Bear Essential News June 2018 Phoenix Edition

Bear

essential news

®

June 2018 • Phoenix Edition • www.bearessentialnews.com

COOL Summer

Summer Escapes!

In This Picture: a Father’s Day necktie, a book, a june bug, a movie ticket, the sun, a camping tent, sunglasses, a slice of watermelon, a popsicle and the word FUN!

Summer Fun

NEWS

Cool S umm er Escapes!

Geography Whiz Kid S umm er S afety!

Boomer shares great destinations. pages 8, 9 & 10

Spotlight on wildfire danger News Highlights page 5

FAMILIES

NEWS & more news kids can use Scoops pages 7, 12 & 14

Letters to Boomer Win Tickets!

Write to Boomer!

Page 2

Big Surf contest Pages 3 & 15

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BEAR 35 YEARS

www.bearessentialnews.com

• June 2018

B Letters to Boomer Write to Boomer Bear at

Bear Essential News • 2525 E. Broadway Blvd., #102 • Tucson, AZ 85716 or e-mail your letters to boomer@bearessentialnews.com

Dear Boomer, This summer my family and I plan to look at the stars!

Yours truly, G.J.

and funny, too. While I missed the lightsabers, I love Chewbacca’s big role. For some reason, I can really relate to Chewie.

Your buddy, Boomer Bear

That’s super cool, G.J.!

What a great thing for families to do. Sure, Arizona gets hot, but you’re out and about at nighttime when things are cooler. And our skies are crystal clear for so many of our evenings, too. What’s your favorite constellation? Mine’s the Big Dipper.

Star struck, Boomer Bear Dear Boomer,

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I’m going to stay sharp this summer by reading, going to museums, playing cribbage and Dicecapades.

See ya, E.P. Wow, E.P.!

Seems like you’ve got one heckuva plan! I’m glad reading is at the top of your list. And if you go to any awesome museums, be sure to send in a news story about it to encourage other kids and families to go.

Have fun and win a few for me, Boomer Bear Dear Boomer, For summer, I’m going to force my friend into watching the Star Wars movies she hasn’t seen yet.…And I’m going to sleep.

Yours truly, R.G. Dear R.G.,

Race once without a membership.

Must wear long sleeved shirt, long pants, helmet and tennis shoes.

Punny that you used the word “force.” I love getting together with my friends in the summer!

I just went with my buddies to see “Solo”— it was action-packed

Hi, Boomer!

This summer, I plan to stay at home and play drums, guitar and video games!

Your friend, S.S. Sounds amazing, S.S.!

I love making music, and my claws are perfect for plucking guitar strings! (My parents refuse to let me have a drum set though.)

Rock on!

Boomer Bear

Dear Boomer,

My summer plans include going on a hot air balloon ride in Phoenix, going to my brother’s tech camp and staying at a hotel, and going to the Discovery Center at Legoland.

Yours truly, L.B. Wow, L.B., that’s a lot of travel!

You’ll need to get up plenty early to travel to Phoenix—those hot air balloons like to fly in the cool morning air. Can’t wait for your stories about your summer adventures.

Have fun, Boomer Bear Hi, Boomer Bear!

To stay sharp this summer, I will swim every day.

Your friend, J.H. Hey, J.H.,

Have a Sensational Summer! r’s Check out Bea t Camp Guide a ! ntialNews.com e s s rE a e .B w w w

Being a polar bear, swimming’s one of my favorite things to do!

You’re one of the most athletic kids I know, so I hope being in the pool keeps you strong and helps you become even more coordinated.

Splish splash!

Boomer Bear Hi, Boomer!

This summer I’m planning to ride horses, take gymnastics and read.

Yours truly, S.S. Dear S.S., It’s great to see that you’re taking care of your body and your mind this summer! Sometimes horses get spooked around me, so I’m careful not to approach them. And I’m sort of big and bulky for gymnastics. But when it comes to reading, I’m top-notch!

Readers are winners, Boomer Bear

June 2018 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

Win a Little Surfer PARTY PACKAGE for 10 at Big Surf Waterpark!

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Help Boomer find his way to the waterpark!

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BEAR 35 YEARS

ear B r e m o Bo ou y d n e s o wants t y for 10 at to a Partf Waterpark Big Sur ummer! this s ENTER TO WIN!

Complete the maze activity and send it in to Bear Essential News • 2525 E. Broadway Blvd.

