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February 14, 2012 isn't just Valentine's Day


It's Arizona's 100th Birthday!

One Valentine's Day, early in our marriage, my husband handed me an envelope with my name written on it.  I opened it in anticipation of hearts and glitter and a sweet sentiment about our love. What I got was a hand-drawn picture of the Arizona State Flag and the words, "Happy Birthday Arizona." My husband was clearly quite pleased with his creativity, "I bet we're the only couple celebrating Arizona's birthday today," he said. Indeed.

Well, what he lacked in romance he certainly made up for (and ...


Happy Birthday Arizona!


What we "heart" about our beautiful state!

On February 14, 1912, Arizona became the 48th state to enter the Union of the United States of America.  We Arizonans know how very lucky we are to live here and to reap the benefits of the culture and natural beauty that have made this area unique and amazing, long before statehood was even granted.  When I asked followers on facebook their favorite things about Tucson and Arizona, the weather came up the most often.  We all especially appreciate our marvelous weather at this time of year...few other states ...


I Survived a Heart Attack


February is American Heart Month

This article was written by Shannon Blackwell, a Macaroni Kid Publisher Mom in Minnesota. A Mom with young children.  A Mom who is just like me, just like most of you. These facts are IMPORTANT, and we all need to arm ourselves with information, because it could happen to any of us.  --K

Last fall I survived a heart attack. What makes that sentence shocking isn’t that I had a heart attack, which in itself still blows my mind. No -  the shocking part is that I survived. Did you ...


This Week's Macaroni Deal


Hair clips from Cutie Pie Accessories!

Macaroni Deals are BACK!  Click HERE to pay only $11 for nine adorable clippy barrettes, plus FREE shipping, from local home-based business Cutie Pie Accessories!

You met Christa Langston and her company Cutie Pie Accessories in last week's Macaroni Spotlight article. THIS week, get a deal on some of her fantastic hair clips with Macaroni Deals!  Christa hand-makes all of her hair accessories herself, and is offering 9 clips for only $11.  If you buy cute barrettes for your little girl's hair, you know what a ...


Win a Session of Soccer from Little Feet Sports


Spring Session 1 begins February 27th!

In keeping with Valentine's Day and Heart Health Month, what better way to show your love for your children than to encourage healthy activities for their hearts? t

Do you have a 3-5 year old?  Think about introducing them to soccer with Little Feet Sports! Little Feet offers Tucson's only day soccer classes for kids ages 3-5. There is no team game-play, but sessions are jam-packed with activities that promote exercise, group work, sports fundamentals, and great health!

Our friends at Little Feet are giving away one FREE ...


Rodeo Break ExperiCamp: Land and Sea Adventures!


Registration is now open for this great Rodeo Break experience!


Come Explore With Us!

 Campus Recreation’s
Rodeo Break ExperiCamp:
LAND and SEA ADVENTURES!

We invite your children in grades K-5 to explore and learn this spring at the University of Arizona Campus Recreation’s, experiential 2-day Rodeo Break ExperiCamp! UA student-staff counselors, sports club mentors, and facilitators, will guide your child through hands-on experiences and activities: learning traditional and non-traditional sports, creative projects, and amazing fun in the pool! There will also be soccer and capoeira, swimming games, and so much more! This experience is one that your child ...


This Week's Picks:


February 10th through February 11th

Friday, February 10 through Sunday, February 12 - Arizona Centennial Celebration Downtown

The state of Arizona is turning 100!   2nd Saturdays Downtown is hosting a Centennial celebration with three days of live music, children's activities, street performers, a ferris wheel and more!  Click these links for daily schedules:  Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
Where: Downtown Tucson, various locations.
When: Kickoff at 4:00 PM on 2/10/12
Who: The whole family!
How: Just show up!  
Cost: Varies, but many events are free, as are many downtown museums during the weekend celebration. The Ferris Wheel is $4.
For more info: Visit www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com for more information.  View the event flyer HERE.  

Saturday, February 11 - Santa Rita High School Arizona Centennial Fair

Great food, entertainment and exciting activities including a classic car show, live local music, and military displays. Dr. Richard Carmona will present in the auditorium, and a film festival of movies filmed in Old Tucson will be screened in the Little Theatre. All this and MORE, to celebrate Arizona's 100 years of statehood! 
Where: Santa Rita High School, 3951 S. Pantano
When: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Who: The whole family!  Open to the public.
How: Just show up!
Cost: FREE!
For more info: See event flyer HERE. 

