april - 2012 - kv

KIDSVILLE NEWS - PAGE 3APRIL 2012 WWW.KIDSVILLENEWSTN.COM

Dear Kids,

You know what they say: April showers bring May fl owers. And I’m really looking forward to May fl owers (just in time for Moth-er’s Day!). I’ve been outside already, helping in the garden. The other thing that I love to do outside is play soccer!

This month, a professional soccer player tells us all about his awesome job. Can you imagine playing major league soccer as your career? I think that would be a dream come true.

April is a great month. Between the fun Easter egg hunts, taking a little spring break from school and playing outside with my friends, I think it’s one of my favorite months!

I hope you have a great April. Remember to send me your artwork so I can put it in the paper! And visit our website at www.kidsvillenews.com.

Your friend,

Copyright ©2012 by Kidsville News! Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this issue may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without permission of the publisher or copyright holder. Neither participating advertisers nor the publishers will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints or typographical errors. The publishers reserve the right to edit any submitted material. Kidsville News! Incorporated is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or other material. Children’s submissions should include name, address, telephone number, and permission to publish signed by a parent or guardian.

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PARENTOWN’S KIDSHAPE

Taking Care of Young TeethHealthy teeth and a healthy mouth give children more than just a

beautiful smile. A healthy mouth supports overall health, and it can help children perform better in school. But far too many children have preventable oral health problems far too young.

Tooth decay affects more than 25 percent of American children 2 to 5 years old, and half of children 12 to 15 years old – that’s more than any other chronic infectious disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Left untreated, tooth decay causes pain and infection, which can lead to problems in eating, speaking, playing and even learning.

Parents and caregivers can do plenty to help prevent tooth decay and other oral diseases.

First Things First – The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) says that children should have their fi rst visit to a pediatric dentist no later than their fi rst birthday. The fi rst tooth usually comes in between 6 and 12 months of age – schedule an appointment and get started on good oral health care from the beginning. The AAPD says that, in one study, children that saw a dentist before their fi rst birthday had dental costs that were 40 percent lower in the fi rst fi ve years than costs for children who had not seen a dentist by their fi rst birthday.

Establish Good Habits – Kids need help establishing good dental care

habits. Make sure they brush twice a day, fl oss every day, follow a healthy diet and visit the dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings.

• Using a soft-bristled brush, kids should brush for at least two minutes. Some power toothbrushes have a built-in timer. Before teeth appear, clean baby’s gums twice a day with a soft cloth or baby toothbrush and water.

• Parents should fl oss young children’s teeth once a day until they can do a good job themselves, at least until age 7 or 8.

• Make sure they eat foods with vitamin C, which helps gum tissue stay healthy, and calcium, for strong teeth.

Be Alert – Watch for signs of oral health problems. Talk to your dentist if you see warning signs such as

• Changes in performance at school – listening, concentrating and learning.

• Sucking on cheeks or lips.• Reluctance to smile.• Problems chewing foods.• Problems sleeping.• Aching teeth or gums.You can also talk to your dentist about sealants,

which can be applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth. Sealants are one more way you can help prevent cavities and keep your kids’ smiles healthy and beautiful. For more information about kids’ dental health, visit http://ameritasinsight.com/tag/children/.

Source: Family Features. Photo Courtesy Getty Images.

KIDSVILLE NEWS APRIL 2012WWW.KIDSVILLENEWSTN.COM

©Kidsville News!

Did you know that April 15 is the 100th anniversary of the sinking

of the Titanic? On April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic, a luxury cruise ship that was thought to be “unsinkable,” hit an iceberg and sank. The ship, the largest

at that time, was on its maiden (fi rst) voyage from England to New

York City. More than 1,500 people lost their lives in this tragedy at sea.

The North Pole was discovered on April 6, 1909. Robert Peary had attempted to reach the North Pole several times. Finally, Peary, Matthew Henson and four Eskimo guides reached it in 1909, after starting out almost a year earlier on July 17, 1908.

Easter ExplainedWhat is the history of

Easter? Where does it come from?

Today’s Easter is derived from the ancient Jewish and Christian religions. Christians have celebrated

the Resurrection (the day Jesus arose from the dead) around the time of the spring equinox for many centuries. It technically falls on the fi rst Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, anywhere between March 22 and April 25. This year Easter falls on April 8.

The Christian celebration of Easter is linked to the Jewish celebration of the Passover. Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were observed by the ancient Israelites early in the new year.

The Jewish people started each year with the spring equinox, around March 21. The name Passover comes from the Bible story of the angel that passed over the homes of the Jews. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was at the start of the barley harvest, the fi rst crop of the year. Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread occurred at about the same time each year, so they were both combined for a two-day celebration.

So what about the Easter Bunny and colored eggs?In pagan times, before there was Christianity or other organized

religion, the Easter hare came to be. This was no normal hare (which is similar to a rabbit, but larger). The Easter Hare was thought to be a sacred

companion of the goddess of spring, Eostre. The hare and the rabbit were the most fertile animals known (this means they have lots of babies!), and they served as symbols of the new life during the spring season. Since long before Jesus Christ was born, parents told their children that the magic hare would bring them presents at the spring festival. The presents were often painted eggs, as these represented the new life starting at this time of year.

Some accounts say that during the 4th century, consuming eggs during Lent was taboo (or forbidden). Since spring is the peak egg-laying time for hens, people began to cook eggs in their shells to preserve them. Eventu-ally people began decorating and hid-ing them for children to fi nd during Easter, which gave birth to the Easter Egg hunt.

