Bear Essential News December 2020, Tucson Edition

Bear 40 YEARS!

December 2020 • Tucson Edition • www.bearessentialnews.com

essential news

®

Happ y

Holi days!

In This Picture: Find a snowman, a heart, a holiday bell, a winter mitten, a gingerbread man, the word HOPE, a musical note, an elf’s shoe, a gift bow and year 2021.

FEATURE

NEWS

NEWS

A mazing A nimal Heroes Lonely Elephant Gets Herd ST EM A dventure!

Critters can be heroes, too! pages 8 & 9

Spotlight on inaugurations News Highlights page 3

& more news kids can use Scoops pages 5, 11, 13 & 14

GAMES

FAMILIES

Holiday Fun

Hot Chocolate

with Boomer Bear!

Page 12

Fab holiday recipes Page 16

2

BEAR 40 YEARS •

December 2020

www.bearessentialnews.com

December 2020 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

News Highlights

Inauguration Day Is a Long-standing Tradition

Photo source: Four Paws via AP

Lonely Elephant Finally Gets Home Kaavan, a 36-year old elephant who has been called the world’s loneliest elephant, has arrived to start his new life at a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia thanks to the help and serious determination of a team of people.

Kaavan lived in a Pakistani zoo for the last 35 years in a small enclosure that lacked the natural environment he needed, and he has been without a companion for the last eight years.

In 2016, an unlikely ALLY learned about Kaavan’s story: Cher. The Oscar-winning actress and singer is also the co-founder of a wildlife protection charity called Free the Wild. Cher was certainly not the first to advocate for a new life for Kaavan, but her charity’s involvement helped lead to a court order earlier this year closing the zoo and ordering all animals at the zoo to be relocated, including Kaavan.

Along with U.S. businessman Eric Margolis and the group Four Paws International, Cher’s charity helped pay for Kaavan’s relocation.

A team of vets and experts from Four Paws spent months in Pakistan, getting Kaavan ready for his move. The head of the Four Paws International team, Dr. Amir Khalil, found an unlikely way to connect with him: music.

“My initial plan was just to examine Kaavan and work on making him fit for travel, but for some reason he seemed to like my voice,” said Khalil to CBS News.

Khalil said he spent hours standing at the back of

Kaavan, left, meets a new friend.

Kaavan’s enclosure trying to gain his trust. It turns out that Kaavan was a big fan of Frank Sinatra songs and Khalil’s voice.

The bond allowed Khalil to lead Kaavan into the specially-designed crate for his more than sevenhour flight aboard a cargo plane to the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary in Siem Reap.

Before his departure, Kaavan got to meet Cher, who offered her elephant friend a bite to eat and a song for the music-loving pachyderm.

Kaavan is in a controlled environment for the first month, but shortly after arriving he used his trunk to reach out and tentatively greet a fellow elephant for the first time in eight years. After the first month, he will be free to roam the 25,000-acre sanctuary and enjoy his new life with other elephants.

Food Program’s Work Wins Nobel Peace Prize The Nobel Peace Prize for 2020 was awarded to an organization, the World Food Programme. With this year’s award, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to turn the eyes of the world towards the millions of people who suffer from or face the threat of hunger, according to the announcement.

The Nobel Committee recognized the World Food Programme for “its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.”

The World Food Programme is part of the United Nations. It was created as an experimental program in 1961 at the request of U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower. WFP provides aid during emergencies and also works with communities to build food security and improve nutrition.

In 2019, 135 million people suffered from ACUTE

hunger, and the WFP assisted 97 million people in 88 countries. The coronavirus pandemic has increased food insecurity for people in the U.S. and around the world this year. According to the Nobel Committee, the world is in danger of experiencing a hunger crisis of inconceivable proportions if the World Food Programme and other food assistance organizations do not receive support.

You can help by making a donation to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. In 1975, The Food Action Coalition of Tucson became the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Today, The organization serves five counties and works with more than 300 local agencies to distribute and serve food to those in need.

To drop off a non-perishable food donation, go to 3003 S. Country Club Rd. in Tucson. Mail donations to P.O. Box 551, Tucson, AZ, 85702-0551. You can make an online donation at www.communityfoodbank.org.

3

Every four years, the new President of the United States RECITES a 35-word oath and is sworn in to serve the country.

But why is it done this way? How is the date picked? Where does the oath come from?

The Constitution of the United States established both the words that are used in the oath and the date for Inauguration Day, March 4.

George Washington was first sworn in on April 30, 1789, in New York, but his second inauguration was held on March 4, 1793.

Inaugurations were held on that date for many years, unless they fell on a Sunday or were administered in times of emergency.

This date was originally selected so there was enough time after Election Day for votes

Inauguration Facts: · When is Inauguration Day? January 20 · How many words are in the oath? 35 · Who delivered the shortest speech? George Washington · Who had the first parade?

James Madison

Inauguration of President Warren G. Harding in 1921

Image: wikimedia.org

B

BEAR 40 YEARS

to be counted and to allow the newly-elected candidate time to travel to the capital.

However, as technology and transportation improved over the years, the inauguration date was moved to Jan. 20 with the passage of the 20th Amendment in 1933.

