I have a huge crush on this guy at school. I know he doesn’t like me, and I’ve even told him that I like him. (But) he won’t give in. What should I do?

Sincerely, Z.B.

Dear Z. B.,

Reality check! Even though you’re head over heels for this fella, it’s not gonna change how he feels about you. I know this is a big-time disappointment, but you really need to take a step back and pursue your other interests.

Friends always, Boomer Bear

Dear Boomer,

I’ve dreamed about going to Sea World and Disneyland. I can see myself riding on the back of a giant whale or dolphin. That would be so exciting! I’ve heard so much about the Mickey Mouse Club. Meeting Donald Duck or Goofy would make my day.

B.T.

Dear B.T.,

You’ve got a great imagination and could probably make a heckuva commercial for southern California’s tourism office! After school lets out for summer, lots of families head for San Diego (Sea World) or Anaheim (Disneyland) to escape the Arizona heat.

If your family doesn’t have the money or time for such a big trip, there are lots of cool places nearby like Mount Lemmon. I think my family is driving up to the White Mountains for our vacation. Good luck with the rest of the school year!

Your buddy, Boomer

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ASK BOOMER

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1037 S. Alvernon Way, No. 150

Tucson, AZ 85711

boomer@bearessentialnews.com

Kredible is a wonderful magician and comedian, and I recently met him. Kredible got started as a magician/comedian at age 12 and got his first job at 16. He grew up always knowing he wanted to follow in the footsteps of legendary magicians David Copperfield and Lance Burton. Before he started to travel and perform, he went to college at Emerson University in Boston and got a degree in journalism. Kredible’s mom told him that he needed a backup plan – if he couldn’t be a magician, he’d be a journalist.

Kredible’s first show was at the Brotherhood of Magicians in Norfolk, Va. He won the competition! The largest place he has performed had a crowd of 2,500 people. His favorite place to perform is Tucson’s Gaslight Theatre because his grandparents live here. They love his show and enjoy watching it.

He’s been on Rachael Ray’s TV show several times. When the show got started, the producer wanted a young, up-and-coming star, and that was Kredible! He performs for all age groups, from little kids to adults. Kredible changes his jokes for the audiences but does the same brilliant tricks.

He’s has won the College Campus Activities Magazine entertainer of the year for the third year in a row and will be on an episode of “Suite Life On Deck” in August or September.

Shows are June 29 at 7 p.m. and July 1 at noon. Tickets are $16 for adults, $10 for children (12 and under) on June 29; $12 for adults, $10 for children on July 1. For tickets, call the theater at 886-9428.

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PROMOTING LITERACY THROUGH JOURNALISM

The Tucson Citizen is in partnership with Bear Essential News, Domino’s Pizza and KVOA to promote literacy through journalism.

I can’t wait to be a Young Reporter. This is a great club. Thank you for letting me join. There’s a whole big world of things to write about. That means I get to travel to all these exciting places to get the scoop.

B.E.T.

Dear B.E.T.,

I dig your enthusiasm! Being a Young Reporter is a great opportunity to meet new people and to visit exciting new places. And summer is the perfect time to join so you can report on awesome places, camps and other things that happen during your break.

To print the sign-up forms – for any kid currently in second through eighth grades – visit BearEssentialNews.com, click on “Young Reporters” and follow the buttons to “Young Reporter Forms.”

Get the scoop! Boomer Bear

Dear Boomer,

I want to find out how old you are because most of my friends are always asking me. I also want to ask you what’s your full name. And what is your favorite basketball team. Mine is the L.A. Lakers. By the way, I’m in fifth grade.

J.V.

Dear J.V.,

My full name is Boomer Bear. I’m 10 and also in fifth grade! Steve Nash, Shaq and the rest of the Phoenix Suns make up my favorite team. A lot of people expect the Lakers will be playing LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. But I’m not sure that the Lakers will make it that far.

Hoops, anyone?

Boomer Bear

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ASK BOOMER

He’s wise, he’s cool and he’s ready to respond. Write a letter to Boomer Bear of Bear Essential News for Kids!

Bear Essential News for Kids

1037 S. Alvernon Way, No. 150

Tucson, AZ 85711

boomer@bearessentialnews.com

Amanda

Many of us have studied or heard about the Boston Tea Party in school. But last month, Tucson and hundreds of cities around the country had their own TEA parties. The organizers said TEA stood for “Taxed Enough Already.”

More than 3,000 people attended the Tucson TEA Party downtown. I got to meet and talk to a number of state legislators and radio personalities there.

I asked Jim Parisi, morning show host for KNST-AM 790, why so many people came downtown that day. He said, “Because Americans are getting frustrated that people in Washington are making decisions for us on how to spend our hard-earned money.”

