RAK magazine January 2019

raisingarizonakids.com JANUARY 2019

2019 ARIZONA

TEACHER OF THE YEAR KAREEM NEAL Happy Trails 10 Great Hikes for Families

Parenting Hack Easy go-to meals

TEACHING IN ARIZONA

A new documentary film A Mom’s New Year’s Wish:

Fewer Worries

Maryvale High School teacher Kareem Neal with student Gabriel Gonzales (14).

January 2019

CONTENTS

FEATURES 12

Arizona’s 2019 Teacher of the Year

16

“Teaching in Arizona”

18

Happy trails!

22

Kareem Neal, a self-contained special education teacher at Maryvale High School, shares his thoughts on Red for Ed, the biggest challenges for Arizona teachers and his proudest moment as an educator.

A new documentary explores three Tucson teachers’ heroic efforts and attitudes despite low pay and limited support and resources.

Lisa Van Loo of Raising Outdoor Kids offers 10 scenic hiking trails you’ll want to conquer as a family this year and beyond.

Easy go-to meals

12

Need recipes you can make without measuring, from items already in the pantry and refrigerator?

Here’s a week’s worth of easy family dinners, plus time-saving dinner tips for busy moms and dads.

DEPARTMENTS 2

dialogue

4

azgrown

Resolutions

18 5

• Challenger Space Center moves to Phoenix • Starfire’s Mulligan course offers family play • “Mummies of the World” opens at Arizona Science Center • Silent Sundays extended at South Mountain • Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament opening • Where to donate “pre-loved” toys this year • Teens can apply to be Youth Ambassador this month • Make your own tin-can laser light show • Big-picture parenting

24

family time!

32

first person

• Top January events • Last-chance holiday events • Around Arizona • Onstage family performances

Fewer worries: One mom’s wish for 2019

16 RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

1

dialogue January 2019 | Vol 29 | No 9 Publisher Karen Davis Barr Editor Kara G. Morrison Calendar Editor Liz Petroff Copy Editor Debra Citron Contributors Amy Carney, Sari Custer, Sheri Smith, Lisa Van Loo

RON ABELAR

Art Director Michèlle-Renée Adams

Resolutions TYPICALLY, I LOVE the start of a new year. It’s time to look ahead instead of back, to imagine new possibilities and envision — somehow, magically — less hectic lives. I always have sincere intentions of achieving my New Year’s resolutions, which usually include a cleaner, more organized home, getting to the gym and enjoying more adventures with my husband and daughter.

This year, I second the thoughts of writer Sheri Smith, whose essay is on our final page.

What I want more than anything in 2019 is simply fewer worries. I want health and happiness for my family, affordable health care that works when we need it and conversations that tap into our shared humanity, rather than endless divisiveness. What are your biggest hopes for the year?

As always in our January issue, we try to help families find ways to get active and have more fun together. Lisa Van Loo of Raising Outdoor Kids helps by offering 10 scenic hiking trails around the Valley and the state that are great for a wide range of ages and abilities. We’d love to hear about your favorite family hikes as well. Email me at editorial@ RAKmagazine.com, and we’ll add your favorite hiking destinations to our online post.

We were able to spend a little time photographing Arizona’s 2019 Teacher of the Year Kareem Neal with his students in his self-contained special education classroom

Lulu (8), Josie (12) and Dominic Nicita (10) hike the Wind Cave trail at Usery Mountain Regional Park.

Cover Photography Rick D’Elia Operations Manager Tina Gerami-Bynum Sales Representatives Shannon Cornall, Kate Reed

Contact Us: at Maryvale High School. Neal will spend this year at more than 100 events advocating for teachers and public education around the state. He generously shares his thoughts about Arizona teachers’ biggest challenges, but he also explains why he tells young people that it’s a tremendous profession.

Publisher Karen Barr was inspired by seeing the documentary “Teaching in Arizona,” which follows three Tucson teachers giving their all to their students. With the help of Expect More Arizona and Tucson Values Teachers, we’ve also shared a list of concrete ways we can all support and honor our children’s teachers.

Finally, a parenting hack. Calendar Editor Liz Petroff took time away from posting January’s top family events to gather a week’s worth of go-to meals that are a cinch. These meals should make it a tad easier to gather around the dining table this year. Plus, she offers more time-saving dinner tips for busy moms and dads.

Overall, we wish you health, happiness, fun family time and fewer worries in 2019!

editorial@RAKmagazine.com familytime@RAKmagazine.com advertising@RAKmagazine.com subscriptions@RAKmagazine.com events@RAKmagazine.com 5229 N. Seventh Ave. #102 Phoenix, AZ 85013-1974 P: 480–991–KIDS (5437) F: 480–991–5460 raisingarizonakids.com

in partnership with

Follow us! @RAKmagazine RAKmagazine RAKmagazine RAKmagazine RAKmagazine

R aising Arizona Kids magazine (ISSN 1051-4295) was created to connect Valley families to local resources and share real-life stories about the challenges and joys of raising children. Copy­right © 2019 by R aising A rizona K ids, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Subscription price is $12 for one year or $18 for two years. Back issues are $6 per copy. The Post Office will not automatically forward in the event of a move. Make address changes on our website or

Kara G. Morrison, Editor kara@RAKmagazine.com

mail changes to our office. Original, locally generated articles, illustrations and photographs are welcome.

Guide­lines are avail­able at raisingarizonakids.com.

2

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

th 66 Annual

Western Themed Events for the Entire Family!

Feb 4 – 10 | FREE (except Arizona Native Experience)

Western Week Events ArtWalk, Western movies, Native American food tasting ScottsdaleWesternWeek.com Feb 8 | 10am – 1pm (mail arrives at noon) | FREE

Hashknife Pony Express Arrival Special envelopes to send letters to friends Western Spirit: Scottsdale Museum of the West | HashknifePonyExpress.com Feb 9 | FREE

Scottsdale Parada del Sol Parade and Trail’s End Festival • 9:00am – 12pm | Parade Parade route from Drinkwater Blvd. along Scottsdale Rd., finishing at Brown Ave. & Indian School Rd. Old Town Scottsdale | ScottsdaleParade.com • 12pm – 4pm | Festival Lots of horses, kids area, food, dancing, bands Multi-cultural stages with entertainment Old Town Scottsdale | ScottsdaleParade.com Feb 9 • 9am – 6pm | Feb 10 • 10am – 4pm | FREE Arizona Indian Festival 22 Tribes - Inter-tribal culture, arts, crafts, foods Old Town - Scottsdale Civic Center | ArizonaIndianTourism.org Mar 7-10 | 7pm Mon-Sat • 2pm Sun | Tickets $5-$45 Rodeo Scottsdale

Photos by Riley Wilson.

Cowboys and cowgirls show their skill at riding broncos, tie-down roping, wrestling steers and more WestWorld of Scottsdale | ParadaDelSol.net

SCOTTSDALE scottsdaleindependent.com

arizona.newszap.com Connecting & Celebrating Our Community

RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

3

az grown good to know

CHALLENGER SPACE CENTER moving into Paradise Valley school district

CHALLENGER SPACE CENTER

STARFIRE’S

CHALLENGER SPACE CENTER will reopen in a former elementary school in the Paradise Valley Unified School District this year.

The center — originally created with funds from the surviving families of the crew of the Challenger Space Shuttle — closed its Peoria location in August. When it moves to 17835 N. 44th Street in north Phoenix — a move expected in the first quarter of 2019 — it will bring its affiliations with NASA, Challenger National Learning Centers and the Smithsonian to its new partnership with the Paradise Valley school district.

The space center will resume many of its popular activities for the public, including Family Stargazing Nights, scouting events and homeschool days. It also plans to offer new coding and robotics classes.

“We have an 18-year history of advocating for and providing quality STEM education,” Bob Rasmussen, a Challenger Space Center board member, said in a statement. “We’ve worked with 32 school districts and many other organizations to offer our simulated space missions, STEM workshops and programs to continue to advance education in Arizona.”

Challenger Space Center opened in Peoria in 2000 and closed on Aug. 5, 2018, after the building was sold to the Peoria Unified School district. The new building, which is slightly

4

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

larger, needs special ramps and lifts to allow access to a simulated space experience. About $200,000 is needed to retrofit the building and to move and display years of artifacts and memorabilia. The nonprofit center is asking the public for donations to help with the move.

The collaboration will help grow the Paradise Valley district’s STEAM and STEM offerings, according to James P. Lee, Ed.D., superintendent of PVSchools. “We plan to grow the STEAM education program that provides important life skills in addition to a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for innovation and exploration,” he said in a statement.

Challenger Space Center is affiliated with Challenger National, created by the surviving families of the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster to create a living tribute by encouraging students to learn about the universe. (The shuttle exploded minutes after launching on Jan. 28, 1986.) There are more than 40 such centers throughout the world.

The Paradise Valley district serves more than 31,000 elementary, middle and high school students in 44 schools in northeast Phoenix and Scottsdale. The district extends from Seventh Avenue to Pima Road and Northern Avenue to Jomax Road. Visit azchallenger.org

NEW MULLIGAN COURSE IDEAL FOR FAMILY PLAY STARFIRE GOLF CLUB, Scottsdale’s oldest public golf course, now offers a nine-hole (par 28) Mulligan course with an innovative layout allowing golfers of all ages and abilities to play together at the same time.

The course has both regular-size holes and larger holes for easier targets, and more tee boxes offering shorter distances for kids.

The goal is family play that doesn’t slow down experienced golfers.

The Mulligan course opens play to “any group that has a wide range of ability, enabling all to have an enjoyable time,” Starfire General Manager Matt Lupton said in a statement. “We are excited for everyone to come out and try all of the changes ... and see for themselves just how fun playing with the family can be.”

A “mulligan” is an informal golf term that typically refers to an extra stroke allowed after a poor shot and not counted on the scorecard.

The new nine-hole course is part of a $750,000 renovation project that included combining the club’s King and Hawk short courses into “The King” 18-hole course, expanding the club’s practice facilities and creating a new, 300-yard-long driving range.

Starfire Grille restaurant was also renovated to include a new wood-fired pizza oven and enhanced kitchen.

