Bear Essential News for Kids

KIDS, PARENTS, TEACHERS!

ESSENTIAL NEWS

®

G. Shepard ’13

January 2013 • Tucson Edition • www.bearessentialnews.com

In this Picture: Find a heart, 2013, a noisemaker, a stop sign, a party hat, a candle, a balloon, MLK DAY, confetti and a crown.

FEATURE

NEWS

NEWS

End Bullying in AZ!

In auguration Day

M cTeachers S erve Up Food

Taking on cyberbullying, too Pages 16 thru 18

Spotlight on ending violence News Highlights page 5

& more news kids can use!

Scoops pages 7, 8, 9, 27 & 28

Bear’s Birthday Guide See pages 19–27

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January 2013

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

Sponsored by:

Your friend, E.B. Hey, E.B.!

Can I ever relate. I get this great story idea and start jotting down the words. But when I review my work, sometimes it isn’t as strong as I’d hoped. This is part of the editing process. Every writer’s work needs spiffing up. While it’s good that you’re critical of what you create— just don’t let it discourage you. Good writing takes time, effort and redo’s.

Thanks a bunch, Boomer Bear

Volume 34 Issue 5

Dear Boomer, I moved last year around the summer, and I’ve been having really hard times. I try to get along, but it ain’t easy. Sometimes I try to talk to my mom, but she listens to me and starts to laugh. A lot of times I go home and start to cry in my room. At home and at school I feel like trash.

Boomer, what should I do?

Sincerely, L.T. Dear L.T., Moving and starting a new school are never easy. The two places you spend most of your time at are so different from where you were. I hope you enjoyed the holidays at your new home. When you go back to school, talk with your counselor or your teacher about how you’re feeling. They might have some great ideas that’ll help ya!

Hang in there, Boomer Bear

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®

Dear Boomer, You are fun and cool and helping my sister (a Young Reporter) with Bear Essential News. from M.A. Dear Boomer, I’m a (Young) Reporter for you, and I wanna tell you how fun it is! I’m still writing a report, but it’s hard finding help.

Hey M.A. & N.N., Being a Young Reporter for Bear is challenging but fun, too!

You get to write about the things that interest you, but many of my reporters still have problems

Dear Boomer, I’m writing about job creation and jobs of the future. If I were president, I would make jobs more interesting— something teens would be more interested in so that they wouldn’t get bored and decide to quit. That’s what I would do if I were president. from P.T.

coming up with a good story idea.

Young Reporters (and those who want to join the program) can come to the free Young Reporter Night, Thursday, Jan. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Peter Piper Pizza on Oracle Road, just south of Magee. Free pizza and kids drink and all the help you need from Bear’s editors!

Great story ideas will be covered.

Read LETTERS TO BOOMER to younger readers to enhance their

Two Large 1-topping Pizzas

Please Call 1-520-792-9930 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.

Printed with recycled newsprint.

ENDORSED BY THE

Arizona Education Association

See you there, Boomer Bear

Dear K.S. & P.T.!

After winning his re-election, President Barack Obama will take the Oath of Office during his inauguration ceremony for his second term on Jan. 21. There should be a parade, too.

I’m very impressed with your ideas—education and jobs creation are incredibly important for Americans and for the strength of the United States!

The November presidential election sure was exciting. Do you think I should run for president in the next race?

Your pal, N.N. Common Core experience. Bear readers also can practice their letter writing!

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.

Web Address: www.bearessentialnews.com

Dear Boomer Bear, If I were president, I would improve education at some schools. Some schools don’t teach communication skills properly. Other countries don’t even have schools!

That’s what I would do if I were president.

— K.S.

ONLY

$

18

*Additional charge for Stuffed Crust Pizza or extra cheese. Delivery areas and delivery charges may vary. Not valid with any other offer or special. Expires 2/18/13

Your friend, Boomer Bear

Write the hidden number in each square.

1. 24 + 6 –

=18

2. 3 + 30 –

=18

3. 15 + 5 –

=18

4. 18 + 4 –

=18 PIZZA HUT

Answers: 1. 12, 2. 15, 3. 2, 4. 4

Hi Boomer, I love your newspaper. I like to write short stories, but when I start one, it doesn’t seem good anymore. What should I do? I like to sew. I’m 10 and am homeschooled. It’s fun being homeschooled. I have two adorable cats.

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

January 2013

Bear essential news for kids!

In this issue!

Check Out All of Bear’s Contests!

Pages 7, 8, 9, 27 & 28…Get the Scoop! Young Reporters review reptile show,

Need an exciting gift idea?

bus riding rules and more great news by kids, for kids.

Page 16–17…Resolve to Stop Bullying! Learn how experts in our state are taking on the challenge to end bullying.

Pages 19–27…Bear’s Annual Birthday Party Directory. Enter to win a birthday party from one of Bear’s great advertisers! See Page 23.

Page 29…Paw Prints. Ask questions about the animals you love.

Page 30…Tucson Book Festival. Great books and authors are coming to town.

Page 32…Tucson Gem Show. Test your mineral knowledge with the gem show crossword game.

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January 2013

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Saturday, February 9, 2013

Year of the Snake Dinner

Friday & Saturday • February 15 & 16, 2013 A fun-filled evening of wonderful entertainment silent auction & dinner all benefit TCCC. Special Guest Tony Wu giving his world famous noodle demonstration.

Call 292-6900 for reservations and more information.

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

January 2013

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Stop the Violence!

With Cliff Avoided Inauguration Next!

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A last-minute budget deal passed by Congress and approved by President Barack Obama barely avoided huge automatic spending cuts by the government and a big jump in taxes— also known as the “fiscal cliff.”

With the U.S. economy still growing slowly, experts worried that the automatic spending cuts and increased taxes could hurt the economic recovery, making life worse for Americans. Weeks of talks between the White House and Congress to come up with a deal went nowhere, and it looked like the country was heading over the cliff!

But a deal was struck, and Congress passed it on New Year’s to avoid the automatic cuts that would have kicked in the next day. Now the president can focus on his INAUGURATION ceremonies!

After winning a second term in the White House by defeating Mitt Romney in the Nov. 6 presidential election, President Obama will have his inauguration on Monday, Jan. 21 (which is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day) in Washington, D.C. City officials expect a big turnout—600,000 to 800,000 people, including a thousand artists who plan to create art among the crowds gathered on the Na-

President Oba ma gets sworn in for his first term.

tional Mall. Officials started planning the ceremonies back in July!

President Obama’s term really starts Jan. 20, which falls on a Sunday this year. This means that the president must take the Oath of Office before the public festivities. So the prez will have a small, private swearing in ceremony on Sunday. The next day, he’ll have his public swearing in ceremony in front of the U.S. Capitol building with people from all over the country there to celebrate. Afterward, the president and first lady head the inaugural parade from the Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue and on to the White House.

But the festivities don’t end there. The president will hold two official balls with live music and dancing. One will be for those in the military and their families, the other one will be for those who support the president.

The military ball is by invitation only, but some tickets to the other ball will be available to the public. Traditionally, there are also a number of informal inaugural balls in D.C.

University Reveals Its Banished Words List for 2013 Here in the United States we enjoy the right of freedom of speech. It’s just other people exercising that right that can get annoying—really annoying. So every New Year’s Eve, a committee of word nerds from Lake Superior State University (LSSU) in Michigan releases its BANISHED Words List for the New Year.

The university started this tradition back in 1975.

More recently, ordinary folks nominate words for banishment mostly through the university’s website: http://www.lssu.edu/banished/submit_word.php. Over the years, tens of thousands of bothersome words and short phrases have been nominated, and the list is closing in on its thousandth banished word!

The committee scans everything from everyday speech, pop culture, the news, advertising to the fields of technology, politics, sports, health and education.

The committee makes its final cut in late December.

“So, let’s see what’s trending. Grab your favorite superfood (boneless wings) as the list creators at LSSU reveal (spoiler alert!) their bucket list of misused, overused and generally useless words and phrases. YOLO!” reads the intro to the 2013 Banished Words List.

Here are the loser words for the New Year: • fiscal cliff (see story above) • YOLO—You Only Live Once • spoiler alert—a cheesy attention grabber for a news story • job creators/job creation—a political hot topic for fixing the economy • kick the can down the road—a political term for saving a big problem till later • trending—a term taken from social media, now overused by morning news shows • superfood—an overused term from TV health segments • guru—a term used by certain cultures to designate an old and wise teacher or mentor; now terribly misused in advertising and pop culture.

• bucket list—a person’s want-to-do list • double down—an overused expression in politics • passion/passionate—used so much they’re cliché!

• boneless wings—just call them nuggets.

N A B

D E H S I

What words are worthy of your nomination for banishment in 2014?

by Reporter Farah Eltohamy BASIS Chandler After the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre in Newtown, Conn., people have been asking, what’s causing all this violence in our nation?

Some blame the violence depicted in the video games that children play. While these games can be fun and exciting, many include gruesome violence and involve killing. Some researchers believe that violent games increase aggressive acts and behavior in children and teens. Studies have tried to prove this idea.

One study that was published in the journal of Experimental Social Psychology had 70

young adults playing either a violent or nonviolent game for 25 minutes. Researchers then measured their brain waves while viewing normal to violent images. The participants who played violent games reacted normally toward violent images, while those who played non-violent games were shocked to see the violent images. In general, violent games make players less sensitive to violent scenes.

Dr. Bruce Bartholow, associate professor of psychology at the University of Missouri told CBS news that “A single exposure to a violent video game won’t turn someone into a mass murderer, but if someone has repeatedly exposed themselves, these kinds of effects in the short term can turn into a long-term change.”

Another study conducted at Brock University in Canada was published in the journal Developmental Psychology. The study involved 1,500 teens (both boys and girls) who were asked to record their violent actions over four years. The study showed that the teenagers who played violent video games had more aggressive behavior then those who didn’t play them.

In order to reduce violence by children and teens, parents must heed the ratings on video games and monitor what games their kids play.

I also think that new laws should be passed restricting gun licenses, especially for younger ages. And finally, movie producers should decrease the violence in their movies. Together we can make a difference to reduce violence!

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January 2013

Be a Reporter for Your School!

Come to Bear’s Monthly Young Reporter Night!

Thursday, January 17 • 4– 6 pm Win a FREE Reporter Digital Recorder!

• Get off to a good start!

