TABLE OFCONTENTS

FOR PARENTS

SPOTLIGHT

FOR KIDS5 - Reader Power!6 - Kidiatrics7 - Inspirations9 - Estrella’s House10 - Preparing Your Child For Test Taking11- Ayudando a su estudiante a prepararse para tomar un examen escolar

FAMILY FUN30 - Fairs, Festivals, & Fun

12 - A Poem From One of Our Readers16 - Science Rocks!19 - 26 - Activity Pages27 - Critter’s Page

14 - The Amazing Egg15 - Vegetables

Jump MagazineBrought to you by:

Betty Ramirez, B.A.,MEd.

Publisher/ Editor

Contributing WritersCynthia A. Ponce

Tyler Kal-El RamirezC.J. Ponce

Dr. Ida-Acuña-GarzaTexascooking.com

Melida Ochoa

Graphics By:Ramsey Ramirez

RESERVE YOUR AD TODAY in the Fastest Growing Family Magazine in The Rio Grande Valley

S U P P O R T F A M I L Y

VALUESADVERTISE IN

JUMP!

WE ASK THAT YOU VISIT AND PATRONIZE

OUR ADVERTISERS, IT IS THROUGH THIER

SUPPORT THAT WE BRING YOU THIS FUN LEARNING MAGAZINE

ON THE COVER: Lynsie LeCompte & Black Sabbath

Welcome to our June 2010 Issue. It has been a busy month, to say the least--my life is always full of “busy,” but never a boring moment!

I am in the process of incorporating into a non-profit so that I may increase the number of magazines going out, and thus, serving more families. Part of the incorporation means that I will be able to apply for grants to also have book “give-aways” and have a training component to the organization. It is quite an exciting time. My vision is to expand to all of the Region 1 Education Service Area (Brownsville to Laredo). Within a few years, my vision for Jump is to be in every city, library and/or school-both public and private. Other publica-tions are in the works to address every student level, as well. The fundamental idea behind Jump is to get students to love reading and learning and helping engage parents in school and the personal lives of children by encouraging them with ideas and articles presented in Jump Publications. The eventual goal is graduation from high school and college or preparation for a career. There is more, but suffice to say that we are talking about hundreds of thousands of magazines going out monthly. This month, check out Eternity Dance Studio’s Tribute to Michael Jackson. Susy’s Dance Studio has a great summer camp (The Art District in McAllen) coming up. Rent a moon jump with Real-fun.com. Security First Credit Union has exciting websites for elementary, middle school and high school students (see ad, last page).Kidiatric Services has just expanded, so look them up. Ka-Boom Comics has a grand opening on June 30th. Or are you looking for a loan in the Alton area? See the friendly, helpful folks at Security Finance. Free adoption services are offered by Spaulding for Children if you are looking to expand your family. Have older folks in your family or need a comprehensive rehab program? You can’t beat Legend Transitional Care, where you will be treated like family. Magic Valley Electric Cooperative has sponsored our Science/Kid Page and is a strong supporter of Jump. And, lastly, attend the Affordable Homes 12th Annual Homebuy-ers Expo-it could just put you in a new home! Jump advertis-ers are our partners and they are the best! Do visit them and mention our name!

Bye, now. We have some yummy home-grown corn on the grill.Betty J. Ramirez B. A.,MEd

READER POWER!Letters from our readers

PG 5

WHAT GOOD BOOK HAVE YOU READ LATELY? TELL US ABOUT IT. jumpmagazine@aol.com

Send your letters & Ideas to:jumpmagazine@aol.com

JUMP! THE FAMILY MAGAZINEP.O. BOX 6272, McAllen, TX 78502-6272

Ph: 956.240.3255jumpmagazine@aol.com

Hidalgo County PCT 2 Multi-Purpose Center celebrated the Dia del Niño on April 30,2010.Hidalgo County judge Rene Ramirez and the commissioners made a proclamation for the dia del nino to be celebrated every 30 of April. 300 kids and parents attended the celebra-tion. The afternoon started out with the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem sung by Jacob Contador and on to enjoy an afternoon of fun with face Painting, hotdogs, drinks, chips, corn on the cob, fruit cups, cookies, music and an Indian dance and a lot of other entertainment. The kids enjoyed the after-noon with McGruff from the Sheriff’s Dept. The Hidalgo County Health Clinic was giving the H1N1 shot free. We had an Incredables setting for the kids to take pictures.

