Bear Essential News October 2019, Phoenix Edition

40 YEARS!

Bear

essential news

®

Bite Into

HALLOWEEN!

October October 2019 2019 •• Phoenix Phoenix Edition Edition •• www.bearessentialnews.com www.bearessentialnews.com

In This Picture: Find a flashlight, a piece of candy corn, a bone, a spider, a reporter’s flip pad, a candle, a broom, a lollipop, a reporter’s pen and the word BOO!

FEATURE

NEWS

NEWS

R eal B loodsuckers NASA R over Contest Turtles Need Heroes In all shapes and sizes! pages 10 & 11

Spotlight on kids and the planet News Highlights page 5

& more news kids can use Scoops pages 7, 8, 13, 14 & 17

FAMILIES

CONTEST

S hape Up Ninjas! S pooky Fun A FREE family festival Page 16

A Halloween Contest Page 19

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

www.bearessentialnews.com

October 2019

Letters to Boomer!

B Dear Boomer, Halloween is my favorite holiday because you get to be whatever you want!

Yours truly, P.H.

Dear P.H., Halloween is always such a thrill for me! I’ve been spooktacular characters, and I’ve been silly ones. I liked this one where I wore a giant pumpkin head while I carried my candy bucket head around. This year, my friends and I are going trick-or-treating—I can’t wait to see what they wear!

costume isn’t going to be easy to make, so I’d start on it really soon!

They probably sell some foam ones at the store. I still haven’t figured what I should go as this Halloween.

I’m leaning toward something sort of scary though!

BOO! Boomer Bear

Halloween Rocks, Boomer Bear

Dear Boomer, Why are you in (Arizona), and why are you here in the heat?

Your friend, T.M.

Dear T.M., As a special treat (and to escape the heat) my folks took me up to the White Mountains this past weekend!

It has been rather warm here in the Valley, and even I was getting tired of being in the swimming pool so much. The mountains are cool in so many ways. We got to fish, and I caught three trout. While we fished, an osprey dove into the water and came out with a fish! I even saw a herd of elk up there. They’re HUGE! Your buddy, Boomer Bear Dear Boomer, I want to be a Kit Kat this Halloween. I plan on playing with my cats, too.

Happy Halloween, A.H. Happy Halloween to you, too, A.H.!

Those little Kit Kat bars are one of my favorite treats to get. That

Hi, Boomer.

For Halloween, I want to be a creepy/haunted doll—maybe one of those scary antique dolls!

I can’t wait, C.A.

Sounds chilling, C.A.!

Some people like to be scared; some people like to be scary. And a lot of kids like to be both this time of year. For some reason, scary clowns and unblinking old dolls freak me out.

Have a ton of fun!

Boomer Bear Dear Boomer Bear, I hope you had a happy birthday!

How are you, buddy? I really enjoy being a reporter and writing stories for your newspaper. Do you enjoy being on the front cover (all the time)?

You’re a wonderful friend and mascot.

I hope all your wishes came true on your special day!

Happy Birthday, B.E. Thanks a bunch, B.E.!

September was my birthday month AND the month that Bear Essential News got started. Can you guess how old the newspaper is? That’s right, it just turned 40—now that’s something to celebrate!

A lot was going on back in 1979 when this newspaper for young people, classrooms and families first rolled off the press here in Arizona.

And kids in grades 3 thru 8 who’d like to write for me and my newspaper can go to BearEssentialNews.com and print out the Sign-up Form under the Young Reporters or Teachers tabs. When you mail in your completed form, signed by your parent on the bottom, I’ll send you your official Young Reporters Kit, which has instructions and all the tools you need to get started.

Now that’s a sweet holiday tradition!

Did you know that there are many people—my guess is they are mostly adults—who don’t like candy corn?

I don’t know what’s wrong with them!

Have a happy and safe Halloween, A.M. Boomer Bear Hi, Boomer!

The best part about going back to school is history class because I have a passion for it and strive in that class.

Your friend, S.M. Great attitude, S.M.!

School isn’t just about learning this and that, being with friends and doing your homework. It’s also to expose you to a variety of things so that you can find your passion! Keep up the great work!

Your best buddy, Boomer Bear

Write for me! Boomer Bear

Dear Boomer, I’m not happy to be back in school because I (really) dislike my teacher.

Sincerely, M.P. I’m so sorry, M.P., What a tough predicament! You might want to talk things over with your parent and maybe the two of you can meet with the school counselor or principal to come up with a plan, whether it’s to stick with this teacher or maybe to transfer to a different class.

Best of luck, Boomer Bear

Hi, Boomer.

My favorite Halloween treat is candy corn. My mom buys it every Halloween!

Your friend, A.M.

Write a short letter to Boomer, and he’ll answer it here in his column!

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

October 2019 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

BEAR 40 YEARS

Spend Your Fall Break with Us!

Enjoy Our New

ADVENTURELAND! • Flying Scooter • Family Roller Coaster • Vertigo Swing Ride

Aquarium

•

Zoo

•

Safari Park

•

Dragon World

•

Bats! Nature’s Nocturnal Marvel

W

ildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park is batty with its neotropical fruit bats! These are one of more than 1,200 species of bats worldwide. Despite people’s fear of these flittering creatures, bats are surprisingly beneficial to humans and the environment!

Bats are the only mammals capable of flying, which is how they leave their roost in order to get their food.

Most species feed on insects, with the remaining species depending upon fruits and flowers. As a result, bats play an extremely important role in controlling pests as well as pollination and seed dispersal for the ones that eat fruits or lick nectar from night-blooming

flowers. Only a few varieties, like the vampire bat, actually feed on the blood of animals.

