Desert Times - January 2023

The Voice of Southwest Tucson

By Katya Mendoza Tucson Local Media

Library renamed in honor of facility champion

By Hope Peters Tucson Local Media

Richard 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

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

The 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.

Arizona State Rep. Andrés Cano said, “Richard (Elías) was a part of my legacy as much as he was for all of yours.” (Steve Peters/Contributor)

DESERT TIMES

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STAFF

ADMINISTRATION

Steve T. Strickbine, Publisher

Michael Hiatt, Vice President Claudine Sowards, Accounting claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com

EDITORIAL

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, Executive Editor christina@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Karen Scha ner, Staff Reporter kschaffner@timepublications.com

Hope Peters, Staff Reporter hpeter@timespublications.com

PRODUCTION

Shannon Mead, Production/Design Supervisor, smead@timespublications.com

Tonya Mildenberg, Graphic Designer tmildenberg@timespublications.com

CIRCULATION

Aaron Kolodny, Circulation Director, aaron@phoenix.org

Brian Juhl, Distribution Manager, brian@timeslocalmedia.com

NATIONAL ADVERTISING

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ADVERTISING

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Tyler Vondrak, Account Executive tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com

EDITORIAL & AD CONTENT

The Desert Times expresses its opinion in the editorial. Opinions expressed in guest commentaries, perspectives, cartoons or letters to the editor

By Katya Mendoza Tucson Local Media Staff

HOLIDAY EVENTS

Wednesday, Jan. 4, to Sunday, Jan. 8

Tucson Holiday Ice closes out its holiday season this weekend in Downtown Tucson, now through Sunday, Jan. 8. Skate rentals are available; socks are required, and gloves are highly recommended. Tucson Holiday Ice tickets are available online for various sessions. Visit tucsonaz. gov to reserve a spot. Tucson Holiday Ice, 260 S. Church Avenue. (In front of the Tucson Convention Center ticket office.)

Wednesday, Jan. 8, to Sunday, Jan. 15

Tucson Botanical Gardens continues to present the highly anticipated and luminous holiday installation, “Lights Up! A Festival of Illumination,” through Sunday, Jan. 15. With more than 3,000 luminarias, this local tradition brings together meticulous-

ly constructed experiences, thematic zones and installations from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. six nights a week. For information about ticket prices, FAQ and special foodie events during this time, visit tucsonbotanical.org. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way.

ARTS

Thursday, Jan. 5

The Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block extends its hours and “pay-what-you-wish” admission from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, for “First Thursdays.” Explore the feature exhibit, “More Than: Expanding Artist Identities from the American West,” including a curated poetry reading featuring TC Tolbert, art and gallery activities led by Ami Dalal and Laila Halaby and a cash bar. Limited tickets are available, the TMA asks attendees to reserve tickets online in advance. For more information about First Thursday and other upcoming events at the TMA, visit tucsonmuseumofart. org. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 N. Main Avenue.

Wednesday, Jan. 4, to Sunday, Jan. 8

Broadway in Tucson presents “Annie’” at Centennial Hall on the UA campus Wednesday, Jan. 4, to Sunday, Jan. 8. For decades, the Little Orphan Annie has reminded visitors that sunshine is always around the corner. For more information about tickets, showtimes for Broadway in Tucson, visit broadwayintucson.com. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Boulevard.

Sunday, Jan. 8

The Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block hosts Second Sundaze: Family Day at the TMA. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every second Sunday of the month, the TMA offers “pay-whatyou-wish” admission all day. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. enjoy family-friendly activities while engaging with art, history and regional culture. From 2 to 3 p.m., join the Docent Art Talk, “The Pre-Raphaelites: A Revolution in Three Parts, With Prelude, Presented by Martin Randall.” Limited tickets are available. Visit the website for

more information: tucsonmuseumofart. org. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 N. Main Avenue.

Wednesday, Jan. 4, to Saturday, May 20

It’s been a long journey for Willem de Koonig’s “Woman-Ochre,” since its shocking theft in 1985 from the University of Arizona Museum of Art. Over three decades later, it has returned home. Tickets for “Restored: The Return of Woman-Ochre” are $8 general admission, $6 seniors 65 and older and groups of 10 or more and free for students with ID, museum members, UA faculty, staff, military personnel, AAM members, visitors with a SNAP card or Tribal ID and children. For more information about other ongoing exhibits, visit artmuseum.arizona.edu. The University of Arizona Museum of Art, 1031 N. Olive Road.

LIVE MUSIC

Saturday, Jan. 7

Catalina State Park hosts its first Music in the Mountain Series of the new year at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7. Enjoy a vibrant, live

performance by the local McCann Sisters, a violin and bass duo, who will play a variety of light rock, jazz, Latin, big band and folk music. Attendees are welcome to bring snacks, drinks and chairs. Park admission is $7 per vehicle including up to four adults. For a lineup of other programs and events at the park, visit azsateparks.com. Catalina State Park, 1150 N. Oracle Road.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Saturday, Jan. 7

The Oro Valley Historical Society is hosting the Pusch House Museum exhibit, “Cowboys, Cattlemen, and Ranchin’” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 7. The west calls to us with visions of rugged cowboys, wild horses and ranch life. No reservations are required, visitors can to sign up at the Oro Valley Historical Society booth at the south end of the farmer’s market. There is a suggested donation of $5. For more information about ongoing tours, museum hours and events, visit ovhistory.org. Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road.

Saturday, Jan. 7

The 37th annual Tucson Senior Olympic Festival begins on Saturday, Jan. 7, at the

Morris K. Udall Regional Center, and runs through Saturday, Jan. 28. Head to Udall Park to support and cheer on local seniors 50 and older, as they compete in categories such as archery, handball, darts and swimming. Times and locations vary, visit tucsonaz.gov. Morris K. Udall Regional Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road.

Wednesday, Jan. 11

The Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour 2022 stops at the Loft Cinema at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11. The event is a 95-minute theatrical program of seven short films curated from the 2022 Sundance Film Festival Short film program, including fiction, documentary and animation from around the world. For information on ticket prices visit, loftcinema.org. The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Boulevard.

