Blog For Arizona

Healthcare enrollment for AAPI (Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders)

 

Posted by Carolyn Sugiyama Classen

As an Asian American born in raised in the State of Hawaii, this is important to me and my community here in Tucson. Press release info:

"Get your health insurance questions answered and help with enrollment during Enroll AAPI(Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders) on Saturday, March 1st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center (1288 W River Rd).

 

Certified Navigators will be on hand to help people enroll in a healthcare plan. Information on the new healthcare laws and how to sign up to get healthcare coverage will be presented in English and selected Asian languages (Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese). Representatives from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will also be on hand.

 

Free health screenings for asthma, cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, and osteoporosis will also be available. The diabetes test requires fasting 8 hours prior to the screening.

 

This event is made possible thanks to a coalition of partners that includes the Center for Rural Health at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, College of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, the Southern Arizona & Pacific Islander Health Coalition, Pima County Health Department, Health hand other community organizations.

 

For more information, please contact Kim Tham or Sujana Vinjamuri at (520) 300-0627".

 

 

Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild delivered State of the City speech

 Posted by Carolyn Classen

The Mayor delivered his annual State of the City speech today at the Tucson Metro Chamber's luncheon at the Tucson Convention Center. Here's the entire speech, in case you missed the lunch. Mayor Rothschild was elected in Nov. 2011, so this is his 3rd address.

Tucson in Transition

February 26, 2014 State of the City Address Mayor Jonathan Rothschild

Introduction

 

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2014 State of the City Address. I’d like to thank the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Tucson Convention Center for hosting this year’s event. Thanks especially to the Chamber for sharing proceeds with three local nonprofits that are helping with several of my initiatives: 51 Homes Vets, Make Way for Books and Tucson Clean & Beautiful.

 

Each of these charities works in a different area – ending veteran homelessness, increasing childhood literacy and restoring Tucson’s tree canopy – yet all share the same model for success: bringing together individuals, businesses, government and nonprofits to address community needs.

 

In June, I accepted the President’s challenge to end veteran homelessness in Tucson by December 31, 2015 – which means placing 1,650 homeless veterans in permanent housing. That’s a goal we’re on track to meet. Working with 18 partner agencies, including the City’s Housing Department, we’ve already housed close to 500 formerly homeless veterans.

 

In August, in partnership with the Arizona Daily Star, we launched a volunteer recruitment drive to double the number of reading coaches in Reading Seed, a program that pairs struggling readers in grades K through 3 with trained volunteers. Too many of our children don’t read at grade level by 3rd

grade, a critical milestone that predicts future success in school. We met our goal, adding more than 600 volunteers, who will help more than 1,200 students, all, or almost all, in Title 1 schools. 1,200 lives changed – 1,800 if you count the volunteers, who often find their lives changed, too.

In October, in partnership with Tucson Clean & Beautiful, TEP, Long Realty and others, we rolled out our 10,000 Trees Campaign, encouraging individuals, business and community groups to plant desert-adapted trees, especially in neighborhoods that lack shade. That’s another goal we’re on track to meet. To date, we’ve planted more than 4,000 trees.

 

These are basic needs our community is tackling together, through public-private partnerships: housing, literacy and the environment.

 

 

 

2

 

Of course, City government works to meet basic needs every day – water, transportation, sanitation, public safety, parks, courts, building safety and others. There’s renewed emphasis on the basics – on what the City does best, and what’s best left to others.

The basics matter. Like moving forward on long-delayed road restoration projects, as we’ve begun to do with passage of the $100 million road bond – on time and on budget, I might add. Like building sidewalks, cleaning medians and removing graffiti. The basics build pride in our community. Doing the basics well helps attract the capital we need to build our community.

I just gave some examples of public-private partnerships with the nonprofit sector. These partnerships can work equally well with the for-profit sector.

Downtown Redevelopment

For example, downtown looks quite different than it did two years ago. It looks quite different than it has for the last 40 years – a veritable, Biblical wandering in the desert. How did this happen? Ending the Rio Nuevo dispute, building the streetcar line and adopting a tax incentive – a public-private partnership – that helps developers yet guarantees a greater return to taxpayers – all this has visionary developers and business owners investing in downtown.