Here in the United States, we have 40 bat species, and some species migrate here from other countries. Amazingly, bats make up one of the largest orders of mammals (second only to rodents in number) and constitute a quarter of the Earth’s mammals! Unfortunately, many bat species are threatened or endangered. To fly in the dark, bats send out high-frequency noises to echolocate—using sound that bounces off objects to help guide them. And while their flying may seem erratic, they are very precise flyers, with some hunting up to 1,200 mosquitos an hour and devouring their body weight in insects each night! The tiniest species is the bumblebee bat, which is smaller than a thumbnail, while the largest is the flying fox, which can have a 6-foot wingspan!

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

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

e l i m S

Adventure Land

•

• Soaring Eagle Zip Line • Skyride • African Safari Train

Mining Experience

Sat. & Sun. • Oct. 26th & 27th

Calling all Witches, Goblins and Ghouls to join Wildlife World for our second annual Spooktacular Halloween event!

Bring the whole family out on Oct. 26 & 27 to experience Arizona’s largest exotic animal collection. Kids dressed in costume will receive FREE admission into the park. One child per adult paid admission. Not valid with any other offers.

This only happens one time a year, so don’t miss out!

With encounter shows, animal feedings and zoo rides, this frightfully fun weekend is a treat for the whole family.

Wild

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

www.bearessentialnews.com

October 2019

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In This Issue!

Page 2…Letters to Boomer. Bear’s advice column for kid readers Page 3…Wildlife World. Learn about different bat species.

It’s Orthodontic Health Month!

Page 5…News Highlights and In the Spotlight. Name the Mars 2020 rover.

Spotlight shines on kid activists.

Pages 7, 8, 13, 14 & 17…Get the Scoop! Be a sea turtle hero, learn about a wildlife conservation center, read about last month’s Young Reporters Workshop and more.

Page 19…Coloring Contest. Win tickets to Halloween Spooktacular Balloon Festival

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Nancy Holmes

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YR Coordinator

Copy Editor

Art Director

Mike Loghry

Gary Shepard

2046 N. 24th St. Central Phoenix

2533 N. 75th Ave. West Phoenix

ctober is Orthodontic Health Month and a time when orthodontists make a special effort to talk about how orthodontic treatment can benefit people.

Some benefits of orthodontics include: · Straight teeth and an attractive smile · Increased confidence and better self-image · Proper jaw alignment for correct eating and speaking · Teeth that are easy to clean and maintain · Lower chances of severe, expensive dental issues later like gum disease, tooth decay, and pain in the jaw, head & neck

Don’t Forget to Floss!

Flossing removes plaque, which can cause tooth decay, from between teeth and along the gum line. Flossing is a key component to maintaining dental health and it’s important to learn how to floss correctly.

• Wrap an 18-inch piece of floss around the middle finger of each hand.

• Hold about an inch of the floss tightly between your thumb and forefinger.

• Gently slide the floss between the teeth and move the floss up and down.

• Floss between all teeth, and when you move on to the next tooth, be sure to use a clean section of the floss.

www.KidzConnextion.com

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.

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)

www.KidzConnextion.com • 480-725-8413 • Text or Call

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Stephen B Gin Renee Griffith

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752-2327 for any editorial or advertising inquiries.

©2019 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.

Printed with recycled newsprint.

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October 2019 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

B

News Highlights

You Could Name the Mars 2020 Rover!

Think you have what it takes to name NASA’s next rover? Well, it’s time to get creative because now’s your chance!

NASA announced that K–12 students can enter the Mars 2020 Name the Rover essay contest now through Nov. 1.

“This naming contest is a wonderful opportunity for our nation’s youth to get involved with NASA’s Moon to Mars missions,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in a statement.

“It is an exciting way to engage with a rover that will likely serve as the first leg of a Mars Sample return campaign, collecting and CACHING core samples from the Martian surface for scientists here on Earth to study for the first time.”

The Mars 2020 rover weighs in at a whopping 2,300 pounds and is designed to help pave the way for humans to eventually visit the Red Planet. NASA said it’s also hoping that the naming contest inspires students’ interest in space and science, technology, engineering, and math.

For those students who want to try their hand at naming the next robotic scientist, they have to write an essay that is no more than 150 words explaining why

their proposed name should be the one that NASA chooses.

After the Nov. 1 deadline, students’ essays will be divided into three groups based on grade level.

According to NASA, there is some criteria that each essay will be judged on: appropriateness, significance and originality of the proposed name, and the originality and quality of the essay, and/or finalist interview presentation. The essays will be narrowed down through several rounds and then the public will get to vote online for the nine finalists in January 2020.

NASA says it plans to announce the winner on Feb. 18, 2020, which just so happens to be one year before the rover will land on the surface of Mars. The grand prize winner will not only get to name the rover but will also be invited to visit Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to see the spacecraft launch in July 2020!

To learn more, visit https://mars.nasa.gov/ mars2020/participate/name-the-rover/.

Polka-dotted Zebra Spotted in Kenya MASAI MARA RESERVE, Kenya—A rare and wonderful zebra foal is hoofing it with its mom and the rest of the herd on the Masai Mara Reserve. The first people to “spot” the foal in September were confused by what they saw.

Instead of black and white stripes, the little fella is brown…with polka dots!!!

The reserve is 583 square miles of savannah wilderness along southwestern Kenya. It’s home to millions of African animals. Even tour guide Anthony Tira, who first spotted the foal, wondered what he was looking at.

Was it a cross between a zebra and something else?

Was it just a different breed of EQUINE in with the zebra herd? Did some oddball biologist paint the foal

to make tracking it easier?

The answer turns out to be D) none of the above!

This foal suffers a genetic condition called pseudomelanism. In zebras, the skin is dark and transfers a dark pigment called melanin into only some hairs to make the dark stripes.

But the melanin transfer of this foal caused its hair to be noticeably brown with white polka dots!

Since he was the first one to see it, the foal was named after him—Tira.

Other odd-colored foals have been seen and photographed in other wildlife Photo courtesy of Frank Liu areas, but this is a first for Masai Mara, and excited visitors and photographers have been flocking to the reserve in hopes of spotting the foal.