Friday, Jan. 6, to Thursday, Jan. 22

The Zoppé Family Circus returns to Tucson on Friday, Jan. 6, at the Mercado District MSA Annex. “Under the Big Top” brings 25 individual performances between Friday, Jan. 6, to Thursday, Jan. 22, including discounted performances on Friday mornings. This year’s theme, “Lib-

erta!” brings forth the remembrance of the struggles of fellow people worldwide. For 177 years and seven generations, the Zoppe Family uphold the love, fun and tradition throughout their intimate show. For more information, visit mercadodistrict.com. Mercado District, 125 S. Avenida del Convento.

LOCAL MARKETS

Saturday, Jan. 7

Support local farmers, ranchers and small food purveyors offering their seasonal produce, farm-fresh eggs, meats and other goods at the Oro Valley Farmers Market on Saturday, Jan. 7. It operates year-round on Saturdays at the Historic Steam Pump Ranch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendance is free. For more information about the Oro Valley Farmers Market or other Heirloom Farmers Markets, visit heirloomfm.org. Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road.

Sunday, Jan. 8

Known as Tucson’s largest, year-round farmers market on the southeast corner of Rillito Park and along The Loop bike trail, the Rillito Farmers Market hosts farmers, ranchers and artisan food purveyors featuring local produce and fresh cuisine from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit heirloomfm.org. Rillito Park Farmers Market Food Pavilion, 4502 N. First Avenue.

SPORTS

UA men’s basketball plays against the University of Washington Huskies on Thursday, Jan. 5, at McKale Center. Tickets start at $27. Game starts at 9 p.m. Visit arizonawildcats. com to purchase tickets and check out other games on the schedule. McKale Memorial Center, 1721 E. Enke Drive.

Since its founding in 2011, the Compost Cats have diverted more than 20 million pounds of food waste from local landfills. It’s the only organization in Southern Arizona that accepts large volumes of food scraps, manure, brush and other landscaping materials. In 2014, the organization partnered with the city of Tucson Environmental Services to collect more food scraps from across town, working with over 100 local businesses, diverting over 1 million pounds of waste.

Four years later, Compost Cats transitioned from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Cooperative Extension to the Office of Sustainability. Since then, it has been working with the university to strengthen its public education, research and outreach efforts.

“We provide all of this community engagement to be more meaningful and impactful, changing the community behavior to divert food waste,” said Dr. Ilse Rojas-Hamilton, Compost Cats’ program manager.

Rojas-Hamilton, who joined the Office of Sustainability in July 2019, brought 12

years of experience in interdisciplinary research, environmental consulting, outreach and education programs development and mentorship.

In January 2021, she helped open a compost operation with the city of Tucson Environmental Services at the Los Reales Sustainability Campus, formerly known as the Los Reales Landfill. The regional facility is the only active landfill managed and owned

by the city.

Community outreach

Rojas-Hamilton said Compost Cats works to educate the campus and the community at its demonstration sites and workshops. In the past year, it has reached out to more than 6,000 people, including K-12 students, through projects like the UA Community Garden.

“We deliver experiential learning and hands-on education,” Rojas-Hamilton said, noting that school children who visit the garden love to see the worms.

“A lot of my work is with education and making demonstration sites to teach people about what we do and things we can do specifically in Tucson to live more sustainably as a community,” said Isabelle Young, a student Compost Cats specialist and a senior studying art and visual culture education with teaching emphasis.

“I really love being involved with kids and master gardeners programs, it feels like we’re really making a difference,” Young said.

She started working with Compost Cats in 2021 and became familiar with the program’s UA Community Garden during her work with Students for Sustainability.

A popular service, Compost Cats’ Bucket Program is a paid residential compost collection program that provides participants with 2- or 5-gallon buckets and a list of compostable items. After participants fill their buckets or containers, they can drop off their food scraps to the Community Garden at 1400 E. Mabel Street. There,

UA Community Garden is located at 1400 E. Mabel Street in Tucson. (Katya Mendoza/Staff)

student compost specialists weigh the food waste and check for contamination before turning it into compost.

Visitors and campus affiliates take household items like bread, flower arrangements and watermelon to the Community Garden. Jackson said that the Bucket Program has reached close to 400 participants.

“We have services Monday through Saturday,” Rojas-Hamilton said. “We have drop-off (sites) at three different locations across town to make them more accessible.” The program is free for students, but all users must pay a one-time $20 to $30 onboarding fee.

“If compost is done right, it doesn’t stink,” Young said. It needs a good ratio of carbon and nitrogen sources, Rojas-Hamilton added.

Compost takes three to five months to complete and be usable, Young explained, adding it requires the same commitment as having a pet.

Brandon Green is a junior studying microbiology who has served as the Cats’ compost systems team lead for four months. He regularly visits the garden to check on and activate the compost stages.

“You really become a part of the sustainability community in town,” Green said. “You get to see big projects people are working on and it’s really inspiring to be at the center of it because we are making a difference.”

Compost Cats coordinator Kenzie Jackson added, “When we onboard participants, we give them a rundown of everything that is and isn’t compostable.”

Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in natural resources with an emphasis on conservation biology in May 2021 from the UA. He worked for Cooper Center for Environmental Learning’s outreach team, providing hands-on, research-based programs in environmental education.

Food Cycle

Compost Cats’ Food Cycle team lead Jose Angel Garcia said 15 Tucson businesses compost with it.

The commercial program provides companies with designated containers that city workers take to the Los Reales Sustainability Campus. Compost Cats donates compost to Tucson Community Gardens, which has about 22 refugee and community gardens across the city, to Bucket Program members, local gardeners, schools and anybody

else who might need compost, he said.

Garcia is a graduating senior studying interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in economy and industry, with a minor in Spanish. He’ll work for the city after graduation.

Some of the businesses who participate in the food recycle program include local coffee shops such as Raging Sage Coffee Roasters, Starbucks at the UA Bookstore and other restaurants on campus, Hotel Congress and the 3000 Club - Home of Market on the Move, which rescues produce from purveyors in Nogales, Arizona, and more recently the federal prison.

Composting helps prevent the generation of harmful greenhouse gasses such as methane and carbon dioxide, which trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to the global climate crisis. According to the Yale School of the Environment, “Many scientists say that regenerative agricultural practices can turn back the carbon block, reducing atmospheric CO2 while also boosting soil productivity and increasing resilience to floods and drought.”

“A lot of households that join us reduce about 20% of their household waste,” Garcia said. “It’s also very accessible for people that might not have the space at home.”