Melida Ochoa CoordinatorHidalgo County PCT 2 Multi Purpose Center • 1429 S. Tower RD. Alamo, TX. 78516 • 956-784-3505 Fax 784-3550 • meli.ochoa@co.hidalgo.tx.us

The least movement is of importance to all nature. The entire ocean is affected by a pebble. -Blaise Pascal

In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous. -Aristotle

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, some-where where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. - Anne Frank

The rainbows of life follow the storm. -Unknown

My life is my message. Mahatma Ghandi

JUMP! MAGAZINE :) • PG. 7

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have the

right to be here. -Desiderata

In summer, the song sings itself. -William Carlos Williams

The morning of life is like the dawn of a day, full of purity, visions, and harmony

-Chateubriand

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a

summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the cloud float across the sky is by no means a waste of

time. -J. Lubbuck

Few sunrises are greeted as eagerly as those viewed through the eyes of love.

-Unknown

Nature is a revelation of God; Art is a revelation of man.” Henry Wadsworth

Longfellow

Some people, like flowers, give pleasure just by being. -Unknown

Nature has given man one tongue, but two ears, that we may hear twice as much as

we speak. -Epictetus

NATURE QUOTES

Free-- 12th Annual Homebuyer’s Fair

Are you thinking of buying a home? Have questions? Get the facts for free at the 12th Annual Home Buyer’s Fair. The American Dream of Homeownership can seem unsettling in today’s real estate market. Potential homebuyers have many questions about the home buying process and about how to protect their investment in the long term. Save the date for Saturday June 12th from 9am to 4pm at 3401 Jordan Avenue at the McAllen Palmview Community Center and get the answers at the Home Buyers Fair! Industry professionals will be on hand to answer all your home buying questions. Free Home Buyer Information classes start at 10am in English and at 1pm in Spanish. Remember to get your free credit report at our Credit Report Station and have a coun-selor gauge your homebuyer readiness. This year we will also be having a session on avoiding Loan Modifica-tion Scams courtesy of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. We will also have a Foreclosure Mitigation Counselor on hand to assist homeowners in danger of losing their homes. Unlike companies that may scam people this will be a free service! Sponsors will also be giving away “green themed” door prizes. Be sure to visit our exhibitor hall where we will have 40 booths. With your home buying questions answered, head on over to the cafeteria for free hot dogs courtesy of Wienerschnitzel in McAllen located at 3620 W. Expressway 83, Suite #150. So save the date June 12th and get the facts. Remember to friend us on Face Book and invite your friends who are look-ing to become homeowners!

Visit www.thehomebuyersfair.org for more information and to access helpful tools such as a mortgage calculator and credit tips. http://www.facebook.com/homebuyersfairWhat: Home Buyer’s Fair When: Sat. June 12th 9am-4pmWhere: Palmview Community Center at 3401 Jordan Avenue Martin Medina, Director of Strategic InitiativesAffordable Homes of South Texas, Inc. 956.687.6263 HYPERLINK "http://www.ahsti.org/" \o "http://www.ahsti.org/" \t "_blank" www.ahsti.org

It’s a battle of wills, so to speak. The person that stares the longest into the other person’s eyes is the winner. There are variations of the game and it is in the pre-deter-

mined rules of the game. Blinking is not allowed in some variations of this game. Talking, touching, winking, smiling, laughing, frowning, making faces are all actions can all be prohib-

ited, but in other cases, it

is

allowed and gives opponents the edge on winning.

Humans not challenging enough for you? Some humans “challenge” animals, such as dogs and cats, but they can be much harder to defeat--as some of them do not need to blink as much as humans. Ani-mals do blink but some have several transparent eyelids and do not appear to blink. Animals do not posses the human issues like embarrassment, vulnerability or

being emotionally exposed by star-ing. And, actually, the main reason people stare is to exert dominance or imply threat, unless you are just plain nosy.

Can’t do it with-out bursting into a fit of giggles? Well, there are plenty of people that can. There is even a National As-sociation of Stare-down Professionals (NASP). Apparent-ly, there are people that take staring as a very serious matter.

On our cover is Lynsie LeCompte, who is 14 years old and will be a Freshman at Veterans Memorial High School in Mission. Although she recently moved from Louisiana, she and her mom, Hope, are already valuable volunteers at the Palm Valley Animal Shelter. Lynsie says volunteering saves life and she so loves her dog, Duke, who is a rescue animal, too. There are many things to do at the shelter besides walk the dogs/cats. It may involve cleaning up after them or their cages, answering the phone, greeters. cat cuddlers, dog and puppy players, dog bathers and groomers, and special events.