Over the next year, you’ll see close to $9 million of strategic improvements made to the Tucson Convention Center. You’ll see young entrepreneurs move their businesses and dreams downtown – at CoLab or Connect Coworking. You’ll see artists and crafters mixing with coders and hackers at places like Maker House and Xerocraft. You’ll see ground broken on a new, modern, urban hotel. And, as people continue to move downtown, maybe – just maybe – you’ll see that cornerstone of urban neighborhoods, a grocery store.

I don’t highlight downtown redevelopment just because it’s a success we can all see. I highlight it because it’s a working example of what our city can be.

I want to review some of what we accomplished last year, working together. Too often, we underestimate our city’s capabilities.

I also want to preview what lies ahead.

Tucson is a city in transition.

 

3

 

Former Mayoral candidate Mary DeCamp to march to Washington, D.C. for climate action

Posted by Carolyn Classen

The Great March for Climate Action starts on March 1, 2014.

From www.climatemarch.org:

 "The goal of the Great March for Climate Action is to change the heart and mind of the American people, our elected leaders and people across the world to act now to address the climate crisis.

On March 1, 2014, hundreds of climate patriots will set out from Los Angeles, CA, walking 3,000 miles across America to Washington, DC, inspiring action to resolve the climate crisis. This will be one of the largest coast-to-coast marches in American history.

Marchers will be expected to adhere to a strict code of non-violence according to the principles employed by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. An addendum that explains this in greater detail will be provided before the march starts next year. Also, we will provide mandatory non-violence training at the start of the March.

The March seeks to build the broadest possible public consensus and is focused strictly on the climate crisis. Marchers will, of course, have their own personal stories and perspectives. However, it is important that we stick to the core message, in unison, with our words, signs and public presentations.

We plan to govern the March through a “city council” of marchers elected by marchers. At times, we will employ a “town meeting” style of governance involving the entire marcher community, with a simple majority vote to make a decision".

Streetcar Celebration: Destination 4th Avenue

Posted by Carolyn Classen

From 4th Avenue Merchant Assocation's website, www.fourthavenue.org:

 

Streetcar Celebration: Destination 4^th Avenue, will be held on Wednesday, February 26 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm on Fourth Avenue near the 6^th /7^th Streets Streetcar stop.

Streetcar Celebration: Destination 4th Avenue is the second of several monthly streetcar celebrations to promote shops, restaurants, and entertainment and cultural attractions along the Sun Link streetcar line, in advance of passenger service in the summer of 2014.   Visitors can see one of the new Streetcars up close, enjoy outdoor entertainment, and take advantage of specials and promotions provided by the merchants at participating businesses.

The event will feature:

• A close-up view of one of Tucson’s new “Made in America” Sun Link modern streetcars, passing by and parked nearby.
• FREE Live Music
• Merchant Discounts and Events (see below).

To obtain discounts, please sign up at the Friends of the Tucson Streetcar Booth located near the 6^th/7^th Streets Streetcar Stop and you will receive your Friends of the Tucson Streetcar key chain or pin.

Fourth Avenue features 23 restaurants and cafes, 10 bars and pubs, over 35 locally owned retail shops, and a variety of salons and services.

Merchant Discounts and Events:

• More to Come.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Tucson Streetcar and Fourth Avenue Merchants Association.   The Friends of the Tucson Streetcar will be hosting similar events monthly near key stops on the Streetcar line, to showcase the many unique, local businesses and destinations within easy reach of the Streetcar.   Look for Streetcar Celebration:  Destination Downtown coming in March.

Contact:

Donovan Durband, Friends of the Tucson Streetcar. 520.940.0803

Joy Herr-Cardillo, Friends of the Tucson Streetcar.  520.271.2992

www.StreetcarFriends.org or Facebook (Friends of the Tucson Streetcar)

www.FourthAvenue.org

Carolyn's note: I attended the first Streetcar Celebration at Main Gate Square in January, and spent some time at the merchants in that shopping area, and saw the UA Pep Band perform with Wilbur & Wilma Wildcats dancing in the streets.  Stop by tomorrow for this 2nd destination celebration, and see the modern streetcar up close, get your Friends key chain or pin, &  check out the discounts.

Enchanted Evening and Girls' Day Festival at Yume Japanese Gardens (postponed)

Posted by Carolyn Sugiyama Classen

UPDATE 2/27/14: Due to reports of a winter storm, both these events have been postponed to Friday April 11, time tba.  So check the Yume Japanese Garden website for updates.