It is believed that the Chinese are the fi rst people who painted eggs. During spring festivals almost 3,000 years ago, they exchanged red eggs as part of their celebration.

Whether you celebrate the religious part of Easter or just enjoy the Easter Egg hunts and the legend of the Easter Bunny, the Easter holiday is a wonderful part of springtime.

Former Governor Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin was the father of Earth Day. In 1969, while he was a U.S. Senator, Nelson came up with the idea for a “teach-in” on environmental issues. The idea caught on, and the fi rst Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970.

Through the joint efforts of the U.S. government, organizations and citizens, what started

as a day of national environmental recognition has evolved into a world-wide campaign to protect our global environment.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, we are making a difference. In fact, the nation’s air is much cleaner today than it was in 1970. The EPA has a special website just for students and kids, with lots of neat projects and information. Visit www.epa.gov/students for fun

activities just for you.You and your family can make a difference. As we celebrate Earth

Day on April 22, ask yourself these questions and fi nd out the answers to celebrate Earth Day every day!

• What and where can I recycle?• How can I reduce the amount of garbage I generate? (Hint: RRR)• How can I care for my lawn and yard?• How can I make my home more energy effi cient?The EPA offers you information on which products you can recycle,

which help prevent waste and reduce consumption and ways to reuse dozens of items on its website: www.epa.gov/earthday. Visit earthday.net to fi nd out about Earth Day events across the country.

Sources: Environmental Protection Agency and The Wilderness Society.

Celebrate Earth Day Every Day!


AR UND THE W RLD American SamoaApril 17 is Flag Day in American Samoa.

It celebrates the fi rst raising of the American fl ag in what was Eastern Samoa in 1900.

American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United

States. It is located in the South Pacifi c Ocean and is part of the Samoan Islands chain. It is the southernmost

territory of the U.S.People celebrate

Flag Day with parades, costumes and singing and dancing.

ItalyScoppio del Carro,

or Explosion of the Cart, is a tradition that takes place in Florence, Italy, on Easter Sunday. On April 8, people in Piazza del Dumo will ignite a cart full of fi reworks and watch it explode. The tradition is said to date back to the First Crusades, and the fi re is started with pieces of fl int from holy relics. This explosion of the cart is thought to bring good luck to the city for its harvests.

WorldwideIn America, April 1 is a day

to play silly practical jokes on your friends and family. But did you know April Fools’ Day originated in France in 1564? April 1 used to be New Year’s Day, but in 1564, the New Year was changed to January 1. Some people still held to April 1 as New Year’s Day, and those people became known as April fools. In some countries, such as Cana-da and Australia, the jokes only last until noon. If you pull a trick after noon, you end up being the fool! Even the ancient Romans had a day set aside for joking, and medieval monks had a day for horsing around, too!

Rabbit When you think of Easter, a bunny rabbit probably comes to mind. (Read the Connections article on Easter to fi nd out why!) Stories of Peter Cotton-tail have made the rabbit one of the most recognizable symbols of spring. Did you know the cottontail is actually a type of rabbit? It’s one of eight different

genera in the family of rabbits. There are many species of rabbit. Half of the rabbits in the world live right here in North America. They also live in Europe and parts

of Asia, Japan, South America and Africa. Rabbits live in woods, meadows, deserts and wetlands. They live in groups, and some species live in rabbit holes, underground burrows.

Rabbits have long ears, which help them detect predators. They have long, soft fur, usually in colors of brown, grey and tan. Cottontails have a

little tuft of white fur on their tail. They can range in size from 8 inches to 20 inches long. Their hind legs are large and strong. Since rabbits are prey for other larger animals, they use their hind legs both to get away quickly, and to kick at their predator if they are caught. Rabbits also have strong sharp teeth.

A male rabbit is called a buck, and the female is a doe (just like deer). Rabbits are known for reproducing lots of babies. The average size of a litter is between 4 and 12 babies called a kit or kitten. But baby rabbits are born in about 30 days, which means they can have many, many litters during the nine-month breeding season. However, there is a rabbit that is endangered — the Amami rabbit on Amami Oshima in Japan.

Image by Larry D. Moore, used under a Creative Commons ShareAlike License, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rabbit_in_montana.jpg.

Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: VertebrataClass: MammaliaOrder: LagomorphaFamily: Leporidae


It’s time to get out your globe! You need to know about the imaginary lines on globes and maps. These lines are called lines of latitude and longitude, and they tell a pilot or ship’s captain exactly where in the world a certain place is located. Basically, latitude lines (also called parallels) are the horizontal lines on your map. Lines of longitude (also called meridians) are the vertical lines that run from the North

Pole to the South Pole. This mapping system is written in degrees and uses the symbol °. Get ready to travel the world!On your globe, fi nd longitude of 30ºE and latitude of 27ºN, and you'll fi nd

the ancient country of Egypt. It is located in Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. It borders the Gaza Strip, Israel, Libya and Sudan.

Egypt is a vast desert which is interrupted by the Nile valley. It has a desert climate with hot, dry summers and moderate winters. There are sand-storms, droughts and frequent earthquakes. Because of the terrain and climate, there are very few crops in Egypt. The country does have many

natural resources, such as petroleum, natural gas, limestone, zinc and other rare elements.

Egypt is one of the most populated countries in the Middle East. Most of the 81 milllion people live near the banks of the Nile River.

