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 Tax Foes Gather for a Tea Party
by Reporter Amanda Kephart
Paulo Freire Freedom School
Many of us have studied or heard about the Boston Tea Party in school. But in April, Tucson and hundreds of cities around the country had their own “tea” parties to protest the way the government is spending billions of tax dollars to “bail out” major banks and corporations.  The organizers said TEA stands for “Taxed Enough Already.” More than 3,000 people attended the Tucson Tea Party downtown.
“Americans are getting frustrated that people in Washington (DC) are making decisions for us on how to spend our hard-earned money,” said Jim Parisi, morning show host for KNST-AM.
State Sen. Jonathon Paton said, “I am excited that all of the people have shown up to exercise their right to free speech.” And Jon Justice, host of the morning show on KQTH-FM, said he was there because of his listeners. “At first, I did not plan to be part of it,” he said. “But my listeners were so passionate about it that they made me want to be a part of it. ”
Joe Higgins, owner of Sports Buzz, hoped the protests would get the government’s attention. “When it comes to taxes, (President) Obama is not nice to the small business owner,” he said.
Help Feed the Hungry
by Reporter Ayla Condo,
Holladay Intermediate Magnet
Standing under the tall stacks of food at the food bank, I felt proud because I helped gather that food. And I want to keep on helping!
This past year at school, students in Nancy Petersen’s third-grade class gave cans of food to help other people. Our goal was to give 100 cans a month to the Community Food Bank. We didn’t meet our goal, but we did give about 240 cans and $100.
According to Eric Hoffman, an intern with the Community Food Bank who came to our classroom, food insecurity means that you don’t know where you’re going to get your next meal. The Food Bank is giving more food boxes this year than last year. The need for food donations is much greater.
“I can’t imagine the Food Bank not being part of our community,” says Petersen. “I’m immensely proud to have been a part of this effort, and I’m grateful that the class gave food with generous hearts.”
- 50,000 Southern
Arizona children are at
risk of going hungry.
- 40 percent of Food Bank
clients are children.
For more info on the Community Food Bank, call 622-0525.
Moving to Middle School Exciting, Scary
by Reporter Arianna Larribas
Banks Elementary
If you will be starting middle school this fall, I wonder if you feel the way I feel? I’m excited but also nervous. I’m excited about meeting my teachers for next year. I’m also excited about the classes I’ll be taking and the new things I’ll be learning. Other things I’m looking forward to are running for student council and playing team sports.
On the other hand, I am nervous about meeting new people, making friends and getting to classes on time. I worry about the work getting harder and people bullying me. If I stay away from bullies, I think I will be fine.
Fortunately, I already know a lot of students at Valencia Middle School. That’s why I want to go there—the more people I know the better.
My mom is encouraging me to do my best and to make good choices. I am going to be so involved with positive friendships and activities that I should have a great learning experience. So even with all of my fears about middle school, I am more excited than nervous about next year at Valencia Middle School.
A Special Day at the County Fair
by Reporter Katelyn Johnston
Dunham Elementary
On April 21, I went with my mom to the Pima County Fair for Special Needs Day. My mom works with young kids with developmental disabilities. The Pima County Fair provided free admission and lunch, and opened some of the rides for us to enjoy. We also got to see the exhibits and the animals.
Special Needs Day was organized by America Miranda. She works with schools and organizations that serve special needs kids and adults. This year, 3,000 kids got to enjoy this special event. Miranda says she likes to do it because it’s a lot of fun and makes kids happy. She shares that elephants are her favorite thing about the fair.
My favorite thing to see at the fair was the Power from the Past building, where I got to make my own jump rope. I also liked seeing the baby kangaroo in the petting zoo.
I think Special Needs Day at the Pima County Fair was great because it gave kids with special needs the chance to be free to go on all the rides and enjoy all the exhibits. I learned that kids with disabilities can have fun doing the same things kids without disabilities, like me, can.
New Gaslight Show a Heroic Effort
by Reporter Rachael Weinstein,
Tucson Hebrew Academy
I lived in Tucson for five years without ever seeing a show at The Gaslight Theatre. Well, don’t take my example because the place is wonderful!