Starfire, formerly Scottsdale Country Club, is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and is located at 11500 N. Hayden Road in Scottsdale. Greens fees start at $29.99 for one to four players on the Mulligan course. Book tee times online at starfiregolfclub.com

“MUMMIES OF THE WORLD” EXHIBIT

coming to Arizona Science Center in February A NEW BLOCKBUSTER EXHIBIT comes to downtown Phoenix next month. “Mummies of the World: The Exhibition” features 40 human and animal mummies and 85 rare artifacts. The exhibit, which will travel to Phoenix from Hungary, offers a look at life in ancient Egypt, South America and Europe.

Multimedia stations will take visitors on a 4,500-year journey to explore the mummies’ history and origins as well as how they were created. Highlights include:

➊ Vác Mummies: a mummified family from Hungary believed to have died from tuberculosis, preserved in a small church until the remains of 265 mummies were discovered in 1994 by a bricklayer during repair work.

➋ Baron Von Holz: a German nobleman found tucked away in the family crypt of a 14th century castle wearing his best leather boots after perishing in the castle while seeking refuge from the Thirty Years’ War.

➌ Egyptian animal mummies: including a cat, falcon, fish, dog and baby crocodile — many of which were deliberately preserved to accompany royals for eternity.

➍ MUMAB: the first authentic replication of the 2,800-year-old ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER

Egyptian mummification process, performed on a deceased Maryland man in 1994 using the same tools and methods as described on ancient Egyptian papyrus.

Tickets for “Mummies of the World: The Exhibition” are $7.95$11.95 plus general Arizona Science Center admission: $18; $13 ages 3-17; free for ages 2 and younger. 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602716-2000 or azscience.org/mummies

Through March, every Sunday is Silent at

SOUTH MOUNTAIN

SILENT SUNDAYS at South Mountain Park — typically held just the fourth Sunday of each month — will expand to every Sunday through March, as the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department operates a pilot program to gauge public support for the idea, which opens the roads to walkers, hikers, cyclists, stroller-riding tots, in-line skaters and wheelchair users.

The park’s main roadway will be closed to vehicles at the one-mile mark into the park from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first, second, third and fifth Sundays while the fourth Sunday continues to operate as it has in the past, with all roadways closed from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. (park closure time).

During Silent Sunday, vehicle parking is available at the Activity Complex, located at the main entrance, within close proximity to several trails. Trailheads not accessed via the main entrance and roadways will remain open to vehicles. 10211 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-262-7393 or phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south-mountain

RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

5

az grown good to know

DONATE

“pre-loved” IF SHINY NEW TOYS arrived during the holidays, it may be time to find a place for toys your kids have lost interest in or outgrown. If they’re in good condition, “pre-loved” toys can make a meaningful difference in the life of another child. Here are some local organizations that accept gently used toys: • CPLC PARENTING ARIZONA (of Phoenixbased Chicanos por la Causa), which provides parent education and support. 602-248-0428 or parentingaz.org • HELEN’S HOPE CHEST, a Mesa nonprofit that assists foster children. 126 E. University Drive.

480-969-5411 or mesaunitedway.org/helenshope/ needs-list • THE WELCOME TO AMERICA PROJECT, a Phoenix nonprofit that helps refugee families. 1711 W. University Drive, Suite 158, Tempe. 602-4900088 or wtap.org/donate/item-wish-list • UMOM NEW DAY CENTERS, a Phoenix homeless shelter for families. 3333 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix. 602-275-7852 or umom.org/in-kinddonations • GOODWILL OF CENTRAL ARIZONA accepts donations of gently used toys (including stuffed animals, which most organizations will not take) at retail outlets throughout Arizona. Proceeds assist youth and/or adults facing life challenges. goodwillaz.org/what-to-donate/

DREW BARNES

TOYS THIS YEAR

MEDIEVAL TIMES DINNER & TOURNAMENT

opening this summer in Scottsdale YOU’RE NOT HALLUCINATING if you see a castle taking shape adjacent to Salt River Fields on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is constructing its 10th castle in North America; it’s expected to open this summer.

The 79,000-square-foot 11th century-style castle will host live jousting tournaments complete with horsemanship, falconry and knights in shining armor.

Tickets are expected to be $30-$50, including a two-hour tournament and a fourcourse, utensil-free feast. All ages are welcome.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament was founded in 1977 in Spain, based on the true story of a noble family dating back to the 11th century. The first U.S. castle opened in 1983, and the entertainment concept has grown to 10 locations including Buena Park, Calif. (close to Disneyland), Chicago, Orlando and Toronto. Medieval Times also is one of the largest breeders of Spanish Andalusian horses in North America.

The area near Salt River Fields will also house a new Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park and hotel, expected to open in late summer. Hiring for Medieval Times will begin late spring; the venue is expected to employ about 250. Medieval Times is headquartered in Dallas. 9051 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale. medievaltimes.com

Teens can apply to be YOUTH AMBASSADOR this month PHOENIX HIGH SCHOOL sophomores and juniors can apply to serve as Youth Ambassadors and travel to one of Phoenix’s 10 sister cities. Youth Ambassadors will learn how to interact in their host country and how to best represent Phoenix, the state of Arizona and the United States abroad.

Applications are due Friday, Jan. 11.

Each Youth Ambassador spends three weeks in the summer in their assigned sister city, living with a host family and an international counterpart.

Then, Youth Ambassadors return to Phoenix with their international counterparts, who stay for three weeks.

6

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

The Youth Ambassador Exchange Program helps students learn about different cultures and make friends around the world. The sister cities movement was born out of President Eisenhower’s vision of an organization that creates individual bonds that promote peaceful relationships internationally.

The nonprofit Phoenix Sister Cities supports 10 sister city relationships: Calgary, Canada; Catania, Italy; Chengdu, China; Ennis, Ireland; Grenoble, France; Hermosillo, Mexico; Himeji, Japan; Prague, Czech Republic; RamatGan, Israel; and Taipei, Taiwan. phoenixsistercities.org/youth-ambassador/

RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

7

az grown crafts

Make your own

TIN-CAN LASER SHOW

By Sari Custer • Photo courtesy of Arizona Science Center

LASER LIGHT is not a natural form of light; it’s man-made. Laser is actually an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. We use lasers in many things such as DVD players, bar-code scanners at store registers, surgical implements, games, TVs and other devices.

Some lasers are used to precision cut all kinds of materials. But one of the most popular ways to experience lasers involves pure entertainment — laser shows!

Arizona Science Center recently installed a new laser system in its Dorrance Planetarium, making it only the second planetarium in the world to display the largest variety of laser special effects. You can see a laser show like never before on the planetarium’s 60-foot full-dome screen.

Here’s an activity for an at-home version of a laser show you can build yourself.

You will need: • 1 small food can, empty and cleaned; 4-ounce green chile cans work well.

• 1 balloon • 2-3 rubber bands • 1 wood craft stick • 1 small binder clip • 1 keychain laser pointer; you can find these at your local dollar store.

• 1 ¾-inch mosaic mirror tile (find at craft stores) • Double-sided tape • Can opener • Scissors Directions: 1. Remove the bottom lid of your empty, clean can with the can opener, so both ends are open.

2. Cut the neck off a balloon (the top third of the balloon with the opening) and discard it.

8

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

3. Stretch the remaining portion of the balloon over one end of the can and secure it with a rubber band. Your can should look like a drum.

4. Secure the craft stick to the outside of your can with a rubber band. Three quarters of the craft stick should extend past the balloon-covered top.

5. Using the binder clip as a wedge under the laser pointer, secure the small laser pointer onto the stick with a rubber band so that the laser is angled upward and the laser point hits the balloon surface when turned on.

6. Use the double-sided tape to secure the small mirror exactly over the point where the laser hits the balloon. This will reflect your laser pointer onto a wall or away from you, so please use caution. NEVER point lasers at eyes.

7. Turn out the lights, point the can at a blank wall, turn the laser on, hold the open end of the can

up to your mouth and sing! You will see fun light patterns form and change on the wall.

What’s happening?

The vibrations made from your voice transfer to the balloon and mirror, causing the mirror to shake. The mirror reflects the laser light onto the wall and moves so fast that your brain puts each tiny dot of laser light together as one consistent image (wonky circles, figure eights, etc.). This is called persistence of vision and is the same principle for how flip books, cartoons and movies work.

Professional laser shows use computercontrolled mirror movements to give precise and elaborate shapes of the reflected laser light (usually timed to music), but the basics are the same.

What happens when you make a really low sound or really high-pitched sound into your laser can? What happens if you hold your can up to a speaker playing music? Try different experiments and be sure to send me pictures of your build!

Sari Custer is a lifelong science junkie, Chief Curiosity Officer at Arizona Science Center and mom to daughter Carson (4).

Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @SariOnScience.

Put money aside, not college.

Open an Arizona Family College Savings Plan today!

Download your FREE AZ College Savings Planner now at AZ529.gov

C on t u s to a c t v a c l a i s it s s!

Discover the joy of making music together with your family!

Find a location near you in the Valley of the Sun. www.musictogether.com/GreaterPhoenix

RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

9

az grown parenting

BIG-PICTURE

PARENTING

By Amy Carney

AS PARENTS, we can quickly get stuck in the daily minutiae of child rearing and forget to look ahead. A new year is a perfect time to reflect, review and renew. Set aside a quiet hour, grab a pen and paper, and write down your long-term parenting goals. Here are ways to become a more purposeful parent in 2019 and beyond.

➊ VISUALIZE YOUR KIDS AS ADULTS. Whether we are raising toddlers or teenagers, we must aim for adulthood and slowly begin strengthening our children today to become the adults who can capably and confidently leave us tomorrow. Visualize your son or daughter as an 18-year-old walking out the door and into the real world. What type of person do you envision your child growing up to be?

➋ PRIORITIZE CORE VALUES. What character traits will serve your son or daughter well as he/she heads off to college, the military or the job force? Integrity? Humility? A strong work ethic? Patience? Compassion? Think about your spouse, partner or best friends.

What is it about them that you love? What traits do you admire? Focus on ways to teach those values this year.

➌ LEARN FROM THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHERS. Parents whose children are a bit older than ours have much to teach us. What challenges are they facing? How can we begin to prepare ourselves and our families now?

Technology is one of the most significant battlefields for parents of older kids. How can you purposely limit screen time in your family this year to allow your child more space for boredom, solitude and real-life connections?

➍ WALK YOUR TALK. If we want to raise compassionate, hardworking and grateful adults, we must be those things. Let children watch you loving and helping others on

10

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

a regular basis. Do your children see you working hard without complaint? Do they witness you being thankful or respectful of others in your everyday interactions? Here are some concrete ways to model gratitude, generosity and closeness: • Write thank-you notes, and have your kids do the same. If they are too young to write, they can still show gratitude by scribbling a picture or making a video that can be emailed or texted.

