would take him to his neighborhood library near South Tucson. “I just really enjoyed going to the library. Mom took us there every single week, and we’d come out literally with books from our fingertips to our chin,” Huppenthal says. And as the superintendent of schools, he’s still an AVID reader.

He wants all kids to read more and says developing kids’ reading skills needs to start early. “Above all, we find that the typical fifth-grader is reading five minutes or less a day. We have to get that number up to (at least) 20 minutes a day—reading is everything. It’s one of the few things that’s really correlated with academic gains,” Huppenthal emphasizes.

Best Loved Books as a Kid: Angelina Ballerina (by Katharine Holabird), Nancy Drew series, Goodnight Moon (by Margaret Wise Brown) Best Loved Books Now: “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, thriller novels by James Patterson “I really believe that education is the biggest gift you can give a child,” emphasizes Lindsey Connor, Higley Unified’s Teacher of the Year. She’s also one of the top teachers in the state! Growing up in Pittsburgh, PA, “I was very DRAWN to books and how there are so many different genres. There was always something that you could connect with,” Connor recalls.

A beloved seventh-grade math teacher at San Tan Elementary, Connor uses creatively written books to help her students embrace math. “Math doesn’t need to be this cut and dry study. So we try to build in a whole bunch of different activities for the students to experience math with. One of the ways is by reading books that have to do with the math concepts (that we’re learning),” she explains.

Bill Viner Chairman and Co-founder, Tucson Festival of Books and President & CEO, Pepper-Viner Homes Best Loved Books as a Kid: Adventures of Tom Sawyer Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (by Mark Twain), The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (by L. Frank Baum), The Hardy Boys series Best Loved Books Now: Mystery-thrillers by authors like T. Jefferson Parker and Thomas Perry It’s the state’s biggest, brightest and best bookfest—the Tucson Festival of Books.

Chairman Bill Viner helped found this reading extravaganza five years ago. This free event happens March 9–10 at the University of Arizona and expands its fun for kids and teens this year. Children’s horror writer R.L. Stine will be one of about 450 visiting authors. “One of the biggest things is R.L. Stine will receive the Founders Award—he’s the first children’s author that we’ve given the award to. He’s just a phenomenal author because he’s gotten so many children to read. He’s sold over 400 million books,” Viner explains.

“Ultimately, the whole focus has been on literacy. We want to make sure that there’s a unique opportunity for kids to come and enjoy all sorts of reading and books and educational tools,” Viner notes. There’s a huge children’s area with lots of exhibitors, fun activities and even a free book giveaway. Families will love the Literary Circus. The very hands-on Science City has expanded, and you can learn about Botball in the Women’s gym! See Festival details on page 18.

30 YEARS OF BEAR ESSENTIAL NEWS FOR KIDS!

Page 11

Fall In Love with a Book!

Great Books from the Common Core Standards Grades K–1 “Are You My Mother?,” by P.D. Eastman “Green Eggs and Ham,” by Dr. Seuss “Pancakes for Breakfast,” by Tomie DePaola Read Aloud Stories “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,”

by L. Frank Baum “A Story, A Story,” by Gail E. Haley

Grades 2–3 “My Father’s Dragon,” by Ruth Stiles Gannett “Sarah, Plain and Tall,” by Patricia MacLachlan “The Raft,” by Jim LaMarche Read Aloud Stories “The Cricket in Times Square,”

by George Selden “Bud, Not Buddy,” by Christopher Paul Curtis

Grades 4–5 “The Secret Garden,” by Frances Hodgson Burnett “Tuck Everlasting,” by Natalie Babbitt “M.C. Higgins, the Great,” by Virginia Hamilton “Zlateh the Goat,” by Isaac Bashevis Singer “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon,”

by Grace Lin

Grades 6–8 “Little Women,” by Louisa May Alcott “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,”

by Mark Twain “The Dark Is Rising,” by Susan Cooper “Dragonwings,” by Laurence Yep “Eleven,” by Sandra Cisneros

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Bear essential news for kids!

February 2013

S I VE U L C L X Y E T T L E EV I L ENT REE

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McCormick Stillman-Railroad Park 7301 East Indian Bend Road Saturday, March 2nd • 10:00 am–3:00 pm for Children 6 and Under Game Booths Stuffed Animal Contest • Most Loved Petting Zoo • Cutest Moonwalks • Best Dressed Face Painters Entries accepted Entertainment until 1:00 pm Also, experience the Model Railroad Building!

Train and Carousel Rides $2.00 Children under 3 ride free with a paying adult

For more information, please call 480-312-2312 Therailroadpark.com

www.bearessentialnews.com

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

February 2013

Bear essential news for kids!

