Nicholas J. Ivie Benefit

Applebees throughout the whole state of Arizona will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the Nicholas J. Ivie family TODAY ....Just mention that you are there on behalf of the Nicholas J. Ivie benefit and want to make sure that they donate a portion of your bill to Nick's family.

Other restaurants participating in the Nicholas Ivie Memorial Benefit in Sierra Vista, AZ today are the follo

wing:
Buffalo Wild Wings - 4-7pm
Buffalo Corrall BBQ - 5-close
Denny’s - 4-10pm
Little Caesar’s - All day
Papa’s 50’s Diner - All day
Papa John’s - All day
Peter Piper - All Day (You must mention this is why you are dining there)
Outback - 4-close
La Casita - All day
Vinny’s - All day
Applebee’s - All day
Down Home BBQ - All day
SubStandards - All day
Taqueria La Taquiza - All day

Be sure to mention that you are there for the Benefit.

STORY TOWN

Has anyone ever gone to this event before? I think my family would enjoy it, but I am curious about it's size and if my kids older than 5 will enjoy it or not? (ages 6 and 7)

11/3/2012

SATURDAY

10:00am - 3:00pm

Location:

Joel D Valdez Main

On Jácome Plaza in front of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library

Categories:

Family

Preschool

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9th Annual Story Town Family Literacy Festival

Story Town is a free, day-long event that celebrates the joy of books and reading with children, ages birth to 5, and their families. Spend the day in Story Town where stories are performed, music and dancing is all around, and your favorite story characters will greet you! Be sure to visit some of our local food vendors, including Boston Market and Robdogs Hotdogs.

Free parking is located in the garage at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library. (Access the garage on Alameda Street, between Stone and Church. A ramp takes you beneath the library into the parking garage.)

This event is sponsored by the Pima County Public Library, MAKE WAY FOR BOOKS, ALTRUSA, Boston Market, & the Friends of the Pima County Public Library.

Questions about Story Town? Please call Infoline at 520-791-4010.

I also saw on the library calendar and event for a free 4 week class for teenagers to learn about video production.  I wish it was for adults too! The description looked really fun and I know a lot of kids are into technology these days, maybe your teen wants to go! check it out! www.library.pima.gov

Pumpkin Patch

Hi Ladies,

We just went out to the Marana Pumpkin Patch today and it was fantastic! I know it's really close to all of you. There was tons of grass that really kept the dust down and lots for the kids to do. They had a blast doing the activities...especially conquering the straw mountain and train. Just thought I'd pass the word along.

Happy Pumpkin Hunting!

Be The Match

A young mother in our community is asking us to help save her life. A friend of mine has been diagnosed with Leukemia, her name is Phyllis, and she is a young mom like many of us. Phyllis needs a steam-cell-transplant in order to survive. No one in her family has been a match, that is why she needs us. Without a transplant her chances of survival are only 20%. It is easy and free to be tested to see if you could be a match for Phylis. All it takes is a simple cheek swab, then if you are a match you will under go a procedure similar to donating blood where stem cells are filtered out and reserved and all other blood components are returned to the donor. If you are interested in helping my friend there are several things you can do.......


1. Come to the "Be A Match" Registry Event Saturday, September 29th from 10:00-4:00PM at the LDS Church located at 3530 West Magee Road Tucson, AZ 85741 and do your cheek swab, the whole process will take about 12 minutes. Be in and out quickly! For more information, call 271-8676.

2. If you can't make the event go to http://marrow.org/Join/Join_the_Registry.aspx and request your free testing kit that will be delivered to your home at no cost to you.

3.Tell your family and friends! You do not have to live in Tucson to participate, you can donate wherever you live. The more people we get to join, the better chances we have of finding a match for Phyllis! So post this on your Facebook and blogs, talk to your neighbors and friends. Lets get the word out!

If you would like to learn more about Phyllis' battle  you can see a news report here http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/170771426.html . You can also go to marrow.org to get answers to all of your questions about the screening process.