In addition to the diversion of food waste interception and diversion, the organization’s scope of work includes initiatives to combat food insecurity in Southern Arizona. According to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, as of 2019 (prior to the COVID-19 pandemic), almost 19% of Tucson’s population lived in poverty and 15.4% of the community was food insecure.

Food insecurity defined by Healthy People 2030 is, “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncer-

(

)

tain access to adequate food.” 13.8 million households were food insecure at some point of 2020.

Compost Cats has been increasingly involved in the redistribution of still-edible foods to groups such as the University of Arizona Campus Pantry and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona through such programs.

The UA Student Union packs its uneaten food into tight containers that are donated to the Campus Pantry to be distributed among food insecure students on campus, Rojas-Hamilton said.

Anyone affiliated with the UA can access the Campus Pantry.

Common misconceptions

On its social media, the Compost Cats host a series called, “Compost Misconceptions.” One example is that citrus can upset the pH balance for worms. In backyard systems, the peels do take longer to break down because their fat cells are resistant to decomposition. They break down perfectly in commercial facilities, Jackson said. They are also natural deterrents to unwanted animals and give off nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that assist with breakdown.

“There’s a really big misconception about bioplastics,” Jackson said. Items like plastic bags or forks may market themselves as compostable, but in reality these items call for bioreactors that reach up to 300 degrees.

“While no at home systems get that high, ours gets to like 160, 170,” she said. “It does what we like to call greenwashing. In reality

it’s just going to the landfill.”

Looking ahead

The amount of household food waste spikes during the holidays, according to Jackson.

Social media campaigns such as “Food Storage Fridays,” educate the public on how to properly store food or create new recipes using leftovers.

“There are certain foods that if you store next to each other, the chemicals released make them decompose faster,” Jackson said.

Even making small strides to store fruits and vegetables at proper temperatures can make a difference. Jackson said the Compost Cats include links for more information about the science behind composting.

While all landfills do have lifespans, many are reaching capacity. Oftentimes, they are located in or near marginalized communities who can then suffer disproportionate negative impacts on public health, safety and environmental quality.

By diverting a portion of the current organic inputs entering local landfills, Compost Cats is helping them from filling as quickly, significantly extending the lives of existing landfills.

Through waste diversion and materials cycling, Compost Cats continues to fight for environmental justice, ensuring equitable access to natural resources and improving wellness for all.

“It’s a really gratifying way to connect not just to the people of Tucson but also to the land, history and the future,” Young said.

(LEFT ) A Compost Cats Bucket Program participant shows his 2-gallon compost bucket that is ready for drop-off at the UA Community Garden in Tucson.

BELOW

Junior and Compost Cats compost systems team lead Brandon Green prepares to stir the thermophilic or high-temperature compost phase at the UA Community Garden in Tucson. (Katya Mendoza/Staff)

even before running for council, I was and am Richard Elías’ friend,” Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said. “I don’t know if you’ve heard this story before, but I see a lot of beautiful faces of family that were at his memorial about a year ago. And I told this story about how Richard and I met.”

The mayor said she met him when she worked for Pima County’s Neighborhood Reinvestment program.

“I was invited to meet the manager of the affordable housing bond-funded program and that was Richard Elías,” Romero said. “Richard was like, ‘I would love to meet with you and to interview you. Why don’t you meet me at the corner of Pennington and Stone?’ We met at that corner. Little did I know, it (was) because he wanted to sit down and have a smoke with me. That’s where I met Richard Elías.”

Romero said Elías was an incredible storyteller, a holder of history and incredibly proud to be a son of Tucson and the son of Viola and Albert Elías.

Calling Elías a mentor, Romero said he taught her how to be a good community leader.

“He told me, ‘In order for you to be a good leader…you’ve got to know its history, its beautiful history and its difficult history’ that we carry as a city. You’ve got to be able to love its people,” Romero said.

“He will forever be remembered by me and my family and hopefully this community. This library is a wonderful reminder of his contributions to our beautiful city and to Pima County. It is so fitting that a library is named after him…because he seemed to

be an encyclopedia of knowledge.”

A lifelong book lover and a library system supporter, Elías supported programs like Literacy Connects, Reading Seed (tutoring young children in reading), Literacy Volunteers of Tucson (assisting parents on literacy and reading skills), and Stories that Soar.

“This celebration has been a long time coming,” said Amber Mathewson, county librarian and director.

“Richard Elías was such a tremendous supporter of libraries, and he could always be counted on to attend any library event… He always had inspirational stories for us. And he always made every person feel like he was there to see them. I love that he was always so engaged in the community, working for social justice and his belief in all the people in the community.”

During the event, Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher and Arizona State Rep. Andrés Cano spoke highly of Elías.

“Huge thanks to all the Elías family for allowing us to honor Richard this way,” Lesher said.

“Music and a library are probably the two things we think about Richard the most.”

Cano added, “Richard was a part of my legacy as much as he was for all of yours. We are here in celebration, recognizing the impact that he had. The fact that libraries were his No. 1 passion, as county supervisor, when he had the opportunity to make a monumental decision to absorb the city’s library system, not only did he say yes, but, he said, ‘Hell, yes! Let’s do it.’ He wanted to

keep investing.”

Pima County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair, District 5, Adelita Grijalva said, “Richard was a huge advocate of libraries. He was an avid supporter of all things Pima County, but really his heart was here in District 5.”

“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve here. I think it is so appropriate that this library is going to be named the Richard Elías Library,” she said. “We are going to see it and it is in the heart of our community and everyone’s going to be able to remember his impact. And this library is going to go through a huge renovation and there will be touches of Richard throughout the entire library.”

Henry Tom, the principal architect with Line and Space Architects, presented his design and a model of the library.

“What an honor for us to work on this library to honor Mr. Richard Elías,” Tom said. “We have been working on this project for at least the last six to eight months to get to where we are now.”

Plans call for the addition of 5,000 square feet. It will include a multipurpose room and new entry.

“(It will create) a bigger presence on Ajo and Mission to invite everybody to the library,” he said.

“In order to honor Mr. Elías, we’ve got to learn a little more about him. We learned about what he really liked…music was a big part of it and he was an avid reader. We’re going to have a collection area that will feature some of the books he liked reading and put them on display. And also we will have an area where we will present a biography of Mr. Elías, some of his accomplishments and things he has presented to us as a community.”