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He’s wise, he’s cool and he’s ready to respond — write to Boomer Bear at Bear Essential News for Kids 1037 S. Alvernon Way, #150 Tucson, AZ 85711

He’s wise, he’s cool, and he’s ready to respond!

Dear Boomer, It’s not good for someone to feel bad, especially if someone is calling you bad names. It makes you feel bad about yourself so you don’t want to go to school.

Sincerely, D.J. Thanks, D.J.!

I’m glad you responded to my blog question: Why do kids (and adults) need to step up to bullying? And I think you’re exactly right—students who are bullied by name-calling or in other ways often end up not wanting to go to school. This is so unfair and can cheat the person out of developing love for learning.

Check out my feature on bullying online! It’s under Bear Fun Activities, front cover art for January 2013.

Kids—if you have something to say about bullying, visit Boomer’s Blog at BearEssentialNews.com.

newspaper’s mascot and have been reading and writing since first grade (I’m a fifth-grader now). It takes me and my staff several weeks to put together each edition. I actually have hundreds of other Young Reporters throughout Arizona, and working with kids like you makes my job highly rewarding!

Any kid in grade 2 through 8 can be a Young Reporter for me. Go to BearEssentialNews.com and click on Young Reporters for more info and

Bye, E.G.

Hey, M.B.!

Sometimes it’s not easy being the youngest of the bunch or different from the rest in some other way. Personally, I think it’s our differences that make us interesting and special. Being a polar bear, I wear size 14 extra, extra, extra, extra wide shoes— the biggest ones at my school.

You’re very special to me!

Boomer Bear Dear Boomer, My favorite part of Bear Essential are the puzzles and the articles about special events that actually keep my attention because I have the attention span of a squirrel.

GET CONNECTED with the latest from Bear Essential News on Facebook!

• News • Contests, • Events • Family Happenings

Visit: facebook.com/bearnews

Sincerely, P.M. Dear P.M., I’m so glad you use and appreciate my newspaper. We have short stories and longer stories, and all sorts of word games, puzzles and other activities.

Let’s end bullying, Boomer Bear Hello, Boomer, I love your newspaper—it’s so interesting to read it.

I’ve been published in the paper a few times, and it feels great because other people can read my stories.

Are you real? I’m wondering because bears don’t know how to read or write or do you have people write for you?

Does it take lots of time to make a single newspaper? Do you have a lot of other Young Reporters? Do you like your job at Bear Essential News?

or e-mail your letters to boomer@bearessentialnews.com

to print out the mail-in sign-up form that your parent needs to sign. In a few weeks, we’ll mail you our official Young Reporters Kit, which gives you everything you need to get writing.

Write for us!

Boomer Bear Dear Boomer, I need your help! I’m in fifth grade; I’m 10, and I’m the shortest, youngest and have the smallest shoe size (in my class).

Somebody asked me my shoe size.

Then that person told her friend, and that girl made fun of me. I’m scared to tell anybody my shoe size--I’m scared they’re going to tease me! What should I do?

Readers are winners, Boomer Bear Dear Boomer, Before I tell you my thoughts, I’ll introduce myself. I’m 12, I attend La Paloma Academy Lakeside. My favorite book is The Last Apprentice series. Don’t you think kids ages 12+ should get real jobs? Not only for cash, but to focus on their future. I think they should.

Thank you, R.N.

Dear R.N., Holding down a job can teach a Dear E.G., young person about responsibility That’s pretty cool—you’re both and the pride you get from doing a a fan of my newspaper AND you’re good job. a Young Reporter for it! Congrats The Red Cross offers baby on having your stories printed in P.S.—I LOVE your newspaper! sitting courses for those 11–15, so Bear Essential News. It is a special Thank you, M.B. there are jobs you can do. accomplishment that deserves to be celebrated.

Good luck, As for your Read LETTERS TO BOOMER to younger readers to enhance their Boomer Bear questions, I am the

Common Core experience. Bear readers also can practice their letter writing!

Volume 34 Issue 6 TM

Serving Arizona Families for 33 Years!

Editor & Publisher Stephen B Gin Assistant Editors Renee Griffith Mike Loghry

Sales Director & Publisher Nancy Holmes Account Executives Syndi Taylor Terri Anderson

Administrative Asst.

Kathy Cooper Rachael Drozdoff

Art Director Gary Shepard

Bear Essential News for Kids® is published monthly by Kids’ View Communications Corp. to educate, enrich and entertain children and their families.

Content of this newspaper is designed to promote reading and writing skills as well as creativity.