Suite 102 • Tucson, AZ 85716

Waterpark Party Entry Form Name: _________________________________ Address: _______________________________ City: __________________ State: ___________ Phone #: _______________________________ Email: _________________________________ Must be 14 or younger to enter. One winner per family, and group must be accompanied by an adult.

Winner by random drawing.

Entry Deadline: June 30, 2018

Keep up with BEAR all summer long!

Find Your Copy of Bear Essential News this Summer at Your

local library Or, check it out at BearEssentialNews.com

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• June 2018

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then click on “Guides” for a fun list of summer camps, and sign up for Bear’s newsletter while you’re there, too!

Bear Essential News/Tooth Talk 2525 E. Broadway Blvd. #102 Tucson, AZ 85716

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June 2018 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

B

News Highlights

Arizona Teen Reaches Finals in Geography Bee

by Bryan Pietsch, Cronkite News

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Gayatri Kaimal grinned and immediately scribbled down an answer when she heard the question: What species of cactus has a national monument named for it at the U.S.-Mexico border?

The Tucson middle schooler may have had a homefield advantage over the other contestants in the final rounds of the National Geographic Bee on May 23.

“I knew it right away,” Gayatri, 13, said of the organ pipe cactus, namesake for the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Southern Arizona. Most contestants guessed the more famous saguaro cactus.

It was that type of quick thinking that landed the BASIS Tucson North seventh-grader in the final six of the competition, which began with students around the country last year who were narrowed down to the 54 who squared off in Washington, D.C., for the 30th annual bee.

Those 54 represented every state and the District of Columbia, the Pacific territories, the Atlantic territories and Department of Defense schools. Rounds spanned several days, until 10 contestants were left in a crowded auditorium full of nervous parents and antsy siblings.

Seated behind desks that looked like they came from a TV game show, host Mo Rocca alternated

Gayatri, a BASIS stude nt, made it to the Final Six!

between questions to individual students and questions to the group as a whole, for which contestants were given 12 seconds to jot down an answer.

Questions covered the globe—literally and figuratively—with students asked everything from the official state crustacean of Louisiana to the Viking settlement that would become Dublin to an African geologic feature that spits acid.

“I don’t think any of the questions were extremely hard,” Gayatri said after the competition. “It was just all the pressure on you to perform.”

There were also less stressful moments, including one intermission when contestants asked Rocca trivia questions about their home states. Gayatri stumped Rocca by asking him which Indian reservation is located inside another reservation, referring to the Hopi reservation that is surrounded by the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona.

Hawaii’s Kilauea Continues Its Fiery Eruption

Since the volcano first erupted on May 3, more than It’s that time of year in our sunny state—time to 2,000 earthquakes have hit the area. make an escape to cooler climates and sandy beachAlso, ash is still erupting from the volcano’s summit. es! One popular destination for some families is the At one point in May when the volcano erupted, Kilauea beautiful state of Hawaii. Unfortunately, Hawaii is a little less appealing right now for both tourists and resi- launched a cloud of ash up to 10,000 feet in the air!

The air presents several dents of the Big Island. challenges as well. “Vog,” or Last month, the Kilauea volcanic smog, is a gas mixvolcano started erupting on ture that includes sulfur dioxide Hawaii’s Big Island. Since and other pollutants mixed with then, approximately 2,500 resmoisture and dust—definitely idents on the island have had not something you want to be to evacuate due to the lava breathing in! Another bi-product that’s consuming everything in of the volcano is “laze,” the term its path. for lava and haze, which forms Lava has even been shootwhen the hot lava mixes with ing several hundred feet into the A fiery river of lava flows down a road. ocean water. Laze sends nasty air and at one point flowed on particles into the air and has proved deadly in past land so quickly that it covered almost a half-mile in 80 volcanic eruptions. Kilauea is one of the most active minutes! The lava has damaged more than 400 power volcanos on Earth. poles, numerous cell phone towers, and at least 75 In Guatemala, Volcan de Fuego (Volcano of Fire) structures. had a very violent eruption on June 3, killing at least 69 Lava is not the only threat that the Kilauea volcano people and forcing the evacuation of thousands. is leveling at the Big Island’s residents and visitors.

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Preparing for Wildfires With very little rain this year, our parched state faces what could be an extremely tough wildfire season.