• Start a blessing jar. Set an empty glass jar on your counter and encourage family members to drop change or extra cash into it throughout the year. In December, gather as a family and discuss whom you can bless with the money. This tradition keeps family members regularly focused on giving to others and helps make generosity a habit.

• Prioritize family dinners. Let your child grow up around a screen-free family table surrounded by loved ones as often as possible. The Family Dinner Project (thefamilydinnerproject.org) — a Harvardbased nonprofit that promotes the benefits of nightly family meals — says that kids who grow up gathering for family dinners do better in school, have higher self-esteem and possess a greater sense of resilience. Make an effort to gather regularly for meals, and even monthly family meetings, so that meeting up around the family table and connecting in person is a habit in your home.

Amy Carney is a Paradise Valley writer, speaker and founder of Parent on Purpose. The mother of five children ages 12 to 17, she is married to retired pro hockey defenseman Keith Carney of the Phoenix Coyotes. Learn more at amycarney.com.

BOOK LAUNCH:

PARENT ON PURPOSE Raising Arizona Kids and KidStop Toys & Books in Scottsdale are collaborating to promote the launch of writer/speaker Amy Carney’s new book, “Parent on Purpose,” which comes out this month.

KidStop, the Valley’s only independent toy store, is hosting the author event from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at 6990 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 103, Scottsdale (in the Agua Caliente shopping center on the north side of Shea).

The open-house event features informal talks at 11:30 and 1:30 during which Carney will describe why she wrote the book and discuss the importance of “claiming our family playgrounds” and investing in play throughout our lives.

Autographed copies of “Parent on Purpose” will be available for $14.95; a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Arizona foster care organizations.

Learn more at raisingarizonakids.com/ event/kidstop-parent-on-purpose

Memories in Motion Series Capturing your family doing what they love!

• Up to 90 minutes of portrait photography

• Price: $349 (Custom plans are also available)

• 5 touched-up high resolution digital images

• Get an additional 10% off with the mention of this ad.

editorial commercial lifestyle

Questions? Call me, I’m here to help!

480-452-5723 | rickdelia@deliaphotographic.com

www.deliaphotographic.com

A full yeAr of

RaisingArizonAKids

Just $12 per year keeps you in the know about local family events and resources raisingarizonakids.com/subscribe

RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

11

Q&A with 2019 Teacher of the Year

Kareem Neal

By Kara G. Morrison | Photos by Rick D’Elia

K

AREEM NEAL WAS A CHEMICAL ENGINEERING MAJOR until late into his junior year at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. Then he attended a Special Olympics event, which made him realize his true calling: teaching kids with special needs. He quickly finished an undergraduate degree in psychology and headed to graduate school.

Fast-forward two decades. Neal, 44, towered over teaching colleagues (he’s 6-foot-7) at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in October, when the Arizona Educational Foundation named him its 2019 Teacher of the Year.

Neal has spent 22 years teaching­— 12 of them as a self-contained special education teacher at Maryvale High School in the Phoenix Union High School District, where he’s known for creating a tight-knit classroom.

“Kareem embodies all that is exceptional about the teaching profession,” says Kim Graham, executive director of the Arizona Educational Foundation, which selected Neal from among 200 other highly regarded teachers nominated for the honor. “He not only cares about the academic needs of his students, but has also established partnerships with organizations like Goodwill [to] help his students learn job skills so that they can become more independent once they graduate. He also leads social-justice workshops for his school and district that promote acceptance and understanding among students.”

This year, Neal will make more than 100 appearances across the state, advocating for teachers and public education, following a milestone year in Arizona education when tens of thousands of Arizona teachers wearing red walked out of the classroom and marched on the State Capitol, demanding better pay and funding for public education.

Neal shared his thoughts about the challenges Arizona teachers still face, his proudest moment as an educator and why he urges young people — especially black youth — to embrace the profession.

Please explain what “self-contained special education” means. It means that students stay with the same teacher/staff throughout the day. They are always together, even when they do physical education class. These students require that kind of environment for their [physical] safety and learning needs. All students in the class have severe cognitive delays. Many also have physical needs like feeding, toileting and motor planning for writing/sitting/walking.

You’ve said you want people to better understand how your students enrich school campuses. Can you elaborate? I don’t think any community is at its best if all members of the community aren’t represented. When self-contained students are more than an afterthought, the students and staff get a full perspective of all stakeholders at a school.

12

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Kareem Neal with some of his students. Clockwise: Richard Lomeli (15), Jair Andrade (17), Lesly Meraz (18) and Luz Machorro (17).

RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

13

From left: Jonathan Perrone, Maria Barker, Lee Ann Howell, Sheri Loyd and Kareem Neal.

Teacher of the Year and finalists ARIZONA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION Teacher of the Year winners get a $15,000 cash award, a week at Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, and a chance to compete for National Teacher of the Year — plus professional training in public speaking and a full scholarship toward an advanced degree at Argosy University in Phoenix.

The four Teacher of the Year finalists and 2019 Ambassadors for Excellence are: Maria Barker: preschool teacher at Red Mountain Center for Early Education, a Mesa public school Lee Ann Howell: seventh-grade science teacher at Colonel Smith Middle School, part of the Fort Huachuca Accommodation School District in Fort Huachuca Sheri Loyd: third-grade ELA and math teacher at Mountain View School in the Dysart Unified School District in Waddell Jonathan Perrone: eighth-grade STEAM teacher at Phoenix’s Mountain Sky Middle School in the Washington Elementary School District

The five semifinalists for 2019 are: Joshua Farr: science teacher at Cienega High School in the Vail Unified School District Amy Komitzky Henning: English and ELA teacher at Chandler School in the Chandler Unified School District Benjamin Lebovitz: choir and drama teacher at Walden Grove High School in the Sahuarita Unified School District Rachel Lodge: ninth-grade history teacher at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson Dr. Lettice Pelotte: English and history teacher at Metro Tech High School in the Phoenix Union High School District

14

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

On our campus, I’ve been able to foster relationships with other teachers who work collaboratively with my class to do projects and lessons. The first thing it does is free their “regular ed” peers from feeling like their peers in self-contained classrooms are either fragile or weird. They benefit from the experiences with my students, and my students benefit from them. It’s great when my students don’t look up to their regular ed peers and [instead] view them for what they are: peers. It closes the invisible gaps. Next, it helps teachers figure out creative ways to differentiate instruction.

Lastly, it helps give everyone a stronger view of inclusion [in and outside of school].

You hope to inspire more minorities — especially black youth — to consider teaching as a profession. What’s your best argument for why they should choose a teaching career? I tell young black students that I mentor that schools will continue to do a disservice to black children for as long as black people choose to only be professionals in other fields. Our best chance for schools that lift up little black children is to have a staff that understands their unique challenges. I convey to all children that teaching is their chance to make a lasting mark on the world, doing a “job” that fills you with love and joy every day.

What’s been your proudest moment as an educator? My proudest moment as an educator was when Maria Armenta became a special education teacher at Maryvale High School. She attended my diversity camp in 2010 and became a T.A. [teaching assistant] in my classroom during her senior year at Maryvale in 2012.

One day, she told me that she loved the self-contained population and my class so much that she was considering becoming a teacher. However, she was concerned about not being able to make a living on a teacher’s salary. I had her research the average salary of a person in Arizona, and the average teacher salary in Arizona. I told her that I had been teaching for 15 years [at that time], and I still loved coming to work every day, and I didn’t know many people like that. Four years after that, she got her

Kareem Neal with his students. From left: Luz Machorro (17), Angel Ortiz (18), Shanae Dawkins (15), Richard Lomeli (15), Gabriel Gonzales (14), Lillian Hoy (15), Shawn Zuniga (14), Jair Andrade (17) and Lesly Meraz (18).

teaching certificate and graduated from college. She is now in her second year teaching at Maryvale, and she was one of my two guests to the Arizona Educational Foundation Teacher of the Year luncheon.

Do you think the Red for Ed movement will continue? I do think that the movement will continue in some way. I think we all have realized the movement was so much bigger than teacher pay. I know a large majority of my colleagues actively are continuing with the movement. We still wear red every Wednesday.

We still have large group message strands discussing educational needs on social media and apps like Remind. I can’t see it stopping, because it isn’t just educators ... it’s everyone.

What remain the biggest challenges for educators in Arizona? The biggest challenges are funding and respect. Funding is obvious. We are losing too many young teachers who can’t afford to live on their salaries. Our classrooms and buildings aren’t in great shape. Our classroom technology is lacking. However, the respect issue is harder.

Red for Ed showed us that we are respected, but that respect isn’t shown on a consistent basis. We have to fight for every nickel we earn. We face vocal opposition from a large [number] of people in the state when we ask for better working conditions. All of that paled in comparison to what I saw during the late-night session at the State Capitol during the walkout. There were lawmakers who were blatantly disrespectful toward teachers. It was awful.

Tell me something about Maryvale High School that people may not know. Maryvale High School is a great community school, and it is very safe. There is a reputation that comes with being in the Maryvale area that just doesn’t hold true when it comes to the school. Our principal, Shakira Simmons, is smart, capable and committed. The teachers are some of the best in the country; we currently have two national award-winning teachers and five Nationally Board Certified teachers. The 3,000 students are fantastic and take great pride in their education.

You’re passionate about making students feel more connected to their classrooms and their school. Why? When people feel connected to something, it makes them care for it more. It also makes it less likely that they will want to cause it harm in any way. School is such a wonderful place to be, and our best chance of getting everyone to view it that way is to try to make sure everyone feels connected to their classroom communities and overall school community. With that comes good grades, participation in clubs and sports and lifelong learners.

Kara G. Morrison is the editor of Raising Arizona Kids and the mother of Sofia (6). Reach her at kara@rakmagazine.com.

RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

15

Clockwise: Tia Tsosie-Begay, Nathaniel Rios and Janet Acree in their classrooms.

Far right: Tia is interviewed for the documentary.

“Teaching in Arizona” Documentary explores three teachers’ heroic efforts and attitudes despite limited support and salaries

By Karen Davis Barr | Photos courtesy of Expect More Arizona

T

ia Tsosie-Begay has 33 fourth-grade students and a day that starts at 4:30 a.m. with preparations at her kitchen table while the rest of her family sleeps. Her day ends after dinner, with phone calls to parents as her toddler plays at her feet and her husband does the dishes.