It’s so cute. It’s like an old country western theater! Little round tables with bandana print tablecloths and a rustic stage and screen make you feel like you’re back in the old days. I couldn’t wait for the show to start. Becky Gilmour, director of public relations, came over to warn us that the audience is supposed to boo the villains and cheer the heroes. She said not to feel bad for the actors playing the villains.
“Freedom League of America” is a musical melodrama that spoofs different super heroes. When enemies want to take over the world, no one can stop them except the Freedom League of America—Lady Liberty, Mega Man and The Streak!
I thought the show was unique, creative and wonderful, not just because of the story, but because of the songs they sang after every scene. The songs were popular hits set to different lyrics. After the performance, an olio—a series of short skits, some good and some bad—came on. The olio was The Gong Show.
After the show, the actors came out so you could meet them. I found out that some of the actors have been there for more than 25 years. Gilmour took my family and me backstage. Mike Yarema, who played The Streak, joined us, which was very cool. Tony Terry showed us the ropes of backstage— literally the ropes that pull the drops up and down. When we got to the dressing rooms, all the actors were there relaxing after the show. They were all really friendly and thanked me for coming. They were really class acts!
The Gaslight Theatre is fun for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you are 2 or 82, you will still love the show. If you want to get tickets for upcoming shows, call The Gaslight Theatre at 886-9428. “Freedom League of America” runs until Aug. 22.
Parents Must Monitor Media Use
by Reporter Hannah Mattingly,
Homeschool
Children are in trouble. Violence and inappropriate behavior have increased. Children don’t spend time with their families anymore. So what’s the problem?
According to UnplugYourKids.com, 19 percent of children ages 1 and under, 29 percent of kids ages 2 and 3, and 43 percent of kids ages 4 to 6 have a TV in their bedrooms. When the door is shut, parents cannot see or hear anything that’s going on. My family has a TV in the living room, and this arrangement seems to work fine. Some parents think having a TV in their child’s room is harmless, but I say it can be very damaging. For example, on Sunday nights
I watch a TV show called “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” This family show may seem harmless, but during the commercials, we have to mute the TV due to the graphic nature of the commercials.
My parents do not let me see movies rated PG-13 or R because they are trying to protect me. I have friends who have been teased or harassed as early as third grade. I bet that the kids doing it are watching movies that teach them to act this way.
Probably the biggest problem these days is access to the Internet, especiallly sites like MySpace and Facebook where kids expose their lives to everyone. This can lead to things like child abductions, bullying and harassment. My parents are putting blocks on what I see on my computer. Some kids think it is an invasion of their privacy, but I call it protection.
If parents keep children away from these negative influences, the kids would be much better off and would live much happier, safer lives.
Reading Makes Kids Winners!
by Reporter Aryana Pacheco,
Hudlow Elementary
There’s a public reading program at the Pima County Public Library this summer. You get a game board and move up a space for every 15 minutes you read. You can win prizes for every six hours you read! Just take your game board to any of the branch libraries.
Six hours of reading earns you a sticker or a button. With six more hours of reading, you get a pencil and adventure pass. It keeps going up to 30 hours of reading.
This program goes through July 18. This year, you can keep track of your reading on the computer. For more info, visit www.library.pima.gov.
by Reporters Damian Enriquez and Myles Mondor
Fort Lowell Elementary
The students at Fort Lowell Elementary proved that they love to read. Over winter vacation, our school held a winter reading program. Children from preschool to fifth grade took part. They could listen to a book on tape, read alone or read with a friend. They could even listen to their moms or dads read aloud.
The reward was an ice cream sundae with the principal and a free book to keep. More than 100 students—one-third of the school—read for eight hours or more during vacation. That’s a lot of ice cream and books!
This summer, students will be asked to take part in the “Summer Read.” This time they have to read for at least 24 hours for a new book, and 48 hours for a book and sundae. We know there will be lots of kids from our school reading this summer as well. Get the ice cream scoops ready!
Get Your Game On at Chess Club
by Reporter Holden St. Aubyn,
Corbett Elementary
Adviser: Louise Till
Do you like chess? Or do you want to learn how to play?
Your school might have a chess program! Chess is a great mental game that’s fun for all ages. If your school does not have a chess program, I recommend talking to your principal and starting a petition for one. If that still doesn’t work, then I recommend learning the game in your free time.