We’re already into the wildfire season for the Southwest, and Gov. Doug Ducey has doubled Arizona’s budget for thinning and clearing areas where too many fuels have built up.

He also has held press conferences to inform the public about the highly flammable conditions around the state.

Much of the state has suffered drought for the past two decades, and currently most areas, including Phoenix and Tucson, are in “extreme drought” conditions or even worse!

So the governor is calling on everyone in the state to be careful during their summer fun. If you and your family are in an open space, be aware of and obey all fire restrictions. Adults need to follow smoking restrictions for areas and be careful to snuff out their cigarettes completely. Even a trailer’s tow chains dragging on the road can spark an uncontrollable wildfire.

For homeowners living in more rural areas, Gov. Ducey asks that they clear the vegetation (fuels) from around their property. It’s not just about preventing forest fires anymore.

In fact, there’s a grassroots message we all need to keep in mind: “One less spark, one less wildfire.”

The buildup of fuels like overly dense forests, dead or dying trees and easily ignitable finer fuels like dried grass pose a real wildfire danger. In response, the state budget to thin out these fuels so wildfires don’t burn so intensely has been doubled this year from $1 million to $2 million. “(Reducing fuels through thinning and prescribed burns) will not only improve our forests in terms of health, they’ll improve our watershed, they’ll have fewer fires burning with less intensity,” Gov. Ducey said at a press conference in Tucson this month.

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BEAR 35 YEARS

www.bearessentialnews.com

• June 2018

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June 2018 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

Get the Scoop!

Stay Safe this Summer

by Reporter Melanie Maravilla, Arizona Desert Elementary School will soon be out for the summer. Being safe is important. What will you do to stay safe?

Officer Chris Medaglia, a School Resource Officer for the City of Tolleson who helps kids make sure they are safe at school. He also teaches safety classes.

“My main job is to make sure that kids are safe when they are coming to school and when they are going home,” says Medaglia.

When school is out and students are at home, Medaglia has some safety tips: • Tell your parents where you are.

• Drink a lot of water (stay hydrated).

• Stay away from pools unless supervised.

• Play safe on the playground.

• Wear your helmet when you’re riding your bike.

• Wear sunblock so you won’t get sunburned.

• Know your parents’ name, their phone number and your address.

• Be careful when crossing the street.

• Stay away from people you don’t know.

• When you are home alone, stay safe and don’t open the door.

“I want all of the kids to be safe and not in danger,” says Medaglia. “Call 911 if there is danger, ask a neighbor or adult that you know, or tell someone in your family if help is needed.”

Adviser: Karen Golden

Valley Gridiron Star O’Guinn Signs with Utes

by Reporter Carsten Fuller, Highland Lakes School A few months ago on Feb. 2, it was National Signing Day. This is the day high school students and athletes sign to what college they want to attend.

I was able to go to a specific signing for someone named Tre O’Guinn. He is the star football player for North Canyon High. The college he chose to attend was the University of Utah.

I was lucky enough to be able to interview him after signing. O’Guinn says he chose the college

because his best friend was going there and he loves everything about the college. When he arrives there he plans to study marketing, and after college he plans to go to the NFL. When I asked him what was going through his head when he made the final decision on signing day, O’Guinn said, “This is crazy! This is going to be the next four years of my life!” His advice for upcoming seniors is to “Keep grinding and keep your head up.”

AZ Snowboarder Soars

by Reporter Felecitas Aguilera, Arizona Desert Elementary When it’s snowing outside, Cameron Quick gets excited! That means snowboarding time for the Flagstaff boy!

Cameron is 11 and in the sixth grade. He took two ski lessons when he was 4.

“My dad taught me to ride snowboards,” he says. His home mountain is in Flagstaff at the Arizona Snowbowl.

In Cameron’s seven years of snowboarding he has won eight medals in four different competitions. “I love to compete, try my hardest and push my friends and fellow competitors to do their best,” says Cameron.

He practices with his team and coaches two days a week. He also rides with his dad and friends a couple of times a week when possible.

Cameron competed recently in the Slope-Style Nationals at the USASA National Championships. To qualify for the event he had to compete in the three southern series regional events for Slope-Style.

He had to rank in the top 80 in the National rankings for all riders in the United States.

“I won two silvers and a bronze at the three comps,” says Cameron.

The six-day National Snowboarding competition was held at Copper Mountain, CO. The championship was six days long. “I had three training days and one day of competition, says Cameron.