Janet Acree has “just” (her word) 21 fifth-grade students, but there’s a catch: They are all over the place academically. Some can do eighth-grade work. Some are still struggling at a first-grade level. How does she meet all those needs and avoid being consumed by a chronic sense that she is failing them, and losing herself?

Nathaniel Rios sees 30 different high school students five times a day — 150 kids to connect with, challenge, understand and encourage.

Eighty percent of his students are on free or reduced-cost lunches, meaning their families live in or near poverty. When one of his students confesses that her family doesn’t have electricity, Rios gets involved to help with that, too. And despite 11 years in teaching and a patchwork of other roles — department chair, instructional mentor to first- and second-year teachers, student government adviser — he still spends weekends scooping ice cream to make ends meet instead of being home with his wife and three young children.

Heartbreaking moments abound in the new documentary short film “Teaching in Arizona.” At a recent screening at Tempe’s Arizona Heritage Center, several members of the audience were gasping in surprise or sniffling with emotion as they watched day-to-day classroom moments play out and

16

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

heard three teachers’ stories.

Katie Rogerson is never surprised at the reaction. As chief operating officer for Tucson Values Teachers, the 10-year-old nonprofit behind the film, she’s attended many similar events around the state, for many kinds of audiences. “The responses are profound,” she says.

Marian Salzman, a former executive chair for TVT, first pitched the idea of a documentary, Rogerson says. “She always wanted to share teachers’ stories [and] elevate their voices.”

After an extensive search, the organization hired Tucson filmmaker and University of Arizona adjunct instructor Lisa Molomot to spearhead the project. The next task was identifying the teachers whose stories would guide the film. “Finding Tia, Janet and Nate was a real benefit,” says Rogerson. “They’ve become true ambassadors for carrying this film out in community and beyond. They are all so honest about sharing their stories, and giving of their time.”

Molomot, herself the mother of a teenage son, headed into the project hoping the film would be a conversation starter and a catalyst for positive change. “I want every parent, business leader, politician and citizen to see it,” she says.

Her biggest surprise while researching the film was realizing how many teachers already have a “Plan B” in mind. “[Low] pay, lack of respect, lack of resources ... they’re always going to find something

Ways to support and honor teachers • Watch “Teaching in Arizona.” Visit teachinginarizona.com for screening dates or contact Tucson Values Teachers (tucsonvaluesteachers.org) to organize a screening for parent-teacher or community groups.

• Sign the pledge to support education and teachers at teachinginarizona.com or expectmoreaz.com, and you will get news about specific ways you can help.

• In your words and actions, treat teaching as the full-time, honorable and impactful profession it is. Never let your children hear you speak ill of a teacher.

• Thank a teacher, recognizing how difficult teaching can be. Rios says the “mental health of a teacher is often taken for granted. A really simple thing to do is to just say ‘thank you’.”

• Volunteer to support your child’s class.

• Join an advisory board at your child’s school.

• Show up. “Go to basketball games, go to student plays,” Rios says. “Make that first step of tying your local community to your school.”

• Vote for funding initiatives that maintain or improve facilities, reduce class sizes, make teacher salaries competitive and fund professional development.

better,” Molomot says. “That’s not right. You want to feel that the people who are educating your children are happy.

“It’s so important that we rethink how we look at teaching in terms of respect — not just money,” she adds. “Money is important, but overall it’s about how we look at the profession. … Think of the job [teachers have].

They’re educating our youth, the future of our country. It should be a given that they have our respect. They have a really important role.”

High school teacher Rios had one question when Flowing Wells Unified School District Superintendent Dr. David Baker, who is on the TVT board, approached him about participating in the film: “Will this just be more work? Or will it be a project that will make a difference?”

Rios asked. “I’m not pretending to know what that difference will look like, but I wanted to do something positive for education. I’ve got three kids, so it’s not just a question of me getting more money. It’s what will my kids’ education look like?”

Rios is deeply concerned about Arizona’s inability to retain quality teachers. He and his wife, who is also a high school teacher, have often been tempted to move to a state where teacher pay is higher.

“You have teachers who start at age 23 or 24,” Rios says. “They realize how hard it is and start checking off the pros and cons. After two or three years, they go. I try hard in the movie [and subsequent panel discussions] to point out that there are bigger issues than pay. Materials, professional development … that money has gone away, and it’s just as important as the salary piece.”

Rios and his wife were inspired by last year’s Red for Ed movement.

For now, the prospect of fundamental change keeps them motivated to remain in the southern Arizona community they love.

But he knows it’s an uphill battle. “How do you get businesses to view teaching as an investment in their long-term viability? We have to look at it as developing a pipeline of competent human beings that will make [businesses] successful — versus ‘just another tax.’ It’s a political

issue. Until we find ways to soften the hearts of folks who have genuine political authority, it’s not going to change.”

On Election Day in November, both Rio and his wife showed “Teaching in Arizona” to their high school classrooms. Typical of student reactions was this comment: “There is so much that goes into teaching that we didn’t realize!”

Arizona has the highest turnover in the U.S., with close to a quarter of teachers leaving their schools annually. Forty-two percent of Arizona teachers leave the profession completely within three years. New teachers are not getting sufficient induction and mentoring support, which has been shown to double the likelihood that they will remain in teaching despite the fact that it may take them 25 years to make a living wage.

And teachers on average spend $500 of their own money each year on classroom supplies.

Teachers typically work an average of 57 hours each week — meaning they’ve done a full year’s work in just 40 weeks. And that doesn’t count second jobs to cover their household expenses. Even if all Arizona teachers receive the 20 percent increase in pay promised by Gov. Doug Ducey in response to last spring’s teacher walkout, they will still make less money than the national median.

And then there’s the whole respect thing. Christine M. Thompson is president and CEO of the nonprofit Expect More Arizona, which has sponsored numerous “Teaching in Arizona” screenings around the state. “We want to make Arizona the best place in the country to be a teacher, where they are valued like doctors or lawyers,” she says. “A place where no one would say “teaching is an easy job; you get your summers off.”

Karen Davis Barr is the founder and publisher of Raising Arizona Kids and the mother of two sons who attended public schools.

RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

17

RAISING OUTDOOR KIDS

Happy trails!

Try hiking as a family in 2019 at these favorite scenic spots — offering easy walks or challenging climbs

By Lisa Van Loo | Photos by Ron Abelar

Riley Abelar (10) and Nolan Abelar (5) catch a glimpse of the Superstition Wilderness from a distance.

18

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

As

we head out for any adventure, big or small, we keep our destination

a secret from the kids. Most of the time, we’re going places they haven’t been, so if we did tell them, it wouldn’t register. Plus, not knowing adds a little extra magic to the moment.

When they see us pull out and fill up seven

Lulu Nicita (8) uses the binoculars in her daypack to zoom in on the view from high on the Wind Cave trail.

hydration packs, they know a hike is part of the plan. And that’s when the guessing begins: Have we been there before? Is it far? What snacks are we bringing?

With five kids between the ages of 5 and 12, one would think it tough to find hikes that are both challenging and doable for everyone. But it’s easier than you might think, because we live in a mecca of incredible trails set against a breathtaking, mountainous landscape.

That’s where the awe is — in the shadow of the mountains that ordinarily, for kids, loom so large on the horizon. Once they’re close enough to feel them, and climb in a wilderness that lives alongside these towering giants, they make a connection.

As the trails fade into the distance on the ride home, they can look back with pride and know they accomplished something significant and memorable. They feel like they’ve conquered something, but they also have become better acquainted with the natural landscape. Both are pretty cool byproducts of hitting the trails.

We’ve tackled many hikes, in Arizona and beyond, with kids and without. Here are some of our favorite destinations, with hopes they will inspire others to head out.

There’s no better time of year, and there’s really no excuse not to. It’s time to see what you’ve been missing!

Easy does it Double Butte Loop and Hole-in-the-Rock Trail at Papago Park. Papago Park, by the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden, has a distinct appearance, and because of its accessibility, it’s easy to hike up and get a good look at the unusual rock formations. A 2.3-mile loop takes hikers around the buttes on a fine-dirt trail. Before you head home, take the short path to Hole-in-theRock near the Papago Park Visitor Center for a few fun photos and a killer view of the skyline.

Find the Double Butte Loop trailhead in the Papago Park West parking lot, 626 N. Galvin Parkway. Hole-in-the-Rock is in the east lot, 625 N. Galvin Parkway. phoenix.gov/parks/trails/ locations/papago-park Pinnacle Peak in north Scottsdale. This popular, easy trail near the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale offers a moderate incline and a fair number of fellow hikers along the way. Look out for desert wildlife and an assortment of desert plants. And don’t even sweat the possibility of an uneven climb. The 1.75 mile trail (each way) is well-maintained and is a great starter spot for beginners.

Pinnacle Peak Park, 26802 N. 102nd Way, Scottsdale. scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/pinnacle-peak-park The Wind Cave Trail in east Mesa is an easy-to-navigate and easy-to-hike trail where you’ll find plenty of other hikers, a panorama of desert landscapes and the friendliest chipmunks around. The 2.6-mile trail is an out-and-back route that gains more than 800 feet in elevation and gets a little more challenging once you’re closer to the cave, which is where most people take a break, enjoy the view, snap some photos and giggle at the chipmunks. $7 per vehicle at the Usery Mountain Regional Park entrance, 3939 N. Usery Pass Road in Mesa. maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/ usery-mountain-regional-park Soldier Pass Trail near Sedona. If you’re willing to take a drive, or if you’re already in Sedona for the day, consider venturing out to the Seven Sacred Pools from Soldier Pass Trail a mile north of Sedona. Besides being nestled in Sedona’s spectacular red rocks inside Coconino National Forest, this trail takes you past Devil’s Kitchen, which is an impressive sinkhole not far from the trailhead.

And depending on seasonal rainfall, the seven pools for which the hike is named may be flowing into each other. Even if they aren’t, it’s a unique spot. Hiking is free, but parking is extremely limited and a prepaid Red Rock Pass ($5 per day) should be displayed on your windshield. Take 89A west to Soldier Pass Road. Go right 1.5 miles to Rim Shadows Drive, then right 0.2 miles to a gated entry road to trailhead parking on the left. fs.usda.gov/coconino

RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

19

Josie Nicita (12) chooses a downed tree instead of the trail to navigate along Oak Creek while hiking the West Fork trail in Sedona.