Egypt includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula. April 25 is a national holiday celebrating the liberation of Sinai in 1982 after a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The Sinai Peninsula is an important land bridge linking Africa to the rest of the Eastern Hemisphere. Arabic is the offi cial language of Egypt, but English and French are also spoken. It is a mostly Muslim country.

Photo, left: The Pyramids of Khufu (left) and Khafre on the Giza Plateau outside of Cairo. The former, also known as the Great Pyramid, is the largest of the pyramids and is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still existing.

Source: "Egypt," The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/eg.html.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS...EGYPT?


Yay! Spring is here, the weather is nice and it’s soccer season! This month, Nick Rimando from Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake tells us what it’s like to be a professional soccer player! Since the age of 17, the goalkeeper has traveled the world while representing the United States national team, a duty he still keeps 15 years later that allows him to play against some of the best players on the planet! After attending college at UCLA, Nick made his professional debut in MLS for Miami in 2000 and has become one of the all-time best netminders ever to play in North America’s top soccer league. In March, Rimando began his sixth season with Utah-based Real Salt Lake, which he helped to the 2009 MLS Cup championship. He hopes to lead the team to another title during the team’s eighth season of play in 2012.

TRUMAN: What does it take to become a professional soccer player? RIMANDO: To become a professional soccer player, it requires discipline, commit-ment and dedication. If you follow these rules through years of training, you’ll be on the right track to becoming a pro. TRUMAN: When, and why, did you fi rst become interested in soccer?RIMANDO: I started play-ing soccer at age 5 and was interested in it because it was a team sport, and I got to run around.TRUMAN: Is this really a “job”? Do you actually get paid to play a sport you love?RIMANDO: Yes, this is really a job! I’ve worked very hard to be where I’m at today. It has taken lots of training, traveling and commitment, but it’s worth it to provide for my family while doing something I love.TRUMAN: What do you do? Describe a typical day on the job. RIMANDO: I wake up around 7:30 a.m, eat a healthy breakfast and then head over to the soccer stadium around 9:30. Once I get to the stadium, I change into my RSL gear, stretch and/or get into the hot tub to prepare my body for training. We usually have train-ing at 11, and that lasts about an hour-and-a-half. After training, we answer questions from the media and then head back to the stadium for weight training. If we don’t have any meetings, we then get to shower and head back home. TRUMAN: What’s the hardest part of your job?RIMANDO: Travel is defi nitely the hardest part of my job because I miss my family when I go away for our road games.TRUMAN: What’s the best part of your job?RIMANDO: The best part of my job is being a role model and

playing in front big crowds of fans, and the crowds are getting bigger every year!TRUMAN: What is your favorite hobby or thing to do when you are not working?RIMANDO: My favorite thing to do when I’m not playing soccer is to hang out with my kids. I have a 2-year-old daughter (Benny Rose) and a 4-year-old son (Jett). We go to the park, get in the jacuzzi or just sit and read books.TRUMAN: What was your favorite subject in school?RIMANDO: My favorite subject in school was history. I loved hearing about the past and what happened way before I was born.TRUMAN: When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

RIMANDO: I always wanted to be a fi reman when I was grow-ing up because they wore cool uniforms and got to fi ght fi res and rescue people. I do get to wear a cool uniform now, but my job isn’t as dangerous!TRUMAN: What advice would you give to kids who are interested in playing professional soccer?RIMANDO: Remember to have fun and enjoy the game, drink lots of water and smile.TRUMAN: Thank you so much for telling us about your career as a professional soccer player! It sounds like a great job. And, I hope you have a great season!

A PRO SOCCER PLAYER?

Nick Rimando is one of the best goalkeepers in major league soccer! Photo credits: Above, RSL Communications/Melissa Majchrzak; Right, RSL Communi-cations/Greg Underwood.


Source: www.metrocreativeconnection.com.

April Word FindFind the hidden words in the

puzzle that relate to the month of April.

T W S N J I F Q L Z W O J V Q S E I T E K D O N I P D O Y L P H G U R I Q J T B R Z K Y H M N O G C O Y O M W Y P E S Q U L A W W Z P L N Z U N A Z W O H S R E M P S R N D M Y G R U H O X V R D H D I Q A J P D X A B R S O S R X B E N A W R Q W E P M A C G E W T H V A T Q G A N E D R A G C A W B G E W G S M W B B C W G C B T R G B D T A T E K S A B I O U C U M X E W L R Z C Q T Y T S X G W M R Y R E B C U M A P F H P P M Z E V B R D K N E A D C D

APRILBASKETCAMPEASTER

EGGGARDENJOKENATURE

RABBITSHOWERSSOCCERSPORTS

Math MadnessTry to fi ll in the missing numbers. Use the numbers 1 through 9 to

complete the equations. Each number is used only once. Each row is a math equation. Each column is a math equation. Remember to use

natural operator precedence: multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.


Tru-Truman Truman’s Tricky Picture Find these

items! Be sure to fi nd Truman’s hat! Look for more fun and games at

www.kidsvillenews.com.

Image: www.metrocreativegraphics.com


DAVY: James stayed just far enough away so as to be out of Hallorand’s immedi-ate reach. Suddenly, Sam lunged at James, reaching out his huge paws to grab him. Sam was amazingly quick for a man so large. But not quick enough. James grabbed Hal-lorand’s huge right wrist with both hands. Then, with the speed of a cobra, James ducked under Sam’s arm, twisting it up behind his back as he went. James held Hallorand’s right arm with his left hand and grabbed a hold of his black leather belt with his right. Then James put his knee under Sam’s giant rear end. With a hefty jerk on his collar, he used his knee and both arms to tilt Samuel Hallorand backward and then with a mighty heave, lifted him over his head. There he was. The king of the island, presi-dent of the cooperative, fl ailing in the air like a three-hundred-pound bale of cotton with arms and legs. James held Hallorand aloft long enough for him to know that James was in complete control.