After reciting the oath, the newly sworn-in president traditionally makes a speech known as an inaugural address. George Washington made the shortest speech in history, only 135 words, in 1793. William Henry Harrison’s speech was 8,445 words, and he spoke for one hour and 45 minutes at his inauguration in 1841!

After the ceremony, there’s a parade to kick off the festivities. The first organized parade was held in 1809 for James Madison.

The parade is usually held rain or shine.

William Taft’s inaugural parade was held during a blizzard in 1902, but the temperature was so frigid in 1985 that Ronald Reagan’s second inaugural parade was cancelled.

After the parade, the celebrations continue indoors with inaugural balls, a tradition that also started with James Madison. Bill Clinton holds the record for having the most inaugural balls—there were 14 balls held to celebrate his second inauguration in 1997!

BEAR 40 YEARS •

www.bearessentialnews.com

December 2020

KIDS!

Play It Safe!

IMPORTANT Safety Tips!

Use the number code to complete these important toy safety tips:

1. Throw away plastic ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 26

1

7

21

21

15

1

12

and all ___ ___ ___ ___ that toys come in so nobody 5

7

16

12

chokes or suffocates on them.

2. Read ___ ___ ___ & gift ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 20

14

22

9

to know how to use them safely.

7

5

15

22

12

3. Also, buy a ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ when you buy a 13

15

22

6

bicycle, inline skates or scooters.

15

20

4. Buy ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ and ___ ___ ___ ___ 26

1

18

12

25

20

17

15

15

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ and a helmet when 16

24

7

1

8

12

you purchase inline skates.

5. Before you buy gifts and toys, read age-group ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ .

22

7

5

15

22

12

6. Talk to your ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ before 21

7

1

15

17

20

12

you play with ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 7

20

13

equipment for the first time.

22

15

20

18

2

7. Put your toys and gifts in a safe place so that younger ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ or 5

1

12

18

14

20

13

15

1

20

15

1

12

12

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ don’t get into 12

dangerous situations.

Letter Code 1=r 2=c 3=f 4=z

5=b 6=m 7=a 8=d

9=y 10=v 11=j 12=s

13=h 14=o 15=e 16=g

17=n 18=i 19=x 20=t

21=p 22=l 23=q 24=u

Protecting children from unsafe toys is the responsibility of everyone. Careful toy selection and proper supervision of children at play is still—and always will be—the best way to protect children from toy related injuries. With more purchases being made online, parents don’t have the ability to see the product in person to review the safety level of the toy. Over 200,000 children each year are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for toy related injuries.

Holiday Safety Tips!

• Buy age-appropriate toys • Read safety labels • Properly dispose of plastic bags and packing materials • Riding toys are responsible for the majority of toy injuries among children ages 14 and under.

• When visiting friends & family be extra careful to keep an eye on kids. Not everyone lives in a child-proof home!

• Caution with button batteries!

The number of serious injuries or deaths as a result of button batteries has increased more than 9-fold in the past decade.

The average age of a child seen in the emergency department for swallowing a button battery is 3.9 years.

25=k 26=w

Answers: 1. wrappers—bags, 2. toy —labels, 3. helmet, 4. wrist—knee guards 5. labels, 6. parents—athletic, 7. brothers—sisters,

4

(U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

December 2020 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

Get the Scoop!

Going on a STEM Adventure!

by Reporters Ellie & Madison Divijak Dove Mountain CSTEM K–8 In November, we participated in the Arizona STEM Adventure, which was planned by many local organizations. These groups included: SARSEF, Northwest Pima Community College, The STEMAZing Project, Office of the Pima County School Superintendent, the University of Arizona Office of Societal Impacts, Raytheon, IBM, and Thomas R. Brown Foundations.

We were able to pick up supplies to complete activities each day along with videos that were posted online.

There were 1,633 students who picked up supplies to participate and even more may have participated with their own supplies! There were 32 volunteers who worked for over 200 hours to put together the kits!

Some of the things we created included: elephant toothpaste, silly putty, screaming balloons, building your own aquifer and straw oboes. We watched videos of people showing us how to use our supplies to create the projects. For example, to create silly putty, we used a diluted glue sample, a bag with borax, a small container of water, a measuring spoon, a support cup and a plate. We had most of the supplies provided and were able to use a few others from home. Our two favorite activities were making silly putty and elephant

toothpaste because they were so much fun.

SARSEF Volunteer and Events Manager Danniey Wrights says, “Because AZ STEM Adventure has always been about interaction and hands-on activities, the greatest challenge was re-envisioning the event to keep those important aspects while students and teachers participate remotely. We also knew we had to keep in mind that some students will be inside a classroom, while some students will be at home. We worked hard to figure out what could work for everyone with so much changing every day!”

Wrights said that her favorite part of the event this year was preparing for the live broadcast.

“We have live tours prepared, scientists to interview, as well as engaging activities! Students are encouraged to ask questions and comment in the chat in real time,” says Wrights. “We have been practicing and working out the logistics, and I’m just so excited to end the week with such a cool event!”

Wrights says that over 1,600 people signed up through their teacher’s and got kits.

We attended the four hour YouTube live broadcast hosted by Emily Halvorson-Otts, Dean of Science at Pima Community College NW, to conclude our week of learning.

