Foothills News 04/05/2023

Kids Camp!

Read about Towns, museums and theaters hosting classes and camps this summer | Special Section

Treasures await teachers at

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER Tucson Local Media Sta

Plenty to do in the Old Pueblo | Page 4

Have fun on a jumbo scale at kids' Minature Museum camp | Page 9

Sarah Goldman is Athlete of the Week | Page 19

What looks like trash to the rest of the world is treasure to teachers — literally and figuratively.

At Treasures4Teachers, shelves are stacked with bins filled with cast-offs and effluvia.

One bin finds bundles of used but unbroken crayons. In another there are scads of pull tabs. Hard plastic floppy disks are placed in another.

That’s just a tiny bit of what is

stacked on the many shelves at Treasures4Teachers, a nonprofit that bridges the gap between the need for tools and supplies and effective teaching.

“The things that we like the most in this store we call loose parts,” said Adrienne Ledford, who opened Treasures4Teachers eight years ago.

“Loose parts are a part of the new STEM movement. The more loose parts you can give a child, they can create whatever they want with it. You just give them

See TREASURES Page 7

Adrienne Ledford established Treasures4Teachers eight years ago to help teachers get the classroom supplies they need. (Karen Schaffner/Staff)

Local teen wins state spelling bee

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Sta

Karen Opoku-Appoh, an eighth grader from Marana Middle School, won the 2023 Arizona Spelling Bee hosted by the Arizona Educational Foundation on Saturday, March 18.

The 13-year-old correctly spelled the word “passage” to win the bee. The runners up were:

Second place: Opal Mishra, sixth grade, age 12, Basha Accelerated Middle School, Chandler Unified School District, Maricopa County Region 6

Third place: Sai Manvik Malreddy, eighth

grade, age 13, Explorer Middle School, Paradise Valley Unified School District, Maricopa County Region 2

Fourth place: Regina Rascon, seventh grade, age 11, Bogle Junior High School, Chandler Unified School District, Maricopa

See SPELLING Page 7

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Oro Valley, AZ – When it comes to chronic pain and/ or neuropathy, the most common doctor-prescribed treatment is drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin. The problem with antidepressants or anti-seizure medications like these is that they offer purely symptomatic relief, as opposed to targeting and treating the root of the problem. Worse, these drugs often trigger an onset of uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes harmful side effects.

The only way to effectively treat chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is by targeting the source, which is the result of nerve damage owing to inadequate blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet. This often causes weakness, numbness, tingling, pain, and balance problems. A lack of nutrients causes the nerves to degenerate – an insidious and often painful process.

As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves

cannot survive, and thus, slowly die. This leads to those painful and frustrating consequences we were talking about earlier, like weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, and perhaps even a burning sensation.

The drugs your doctor might prescribe will temporarily conceal the problems, putting a “BandAid” over a situation that will only continue to deteriorate without further action.

Thankfully, Oro Valley is the birthplace of a brandnew facility that sheds new light on this pressing problem of peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain. The company is trailblazing the medical industry by replacing outdated drugs and symptomatic reprieves with an advanced machine that targets the root of the problem at hand.

Effective neuropathy treatment relies on the following three factors:

1. Finding the underlying cause

2. Determining the extent of the nerve damage (above 95% nerve loss is rarely treatable)

3. The amount of treatment required for the patient’s unique condition

Arrowhead Physical Medicine in Oro Valley, AZ uses a state-of-the-art electric cell signaling systems worth $100,000.00. Th is ground-breaking treatment is engineered to achieve the following, accompanied by advanced diagnostics and a basic skin biopsy to accurately analyze results:

1. Increases blood flow

2. Stimulates and strengthens small fiber nerves

3. Improves brain-based pain

The treatment works by delivering energy to the affected area(s) at varying wavelengths, from low- to middle-frequency signals, while also using Amplitude Modulated (AM) and Frequency Modulated (FM) signaling

It’s completely painless!

THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT THIS TREATMENT IS COVERED BY MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND MOST INSURANCES!!

Depending on your coverage, your peripheral neuropathy treatment could cost almost nothing – or be absolutely free.

The number of treatments required varies from patient to patient, and can only be determined following an in-depth neurological and vascular examination. As long as you have less than 95% nerve damage, there is hope!

Arrowhead Physical Medicine begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage – a complimentary service for comprises a detailed your friends and family.sensoryEach exam evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy findings.

Arrowhead Physical Medicine begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage –a complimentary service for comprises a detailed your friends and family. Each sensory exam evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy findings.

Arrowhead Physical Medicine will be offering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until December 31st, 2022 Call (520) 934-0130 to make an appointment

Arrowhead Physical Medicine will be offering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until April 30, 2023. Call (520) 934-0130 to make an appointment

Due to our very busy office schedule, we are limiting this offer to the first 10 c allers Y OU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL (520) 934-0130 NOW!!

We are extremely busy, so we are unavailable, please leave a voice message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Arrowhead Physical Medicine 10425 N Oracle Rd., Suite 125 Oro Valley AZ, 85737

FOOTHILLS NEWS

The Foothills News is published twice each month and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the Catalina Foothills.