Corbett Elementary has an outstanding chess program that I personally enjoy. We meet every Thursday for one hour after school. I have gone from being a mediocre player to a top chess player just by going to chess club! My instructor’s name is Ken Larsen. He always encourages us and helps us devise our own strategies. In conclusion, my chess program has drastically improved my love for the game.
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‘Imagine That’ Makes a Great Point
by Reporter Jaidyn Hamilton,
Learning Foundation
“Imagine That,” which opened June 12—just in time for Father’s Day—was an awesome movie! I think fathers everywhere should see it.
In the movie, Eddie Murphy stars as a successful businessman and not-so-successful dad whose career is going down the drain. He finds the answers to all his problems when he lets himself enter the imaginary world of his 7-year-old daughter (played by Yara Shahidi).
What I liked most about the movie was the point it was trying to make—you can’t let work get in the way of family. They did a great job using make-believe to tell a real story.
I give this movie five stars, a must see for all families!
Celebrate!
by Reporter Marcos Jauregui
Glenn F. Burton Elementary
July 4 is a national holiday celebrating the birthday of the United States and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Continental Congress approved the statement, which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, on July 4. The Congress signed it as a declaration that the 13 American colonies were no longer a part of Great Britain.
Americans traditionally celebrate July 4 with fireworks and barbecues. But be careful. There are a lot of drunken driving accidents.
The really happy thing about July 4 is that there are parades and celebrations, and you spend time with your family!
Try These Series for Super Summer Reading
by Reporter Chloe McAllaster
The Nancy Drew books are very good and thrilling mysteries. It is my favorite series.
The books are about an 18-year-old girl named Nancy Drew who is an amateur detective. She solves mysteries with the help of her friends—Bess, George (who is a girl), Ned, Burt and Dave.
There are many mysteries, and Nancy solves them all. There are different types of Nancy Drew mysteries, but the most popular are the original hardcover ones. If you have not read these, you should!
by Reporter Chantal Navratil
Rancho Solano Greenway
Looking for great series of books full of drama, action and pure gossip? Look no further than the Clique series, written by Lisi Harrison. There are 15 books to the series.
The main characters are: Claire, a geeky girl from Florida; Massie, the queen bee who is rich and loves designer clothing; Alicia, who is second in line to Spain’s throne and is Massie's best friend; Dylan, who loves boys and food; and Kristen, an athletic girl who is the least wealthy.
They go to a school called OCD where fashion and popularity comes first and “The only thing harder than getting in, is staying in.”
Mother Earth Needs Us
by Reporter Bansri Dashi
New Vistas Academy
Adviser: Stacey Trepanier
Mother Nature is awfully fickle. One day the skies are blue and the sun is shining. The next it’s raining dismally and grumbling children are stuck indoors playing video games. A typhoon can hit Guam while temperatures in Death Valley reach an all-time high.
Even though we all sometimes get peeved with the weather, our world is a wonderful place. It provides us with sustenance and amusement. As the Earth supports us, we need to protect it. One way to fail at that is by belching harmful elements into the air.
Of course, humans cannot help exhaling carbon dioxide, which harms the ozone layer that helps regulate the Earth’s temperature. But we can limit other harmful activities, like driving gargantuan, gas-guzzling Hummers and pickup trucks. We can drive hybrid cars or use public transportation like buses and trains. We could shut down the coal-burning plants that destroy our environment.
We have the capacity to go green. Everything depends on whether we want to save our lovely world.
Awesome New PC Game
Lets You Be Nancy Drew
by Reporter Savannah Hornyak,
Homeschool
I was one of the first to play the new game “Nancy Drew: Ransom of the Seven Ships,” which goes on sale July 14.
My sister, Ashley, and I played it together. It was a great game for kids who love to solve mysteries and/or go on adventures.
Ashley says, “I love the mystery—it seems so real that I really think I am Nancy Drew.”
You can be Nancy or one of her best friends, George Fayne. And you can choose from Junior or Senior Detective difficulty levels. I was a Junior Detective.
The game is about Nancy’s friend, Bess Marvin, who is kidnapped. The only chance you have to save her is by solving a 300-year-old mystery! The start of the game is the coolest. I was able to read about how to be a detective in the book that’s on Nancy’s desk.Then I clicked on some tickets and I was off to the Bahamas.