MORE STEM ADVENTURE, page 11 ➧

Story of a Christmas Tradition

by Reporter Lizzy Barrett, Old Vail Middle School Did you know that Legoland wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the poinsettia plant? A poinsettia plant is a small Mexican shrub with large scarlet bracts.

Poinsettia plants are native to Mexico and Central America where they grow in moist, wet, wooded ravines and on rocky hillsides. In 2002, Congress passed an act that made Dec. 12 National Poinsettia Day. That date was chosen because it was the day Joel Roberts Poinsett died.

According to the American Phytopathological Society, “It was introduced to the United States in 1828, when the first American ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, noticed the fiery red plants flourishing in Taxco.”

Poinsett was born on March 2, 1779, and died Dec. 12, 1851. Poinsett was a horticulturist—a person who works with growing fruits, vegetables, flowers or ornamental plants. Poinsett was an accomplished amateur botanist, so he brought a cutting from the plant from Mexico that was renamed the poinsettia in his honor.

An old Mexican legend that is associated with Christmas talks about a poor Mexican girl named Pepita. She was upset that she had no gift for Jesus at the Christmas Eve service. Her cousin told her that it doesn’t matter how humble the gift was, if it was given in love, it is acceptable. Pepita gathered together a scraggly bunch of weeds into a bouquet and she laid them at the nativity scene.

MORE POINSETTIA, page 11 ➧

BEAR 40 YEARS

5

News Stories Written by Kids— for Kids Among Us Is Very Popular Game

by Reporter Camilla Valdez La Paloma Academy Lakeside Many games have become famous in the U.S., however the new game Among Us has stood out. This game first became popular after people on TikTok started talking about it. Soon enough, people started downloading and falling in love with this new game.

You may be wondering, what is it about? This game is about teamwork and betrayal. One person is an imposter; the other people are crewmates who have to fix the ship. The imposter has to sabotage the ship and blame other crewmates.

Whenever an emergency meeting is called all the people playing (even the imposter) have to guess who the imposter is. If you are an imposter then you try and blame other crewmates in order to win the game.

The game has over 3 million downloads and is one of the most popular games in the world. Not only can you get this game on your phone, but you can get this game on your tablet or even computer! The game is really interesting and fun. I have it on my phone, tablet and computer. It is really fun because you can play with your friends, and to make it even better you can change the location. If you want a challenge and you think that playing with one imposter is too easy, then you can change the setting so that two or even three people can be imposters. Plus, if you are suspicious of someone then you can tell the other players through the chat.

This game is super fun and I definitely recommend this game to anyone.

REPORT FOR BEAR! Call us at:

520-792-9930 sponsors

6

BEAR 40 YEARS •

www.bearessentialnews.com

December 2020

December Skate Sale!

10 FREE Passes with Every New Skate Purchase

5

5 5

For $

Bring in this coupon

and for $5 get admission for up to 5 skaters.

Open every day of your Winter Vacation!

www.skatecountry.com 7980 E. 22nd St.

298-4409

Valid only Mon.–Fri., 1–4 p.m.

Dec. 20, 2020—Jan. 3, 2021.

Not valid for birthday parties or day cares. Limit one coupon per week.

Skate Rental Extra.

Closed Christmas Day

5

For $

Bring in this coupon

and for $5 get admission for up to 5 skaters.

Valid only Mon.–Fri., 3–6 p.m.

Dec. 20, 2020—Jan. 3, 2021.

Not valid for birthday parties or day cares.

Skate Rental Extra.

Closed Christmas Day

Lots of Holiday Coloring FUN!

Enter to WIN a SPECIAL EDITION COLORING BOOK!

Enter online at BearEssentialNews.com (Click on CONTESTS)

Does the Family Need to Get Out? Come see us at the

Presidio Museum!

Field Trip/Group Educational Programs • Available on YOUR schedule • Supports Arizona State Education Standards • See website for Zoom and live options

Safe - Outdoors - Available Now! Photos taken pre-COVID. Masks required on site.

196 N. Court Ave., Tucson

520-622-0594

TucsonPresidio.com

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

December 2020 •

BEAR 40 YEARS

7

Animal Her es

Page 8

BEAR 40 YEARS •

December 2020

www.bearessentialnews.com

They help us every day in many ways—and it’s time to tell their stories!

A Whole Herd of Heroes at TRAK There’s a ranch here in town that got its start by introducing Tucson-area kids with challenges to some very special horses.

TRAK (Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids) started 13 years ago. “Jill Prickett-Tilley and Scott Tilley—they founded TRAK. Jill’s background is in special education. So she’s worked with kids who have had traumatic backgrounds who have traditionally received services for whatever reason,” explains Jordyn Carter, development officer for TRAK. Prickett-Tilley wanted to find a more meaningful therapy than what was traditionally being offered. “If you would teach them how to care for animals and teach them to become a service provider themselves, their self-confidence goes through the roof.

And that process transfers to their entire life,” Carter explains. Inclusivity is an important part of the culture at TRAK, which has just under 20 workers and dozens and dozens of volunteers, who can be as young as 12.

And while TRAK has a variety of animals at the ranch, it’s a whole herd of hero horses that ection at TRAK Making that vital conn shine, not only helping kids, but people of all ages! Currently, TRAK has 33 horses for its wide range of programs. The youngest, Tinka, was born two years ago on the ranch. And the oldest is 32.