SAM HALLORAND: You - you - you put me down right now!

JAMES: I intend to. But where depends on you. If you would al-low us to join your little fraternity of fi shermen, then I will gladly put you quite gently back on the dock.

SAM: Never!JAMES: That’s kind of what I

thought you’d say.DAVY: James bent his knees

and arms just a bit. Then with a powerful shove, he launched Sam Hallorand up into the air and down into the water. Most of the men on

the rise did not appear amused. But Luke and Chester had to turn and run away before any of the others saw them laughing.

Ya know, that was really quite amusing to watch. But now that we have completely destroyed any chance of ever working with these men, how are we gonna to be able to make a living and keep our boat?

JAMES: I don’t know.DAVY: Garrett’s week long

suspension from school was perhaps the greatest week of his life. He was like a boy with a new puppy. By sunrise each morning, Garrett was out in the water play-ing with Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl would fl oat on his back and then with a whip of his powerful tail, send Garrett 30 feet into the air.

GARRETT: Woohooo!DAVY: The fi rst time Garrett

went up, he was nearly scared to death. But after a few minutes of practice and getting used to Quetzalcoatl’s long tail, Garrett was begging him for more.

GARRETT: Higher. Higher. Can’t you go any higher, ya big sissy? Wooo!

DAVY: When Garrett was fi nally worn out, they took a leisurely swim along the north side of the island where few people sel-dom traveled. On their way back, Garrett saw the pirate caves.

GARRETT: Quetzal, will you take me in the pirate caves?

DAVY: Quetzalcoatl opened his mouth, and Garrett thought he’d been misunderstood.

GARRETT: No, no, in the pirate caves?

DAVY: Quetzalcoatl kept his mouth open and nodded for Garrett to get in his mouth.

GARRETT: Oh, I get it.DAVY: Garrett climbed

into his massive mouth. It was an odd experience to sit on a tongue the size of quilt.

GARRETT: Your breath reminds me of oranges and cinnamon.

DAVY: Quetzalcoatl dove quickly into the narrow rocky passage about 25 feet beneath the front of the caves. In no time, Quetzalcoatl opened his mouth and Garrett emerged in a large grotto that appeared to be accessible only from the way they came. It took several minutes for Garrett’s eyes to adjust. It was a bright sunny day on the island, which produced just enough light in the water so Garrett could see.

GARRETT: Wow. This is amazing. This is the best secret hide-out in the whole world.

Skeletons! They musta’ got stuck in here. Look, Quetzal. A sword.

DAVY: Garrett slashed the air with his cutlass, acting like a pirate in a battle.

GARRETT: Look, a dagger too! And a conquistador’s armor...Here’s the breastplate. And the helmet. Look, here are two goblets. This is fantastic! Quetzal. This has to be the greatest day of my entire life. Real Spaniards’ armor and weapons. This is better than gold or silver. You are the best! Can I take ‘em home? Really? You mean it? Wow! Yeah, I guess your right.

If

they’ve been dead for 200 years there’s not much chance they’ll be comin’ back. Thank you! Thank you! This is the best present I have ever received! You’re the greatest friend I have ever had! Here, let me get the armor on.

CATHERINE: And where have you been young ma- where on earth did you did you fi nd those things?

GARRETT: I just found them.CATHERINE: Yes, but where?GARRETT: Uh, down by the

bluffs.DAVY: Wow, Garrett! You

could be a rich man. Museums and private collectors would pay hand-somely for artifacts like those.

JAMES: No. They’re Garrett’s. He’ll keep ‘em. He has dreamed of pirate treasure his whole life.

GARRETT: No, Dad, I want you to have them. Really, I mean it. It’s ok, Dad.

JAMES: No, Garrett. I won’t accept them. They’re yours. You enjoy them.

GARRETT: It’s ok, Dad. I promise.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Story Time with TrumanQuetzalcoatl

(Ketz-al-co-ah-Tel) Chapter Seven

To listen and read-along with the rest of this month’s episode of QUETZAL-COATL, go to www.talesofdavyjones.com or www.kidsvillenews.com. A Teacher’s Guide to accompany this 12-chapter story is available at www.KidsvilleNews.com. An audio version CD-set and workbook are also available online. Copyright 2011 by Carl F. Gundestrup. All rights reserved. Now Available: Get the “Digital Download” audio adventure for $1.99 for Kidsville News kids, teachers and parents at www.talesofdavyjones.com. Use the code word DAVY JONES.


Clingette’s Clique By Barbara Gilmour“Today, let’s talk more about friends. Tanner, Nicole, Rudy, Car-

men, Stephen, and Truman the dragon are here. Did you learn a lot about being a friend from Francie?” Everyone said, “Yes!”

“Who can think of a friendship don’t?”All hands went up with ideas to share. Rudy started with, “Don’t ignore or put your friend down.”

Tanner jumped in with, “It’s rude to tease, stare and bully someone.”

Nicole added, “You won’t have any friends if you are mean, nasty or bossy.” “Bragging and boasting are like being bossy,” shared Car-men. Kids don’t like that.”

Truman said, “I think it’s better to let others tell how great you are.”