On this Caribbean island I met the hotel manger, talked to parents, found clues, unlocked chests with secret codes, fixed golf carts, played mini games with monkeys, solved puzzles, sailed boats and so much more that I don’t have room to list it all!
The best part is when you save Bess. I also love the monkey mini games—they’re so cute!
The game is rated E for everyone, though it does have mild violence. To buy or learn more about the game go to www.herinteractive.com
Also, check out other Nancy Drew adventures on DVD and in her books at the library!
Adventurer Lived Amazing Life
by Reporter Liah D'sa,
New Vistas Academy
Adviser: Stacey Trepanier
"If you overcome and you manage to defeat the obstacles, the satisfaction is so much greater."—Sir Edmund Hillary, adventurer As Sir Edmund Hillary would say this, he would think back on his strenuous journey up the grandest mountain in the world: Mt. Everest.
When he was young, never did he dream that he would be the first to reach the summit of the world’s tallest peak. Hillary achieved a goal that he believed in, and he believed the hike was a “growing process and a learning process.”
Hillary was born on July 20, 1919. He grew up in Aukland, New Zealand. It was there that he became interested in mountain climbing. He made his living as a bee keeper, though he climbed mountains whenever he had the slightest chance. He began with the mountains in New Zealand, progressed on to the Alps in Europe, and then to the Himalayas in Asia. He finally felt he was ready to face the world’s tallest mountain. He did it with the help of a Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay, a native of the area who accompanied Hillary as a guide but in the end turned into a supporting friend.
Mt. Everest is located in the Himalayas between Tibet and Nepal. It rises 29,028 feet above sea level. At such a high altitude, people who attempt to climb this mountain must dress very warmly and carry oxygen tanks.
Hillary's journey up Mt. Everest took a year altogether. It started in 1952. At 11:30 a.m. on May 29, 1953, Hillary and Norgay reached the summit. Queen Elizabeth II of England knighted the two adventurers, which is how Hillary got the title “sir.” He felt that he was doing the whole journey for “fun” and never feared he would not make it to the top. Even so, he almost plummeted to his death during the journey while trying to jump a 4-foot wide, snow-covered crevasse. Norgay saw what was happening and acted immediately and appropriately to save Hillary's life.
Hillary felt he lived a remarkable life. Although it was also filled with sorrow—his wife and daughter died in a plane crash in 1975—he occupied himself with Nepalese environmental issues to numb the sorrow.
He died on Jan. 11, 2008, at the age of 88.
New Exhibit Riding High
by Reporter Thomas Abshire,
Homeschool
The Arizona Science Center’s newest permanent exhibit is finally here! The Sky Cycle weighs about 500 pounds, including its underlying counterweight. Riders must weigh less than 225 pounds to keep the cycle balanced.
Six cords (each consisting of 36 tiny wires) form one 90-foot-long cable. On this cable, riders pedal backward then forward, so there are two rides in one!
At one end of the cable, the compression of two black “marshmallows,” which look like tires, keeps the cable in place. The tension created keeps the rider from sagging more than an inch!
Riding the cycle, you feel as if you are floating but holding on to something at the same time. No bicycling experience is needed. Riders must use a provided harness and have legs that are at least 30 inches long. The cost (after admission) is $3 for members and $5 for non-members. The cushiony handlebars and seat make for a comfortable five-minute ride!
Help HALO Help Dogs and Cats
by Reporter Caitlin Chavez,
North Ranch Elementary
You can help HALO Animal Rescue with just a click! All you have to do is go online to www.petfinder.com and check out the Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter+ Challenge. The grand prize is $20,000! And the Animal Rescue Site will award many other grants to animal organizations—a total of $100,000.
Help HALO Animal Rescue win! All you have to do is ‘click’ to help rescued animals! When you get to Animal Rescue’s voting page, enter HALO in the name box, select AZ, and then click the ‘vote’ button. You can vote once a day, every day, through July 26.
HALO is a no-kill shelter dedicated to ending pet overpopulation. It places more than 2,500 dogs and cats in loving homes every year. For more info, go to www.halorescue.org or call 602-971-9222.
Every time you vote, or tell people to vote, you are making a huge difference for the animals at HALO Animal Rescue! Together, we can help HALO win money for things like surgeries and health care for the animal it cares for. So what are you waiting for? Make sure to vote daily, like I am!