But what makes for a hero horse when it comes to therapy? Some TRAK participants have physical or mental disabilities. Some have been mistreated or abused or have lost a parent. Some veterans at TRAK suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). And some kids and adults are there just to learn how to relate to, care for and ride a horse better!

“Horses are the best therapeutic tool. They’re non-judgmental,” Carter explains. “Each horse has to go through a process to make sure they are fit and qualified to be here. Our horses have to be calm; they have to have a certain TEMPERMENT. So most of our horses, I would say, are on the older side. Our average age is 15.”

The therapy horses have a willingness to be still and calm and to be in the moment with a person! They have to be very trusting. Surprisingly, many of these hero horses are donated to TRAK and are a variety of breeds.

“We have an Appaloosa, most are Quarter Horse; we have one that’s part Clydesdale; we have some Paints; we have an Arabian—so we have lots of different breeds out here. We also have five miniature horses,”

Carter points out.

Being so young, Tinka is still in training to be a therapy horse.

One of the most popular horses with participants is Norman the Clydesdale. He’s also the biggest horse on the ranch—a gentle giant that loves munching on Nature Valley granola bars. Norman seems to like being the center of attention and his calmness makes him perfect for many of the dozens of therapeutic programs TRAK offers, including Tiny Trailblazers, which is for those just 18 months to 4 years old.

Ginger is also a favorite. A Quarter Horse fairly new to the ranch, she is a small mare, almost pony-sized. She is described as being very calm and willing to teach.

Izzy is a smaller horse as well and does well for beginners who are learning to ride and for older kids, too. Dude and Ditto are known for their gentleness and calmness and are retired from riding.

And then there are Dusty, Baby Ray and Romeo—horses in adjacent stalls at TRAK that love tossing those orange traffic cones back and forth!

“When it’s a one-on-one situation with the horse, they just have this ability to teach you so much about yourself, about emotions that you’re carrying,” Carter explains. “In that moment of stillness, of calmness, they want that connection with a human being.”

For more about TRAK and its many programs, visit traktucson.org.

LEFT, It’s amazing what you can learn about yourself by working with a horse!

ABOVE, Bubba the St. Bernard has the run of the ranch and also visits clinics and nursing care homes.

December 2020

BEAR 40 YEARS

Page 9

Awesome Animals

Horse Hero Promoted to Staff Sergeant Would you believe that a horse made Life magazine’s list of America’s 100 all-time heroes?

During the Korean War, a Marine lieutenant bought a small, 5-year-old mare for $250 from a Korean racetrack. It trained to be a pack animal to HAUL heavy ammunition for the platoon that operated the large recoilless rifles (known as reckless rifles) for the 5th Regiment of the 1st Marine Division.

The gentle horse soon bonded with the Marines and was allowed to roam about the camp freely, occasionally ducking into tents on cold nights. In the mornings, she enjoyed chowing on scrambled eggs and pancakes to go with her coffee.

She would train to haul heavy loads through the worst battlefield conditions. After being led by a trainer just a couple times along a route, she could be trusted to follow it on her own!

Fittingly, they named her Reckless.

During a battle, the horse made 51 solo trips in one day, going up and down steep hills.

•

Fill in the Blank Activity

When I want to practice reading aloud, I can read to a _____(animal).

It’s relaxing to watch _______(animals) when they _________(verb).

A trained dog can help people __________ (verb) and ___________(verb).

Reckless ended up delivering nearly 5 tons of much needed ammunition. She also shielded four Marines who needed to reach the front lines. She was wounded twice during the battle.

In the field, Reckless was promoted to corporal in 1953 and then to sergeant the following year shortly after the war had ended. This amazing horse was decorated nine times and earned two Purple Hearts for being wounded during the battle.

A few years after her arrival to the United States, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Randolph Pate, promoted Reckless to staff sergeant. This hero horse spent her final years being pampered at Camp Pendleton, California.

Animals Helping with Scientific Research Pinnipeds are providing important data to help climate change researchers. Scientists in the Antarctic did not have a good way to take measurements in the waters in the Southern Sea as portions of the sea are under ice, some that melts and reforms seasonally. Getting data from the frozen waters, especially water under the ice, was tricky.

So the researcher turned to elephant seals. These marine mammals routinely swim under the ice, spending as much as 90 percent of their time underwater. So researchers put the seals’ deep diving skills to use to monitor currents and flows in these icy waters. Sensors on the seals’ bodies and heads measure the temperature and salinity of the water.

Ocean waters are a major storage place for carbon and heat, and flows can affect how much is absorbed. According to an August New York Times article, Swedish researchers were surprised to find that eddies under the ice are almost as active as those in the open ocean, even in the middle of winter when the ice is thick. One downside to using seals is that they don’t follow directions! They go where they want to go, usually swimming after squid and other tasty treats.

Dolly Pawton Is a Hero!

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards named Dolly Pawton as the 2020 Service Hero Dog. Dolly, a 4-year-old Labrador retriever, is a cardiac dog for her owner, Amy. Amy uses a wheelchair and suffers from anxiety and several medical conditions.

Dolly Pawton alerts Amy if her blood pressure drops or if her heart rate accelerates too much.