Together we can make a difference, and maybe give someone a second chance at life along the way!

TVs For Sale

2 tvs for sale as part of an estate sale.  First is a 32 inch RCA LCD tv/dvd combo.  720p.  It is 3 years old.  Asking $225/OBO.  The second is a Sony Bravia 40 inch LCD tv.  1080p.  It is 2 years old and comes with a 3 year Sears home warranty (expires 8/1/15).  Asking $350/OBO.  Both are in excellent condition.  If interested please contact me at lmichels@gmail.com.

 

 RCA 32 inch tv

 DVD combo on tv

Sony Bravia 40 inch tv

4th Annual Gladden Farms 10K / Half Marathon and Kids Race!

**Sat Oct 27th 2012 **

Info for the 4th Annual Gladden Farms 10K / Half Marathon is posted and registration is now open!

In addition to the 10K and half marathon, we will have a Kids Race this year!

Go to www.desert-endurance.com for details and registration forms.

Email desert-endurance [at] hotmail dot com with any questions.

Surviving the Summer: My IF YOU HAVE TIME TO FIGHT YOU HAVE TIME TO CLEAN Plan

The thing I dread the most in the summer is the fighting between my children that occurs as we are sequestered inside our Arizona home hiding out from the heat.  Maybe your children are perfect and never argue or fight, but my kids have a problem with this during the summer.  Last summer I developed a new personal family motto:  IF YOU HAVE TIME TO FIGHT, YOU HAVE TIME TO CLEAN.  I call it inspiration in the midst of desperation.  My If You Have Time To Fight Clean plan worked so well for me last summer that I have decided to share it in hopes that it helps another mother who is fed up with fighting. 

I've been asking the kids who is going to fight first because the van REALLY needs cleaned out.  My house was really clean last summer until the kids decided it really wasn't worth fighting.

So, here is the list which hangs both upstairs and downstairs for easy access.  The kids know the plan and that mom and dad are the ones who get to pick the consequence for both offenders whenever they fight.  You can change the list to meet your families needs.

If You Have Time To Fight, You Have Time To Clean List

1. Clean out the van. Throw away all the trash in doors. Bring in any loose papers on the floor to mom. Any loose items or toys also need to come inside the house.

2. Vacuum the van- floors and seats. One of you does the driver and passenger side and the middle row. The other vacuums the back row and back storage area.

3. Pick all the toys in the house. Flip a coin to see who cleans upstairs and who does downstairs.

4. Scrub time. Each of you gets to wash the floor of one bathroom or the laundry room (mom's choice) on your hands and knees with a bucket of soap water and a rag.

5. Grab your gardening gloves. Each of you gets to pull 15 weeds from the front or back yard. Use hand shovel to dig out if necessary.

6. Dust all the blinds in the house or dust the furniture (mom's choice). One will do upstairs and the other will do downstairs.

7. Each of you will take turns vacuuming two rooms of mom's choice.

8. Broom work. One of you will sweep the kitchen, dining, living room, and walk ways downstairs. The other will sweep all the bathrooms and laundry room.

For arguing offenses of lesser manor:
1. Each of you read 3 books of Emma's choice to Emma.
2. Time out in your rooms with only a book for 20 minutes.
3. Extra 15 minutes of practicing an instrument or piano.

Marana Marlins Swim Team Registration

Registration for the Marana Marlins Swim Team will begin on Monday, May 21st at 5:00pm. Just come to the pool and you can fill out all the forms needed at the pool! Registration for the team will be $60.00 per child this Summer. The fee has gone up due to the fact The Town of Marana is charging us to use the pool!

Marana Marlins official swim schedule!

 Monday, May 21-Friday, May 25th 5:00-6:00pm. ONLY one week of the 5:00pm practice. Monday, May 28th we will begin twice a day practices 7:00-8:00am and 7:00-8:00pm. Our first meet is on June 2nd at the YMCA. It is an evening meet. Warm-ups begin at 4:00pm!

