Explorer, Dec. 15, 2021

Dec 15, 2021

EXPLORER The Voice of Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson

Volume  • Number 

Explorer and Marana News, Dec , 

EXPLORER The Voice of Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson

Dec 15, 2021

Volume  • Number 

Sonoran Sounds

Oct. 7, 2020

Our favorite local music of the year | Page 13

Board of Supervisors names new acting county administrator

INSIDE

Our Town

Mobile Meals for Winter Break | Page 4

Staff Report Tucson Local Media

Voices

Letters to the Editor | Page 10

Photo courtesy of Bobby Bradley / NASA (CC BY-NC 2.0)

UA Astronomers Help NASA Space Telescope Explore Universe’s Past Jeff Gardner

Sports & Rec

Mountain View grad at UA | Page 19

Tucson Local Media

A

husband and wife team of University of Arizona professors and their research group are part of an international group of scientists working on NASA’s new James Webb

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The JWST is planned to succeed the Hubble Space Telescope as NASA’s flagship astrophysics mission, and will be able to observe some of the oldest and most remote objects in the universe.

George Rieke, UA Regents Professor of Astronomy, describes

D! SOL

the mission as “perhaps the most ambitious astronomy project human beings have done.”

George and Marcia Rieke, both UA Regents Professors of Astronomy, have worked with infrared astronomy and NASA missions for decades.

See SPACE TELESCOPE, P6

T

he Pima County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously last week to appoint Jan Lesher to the post of acting county administrator.

Lesher, the chief deputy county administrator, had already been heading up the county administration after Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry suffered a severe head injury and other injuries after he was struck by a car while riding his bike downtown on Oct. 23. Huckelberry is recovering in a rehabilitation facility with no estimate on when he may return to work.

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EXPLORER The Explorer and Marana News is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the Northwest Tucson. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of the Explorer and Marana News, go to www.TucsonLocalMedia.com

STAFF ADMINISTRATION Steve T. Strickbine, Publisher Michael Hiatt, Vice President Jaime Hood, General Manager jaime@tucsonlocalmedia.com Claudine Sowards, Accounting claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com Sheryl Kocher, Receptionist sheryl@tucsonlocalmedia.com EDITORIAL Jim Nintzel, Executive Editor jimn@tucsonlocalmedia.com Jeff Gardner, Managing Editor jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com Mike Truelsen, Web Editor mike@tucsonlocalmedia.com Alexandra Pere, Staff Reporter apere@tucsonlocalmedia.com PRODUCTION Courtney Oldham, Production Manager, tucsonproduction@timespublications.com Ryan Dyson Graphic Designer ryand@tucsonlocalmedia.com Emily Filener, Graphic Designer emilyf@tucsonlocalmedia.com

CIRCULATION Alex Carrasco, Circulation alexc@tucsonlocalmedia.com ADVERTISING TLMSales@TucsonLocalMedia.com Kristin Chester, Account Executive kristin@tucsonlocalmedia.com Lisa Hopper, Account Executive lisa@tucsonlocalmedia.com Candace Murray, Account Executive candace@tucsonlocalmedia.com Tyler Vondrak, Account Executive tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING Zac Reynolds, Director of National Advertising Zac@TimesPublications.com EDITORIAL & AD CONTENT The Explorer and Marana News expresses its opinion in the editorial. Opinions expressed in guest commentaries, perspectives, cartoons or letters to the editor are those of the author. The content and claims of any advertisement are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Tucson Local Media assumes no responsibility for the claims or content of any advertisement. Publisher has the right to edit for size or refuse any advertisement at his or her discretion.

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Copyright:The entire contents of Explorer/Marana News are CopyrightTimes Media Group . No portion may be reproduced in whole or part by any means without the express written permission of the Publisher,Tucson Local Media, 7225 N. Mona Lisa Rd., Ste. 125,Tucson, AZ 85741.

Hot Picks

Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul. Northwestern botanical gardens Tohono Chul are lighting up their quiet corner for the holidays. This weekend, you can stroll along paths adorned with more than a million twinkling lights while musicians and artists perform throughout the gardens. In addition to the beautiful views, they are also serving up hot cholocate and holiday treats.

Tohono Chul’s museum shops, greenhouse and exhibits house will also be open during the event.

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17 & 18. 7366 Paseo del Norte.

Masks are required at the event. $17.

Flaundrau Holiday Shows. Our friendly local planetarium is bringing the holiday cheer with two special shows starting this week. The Season of Light Show celebrates different festivals of light honoring the Winter Solstice across many cultures. From Christmas to Hanukkah to ancient Hopi and Roman festivals of light, this show is a touching—and beautiful!—reminder of our shared humanity. Laser Holiday Magic is a laser light show musical, featuring popular Christmas and seasonal songs that will have you humming along. Holiday shows are showing through Dec. 31 at Flaundrau Science Center & Planetarium, 1601

E. University Blvd. See website for information on showtimes and buy tickets in advance if you can—they often sell out. $9 adults, $8 seniors/military, $7 kids 4 to 17 and college ID holders.

Shred-a-thon 2021.

The Town of Oro Valley is hosting a free document shredding event to prevent ID theft. The public is invited to bring up to five boxes of confidential documents that they’d like to be destroyed. 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 18.

At Naranja Park, 810 W. Naranja Drive.

Paint Night in the Park. Unleash your inner artist at the Marana Heritage River Park Barn. At this community art class, you can practice painting on the 16 x 20 canvas. No

experience is necessary. 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17.