Henry Tom, the principal architect with Line and Space Architects, presented the design and a mock-up model of The Richard Elias-Mission Library’s future look. (Steve Peters/Contributor)

Crumbl Cookies celebrates The Landings opening BUSINESS

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Tucson Local Media

Crumbl Cookies’ mission is to bring friends and family together over a box of the best cookies in the world.

Todd and Lori Tucker, Matt Rudder, and Spencer and Abby Olson are doing just that.

They opened their third Crumbl Cookies’ location in Arizona, this time at 4850 S. Landing Way, Suite 170, Tucson, on Dec. 16. Like the Oro Valley and Rita Ranch stores, this Crumbl is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. It started delivery, curbside pickup, catering and nationwide shipping on Dec. 21, via the store’s app and online at crumbl.com.

Rudder said it was important to open at The Landings.

“We’re so excited to be over here,” he said. “We’re excited to be on this side of town in this community. It’s far enough from the other stores, but it’s a new experience for everybody over here. We’re so excited.”

Crumbl Cookies boasts 200-plus weekly rotating flavors. Some of Crumbl’s specialty flavors include cornbread, cookies and cream, s’mores, key lime pie, peppermint bark, caramel popcorn, buttermilk pancake

and galaxy brownie. Each Sunday at 6 p.m., Crumbl’s social media accounts reveal the flavors for the week.

“As local business owners, we are looking forward to sharing delicious cookies with our neighbors on this side of town,” Rudder said.

The company as a whole was founded in 2017 in Logan, Utah, by Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley. In five years, Crumbl has grown from a local shop to a franchise with more than 500 locations in 40-plus states.

Rudder moved from Utah about a year and a half ago. He started in Crumbl’s corporate office and then opted for a franchise in Arizona.

“It takes a lot of work to get the store ready,” Rudder said. “We have a great con-

According to recent Gallup and Pew Research polls, more Americans than ever have a negative opinion of the church. And certainly, the word “church” can elicit strong responses, from great joy to outright hostility. Throughout history, everything from selfsacrificial humanitarian works to extreme acts of brutality and oppression have been done in the name of the “church.” And these can have a substantial impact on our view of the church as an institution, which can ultimately color our very perception of God.

The question is, what is the church, really? Merriam-Webster defines the word “church” as “a building for public and especially Christian worship.” The Bible, however, reveals a very di erent picture. The word translated “church” is used over 100 times in the New Testament; clearly, the church is an important concept within Christianity. Unfortunately, di cult life experiences often lead us to deep misunderstandings about the biblical church and we walk away from it, never looking back.

On January 8th, Serenity Baptist Church will begin a teaching series entitled “What is the Church?” We’ll look honestly and objectively at the Bible’s definition of “church” and its role in the Christian faith. And, importantly, we’ll see how the biblical church reflects the heart of God as a deep source of peace in an uncertain world. If you’ve ever questioned the relevance, the purpose, or the need for the “church” in your own life, join us at 10:30am, 15501 W Ajo Hwy, Tucson. The answers to these questions may just be life-changing!

Crumbl Cookies in The Landings is owned by, from left, Matt Rudder, Lori and Todd Tucker and Abby and Spencer Olson. (Crumbl/Submitted)

Harvey Wallbanger cake

Could it be that it lost its popularity in just one generation?

The cake that was one of our mother’s “no fail, absolute go-to” recipes? The brilliant yellow moist miracle in a Bundt pan?

I presented a group of millennials (you know, those 20 to 30 somethings!) with a certain rich and flavorful cake this week. While they all gobbled it up in short order, they had never even heard of the classic Harvey Wallbanger Cake. It had been years since I’d thought of this delightful treat myself — and what a shame, because it’s so easy to make!

The Harvey Wallbanger Cake grabs its rich flavor from the vodka, Galliano liqueur and orange juice that you find in the classic Harvey Wallbanger cocktail. Add some eggs, cake mix and pudding, and this special treat backs up like a brilliant yellow sunflower, and absolutely melts in your mouth. A little sprinkling of powdered sugar, or better yet, a drizzle of glaze, and that’s all you need to relive the kitchen memories from the 60s and 70s.

Harvey Wallbanger cake

INGREDIENTS:

For the Cake:

• 1 box yellow cake mix (with pudding in the mix is best)

• 3 ounces vanilla instant pudding (1 box)

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

• 4 large eggs

• 1/4 cup vodka

• 1/4 cup Galliano liqueur

• 3/4 cup orange juice

For the glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tablespoons orange juice

• 1 tablespoons vodka

• 1 tablespoons Galliano liqueur

struction company down here. Our general contractor is so great to us. To get the store together — tiled and painted — is a huge, huge effort. But then after it’s done, we had to get everyone trained and ready. We need to make sure everybody is up to par.”

I was just a little girl when my momma started giving the Harvey Wallbanger Cake equal time with her classic Italian rum cakes. I remember the giant, long, thin bottle coming out of the cabinet. My father was the bartender at our restaurant, and so his beverage suppliers would, during the holidays, gift him with the extra, extra giant bottle of the liqueur. Back then, from where I was standing, I estimated that bottle to be 500 feet tall and not an inch less!

I remember that the flavor of the cake (whenever I could sneak some) was just as large. Who knows, perhaps, with the resurgence in the popularity of classic cocktails like the side car, Manhattan and dirty martini, the Harvey Wallbanger and its companion cake will find its sweet spot once again!

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease one large Bundt pan (9 inches to 10 inches) or two small Bundt pans (7 inches to 8 inches). In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding, vegetable oil, eggs, vodka, Galliano and orange juice. Mix until well blended, about 3 to 4 minutes. Pour into a Bundt pan. Bake for about 45 minutes for the large pan, or 25 to 30 minutes for the smaller pans, or until a toothpick comes up clean. Let the cake cool, then mix together the ingredients for the glaze. If you don’t want to glaze the cake, you can dust the cake with powdered sugar instead.

Watch Jan D’Atri’s how-to videos at https://bit.ly/JanDAtri.

Crumbl Cookies

4850 S. Landing Way, Suite 170, Tucson 520-485-7254, az.thelandings@crumbl.com crumbl.com

Before & After-School LEAP Childcare Aides

Before and After-School (LEAP) program, part of the Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO), ensures the health, safety & emotional well-being of students in supervised learning and play experiences outside of school hours.

