Coming up Sunday November 29 is Free Admission Day at the Tucson Children’s Museum (TCM), 200 S. 6th Avenue, from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Log onto www.tucsonchildrensmuseum.org for more information about the exciting, hands-on exhibits in this wonderful resource for children in downtown, south of Broadway Blvd, just west of Armory Park. It’s located in the old Carnegie Library, built in 1901.

Tucson Children's Museum

“You have embarked on an adventure learning experience at Southern Arizona’s only children’s museum. A visit to the Tucson Children’s Museum will find you enjoying the numerous interactive exhibits, the daily hands-on activities and the monthly special events.”

10% off purchases that day is being offered at Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s Toys branch store at TCM. Their main toy store is at 4811 E. Grant at the Crossroads Festival shopping center (Suite 151), NE corner of Grant and Swan. But I miss their previous, charming location at Broadway Village, where my son spent many a happy hour.

But, I digress. Do take your kids & visit the Tucson Children’s Museum on November 29.

This free admission is a great help for larger families in our community. Enjoy!

Can’t afford legal help? Most people can’t, especially now in these tougher economic times.

The Himmel Park Legal Referral Clinic is a service provided by volunteer University of Arizona Law School students. They will meet with you in a small, confidential room at Himmel Park branch library, 1035 N. Treat Ave. on Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m. to listen to your legal woes and then try to find appropriate free or inexpensive resources in the Tucson area.

Past questions to the law students have been about wage disputes, employment discrimination, child support, grandparents rights, insurance fraud, etc.

Having been a practicing attorney, I can honestly tell you that if you feel you have a legal problem, just go find out by asking. Sometimes a simple referral and one time legal advice helps a lot. It certainly can help you sleep better at night.

For further info contact Clinic coordinator Cody Kirk: codykirk@email.arizona.edu or the library at 520-594-5305.

Himmel Park branch library is located one block south of E. Speedway, on N.Treat Ave in the NE corner of Himmel Park, in the Sam Hughes historic neighborhood (www.samhughes.org).

scales of justice

UPDATE: Legal clinic is now on Saturday mornings, 9 to 11 a.m. still at Himmel Park branch library, from Feb. 6 to April 24.

All I had to do to blog today was copy (in its entirely) the press release from the statewide Arizona Children’s Association.

“Arizona’s Children Association invites you to bring your organization, office or family together to celebrate the holidays with a “Gift of Hope” for children and families in your community who need your help. Our ‘needs’ list is long and includes the wishes of children from birth to 18 years, and requests from their parents for groceries and grocery gift certificates.

The families we work with do not receive any other help during the holiday season. Individuals, groups and families are needed to participate and bring hope to the vulnerable children and families we serve.

There are many ways to participate:

~ Support an individual child or entire family. Purchase groceries and/or grant the gift wishes of the children in one or more families.

~ Put up a giving tree in your office or organization. Arizona’s Children will provide ornaments with the wishes of children on them and your employees/ members may choose an individual from the tree.

~ Conduct a toy drive. Collect new toys and items for children and we’ll pick them up and distribute them to the children and families we serve. Toys are needed for children of all ages.

To give a “Gift of Hope” this holiday season, contact Miguel Quezada at 520.622.7611 ext.1311, email mquezada@arizonaschildren.org or visit www.arizonaschildren.org/giftsofhope.htm.

Arizona’s Children Association was originally founded in 1912, as Arizona Children’s Home Association, to care for homeless, neglected and dependent children. For more than 97 years the agency has stayed true to its mission of Protecting Children and Preserving Families, serving more than 45,000 children and their families in all 15 counties in the state each year. Please visit the Arizona’s Children website at www.arizonaschildren.org.”

Note: I know these gifts (groceries, toys, wishes) are needed and much appreciated, having served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) at Pima County Juvenile Court for abused/neglected children, and also on the state Foster Care Review Board.

Please give the gift of hope.