www.tucsonlocalmedia.com
DESERT TIMES The Voice of Southwest Tucson
JANUARY 4, 2023
VOLUME 36 • NUMBER 1
RITE OF PASSAGE
Primo’s replacement serves tasty Italian dishes | Page 12
UA Compost Cats invites Tucson to mediate food waste
INSIDE
Business
Crumbl Cookies celebrates The Landings opening
| Page 8
By Katya Mendoza
Entertainment Arizona State Rep. Andrés Cano said, “Richard (Elías) was a part of my legacy as much as he was for all of yours.” Planetarium is a bright spot at the UA
| Page 10
Sports
Athlete of the Week: Madisyn Kunze
| Page 13
(Steve Peters/Contributor)
Library renamed in honor of facility champion By Hope Peters
Tucson Local Media
R
ichard Elías’ legacy and wishes were honored when Pima County renamed the Mission Library after him on Dec. 16. Library staff, local leaders and community members watched the unveiling of the new name, The Richard Elias-Mission Li-
brary, during a free event featuring entertainment by Mariachi Las Aguilitas de Davis Elementary and Ballet Folklorico Tapatio. Micha’s Restaurant catered the afternoon get-together, where the public shared fond memories of Elías and saw a sneak peek at the design of the library’s $6 million renovation. “My father always wanted a library named after him,” said Luz
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Elías, Richard Elías’ daughter. “He is not here to see it, but I know he is looking down and is very pleased and very happy with where the library is and what’s going to be done for it.” Elías, who died in March 2020 at age 61, represented Pima County District 5 on the Board of Supervisors for 18 years. “Before ever being mayor, and See LIBRARY P7
Tucson Local Media
T
he UA’s Office of Sustainability Compost Cats invites the public to help combat food waste this holiday season and join its Bucket Program. Each year, millions of tons of waste enter Tucson’s landfills. About 40% of that waste is compostable organic materials, including produce scraps, plant trimmings and coffee grounds and other common household items. Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as plant trimmings and food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. See COMPOST P5
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