• Official Young Reporter kits • Be published and get on TV

at Peter Piper Pizza 7621 N. Oracle (Oracle & Magee) This Month’s Topic:

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For information: 520-792-9930

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e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

January 2013

The Reptile Show Slithers into Town

Guess Who Served My Happy Meal?

by Reporters Antonio & Anjelica Torres On Oct. 6, we attended the 11th Annual Tucson Reptile and Amphibian Show & Sale at the Tucson Expo Center. The center was just teeming with all kinds of snakes and lizards!

Some were merely for display, and others were for sale or trade. There also were other items of interest like sculptures, books, supplies and other reptile-related merchandise. Aside from the reptile and amphibian vendors, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the National Park Service, and the Phoenix and Arizona Herpetological Societies operated information tables.

They even had attractions for the little kids like face painting, balloon animals, and a mini fossil dig set-up. There was even a petting zoo, stocked with Patagonian cavies—large rodents, as big as a small dog and as cute as rabbits. Another section had Komodo dragons and alligators, muzzled and

Be a young reporter!

The 2012 Young Reporters Workshop is FREE & set for Saturday, Oct. 20 (see details on page 14).

Call 792-9930 to reserve your students’ spaces (Up to 20).

Easy Bus Riding Rules

by Reporter Angel Fuentes Holladay Elementary Magnet School First, all Sun Tran buses are bike accessible and wheelchair accessible. Remember the seats behind the bus driver are designed for seniors.

Be sure to be at your bus stop at least five minutes early. Make sure you have the exact change. Bus drivers don’t carry change. Check the windshield of the bus to be sure it’s the right route.

Ask for a transfer or a day pass before you pay your fare. Pull on the strip or string to get off at the next bus stop. Transfers are $1.50. Day passes cost $3.50. Senior passes are 50 cents.

After Tucson was linked, it became clear that off-street terminals were needed to alleviate traffic congestion. In 1993 Sun Tran spearheaded the idea of several transit centers that would act as transportation hubs in Tucson. The first (named after Roy Laos) opened on Tucson’s south side in 1987. Now Sun Tran has 243 buses and won the best transit in America in 2009 and 2012.

Call 792-9222 or TDD 628-1565.

harnessed for the safety of the curiously adventurous.

We were able to handle several snakes, chameleons and other lizards. There also were people walking around with large snakes draped over them or large lizards perched on their necks.

Our cousin, who went with us, really appreciates reptiles and amphibians.

He says it was great to be Yes, it’s a real cobr able to handle a variety a! of snakes. The Reptile & Amphibian Show is better than a zoo because you can interact instead of having to just watch animals from afar. When the reptile show slithers back to Tucson, we’re definitely going again!

Helping Gospel Rescue

by Reporter Lucas Dent Cornerstone Christian Academy On Dec. 19, our class took a field trip to the Gospel Rescue Mission. While we were there, we helped the people at Gospel Rescue Mission with the presents for needy children. There were a lot of presents. We sorted all the presents out by age groups: 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9 -11 and 12-14. They were also separated by gender. The age groups 3-5 and 6-8 had the most presents. Those two age groups totalled more than 500 presents! We were there for almost three hours. It was really fun. It feels good to help the children in need and to help with presents for them.

An Amazing Performance!

by Reporter Katelyn Boynton, Ironwood Elementary Have you ever watched a live show? Over Thanksgiving weekend my family and I went to Cirque du Soleil. The show was called “Dralion,” and it was really fun!

Cirque du Soleil isn’t like a regular circus because it has people doing stunts instead of animal acts. There were lots of great performances, but my favorite was a trampoline act.

There were two huge trampolines and one big climbing wall.

MORE PERFORMANCE! page 8 ➧

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by Reporter Portia Cooper Carden of Tucson Would you like to see your teacher work at McDonald’s? Well mine did!

On Dec. 3, the teachers of Carden of Tucson, the K–8 charter school that I attend, participated in the McTeacher’s Night fund-raising program. The Paula Stoner, fifthCarden teachers grade teacher at took orders, Carden of Tucson, serves up a served food, and Happy Meal. went table to table selling apple pies and cookies at the McDonald’s restaurant at 2130 W. River Road. McDonald’s donated 20 percent of the evening’s sales to Carden!

None of the Carden teachers had any experience working at McDonald’s, but they were fast learners. Francisco Anbrado, the McDonald’s assistant manager who trained the Carden teachers, says they were ready to go after just a few minutes of instruction.

During the event, the dining room was packed with Carden students who wanted to see their teachers in action.

Third-grader Maeona Moseley compliments the teachers’ performance and says that her meal tasted better than regular McDonald’s food.

“Fund-raising opportunities like McTeacher’s Night help us immensely,” says Mrs. Bette Jeppson, Carden of Tucson’s president. “We cap class sizes at 16 students, so our state funding is very limited,” she explains.

Schools interested in participating in the McTeacher’s Night program should contact the McDonald’s location they want.

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January 2013

Continued from page 7

Performance continued The performers fell backward onto the trampoline, landed on their back, then bounced up and climbed to the top of the wall with no hands. It was so cool!

I hope we experience Cirque du Soleil again soon! There are several different Cirque du Soleil shows. Maybe you can go see one with your family, too.

Great Books to Buy for Kids

by Reporter Abby Caldwell, Holladay Elementary Magnet School

More Than Just a Swim Lesson— Music, Movement, Bonding All In One!

Tucson’s Premier Indoor Swim School

520-877-SWIM (7946) www.demontswim.com

2850 W. Ina Rd. #130 • N.E. corner on Ina/Shannon

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series overwhelmingly tops other popular books in a poll conducted among fourthgraders, possibly because the new book, “The Third Wheel” came out on Nov. 13. Most of the books cited in the poll belong to a series.

There are some older kids books like The Hunger Games series, Twilight and “The Hobbit” that are not only challenging to read but might have inappropriate content for younger readers! Books that appeal to younger kids include the Magic Tree House series, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, Winnie the Pooh and “Goodnight Moon.” Some kids might like these books because they find them reassuring or maybe they have a younger sibling at home.

Other books that showed up in the survey include books that aren’t classics but are series that have been popular for a while like the Dumb Diary series, the Harry Potter series, the Percy Jackson series, the 39 Clues series, Beryl: A Pig’s Tale, the Puppy Place series and the Wayside series. Boys named nonfiction books, especially about sports, among their favorites.

“My favorite book is every single book in the whole world,” writes Emma Armendez.

If the kids you are buying for have already read these titles, then ask a bookseller for a recommendation of books like them—you don’t have to get stuck in a series. There are lots of great books that stand alone.

Blue Banana?

by Reporter William Phelps, Coronado Elementary What is it you ask? An awesome frozen yogurt and gelato shop in Oro Valley. There is only one Blue Banana shop in the world.

Rick and Linda Brady named the shop after the blue banana, also called the java banana, also called the ice cream banana. They discovered this type of banana in their travels.

The shop has a lots of exotic frozen yogurt flavors with tasty toppings. They also have “no added sugar” varieties to choose from. If you can’t make up your mind on which flavor you want, they have small sample cups, and you can try as many kinds as you want until you find the one you like.

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

January 2013

Wally the Walgreens Dog Brings a Community Together

by Reporter Levi Fallavollita, Old Vail School On Nov. 7, Kirstin Khan, a Rita Ranch resident, put out a Facebook plea for Wally, a malnourished dog living in the desert behind a Walgreens there.

Kirstin had stopped in Walgreens with her husband, Mo. Knowing the Khans were animal lovers, the employees asked if she wanted another dog and told her about Wally.

Kirstin went searching for him and what she saw “broke her heart.” She and Mo tried to call animal rescues, but it was getting late and they had to leave. So she made her Facebook plea and that’s how we found out about Wally.

To Kirstin’s surprise dozens of people wanted to help. One of them was Kristin Zickel from Vail. Kristin then got Marc Hammond, a professional animal trapper involved. I met the Kirstin and Kristin at Walgreens on Nov. 9, and when I saw Wally, I wanted to help. Hammond set up a live trap the next day. We took photos, and I promised to help with some of Wally’s expenses and write this story.

For several weeks Kristin, Kirstin, their husbands and two other Rita Ranch residents, Karl and Bryan, went to Walgreens multiple times a day. Finally a different kind of trap was used and Wally was caught!

Wally was seen by Valley Animal Hospital, which waived a good portion of his expenses. I donated money from the sale of my book, and other residents who heard his story donated so all of his expenses were covered.

Wally will live with Kristin and her husband Todd. Wally’s life will never be the same and neither will the community that came to his rescue.

MORE SCOOPS! page 27 ➧

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January 2013

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The Tucson Girls Chorus Celebrating our 28th Season

Open House and Open Enrollment Saturday, February 9, 2013 10 to 11:30 a.m.

The $15 enrollment fee is waived for those who attend the Open House and sign up for open enrollment. Scholarships are available.

Please contact our office for an appointment.

Parents must accompany girls.

(520) 577-6064 • www.tucsongirlschorus.org

4020 E. River Rd., Tucson, AZ 85718

Have a New Kid by

Friday!

by Dr. Kevin Leman

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

Protecting Your Child from Bullies Bullies. We see them in schools, in the workplace and on television. When bullying hits close to home, it’s a very emotional thing for a parent to handle.

As moms and dads know, there is nothing more miserable than seeing your kid suffer because of bullying.

When kids make fun of your child, tease them or bully them, your most basic instincts try to take over. It’s natural to feel angry at this kid who is causing so much trouble for your son or daughter.

The best response when kids say hurtful, mean things, however, is to say to your child, “Boy, that must have been tough for you to hear, but I’m proud of how you handled it,” no matter how the kid handled it, as long as he handled it within socially appropriate avenues. In other words, if he did not punch the kid in the mouth.

What you are doing is you are empathizing with the fact that what happened to your child felt terrible. Sit down with your child.

Tell him or her a story from your life where you were ridiculed or you were put down.

Think back to your adolescence to the simple pimples that felt like craters on your face.

Think back to when you felt like you didn’t fit in, or you were ignored or teased.

Getting in touch with those feelings as an adult, I think, can give some insight as to how much it hurts to have kids belittle you.

Truly connect with your child’s heart. Let him or her know that you identify with how they are feeling. Let them know that you are there for them.

When you say things like, “I’m proud of you. I wouldn’t change a thing about you,” you are giving that kid an invisible shield that will help protect him from the barbs of life. We as parents don’t realize the power of our words, negatively as well as positively.

When you’re telling that kid how much you love him, and you wouldn’t change a thing about him, you are helping to insulate him and protect him from the nastiness of other kids.

As a reminder to parents who are having a first-time experience with bullying, don’t think it will just go away, because it won’t. Deal with it upfront. Notify the teacher, notify the principal about the situation.You are putting the responsibility where it belongs, within the classroom and school.