“It sounds as though you are saying it’s good to be humble.” Truman added, “Yes! That’s it.”“What do you know about cliques?” Nicole shared, “There’s a group at my school who think they are

better than us and won’t let us be in their group.” “That is a clique. They think that excluding others makes them

seem more important.” Truman jumped up and yelled, “That’s so uncool.” “It’s also, mean and hurtful and can lead to bullying.”“Here’s a story about a girl named Clingette. She was the most

popular girl at her school. She had a group of friends that she told what to do, where to sit in the lunchroom and whom to talk to. Other girls wanted to be in her group, too, but weren’t good enough.

“One day, Clingette came to school upset. The girls in her group wondered if they weren’t going to be her friends anymore. Other kids were surprised that she wasn’t so bossy that day. When asked what was wrong, she replied, ‘My dad’s job changed and we have to move.’ Some kids were glad that she was leaving. Most had been hurt by her. The kids in her group wondered what would happen to their special group.

“What do you think happens at the school after Clingette leaves?”Rudy spoke up, “Maybe another person becomes the leader, and

the group continues.” “Or, maybe more kids are included, and they stop being mean,”

added Nicole. Carmen shared, “It sounds to me like Clingette was a bully, and we

don’t need more of them.”“Real friendships among ‘cool’ kids don’t need cliques. The kids

in her old school need the ‘Cool Kind Kid’ Challenge to say ‘No more cliques!’” said Truman. Everyone clapped for Truman.

“What do you think happens at Clingette’s new school?” “They probably already have someone who is the most popular,”

shared Stephen. “She will be the ‘new kid’ and may not fi t in,” added Nicole. Car-

men wondered, “Maybe she will see how it feels to be hurt and change how she treats others.” Truman said, “I hope there are ‘Cool Kind Kids’ at her new school who treat everyone the same, with kindness and caring. They will want to be friends with her, but not in a clique.” “The ‘Cool Kind Kid’ Challenge can help them say, ‘No’ to cliques.”

Barbara Gilmour, Tanner’s grandmom, is the creator and developer of the Tanner’s Manners: Be a “Cool Kind Kid” Social Skills, Character Values and Anti-Bullying educational materials and the award-winning “Cool Kind Kid” Audio CD. © Cool Kind Kid. 866-KID-KIND. ww.CoolKindKid.com.


Choosing the Right Summer CampAttending summer camp has been a tradition in the United States for more than

150 years. Statistics indicate that around 30 million American kids attend summer camp each year. There are many benefi ts to summer camp. Camp enables children to stay engaged during the summer when there may be limited interaction with school friends. It also gives parents both a safe and viable daycare solution during the summer.

Summer camp pulls together children from different neighborhoods, social classes and backgrounds, which can make it a good place to meet new people — some of whom may become lifelong friends. Camps also provide a variety of activities that can challenge children to try new things that go beyond their comfort zones.

Some children are very receptive to the idea of attending summer camp. Others need a little coaxing. But summer camp should never be forced on a child who does not want to go. In such instances, consider local daytime programs that may fi ll the void instead of programs that require being away from home. Once the decision for summer camp is made, there are some questions to answer:

• What are your fi nances like? Do you have a budget for summer camp?• What size camp do you desire?• Should the camp be co-ed or single sex?• How far do you want your child to travel for summer camp? What are the

options in your area?• Are there any camps that have been recommended by friends or family

members?• What kinds of activities do your children enjoy?These types of questions will help you narrow down your options. Then you can

visit and interview camps to fi nd one that is the best fi t. When visiting camps, go armed with a checklist of questions. Some of these can include

• What is the philosophy of the camp?• Can you explain a typical day?• What are the types of activities and facilities offered?• What is the camper-to-counselor ratio?• What is the camp’s drug/alcohol policy?• Does the camp have insurance and security personnel?• What percentage of staff return each year? How are staff selected and trained?• What kind of health care is provided?• Can you tell me about the policy on phone calls and family visits?• What do you do in the event of emergencies?There are many different camps available. Some offer a “little bit of everything.”

Others cater to academics, sports, specifi c hobbies or even religious preferences. Don’t wait too long to research and sign up for camps because many fi ll up quite early or have an extensive waiting list. Get started on your summer camp search now!

Source: Metrocreativeconnection.com.

ADVENTURE DIRECTORY

Art Gallery

Raphael is considered one of the great artists of the Renaissance time period. His paintings are known for their clear images and realistic look. His work was so popular during his lifetime that he was called “the prince of painters.”

Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino was born on either March 28 or April 6, 1483, in Urbino, Italy. Known simply as “Raphael,” he was the son of a court painter. Raphael’s father taught him to paint and encouraged him to be an artist like himself from the time he was very young. Raphael’s mother died when he was eight, and his father died when he was 11. But Raphael had already begun apprenticing as an artist by this time, and so his study continued. Raphael spent several years working for the Umbrian artist Master Pietro Perugino. By the time Raphael was 17, he was already shaping up to be an extraordinary artist. In fact, he had even earned his own “master” title, meaning

that he was a fully trained artist.Raphael completed his first major work in 1504. Called “The

Marriage of the Virgin,” it was admired for its bright colors and visible emotions. After working on a few smaller pieces, Raphael began looking for new painting subjects and new artists to learn from. He found his way to Florence by 1504. There he studied the artworks of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. While in Florence he painted a series based on the Virgin Mary, who is also

known as Madonna. His Madonna paintings are now very famous.As he painted more, Raphael’s reputation grew. In 1508, Pope Julius II asked

Raphael to come to Rome. He was hired to paint frescoes in the pope’s private rooms. When Raphael first arrived in Rome, very few people had heard of the young artist. By the time he had completed the frescoes, or murals, he was very well known throughout the city. Known as “Raphael’s Rooms,” the entire work included several different frescoes with images of God and church representatives, philosophers and other important figures. The main frescoes in Raphael’s Rooms are still generally considered Raphael’s greatest works.