His goals for the future are, “I want to go as far as I can with riding and competing. I really want to make the U.S. Snowboard team and compete in the Olympics.”

MORE SCOOPS, page 12 ➧

BEAR 35 YEARS

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News Stories Written by Kids— for Kids Fly into Adventure in ‘Dragon Rider’

by Reporter Evan Ernest Apache Elementary The book “Dragon Rider” by Cornelia Funke is about a dragon named Firedrake and a cat named Sorrel. They meet up with a nice homeless boy named Ben and try to find a place named The Rim of Heaven. The place is really hard to find, and they face many challenges on the way.

At this point in the book I was trying to understand what was going on as the story was just starting out. Firedrake, Sorrel and Ben came against a mean dragon named Nettlebrand and his evil friend Gravelbeard, a mountain dwarf. Nettlebrand wanted to find The Rim of Heaven because he wants to eat all the dragons that live there.

When he finds out that Firedrake is also looking for The Rim of Heaven, Nettlebrand decides to follow them instead of eating them. A little later, Firedrake finds out that Nettlebrand was following them even though he was being sneaky and was covering his tracks. Nettlebrand’s persistence in following them became increasingly annoying to me.

When Firedrake finally found the valley where The Rim of Heaven is, he only met one dragon named Maia. She was really nice and agrees to help Firedrake.

This book was a really fun read and made me feel like I was right there with the dragons.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an adventure.

REPORT FOR BEAR THIS SUMMER! Call toll free:

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Page 8

BEAR 35 YEARS •

June 2018

June 2018

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with cool water. Then finish your visit in its air-conditioned aquarium!

Inside, there’s the Stingray Touch Tank, where kids can feed the stingrays flying around in the water. “And we have Dillon’s KC Style Barbecue inside the aquarium so they can have a drink by our flamingos or dine next to our 60,000-gallon shark tank,” she adds.

And for an amazingly cool experience

Cool Summer Escapes!

Summerlike temps already are baking our state. But have no fear, Bear’s cool summer escapes are here!

I

t has been unBEARably hot, but don’t sweat it—there are all sorts of cool escapes you and your family and friends can make this summer break!

And what makes this summer fun even cooler is the fact that you don’t need to turn off your brain to enjoy these super special places. How about experiencing sea creatures up close and personal? Or maybe hitting the high country up in Eastern Arizona with your family? You can even learn firsthand what it’s like to be a packrat, exploring a giant midden to gain an eye-opening and lasting appreciation for these impressive desert hoarders!

It’s Not Just a Zoo— It’s an Aquarium, Too!

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park “was developed with our hot summers in mind—we’re usually about 10 degrees cooler than anywhere else outside of the zoo because we have so many shade trees and irrigation,” points out Media Relations Director Kristy Morcom.

Located on the southeast corner of Northern Avenue and the State Route 303, there are thousands of creatures from around the world to see and learn about, including dozens of endangered species.

The baby animals are always a big hit with visitors. “With more than 6,000 animals, we have babies year-round,” Morcom says. “So you never know what baby you’re going to see when you come out.

We ALWAYS have babies!”

The baby giraffe, Austin, is the zoo’s big draw right now. The energetic calf, born in February, is almost 7 feet tall already (he was 6 feet tall at birth). “He is so playful, always putting on a show for our visitors,” Morcom says.

In the Wildlife World Zoo’s nursery, you can see a month-old bobcat kitten being raised by hand. “The reason we hand-raise our cats, it helps establish that basis of trust through positive reinforcement,” Morcom points out. He won’t stay a cute and cuddly kitten for long, though, and eventually the interactions will be through protective barriers.

“The Baby Animal Nursery is a great place to escape the heat as well. It’s nice and cool in there. So he’s in our nursery, and folks can come out and see him and get really close to him,” Morcom says.

Sunny, the zoo’s baby sea lion, is part of the popular sea lion show at the Shipwreck Cove area.

Babies are a But the coolest part of cool attraction Wildlife World Zoo is its at Wildlife World aquarium. Four big, air-conZoo & Aquarium! ditioned buildings house more than 80 displays, with the largest tank being a 60,000-gallon shark tank!

Morcom suggests arriving when it opens at 9 a.m. to take in the zoo portion, including doing the popular Lory Parrot Feeding. As temps start rising, head over to the nursery and even do the log flume ride, which will splash you

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Page 9

for animal fans, Wildlife World Zoo still has a few spots left for its Safari Camp.