Don't miss either of these two great events coming up at the beautiful Yume Japanese Gardens in Tucson:

 

"Prepare to be enchanted as you transport yourself to the ambience of old Japan with a nighttime stroll through Yume Japanese Gardens by the light of candles and handmade Japanese lanterns. View origami creations (some lit up) representing butterflies, horses, and other animals as you sip several delicious Japanese teas.” There will be different types of Japanese dolls exhibited for Girls Day (coming up on March 3rd), and a 7 tier doll setup will be displayed in the Japanese house (see information below).

The entire garden will be lit up with hundreds of lanterns and candles!

 

6:30 p.m. on February 28, $10 members $12 nonmembers. Purchase tickets online at www.tucsonjapanesegardens.org.  Call 520-332-2928 for information, 2130 N. Alvernon Way.

 

 

"Unbought & Unbossed" documentary about former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm on February 25

Posted by Carolyn Classen

As part of Black History Month, the Black Women's Task Force is sponsored a documentary about the late Congresswoman Chisholm.

Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman elected to Congress in 1968, representing New York state's 12th CD. She served for 7 terms from 1969 to 1983.  In 1972 she ran for U.S. President, and received 152 votes at the Democratic National Convention in Miami, Florida. Asian American Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink from Hawaii also ran in that 1972 race for President.

Documentary will be shown on Feb. 25, 6 p.m. at the YWCA on Bonita Ave, west of the I-10.

 

Human Rights Watch Film Festival continues in Tucson

 

Posted by Carolyn Classen

Don't despair is you missed the first 2 films from this provocative film series on Feb. 8 and Feb. 18. See listings below for the remaining 7 films through April 7.  This first one was a documentary about the work being done in the "Deep South"(Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana) for those diagnosed positive with HIV, with limited resources. The 2nd film was a love story about Timorese resistance ("Alias Ruby Blade: A Story of Love and Revolution").

From Loft Cinema website (note that only the last film is at the Loft, be sure to note the locales around town):

MONDAY FEBRUARY 8 - MONDAY, APRIL 7 | FREE SCREENINGS!
THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE ARIZONA HUMANITIES COUNCIL

The Human Rights Watch Film Festival bears witness to human rights violations and creates a forum for courageous individuals on both sides of the lens to empower audiences with the knowledge that personal commitment can make a difference. The film festival brings to life human rights abuses through storytelling in a way that challenges each individual to empathize and demand justice for all people.
Each year's traveling festival showcases films from the London and New York Human Rights Watch Film Festivals. The Loft is proud to present 9 of these films to audiences in Southern Arizona.

Additional funding provided by Ventana Charitable Foundation, The Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding, University of Arizona School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and The Aurora Foundation of Southern Arizona.

---

      Rafea: Solar Mama

       One showing only! Monday, Feb 24th 2014 at YWCA, 525 Bonita Ave.

• The story of Rafea, a Bedouin woman, who is selected for an intriguing programme called the Barefoot College in India where she joins 30 illiterate women from different countries to train to become solar engineers over the course of six months.

        

Tall as a Baobab Tree

• One showing only! Monday, Mar 3rd 2014 at Boys & Girls Club, Holmes Tuttle Club house, Pueblo Gardens Park, 2585 E. 36th St.

  Tall as the Baobab Tree poignantly depicts a family struggling to find its footing on the edge of the modern world fraught with tensions between tradition and modernity.
  
  
  My Afghanistan: Life In The Forbidden Zone

• One showing only! Wednesday, Mar 12th 2014 at Joel D. Valdez Main library, 101 N. Stone Ave.

• Nagieb Khaja,  a Danish journalist of Afghan origin,travels to Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province in Afghanistan and gives people living in outlying communities mobile phones equipped with cameras and asks them to film their daily lives, providing a rare glimpse into the war-torn existence of ordinary Afghans.

4th Annual Rodeo Arts Celebration at Plaza Palomino

Posted by Carolyn Classen

"Emmett Down in My Heart" play for Black History Month

Posted by Carolyn Classen

 

"Tucson Alliance of Dramatic Artists (TADA) presents the winner of their first annual play competition. Sheldon Metz, TADA's artistic director, directs this production, the true story of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old boy who was killed in Mississippi in 1955 for supposedly whistling at a white woman. Emmett's brutal murder triggered unprecedented nationwide coverage, furthered the civil rights movement and inspired Rosa Parks when she refused to move to the back of the bus later that same year".

