Loving Life After 50: Tucson December 2019

December 2019

Hanukkah Party Secular Jewish group focuses on culture, not just holiday

Ringing in

2020

Winter Fare

Five local restaurants to check out this December

New Year’s Eve celebrations abound in Tucson ‘Apples in Winter’

Two theater companies partner for Jennifer Fawcett’s play

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Inside This Issue Upfront

ARIZONA ANNUAL CASA GRANDE GUN SHOW DECEMBER 14-15

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Ringing in 2020

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Celebrating Jewish Culture

7

A Great Escape

10

Golden Anniversary

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Lighting Up the Holidays

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Top 15 Things To Do

News Briefs

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Community Calendar

Arts

15 16

Arts Events Calendar Familiar and Comforting

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Puzzles

12 14

SAT 9-5, SUN 9-3 Firearms, ammunition, tactical gear, accessories and more from the best vendors

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Children under 12: Free

PINAL COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

News

‘Theater for Anybody’

Gaslight presents funny, heartwarming and relevant shows

Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair entertains artists from around the world

Two theater companies bring ‘Apples in Winter’ to Tucson

Season’s Eatings

Impress friends and family at these five restaurants

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Sports Calendar

Music

20 Merry Music

This year has been prolific for holiday albums

(FOR ANYTHING AT THE SHOW)

General admission $8 Veterans and 55+: $7

Winterhaven Festival celebrates 70 years

Sports

$

Now Serving Black Rifle Coffee

New room at Old Tucson offers visitors a fun way to solve a mystery

Learn about this organization during its Hanukkah party

Dining

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Tucson venues host various New Year’s Eve celebrations

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Music Calendar

Travel The Good Life

Living the ‘Pura Vida’ in Costa Rica

Columns

28 Ask Gabby Gayle Publisher

Graphic Designer

Vice President

Senior Account Executives

Executive Editor

Administrator

Travel Editor

Cover Photo

Steve T. Strickbine Michael Hiatt

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Ed Boitano

Contributors

Tonya Mildenberg

Lou Lagrave, Gordon Wood Courtney Oldham

The Goo Goo Dolls

512 S. 11 Mile Corner Rd.

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DECEMBER 2019

Connor Dziawura, Gayle LagmanCreswick, Laura Latzko, Randy Montgomery, Eric Newman, Bridgette Redman, Alan Sculley, Octavio Serrano, Valerie Vinyard

Lovin’ Tucson is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, and for subscription information, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegatedmedia.com.

©2019 by EOS Publishing, LLC. Lovin’ Life in Tucson is a monthly publication dedicated to informing, serving and entertaining the active adults of Arizona. It is published by EOS Publishing, LLC, an Arizona limited liability company.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

2020

Upfront Ringing in 2020 Tucson venues host various New Year’s Eve celebrations

BY LAURA LATZKO Commemorating the start of a new year is different for everyone. Some people like to go out partying and dancing while others want a more relaxed evening with live music or comedy. Whatever type of holiday celebration you prefer, you can find something in Tucson that will fit into your New Year’s Eve plans.

and VIP tickets that come with valet parking, a full buffet, a champagne wall, drink tickets, access to a VIP lounge and piano bar and private DJed music.

Club Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, 622-8848, hotelcongress.com/events, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday, December 31, $40 general admission, $70 upgraded tickets and $150 for VIP admission.

During Club Congress’ Times-Square-inspired New Year’s Eve event, guests can dance to live and DJed music.

Tucson’s Time Square

Laffs Comedy Caffe

(Photo by Jeaninne Kaufer)

For those looking for a glitzier celebration, Club Congress will bring the feel of New York City to Tucson with its Tucson’s Time Square celebration. The indoor-outdoor event will offer music from local entertainers and DJs, performances from the Tucson Rockettes, a piano bar with a lounge singer, a specialty hot dog truck and fireworks. Instead of a ball drop, there will be a taco drop to commemorate the start of 2020. Club Congress will have upgraded options that include two drink tickets and access to a piano bar

At Laffs Comedy Caffe, guests can laugh their way into the next year with a live comedy show. The early and latenight shows will feature comedian Ron Feingold, who often blends comedy and a cappella music into his standup. During the early show, attendees can enjoy a dinner with chicken, beef or fish entree options. The late-night show will have a desert-bar and a countdown to the new year. Champagne is included in the ticket price. The event will also have giveaways of a Las Vegas hotel stay and items such

as T-shirts, keychains and mugs.

Laffs Comedy Cafe, 2900 E. Broadway Boulevard, 323-8669, laffstucson. com, 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, $30.

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DECEMBER 2019

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort New Year’s Eve is one of the best nights to dress up. At Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, guests are encouraged to dress in themed costumes and finery for the “Pop. Clink. Dance. New Year’s Eve Bash.”

During the event, partygoers will have

a chance to win best dressed, most creative outfit and best dancer prizes. Held inside the hotel’s Kiva Ballroom, the party will have DJed music and dancing, as well as a midnight champagne toast, balloon drop and chances to watch the festivities in Times Square.

The Flying V Bar and Grill will offer a special fillet and lobster thermidor dinner from 5 to 10 p.m., and Canyon Café will have a dinner buffet from 6 to 9 p.m. The hotel’s Cascade Lounge will have live music and food and drink specials throughwww.LovinLife.com

out the day. Guests interested in staying the night at the hotel can purchase special packages that come with two tickets to the New Year’s Eve celebration, a bottle of sparkling wine, party favors and a discount to the resort’s New Year’s Day brunch.

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive, 299-2020, loewshotels.com/ventana-canyon, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. December 31, $25 per person for party only, $45 for dinner buffet at Canyon Café, hotel packages starting at $239.

just the music or purchase a ticket that includes a four-course, prix-fixe meal. The dinner comes with a choice of a prime rib, salmon, Cornish game hen or vegetable entrée, as well as a soup or salad, an appetizer, dessert and champagne. During the evening, the music will pause while guests have the chance to celebrate midnight on the East Coast with a special toast.

Monterey Court, 505 W. Miracle Mile, 207-2429, montereycourtaz.com, 7 to 11 p.m. December 31, $20 music only, $50 dinner and music.

Irene’s Holy Donuts

Casino Del Sol Bingo Hall

New Year’s Eve can be a great time Good luck will sometimes come at the to experience different types of music. start of the year. Casino Del Sol will give During “DJ Jahmar Presents New Year’s On New Year’s Eve, two of the restaurants at the Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort will have buffets. partygoers a chance to try their luck (Photo courtesy of Hacienda Del Sol) Eve Extravaganza,” guests can move to during its “New Year’s Eve Cosmic Bingo hip-hop, reggae and Latin music from food trucks. During the event, the facili- Monterey Court Party.”

DJs and live artists. The night of music will ty will celebrate its 20th anniversary as Getting to experience a unique venue Hosted by drag queen Lucinda Holfeature local performan events space. The can make New Year’s Eve memorable. At liday and DJ Michael Lopez, the festivers Tee Harmon, Mikey venue regularly hosts Monterey Court, guests can have dinner ities will include bingo, a dance party, a Blu, Jarrel and Desiree corporate events, hol- and drinks and listen to live music at a balloon drop and a champagne toast.

Rodriguez. The event iday parties, birthdays, historic motor court built in the1930s. The Throughout the night, bingo players can will also spotlight 2018 family reunions and space was turned into a restaurant, artist win items such as free bingo or a dinner AZ DJ of the Year DJ enclave and music venue eight years ago. at the casino or bingo-themed items. The bridal fairs.

Jahmar, afrobeats DJ Oasis at Wild Horse The motor court will host Little House casino offers different bingo packs, some 2020...continued on page 6 Freshwaves and regRanch, 6801 N. Cami- of Funk. Guests can choose to come for gae music DJ Papa no Verde, 744-1012, Ranger. Lupe DeLewildhorse.com, 7 p.m. on will entertain the to 1 a.m. December crowd with a special 31, $20 general adZumba performance, mission and $40 VIP and Born Official will admission. sell apparel at an onsite pop-up shop. The DJ Jahmar will be one of the DJs spinning Rialto Theatre Musicians play a role first 100 guests to ar- music at “DJ Jahmar Presents New Year’s Eve Western Winds Apartments, located in Tucson, is a HUD subsidized apartment Extravaganza.” (Photo by Bishop 57) in shaping our lives, rive will receive a free community for low income seniors 62 and older. We also accept those under the and one of the most influential singers gift. age of 62 if mobility impaired. Tenant rate is based on 30% of the adjusted gross Irene’s Holy Donuts, 340 N. Fourth Av- was Prince. During its New Year’s Eve celincome. enue, eventbrite.com, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. ebration “Party Like It’s 1999-Revisited,” Many updates are to come on this lovely living facility! We are also very conveniently December 31, $15 general admission. the Rialto Theatre will honor Prince with located near grocery stores, shopping and restaurants! some of his most iconic songs, performed Oasis at Wild Horse Ranch by tribute band Purple Madness.

Amenities include: New Year’s Eve is a time to look toward Led by Bobby Miller, the group tries to • Spacious apartment homes - all apartments • Library are One Bedroom & approximately 550 sq.ft. the future, but also remember the past. recreate the experience of a Prince con• Laundry Facilities During the Oasis at Wild Horse Ranch’s cert. Future Syndicate will play music • Pet Friendly • Close to Bus Lines Roaring ’20s-themed celebration, guests from the same genre during his DJ set. can wear themed flapper dresses and VIP tickets come with one or two balcony • Professional and Caring Staff • Resident Activities headbands and suits and newsboy caps. seats and access to a private dance floor.

Throughout the evening, local musicians Anyone dressed like Prince will receive will play big band music, and DJ Jim will half-priced drinks until 10 p.m. All guests We are currently accepting applications for our wait list. Call or spin. The event will also have a shopping will receive a complimentary glass of email to set up a property tour. area with local vendors and food trucks champagne for a New Year’s toast. with a variety of cuisine choices.

Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street, 520-887-9400 | dsabot@mercyhousing.org A VIP ticket comes with access to a pri- 740-1000, rialtotheatre.com, 9 p.m. vate bar and VIP section, a drink ticket December 31, $20 general admission, and a meal ticket to be used at one of the $45 to $50 for VIP seating.

Truly a wonderful place to call home!

www.LovinLife.com

DECEMBER 2019

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2020...continued from page 5 of which come with a special gift.

Casino Del Sol Bingo Hall, 5655 W. Valencia Road, 855-765-7829, casinodelsol.com, 10 p.m. December 31, $30$50 for bingo packs.

Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort Many venues commemorate the new year with multiple parties. At the Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, guests can choose between different types of celebrations. The Grill will offer a special menu with starters such as grilled octopus, French onion soup, foie gras or Brussels sprout salad and entrees such as a fillet of beef, scallops, herb garlic rack of lamb, duck breast or lobster pot pie. The Terraza Garden Patio and Lounge will have a buffet, live music from the Half Full eight-piece jazz ensemble and a 10 p.m. toast to commemorate the ball drop in Times Square. At Casa Luna, guests can enjoy a buffet, listen and dance to R&B and soul music from the Soul Essential and take part in a special midnight toast.

Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, 5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Rd., 2991501, haciendadelsol.com/events, 5 to

At Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, partygoers can go dancing, listen to live music or have a bite to eat on New Year’s Eve. (Photo courtesy of Loews Ventana Canyon Resort)

9 p.m. at the Grill, 5 to 10 p.m. at the Terraza Garden Patio and Lounge, 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Casa Luna, December 31, $50 deposit for table at the Grill, $129 for live music and buffet at the Terraza Garden Patio and Lounge, $99 for buffet and dance party at Casa Luna, $30 for dance-party-only tickets to Casa Luna.

bringing humor during a night filled with audience participation. The first show at 7:30 p.m. with be an “Improv Ugly Sweater Party,” where attendees are encouraged to don their favorite ugly holiday sweaters. Similar in format to the TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” the show will have holiday-themed improv movements. For “The Soap Box Best of

2019” show at 9 p.m., the troupe will be bringing back its favorite storytellers to share one-to-two-minute stories that will become the inspiration for improv skits.

Tucson Improv Movement, 414 E. Ninth Street, 314-7299, tucsonimprov.com, 7:30 p.m. Improv Ugly Sweater Party, 9 p.m. The Soap Box Best of 2019, December 31, $5 general admission.

Tucson Improv Movement

The Loft Cinema

Laughter is good for the soul. During two shows on New Year’s Eve, members of the Tucson Improv Movement will be

The movie “The Princess Bride” has everything audiences could want in a film, including action, comedy, drama and romance. That is in addition to the famous line “My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” The Loft Cinema will present a screening of the cult classic on New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day, which will include a complimentary champagne toast, goodie bags and preshow activities.

The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Boulevard, 795-0844, loftcinema.org, midnight December 31, $15 general admission, $12 for Loft Cinema members.

During the Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort’s New Year’s Eve festivities, the Terraza Garden Patio and Lounge will have live music from Half Full, a jazz group featuring vocalist Gabi Urias. (Photo courtesy of Hacienda Del Sol)

The Purple Madness tribute band will bring Prince realness during a New Year’s Eve show at the Rialto Theatre.

(Photo courtesy of Music Zirconi)

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DECEMBER 2019

www.LovinLife.com

A Great Escape New room at Old Tucson offers visitors a fun way to solve a mystery

BY VALERIE VINYARD While driving the winding roads to Old Tucson, you’ll pass by stately saguaros, mesquite trees and the occasional roadrunner.

Once you get into the theme park and movie set, which this year celebrated its 80th anniversary, you’ll discover a fun place for all ages to explore.

To add to the fun, Old Tucson debuted a new attraction in mid-November called Countdown to the Gallows, an escape room that temporarily “jails” participants for a crime they didn’t commit. It’s up to the group to find and decipher clues in the room so they can “escape” before time ends, usually about 45 minutes.

Participants are first locked in a small jail cell located in the back of the room.

It’s up to them to search the cell for clues to get them released. Once they get out of the tiny prison in the main room, it’s up to the group to solve more puzzles to prove their innocence and escape from an angry mob.

The activity tends to work best with groups of one to six people, although larger groups often can be accommodated.

If things get too difficult, an Old Tucson employee is waiting outside the room to offer additional clues.

“We talked about new ways of attracting younger audiences,” says Mary Davis, Old Tucson’s marketing director. “Clearly, escape rooms have become quite the fad.”

Old Tucson

201 S. Kinney Road 883-0100, oldtucson.com Regular park hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The escape room will be open 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekends until December 22. After Christmas, the escape room will be open 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. The park will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Cost is $21.95 for adults; $10.95 for children ages 4 to 11; $19.95 for military and 65 years and older; children under 4 are free. Pima County residents can take $2 off adult and child prices. The escape room is $15. www.LovinLife.com

If the group makes it out in time, they pose for photos with signs with messages like “Escape artist,” “We made it out!” and “No bars can hold me!”

“I think it’s awesome,” says Eric Greenfield, Old Tucson’s rides and attractions lead. “It’s another addition to our park that a lot of Western parks don’t have, and it gives people one more thing to do.”

Because it’s so new, not many people have experienced the Gallows yet. I tried the room with two Old Tucson employees, technical lead Nick Ratkevich and maintenance employee James McNeil.

While we put our detective skills to work, there certainly were some tricky parts stumping us, at least for a bit. It was comforting to know an employee was at the ready to offer tips.

“It gets you into that Western feel,” Greenfield says. “You feel like you’re part of the town.”

When people aren’t trying to escape, the room also doubles as a popular site for historians to hold talks.

Old Tucson got its start in 1939, when Columbia Pictures built a replica of 1860s Tucson for the movie “Arizona,” which starred William Holden and Jean Arthur.

That movie set became the base of Old Tucson today.

In 1959, Robert Shelton leased the property from Pima County and restored Old Tucson. A year later, Old Tucson reopened as a film studio and theme park.

Film star John Wayne and Shelton became friends, later Wayne became a silent partner in Old Tucson and starred in four movies there. Old Tucson is now owned by the Diamond family and Pima County owns the land.

Over the years, buildings were added, such as a saloon, bank building and doctor’s office. In 1968, a 13,000-squarefoot sound stage was built and Shelton purchased a second filming location in Mescal. In 1995, a fire tore through parts of Old Tucson, including the sound stage.

No one was injured, investigators determined it was arson, although the culprit never was found.

Davis noted Old Tucson, otherwise known as “Hollywood in the Desert,” is the state’s second-most visited attraction after the Grand Canyon.

But back to the Hollywood reference.

By the 1950s, Old Tucson was a favorite location for films and shows, especially Westerns.

Davis says more than 400 TV shows, movies and commercials have been shot at Old Tucson. A few years ago, country music star Maren Morris shot the music video for the song “Rich.” Included among the Tucson-based movie and films are “310 to Yuma,” “Gunfight at the OK Corral,” “Three Amigos” and “The Quick and the Dead,” and TV’s “High Chaparral” and “Little House on the Prairie.”

General ticket prices to Old Tucson include rides on the antique carousel, train rides, antique car rides and a variety of tours such as Life of a Miner and Life of a Sheriff. Plus, there are about 60 horses,

some of which you can ride, and a few goats and burros around the park. There also are various shows included, such as the Spirit of the West musical, a comedy show and two stunt shows.

For the holidays, Old Tucson is planning additional activities. Through December 31, Old Tucson will have a Christmas musical, Christmas comedy show, classic Christmas song performances and visits from Santa Claus.

Though the number of movies shot at Old Tucson has died down a bit, Davis estimated that a dozen films are filmed onsite every year.

That’s why, after so many years, that people still visit Old Tucson.

“They come from all over the world because they love cowboys and the West,” Davis says.

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Lighting Up the Holidays Winterhaven Festival celebrates 70 years

BY LAURA LATZKO It’s rare for residents of a whole community to come together to put on an elaborate light display and spread cheer.

For the last 70 years, Winterhaven residents have been doing just this.

Since it started in 1949, the community’s lights festival has been a tradition not just for Winterhaven, but for Tucson as a whole. This year’s celebration is Saturday, December 14, to Sunday, December 29.

The event expanded to the days following Christmas to allow locals to visit multiple times and share the tradition with out-of-town guests.

It’s a walking tour, except for December 29, the only night cars can drive through the neighborhood. However, local companies offer hayrides, party bike experiences and trolley tours of the neighborhood, at an additional cost.

Vendors will have food and beverages such as kettle corn and cupcakes, during the festival.

Winterhaven is a residential neighborhood—between Fort Lowell and Prince and Tucson and Country Club—and its water company.

Festival chairwoman Mariel Hall says this year, attendees can expect to see a few surprises and more lights during the 70th anniversary season.

“We just really want to celebrate having been around 70 years and being a free event for families to enjoy,” Hall says. “It’s definitely an incredible feat, and we are very proud of it.”

It’s not just for looks, either. It’s for char-

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ity. From the beginning, giving back was important for Winterhaven. Each year, money and nonperishable food donations collected during the festival go to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

The food bank is most in need of items such as peanut butter, oatmeal, cereal, granola bars, rice, pasta, soups, canned vegetables and vegetables, tomato sauces and canned tuna and chicken.

Last year, the festival helped bring in more than $27,000 and 56,000 pounds of food for the food bank.

A 10-year Winterhaven resident, Hall says it is hard to find another tight-knit community like hers.

“There isn’t a block that I walk where I don’t know somebody, and I don’t feel comfortable knocking on their door and asking for help and chatting with them.

It’s unlike any other neighborhood,” Hall says.

The community was built by C.B. Richards, who began the festival of lights in 1949 after seeing a similar light display in Beverly Hills.

Guests can expect each year to see beloved areas such as Candy Cane Lane.

Other homes are known for displays like dancing water features. Another festival staple is the Wishing Tree, a decorated tree on Christmas Avenue filled with paper chains of wishes. The tree was started in 2000 by Liz Baker as part of a seventh-grade science project.

She tracked the wishes, categorizing what others asked for on more than 2,700

DECEMBER 2019

During the Winterhaven Festival of Lights, the Brown family lights up their home with elaborate displays, which change each year. (Photos by Ray Brice)

pieces of paper. She found visitors often wished for “peace,” “love,” “happiness” and “health.”

“The impact of my project was unbelievable,” Baker says. “People stood reading the wishes, just bawling because some were so sad, and some gave people so much hope for the world.”

Over the years, the number of wishes has grew from 10,000 to 15,000.

“The tree has become a part of the tradition for a lot of people going to the festival. They have to stop and make a wish each year… It’s fun because we’ve made these great connections with people who the tree is part of their lives,” Baker says.

Baker moved out of the neighborhood, but her younger sister and her parents helped to keep the tradition going. Her stepdad is a longtime resident who has taken part in the lights festival.

The site of many special moments, including at least one proposal a year and a wedding, the tree has taken on a mythical life of its own.

“We call ourselves ‘caretakers’ of it because my parents don’t feel like it’s their tree anymore. They feel like it belongs to the community,” Baker says.

The festival has ran almost continuously, except for one year in the 1970s when the neighborhood went dark during the Energy Crisis. Residents are not required to decorate, but they are encouraged and usually want to participate. When residents are unable to decorate, their neighbors will pitch in and help them.

There are few original residents left in the neighborhood, but it is now their family members who are helping to keep the traditions alive. Hall says houses have been owned by three or four genera-

tions. Residents have made sure to keep their decorations in the neighborhood when they have moved away.

“It’s rare that people move out of the neighborhood, but when they do, they want to help with keeping the neighborhood the way that it is,” Hall says.

Decorating houses is a multigenerational affair, with residents inviting their extended families to come over to help put up light displays. Families will even hold decorating parties.

For many current and former residents, who return to help their families, the festival has become a cherished part of their holiday celebrations.

One of the families who has lived in the community the longest, the Browns not only put up different light displays each year but also host steel drum, boys’ choir and brass ensemble performances. The home has been the site of numerous proposals and marriages.

The family has lived in the neighborhood for 55 years. Jeffrey Scott Brown grew up in Winterhaven and still returns, along with his siblings and their families, to help his parents to decorate.

He describes the neighborhood as be-

MORE INFO

What: Winterhaven Festival of Lights When: 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, December 14, to Sunday, December 29 Where: Winterhaven neighborhood.

Entrances on Fort Lowell, Tucson, Country Club and Prince. Parking is limited, so carpooling and taking rideshares is encouraged.

Cost: Free admission but food or monetary donations for food bank highly encouraged.

Info: winterhavenfestival.org www.LovinLife.com

Celebrating Jewish Culture Learn about this organization during its Hanukkah party

BY LAURA LATZKO

ing similar to a Norman Rockwell painting.

“It was a great place to grow up. I cherish my memories of living in Winterhaven,” Brown says.

He says being part of the tradition is important to him because of how it touches others’ lives.

“There’s a magical meaning behind it all. There’s a reason why mom and dad moved there, and we all grew up with it and why we’ve tried to use that same gesture in our lives every day,” Brown says.

Although the neighbors’ love of the holidays drives them, they also have a chance to get a little competitive. For their elaborate decorations, residents can win awards, which are points of pride.

The festival has expanded over the years to include 20 awards, voted on by a panel of judges. Residents have a chance to vote on the grand prize award, known as the C.B. Richards’ Residents’ Choice Award.

The Browns have won the coveted

grand prize award 19 times.

There is a variety of awards, including best door, decorated vehicle, street, Southwest Christmas, UA spirit, interactive display, special effects, tree, use of humor, window and old-fashioned Christmas.

Residents can also win awards for being the most environmentally friendly or energy efficient or incorporating cartoon characters or Santa in a creative way.

Over the years, the family has had “Wizard of Oz,” children of the world, alien nativity, “Madagascar” penguin, farm and Wild West displays on lots on Farr Street and Christmas Avenue, where they have lived for the last 23 years.

“We want people to feel the joy of the season. That’s why the entire neighborhood does it. We do it because we want to bring joy to people. We want them to see how neighbors can work together, be good neighbors and help each other out,” Brown says.

Hanukkah celebrations don’t necessarily have to be religious.

The Secular Humanist Jewish Circle’s annual celebration brings people together to observe the holiday but focuses on culture.

The Jewish secular organization will hold its annual Hanukkah Party on Saturday, December 28, at St. Francis in the Foothills.

The celebration will incorporate storytell- Secular Humanist Jewish Circle’s annual Hanukkah celebration will have ing on Hanukkah’s traditional activities such as lighting menorahs. (Photo by Gregg Edelman) history, a menorah-lighting ceremony, continue to express their strong Jewish traditional foods such as doughnuts and identity and commitment to Judaism.”

The congregation is affiliated with the latke potato pancakes, a gift exchange, larger Society of Humanistic Judaism. dreidel games and live guitar music.

Along with its Hanukkah celebration, The event is open to the public, but RSVPs are highly encouraged to ensure the congregation also brings in lecturers and holds Passover, Havdalah, High Holithat enough food is available.

Attendees are also asked to bring a day and other events. It also participates food dish to pass and a wrapped present in other events in the Jewish community for the gift exchange. and takes part in social and political efLike Secular Humanist Jewish Circle’s forts with other groups. other events, the party allows guests Some of the organization’s events are to learn more about the congregation, designed for members only, while othwhich focuses on preserving Jewish cul- ers are open to the public. tural traditions instead of religious ScripThroughout the years, the congregature. tion has maintained a membership of “As a secular Jewish group, we have around 50 people. a very strong sense of our Jewish idenEvents such as the Hanukkah party altity, our cultural identity, our humanist low the organization to find new membackground and our belief in humanist bers, who don’t have to be Jewish to values, but we are secular, which means join. we don’t believe in a supernatural deity,” “Anyone who feels that they resonate says board member Susan Rubin. with our belief system and our commu“We don’t include prayer or an indi- nity is welcome. We’re open to all kinds cation of a deity in our programs or our of people,” Rubin says. celebrations. Though our celebrations are tradition and include rituals, prayer is not a part of it.”

What: Hanukkah Party When: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Rubin says since it started 10 years December 28 ago, the group has helped to bring toWhere: St. Francis in the Foothills, gether people with similar views.

4625 E. River Road “There is a large Jewish community Cost: $3 members, $5 nonmembers who identifies as secular and has those Info: RSVP to 730-0401, 577-7718, same sorts of beliefs,” she says. “We want cathbaz@gmail.com, to be there for other Jewish people who srubinaz@comcast.net or consider themselves secular but want to secularhumanistjewishcircle.org

MORE INFO

www.LovinLife.com

DECEMBER 2019

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Golden Anniversary Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair entertains artists from around the world

BY LAURA LATZKO Street fairs have become more than just spaces to look at art and listen to live music. The Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair is a communitywide holiday celebration.

Happening from Friday, December 13, to Sunday, December 15, the fair runs along Fourth Avenue between Eighth Street and University—and it’s celebrating its 50th anniversary. Around 300,000 people will party along with the organizers, Fourth Avenue Merchants Associtation.

The event was started as a sidewalk trunk sale by local merchants who wanted to drive business into the historic business district on Fourth Avenue. It has grown into an internationally known event that attracts artists from around the world.

“The fact that we have been able to sustain it for this long speaks to the value and the community appreciation of the event itself,” says Monique Vallery, the festival’s events director.

Along with artist booths, the event offers two stages with local bands and musicians, street performers, vendors selling services such as henna tattoos and face painting and three food court areas with a range of cuisine.

Guests can purchase beer or wine at six booths, located at different spots throughout the fair, and walk around with their beverages.

Vendors will offer foods such as barbecue, savory and sweet frybread, lobster

rolls and nachos or Chinese or Greek cuisine.

Around 16 nonprofits provide volunteers for the festival, and the merchants association gives back to them. They will have booths in a special area of Haggerty Plaza and will share information about their missions on the two stages during band breaks.

“We are about community, and we want to be giving back and supporting our community. This is one way we are able to do it,” Vallery says.

Local law enforcement agencies will offer free fingerprinting services for kids, and McGruff the Crime Dog will visit.

During the event’s three days, locals and out-of-towners can see what local merchants have to offer. Some will also have booths in the show.

“We want people to discover for the first time or rediscover Fourth Avenue,” Vallery says. “When the street fair is over, we want people to come down to the avenue.”

This year’s poster artist Johnny Carrillo owns a shop on Fourth Avenue.

A few of the businesses in the area have been around 50 years. The business district is home to around 160 storefronts, restaurants and businesses, many of which are owned by females.

The event has become a tradition for some families, who now bring multiple generations out to the festival.

“I can remember coming as a kid, and now I’m bringing my kid. We see that a lot of times.

A lot of our guests are bringing their kids and their grandkids even,” Vallery says.

The juried art show will have work from more than 340 artists and crafters who During the Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Harmony Tie-Dyes will sell different types of tie-dye designs. (Photo

by Brian Gleser)

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are chosen based on the quality of their products, their processes and their booth presentations. The artwork and craft items range in price from $10 to $10,000.

The show will have jewelers, painters, photographers, textile and clothing designers, handmade soap or food artisans, furniture and musical instrument makers, wood and leather workers and upcycle and mixed-media artists.

Some of the artists will demonstrate processes such as weaving or painting.

“People actually get to see the art being made, and it helps to draw people in because it is interactive,” Vallery says.

Some families of artists have had multiple generations take part in the festival.

Brian Gleser of California-based Harmony Tie-Dyes, first attended the show with his parents and now takes part in it with his family.

Sometimes, longtime customers will come wearing designs from 20 or 30 years ago, or their whole families will be decked out in the company’s tie-dye shirts. Gleser’s parents started the company 40 years ago, and he has continued with the tradition.

The company uses an elaborate process, taking anywhere from three to five days for each item.

“We do very intricate, very detailed tying and very precise dying. It’s a real art form,” Gleser says.

Gleser still uses some of the same designs as his parents but has evolved with the times, offering a range of tie-dye styles, products and designs. This includes

Utah-based metal artist Kevin Sybrowsky often uses repurposed items in his metal art. (Photos by Kevin Sybrowsky)

tie-dye items with dinosaurs, spirals, fruits, vegetables, aliens, saguaro cactus, happy faces and pop culture and video game characters.

Gleser says events such as the Tucson festival let him connect with others on a more personal level. He says those relationships make the items more meaningful to customers.

“What we are selling at the craft fair is more than just stuff. We are actually selling a piece of us,” Gleser says.

Another longtime participant is artist Kevin Sybrowsky, who brings more elaborate and smaller items, including metal bugs or hanging hearts. The Utah-based metal artist has been attending the spring and fall shows regularly since 2014.

In his artwork, he often uses recycled materials such as used Christmas lights, beer tap handles, vacuums or fire extinguishers.

“I think when you can reuse and make cool-looking stuff, it becomes special for people,” Sybrowsky says.

Each year, he tries to help the community by donating artwork to organizations such as the Homicide Survivors.

“We always love to give back to the areas that we visit. We always want to leave something special in the areas that we go to,” Sybrowsky says.

He always looks forward to the Tucson show each year.

“We love coming to Tucson because you have such a diverse community there, and we love the people that are there, Sybrowsky says. “We have a riot meeting all the people there. We just love it.”

MORE INFO

What: Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, December 13, to Sunday, December 15 Where: Historic Fourth Avenue, Fourth Avenue between Eighth Street and University Cost: Free admission Info: fourthavenue.org www.LovinLife.com

Top 15 Things to Do

From our Family to yours Hon-Dah wishes you a Happy & Safe Holiday Season

BY OCTAVIO SERRANO

Tucson Lights

DECEMBER 6 TO DECEMBER 29 Tucson Lights brings a grand display with more than 250,000 LED lights. In addition, it will feature dancing light shows that are sure to dazzle families.

Tucson Lights, 1102 W. Grant Road, tucsonlights.com, 917-0177, 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday to Sunday, $7.

Tucson Margarita Festival

DECEMBER 7 It’s never too late in the year to enjoy a classic margarita! Each ticket includes four margarita tastings to go along with the entertainment and the raffle, which includes prizes like a 55-inch Smart TV and an Apple iPad. The Rock, 136 N. Park Avenue, bit. ly/2KNqCT6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $25-$45.

La Fiesta de Tumacacori

DECEMBER 7 TO DECEMBER 8 Folks come together to celebrate the cultures that were historically associated with the Santa Cruz Valley. It features food and crafts booths, live entertainment on stage and children’s activities. The event will be topped off with a traditional mariachi mass performance in front of the church.

Tumacacori National Historical Park, 1891 I-19 Frontage Road, Tumacacori, 377-5060, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. free.

Annual Tamal Festival

150 artisans, over 30 performances by local musicians, family arts activities, food trucks and live music. The event will also include the lighting of the Oro Valley holiday tree.

Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley, orovalleymarketplace.com, 797-3959, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. December 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. December 9, free.

La Estancia 2019 Winter Festival

DECEMBER 14 There are many winter festivals during Christmas time and getting to all of them can be challenging. However, this community festival is sure to be on people’s list for the holidays. It will feature all the classical magic of Christmas time, so get some food and bring the family and enjoy a Saturday evening of festivity.

Community Park, 6725 E. Via Pampas Morenas, bit.ly/2KTVvFo, 5 to 8 p.m., free.

Winterhaven Festival of Lights

DECEMBER 14 TO DECEMBER 29 Winterhaven encourages people to watch the lights on a hayride wagon, bus trolley or a pedal-powered group bike. Check out its website to see what’s the best option.

Winterhaven, 3357 N. Country Club Road, winterhavenfestival.org, 6 to 10 p.m., prices vary.

DECEMBER 7 Casino Del Sol presents the 15th annual Tucson Tamal and Heritage Festival. This event celebrates the rich tastes, smells and variation from the Mexican culture. In addition, the festival will feature a tamale contest, live entertainment, food vendors, artisan vendors and family-friendly entertainment.

Casino Del Sol, 5655 W. Valencia Road, casinodelsol.com, 1-855-765-7829, 10 a.m., free admission.

12 Bars of Xmas

Santa’s Extravaganza

A Christmas Carol and Dickens Festival

DECEMBER 7 Santa’s Extravaganza is a Christmas-theme carnival for kids. The event will feature tree lighting, fun jumpers, obstacle courses, cookie decorating, reindeer games, prizes and food.

Hotel Tucson City Center, 475 N. Granada Avenue, bit.ly/34jBtM9, 4 to 9:30 p.m., $10.

Holiday Festival of the Arts and Oro Valley Tree Lighting

DECEMBER 8 TO DECEMBER 9 This two-day festival features more than www.LovinLife.com

DECEMBER 14 Guests are welcome to get their best Santa, Elf, reindeer and crazy holiday costumes for this party. The event will feature a limited number of complimentary drinks and items, a $500 costume contest, food specials at select locations and exclusive access to the crawl map.

Playground Bar and Lounge, 278 E. Congress Street, bit.ly/37DbDF2, 4 p.m. to midnight, $15-$20.

DECEMBER 15 The Arts Express’ A Christmas Carol and Dickens Festival is a Southern Arizona tradition and is celebrated with musical theater production of this timeless classic.

This show features Tucson actor Christopher Younggren as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway Boulevard, asdb.az.gov, 770-3762, 2 to 4 p.m., $10-$24.

Holiday Nights 2019

DECEMBER 16 TO DECEMBER 21 Celebrate the holidays surrounded by a

million lights and glowing luminaries at Tohono Chul. Live music is included. Guests are sure to enjoy the festivities with a hot cup of chocolate and tasty food.

Tohono Chul, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte, tohonochul.org, 742-6455, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free.

Come play our 50 new Slot Machines including the Walking Dead!

Christmas Day Buffet

DECEMBER 25 Some people like to relax on Christmas eve and not cook, which makes this buffet the perfect event for them. Guests will enjoy a savory spread of the award-winning culinary team’s favorite dishes. The menu features roast turkey breast, prime rib and turkey enchiladas with a variety of sauces.

Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, 5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol, haciendadelsol.com, 299-1501, 11 a.m., $70 for adults and $35 for children.

Tucson Trolley Tour

DECEMBER 28 The trolley takes shoppers to spots around Tucson to enjoy different stores and restaurants. Check out the local vendors to see what they have to offer.

Hermosa Coffee Roasters, 267 S. Avenida del Convent, conta. cc/35z00Nw, 529-7400, 8:30 a.m. to noon, free admission.

New Year’s Eve Celebration

DECEMBER 31 Celebrate Prince’s best music with a tribute act and DJs. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their best Prince costume and dance into the new year.

The Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street, bit.ly/37Bhn2k, 9 p.m., $20-$50.

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WarmLounge your insides re-energize in the Timbers with livewith entertainment 6 days a week. a meal from Indian Pines restaurant and re-energize a fun filled day, relax ourentertainment heated outdoor pool in theAfter Timbers Lounge withinlive or hot tub. Dream of your next adventure in one of our 6 days a week.

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On Friday September 28, 2018 Hon-Dah Resort Casino & Conference Center will host the The Run to the Pines pre-car show.

There will be a parade of pre-1970 vehicles.

In the evening there will be a BBQ dinner, entertainment and giveaways. Open to the public. The BBQ dinner is hosted by the Run to the Pines Car Club.

Ski Packages Available

Arizona Bowl Car Show

DECEMBER 31 Car aficionados will enjoy this parade featuring trucks and cars that will be judged in several categories like best classic truck, best modern truck, best rat rod, best engine, best sports car. To participate, registration is required.

1737 E. University Boulevard, bit. ly/33kigJ7, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., $20.

Located at 777 Highway 260, 3 miles south of Pinetop, Az Located at 777 Highway 260, 3 miles south of Pinetop, Az For moreinformation informationgogototo“Hon-Dah.com” “Hon-Dah.com” For more or call 800-Way Up Hi (800-929-8744) 928-369-0299 or call 800-Way (must beUp21Hior(800-929-8744) older with ID) 928-369-0299

DECEMBER 2019

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News

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Grand jury indicts former assisted living facility operator A Pima County Grand Jury indicted Jerone Davis for one count of fraud, and 14 counts of theft.

Davis operated several assisted living facilities in Pima County, under the name of Rancho Verde Care Homes.

Davis is accused of entering into longterm care contracts with 14 residents of the facilities between April and May 2017.

Shortly after executing the long-term care contracts, Davis allegedly ceased operating the residential facilities and failed to return to the residents any of the funds for those unused portions of the longterm contracts. The indictment alleges Davis failed to return more than $100,000 to the residents.

Rio Nuevo OKs investment in $72M Bautista project Work on the Bautista is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2020 and construction is anticipated to take 22

months, says Adam Weinstein, president and CEO of The Gadsden Company.

The Rio Nuevo Board unanimously approved an investment in one of the district’s biggest projects.

The Bautista, a $72.5 million, mixed-use development near West Cushing Street and South Linda Avenue, will include 16,500 square feet of retail space, 253 residential units and a restaurant.

The development’s central plaza will allow visitors to walk to the Santa Cruz River, which now flows year-round. Other water features will harken back to canals associated with 18th-century farms that were in the area.

After Weinstein’s request, the board agreed to provide a $2.8 million investment as part of a Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET). The deal includes $1.8 million in cash from Rio Nuevo and $1 million in sales tax rebates. This financing allows Gadsden to meet a December 31 deadline to qualify for Opportunity Zone funds used for tax-incentive

Do You Have Pain/Numbness/Tingling in the Feet/Legs???

A doctor has moved to Tucson that treats neuropathy (nerve problems), and his name is Dr Trent Freeman DC (Dr T). He has been treating Neuropathy for the last 10 years.

Maybe you have seen him interviewed on CBS by Steve Ochoa or during the Dr Oz show, maybe you saw him on NBC. He has brought this new treatment to persons suffering from neuropathy in Tucson. He uses two kinds of Light to stimulate the nerves to function better. He uses pulsed infrared technology that helps reduce the pain, and FDA approved cold lasers that help the cells function better. He offers his consultation for FREE. He looks at the interview time as a time for him to see if you have the type of neuropathy that he treats but more importantly, for you to interview him and see if he is someone that you would like to work with. His clinic is certified with the Neuropathy Treatment Centers of America and he has received advanced training in the treatment of neuropathy. There are fewer than 100 doctors in America that have received this advanced training in this type of therapy. Dr T looks at neuropathy as a thief that comes to your life and starts to steal from you. If you allow neuropathy to continue, it will steal your independence (driving, walking, balance) As Dr T says “Everyday we are having more success relieving neuropathy pain, WHY NOT YOU?” Give his office a call and schedule the FREE consultation and see if you qualify for this new therapy 520-445-6784.

Give him a call he may be able to change your life!

520-445-6784

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Officials from Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital and developer PMB break ground for the $19 million, 55,000-squarefoot St. Mary’s Medical Pavilion on Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital campus in Tucson. The medical pavilion will be anchored by Carondelet Medical Group multispecialty practice. (Photo courtesy PMB)

developments.

Info: rionuevo.org.

PMG breaks ground for St. Mary’s Medical Pavilion PMB, a real estate owner and developer across the continuum of care, broke ground on the new class-A, 55,000-square-foot St. Mary’s Medical Pavilion on Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital campus in Tucson.

The $19 million project on the campus of the 400-bed acute-care hospital is already 60% preleased by Carondelet Medical Group, which will anchor the building with a 23,000-square-foot multispecialty practice. Other tenants will be The Oncology Institute of Hope and Innovation and Marana Health Clinic.

“The new St. Mary’s Medical Pavilion will add needed medical office space on the St. Mary’s Hospital campus,” says Ryan Harper, chief operating officer of Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital.

“The new medical offices show a commitment to adding health provider options for the community and will increase the total square footage by 50% compared to the existing Century Medical Plaza.”

The new, two-story medical office building will be located adjacent to the existing 37,000-square-foot Century Medical Plaza, which PMB acquired from Healthcare Realty Trust in December 2018.

Century Medical Plaza is a functionally obsolete property located at 1701 W. St. Mary’s Road in Tucson on St. Mary’s Hospital campus. When St. Mary’s Medical Pavilion is completed in July, PMB will demolish the Century Medical Plaza and develop 275 surface parking spaces dedicated to servicing visitors to the new building. A number of existing Century Medical Plaza tenants will relocate into the new building upon completion.

Supervisors will fix all county roads in 10 years The Pima County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a new board policy that will use the general fund to pay for county capital infrastructure projects, including road repair in the unincorporated county.

The Pay-As-You-Go plan, or PAYGO, will provide $10 million next fiscal year for road repair, in addition to $16 million of Transportation Department funding. The Library and Flood Control districts and the Wastewater Department, which all have their own dedicated funding sources, already use PAYGO plans for their infrastructure needs.

The new policy, which the county administrator will use to craft a recommended county budget each year and is similar to one used by Maricopa County, will repair all of the county’s roads in 10 years and keep them in good repair, and fund hundreds of essential capital projects identified in the Integrated Infrastructure Plan over that same period. Initially, the majority of PAYGO funds will be used for road repair. Once the county is caught up on road repair, PAYGO will primarily fund Infrastructure Plan projects.

The funding for PAYGO will come from a percentage of the growth in the overall county tax base and recapturing a portion of the taxes no longer needed to pay off bonds, while still reducing the combined county property tax rate over time.

“This PAYGO plan will provide us the funding to make sure our critical infrastructure is maintained and that we’re meeting the needs of a growing population, while at the same time providing tax relief to county taxpayers,” says County Administrator Chuck Huckleberry.

“It is a win-win plan that still gives the board the flexibility to determine funding priorities every year.” www.LovinLife.com

Community Calendar

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Madaras Gallery: “Holiday Party and First Thursday”

DECEMBER 5 Join the gallery for its annual holiday party with festive musical performances by the Havin’ a Blast quartet. Find unique holiday décor and shop from hundreds of Southwest-inspired gifts.

Madaras Gallery, 3035 N. Swan, 6153001, madaras.com, 5:30 to 7 p.m., free admission.

Patronato’s Christmas Concerts

DECEMBER 10 TO DECEMBER 12 One of Southern Arizona’s most enduring winter traditions marking the beginning of the holiday season is Patronato’s Christmas at San Xavier.

This series of beloved concerts at Mission San Xavier raises funds for The Patronato, a nonprofit devoted to conserving and preserving the historic Mission for future generations. The shows feature Tucson Boys Chorus and the Sons of Orpheus-The Male Choir of Tucson.

The Tucson Girls Chorus joins them at 7:45 p.m.

December 10.

Mission San Xavier, 1950 W. San Xavier Road, patronatosanxavier.org, 6 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., $100 to $135.

find positive solutions to shared concerns and to unite in support of each other.

La Perla at La Posada’s Zuni Room, 635 S. Park Center Avenue, 626-2901, 10 to 11 a.m., free, reservations required.

Senior Pride Speaker Series

Senior Pride Holiday Intergenerational Potluck

DECEMBER 10 Jeanne Bjorn will discuss “Nourishing Nutrition.

As the holidays roll around, there are many temptations for sweet treats. As we prepare for the festivities, it’s time to think ahead to, yes, what’s actually good for us—what’s going to keep us vital and active. Bjorn earned her master’s degree in holistic nutrition in 2006 from Clayton College of Natural Health, where her thesis work was on dental health and nutrientdense foods.

Himmel Park Library, 1035 N. Treat Avenue, 312-8923, soazseniorpride@gmail.com, soazseniorpride.org, 2 to 3:30 p.m., free admission.

Green Valley Stroke Support Group

DECEMBER 12 The group is facilitated by Leslie Ritter, PhD, RN, and supported by Banner - University Medical Center, University of Arizona College of Nursing and Sarver Heart Center. For stroke survivors and caregivers to learn more about stroke, to

DECEMBER 14 Join the fun and bring a dish to share.

Cornerstone Fellowship Social Hall, 2902 N. Geronimo, 312-8923, soazseniorpride@ gmail.com, soazseniorpride.org, noon to 2 p.m., free admission.

Tucson Organic Gardeners Monthly Meeting

DECEMBER 17 This month’s meeting focuses on “Integrated Pest Management,” as discussed by Deborah North, master gardener. Members can share their experiences and bring their questions for others.

St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, 3809 E. Third Street, tucsonorganicgardeners.com, info@tucsonorganicgardeners.org, 6 p.m., free.

Southern Arizona Senior Pride Book Club

DECEMBER 18 Tucson LGBTQ seniors will meet to discuss Toni Morrison’s “God Help the Child,” a novel about the devastating consequences of a lightskinned mother who rejects her dark-skinned child.

Cornerstone Fellowship Social Hall, 2902 N. Geronimo, 312-8923, soazseniorpride@ gmail.com, 2 to 3:30 p.m., free admission.

Society of Military Widows Meeting

DECEMBER 18 The Society of Military Widows is dedicated to the needs, concerns and welfare of military surviving spouses and their children. Reservation deadline is December 10.

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, 2720 S. Craycroft Road, 721.1688, ross2d@aol. com, noon, call for charge.

Have an event you’d like to see in our calendar? Tell us about it! Email the complete information to christina@timespublications.com

Sahuarita

An Enterprise of the Tohono O’odham Nation.

www.LovinLife.com

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Arts ‘Theater for Anybody’ Gaslight presents funny, heartwarming and relevant shows

BY LAURA LATZKO Theater companies often stay around by being versatile and keeping with the times.

This is what the Gaslight Theatre has done to stay relevant in Tucson.

During its upcoming season, the company will present comedic melodramas that are funny, heartwarming and relevant.

The 2020 season will follow a similar format as previous seasons, including western, fantasy and holiday shows.

Heather Stricker—who handles media relations and PR for Gaslight and is also an opening actress, general manager and concert booker—says the company offers something for people of all ages.

“The No. 1 thing that makes us so successful is we are theater for anybody,” Stricker says.

“There isn’t a demographic who wouldn’t enjoy the shows here because they are funny and because we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”

The company usually puts on five shows each year, as well as concerts at its Tucson and Oro Valley locations. Audience members can not only see a show but get a bite to eat and something to drink. Each table has popcorn, and the theater is attached to a diner and pizza shop.

Anyone celebrating a special occasion, such as a birthday, graduation or anniversary, receives ice cream. The company also tries to make the experience interactive by offering cutouts of past shows and a photo op.

Gaslight recently expanded its adult beverage options to include cocktails, beer and wine.

On stage this coming year, Gaslight will open with the new western production “Showdown in Tucson” and close with its holiday production “A Smalltown Christmas.”

A number of company’s shows, including “Buccaneers of the Caribbean,” “Henry Potter” and “Ghostblasters,” are spoofs of popular films or TV shows.

The storylines and characters are often adapted but retain essential elements that

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audiences expect. The production of “Ghostblasters,” for example, will feature two men and a woman in the lead roles. The shows often incorporate songs from different decades or parodies of popIn 2020, Gaslight Theatre will put on different types of original productions, including the pirate show “Buccaneers of the ular songs.

Caribbean.” (Photo courtesy Gaslight Theatre) Some productions, including “Showdown in Tucson,” take place in and they bring their out-of-town guests forming in another. The company has three Arizona and present Southwest characters, during the holidays, and they do their cor- days of tech between each show. scenery and costumes. porate parties here,” Stricker says.

Armen Dirtadian, the leading man in the All of the shows are written, cast and diThe theater company’s history in Tucson upcoming production of “Showdown in rected by Peter Van Slyke, who stays up on dates back to 1977 when CEO and own- Tucson,” has worked with the company for trends to prepare for upcoming seasons. er Tony Terry, a former UA student, and a more than 35 years. He has also acted with “He’ll research what movies are going to group of friends created it after trying un- Arizona Theatre Company.

Over the years, he has played different hebe coming out in the next year or if there’s successfully to do theater in Alaska. anything in pop culture that’s significant,” Gaslight’s productions were initially pre- roes and villains with Gaslight. It all started Stricker says. sented in a barn at Trail Dust Town, but they with his portrayal of a pirate king. He comes Each production relies on the expertise soon outgrew that space. It has moved sev- from a musical family and growing up, he of a talented creative team, which includes eral times. did theater and speech team. musical director Linda Ackermann, set deThe company’s current saloon-style theWhen he started with Gaslight, it only had signer Tom Benson, choreographer Kath- ater is located at Broadway and Kolb, at a piano accompaniment and floor mics. As erine Byrnes and costume designer Renee former Jerry Lewis theater. technology has gotten more advanced, the Cloutier.

Over the years, the actors have helped to shows have also evolved.

All of the costumes and sets are made in- make the theater company successful.

There were also no understudies, so achouse. A live band adds to the quality of the Many of Gaslight’s actors have been with tors performed in all of the shows. He says performances. the company for a decade or more, and because of this, he has grown as an actor.

Along with its mainstage shows, the com- some have an even longer tenure of 20 to “You learn by doing it. That’s one of the pany presents olios, a term used to describe 30 years. Stricker started with the company ways you can learn. It was absolutely great vaudeville-style variety acts with music, in 2000 as a UA student and performed with for me to be on the stage every night,” Dirtadance and/or comedy. In the spring, the Gaslight even after moving to New York for dian says. company will present a “Friends”-inspired a period of time. She returned to Arizona in olio. In the past, the company has done 2013.

2020 Season “The Brady Bunch,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “The “It’s one of those dream jobs. Once you The Gaslight Theatre is located at 7010 E. Broadway. Tickets are $23.95 Gong Show” and musical superstars olios. get it, you don’t want to let it go,” Stricker for adults, $13.95 for children and The olios often have Easter eggs, including says. $21.95 for seniors, military and first ongoing jokes, for longtime Gaslight fans.

The company holds auditions four times responders. For more information, “A lot of people say the olios are their fa- a year and regularly brings in emerging accall 886-9428 or visit thegaslightvorite part of the night because they are so tors, who often start out in swing roles. theatre.com. excited to see what crazy thing is going to The actors are from Shakespearean acting, “Showdown in Tucson” happen, what jokes are going to be told, opera, standup comedy, musical theater, January 9 to March 29 what musical will be featured,” Stricker says. straight play and pop music backgrounds “Buccaneers of the Caribbean” Some audience members have been at- and range in age from 18 to their 60s.

April 2 to June 7 tending shows since the beginning. Stricker “We all come as audience members and “Henry Potter” says company members often get to know fall in love with it usually that way. Because June 11 to August 30 these devoted followers. of that, we’ve all ended up there,” Stricker “Ghostblasters” “Our clientele, they are kind of like family. says.

September 3 to November 8 We know so many of them by name when Throughout the season, actors stay busy, “A Smalltown Christmas” we see them because they come so often, often rehearsing for one show while perNovember 12 to January 3

DECEMBER 2019

www.LovinLife.com

Arts Events Calendar

BY RANDY MONTGOMERY

“Apples in Winter”

TO DECEMBER 15 In the play by Jennifer Fawcett, we meet a woman baking a small pie in a kitchen not her own. The room is bare, and there are no chairs.

A knife is attached to the work table with a wire. This is the story of a mother’s deepest love and most grievous pain. Part of a fiveplay series, all written by women. Presented by Something Something Theatre.

Community Playhouse, 1881 N. Oracle Road, somethingsomethingtheatre.com, times vary, $5-$25.

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Revue

“The Secret Santa”

TO JANUARY 5 It’s Christmas season in the ’60s in Merryville, but Barkley Simpson is not feeling the holiday cheer. Simpson works at the Cogsworth Toy Factory and has convinced the owner that it’s no longer about holiday cheer. Instead, it’s about money. However, a mysterious old toymaker helps just in time to restore the Christmas cheer to the town of Merryville. The mysterious man, Nick, and his niece, Holly, have a few tricks up their sleeves to save Christmas.

The Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway, 886-9428, thegaslighttheatre.com, times vary, $13.95-$23.95.

TO DECEMBER 24 Share the joy of Christmas with the spectacular seven-piece Gaslight Show Band, as well as six incredible vocalists: Armen Dirtadian, Erin Anderson, Randall McDonald, Kelli Workman, Brian Paradis and Caeli Austin. Families will sing along with holiday favorites, enjoy swingin’ seasonal songs, and even hear a few unexpected rockin’ Christmas hits. Be transported to a winter wonderland that is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

The Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road, 529-1000, gaslightmusichall.com, times vary, $23.95.

“Jesus Christ Superstar”

“Molly Shannon’s Tilly the Trickster”

“Merry-Achi Christmas”

“Cabaret”

“In the Christmas Mood: A Holiday Music Spectacular”

TO DECEMBER 28 Tilly is a mischievous girl who loves nothing more than causing a little trouble. From leaking cups to toothpaste-flavored cookies, Tilly has a trick for everyone: her mom, dad, brother, classmates and even her teacher. But when the tables are turned and her family does some scheming of its own, will Tilly decide to change her trickster ways? Molly Shannon has created numerous unforgettable characters on “Saturday Night Live” and in movies, and now introduces young readers to her latest hilarious creation.

Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway Boulevard, 327-4242, livetheatreworkshop.org, times vary, $10-$12.

TO DECEMBER 29 “Cabaret” first opened on Broadway in 1966 and ran for 1,165 performances. The story follows American author Cliff Bradshaw and his encounter with cabaret performer Sally Bowles and the seedy world of the Kit Kat Klub, presided over by the enigmatic emcee.

When Sally is fired by the club’s owner, also her jealous boyfriend, she moves in with Cliff and the two fall in love. The powerful story remains remarkably timely nearly 80 years after Christopher Isherwood’s original stories were published, which is why the piece continues to resonate with audiences more than 50 years after it debuted. Presented by Arizona Theatre Company.

Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Avenue, 622-2823, arizonatheatre.org, $29-$80.

www.LovinLife.com

Oaxacan Folk Art from the Shepard Barbash and Vicki Ragan Collection

Ralph Gibson: Photographs

TO AUGUST 9 Collectors Shepard Barbash and Vicki Ragan have spent decades studying and documenting the art and artists from the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. They have built one of the nation’s premier collections of Oaxacan woodcarving and ceramics, choosing works that reveal the innovation of artists from the region who both keenly observe local customs and expand the limits of the imagination.

Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 N. Main Avenue, 624-2333, tucsonmuseumofart.org, times vary, free-$12.

ONGOING Born in Los Angeles in 1939, Ralph Gibson is a celebrated American photographer with a distinguished career that spans more than 50 years. The son of a Hollywood director, Gibson grew up in a culture of glamour that defined American cinema in the mid-20th century.

Studying photography while serving in the U.S. Navy, he began to capture images of people, places and things with keen introspection.

This exhibition is a selection of photographs that reveals his ability to seize the drama and poignance in the commonplace.

Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 N. Main Avenue, 624-2333, tucsonmuseumofart.org, times vary, free-$12.

DECEMBER 3 TO DECEMBER 8 In celebration of its 50th anniversary, “Jesus Christ Superstar” is presented with a new production, which pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year. With music and lyrics by the award-winning writers, the story is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas. Presented by Broadway in Tucson.

Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Boulevard, 903-2929, broadwayintucson. com, times vary, prices vary.

DECEMBER 15 Mariachi Sol de México is truly a traveling cultural icon that symbolizes extraordinary musicianship and cross-generational joy. A proud fifth-generation mariachi musician, Maestro José Hernández and his platinumselling Sol de México have broken countless barriers in mariachi music, becoming the first mariachi ensemble to be nominated for a Grammy Award. Their original rhythms, fresh sounds and inspiring ideas have energized the world of mariachi for more than 30 years.

This special performance includes treasured holiday favorites and selections from the mariachi songbook.

Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, 547-3040, foxtucson.com, 4 p.m., $24.50-$49.50.

DECEMBER 20 The evening is filled with singing, dancing, live music and holiday magic as the show pays homage to the classic Andy Williams and Bing Crosby Christmas specials. Tucson’s Crystal Stark, New York performer Brian Levario, and others will pay tribute to classic Christmas moments, joined by special guests Greg Curtis and Mrs. G from the 94.9 MIX FM Morning Mix and the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus.

Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, 547-3040, foxtucson.com, 7:30 p.m., $25-$35.

DECEMBER 2019

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Arts Familiar and Comforting Two theater companies bring ‘Apples in Winter’ to Tucson

BY BRIDGETTE REDMAN

Director Barclay Goldsmith brought There is nothing that says motherhood this relatively new show to the artistic quite like apple pie. It’s what you might staff at Something Something. They were putting together a season with all womcall “natural.”

It’s why when you take something so en playwrights and felt the show fit perfamiliar and comforting and put it out of fectly.

“The script was very compelling, and season it can get downright unsettling.

That’s what happens in Jennifer Faw- we wanted to work it in,” says Whitney cett’s “Apples in Winter,” which will be Morton Woodcock, a founding director.

Goldsmith is a co-founder of the Naplaying as a joint production between Something Something theater and Tuc- tional New Play Network, which is where son Labyrinth Project through December “Apples in Winter” started. The play began as a proposal and subsequently won the 15 at Community Playhouse.

The one-woman show takes its viewers Smith Prize for Political Theater from the on a heartbreaking rollercoaster of emo- National New Play Network in 2015 and tions evoking laughter and tears. Miriam, the Susan Glaspell Award in 2017. It then a woman in her 60s, is in a sterilized, in- joined NNPN’s Rolling World Premiere program to get dustrial kitchen joint world prebaking a small mieres around apple pie for her the country son, Robert. It’s throughout something she 2018 and 2019. did annually for Between the many years, but time Fawcett now this pie will made the probe his last meal posal and when as he ends his she began writ22-year stint on ing, she became death row for pregnant with committing a her first child. violent crime.

That immediThe apple pie was Fawcett’s Playwriter, Jennifer Fawcett, debuts “Apples in Winter” in a ately made the first idea when joint production between Something Something theater story take on and Tucson Labyrinth Project at Community Playhouse. new and more she was preparintense meanings for her. ing the show’s proposal.

“I was fueled by the hormones of “It felt so familiar, so classic,” Fawcett says. “There is nothing negative about pregnancy,” Fawcett says. “I was thinkapple pie. It smells amazing, it tastes ing about motherhood, about to begreat. It was just the accessibility of it. I re- come a mother myself. Motherhood had ally wanted to contrast something famil- changed for me. It had gone from someiar and comforting and easily accessible thing maybe in the future to now. I didn’t with something that is not familiar and have a close emotional relationship and not accessible and not the slightest bit then suddenly being very connected with it and thinking about motherhood. comfortable.”

For the past two decades, Miriam has Most of it was very joyful, but there is felt isolated because no one wants to be fear about what if it doesn’t go well or I friends with the mother of a “monster.” do something wrong. It was challenging, She tries to understand if she did some- not in a bad way, but way closer to home thing to make her son turn out this way emotionally than when I wrote the proposal.” while she struggles with loss and grief.

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DECEMBER 2019

Tucson actress Roxanne Harley will be playing Miriam in the Something Something/Project Labyrinth version of ‘Apples in Winter’. (Submitted photos)

While it was more emotionally intense for her as a writer, she says it didn’t change the play except she mentioned Robert’s childhood more.

Tucson actress Roxanne Harley will be playing Miriam in the Something Something/Project Labyrinth version. She’s an actress who started her career as a dancer with Milton Berle’s comedy and musical revues, which toured the shores of Lake Michigan.

Fawcett says there are so few juicy roles for older women, few women spend their whole career in the theater. Those who do are performers who are skilled and talented.

“It is an opportunity to watch a powerhouse actor,” Fawcett says. “Certainly, the productions I’ve seen and the reviews all comment on how powerful the performance is. Being able to watch someone do what these actresses will do is really incredible and very rare. There are roles for older women, but not enough of them and they don’t usually get the

whole stage to themselves. You’ll see an actress really flex her muscles. These are actresses who have real chops.”

“Apples in Winter” has been performed for people who are currently or formerly incarcerated and for their families.

“They have said it feels really true,” Fawcett says. “It feels really accurate about their experience. Every experience is different, but you still want to get it right. It needs to feel authentic and people have said it is.”

MORE INFO

What: “Apples in Winter”

by Jennifer Fawcett When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays to Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sunday, until December 15 Where: Community Playhouse, 1881 N. Oracle Road Cost: Tickets start at $25, with discounts for seniors, students, military, teachers Info: somethingsomething.com www.LovinLife.com

Puzzles ANSWERS ON PAGE 29

ACROSS 1 Zinger 5 Nuisance 9 Oprah’s network 12 Chills and fever 13 Viscous 14 Dove’s call 15 Short musical works 17 “Hail, Caesar!”

18 Yule quaff 19 Fairy tale villains 21 Chic 22 Island porch 24 Formerly 27 Evergreen type 28 Break suddenly 31 Tasseled topper 32 Lobe locale 33 Gorilla 34 Dread 36 Attempt 37 Car sticker no.

38 Batman’s pal

16 Heavy weight 20 Petrol 22 Memorize 23 Distorted 24 Vacationing 25 Born 26 Ivan’s and Peter’s wives 27 Bigfoot’s cousin 29 Spring mo.

30 Vigor 35 Director Howard 37 “Friends” role DOWN 39 Soaks up some rays 1 Foundation 40 Hodges of baseball lore 2 Enthusiastic 41 Seafood entree 3 Ladder step 42 Streaming video giant 4 Cap with a propeller 43 Apple co-founder 5 Bluenose 44 Wildebeests 6 A billion years 45 Whip 7 Hot tub 46 Catch sight of 8 Mike of the ring 9 Simple wind instruments 49 Away from WSW 50 Do some lawn work 10 Used a loom 11 Vetoers’ votes 40 Proceed 41 Dishes 43 Commercial song 47 Scoot 48 Varieties of wheat 51 Carte lead-in 52 Handle 53 Point 54 Clear the tables 55 Stitches 56 Wan

EVEN EXCHANGE

by Donna Pettman

Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

SUDOKU TIME

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

DIFFICULTY THIS MONTH H H

H Moderate HH Challenging HHH HOO BOY!

GO FIGURE!

by Linda Thistle

The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.

DIFFICULTY THIS MONTH H H

H Moderate HH Difficult HHH GO FIGURE!

SCRAMBLERS Unscramble the letters within each rectangle to form four ordinary words.

Then rearrange the boxed letters to form the mystery word, which will complete the gag!

www.LovinLife.com

DECEMBER 2019

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Dining Season’s Eatings Impress friends and family at these five restaurants

BY VALERIE VINYARD

Café Poca Cosa

Unless you love snow and ice, spending the holidays in Tucson is a temperate dream.

So, friends and family often want to visit Southern Arizona once December arrives. As your job as a consummate host, your biggest challenge probably will be choosing the restaurants to take them to and impress them.

Since UNESCO chose Tucson as a City of Gastronomy, there’s a seemingly never-ending number of dazzling restaurants in town that can dazzle visitors.

Some of the most memorable also don’t have to be the most expensive. For example, Guero Canelo’s famed Sonoran hot dog won the acclaimed James Beard American Classics award last year. One of those Sonoran dogs, which comes bacon-wrapped and is slathered with beans, onions, tomato, mayo, mustard and jalapeno sauce, only costs $3.50.

A person shouldn’t live on hot dogs alone, however. So, to remove some of the stress, we’ve provided a handy list of five memorable places in Tucson. Happy holidays!

110 E. Pennington Street, 622-6400 (cafepocacosatucson.com) Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; closed Sundays and Mondays.

For those who crave variety—and incredible Mexican food—a visit to Café Poca Cosa is a must.

If you read any guidebooks or travel stories on Tucson, you’re bound to find effusive praise for this restaurant, whose owner and chef is Suzana Davila, a native of Guaymas, Sonora.

Besides having the best salsa in town, Café Poca Cosa changes its menu twice a day.

You won’t find tacos or burritos on this menu, which is listed on a small chalkboard and brought to the table and explained by your server. Instead, you’ll find about a dozen different dishes - including rich moles, exquisite beef, chicken and fish dishes and her delectable green corn tamale pies topped with ever-changing vegetables and fruit sauces.

Intrepid diners often vie for the Plato Poca Cosa, where the chef dishes up three smaller portions of the entrees offered that day. If more than one orders the Plato, you’ll all receive different items, so you can taste many of the day’s options.

Every meal comes with housemade corn tortillas, rice and beans served family style and a vibrant green salad with chunks of fruit or veggies on top.

It’s a lot of food, and it’s all delicious. Obviously, reservations are The Flying V Bar and Grill is the place to take someone who wants to dine while feeling like they’re at a cozy ski lodge or fancy ranch house, complete with plush furniture and a roaring fire in the fireplace. (Photo courtesy

The PY Steakhouse inside Casino del Sol is an elegant location for any holiday feast. Right: PY’s Seafood Tower. (Photo courtesy Casino del Sol)

recommended.

Poca Cosa also has a full bar, and there are a variety of house-made specialty cupcakes for dessert. The mango iced tea shouldn’t be overlooked either.

Downtown Kitchen and Cocktails 135 S. Sixth Street, 623-7700 (downtownkitchen.com) Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays; 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour is 4 to 6 p.m. daily at the bar or on the patio.

Opened in 2010, Downtown Kitchen and Cocktails is the latest iteration for acclaimed chef and owner Janos Wilder.

Wilder, who was named the top chef in the Southwest in 2000 by the James Beard Foundation, opened his first restaurant in 1983 in a landmark adobe home on the grounds of the Tucson Museum of Art. The menu featured French technique and local ingredients that gained national acclaim.

In 1998, the restaurant relocated to a building on the grounds of the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa. In 1999, under the same roof as Janos, J BAR was opened as a casual, less expensive alternative featuring the foods of Southern Arizona, Latin America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

At Downtown Kitchen, diners can order such dishes as crisp frog legs mojo de Ajo ($12); Brazilian feijoada with picanha steak ($25) and a dark chocolate jalapeno ice cream sundae ($8). Entrée

prices range from $23 to $30. The wellversed servers are friendly and efficient.

Happy hour is 4 to 6 p.m. daily and features nibbles such as $3 warmed Oaxacan peanuts and a $10 Downtown burger, which includes Manchego cheese, mushrooms, smoke poblanos, bacon and caramelized onions on a griddled torta bun. Drink specials include $3.50 drafts and $5.50 wines and select cocktails.

Wilder also offers a three-course Sense of Place menu that highlights foods from different cultures. The current menu features hibiscus-cured Hamachi crudo; braised lamb shank and chile Colorado; and warm Oaxacan bread pudding for $43.

Feast 3719 E. Speedway Boulevard, 326-9363, (eatatfeast.com) Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays.

Feast has almost been open for 20 years, an impressive feat for any restaurant.

Flying V Bar and Grill)

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DECEMBER 2019

www.LovinLife.com

When you’re at Feast, you’re bound to meet the omnipresent owner and chef, Doug Levy. His friendly demeanor and absolute knowledge of food and wine is impressive.

When you first walk inside, you’ll see a small retail wine shop to the right. The bottle selection is full of unusual varieties and low prices. In fact, Wine Spectator magazine has described Feast’s wines as criminally underpriced. The often-present wine expert, Kevin, also can wax philosophical on any of the wines in the shop and help you choose the perfect bottle.

You can pick out a bottle at the shop to enjoy at the restaurant (for a $15 corking fee), or just take some home. Feast also offers an extensive wine list by the glass or bottle. There are weekly wine tastings and regular winemaker dinners, too.

The food, however, is what really stands out. The monthly changing menu features flavor combinations you’ve never thought about. Think cotton candy and shrimp. Or cinnamon-garlic Manchego cheese fries. Or a cream cheese scramble.

Of course, many traditional dishes are offered, including Feast’s grilled cheese sandwich ($11.50), one item that never leaves the menu. The beloved sandwich has seared Halloumi cheese, honey-roasted eggplant, tomato and onion on a French roll. It’s served with mixed greens with a zesty vinaigrette.

Whatever you choose, expect to be delighted.

Flying V Bar and Grill On the grounds of the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive, 615-5495 (flyingvbarandgrill.com) Hours: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays; 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

This is the place to take someone who wants to dine while feeling like they’re at a cozy ski lodge or fancy ranch house, complete with plush furniture and a roaring fire in the fireplace.

After the five-diamond Ventana Room closed years ago, the Flying V Bar and Grill took over as The Loews Ventana Canyon’s flagship restaurant.

The restaurant is located a short walk from the main resort building, and you can either valet or park yourself. Especially on the patio, the views are breathtaking, and service is top notch. The menu leans Southwestern and features dishes such as short ribs, steaks and seafood. www.LovinLife.com

But the real reason you’re taking your guests is for the tableside guacamole.

You’ll re-evaluate all of your opinions on guacamole after you experience this version.

A full order is an appetizer feast for two or three. For $18, which includes two avocados, a “guacamoliere” will wheel over a cart full of fun, fresh ingredients to create your perfect guacamole tableside.

In addition to the traditional ingredients like onions, garlic, tomatoes, salt and chiles, other offerings could include cotija cheese, mango, apple, cucumber and a special blend house pepper. A half-order has one avocado and costs $9 with the same fixings.

The restaurant also offers almost 70 tequilas, signature cocktails and a mostly domestic wine list.

PY Steakhouse Inside Casino del Sol, 5655 W. Valencia Road, 324-9350, (casinodelsol.com) Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays; 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

Ryan Clark, three-time winner of Tucson’s Iron Chef competition, now runs the restaurants at Casino del Sol on the Pascua Yaqui reservation.

Once you enter PY Steakhouse, the sounds of the casino outside are doused, and your fine-dining experience can begin.

Choose from a quintessential steakhouse menu, with aged, prime-cut meats, seafood and a dazzling array of interesting side dishes. Steak prices range from a 7-ounce center-cut filet mignon for $36 to a 22-ounce cowboy ribeye for $58. PY uses local purveyors for many of its foods, including grass-fed beef from Southern Arizona.

If the prices seem too rich, there’s a slow-roasted prime rib night on Wednesdays that costs $25 and includes herb salt, rosemary au jus, horseradish cream, loaded baked potato and chef’s seasonal vegetables.

The wine list features more than 1,000 choices, and there’s a full bar – obviously, it’s a casino.

Adventurous diners can put their eating experience in the chef’s hands by choosing a “Trust Me” menu of either five ($75/$110) or eight courses ($115/$170) with or without wine pairings.

Sports Calendar

BY ERIC NEWMAN

Tucson Marathon

DECEMBER 7 In early December, runners will take to Tucson in a variety of events, including a marathon, half marathon and marathon relay to celebrate athletics and beautiful Arizona weather in the winter.

Arizona Highway 77 and Biosphere Road, 403-3355, register.chronotrack. com/r/48686, 7 a.m., prices vary by event.

University of Arizona men’s basketball vs.

Gonzaga

DECEMBER 14 The Wildcats take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs in their final regular-season home game of 2019. The Bulldogs are nearly always a high seed in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournaments come March. The two teams last met last November in Hawaii, where the Bulldogs won 91-74.

McKale Memorial Center, 1721 E. Enke Drive, 621-2211, arizonawildcats.com, 8 p.m., tickets start at $54.

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University of Arizona women’s basketball vs.

University of California – Santa Barbara

DECEMBER 21 The Lady Wildcats play their final home game of 2019 against the Gauchos at the McKale Center. The two teams last met in 2014, where the Wildcats came away with a 61-34 victory.

McKale Memorial Center, 1721 E. Enke Drive, 621-2211, arizonawildcats.com, 1 p.m., tickets start at $5.

Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl

DECEMBER 31 A celebration of football, the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl features squads from the Mountain West and the Sun Belt conferences. Last year, the Nevada Wolf Pack defeated the Arkansas State Red Wolves 16-13.

Arizona Stadium, 1 N. National Championship Drive, 621-2200, novaarizonabowl.com, 2:15 p.m., tickets start at $15.

Tucson Roadrunners vs.

San Diego Gulls

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DECEMBER 31 Ring in 2020 and celebrate New Year’s Eve with hockey, as the Roadrunners host San Diego in an AHL contest.

Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Avenue, 791.4101, ticketmaster.com, 6:05 p.m., tickets start at $13.

Contact sales rep for details.

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AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

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Music Merry Music

given a smooth jazz makeover. Koz’s accomplished and tasteful saxophone work often takes the lead, but guest vocalists, including Melissa Manchester, Jonathan Butler and Chris Walker, also provide highlights on this solid effort.

This year has been prolific for holiday albums

BY ALAN SCULLEY It’s been a rather prolific year for holiday albums. The 17 titles covered in this column even omits a few 2019 releases.

And there aren’t any real duds, either. So, here’s a look at this year’s selections.

Idina Menzel: “Christmas: A Season Of Love:” If one 2019 Christmas album is likely to become a big seller year after year, it’s probably “Christmas: A Season Of Love.” Menzel, whose roles in the “Frozen” movies made her one of the world’s most popular vocalists, applies her considerable vocal talents to 18 songs, most of which are time-tested favorites.

They’re given big, brassy treatments (that on occasion go just a bit overboard), but Menzel brings plenty of enthusiasm to this entertaining disc.

Keb’ Mo’: “Moonlight, Mistletoe & You:” Keb’ Mo’ has never been strictly a bluesman, so it’s no surprise this isn’t a one-trick holiday album. The title cut and “Better Every Day” have a good bit of soul, while “Christmas Is Annoying” (about how perspectives on Christmas change when one grows up) has a jazzy feel and “One More Year with You” adds some pop to the equation. The variety is welcome, and one thing this warm, enjoyable album won’t give you is the blues this Christmas season.

Ne-Yo: “Another Kind of Christmas:” This refreshing effort favors original songs and has its share of creativity. The funky “Just Ain’t Christmas” is a break-up song that gets a twist because it happens on Christmas Eve. “Open Mine Tonight”

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has some clever wordplay in its tale of Christmas Eve romance after the kids are asleep. On the other hand, “Christmas Vibez” goes for a tropical feel, but comes up a bit light in the song’s reggae styling.

But that’s one of the few flaws on this fine holiday effort.

Los Lobos: “Llego Navidad:” The great band from East Los Angeles, no surprise, brings a good bit of Mexican influence to its first Christmas album. But other places (Colombia, Puerto Rico and Texas) also figure into this entertaining album.

With most songs being sung in Spanish, “Llego Navidad” (at least for those who don’t know Spanish) doesn’t feel like a holiday album, enabling it to play just as well when its sunny and 90 as when snow blankets the ground.

Chicago: “Chicago Christmas:” On its third Christmas album, Chicago goes primarily with songs penned by the band members. The band, which shows a bit more of an R&B slant in its horn-laced sound, deserves credit for taking this risk.

Some of the songs work well (“All Over the World,” “I’m Your Santa Claus” and “Bring My Baby Back”), but a few others fall flat. Even with a few duds, I find an album of originals more interesting than one of oft-covered standards.

Dave Koz: “Gifts of the Season:” “Gifts of the Season” offers more of what Koz’s previous six Christmas albums have delivered—a set of Christmas standards

DECEMBER 2019

Rob Halford with Family & Friends: “Celestial:” Halford may be the turbo-lunged singer of Judas Priest, but “Celestial,” his second holiday album, isn’t strictly a head-banging affair. “Away in a Manger” has considerable ambiance “Morning Star” is a folky and gentle original tune and another original, “Protected by the Light,” is an Irish-accented hymn complete with accordion. Of course, Halford & company also crank it up, particularly on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Joy to the World” and “Deck The Halls.”

Suffice it to say, the “fa-la-la-la-la-la-lalas” of the latter standard have never sounded quite this way.

Josh Rouse: “The Holiday Sounds of Josh Rouse:” For years, Rouse has been writing a Christmas song annually for his family. Eventually, he realized they would make up an interesting Christmas album.

So here we have nine originals that feature Rouse’s familiar folky sound blended with dashes of pop, rock and jazz find and offer (mostly) light-hearted stories

related to the season. Glad Rouse decided not to keep these songs in the family.

The Oak Ridge Boys: “Down Home Christmas:” Working with in-demand producer Dave Cobb, this latest Oak Ridge Boys holiday album favors heartfelt and humorous contemporary songs co-written by the likes of Anderson East, Jamey Johnson and Mando Saenz. Cobb keeps the instrumentation lean and puts the four Oaks and their signature vocal harmonies out front, a wise approach that works well on “Down Home Christmas.”

The Imaginaries: “Hometown Christmas:” This husband-and-wife duo of Shane Henry and Maggie McClure have made minor waves as solo artists. Now paired up as the Imaginaries, they’ve made one of 20019’s best Christmas albums. “Hometown Christmas” is split evenly between familiar holiday tunes and equally strong original songs. With a cheery and rootsy brand of pop (think Sheryl Crow, Sara Bareilles), their songwriting chops shine on such appealing songs as “First Thing on My Christmas List,” “Christmastime Again” and “Kiss for Christmas.”

Meg & Dia: “December, Darling:” The sibling duo takes an intimate and low-key approach here, keeping instrumentation spare and its vocals out front. The effect is quite charming, if a bit simplistic. The renditions of favorites like “Winter Wonderland,” “Let it Snow” and “White Christmas” are fine. But it’s the four originals that stand out, as the two sisters bring memorable pop hooks to these tunes, which include “Lights Blown Out” (a tender, lyrically creative ballad about holiday loneliness) and the title song (about the sights, sounds and feelings that make the season special).

A few other notables: Mariah Carey: “Merry Christmas” Deluxe Anniversary Edition Lea Michele: “Christmas in The City” Danny Gokey: “The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Collection” Jonathan Butler: “Christmas Together” Michael Lington: “A Foreign Affair Christmas” Silent Winters: “Christmas Morning” www.LovinLife.com

Music Events Calendar

BY CONNOR DZIAWURA

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m. Sunday, December 8, $41-$51 It may not be the first of the month, but it’s never too late to catch a show from the legendary Bone Thugs—let alone the quartet’s “Winter Jam.” Celebrate the holidays with some tunes from the influential hip-hop group behind hits like “Tha Crossroads” and “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” and the multiplatinum-selling album “E. 1999 Eternal.” All five members— Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone and Flesh-n-Bone—are together, and will be joined by Mike Jones and Mo Thugs’ Sloan Bone at this Southern Arizona jaunt.

December 1

Mercury: A Celebration of Freddy Mercury’s Life and Music Fox Tucson Theatre, 7 p.m., $24-$54 Mik and the Funky Brunch La Cocina, 12:30 p.m., free Nile Encore, 6 p.m., $25-$30

December 3

Gryffin Rialto Theatre, 9 p.m., $25$105 The Home Team w/ Crooked Teeth, Annie Jump Cannon Club Congress, 7 p.m., $5 Nikki Hill 191 Toole, 7:30 p.m., $12

December 4

Authority Zero w/ Sailor’s Songbook The Rock, 7:30 p.m., $17 Goo Goo Dolls Desert Diamond Casino, Sahuarita, 8 p.m., $35-$55 In the Christmas Mood: A Holiday Music Spectacular DesertView Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m., $30 Miss Lana Rebel & Kevin Michael Mayfield La Cocina, 6 p.m., free

December 5

Freddy Parish La Cocina, 9:30 p.m., free (h d) p.e.

Encore, 6:30 p.m., $13 Kip Moore Fox Tucson Theatre, 8 p.m., $34.50-$64.50 www.LovinLife.com

December 6

Greg Morton & Jim Stanley La Cocina, 6:30 p.m., free Omni Club Congress, 7 p.m., free Reveille’s Men’s Chorus Leo Rich Theater, 7:30 p.m., $18

December 7

The Jons Holiday Extravaganza Club Congress, 7:30 p.m., $10-$12 Mark Farina 191 Toole, 9 p.m., $15 Nathaniel Burnside La Cocina, 6:30 p.m., free Reveille’s Men’s Chorus Leo Rich Theater, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., $18-$23 Welty-Wilson Trio La Cocina, 9:30 p.m., free

December 8

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $41-$51 Mik and the Funky Brunch La Cocina, 12:30 p.m., free Reveille’s Men’s Chorus Leo Rich Theater, 2 p.m., $23 SaddleBrooke Singers: Holiday Portraits DesertView Performing Arts Center, 4 p.m., $5-$22 Tucson Girls Chorus: Sounds of Winter Fox Tucson Theatre, 3:30 p.m., $8-$18

December 10

Asleep At the Wheel:

Merry Texas Christmas Y’all Fox Tucson Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $29.50-$59.50

December 11

Bayside 191 Toole, 7:30 p.m., $23 David Benoit Leo Rich Theater, 7 p.m., $42.50-$62.50 Koe Wetzel The Rock, 7 p.m., $17 Miss Lana Rebel & Kevin Michael Mayfield La Cocina, 6 p.m., free

December 12

Mega Bog Club Congress, 7 p.m., $10 Nancy and Neil McCallion La Cocina, 6:30 p.m., free

December 13

Greg Morton & Jim Stanley La Cocina, 6:30 p.m., free SaddleBrooke Barbershop Chorus DesertView Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m., $25

December 14

Blind Boys of Alabama Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $32-$38 Just Najima w/Natalie Pohanic La Cocina, 7 p.m., free

December 15

Harriet Brown Club Congress, 8 p.m., free Merry-Achi Christmas Fox Tucson Theatre, 4

p.m., $24.50-$49.50 Mik and the Funky Brunch La Cocina, 12:30 p.m., free

December 18

Miss Lana Rebel & Kevin Michael Mayfield La Cocina, 6 p.m., free

December 19

Blue Christmas: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Holiday Extravaganza starring Robert Shaw DesertView Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m., $30 Esteban & Mazzella Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $32-$52 Mitzi Cowell La Cocina, 6:30 p.m., free

December 20

Greg Morton & Jim Stanley La Cocina, 6:30 p.m., free In the Christmas Mood: A Holiday Music Spectacular Fox Tucson Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $25-$35 A Night for Amy Benefit 191 Toole, 8 p.m., $8

December 21

December 26

The Bennu 191 Toole, 8 p.m., $7 David Broza & Friends Fox Tucson Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $29.50-$59.50 Grip Jensen La Cocina, 9:30 p.m., free The Texas Tenors: Deep in the Heart of Christmas Tucson Music Hall, 7:30 p.m., $34-$105

Hank Topless La Cocina, 6:30 p.m., free

December 27

Eugene Boronow La Cocina, 9:30 p.m., free Greg Morton & Jim Stanley La Cocina, 6:30 p.m., free Testify: Rage Against the Machine Tribute 191 Toole, 8 p.m., $13

December 22

Mik and the Funky Brunch La Cocina, 12:30 p.m., free The Texas Tenors: Deep in the Heart of Christmas Tucson Music Hall, 2 p.m., $34-$105 Voctave Fox Tucson Theatre, 6:30 p.m., $29.50-$69.50

December 23

Hans Hutchison w/ Mamma Coal Club Congress, 7:30 p.m., $5

December 25

Miss Lana Rebel & Kevin Michael Mayfield La Cocina, 6 p.m., free

December 28

Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $20-$25

December 29

Mik and the Funky Brunch La Cocina, 12:30 p.m., free

December 31

Boogie Knights Desert Diamond Casino, Sahuarita, 8 p.m., $15-$25 Party Like It’s 1999 Revisited w/Purple Madness Rialto Theatre, 9 p.m., $20-$50

Annie Hawkins & Stuart Oliver La Cocina, 7 p.m., free DECEMBER 2019

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Travel The Good Life

On the northwest Pacific coast, Tamarindo Beach can be crowded, but there are still wide-open spaces for a tranquil stroll on the beach.

(Photos courtesy Deb Roskamp)

Living the ‘Pura Vida’ in Costa Rica

BY ED BOITANO I’ve been reveling in the warmth of my recent trip to Costa Rica, and not just because of the heat and humidity. This alluring Central American nation of 5 million ticos (citizens), roughly the size of West Virginia, consists of just 0.03% of the earth’s landmass but is home to 5% of its biodiversity.

My checklist included hiking misty rain and cloud forests, strolling pristine beaches, witnessing an active volcano, touring a coffee plantation and experiencing unique plant and wildlife – which included my first encounters with a viper and boa constrictor. Yes, there were bad dreams that night.

When booking trips to the rain and cloud forests, a guide is necessary to point out important sightings. To prepare for a Costa Rican journey, you will undoubtedly see numerous guidebooks with colorful wildlife photos. You will be lucky if you manage to see a few. The rainforests and cloud forests are not a zoo, and the animals are on their own time table.

For example, the only time I spotted a toucan was outside my cabin in my own

ticos’ philosophy of a simple life, free of stress and a positive, relaxed feeling. It can be used as everything from “hello” or “awesome” to “all is well?”

Backstory

Monteverde (Green Mountain) is named for its extensive reserve of lush, verdant cloud forests. National Geographic has described it as “the jewel in the crown of cloud forests.”

private tropical rainforest, right under the Arenal Volcano. The primary colors of the toucan’s feathers, along with its yellowish-orange beak, were so mesmerizing it almost looked like a painting by Paul Gauguin. As was the active 5,357-foot volcano, which was in view every time I looked out my window. In 1968, the Arenal Volcano violently erupted, burying Costa Rica is “green” in more ways than one.

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almost 6 square miles under rocks, lava and ash; eventually killing 87 people and destroying three small villages. Smaller eruptions continued through 1998. For the complete celestial experience, you can relax in one of Arenal’s many natural hot springs, surrounding the volcano’s base. At night, it’s just you and the stars above.

But, above all, it was the ticos’ gentle charm and hospitality that affected me the most. They seem to have graciousness in their DNA. Costa Rica has literacy and life expectancy rates higher than the United States, and with no standing army.

The former military budget is dedicated to providing health care services and education. This has resulted in a nationwide cultural phenomenon where ticos are uncomfortable with any form of personal aggression or confrontation. The motto, Pura Vida! (pure life), is an expression used in various contexts, reflecting the

Pre-Columbian Costa Rica was populated by 400,000 Amerindians. Columbus arrived on his fourth and final voyage in 1502; the result of repairs to his vessel, off the coast of Limón. Greeted by welcoming tribal chieftains, he noticed gold and silver worn by some. He made a wrong assumption this was a place of plenty.

He proclaimed this new land as “Costa Rica” (“Rich Coast”), which led to the arrival of full force Spanish conquistadores in search of bountiful treasures. However, there was practically nothing to be found.

Plus, the remaining tribal people—most had died due to warfare and the spread of European diseases—would not adhere to the usual barbarous Spanish practice of encomienda (forced labor). Costa Rica was described as the poorest and most miserable Spanish colony in the Americas by the Spanish governor.

Most of the Spanish left in search of wealthier lands, while the remaining settlers headed for Central Valleys, where they found rich volcanic soil, ideal for farming, with no choice but to work the land themselves. This period of history created the foundation for Costa Rica’s development as a more egalitarian society than the rest of Central America, resulting in a rural democracy with no oppressed mestizo or Amerindian class.

San José: Your journey will probably begin with a flight to the capital city of San José, because it’s accessible from many U.S. cities. Located in the center of www.LovinLife.com

the nation, populated by 1.035 million citizens, San José’s densely packed urban center almost felt like a third-world city.

Many visitors use it as a one-night stopover and then head for their destinations of choice. I had been warned: as a new capital city, it is a bit charmless, with only a few examples of colonial architecture, museums, historic government buildings and grand boulevards. I took a midnight stroll on Saturday and another one the next morning. Contrary to popular opinion, it was a great experience. I felt safe and enjoyed the colorful Main Market and sense of life on the streets of Costa Rica’s largest city.

Don Juan Coffee Tour: What nation leads the world in coffee consumption?

Did you know the lighter the bean, the more caffeine? Or, vanilla needs to be added to the cacao bean to transform it into chocolate? All this and more is what I learned at the two-hour Don Juan Coffee Tour. Located in the rich coffee country hills of Monteverde, you’ll receive a real taste of coffee education from touring the plantation’s sprawling coffee fields to the processing of the beans. The tour also includes turning Don Juan’s cacao

In 1968, the Arenal Volcano violently erupted, burying almost 6 square miles under rocks, lava and ash, killing 87 people and destroying three small villages.

beans, whose birthplace is pre-Columbian Central America, into chocolate. Aztec Emperor Montezuma II reportedly drank 50 flagons per day of the liquid chocolate (ocōlātl), mixed with water, honey and dried chili pepper. Visitors are welcome to participate in the process from grinding coffee beans to pounding the cacao into a paste. As an extra treat, you’ll receive coffee, chocolate and limeade tastings, made from the plantation’s sugar

canes. BTW, Finland leads the world in coffee consumption per capita. This was my favorite tour in Costa Rica.

Tamarindo Beach: For ocean pleasures, the surfing Mecca of Tamarindo Beach on the northwest Pacific Coast, is a prime spot for surfing schools and sport fishing charters, diving and sunning. This is a location where the locals can be a little relentless selling souvenirs, such as wooden oxcarts (a national sym-

bol), constructed with recycled wood. To the north, Playa Grande beach is a major nesting site for huge leatherback turtles and forms part of Las Baulas National Marine Park. The mangrove-lined estuary of Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge protects animals such as Howler Monkeys and crocodiles.

Conchita Tours: On the last day, I booked a two-hour jungle boat tour with Conchita Tours. Floating through mangrove swamps in the safety of the boat, the highlight was finally spotting a family of howler monkeys sleeping in a forest canopy. Their unique howls had served as a soundtrack for me every night. There were a number of crocodiles lazing on the shore, which explains why the monkeys prefer the safety of the trees.

In 2017, National Geographic magazine proclaimed Costa Rica as the happiest country in the world. Their article included these words: “Costa Ricans enjoy the pleasure of living daily life to the fullest in a place that mitigates stress and maximizes joy.” It sounds like “Pura Vida” to me.

For further information about Costa Rica, go to visitcostarica.com/en or ticotimes.net.

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LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50’S BEST OF 2020

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DISCOVER KODIAK — Kodiak, Alaska’s Emerald Isle, offers miles of scenic coastline for beachcombing in quiet solitude while eagles soar overhead. World-class fishing, bear viewing, whale watching, birding, and unspoiled scenery make Kodiak the best place to experience pure Alaska. Museums, picturesque harbors, shopping, restaurants serving the freshest seafood and kind

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CALIFORNIA CAMBRIA ART & WINE FESTIVAL - January 24-26, 2020. A celebration of fine wine and original art found on the exquisite California Central Coast.

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UTAH EXPLORE LOGAN, UTAH — EXPLORE LOGAN, UTAH — Spend the summer in beautiful Logan as part of Utah State University’s Summer Citizens program. Beat the heat in our high mountain valley that abounds with opportunities just for you. Take your choice of more than 50 diverse week-long courses taught by area experts, enjoy socializing with your neighbors. You’ll live in furnished student housing where the rent for the entire summer is cheaper than one month of air conditioning in Arizona. Downtown Logan is only 10 minutes from the national forest that abounds with hiking trails, birdwatching, and stunning photography opportunities. Logan is Utah’s Heart of the Arts.

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Columns

Cameo Foundation’s 31st Annual MS. SENIOR ARIZONA

Ask Gabby Gayle

2020 PAGEANT

‘Medicare Rebel’ is tired of unnecessary health tests

The First & Foremost Pageant to Honor the “Age of Elegance”

BY GAYLE LAGMAN-CRESWICK

Q

Saturday, March 21, 2020 6:00 p.m.

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DECEMBER 2019

Dear Gabby: I’m writing because I remember a while back, an article you had written about people who don’t want to continue to seek invasive and ridiculous health tests anymore. I agreed with you 100% and have felt that way for some time. The problem I am having is with my insurance company.

I am 67-years-old and a single woman, without any family and friends, except my dog, and she is the last of my pets. I am not fond of doctors, but I like the security of having health insurance in case of an emergency. Twelve years ago, I was almost wiped out financially by a serious bicycle accident that shattered my elbow.

My insurance company kept calling me to make wellness checks. I don’t want them or need them.

Please help, I don’t know who to contact, or who to tell. I feel I am being harassed and bullied into having things I do not want or need! Thank you so much, I feel better telling you.

Signed, Medicare Rebel

A

Dear Rebel: First of all, any health care is a personal choice.

So, you have the right to refuse any treatment you desire. However, I may have led you astray with my column. I was talking about the medical merry-go-round of propping people up to live another day without consideration for the quality of life. Quality of life, in my opinion, may differ from what you see as quality. In my life, I want to live to the best of my ability.

I exercise, try to eat healthily, I volunteer, I have a part-time job, I listen to my doctors, who are excellent, and I have a good social life. They understand how I feel about certain treatments and support me in my decisions. You are only 67-years-

old and I hope you will do all preventive treatments such as wellness checks to avoid chronic or debilitating diseases. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” Then, when that doesn’t work anymore, you begin refusing treatments. And why not get another dog?

You are young! And get a living will and durable power of attorney, so well-meaning medical folks don’t prop you up just to live another day. Good luck.

Signed, GG

Q

Dear Gabby: My husband and I are 55 years old and very close.

My husband has been diagnosed with ALS and he doesn’t want to have treatment. We have no children. He wants hospice and to die as fast as he can. I am sick thinking about life without him, but at the same time, I might make the same choice if it were me. I know you have discussed these things in your column. Any advice would be appreciated. By the way, his priest seems to think what he is doing is akin to suicide. What do you think?

Signed, GL

A

Dear GL: I do not believe that dying by the natural course of a disease is akin to suicide, although I am aware some people feel that way. I believe this is your husband’s choice and it should be honored. Hospice staff can help you both with information and support. Hospice is also a choice. My heart goes out to both of you, and I commend you for supporting the love of your life with his choice, even though it may be the most difficult thing you have ever done.

Signed, GG If you have questions for Gabby Gayle, please send them to “Ask Gabby Gayle” at lagmancreswick@gmail.com.

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