Besides keeping Amy safe, Dolly Pawton has offered her handler companionship, comfort and confidence. Amy, who rarely left her home before she met Dolly, wrote and illustrated a children’s book called “Pawsibly the Best Medicine” which shares their story. She and Dolly Pawton also traveled to schools to teach kids about the importance of service animals.

I think a ________ is the best companion animal because it can _______(verb).

I love the sounds a _______ makes because they make me feel _________(adjective).

A _______ would be good to travel with because it can ______(verb) very _____ (adverb).

To do research in ________(noun/place), you could put a monitor/camera on a ________ because it can ____________(verb)_______ (adverb).

In the future, I think _______ may be used to ___________(verb).

I think _______ are ______(adjective) because they can _______(verb) so ______ (adverb).

What Makes a Hero?

Boomer Bear wants to know what you think goes into making a hero! Is it doing a brave act?

Overcoming a major setback? A life dedicated to helping others? Share what you think below.

Animal Her es

Page 8

BEAR 40 YEARS •

December 2020

www.bearessentialnews.com

They help us every day in many ways—and it’s time to tell their stories!

A Whole Herd of Heroes at TRAK There’s a ranch here in town that got its start by introducing Tucson-area kids with challenges to some very special horses.

TRAK (Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids) started 13 years ago. “Jill Prickett-Tilley and Scott Tilley—they founded TRAK. Jill’s background is in special education. So she’s worked with kids who have had traumatic backgrounds who have traditionally received services for whatever reason,” explains Jordyn Carter, development officer for TRAK. Prickett-Tilley wanted to find a more meaningful therapy than what was traditionally being offered. “If you would teach them how to care for animals and teach them to become a service provider themselves, their self-confidence goes through the roof.

And that process transfers to their entire life,” Carter explains. Inclusivity is an important part of the culture at TRAK, which has just under 20 workers and dozens and dozens of volunteers, who can be as young as 12.

And while TRAK has a variety of animals at the ranch, it’s a whole herd of hero horses that ection at TRAK Making that vital conn shine, not only helping kids, but people of all ages! Currently, TRAK has 33 horses for its wide range of programs. The youngest, Tinka, was born two years ago on the ranch. And the oldest is 32.

But what makes for a hero horse when it comes to therapy? Some TRAK participants have physical or mental disabilities. Some have been mistreated or abused or have lost a parent. Some veterans at TRAK suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). And some kids and adults are there just to learn how to relate to, care for and ride a horse better!

“Horses are the best therapeutic tool. They’re non-judgmental,” Carter explains. “Each horse has to go through a process to make sure they are fit and qualified to be here. Our horses have to be calm; they have to have a certain TEMPERMENT. So most of our horses, I would say, are on the older side. Our average age is 15.”

The therapy horses have a willingness to be still and calm and to be in the moment with a person! They have to be very trusting. Surprisingly, many of these hero horses are donated to TRAK and are a variety of breeds.

“We have an Appaloosa, most are Quarter Horse; we have one that’s part Clydesdale; we have some Paints; we have an Arabian—so we have lots of different breeds out here. We also have five miniature horses,”

Carter points out.

Being so young, Tinka is still in training to be a therapy horse.

One of the most popular horses with participants is Norman the Clydesdale. He’s also the biggest horse on the ranch—a gentle giant that loves munching on Nature Valley granola bars. Norman seems to like being the center of attention and his calmness makes him perfect for many of the dozens of therapeutic programs TRAK offers, including Tiny Trailblazers, which is for those just 18 months to 4 years old.

Ginger is also a favorite. A Quarter Horse fairly new to the ranch, she is a small mare, almost pony-sized. She is described as being very calm and willing to teach.

Izzy is a smaller horse as well and does well for beginners who are learning to ride and for older kids, too. Dude and Ditto are known for their gentleness and calmness and are retired from riding.

And then there are Dusty, Baby Ray and Romeo—horses in adjacent stalls at TRAK that love tossing those orange traffic cones back and forth!

“When it’s a one-on-one situation with the horse, they just have this ability to teach you so much about yourself, about emotions that you’re carrying,” Carter explains. “In that moment of stillness, of calmness, they want that connection with a human being.”

For more about TRAK and its many programs, visit traktucson.org.

LEFT, It’s amazing what you can learn about yourself by working with a horse!

ABOVE, Bubba the St. Bernard has the run of the ranch and also visits clinics and nursing care homes.

December 2020

BEAR 40 YEARS

Page 9

Awesome Animals

Horse Hero Promoted to Staff Sergeant Would you believe that a horse made Life magazine’s list of America’s 100 all-time heroes?

During the Korean War, a Marine lieutenant bought a small, 5-year-old mare for $250 from a Korean racetrack. It trained to be a pack animal to HAUL heavy ammunition for the platoon that operated the large recoilless rifles (known as reckless rifles) for the 5th Regiment of the 1st Marine Division.

The gentle horse soon bonded with the Marines and was allowed to roam about the camp freely, occasionally ducking into tents on cold nights. In the mornings, she enjoyed chowing on scrambled eggs and pancakes to go with her coffee.

She would train to haul heavy loads through the worst battlefield conditions. After being led by a trainer just a couple times along a route, she could be trusted to follow it on her own!

Fittingly, they named her Reckless.

