19 minute read
Kids’ Corner
KIDS’ CORNER RIDING THE RAILS, BIG AND SMALL, IN ARIZONA
By Jill “MamaBug” Frier
There is something special about trains. Their size, power and the ability to take us from one destination to another, sometimes through impassable wilderness, is awe-inspiring. Folks settled in Arizona by riding the rails and traveling in carriages and on horseback. In keeping with that spirit, there many opportunities to take a train ride through historic parts of our state. Here are some of our favorite train rides in the state, both big and small.
THE GRAND CANYON RAILROAD
The granddaddy of historic trains in Arizona, the Grand Canyon Railway has been letting people ride its rails to the canyon since 1901. Headquartered in Williams, Arizona, just west of Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon Railway is a tourist destination – a weekend trip and a fantastic way to get to the Grand Canyon without having to drive. The railway makes several round trips between Williams and Grand Canyon National Park every day, with a wide range of car types and ticket pricing to fit every budget.
Riding the train to and from the National Park has become one of our favorite ways to see the Grand Canyon. The railway provides fun Old West entertainment, beverages and snacks on the 130mile round trip that takes you directly to the train station outside the El Tovar Hotel. They also have a large, modern hotel available at the station in Williams – a great place to stay for a weekend excursion.
The Grand Canyon Railway hosts special train rides and events, including Steam Saturdays, the Pumpkin Patch Train in October, and the always-popular Polar Express in November and December.
Grand Canyon Railway
233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd. Williams, AZ 86046 www.thetrain.com
VERDE CANYON RAILROAD
The Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarkdale, Arizona, provides passengers with a historic trip through the Arizona back country near the Red Rock Wilderness of Sedona. This 40-mile round-trip train ride through the Verde Canyon wilderness lets you see wildlife, cliffs, canyons and old mining artifacts from the comfort of a fully-restored vintage train.
This train ride is a fun, luxurious and relaxing trip in climate controlled comfort – but you can also enjoy the beauty outside on one of the open-air platform cars on the train. Located just outside the town of Cottonwood, the Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarkdale makes a great day trip from Phoenix or a fun activity if you are planning a stay in Sedona or one of the surrounding towns.
Calling themselves “Arizona’s longestrunning nature show … railroad style,” the Verde Canyon Railroad hosts many different events to entertain passengers. Their seasonal events include: the “Grape Train Escape” Wine Tasting Tours throughout the summer, a Fourth of July “Firecracker Express” for Independence Day, the “Ales on Rails” beer festival in September and October, a Fall Colors tour in October and November, the Christmas Train to the North Pole in December, a Chocolate Lovers’ Valentine’s Celebration in February, and an Easter Bunny Express near Easter. The train also provides special rides throughout the year, including: Saturday Night Starlight Rides, Native Sedona wildlife tours, and Eagle Watch rides.
The Verde Canyon Railroad also provides a venue for a variety of private parties including weddings, birthdays or other events – what a fun way to celebrate your special day!
The Verde Canyon Railway
300 North Broadway Clarkdale, AZ 86324 www.verdecanyonrr.com
THE MCCORMICK-STILLMAN RAILROAD PARK
“I want to go to the train park, Mom!” says many a kid as the weather gets cooler in Phoenix. The “train park,” as savvy parents know, is the McCormickStillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. This 30-acre Railroad Park is operated by the city of Scottsdale’s Parks and Recreation Department, and is considered the most unique park of its kind in the country. The park lets visitors take a ride on the Paradise and Pacific Railroad, enjoy the 1950-vintage Allan Herschell carousel, visit a variety of shops and museums, or play on a one-ofa-kind playground in one of Scottsdale’s most beautiful public parks.
This park is home to the Scottsdale Railroad Museum, which features generations of railroad history, artifacts and memorabilia that bring the history of railroads to life. It also boasts a 10,000 square foot model railroad building that houses four model railroad clubs. The park hosts “Railfair” every year in October, a special Holiday Lights display in December, and will book birthday parties and group events at their facility.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 E Indian Bend Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85250 www.therailroadpark.com
THE ADOBE MOUNTAIN DESERT RAILROAD PARK
A hidden railroad gem, located just north of the Adobe Dam off of Pinnacle Peak Road and 43rd Avenue, is the Adobe Mountain Desert Railroad Park. The 160-acre railroad park is part of the Adobe Dam Recreation Park, and is home to the Maricopa Live Steamers, Arizona Model Railroading Society, Ari-
zona Garden Railway Society, and the Sahuaro Central Railroad Heritage Preservation Society. The Adobe Mountain Desert Railroad Park is generally open to the public during the winter months from mid-September through early May.