That way, the teacher can be aware of a potential bullying situation.

Nothing hurts more than watching your kid hurt. But your support gives them psychological muscles to deal with these things. They realize even though people say mean things, life goes on and they’re OK, and they are loved and prized by the people who mean the most to them. The point is, parents, don’t sell yourselves short.

Next month: Is your child a bully?

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

January 2013

Bear essential news for kids!

BICYCLE SAFETY in 2013!

More childhood injuries are associated with bicycles than any other consumer product except the automobile.You can help keep your kids safe by following these important guidelines.

DRESS SAFELY • Wear a helmet. Helmets reduce the risk of head and brain injury by 85 percent.

• Buy a helmet that meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The helmet should cover the child’s forehead and fit snugly in a level position.

• Bicyclists need to wear white or bright clothing so they can be seen. Avoid loose clothes and straps.

• Do not allow headphones.

RIDE IN SAFE PLACES • Find or create a safe place for children to ride and practice.

• Children under age 10 should ride only with adult supervision.

Bike Safety Crossword

MAINTAIN SAFE BIKES • Fit the bicycle to the child.

• Before each ride, inspect the child’s bike — is there enough air in the tires: Do the brakes work?

LEARN SAFE RIDING • Teach children to obey all traffic signs and signals.

• At busy intersections, children should get off their bikes and walk them across the road.

• Children need to ride on the right, with traffic. Teach them to be predictable: ride in a straight line and use hand signals.

• Children should not ride at night.

ACROSS 3. use these to steer 6. keep yours to stay upright 8. where two roads meet 9. first piece of safety gear 10. these shine with low light DOWN 1. carry water to prevent this 2. avoid one of these by learning bike safety 4. baggage for bikes (or horses) 5. part of the tire that holds the air 7. holds a helmet in place

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ACROSS: 3. handle bars, 6. balance, 8. intersection, 9. helmet, 10. reflectors, DOWN: 1. dehydration, 2. accident, 4. saddlebags, 5. innertube, 7. chinstrap

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January 2013

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January 2013

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Teacher of the

MONTH!

Parents, faculty & students—nominate a teacher today!

Nominate Your Teacher Teacher name: _______________________ School: _______________________________ Your name: ___________________________ Grade: ______ Phone: _________________ email: _________________________________ Why is your teacher great? ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________

Office Hours:

When Students Ask for Help, Teacher Is There to Give It Matthew Craft teaches seventh- and eighth-grade reading at Challenger Middle School. He coaches basketball and other sports at Challenger and is a volunteer coach at Sunnyside High School. His mom was a teacher in the Sunnyside District for 35 years, so this Tucson native’s roots run deep!

Craft cites his mom’s “tenacity and love of children” and his dad’s work with scout groups as the reason “why I teach.”

Craft also teaches a class that gives students a little extra help in social studies. He explains that the class teaches skills to help students raise their grades. One of his students nominated Craft.

“Our teacher is the most amazing teacher in the world. We have him for first period which is AVID social studies which...is my most favorite class,” writes Nayelee. “I love how I could ask him anything and I'm not afraid to tell him I don’t understand the concept or anything we’re learning about. He's just an amazing teacher,” she writes.

Mon. 7 am–2 pm, Tues 7am–6pm, Wed. 7am–6pm, Thurs 9am–3 pm Friday and Saturday appointments available.

Craft graduated from the UofA, and is currently working on his master’s degree. He is getting married this year and just bought a new house, so he is definitely keeping busy!

Craft’s advice to his students is “to be safe whatever they’re doing, be concious” and “don’t be afraid to ask for the help that you need.”

“I have really challenged some kids and they’ve really stepped up,” Craft says. “It’s a testament to them, not so much to me.”

Send your nomination to Bear Essential/Teacher of the Month 1037 S. Alvernon Way #150 Tucson, AZ 85711 You can also fax nominations to 792-2580 or e-mail renee@bearessentialnews.com.

2 Convenient Locations: 10550 N. La Cañada Dr., Ste. 110 (Oro Valley) 5747 E. 5th St (5th Street & Craycroft)

www.DrJAW.net 747-JAWS (5297)

Tucson Racquet & Fitness Club Where Country Club Road ends and family fun begins!

Children’s Parties!

Make your next party hassle-free.

Ramada rental $35.00 for members. $50.00 non-members; includes use of pool, jacuzzi, sand volleyball courts & basketball courts.

Everything you need for a great party is included: tables, chairs, plates, utensils and wait staff.

We cater with great, affordable food & drinks.

Fitness Club Tucson Racquet & family has been a Tucson 67. Open 24/7 tradition since 19 on the we have 20 acres nnis, handball, te h, at p er iv R o it Rill uch more! restaurant and m in to see why we Call today or stop loved club. are Tucson’s most-

Starting March 29!

Friday Night Family BBQs with Live Music A Tucson Racquet Club tradition continues!

Enjoy live music from Tucson’s favorite bands, great Mesquite BBQ and our cool pool. Bring your blanket, hang out & rock out. Lifeguard on duty. Non-members welcome ($2.00 adults, Kids FREE).

Call 795-6960 for more info go to

www.tucson racquetclub.com

14

Bear essential news for kids!

January 2013

www.bearessentialnews.com

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

January 2013

Bear essential news for kids!

When Congressman Ron Barber and his family created the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding, they wanted to tackle the issue of bullying. Its Anti-Bullying Task Force set these priorities: create the endofbullying.com website; focus on anti-bullying programs in schools; launch a Public Service Announcement competition for youth; and work with pediatricians to identify children who don’t feel safe at school and provide them with anti-bullying resources.

PSA Contest & Awards Showcase

2013 STEP UP, SPEAK OUT, END BULLYING PSA CONTEST Theme: Bystander Empowerment!

Categories: Elementary, Middle and High School Entries

endofbullying.com/psa-contest-activities/ Submissions: March 4–30

Showcase & Awards Saturday, April 27 • 10 a.m.–noon • The Loft Cinema

Youth & Peace Conference MAKING PEACE NOW THROUGH ART, EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT Workshops, Performances & Exhibit Tables Saturday, March 16 • 9:30 a.m.– 4 p.m.

Doolen Middle School 2400 N. Country Club For info: Call 520-991-6781 or email youthandpeaceconference@gmail.com

GOT SCHOOL SPIRIT?

FUND FOR CIVILITY, RESPECT and UNDERSTANDING Grant Applications Being Accepted!

Now through Feb. 8, 2013

Open to non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations or those that otherwise fill a charitable purpose.

• The Fund’s interest areas: Projects that educate and provide resources to combat bullying throughout the lifespan • Projects that help reduce the stigma of mental illness so that people can get the support and help that they need

For details and application documents, visit fundforcivility.org/grant-program/

Courage to Be Kind Anti-Bullying Spirit Week Apr. 29–May 3 endofbullying.com/courage-to-be-kind-week-2013/ Get your school involved by being part of spirit week! Get a teacher on board and register here endofbullying.com to receive a Kindness Kit full of fun activity ideas and resources for each day of the week.

Registration for the fun begins in February for schools, church groups, afterschool programs, workplaces, etc.

Mon, April 29: Create Your Kind Campus Day

Tues, April 30: Spreading Kindness

Wed, May 1: The Science of Kindness and Personal

Committments to Making Tucson Kind

Thurs, May 2: Mix it Up Day

Fri, May 3: Kindness to Those Who Care for You

15

Page 16

30 YEARS OF BEAR ESSENTIAL NEWS FOR KIDS!

www.bearessentialnews.com

January 2013

Resolve to he fight is on, but it’s a good fight. And with a problem as big as bullying, it’s gonna take everyone doing their part to end it. So for the new year, why not be part of the solution and resolve to stop bullying!

T

Bullying and Its Costs Even though BULLYING has been around for generations, defining bullying isn’t easy. First, it involves school-aged kids. The person who’s doing the bullying has some sort of power advantage over the

STOP Bullying

abusers; they end up being the child abusers and gov, which is run by the Departmant of Health and things like that.”

Human Services.

Experts say the effects of bullying, whether you’re being bullied or are doing the bullying, can be terrible. Bullied kids are under a lot of stress and often feel too ashamed or embarrassed to report bullying incidents. They tend to Didja know that about have more depression, 30 percent of elemensuicidal thoughts, eating tary school kids are disorders, bad grades involved in bullying, and and may end up dropping that number grows to out of school. about one out of every And for kids who bully, three in middle and high this is a bad track to start schools? on. “Sixty percent of kids France Stanton and who bully, by the age of her team LAUNCHED 24 have a felony convicthe website StopBullytion, and 40 percent of ingAZ.org and recently them have three or more held a big “Anti-Bullying convictions by 24 or Summit” to help schools 25. It’s a serious issue,” deal with the bullying shares Hyong Kim, an problem here in the Phoenix First Lady Nicole France Stanton shows American Taekwondo state. off her new website StopBullyingAZ.org.

Association (ATA) instrucThe keynote speaktor who runs a Karate er for the summit was for Kids school in northwest Tucson. Read the story Dr. Dan Olweus, who is an international leader in to the right to see how ATA is doing its part to end studying bullying. With almost 40 years of research bullying. experience, he helped develop the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. To fight the problem, the program seeks to improve the whole school environment—everyone from district and school administrators, teachers, counselors, parents and students are important. “You can’t affect change on this problem Since her husband became the mayor of Phoeunless it’s a top-to-bottom consistent environmental nix a year ago, life has been very busy for Nicole shift at the school,” France Stanton emphasizes.

France Stanton. As first lady, she’s fighting bullying For kids, she wants them to have the confidence to in Arizona! speak up when they’re bullied or see someone be“When my husband became mayor, I decided ing bullied. She wants them to be taught what to do. to take on a cause that I would work on indepenStopBullyingAZ.org really isn’t designed to be dently…and that was bullying,” France Stanton explains. “I chose bullying because my older brother used by young people. France Stanton wants it to become the site Arizona educators and parents was bullied when he was in school.” Her brother went through a lot and ended up being badly beaten go to for finding the organizations and online resources they need. “We’re trying to be the connectin high school. “Fortunately, he continued to do well ing force between schools and these programs to in school, which I’ve learned as I’ve taken on this help schools to be able to identify the best practices cause, victims like my brother often do fair better (ways to fight bullying).” (long term) than kids who are bullies,” France Stan“It’s so difficult for these kids to get out of these ton points out. situations—it’s like quicksand,” France Stanton con“The societal costs of this extend far beyond cludes. “Certainly they can’t do it on their own. This the classroom,” she continues. “It’s really a societal issue can’t change without the intervention of adults. problem where these kids do end up in unproducIt’s too serious.” tive lives. They end up becoming domestic violence

Everyone Needs to Get Involved

First Lady of Phoenix Joins the Fight

Young Reporters Levi Fallavollita and Gabe Villa wrote and illustrated “The Good, The Bad and The Bullies.” Here Gabe reads for KVOA.

other person—maybe the person is stronger, bigger, more popular or has access to embarrassing photos or information—and uses that advantage to behave aggressively toward the other person over time.

“Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose,” says the website stopbullying.

Read about

EndOfBullying.com & its Spring Events on page 15.

Grant opportunities, too!

January 2013

30 YEARS OF BEAR ESSENTIAL NEWS FOR KIDS!

Page 17

Taking on Cyberbullying

Karate for Kids FIGHTS BULLYING

Some kids and teens unwrapped a new smartphone, notebook or tablet for the holidays. Unfortunately, rules to guide young people using their electronics haven’t grown as fast as their APPETITE for all this amazing technology!

While this technology lets kids communicate in convenient, new and exciting ways, there are those who

The dread of heading back to school where you’re being bullied is enough to make you sick, literally. Kids who are bullied often miss too much school and miss out on getting the quality education they deserve.

So what’s a kid to do? According to Hyong Kim, who runs a Karate for Kids in Oro Valley, everybody can benefit from learning the important life lessons being taught at their American Taekwondo Association (ATA) martial arts schools!

ATA is partners with the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program to help put an end to bullying. For more about the Olweus program, read the lead story on this feature. Bullying is a complicated problem that’s been around for a very long time. Studies show that a kid is bullied somewhere in the United States every seven minutes. It’s going to take a lot of effort throughout the community to bring about a change.

“Overcoming bullying is obviously a very tricky thing to do,” Mr. Kim explains. “We do that by instilling selfdiscipline and confidence and self-esteem.”

He says that the program is a lot different from what most and go through mental Students at Karate for Kids people think . lies bul h m deal wit physical training to help the when it comes to bullying. “It’s not just a normal part of being a kid. It is an everyday occurrence—one out of three kids gets bullied on a weekly, (some) on a daily basis, which is an extremely high number when you think about the number of kids who go to school. It’s not just the bully and the bullied, it’s the whole entire group because it’s really an entire school’s problem.”

While learning how to defend yourself is important in martial arts, it starts with the mental training. “The first thing that I tell all the parents and the students who walk in here is that we want the kids to be good kids, and we use martial arts as a tool for that,” Mr. Kim says. “The whole idea of doing martial arts, taekwondo, is to learn to control yourself, control your behavior, control your actions, control your thoughts.” Kid by kid, Karate for Kids wants to improve the school environment.

The bullying prevention portion of their training is made up of 12 lessons and a simple Bullying Prevention Promise: “I will not bully others.

I will try to help other kids who are being bullied. I will try to include other kids who are being left out. If I know another kid is being bullied, I will tell an adult.”

Learning martial arts techniques strengthens kids physically and mentally. “When a bully is targeting somebody, they typically look for somebody who’s going to project themselves as a weaker person than they are.

So we teach (our students) to stand strong with back straight, eyes up, and learn to look people in the eyes when they’re speaking to them,” Mr. Kim says. If things get physical, “we teach them self-defense skills— physical skills to be able to handle the situation.”

are misusing it to hurt others.

“Parents are putting phones and technology into the hands of their children at earlier and earlier ages,” points out Kathleen Winn, director of Community Outreach and Education for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. “As a result of the growth of technology, which can be a very positive thing, we’re finding that there are those who are abusing this for bullying.”

Cyberbullying is bullying through the use of electronic devices, according to Courtney Miller, a Community Outreach and Education coordinator. It can be through texts, emails, social networking sites, instant messaging, blogs, etc. It’s a growing concern for the Attorney General’s Office, and Winn and her staff spend a lot of time going to schools throughout the state to teach kids how and how not to use technology. This last school year, they did presentations for almost 32,000 Arizona students.

“We try to address everyone involved in these situations,” Miller explains. “We talk about social consequences and the fact that whatever you put online is there forever potentially, and it can affect you in the future in ways you haven’t thought about.”

Like bullying, cyberbullying usually isn’t a one-and-done thing. Sending threats or negative messages, posting photos or videos online to embarrass someone or trying to keep someone socially isolated can be incredibly hurtful and, in some cases, break the law.

“We’re trying to create an awareness that there are consequences, and, yes, you do have to take some responsibility. If you wouldn’t say it to them in person, you probably don’t want to say it to them on your phone or your computer,” Winn says.

If you’re the target of cyberbullying, knowing what to do can really help, and there are lots of sites with good advice. “We talk about the fact that everyone has options, how they can take that first step to get help, Go to next who they should talk to and why it’s important that they be the one person to make that happen,” Miller points out. If page for you’re in immediate danger, like if someone is threatening bullying to hurt you, there’s always 911.

Educators, here’s the contact information to request prevention presentations by Community Outreach and Education of the pledges and Arizona Attorney General’s Office: 602-542-2123 (Phoenix), helpful links!

520-628-6504 (Tucson), 800-352-8431 (toll free in Arizona, outside Maricopa and Pima Counties), email: communityservices@azag.gov.

ATTENTION TEACHERS! Bear’s main features meet the new Common Core standards for the classroom. To learn more call toll free 1-866-639-7543.

Page 16

30 YEARS OF BEAR ESSENTIAL NEWS FOR KIDS!

www.bearessentialnews.com

January 2013

Resolve to he fight is on, but it’s a good fight. And with a problem as big as bullying, it’s gonna take everyone doing their part to end it. So for the new year, why not be part of the solution and resolve to stop bullying!

T

Bullying and Its Costs Even though BULLYING has been around for generations, defining bullying isn’t easy. First, it involves school-aged kids. The person who’s doing the bullying has some sort of power advantage over the

STOP Bullying

abusers; they end up being the child abusers and gov, which is run by the Departmant of Health and things like that.”

Human Services.

Experts say the effects of bullying, whether you’re being bullied or are doing the bullying, can be terrible. Bullied kids are under a lot of stress and often feel too ashamed or embarrassed to report bullying incidents. They tend to Didja know that about have more depression, 30 percent of elemensuicidal thoughts, eating tary school kids are disorders, bad grades involved in bullying, and and may end up dropping that number grows to out of school. about one out of every And for kids who bully, three in middle and high this is a bad track to start schools? on. “Sixty percent of kids France Stanton and who bully, by the age of her team LAUNCHED 24 have a felony convicthe website StopBullytion, and 40 percent of ingAZ.org and recently them have three or more held a big “Anti-Bullying convictions by 24 or Summit” to help schools 25. It’s a serious issue,” deal with the bullying shares Hyong Kim, an problem here in the Phoenix First Lady Nicole France Stanton shows American Taekwondo state. off her new website StopBullyingAZ.org.

Association (ATA) instrucThe keynote speaktor who runs a Karate er for the summit was for Kids school in northwest Tucson. Read the story Dr. Dan Olweus, who is an international leader in to the right to see how ATA is doing its part to end studying bullying. With almost 40 years of research bullying. experience, he helped develop the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. To fight the problem, the program seeks to improve the whole school environment—everyone from district and school administrators, teachers, counselors, parents and students are important. “You can’t affect change on this problem Since her husband became the mayor of Phoeunless it’s a top-to-bottom consistent environmental nix a year ago, life has been very busy for Nicole shift at the school,” France Stanton emphasizes.

France Stanton. As first lady, she’s fighting bullying For kids, she wants them to have the confidence to in Arizona! speak up when they’re bullied or see someone be“When my husband became mayor, I decided ing bullied. She wants them to be taught what to do. to take on a cause that I would work on indepenStopBullyingAZ.org really isn’t designed to be dently…and that was bullying,” France Stanton explains. “I chose bullying because my older brother used by young people. France Stanton wants it to become the site Arizona educators and parents was bullied when he was in school.” Her brother went through a lot and ended up being badly beaten go to for finding the organizations and online resources they need. “We’re trying to be the connectin high school. “Fortunately, he continued to do well ing force between schools and these programs to in school, which I’ve learned as I’ve taken on this help schools to be able to identify the best practices cause, victims like my brother often do fair better (ways to fight bullying).” (long term) than kids who are bullies,” France Stan“It’s so difficult for these kids to get out of these ton points out. situations—it’s like quicksand,” France Stanton con“The societal costs of this extend far beyond cludes. “Certainly they can’t do it on their own. This the classroom,” she continues. “It’s really a societal issue can’t change without the intervention of adults. problem where these kids do end up in unproducIt’s too serious.” tive lives. They end up becoming domestic violence

Everyone Needs to Get Involved

First Lady of Phoenix Joins the Fight

Young Reporters Levi Fallavollita and Gabe Villa wrote and illustrated “The Good, The Bad and The Bullies.” Here Gabe reads for KVOA.

other person—maybe the person is stronger, bigger, more popular or has access to embarrassing photos or information—and uses that advantage to behave aggressively toward the other person over time.

“Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose,” says the website stopbullying.

Read about

EndOfBullying.com & its Spring Events on page 15.

Grant opportunities, too!

January 2013

30 YEARS OF BEAR ESSENTIAL NEWS FOR KIDS!

Page 17

Taking on Cyberbullying

Karate for Kids FIGHTS BULLYING

Some kids and teens unwrapped a new smartphone, notebook or tablet for the holidays. Unfortunately, rules to guide young people using their electronics haven’t grown as fast as their APPETITE for all this amazing technology!

While this technology lets kids communicate in convenient, new and exciting ways, there are those who

The dread of heading back to school where you’re being bullied is enough to make you sick, literally. Kids who are bullied often miss too much school and miss out on getting the quality education they deserve.

So what’s a kid to do? According to Hyong Kim, who runs a Karate for Kids in Oro Valley, everybody can benefit from learning the important life lessons being taught at their American Taekwondo Association (ATA) martial arts schools!

ATA is partners with the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program to help put an end to bullying. For more about the Olweus program, read the lead story on this feature. Bullying is a complicated problem that’s been around for a very long time. Studies show that a kid is bullied somewhere in the United States every seven minutes. It’s going to take a lot of effort throughout the community to bring about a change.

“Overcoming bullying is obviously a very tricky thing to do,” Mr. Kim explains. “We do that by instilling selfdiscipline and confidence and self-esteem.”