Classroom educators are welcome to reproduce any portion of this newspaper for their students. Call or fax Kids’ View Communications for any additional information on stories.

Please Call 1-480-752-2327 for any editorial or advertising inquiries. ©2013 Kids’ View Communications Corp.—all rights reserved 1037 S. Alvernon Way, #150 • Tucson, AZ 85711 Fax (520)792-2580 Bear Essential News is distributed free each month.

Web Address: www.bearessentialnews.com Printed with recycled newsprint.

ENDORSED BY THE

Arizona Education Association

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Bear essential news for kids!

www.bearessentialnews.com

February 2013

Central Arizona Project (CAP) is a modern aqueduct system that stretches 336 miles across the state. CAP delivers water from the mighty Colorado River to where it’s needed in Arizona.

KIDS & FAMILIES —Welcome to Bear’s water conservation page. Water means life to all of us desert dwellers.

In fact, water is Arizona’s most precious natural resource, and using it wisely is everybody’s responsibility!

Studying Our Water Future When it comes to providing the water that we count on in the West, the Colorado River is irreplaceable.

The Colorado and its tributaries (streams and smaller rivers that feed into this major river) provide water to nearly 40 million people, irrigate 5.5 million acres of crops, support at least 22 Native American tribes, 7 National Wildlife Refuges, 4 National Recreation Areas and 11 National Parks. Central Arizona Project (CAP) carries water from the Colorado to where it’s needed in the state. Hydroelectric power from the Colorado helps to meet our power needs in the West, and the river supports some of Mexico’s water needs as well.

Seven Western states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming—contain portions of the sprawling Colorado Basin.

The Big Study: Will There Be Enough Water for the Growing Demand?

Over the next 50 years, will the Colorado River be able to meet the Basin States’ growing demand for its water?

That’s one of the big questions looked into by an important study called the Colorado River Basin Water Demand and Supply Study, or “Basin Study” for short.

The three-year study cost $5.5 million and was just completed. Such a big study looking into our water future

requires a lot of people working together—climatologists and other scientists, water providers, tribal and population experts, environmentalists, etc.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the seven Basin States, water providers like CAP, tribes and other stakeholders of water from the Colorado River supported the Basin Study.

With populations in the West growing, experts project the demand for water in the Basin States will continue to grow.

Unfortunately, the increased demand is expected to exceed what the Colorado will be able to provide. And the numbers seem to get worse if there are droughts or other climate changes that reduce the water supply of the Colorado. The differences between the water supply and the demand are called imbalances.

But the Basin Study includes steps that might be taken to help correct these IMBALANCES. They include steps to conserve (not waste) water and augmentation projects, which add to the water supply. Such steps will take a lot of effort and teamwork between the Basin States, the federal government, water suppliers, Native American tribes and others who rely on the Colorado River.

More Ways to Learn About Water!

Info and artwork from the “Discover the Waters of Arizona” booklet. This column is a collaborative effort between CAP and Arizona Project WET.

How Do You Conserve Water?

List three ways you and your family can cut down on water use or save water!

1. ____________________ _______________________ http://ag.arizona.edu/arizonawet/

For more water-related information, please visit:

www.CentralArizonaProject.com or call toll free: (888)

891-5795

2. ____________________ _______________________

3. ____________________ _______________________

Young Reporter Appreciation Day & Summer Camp Festival Saturday, April 6th, from 2 p.m.–6 p.m. at

9445 Metro Pkwy East

Are you a Young Reporter or want to be one?

Come and enjoy this very special day!

• Special presentations about our YR Program • Castles-n-Coasters specials • Young Reporter sign-ups & kits for new reporters!

PLUS! Summer Camp Information Festival Come check out Summer Camps.

Get the latest info, meet the staff and be ready for summer!

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

February 2013

Continued from page 6

We Love to Read!

by Reporter Sarah Plant, Shumway Elementary

Reading is the best! Some people say, why do you have to read? Well, almost everything you do in life has something to do with reading. That’s why reading is so important.

There are many books out there to read like Fablehaven, or the Percy Jackson books. Those are fiction books. You can find them in the fiction section of any library. If you are a person who likes animals or wants to learn about someone, just go to the non-fiction section. Once you find what type of books you like, it’s less hard to find books you’ll enjoy.

There are so many types of books. There are fiction books, non-fiction books, action books, mystery books, and so many more. If you go to a library, you’ll be sure to find two or more books that will interest you. One thing you would need to know before checking out a book is your reading level.