Volunteers must be 16 years of age (unless accompanied by an adult); complete a volunteer application and waiver; keep track of hours; consider being current on their tetanus vaccination before handling shelter animals; conduct themselves in a professional manner and other rules.

Many opportunities abound for volunteerism in the Rio Grande Valley. Sometimes, you can volunteer as a family or alone. Check by making a call or checking online for rules, such as age requirements. Here is a list of places that need/want volunteers. This list is not all-inclusive, but a starting point for you to conside donating your time and services for

worthwhile causes. Southwest Region Fish and Wildlife Service, Food Bank of the RGV, the World Birding Centers, Area hospitals and nursing homes, United Way, Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics, Easter Seals, Loaves and Fishes of the RGV, Texas A&M Hispanic Network, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, RGV-NAACP, RGV Music Festival, Rio Grande Bible

Institute, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Goodwill and many other places.

So, don’t be “stuck” at home and be bored. Share your skills with someone who needs them. Some colleges/universities do require volunteer hours, so take advantage of opportunities where you can make a difference and help yourself at the same time.

Children's: If you are looking for a version of "The Gingerbread Boy" with a little more flair, you need to check out "The Cajun Cornbread Boy" by Dianne de las Casas. A classic story with a bit of Cajun flair, this story features a protagonist made out of cornbread versus the traditional gingerbread. An extra large dash of Cayenne lends for a lot of attitude as the runaway shouts his sassy refrain "Run, cher, run, as fast as you can!/You can't catch me-I'm full of cayenne." The Cornbread Boy escapes an old Cajun Woman, a rascally raccoon, and a fierce fox. At the bayou's edge he meets up with an artful alligator where the Cornbread Boy is sure to meet his doom. The spicy twist in this story occurs when the cunning Cornbread Boy outsmarts the alligator because he is too full of Cayenne for the old alligator's liking. If you visit the Louisiana Bayou and you hear the faint singing of "Run, cher, run…." you'll know the Cornbread Boy is near. But don't bother trying to catch him, instead turn to the back of the book and make your own cornbread boy us-ing the included recipe.

Teen:Lovers of graphic novels, faeries, and dark fiction -- Holly Black has the series just for you: Kin. Book One is titled "The Good Neighbor" and is full of un-expected twists and surprising insights. Rue Silver, the heroine of the story believes her life to be that of a normal teenager. However, her life is about to take an unexpected turn. When her mother goes missing and her father is ac-cused of her murder and that of a graduate student, Rue's life begins to follow a dark path. Everything about herself changes when she learns she is half fae and that a battle is brewing between the world of the humans and the world of the fae. Rue must pick her path and follow it, no matter how dark, danger-ous, and crazy it gets. This first installment leaves you craving the rest of the story, which thankfully continues in Book Two.

Adults:The Three Weissmans of Westport by Cathleen Schine is a vigorous nod to Jane Austen and a shining new addition to the novel of manners. The story begins with 75-year-old Joseph Weissmann leaving his wife, Betty, for a scheming, younger woman named Felic-ity, Betty is forced to move into her generous cousin Lou's Westport, Connecticut cottage with her daughters Annie and Miranda.and together they find their way, as only mothers and daughters can, through life's ups and downs, including bankruptcy, love, and rejec-tion. Schine's story is a fun fiction read and impossible to put down.

Book Reviews provided by: Kathleen P. Horan, Assistant Director for Public Services McAllen Public Library • http://www.mcallenlibrary.net • khoran@mcallen.net

dr ida

dr ida

JUMP! MAGAZINE :) • PG. 16

A hurricane is a large storm that forms out at sea. When hurricanes come onto land, their heavy rain, strong winds and heavy waves can damage buildings, trees and cars. Your family and teachers will get very busy with preparations whenever a hurricane threatens a community. There’s plenty kids can do to help their family and friends prepare.

CREATE A KIT First, make sure your emergency kit is up-to-date. Is any of the food expired? Have you forgotten anything important? Visit the get a kit section of our site for help on your kit: http://www.ready.gov/kids/step1/index.html

MAKE A PLAN Second, go over your Family Emergency Plan. Do you know how you will get in touch with your family if the power is out? Is there someone outside your local area who your whole family can call if you get sepa-rated? Learn more about how your family can stay in touch at http://www.ready.gov/kids/step2/index.html

WHAT’S THE DEALThird, learn about hurricanes so you know what to expect. Did you know winds must be 74 miles per hour or stronger for weather to be classified as a hurricane? Or that hurricanes can cause multiple hazards, including lightning, high winds, tornadoes or flooding? Visit the Ready Classroom for more the information and videos onhurricanes: http://readyclassroom.discoveryeducation.com/#/condition/4

Items needed:

Picture frame (new or used)

Gold or silver spray paint

Cork board

Scissors

Small nails

Straight pins

Spray paint the picture frame in gold or silver. If the picture frame is used, you will have to sand it and wipe away the dust before spray painting it.