During a battle, the horse made 51 solo trips in one day, going up and down steep hills.

•

Fill in the Blank Activity

When I want to practice reading aloud, I can read to a _____(animal).

It’s relaxing to watch _______(animals) when they _________(verb).

A trained dog can help people __________ (verb) and ___________(verb).

Reckless ended up delivering nearly 5 tons of much needed ammunition. She also shielded four Marines who needed to reach the front lines. She was wounded twice during the battle.

In the field, Reckless was promoted to corporal in 1953 and then to sergeant the following year shortly after the war had ended. This amazing horse was decorated nine times and earned two Purple Hearts for being wounded during the battle.

A few years after her arrival to the United States, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Randolph Pate, promoted Reckless to staff sergeant. This hero horse spent her final years being pampered at Camp Pendleton, California.

Animals Helping with Scientific Research Pinnipeds are providing important data to help climate change researchers. Scientists in the Antarctic did not have a good way to take measurements in the waters in the Southern Sea as portions of the sea are under ice, some that melts and reforms seasonally. Getting data from the frozen waters, especially water under the ice, was tricky.

So the researcher turned to elephant seals. These marine mammals routinely swim under the ice, spending as much as 90 percent of their time underwater. So researchers put the seals’ deep diving skills to use to monitor currents and flows in these icy waters. Sensors on the seals’ bodies and heads measure the temperature and salinity of the water.

Ocean waters are a major storage place for carbon and heat, and flows can affect how much is absorbed. According to an August New York Times article, Swedish researchers were surprised to find that eddies under the ice are almost as active as those in the open ocean, even in the middle of winter when the ice is thick. One downside to using seals is that they don’t follow directions! They go where they want to go, usually swimming after squid and other tasty treats.

Dolly Pawton Is a Hero!

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards named Dolly Pawton as the 2020 Service Hero Dog. Dolly, a 4-year-old Labrador retriever, is a cardiac dog for her owner, Amy. Amy uses a wheelchair and suffers from anxiety and several medical conditions.

Dolly Pawton alerts Amy if her blood pressure drops or if her heart rate accelerates too much.

Besides keeping Amy safe, Dolly Pawton has offered her handler companionship, comfort and confidence. Amy, who rarely left her home before she met Dolly, wrote and illustrated a children’s book called “Pawsibly the Best Medicine” which shares their story. She and Dolly Pawton also traveled to schools to teach kids about the importance of service animals.

I think a ________ is the best companion animal because it can _______(verb).

I love the sounds a _______ makes because they make me feel _________(adjective).

A _______ would be good to travel with because it can ______(verb) very _____ (adverb).

To do research in ________(noun/place), you could put a monitor/camera on a ________ because it can ____________(verb)_______ (adverb).

In the future, I think _______ may be used to ___________(verb).

I think _______ are ______(adjective) because they can _______(verb) so ______ (adverb).

What Makes a Hero?

Boomer Bear wants to know what you think goes into making a hero! Is it doing a brave act?

Overcoming a major setback? A life dedicated to helping others? Share what you think below.

10

BEAR 40 YEARS

www.bearessentialnews.com

• December 2020

s y a d i l o H y p p a H

Volume 42 • Issue 3

Editor & Publisher

Nancy Holmes

City Editor

YR Coordinator

Copy Editor

Art Director

Mike Loghry

Gary Shepard

Renee Griffith

from

Sales Director & Publisher

Stephen B Gin

Julie Madden

Bear Essential News for Kids®

is published monthly by Kids’ View Communications Corp. to educate, enrich and entertain children and their families. Content of this newspaper is designed to promote reading and writing skills as well as creativity.

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Call or fax Kids’ View Communications for any additional information on stories.

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Get the Scoop!

BEAR 40 YEARS

11

Continued from page 5

More STEM Adventure

We were able to see many speakers as well as tours. Our favorite speakers were Calline Sanchez, Vice President of IBM, and Yvonne Mayfield, a NASA Ambassador. We loved the tours of Pima Community College technology building and Biosphere 2.

If you missed the activities, you can still find information online at: azstemadventure.org.

More Poinsettia They transformed into brilliant blooms of red. Those flowers are now known as Flores de Noche Buena, or the Flowers of the Holy Night, since they bloom at the Christmas season.

The Aztecs had a significant history with poinsettias. Poinsettias were known as the symbol of purity. They are said to bring the wishes of mirth and celebration. According to the 2015 Britannica Student Encyclopedia, in 1400 AD, the Aztecs used the milky sap of the poinsettia plant to control fevers.

They also used the red bracts of the plant to create dye.

The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas plant thanks to the Ecke family.

Albert Ecke, founder of the Paul Ecke Ranch, thought they would make good Christmas plants. The ranch breeds and grows poinsettia plants. Paul Ecke Jr. built the poinsettia into a Christmas tradition, giving samples to women’s magazines and promoting the plant on TV shows during the 1960s. According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, “The Ecke family used their assets to grow some of San Diego County’s most popular destinations including Legoland, the Flower Fields…,” etc. Ecke Jr. formed Carltas Co. and essentially gave away 180 acres in Carlsbad, California, to help form Legoland.

MORE SCOOPS, page 13 ➧

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

www.bearessentialnews.com

December 2020

Boomer’s Boredom-Busting Activity Page

Up for a little Holiday Fun? Hand-Made Gifts Are Fun to Make— and Give!