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Hot Picks

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER Tucson Weekly Sta ARTS

“¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues/En los barrios y las grandes ligas”

To Saturday, April 8

The Tucson Desert Art Museum presents its “¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues/ En los barrios y las grandes ligas” now through Saturday, April 8. Organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the National Museum of American History, this exhibit examines the sport and how Latinos helped shape it. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 students/children, and free for active military. Tucson Desert Art Museum, 7000 E. Tanque Verde Road. Info: tucsondart.org

“Woman-Ochre”

To Saturday, May 20

Willem de Koonig’s “Woman-Ochre” was stolen in 1985 from the University of Arizona Museum of Art. It’s returned home and on display through May. Tickets for “Restored: The Return of Woman-Ochre” are $8 general admission; $6 seniors 65plus and groups of 10 or more; and free for students with ID, museum members, UA faculty, staff, military personnel, AAM members, visitors with a SNAP card or Tribal ID, and children. The University of Arizona Museum of Art, 1031 N. Olive Road. Info: artmuseum.arizona.edu

Linda McCartney Retrospective

To Friday, Aug. 4

The North American premiere of the Linda McCartney Retrospective comes to the University of Arizona Center for Creative Photography, now through Friday, Aug. 4. Spanning McCartney’s entire career from 1965 to 1997, this exhibition

features 176 photographs and archival materials, including Polaroid images, and presents three sections such as family life, photographic experimentation and artists. The exhibit will recur weekly from Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The exhibition will also feature various community events inspired by the collection. Center for Creative Photography 1030 N. Olive Road. Info: ccp.arizona.edu

THEATER

“One Twig at a Time” Thursday, April 13, to Sunday, April 30

Found object puppetry, poetic visual theater, humor, pathos, drought, flood, overabundance and the vacuum of space are explored in a new work by visual storyteller Wolfe Bowart. An ensemble of five multigenerational actors — including Bowart — will explore community via visual poems drawn from notebooks filled with abstract sketches, dreams and theatrical images

by Bowart. For scoundrels and scamps ages 5 to 105. Various times and days with school matinees available. Scoundrel and Scamp Theater, 738 N. Fifth Avenue. Info: 520-448-3300.

LIVE MUSIC

TSO Wind Quintet in Green Valley Tuesday, April 11

Tickets are only available from the Green Valley Recreation, West Center, 1111 S. GVR Drive, Green Valley. Tickets vary. Info: 520-625-3440.

TSO Up Close Cello Here, Cello There Saturday, April 15, and Sunday, April 16

The Up Close season closes with music for one, some and all of the cellos of the TSO. The ensemble will perform works by Vivaldi, Bach, Fitzenhagen, Piazzola and Villa Lobos. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15, and 2 p.m. Sunday,

AGING WELL

Gardening Cultivates Benefits for Your Health

A multitude of research shows that those who spend time planting or cultivating a garden can end up reaping a variety of health benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. This is good news for avid gardeners in the Tucson area, many of whom are transplants themselves from the Midwest, East Coast, and other parts of the United States.

One of them is Ken Simkins, who lives with his wife Kathy at Splendido, an all-inclusive community in Oro Valley for those 55 and better. Ken enjoys tending a variety of potted and in-ground plants outside their Villa Home, including a Lady Banks rose (like the famous one in Tombstone) along the wall of the back patio. He also vol-

unteers at Tohono Chul gardens, which, he jokes, “gives me an additional 47 acres to work with.”

Growth of a Gardener

“Gardening is something I’ve done for years, with a lot of education,” says Ken. “It’s been sort of a secondary career, and is now expressed through whatever I can do around our Villa and at Tohono Chul.”

A self-described “plant geek,” Ken has tapped into his background in computers to develop a database of the plants he’s worked with in his three years in Arizona.

“I have 1,800 so far,” he says.

In addition to working with plants in Tohono Chul’s propagation area, he serves as a docent in the park, teaching and

interacting with people.

“I enjoy seeing people interact with plants found in the Sonoran Desert,” he says. “It’s really my delight to be going out with a group of young children and noticing their wonder and joy as I point out the special features in the park.”

A Bouquet of Health Benefits

Multiple studies show that gardening is an ideal way to cultivate good health:

• Stress relief: Dutch researchers found that gardening fights stress better than other hobbies. In their study, participants who gardened outdoors reported better moods and tested for lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than those who spent time reading.

• Physical activity: Gardening may not burn a lot of calories, but activities like digging and weeding are wonderful forms of low-impact exercise. The stretching and repetitive movements are good for those who may not be able to exercise more vigorously.

• Healthy diet: A University of Florida study found that people who learn to garden as children or young adults are far more likely to eat the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, and far more likely to enjoy them.

• Mood boost: Researchers found that people diagnosed with depression who spent six hours a week gardening showed a measurable improvement in their depressive symptoms; this trend

continued for three months after the gardening program stopped.

• Dementia fighter: One study tracked more than 2,800 older adults for 16 years and found that physical activity could reduce incidence of future dementia. Specifically, daily gardening reduced subjects’ risk of dementia by 36%!

There’s also no denying that gardening boosts our mood. “I get a sense of well-being while I’m working with plants,” says Ken. “It feels good!” Interested in learning more about Splendido? For floor plans, photos, and information on upcoming events, visit splendidotucson.com.

Splendido resident Ken Simkins is reaping benefits from caring for his own plants as well as volunteering at Tohono Chul.

IT TAKES MORE THAN LUCK TO BUILD A GOOD

TUNE.

DIVERSIFY YOUR RETIREMENT WITH AN IRA CD.

April 16, at Tucson Symphony Center, 2175 N. Sixth Avenue. Tickets for either performance are $22. Info: 520-882-8585 or tucsonsymphony.org

SPECIAL EVENTS

High in the Desert Music + Cannabis + Food 420 Festival Thursday, April 20

Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road. Info: Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Department at 520-229-5050 or visit http://bitly.ws/CirQ.