What we’ve learned hiking as a family: GEAR UP: Outfit each of the kids with their own hydration pack so their hands are free for difficult spots. Taking enough water is essential for any hike.

PACK SNACKS: A few calories can be lifesavers for mood and pace along the trail. Our go-tos include jerky, homemade protein balls, goldfish crackers, PB&J, pretzels and fruit snacks.

TEACH TRAIL ETIQUETTE: Remind kids to stay on the trail, pack out all trash (including biodegradables like apple cores and orange peels) and allow faster hikers to pass.

GO EARLY: Popular trails get busier as the day goes on. Get out early to beat the crowds and the heat.

SET BOUNDARIES: Remind kids before hitting the trail of your specific rules like “no running” or “stay close.”

MORE INFO: Find more hiking tips at phoenix.gov/parks/trails/take-a-hike-doit-right

20

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Dominic Nicita (10) looks down from the summit of the Cholla trail on Camelback Mountain.

Middle of the road Lookout Mountain in Phoenix Mountain Preserve. Lookout Mountain, accessible from Arizona State Route 51 and Greenway Road, isn’t a long trail at about 1.2 miles round trip. But it does include a quick incline, which can get your heart going. Expect fewer crowds here than at some of the more popular summits around town (such as nearby Piestewa Peak), giving you a little more elbow room for family photos at the top. Lookout Mountain Trailhead, 15600 N. 16th St., Phoenix. phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/lookout-shadow-mountain Hidden Valley via Mormon Trail in South Mountain Park. This hike is longer than most, but at 4 miles round trip, it is still doable for families. It does lean toward the more difficult side, but it offers a scavenger-hunt feel with petroglyphs that dot the trail. Kids will be psyched over the cool rock formations and the natural tunnel. South Mountain Park, 8610 S. 24th St., Phoenix. phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south-mountain Siphon Draw Trail in Apache Junction. The Superstition Wilderness inside Lost Dutchman State Park is one of those magical places that brings together rugged mountains, an abundance of desert vegetation and Sonoran wildlife. And, it offers options. The Siphon Draw Trail, which eventually leads to the challenging summit known as The Flatiron, also leads to a series of other moderately difficult trails ranging in length from less than a mile to the 2.4-mile Treasure Loop Trail. The footing is rocky, but the trails are solid and safe, and the way they all connect makes for a choose-your-own-adventure-style outing. $7 per car at park entry. 6109 N. Apache Trail, Apache Junction. azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman West Fork Trail in Sedona is one of our favorites, because it is always changing, it’s absolutely gorgeous (especially in fall when the leaves change) and it’s challenging in length but not elevation.

The trail runs along Oak Creek and crosses it a number of times, which means hikers should toss a pair of dry socks in the car and warn kids at the beginning that if they get wet, they’re going to stay wet until you return to the car. West Fork is a trail that allows kids to find their own way across the creek, feel consumed by the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness (which is one of the coolest names ever) around them and it doesn’t really have an end. The maintained section of the trail is about six miles round trip at the bottom of a canyon, offering incredible photo opportunities. The trail is busy though, and parking is extremely limited. $10 per car if you get lucky enough to score a trailhead parking spot; walk-ups are $2 per person over age 11.

We’re climbing that?!

Camelback Mountain’s Cholla Trail.

Families looking for a challenge, and an accomplishment on an iconic landmark, should give the Cholla Trail on Camelback Mountain a go. While the entire hike is just shy of a mile each way, it feels longer, because it requires a half-mile walk from your roadside parking spot, and most of the hike is pretty vertical.

This challenging trail includes a skinny section with a sizeable drop-off, and families should navigate it carefully. The top of the trail includes some large boulders, requiring sporadic climbing on all fours. That said, there is no better place for a picnic than at the top. And the kids will feel pretty rugged once they get there. Parking is extremely limited on Invergordon Road. 6131 E. Cholla Lane, Phoenix. phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/ camelback-mountain Havasupai Falls inside the Grand Canyon has been celebrated far and wide as an adventurer’s paradise, and it’s not only for adults. While we haven’t taken our crew down to the falls yet, we plan to, especially after going ourselves and seeing a number of kids, some as young as 9, handling the trail just fine. The 10-mile hike in is challenging because of its initial downhill grade, and the distance requires you to carry overnight gear. Families can lighten the loads by choosing to skip camping in favor of staying in the no-frills Havasupai Lodge. This multiday hike, which leads to incredible waterfalls, is a life moment for anyone, including younger hikers. Because of that, plan ahead. Watch for the reservation window to open many months in advance and book immediately.

Hiking the trail is free, but the only hiking allowed requires overnight accommodations at a reserved campsite or at the lodge. theofficialhavasupaitribe.com Lisa Van Loo is a freelance journalist. Ron Abelar is an avid outdoorsman and photographer.

Together, they are parenting five children in Gilbert. Follow them on Instagram @RaisingOutdoorKids

THERE IS NO UNIVERSAL TEACHING CODE THAT UNLOCKS EVERY MIND. OUR TEACHERS WILL HELP DISCOVER YOUR CHILD’S UNIQUE LEARNING COMBINATION. New Way Academy is an accredited K–12 school for students who learn differently. Small class sizes and on-campus therapists empower education, while our large campus with sports, performing arts and after-school activities promotes building friendships and learning outside the classroom.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?

Visit our admissions page at NewWayAcademy.org 5048 E Oak Street Phoenix, AZ 85008 | T: 602 389 8600 | NewWayAcademy.org

RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

21

PARENTING HACK:

A WEEK OF EASY GO-TO MEALS

By Liz Petroff

MEAL PLANNING is my jam. This process is essential for my family to function. Planning brings calmness and clarity to our typically over-scheduled weeks of homework, sports, lessons and meetings. To start, I assign each weekday a generic cuisine, so all I have to do is plug in the meal and shop for necessary ingredients. For example, an average week of family meals might be: Pasta Monday, Taco Tuesday, On-the-Go Bowls Wednesday, Leftover Thursday and Pizza & Movie Night Friday.

Dinner with my family is one of my favorite times of the day. That said, it’s easy to get in a rut when it comes to changing up menus. Every mom has that go-to-dish (sometimes more assembled than cooked) that’s made from memory and on hand refrigerator and pantry staples. These aren’t complex recipes — just family favorites using a can of this and pinch of that.

I turned to my village moms for some of these go-tos. Family members to neighbors, carpool moms to colleagues shared favorite dishes they can make with their eyes closed. These are quick meals you know everyone in the family will eat, where prep time is minimal. We hope you’ll share some of your favorite go-to family favorites with us as well, and we’ll include them online.

Here’s to a new year of easy, healthy family meals with a little more variety!

22

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

FOUR-BEAN SOUP By the time our editor, Kara, leaves the office, she’s looking for a meal she can pull from the pantry. Her go-to is a chili-like soup with ingredients from Trader Joe’s: Brown some ground turkey (or beef), add spices (ground garlic, salt, pepper and chili powder), add packages of prepared creamy tomato and roasted red-pepper soups and one can each of (rinsed) black beans, pinto beans and kidney beans. It’s even better topped with grated cheddar.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH AND MEATBALLS RAK’s art director Michelle makes a healthier version of spaghetti and meatballs by microwaving a halved spaghetti squash in 5-minute increments until done and adding the squash to a prepared red sauce with cooked meatballs from the freezer. When she brings this dish to the office, we want to swap lunches!

GOLDEN CHICKEN My sister-in-law Julie turns to her trusty Crock-Pot for this gem. Combine 3-4 chicken breasts, 1 can of golden mushroom soup and 1 package of dry onion soup mix into the crock pot and cook on low for about 6 hours. Shred and serve over rice or roasted potatoes.

TIME-SAVING DINNER TIPS FOR

COCONUT-CURRY CHICKEN Families who like a little spice may will enjoy this recipe from Michelle. She sautes sliced onion with sliced yellow, orange and red peppers, then adds a can or two of coconut cream (or milk), sugar and curry seasoning to taste. Add in chunks of pre-cooked chicken. Once the chicken is heated, add fresh basil until it wilts, then pour the mixture over rice.

VEGGIE LAVASH My best friend Lily, a mom of four, lives in her minivan, driving kiddos to and from school and activities. Her easiest meal calls for any and all unused veggies and cheese in her refrigerator, sprinkled on a giant lavash cracker. Pop it in the oven and broil until the cheese is melted and — faster than putting a 2-year-old in a five-point harness — dinner is served! No lavash? You can make personal “pizzas” the same way using flour tortillas.

BUSY MOMS

Make meal-planning a priority.

Having a plan means you won’t end up at fast-food drive-throughs multiple times in a week. Resolve to jot down a theme or main course for each weeknight, and you’ll be amazed how much easier it is to shop and prepare quick meals. Need help with ideas? A Harvard nonprofit studying the benefits of families dining together offers week-by-week meal plans at thefamilydinnerproject.org.

Try grocery delivery or pick-up.

Once you get the hang of it, online grocery shopping can be a real time saver. Fry’s ClickList, Safeway and Amazon Prime Now offer these services.

TERIYAKI BOWLS Karen, our publisher and founder, is a huge fan of stir-fry — but not of the chopping and prep work since she and her husband tend to get home late. She sautes pre-chopped fresh veggies (like mushrooms, broccoli florets, onion, shredded carrots and cabbage) in a little oil with a quick squeeze on a tube of minced garlic, then stirs in Trader Joe’s Soyaki sauce. Add chunks of rotisserie chicken (or another protein) and serve over hot brown rice from a microwaveable packet. Top with peanuts or cashews.

CHICKEN SAUSAGE WITH BROCCOLI OVER RICE My own go-to meal can be placed in a to-go container and eaten on the way to baseball practice. I heat up already cooked chicken sausage from Costco and broccoli, add it to rice (made in my Instant Pot) and pray we don’t hit too much traffic.

Prep your veggies. Chopping fruits and veggies is time-consuming, so set aside 30 minutes on the weekend to prep them, or buy pre-chopped veggies. At Uptown Farmer’s Market in central Phoenix, you can buy fresh produce from local growers and have it chopped, sliced and diced onsite by student chefs at the Veggie Valet — for free (donations accepted).

Try meal-prep services. If shopping, prepping and cooking feels overwhelming, try a local meal-prep service like Dream Dinners, which lets you select favorites from monthly menus. In their commercial kitchen, you can prep all the ingredients and bring home dinners that feel gourmet when heated and assembled. dreamdinners.com RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

23

family time!

