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