Statewide Career Fair for 9-1-1 Dispatchers

Saturday, April 15

There’s a statewide shortage of 9-1-1 dispatchers so the Arizona chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials/National Emergency Number Association is hosting several job fairs. You do not need experience. Think you might be interested? Consider this: 911 dispatchers are critical to the safety of our communities. Imagine calling 9-11, and no one answered. Tucson’s job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at Pima Community College West, 2202 W. Anklam Road. There will be representatives from public safety answering points (or call centers to the rest of us) available to answer questions. Info: azapconena.org

Annual Percentage Yield (s) accurate as of 4/5/23. Consult your tax advisor about IRA eligibility,contributions, qualifications, and early withdrawal penalties. Certificates (CDs) earn dividends. Subject to approval. Certain restrictions may apply. Minimum opening deposit of $500. Early withdrawal penalties may apply. Early withdrawals, fees, and other conditions could reduce the earnings on the account. Subject to change. Membership required. ¹Traditional and Roth. Federally insured by NCUA.

Brought to you by Bl_nk Media, Tucson Doobie and Tucson Foodie, High in the Desert features Los Angeles-based reggae band Iya Terra, Seattle-based hip-hop artist Grieves, Phoenix hip-hop artists Mouse Powell, Sacramento’s Chuuwee, the Tucson reggae act Desert Fish and hip-hop artist Marley B. DJ EVOL will spin between sets and the show is emceed by YoungMe. A cannabis expo and marketplace will feature local growers and more than 40 cannabis industry brands. Food from local restaurants and food trucks will be available. Hand-washing and hydration stations will be provided throughout the festival grounds. From 2:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at the MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento. Tickets are $40 to $100. Info: highinthedesert.com

Celebrate

Oro Valley Saturday, April 8

This free, family-friendly event features a farmers market, live music, dance performances by Ballet Folklorico Los Mextucaz and Tucson Casineros, a petting zoo by Funny Foot Farm, archeology demonstrations, vendors, Pusch House tours and Oro Valley department booths with games and giveaways. From 8 a.m. to noon, Steam

Western Experience

To Sunday, May 7

Journey into a Western Experience at Old Tucson Studios, through Sunday, May 7, and witness the spirit of the Old West come alive. Get a glimpse of a historic town in Arizona territory during the 1800s and enjoy live action cowboy gun fights, death defying stunts, rides and attractions. Tickets — $34 for adults, $17 for children (5-11) — include admission and attractions. Western Experience will be open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays. Western Experience at Old Tucson Studios, 201 S. Kinney Road. Info: oldtucson.com 

SPELLING from Page 1

County Region 6

Fifth place: Alrick James, fourth grade, age 9, Estrella Foothills Global Academy, Laveen School District, Maricopa County Region 3

The 2023 Arizona Spelling Bee event was held at the Madison Performing Arts Center in Phoenix. It was the 25th year the event was coordinated by the Arizona Educational Foundation. Spellers competed against each other from different school locations across the state. Arizona has one of the largest spelling bee participation rates in the nation, with over 484,122 students competing from all schools that are eligible to compete across the state, including public, private, charter and home schools.

“It’s thrilling and inspiring to see the dedication and determination of these students,” said Dr. Teresa Hill, AEF deputy director and coordinator for the Arizona Spelling Bee. “Being a champion speller takes thousands of hours of hard work, and it’s exciting to see all of

Marana Middle School student Karen Opoku-Appoh won the 2023 Arizona Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 18, by correctly spelling “passage.” (Arizona Educational Foundation/Submitted)

the students showcasing their talents at the bee.”

AEF was the recipient of a $25,000

grant from Thunderbirds Charities to support the Arizona State Spelling Bee this year.

“We are proud to support The Arizona State Spelling Bee, hosted by the Arizona Educational Foundation,” said Michael Golding, Thunderbirds Charities president. “This program provides another opportunity for students to improve upon their literacy skills in a fun and exciting way. We look forward to this event each year and are proud of the students’ hard work and dedication.”

For the two students who place first and second place in the State Spelling Bee, AEF supports travel for the students and their chaperones to represent Arizona as official champions in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland.

The 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals will be broadcast live on ION Thursday, June 1.

A video recording of the spelling bee has been uploaded to the Arizona Educational Foundation’s YouTube channel and website after April 1. 

a whole bunch of things — glue sticks and glitter, foam, nuts and bolts, whatever — and let them just create.”

Treasures4Teachers is run on donations and prayer. This month, however, Ledford received good news in the form of a $25,000 grant from Angel Charity for Children. She could hardly believe it when she heard the news.

“The Angel Charity, winning that was a freak,” she said.

“I never expected that. I applied on a whim. I hadn’t applied before because it’s a very hard grant to get… (I thought) if we get it, we get it. If we don’t, we don’t, we’ll try for another one, and they called me, and I almost died.”

Tucson-based Angel Charity strives to meet the needs of all Pima County children ages 0 to 18. It’s an impossible task, of course, but that doesn’t stop the members from working toward that

from Page 7

goal, to which they are committed said, vice chair Carrie Durham.

One way they do it is by raising money, then giving grants to Pima County nonprofits that serve children. This year Treasures4Teachers was one of seven nonprofits that were awarded a check, out of the more than 50 that applied. It was no small task to apply.

“It’s pretty extensive,” Durham said. “They are required to be a 501(c)(3) (charity organization). They are required to submit documentation of who they are, what they do, audits, tax returns. They basically have to show the work they have been doing and the demographics that they serve.”

Then there’s the presentation for the charity selection committee of Angel Charity, where Ledford told the story of Treasures4Teachers. Their mission fell right into Angel Charity’s purview.

“A lot of us in that body were remembering Covid, remembering how devastating that was to families and how

families immediately learned how important teachers are,” Durham said.

“There is such a lack of funding to teachers through the state of Arizona. (The grant) was trying to do whatever we could and can do to help the teachers have an easier time educating our children.”