This is a very hands-on camp for those ages 7–12, where they get to do sea lion and otter training, feed sharks and meet a variety of the zoo’s animal ambassadors!

The June session starts June 11, while the July session starts July 16.

Visit WildlifeWorld.com for ticket prices and camp details.

Escape to the Mountains!

may choose to rent a cabin for an extended stay or maybe go camping in the forest.

There are lakes and streams for boating, fishing or just enjoying a cooling breeze off the water.

Hit the trails to get the most out of the fresh mountain air. Whether you choose to go hiking or take a trail ride, you’ll experience a real change of scenery with pine trees, fields of wildflowers and local wildlife— birds, deer and elk are just a few of the critters you might encounter on your outing. Horseback riding is available through the various ranches and stables located in the White Mountains. Mountain biking is another great way to explore the trails and appreciate the Arizona flora and fauna that we desert dwellers don’t often get a chance to see.

In the summer, you can get an eagle’s eye view from a scenic lift ride at Sunrise Park Resort. There are other fun activities like a bungee trampoline jump, a super slide and a rock climbing wall.

A great way to escape the summer heat in the desert is to head to the mountains. The White Mountains in eastern Arizona boast temperatures that are usually 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the normal highs and lows in the Valley or Tucson.

So why swelter in 100-plus-degree weather when you can take a three- to four-hour drive and enjoy temperatures in the 80s?

Some popular summer getaway spots in the White Mountains include Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and Greer. Families Caves are always cool places to learn about and explore.

Or consider heading up to the high country of Eastern Arizona for a really cool time!

MORE COOL ESCAPES, page 10 ➧

Cool Escape Word Scramble These words are taken from this feature and can help keep your summer cool!

AYBB FARIFEG __ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __

GIHIFSN

__ __ __ __ __ __ __

NOUNIMAT KIGINB __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

QUUMARIA

__ __ __ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

PARTAKC SHYLOUPAE __ __ __ __ __ __ __

GINTSARYS

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

KACBSHORE DRINGI __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __

Hidden in the Midden!

For those into desert critters and desert ecology, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a must-see.

And to draw more kids and families to this awardwinning destination, it has just opened its amazing Packrat Playhouse: Hidden in the Midden!

Located west of Tucson at 2021 N. Kinney Rd., the 98-acre zoo features creatures and plants of the Sonoran Desert. New to this nationally recognized zoo is an indoor play/educational area. “Packrat Playhouse is our newest exhibit, and it’s air-conditioned, which is a huge sell, especially in these hot summers. And it’s basically a Honey, I Shrunk Yourself, kids type of thing, except a desert edition!” explains Kat Rumbley, Desert Museum marketing manager.

The lighting for this 4,000-square-foot area is sort of dim. This makes sense because packrats are active at dusk and at night—and you’re the packrat!

The centerpiece is an almost two-story tall climbing area, representing a packrat midden (packrat house).

“Kids can climb around prickly pear cactus pads, they can slide down a slide made to look like the ribs of a cholla cactus, they can climb through dice, they can go through netting, they can slither through an oversize rattlesnake,” Rumbley says. Up at the top, there’s a beautiful view of a desert landscape!

The playhouse is full of fun, informational activities so kids (and their parents) leave with an appreciation of the important role packrats play in the desert ecosystem. There’s also a toddler area, a gift shop, a place to buy snacks and beverages, and restrooms.

Packrat Playhouse opens at 10 a.m. and is included with admission. But admission is free for young people (ages 6–12) who join the Kids Coati Club.

Other cool Desert Museum offerings are Stingray Touch, the natural-looking enclosures for the animals plus Cool Summer Nights that happen every Saturday now through Sept. 1. Plus, there are a few spots left for some of its summer camps!

Rumbley says to get to the Desert Museum when it opens at 7—it’s cooler for you and the animals are more active, too.

Go to DesertMuseum.org for details on membership, schedules, etc.

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BEAR 35 YEARS

www.bearessentialnews.com

• June 2018

Cool Summer Escapes!

Here are some great escape ideas to get you out of the heat and into the fun!

When the temperatures rise in the Valley, you need to find fun things to do to cool off. There are many options to avoid the heat—here’s a list with a few things that Boomer Bear came up with that are guaranteed to make your summer the coolest one yet!