He says that the program is a lot different from what most and go through mental Students at Karate for Kids people think . lies bul h m deal wit physical training to help the when it comes to bullying. “It’s not just a normal part of being a kid. It is an everyday occurrence—one out of three kids gets bullied on a weekly, (some) on a daily basis, which is an extremely high number when you think about the number of kids who go to school. It’s not just the bully and the bullied, it’s the whole entire group because it’s really an entire school’s problem.”

While learning how to defend yourself is important in martial arts, it starts with the mental training. “The first thing that I tell all the parents and the students who walk in here is that we want the kids to be good kids, and we use martial arts as a tool for that,” Mr. Kim says. “The whole idea of doing martial arts, taekwondo, is to learn to control yourself, control your behavior, control your actions, control your thoughts.” Kid by kid, Karate for Kids wants to improve the school environment.

The bullying prevention portion of their training is made up of 12 lessons and a simple Bullying Prevention Promise: “I will not bully others.

I will try to help other kids who are being bullied. I will try to include other kids who are being left out. If I know another kid is being bullied, I will tell an adult.”

Learning martial arts techniques strengthens kids physically and mentally. “When a bully is targeting somebody, they typically look for somebody who’s going to project themselves as a weaker person than they are.

So we teach (our students) to stand strong with back straight, eyes up, and learn to look people in the eyes when they’re speaking to them,” Mr. Kim says. If things get physical, “we teach them self-defense skills— physical skills to be able to handle the situation.”

are misusing it to hurt others.

“Parents are putting phones and technology into the hands of their children at earlier and earlier ages,” points out Kathleen Winn, director of Community Outreach and Education for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. “As a result of the growth of technology, which can be a very positive thing, we’re finding that there are those who are abusing this for bullying.”

Cyberbullying is bullying through the use of electronic devices, according to Courtney Miller, a Community Outreach and Education coordinator. It can be through texts, emails, social networking sites, instant messaging, blogs, etc. It’s a growing concern for the Attorney General’s Office, and Winn and her staff spend a lot of time going to schools throughout the state to teach kids how and how not to use technology. This last school year, they did presentations for almost 32,000 Arizona students.

“We try to address everyone involved in these situations,” Miller explains. “We talk about social consequences and the fact that whatever you put online is there forever potentially, and it can affect you in the future in ways you haven’t thought about.”

Like bullying, cyberbullying usually isn’t a one-and-done thing. Sending threats or negative messages, posting photos or videos online to embarrass someone or trying to keep someone socially isolated can be incredibly hurtful and, in some cases, break the law.

“We’re trying to create an awareness that there are consequences, and, yes, you do have to take some responsibility. If you wouldn’t say it to them in person, you probably don’t want to say it to them on your phone or your computer,” Winn says.

If you’re the target of cyberbullying, knowing what to do can really help, and there are lots of sites with good advice. “We talk about the fact that everyone has options, how they can take that first step to get help, Go to next who they should talk to and why it’s important that they be the one person to make that happen,” Miller points out. If page for you’re in immediate danger, like if someone is threatening bullying to hurt you, there’s always 911.

Educators, here’s the contact information to request prevention presentations by Community Outreach and Education of the pledges and Arizona Attorney General’s Office: 602-542-2123 (Phoenix), helpful links!

520-628-6504 (Tucson), 800-352-8431 (toll free in Arizona, outside Maricopa and Pima Counties), email: communityservices@azag.gov.

ATTENTION TEACHERS! Bear’s main features meet the new Common Core standards for the classroom. To learn more call toll free 1-866-639-7543.

18

Bear essential news for kids!

www.bearessentialnews.com

January 2013

ATA & OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Promise: • I will not bully others.

• I will try to help other kids who are being bullied.

• I will try to include other kids who are being left out.

THE MEGAN PLEDGE

• If I know another kid is being bullied, I will tell an adult.

HELPFUL LINKS Phoenix First Lady Nicole France Stanton

StopBullyingAz.org Cyberbullying & the Megan Pledge

AzAg.gov/Internet-Safety/Cyber-Bullying Electronic Aggression Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

CDC.gov/ViolencePrevention/YouthViolence/ElectronicAggression/ ATA & Karate for Kids

ATAonline.com/About/Programs/Karate.asp U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services

StopBullying.gov Fund for Civility/End of Bullying

EndOfBullying.com Anti-Defamation League

ADL.org Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

Megan Meier was 13 when she died. She had been cyberbullied and harassed by others, including the mother of one of her friends. She felt that she had no choice but to take her own life, rather than face the betrayal of her friends and their cruelty.

Although Megan is not the first teen to choose suicide over being the target of a cyberbully, I make this pledge hoping she will be the last.

I make it for Megan and all others who have experienced the fear of being a victim of cyberbullying. I make it for myself. I make it for my friends. I make it to create a safe Internet for everyone.

I believe that everyone is entitled to feel safe, online and offline. I believe that no one should be harassed or targeted for their differences. I believe that technology should not be used as a weapon to hurt others. I believe that no matter what someone has done, they should never be terrorized online. I believe that there are other ways of handling disputes than cyberbullying others. I believe that suicide is never an option, and that all young people can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

BY TAKING THIS PLEDGE: I agree to take a stand against cyberbullying, including sharing this pledge with others and asking them to take it too.

I agree not to use technology as a weapon to hurt others.

I agree to Think Before I Click.

I agree to think about the person on the other side.

I agree to support others being cyberbullied and report cyberbullying whenever I find it.

I agree not to join in cyberbullying tactics or be used by cyberbullies to hurt others.

I agree to “Stop, Block and Tell” when I am being targeted by a cyberbully and to “Take 5” to help me calm down and walk away from the computer.

I agree to be part of the solution, not part of the problem!

Signed by:

Date:

Print name:

Age:

Email (optional):

State/Province:

ViolencePreventionWorks.org/Public/Index.page Copyright ©2008 Parry Aftab, All Rights Reserved by Wired Safety

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

January 2013

Bear essential news for kids!

Boomer’s 2013

Birthday

GUIDE F

or many kids, a birthday is the biggest event and the most exciting day of the year! Some kids start planning their party, thinking about the friends they want to invite, and gearing up for all the festive fun WAY ahead of time.

Do you remember what you got for your last birthday? Unless it was recent, or you received an extra special gift, probably not. But most kids can recall a really fun party, or make up a long list of their favorite friends and cousins.

Birthdays are a great reason to turn up the FUN, making the birthday kid and guests feel that no better time or place exists. With friends and family all around, a party is a great time for making memories that’ll last a lifetime.

Having fun with those you love is a great way to celebrate another great year; it also can let you take a peek into the future. A themed birthday party lets you be anything you want to be for your special day!

Be a ninja, a princess, an athlete, an artist, a scientist, a scuba diver or something else just as fantastically fabulous at a themed party. There’s nothing better than doing the activity (or activities) you love the best with all your friends joining in on the fun!

You can find loads of themes and ideas to plan a great birthday party at the website birthdaypartyideas.com.

The site is chock full of different party plans, games and treats submitted by parents. You can find variations on classic games like Pin the Tail on the Donkey, relays and races and more. Go to www.birthdaypartyideas.com/html/ games.html.

Legendary New York Yankees slugger Joe DiMaggio once compared a birthday party to baseball’s opening day: “You always get a special kick on opening day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you’re a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen,” said DiMaggio.

Something wonderful is going to happen. You are launching into a new year—older wiser and ready to take on the world!

To help make the birthday person feel extra special, Boomer Bear has searched high and low for places around town that’ll make your party one to remember. There are also great entertainers and services that will come to you. So whether you are headed out to a great birthday location or planning party central in your own backyard, check out Boomer’s big 2013 Birthday Guide starting on page 21. This guide also will be available year round at BearEssentialNews.com.

Sending you greetings in Spanish, German, Swahili, Chinese (Cantonese), Farsi, Japanese, Norwegian and English, respectively: Feliz cumpleaños! Alles gute zum geburtstag! Hongera! Sun yat fai lok!

Tavalodet mobarak! Otanjou-bi omedetou gozaimasu! Gratulerer med dagen!

Happy birthday!

MORE BIRTHDAYS! page 21 ➧

Park Place Mall

790-1100

www.tucson.colormemine.com

Grab Some Friends and get to Skate Country!

Where the fun times roll

7 days a week!

Call for birthday party details!

Birthday Parties, Private Parties, Lessons, Skate Sales & Service Skating Sessions For All Ages

Check out the calendar on our Web site for all the details! www.skatecountry.com 7980 E. 22nd St.

298-4409

5For FREE! Bring in this coupon and get FREE admission for up to 5 people.

Mon–Th 4–6pm, Fri 3–5pm Not valid for birthday parties or with other offers. Please limit coupon use to 1 per person per week, thanks.

SKATE RENTAL EXTRA Expires 2/15/13

19

20

Bear essential news for kids!

January 2013

www.bearessentialnews.com

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

January 2013

Boomer’s 2013

Birthday

GUIDE Continued from page 19

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM TUCSON 792-9985 • 200 S. 6th Ave. Cost varies per package birthdays@childrensmuseumtucson.org www.childrensmuseumtucson.org Birthday parties at Children’s Museum Tucson are fun-filled affairs for the birthday child and your guests. Choose a “Celebration,” “Party” or weekday “Fiesta” package to celebrate at the place where imagination and learning connect! The after-hours “Very Important Birthday” package is a great option for larger parties.

Member discounts available.

COLOR ME MINE Park Place Mall 5870 E. Broadway #260 790-1100 • Starting at $160 per 10 painters Subject to availability www.tucson.colormemine.com

makes your party a piece of cake. Party packages available: Set the Table, Popular Picasso and Deluxe Da Vinci. Include private party room, party hostess, invitations, thank you cards, commemorative plate, pottery, glazing and firing.

CREATIVE JUICE 6530 E. Tanque Verde #160 • 271-5023 Ages: 5–105 Cost: $20/painter with an 8 painter minimum www.creativejuiceartbar.com Bring your budding artist to Creative Juice to celebrate their birthday. Our talented artists will walk the group step by step through the painting of the birthday boy or girl’s choice. Every guest will complete a 16 x 20 acrylic masterpiece in a fun, relaxed environment. Come experience a new creative alternative to the old run-of-the-mill birthday party.

Color Me Mine puts the art in party and

More BIRTHDAYS on page 22

Bear essential news for kids!

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Bear essential news for kids!

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January 2013

What’s New in Birthday Parties?

Artistic Birthday Parties for Budding Young Artists!