Treasures for Teachers works by membership: $35 a year for unlimited shopping. It’s not just loose items; it’s books — lots of books, including textbooks, picture books, middle school and young adult novels and books that help teachers deal with children’s emotional issues.

There are classroom posters and dry erase markers; yarn and knitting needles; games, puzzles and electronics, like a working printer just waiting for a new home. Many items are free; many cost $1 or $2. Then there’s the $5 bag, where a member teacher may walk the aisles and fill the bag.

“It’s $35 a year,” Ledford said. “We’re open four days a week. They can come all four days if they want and take as

much as they want.”

That $35 membership fee is part of what Ledford plans to do with the grant money.

“On April 1 we are giving away 100 free memberships to teachers,” Ledford said. She also gave away six T for T-Mobiles, which is when they deliver bags of supplies and snacks to Title 1 schools worth about $1,200 each. Finally, the grant will go toward the salaries of two part-time employees.

The organization runs on donations — items and money. One of their donors is Joann Fabrics, which sends goods that might otherwise end up in a landfill. It’s the same with their local dollar store. Most people think of office supplies when they think of classroom needs, but Ledford wants something else.

“(People) think of paper and pencils and crayons and markers,” Ledford said. “No. I don’t want any of that stuff. What I prefer is loose parts (for) science projects. These are things teachers have to spend money on at the oth -

er big box stores.”

Ledford is also asking for toilet paper rolls (the inner cardboard part), egg cartons and, frankly, money.

“Teachers suffered during the pandemic,” Ledford said. “I saw a lot of crying teachers, and then they got a bad rap because the kids weren’t learning. We weren’t ready to handle (the shutdown) properly. The kids are behind so we’re struggling to catch up. People say, ‘Why do you have to have this kind of place?’ Because it helps the kids to learn better.”

“That group of people for Treasures4Teachers is just amazing, and again, we cannot do enough for teachers right now,” Durham added. 

Treasures4Teachers

6800 N. Camino Martin, Suite 124, Tucson 520-425-3956 t4teachers.org Angel Charity for Children angelcharity.org

Join Us!

Hands-on STEAM concepts. Themes include Degoba (Star Wars), Mad Hatter Tea Party, Cat Bus, Minecraft and more! Make Mini Worlds

Kids Summer Camp 2023

June 5 to 30, 2023

Weekly Sessions for Ages 6 to12

Half days: 9 a.m. to Noon OR 1p.m. to 4 p.m.

Kids Camp!

Towns, museums and theaters hosting classes and camps this summer

BY SUMMER AGUIRRE

Tucson Local Media Sta

Summertime means camp, and The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures is offering weekly sessions for children to learn and have fun.

The Tucson museum — which is dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of miniatures — is hosting multiple week-long summer camps through its education department from either 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. from June 5 through June 30.

The camps will incorporate hands-on

STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) concepts in an exciting setting for kids ages 6 to 12 to create, build and explore. The cost is $175 per child.

“We want them to have fun, and then we try to weave in some educational components that they can take with them,” said Director of Education Djamila Jean-Charles. “We also want them to learn some practical tools, like sculpting, and (foster) a greater appreciation for exploration and creativity. Just opening up the space so they can get their hands dirty.”

New to this year’s camp series, sessions will be organized into beginner and advanced levels. The former is geared toward children who have less arts and crafts or camp experience, may need additional assistance using certain craft supplies and tools, and require further guidance on their project. Advanced camps are for those who have taken previous classes, camps or workshops; are able to work independently; feel com-

The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures is hosting its annual week-long, half-day summer camps from Monday, June 5 through Friday, June 30.

(Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures/Submitted)

fortable using a variety of tools; and need less guidance while creating their project.

Each camp is limited to 20 participants to maintain a quality experience.

The museum’s summer camps, according to Jean-Charles, each explore a different theme through which kids will learn practical and academic skills.

Sessions focus on creating an imaginary world based on a childhood book, movie or game — such as Hayao Miyazaki films, or the Confessions and Guilty Pleasures games.

Some of this summer’s camps include The Mad Hatter Tea Party, which

See MINIATURES Page 10

will focus on entomology, gardening, natural dyes and chemistry; while children participating in the Mini Mushroom Go Cart session will learn about basic mechanical concepts, electronics and fungi.

All materials and supplies are provided for the kids to complete each project.

“Typically, we do work with recycled materials. We just want the kids to get a sense of what they can use at home and then also use during camp and

what they can create with it,” JeanCharles said. “But for example, for our Minecraft Garden (camp), hopefully we’ll get a chance to work with (technology nonprofit) We Care Tucson. So they’ll provide computers so kids can actually make some three-dimensional models and we can 3D print here at the museum.”

This summer’s instructors are Adair Steig, a Ph.D. student in Anthropology at the University of Arizona; Augustine, an entomologist with five years of experience in entomology and ecology edu-

The museum’s camps are for kids ages 6 to 12, and incorporate

ronment for them to create, build and explore. (Mini

cational outreach with K-12 students; and Tasha Burr, a teacher and educator who is also a member of Tucson Miniature Society and Miniature Club Casita. Children should arrive at camp dressed in comfortable clothing for play, as well as appropriate snacks labeled with their name and a bottle of water.

The museum’s annual summer camp series, which has been held for nearly a

decade, is one of several events that its education department hosts throughout the year. Children can also enjoy camps during spring and fall break, and Minis for All monthly DIY mini projects for at-home creation.

“It’s just more exploration for the art of miniature making, but trying to make it palatable for the kids…” JeanCharles said. “We try to just focus on making tiny things.” 

STEAM concepts in a fun envi-

Time Machine Museum of Miniatures/Submitted)

Summer at the Y is filled with fun

By Tucson Local Media Sta

Friendship, fun and adventure are the building blocks of a child’s ideal summer vacation. At the Y, children can make this ideal fantasy a reality.

