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‘WALL-E’ and Director Andrew Stanton Are a Hit!

by Reporter Gianna Pesognelli
Desert Trails Elementary

“Wall-E,” the latest Pixar animation film, is about a lonely robot named Wall-E who meets a high-tech robot named Eve.

“Wall-E” is a comedy and a love story. It is also an adventure about two robots that try to help people in the Axiom get back to Earth. The Axiom is a huge ship in outer space. All the people went there after a global interruption on Earth, but they have been in space for 700 years! When they left, the people turned off all the robots except Wall-E. They left him behind, and Wall-E’s only companion is a pet roach.

I recently met Andrew Stanton, writer and director of “Wall-E.” Stanton also has worked on “Toy Story,” “Toy Story 2,” “Finding Nemo,” “Ratatouille” and more! In 1994, when he still was working on “Toy Story,” Stanton had lunch with John Lasseter, Pete Docter and Joe Ranft. At the lunch, all of them thought, “What if we made a movie that was science fiction...when all the people left Earth but forgot to turn off the last robot?” Stanton says the idea boiled in his mind for 14 years and was finally made into a movie.

“‘Wall-E’ is different from some of our other films,” Stanton says, “because it is science fiction and the characters don’t talk like we do.”

Stanton describes Wall-E as a curious robot who collects items on Earth that people left behind.

“Even though Wall-E is 800 years old, he’s like a child,” Stanton explains.

Stanton says Eve is directive, which means she does what she is programmed to do. But she has interest in doing what Wall-E does, too.

Stanton’s favorite part is when Eve goes to Wall-E’s collection room and lights his lighter.

It was a pleasure to interview Stanton, and I think that “Wall-E” is going to be a huge hit. I hope everyone will enjoy this movie, just like I did!

Howlin’ It Up with Big, Bad Wolf!

by Reporter Shane Weinstein
Tucson Hebrew Academy

“American Gladiators” is back and is bigger and badder than ever on NBC. The show still has its Man vs. Beast theme. It is in its second season since producers revived it.

Remember sitting in front of the television from 1989 to 1997 and watching “American Gladiators”? The show is still going strong. Four Contenders—two male and two female—go up against some of the biggest, fiercest people you’ll see in competitive events. Among the new Gladiators is the highly intimidating Wolf!

Over the phone, the big bad Wolf didn’t sound scary at all. In fact, he was really nice.

Don “Wolf” Yates grew up in Phoenix and enjoyed watching the original show. “I watched as a kid and said, ‘that looks really fun—just to be able to scare the contenders like that would be amazing,’” Yates recalls.

In high school, Yates’ rodeo friends got him into being a clown/bullfighter. “I wasn’t so big on the riding, but I wanted to still spend time with my friends so I took up the clown/bullfighter aspect of the sport,” Yates says. “Being a bullfighter helped tremendously with the Gladiators. It helped me become agile and think on my feet.”

This season, Gladiators got a huge new arena and introduced seven new events. “Hang Tough,” an event that takes extreme upper body strength, is Yates’ favorite.

“This new arena is great! Backstage we have a full gym, masseuses and room to stretch,” he says. But the best thing…is the new and improved ‘Hang Tough’ event. “Last season, the rings area was so small that if the Contender got by you on one ring, they got the 10 points. I complained and we got two more rows of rings,” Yates points out.

Fans of the show know how the Gladiators love to toy with the Contenders. “I don’t care who they are or what their sob story is—I’m going to give you as little points as possible,” Yates vents. “I love toying with them.”

You can catch Wolf and the rest of the American Gladiators on Monday nights at 7 on KVOA-4.

Great Kids Flicks & Fun for Free at the Children’s Film Fest!

by Reporter Kamille Hermes
St. Cyril of Alexandria School

Do you want to watch great kids movies at a movie theater with free admission and free popcorn? If you do, the place to go is the Loft Cinema!

The Loft is featuring the second annual Tucson International Children’s Film Festival. The eight-day festival features cartoons, sing-a-longs, fun and interactive activities, and prize giveaways. From a sing-a-long version of the classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” to Dr. Seuss’ “The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T,” you can watch these great children’s films on Tucson’s largest movie screen.

