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

SUPER Saturday! Fun for the Adults and Kids

Saturday April 7th is going to be a fitness oriented day for all! It starts out early with SUPER Saturday for the adults, then rolls on in to a Duathlon for the kiddos.

SUPER Saturday is a group training event that will get you FIRED UP for your 2012 season. The day includes swim, bike, and run workout suitable for athletes of ANY ability.

Join us for any or all of the events.

Each athlete is responsible for paying their entry to the pool. The cost is $3.50 for Oro Valley Residents and $4 for non residents. Other then the pool entry fee, this is a FREE event!

The fun begins at James Kreigh Pool (23 W. Calle Concordia in Oro Valley) at 6am – There will be swim workouts of varying distances posted, or feel free to do your own workout.

We have the pool from 6am – 645am.
645am – 7am Change (there is a locker room at the pool) and get ready to ride!

I will have a few bike routes of varying distances available. Routes will range from 12ish – 40 miles.

Once you finish your ride…it’s time to run! Run routes range from 3 to 8 miles.

Desert Endurance will provide snacks in the park after the run – so stick around and socialize!

Later in the day, join us for the Unsanctioned, Unsponsored, Unofficial Youth Duathlon at 3pm at the Gladden Farms Community Park!

3-4 yr olds will do a 100 yd dash / .5 mi bike / 100 yd dash
5-8 yr olds will do a .25 mi run / 1 mi bike / .25 mi run
9-12 yr olds will do a 1 mi run / 2 mi bike / 1 mi run

ALL CHILDREN MUST WEAR HELMETS!!!

This is an Unsanctioned, Unsponsored, and Unofficial event. Please bring snacks, drinks and/or dinner for your family as none will be provided.

Rumor has it (unofficially) there MAY be Ring Pops for all official finishers. If you want to bring something to share...that would be great.

Feel free to invite anyone that may be interested, but please have them RSVP to this FB event page with the number and ages of children.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/355007457860955
This will help greatly with planning. Thanks!

Email desert-endurace [at] hotmail dot com with any questions.
Hope to see you there!

Baby Items for Sale

A friend of mine is selling a few baby items. If you want pictures or more info, you can text/call her at 813-751-4243.

Snugli Infant Carrier- black and gray. Excellent condition, non smoking home and no pets. Used about 4 times. I'm looking to see if I kept the manual. Asking $10.

North States Superyard Play Yard, Classic XT (Amazon picture here). Creates hexagon or you can form to shape of your choice. Plastic material. Has been used indoor and out. Asking $35.

Free Dr.Suess Storytime at Target

Read Across America

Dr. Suess Storytime: Reading of The Lorax

At all Target stores, Saturday, Feb 25th, 9am-11am

I love Dr. Suess and my kids are starting to love his books too.  So, I'm thinking of going to this. Just thought I'd pass it along.

Little League Sign-ups!

If you are interested in getting your child signed up for little league. Now is the time!
For Marana's Little League, info is posted here: http://www.maranalittleleague.org/
(and I believe the last registration is THIS saturday.)

For Continental Ranch, registration is here: https://registration2.pointstreak.com/rfs/pslogin.do?leagueNo=2697&season=1837

Affordable Family Photography

Crystal D'Andrea Photography

Everyone should be able to afford a large family portrait. My goal is beautiful family portraits without the cost. Photo sessions are about an hour and a half long. I can shoot at any location of your choice. I like to take natural shots, and not over process them. Capturing a true, natural smile is beyond any price tag. I edit blemishes and create images in black and white, sepia and full color. All images are high quality, large files. All of your images that make the cut, will be burned onto a DVD with photo printing rights. I also offer printing for large image printing, Gallery Wrapped Canvas, metallic prints, photo cubes and much more.

Please contact Crystal for current rates. Her contact is: Photography.Crystal@yahoo.com or 813-751-4243. Also check out Crystal D'Andrea Photography page on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Photography.Crystal

Free Phone Call From Santa

You get to choose what Santa will say and it calls you one time for free.  It calls right away so be ready!
http://www.christmasdialer.com/
Anyone have any other holiday freebies they can share?

FREE Pumpkins in Marana

A developer in Marana planted pumpkins for the community on a lot in the Gladden Farms subdivision.  They are going to plow the field over next week.  They would really like their pumpkins to go to good homes.  You can pick up your FREE pumpkins just south of the intersection of Tangerine Road and Gladden Farms Drive, right across from the Heritage House and Farm. 

FREE Senior Health & Safety Fair

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011

9:00 a.m. to 12 noon

TWIN PEAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

7995 W. TWIN PEAKS RD.

(Next to the Safeway Shopping Plaza)

FREE ADMISSION

Make a donation to the Marana Food Bank

CANNED FOOD DONATIONS

Internal Medicine Physician-Dr.Wiruth will be on hand to answer your questions.

