Smoke billows from a smokestack. Train tracks vibrate. A beam of light comes into view as a train, cars and all, rounds the corner. As it’s coming straight towards you, a bellowing shriek expels from the whistle, and the brass bell clangs. But then, it takes a sharp turn and disappears around a baby barrel cactus which looms over the passing cars like a towering saguaro. The train is as long as your arm and you could probably pick the steam engine up right off the tracks. This train and other miniature wonders are the newest exhibits at the Tucson Botanical Gardens.

I had the opportunity to visit Crayola Experience on Father’s Day weekend. My family and I had lots of fun together. We enjoyed many activities, such as wrap and name a crayon, drip art, and Melt & Mold. We won fun prizes! We even saw an owl from the Phoenix Zoo! It was a great experience.

Last year, Google added the AI Overview feature, which summarizes search results using generative AI. The problem is that it sometimes gets stuff wrong—really, really wrong.

Googling “health benefits of running with scissors” produced this response: “Running with scissors is a cardio exercise that can increase your heart rate...” Searching for “cheese not sticking to pizza” generated a Google AI Overview with this recommendation: “...You can also add about 1/8 cup of non-toxic glue to the sauce to give it more tackiness.”

 “I got a golden ticket, I got a golden chance to make my way!” This exciting moment is from the musical “Willy Wonka,” about a boy named Charlie and his sugar-coated adventure in Wonka’s fantastic chocolate factory! It will be playing June 21–23 at the Berger Performing Arts Center.

We had the opportunity to interview Cherami Leigh, an actress who also does voices for anime and video games. We discovered that she has had a passion for acting since a very young age. She enrolled in her first acting classes at the age of 5 and landed her first professional job at the age of 7. Throughout her career, she has undergone a wide range of acting training, including film and television acting, stage and theater training, microphone work, singing, dance and gymnastics.

The Dragon Warrior is at it again in the new “Kung Fu Panda 4” movie! In the newest installment, Po (played by Jack Black), sets sail across the sea to Juniper City to defeat the newest and most nefarious villain yet, the Chameleon. With help from Po’s new friend Zhen the Fox (played by Awkwafina), and familiarcharacters like Po’s dads and Master Shifu, the duo faces bandits, monsters, and everything in between.

Ryan Stegman is a comic book artist/writer who is coming to the Phoenix Fan Fusion which will be held  this year from May 24 to May 26. My classmates and I interviewed Stegman so that we could learn more about him and what he does.

A new play is coming to Valley of the Moon, and it sounds like it is going to be funny! My mom and I got to talk with Dante Crossroad, the co-director of “The Monty Tale of King Arthur.” He told us what families can expect if they come to the play. It is a comedy and is about an hour long. It is the Valley of the Moon’s own rendition of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Crossroad told us that if you are a Monty Python fan, then this is the show for you!

Are superheroes your thing? Do you geek out when it comes to your favorite fandom? Do you just love a good time? If you answered “Yes” to any of this, then Phoenix Fan Fusion is the place for you! Filled with many different fandoms, Phoenix Fan Fusion has something for everyone. Fan Fusion is the “signature pop culture event of the Southwest,” says Director of Events and Activities for Fan Fusion, Mac MacKellar. “It is every nerdy, geeky, fandom all rolled into one.”

Embark on an exhilarating journey through the streets of New York City as Spider-Man in “Spider-Man 2.” From the electrifying combat experience to the vast array of costumes and abilities, this game offers a thrilling adventure for players of all ages. Swing into action as you face off against iconic villains like Kraven, Venom, the Lizard and Sandman, utilizing a combination of webs, special attacks, and hand-to-hand combat to emerge victorious.