Admission to visit these trains is free, but donations are gratefully accepted for park improvements and ongoing maintenance. The 7 1/2” gauge train enthusiasts run an impressive operation out in the desert, and this unique and inexpensive family activity gives kids and parents to opportunity to enjoy a scenic outdoor train ride on the Adobe Western Railroad. And be sure to check out their special Starlight Christmas at the Railroad Park, Fridays and Saturdays throughout December.
The Adobe Mountain Desert Railroad Park
22822 North 43rd Avenue Glendale, AZ www.maricopalivesteamers.com
Visit each website for specific hours, pricing, events and more.
Take your kids and family out to enjoy riding the rails on one of the full sized or miniature railroads around the state – it’s a great way to see the scenery, wildlife and learn about the history of trains. Be sure to check Ladybug’s Blog for a more ideas for great places to get your kids out of the house to enjoy adventures throughout Arizona at www.LadybugsBlog.com
Fine & Performing Arts Fine & Performing Arts at Paradise Valley Community Collegeat Paradise Valley Community College ART • CREATIVE WRITING • ART • CREATIVE WRITING • DANCE • FILM • MUSIC • THEATRE DANCE • FILM • MUSIC • THEATRE
Union32 Jazz presents: Scandinavian Jazz
Saturday Concert Series: Samba de Cavalo (Samba)
Film Festival at PVCC: Day I Saw Your Heart (NR)
Union32 Rock presents: “Rebels and Refugees” A Musical Tribute to David Bowie & Tom Petty Saturday, September 15th at 7:30pm, $6-$18 Admission
Phoenix Opera presents: “Love Always, Lenny” A Celebration of the music of Leonard Bernstein
Saturday Concert Series: Chuck Hall Band (Electric Blues)
For a complete listing of all Fall 2018 classes, events, workshops and performances, please visit us online and join our mailing list. www.paradisevalley.edu/cpa
18401 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, 85032 18401 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, 85032 paradisevalley.edu/cpa • 602.787.7738paradisevalley.edu/cpa • 602.787.7738
FAMILY HELPING CHILDREN MANAGE PEER PRESSURE
By Sara Listar-Guest
Fall is here. School and extracurricular activities are in full swing. It’s an exciting time for adolescents entering middle school and high school - new friends, new challenges and new experiences. But with that also come tests, both in and out of the classroom. The desire to fit in and feel like you are part of a group is normal, and most people feel this way at some point or other, especially in the middle school and teen years.
Even when trying to do their best academically and socially, it can be hard for teenagers to resist peer pressure. With the pressures of wanting to fit in many seek approval of their peers and begin experimenting with drugs and alcohol.
If kids are surrounded by people with similar values, managing peer pressure is usually not that difficult. But it can be difficult in a school environment when they are surrounded by people with a wide variety of attitudes and behaviors. They may know just what to do one minute but then feel completely overwhelmed and pulled to go against their better judgement the next.
Here are some tips for helping children manage peer pressure as they return to school: • Encourage your children to spend time with people who have similar values and won’t put them in uncomfortable situations.
• Help children set boundaries and give them permission to avoid people or situations that don’t feel right. It’s OK to leave a situation that feels uncomfortable.
• Tell your children that it’s not OK for others to force or pressure them into anything. They can tell others to stop pressuring them and choose to avoid spending time with people who make them feel pressured. • Remind children that they don’t have to be liked by or please everyone they meet.
• Teach your children about delay tactics. When other people or situations make them feel pressured, they can try using responses like: “Let me think about that” or “Can I get back to you?”
• There are going to be times when your children can’t avoid or delay a pressure-filled situation. Remind them it’s OK to say, “No Thanks” or “I can’t.”
• It’s OK to use an excuse if the truth is too challenging. If someone offers them a drink and they don’t want to take it, tell them to use phrases like “I have to get up early” or “I’m on medication so I can’t.”
• It’s OK for children to ask themselves “How am I feeling about this?” “Does this seem right to me?” Listening to our guts is important.
• Practice the buddy system. When your children think they may be in a pressure-filled situation, tell them to take someone with them. Someone who will support and respect their intentions to not drink or stay sober.
With the new school year about to begin, teens will desire to be socially accepted when they spend time with new people or are in new situations. Ensure a safe and healthy year by being an accountable parent and teaching the strategies needed to cope with peer pressure at the start of the new school year.
Sara Listar-Guest is a Marriage and Family Therapist for Southwest Behavioral & Health Service. For more information about helping your children manage peer pressure, visit the Southwest Behavioral & Health Service website at www. sbhservices.org.
Get in on the camping fun with theArizona State Parks and Trails award-winning Family Campout Program! Fall dates have been announced for the program that gives kids a break from electronics and introduces them to outdoor adventures.