BEAR 40 YEARS

Young People Are Focused On Future!

There’s no doubt about it: kids can change the world.

From Malala Yousafzai, the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Prize, to Jack Andraka, who was in high school when he created a sensor that could detect early signs of pancreatic and other forms of cancer, there is no shortage of examples of kids doing amazing things!

Some kids in the next wave of amazing youth doing inspiring things are focused on the future of the planet and climate change.

Perhaps the most well known in this group is Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swede who recently spoke at the United Nations and helped inspire students around the world to walk out of their schools and demand action on climate change.

Greta Thunberg speaking at the European Parliament in April of 2019 Photo credit: wiwikimedia.org

However, Thunberg is certainly not the only youth fighting for the environment.

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is an indigenous climate activist and musician who recently turned 18.

He started speaking to world leaders about climate change at just 6 years old and had spoken at the United Nations three times by the age of 15. He is also one of nearly two dozen young plaintiffs in a youth-led lawsuit against the federal government for failing to protect the environment.

Mari Copeny, also known as “Little Miss Flint,” is only 12 years old but she gained national attention back in 2016. Back then, at age 8, she wrote a letter to then-President Barack Obama about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Her letter helped bring national attention to the issue after inspiring President Obama to visit Flint. Since writing that letter, Mari has continued to fight for clean, drinkable water. She is trying to help share drinkable water with others by working with a water-filtration company to bring water filters to communities without clean water.

These kids, and countless others, show us all that anything is possible. While many of the kids doing big things are working on different problems, they all collectively demonstrate the power of determination.

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

www.bearessentialnews.com

October 2019

Let’s Go...

VALLEY METRO! Safety First at

Valley Metro!

Valley Metro fare inspectors

Safety this and safety that so what is all this talk about safety anyways? We learned all about safety in kindergarten! Learning is one thing but practicing safety is another.

A serious injury, or worse, can result from being careless or not paying attention. Practice makes perfect so always practice safety wherever you go.

Here are some friendly faces that help keep you safe on Valley Metro

These are some transit safety reminders: Know your trip plan before you start: Plan your transit trip by calling transit information 602-253-5000 or checking online at valleymetro.org or picking up a transit book at your local library.

Getting to the light rail station or bus stop: Whenever possible cross streets at marked crosswalks or traffic signals. Always stay aware of your surroundings.

Valley Metro bus operator

Waiting at your transit stop: Stay in the Safe Zone – giant steps away from the curb at bus stops or away from the platform edge at light rail stations.

Onboard: The best place to be is sitting in a seat. If you have to stand— hold on to the poles or hand straps.

Getting off the city bus or train: Watch your step getting off the vehicle then move back into the Safe Zone away from the curb or platform edge.

Remember it’s “Safety First” wherever you go!

Learn more about transit safety—Valley Metro offers free classroom presentations. For more information, visit

valleymetro.org/transit_education

Valley Metro customer experience coordinators

October 2019 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

Get the Scoop!

You Can Be a Sea Turtle Hero!

by Reporter Theron Plant Gilbert Christian School

Have you ever seen yellow tape on four wooden sticks at the beach? It’s usually at the bottom of the dunes. That tape is marking the baby sea turtles nest and marine biologists say you must set up your beach chairs 10 feet or more away from the tape. The reason is to protect the sea turtle nests, which are buried in the sand. Sea turtle hatchlings have less than 1 percent chance of surviving to adulthood.

I went to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, Florida, over summer break and learned fun facts for your next beach trip. No matter which ocean you visit, these tips can help make you a sea turtle hero!

Our Gumbo Limbo guide, Ariana, shared three main reasons sea turtles end up in a rehabilitation center. These are disease, trauma, and sea debris.

We can in help in each of these areas. Poor water quality or water pollution causes tumors on their soft tissue. Boating accidents cause paralysis, making it rare for turtles to be able to make their way to nesting ground. Plastic and other waste floating in the ocean is mistaken for food and blocks their systems.

I have a question for you. Do you think the sea turtle can make its nest on a beach full of trash? Not at all! So I have a challenge for you to help the sea turtles have a better chance for survival.

Here are three tips to make you a sea turtle hero: 1. Bring a reusable bag for all of your beach things

Guide Ariana (center) teaches about sea turtles.

and food. No more plastic bags that can blow into the ocean and which the sea turtles might think is a jelly fish and eat.

2. Pick up trash and throw it away, even if it is not yours! Sea turtles nest best on a clean beach.

3. If you build sand castles, cover the holes and moats completely before you leave for the night.

When they hatch, baby turtles can fall into the holes trying to get to the ocean. They can’t climb out. Even if you find a hole that is not yours, please cover it.

You can’t save every turtle, but you can try to save one.

by Reporter Athena O’Brien, Cocopah Middle School

Tocho has a permanent home now at SWCC

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News Stories Written by Kids— for Kids Kids Get the Scoop at Young Reporters Workshop

by Reporter Amelie Barrio Arizona Desert Elementary

Center Aims to Keep Injured Wildlife Wild In the 1990s, a farmer accidentally ran over a coyote den, leaving only one pup alive. There were no vets that treated wild animals, but fate brought him to Linda Searles. She realized that a rehabilitation center for orphaned animals was a necessity. Searles bought ten acres of land in 1994 and founded The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center or SWCC.

BEAR 40 YEARS

As the years went by, other animals joined the coyote, whom Searles named Don. Most of those animals were released back into the wild. The rest were given a permanent home at SWCC. Don Coyote lived happily for more than 18 years at the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center.

This year, SWCC is celebrating its 25th anniversary. SWCC’s mission is to rehabilitate and release animals back into the wild. They have released over 70 percent of the animals they’ve rescued. If they are unable to release an animal, they give it a place to live at SWCC. SWCC also gives tours and educates people about what happens when wild animals are taken into human homes. Our tour guide at SWCC, Stephanie Dubois, showed us the non-releasable animals that have permanent homes at SWCC and told us their stories. They have tortoises, a mountain lion, javelina, red foxes, kit foxes, and Mexican gray wolves.

MORE WILDLIFE, page 8 ➧

Ever wonder how to become a journalist for the Bear Essential Newspaper?

I am going to share with you how I became a journalist. I recently attended the Bear Essential News Young Reporters Workshop at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU! We began our day by learning about the different workshops we would attend and met important people such as the editor and mentor journalists from the newspaper. After that we got our shirts and took pictures for our press passes.

Then we went to our first workshop. This workshop was about learning how to do an interview. We talked about interviewing local celebrities and important people in our community. We learned the importance of quoting and getting facts.

Our second workshop was about sustainability in that workshop we learned about saving the earth and to not litter and thinking about ways we can write about this topic in the newspaper. When that class MORE YR WORKSHOP, page 8 ➧

REPORT FOR BEAR! Call toll free:

1-866-NEWS KID sponsors

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

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www.bearessentialnews.com

October 2019

Get the Scoop!

More Wildlife

Continued from page 7

Continued from page 7

At SWCC there is a tortoise named Flip. He lives alone because he flips other tortoises onto their backs. Desert tortoises like Flip only drink water once a year, and a lot of it. If there is a tortoise around, don’t pick it up, because you may scare it. When desert tortoises are scared, they urinate all of their reserved water causing them to dehydrate. This is a big deal, because they only drink once a year, and you will hurt them, rather than help.

The mountain lion, Tocho, is short because his bones broke when he was very young. He was kept as a pet and didn’t get the proper diet. He ate cat food and hamburger meat. What Tocho really needed was things like whole chickens to get nutrients for his bones. He developed metabolic bone disease. He grew but his legs did not, and they couldn’t support his weight.

The javelina, Lucky, was kept as a pet by an elderly couple. He likes humans and doesn’t know that he’s supposed to live in groups with other javelinas. He developed a taste for chocolate and likes to sleep in his own dog bed. We watched Lucky pull a banana out of the peel and then eat the two parts separately. Javelinas are not actually pigs. They are more closely related to hippos then pigs.

SWCC’s website provides tips on how to scare away coyotes, javelinas and bobcats if they show up in your yard, and how to stay safe from rattlesnakes, mountain lions and bears. It is better to scare an animal away so that it can stay wild. Never feed wild animals, because this causes them to rely on humans rather than their own instincts.

SWCC is located at 27026 N. 156th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85262. If you need to call them for a wildlife emergency, their number is 480-433-5656. You can take your own tour by scheduling one through the Events Calendar on their website, southwestwildlife.org. They are open year-round for guided tours.

More YR Workshop

Continued from page 7

was done, we took our last class and it was about podcasts and audio.

There we listened to an audio recording—we took notes about what we heard. We learned how important it was to tell a story with the sounds we hear in audio podcasts.

After that we went to an area where there was a big camera. This place is where newscasts are done on T.V. Everybody got a turn to go up to the microphone and say what the teleprompter displayed. I was the last person to say what was on the screen and I was nervous, but I did it anyway and found it to be fun!

At the end of the workshop they held raffles for an audio recorder and pop-sockets, and I won a pop-socket! It was so cool!

Adviser: Karen Golden

MORE SCOOPS, page 13 ➧

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

October 2019 •

BEAR 40 YEARS

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Girl Scout Brings Cookies & Smiles to Cancer Patients Hannah Mack used her cookie seller skills to bring smiles (and Girl Scout Cookies!) to cancer patients in the Valley. Hannah, a Girl Scout Cadette from Troop 1000, utilized the Cookies for the Community program to collect for cancer patients. Cookies for the Community allows people to support girls and give back to the community by donating a box of cookies. The donated Girl Scout Cookies are distributed to a non-profit that the Girl Scout is passionate about, or to a council partner organization like United Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul and USO Arizona.

Hannah sold 2,644 packages of cookies in 2019. By selling over 2,000 packages, she joined the ranks of the Mighty Mint Club, which recognizes top cookie entrepreneurs who are learning financial literacy and building confidence through the Cookie Program.

Members of Hannah’s family helped her pass out the cookies, and were proud of her efforts. “As a Mom, you cry several times through it as people stop to tell you how

Hannah’s fam ily helps her de liver cookies.

blessed you are to have a daughter to do something like this,” says Kristi Mack, who adds, “It is because of the program and Hannah's dedication to helping others that these cookies have landed in the hands of those needing a smile.”

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world! All cookie proceeds stay local and benefit Girl Scouts in Arizona— funding service projects, adventures for troops and more.

So when you see a Girl Scout Cookie booth next January and February, why don’t you donate a box? Then you, too, can help share cookies and a smile.

Join Girl Scouts today!

Visit www.girlscoutsaz.org/join, Text joinGS to 31996, email join@girlscoutsaz.org, or call 602-452-7040.

Page 10

BEAR 40 YEARS •

Blood Suckers! www.bearessentialnews.com

October 2019

October 2019

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BEAR 40 YEARS

Page 11

Kissing Bug

Good to the Last Bite.

Leech

Blood sucking leeches are sometimes used in cosmetic surgery and microsurgery for better healing!

T

o get you and your buddies into the Halloween spirit, Boomer Bear takes a look at creatures that live in a most CRINGEWORTHY way!

Some bloodsuckers are so sneaky or tiny that the host (or victim, if you want to be dramatic) doesn’t even know it’s there!

But why blood? It is rich in red and white blood cells, which are high in protein. The downside is that, as food, blood is low in vitamins and can carry disease.

“All animals with backbones (from humans to birds to fish) have blood and are another (food) resource in the world. And many different organisms have evolved to use that resource!” explains Kathleen Walker, Director of Insect Discovery at the University of Arizona’s Department of Entomology. Bloodsucking goes by a few fancy names like hematophagy or sanguivore.

Blood Thirsty Insects!

Tick There are 25 tick species in Arizona. Some transmit diseases.

Mosquito Insect images: shutterstock.com

Most tend to be small, so let’s start with a few insects and other related animals that rely on blood.

“A lot of them can bite people, even if we’re not their primary host,” Dr. Walker points out. “We have a few that target people, but there are many mosquitoes that are bird specialists. Lizards and other reptiles get attacked, too. It’s a huge diversity.”

Our rainy season is good for our thirsty desert, but also brings about mosquitoes, which Dr. Walker studies.

In fact, Arizona has 40 of the world’s 3,000 species of mosquitoes. Surprisingly, not all mosquitoes are bloodsuckers. While both males and females feed on nectar, “the females use blood to make their eggs for their babies,” she says.

All mosquitoes spend their childhood in freshwater, often in icky water that’s stagnant. They don’t emerge from there until they’re an adult.

They have a pointy PROBOSCIS with spe-

It’s only the female mosquitoes that suck blood to produce eggs!

Vampire Bat

cialized mouthparts. “Basically, they saw a little tiny hole and go in and suck the blood,” Dr. Walker says. And it’s their saliva that can make your skin get red and itch.

Dr. Walker studies a pretty mosquito that’s black with white markings called Aedes aegypti, which can carry viruses like Zika, dengue or yellow fever. Fortunately, the ones here in Arizona don’t carry those viruses. They aren’t native around here, but still humans have unknowingly brought them here. They grow up in small manmade containers that hold water like the saucers that go underneath a potted plant or toys left outside that hold a bit of water. So the solution to getting rid of those biting pests is to find those containers and dump them!

Kissing bugs are true bugs with a little cone-shaped head that are black with red or orange markings. These sneaky insects are larger and only live on the blood that they suck! They come out at night and are called kissing bugs because they like to bite around the mouth or eyes while the host sleeps. Fortunately, the kissing bugs here in Arizona don’t transmit chagas, an illness from a tiny organism that lives in their poop. Chagas is a problem caused by kissing bugs in Central and South America.

Not all black bugs with red markings are kissing bugs, though! The small boxelder bug and giant mesquite bug look similar to them but won’t “kiss” you!

Ugh! Bed bugs are a growing problem. And once your place is infested with these crawling insects, you might have to call in experts to get rid of them! Dr. Walker says bed bugs also solely rely on sucking blood to live. They are tiny, brownish, flattened insects that tend to hide in crevices of mattresses and between sheets and come out to bite humans and sometimes other warm-blooded animals like pets or birds.

Fleas are also flightless insects, but can really jump.

They are narrow and tiny, which helps them claw their way through fur or feathers.

Their mouthparts

Two of the three species of vampire bats target birds only.

are specialized for piercing the skin and sucking blood. Sometimes fleas carry certain diseases.

Ticks, which are often found sucking the blood of dogs and cats, also attach themselves to humans, birds, reptiles and even amphibians. They aren’t insects, they are ARACHNIDS, more closely related to mites and spiders. Here in Arizona, we have 25 species of ticks. After their larvae hatch from eggs, they need blood in order to continue to develop into the nymph stage. Once an adult, female ticks need a blood meal in order to lay up to 5,000 eggs before dying!

What would Halloween be with out bats?

You don’t need to worry about vampire bats getting you. Vampire bats, which sneak up on their hosts, make a tiny slice or two into the skin with their razor teeth and add their special saliva (spit) that has an anticoagulant to help the blood flow freely instead of clotting. The bat then laps up the blood. They are found in South and Central America and up through parts of Mexico.

“There are only three species, and for two of those, their specialty is bird blood,” explains Robin Kropp, education specialist for the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

The northernmost branches of the vampire bat’s range is about 170 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border. The third species of vampire bat goes for mammals, like pigs and cows. Under the cover of darkness, they land on the ground and crawl onto their unsuspecting hosts.

Still, Arizona is home to 28 species of non-bloodsucking bats, and Kropp finds them fascinating. Some feed on nectar and pollen while most actively hunt flying insects and a few find their prey (like scorpions, crickets and katydids) on the ground.

The lesser long-nosed bat flies into Mexico in the winter. “They need to go where it’s flowering year-round, hang out in Mexico November–February, then start traveling north on what we call the ‘Nectar Corridor’—where they feed on the flowering columnar cacti—things like saguaros, cardons and etchos. They flower at night and have these big white, fragrant flowers…they’re like the perfect bat flowers,” Krop says. “The ones traveling north are pregnant. The reason they come north is because there are tons of fuel and protein in these cactus flowers. While they are feeding, they are also pollinating these plants (so their pollinated flowers can turn into fruit, which they also eat).” As winter approaches, these lesser long-nosed bats, including the youngsters, head back to Mexico along the “Agave Corridor,” feeding on the flowers of the blooming agaves!

Read the captions to find out more about bloodsuckers and do the Word Game!

Unlike other fish, lampreys don’t have jaws— just teeth and a funnel-like sucking mouth to take in blood!

Lamprey

Bloodsuckers Word Game

These bloodsuckers are so named because they bite near the mouth or eyes!

Fill in the blanks to complete the words found in this month’s feature. Then use these letters (unscrambled) to complete the joke below.

Bed Bug

VA_P_RE B_T _EECH HEMA_OPH_GY I_SECT_ B_D _UG F_E_

On vacation?

Check for bed bugs and keep your luggage on racks or a table so you don’t bring them home!

_ISSI_G _UG M_SQUI_O

Vampire Finch

_I_K This Galapagos Island bird drinks the blood of blue-footed boobies, and the boobies don’t seem to mind!

What sports do vampires like to play? __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ OR __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (9 letters)

(10 letters)

Page 10

BEAR 40 YEARS •

Blood Suckers! www.bearessentialnews.com

October 2019

October 2019

•

BEAR 40 YEARS

Page 11

Kissing Bug

Good to the Last Bite.

Leech

Blood sucking leeches are sometimes used in cosmetic surgery and microsurgery for better healing!

T

o get you and your buddies into the Halloween spirit, Boomer Bear takes a look at creatures that live in a most CRINGEWORTHY way!

Some bloodsuckers are so sneaky or tiny that the host (or victim, if you want to be dramatic) doesn’t even know it’s there!

But why blood? It is rich in red and white blood cells, which are high in protein. The downside is that, as food, blood is low in vitamins and can carry disease.

“All animals with backbones (from humans to birds to fish) have blood and are another (food) resource in the world. And many different organisms have evolved to use that resource!” explains Kathleen Walker, Director of Insect Discovery at the University of Arizona’s Department of Entomology. Bloodsucking goes by a few fancy names like hematophagy or sanguivore.

Blood Thirsty Insects!

Tick There are 25 tick species in Arizona. Some transmit diseases.

Mosquito Insect images: shutterstock.com

Most tend to be small, so let’s start with a few insects and other related animals that rely on blood.

“A lot of them can bite people, even if we’re not their primary host,” Dr. Walker points out. “We have a few that target people, but there are many mosquitoes that are bird specialists. Lizards and other reptiles get attacked, too. It’s a huge diversity.”

Our rainy season is good for our thirsty desert, but also brings about mosquitoes, which Dr. Walker studies.

In fact, Arizona has 40 of the world’s 3,000 species of mosquitoes. Surprisingly, not all mosquitoes are bloodsuckers. While both males and females feed on nectar, “the females use blood to make their eggs for their babies,” she says.

All mosquitoes spend their childhood in freshwater, often in icky water that’s stagnant. They don’t emerge from there until they’re an adult.

They have a pointy PROBOSCIS with spe-

It’s only the female mosquitoes that suck blood to produce eggs!

Vampire Bat

cialized mouthparts. “Basically, they saw a little tiny hole and go in and suck the blood,” Dr. Walker says. And it’s their saliva that can make your skin get red and itch.

Dr. Walker studies a pretty mosquito that’s black with white markings called Aedes aegypti, which can carry viruses like Zika, dengue or yellow fever. Fortunately, the ones here in Arizona don’t carry those viruses. They aren’t native around here, but still humans have unknowingly brought them here. They grow up in small manmade containers that hold water like the saucers that go underneath a potted plant or toys left outside that hold a bit of water. So the solution to getting rid of those biting pests is to find those containers and dump them!

Kissing bugs are true bugs with a little cone-shaped head that are black with red or orange markings. These sneaky insects are larger and only live on the blood that they suck! They come out at night and are called kissing bugs because they like to bite around the mouth or eyes while the host sleeps. Fortunately, the kissing bugs here in Arizona don’t transmit chagas, an illness from a tiny organism that lives in their poop. Chagas is a problem caused by kissing bugs in Central and South America.

Not all black bugs with red markings are kissing bugs, though! The small boxelder bug and giant mesquite bug look similar to them but won’t “kiss” you!

Ugh! Bed bugs are a growing problem. And once your place is infested with these crawling insects, you might have to call in experts to get rid of them! Dr. Walker says bed bugs also solely rely on sucking blood to live. They are tiny, brownish, flattened insects that tend to hide in crevices of mattresses and between sheets and come out to bite humans and sometimes other warm-blooded animals like pets or birds.

Fleas are also flightless insects, but can really jump.

They are narrow and tiny, which helps them claw their way through fur or feathers.

Their mouthparts

Two of the three species of vampire bats target birds only.

are specialized for piercing the skin and sucking blood. Sometimes fleas carry certain diseases.

Ticks, which are often found sucking the blood of dogs and cats, also attach themselves to humans, birds, reptiles and even amphibians. They aren’t insects, they are ARACHNIDS, more closely related to mites and spiders. Here in Arizona, we have 25 species of ticks. After their larvae hatch from eggs, they need blood in order to continue to develop into the nymph stage. Once an adult, female ticks need a blood meal in order to lay up to 5,000 eggs before dying!

What would Halloween be with out bats?

You don’t need to worry about vampire bats getting you. Vampire bats, which sneak up on their hosts, make a tiny slice or two into the skin with their razor teeth and add their special saliva (spit) that has an anticoagulant to help the blood flow freely instead of clotting. The bat then laps up the blood. They are found in South and Central America and up through parts of Mexico.

“There are only three species, and for two of those, their specialty is bird blood,” explains Robin Kropp, education specialist for the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

The northernmost branches of the vampire bat’s range is about 170 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border. The third species of vampire bat goes for mammals, like pigs and cows. Under the cover of darkness, they land on the ground and crawl onto their unsuspecting hosts.

Still, Arizona is home to 28 species of non-bloodsucking bats, and Kropp finds them fascinating. Some feed on nectar and pollen while most actively hunt flying insects and a few find their prey (like scorpions, crickets and katydids) on the ground.

The lesser long-nosed bat flies into Mexico in the winter. “They need to go where it’s flowering year-round, hang out in Mexico November–February, then start traveling north on what we call the ‘Nectar Corridor’—where they feed on the flowering columnar cacti—things like saguaros, cardons and etchos. They flower at night and have these big white, fragrant flowers…they’re like the perfect bat flowers,” Krop says. “The ones traveling north are pregnant. The reason they come north is because there are tons of fuel and protein in these cactus flowers. While they are feeding, they are also pollinating these plants (so their pollinated flowers can turn into fruit, which they also eat).” As winter approaches, these lesser long-nosed bats, including the youngsters, head back to Mexico along the “Agave Corridor,” feeding on the flowers of the blooming agaves!

Read the captions to find out more about bloodsuckers and do the Word Game!

Unlike other fish, lampreys don’t have jaws— just teeth and a funnel-like sucking mouth to take in blood!

Lamprey

Bloodsuckers Word Game

These bloodsuckers are so named because they bite near the mouth or eyes!

Fill in the blanks to complete the words found in this month’s feature. Then use these letters (unscrambled) to complete the joke below.

Bed Bug

VA_P_RE B_T _EECH HEMA_OPH_GY I_SECT_ B_D _UG F_E_

On vacation?

Check for bed bugs and keep your luggage on racks or a table so you don’t bring them home!

_ISSI_G _UG M_SQUI_O

Vampire Finch

_I_K This Galapagos Island bird drinks the blood of blue-footed boobies, and the boobies don’t seem to mind!

What sports do vampires like to play? __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ OR __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (9 letters)

(10 letters)

12

BEAR 40 YEARS •

www.bearessentialnews.com

October 2019

Stay Safe this Halloween!

FIREFIGHTER STOP ENGINE BATTERY MATCH FIRE DROP HOSE BEEP LIGHTER SMOKE ROLL CHANGE FLAME DETECTOR SAFETY BURN TEST ESCAPE ROUTE EXTINGUISHER

Safety Word “Fill In the Blank” Game Fill in the blanks in the Halloween Safety Tips.

Halloween Safety Tips

1. Walk only on the _________________ .

2. Bring all of your _____________ home for your parents to check.

3. _________________ with an adult or a group of ______________.

4. Wear face paint instead of a __________ .

5. Never play near ________________ that are lit.

6. Wear bright ______________ so others can see you when you ____________ .

Word Bank: costumes, trick-or-treat, jack-o’-lanterns, mask, sidewalk, walk, treats, friends ANSWERS: 1. sidewalk, 2. treats, 3. walk–friends 4. mask, 5. jack-o’-lanterns, 6. costumes– trick-or-treat

Fire Safety Search

Find the words in the alphabet soup. One is already circled to get you started.

Have a

y p p a H ! n e e w Hallo

October 2019 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

B

Get the Scoop!

Continued from page 8

Deaf People Can Do Anything Except...Hear

by Reporter Samantha Goodwin Mesquite Jr. High Did you know that there is a law that protects the rights of deaf people?

Some people don’t realize how much deaf people can do. Actually, deaf people can do anything just like everyone can! There’s only one thing that deaf people can’t do. They can’t hear.

Here’s what deaf people can do…first, they can drive. A lot of hearing parents don’t teach their deaf child to drive because they think deaf people can’t drive. That’s not true. They can drive! First, they need to get a license which is required for everyone, of course! If they need to know which street they are on, they can read signs.The most important part of driving for deaf people is their vision. They don’t need to hear to drive. They can use their eyes to see important information in the streets while they’re driving, such as seeing emergency lights on vehicles or stopped traffic.

Next, deaf people can also be good parents. If they have a hearing child, they still can be good parents to hearing kids.They can teach signs to their kids to help communicate with deaf parents. Deaf parents will also want to teach their children to be good kids. Even when hearing kids become adults, deaf people still want their children to follow the rules, have a positive attitude, and be nice to people. Even though deaf parents communicate with their children in sign language, they still teach their children the same things as other parents.

Finally, deaf people can also work. Deaf people can work with hearing people because they can communicate in different ways, using texts, emails and writing. Deaf people can work at the same jobs hearing people can. They can be actors, doctors and lawyers. There are laws that prevent deaf people from being discriminated against because they are capable of doing these jobs. In conclusion, deaf people can do any of those things and so much more!

Book Tells Why Movies Are Magic

by Reporter Eleanor Wright Tucson Country Day School “Movies are Magic: A Kid’s History of the Moving Image From the Dawn of Time to About 1939” is a book that tells the history of movie making.

Written by Jennifer Churchill and illustrated by Howell Edwards, the book features a young boy named Weston (he is Churchill’s son) and his dog Oscar. The two of them venture through the history of movies from silent films to talking motion pictures.

The book is targeted for child readers, but adults will enjoy it, too.

I suggest this book to anyone who has an interest in being a director. It provides a great amount of information about how movies are made and gives great examples of the history of films.

It is a great book for good readers, although I do not recommend this book for brand new readers. My favorite part is the amazing illustrations. They are simple and detailed at the same time.

I highly suggest this book to anyone who loves movies and wants to learn more of the history of film.

MORE SCOOPS, page 14 ➧

BEAR 40 YEARS

Young Reporters!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who made it to the Young Reporter Workshop in Phoenix last month.

Special thanks to the staff and students at the Cronkite School of Journalism!

If you were not able to make it to the workshop, you can still report for Bear Essential News this school year.

All kids in grades 3–8 are eligible to become Young Reporters—and best of all, it’s free!

Just head to Bear’s website at bearessentialnews.com and click on the Young Reporters tab to download the sign-up form. If you have questions, you can call 866-NEWS KID.

Current Young Reporters, Submit Your Stories NOW! The staff at Bear Essential News wants to see your names and articles in our November and December issues.

Send in your stories or sign up today!

Call or email us if you have any questions.

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October 2019

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Continued from page 13

Enjoy These Halloween Events & Stay Safe!

by Reporter Millie Valenzuela Arizona Desert Elementary Halloween is coming soon. There are many different events happening that could be an alternative to trick or treating. Some events taking place are: • Howl-O-Ween takes place at the Phoenix Zoo on Oct. 25 and 26. Howl-O-Ween includes experiences and activities for your whole family from 6–10:30 p.m.

• McCormic-Stillman Railroad Park is having Halloween Spook-Trackula, Oct. 25–31. It’s for all ages. The Paradise and Pacific Railroad will be transformed into a haunted park for fun.

• Halloween Comic Fest will take place on Oct. 28 at the Tolleson Public Library. They will have games like 5 Minute Marvel. You will be able create LED anime art and help create a giant collage mural using comic book art. A free comic book will be given to those attending.

• You can attend a tea party after school at The Teapot on Oct. 31. You will enjoy yummy ghoulish treats, petite sandwiches and pots of Spooky “tea.”

If you go trick or treating, Safe Kids Worldwide suggests: • Plan your night ahead.

• Wear bright colors and/or reflective tape on your costume.

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.

• Look left and right and left again when crossing the street and keep looking as you cross.

• Put electronic devices down and keep your head up when you walk.

• Always check candy before eating it.

Adviser: Karen Golden

MORE SCOOPS, page 17 ➧

r

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• Autism • ADHD/ADD • Birth Trauma • Behavioral Problems • Developmental Delays • Acquired Brain Injury • Learning Disabilities • Sensory Processing Disorder SIRRI offers the Sensory Learning Program, an innovative, drug-free, multisensory approach to developmental learning that works to improve perception, understanding and the ability to learn.

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October 2019 •

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The Holiday Performances Coloring Contest!

In Comingber!

Novem

BEAR 40 YEARS

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October 2019

PHOENIX Fall Events

Arizona Taco Festival October 12 & 13, Salt River Fields in Scottsdale www.aztacofestival.com/ Celebrate Mesa Free Fall Festival Community Event!

Saturday, October 19, 2019

5:00pm-9:00pm Red Mountain Soccer Complex 905 N. Sunvalley Blvd. www.mesaparks.com/info-contact/ special-events/celebrate-mesa Cronkite School’s “Calling the Game” Camp

PRESENTS

NINJA WARRIOR OBSTACLE COURSE

October 10-11 for middle and high school students Learn the basics of sports broadcasting and play-by-play at this two day camp.

Resister at www.cronkite.asu.edu/ cronkitecamp Desert Botanical Gardens–Las Noches de las Luminarias Nov. 29 & 30, Dec. 6-8, 13-15, 17-23, 26-31 Celebrate the spirit of the season with Las Noches de las Luminarias.

Stroll the Garden’s trails lined with 8,000 flickering luminaria bags. www.dbg.org/ Dia de los Muertos Festival at the Mesa Arts Center October 26 & 27 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Spirits collide during the annual Day of the Dead celebration at Mesa Arts Center! Free event. www.mesaartscenter.com/diadelosmuertos Phoenix Zoo–Howl-O-Ween October 25 & 26 6–10:30 p.m.

Trick… or treat?

A spooky event for all ages! Howl-OWeen includes activities and experiences for the whole family. www. phoenixzoo.org/event-items/howl-oween/

1 MILE. 10 OBSTACLES.

GET REGISTERED TODAY! CONQUERYYOUTH.COM

Spooktacular at Wildlife World Zoo October 27 & 28 Kids in costume receive free admission. One child admission per paying adult. www.wildlifeworld.com TheatreWorks–PuppetWorks October 12, 19 & 26, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria TheaterWorks PuppetWorks Season Opens with Spooktacular Halloween Show. www.theaterworks.org Tolmachoff Farms–Pumpkin Days and Corn Maze October 2nd–November 3rd 5726 N. 75th Ave. Glendale Great big pumpkin patch, 6-acre family corn maze with a new theme every year. www.tolmachoff-farms.com/

NOVEMBER 2

Phoenix, AZ • 9a–2p

FREE FAMILY EXPO!

Horse Lovers Park 1922 N Tatum Blvd. Phoenix, AZ Text NINJA to 55222 for more info!

Fun, food, and giveaways! Interactive booths and so much more! Sponsors and vendors contact Jyl@ShapeUpUS.org.

Vertuccio Farms–Corn Maze & fall Festival September 30–November 3 4011 S. Power Road, Mesa 5-acres of festival fun and games for the entire family! www.vertucciofarms.com/

October 2019 •

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Continued from page 7

An Amphibian Life Cycle Unfolds

by Reporter Max Bradley Sonoran Science Academy One day, my family and I went on a vacation to Show Low, Arizona. We saw a puddle full of tadpoles. We took them home to Tucson and watched them develop.

When we got home, we placed them in a jar. They ate dead leaves from our backyard and (if the tadpoles were dead) sometimes they would eat each other.

After a few weeks, they began growing legs. When they got their first two legs, their tails began shrinking. Not a lot, but you could tell they were smaller.

Another few weeks passed. When that time rolled around they already had back legs and front legs. Their tails were also smaller than before.

After about a month or two, some of the tadpoles began walking on land. That was when we bought a giant, plastic cage to let them live in. Not all of the tadpoles developed at the same time, so we put a little bowl in the cage for the tadpoles that had not begun walking yet.

After another little while, all of the tadpoles were froglets, and they started getting a BIG appetite. They ate a lot of flies, but they would also consume a pound of ground turkey in one week! They also made cute, squeaking noises when they were hungry or thirsty.

We had so many froglets (48 of them) that we had to give them up. We went back to Show Low, where we let them go. It was a little painful to see them go, but I knew they would be happy there in their new home.

BEAR 40 YEARS

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October 2019

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Win a Fantastic Halloween Package!

Color Boomer’s Halloween picture and send it to Bear for a chance to win a Family 4-Pack of Tickets to Halloween Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival—Salt River Fields at Talking Sticks on October 25th!

Also...

Pick out a really cool Halloween Costume at Fun Costumes in Mesa with a $100 Gift Certificate!

Entry Deadline: October 18th

ENTRY FORM Send your colored artwork to

Bear Essential News/ Halloween Contest 2525 E. Broadway Blvd. #102 Tucson, AZ 85716 Name: ____________________ Address: __________________

__________________________ Email: ____________________ Tel: _________________________ Contest open to kids ages 17 and younger. Winners chosen by random drawing.

Entry deadline: 10/18/2019

October 2019 •

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October 2019

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