Raphael continued painting Madonnas and frescoes as his fame grew. He also became a very respected portrait painter. The next pope, Pope Leo X, hired him to paint 10 full-size tapestries to hang in the Sistine Chapel. Called the “Raphael Cartoons,” these tapestries showed scenes from the lives of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The tapestries were finished by 1516. In addition to painting, Raphael also took an interest in architecture. He designed a church, a funeral chapel and other projects.

Raphael’s last artistic masterpiece was commissioned in 1517. Called the “Transfiguration,” the piece was nearing completion when Raphael died on April 6, 1520. “Transfiguration” hung at his funeral. It was eventually finished by his assistant and is now displayed in the Vatican Museum.

Written by Tamar Burris, a former elementary school teacher who now works as a freelance writer and curriculum developer for PBS, the Discovery Channel and other education-related companies. Sources: Raphael Renaissance Painter

Biography, raphaelbiography.com; Raphael on Biography.org, www.biography.com/people/raphael-41051.

Raphael: The Prince of Painters

Saint George and the Dragon, a small work (29 x 21 cm) by Raphael for the court of Urbino.


C o n s e r v a t i o n orner

Celebrate Arbor Day!In 1872, the fi rst Arbor Day was held in Nebraska City, Neb.,

through the efforts of J. Sterling Morton. More than one million trees were planted in Nebraska during the fi rst Arbor Day. The Arbor Day Foundation is one of the world’s largest nonprofi t con-servation organizations dedicated to planting trees. The Foundation plants and distributes more than 10 million trees each year.

The celebration of Arbor Day on April 27 gives you an opportunity to learn about trees and take positive action to make the world a better place. Here is a quick list of reasons trees are so important to us all:

Trees provide shade to keep us and our homes cool on hot summer days.

Trees give off vital oxygen, which you and I and animals need to breathe, through photosynthesis.

Trees absorb harmful pollutants and small particles from the air which could damage our lungs.

Trees provide protection from the wind.Trees reduce noise pollution.Trees give us products such as chewing gum, crayons, soap, shatterproof

glass, suntan lotion, cork, dyes, life-saving drugs, writing paper, syrup, per-fume, pencils, fi rewood, building materials and much much more.

Trees provide a home and food for wildlife.Rotting logs and leaves eventually turn into soil and put

nutrients back into the soil for other plants to grow.Trees are beautiful to look at, nice to listen

to as leaves rustle in the breeze, fun to explore, exciting to climb and great to dream under.

Sources: The Arbor Day Foundation, www.arborday.org.


AT THE MOVIESAir Racers 3D (In Theaters: April 5)The fastest race in the world is held in Nevada’s “Valley of Speed.” Each year, the Reno National Championship Air Races brings together a group of daredevil pilots to race fi ghter planes such as the P-51 Mustang from World War II (fl own by rookie pilot Steve Hinton Jr.). A nine-mile oval racecourse, in which pilots fl y 500 miles per hour at 50 feet off the ground, is the location. The rules are simple — “fl y low, go fast, and turn left — the fastest plane wins.” “Air Racers” is also about the history and science behind this unique and thrilling sport. Paul Walker (“The Fast and the Furious” series) narrates this action-fi lled IMAX 3D look at air racing. Rating not available at press time. 40 mins. (3D Entertainment Distribution)

The Three Stooges (In Theaters: April 13)Goofy bumblers Larry, Moe and Curly get transported to modern times from the days that your great grandparents watched them on black-and-white televisions. A group of nuns raise three abandoned infant brothers who grow up to be three of the silliest human beings you could ever imagine. If you’ve ever wondered what the term “slapstick comedy” means, “The Three Stooges” will forever answer the question and then some. Sofi a Vergara from television’s “Modern Family” stars.Rated PG for slapstick action violence and some rude and suggestive humor, including language. 85 mins. (20th Century Fox)

Chimpanzee (In Theaters: April 20)The true story of Oscar, an abandoned infant chimpanzee left to fend for himself in Africa’s jungle wilderness, is at the heart of this Disneynature documentary. It’s amazing the fi lmmakers were able to capture the natural drama that unfolds when an elder male chimpanzee adopts Oscar as his personal responsibility. “Chimpanzee” is a great opportunity to begin to

understand some of the similarities and differences between Chimpanzees and humans. Chimpanzees turn out to be pretty smart and cute creatures.Rated G (Disneynature) To the Arctic 3D (In Theaters: April 20)Oscar-winner Meryl Streep narrates this fascinating journey to one of the Earth’s most remote destinations, the ice-covered Arctic, which sits atop the North Pole. Filmed specially for the giant IMAX 3D format, the movie follows the lives of a mother polar bear and her two young cubs as they contend with effects of the Arctic’s fast-melting polar ice cap. The small family of polar bears must traverse the Arctic’s shifting landscape of melting ice, immense glaciers and incredible waterfalls. You will be amazed to see how walruses and many other animals survive in the cold Arctic Ocean. Nature movies don’t get much more daring or exciting as “To The Arctic.” Documentarian Greg MacGillivray (“Grand Canyon: River Risk”) directs this beautiful fi lm about a vanishing landscape and the animals at risk. Unrated. 45 mins. (Warner Bros. Pictures)