The Loft hosts the event to celebrate great children’s cinema. The occasion is presented by the Glassman Foundation and hosted by the fun-loving staff of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle’s toy shop. This fun-filled event starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 26 and goes to Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway.

If you want to enjoy this great experience, visit www.loftcinema.com or call 795-0844.

Fishin’ & Learnin’ in San Diego!

by Reporter Drema Harmon
Altar Valley Middle School
Adviser: Virginia Harmon

Our sixth-grade class at Altar Valley Middle School took a trip to San Diego as one of our science projects!

It was a great experience. We arrived at the docks early in the morning and boarded a marine research boat. We spent five hours out on the ocean, fishing with a net. We got to drop the net and drag it along through the ocean to study the marine life. What we pulled in was amazing.

We found we had caught fish, crabs, shrimp, sand dollars, sponges and seaweed. We also saw huge pods of sea lions in their natural habitat. We also viewed a submarine and had a lesson on lighthouses.

Then we visited the Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography.

Lookin’ for a Pet? Get a Goat!

by Reporter Jeffrey Northcutt
Ironwood Elementary

If you think a goat would make a strange pet, guess again. Goats are actually fun, loving and sweet animals. Goats make great pets!

If you have dogs, cats or even horses, don’t worry because goats get along very nicely with all different kinds of animals. What’s involved in goat ownership?

According to Lara Elliott, owner of a pygmy goat and a Nigerian dwarf, to keep a goat as a pet, you want to have its horns trimmed as a baby so they will never grow back. This makes them easier to keep as a pet and keeps you safe from butting.

Butting is normal, sometimes playful behavior in which goats run their heads into each other and people. This behavior can be dangerous to you if the goat still has its horns!

Goats need routine veterinary care for checkups and shots—just like other pets—but they need to be seen by a vet who handles livestock. Because the hooves of goats tend to get worn down from the hard gravel and rocks they walk on, hoof trimming sometimes isn’t necessary.

Goats do need an occasional bath because they can get itchy from getting dirty.

Elliott reports that goats eat hay, grain, corn and oats and, of course, need plenty of fresh water. Goats like to play, and this should be encouraged because it’s how they get their exercise.

Goats are herd animals and should not be kept alone—think about adopting them in pairs. To keep them safe, you need to build a pen for shade and to keep out animals that can harm them, such as coyotes and bobcats. When considering adopting goats, the first step is to ensure that livestock is permitted in the community where you live.

A full-grown goat can weigh 40 to 50 pounds. Since the average life span of a goat is 10 to 15 years, you must be prepared to care for the goat for a long time. Elliot says goats, "are good pets because they are friendly, social and loyal." She also says, "They are very smart. You can even potty train goats."

So, if you are thinking of getting a new pet, maybe you should think of something a little different than the usual dog, cat or fish…a goat perhaps?

Cavalry’s Buffalo Soldiers Pitched in Wherever Needed

by Reporter Derrick Ingram
Marana High
Adviser: Virginia Harmon

The Buffalo Soldiers were a regiment of the U.S. Cavalry. They protected stage lines and settlers from hostile Native Americans, and helped with construction of the telegraph. Anytime trouble arose, the Buffalo Soldiers were called upon for defense. They played an important role in the taming of our country.

Trooper Bobby Boone says the Arizona Buffalo Soldiers Association has been staging reenactments for about 10 years to educate people about the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and let people see what an important role they played in the defense of our country. It has staged reenactments all over the state, including places like Tombstone and Old Tucson Studios. But I think the most important reenactments they do is at schools. They usually arrive on horseback, equipped with all sorts of memorabilia, and give students a hands-on history lesson.

Stranded Divers Survive Day of Shark Infested Waters

by Reporter Katelyn McDaniel
Marana Middle School

GREAT BARRIER REEF, Australia—After enduring 19 hours in shark infested waters, divers Richard Neely and Allyson Dalton were finally plucked from the ocean by a rescue helicopter!

On May 23, the two adventurers floated more than 200 yards away from their dive boat on the second day of their scuba diving trip. Even though they could clearly see the boat when they surfaced, no one on the boat was able to see a glimpse of either Neely or Dalton!