The Y offers eight weeks of full days dedicated to fun-filled summer activities such as games, treasure hunts, water games to cool down, sports and fieldtrips, to name a few. Parents can choose to sign their children up for the entirety of the summer festivities, or they can choose their favorite “theme week.”

Campers at the Y learn how to not only have fun but to find a love for learning. Children engage in play-based learning from the various different programs and curricula that the Y has set in place, this is beneficial to those who are struggling with learning loss, and it helps advance reading and math skills.

The Y allows children to participate in hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) literacy and

civics activities that spark their imagination and make their minds roam free. This ensures parents will have peace of mind knowing that their child is not only having fun, but also being productive.

All registrants must have a Y membership (monthly, includes facility usage) or a Y program membership (one-time an-

nual fee, does not include access to gym facilities) to register for summer camp.

On the Y’s website, tucsonymca.org, it provides the theme for each week, a sample of the daily schedule, personal items allowed, and times to pick up and drop off children.

The Y serves children from 5 to 12 years old.

A $5 deposit is required for wrap-around programming, which is nonrefundable and due at the time of registration. Extended programming will have limited availability. It’s recommended to sign up for wrap-around programming at the same time you register for camp.

The Y also provides families with a tiered

FUNFORTHE WHOLEFAMILY

pricing system to accommodate those who are struggling yet still want to have their children do something engaging during the summer. Those applying for financial assistance must complete an application located on their website, and those with questions are encouraged to contact them at foryouth@tucsonymca.org.

The Y's three-tier pricing system starts with tier A, which most accurately reflects the true cost of camp, including depreciation, operational and administrative costs. Second, tier B is a partially subsidized rate for those who cannot quite afford the total cost of camp. Its pricing is available using promo code YDCAMPB during the registration process. Lastly, tier C's pricing is available using promo code YDCAMPC during the registration process.

Payments will be automatically scheduled 16 days before the start date of the camp week. Registration for each week will close 14 days before the start date of the camp week. 

SUN, APRIL 30, 2023 | 12-4pm

Pinspiration builds confidence through art

BY MORGAN OWEN

Tucson Local Media Sta

At first glance, Pinspiration might look like an ordinary craft store, but in reality, it is something very different. Instead of navigating the uncertain journey of learning a new craft alone, aspiring creators can come to Pinspiration for guidance, supplies and community.

Upon arrival, customers choose from a preset list of crafts while Pinspiration provides the supplies and guidance; many of Pinspiration’s crafts are not projects that people typically can accomplish at home, said owner Tess Chua. One such craft is splatter art, which she said customers love because it yields consistently enigmatic results.

For the everyday visitor, Chua said Pinspiration builds confidence for customers unsure of their artistic abilities without the stress or complication of doing it at home.

“The biggest thing is people find it OK, or safe, to bring their family and friends into a place like this to do things that one or two or three of them may not be comfortable with because they don’t like art

Pinspiration’s summer camp allows kids to do crafts that they wouldn’t be able to do at home, like splatter painting. (Pinspiration/Submitted)

or know how to do it,” Chua said. For kids, Chua had something bigger in mind. Children rarely have enough time to sit and do arts and crafts, said Chua, and they aren’t taught how to be creative in school. That is why Pinspiration will be offering 10 weeks of summer camp programming for ages 6-12.

Each day of camp, kids will make two to three themed projects. Each day they will focus on something different, creating crafts ranging from canvas painting to macramé. For Chua, the camps are about teaching kids to spend time being creative and having fun in a world full of responsibilities.

Even if parents only have a day or two free over summer break, Chua encourages them to sign up for a single day. Pinspiration provides daily rates in addition to weekly rates for those who need flexibility in their schedule. For the people who fall in love, she said their kids could attend every camp session, and still not repeat a craft.

The kids are always excited to walk through the door, said Chua, and the camp helps them build creativity. There are rarely kids who aren’t engaged, she said. For many of the parents, Chua added, sending their kids to the camp is about giving them opportunities they never had.

“I created summer programs to help kids that are missing out on what I always thought was so important when I

At Pinspiration, children have the opportunity to find their artistic voices in a judgment-free space. (Pinspiration/Submitted)

was growing up – learning about art, and using that to be creative, destress and calm down,” said Chua.

In addition to offering programs for kids ages 6-12, Pinspiration also has a teen summer program designed to help older kids focus on one creative project and take it to the next level. That camp is

just a couple days a week, but it will help teens turn simple art projects into something extraordinary, said Chua.

“It takes just a moment to stop and learn to be creative…In Tucson, specifically, what a great time to open up your imagination than in the middle of the day when it’s too hot in the summer.” 

The teen camp gives older kids the opportunity to do exciting arts projects and explore their creativity as burgeoning adults. (Pinspiration/Submitted)

Pinspiration Summer Camps

WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon June 5 to Aug. 8

WHERE: Pinspiration, 7090 N. Oracle Road, Tucson

COST: $50 per day, $220 per week

INFO: pinspiration.com/locations/tucson/

First organized in 1948, the Arizona Biennial is a much-anticipated juried exhibition that showcases some of the most innovative and diverse new works being created in the state.

Eli Blasko, We Choose the Moon (detail), 2020, office paper, .5 x 7 x 7 in.

Summer camps aplenty this break

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Sta

Summer camps are all about having fun. Whether kids want to be handy in the kitchen or be the watermelon seed-spitting champ, there’s something for everyone.