Countdown to Learning
by Reporter Brianna Crittendon 
Sunnyslope Elementary
Adviser: Sharon Sauer
Last fall, Sunnyslope students made a math scarecrow. The scarecrow wore old clothes from the Salvation Army and was stuffed with newspaper. Quite a few creative artists decorated its clothes with numbers, and a sign read “Count his fingers; Count his toes; Count the numbers on his clothes.”
The project shows how ready students were to learn.
‘X-Men’ Premeire Shows Off Arizona’s Star Power!
by Reporter Nina Patel
New Vistas Academy
Move over Hollywood—make room for Tempe! The city hosted the world premiere of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” The energy at the Tempe Marketplace on April 27, was electric.
The movie’s producer, Hugh Jackman, who also stars as Wolverine, expressed his enthusiasm about hosting this huge event in Tempe. Back in March, Jackman conducted an online voting contest to determine which U.S. city would earn the right to premiere the movie. Tempe beat out dozens of other cities!
A sea of people lined the barricades that evening. Some fans had waited outside of the theater since 3 a.m. just to catch a glimpse of Jackman, Ryan Reynolds and other cast members as they strolled down the red carpet. Before the celebrities arrived, Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman and Harkins owner Dan Harkins welcomed fans. A group of ASU cheerleaders and the Mountain Point High School band performed a few numbers for the crowd. JohnJay and Rich from KRQ 94.7 played music and kept the audience entertained with random contests while everyone waited for the stars to arrive.
The public screamed and cheered when Jackman made a dramatic entrance on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This was his first visit to the Valley, but he says it won’t be his last!
“I love this place! I’m moving here. It’s awesome!” he says. “These are the real fans. These are the ones we do the movie for.”
There would be no Wolverine without fans like this, he adds. “Some of these fans slept out for two nights to be here. I need to at least buy them a cup of coffee.”
Hallman proclaimed April 27 as “X-Men Day.” He also poked fun at the city’s parking problem and presented Jackman with a “Wolverine Parking Only” sign to be used anytime the cast needed to park.
Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool), Liev Schreiber (Sabretooth), Lynn Collins (Kayla), Will.i.am (Wraith) and Taylor Kitsch (Gambit) also walked the red carpet. Reynolds commends letting the public decide where the movie should be premiered. “I think this is how they should do it from now on,” he says. “L.A. has had their fair share of Hollywood premieres. And so has New York.”
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” opened nationwide on May 1. But Tempe
“X-ceeded X-pections” that evening when it turned on the lights, camera and action. Many hope the premiere’s success will have the entertainment industry taking a closer look at Arizona for showcasing new movies in the future. The theme of the evening was superpowers, but Tempe proved that when it comes to hosting a premiere it certainly has star power! 
‘Earth’ Moves
by Reporter Thomas Abshire
Homeschool
I liked all three animal families—the elephants, polar bears and whales—in the movie “Earth.” The new Disney film, which opened on Earth Day, April 22, follows the lives of these amazing animals over the period of a year. The polar bears are a favorite because of the curiosity of the baby bears. The size of the elephants is surprising. They seem huge—even bigger than what I’ve normally seen in zoos!
The whales are cool. Although they make the longest mammal migration, they make it look easy.
(It probably isn’t.)
Due to its sensitive nature at times—animals kill each other and die of natural causes—kids ages 8 and older might be the best audience for this movie.
Fun Films at the Fox
by Reporter Matthew Stratford,
Satori School
 On Saturday afternoons this summer, the Fox Theatre will be showing special movies for kids and families that originally aired as part of the Mickey Mouse Club in the 1930s. I had a chance to see some of these classic films,
which are called “serials” and were originally shown on Saturday mornings. A serial
is a movie that is broken into
15-minute parts that were shown each week.
The serials to be shown this summer are: “The Wolf Dog,” from 1933, “The Undersea Kingdom‚” from 1936 and “The Green Archer,” from 1940.
My favorite is “Green Archer” because there’s lots of action involving cool trapdoors and hidden passageways leading to the next-door mansion. I also like the robots (Volkites) from “Undersea Kingdom” because they look weird but cool at the same time, and their tank car looks pretty cool, too.
I have spent a lot of time at the Fox Theatre downtown because my dad was the one who brought it back to life again after it had been closed for about 30 years. I hope you will enjoy these as much as I have.
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