MOVIES ON DVDWe Bought a Zoo (Available April 3)Cameron Crowe casts a heart-warming cinematic spell with “We Bought a Zoo.” Matt Damon plays Benjamin Mee, a father of two attempting to reinvent his family after the recent loss of his wife. Benjamin’s 13-year-old son Dylan (Colin Ford) is acting out at school. Seven-year-old Rosie (played wonderfully by Maggie Elizabeth Jones) is emotionally better prepared than her brother to deal with big changes after Benjamin quits his job and purchases a rundown zoo as a way to reestablish a nurturing home environment for himself and his kids. Here’s a fun family drama that rings all the bells. It’s a perfect movie for kids to watch with aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents. Rated PG. 131 mins. (20th Century Fox)

Cole Smithey, also known as “the smartest fi lm critic in the world,” has been a fi lm critic for 11 years and writes for over 50 publications, in print and on-line. Truman loves to watch movies and has the highest appreciation for great popcorn.


Sometimes it can seem hard to put wholesome, great-tasting food on your family’s plates. Planning meals and snacks around simple, tasty ingredients can make it a lot easier on you — and a lot better for them.

When grocery shopping, think simple, colorful and natural.

Simple ingredients often mean delicious. Add Color to the Menu - Incorporating colorful fruits and vegetables not

only adds great fl avor, but plenty of good nutrition, too.Naturally Healthy - Whole foods bring a lot of nutrition to the table.

Whole grains are an easy way to get everyone to eat a little better. “Multi-Grain” isn’t the same as “whole grain,” so make sure the label lists whole grains fi rst in the ingredients list.

A peanut butter and jelly sandwich using Welch’s Natural Fruit Spreads, natural peanut butter and 2 slices of whole wheat bread is less than $1.00 a sandwich. These spreads are all natural, with no high fructose corn syrup and no artifi cial colors or fl avors. Add a glass of low-fat milk and a piece of fruit, and this is a protein-packed and budget-friendly snack. For a twist on this classic meal, try this recipe for PB&J Parfaits.

Peanut Butter and Jelly ParfaitsMakes 4 servingsWhat You Need:• 1/2 cup Welch’s Natural Grape or Strawberry Spread• 1 1/4 cups nonfat vanilla yogurt• 1/2 cup natural chunky or creamy peanut butter• 1 cup crunchy granola cereal• 1 medium banana, sliced• 1 cup sliced strawberries

How to Make It:Microwave jelly in a microwave-safe bowl at high 30 seconds or until melted. Drizzle 1 table-spoon down sides of each parfait glass; set aside.

Combine yogurt with peanut butter in medium bowl. Spoon 1/2 of peanut butter mixture into each parfait glass. Top each with 2 tablespoons cereal, then 1/2 of the fruit; repeat. Drizzle with remaining jelly. Garnish, if desired, with mint leaves.

Recipe provided by Family Features and Welch’s Foods, Inc. You can fi nd more delicious family-friendly recipes for any meal at www.welchs.com/pbjrecipes. For more information about Welch’s new Natural Spreads, visit www.welchs.com/products/natural-spreads. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

KIDSVILLE KITCHENTogether Time — Ask an adult for help with projects!

Naturally Delicious Snacks Made Easy

What Is the Biggest Star?

By Marc Rayman

The largest stars are so big that they may be as much as 2,000,000,000 (2 billion) miles across. If a star that

big were in the center of our solar system, where the Sun is now, it would

be so big that it would swallow up all the planets from Mercury to Saturn, including Earth! The Sun is about 860,000 (860 thousand) miles across. If you rode in a car at 60 miles/hour, it would take fi ve whole years to drive all the way around the Sun — with-out any rest or gas stops!

All stars are so huge that our entire Earth, with all its oceans, mountains, cities, forests, deserts and everything else, is tiny compared to them. If the largest star were a ball as tall as your school room, Earth would be about the thickness of one of your hairs.

By the way, you might be able to go outside on the next clear night and see one of the largest stars. Try to fi nd the lovely constellation Orion, with its distinctive “belt” of three stars in the center, and then look above the belt to the nearest bright star. It may appear just slightly red. It has the odd name Betelgeuse (pronounced BAY-tell-juice). It may not be the largest star, but it is certainly one of the largest. We don’t know its exact size, but it is around 600,000,000 (600 million) miles across. It could stretch from where the Sun is out past the orbit of Mars, and might even get all the way to Jupiter.

As long as you are looking at Orion, notice the bright star below the belt, about the same distance from the belt as Betelgeuse but in the opposite direction. It is called Rigel (pronounced like RYE-jell), and it is one of the brightest stars around. It is farther away than most of the stars we see without a telescope, but it still manages to outshine most of them. It is about 40,000 (40 thousand) times brighter than the Sun.

To help you fi nd Orion, you can download a star fi nder at The Space Place, http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/starfi nder. Orion is visible November through April.

This article was provided through the courtesy of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administra-tion and support from the U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Many other stars are much bigger than our Sun, but lots of them are smaller too.


PARENTOWN’S KIDSMART

Talk about sweet justice. If you’ve ever thought you’re paying too much in taxes, here’s your chance to maybe claw some of it back from the government. Every year, the IRS bemoans how much money taxpayers needlessly wind up forfeiting to Uncle Sam — $1 billion is the latest approximate annual fi gure — because of costly mistakes made when fi ling or even failing to fi le returns. And every year, taxpayers make the same (or new) mistakes all over again.