According to the stranded divers, they attempted to get the attention of people on the boat by blowing a whistle and waving a buoy, but no one saw them in the choppy waters. A strong current prevented them from swimming back to their boat. But the experienced divers managed to stay calm, even though they were stranded in shark infested waters. Rescuers went up in seven helicopters and three airplanes, and searched by boat.

Exhausted and dehydrated, Neely and Dalton were rescued the next day. The successful rescue operation cost between $200,000 and $400,000, which will probably be paid for by the divers’ insurance.

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‘WALL-E’ and Director Andrew Stanton Are a Hit!

by Reporter Gianna Pesognelli
Desert Trails Elementary

“Wall-E,” the latest Pixar animation film, is about a lonely robot named Wall-E who meets a high-tech robot named Eve.

“Wall-E” is a comedy and a love story. It is also an adventure about two robots that try to help people in the Axiom get back to Earth. The Axiom is a huge ship in outer space. All the people went there after a global interruption on Earth, but they have been in space for 700 years! When they left, the people turned off all the robots except Wall-E. They left him behind, and Wall-E’s only companion is a pet roach.

I recently met Andrew Stanton, writer and director of “Wall-E.” Stanton also has worked on “Toy Story,” “Toy Story 2,” “Finding Nemo,” “Ratatouille” and more! In 1994, when he still was working on “Toy Story,” Stanton had lunch with John Lasseter, Pete Docter and Joe Ranft. At the lunch, all of them thought, “What if we made a movie that was science fiction...when all the people left Earth but forgot to turn off the last robot?” Stanton says the idea boiled in his mind for 14 years and was finally made into a movie.

“‘Wall-E’ is different from some of our other films,” Stanton says, “because it is science fiction and the characters don’t talk like we do.”

Stanton describes Wall-E as a curious robot who collects items on Earth that people left behind.

“Even though Wall-E is 800 years old, he’s like a child,” Stanton explains.

Stanton says Eve is directive, which means she does what she is programmed to do. But she has interest in doing what Wall-E does, too.

Stanton’s favorite part is when Eve goes to Wall-E’s collection room and lights his lighter.

It was a pleasure to interview Stanton, and I think that “Wall-E” is going to be a huge hit. I hope everyone will enjoy this movie, just like I did!

Sundays Super at the Ballpark

by Reporter Drew Inness
JOY Christian School

Every Sunday with the Diamondbacks is Kids’ Sunday.

There are lots of extra special bonuses you can count on when you go to an Arizona Diamondbacks home game on Sunday.

First, you can sign up on the Internet or at a game for the No Chew Crew. The No Chew Crew is free to children 15 and younger who pledge awareness about the harmful effects of spit tobacco and “Say NO to spit tobacco.” Members receive a No Chew Crew T-shirt and a voucher booklet for free entry into Sunday games. Kids not only can go to the games for free, but once there, they can get free stuff.


The first 5,000 kids (12 and younger) get a free souvenir. Kids can also eat free with a coupon out of the Friday or Saturday edition of the East Valley Tribune. Kids who have signed up for the free Kids’ Club earn double points on Sundays. After every Sunday game, kids are invited to stay and run the bases. Those are just a few things you can do on Sundays at a Diamondbacks game.

You can also visit the new St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center Sandlot on the upper concourse near section 332. This kids’ zone features a Chase Field replica wiffle ball field, full-size batting cage, play area for toddlers and much more. Families can also stop at the Peter Piper Play-house in centerfield. This interactive play area is filled with all-new video games for the 2008 season! You can also meet Baxter the Bobcat, the Diamondbacks’ mascot, during the game in his den.

At every game, you can also see sports history by watching the largest scoreboard in the world. The Diamondbacks put up the biggest scoreboard in sports at Chase Field this year.

The field gates open two hours before the game begins. My friends and I always like to go to the game and try to get autographs and practice balls from the Diamondbacks and the visiting team. The players are usually really nice, but remember to be patient. Going to a Diamondbacks game is definitely a great family experience!

Playing and Learning at the AZ Science Center

by Reporter Tiffany Lam
Vistancia Elementary

When I entered the Arizona Science Center, the first thing I noticed was the display on the “Chronicles of Narnia Exhibit.”