Our talented artists will walk the group step by step through a painting of the birthday child’s choice.

Each guest completes a 16" x 20" masterpiece in a fun and relaxed atmosphere!

271-5023 • CreativeJuiceArtBar.com 6530 E. Tanque Verde #160 in La Plaza Shoppes

Saturday Kids Workshops

What do you want for your birthday?

Magic Please!

Invite Patrick the Magician and his live bunny to your next party!

• Balloon Twisting • Hilarious Comedy • Lots of Audience Participation • Your Child is the Star of the Show

• Appearing Rabbit at Every Show • Goody Bags Available • Themed Shows • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

FREE GIFT for Birthday Child Call today for more information Birthdays, School Events, Office Parties & More!

Call today for more info

520-991-9308 www.magicplease.com

Video Gaming Parties Play the newest games and systems in our upgraded game room and new 3D TV.

Largest Gaming Screen in Tucson—108” wide!

Nintendo Wii, X Box 360, Playstation 3 & more.

Choose from a variety of games: Be an Athlete, be a Soldier, be a Racecar Driver or a Rock Star— be anything!

Play by the hour or rent for a party!

KatanaGames.net

908-6648

Williams Center 5420 E. Broadway, #230

Boomer’s 2013

Birthday

GUIDE Continued from page 21

DEMONT FAMILY SWIM SCHOOL

2850 W. Ina Rd. #130 877–SWIM (7946) Saturdays year-round available between 2:30–4:30 p.m. or 5–7 p.m. info@demontswim.com www.demontswim.com Splash into 80 minutes of indoor wet water fun and optional games and races, followed by 40 minutes in the decorated party area.

Two to four staff members coordinate the party and lifeguard the pool. Basic package includes 18 children, a birthday cake and beverages.

EEGEE’S FROZEN FRUIT DRINKS & CATERING 889-4066 • 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Mon.–Fri.) Fax 889-4340 23 Locations & 1 in Casa Grande Deliveries available for catering Available in store every day

3 foot subs in 1 hour or less starting at $24.99 eegee’s Fun or Party Pak $14.49-$18.99 24-hour notice for catering Online ordering • www.eegees.com/catering Order a feast fit for any party. Your guests’ favorite party favor will be enjoying eegee’s famous frozen fruit drinks. A Fun Pak ($14.49-serves 25) or a Party Pak ($18.99serves 50) is available in lemon, strawberry, piña colada or the Flavor of the Month!

FUNTASTICKS FAMILY FUN PARK 221 E. Wetmore Rd. 888-GOLF (4653) Cost: Starting at $99 for 8 guests www.funtasticks.com All Funtasticks Birthday Party Packages include An Arcade Play Card, Rides, A Personal Pizza & A Drink per person.

Packages starting as low as $99 for 8 Guests. Visit our website at www.funtasticks.com or call 520-888-GOLF (4653) to make your reservation.

More BIRTHDAYS on page 24

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

Fabulous Party Places If you’re a winner, where do you want to party? Mark your 1st, 2nd & 3rd choice.

Color Me MIne www.colormemine.com Party for 10 painters Park Place Mall

January 2013

Bear essential news for kids!

Win a Fantastic

Birthday Party!

from one of Bear’s Great Advertisers!

Birthday Party ColoringContest!

Creative Juice Art www.creativejuiceartbar.com Party for 8 people 6530 E. Tanque Verde #160

Each of these fabulous Party Places is giving away a birthday party—and it can be just for YOU! Color the birthday party art and you could win! Just check your 1st, 2nd & 3rd choice where you would most like to have your birthday party, send in your decorated cake picture and entry form, then cross your fingers!

Fire Truck Adventures www.firetruckadventures.com We Come to You! Golf N Stuff www.golfnstuff.com Party for 10 children 6503 E. Tanque Verde Mad Science www.tucson.madscience.org We Come to You Party for 14 children Magic Please www.magicplease.com We Come to You! No limit of children Peter Piper Pizza www.peterpipperpizza.com Party for 10 children Multiple locations Pizza Hut www.pizzahut.com Party for 10 children Golf Links & Harrison location Sarabande Academy of Riding www.sarabandeacademy.com Party for 5 children 6405 W. Ina Rd. Skate Country www.skatecountry.com Party for 10 children 7980 E. 22nd St. Vantage Bowl

www.vantagebowl@aol.com Multiple locations Party dates and times all subject to availability.

Gratuity not included.

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Here’s How to Enter the Contest!

Send in this page or go online to www.bearessentialnews.com and click on the Birthday Guide tab to download this page.

Send in your art for a chance to win a Birthday Party!

Send to Bear

Essential News/Birthday Party 1037 S. Alvernon Way, #150 • Tucson, AZ 85711

Entry Deadline is February 15, 2013

Winners will be notified by March 4th, 2013

Name: Address: City: School: e-mail: Parent Signature:

ZIP: Phone #:

Grade:

Must be 14 or younger. One winner per household. Entries for multiple contests may be mailed in same envelope.

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January 2013

Boomer’s 2013

Birthday

GUIDE Continued from page 22

GOLF N’ STUFF 6503 E. Tanque Verde Rd. • 296-2366 x13 Cost $17.50/person and up Late reservations are OK www.golfnstuff.com All parties include 50 minutes in a party or fun room with a birthday hostess. Two birthday packages to choose from. We also offer non-hosted group rates! Make your reservation Monday through Thursday and receive 10 percent off an entire birthday party package! Call for further details and reservations.

INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE MUSEUM 4800 W. Gates Pass Rd. • 629-0100 x311 Cost per party: non-member $150, member $120 • Add a live animal presentation for $25 One-week notice minimum Kathleeno@thewildlifemuseum.org www.thewildlifemuseum.org Have a wild party at IWM! Safari packages include paper goods, balloons and favors.

Or choose the adventure package and add a live animal presentation.

KATANA GAMES Williams Centre • 5420 E. Broadway #230 or we come to you!

908-6648 • katanagames.net Katana Games can make any party bigger and better! We offer a unique party atmosphere that is centered around VIDEO GAMING. Perfect for hosting midsize parties. Larger-than-life screen and

Expires 1/15/13

Expires 1/15/13

projector and 3D TV. Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 & more. Choose from a variety of game packs: Be an Athlete, Be a Solider, Be a Racecar Driver, Be a Rockstar, be anything! We also can bring the party to wherever you are—home or office, indoor or outdoor. Make your party an event and schedule today.

KIDZART TUCSON 495-4952 • Cost $12–$15 kidzarttucson@gmail.com www.kidzartaz.com Celebrate and create with a KidzArt Birthday Party Arts Extravaganza! KidzArt offers a colorful alternative to traditional birthday parties. We come to you with all the materials and supplies to work with you and your guests on an exciting art related activity designed just for your child!

Everyone leaves with their own masterpiece to treasure!

MAD SCIENCE OF PIMA COUNTY Parties held at your location (homes, parks, etc.).

520-733-7000 www.madscience.org/tucson Mad Science is the world’s leader in spectacular science for kids. We come to you with a hands-on entertaining science experience. Wow your birthday child and guests with lightning, chemical fireworks, and spectacular slime.

More BIRTHDAYS on page 26

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

January 2013

Bear essential news for kids!

Celebrate your birthday with a

Birthday Blast Party

at

New Ticket Twister!

Birthday boys and girls: Try your luck in our new Ticket Twister ONLY at Golf-N-Stuff!

Just $17.50 plus tax per person gets you...

• 2 hours UNLIMITED use of Laser Tag, Bumper Boats, Go Karts & Miniature Golf • 4 Arcade Tokens • Party area with Party Hostess (50 minutes) • 1 small soda • Invitations • Pizza Available

Have fun with the dot to dot!

Call today to reserve your party at 296-2366

10% OFF Expires 1/15/13

any Monday–Thursday Party

6503 E. Tanque Verde Rd. 296-2366 • www.golfnstuff.com

FREE Golf Pass!! (with the purchase of another at the regular price)

36 Holes of the World’s Finest Miniature Golf • Arcade • Wet n’ Wild Bumper Boats • Skee-ball • Indy Go Karts • Batting Cages • Laser Tag • The Rock • Group Rates

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January 2013

Boomer’s 2013

Birthday

GUIDE Continued from page 24

MAGIC PLEASE 991-9308 • info@magicplease.com www.magicplease.com Make your next birthday magical with Patrick the Magician.Your child will be the star of the show. Magical-themed shows available. Have a magician-, wizard- or pirate-themed show! Magical goodie bags available. Call for details. And remember, we bring the magic to you!

THE MINI TIME MACHINE MUSEUM OF MINIATURES 4455 E. Camp Lowell Dr. • 881-0606 Cost: Packages start at $250 info@theminitimemachine.org www.theminitimemachine.org Discover the big world of small delights!

Children’s birthday party packages include use of a private suite, admission for up to 20 adults and 16 children, an ageappropriate craft activity, scavenger hunt, treat bags and more! More options available to customize your party! Details at www.theminitimemachine.org

PETER PIPER PIZZA Irvington & I-19 • 434-8000 Oracle & Limberlost • 888-5520 Ina & Thornydale • 744-1111 Oracle & Magee • 575-0770 Silverbell & Speedway • 624-7475 Broadway Blvd (across from Park Mall) 886-5566 Old Spanish Trail & Harrison • 722-4400 22nd & Alvernon • 790-4232 12th & Ajo Way • 624-1111 Valencia & 12th • 889-0600 Standard Birthday Party Package $7.99/child Deluxe Birthday Party Package $9.99 /child 1–2 weeks notice www.peterpiperpizza.com Come party with us! Our birthday party packages include free party invitations, host /hostess service, reserved and decorated tables with pizza, soda, tokens, a personalized Mylar balloon and build your own 7” 1-topping pizza for the birthday child. Deluxe Package includes more tokens per child and a “Happy Birthday to Me” autographed T-shirt and marker for the birthday child.

PIZZA HUT & WINGSTREET www.pizzahut.com

✩Notes Wingstreet Locations ✩9564 E. Golf Links • 296-9273

We have a party room that accommodates up to 50 people. $4.25 per person, includes pizza, drinks, dessert and games (Wii and Board Games). Reserve your date today!

