Do you want your child to grow up bilingual? Trilingual? Here’s your chance by enrolling her/him now in the International School of Tucson, 1730 N. First Avenue, at the southeast corner of E. Lester Street. Bi-lingual classes in Chinese, French, German, and Spanish are offered to students ages 3 to 9.

“The School’s philosophy and pedagogical approaches encourage students to investigate topics without being restricted by traditional compartmentalisation or methods of instruction, and thus allow the learner to develop global understanding.” This is from their website, www.internationalschooloftucson.com. They also have an international faculty of “native speakers who are also able to transmit their cultures, values, information and beliefs.”

New Zealander Robert Young is the driving force behind this school, started here in Tucson in August 2005. He has a degree in Linguistics and English Lit from the University of Auckland, and a Masters in the “Goverance of Education” from Oxford. Plus he’s done language work all over the world (Argentina, Kenya, England, Austria, etc.)

Having grown up in multi-cultural Hawaii and studying four languages over the years –Spanish, Japanese, German, and Hawaiian (though fluent in none), I am an advocate for knowing another language. Travelling in Europe with my native German husband is easy since he speaks several languages.

Learning a foreign language is a big step towards international globalization, community, and understanding of other cultures. Call the International School now at (520) 406-0552 to enroll your child for the fall semester. Website: www.internationalschooloftucson.org.

I grew up ethnically Japanese (3rd generation) eating musubi (rice balls covered in seaweed) and lots of ikura (red/orange salmon eggs) over rice. I thought everyone ate food like this till I came to the U.S. Mainland and learned otherwise. Little did I know or dream that nigiri sushi would become so mainstream in the 21st Century.

I have found sushi in supermarkets in Europe, and as far away as Australia and New Zealand. It is sold in deli sections in Safeway and Whole Foods in Tucson. The plethora of sushi bars and Japanese restaurants in Tucson can also attest to the popularity of this food. Even some of my Hispanic friends will suggest eating sushi for dinner over Mexican food.

My favorite Hawaiian-style sushi and ramen noodles are served at Samurai on 3912 N. Oracle, which is fast food style. And then there’s my favorite Japanese-style healthy restaurant, Yoshimatsu at 2660 N. Campbell, which even has a cute gift shop and a side bistro, Sushimatsu.

Try both these restaurants and let me know about your experiences. There are now so many Japanese sushi restaurants in Tucson that I haven’t tried them all, so feel free to send in your alternate recommendations to me.

My dream would be to have an expense account with this online newspaper, to try them all! I have yet to eat at the new Ginza Sushi and Izakaya up near Kolb and Sunrise, or at the upscale Ra at La Encantada.

For the sushi lovering community, put your hands together before you eat, and say “itadakimasu” (thanks for this meal.)

Most of us take living in a home for granted. Consider the 90,000 homeless in Los Angeles, as depicted in the recent movie “The Soloist”, about a talented former Julliard musician suffering from mental illness. Or think about the approximately 500 homeless teens living somewhere on the streets of Tucson.

I used to volunteer years ago at Travelers Aid, but the enormity of the problems faced by the homeless burned me out. I can only admire those who continue such tough work. The brother of a former friend of mine is homeless due to his drug addition to “ice. “ He used to be gainfully employed as an engineer, with a wife and two children, and a nice home. That’s all gone now.

Homeless deserve our respect as much as anyone else. It’s hard for them, especially since some in our society think they choose that lifestyle. For many, being on the streets is a way to escape domestic violence and sexual abuse. However they got there, this group of people are now home-less, without a house to live in, without basic shelter.

Agencies helping the homeless in Tucson: Primavera Foundation, 623-5111; Gospel Rescue Mission, 622-3495; Traveler’s Aid of Tucson, Inc. 622-8900.

For homeless teens, the group to call is Youth on Their Own (YOTO) at 293-1136 (www.yoto.org).  They are having a Charity Bowling Tournament on July 11, sponsored by the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association. Call now to participate and help.