State Sen. Jonathan Paton, District 30 legislator, said, “I am excited that all of the people have shown up to exercise their right to free speech.”

Rep. Vic Williams, District 26 legislator, said, “It is a great idea and a display of how strong our democracy is when people will come together like this.”

Jon Justice, host of the morning show on 104.1, said, “People are angry because they feel that the bailout and stimulus packages are a waste of taxpayer money.”

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PROMOTING LITERACY THROUGH JOURNALISM

The Tucson Citizen is in partnership with Bear Essential News, Domino’s Pizza and KVOA to promote literacy through journalism.

Alan

Have you ever heard of a museum on wheels? I have: It was at my school!

It’s called the Arts Mobile, which is a miniature museum that comes to you instead of you going to it. It features different cultures at every visit. On my most recent visit, I saw Native American art from the Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui tribes. The exhibits were separated by a small, adobe room.

I like the Pascua Yaqui side, but I especially liked the Adobe Room, which had a lot of items made of straw – including my favorite, the Man in the Maze.

Throughout the Arts Mobile, I saw a variety of baskets. From tiny baskets to a large wine basket, from burden baskets to a straw bowl, baskets were all over the place.

The first room you go into is the Tohono O’odham side. You will probably smell the odor of the saguaro fruit in the first exhibit. Right before you go into the Adobe Room, you might find a long, black stick with lots of X’s, dots and squares. This is called a calendar stick, which the O’odham used to keep track of their month, day or year.

The Adobe Room is filled with items made of straw. There were animals made of straw, like a cat and a turtle. There are also a few Man in the Mazes in the Adobe Room, which is also where the majority of the baskets are.

Apart from the things made of straw, I saw a sculpture of a witch named Ho’ok from Native American legend. Although it is a great story, I’d rather not tell it, for I do not want to scare you. This sculpture is one of the main examples of how the Native Americans used nature in their art, because the base of the sculpture is really a saguaro rib.

When I went to the Pascua Yaqui side, my eyes had to adjust to the color. It had much brighter colors than the Adobe Room and the Tohono O’odham side combined. There were flowers all over the place. Besides a mannequin (cardboard statue) carving a mask, there was a mannequin band playing real instruments covered with flowers.

I had a wonderful experience looking at art, sculptures and much more. Maybe the Arts Mobile will come to your school, too!

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PROMOTING LITERACY THROUGH JOURNALISM

The Tucson Citizen is in partnership with Bear Essential News, Domino’s Pizza and KVOA to promote literacy through journalism.

Why can’t people just read books instead of watching television? Get out and play, and when you’re sick, don’t just sit on the couch and watch TV, either. I’ve gotta go now!

Sincerely, U.P.

Dear U.P.,

Reading is a lot better for you than watching TV. It’s good for your mind, and it’s good for your imagination. I like to read a few chapters of my favorite book right before bedtime. With the great weather we’re having, I love playing outside with my buddies after school.

Readers are winners, Boomer Bear

Hey Boomer,

At my school, there’s this guy who hates me because he thinks that I like him. But I don’t. How do I tell him that I don’t like him?

A.C.

Dear A.C.,

Just because you don’t like somebody, doesn’t mean ya gotta tell the person. Unless, of course, you WANT to let him know you don’t like him so that he’ll like you more, which means that you might actually like this guy after all.

Good luck – you’ll need it! Boomer Bear

Dear Boomer,

What is your fav dog?

Your friend, G.C.

Hey G.C.,

Didja check out Bo, the adorable “first dog” that just moved into the White House? It’s a Portuguese water dog and is the first dog Sasha and Malia have ever had. Bo gets my vote for favorite dog!

Take care,

Boomer Bear

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ASK BOOMER

He’s wise, he’s cool and he’s ready to respond. Write a letter to Boomer Bear of Bear Essential News for Kids!

Bear Essential News for Kids

1037 S. Alvernon Way, No. 150

Tucson, AZ 85711

boomer@bearessentialnews.com

I LOVE singing. I want to become a singer when I grow up. But two problems – how do I become a singer? And what if I don’t sing well? I sing like a bluebird to myself, but in public I’m too shy. I sing only to my friends. I’m even afraid to sing in front of my parents. Should I just get over it? HELP!

Friends, S.T.B.

Dear S.T.B.,

If you have the desire, you at least owe it to yourself to see if you have the talent! What kind of singing do ya like? A good place to start is by joining a choir at your school.

You might not be so nervous when you’re with a bunch of other kids on stage. Plus, it’s an affordable way to get started and to be coached a bit. Your choir director could also suggest a private vocal teacher, if you show some promise. And don’t forget about the Tucson Girls Chorus, which I hear is a blast, too.

Hittin’ the high notes, Boomer Bear

Dear Boomer,

Why don’t we get more vacation?

P.A.