Arizona Dynamics Gymnastics Camps

3949 W. Costco Drive, Suite 101, Tucson | 520-742-1444 azdynamics.com

Arizona Dynamics Gymnastics Camps offers a variety of camps during school breaks throughout the year. See its website for details.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum 2023 N. Kinney Road, Tucson 520-883-2702 desertmuseum.org dcolodner@desertmuseum.org

Arts Express Summer Camp Park Place, 5870 E. Broadway Boulevard, Suite 214, Tucson 520-319-0400 arts-express.org karen@arts-express.org “Finding Nemo Jr.:” May 30 to June 22

for ages 8 to 18. $900. “Legally Blonde Jr.:” June 26 to July 27 for ages 8 to 18. $1,080

Astronomy Camp

The University of Arizona 933 N. Cherry Avenue, Tucson 520-621-4079

astronomycamp.org

dmccarthy@as.arizona.edu

Astronomy Camp provides opportunities to explore the skies and the environment. Each camp is immersive, combing all four STEM subjects. The staff emphasizes a hands-on learning approach with activities driven by student involvement and interest. A prior background in astronomy is not required, neither is a connection with The University of Arizona.

Champions

7450 E. Stella Road, Tucson 6188 E. Pima Street, Tucson 1-800-246-2154

discoverchampions.com

ch001305@discoverchampions.com

Each week there’s a different theme — innovation, movement, creativity, friendship and outdoor. The camps include

Museum of Art

RUMOURS 4/7

MUSIC CITY HITMAKERS 4/15

Nashville songwriters - The most famous people you’ve never heard of sing the songs that made someone else famous!

MUSIC CITY HIT-MAKERS CONCERT SET LIST!

A Little More Summertime, Jason Aldean

Fast Cars and Freedom, Rascal Flatts

How Forever Feels, Kenny Chesney

I Know You Won’t, Carrie Underwood

Take Me There, Rascal Flatts

There Goes My Life, Kenny Chesney

I’m Still A Guy, Brad Paisley

In Color, Jamey Johnson

It Ain’t My Fault, Brothers Osborne

Southern Girl, Tim McGraw

Whiskey and You, Chris Stapleton

You’re Gonna Miss This, Trace Adkins

MUSIC & MOVIES 2ND SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN 4/8

MUSIC: TIREBITERS 7PM

MOVIE SCREENING: ALMOST FAMOUS 8PM

morning activities, lunch, free outdoor play, afternoon activities, snacks, outdoor free play and then departure. Details, pricing and times vary by location.

Cuisine Classique Summer Camps

1060 W. Magee Road, Tucson 520-797-1677

cuisineclassique.com

mardi@cuisineclassique.com

Cuisine Classique features eight sessions, broken down by age, throughout the summer. The kids will learn breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners. Each day is educational. For pricing and dates, see the website.

Heart & Soul Kids Activity Center

8363 N. Oracle Road, Tucson 520-818-7974

heartandsoulkids.com

heartandsoul@heartandsoulkids.com

Heart and Soul Oro Valley offers eight weeks of camps, from ninjas to princesses, water games to messes. No gymnastics skills required. Water Works Camp is May 30 to June 2; Ninja Camp is June 5 to

June 9; Mad Scientist Camp is June 12 to June 16; Mess-a-Palooza Camp is June 19 to June 23; Superheroes and Princesses Camp is June 26 to June 30; Spy School Camp is July 10 to July 14; Exploration Station Camp is July 17 to July 21 and Anything Goes Camp is July 24 to July 28. See website for registration and pricing.

Houston’s Horse Camp

12801 E. Speedway Boulevard, Tucson 520-298-7450

tucsonhorsebackriding.com

bobbi@tucsonhorsebackriding.com

Houston’s Summer Horse Camp is a way for riders aged 6 to 17 to learn the basics of horsemanship, meet new friends and enjoy the outdoors. The camp runs from 7 to 11 a.m., four days a week. Riders are assigned their own horse for the week and daily activities include lessons on groundwork, tack and tacking, horse health and wellness and riding. The cost, $350 per week, includes daily snacks as well as a Houston’s Horseback Riding T-shirt.

The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson

520-881-0606

theminitimemachine.org

From June 5 to June 30, the week-long summer camps for ages 6 to 12 incorporate hands-on STEAM concepts in a fun environment designed for campers to build, explore and create. Each session explores a different theme and all materials and supplies to complete each project are provided. To ensure a quality experience, each camp is limited to 20 participants. Tuition is $175 per session, per child.

Old Pueblo Gymnastics Camps

7670 E. Wrightstown Road, Tucson 520-628-4355

oldpueblogymnastics.com frontdesk@oldpueblogymnastics.com

Summer camps are held weekly and require a membership. Kids are grouped based on age (typically 4 to 5 year olds, 6 to 8 year olds and 8 to 10 year olds), but final grouping depends on the ages of the individuals who sign up for each camp.

Playformance Summer Camp

119 E. Toole Avenue, Tucson 520-623-3904

playformancetucson.com

playformance@icloud.com

At Playformance, children connect, learn and play through the facility’s day camp. It offers a variety of physical play and activities designed for children of all temperaments and athletic inclination. In its 7,000-square-foot facility, kids are engaged with the coaching team. See website for offerings and pricing.

Reid Park Zoo

3400 Zoo Court, Tucson 520-837-8200

reidparkzoo.org

vivian.vanpeenen@tucsonaz.gov

Kids will embark on a summer camp safari of sorts with day camps for children entering first to fifth grade in the fall. The activities include games, crafts, scavenger hunts and the chance to meet zookeepers. The price is $285 for zoo member children; $335 for nonmember children. Scholarships are available.