Altitude Trampoline Park Phoenix: With over 17,500 square feet of indoor trampolines and other amenities and a total of nearly 25,000 square feet of total space, this place is jumping!

Enjoy the Gymnastics Tumble Tracks, the rock climbing wall, dodgeball courts, foam pits, dunk lanes and more! Visit www.altitudephoenix.com for more information.

Arizona Broadway Theatre: Enjoy dinner and a show at Arizona Broadway Theatre. They even have a children’s menu and yummy desserts. In June you can see “Mary Poppins” or “Alice in Wonderland.” It’s a great time for the whole family. Visit www.azbroadway. org for show times and tickets.

Big Surf Waterpark: Located in Tempe is America’s original waterpark. You can cool off riding the waves or going down thrilling slides like the Hurricane, the Black Hole, the Tornado Twisters, the White Serpentine or the Cyclone & Tsunami. There is also a special area for younger kids where they can splash in Bora Bora Bay, go down the Otter Slide and play at Captain Cook’s Landing.

During June and July you can enjoy the park on Sunset Fridays until 9 p.m. Visit www.bigsurffun.com for hours and special pricing.

Butterfly Wonderland: Visit the largest butterfly conservatory in the country. There are over 3,000 butterflies floating around.

You can also visit the 3D Theater, The Rainforest Reptile Exhibit, The Honey Bee Extravaganza, Tropical Waters of the World and more. Visit www.butterflywonderland.com for more information and discounts.

Children’s Museum of Phoenix: Learn about animals, create an art project, make snow cones or sign up for a summer camp with themes like Culinary Kids, Storm Chasers, World of Wizards and Fairies, Island Castaways and more!

The first Friday of each month is Target FREE First Friday Night. Everyone gets in free from 5-9 p.m.

Visit www.childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/events/ for more details.

Dolphinaris Arizona: Interact with dolphins. Have a land or water experience with the dolphins. Learn how dolphins are cared for by the trainers and take a behind-thescenes tour. Visit www.dolphinaris-arizona.com for information and discounts.

East Valley Children’s Theatre: Enjoy a performance of Peter Pan this month or have fun using your own musical and acting skills.

EVCT offers acting classes, summer camps, show auditions, Improv groups and many more options.

Visit evct.org for schedules and information.

Flip Dunk: Visit Arizona’s ONLY Trampoline Park and Gymnastics/Dance Center. Experience jumping, tumbling, gymnastics, cheer, summer camps and more.

Offering great specials and summer pricing. Visit flipdunksports.com for more information.

Makutu’s Island: Imagine an air-conditioned playground where you can climb a giant tree full of tunnels, slides and mole holes. You can explore caves, go bungee jumping and try out the zipline. Hours of fun await you. Visit www.makutusisland.com for hours and rates.

OdySea Aquarium: Explore the ocean! Take a shark tour, interact with penguins, board the OdySea Voyager and learn about turtles and rivers of the world, check out the touch pools and ride the deep ocean escalator. You can enjoy the summer evenings for $25 per person after 5 p.m. Visit www.odyseaaquarium.com for schedule and special pricing.

Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs: Over 50 life-sized animatronic exhibits, that are so real looking they will make you think you went back in time. Activities include dino rides, face painting, etching, fossil digs and a magnetic wall. Visit www.pangaealandofthedinosaurs.com for information and specials.

Phoenix Public Libraries: Stay cool this summer at the library! Play games, learn to cook, enjoy story time, make a craft, join the summer reading program and more! Attend the

reopening of the Burton Barr library on June 16th and enjoy free family activities. Visit www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org for events and information.

Phoenix Zoo: Ride the Endangered Species Carousel, visit Monkey Village, Stingray Bay or take a camel ride. Cool off in the 4-D Theater or splash and play in the wet and wild play areas. You can beat the heat in the Enchanted Forest and the Discovery Farm. There are special events like Prowl & Play nights, Winter in July and family night camps.

Visit www.phoenixzoo.org for schedules and special events.

Valley Splash Pad Links: Chandler: www.chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=683 or call 480-782-2752.

El Mirage: www.cityofelmirage.org/1415/Parks--Gateway-Park or call 623-876-2977.

Gilbert: www.gilbertaz.gov or call 480-503-6200.

Glendale: www.glendaleaz.com or call 623-9302820.