TOP JANUARY EVENTS

Lights of the World (Dec. 6-Feb. 3) at Arizona State Fairgrounds.

By Liz Petroff

OK 2019, we’Nre ready for you! January is off to a fresh start with family fun runs to help jump-start those resolutions.

Moana and her princess friends skate into the Valley when Disney on Ice presents “Dare to Dream,” and the desert sky will be filled with dazzling color from several balloon festivals taking place this month. On your marks, get set — let’s go have a great year!

NOTE: Because last-minute schedule changes can occur, please confirm dates and times on event websites.

DEC. 6-FEB. 3 Lights of the World. This international festival combines the Chinese tradition of lantern festivals with modern technology. Explore different cultures and civilizations around the globe and enjoy more than 30 carnival rides and games, daily acrobatics or sea lion performances, 3D lights and more. $18; $15 ages 3-13; free for ages 2 and younger; $10 parking. Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix. lightsoftheworldus.com

JAN. 1 First Day Hikes. Start the New Year off in good health! First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative by America’s state parks to encourage families to get outdoors. On New Year’s Day, hundreds of free, guided hikes and tours are offered at state parks. Bring plenty of water, and don’t forget to pack the camera. Visit americanhiking.org or azstateparks.com/fdh American Girl’s Girl of the Year. Every year on Jan. 1, American Girl releases its newest “Girl of the Year” doll at in-store events with free activities. The 2018 doll was aspiring astronaut Luciana. See who the next Girl of the Year will be at American Girl in Scottsdale Quarter, 15059 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale. americangirl.com

JAN. 5 AND 19 Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts. This free festival offers handmade gifts, music, food and fun for the whole family. Formerly known as the Mesa Arts and Crafts Festival, this event takes place on first and third Saturdays through April in downtown Mesa near the Mesa Arts Center. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. dtmesafest.com

24

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

BARRETT-JACKSON

Barrett-Jackson Auction Family Value Day (Jan. 12) at Westworld of Scottsdale.

The Music Man. Arizona Theatre Company brings Harold Hill to Herberger Theater Center. When the savvy con artist rolls into town one hot Iowa summer, there’s trouble in River City. It’s an American musical theater classic! Showtimes vary. 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. 602-252-8497 or arizonatheatre.org

JAN. 6 Resolution Run. Waste no time making your New Year’s resolution count at this 32nd annual event in Papago Park between the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden. Families and strollers welcome. 7 a.m. $40. Papago Park ramadas 9 and 10, 625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. 480-609-3978 or fieldworksevents.com

JAN. 10-13

Barrett-Jackson Auction Family Value Day. View all of the cars on display and participate in activities at the world’s greatest collector car auction. Thousands of unique automobiles cross the auction block during this weeklong event. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special family value rates: $25; $20 seniors, military and students; free for ages 12 and younger.

Westworld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. barrett-jackson.com Itty Bitty Open. The Junior Golf Association of Arizona hosts the 2019 Itty Bitty Open at 20 Valley locations. Free and open to all kids ages 3-5, the event features three clinics (9, 10 and 11 a.m.) where juniors and their parents learn the basics of golf taught by qualified PGA and LPGA professionals. Then, kids participate in noncompetitive games. An adult “caddie” must accompany each golfer, who will receive a set of plastic golf clubs, balls, a bag and a visor. Space is limited, so preregister at 602-944-6168 or jgaa.org Glitter and Glow Block Party. Enjoy more than a million dazzling holiday lights and a dozen hot-air balloons glowing throughout historic downtown Glendale. The party includes musical performances and food, and it marks the last opportunity to see Glendale’s holiday light display. 4-10 p.m. Murphy Park, 7010 N. 58th St., Glendale. 623-930-2299 or glendaleaz.com 2019 Chinese New Year. The Arizona Art Academy invites families to an early celebration of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Pig, at Mesa Arts Center. This show combines cultural performances, dancing, vocal and orchestra showcases and acrobatics. 7 p.m. $25-$35; free for ages 2 and younger. 1 E. Main St., Mesa. 480-644-6500 or mesaartscenter.com

JAN. 13 Cinderella’s Ball is back at Great Arizona Puppet Theater. Dress as a prince or princess for a special showing of “Cinderella,” followed by games, snacks, puppet-making activities and some very special guests. Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Reservations recommended.

Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. 602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org

Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair. This three-day event attracts balloonists from around the world. Enjoy a hot-air balloon mass ascension, night glow, sky divers, arts and crafts, antique and classic cars, carnival rides, dog shows, kids events, kite balloon rides (tethered and untethered), live entertainment and more. Noon to 10:30 p.m. Thursday. Gates open at 6 a.m. Friday-Sunday. $15; free for ages 10 and younger. Lake Havasu State Park, 171 London Bridge Road, Lake Havasu City. havasuballoonfest.com

JAN. 11-13 ACE Comic Con Arizona. At this three-day event, ACE Universe brings the best of film, gaming, virtual reality, guest speakers, collectibles, comics and more — all under one roof. Appearances by Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Michael Fassbender (Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto), David Tennant (Dr. Who), Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones) and Taron Egerton (Gary “Eggsy” Unwin/Robin of Loxley).

Noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m to 7 p.m Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. $65-$75; $5 for ages 10 and younger. Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale. aceuniverse.com

FACEBOOK.COM/ARIZONATRAVE

LIGHTS OF THE WORLD

JAN. 5-27

JAN. 12

Arizona Balloon Classics (Jan. 15-27) at Goodyear Ballpark.

JAN. 15-27 Arizona Balloon Classic is Arizona’s premier hot-air balloon race and festival. The morning sky will be filled with more than 30 colorful hot-air balloons. In the evening, tethered hot-air balloons glow in time to music. This three-day event also features a family fun zone, tethered rides, entertainment, food and shopping. Spectators can walk on the field to experience balloon inflation and lift off. $15; free to active military and ages 12 and younger; $5 parking. Prices vary for balloon rides and food. Goodyear Ballpark. 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear. abcfest.com

RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

25

Disney on Ice Presents “Dare to Dream.” Five daring Disney princesses skate into Phoenix. Moana voyages onto the ice for the first time in a live production, joining Mickey, Minnie and beloved characters from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “Cinderella.” Iconic songs are paired with powerful skating choreography that reminds audiences to never stop dreaming. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for a sing-along with Miguel from “Coco” at a preshow fiesta. 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 11 a.m., 3 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday; noon and 4 p.m. Sunday. $20 and up. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 800-745-3000 or disneyonice.com

JAN. 18-20 The Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon strides into Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Visit a Health and Fitness Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center Friday and Saturday. There’s a 1-mile fun run Friday night, a 5K and Kids Run on Saturday and the marathon, half marathon and 10K on Sunday. Live bands, cheerleaders and thousands of spectators help motivate runners, who can relax at the finish line and enjoy a post-race Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Toyota Concert Series.

Registration $28-$132. Start and finish lines in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. runrocknroll.com

FELD ENTERTAINMENT

Monster Jam (Jan. 19) at State Farm Stadium.

JAN. 19 Monster Jam, the most action-packed motorsports event for families, tears through Glendale this month. Fans will experience a new level of high-flying, four-wheel excitement and freestyle stunts. This year’s massive truck lineup includes icons “Grave Digger,” “Max-D” and debut appearances from “Overkill Evolution,” “Black Pearl” and “Black Stallion.”

Monster Jam Pit Party pre-show experiences are also available. 7 p.m. $15- $35. State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com

26

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

S KO R I KO

S. T

ION AR

JAN. 21 MLK March. Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The 9 a.m. march begins at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1401 E. Jefferson St. in Phoenix, and concludes at Margaret T. Hance Park, 1200 N. Third St., with a festival that offers food, entertainment and speakers. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. azmlk.org

JAN. 26 Wild Kratts Live 2.0 — Activate Creature Power! The Kratt Brothers, stars of the Emmynominated hit PBS Kids series “Wild Kratts,” are bringing their new stage adventure to Phoenix.

Audiences will become “creature adventurers” and go on a wild ride with a dynamic mix of live-action and animation. 1 p.m. $33-$53. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. wildkrattslive.com Doggie Street Festival. This annual Phoenix fest is one of the largest adopt-a-thons and pet celebrations. Friendly pets and owners can discover favorite pet products and services and join the fun of all things pets. Enjoy yummy treats, a kids area and entertainment. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Free. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. doggiestreetfestival.org Connect2STEM is a free event to inspire kids, ages 4 to 16, to think about careers in science, technology, engineering, math and medicine. Kids can try more than 150 hands-on activities, including the Wildcat Play Hospital, state-of-the-art medical training exercises at the Center for Simulation and Innovation, the da Vinci surgery robot and much more. 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Free. University of Arizona College of Medicine, 435 N. Fifth St., Phoenix. azscitech.com or phoenixmed.arizona.edu

ASU GAMMAGE

JAN. 17-20

MLK March (Jan. 21) at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.

M

Disney on Ice Presents “Dare to Dream” (Jan. 17-20) at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

FELD ENTERTAINMENT

TOP JANUARY EVENTS continued

Last-chance holiday events family time!

And in this Corner … Cassius Clay.

This co-production of Childsplay and Black Theatre Troupe at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center in Phoenix looks at the life of Cassius Clay before he became Muhammad Ali. Before he was one of the world’s greatest boxers and a civil rights leader, Cassius was a 12-year-old boy navigating friendship, family and racial discrimination in the segregated South of the 1950s. This show is recommended for ages 9 and up. childsplayaz.org

Disney’s Aladdin (Jan. 31-Feb. 17) at ASU Gammage.

JAN. 31- FEB. 17 Disney’s Aladdin. ASU Gammage presents the Broadway musical production about streetwise Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, who rebels against her father’s efforts to marry her off.

7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. $45-$105. ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. 480-965-3434 or asugammage.com Calendar Editor Liz Petroff, of Phoenix, is mom to Jack (10) and Lucy (9). Send information about upcoming family events to liz@RAKmagazine.com

CITYSCAPE

JAN. 27-MARCH 3

CitySkate Ice Rink (Nov. 21-Jan 6) at CityScape.

The holidays are so busy, it’s easy to miss out on some of the fun family events across the Valley in December. Luckily, there’s still some holiday cheer left at these venues, offering skating, snow play and holiday lights into January.