Featuring Carley E. Preston, Joan O'Dwyer, P.J. Peavy, Candace Bean, Seth Fowler, Victor Bowleg, and introducing André Johnson as Cuz and Kendrick Stallings as Emmett.

February 22 - March 9 Fridays/Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

General admission: $20 Seniors/students: $15 February 21 preview: $15 for everyone

Call for group rates (20 or more) Reservations: Call: 520-722-9553 OR Email: [email protected].

The play is about the intertwined stories of Emmett Till, his grieving mother Mrs.Mamie Till-Mobley, who insisted on an open casket funeral in Chicago "so the world could witness the horrors inflicted on my son", and white school teacher Roanne Taylor, who failed to act when she heard his screams. More about the powerful play at playwright Clare Coss' website: http://www.clarecoss.com/emmett.shtml

2014 Peace Fair & Music Festival in 32nd year

Posted by Carolyn Classen

Tucson Peace Center's Calendar has a new colorful website look (click here). Easier to read their postings and event listings. Their peace calendar is also available at most Pima County public libraries.

 

Theme for this year's peace festival is "Climate Justice", and also new is the Climate Cabaret Ramada, so check it out. Call Chair Mary DeCamp, former Democratic Ward 3 and Mayoral candidate, for more info at (520) 445-4110.

 

Peace Fair's Schedule:

11:00 - Earth Spirit

11:30 - One Heartbeat

12:00 - Kathleen Williamson

12:30 - Mitzi Cowell

12:45 - Tucson's Raging Grannies

1:00 - Wayback Machine

2:00 - Baba Marimba

2:50 – Victor Shamas & Repose

3:00 - Spirit Familia

4:00 - Change Agents

Hawaiian ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro coming to the Rialto Theater

Posted by Carolyn Classen

I confess that I have not have the fortune (or money) to see & hear Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro live in concert.  I do have a CD of some of his songs, including "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". His music is fast paced and he does amazing finger techniques on his uke.

He's coming from Honolulu (via California on tour) to Tucson this week on Thursday Feb. 20 for an 8 p.m. show at the Rialto Theater, 318 E. Congress St. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Get tickets at the Rialto website (click here), $32 Gold Section, $25 Floor and Lower Balcony reserve seated floor. This show is reserved seated: Specific assigned seats for each ticket sold.

Also performing is Katie Haverly of Cooper and Congress.

For photos of this 37 year old young musician and more info, go to his website, www.jakeshimabukuro.com.

Lens on the Land photo exhibit "Rosemont: What's at Stake?" continues at Fluxx Gallery till Feb. 26

 

 

Santa Rita Mountains in the winter (anonymous photographer), photo courtesy of Lens on the Lands

 Posted by Carolyn Classen

Lens on the Land presents Rosemont: What's at Stake is “a collection of stunning photographs celebrating the cultural and ecological richness of the Santa Rita Mountains and surrounding watersheds that would be impacted by the proposed  Rosemont Mine.”

If you missed the opening reception on Feb. 1 or the Feb. 16 video production premier of “Rosemont Ours” by NEW ARTiculations Dance Theatre, there’s still a chance to see both the photography show & video at Fluxx Gallery.  The show runs till Feb. 26, with gallery hours:

Thursdays & Fridays, 3 to 6 p.m.

Saturdays & Sundays, 12 to 6 pm.

Fluxx Studio & Gallery is at 414 E. 9th St. (just east of 4^th Avenue, north of the 4^th Avenue underpass).

My husband and I recently attended the Feb. 16 event where about 6 people stood up on the stage and read their eco-friendly poetry about that area, followed by the “Rosemont Ours” video, produced by Ben Johnson with dancers on location interpreting native wildlife (plants & animals) in the Santa Rita Mountains.  A Behind the Scenes video of the filming was shown as well.

To view some of the photos of the Santa Rita Mts. and environs, go to www.lensontheland.com.

Sponsors for the show are: Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, Sonoran Institute, Josh Schachter Photography.

Additional support came from Clif Bar Family Foundation, Western Mining Action Network, and Summit Hut.

 Also, Josh Schachter and friends posted 7 super large B/W copies of some of the photos from this show on the Steinfeld & Co. Warehouse, 104 W. 6th Street (west of Stone Ave).  Check it out and drop by Fluxx Gallery this week or next. Photo below courtesy of Josh.