Dear P.A.,

Didn’t you just finish your spring break? I know, with all this testing, school can be sort of stressful and boring. But the end is in sight! Most of my buddies in schools around here are getting out in about a month. I always love a strong finish, so keep working hard!

Your buddy,

Boomer Bear

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ASK BOOMER

He’s wise, he’s cool and he’s ready to respond. Write a letter to Boomer Bear of Bear Essential News for Kids!

Bear Essential News for Kids

1037 S. Alvernon Way, No. 150

Tucson, AZ 85711

boomer@bearessentialnews.com

These are just a few of the questions we had, so we asked Safford teachers and students about their energy drink consumption. We also decided to do a little research on the effects of these wildly popular drinks.

Anna Larson, an English teacher, says that she drinks Red Bull in the morning so she can wake up. “I enjoy the taste of Red Bull, but I know it’s not good for me,” Larson says.

In fact, drinking energy beverages can cause your energy to shoot way up and then plummet so that you’ll need to drink another one to stay awake.

Student Javier Gomez says, “I like energy drinks because they taste good and they make me happy and hyper.”

This makes sense if you read labels. A Red Bull has about 80 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce serving. On the Rock Star label it states that the drink “is not recommended for children, pregnant women and people sensitive to caffeine.”

In the end, what you drink is up to you. But, at least now you’ll know the facts about what you’re drinking and its effects.

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PROMOTING LITERACY THROUGH JOURNALISM

The Tucson Citizen is in partnership with Bear Essential News, Domino’s Pizza and KVOA to promote literacy through journalism.

Shane

Are all-star casts, 3-D graphics and extremely enjoyable family movies your thing? Then check out “Monsters vs Aliens.”

The film is DreamWorks’ first 3-D movie and, for me, is one of the funniest films released this year. It is one hour and 34 minutes long and stars Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Kiefer Sutherland, Will Arnett, Hugh Laurie and Rainn Wilson. Stephen Colbert and Amy Pohler have cameos.

On Susan Murphy’s (Witherspoon) wedding day, she is clobbered by an asteroid moments before the ceremony is set to begin. As Susan gets ready to say her vows, she suddenly grows into a giant. The wedding is canceled and the government captures her. When she wakes up, Susan has no clue where she is. She soon finds out that she’s in a secret facility and that her new name is Ginormica. She also finds out that she is not alone. There are other monsters there. They are The Missing Link (Arnett), a misunderstood sea creature; B.O.B. (Rogen), a gelatinous blob; Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D. (Laurie), a mad scientist who turned himself into a cockroach; and Insectosaurus, an oversized bug.

Out of nowhere, an alien ship comes and begins attacking San Francisco. The team defeats it and soon the evil alien Gallaxhar (Wilson) comes down to take over the Earth. Will the team defeat Gallaxhar? Will the Earth be saved? See the flick to find out.

All in all, I give the movie four stars. I really enjoyed it. It is a fun, lighthearted movie. It’s hilarious, and Rogen’s B.O.B. steals the show. He was my favorite character. Honestly, coming from the perspective of someone who paid the extra money to see it in 3-D, it was totally worth it.

If you want to take your family to see a film that is out of this world, then go see “Monsters vs Aliens.”

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PROMOTING LITERACY THROUGH JOURNALISM

The Tucson Citizen is in partnership with Bear Essential News, Domino’s Pizza and KVOA to promote literacy through journalism.

I need advice . . . and I mean BIG advice! My friend has changed overnight.

She’s acting all snobby now. And I’ve tried talking to her, but she just says, “What are you talking about?” And she doesn’t talk to me at all.

She’s best friends with this other girl, and whenever I hug my boyfriend, they make gagging noises! What kind of friend is that?

Seriously, Boomer, I need help fast!

Sincerely, R.A.

Dear R.A.,

It’s almost like someone flipping a light switch – kids around your age change how they act, what they like and even who their friends are. But don’t give up hope, your friend may come around someday.

Give her some space and focus on your other friendships and other things that are important to you!

And if she’s too immature to be around you and tu amigo, maybe you should find other classmates to hang with.

Friends always,

Boomer Bear

Dear Boomer,

Why doesn’t (President) Obama come to my school to talk about the economy?

K.A.

Dear K.A.,

Visiting schoolkids is high on the president’s list whenever he travels around the country.

But I think you need to invite him and give him some compelling reasons why he should make a stop at your terrific school the next time Air Force One makes a stop in Arizona!

Good luck, Boomer Bear

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ASK BOOMER

He’s wise, he’s cool and he’s ready to respond. Write a letter to Boomer Bear of Bear Essential News for Kids!

Bear Essential News for Kids

1037 S. Alvernon Way, No. 150

Tucson, AZ 85711

boomer@bearessentialnews.com