Saturday, February 11 - Ft. Lowell Days

Watch a vintage baseball game, view a replica of a Sibley Army tent, explore the hospital ruins and visit the museum.  Live reenactments throughout the park and ruins.  Kids will enjoy "You're in the Army" now and other activities for children. There will also be live music, food and a walking tour of old Fort Lowell neighborhood houses.    
Where: Ft. Lowell Park and Museum, 2900 N. Craycroft Rd. 
When: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Who: The whole family
How: Just show up
Cost: Free and open to the public!
For more info: 885-3832, Fridays and Saturdays only.

This Week's Calendar:


February 1st through February 15th

Wednesday, February 1 through Monday, February 27 - Register Now for Little Feet Sports Spring Session 1

Instill a love of sports and healthy activity in your child!  Register NOW to get your young child involved soccer classes during the spring.  Spring Session 1 is February 27-April 5.  
Where: Registration on-line or by phone/mail.  Classes take place at Udall Park.
When: Registration for this event open until 8:10 AM
Who: Children 3-5
Cost: $85/session new students, $75 for returning students

Thursday, February 9 through Sunday, February 12 - Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

The junior education area of the Gem and Mineral Show is a cooperative effort between the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society and the Society of Earth Science Students from the University of Arizona.  Children who love earth science can expect a truly fun and educational experience. In Children go through a maze of educational experiments in an exciting interaction with the university students. They will go on a mineral “treasure hunt,” and bring home with them a variety of clearly identified specimens that will remind them for many years of this real and unique journey into the realm of science and education.
Where: Tucson Convention Center
When: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM ((Sunday 10-5))
Who: The whole family.
How: Tickets available at TCC ticket office or by phone 1-800-745-3000
Cost: Adult admission $9 plus $1 TCC tax.  Children 14 and under FREE.  Click HERE for $1 off coupon.
For more info: http://www.tgms.org

Thursday, February 9 - Curious George at Park Place Mall

The UA Bookstores are bringing Curious George to Park Place Mall Food Court.  A fun storytime, join us for some monkeying around at the Park Place Mall!  This is the first in a new monthly reading series at the Mall.
Where: Park Place Mall Food Court
When: 10:30 AM
Who: Children and accompanying adults
How: Just show up!
Cost: FREE
For more info: Contact the UA Bookstore at 520-621-2426 or see the event listing HERE.   

Saturday, February 11 - Sonoran Desert Kids Club: Agua Caliente Park Restoration Project

Time to give back to Agua Caliente Park. We will restore some wildlife habitat and remove invasive plants to give nature a chance to heal. 
Where: Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road
When: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Who: Children 8-12
Cost: FREE
For more info: Call 615-7855 or visit the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation website

Saturday, February 11 - Tucson Festival of Hearts

Please come join us for a fun day of learning any and everything to do with your heart. We will have activities for the kids, food, and lots of information.   Sponsored by Mended Little Hearts of Tucson, a network of families raising children with heart defects and heart disease.
Where: UA Mall
When: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Who: The whole family.
How: Just show up! 
Cost: FREE

Saturday, February 11 - Centennial Celebration at the Main Library

Children will enjoy the family story time at 11am followed by a craft and Happy Birthday Arizona cake. Don’t forget to take the opportunity to check out books on Arizona’s history, famous people, sports teams, and so on!
Teens will be interested in the games available in the teen room and in the display of the art, essays, letters and scrap book pages that teens have contributed to a time capsule to be sealed and not reopened again until 2062!
Activities for the adults, too!  Come celebrate 100 years of Arizona!
Where: Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone
When: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Who: The whole family!
How: Just show up.  Parking is free on Saturdays.
Cost: FREE
For more info: Call 520-594-5500

Saturday, February 11 - Science Saturday at Dusenberry-River Library

How do the police figure out who has committed a crime? Learn about Forensic Science from the people who do it everyday: The Pima County Sheriff's Department. Watch them dust for fingerprints and study your own unique prints.  Part of the Arizona SciTech Festival events.  
Where: Dusenberry-River Library, 5605 E. River Road
When: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Who: The whole family
How: Just show up!
Cost: FREE
For more info: 520-594-5345

Sunday, February 12 - I Love Zoo

Show some love for the animals! Valentines crafts for children and lots of enrichment for the zoo animals.  
Where: Reid Park Zoo
When: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Who: The whole family.
How: Just show up.  Activities free with regular zoo admission.
Cost: Free with regular zoo admission. 
For more info: www.tucsonzoo.org, 520-791-4022

Sunday, February 12 - Toy Train Museum Open House

The toy train museum has something for all ages!  Watch the trains chug along through miniature towns and countrysides, listen to the knowledgeable "engineers" explain the art and science of model trains, and press buttons to make parts of the scenes light up, make noise, or move.  
Where: Gadsden Pacific Toy Train Museum, 3975 Miller Avenue
When: 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Who: The whole family
How: Just show up!
Cost: Free. Donations welcome.

Sunday, February 12 - All Together Theater Presents: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

This classic story is “just right” for the whole family. Come meet the Three Bears and one curious little girl named Goldilocks.  This interactive musical will be a delight to see as the bears try to find out who has been in their beautiful home.    
Where: Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E Speedway Blvd
When: 1:00 PM
Who: The whole family
Cost: Tickets $5-$8
For more info: phone:  520-327-4242, web:  www.LiveTheatreWorkshop.org

Sunday, February 12 - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo Concert

Come see one of the most popular children's acts in the country:  Secret Agent 23 Skidoo!  Presented by the Fox Theatre, the Christina Taylor Green Foundation and Tu Nidito.   
Where: Fox Theatre, 17 West Congress
When: 1:00 PM
Who: The whole family
How: Just show up!
Cost: FREE!  Part of the Arizona Centennial events downtown.
For more info: foxtucsontheatre.org or call 547-3040.  Click HERE to learn more about Secret Agent 23 Skidoo.  

Wednesday, February 15 - Wee Move

This new program, Wee Move, will be offered every Wednesday at 3:00pm and will introduce preschoolers to sports and fitness games in a fun learning space.   
Where: Tucson Children's Museum, 200 S. 6th Ave.
When: 3:00 PM
Who: Children ages 3-5
How: Pre-register each week by calling (520) 792-9985 ext. 310. 
Cost: Wee Move is included with Museum admission. 
For more info: Please call (520) 792-9985 or visit  www.childrensmuseumtucson.org.

Teen Scene:


Thursday, February 9 - Teen Library Advocate Training

Teens will learn about library resources and in turn they agree to make five presentations to other teens at school, church, youth group, etc., before the end of April 2012. It's a great way to increase your public speaking skills, gain valuable job experience too, and even earn $100!
Where: Himmel Park Branch Library, 1035 N. Treat
When: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Who: 16-18 year-olds
How: Sign up at the Himmel Park Library front desk or call 594-5305 to register or for more information. 
Cost: FREE
For more info: Call 520-594-5305 or view the library's web site here.

Plan Ahead:


February 17th through February 18th

Friday, February 17 - Nature Stories at Agua Caliente Park

Listening to stories is a wonderful way for children to learn about the natural world around them. Join us for a story reading at the park, followed by an art activity. This program is a partnership between Pima County Natural Resources and Tucson Audubon Society.
Where: Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road
When: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Who: The whole family
How: Just show up
Cost: FREE

Saturday, February 18 - Laps for Literacy 5K Fun Run/Walk

Join the first annual Laps for Literacy 5K fun run/walk to help raise money for Make Way for Books and the Altrusa International Foundation, both projects supporting early literacy and helping get books into the hands of children who need them.  Come for the walk, and stay for the entertainment (bluegrass, ukele, dance and more) from 9:30-11:00.
Where: Reid Park Band Shell
When: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Registration from 7:30-8:30 AM)
Who: The whole family!  
How: Form a team, encourage family and friends to support your walk so that you can donate to early literacy causes, or just show up, donate a few dollars, and join the fun!
Cost: Free registration. Donations encouraged, with proceeds benefitting Tucson early literacy programs.
For more info: Find out more information and register HERE.  