Well, now through April 30, H&R Block is offering free “Second Look” reviews of 2008 to 2010 income tax returns not initially completed by the giant tax preparation fi rm itself. If its pros at participating offi ces discover pay dirt — and they say they “recovered” $100,000 in overlooked credits and deductions during a recent roll-out in Detroit — they’ll tell you and even fi le the necessary IRS paperwork themselves for a minimal fee.

“The idea is to help people get back their own money,” says Elaine Smith, master tax ad-visor at H&R Block. “No matter the amount, they could use the extra cash these days.”

Among the most common errors unearthed during Detroit’s Second Look:

• Missed education credits. Actually, it wasn’t always just a matter of some people not knowing about the still-available American Opportunity Credit ($2,500 for the fi rst four years of college educa-tion for each student), the Lifetime Learning Credit (up to $2,000 per return for post-secondary degree programs) and the Tuition and Fees Deduction (a reduction in taxable income of up to $4,000). In the case of 24-year-old Russell Gismonde, for instance, the part-time student and restaurant manager wound up $1,135 richer after H&R Block fi gured out he was personally better off claiming the Hope Credit than the Lifetime Credit he’d originally checked. (You can pick only one of these.)

“My plan is to have my own business someday,” says a grateful Gismonde, who’d always done his own taxes. “Every penny helps.”

• Inaccurate fi ling status. Don’t snicker. Understanding the fi nancial implications of “married fi ling jointly” vs. “married fi ling separate,” say, isn’t a Detroit-only problem. Merely switching from one to the other meant a $5,498 refund for one family.

• Overlooked Earned Income Tax Credit. It’s supposed to incen-tivize employment among low-income earners, but not everyone knew they were eligible for the potentially thousands of dollars in credits.

With this year’s April 17 fi ling deadline looming, it could make sense to have past returns scoured before risking a replay of past blunders. If it’s easier, the review is accessible online using the Block Live video conferencing tool.

Information courtesy of NewsUSA and H& R Block, www.hr-block.com.

Paying Too Much in Taxes? Here’s How to Find Out.

¿Estas pagando demasiado en impues-tos? Aquí está la manera de averiguar.

Hablando de la dulce justicia. Si has llegado a pensar que estas pagando demasiado en impuestos, aquí está la manera de recuperar un poco del dinero que le diste al gobierno. Cada año el IRS se lamenta la cantidad de dinero de los contribuyentes que terminan perdiendo sin necesidad al Tío Sam - $1 billón es la cifra anual estimada mas reciente- por errores costos cometidos cuando someten o hasta el no someter su retorno de impuestos, y cada año los contribuyentes cometen el mismo (o nuevos) errores una y otra vez.

Bueno, a partir de hoy hasta el 30 de Abril, H&R Block ofrece gratu-itamente “El segundo vistazo” para los retornos de impuestos del 2008 al

2010 que no fueron completados por la gigante fi rma de preparación de impuestos. Si los profesionales en las ofi cinas participantes encuentran anomalías – y dicen que han “recuperado” $100,000 en créditos y deducciones que pasaron por alto en un repaso reci-ente en Detroit – Te dirán y hasta someterán el papeleo requerido por el IRS, si es necesario, por un cargo mínimo.

“La idea es ayudar a la gente a recuperar su propio dinero” dice Elaine Smith, Consejera de impuestos en H&R Block. “No importa la cantidad, hoy en día todos necesitan el dinero extra.”

Entre los errores más comunes en El Segundo Vistazo de Detroit:

• Créditos educacionales perdidos. De hecho, no siempre es que la gente no sabe que todavía está disponible el Crédito de Oportunidad Americana (American Opportunity Credit), ($2,500 por los primeros 4 años de edu-cación universitaria por estudiante) o el Crédito del Tiempo de Aprendizaje (Lifetime Learning Credit) (Hasta $2,000 por estudios mas allá de los 4 años de universidad) Deducción de Colegiaturas y otras cuotas (Una reduc-ción en la base imponible hasta $4,000). En el caso de Russell Gismonde de 24 años de edad, por ejemplo, estudiante de medio tiempo y gerente de un restaurante termino con $1,135 mas, después de que H&R Block descu-briera que le conviene más reclamar el Crédito de Esperanza (Hope Credit) que el crédito de por vida (Lifetime Credit) que él había escogido original-mente (solo puedes escoger uno de los dos créditos).

• “Mi plan era tener mi propio negocio algún día” dice el agradecido Gismonde, quien siempre realizaba su propio retorno “cada centavo cuenta.”

• Estado Civil Incorrecto. No trate de burlarse. Entender las implicacio-nes fi nancieras de “casado declarando juntos” y “casado declarando sepa-rados” por decir, no solo es un problema de Detroit. El tan solo cambiar de uno a otro quiere decir un rembolso de $5,498 para una familia.

• Pasar por alto el crédito de ingresos obtenidos (Earned Income Credit) Se supone que debe motivar el empleo entre gente de recursos bajos, pero no todos saben que son elegibles para los posibles miles de dólares en crédi-tos.

Con la fecha límite del 17 de Abril para someter tus impuestos acercán-dose, puede que tenga sentido que revisen retornos anteriores antes de que cometan el mismo error este año. Si es más fácil la revisión esta accesible en línea usando la herramienta de videoconferencia en vivo de Block.

Información cortesía de NewsUSA y H&RBlock, www.hrblock.com

april - 2012 - kv

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