Cut the cork board to fit the frame. If it is a used frame you can secure it with the small nails. Use the straight pins to hang your jewlery. Arrange it to form a piece of art and you will have your jewlery in full view to use it on a daily basis also.

SEE MORE CRAFTS ONLINE AT www.jump-magazine.com

JUMP! MAGAZINE :) • PG. 20

1. Why did the snail climb on the turtle?

2. How do snails keep their shells shiny?

3. What was the snail doing on the highway?

4. What did one snail say to another who had hit him and run off?

5. What do you do when 2 snails get in a fight?

6. What gas do snails prefer?

7. What were Tarzan’s last words?

8. What color is a hiccup?

9. What’s another name for a snail?

10. Can you read the following? Yy u r yy u b I c u r yy 4 me.

1. To speed it up a notch.2. They use snail varnish.3. About one mile a day.4. I’ll get you next slime.5. Let them to slug it out.6. Shell.7. Who greased the vine?8. Burple!9. A booger with a crash helmet.10. Too wise you are, too wise you be, I see you are too wise for me.

coloring pages

find a word

1. Start with a rectangular sheet of paper. Fold the bottom of the paper to the side of the page to make a triangle.

2. Then cut off the flap above the triangle.

3. Now open the triangle and you'll have a square.

4. Fold one corner to the other corner diagonally.

5. Open paper. 6. Fold corners toward center of paper.

7. When all 4 corners are folded, your paper will look like this.

8. Flip your paper over so the folded sides are face down.

9. Again, fold corners toward center diagonally.

10. When all 4 corners are folded, your paper will look like this.

11. On the same side, write the numbers 1 through 8, putting one number in each triangle.

12. Hold the paper in front of you like a square. Fold it in half vertically and open it back up again.

13. Then fold the square in half horizontally and open it back up again. Make sure that the numbers you've written are facing you.

14. Open each flap and write a fortune on each triangle inside. When your fortunes are written, close all the flaps. Here are some fortune ideas to get you started, but feel free to make up some of your own.

15. Flip the paper over and color each square with a different color. 16. Flip the paper over again so that the numbers are face up. Fold the square in half, either horizontally or verti-cally. Slide your thumbs and fingers under the four flaps. 17. Finally, rotate your hands, bringing your thumbs and index fingers to-gether. The cootie catcher should expand. The numbered triangles will disappear inside, like the middle of a flower when the petals close. Then open and play!

ALANIZ FAMILY REUNION

Do you have a great nature photo you would like to share? Email it to jumpmagazine@aol.com along with your name and a brief description and you could see your photo here!

JUNE EVENTSJune 1-Hurricane Season Begins

June7-Registration. June 14-First day to report. Summer Reading Pro-gram 2010-McAllen Public Library.www.mcallenlibrary.net. Main Library 956.688.3300. Sessions available at the Lark and Palm View

June 10-13-Austin, Re-public of Texas Biker Rally. 512.441.9015.

June 11-13-San Antonio-Texas Folklife Festival. 210.458.2300

June 26-Partial Lunar Eclipse

Ongoing-Edinburg World Birding Center:Nature Explorations-- Bird Walks: Every Tuesday 9-10:30 AM;

Butterfly Walks: Every Wed. 1:00-2:30; Deck Obser-vations Every Friday 4:00-5:30 PM. No experi-ence necessary. Field guides and binoculars are provided. All sched-uled walks are free with paid admission. More info: 956.381.9922.

Need to prepare for a test? http://www.edinburg.lib.tx.us/ is the website you want. Click on Test Prep Review (free online Prac-tice Tests). Whether it be the GED, GRE, PSAT, TEAS, SAT, and many others are available for your review. Check it out!

Learn Japanese, Portu-guese, German, Mandarin and Brazilian among many other languages. Go tohttp://www.edinburg.lib.tx.us/ and click on Mango Languages. You can track your progress.

Did you know that Ms. Letty Leija, accepted a Congressional Award from U.S. Representative Ruben Hinojosa, recognizing the library for its outstanding and invaluable service to the community? Congratulations for all the great work!

NO NEED TO HAVE YOUR BRAIN TURN TO MUSH THIS SUMMER WITH SO MANY THINGS TO DO!