Shine! Performing Arts Camp

4020 E. River Road, Tucson 520-577-6064

tucsongirlschorus.org

See CAMPS Page 17

professional theatre, complete with costumes, set, lighting, and sound. In addition, musical theater shows are performed with a live band. Prices are $30 to $135. The camps are:

Campers will explore STEAM topics throughout the summer. Weeklong halfday camps run May 30 to July 28 for ages 4 to 10. Costs differ for nonmembers and members. Visit the website for offerings and pricing.

in-depth lessons in art making. Please note: TMA’s art camp will be closed the week of July 3 to July 7. Prices are $250 per week for members; $275 per week for nonmembers; $40 after care.

Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club Summer Camp

jedelbrock@tucsongirlschorus.org

The summer camp runs June 5 to June 9, and June 12 to June 16 at $300 per week; sibling and multiweek discounts available. Shine campers ages 6 to 12 will learn songs from Broadway, movies and the radio, and put on a revue-style performance at the end of each week.

Trak

3230 N. Craycroft Road, Tucson 520-298-9808

traktucson.org/programs/#camps trakranch@gmail.com

Camps run from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday, and they have sessions throughout the summer. Kids ages 5 to 14 cost $425 for members, $450 for nonmembers.

Troubadour Theatre Summer Camps

3308 E. Grant Road, Tucson 602-790-6876

troubadourtheatre.com

troubadourtheartre@yahoo.com

All performing arts camp sessions conclude with a fully mounted live performance for family and friends in a real

“Rock, Roll, Repeat! Music Camp:” June 5 to June 16

“First Spotlight Acting Camp:” June 5 to June 16

“Antic Arts Comedic Acting Camp:” June 19 to June 30

“Broadway Bound Musical Theatre:” July 5 to July 21

“Dungeons & Dragons Game Camp:” July 17 to July 21

Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus 5770 E. Pima Street, Tucson 520-296-6277 boyschorus.org tabc@boyschorus.org

The camp is June 12 to June 16 and includes a week of adventure, including singing, rodeo roping, acting and stagecraft. It’s offered in two sessions, based on age, with three half days of camp and two full days. Camp locations include the TABC Chorus Hall, Reid Park, and a local theater. The price is $185 for early-bird pricing until April 30; $225 for boys new to the chorus; $195 for current choristers.

Tucson Children’s Museum

200 S. Sixth Avenue, Tucson 520-792-9985 childrensmuseumtucson.org

6-10

Tucson Museum of Art Camps Alice Chaiten Baker Center for Art Education 166 N. Alameda, Tucson tucsonmuseumofart.org Register: https://bit.ly/TMASummerCamps education@tucsonmuseumofart. org

Inspired by the permanent collection and special exhibitions, the museum offers summer art classes for ages 5 to 13 to express their creativity and produce original works of art. Classes of up to 12 to 15 children (grouped by age) discover new places and diverse cultures through visits to the museum galleries and historic buildings. Draw, paint, sculpt, collage, print and more at the Tucson Museum of Art. Each weekly session is led by local teaching artists and art educators focusing on

Weeklong half-day camps May 30-July 28 Ages 4-10

4001 N. Country Club Road, Tucson 520-303-7902 tucsonracquetclub.com summercamp@tucsonracquetclub. com

The day camps include junior tennis camp; junior all-sports camp; soccer camp; peewee sports camp; and peewee soccer camp. In the evening, the club features junior evening tennis camp.

Y Summer Camp

Various locations around Tucson tucsonymca.org/program/summercamp

The YMCA offers eight weeks of fullday summer programming. Each themebased week is led by trained staff and is packed with activities, games, treasure hunts, water fun, sports and fieldtrips. Camps are for ages 5 to 12. 

Please visit ChildrensMuseumTucson.org/camps for more information and to register

Shine! Performing Arts Camp

CAMPS from Page 16

SPORTS & RECREATION EXTRA POINT WITH TOM DANEHY

With baseball, the new rules are a good thing

BY TOM DANEHY Tucson Local Media Columnist

Iam so old that when I was young, baseball was actually cool. We all played baseball back then, although for many of us, it was something of a filler between the end of basketball season and the start of football practice. But we played the game and we knew all the stars. Of course, that was before steroids and player strikes and the cancellation of the World Series. Nowadays, baseball is just kinda there.

Coming to a realization of the betterlate-than-never variety, Major League Baseball is making some radical changes to the way its games are contested in the hope of attracting new (and younger) viewers. The sad truth is that the median age of the average fan of Major League Baseball is dead, followed by really old.

The game faces many huge problems, including:

The games are interminable. Twen-

ty-five years ago, the games lasted way too long and now, they’re almost a half-hour longer, on average. The pitcher steps off the rubber. He looks at the runner on first base. He steps on, then off, then throws to first base. Meanwhile, the batter is stepping in and out of the box, adjusting his batting gloves. Fixing his helmet, pulling his wedgie. It takes forever!

There are almost no Black Americans in the major league. The sport is just way uncool. A stunningly low 7% of players in major league baseball are Black Americans. In the National Football League, that number is 58% and in the National Basketball Association, it’s 73%.

fireballers to shut down the opposing offense. And, as strikeouts have increased, the number of hits per game has gone down. That’s not good.

Unless you’re a fan of watching people strike out, the game has become much less exciting. A generation ago, the 100 mph fastball was a novelty, almost a freak-show thing. Now, every team has multiple pitchers who can throw that hard and, until recently, MLB rules allowed managers to bring in a string of

HIRING NURSES

HIRING NURSES

The gap between the haves and havenots is huge and it continues to widen. Back in the old days, I used to root for my hometown Dodgers. They would win (sometimes) through pitching and hustle. Now, they win all the time (except in the playoffs), but they do so by buying division titles. They’re boring. While it may be a case of too little, way too late, Major League Baseball is at least going to make an effort to fix the game and appeal to new fans. The new rules include: A pitch clock. This is probably the most controversial of all of the new rules. From the time they receive the ball back from the catcher, a pitcher will have 15 seconds to throw a pitch (20 seconds if there is a runner on base). Batters will have 8 seconds to get in the box and stay there or be charged with a strike. It sounds like heaven.