Your reading level is important because it will tell you what books you will understand and what ones you won’t understand. At our school we take an assessment to find out our level so that we can read just right books. We even set goals that are for our reading level. A book is out there waiting for you to pick it, take it, and read it. I don’t know what the book is or where it is, but the words are sure to take you on a journey! So remember, reading is fun and important in many ways!

Adviser: Sarilyn Larchick

Copper’s Dancing Princess

by Reporter Logen Secord, Integrity Education Centre On Dec. 19, 2012, Copper Ridge Middle School seventh-grader Courtney Cavendish came to the Integrity Education Centre and told our class about her dancing adventures. Courtney’s most recent performance was playing Clara during “The Nutcracker” at Symphony Hall. “The Nutcracker” is a holiday celebration with sparkling snowflakes and mischievous mice all dancing to Tchaikovsky’s score performed by The Phoenix Symphony. Courtney danced for an open audition with Ballet Arizona and was chosen from approximately 40 other girls ages 6 to 15 to play the part of Clara. When she got the part she was “amazed, shocked, and scared.” She rehearsed for sometimes up to six hours a day. Her mother, Traci Cavendish, has witnessed her dancing from an early age. “Ever since she could stand it was to music,” her mom said.

Courtney told the class that it was exciting to be part of Ib Andersen’s artistic direction and wear the costumes and wigs. "I loved every minute of being Clara in ‘The Nutcracker!’ It was such an honor and so much fun, I wish I could do the show 100 times,” Courtney said with a smile.

Courtney started dancing when she was 2 years old. Then when she was 7 she moved from Michigan to Arizona and went to a dance school called Dance Connection. She practices jazz dances, ballet, lyrical dancing and hip hop dance five to seven days a week.

Now that “The Nutcracker” is over, Courtney plans to focus on the competitive dance season. She competes in many categories and this year will compete in both a jazz and a lyrical solo. In the years to come Courtney plans to continue her intense dance training in hopes that someday she will dance on TV. Courtney will participate in the 24 SEVEN Dance Convention and competition at the Phoenix Convention Center Jan. 18–20. She also plans to compete in the In10sity Dance Competition at Dobson High School in Mesa Jan. 25–27, Star Power Dance Competition at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix, Feb. 15–17, and 24 SEVEN Dance convention and competition in LA March 1–3.

Adviser: Stacey Lane MORE SCOOPS! page 17 ➧

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February 2013

&

More events online at BearEssentialNews.com

Become a Junior Archaeologist at Deer Valley Rock Center This Month

Solar Power Competition for Kids

ave you ever wanted to learn how archaeologists investigate life in the past? You can at Deer Valley Rock Art Center on Feb. 16. The center will host a Junior Archaeologist Field Day for kids ages 8–12 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Kids will discover the past through fun, hands-on activities at a real archaeological site. They will work as Junior Archaeologists in the field, participate in a simulated dig, and learn about ancient skills and technologies.

The Junior Archaeologist Field Day fulfills eight of 11 Boy Scout archaeology badge requirements, and all Girl Scout archaeology patch requirements. Check with your scout leader, as the center does not issue merit badges or patches.

Registration is $15, or $12 for members. Advance registration is required. To register or for more information call 623-582-8007, or download and complete the registration form on the museum’s website at dvrac.asu.edu. Contact the center soon— spaces are limited.

The Deer Valley Rock Art Center is located at 3711 W. Deer Valley Rd., Phoenix.

ids, it’s time for you to shine and harness the power of the sun! The Arizona SciTech Festival and Sun Valley Solar Solutions have issued a challenge—for kids to tackle solar energy!

The AZ SciTech Festival emphasizes the economic advantages and enormous job potential created by STEM in Arizona. Sun Valley Solar will be at more than 23 events across the state Feb. 8 through March 17.

As part of this six-week festival, gold sponsor Sun Valley Solar Solutions is inspiring kids of all ages to complete a series of Challenges that they can submit to obtain prizes given out at the SciTech Festival events.

The four Challenges include worksheets that utilize some of the math behind solar electricity; a Home Energy Assessment to help people find out how much electricity their home uses; the “Build a Solar Cell Phone Charger Challenge,” and the Ultimate Challenge. The Ultimate Challenge is to invent a new solar product that can be used in or around the home. One winner of the Ultimate Challenge will be selected from finalists with $1,000 in prize money presented to the person with the best solar invention. The deadline to enter is March 17.

Kids from 3 to 103 can download all the instructions and work sheets for the Sun Valley Solar Solutions Challenges at the website www.svssolutions.com/challenge/.

Sun Valley Solar Solutions is also offering events for educators as part of its challenge.