Medication Disposal & Medicare Enrollment Information

FIRE SAFETY, FREE OVEN STICKS,
FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS

$15 FLU SHOTS, ORAL CARE INFORMATION,
REFRESHEMENTS, AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!!


For questions email:
Nov5SSHFair@comcast.net
Zach Larsen - Eagle Scout Project

Please help get the word out!

You can Help with the Arizona Centennial Celebration's "Clean UP AZ" Service Day

 

Please Join Us Saturday for a Day of Service

In Marana, leaders from the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Town of Marana have been planning for months to coordinate the service that will be rendered. Through this partnership, they have outlined service projects at numerous homes in three different Marana neighborhoods including Honea Heights, Adonis, and Marana Estates. The people who live in these areas are generally of retirement age and in need of help. In addition, volunteers will also be cleaning up and/or renovating some municipal areas in Marana. They are expecting over 300 volunteers to participate in Marana alone. In one day, the Marana volunteers will donate over 1,500 man-hours of community service. 

Marana Schedule for Saturday, October 22nd.

7:30 a.m. Volunteers will arrive at Ora Mae Harn Park, sign in and have themselves assigned to different sites.

8 a.m.  Volunteers will depart for service sites.

1 p.m.  Work on the projects should cease and volunteers will return to the park. BBQ to begin as returning workers arrive.

Please bring work gloves, shovels, pruning equipment, weed eaters, paint brushes and any other tools you think would be helpful.  We'll be building porches, pruning trees and shrubs, painting, weeding, and more.

NEWS RELEASE

Nearly two thousand members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across Tucson and Southern Arizona will, once more, put on their work gloves, pull out their weedeaters, and paint brushes, as they take to more than a dozen parks, schools, elderly homes in need of repair, and numerous other projects, all in the name of being of service to their neighbors.

This is in response to the Arizona Centennial Celebration’s “Clean UP AZ” service day. These projects will take place on National Make A Difference Day along with hundreds like them around Arizona and the country.

“Mormon Helping Hands” is part of the Church’s humanitarian aid program which has provided millions of hours of volunteer service by it’s members worldwide. One of the key tenets of The Church of Jesus Christ is found in the Book of Mormon, ‘When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.’ (Mosiah 2:17) The belief that mankind is one large family encourages our members to show their faith in action to be of service to the community and those in need.

Mormons are joining with other churches and community organizations in this statewide service day. Projects include dozens to hundreds of people working at each site, including, . The Fry Township of Sierra Vista; Tanque Verde Schools, Marana Parks, Udahl and Lakeside Parks, and many other locations, including the homes of a number of elderly people unable to care for their property.

For Sale

Set of 4 16inch alloy wheels from a 2002 Toyota Sequoia Limited $100

 Collapsible wood book shelves $5 each

SeaDving@aol.com

Gladden Farms Park Play Date

The cooler weather is finally here (kind of) and it's a perfect time to start up Friday play dates at the Gladden Farms park.
I have talked with a few moms and since school starts earlier this year some will be making their way to the park around 8:30-9am.
All are welcome, and at any time so please stop by!

Zupi Family Yard Sale

.Great yard sale @ Zupi residence. Saturday October 1st @ 7am 11624 W. Emmer Dr. (Gladden Farms). Furniture, Electronics, and lots of household items.
Call Linda if you need directions

360-4363

Bulk Chicken!

I have purchased from this company, and they are awesome! Their chicken is all natural, no growth hormones etc... and the chicken breasts are still huge! The only catch is... it comes in a 40 pound case. (the chicken breasts are cold, fresh and not yet frozen!)

Last time I ordered, I canned it all and it turned out amazing! -but many others froze theirs... and some even split a case. I know some of you have asked,  so sign up on their email list for more info! www.zayconfoods.com  -and here is the email I received:

GET READY!

Coming Soon!

Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts for ONLY $1.49/lb.

Event details to come! See locations below!

Alabama

Mobile

Montgomery

S. Birmingham

Tuscaloosa

Alaska

None

Arizona

Mesa

Peoria

Queen Creek

Chandler

Marana  _Tower Theatres on Cortarto

Flagstaff

Prescott

Goodyear

Tucson

Maricopa

Casa Grande

******UPDATE!!

Marana AZ Chicken Savings Event Tuesday, October 18, 2011 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Towers Theatre (Marana) 5755 W Arizona Pavilions Dr. Tucson, AZ 85743

Products Offered Chicken Breasts (Fresh Boneless Skinless) Orders must be placed by Wednesday, October 12, 2011 Click here to place an order

Pumpkin Patch HERE in MARANA!!

I couldn't be more excited!!!
**Opening Day is October 7, 2011**

http://www.maranapumpkinpatch.com/

An event filled fun time

Bring your friends and family and participate in all that Marana's Pumpkin Patch has to offer. As Arizona temperatures cool down, an afternoon spent at the pumpkin patch will be a great end to the summer.

Pick a pumpkin to take home

Choose from over 15,000 pumpkins!
Entrance to pumpkin patch and Farm Festival is $4.
Pumpkins cost 45¢ per pound.
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Must pay $4 admission. Tractor drawn wagons to and from pumpkin fields included.)

Find your way through 2 huge corn mazes

An exciting journey for all ages!

Daytime Maze

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$6 each or 2 for $10

Nighttime Mazes

6 - 11 p.m.
$8 each or 2 for $15

Pet your favorite animal at the petting zoo

We have miniature donkeys, miniature horses, goats and more!
Admission is Free
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bounce high on the outdoor jumping pillow

Socialize with 20-30 other people while you jump on this inflatable pillow!
Admission is $3
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Test your skills at various games

Bring on the fun and join us in playing festival games!

Eat festive food all day long

Vendors selling grilled hot dogs, hamburgers and homemade mexican food.

Pedal Tractors

Take a tractor ride through the farm and experience all the excitement around you.
Admission is Free

Sandbox

A child's favorite play area!
Admission is Free

Straw Maze

A maze unlike any other!
Admission is Free

Train Rides

Relax and enjoy the festival with your whole family
Admission is $2. There are 8 cars and they fit a family of 8.

Location: 14901 N. Wentz Road | 520.260.9932

Open Fridays: 3 p.m. to Midnight. Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to Midnight

Bunco

Want to join our bunco group?  We have 7 players so far and we're looking for a few other mothers who want to join us one night a month.  It only costs $5 to play and that pays for the prizes.  Players take turns hosting bunco at their home, providing dinner and snacks.  Not sure of the day yet, but maybe the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7pm, for example.  If you're interested in playing with us contact Shanna  chefshanna@live.com

Tips!

So, if you aren't familiar with Pinterest, it's pretty much amazing. A running catalog of things you find online that you love. I thought it would be fun to share with you ideas on one of my boards. This is just one board I have, called "TIPS"
Here are [some] of my many finds:


Organizing

magazine boxes stoging all your saranwrap, parchment paper, tin foil etc...
http://www.chicaandjo.com/2009/06/15/scrapbook-paper-organizers-in-the-kitchen/

Freezing portion Ideas

This particular ideas is for meat, but could be used for juice and liquids if you froze them with the skewers laying on top, and something heavy on top.
http://lunchinabox.net/2008/04/11/speed-tip-make-individual-portions-in-freezer-bags/

Removing rust from cast iron skillet

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/heloise/heloise-rusted-skillet-may07


How to ice/frost sugar cookies. (and make them look awesome)

http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/2011/07/outlining-and-filling-cookies-with-royal-icing/

Find it hard to get sand off your baby at the beach?

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/2011/07/dirty-little-secret.html


Cooking Cupcakes

My cupcakes always look like the one on the right.... now we shall try this!

Cold Ice Packs-Kid friendly! 

these are rice bags. You keep them in your freezer and pull them out for the bumps and bruises. They would bring a smile to any teary eye




Playing Cards Storage!! 

a travel soap box from the $1 section at your local store

http://shadytreediary.blogspot.com/2011/04/organization-for-little-things.html






No more slipping Rug!

http://www.marthastewart.com/272310/slip-proofing


Car Trash Can! 

cereal container = car trash can






 Road trip clips:

Road trip clips: One clip for each kid.... If they are sweet, clip stays up, if they are not, clip comes down. Everyone with a clip on the visor gets a treat at the next stop :-) 
http://lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.blogspot.com/2011/07/kid-clips-for-road-trips.html

itty bitty HeartBeats- FREE episodes for young children

  My four year old daughter and I just discovered itty bitty HeartBeats™.  My daughter LOVES the program.  It is a Kids First Award-winning animated/live-action web-based television series of musical adventures for girls and boys ages 2-6.

The itty bitty HeartBeats™ emphasizes three core values:

·     1. Living a healthy, nutritious lifestyle

·     2. Having a healthy heart, both physically and emotionally

·     3. Teaching positive life lessons

The entire series is available to be watched online for FREE at the itty bitty HeartBeats™ website - www.ittybittyheartbeats.com .

  Don't forget to “Like” their Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ittybittyHeartBeats