 

 

 

He's back: John C. Scott returns to talk radio in Tucson

 

Posted by Carolyn Classen

Long time political talk show host John C. Scott was let go at KVOI radio station (AM 1030 on the dial) on December 17, 2013 but is re-surfacing today at KVET AM 1210, from 3 to 5 p.m.  John C. Scott and his producer son Mark Ulm advertise their show as the "longest running political talk show in Tucson." He has broadcast his show from Washington, D.C., China, and Israel.

I'll let the paid journalists report on this one:

Tucson Weekly article: http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/media-watch/Content?oid=3964326

Tucsonsentinel.com aticles:

http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/020314_scott_parisi/not-so-fast-john-c-scott-join-parisi-return-airwaves/

 

http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/021714_parisi_scott/parisi-scott-back-air-monday/

According to John Schuster at the Weekly: "This will the be the fifth local AM frequency where Scott has broadcast his show. Since starting the talk-show portion of his radio career in 1989, Scott has been on KTUC 1400, KTKT 990, KJLL (now KWFM) 1330 and KVOI."  That's a long, dedicated career in radio.

Listen weekdays Monday to Friday, 3 to 5 p.m. He interviews mostly politicians, political candidates, journalists, and business leaders in Tucson and Arizona, and covers many community events.

Today's guests will be John McCain, Fred DuVal, Andy Tobin, Terry Goddard, Glenn Hamer, and Mark B. Evans, according to his Facebook page.

Welcome back John C. Scott.

Panel discussion on homelessness held at Main Library in Tucson

 

Posted by Carolyn Classen

Over 125 people filled up the Lower Level 1 meeting room of the Joel D. Valdez Main library yesterday in downtown Tucson for a Community Forum/panel discussion on homelessness.  Tim Steller, columnist at the Arizona Daily Star moderated a panel of eight individuals:

Michael Keith, CEO of Downtown Tucson Partnership

John Cooper, Organizer with Occupy Public Land

Michele Ream, Social Services Outreach Rep. and Organizer with Community Supported Shelters Tucson

Anthony Potter, Co-founder of Safe Park, and Field Organizer with Occupy Public Land

Jodi Barnes, City of Tucson Community Development

Jon McLane, Co-founder of Safe Park, and Field Organizer with Occupy Public Land

Michael B. Schwartz, Founder of Tucson Arts Brigade (TAB)

Dave Ferrari, Pastor of Central City Assembly

This event was co-sponsored by Downtown Tucson Partnership, Primavera Foundation, Tucson Arts Brigade, Occupy Public Land, Safe Park, Community Supported Shelters, Nonviolence Legacy Project and Central City Assembly.  The only politician represented was Ward 6 Councilman Steve Kozachik (who was ill) – his Chief of Staff Ann Charles was present and spoke at the Q & A session afterward, saying they wanted to assist in continuance of this dialogue.

As we walked in there was a flyer (based on a recent January 30 survey of homeless at Safe Park) entitled “WHAT WE WANT” and this is what was listed:

24 hour bathrooms

Daily showers

Campgrounds

Jobs

To be left alone

Storage lockers

Housing

Coffee

More drop-in/community centers

Elimination of Black Line

Power stations

No income bus passes

Non weapons based industry

Seating in public areas

The right to sit downtown

Community gardens

Recycling

Non weapons based economy

Food

Wi-Fi

Business creation assistance

Free and anonymous Dispose-A-Med locations in Pima County

Posted by Carolyn Classen

I just found out about this free and anonymous Pima County program to dispose of prescription and over-the-counter tablets, capsules, liquids, creams (in their original containers is best). Just drop off these items at the locations below, no questions asked.  Please don't flush these meds down the toilet, or drop them in the trash. It's also better to dispose of them safely in case children, pets, elderly people find & ingest them by mistake.

 From Pima County's website:

"Dispose-A-Med is comprised of concerned citizens like yourself focused on minimizing the abuse of prescription medications amongst teens and preventing accidental drug poisonings of children and the elderly. By providing a safe and effective method of drug disposal, the Dispose-A-Med program minimizes the introduction of pollutants into our environment and helps insure high quality water in our aquifers.