But in the lobby, I met Ashley Carter, a public relations specialist for the science center, and we headed for the “Human & Animal Grossology Exhibit.” We entered the 10,000-square-foot exhibit through a giant set of lips to be greeted by Her Grossness. We learned the grossology exhibit was all about the impolite science of the human body. Grossology taught us all about the things our parents tend to not talk about. There were hands-on displays explaining barfing, belching, peeing and much more. There was a cool-looking, hands-on display that allowed you to create your own farts. There was also a giant man drinking soda—by following instructions you could create a satisfying burp. Through the entire process, I was learning a lot about the human body. I didn't even realize I was learning until I came out of the exhibit. The exhibition is based on the best-selling GROSSOLOGY books by author and science teacher Sylvia Banzei. I’m pretty sure the human grossology exhibit would make your grandma blush!

The animal grossology was even better. This time, we received a greeting from Malcolm, a Jamaican parrot. My favorite display here was a fly atop a chocolate chip cookie. I never realized how talkative flies were before this! After the Slime Game, I reached the Blood Game with animals of blue blood! My second favorite display was the zoo, where a penguin needed our help to match the poop to the party poopers. Phew! Finally, armed with all my new information, I won the animal grossology game, just as I had with the human grossology game.

Next, we went to the “Forces of Nature” and rushed to the Immersion Theater. As overhead flat-screen TVs showed the “Forces of Nature,” we felt water and high winds from a hurricane, were burned my an erupting volcano, reached up to the falling rain and got tossed about by an earthquake. After the five minute show we toured the scene, which was divided into four parts. There were sections devoted to air and water. There were several great displays in the land section, including the “Magic Planet” and an interactive map of the Grand Canyon. Finally, there was a section on the Earth that displayed an awesome rock transformation explaining the rock cycle. Everything about “Forces of Nature” was cool and reinforced all I had learned in science class last year.

Finally, we headed for the “Chronicles of Narnia” exhibit. Greeted by two guards, we entered a set of gates that led to author C.S. Lewis study and the train station from which the Pevensie children left London to stay with the countryside professor. It was like a collision between two worlds— the world of Lewis’ writing and experiences and the world of the children. The author’s desk was on display and above the desk was a greeting from Lewis’ stepson, who had grown up with the story of Narnia and helped bring it to life with Disney.

We entered the attic, and suddenly I had entered the world of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy—the Pevensies. There were white walls, a wood floor, stained glass windows with a view of the pouring rain, a forest outside… and the wardrobe. The wardrobe doors opened magically and we entered the world of Narnia.

One of my favorite parts of the exhibit was the clothing. The costumes displayed in the exhibit were worth $2 million! The White Witch’s crown was especially interesting. Then, we entered “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” where treasure was waiting. There were also castle battlements and a demo catapult. There was much more I cannot even begin to describe!

We must remember, though, that we were at the Arizona Science Center, so there was a lot of science involved. My sister built an arch in the exhibit, and it actually stood by itself thanks to pressure. Another display showed how the White Witch might have maintained winter.

All in all, I will definitely be visiting the Arizona Science Center again soon. Since the science center is going through renovations, you definitely want to check it out, too!

Arizona Rolls Out New Quarter

by Reporter Ri’Ann Holmes
Homeschool

If you have been collecting state quarters like I have, you have probably noticed that the Arizona quarter came out last month.

The Arizona quarter launch was held on June 2 at the State Capitol. People waited in a long line for the chance to trade their money for some of the first Arizona quarters.

Earlier this year, Gov. Janet Napolitano watched the Grand Canyon state’s quarter getting stamped at the U.S. Mint in Denver. It took about two years to decide what the new quarter would look like. The decision was finally made to use an image of a sunset over the Grand Canyon’s mountains along with a saguaro cactus.

Many people raved that Arizona’s quarter is one of the most attractive quarters that has ever been minted. The state quarters program launched on Jan. 1, 1999, with Delaware. Since then, more than 100 million people have picked up the quarter-collecting hobby.

The order in which the quarters are produced goes by the order that states were admitted to the Union. So the final two states, Alaska and Hawaii, have to wait a couple more months for their quarters.