Mesa: www.mesaparks.com/parks-facilities/splashpads or call 480-644-7529.

Peoria: www.peoriaaz.gov or call 623-773-7137.

Phoenix: www.phoenix.gov/parks or call 602-262-6862.

Scottsdale: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks or call 480-312-2888.

Tempe: www.tempe.gov or call 480-350-4311.

Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium: Special Aquarium Evening Hours from 5–9 p.m.

Check out fish, mammals, birds, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles at the aquarium. Explore the four aquarium buildings: The Diversity of Life in Water, The Wild and Wonderful, Predators and River Monsters. Visit www.wildlifeworld.com for more information.

Have a Fun Summer!

June 2018 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

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Ready for a Cool Indoor Adventure?

Explore the Wildlife World Aquarium!

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Enjoy four aquarium buildings: The Diversity 75 76 74 of Life in Water, The Wild and Wonderful, START Predators, and River Monsters as you wander through more than 80 exhibits.

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Connect the dots to find the turtle.

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Zoo

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Safari Park

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Dragon World

Below are some of the fascinating creatures you can see and learn about in the cool aquarium building. Unscramble each animal’s name, then draw a line to its picture, and then draw another line to what kind of animal it is.

GOOD LUCK!

AYRGINST

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TREOT

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WOARNAA

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3.

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PREAMPVI SIHF

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Adventure Land

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Mining Experience

Safari Camp 2018

River Monsters! Challenge

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Special reduced Aquarium admission from 5 to 9 p.m.

Aquarium

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July 11–15 & July 16–20 • Campers ages 7–12 gain hands-on experience with Arizona’s largest exotic animal collection.

Offering experiences not available to the general public—exotic animal training and sea lion encounters, wildlife education, and animal feedings and interactions. Rides, crafts, basics of animal handling and behind-the-scene tours, too!

Sign up online: wildlifeworld.com/safari-camp-2018/ Contact KristyMorcom@wildlifeworld.com or call 602-321-5478

A. mammal B. cartilaginous fish C. bony fish D. marine reptile

MONSTER CHALLENGE ANSWERS: STINGRAY–4–B, OTTER–5–A, AROWANA–1–C, SEA TURTLE–3–D, VAMPIRE FISH–2–C

For more information: 623-935-WILD (9453) or visit us on facebook, Instagram or Twitter @zoowildlife, and wildlifeworld.com

n 8 acre additio . rk a P ri to our Safa ! s u Come join

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park is located at 16501 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park, AZ (SE corner of State Route 303 and Northern Ave.) We’re open seven days a week, 365 days a year, including all holidays. Zoo exhibits are open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last zoo admission is at 4:30 p.m.) Aquarium exhibits are open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Daytime admission includes access to the zoo, aquarium and safari park.

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• June 2018

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Get the Scoop!

Continued from page 7

Seeing Wonder in My Life

by Reporter Landon Tewalt, Apache Elementary Last winter break, I saw the movie “Wonder,” based on the book by R.J. Palacio. The movie is about a kid with a facial deformity. Since he looks different than the other kids at school he gets made fun of. The other kids bully him and don’t want to be his friend.

At my old school, Adams Traditional Academy, I had a friend named Connor who also had a facial deformity. Connor was a conjoint twin and he and his brother, Colin, were attached by the head. They had to be separated when they were young, and this caused them to look different than everyone else. Nobody wanted to include Connor in any games, and he didn’t have any friends. What I found out about Connor was that he had a good sense of humor, was funny, and smart. Also, the other students didn’t know that Connor was a straight “A” student and liked to make people laugh. Connor and I later became best friends.

The movie reminds me of my friend Connor.

People were too quick to judge both the kid in the movie and my friend. They didn’t realize that just because Connor looked different, he was still just a fun kid like us. People need to stop judging and get to know someone before they choose not to be their friend.

MORE SCOOPS, page 14 ➧

Join Us for a Musical Adventure!

June 14–24, 2018

Ticket Information Visit: www.evct.org • 480-644-6500

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

June 2018 •

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Three Reasons Why Girl Scout Summer Camp is the Best!

Where can girls have fun while growing confidence and leadership skills? Girl Scout camp! Beyond the s’mores, games, and songs, our camps provide a variety of experiences that help girls develop invaluable life skills.

Here’s why our summer camp is the best place for girls to unleash their inner G.I.R.L (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™.