• Part-time, 9 Month position

• Competitive pay starting at $15.24/hr

• Sign-on bonus PLUS monthly retention stipend*

• View ELO Aide in Childcare/Preschool job category

*Through June 2023

Special Education

MUSD Exceptional Student Services is hiring Special Education Aides and Teachers to ensure students with special needs reach their highest potential in academic settings.

AIDES

• Competitive pay starting at $15.52/hr

• 9 Month position35 hours/week

• Provides a safe & supportive environment for students with special needs to fully access their Individualized Education Program

• View Special Education Aide in Instructional Support Staff job category

TEACHERS

• Competitive salary range: $45,859.81 to $57,162.21*

• Stipend: $3,500$6,000 depending on assignment

• Bachelor’s degree & AZ Special Education certificate required

• View SPED teacher openings in Special Education Teaching job category

*Prorated based on start date

ENTERTAINMENT

Planetarium is a bright spot at the UA

By Katya Mendoza Tucson Local Media

David Bowie said in “Space Oddity,” “The stars look very different today.”

Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium’s Michael Magee and Shiloe Fontes are bringing music and planetary stars together to introduce new generations to classic rock and science through its programs.

“We’re getting a brand-new generation into the dome to hear and see really cool visuals and music,” Fontes said.

“I try to understand it as best I can because I grew up on that music when I was in high school and beyond,” Magee said.

One of the oldest shows is based on Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon,” which has been featured since the late 1970s.

From Queen to “Stranger Things”-themed shows, Flandrau keeps various shows in rotation. Once COVID-19 started to “fade a bit” toward the end of 2021, early 2022, shows were often at capacity.

“People were just craving that sort of entertainment after COVID because everyone was so limited in what they could do during that period,” planetarium director Magee said.

The Netflix show “Stranger Things” created a stir among Metallica fans — new and old — and resurrected retro gems like Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.” Now it’s being told to lasers, thanks to a leasing arrangement with Laser Fantasy.

At first Magee was unsure of the appeal of “Stranger Things,” but he quickly learned.

“They said it was really popular with most of their groups,” Magee said.

“We didn’t know what to expect (or) what the demographic would be for that show. We were pleasantly surprised.”

After each season, the show is updated to reflect the soundtrack, characters and graphics associated with the series. The planetarium is up to season three.

“At some point we’re hoping to get season four, which, of course, includes everyone’s

favorite Kate Bush song,” said Fontes, who works on designing and creating planetarium exhibits as well as building, training and overseeing operations.

“Laser Metallica” hadn’t been that popular, but fans get into the metal band’s tracks like “Master of Puppets” during “Laser Stranger Things.”

Magee said planetarium staff tries to figure out which demographic would watch a particular laser or astronomy full-dome show. “It seems hit or miss,” he said.

The planetarium director

Magee began studying astronomy in 1980 at the UA. As a student employee in 1981, he started running Flandrau’s planetarium shows as a console operator, also serving as a floor supervisor for a couple of years.

Switching from astronomy to chemistry and biology while contemplating medical school, he ended up studying audiology in the College of Speech and Hearing Science.

In 1984, he was hired as a full-time planetarium technician at Flandrau, maintaining various components of the planetarium system, productions and the Minolta Star Projector, known as “Hector Vector Star Projector,” the planetarium’s original opto-mechanical star projector.

“Because I ran so many different shows, I developed an appreciation for the different styles of music and shows that we either programmed or leased from other companies,” Magee said.

“I would say to this day, ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ is still my favorite.”

Every time he ran the show, he made it look different.

In 2000, Magee was officially named the planetarium director. That same year, he upgraded the planetarium audio system, from analog reel-to-reel tape to a digital audio deck. He said that analog reel-to-reel tape would degrade, whereas digital would maintain high-quality sound.

“When I talk to our student staff members and they express interest in some of

the older rock music, they seem to describe the reason why they like it in terms that are very similar to why I used to like that music,” Magee said.

He chalked it up to its high quality of the music and lyrics.

“The young crowds are really pleased and I’m happy to see that happening,” Magee said.

The next generation

Not all student employees at Flandrau have backgrounds in astronomy. The planetarium accepts students from all different degree programs.

“Our question to them when we hire them is, ‘Do you think you would be able to learn the basics of astronomy, the night sky and constellations?’” Magee said.

Currently, about 12 to 15 student employees run planetarium shows and films and give Star Talks. In total, a little less than 40 students take on various tasks.

Irene Meikle is a graduate student studying teaching who has been working at Flandrau as a planetarium operator for about three years. She said she saw the job posting and applied after watching a laser show with her roommate her freshman year.

“Any science education, that’s kind of my jam,” said Meikle, who teaches biology at Palo Verde Magnet High School.

As a planetarium operator, she gives 10to 55-minute talks about the planets, night sky, Milky Way or universe.

“Our training goes anywhere from a month to a semester,” Magee said. The process varies from person to person. “One of the more satisfying parts of my job is getting to see people come through and learn,” he said.

Appealing to many areas of science, the planetarium staff often complements its ex-

Left, Michael Magee points toward constellations under the full dome at UA’s Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium. Above, The University of Arizona Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium. (Katya Mendoza/ staff)

hibits like “Sharks: Magnificent & Misunderstood” and “Wild World of Bugs” with shows. The majority of the audience tends to be families, school groups or university students.

“When we first opened, we had an employee who worked for Tucson Unified School District and their job was to arrange for school kids of different class (and) age levels to come in and see our programming and learn about astronomy and whatnot as part of their science learning,” Magee said.

“We did that for many years and those programs have continued over the years in various forms.”

Many young children are coming in to learn about black holes.

“We try to make sure we’re highlighting any research that’s being done at the UA, as it has been a part of so much when it comes to astronomy,” Fontes said. Most recently, the UA just finished helping image the two black holes, M87* located at the center of the Messier 87 Galaxy and Sagittarius A*, which is at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. Asterisk represents a star.

Future of Flandrau

Fontes said it’s tough to predict how shows are going to be received.

“We’re really pleased that shows pretty regularly have been sold out,” Fontes added.