✩4710 E. Speedway • 323-0042 2175 Irvington • 889-9583

✩2943 N. Campbell • 322-9825

✩6305 E. 22nd • 747-0472 727 W. Ajo Wy. • 294-0876

✩3894 N. Oracle • 293-9118

1502 S. St. Mary’s • 884-8780 1865 W. Valencia • 294-4490 ✩7665 N. La Cholla • 219-0320 ✩7082 E. Speedway • 290-0600 ✩8140 S. Houghton • 663-5656 ✩8906 E. Tanque Verde • 749-0900 ✩8245 N. Silverbell • 744-0848 ✩10605 N. Oracle • Oro Valley • 575-8181 18850 S. Nogales Hwy. • Green Valley 648-2400 627 N. 2nd Ave. • Ajo • 520-387-6842 ✩1001 Rex Allen Dr. • Willcox 520-384-3586 ✩3680 E. Fry • Sierra Vista • 520-458-8872 ✩600 E. Fry • Sierra Vista • 520-459-6300

Come celebrate your birthday or special event with Pizza Hut. Enjoy your favorite pizza, pasta, wings and breadsticks with all of your friends. Call your local Pizza Hut manager for complete details.

SARABANDE ACADEMY OF RIDING 6405 W. Ina Rd. • 907-3965 info@sarabandeacademy.com www.sarabandeacademy.com What child doesn’t love horses? Plan your next birthday party at Sarabande Academy of Riding, nestled in the Tucson Mountains foothills. We offer a wide variety of packages to fit everyone’s budget and celebration needs. Bring your own cake to complete catering. Call or email early to reserve your date.

SEA LIFE ARIZONA Arizona Mills Mall 5000 Arizona Mills Cir. • Tempe 480-478-7600 • Sealifeus.com Make a Splash on your birthday at SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium! Party guests embark on a journey through fantastic ocean habitats — at every step they discover amazing creatures including sharks, rays, seahorse and more. Party package includes a private party room, a party host for one hour, craft activity and game and aquarium entrance for all guests. Don’t miss out on a chance to celebrate beneath the waves. Book your celebration now at SEA LIFE Arizona!

SKATE COUNTRY 298-4409 • 7980 E. 22nd St. Cost $7.95–$9.95/child askskatecountry@aol.com www.skatecountry.com Parties at Skate Country are affordable, fun, exciting with plenty of lights, music and healthy, wholesome fun! With the help of a hostess mom and dad will have no worries and no mess, but plenty of fun.

Parties start at $7.95 per child.

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

TUCSON PARKS & RECREATION RAMADAS Reid & Eastside parks: 791-5930 West District parks: 791-5909 City of Tucson residents: Half day $15, full day $25 Premium half day $25, premium full day $45 Non-city residents: Half day $20, full day $30 Premium half day $30, premium full day $55 Premium rates are instituted for holidays and/or the holiday weekends www.tucsonaz.gov/parksandrec If you are ready to spend a special day in the park, reserve a ramada! Book from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 2 to 7:30 p.m.; or rent for a full day. Reserve up to one year in advance. Must be paid for within one week of reservation.

TUCSON RACQUET & FITNESS CLUB 4001 N. Country Club • 795-6960 Cost: varies • ajk@tucsonracquetclub.com www.tucsonracquetclub.com Make your next children’s party hassle-

January 2013

free. Our celebrations blend athletics and the outdoors. Your personal ramada includes use of pool, jacuzzi, sand volleyball courts and basketball courts.

Everything you need for a great party is included: wait staff, tables, chairs, plates, and utensils. We can even cater with great, affordable food and drinks. Ramada rental: $35 for members and $50 for non-members.

VANTAGE BOWLING CENTERS 629-0802 • Cost: Starting at $7.95/person www.vantagebowlingcenters.com Vantage Bowling Centers—Cactus Bowl, Lucky Strike, Tucson Bowl, Santa Cruz Lanes and Fiesta Lanes host lots of awesome fun birthday parties for kids, teens and adults. Starting at only $7.95 per person. Includes a 2 hour hosted bowling party, Pepsi, party invitations, plates/napkins, balloons and souvenir bowling pin for the birthday child. Pizza or CyberBowl $1 more per guest. Call the center nearest to you for reservations or visit Vantagebowlingcenters.com for further information.

COMING TO A NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR YOU—

Celebrate Arizona's Science and Technology Wonders

February 6 thru March 17, 2013 Visit

azscitechfest.org

for information and to find events in your area!

Learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM) Over 350 organizations statewide have partnered together to offer a series of hands-on activities, workshops, conversations, debates, stunning exhibitions, concerts, guided walks and tours. JOIN US! ______________________________ Arizona SciTech Festival includes an event hosted by Bear Essential Educational Services and Young Reporters!

You’re invited Thursday, Feb. 21 from 4–6 p.m. for Young Reporter Night to learn about science & ecology news reporting.

Located at Peter Piper Pizza, 5925 E. Broadway, across from Park Place Mall All students in grades 2–8 are invited and have the opportunity to sign up to be one of our Young Reporters.

For more YR Night information, call toll-free:

1-866-NEWS KID (639-7543)

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Continued from page 9

Journey to Atlantis

by Claire Prescott, Lulu Walker Elementary Thea Stilton and the Journey to Atlantis is the latest out of the 75 books written by Geronimo Stilton.

This book is about five mouse girls called the Thea sisters named Colette, Nicky, Pamela, Paulina and Violet, who love adventures and go to Mouseford Academy together. In this book one of the Thea Sisters, Paulina, finds a blue skinned boy lying on the beach and not moving! Together the Thea Sisters bring him to their academy. They learned who he is and where he’s from. At the end, the five mouse girls help him find his way back home by going through hard and dangerous obstacles. You’ll have to read this book and the other 74 books

by Geronimo Stilton to experience the excitement in each mystery book! :)

The Children’s Museum I Love Reading Gathering

by Reporter Deyanira Gonzales, Pueblo Gardens K-8 On Sept. 22 I went to a special program where kids and parents could go get a free book and do a bunch of other activities in a fair type gathering.

It was really fun and I had fun searching for Waldos to get a free prize. My brothers enjoyed all the fascinating things and activities there. They also had a booth where kids could sign up to be Bear Essential Young Reporters, and it was really cool to meet the workers for the newspaper. They also had some book readings, which was really fun. I enjoyed the story, and suprisingly my brothers sat still and enjoyed the reading. To top things off, we each got a free book. I got a craft book, and my brothers got a Tarzan book and a Peter Rabbit book, which is one of my mom’s favorites!

MORE SCOOPS! page 28 ➧

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Birthday Party Packages!

“Standard” Party Package ONLY

$799 Per child

“Deluxe” Party Package ONLY

$999 Per child

INCLUDES:

INCLUDES:

1 hour 45 minutes Reserved & Decorated Party Tables with Host/ Hostess Services

1 hour 45 minutes Reserved & Decorated Party Tables with Host/ Hostess Services

Large 1-topping pizza for every four participants

Large 1-topping pizza for every four participants

1 drink per child (unlimited refills) 20 Game Tokens for birthday child 10 game tokens for each guest Party Invitations Personalized Mylar balloon for the birthday child Build your own 7" 1-Topping Pizza for the birthday child

1 drink per child (unlimited refills) 40 Game Tokens for birthday child 20 game tokens for each guest Party Invitations Personalized Mylar balloon for the birthday child Build your own 7" 1-Topping Pizza for the birthday child “Happy Birthday to Me” Autograph T-Shirt & Marker for the birthday child.

Add Goodie Bags to either package for $2.00 per child

Book your Party Online at www.peterpipperpizza.com

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT

LUNCH BUFFET MON.– FRI. 11 AM–2 PM

$5.49 PER PERSON

$3.99 KIDS 10 AND UNDER

Ages 2 and Under FREE

Irvington & I-19.........................434-8000 Oracle & Limberlost.................888-5520 Ina & Thornydale......................744-1111 Oracle & Magee........................575-0770 Silverbell & Speedway.............624-7475

5925 E. Broadway (across from Park Mall)...886-5566 Old Spanish Trail & Harrison...........722-4400 22nd & Alvernon........................ .......790-4232 12th & Ajo Way.................................. 624-1111 Valencia &12th................................... 889-0600

Charity Organizations

by Reporter Naina Bhamidipati, Canyon View Elementary Charity organizations have always been responsible for helping the needy all around the world. Sumhith Veda Aradhyula, a teenage boy who’s in high school, started a non-profit organization to promote music for youth and at the same time help the needy. This organization is called Ragazona and its motto is, “Reaching Out Through Ragas.” A raga is the equivalent to a scale in Western music.

Apparently, Ragazona was destined to be a non-profit organization since its conception in February 2012. Ragazona was developed by Sumhith’s love for music and his desire to help the needy.

“It is an organization that conducts musical events, and donates the profits from these events to charity,” Sumhith says. Ragazona’s events have all been in the Pima Medical Society, and he has hired professionals and amateurs to sing in his concerts. He has had four events in these nine months. In these four, his flute teacher also known as flute Raman performed. Sumhith also has had an event (called Composer’s day) where kids were free to sing Indian classical songs. He has conducted a singing celebration called Sangeeta Sameeksha where adults and kids sang a variety of songs. Ragazona’s last event for this year was a singing concert by Dr. Pantula Rama.

So far, this organization has raised over $500. All of the money that Ragazona raises goes to the Community Food Bank. Sumhith wanted to combine his passion, music, and apply it to helping the needy. He realized that music had the potential to help the disabled.

Sumhith Veda Arahyula is a teenager at Catalina Foothills High, and he loves music. He’s in the band and plays the flute when he has free time.

Sumhith plays both the American and Indian flute and has been learning music for 11 years, and now performs in other events and occasionally in symphony concerts. He’s also in the Tucson Symphony orchestra’s young composers program. His passion for music has let him advertise and talk about music continuously.

Sumhith’s upcoming events include the annual composer’s day in February and maybe a couple of concerts this spring. His website is www.ragazona.org.

Red Ribbon Day

by Reporter Tanya Ramos, Wakefield Middle School Do you know what it’s like to know that every day for the rest of your life you won’t be able to see your grandson or loved one because of someone else’s bad decisions?

Irene Escarcega had to go through this horrible experience with her grandson, Manuelito Escarcega. Manuelito Escarcega was 9. He was a fourthgrader at Hollinger Elementary. He was on his way to his friend’s bike race one day. In the car was the driver, Manuelito and his friend’s little sister. But also on the road was someone who made the wrong decision to drink and drive. That decision led to tragedy. That drunk person crashed into the car Manuelito was in. Manuelito and his friend’s little sister passed away that day.

Even today, 11 years later, the tragedy still haunts Irene Escarcega and her family. It’s a situation no one should have to go through. That’s why on Oct. 26 at Wakefield Middle School we had a Red Ribbon Day assembly to remind the students and the community that drinking and driving or doing drugs is bad and affects a lot of people—forever.