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Sara at 520-342-6401.

Teacher Gifts delivered FREE for Marana Moms

Hello Marana Moms! I am here for all your birthday party, bridal shower, baby shower, and gifting needs. **Great idea for an end of year TEACHER GIFT!** Offering FREE delivery in the Marana area to Marana Moms on orders received by May 20th. Please contact me and make your request. chefshanna@live.com
 
View my blog:  http://sweettoothconfections.blogspot.com

Preschool Registration for Fall 2012

I am accepting registration for my preschool in Gladden Farms.  Classes are for children ages 3-5.  For more information please contact me at lmichels@gmail.com.

FREE Open House -- Looking for vendors

A friend and fellow Marana Mom is hosting a free open house and has asked me to share it with all the Marana Mom business owners.  If you are interested, please contact her directly.

To the Moms of Marana,
My name is Amanda and I recently became an independent consultant for Damsel in Defense. Several moms I know have their own home based business but often find it hard to get out to promote our businesses.  We have decided to host an open house, which would be free to all mom business owners. We are looking for a few more vendors. 
Tentatively the open house is scheduled for the evening of Friday, April 27th. If you have a business and are interested in displaying your products please contact me. 

Please contact:  Amanda Aune, Damsel In Defense Independent Consultant
406-498-3664
Amandadamselpro@gmail.com 

I am looking for a daytime childcare in the area of Picture Rocks, Avra Valley/green acres area. please call me if you our anyone you know is interested. Linda: 360-4363

I LOVE My Mommy 5K/10K Deal

 

5K/10K at Star Valley Park

Saturday May 12, 2012

 20% off to My Savvy Savings blog fans with code MARANA20. 

There is also a  family deal: the Family 4 pack is 4 shirts and unlimited family racers (immediate family) for $75.
  You can register online HERE with that code or write it on a mail in registration form that can be printed from AndRace.com.

Visit AndRace.com for more details!

EGG HUNT TODAY in Gladden Farms (open to everyone)

Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Compass Park(by the tunnel at Tangerine and Lon Adams)

Bring your family and friends to Gladden Farms’ Spring CelebrEGGtion held on
Saturday, March 31st from 10am – 1 pm at Compass Park.
There will be Fun, Food and Games for the whole family!


Egg Hunts will be by Age Groups:
10:30 a.m. - 0-3 yrs old
11:00 a.m. -4-7 yrs old
11:30 a.m. - 8-12 yrs old
(Come early to register for the hunt!)


Admission: $2 per child for Gladden Farms Residents
$5 per family for Non Residents ( I am not sure if this pricing is correct, it is what the GF website says, however it doesn't make sense to me, so be prepared for it to possibly be different!)

Weather permitting, there will be a hot air balloon at the park on display!

hope to see you there!

UPDATE on Adult bill board signs in view of Estes Elementary and Marana Middle Schools

Happy Day for the Town of Marana.  

All FIVE signs were taken down this afternoon.  

Thank you to Jones Outdoor Advertising for removing the signs near our schools.  Thank you to the mayor, school administrators, teachers, parents, and concerned citizens for asking the company to remove signs.  KOLD will be airing our story tonight on the 6 p.m. and possibly the 10 p.m. news.


What you as a concerned parent or citizen can still do to help:


1.  Call or contact Jones Outdoor Advertising and thank them for removing the adult business signs in Marana.

You can reach them at 520-749-1307.

You can contact them online here.

You can write to them at:  
Jones Outdoor Advertising
10657 E. Old Vail Connection Road.
Tucson, AZ 85747


2.  Email or call State Senators and Representatives representing our area explaining our situation and asking them to work to make it ILLEGAL FOR ANY ADULT BUSINESS ILLEGAL TO CHILDREN FROM ADVERTISING WITHIN A 1 MILE RADIUS OF A SCHOOL, CHURCH, OR CHILD CARE FACILITY.