Find the gift ideas in the Word Search, and then get started on your own gift-making adventure!

cookies

collage

poem

mixed CD

frame

mug

recipe

coffee

photo

flower pot

cards

scarf

book

jewelry

ornament bread

START

Help Boomer Bear make his way to the North Pole.

He has a cousin there who helps make the toys that get delivered around this time of year!

FINISH!

Color the Art!

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

B

Get the Scoop!

Get the Scoop on Phoenix Zoo’s ZooLights

Continued from page 5

Zoohes in t

! s w e N

by Reporter Nava Nelson, Homeschool

‘Twas late in November and, hurrah—the annual ZooLights are back! I had the opportunity to virtually interview Linda Hardwick, Director of Communications at the Phoenix Zoo. “We are going on our 29th season of ZooLights,” Hardwick says. “So it is a long-standing tradition, almost three decades...and this year, we are bigger, brighter, and better than ever!”

She says that the hardest part about prepping the lights is that they have just a few staff members setting them up. “It is a team of only four guys, and they actually start in June. It takes them that long to wrap all the trees, put up the armatures and get all the lights strung everywhere they need to. ZooLights runs from November through the end of January, and by the time they take the lights down, it’s the end of March.”

Wow! Hardwick says the foursome is decorating during temperatures as hot as 116 degrees Fahrenheit!

Due to COVID-19 there are changes to this year’s ZooLights. It will still be lots of fun, though! Here are some tips for ZooLights this year. How will you visit? Drive-through or stroll. Purchase your tickets online as many drive-through nights are already sold out. For walking through, they have enlarged footprints on the ground to ensure everyone stays a safe distance, and they also require masks. Learn more at phoenixzoo.org.

Wildlife World Reopens for Visitors

by Elite Reporter Athena O’Brien The Wildlife World Zoo is open after almost five months of being closed because of COVID-19. To celebrate this event, I interviewed Mickey Ollson, the founder of Wildlife World Zoo. Ollson wanted a zoo from the time he was very young. When he was 10, he drew a map of his zoo.

He had always loved animals, since he grew up on a farm with all sorts of farm animals, birds, and the family’s dogs. He even once had a pet alligator!

Ollson taught school in Glendale, but he never gave up on wanting to have a zoo. After 20 years of teaching, Ollson finally got his zoo. Ollson’s favorite animals are birds and hoofed animals, like giraffes. When Ollson was younger, he went to a zoo where they had a Patas monkey. Ollson says that he promised himself that he was going to have Patas monkeys in his zoo, and he does.

He says that his favorite part of running a zoo is that something new happens every day.

He says that the hardest part is not the animals, but the people. There are a lot of people to work with, including the government for things like permits.

Zoos like the Wildlife World Zoo used to import animals from other countries by capturing them in the wild. Ollson says that most animals in modern zoos were born and raised in captivity. When my parents were younger, zoos might have looked like prisons for the animals—they were enclosed in cells

because people believed that the animals couldn’t handle outdoor climates. Today, the Wildlife World Zoo makes habitats look like an animal’s natural environment. Ollson says, “If it comes from a forest, we try to simulate a forest; if it comes from a jungle, we simulate a jungle…”

The Wildlife World Zoo has a large staff of dieticians and veterinarians to keep the animals healthy. As a result, these animals will live longer than their counterparts in the wild. These animals have no predators, and they get special diets and good medical care. The animals are entertained by watching the humans that come to look at them, just like we are entertained by watching them. While the zoo was shut down due to COVID-19, the animals became even more excited to see the keepers, and made noises of excitement.

In addition to displaying animals, zoos also help conserve animals. The Wildlife World Zoo and other zoos breed endangered species and release them into the wild. The California Condor was saved from extinction by zoos. It can now be seen at the Grand Canyon, and in California.

December 2020 •

BEAR 40 YEARS

13

Changes & Fun Events Coming to Reid Park Zoo

by Reporter Aiden Vaughan Esmond Station K–8 Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo is one of the 12 zoos we have in Arizona. It started in 1965 as a very small zoo. Every year Reid Park Zoo puts up their lights during the holiday season to bring joy and fun during Christmas time.

This year the ZooLights will be going from Dec. 4–23, with a break for Christmas Eve and Christmas, and then from Dec. 26– 30.

Tickets are available for 5:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. at entry points. This year, numbers of people attending are going to be reduced per day due to social distancing, but now you can socially distance meeting Santa in the new North Pole Village!

Not only is this year extremely different, but (in a much better way) the zoo is going to be too! Newly announced, Reid Park Zoo is undergoing changes to make it one of the best in the nation, and better at animal care and conservation. There are three phases to this project. The first phase includes adding a new Asian themed area to the zoo, with Asian temple ruins, and new animals, including red pandas, fishing cats, Malayan tigers and brilliantly-plumed birds.

Siamangs will also be added. In addition, A new reptile house is going to be added, including the largest lizard in the world, the Komodo Dragon, and giant fruit bats.

Phase two will include adding a new African area, and adding a new safari lodge with balconies and seating for 400. Phase three consists of adding a Mayan temple, and adding area expansion.