“Personally, I love it. I think shows with bigger audiences are generally more fun as an operator, because I become an entertain-

er and I feel more comfortable because the (audience) kind of conglomerates,” Meikle added.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of “The Dark Side of the Moon.” Fontes said the planetarium hopes to offer a nice tribute to Pink Floyd.

Magee said he hopes to see the Flandrau produce its own shows entirely in house to save money. One show can cost up to $20,000 to lease for about three years. Independent production would allow the planetarium to highlight UA’s ongoing research and allow scientists to assist with scripts.

“We’re always on the lookout for new donors to help us with small projects or getting a new show or exhibit in,” Magee said.

While Flandrau has offered laser light shows since “practically forever,” Magee said, a new demographic has emerged in attendance, identifying with music from the 1970s and beyond. To increase public understanding and appreciation of science, the planetarium continues to serve diverse audiences with its spirit of creativity and innovation.

“I think if people like science or if they want to see cool things, come to Flandrau,” Meikle said. “It’s for everybody.”

Angela Robbins Family Nurse Practitioner

Greg Reinhart Physician Assistant

DINING

Primo’s replacement serves tasty Italian dishes

By Valerie Vinyard Tucson Local Media

Passaggio has some pretty big shoes to fill.

The new flagship restaurant of JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa replaced the award-winning Primo in early October.

Primo, which opened in 2005, was a concept by executive chef Melissa Kelly, a twotime James Beard award winner.

David Fransua, executive chef and food and beverage director, has worked at Star Pass since the beginning of 2017. He said the parting between Kelly and the resort was a mutual decision.

“As a resort grows and changes, some of the keepsakes of a concept changes,” says Fransua, 41. “All of our outlets have evolved. We wanted to stay true to Primo, but it wasn’t in the same boat as we were moving along.”

Fransua wanted to continue offering Italian food, but he wanted to keep it “neighborhoody” and regional. That includes featuring herbs and ingredients from local sources, as well as incorporating Sonoran elements in some dishes. The menu offers dishes from all over Italy

“It gives you an opportunity to use products from within the neighborhood,” he says of the concept. “It lends itself to be very local.”

He describes the restaurant as “a beautiful, authentic Italian restaurant with an emphasis on showcasing Sonoran ingredients.”

For example, the charred octopus and chorizo ($18) starter comes with slightly sweeter Anasazi beans, instead of cannelloni beans. Fransua also said that the kitchen uses Sonoran white wheat in the handmade pastas and pizza doughs.

Passaggio is a scratch kitch-

en, meaning that everything is homemade, including the breads and sauces.

Fransua’s favorite dish on the menu is the bruschetta ($6 each).

“I’m a big bread guy,” he says. “The ciabatta we’re making, we’re using a local wheat einkorn; it’s very simplistic. We’re doing a crescenza cheese spread, and we toss pears, which are in season, with agave syrup and a little black pepper.”

In the petite romaine salad ($16), it’s Passaggio’s take on a Caesar salad.

“We make a buttermilk dressing that’s infused with cippolini onions, a little sweet,” Fransua said. “Our croutons are leftover ciabatta bread and it’s tossed with pecorino cheese.”

Probably the most complex dish is the 2 1/2-inch thick double-bone pork chop ($37). Fransua described the process, noting that the pork first will be put in a brine using herbs from the resort’s garden. Then

he will sous vide the dish for two-anda-half hours, and then it’s grilled. It’s served with potato gnocchi, roasted acorn squash and a roasted cippolini onion.

“That pork chop is super tender and moist,” he says. “When it comes out, it’s very simplistic looking but it’s amazing.”

Fransua plans to change the menu seasonally, and he’s committed to working with smaller local producers like Pivot Produce.

As far as the dining area, the bulky booths are gone, making a more open floor plan with mostly wooden tables for four. A farmhouse vibe has replaced the elegant but mildly stuffy atmosphere of Primo. Thick, etched water glasses have green notes and clay-style dishes add to the homey atmosphere.

There is lounge-style seating in the bar area, with a lot of black and white. Sonoran artwork is hung throughout, and the lighting will change, including new black chandeliers.

“We got rid of some big, heavy booths,” Fransua says. “We wanted to keep it open and more level. The restaurant used to be dif-

ferent heights, but we evened it out. Paint and marble accents lighten up the space.”

Capacity remains at 189 inside or 210 if you include outside seating. To keep the open feel, the restaurant no longer closes its shades.

Diners have liked the new look.

“It’s been very well received,” Fransua says. “They’re glad to see us evolve.”

As for the new name? “Passaggio is an homage to our namesake (Starr Pass),” he says. “It means ‘passage’ in Italian.”

Above all, Fransua wants diners to enjoy themselves.

“I hope they come and have great cocktails, great Italian food but also know that our ingredients are important to us and we’re using a lot of Sonoran products here.”

Passaggio at JW Marriott

Tucson Starr Pass

3800 W. Starr Pass Boulevard

5 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays to Saturdays 520-792-3500, jwspinfo.com

The double-bone pork chop ($37) is served with gnocchi, braised cippollini, espresso demi glace and roasted kabocha.

Left, Passaggio’s prosciutto pizza features balsamic onion, espelette, grana Padano, baby arugula and agave ($21). Above, David Fransua is the executive chef. (Passaggio/Submitted)

A team by any other name EXTRA POINT WITH TOM DANEHY SPORTS &RECREATION

By Tom Danehy Tucson Local Media Columnist

Afew weeks ago, I wrote a column about unique mascot names. A look at the underbolts from new Vail-area school Mica Mountain quickly spun o into mentions of the Yuma High School Criminals and the Scottsdale Community College Fighting Artichokes.

Unfortunately, because of that darned internet, I found a treasure trove of mascot names that simply beg to be mentioned. A er doing so this one last time, I will move on to other stu , like wins and losses. e most popular mascot name in the United States is Eagles. e rest of the Top 10 is pretty predictable — Tigers, Panthers, Wildcats and Lions. Alas, there are still hundreds of teams across the country whose team names are either Indians or Redskins.

But then there are the outliers — the strange, the unique, the downright bizarre. As I mentioned before, there have been three American high schools with the sports team name of e Clothiers. What must that mascot have looked like? Probably a 40-something bald guy, wearing suspenders and with a bracelet on his wrist full of safety pins.

