147 national parks and monuments around the country will suspend entrance fees during three weekends this summer to help out budget travelers.  That includes 16 places in Arizona, but only applies to the cost of getting in.  It doesn’t cover fees for things like camping, tours or using concessions.  The three weekends are June 20-21, July 18-19, and August 15-16.

In Arizona, the parks are…

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Chiricahula National Monument

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Grand Canyon National Park

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Petrified Forest National Park

Pipe Spring National Monument

Saguaro National Park

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Tonto National Monument

Tumacacori National Historical Park

Tuzigoot National Monument

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Wupatki National Monument

PetSmart is holding a contest to find a new interactive toy or product that keeps pets entertained while their owners are away.  There’s a $25 entrance fee with the winner getting $2,500 and a percentage of future sales.  Deadline is July 9th.  Details at … www.edisonnation.com/petsmart

The Beatles Rock Band video game is coming!  You can see the trailer for the game at www.thebeatlesrockband.com/trailer

Four out of five teens today carry a mobile device – using it to instantly connect with friends and family, play games and get online. New trends show that texting is on its way to becoming more popular and important to teens than voice-to-voice calling. In fact, 42% of teens report that they could text with their eyes closed!

Keeping up with your teen can be exhausting, especially when they appear to be conversing in another language – which is where DTXTR comes in.

Visit www.lgdtxtr.com decifer your teen’s texting language. 

GOOD LUCK!

A British dairy farmer and ice cream maker has flown in an Italian opera tenor to sing to his cows in the hope they will produce creamier milk.  He’s convinced it will create a happier work environment for the cows and in return, they will give a better product!  The singing began last Friday.  The ice cream comes out later this month.  I was wondering if the program included anything from La Bovine?  Maybe not, but I believe he sang selections from “Madame Buttermilk.”  Let’s hope he doesn’t sing from “The Butcher of Seville.  Or even worse, “Cheeseburger In Paradise.”  Here’s a picture….

Can you believe that Memorial Day is right around the corner?  Where is the year going!!!

 If You’re going camping over that weekend, here are some websites that might help you…

Reserve a site at www.recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777

Arizona Fire Restrictions at www.AzFireInfo.az.gov

You’ve gotta watch this.  By the way, both dogs belong to the same owner and will be okay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdO9lGUL59s

The new craze is raising chickens in your backyard!  Be careful, because the laws are different in each city.  See below…

Glendale:  Chickens are permitted but must be contained.  Roosters are not allowed within 500 feet of a neighbor.

Mesa:  Chickens are “lawful,” but they must be confined at least 75 feet from neighbors.

Phoenix:  Chickens are permitted if the owner gets written permission from neighbors who live within 80 feet of a coop.  Roosters are not allowed in residential neighborhoods.

Scottsdale:  Chickens can be kept, but their couops must be kept clean, and their noise cannot be a nuisance.

Tempe: Chickens are allowed, but then cannot be a “nuisance.”  They must be confined at least 75 feet from neighbors.

Everything “Chicken” can be found at this link.  www.backyardchickens.com.   Good Cluck…er…uh…Luck!

Red Mountain Freeway (202) east and west off-ramps will be closed at Scottsdale road from 8pm-10:30pm for the President’s visit.

Veteran’s Way will be closed from Mill to University beginning at noon and lasting until traffic clears tonight.

Eastbound University at Mill will be closed between 8pm until most traffic clears the area.

Westbound University west of McClintock will be closed from 8pm until traffic clears.

Southbound Rural road between Curry & 6th street will be closed from 8pm-until traffic clears.

Northbound Rural road between University and Rio Salado Pkwy will be closed from 8pm until traffic clears.

Southbound Rural road between University & E. Terrace road will be restricted to two lanes from 1:30pm-10:30pm.

For more information, www.valleymetro.org or www.asu.edu/parking

Its funny how the route out to make their mark usually travels through your house again! 

 If you’re going to the graduation ceremony, hit this website first for the info you’ll need…

www.asu.edu/graduation