Snow Week (Dec. 26-Jan. 1). More than 75 tons of real snow will cover the grassy hill near Heritage and Science Park outside the Arizona Science Center. Enjoy snow play, snow-related science demonstrations and kid-friendly activities. Warm up inside the Science Center. $18; $13 for ages 3-17. 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-7162000 or azscience.org Merry Main Street Winter Wonderland Ice Rink (Nov. 23-Jan. 4). Grab your skates and head to the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink in downtown Mesa. $10 includes skates and an hour of skate time. Hours vary.

20 E. Main St., Mesa. 480-644-6500 or merrymainst.com Illumination: Symphony of Light (Nov. 14-Jan. 5). Load up the car and enjoy a mile-long drive through millions of lights synchronized to holiday music.

It ends at a winter playland with a walkthrough ornament, giant snowman and other activities. $29-$35 per car. 27701 N. Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix. worldofillumination.com CitySkate Ice Rink (Nov. 21-Jan. 6). All ages can enjoy the frozen rink at CityScape

complete with holiday lights, music and hot chocolate for sale. Timed sessions vary daily. $15 includes skates; $30 express online pass. Between First Avenue and First Street and Washington and Jefferson streets in downtown Phoenix.

602-772-3900 or cityskatephx.com Holiday Lights at the Railroad Park (Nov. 30-Jan. 6). Ride the Paradise & Pacific Railroad through a winter wonderland at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park 6:30-9 p.m. nightly. $5 train and $2 carousel rides; free for ages 2 and younger with paying adult. $15 holiday train fast passes. 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. 480-312-2312 or therailroadpark.com Christmas Farm Light Celebration (Nov. 23-Jan. 11). This new light show includes more than 2 million holiday lights, displayed and synchronized to classic Christmas songs. Plus illuminated trails, a twinkling barnyard animal display, ice skating, festive foods and hot cocoa. $15-$18; free for ages 2 and younger; additional $13 for skating. 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday.

4011 S. Power Road, Mesa. 480-8821482 or vertucciofarms.com

Skate Westgate (Nov. 3-Jan. 13).

Skate into the holidays at Westgate Entertainment District’s outdoor rink. Children and adults can glide over 3,300 square feet of real ice near Fountain Park. All skill levels welcome. Hours vary. $12-$15. 6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Glendale. 623-3857502 or westgateaz.com ZooLights (Nov. 21-Jan. 13).

Millions of lights shine throughout the zoo, along with a holiday tree, carousel and camel rides, lakeside music-in-motion shows, nightly snowfall, a 200-foot-long Polar Slide and more. Stingray Bay and 4-D Theater included with admission.

5:30-10:30 p.m. nightly; 7 p.m. snowfall. $10.95-$19.95. Phoenix Zoo, 455 Galvin Parkway, Phoenix.

602-914-4333 or phoenixzoo.org Lights of the World (Dec. 6-Feb. 3). This international festival combines the Chinese tradition of lantern festivals with modern technology. Explore different cultures and civilizations around the globe and enjoy more than 30 carnival rides and games, daily acrobatics or sea lion performances, 3D lights and more. $18; $15 ages 3-13; free for ages 2 and younger; $10 parking. Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix. lightsoftheworldus.com

RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

27

family time! around arizona Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festival (Jan. 17-20) in Willcox.

FLAGSTAFF Holiday Riordan Mansion Tours (Dec. 1-Jan. 6). The mansion is decorated in turn-of-the-century style with wreaths, garlands, greenery and a towering fir trimmed with old-fashioned ornaments.

Tours hourly 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Tuesday and Wednesday. $10; $5 for ages 7-13; free for ages 6 and younger.

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, 409 W. Riordan Road, Flagstaff. 928-7794395 or azstateparks.com

SEDONA Sedona Winterfest (Jan. 13). Chamber Music Sedona presents its 6th annual Winterfest with educational events for students and a concert finale. “Shepherd on the Rock” includes songs by Schubert, Bernstein and more, performed

by Sarah Shafer, Alex Fierstein, and Roman Rabinovich. 2:30 p.m. $15-$40.

Sedona Performing Arts Center, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona. chambermusicsedona.org

LAKE HAVASU CITY

Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair (Jan.10-13). This three-day event attracts balloonists from all over the world. Hotair balloon mass ascensions, night glow, sky divers, arts and crafts, antique and classic cars, carnival rides, dog shows, kids events, kite balloon rides (tethered and untethered), live entertainment and more. Noon-10:30 p.m. Thursday. Gates open at 6 a.m. Friday-Sunday. $15; free for ages 10 and younger. Lake Havasu State Park, 171 London Bridge Road, Lake Havasu City. havasuballoonfest.com Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Association & Little Delbert Days (Jan. 26-27). This old-time country fair and rodeo in Lake Havasu includes gold panning, roping, a fishing hole, petting zoo, mechanical bull,

28

cutest cowboy and cowgirl contests and barrel races. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $15; free for ages 15 and younger. golakehavasu.com

ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM

Polar Bear Day (Jan. 5). Take the plunge into chilly Lake Havasu with the Lake Havasu Boat and Ski Club. Participants earn either the Polar Bear or Chicken patch depending on their bravery. Noon to 1 p.m. $5. London Bridge Beach,1340 McCulloch Blvd., Lake Havasu City. 928453-8686 or golakehavasu.com

TUCSON Hair of the Dog (Jan. 1). The New Year’s Day Hair of the Dog Run/Walk includes an 8K or 1-mile walk/run and a doggie dash benefiting the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. Post-race party includes live music, treats, swag and races for your baby or pooch. 11 a.m. $30-$40.

Morris Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson. runtucson.net Mineral Madness Sale and Family Fun (Jan. 19-21). Dig in! Minerals, fossils and gemstones are for sale at the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum’s annual Mineral and Madness Sale. Plus jewelry demonstrations, family activities and free rock and mineral samples for children.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. $16.95 for Arizona residents; $8.95 for ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson.

520-883-2702 or desertmuseum.org

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Mineral Madness Sale and Family Fun (Jan. 19-21) in Tucson.

Dillinger Days (Jan. 18-19). Dillinger Days dates back to the 1930s infamous bank robber John Dillinger, a.k.a. Public Enemy No. 1, whose gang once holed up at Hotel Congress. Reenactments of Dillinger’s capture, vintage car shows, live music, arts and crafts and walking tours. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., Tucson.

520-622-8848 or hotelcongress.com Downtown Jazz Fiesta (Jan. 21). The Downtown Jazz Fiesta is a free outdoor concert with multiple stages, indoors and out. Ticketed acts during world-class Tucson Jazz Festival (Jan. 11-21) include acclaimed trumpet player Terell Stafford,

Trombone Shorty and his band Orleans Avenue and vocalist Bobby McFerrin.

Jazz Fiesta is 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown Tucson. tucsonjazzfestival.org

WILLCOX Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festival (Jan. 17-20). This annual event fosters awareness of birds, wildlife and their habitats. The Nature Expo offers educational booths, seminars, workshops, excursions, field trips and bird watching. Times and fees vary.

Willcox Community Center, 312 W. Stewart St., Willcox. 800-200-2272 or wingsoverwillcox.com

PRESCOTT, AZ www.friendlypines.com (928) 445-2128 info@friendlypines.com

JOIN US ! mmer

this su •

now Enrolling!

• •

open CCS house

Boys and girls, ages 6-13 One & Two-Week Sessions Over 30 activities to choose from!

“An Arizona Tradition... turning childhood moments into life’s rich memories.”

Beginner–Competitive: Boys & Girls Ages 3–12 years Risk FREE Trial: All Ages

WING OVER WILLCOX

FREE Parent/Tot classes: Ages 10–24 months Limitations apply.

Educating the WHOLE Child

Heart

Mind

Spirit

(480) 596-3543

xtremegymnastics.com

PRESCHOOL-ELEMENTARY

15821 N. 79th St #3, Scottsdale, AZ

Just a few of the places to find

raisingarizonakids • Arizona Museum of Natural History (Mesa) • ASU Art Museum (Tempe) • Chandler Public Library • Changing Hands Bookstores (Phoenix and Tempe) • Children’s Museum of Phoenix • Dolphinaris (Scottsdale) • Glendale Main Library • Hubbard Family Swim Schools • Foothills Branch Library (Glendale) • i.d.e.a. Museum (Mesa) • Modern Milk (Scottsdale and Gilbert) • Peoria Main Branch Library • Phoenix Zoo • Sunrise Mountain Library (Peoria) • Tempe Public Library • Valley Youth Theatre (Phoenix)

Find the entire list (hundreds of sites!) at raisingarizonakids.com/distribution-map RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

29

family time! onstage

“Hello Dolly” (Jan 8-13) at ASU Gammage.

MUSIC Arizona Bach Festival (Jan. 13).

The prestigious musicians of “Marion Baroque” open the 10th anniversary Arizona Bach Festival performing works

by Johann Sebastian Bach: International harpsichord soloist Christa Rakich, renowned traverse flutist Wendy Rolfe, and Naxos viola da gamba recording artist Alice Robbins. 3 p.m. $21 in advance, $25 at the door. Christ Church of the Ascension, 4015 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley. arizonabachfestival.org

in hands-on activities. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday. $20; $15 ages 13-19; $10 ages 4-12; free for ages 3 and younger. 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix.

480-478-6000 or mim.org

13-year-old and her friends Petunia, Oscar and Edna. 3 p.m. $29-$49.

Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. darcilynne.com or ticketmaster.com

PUPPETRY

Sugar Plum Lake (Jan. 30-Feb. 3).

Special guest artist Marionette Ballet Theater presents beautiful string puppets on a magical journey through a mythological fairyland. Set to classical music with no dialogue, this show is for all ages. 10 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $8-$12.

Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. 602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org

Cinderella (Dec. 26-Jan. 13). Great Arizona Puppet Theater performs the classic princess tale of the prince and the glass slipper. 10 a.m. WednesdaySaturday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $8-$12. 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix.

602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org

Cirque Swan Lake (Jan. 18-20).

Troupe Vertigo, alongside the Phoenix Symphony, presents “Swan Lake” in a whole new way. Hear Tchaikovsky’s iconic score while strong men, contortionists, aerialists and jugglers perform 40 feet above the audience.

7:30 p.m. $48-$88. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. 480-644-6500 or mesaartscenter.com

Cinderella Ball (Jan. 13). Dress as a prince or princess for Cinderella’s Ball at the Great Arizona Puppet Theater.