Reid Park Zoo is hosting virtual animal encounters for free on Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Check out Reid Park Zoo’s website for more information on other virtual meetings at reidparkzoo.org.

I interviewed Chelo Grubb, who works for Reid Park Zoo’s communications department.

She has been working at the zoo for about two years, managing ads and social media, and making sure the zoo stays connected in the virtual world. Her favorite part of the job is getting to see the animals every day.

“I am excited for the zoo to be open again, and I’m excited to have people come in again,” says Grubb.

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

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December 2020

Get the Scoop!

Continued from page 5

Meet Tucson’s Own Mandalorian

by Reporter Rori L. Divijak, Dove Mountain CSTEM K-8 One day in early April my dad took my sisters and me to play softball at Joaquin Murrieta Park. As we were playing, a Mandalorian drove up on his motorcycle and asked if he could join us. Due to the COVID-19 we all wore masks as we took turns pitching, hitting and fielding. At the end of our practice, the Mandalorian gave us each a gift card and told us to be the kindness we wanted to see in the world.

It turns out we had met Jula the Mandalorian, who had just begun to spread kindness in Tucson. Jula got his Mandalorian name from a Star Wars name generator. Jula put in the name Wren because Sabine Wren was the leader of the Mandalore and Jula says, “She was such a true patriot and a True Mandalorian.” Jula chose to be a Mandalorian because he says it is a vessel to help him spread kindness while keeping his identity hidden. He also connects the phrase, “This is the way” to his service in the Army Infantry.

Jula the Mandalorian started giving out Mandalorian tactical patches to children to recruit foundlings. The mission on his Facebook page is, “To make my environment a better place.” It turns out Jula the Mandalorian started spreading his kindness in Tucson with our family. Jula has spent thousands of dollars of his own money to show kindness to others. He goes to grocery stores, coffee shops and other locations and meets kids and encourages them to spread kindness in our community. He rides around Tucson on his motorcycle and hands out gift cards, patches, and even Mandalorian cookies.

Jula goes wherever his gut takes him; he lets destiny guide him to where he is meant to go. He says that every patch that he hands out is passing along the Mandalorian way. If you have a patch and you are a foundling then

you are part of Jula’s clan. Jula calls his clan the Western Mandalorian Rangers. When Jula makes you a foundling he asks that you keep spreading kindness whenever and wherever you go.

Jula is a military veteran and he turned his armor into Mandalorian armor. Just like the Mandalorian in the television show, Jula never takes off his helmet so his identity is unknown. Jula says, “I keep my helmet on because I believe that kindness does not need a face. Rather it should be a behavior that should be exemplified by all.” Jula encourages kindness. Whether that kindness is just waving at someone or, like Jula, recruiting foundlings, that one act of kindness can go a long way. Even though Jula is keeping his identity a secret he says he is alright with someone figuring out that it is him.

In November, my family returned to Joaquin Murrieta Park to practice softball and we were able to meet Jula the Mandalorian again. He joined us and we all practiced softball and had lots of fun. That day Mandalorian gave us a cookie of The Child, a Mandalorian cookie, a gift card, and a Mandalorian tactical patch for each of us—we are now officially foundlings! Jula called us The Lost Foundlings because we were the first ones he recruited and now we have the patches to show that we are part of Western Mandalorian Rangers.

As the Mandalorians say, “This is the way!”

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

Watch for our 8-page insert in BEAR next month!

December 2020 •

BEAR 40 YEARS

15

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

www.bearessentialnews.com

December 2020

HOT

e t a l o C hoc

BAR

Try these Fun Holiday Recipes!

S’Mores Hot Chocolate

Yoda Hot Cocoa

Ingredients

Ingredients

6 cups whole milk 1/4 cup granulated sugar 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips 2 tablespoons honey 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs 12 marshmallows Color the 6 small skewers

Green sprinkles 4 cups milk (any type including lactose-free milk) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 8 ounces white chocolate chips 2 drops green food coloring Color the Whipped cream Artwork!

8 candy eyes, divided

Instructions

Instructions

Artwork!

In a medium saucepot, heat milk and sugar to simmering over medium heat, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in chocolate chips until smooth.

Meanwhile, place honey on small plate.

Invert 6 mugs into honey; slide around until rims are lightly coated in honey. Place graham cracker crumbs in small bowl; twist mug rims into crumbs until coated. Thread 2 marshmallows onto each skewer.

Using kitchen blowtorch, open flame on gas stove, or broiler, lightly toast marshmallows.

Divide hot chocolate between prepared mugs.

Garnish with marshmallow skewers and serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings Serving size: 1 cup Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes

Recipe by Lori of Foxes Love Lemons

Dip the rim of the glass in water. Pour green sprinkles onto a plate or into a bowl and dip the edge of the wet glass in sprinkles, coating it in green.

In a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat, mix together milk, vanilla, food coloring and white chocolate.

Cook, stirring often, until the white chocolate comes to a simmer and is melted.

Do not let boil.

Remove from heat, pour hot chocolate into prepared mugs, top with whipped cream, sprinkles and two candy eyes.

Serve immediately.

Note: This drink is best in a clear mug.

Servings: 4 Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes

Recipe by Deb Thompson of Just Short of Crazy

Cheers to Chocolate!

For more delicious recipes go to

www.arizonamilk.org