Formed in 2009, Dispose-A-Med includes representatives from a variety of community partners including law enforcement, fire departments, pharmacies, water and wastewater utilities and community coalitions.

Mission:

To protect the public health and safety, protection of the environment and preservation of our groundwater quality through the safe collection and disposal of unwanted medications and personal care products."

 

Green Valley Substation of the Pima County Sheriff's Department
601 N. La Canada Drive (next to the library)
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
More information: (520) 351-6711

Police Station, Town of Sahuarita Complex
315 W. Sahuarita Center Way
Dispose-A-Med receptacle located in lobby
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
More information: (520) 344-7000

Tucson Police Department Substations
Open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Southside Santa Cruz Substation - 4410 South Park Avenue

Westside Police Service Center - 1310 West Miracle Mile

Midtown Substation - 1100 South Alvernon Way

Downtown Main Station - 270 South Stone Avenue

Eastside Rincon Substation - 9670 E Golflinks

And if you live in Oro Valley area, there's a collection on Feb. 15, 10 to 2 p.m. at the Target located at 10555 N.Oracle Rd.  Next one thereafter is on March 11, 9 to 11 a.m., 1495 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd.

Click here for other Dispose-A-Med events in 2014.

For questions (not a drop off location) contact:

Dispose-A-Med main office

3950 S. Country Club
Tucson, AZ 85714

Tel: (520) 243-7911
Fax: (520) 791-6587

Celebrate Valentine's Day at the Loft or under the full moon

Posted by Carolyn Classen

 

Only one showing tonight of:

Harold & Maude at 7 p.m. February 14, Valentine's day 2014, of this unforgetable, age-defying cult movie showing at the Loft Theater, 3233 E. Speedway.

Not sure why it's become a cult movie, but I guess it's the 60 year age difference between young Harold and elderly Maude, plus the wonderful Cat Stevens (aka Yusuf) tunes.

There's going to be a prize for the couple with the biggest age difference, plus a Harold & Maude costume contest (don't forget the yellow umbrella), and a free raffle for romantic goodies. What fun. One of my friends married a guy 14 years younger, but they're not in town for this V-Day event.
 
"A 19-year-old man with a death wish and a 79-year-old woman high on life find love, much to the shock of the rest of the world, in Hal Ashby's beloved black comedy, Harold and Maude. Deadpan rich boy Harold (Bud Cort) stages elaborate (and increasingly hilarious) fake suicide attempts in order to gain the attention of his exasperated mother (Vivian Pickles), who ignores her son’s morbid shenanigans and blithely plans his brilliant future for him.

Obsessed with the trappings of death, Harold freaks out his blind dates, modifies his new sports car to look like a mini-hearse, and attends funerals for fun. But when Harold meets the irrepressible, anything-for-a-thrill septuagenarian Maude (Ruth Gordon), everything changes. An eccentric to the core, Maude lives exactly as she pleases, with avid collecting, nude modeling and car theft among her many pursuits.
Much to the horror of Harold's relatives and the befuddlement of his shrink, Harold and Maude fall in love, and as lilting Cat Stevens tunes play on the soundtrack, Maude teaches Harold a few things about making the most of his time on earth. Equal parts gallows humor and romantic innocence, Harold and Maude, one of the biggest cult classics of the ‘70s, is a delightfully offbeat romantic comedy for ALL ages. (Dir. by Hal Ashby, 1971, USA, 91 mins., Rated PG) Digital"

I've seen this movie several times and always enjoy watching the suicidal Harold find friendship with eccentric Maude. It's all about love isn't it today, Valentine's Day?  Cat Stevens' music continues to live on and so does Yusuf/Cat Stevens, who has 1.1 Million likes on his Facebook page.

And if you have time at 5 p.m. before this showing. drop by Metal Arts Village. 3230 N. Dodge Blvd. (north of Ft. Lowell Rd.) for their open house (till 8 p.m.) under the FULL MOON.  Very romantic for Valentine's Day 2014, especially in their sculpture garden. Check out the new  studio C where Dutch immigrant Arjen Hart has his enchanting, luminous metal based pictures. 

photo of "Lojong Lightyears" courtesy of Arjen.  www.arjenhart.com

 

 

Shamisen concert at Yume Japanese Gardens on February 15

Posted by Carolyn Sugiyama Classen

As the Editor of the Southern Arizona Japanese Cultural Coalition (SAJCC formed last year), I publicize some of our cultural events here in Tucson.