After the show, stay for games, snacks, activities, prizes and a special guest. 2 p.m. $15-$20. Reservations are highly recommended. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix.

602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org

Experience Spain at the MIM (Jan. 19-20). The Musical Instrument Museum puts the spotlight on Spain’s cultural and musical traditions. Watch music and dance performances and participate

Darci Lynne and Friends (Jan. 13).

A ventriloquist, singer and favorite performer on “America’s Got Talent,” Lynne brings her one-of-a-kind family show to Phoenix. See the multitalented

30

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

THEATER Zoppe — An Italian Family Circus (Dec. 26-Jan. 6). An old-world Italian traditional circus performed in one ring. Features acrobats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, clowns and audience participation. Times vary. $15$40. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 480-782-2680 or chandlercenter.org The Music Man (Jan. 5-27). Arizona

Theatre Company brings Harold Hill to Herberger Theater Center. When the savvy con artist rolls into town one hot Iowa summer, there’s trouble in River City. It’s an American musical theater classic! Showtimes at 2 p.m., 7 and 7:30 p.m. 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. 602252-8497 or arizonatheatre.org Hello Dolly (Jan 8-13). Tony Awardwinning Betty Buckley stars in this traveling Broadway production at ASU Gammage. Everything seems to go wrong when New York City matchmaker Dolly has to find rich, grumpy Horace a match.

Until she realizes she’d like to marry Horace! The show is family friendly but does include adult innuendos. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. $20-$200. ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. 480-965-3434 or asugammage.com Robin Hood (Jan. 11-27). Travel to Sherwood Forest when YouthWorks stages Robin Hood’s adventures of love, loyalty and rebellion. 7 p.m. FridaySaturday; 2:30 p.m Sunday. $16. Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 8355 W.

JULIETA CERVANTES

Willy Wonka, Jr. (Jan. 11-20). Desert Foothills Theatre presents the play based on Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” taking the audience on a delicious adventure through a mysterious chocolate factory. 7 p.m.

Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $14$19.50. Cactus Shadows Fine Art Center, 33606 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. 480-4881981 or dftheater.org 2019 Chinese New Year (Jan. 12). The Arizona Art Academy invites families to celebrate the Chinese New Year, the year of the Pig, in advance of February 5th at Mesa Arts Center. This show combines cultural performances, dance pieces, vocal and orchestra showcases and acrobats. 7 p.m. $25-$35; free for ages 2 and younger. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. 480-644-6500 or mesaartscenter.com Disney on Ice Presents Dare to Dream (Jan. 17-20). Five Disney Princesses skate into Phoenix, including Moana, who voyages onto the ice for the first time in a live production. She joins Mickey, Minnie and beloved characters from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “Cinderella.”

Arrive early to enjoy a sing-along with Miguel from “Coco” at a pre-show fiesta.

7 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 11 a.m., 3 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday; noon and 4 p.m.

Sunday. $20. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 800-7453000 or disneyonice.com Avenue Q: School Edition (Jan. 18-Feb. 2). Starlight Community Theater in north Phoenix presents the laugh-out-loud musical that follows a recent college grad who moves to a New York apartment on Avenue Q, where he finds purpose in life. 7 p.m. FridaySaturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $15-$20.

1611 W. Whispering Wind, Phoenix. starlightcommunitytheater.com National Geographic Live: A Wild LIfe (Jan. 23). Filmmaker Bertie Gregory takes us camping with wolves in Vancouver, pursuing peregrine falcons in London and filming leopards in Mumbai.

He discusses what it means to coexist peacefully — with respect and humor — alongside the creatures of the natural world. 7:30 p.m. $27-$41. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. 480-6446500 or mesaartscenter.com

fun runs and walks family time!

Cupcake Chase 5K (Jan. 5) at Arizona Falls Park.

We Shall Overcome: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Jan. 25). Inspired by the words and actions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Mesa Arts Center presents, “We Shall Overcome” featuring Damien Sneed.

This is a showcase of African American music traditions that inspired civil rights activists. 7:30 p.m. $41. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. 480-6446500 or mesaartscenter.com Wild Kratts Live 2.0- Activate Creature Power! (Jan. 26) The Kratt Brothers, stars of the Emmy-nominated hit PBS Kids series “Wild Kratts,” bring their new stage adventure to Phoenix.

Become “creature adventurers” and go on a wild ride with a mix of live-action and animation. 1 p.m. $33-$53. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. wildkrattslive.com And In This Corner: Cassius Clay — The Making of Muhammad Ali (Jan. 27- March 3). Childsplay and Black Theatre Troupe stage this powerful production. Step into the ring with 12-year-old Cassius. Before he became one of the world’s greatest boxers and a civil rights advocate, he was a young boy navigating friendship and family and learning to fight for himself and his community in the 1950s segregated South. Recommended for ages 9 and up. 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m Sunday. $20-$25. Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, 1333 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 480-9215700 or childsplayaz.org Disney’s Aladdin (Jan. 31- Feb. 17). Discover a whole new world when Disney’s “Aladdin,” flies to ASU Gammage. This Broadway musical is filled with beauty, magic and comedy.

7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. $45-$105. ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. 480-965-3434 or asugammage.com

ISTOCK

Peoria Ave., Peoria. 623-815-7930 or theaterworks.org

Commitment Day 5K Fun Run (Jan. 1). Get a running start on 2019. LifeTime Athletic hosts this family event. 10 a.m. Registration includes a T-shirt, race bib, medal and post-run brunch. $15-$30; free for ages 12 and younger with paid adult. LifeTime, 381 E. Warner Road, Gilbert. 480-892-5020 or commitmentday.com Cupcake Chase 5K (Jan. 5).

This inaugural event benefits the Labor’s Community Service Agency’s transitional housing program. All ages and abilities can walk this flat course. Please no pets. Did we mention there are cupcakes at the finish line? 7:3011 a.m. $25-$50. Arizona Falls Park, 5802 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. phxfr.org Resolution Run (Jan 6).

Waste no time making your New Year’s resolution count at this 32nd annual event. Families and strollers welcome. 7 a.m. $40. Papago Park ramadas 9 and 10, 625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. 480-609-3978 or fieldworksevents.com

Family Fun Color Run (Jan. 19). Luke Air Force Base Youth Programs presents this free annual event in Litchfield Park for all ages and abilities. 10 a.m. Free. Fowler Park, 14185 Falcon St., Luke AFB. facebook.com/lukeyouthprograms Humana Rock and Roll Marathon (Jan. 19 -20). Enjoy a Health and Fitness Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center Friday and Saturday, a 1-mile fun run Friday night, a 5K and Kids Run on Saturday and the marathon, half marathon and 10K on Sunday. Live bands, cheerleaders and thousands of spectators help motivate runners.

Plus, a post-race Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Toyota Concert Series.

Start and finish lines in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. $28-$132 registration. runrocknroll.com Boxer Luv 5/10K Fun Run (Jan. 27). Bring out your four-legged friend for a dog-gone good time. This 10K/5K run and fun run walk benefits Boxer Luv, the nonprofit dedicated to homeless boxers in need. 8 a.m. $30-$50. Kiwanis Park, 5500 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. raceroster.com

RaisingARIZONAKids.com JANUARY 2019

31

Fewer worries One mom’s wish for 2019

By Sheri Smith

Challenge Charter School

Now Enrolling Pre-Register Today!

-National Blue Ribbon School -Techsmart Coding School -Tuition Free -Hands On Learning -Free Full Day Kindergarten Pre-Register Online at www.ChallengeCharterSchool.net 5801 W. Greenbriar Dr. Glendale, AZ 85308 602-938-5411

32

JANUARY 2019 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

YOU KNOW THOSE job interviews where they ask about your worst quality? I know. Everyone hates that question. But it’s not a tough one for me. I know what my problem is: I’m a worrier.

I once wrote on my Facebook page: “I worry that I worry too much.” I wrote it to be funny, and I thought it was mildly humorous, until it got more than 100 “likes.” Most of my friends’ comments? “You do!”

I felt a little better when my brother responded: “I worry that I don’t,” which made me laugh.

I used to make fun of myself for being a “chronic insomniac,” a weird, quirky quality that I thought was truly my own. Except lately, I’ve noticed, I have company. Pretty much everyone I know is kept awake by something. I saw one statistic that said, “Over half of Americans are having trouble sleeping at night because of worry.” And anxiety among teens and school-age children has been described as epidemic.

I have to admit that my concerns have changed. The little nuisances I used to obsess over no longer bother me: projects that didn’t get completed or whether I’ve offended someone. These seem ridiculously mundane.

Now my fears have turned to bigger, scarier things: Natural disasters. Life-threatening illnesses. Mass shootings.

Perhaps it’s because there isn’t a place that feels safe anymore. When movie theaters, places of worship, hospitals and schools are targeted by assassins, when victims of fires and hurricanes are left stranded, when towns go years on end without safe drinking water, when families go bankrupt because of medical

bills — insecurity feels justified.

And even worse: We can’t talk about it.

Perhaps the problems seem overwhelming because every conversation about important issues seems almost more fraught with danger than the situations themselves. In the current political climate, every topic seems so divisive that even neutral subjects such as sports or the weather can descend into heated arguments.

We find ourselves in a place where we are afraid to talk openly about anything, as most serious discussions usually devolve into some version of the “blame game,” where each side is more concerned with whom to accuse than how to find a solution. I’m guilty of this myself. The problem is, not only is this counterproductive, it also destroys those family relationships and friendships that would have been the source of comfort in the past.

I don’t know what the solution is, but I know it has to stop. As much as I like to make light of my worrying, I know it is not really funny. Anxiety can be debilitating. And no problem is ever solved by screaming matches or, heaven forbid, violence. So far, worrying and yelling hasn’t gotten us anywhere. I’m hoping 2019 brings us something new: Problemsolving and compromise.

Then maybe, just maybe, we’d all sleep better at night.

Sheri Smith, of Scottsdale, is the mother of Aidan (19)and Sarah (15).

STEVANO VICIGOR

first person

Pick the perfect summer camp at

2019

Meet with staff from local summer day camps and overnight camps around Arizona and across the country. Programs for preschoolers thorough teens!

Ne w Saturday, March 2, 2019 locat io N! 9am - 1pm Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center 5031 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034

CampFairAZ.com HavE a camp?

Become a sponsor or exhibitor. Space is limited!

Contact us: events@RAKmagazine.com

FREE to families Fun activities for kids!

HOSTED BY:

RaisingarizonaKids SpOnSOrED BY: