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DESERT TIMES The Voice of Southwest Tucson
FEBRUARY 1, 2023
INSIDE
Entertainment Glass Menagerie: A true love letter
| Page 8
Health
Sports injuries can be reduced
| Page 9
VOLUME 36 • NUMBER 2
Hobbs talks education and water protection BY KATYA MENDOZA Tucson Local Media
A
rizona’s governor-elect Katie Hobbs presented an encore state of the state address at the Tucson Convention Center, Tuesday, Jan. 10. Hobbs outlined her top priorities, including investment in public education, lowering costs, securing the state’s water future and tackling the affordable housing crisis. “The people of Arizona have directed us to find solutions to these issues,” Hobbs said. A self-proclaimed believer in the “power of prosperity,” Hobbs said her administration was committed to building a thriving and dynamic foundation for businesses and the people who make them run, also noting cutting edge companies moving to the state, offering healthy business environments and a top-tier workforce. “Companies have record job openings but far too many Arizona residents can’t afford increased rent,” she said. The governor also called out the state’s failure
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs presented an encore state of the state address on Tuesday, Jan 10, at the Tucson Convention Center (Kevin Van Rensselaer/Tucson Metro Chamber/Contributor)
“One in four teachers leave Arizona schools each year, the highest rate in the nation,” she said, calling the state’s problem not with K-12 schools, but a “retention crisis.” Hobbs called upon legislators to override the Aggregate Expenditure Limit, which limits how much K-12 schools are allowed to spend annually. In response, Hobbs stated that she will launch an education retention task force to develop a framework and make recommendations to improve class sizes, resources, working conditions and other factors that would put the state’s education system on a path toward finding solutions and retaining educators. Addressing Arizona’s per-pupil funding approach, Hobbs said that her tentative budget will redirect $68.6 million to all schools across the state, also asking for transparency of schools that accept public dollars by participating in the auditor general’s annual school
to adequately invest in public education, which has resulted in high teacher vacancy rates.
see
HOBBS page 6
Treasures abound at Colors of the Stone BY KAREN SCHAFFNER Tucson Local Media
Sports
Oscars inspire this semi-tough sports movie quiz
| Page 10
T
he Tucson Gem and Mineral Show season goes beyond Downtown. Casino Del Sol hosts Colors of the Stone, To Bead True Blue and artisan workshops and sales. “This is a one-of-a-kind experience where you can come and shop for all types of gems, gemstones, beads and jewelry direct from the artisans and tradespeople,” said Casey Kennerson, the show manager. “We have
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something for everyone.” Among the vendors is 7Hands Design, run by Lindy Lopez and Erandeny Torres-Simmons, where each piece of clothing they sell is original. “It’s the way we cut but also the quality of the materials that we use,” Lopez said. Lopez, who has been making her own clothes since before she was a teen, creates the pieces, while Torres-Simmons also drafts the patterns. They use fabric—mostly indigo fabric—that they have sourced from around the world.
“I have traders who I’ve worked with from Africa for almost 30 years now,” Lopez said. “I actually go to Mexico or Guatemala to purchase any of the fabrics we use from there and occasionally go to Asia as well. We’ve worked with people for years.” The fabric used in any one garment may be vintage, new or antique. Additionally, the fabric supports local artisans, so no big manufacturers. Using traditional yardage, panels and other unique fabric pieces to construct
LA HERRADURA
MEXICAN GRILL & SEAFOOD
3051 S. KINNEY RD., TUCSON, AZ 85713 (In Tucson Estates, South of Ajo on Kinney Rd.)
see
GEMS page 6