Coming up is an exciting concert event on Saturday, February 15, featuring Japan-born, now  Canadian resident Aki Takahashi, along with Kyle Abbott (founder of Bachido.com).

"Aki is a Japanese traditional shamisen player and folk singer. She studied traditional folk music in Kyoto, and has given shamisen and vocal performances at numerous venues and events. Since arriving in Canada, Aki has furthered her pursuit of traditional Japanese music with the addition of taiko drumming, becoming a full member of Nagata Shachu in 2003. She is the founder of the Japanese Folk ensemble ten ten, and has performed with numerous artists from a variety of other cultural backgrounds and traditions. She also creates her own original compositions and has choreographed dance pieces to accompany her music.” (from Odaiko Sonora's FB page)

Read more about Aki at our SAJCC website, or at co-sponsor Odaiko Sonora's taiko drumming website.

Buy tickets online at www.tucsonjapanesegardens.org. And if you haven't viewed the beautiful new Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N. Alvernon Way, this is your chance! It's just south of the Tucson Botanical Gardens on Alvernon, south of Grant Rd. Phone: 520-332-2928.

Republican Pima County Supervisors to host town halls

Posted by Carolyn Classen

 

District 4 Republican Supervisor Ray Carroll is hosting a town hall on Feb. 13, 6 to 7 p.m. at the Kirk-Bear Canyon branch library. Supervisor Carroll was first appointed to his seat in May, 1997 and was elected in 1998, 2000, 2004, 2008. Email: [email protected], 520-724-8094, website: http://webcms.pima.gov/government/board_of_supervisors/supervisor_raymond_carroll_district_4/

He will be joined by Asst. Pima County Administrator Nanette Slusser, to answer questions about Pima County issues (i.e. bonds, roads, immigration, etc.)

Coming up in March, from Pima County's Republican District 1 Supervisor Ally Miller, newly elected in Nov. 2012 (info from her e-newsletter): "In the fourth quarter of 2013 I held three Town Hall meetings. These Town Halls provide an opportunity for the citizens of Pima County to learn more about the service my office can provide, discuss the issues impacting Pima County, and share their thoughts, concerns and comments on current issues facing our County. I hope you can join me for one of three upcoming Town Halls":

Thursday, March 13, 6:00 p.m. Pima County Natural Resources Headquarters 3500 W. River Road.

Saturday, March 15, 10:00 a.m. Kirk-Bear Canyon Branch Library 8959 E. Tanque Verde Road.

Thursday, March 20, 6:00 p.m. Oro Valley Branch Library 1305 W. Naranja Drive.

D 1 Supervisor Ally Miller, [email protected], phone 520-724-2738, http://webcms.pima.gov/government/board_of_supervisors/supervisor_ally_miller_district_1/

 

The other 3 Pima County  Supervisors are all Democrats: Chair Sharon Bronson (D 3), Vice Chair Richard Elias (D 5), and former Chair Ramon Valadez (D 2).

Poverty panel hosted by Neal Conan at the Fox Theater tomorrow

Posted by Carolyn Sugiyama Classen

 From Community Foundation of Southern Arizona:

"Tucson’s poverty rates remained among the nation’s highest last year, with one in five living below the poverty threshold. Although Pima County’s poverty rate held steady in 2012 at 20 percent, the poverty rate among children was 29 percent. Many elderly, veterans, and single mothers in Pima County are struggling each and every day to survive; even while working one, two, sometimes three jobs. They just might be your neighbor, or a family member. How does one become part of the ‘working poor’? Who is doing what to help? Is it working? How does one escape poverty? Talking won’t solve the problem but perhaps by bringing people and ideas together we can move the needle towards sustained, positive change.

Neal Conan, award-winning journalist, producer, and former host of NPR’s Talk of the Nation will moderate the first Community Interactive: POVERTY :The Working Poor. Joining him will be a panel of educators, social service professionals, and others working every day to help people in need. POVERTY: The Working Poor event will be free to the public. The community is encouraged to participate and submit questions prior to the event at [email protected], on azpm’s facebook page or facebook.com/CFSAZ.