This is particularly important because we want to prevent anything like this from happening to not only our school district but to any other school district in the state of Arizona.  Four of five signs were positioned on the dividing line of both District 25 and District 26.  For this reason, we ask you to contact all six leaders if possible.  You can write one basic email, copy and paste it into emails for the others.  Representative Peggy Judd is extremely supportive of our movement to have something done at the state level.


Senator Gail Griffin
Phone Number: (602) 926-5895
Email Address: ggriffin@azleg.gov  
 
Senator Al Melvin
Phone Number: (602) 926-4326
Email Address: amelvin@azleg.gov 


Representative Terri Proud
Phone Number: (602) 926-3398
Email Address: tproud@azleg.gov  

Representative Vic Williams
Phone Number: (602) 926-5839
Email address: vwilliams@azleg.gov  

Representative David Stevens
Phone Number: (602) 926-4321
Email Address: dstevens@azleg.gov   

Representative Peggy Judd
Phone Number: (602) 926-5836
Email Address: pjudd@azleg.gov   



3.  Please forward this website to all your family, friends, and neighbors in Arizona urging them to take action as well to protect all schools in the state of Arizona from ever having to deal with this issue in the future. 

Thank you for taking a stand to help protect and defend Arizona's children and schools.

URGENT Call for Action: Adult bill board signs in view of Estes Elementary and Marana Middle Schools

Recently, a total of five billboards advertising sexually related businesses have appeared within a 1/2 mile radius of both Marana Middle School and Estes Elementary.  The most recent of the full sized billboards advertising the above "Passion Adult Boutique" was placed within 300 feet of the north end of the Estes Elementary playground in full view of the children. Ironically, this billboard replaced one encouraging the kids to "stay in school and soar to new heights" with a photo of a jet airplane pilot. From the school crosswalk that leads from the elementary to middle school parking lots another (GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS Full Bar) billboard advertising a topless bar can be seen looking straight ahead. On the back of that billboard is another for the adult bookstore. Directly south of that billboard, the next three of four are all for the same two businesses totaling five such advertisements within less than half a mile of two schools. Unfortunately, our kids are subjected to every single one of them as bus riders pass all of them on their way to and from school. Those that don't ride the bus can still view three of the five from various points on school grounds.

Melanie Bullock has spoken to Mike Heedy at ADOT Billboard Permitting about the situation. He informed her that the billboards were properly permitted and are also legal as they contain no graphics or suggestive sexually suggestive text. Mr. Heedy was very helpful and explained that there are currently no regulations in place prohibiting such advertising near schools. He offered to contact John Cocker at the locally owned company that owns all five billboards (Jones Outdoor Advertising) to see if there was a possibility of some compromise. Melanie also spoke to Mr. Cocker who informed her that there was no possibility of moving the billboards as there aren't another five that are vacant. He said the billboards were intentionally designed as text only to be vague and tasteful. While we do appreciate their lack of graphics, their location is still very concerning and disturbing as they are still advertising adult services and alcohol to children and have already started conversation amongst many of the children ages pre-k thru eight grade. He did mention that there may be a possibility of moving them further north on the freeway in a less incorporated area but the billboard structures themselves are still in the planning and pre-construction phase and are dependent upon the completion of nearby railroad construction. When asked about a time frame, he said he was unable to give an accurate estimate but would guess no sooner than the end of the year.  

Mayor Ed Honea and Dr. Doug Wilson, the Superintendent of the Marana Unified School District, are supportive of our efforts to get the signs removed and to get legislation going on a state level to prevent this from happening to any other municipality or school district in Arizona.  Mayor Honea is discussing this issue with individual lawmakers and other city leaders.  Dr. Wilson has also contacted lawmakers as well in regards to this issue.  Other administrators, teachers, parents, and citizens have been sending emails as well.





What you as a concerned parent or citizen can do to help:


1.  Call or contact Jones Outdoor Advertising and ask that they remove the adult business signs that are within a mile of the schools in Marana.

You can reach them at 520-749-1307.   The owner's name is John Cocker. 

You can contact them online here.

You can write to them at:  
Jones Outdoor Advertising
10657 E. Old Vail Connection Road.
Tucson, AZ 85747


2.  Email or call State Senators and Representatives representing our area explaining our situation and asking them TO PUSH FOR AN AMENDMENT OR LEGISLATION THAT WILL PREVENT ANY ADULT BUSINESS ILLEGAL TO CHILDREN FROM ADVERTISING WITHIN A 1 MILE RADIUS OF A SCHOOL, CHURCH, OR CHILD CARE FACILITY.

This is particularly important because we want to prevent anything like this from happening to not only our school district but to any other school district in the state of Arizona.  Four of five signs are positioned on the dividing line of both District 25 and District 26.  For this reason, we ask you to contact all six leaders if possible.  You can write one basic email, copy and paste it into emails for the others.


Senator Gail Griffin
Phone Number: (602) 926-5895
Email Address: ggriffin@azleg.gov  
 
Senator Al Melvin
Phone Number: (602) 926-4326
Email Address: amelvin@azleg.gov 


Representative Terri Proud
Phone Number: (602) 926-3398
Email Address: tproud@azleg.gov  

Representative Vic Williams
Phone Number: (602) 926-5839
Email address: vwilliams@azleg.gov  

Representative David Stevens
Phone Number: (602) 926-4321
Email Address: dstevens@azleg.gov   

Representative Peggy Judd
Phone Number: (602) 926-5836
Email Address: pjudd@azleg.gov   



3.  Please forward this website to all your family, friends, and neighbors in Arizona urging them to take action as well.  

Thank you for taking a stand to help protect and defend Arizona's children and schools.

UPDATE Request for Help Removing 5 Adult signs within 1/2 mile of our schools

Marana Parents: This is the contact page for the bill board company, Jones Outdoor Advertising, responsible for placing the FIVE Adult Passion Boutique/ Girls Girls Girls Signs with in sight and in 1/2 mile radius of both Estes Elementary and Marana Middle School. The kids loading and unloading the buses at both schools can easily read the signs. The most bothersome faces the playground. Please fill out the contact form and express your feelings of them placing ads for Adult businesses within sight of schools.

Adult Billboard Signs In View of Estes Elementary and Marana Middle School

FIVE billboards advertising adult passion boutiques and "Girls Girls Girls Full Bar"  have popped up along the freeway in Marana within sight of both Estes Elementary and Marana Middle School.  Two can be seen while heading north. Three while heading south.  The picture shows one of the Girls Girls Girls signs that you can see in between the 2 school signs. This picture was taken at the far end of the schools. The kids can easily read the sign as they get off the bus at the middle school.  Where the buses are parked is where the middle school students board the buses. If they can't see that sign, they can read the identical sign which is blocked by the buses two signs down from this one.  The worst sign's HUGE letters face the elementary playground.

I talked to the mayor.  The town has no jurisdiction over the signs.  The states control the freeway/frontage road and billboards.  Melanie Bullock has been working with ADOT all day concerning the signs.  ADOT is trying to contact the companies involved to see if they will move the signs.  It's the first time signs like this have been placed in such close proximity to a school in Arizona.  If the companies refuse, we may have to take this all the way to the state legislature.  The mayor is trying to contact people at the state level to see if anything can be done as well and will get back to me soon.

ADOT has encouraged us to have people email The Outdoor Advertising Association of America to which the owners of the billboards belong.  Please fill out the contact form to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America at http://www.oaaa.org/ContactUs/   We need as many parents as possible to express their dismay that signs advertising adult businesses not appropriate for children can be read from both the middle school and the elementary school properties. The company that owns the billboards is a member of this association, and the association prides itself for protecting children from signs like this.

Azure Standard Delivery Drop in Marana!

Looking for a way to get your natural and health food items for less? Have you heard of Azure Standard??

Azure Standard is this great company in Oregon. They have awesome grains and produce and many, many other items. The prices from this company are going to be better, in many cases, than just going into your local Sunflower Farmers Market or Whole Foods.