Students from Hollinger Elementary and Pueblo High walked to Wakefield to join our assembly. We had guest speakers from Pueblo, Hollinger, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and a couple of Wakefield students.

Everybody’s speeches were different, but at the end they all gave the same message: don’t take drugs or drink and drive—it ruins lives.

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

January 2013

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Make a Resolution to Take Great Care of Your Pet! Yea! The world didn’t come to an end and we can celebrate 2013.

Now’s the perfect time to make a New Year’s resolution to take great care of your pet(s).

And with the chaos of the holidays over, your family might consider adopting a new furry-faced member of the family. For January 2013, the Pima Animal Care Center has reduced its pet adoption fee to $13. But there's a lot of responsibility that goes along with adopting and caring for an animal. If you have a dog, here’s a list of things you and your family need to do to keep it happy and healthy: • Have your pooch spayed or neutered. With pet overpopulation being a huge problem, this ensures that your dog can’t reproduce. It also tends to help dogs live longer, healthier lives with fewer behavior problems!

• Keep your dog up-to-date on its vaccinations and county licensing (its tag).

• Make sure your dog is micro-chipped and wears an ID tag on its collar that has your family’s name, address and phone number.

• Always have cool, fresh water available and a place where your dog can stay cool. If it’s outside, it needs to have access to shade during the entire day.

• Never leave any pet in a car. It gets hot here in the desert and up to 160° F in a car, which can kill your pet.

• Find a nutritionally balanced dog food and learn how much to feed your pooch. Don't overfeed Fido, and human food usually isn't a good for dogs.

• Take your dog to a vet for regular check-ups.

• Have an adequate fence or wall. If your dog is off property, it needs to be on a leash.

• Walk and play with your dog when it's not too hot.

Dear Paw Prints, I have a poodle mix dog named Peanut and he is stubborn when we try to train him. Any ideas that could help? I could really use them.

Thank you, R.J. Dear R.J., Bravo to you for realizing how important it is to train your dog!

Dogs can be lots of fun, but they are lots of responsibility. Don’t give up. Training a stubborn dog may be more challenging, but it can be done.

• Use positive training to teach your dog how to behave. If you’re having trouble, enroll your dog in a training class!

• Spend time with your pooch—dogs love companionship and don’t do well if they’re left alone outside all the time.

AND FOR CATS: • Get a break-away collar with an ID tag for your cat that includes your family name, address and phone.

•Take your cat to a vet for regular checkups and vaccinations.

• Cats are safest if kept indoors or at least on your property. You can take it for walks using a harness and a leash.

• Always have your cat spayed or neutered to help control the cat population and to keep it healthier.

• Keep the litter box clean. Scoop the box at least once a day and wash it with dish soap periodically. Cats like privacy, so place the litter box in a quiet place.

• Always have cool, fresh water available and give your cat nutritionally balanced cat food.

• Never leave any pet in a car—the heat can quickly cause brain damage and even death!

• Play with your cat and provide it with toys, scratching posts, etc., that will keep it from tearing up important things in the house.

• Brush your cat’s fur regularly. Claws might need clipping, too.

• Be patient with your cat and provide some basic house training.

3. Make sure everyone in the family is consistent with the training. For example—if you don’t want your dog to jump and someone in the family allows them to jump on them, the dog may become unsure and confused.

4. Always end the training session on a positive note.

5. Be patient. Even an old dog (or in your case a stubborn dog) can learn new tricks.

If training continues to be difficult for you and your dog, consider working with a dog trainer. There are lots of great trainers in town.

1. Devote 10–15 minutes every day to training.

A list of some of the Tucson trainers can be (Dogs will get bored if the training found on the Pima Animal session is too long and might not Send your pet or animal questions to Care Center website: retain what you’re trying to teach PAW PRINTS www.pima.gov/ them if the session is too short.)

1037 N. Alvernon Way #150 animalcare.

Tucson, AZ 85711 2. Always reward success and or online at Boomer’s Blog: good behavior.

Good luck!

BearEssentialNews.com/blog.php Here are a few tips to get you started:

If you’re thinking about adding a pet to your family, please adopt from an animal shelter or rescue group. Lots of deserving dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are waiting for their forever home!

JANUARY ADOPTION SPECIAL! (now through Jan. 31, 2013)

Pet Adoption Fees Reduced to $13.

Dogs older than 3 months have an additional license fee.

Pima Animal Care Center 4000 N. Silverbell Rd. • 243-5969 www.pimaanimalcare.org Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. weekends

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&

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More events online at BearEssentialNews.com

Celebrate the Chinese New Year at Cultural Center

by Reporters Claire, Melody & Ruby Prescott, Lulu Walker Elementary unar Chinese New Year, the Year of the people use red lanterns, red paper cut arts, and Snake, is coming up on Feb. 10, 2013. You blessing words on their doors or windows. can celebrate the Chinese New Year at the Traditionally, Chinese people wear red-colTucson Chinese Cultural Center on Feb. 9. ored clothes on the New Year’s Day for happi“There will be a Taste of China Festival celebraness and good luck. Firecrackers and the Lion tion at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center on SatDance are used to scare away the evil spirits urday, Feb. 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” says Susan and bring good ones.

Chan. There will be fun activities, arts and crafts, Chinese children usually take a bath to performances, and food for sale. Admission is $2 wash away the evil spirits before the New Year and free for kids under 12. arrives, and they also receive red envelopes According to Chan, the volunteer administrator with money in them under their pillows. of the Chinese Cultural Center and the president The Tucson Chinese Cultural Center is of the Tucson Chinese Association, there will be located at 1288 W. River Rd. For more infordecorations around people’s houses with lots of red mation about the Taste of China Festival, call colors, which represent happiness. For example, 292-6900 or visit www.tucsonchinese.org.

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Zoppé Family Circus Is a Delight!

Victory Over Violence Events at UofA for MLK Day Weekend

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his year for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, honor the civil rights leader by doing your part to promote peace in our community. Visit the UofA Student Union Memorial Center for a Victory Over Violence event Jan. 19–22.

This exhibition and event will feature art activities, video projects, speakers and more. Victory Over Violence is being sponsored by SGIUSA Tucson Youth and UofA Buddhists for Peace. Activities take place on Jan. 19 from 2 to 5 p.m.; on Jan. 20 –21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Creative Kids Get Golden Opportunities!

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re you a girl who loves to sing?

Have you thought about joining the Tucson Girls Chorus? Well, if you ever have, now is the time!

The Tucson Girls Chorus hosts an open house and open enrollment on Feb. 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The $15

enrollment fee is waived for girls who attend the open house and sign up during open enrollment. Parents must attend with their kids.

To find out more about the Tucson

Girls Chorus or the open house event, visit www.tucsongirlschorus.org or call 577-6064.

Creative Juice Art Bar is starting new workshops for kids and familes. Every second Saturday, Creative Juice will host a fun experience with a different theme from 1 to 5 p.m. Kids ages 5–14 can create their own masterpiece and concoct some delicious treats from Yummy!

Get a jump on Chinese New Year on Jan. 12, and celebrate Valentine’s Day on Feb. 9. Sessions cost $50, with discounts available for siblings.

Creative Juice also is offering a Family Class each fourth Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. The cost is $18 per painter.

Creative Juice Art Bar is located at 6530 E. Tanque Verde Rd., #160. For more information, call 271-5023 or visit www.creativejuiceartbar.com.

For more information, go to BearEssentialNews.com.

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f you want to experience a traditional circus performed under the big top, now is your chance! Zoppé Family Circus is in Tucson Jan. 11–13.

Nino the Clown will lead you on a journey that features acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, clowning and his own one-of-a-kind magic. There will be plenty of audience participation in a show sure to delight kids of all ages!

Giovanni Zoppé is a sixth-generation circus performer. He plays Nino the Clown with a wide-eyed innocence, sense of wonder and a bit of mischief that engages audience members, young and old.

The Zoppé Family Circus will perform at Reid Park, near Country Club and 22nd Street. Tickets range from $35–$25. For more information, tickets or showtimes, visit www.uapresents.org or call 621-3341.

Circus Fun!

Children’s Festival at Centennial Hall

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t’s time for the 5th Annual Children’s Festival near the Main Gate of the UofA on Jan. 27. This free event will have interactive arts, crafts, science, education and literature activities for children and families.

The Children’s Festival will take place from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on the Centennial Hall patio and Arizona State Museum lawn right before the show “Harold and the Purple Crayon: A Dance Adventure” at 4 p.m. Tickets for the “Harold and the Purple Crayon” performance are $15–$25 for adults and $10–$20 for kids.

Be sure to visit Bear at the festival. Stop by our table and say hello!

For more information about the festival, or for tickets to “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” visit www.uapresents.org or call 621-3341.

Send event info to calendar@BearEssentialNews.com

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Bear essential news for kids!

www.bearessentialnews.com

January 2013

59th Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

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February 14–17, 2013

Fluorite, Colors of the Rainbow Tucson Convention Center 260 South Church Avenue • Tucson, AZ 85701

Fluorite is a relatively common mineral that can be found in many countries around the world including here in the USA. Fluorite comes in many shapes and almost every color of the rainbow.

The Tucson Gem ShowTM is the LARGEST gem and mineral show in the United States.

In addition to the minerals, there will be gems, jewelry and one-of-a-kind items to see and buy, exhibits, lectures and more!

Kids!

Thursday: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Complete the crosword puzzle by reading the page carefully. You’ll find all the answers on this page.

Friday:

G E MC R S O H S O S WW O R D

10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Sunday:

10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Tickets go on sale January 21, 2013 at all TCC ticket outlets.

Admission: • $10 Adult • Children 14 and under are FREE with paying adult.

• Friday, February 15, 2013 Active Military and Senior Day (62 years +) $2.00 discount off admission.

• Two day tickets available for $17.00 • Go to www.TGMS.org for a $1.00 OFF coupon.

DOWN

ACROSS TM

2. The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is the___________ in the U.S. 4. This year is the 59th_________________ show.

6. What mineral is the star of this year’s show?

7. What Arizona city is host to the show?

9. On which day does the show close at 5:00 instead of 6:00?

10. You can see gems and __________ from all over the world.

1. Which day is Active Military and Senior Day? 3. Kids 14 and under are ____________ with a paying adult.

5. An ____________ ticket costs just $10.00 6. The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is held in this month.

8. A $1.00 discount ___________ is available at www.TGMS.org TM

For more info go to

www.tgms.org or call the TCC at

(520) 791-4101