Select questions will be presented at the live event for discussion. Community Interactive – POVERTY: The Working Poor event will be streamed live at azpm.org, and available on demand and broadcast on WORLD on Wednesday, February 19 at 9:30 p.m. and on the UA Channel on Thursday, February 20 at 8 p.m. AZPM will feature the issue on news programming including, AZ Illustrated on PBS 6 and on NPR 89.1. The series is produced in partnership by Arizona Public Media and the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, with support from COX Communications and the Arizona Daily Star."

Panelists include:

Patti Caldwell, executive director of Tucson’s Our Family Services

Molly Castelazo, founder and president of Castelazo Content in Phoenix

Clarice Clash, principal of Tucson High Magnet School

Herminia Cubillos, executive director of Tucson’s JobPath

Ian Galloway, senior research associate of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

Peggy Hutchison, chief executive officer of Tucson’s Primavera Foundation

Lane Kenworthy, professor of sociology and political science at the University of Arizona

Michael McDonald, executive director of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona

 John Pedicone, former superintendent of Tucson Unified and Flowing Wells school districts.

During and right after law school, I worked at legal aid clinics to assist the poor and working poor (the gap group) with their legal rights. Tucson is a low wage town and this is still an important issue for the thousands of people in need here.

R.I.P. Tucsoncitizen.com and greetings to Blog for Arizona

 

Posted by Carolyn Classen

It was like a sudden death attack on January 31, 2014 when Gannett Publishing shut down the online Tucsoncitizen.com.  There was no warning to our paid Administrator /Sports Editor Anthony Gimino or us twenty-some bloggers/citizen journalists.  It just happened and all we got was a curt email from Jessie Menard at Gannett, with a "thank you for your participation" sentence. But we had been on “hospice care” for several months with frustrating interference from the RSS Feed, misdirecting or blocking access to the site. Complaints to Gannett were not listened to, even from our Administrator, and there was little or no tech support.

I had been one of the earliest bloggers at that alternative news source, starting up on June 18, 2009, since I had been a “My Tucson” guest columnist in 2008 for the print newspaper. The Tucson Citizen newspaper ceased publication on May 16, 2009, laying off an entire newsroom of 65 reporters and editors.

From June 2009 to January 2014 I have written over 1550 blog posts, which were “exported” to me via email from Gannett after the shut down, for me to download (somehow) to a Wordpress file, within a month.  I’m not even computer savvy enough to know how to do that.

After the shut down, numerous articles were written about the demise (with some praise for me):

Arizona Daily Star

Inside Tucson Business - by former Tucsoncitizen.com Administrator Mark B. Evans, former Asst. City Editor at Tucson Citizen newspaper

Tucsonsentinel.com - by Dylan Smith, former Online Editor with Tucson Citizen newspaper:

Tucson Weekly

Arizona Daily Independent

Phoenix Business Journal

and a discussion on Bill Buckmaster’s radio show (also a Tucsoncitizen.com contributor ) on February 7, 2014, with Mark B. Evans and Dylan Smith, aforementioned.

Farewell Tucsoncitizen.com.  It was a fun and rewarding experience for over four and a half years, to be able to write with passion about a diverse number of community topics and events.  Many citizen journalists joined us and left, many stayed over this entire period of time.  I’ll miss reading their stories and contributions, and wish that Gannett had chosen to retain some of these posts online. I liked to read Ernie McCray’s reflections “From the Soul”,  Karyn Zoldan’s passionate “Tucson Tails” alerts about animals/pets, and of course Anthony Gimino’s accurate reporting about the Arizona Wildcats. Archives of earlier Tucson Citizen newspaper articles are online right now.

As for me, I’ve decided to join the “good guys (and gals)” here at the progressive blogsite Blog for Arizona. Founder/attorney Michael Bryan “made me an offer I couldn’t refuse”.  I’ll be continuing to follow the upcoming political campaigns and elections of 2014, and write about community events and groups. So I will still report on “our sense of group togetherness and community”, which is what I started up at the Tucsoncitizen.com as “Carolyn’s Community”.  Blog for Arizona here I come!

Carolyn's Community Comes to Blog For Arizona

By Michael Bryan

Following the shut-down of The Citizen website, many great bloggers found themselves without a home. One voice that we could not let fall silent was Carolyn Classen, who has been doing a tireless job of informing the Tucson community.

We reached out to Carolyn to see if she was willing to keep serving our community here at Blog For Arizona, and she agreed to come aboard our crazy train.

Please welcome Carolyn's Community to our community!