Saturday, February 18 - "What's for Dinner?" A Family Wellness Class

Feel like you are driving through McDonalds more often than you should be?  Never have time to cook?  Explore ways to plan, shop and prepare affordable, healthy, delicious meals that the whole family will enjoy!
Where: Trusting Connections Main Office, 2120 W. Ina Road, Suite 103F
When: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Who: Parents
How: Please call ahead-space is limited!  520-544-6612
Cost: $12/person ($8 per person for members of Trusting Connections)
For more info: Visit:  trustingconnections.com or call 544-6612

Saturday, February 18 - Second Saturday's Science in the City event

Science and Technology discussions and demonstrations hosted by downtown merchants, science related activities such as Zero Gravity and Mathematics Road Show will be in an Interactive Park on Congress. Tucson schools and Pima JTED will showcase their projects at various venues including the Tucson Children's Museum, Science Downtown and Tucson main library.
Where: Downtown Tucson
When: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Who: The whole family!
How: Just show up!
Cost: FREE
For more info: Learn more HERE.  

Macaroni Reads: Arizona Way Out West and Wacky!


by Conrad J. Storad & Lynda Exley

Did you know it took 62 years for Arizona to become a state?  Or that the Ringtail is the state mammal? Or that the population of Arizona grew 4,000% between 1900 and 2000, making it the 2nd fastest growing state in America (after Nevada)?

These are just a few things I learned from Arizona Way Out West and Wacky,  by Conrad J. Storad and Lynda Exley, illustrated by Michael Hagelberg.  An official Arizona Centennial project, this book is packed full of interesting, humorous, even gross stories and facts ...


Macaroni Craft: Marble Valentine Magnets


I've seen these cute marble magnets in a few places lately and have wanted to try them out.  I thought they would make a quick, inexpensive Valentine gift for teachers and grandparents.  My 5-year-old helped me with the project, and we both had a lot of fun.  Here's what we did:

Materials:

  1. Valentine themed stickers or paper.  
  2. Modge Podge
  3. Foam brush
  4. Flat, clear glass marbles.  You can find these in the floral section of craft stores. We  bought two different sizes.
  5. Sturdy, flat magnets. Also available at craft ...

Macaroni Made: Rock Candy


This recipe and photo were shared by another publisher late last year.  What better treat (and science experiment) for Gem Show week?  Enjoy!

Homemade Rock Candy

What you will need:

>  Wooden stick (I used a skewer you can buy at any grocery store)

>  Clothes pin

>  1 cup water

>  Tall Cup

>  Sugar

>  Saran Wrap

>  Food coloring if you would like

Start by bringing one cup of water to a boil.  Stir in 2 – 3 cups of sugar ½ cup at a time until the sugar is completely dissolved.  You have to have ...


Macaroni Science (AND Craft): Borax Crystals


This crystal craft/science experiment also seemed perfect for Gem Show week.  I've seen it done with snowflakes, but in honor of Valentine's Day, I decided to try a crystal heart and my daughters' initials as well!  It works on the same principles as the rock candy (above), but perhaps you want to make them at different times, as THIS project is definitely not edible! 

Materials-

  • White pipe cleaners
  • Wide-mouth glass jars
  • Borax (found in the laundry aisle)
  • String
  • Pencil
  • Boiling water
  • Food coloring (optional)

How to:

  1. Twist ...

Macaroni Sweet: Valentine Pops


Valentines are a long-time tradition, but if you're looking for a way to sweeten them up a bit - try these Valentine Pops! They would be great with Valentines to classmates, or a small bouquet of them will tell a teacher, friend, or coach how special you think they are. Kids can help with nearly all the steps (a teen or adult should handle heating the chocolate).

   You will need:

  • Lollipop sticks (6 inch pictured here)
  • Almond Bark in your desired flavor or color
  • Sprinkles or jimmies
  • Large marshmallows in ...

Submit your Events! Now Easier than Ever!


Do you have an event that you would like to share with East Tucson Macaroni Kid readers?   Now it's easier than ever to submit an event.  Simply click the "Submit an Event" button on the upper left-hand side of the website and fill out the form.  Ta da! 

What are the rules? Not much, simply get me the information in time for it to be listed in the upcoming newsletter. I publish on Thursday mornings, and recommend you have the event to me at least one week prior to ...


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