12375 North Heritage Park Drive. More info at maranaaz.gov/town-calendar

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Explorer and Marana News, Dec 15, 2021

Mobile meals available for kids over winter break Alexandra Pere Tucson Local Media

M

arana Unified School District announced a new winter break service schedule for the Marana Cares Mobile meal program, available for free to all children under 18.

Marana Cares Mobile provides free nutritious meals to children under 18 out of a renovated school bus. The mobile service provides internal and external eating areas at two locations this year.

From Dec. 20 to Dec. 24, Marana Cares Mobile will be at the southeast corner of Sandario Road

Marana Cares Mobile winter break schedule: Monday to Friday, Dec. 20-24 Monday to Friday, Dec. 27-31 11 to noon

and Anthony Drive from 11 a.m. to noon. They will also appear at the Marana Water Improvement District, 16560 W. El Tiro Road, from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. Service will continue the next week from Dec. 27 to Dec. 31.

Marana Cares Mobile is supported by private donations and charitable

foundations during winter break. Since 2015, they have provided 19,767 free meals.

Specific menus for Marana Cares Mobile food will be uploaded on the school’s lunch tray website at: f a m i l y. t i t a n k 1 2 . c o m / menu/NNXASH.

Monday: 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday/Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pfizer (adult and child 5-11 dose), Moderna, Van Buskirk Elementary 725 E. Fair St. Johnson and Johnson 8 a.m. to noon Pfizer (adult dose), Pfizer East Clinic (5-11 dose) 6920 E. Broadway Blvd.

Monday/Thursday, 8 a.m.

Nosotros Academy Abrams Public Health to 7 p.m.

400 N. Grand Ave. Tuesday, 8 a.m. to noon Center Noon to 4 p.m.

3950 S. Country Club Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pfizer (adult dose), Pfizer Road (5-11 dose) Mobile Clinics Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dunbar Pavilion Pfizer (adult and child Thursday, Sept. 16 325 W. Second St. 5-11 dose), Moderna, Orange Grove Middle 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Johnson and Johnson Pfizer (adult dose), ModSchool Tucson Convention 1911 E. Orange Grove erna, Johnson and Johnson Road Center 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

260 S. Church Ave. Monday through Satur- Pfizer (adult dose), Mod- Saturday, Dec. 18 erna, Johnson and Johnday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Holladay Elementary Pfizer (adult and child son 1110 E. 33rd St. 5-11 dose), Moderna, South Tucson Housing 8 a.m. to noon Johnson and Johnson Pfizer (adult dose), Pfizer Authority (5-11 dose) Theresa Lee Health Center 1713 S. Third Ave. 1493 W. Commerce Court 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Monday/Tuesday, 8 a.m. Pfizer (adult dose), Mod- Unscrewed Theater erna, Johnson and John- 4500 E. Speedway Blvd. to 7 p.m.

Noon to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 5 son Pfizer (adult dose), Modp.m. erna, Johnson and Johnson Friday, Dec. 17 Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Southeast corner of Sandario Road and Anthony Drive Next to the Marana Congregation of Jehovah’s Witness Church

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

16560 W. El Tiro Road (El Tiro Road. & Anway Road) At the Marana Domestic Water Improvement District

Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

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Standing Clinics ima County is hosting a number of free vaccine clinics. No appointment North Clinic is necessary.

3550 N. First Ave.

Closed 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month Pfizer (adult and child 5-11 dose), Moderna, Johnson and Johnson

Explorer and Marana News, Dec 15, 2021

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Explorer and Marana News, Dec 15, 2021

READER PHOTO OF THE WEEK Reader Kate Stephany captured this stunning and vibrant sunset while on an evening walk in Tortolita. Send your photos to readerphotos@tucsonlocalmedia.com. Include your name, contact information and details about the photo, including who took it, where it was taken and the subject. Not all photos can be printed. See other photos online at www.tucsonlocalmedia.com.

Illustration courtesy of NASA / University of Arizona

An artist’s impression of what the James Webb Space Telescope will look like in space. The telescope’s massive mirror is seen on top made out of 18 hexagonal sections.

Space Telescope: JWST to launch Dec. 22 Continued from P1

For the JWST, each will work with high-tech infrared imaging devices: Marcia on the telescope’s near-infrared camera, and George on the telescope’s mid-infrared camera. Both instruments observe infrared radiation to collect data on planets in distant solar systems.

“This will provide by far the sharpest and deepest view of the infrared universe,” George said. “In terms of astronomy, this really is a big benchmark.”

The JWST, with initial development dating back to 1996, stretches roughly 70 feet and 45 feet with an estimated cost of $10 billion. It is planned to launch

from French Guiana in South America on Dec. 22.

Because of its focus on visible and infrared light, as well as wielding a far larger mirror, the JWST will be able to observe objects too distant for Hubble to detect.

Tucson’s involvement on the project is only natural, as the field of infrared astronomy more-or-less began in the UA’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, according to George. Some infrared astronomy observations were conducted in the 1920s, but he explains the field of research didn’t fully kick in until the 1960s with researchers in Tucson.

“The university really led the whole world in infrared astronomy. We’ve had a central role in all kinds of things,” George

said. “Infrared astronomy started here with Gerard Kuiper’s 61-inch telescope on Mount Lemmon. The problem with doing it from the ground is the telescope is warm, so it’s pouring out infrared photons and you can’t cool it down because water would condense on it. So going to space is really critical because it’s a vacuum where you can cool the telescope down.”

Over George’s career, infrared telescopes have advanced from containing single sensors to millions of sensors. He also previously worked on NASA’s infrared Spitzer Space Telescope, which launched in 2003 and retired last year.