About 100 miles from Oro Valley, along I-10, is the ranching and farming community of Willcox. For decades, their high school boys teams were known as the Cowboys. When they introduced sports for girls, those teams became known as the Cowgirls. at’s better than calling the girls’ team the Lady Anythings. (I personally hate that whole “Lady” thing. People know that they’re girls. Panthers

is ne; Lady Panthers is lame.) Just to show you that things can always get worse, there was for a time a high school where the boys’ teams were the Tarzans and the girls were the Janes.

at’s just wrong.

ere is a list of hundreds of sports team names. Most are normal, but some are just out there. Here are some of them:

• e Avenging Angels. At rst, it sounds OK, perhaps a bit over the top. But then, if you know your history of the Southwest, you’ll remember that the Avenging Angels were assassins sent out by Brigham Young to punish people who had committed o ense (real or imagined) against the Mormon Church. Young even sent some Avenging Angels a er his own daughter, who had escaped Utah with the man she wanted to marry (but of whom Brigham Young didn’t approve).

I know that those were rough times, but Avenging Angels seems a bit much for a sports team.

• Triceratops. Can you imagine the poor kid who has to wear that costume to games? Now, imagine that same kid having to take a bathroom break.

• ere are multiple teams named the Martians, but there is also a team called the Mawrtians. Maybe they play at Bryn Mawr.

• e name Jegos is on the lists and there is (was) only one team in America with that name. e men’s and women’s basketball teams at Tohono O’Odham Community College, about an hour west of Tucson, out by Sells, were called the Jegos. It’s an O’Odham word that means the hot, dry wind that blows in (o en ferociously) before a summer

Athlete of the Week: Madisyn Kunze

By Tom Danehy Tucson Local Media Columnist

Madisyn Kunze likes that the spelling of her rst name is unique. e only downside, really, is that when she goes to Disneyland, she won’t nd a keychain with that spelling.

e junior starter on the Canyon Del Oro girls’ basketball team said she is a shooting guard (and not a point guard), a rather interesting distinction considering that she stands 5-foot-3 (maybe). Her Dorados are experiencing a renaissance of sorts this season a er su ering through a brutal 3-15 regular season last year.

ey have a new coach in CDO alum Chris Garcia, who went away to NAU and then coached for several years in the Flagsta area before returning to Oro Valley. “Coach Garcia is great,” Kunze said. “He’s got us enjoying basketball and even enjoying practice.”

At the end of the semester, heading into the winter break, the Dorados were 2-5, but that still represented an improvement over last year. Last season, CDO lost to Ironwood Ridge by 36 points. is season, it was a single-digit margin throughout the contest until Ironwood Ridge pulled away late for a 43-31 victory. Kunze scored 11 points in that game. With a year and a half le in her high school career, Kunze is already focused on what comes a er that. “I really want to play in college,” she said. “ at may seem strange to some people, but that’s my goal. I know that a lot of people dream about going D-I, like the UA, but there are lots and lots of places to play—D-II, D-III, NAIA,

community college.”

She is working toward her goal. She went out for track last year, but never competed, instead using it for conditioning to help her basketball. She was also going to JTED for veterinary science, but dropped that when the long hours of JTED a er school interfered with basketball practice.

A er her team competed in the Flowing Wells Holiday Shootout over the break, they jumped into an absolutely brutal 4A Kino Region schedule. Every two years, the Arizona Interscholastic Association reshu es the teams in the state, moving

CDO shooting guard Madisyn Kunze (1) res a jumper from the wing. (Madisyn Kunze/Submitted)

Pass the cheese and that full-fat yogurt

By Mia Smitt Tucson Local Media Columnist

Wow, really? New studies are showing that the saturated fats in dairy products are actually good for you!

is is a paradigm shi for many of us who have adopted low-fat diets in the quest for better health. And overall, it is still a relatively good idea regarding some food sources, but we need to rethink the value of saturated fats in dairy products.

Mengjie Yuan, PhD is a researcher at the Boston University School of Medicine’s department of preventive medicine and epidemiology.

“Current dietary guidance recommends limiting intakes of saturated fats, but most fail to consider that saturated fats from di erent food sources may have di erent health e ects” she said.

e Dec. 19, 2022 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published Yuan and her colleagues’ research study on saturated fats from dairy products. ere were 2,391 adults over age 30 who participated in this study and gave information about their diets and health.

e women in the highest 20% of dairy saturated fats intake were compared to those in the lowest 20%. Of interest is that those in that highest group had signi cantly lower body mass indexes (BMI) than those who ate the least. ey also had a lower percentage of fat mass in their bodies. e researchers looking at blood tests

found that those who ate more of the saturated fat dairy products also had higher HDL (high density lipoprotein, aka “good cholesterol”) and lower triglycerides.

e men who had a higher saturated dairy fats intake had a lower risk pro le for cardiovascular disease. ere was less in ammation, higher HDL cholesterol and lower triglyceride levels than those with a lower intake of these saturated fats in their diets. e researchers did not nd any of these associations with nondairy saturated fats. is is actually not new information. In May 2015, also in e American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, there was a study published that examined the role of dietary fats in the development of type-2 diabetes.

For a study, 26,930 adults ages 45-74 from the Malmo Diet and Cancer Center in Sweden were followed for 14 years. It identi ed 2,850 new cases of type-2 diabetes. e research showed that those who ate a diet with full saturated dairy fats, especially cream, and fermented products such as yogurt and cheese had a healthier blood lipid pro le, lower BMI body composition, and less cardio-metabolic disease risk, including diabetes. e low-fat dairy foods did not o er these bene ts.

Advances in Nutrition, September 2019,

published another study highlighting the positive e ects of saturated dairy fats in overall health. e article concluded, “What becomes increasingly clear is that the recommendation to restrict dietary saturated (dairy) fats to reduce the risk for cardiometabolic disease is getting outdated. e weight of evidence from recent meta-analyses of both observational studies and randomized control trials indicates that full fat dairy products, particularly yogurt and cheese, do not exert the detrimental e ects on blood lipid pro le and blood pressure as previously predicted on the basis of their sodium and saturated fat contents; they do not increase cardio-metabolic disease risk and may in fact protect against cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes.”

is is a paradigm shi for many in health care though to many registered dieticians, this is not new information. at 5% yogurt with a bit of honey is a great snack or small meal without any downside. ere are so many avorful cheeses from which to choose from the mild cheddars to the pungent blues, and cheese is also a good source of protein. Of course, we still need to eat sensibly and remember that calories in without energy expenditure out will result in weight gain regardless of the food source. So, moderation and good sense should always be in the forefront of our thinking but being open to new research ndings can be quite enlightening.