Amazing Fun Awaits at Jake’s

by Reporter Eda Sezen
Kyrene del Milenio

It’s a hot summer day and you’re bored. The amusement park is open, but it’s outside. What do you do? Go to Amazing Jake’s, of course!

Amazing Jake’s is located at 1830 E. Baseline Rd. in Mesa.

It’s a fun, safe, indoor place to be. Amazing Jake’s has rides, games and food! Let’s say you’re hungry because you didn’t eat lunch. Don’t worry, there is an all-you-can-eat buffet at Amazing Jake’s! The buffet includes pizza, weekly specials, salad, soup, pasta and desserts. Yum, Yum!

Now that you’re done eating, you want to have some fun. That is the whole purpose of Amazing Jake’s! There are a bunch of rides and arcade games. If you play an arcade game, and you are successful, you may get some tickets. After you are done with your tokens and have some tickets, redeem them for a slip of paper. The paper says how many tickets you had. Then you go to the prize counter and can get prizes!

Have you ever wondered how Amazing Jake’s got its name? Well a rumor is going around that the park’s owner has a dog named Jake!

Now you know a lot about Amazing Jake’s! You can go to www.amazingjakes.com or call (480) 926-PIZZA (7499) if you want to learn more. Enjoy your visit!

‘Kung Fu Panda’ Action Is Fab!

by Reporter Braxton Barger
New Vistas Academy

The Furious Five stand tall above a cliff and look down toward the terrible destruction caused by a strong and devastating enemy. The kung fu masters wonder if this villain can be defeated. In comes Po, the hero of “Kung Fu Panda,” and all hope is regained.

Po and the Furious Five storm into a restaurant that is being robbed. Paws fly and suddenly the villain is lying on the ground, defeated by the amazing panda. Everyone in the restaurant hails his heroism.

Suddenly, Po wakes up and seeing his large round belly in front of him, the wannabe kung fu master realizes it was all just a dream.

Po works at his father’s noodle shop, where he dreams of learning the art of kung fu. He dreams of the Furious Five, the five kung fu masters: Tigress, Crane, Monkey, Viper and Mantis. Trained by Master Shifu, the five compete for the title of Dragon Warrior—the kung fu master chosen to defeat the village’s enemy, Tai Lung.

When the Dragon Warrior is chosen, everything goes terribly wrong. In the middle of the ceremony, Po interrupts and is mistakenly crowned Dragon Warrior, making his dream a reality. Time is short as Tai Lung escapes from prison and approaches the village, making Po’s training even more urgent and stressful. Then Master Shifu hatches a brilliant idea to train Po with food, turning his biggest weakness into his greatest strength.

Some people may think the story plot is weak, but it actually persents a moral in this movie. Po receives the Dragon Scroll and reads its kung fu secret. It says he will “hear the beat of a butterfly’s wings, see light in the darkest cave and feel the universe in motion around him.” Po discovers the secret of the scroll is to believe, and then anything is possible!

“Kung Fu Panda” is an exciting, humorous movie with vivid animation and enticing kung fu action. The theaters have been packed, so go soon, go early, and go ready for funny, jam-packed action.

“Prepare for awesomeness!”

Great Sensei—Great School

by Reporter Alek Pensky
Desert Trails Elementary

Ray Hughes started karate when he was 19, while working as a miner.

After leaving his mining job, Sensei Ray worked several sales jobs and tried different business opportunities while continuing to study karate. Focusing more on karate, he earned his black belt, traveled the world competing and won many championships.

Sensei Ray eventually started his own dojo to teach karate and to be a positive influence on people, especially kids. Now a sixth-degree black belt, he has supervised more than 10,000 kids studying Japanese Wado-Ryu Karate at the Scottsdale Martial Arts Center.

Sensei Ray was the first Caucasian to successfully run a Japanese-style dojo and the first in the United States to successfully run a multi-art facility that now offers eight martial arts styles.

Sensei Ray uses his life experiences, both good and bad, to benefit his students. He teaches his students to be respectful and considerate of others, to think outside the box and to be persistent in following their dreams and seeking happiness.

Stories for Bear’s State Edition will resume in August.