“Space infrared telescopes have always been small, less than a yard in aperture. And that has to

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Explorer and Marana News, Dec 15, 2021

do with what was thought to be constraints on how to get them cold,” George said. “But the big advancement with JWST, as demonstrated by Spitzer, is you can let it cool down by radiating its heat into space. JWST is taking advantage of that by giving us a telescope that is 21 feet, instead of less than three feet. That’s why it’s such a technical marvel.”

This will allow JWST to be far more sensitive than previous space telescopes, with imaging capabilities six to seven times sharper than Spitzer’s.

“The Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos,” Marcia said in a UA press release. “But with Webb, we’ll be able to probe gal-

axies much closer to the Big Bang than ever before.

We can currently see galaxies back to 500 to 600 million years post-Big Bang, nearly 13 billion years ago.

And even though the universe was so young at that time, the things we see still look pretty familiar—lots of stars have formed, there are supermassive black holes, quasars and so on.

However, logic dictates that at some point during the first few hundred million years, these familiar-looking objects must have come from somewhere and evolved… After all, galaxies don’t spring up from nothing, virtually overnight.”

Although both of the Riekes are working on the project, George says there is no sense of competition

between the two. After submitting their proposals for the project, he can recall Marcia receiving a phone call of acceptance and shouting joyously down the hall. Then his phone rang with similar news.

“These projects are so big and complicated that competition is generally destructive,” George said.

The telescope’s massive 21-foot diameter presents a unique problem for space launch, as it is too wide to fit into the nose cone of a rocket. To account for this, the JWST will fold up like an umbrella to fit inside the rocket. According to UA, once in space, the telescope will unfold and its instruments will be checked and calibrated, with the telescope’s mirror adjusted

Photo by ESA/CNES/Arianespace on Flickr

James Webb Space Telescope being driven to Guiana Space Centre from the port. It was shipped from California, through the Panama Canal, to French Guiana, where it will launch. to optical perfection. This will happen during a sixmonth period, after which the telescope will be a million miles from Earth. This point in space will allow the JWST to fly effortlessly

with the Earth around the sun, making it possible for the telescope to radio its huge amount of data back to Earth.

“The history of real scientific discoveries is that

you can’t predict what they’ll be,” George said.

“So I hope the astronomical community uses JWST to discover things we’ve never dreamt of.”

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Explorer and Marana News, Dec , 

Omicron found in Arizona as health officials again urge people to get vaccinated Alexandra Pere Tucson Local Media

T

he latest COVID variant, Omicron, was detected in Arizona last week and health care experts predict it’s just a matter of time before the more contagious coronavirus strain is widespread.

The Arizona Department of Health Services and Yavapai County Community Health Services confirmed Arizona’s first known case of the COVID-19 Omicron variant on Dec. 8.

Although some initial data from the South African Medical Research Council indicates the Omicron variant may have less severe symptoms than previous mutations, health officials advise the public to receive vaccinations or booster shots if they have already gotten vaccinated.

Pfizer-BioNTech released preliminary results from a non-peer reviewed study showing the Pfizer

COVID-19 two-dose vaccination series will somewhat neutralize the Omicron variant, but three doses is most effective.

“I think that this finding from Pfizer should be reassuring and should reaffirm to people how important it is for them to get a booster and if they are not vaccinated to please seek vaccination as soon as possible, especially with the holidays coming up,” Pima County Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Cullen said during a Dec. 8 press conference.

As scientists race to understand Omicron, the vaccines are the best option to avoid more shutdowns and more pressure on hospitals, according to Cullen, who said people who are vaccinated protect themselves, their families and their communities.

“While it is not the only way out of this pandemic, it is an essential component for us to be able to move forward and to start recovering,” Cullen said.

The Arizona Department of Helath Services (ADHS) recently released a study showing that unvaccinated Arizonans from July to October were 3.9 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 and were 15.2 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to fully vaccinated people.

Vaccinations reduce the need for hospitalizations by reducing the likelihood of severe COVID symptoms, something that is desperately needed as intensive care unit beds decrease in availability.

Cullen said last week that only 2% of ICU beds were available in Pima County.

“We had the most ICU beds in use by COVID positive patients yesterday since Feb. 7,” Cullen said.

She said the county’s ongoing free vaccine clinics at the Tucson Convention Center had large turnouts for vaccinations, including long waiting lines. She added that more people were

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looking for vaccine shots at sion will likely increase in the Abrams Health Center. fits-and-starts through the holidays before gradually subsiding in early 2022,” Delta wave continues Gerald predicted. “HowWhile Omicron is on the ever, the Omicron variant horizon, Arizona continues may cause cases to rise late to wrestle with the ongo- January 2022.”

Statewide, Gerald noting Delta wave. The virus remains widespread in ed that as of Dec. 9, 2,770 of Arizona’s 8,812 general Arizona.

Epidemiologist Dr. Joe ward beds were occupied Gerald, a professor in the by COVID patients, a 2% UA Zuckerman School of jump from the previous Public Health who has been week. Only 392 beds retracking COVID cases mained available statewide. since the virus first arrived Likewise, the number of in Arizona, reported that COVID patients in ICU as of the week ending Dec. beds continued to climb. A 5, Arizona saw a rate of full 40% of Arizona’s 1,770 404 new COVID cases per ICU beds were occupied by 100,000, “the highest level COVID patients, a jump of 9% from the previous week. since late January 2021.”

Gerald noted that cases Only 86 ICU beds were are increasing among older, available statewide.

A total of 23,040 Arizohighly vaccinated groups, suggesting that as people nans have died after concontinue to let down their tracting COVID, includguard against the corona- ing 2,984 people in Pima virus and immunity wanes County. among those who do not Testing get a booster shot, more The Pima County Board cases and hospitalizations of Supervisors unanimously could be on the horizon.