The program is ideal for those new to camping but all are welcome to share in this weekend experience. Family Campouts may include fishing, archery, water activities, mountain biking, or hiking, depending on the date and park. Trained camp coordinators assist each camper with lessons on how to set up a tent, prepare food outside, build a fire, and work on a service project. The program fee is $90 for a family of up to four people. Additional family members are $5 each for up to six people. Sorry, children five and younger and pets cannot participate in this program.
Fall 2018 registration is now open! VisitAZStateParks.com/familycamp to register and for more information: • September 15-16, 2018 – Cattail Cove State Park – Lake Havasu City • September 22-23, 2018 – Slide Rock State Park – Sedona • October 6-7, 2018 – Tonto Natural Bridge State Park – Payson • October 13-14, 2018 – Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area – Show Low • October 27-28, 2018 – Kartchner Caverns State Park – Benson • November 3-4, 2018 – Oracle State Park – Oracle • December 1-2, 2018 – Lost Dutchman State Park – Apache Junction
Arizona State Parks and Trails’ Family Campout Program was the recipient of the 2015 Youth Enrichment Award from the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association and recipient of the Tourism Spirit of Service Award at the 2016 Arizona Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
For information about all 35 Arizona State Parks and Natural Areas, the Trails and Off-Highway Vehicle Programs and State Historic Preservation Office call 1-877-MYPARKS or visitAZStateParks.com.
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COVER STORY Superhero September to Save Children
By Jennifer Marshall
Glass shattered and little Bobby cowered in the corner of his room. Daddy yelled louder and louder, and tears poured from Bobby’s eyes. Mommy screamed, and Bobby grabbed Buzzy the Bunny squeezing him to his chest.
Daddy was hurting Mommy again, and it was all his fault. He shouldn’t have spilled his red punch on the carpet.
Footsteps boomed down the hall. The Monster was coming. Bobby pushed his small body deeper into the wall as if hoping he could merge into the plaster and disappear forever.
The bedroom door flew open, and The Monster towered over him. Mommy surged forward and grabbed The Monster by the arm. The Monster raised his hand, which was as big as any monster claw, and hit his Mommy knocking her to the floor.
Bobby knew what was coming next; it was his turn. Clinging helplessly to Buzzy, he closed his eyes seconds before impact…. .
NO CHILD SHOULD EVER BE ABUSED! According to the CDC: “There were 676,000 victims of child abuse and neglect reported to child protective services (CPS) in 2016.”
The nonprofit organization Childhelp states that: “A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds.”
THIS NEEDS TO STOP! We need a superhero! Thankfully, heroes come in all varieties, and we have one right here in the Valley. He’s Detective Sean Reavie with the Phoenix Police Department, and he’s making a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. Reavie is a member of the Family Investigations Bureau serving in the Crimes Against Children Unit.
He’s the creator of the program—Superhero September: The Fantastic Fourth—which raises awareness and funds for children who’ve been emotionally, physically and sexually abused and/or are the victims of neglect.
To comprehend how awesome and worthwhile this project is you have to first understand how and why it started back in August 2015.
Reavie and the other detectives in the Crimes Against Children Unit work with Childhelp Children’s Advocacy Center, which falls under the umbrella of Childhelp.
“Kids who come into the Childhelp Center have been listed as victims in police reports,” said Reavie. “Last year, the Center saw 7800 children.”
The Center is designed to be the central stop for all their care.
Forensic nurses and pediatricians examine the kids, which is especially critical if the abuse is sexual, and they collect evidence and take photos.
Meanwhile, a victim’s advocate meets with the family to explain the many mental health services the Center provides including play therapy and immersion therapy.
Next, the kids are taken to a playroom where no one can disturb them. Here, they can have fun with other kids, watch movies and just simply play.
Lastly, the children are interviewed by a forensic interviewer in a open-ended format. So these kids, who’ve already suffered so much, only have to share their story once, it’s audio and video recorded.
“No matter what I did,” said Reavie, “the sad and terrified children that came to see me were still sad and terrified when they left—all because someone took away their right to be a child. I realized I needed to do something to reach these kids while I had them because I didn’t have them for very long.”
Reavie, who’d been bullied in school, reminisced about what had made him happy and given him strength during those difficult childhood days. A selfproclaimed “comic book and superhero nerd,” he knew what his best escapism had been—reading comic books and dreaming of being the next superhero.
In August 2015, Reavie received approval from the Director of Childhelp to hang posters of superheroes in their lobby and place comic books in their bookracks. However, he waited until September to implement these ideas— thus, the creation of Superhero September: The Fantastic Fourth.
One day, Reavie walked past a movie theater where Ant-man and Avengers: Age of Ultron were both showing.
“90 percent of the people,” said Reavie, “were wearing superhero Tshirts, and the kids were playing with action figures. Everyone was happy. What if we gave every kid who came into Childhelp a superhero T-shirt or action figure? Then, they’d be happy when they left.”
Reavie took to social media with his donation request. When he came to work the next morning to a desk piled high with T-shirts and action figures, he knew he was onto something special. He also knew he worked with an amazing group of first responders as many of his fellow officers and firefighters had contributed to the mountain of goodies.
Caught up in his excitement, he decided they should host a superhero event. In just a few short weeks, Reavie and his dedicated helpers planned a live superhero show. Batman, Batwoman, Spider-Man, Captain America and Hulk (courtesy of one of the SWAT members who sprayed his body green) were among some of the acclaimed guests along with visitors from Channel 3.
While this wasn’t a public event, TV coverage spread the word, and people were excited. In fact, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association was so impressed, they wrote him a $500 check to buy more superhero gear.
Before he could go out and shop, a South Phoenix Target manager, who’d seen the TV coverage, contacted the Phoenix Police Department with a generous offer. If Reavie would shop at his Target, he’d give him an additional $250 to spend.
The day before he was to go shopping, Reavie decided it would be a hoot to take Captain America with him. That was the official beginning of the September Superhero Shopping Spree.
This annual September event helps to stock Childhelp for the coming year.
“Last year, we raised $22,000, and it was all gone by about March,” said Reavie. “This year, our goal is to raise $50,000.”
While everything superhero is still the order of the shopping day, they’ve expanded their needs to include diapers, underwear, clothing and shoes because some of the kids come in with nothing.
The four September Superhero Shopping Sprees are scheduled on the following Saturdays: 1, 15, 22 and 29. They’re all held at different stores in the Valley, and they’re all sponsored by different area businesses. These Shopping Sprees are open to the public, and in fact, Reavie encourages Moms and
Reavie with Black Widow and Captain America
Dads to bring their kids out dressed as their favorite superhero.
“The Super Main Event!” is held on Saturday, September 8 at the Childhelp Center and is considered their flagship affair. This is a festive day for the entire family, and it goes without saying that the party will be full of everyone’s favorite superhero characters.
“The superheroes,” said Reavie, “are all professional costumed actors with movie quality costumes. They’re astonishing to look at because they look like the real person.”
You can donate to
Superhero September: The Fantastic Fourth
in several ways. Join Reavie during one of his Shopping Sprees, and buy some of those needed items. Or, write a check to Childhelp, and mail it to the attention of: Danielle Gilmour 2120 North Central Avenue Suite #130, Phoenix, Arizona, 85004.
On that, Reavie gives all the credit to Gus Matos and his extraordinary Heroes United Arizona, which is their exclusive supplier of costumed actors. To ensure he can impress a child with the famous heroes he hangs with and knows, Reavie has his photo taken with each one.
In the end, the Superhero September: The Fantastic Fourth program is designed for kids to feel empowered to be strong and heroic—to see themselves as the hero rather than as the victim. What happened to them doesn’t have to define their being or stop them from living a healthy and happy life going forward.
Reavie speaks of hope being stronger than fear, and he witnessed this with a six-year-old sexual assault victim. Curled in the fetal position, she was totally petrified. She wouldn’t talk, and she wouldn’t move—that was until he placed a pink cape and pink cowl on her. Instantly, she jumped up, raised her arms and proclaimed: “I’m a hero, and I’m going to save you all.”
Finally, Reavie was bestowed the honor of “State of Arizona Policeman of the Year” for his ingenuity and all his hard work.
To learn all the details about these events, check out their Facebook page: “Superhero September: The Fantastic Fourth.”
List of Events
AUGUST 26TH
Faith Bible Church Fundraiser
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
AUGUST 31ST
Second Annual Super Kids Event at Norterra Canyon Elementary School
SEPTEMBER 1ST
Fourth Annual Target Superhero Shopping Spree presented by PLEA
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Target at 2140 E Baseline Road
SEPTEMBER 8TH
The Super Main Event presented by PPSLA and AZCOPS
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona 2120 N Central Ave SEPTEMBER 15TH
Walmart Superhero Shopping Spree presented by Paychex, Inc.
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Walmart at 1825 West Bell Road
SEPTEMBER 22ND
North Phoenix Superhero Spectacular
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Nathalie &Co. Dancewear and Little Things 2460 W Happy Valley Rd
SEPTEMBER 29TH
Target Shopping Spree presented by Valley Spinal Care
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Target at Desert Ridge Marketplace 21001 N Tatum
Make a donation today! Visit: www.childhelp.org/superhero4 Or contact the Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona by calling 602-271-4500