Mia Smitt is a longtime nurse practitioner. She writes a regular column for Tucson Local Media.

Mascots

Continued from P13

rainstorm. Sadly, the Jegos are no more.

• ere is a mascot named La Muerte, which is Spanish for Death. If Avenging Angels was a bit too much, La Muerte is way too much! O en depicted as a skeletal image wearing a hood cloak, La Muerte is a quasi-religious gure, sometimes a liated with the Day of the Dead (which, to be fair, does land in football season).

• In Hawaii, there’s a team called the Lava Bears. In Iowa, there’s the Corn Dogs. And somewhere there is a team called the Tarp Skunks. ink about that. Not just a skunk, but a skunk wrapped up in a tarpaulin to keep all that funk in before the big unleashing.

• ere are several that make absolutely no sense. ere’s the Sock Puppets, the Mean Moose (is there any other kind?),

and the Sod Poodles. Or, how about the Zoo Keepers, the Mullets or the Nameless Wonders?

• ere is a team called the Pit Spitters. ey need to lm the tryouts for that mascot. ere is also a team called the Moo. Not plural and no explanation. Just the Moo. I suppose that their fans can make that sound when the team scores a touchdown, but that’s kind of sad.

• ere are the Whistle Pigs and the Flying Pigs. I know that a ying pig would be impressive, but I would really like to see a pig whistle.

• ere are the Genomes (and I thought that there couldn’t be anything lamer than the Whittier Poets), the Trash Pandas, and the Gherkins. “Yeah guys, we have a big game on Friday. We’re playing the shrunken, slightly sweet pickles.”

One team nally said the heck with it. ey call themselves the Weirdos.

Kunze

Continued from P13

some schools up and others down in classi cation, usually (but not always) based in enrollment.

is year (and next), CDO is stuck in a region that includes Pueblo, a perennial power that was in the 4A State Championship game just a couple years ago; Sahuaro, another team that was recently in the state

champion game and one that has started this season with a mark of 15-0; Flowing Wells, which has been in the past two Class 5A State Championship games and has been dropped down to 4A this year; and Salpointe, which won the 4A State Championship last year and has no business being the Class 4A.

CDO has to play all four of those teams twice. “It’s not going to be easy,” Kunze said. “But we’ll give it our best shot.”

What the instruments erkencho and shofar are made of

Sodas in orange, grape and peach flavors

When you might see a star’s moon?

Slick fabrics

Word with false or fallen

Middle of France?

One of about 90% of the population, it’s said

Word in an

Mulcted

Home of one of the countr y’s largest state universities

Networking assets

English queen who lent her name to a city of 1.3+ million in the British Commonwealth

Hearty dish popular in Ireland

“Little toasts,” in Italian

Actress Tyler

“___ 6 and up”

“Li’l Abner” creature

Court figure, informally

It means a lot

Make a snarky remark

Retailer whose logo is written in script

Stun, in a way

Cézanne contemporary

What the instruments erkencho and shofar are made of

Sodas in orange, grape and peach flavors

Buds

Nostalgic tint

Those with means

When you might see a star’s moon?

Impassive

Slick fabrics

Word with false or fallen

Middle of France?

One of about 90% of the population, it’s said

Word in an ultimatum

Spritz

Mulcted

Home of one of the country’s largest state universities

Enthusiastic assent abroad

TV’s Rick or Morty

Predict-able gift?

Ways of doing things, for short

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

You believe in the importance of helping others, but while you’re chasing after something you want, your philanthropic instincts move to the back burner. It’s OK! Generosity begins at home! Many a noble accomplishment begins with satisfying one’s own hunger.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

E ective communication has to do with the way you convey information as much as it does the information itself. You’ll gure out the main point and cater the tone of your delivery to what you guess the audience would be most receptive to. You’re so good at this and will often get exactly what you want.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21)

“Sorcery” derives from the Latin word “sors,” meaning fate. Your determined e orts to in uence fate will have you coming across as magical. Only you know all that’s involved in overnight success and instant transformation. Unless you tell them, they’ll have no idea how hard you work to make it look easy.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

An engaging project dominates your week. Though you’ve often been lauded for your originality, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel with this one. Instead of starting from scratch, use what already exists and give it a twist or an improvement. A fresh turn on an old way of doing things will be lucrative.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

You celebrate people for who they are and how they show up even when it’s di erent from the way you would do it. Some are sweet and agreeable; others are edgy and real. Neither is more correct. You accept and include a wide array of personalities. It’s part of what makes your team so strong. You’ll win together this week.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

A hitchhiker who is walking toward their destination is more likely to be picked up than one who is standing still with a sign. While hitchhiking is not advised, moving toward your purpose is absolutely the way to attract fellow travelers who can help you get there faster.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

There are things that look nice from the outside -- a boat, marriage to royalty, a pony -- that are actually a lot more work than appearances suggest. Enjoy your fantasies without feeling you must move to make all of them real. The worthwhile pursuits will make your life easier, not more complicated.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21)

It may be di cult to admit how much a certain someone’s opinion matters to you, but once you accept it and examine your reasoning behind needing this validation, it becomes less true. This is just another puzzle to solve on your road to self-love, acceptance and realization.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

As the saying goes, it takes two to tango. Even so, it only takes one to practice the tango steps. You can work on the steps alone to get ready for dancing with a partner. Your solo preparation will be the magic ingredient that makes a relationship dance beautifully this week.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

What you thought would be an easy task has become convoluted. If you have a mind full of question marks, it’s probably because you’re considering the topic more broadly or deeply than the others, and you are probably wise to do so. Only the very young or very immature think they know everything.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

True friends will re ect to you your best qualities. If being around a person leaves you feeling somehow diminished, it’s not a good match. What seems good on paper is meaningless. What matters is how you feel when you’re together.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

You’re not interested in getting pro cient at the task; you want to master it. With that intent, you will. It happens little by little over time. Rearrange your schedule and environment to accommodate your passion. Getting in a few more repetitions per day will add up and just may be what puts you over the top.

ALASKAN