“In general, transmis- voted to divert $3 million

from the American Rescue Plan Act Fund on Dec. 7 to fund the county’s COVID-19 testing program.

“We expect our Liberty site that Paradigm supports to open up, so it will be available Monday through Saturday,” Cullen said. “We also expect our downtown site supported by Paradigm to expand.”

Pima County offers free COVID-19 antigen rapid tests and PCR tests at the Ellie Towne Center, Tucson Electric Power’s downtown office, and Liberty Plaza.

County officials plan to extend hours at all locations.

The county will also continue to provide free BinaxNOW at-home self-test kits at all Pima County public libraries. Kits will also be provided at the Abrams Public Health Center, 3950 S. County Club Road, on Dec. 17 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Find out details about the public library and their hours: pima.bibliocommons.com/locations

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Explorer and Marana News, Dec 15, 2021

County administrator Continued from P1 “The Board and everyone else in Pima County government want Chuck to know they miss him terribly, that we are heartened by reports of his continued progress, and that we send him our best wishes for a complete recovery and return to work as County Administrator,” Lesher said.

Lesher, who joined Pima County in 2010, has been a chief deputy county administrator since 2017. Prior to joining Pima County, she worked as chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, chief of staff for Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and director of the Arizona Commerce Au-

thority, according to a Pima County press release.

In other action • The Board of Supervisors appointed two new state lawmakers to fill recent vacancies created by resignations.

Supervisors appointed Democrat Chris Mathis to a House seat in Legislative District 9, which includes Oro Valley, Marana, the Catalina Foothills and parts of Tucson. The seat was previously held by Democrat Randy Friese, who stepped down to focus on his medical work during the ongoing pandemic.

Mathis is an attorney and the husband of Colleen Mathis, who chaired Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission during the

2010 redistricting cycle.

“I would like to thank the Pima County Board of Supervisors for appointing me to represent LD 9 in the Arizona House of Representatives. It’s an honor to follow Dr. Randy Friese, whose service to our community as a trauma surgeon and public servant is truly extraordinary,” said Mathis in a prepared statement.

Supervisors also appointed Morgan Abraham to a House seat in Legislative District 10, which includes central and eastern Tucson.

“I’m honored and grateful to be chosen to represent Pima County in the House of Representatives,” said Abraham in a prepared statement. “I’m looking

forward to working on legislation that promotes economic opportunity here in Pima County and across the state.”

Abraham serves as an intelligence officer in the Army Reserve and runs an affordable housing development company.

This is the last year that both districts will have their current boundaries, as the Independent Redistricting Commission is in the process of redrawing the state’s political boundaries for the 2022 election cycle.

Pima County • Supervisors unanimously approved a redistricting process for Pima County’s political maps with the creation of a Redistricting Advisory Committee that will host at least five public meetings after Jan. 18. The committee will provide the board with its

recommendations for the new boundaries by April 30.

The Board will then approve new maps by July 1.

The new political maps will be used for the Pima County Board of Supervisors as well as the Pima Community College governing board.

• On a 4-1 vote, supervisors approved a one-year agreement to continue to provide up to $425,000 legal aid to tenants facing eviction in Pima County.

The legal work will be done by Southern Arizona Legal Aid, the Ferguson Hill law firm and attorney Paul Gattone.

“Through contracts with nonprofits and private lawyers, the Office of Emergency Eviction Legal Services provides access to justice to tenants facing eviction,” said Andrew Flagg, Community & Workforce De-

velopment’s deputy director who oversees the county’s Office of Emergency Eviction Legal Services. “In the first three months of operation, the office served nearly 400 households. The master agreement approved today will allow Pima County to continue to provide these services to hundreds more households in 2022.”

Since March, Pima County, the City of Tucson and the nonprofit Community Investment Corporation have distributed nearly $38 million in rental assistance and more than $3.6 million in utility assistance.

• Supervisors approved naming the Sheriff ’s Department headquarters at 1750 E. Benson Highway for Clarence Dupnik, who served as Pima County sheriff from 1980 until his retirement in 2015.

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Explorer and Marana News, Dec , 

VOICES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ORO VALLEY CANCEL CULTURE

I

am sad to say that the ‘Cancel Culture’ rage that is plaguing America is alive and well in Oro Valley.

A recent Oro Valley zoning posting along Tangerine Road and Rancho Vistoso Boulevard announcing the possibility of a small down-zon-

ing from a commercial use to high density residential was met on Next Door by an onslaught of anti-development comments.

“Apartments!!” they screamed. “It will be a traffic nightmare… like a So Cal congested freeway” was another comment. You would think Godzilla was on his/her way to ravage the area.

Run, Forest, run!!

So here are the facts. A very small piece of vacant in-fill is being looked at for development. The surrounding land uses

5th Now in our 3

are high density residential to the north across Woodburn, commercial across Rancho Vistoso to the east, vacant land diagonally across the intersection and commercial across Tangerine to the south. The buildings themselves will be single story, some duplex units, but 65% will be single detached one-, two- and three-bedroom homes.

So you ask, “What’s the rub? Where does ‘cancel culture’ come in?”

These units will be RENTAL units. You

know… rental people… riff-raff. One person commented, “Terrible congestion already… crime is ticking upwards here because non-homeowners residing here.”

Another, “We don’t need any NEW development.”

One individual chose this thread to make the following comment, “OVPD is the worst in the country.” Yet, another, “Hopefully the mortgage backed securities will fail just like in 08 and the banks, builders, mortgage bottom feeding industries will fail.”

How’s this one: “Shoving a bunch of rentals in the middle of established neighborhood does not create jobs, unless you’re paid to pick up trash or remove graffiti.”

There is a moderate

sized group of residents in Oro Valley who, now that they are here, don’t want anyone else to move into Oro Valley and certainly not “renters.” They’re cancelled!!!

Surely we are better than this!!! Aren’t we??

Don Cox Oro Valley

SINEMA DISAPPOINTS

W

hy can’t Sen. Kyrsten Sinema work with Democrats “across-the-aisle” from herself and get the John Lewis voting rights act and reconciliation BBB

legislation passed? She needs to agree to remove the filibuster to pass both since her “acrossthe-aisle” achievements with Republicans seem to be over and done with. Scoring two “F’s” and one “B+” doesn’t cut it.

Why doesn’t the senator spend time promoting voting rights and the Build Back Better bill instead of herself?

Lois Berkowitz Oro Valley Want to see your opinion in the paper? Send your letter to the editor to tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia. com. Submission does not guarantee print. Limit your letter to 350 words. Guest commentaries should be limited to 600 words.

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Tech Talk: Robots on campus and lasers in Oro Valley Jeff Gardner Tucson Local Media

W

ith a major research university in our backyard, a strong military presence, and an innovative company across the metropolitan area, Southern Arizona has a lot of interesting science, medical, and technology news. Here is a breakdown of the most interesting recent developments.

Robots on campus.

No, we’re not talking about brainwashed students. In late November, the University of Arizo-

na began using a fleet of autonomous rovers that deliver food to students from on-campus dining locations. In a partnership between the UA and food delivery service GrubHub, Wildcat students can use the GrubHub app for the robots to navigate campus on their own and deliver food. UA is the second campus to offer this delivery option, following Ohio State University.

“We know that our students are very interested in forward-thinking tech applications such as smart vending machines, and we hope that with this new delivery option, we can offer quicker deliveries, especially during rush

times, across campus,” said Christine Carlson, director of dining and nutrition for UA’s Arizona Student Unions.

The rovers were developed by Yandex, a Russian multinational technology company that develops a variety of internet-related products, including self-driving cars. The rovers weigh roughly 100 pounds and are a bit larger than a microwave.

With six wheels and several cameras, the robots drive between three and five miles per hour. According to UA, the rovers will operate seven days a week, and students can request delivery to popular locations on campus in-

cluding dorms, the Main Library, Albert B. Weaver Science-Engineering Library, McKale Memorial Center and more.

Once an order comes into one of the participating dining locations, staff will prepare the order for takeout as they normally would, place it inside a rover’s cargo compartment and send the rover on its way. Students who order the food will also receive a unique “retrieval code,” meaning only they can access the food.

In case a rover gets stuck or needs help, it can send a request to a remote human operator, who can assess the situation and provide recommenda-

Photo courtesy of the University of Arizona

Yandex rovers on the University of Arizona campus are now delivering food to students and faculty. ogy company Leonardo Electronics US Inc. purLaser Lab. The Tuc- chased 12 acres in Oro son area is maintain- Valley’s Innovation Park ing its role as a laser and with plans to construct a optical sciences hub. In Continued on P15 early December, technoltions on how to proceed.

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Explorer and Marana News, Dec 15, 2021

LIVEN UP

Visions of Sugar Plum Fairies: The Nutcracker is back!

Margaret Regan

Special to Tucson Local Media

I

t was a sad pandemic Christmas last year, Nutcracker-wise (and otherwise, of course).

The Nutcracker’s adorable Clara didn’t see her family’s Christmas tree soar up to the sky, or marvel at the dancing of the Sugar Plum Fairy or hear the strains Tchaikovsky’s magnific music. The Nutcracker prince, the snow ballerinas

and the Spanish and Arabian dancers never made it to the stage. The beloved Christmas ballet had gone dark.

As one of the most popular ballets in the U.S., it was unthinkable that the ballet could be shut down.

But Covid-19 had the power to banish it.

The pandemic it still with us, God help us, but now, with ample vaccines and boosters, companies have carved out ways to bring back Tucson’s favorite

ballet.

Ballet Tucson, the only pro ballet company in town, last year offered online clips of Nutcrackers past. Now the troupe is roaring back. The dancers are in high gear, rehearsing to dance live in the company’s masterful traditional Nutcracker.

“We are thrilled to bring our beloved holiday classic back to the stage!!,” associate artistic director Margaret Mullin writes via email.

“Our dancers and audienc-

es have missed the joy and wonder of our Nutcracker.

We are filled with excitement and gratitude for this magical return.”

This year’s cast is 100 dancers strong, ranging from tiny tots to seasoned pros.

Ballet Master Daniel Precup reprises his Drosselmeyer, the mysterious character who gets the action going. Ballet Tucson student trainees Abigail Lee and Allisyn Lloyd alternate Clara, the young girl who

journeys to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of the Sweets.

The Sugar Plum Fairy is once again danced by prima ballerina Jenna Johnson, an extraordinary talent who has been with Ballet Tucson since the troupe went pro in 2004. Danielle Cesanek, a principal dancer now in her third year with the company, will alternate Sugar Plum with Johnson.

Their Cavalier is Vasily Boldin, a principal danseur.

For the Snow scene,

one of the company’s most beautiful pieces of choreography, longtime company dancer Taylor Johnson plays the Snow Queen. Skylar Burson, a new arrival, partners her as Snow King.

(The famed Petipa choreographed the ballet in 1892, but the troupe’s founding director Mary Beth Cabana and associate artistic director Chieko Imada get kudos for their work on Nutcracker.)

Continued on P21

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Explorer and Marana News, Dec , 

LIVEN UP

Our Favorite Tucson Albums from 2021 Jeff Gardner Tucson Local Media

T

ucson artists always manage to explore beyond the dusty musical confines listeners may expect from “the Old Pueblo.” And this year is no exception.

If any artistic good did come from the pandemic, it’s that creators had plenty of time to focus on and explore their craft. The albums out of Tucson this year certainly reflect that, with songs about isolation and uncertainty. But for every one of those, there was another song demanding perseverance and collaboration. Our favorite albums to come out of Tucson this year (ranked in no particular order) reminded us just how intertwined music is with community—and got us excited to see some of these musicians performing live once again.

XIXA Genesis Psychedelic desert rock group XIXA doubled down on their style for Genesis, mixing cumbia and tejano and Gothic aesthetics for a unique borderlands blend. With philosophical and alchemical references throughout, Genesis attempts to distill the mystery and power of the Sonoran Desert, but never loses any of the fun or energy that made XIXA’s previous music so engaging. Tracks like “Soma” and “Eve of Agnes” are further bolstered thanks to guest appearances from an international roster of musicians. Combine their hypnotic percussion and guitars with Brian Lopez and Gabriel Sullivan’s smoky vocals, and you have a wonderful replication of dancing in the dark desert.

Karima Walker Waking the Dreaming Body Recorded in a makeshift home studio, Karima Walker’s delicate combination of ambient and folk is a warm kind of lonely.

The aptly named Waking the Dreaming Body sees Walker spilling out her heart over sparse guitar and piano, with tender poetry in her lyrics. The songs often give way to vast ambient stretches that manage to feel equally important, as if Walker is ruminating on how to continue the album’s thread. She explained that during recording sessions, she found herself “thinking about the mirroring that happens when you seek connection to others and to the natural world—when you try to bring the outside in.”

Rarely does something so touching feel so ready to come apart in your hands,

granting credence to that old study claiming the human soul weighs less than a pound.

Mute Swan Only Ever Mute Swan is the kind of band that makes you wonder why you don’t go out to more live music.

Their heavy yet dreamy style of rock certainly has stage presence, but their new album Only Ever also manages to capture that massive sound. The album opens with steady drums and shimmering guitar, which slowly builds into a mellow jam that still manages to feel

all-encompassing.

The distant, airy vocals and layers of guitar pedals add a surreal backdrop for the central melodies to billow on top of. Only Ever wins this year’s award for sounding like you’re afloat in a silver cloud, with the occasional lightning bolt.

songs soaked in reverb and floating instrumenAsphalt Astronaut tals, but it never gets in Andromeda the way of storytelling or For her second al- Asphalt Astronaut’s gentle bum, Asphalt Astronaut vocal delivery. moves away from folk Desert Fantasy in exchange for a colDonde Duermes lection of dark, ambient pop songs. As the album This playful collection title implies, it’s a spacey and hushed collection of of tributes to the Tucson music, with bright points landscape atones for the keeping the album from countless sterile beat tapes being too brooding. Al- to be found online. Yes, though it is technically a the songs are instrumental break-up album, Asphalt and built around percusAstronaut sidesteps con- sion, but there’s not a moventional topics by sing- ment where they feel lacking about mythological ing or underdeveloped. creatures and the night Continued on P27 sky. Andromeda is heavy on atmosphere, with most

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HAPP EN INGS

Visit www.tucsonlocalmedia.com/livenup/calendar to submit your free calendar listing.

For event advertising, contact us (520) 797-4384 or tlmsales@tucsonlocalmedia.com

THEATER SATURDAY, DEC. 18

• Celebrate HOPE for the HOLIDAYS at the Christmas spectacular variety show presented by Tucson Dance Academy filled with music, song, dancers and inspirational stories.

Details: 7:30 p.m.; DesertView Performing Arts Center, 39900 S. Clubhouse Drive; $30; 520-825-2818.

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY THROUGH DEC. 19

• Catch a performance of the new holiday production for the entire family Escape for the Holidays featuring siblings solving secrets hidden in songs, stories and traditions.

Details: 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m.

Sunday; Arizona Rose Theatre, 4500 N. Oracle Road, Suite 329; $20, $11 children; 520-888-0509; arizonarosetheatre.com.

• Enjoy a performance of the classic-style White Christmas The Musical. Details: 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Arts Express Theatre, Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 214; $40; arts-express.org.

No better place to call home for the Holidays!

5th Ave.; $15-$20; zuzimoveit.org.

THURSDAY TO SUNDAY, DEC. 2326

• Take a magical journey through swirling snowflakes, giant mice and soldiers and the breathtaking Kingdom of the Sweets at the beloved Ballet Tucson production The Nutcracker. Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, 3 p.m. Friday; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday; Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave.; $25-$65; ticketmaster.com.

WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY AND SUNDAY THROUGH DEC. 24

• Bring the kids and grandma to the Jingle Bell Rockin’ Revue with all your favorite holiday hits guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit.

Details: 6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 or 3 p.m. select Sundays; Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $27, $15 children; 520-529-1000 or gaslightmusichall.com.

MUSIC

Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa, Lookout Tucson Bar & Grill; 245 E. Ina Road; $10; 602-349-3137.

FRIDAY, DEC. 17

• Kick up your heels at the Music for the Soul Dance Party with The George Howard Band. Details: 7 p.m.; Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $20; 520-529-1000 or gaslightmusichall.com.

• Listen to the music of singer, songwriter, guitarist, poet and actor Pokey LaFarge performing timeless and multi-hued songs. Details: 7:30 p.m.; Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.; $23-$38; foxtucson.com.

• Unwrap the history and legends behind holiday traditions at the SaddleBrooke Singers’ A Toast to Traditions featuring some of your most beloved Christmas carols and holiday songs. Details: 7:30 p.m.; DesertView Performing Arts Center, 39900 S. Clubhouse Drive; $20; 520-825-2818.

SATURDAY, DEC. 18

• Celebrate the holidays in a special way at the Most Wonderful Time of the Year with the Pete THURSDAY TO SATURDAY, Swan Band. Details: 2 and 6 p.m.; DEC. 1618 Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. • Listen to Live Music Concerts preOracle Road; $27; 520-529-1000 or sented by the Southern Arizona Arts gaslightmusichall.com.

TUESDAY, DEC. 21 and Cultural Alliance featuring jazz on • Listen to the Tucson Boys • Don’t miss the ZUZI! Dance Winter Solstice Celebration “Where You Place Thursday, rock on Friday and blues on Chorus Holiday Concert featuring Your Feet.”Details: 8 p.m.; Scoundrel and Saturday. Details: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, traditional classics, popular music, 6-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; Westward patriotic melodies and western folk Scamp Theatre, in the Historic Y, 738 N.

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Explorer and Marana News, Dec , 

songs. Details: 3 p.m.; UA Crowder Hall, 1017 N. Olive Road; $15-$20; $8 children; boyschorus.org.

• Don’t delay to get your tickets to Shine On Floyd by a tribute band that plays all the classics note-fornote and a light and laser show.

Details: 7 p.m.; Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway Blvd.; $30; 602-750-7268.

• Liven up your holidays with Tucson’s favorite holiday tradition In the Christmas Mood: A Holiday Music Spectacular featuring timeless treasures and new songs that’ll make your season merry and bright. Details: 7:30 p.m.; Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.; $20-$38; foxtucson.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Way; $15, $4 children; 520-326with over a million twinkling 9686 or tucsonbotanical.org. lights while musicians and artists perform throughout the gardens at Holiday Nights. Details: 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte; $17, $6 children; 520-742-6455.

CHILDREN

SATURDAY, DEC. 18

• Celebrate a twenty-year neighborhood icon at the North Stone Avenue Mural Restoration bringing together artists and local students in a community-inspired project reflecting what the platform of public art can accomplish when done well. Details: 2-4 p.m.; Stone Avenue between Roger and Limberlost Roads; free.

DAILY THROUGH DEC. 26

• Bring the kids and grandma to the annual family-friendly holiday tradition Winterhaven Festival of Lights and bring a donation for the Community Food Bank of Southern THURSDAY TO SUNDAY, Arizona. Details: 6-10 p.m.; WinterDEC. 1631 • Bring the entire family to the annu- haven Neighborhood, Fort Lowell al favorites “Season of Light” and Road between Country Club Road and Tucson Blvd.; free admission but “Holiday Laser Show” weaving donations welcome; winterhaventogether the Winter Solstice with festival.org. the history of light festivals across times and cultures and a laser show full of Christmas and seasonal songs. DAILY THROUGH DEC. 30 • Stroll through the twinkling lights Details: “Season of Light”: 3:30 and enjoy family fun at ZooLights: p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 2 p.m.

Holiday Magic. Details: 6-8 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Ct.; $11; 12:30 p.m. Sunday; “Holiday Laser 520-791-3204 or reidparkzoo.org.

Show”: 2 p.m. Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday; Flandrau Science WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY Center & Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd.; $9, $7 youth/students; THROUGH JAN. 2 • Enjoy a lighted holiday stroll 520-621-7827 or flandrau.org. among thousands of luminarias, and poinsettias with festive FRIDAY TO SATURDAY, DEC. lanterns holiday music playing at Wander1718 land. Details: 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Tucson • Stroll along paths garlanded Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon

SATURDAY, DEC. 18

• Make and take crafts, meet Santa and play holiday games amid the festive decorations at Winter Wonderland. Details: 10 a.m.-noon; International Wildlife Museum, 4800 W. Gates Pass Road; $5; 520-7984867 or thewildlifemuseum.org.

• Enjoy treats and pose for a photo at Story Time with Mrs. Claus sponsored by Chantilly Tea. Details: 1 and 2:30 p.m.; CATALYST, Tucson Mall, 4500 N. Oracle Road; $18; chantillytea.com.

SATURDAY AND TUESDAY, DEC. 18 AND 21

• Celebrate the holiday season with Red Herring Puppets at the Italian Christmas Story capturing the mystery and majesty of the season as it embodies the spirit of goodness and hope. Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m.

Tuesday; Tucson Mall, 4500 N. Oracle Road; $10; redherringpuppets.com.

Tech Talk

Continued from P11

semiconductor laser manufacturing facility. Construction on the facility is expected to begin in spring 2022. Sun Corridor, Inc., a Southern Arizona economic development organization, announced that Leonardo Electronics’ new site is expected to expand over five years and will add an additional 170 jobs with a total capital investment of approximately $100 million, resulting in an estimated economic impact of more than $300,000,000 over the next decade.

“This new larger facility will support our business growth across all key market segments,” said Matthew Keegan, president and CEO, Leonardo Electronics US Inc. “We ultimately selected Innovation Park in Oro Valley due to its proximity to our existing employee base and exceptional talent in the region, which is one of the leading photonics technology hubs in the country.”

Leonardo Electronics is a US subsidiary of Leonardo, an Italian global aerospace, defense and security company. Oro Valley’s Innovation Park already

houses multiple upscale technology and medical companies, including Roche Tissue Diagnostics, Meggitt Securaplane and the Oro Valley Hospital.