Teacher training events will be held on Feb. 9 and 12 at the new facilities at 3235 N. Arizona Avenue, Suite 5, in Chandler (at the corner of Arizona Avenue and Elliot). Professional Development Certificates will be issued to teachers who participate.

Teachers can sign up for the events at www.svssolutions.com/challenge/ or by sending an email to challenge@svssolutions.com.

H

Plan for Fun at the Farm at Vertuccio here’s entertainment galore for kids and families at the Family Fun Fest at Vertuccio Farms Feb. 23–24. Load up the family and head out to the farm and visit the farm animals and enjoy the hay maze, then pump up the fun on 10 giant infl atables or the extreme air pillow.

Kids also will have a blast on the tube slide, pedal carts or train ride. There also will be carnival games and food for purchase. Parking is free and admission is $8 per person, with kids 3 and under admitted free.

Vertuccio Farms is located at 4011 S. Power Rd. in Mesa. For more information, visit vertucciofarms.com.

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City of Tempe Invites Families to PlayDay in March ids and families are invited to have fun, get active and PLAY! The City of Tempe is hosting its 4th Annual PlayDay at Kiwanis Park at Mill Ave. & All-America Way on March 2. This fun, free festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tempe was named a Playful City USA community for the fourth consecutive year. Members of the community can celebrate play and stay healthy and active with an assortment of structured and unstructured events that will be

K

happening at PlayDay. Scheduled activities include kayaking, football, tennis and softball skills and drills, dance and movement classes, inflatable games and more!

Registration for Tempe’s spring classes will be available at the event, too.

For more information about the City of Tempe PlayDay, visit www.tempe.gov/familyactivities or call 480-350-5200.

For more information, go to BearEssentialNews.com. Send event info to calendar@BearEssentialNews.com

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

February 2013

Continued from page 15

Most Popular Music Listened to at DSMS

by Reporter Lisette Gutierrez Desert Sands Middle School The most popular music to listen to at DSMS say students is R&B and rap because students enjoy the beat and the touching lyrics.

Rose in the sixth grade center said, “I like rap because they have really good beats that can get you hyped.”

Most students like the music they listen to because of the beat that the song has. Rashawn said, “I like the beat of the music, specifically rap music because it gives me something to nod my head to.”

Jocelyn said, “I like the lyrics and beat because when I listen to the beat, it relaxes me and the lyrics take me back and remind me of certain things.”

When Araceli was asked what she was doing when she heard her favorite

Bear essential news for kids!

song she responded, “I was at home alone, sad and bored, and so I turned on the radio and heard my new favorite song, and started jamming out.”

To “rap” it up these are the top two types of music listened to: rap and R&B. It seems to be that R&B and rap are the most popular at DSMS.

It’s Time to Pick Up a Book!

by Reporter Moshesh Brown, Shumway Elementary Put down those video game controllers and go to a public or school library! There are many good books waiting for you at either of these places.

Reading is one of the best things ever! For example, this Bear Essential newspaper is filled with many exciting stories to read.

There are many genres or styles of books to read like fantasy, fiction, nonfiction, and much more! Sometimes it takes just one great book to make you realize the love of reading. If you try it, I promise you will find a book to enjoy. I personally love reading! My two favorite authors are Rick Riordan and Jeff Kinney.

So sit down (without your game controller) and ride right into a book.

Be an educated kid and go read some books. Books are awesome! So remember, there is a book out there for you to love, too!

Adviser: Sarilyn Larchick

Win an UltraStar

UltraStar Multi-tainment Center

Prize for 2!

Bowling & Shoe Rental, Laser Tag Games, WHEN YOUR KIDS Arcade $10 Game Play Cards, Movie Tickets Contest NEED A PLACE UltrtaStar TO January Winners Value: $80 Donovan & Erika W. 2/3 Page Phoenix UNWHINE. (Contest for kids 16 & under)

Movie Word Search

ACTION COMEDY CHARACTER FILM MATINEE Simply bring them down to UltraStar Multi-tainment Center.

Laser tag. Video Games. Bowling. Movies.

It’s everything they—and you—need for a good time. All in one place.

One-stop, non-stop entertainment.

(520) 494-STAR • UltraStarAkChin.com 16000 Maricopa Rd, adjacent to Harra’s Ak-Chin Casino

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Send to: Bear Essential News/UltraStar 1037 S. Alvernon Way #150 • Tucson, AZ 85711

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Bear essential news for kids!

February 2013

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e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

February 2013

Bear essential news for kids!

SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS! Only $15 Per Person

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Bear essential news for kids!

February 2013

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Go to CONTESTS online at BearEssentialNews.com for a chance to win tickets to a performance!