The best part: NO SHIPPING! There are Deliver Drop Points throughout this part of the country and I have been a part of the Northwest Tucson Drop for a while now...and I even just learned that there is one right here in my own Gladden Farms Neighborhood!

Anyway, there is no commitment neccessary to be a part of the Drop, other than ordering $50 worth of products, when you DO order. You can order once in a while, or every single month, if you want!

• The Azure Website is very easy to use and sign up for an account on. Take a look HERE.

• Check out the Rincon Organic Buying Club page for a great Tucson Community forum.
  

• Contact Kathy Adams @ 520.616.4530 if you want more info about the Gladden Farms Delivery Drop!

Below are a couple of Blog Posts from other Moms who find Azure Standard to be SO helpful...and they do a much better job of explaining things than I do :).

Azure Standard: How Does it Work?
Azure Standard: Natural Food Resource

Tucson Festival of Books March 10th-11th, 2012

Looking for a TON of fun this weekend??

Last year a good friend of mine took her two kids to the Tucson Festival of Books and I have been watching for it to come back ever since.

Best of all, it is FREE. FREE parking, FREE entry and FREE stuff. (while supplies last) (there are also some things that you can choose to do that cost money) It is all going on at UofA.

check out the website www.tucsonfestivalofbooks.org

Just looking at the list of events for SATURDAY...I can't decide what time to show up! I think I could spend the whole day there with my kids. Some things that sound interesting to me include booths and presentations about "You are what you eat", grass fed cattle vs grain fed cattle; is there a difference?, Raytheon Blinkomatic activity (build your own LED light), Meeting book characters (clifford, curious George..), LEGO Robotics club, VEGGIE corner, AND MORE!! The list for Saturday can be found here.

Some things last all day, and others have specific time slots. for example, this class looks cool:

(The catchy title makes me wonder what it will be all about!)

How to Make $5,000 in 43 Minutes: Puzzles, Contests and Talking Horses

Crossword master Merl Reagle will put your mind to the test.

When: Saturday 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: Arizona Daily Star Pavilion - UA Mall
Genre: Current Events/Pop Culture

Authors
Merl Reagle

One author I personally know will be there as well! I know some of you have enjoyed her books and if you want to get them signed she said to bring them along! Aprilynne Pike (author of the WINGS series) has 3 different presentations I could find online, Saturday includes a presentation from 2:00-3:00 on her own, and this one with other authors:

Blood and Kisses: Paranormal Romance

When: Saturday 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Where: Education Building - Room 349
Genre: Children/Youth

Authors
Cynthia Leitich Smith Courtney Rene Aprilynne Pike

I also noticed different stages with performances going on simultaneously or really close, which one would you make sure to see?

Sonoran Sounds Quartet

When: Saturday 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Where: Bear Down Entertainment Stage
Genre: Children/Youth

Stories that Soar!

Stories by local young writers soar to life on stage through the skills of multi-talented adult performers in a high energy production that is sure to enliven your senses and ignite your imagination.

When: Saturday 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Where: McDonald's Children's Entertainment Stage
Genre: Children/Youth

Tucson Girls Chorus

When: Saturday 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Where: TMC Main Entertainment Stage
Genre: Children/Youth

Do your kids read Judy Moody or RL Stine books? The authors will be there. (one is at an event that needs reservations, so make sure you look it up!)

Some of the events make me want to leave my kids at home and go alone, but there is SO MUCH for them too! I can't decide. Have you been before? Is there something I shouldn't miss??? Let me know!

I hope to see you there!

what about this one??

Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cookies

Assisted by: Kim Macy

When: Saturday 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where: Culinary Stage - UA Mall
Genre: Culinary

Authors	Moderators
Alice Medrich	Donna Nordin

OR this one??

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Live Animal Show

Meet fascinating desert creatures and their skilled trainers from this world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden.

When: Saturday 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where: Science City: Main Stage
Genre: Science/Health