1. It’s an all-girl space. Research shows that girls feel more confident and learn better when they’re surrounded by other girls and that in coed environments, boys receive more praise, which makes girls question their abilities. When boys aren’t around, girls take more risks because they don’t have to prove anything. Girl Scout camp provides a safe, all-girl space for girls to feel free to be their true selves, speak openly, and make lasting friendships.

2. It’s girl-led. At Girl Scout camp, girls at every age have plenty of opportunities to develop their leadership skills. For starters, they get to create their own adventures— right down to the what, when, where, how, and why. Having ownership of their experiences empowers girls to take the lead in all areas of their lives.

3. She learns by doing. By trying different activities, such as boating, archery, hiking, and crafting, girls stretch their potential and develop abilities at camp. Girls build confidence to handle anything life throws out by tackling challenges and overcoming selfdoubt—the PERFECT place for this practice is at summer camp.

Camp helps girls grow into strong, capable and confident leaders, all while having fun. Sign up for Girl Scout camp today!

Check out all of this summer’s great camp offerings at the website camplikeagirlscout.com.

Launch your way into summer fun at Girl Scout camp!

Join Girl Scouts today!

Visit www.girlscoutsaz.org, email join@girlscoutsaz.org or call 602-452-7000.

ANY GIRL can go to Girl Scout Camp!

Learn more at camplikeagirlscout.com

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www.bearessentialnews.com

• June 2018

B

Get the Scoop!

Continued from page 7

This Duck Tale Is Full of Fun

by Reporter Paul Perez, Kiva Elementary

“Grandfather Duck” is a book written and illustrated by Kevin O’Malley. This book is about a grandfather and his three ducklings.

The grandfather and the ducklings spent a day at the pond and they made a lot of jokes.

One of the jokes was where the grandfather duck was meaning to say “firecracker” and instead he said “firequacker.” My favorite joke was when grandfather duck said something he thought was funny and he said, “I quack me up!”

All of the little ducks made mistakes, but grandfather was there to teach them about where they should eat, where they should jump and how to be safe in the bushes, the sky and the pond. I liked this book because it was funny.

Girl Sews to Help Sick Kids

by Reporter Daisy Ruiz, Arizona Desert Elementary Imagine being 10 years old and the founder of your own charity. Your charity helps kids in the hospital feel better. That’s what Charlotte Gould does!

Charlotte is finishing fourth grade at Jacobson Elementary in Chandler.

Her sister, Evelyn, helps her with her charity. She makes dolls to give to kids in hospitals. It all started when Charlotte was born with a cleft lip and palate.

“It happens to 1 in 700 babies,” she says. She had her first surgery at 10 weeks old to close the gap in her lip. Another surgery was performed at nine months to repair a big hole in the roof of her mouth. “During my surgeries, I had a bear with tiny stitches on its nose. I called him Charley bear.”

“My nana bought me a sewing machine when I was 7 years old.” Charlotte began to sew and sell dolls to raise money for hospitals. “Dolls are made for anyone and everyone,” she says. “I make dolls for my friends and my families and people all over the country—even Mexico and Canada. One of my first dolls was made for a child battling a rare disease requiring chemo and a bone marrow transplant. The little girl was going to lose her hair, so we made her doll bald, brave and beautiful like her. We even included a few wigs for the doll to wear,” says Charlotte.

Charlotte says her doll sales benefit Cleft & Craniofacial Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix. Dolls are available on Charlotte’s website that she is currently designing. For more information, check out www.stitchesbycharlotte.com.

Volume 39 • Issue 10

Editor & Publisher

Sales Director & Publisher

Stephen B Gin

Nancy Holmes

City Editor

YR Coordinator

Copy Editor

Art Director

Renee Griffith

Julie Madden

Mike Loghry

Gary Shepard

Social Media

Social Media Assist.

John de Dios

Kris Yanez

Bear Essential News for Kids®

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

Classroom educators are welcome to reproduce any portion of this newspaper for their students.

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

Please Call (480)

752-2327 for any editorial or advertising inquiries.

©2018 Kids’ View Communications Corp.—all rights reserved • 2525 E. Broadway #102 • Tucson, AZ 85716 Fax# (480) 792-2580 • Bear Essential News is distributed free each month.

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www.bearessentialnews.com

ENDORSED BY THE

Arizona Education Association

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

June 2018 •

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