Back in the day, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson would get the ball back from the catcher, rock back and

throw the next pitch in one motion. Los Angeles Times columnist Jim Murray said that Gibson pitched like “he had a taxi waiting for him with the meter running.” I once saw a batter step out while Gibson was in his pitching motion. Instead of stopping, Gibson just threw the ball at the batter, hitting him in the back. (Gibson was a large, athletic man; nobody charged the mound when he was pitching.)

There will also be a 30-second clock between batters and time for 2-minute media commercials between innings. In Spring Training, these rules have already cut nearly 30 minutes off game times.

Defensive shifts have been banned. This actually started back when Ted Williams was playing. He was one of the greatest hitters of all time, but the shift that was employed against him might have cost him another 20 points on his lifetime batting average.

When the computer geeks got hold of the strategy, it exploded. Now, there must be two infielders on either side of second base and they must have both feet on the infield dirt when the pitch is thrown. This isn’t going to lower the number of strikeouts, but it should lead to more hits and more offense. They also increased the size of the bases, hoping that it will cut down the number of collisions at first base and may even lead to more stolen bases (since the bases are now 4.5 inches closer to each other). It is a game of inches. There will always be the old timers who feel that the game was perfect just as it was. It wasn’t, and this may not be any better, but at least they’re trying. 

Athlete of the Week: Sarah Goldman

Shortly after finishing her latest singles opponent 6-0, 6-0 with a dizzying combination of laser-focused forehands, perfect-touch backhands and a serve that appears to defy the laws of physics by jumping (and seemingly accelerating) at the receiver after contacting the ground — Sarah Goldman is told by an onlooker to smile.

“I am smiling,” she deadpans, as she sits and awaits her doubles match. Undertakers probably smile more.

The Ironwood Ridge sophomore made it to state last year, but got bounced relatively early. She wants more this year. It has been an uncharacteristically rough start for her Nighthawk team. They lost to powerful Rincon/University and Catalina Foothills by 9-0 scores, but they also suffered lopsided losses to Marana (8-1), Sahuarita (7-2) and Nogales (6-3). Through it all, their roster had been somewhat fluid due to a couple minor injuries and some other off-court stuff. But they finally hit their stride with a win over district opponent Amphi and appeared poised to take on powerhouses Salpointe and Canyon Del Oro in the following week. Goldman lost her matches to Rincon and Foothills, but the latter one still rankles her to this day. “She won the first set, but I came back and won the second one. So, we went to a tie-breaker.”

exciting and nerve-wracking exercise in skill and will, one in which one bad shot or an out-of-nowhere double fault on a serve can cost a player the entire match.

“Against Foothills, we were battling and (exchanging) ground strokes. It was fun. But, in the tie-breaker, she totally changed her strategy. She started lobbing the ball, just getting it back, waiting for me to mess up. I didn’t adjust well to the change.” She lost the tie-breaker 10-6. “It was a lesson I learned.”

Watching from the sidelines is her father, well-known local immigration attorney, Mo Goldman. While Sarah would love to compete for a state championship before she’s done at Ironwood Ridge, her dad actually was a state champion. He was part of the boys basketball team at Green Fields Country Day School that won a state title under (then) first-year coach Brian Peabody, a Pima County Athletic Hall of Famer who is now at Pima College.

As much as she aims high on the tennis court, her academic endeavors are equally rigorous. Only a sophomore, she is taking physics and intro to calculus — two courses often not taken (if taken at all) until one’s senior year. While she enjoys her math and science classes, she has no idea what she wants to study in college, which is still a long way off.

In such cases in high-school tennis (where a match is tied at one set apiece), a full third set is not played. Instead, they play a tie-breaker up to 10 points. It’s an

After taking a short break and hydrating a bit on the first really warm day of the season, she and her doubles partner, Charlotte Pierce, win their doubles match, 8-2.

Then she smiles. 

Edited by Will Shortz No. 1209

Edited by Will Shortz

HOROSCOPE By

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Someone you relied on might resist your request for help. Get the facts behind their decision before jumping to conclusions. You might be in for a surprise.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It's a good time for the winter-weary Bovine to start plans for spring redecorating. Indulge in something super beautiful for your home. You deserve it.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) An inner conflict might keep you from taking the first step toward healing an old wound. Seek the advice of a trusted friend for help in dealing with your uncertainty.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Change can bring confusion. You need to take a strong stand to make sure your rights are respected despite all the fuss and fury going on around you.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Your financial situation continues to improve, although you still need to watch those expenses. Something from the past could affect a current situation.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Problems adjusting to a new job and unfamiliar surroundings might tempt you to give up. But hang in there -- things get better in time.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Decision time is near. Talk out your doubts with trusted advisers. If your misgivings still outweigh your enthusiasm, it's best to rethink the whole deal.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A situation has you

puzzled. Be patient. The answers you seek will soon come from a source very close to the person at the center of your curiosity.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your usually active social life is in super-high gear through this week. Your hectic party-going pace eases into a period of quiet time by the weekend.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) You need to start narrowing down those several new options that have come your way to just the two or three you really want to pursue.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) It's a wise Water Bearer who nurtures a fading friendship back to vibrant health. At work, a once-shelved idea is suddenly being reconsidered.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You might feel swamped by a flood of work-related obligations, but the support of a trusted associate helps you get through each one successfully.

BORN THIS WEEK: You are a caring person who often puts your own needs aside to help others. You have a gift for cultivating beautiful gardens.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc. 

Home inspection concern

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