“We are thrilled to welcome Leonardo Electronics US to Oro Valley and to the Innovation Park family of high-tech and bio science companies,” said Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield. “Leonardo’s specialized manufacturing techniques and international reach complement the other high caliber companies in our community, bringing quality jobs to Oro Valley and enhancing the town’s reputation as a bioscience and high-tech hub. We look forward to seeing them grow and thrive for many years to come.”

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY THROUGH DEC. 19

• Join the fun and pandemonium at the traditional holiday production Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree: A Christmas Sing-A-Long back this year and bigger and better than ever. Details: 7 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; Live Theatre Workshop Children’s Theatre, 3322 E. Fort Lowell Road; $12, $10 children; 520-327-4242.

Tis’ The Season for Candle Safety The National Fire Protection Association offers the following tips that may help reduce the risk for fire and injury in your home this holiday season.

• Blow out candles when you leave a room or go to bed.

• Keep candles 12 inches away from anything that can burn.

Please join or us online in-person or online • Use candle holders that are sturdy, and won’t tip over easily.

Please join us in-person • Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.

Christmas Eve Services • Use caution when lighting candles; keep your hair and any Dec. 24 at 3:30 pm and 7:00 pm Dec. 24 at 3:30 pm and join 7:00 pm or online Please us in-person loose clothing away from the flame.

Casas Adobes Congregational Church Casas Adobes Congregational Casas Adobes Congregational Dec. 24 at 3:30 pmChurch and 7:00 pm • Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.

Church United Church of Christ United Church of Christ Casas Adobes Congregational Church • Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle.

United Church of Christ 6801 North United ChurchOracle of ChristRd., Tucson 6801 North Oracle Rd., Tucson • Keep matches and lighters out of reach from children.

6801 North Oracle Rd., Tucson 6801 North Oraclewww.caucc.org/christmas Rd., Tucson www.caucc.org/christmas

Christmas Christmas Eve ServicesEve Services

www.caucc.org/christmas www.caucc.org/christmas

Golder Ranch Fire District Administration | 3885 E. Golder Ranch Drive, Tucson, AZ 85739 | grfdaz.gov

18

LIVEN UP

Explorer and Marana News, Dec , 

The Jons celebrate the season at the Rialto Theater this weekend Matthew Singer

Special to Tucson Local Media

W

hen the world went into lockdown last year, the presumed silver lining was that we’d all have enough free time to complete those personal projects that life’s daily obligations previously kept getting in the way of. That’s not quite how it played out for everyone, of course, but some people did manage to peel themselves off the couch and away from their seventh rewatch of The Office long enough to get something done.

In the case of veteran Tucson Latin rockers the Jons, it was finally realizing an idea the band had been kicking around for nearly half its existence: recording a Christmas album.

“We’d been talking about it for so long. I’m talking maybe 10 years,” says drummer James Peters. “Everybody does it.

All the big bands do it.

We thought we should do it because it’d be funny for a Tucson band to do a Christmas record.”

For fans of the band, which formed two decades ago when its founding members were just out of high school, the project must’ve also seemed long overdue: The Jons’ holiday shows at Club Congress have become an annual tradition. Capturing the spirit on record just made sense. So, in the not-soholly-jolly month of May 2020, the septet convened at Peters’ home studio and attempted to conjure some Yuletide cheer, revamping 10 holiday classics in the band’s energetic, hornheavy, genre-jumping style. A Very Jons Christmas arrived on Bandcamp and CD last November—a gift for fans at the end of an exceedingly difficult year.

But with the pandemic surging, there was no possibility to do a show to celebrate it. The band

livestreamed a few performances to push the album, but it didn’t feel nearly the same. That makes the upcoming return of the A Very Jons Christmas concert—which this year graduates from Club Congress to the larger Rialto Theatre—both something of a delayed album release show and a homecoming for the band, which hasn’t played a headlining gig in Tucson since its last Christmas show in 2019.

“We were like, ‘All right, it’s time to try to book something in Tucson again,’ and that’s when the Christmas show came up,” says singer-trumpeter Jon Villa. “Why not come back with one of the happiest shows ever?”

In fairness, “happiest show ever” could describe most of the shows the Jons play. Spreading good vibes is pretty much the band’s whole mission. Growing up together in Nogales, Arizona, Villa, Peters and the since-departed Sergio

Mendoza started the Jons in 2000 after reconnecting in Tucson. (Villa insists the name was a mutual decision.) Initially, the idea was to sound like “a Latin version of the Beatles,” but as the lineup expanded, the approach became much more eclectic, leaping from salsa and cumbia rhythms to ska, punk and pop, all while keeping the party energy high. Members have come and gone, and in some cases come back, but the Jons have stayed a Tucson music institution for 20 years, even as other commitments have made hometown gigs increasingly rare. (Villa, Peters and bassist Javier “Escubi” Gamez tour with Phoenix cult favorites Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, while Peters also drums in ex-member Mendoza’s “indie mambo” project Orkesta Mendoza.)

So yeah, if anyone in the city is equipped to wring fresh fun out of some hoary old chestnuts, it’s

probably these guys. bleeped curse words.) But A Very Jons Christmas it never sounds like 10 is, indeed, a very Jons-style different bands playing 10 Christmas album. While different songs. Held tothe band’s holiday live sets gether by the vibrant horn have consisted of covers section and Villa’s velvety and covers-of-covers, for croon, it only sounds like the recording, the band the Jons. set out to create all-new The songs will make arrangements of tradition- their live debut this week al classics. True to form, at the Rialto, a show that’ll the album takes several also feature cameos from stylistic zigzags. “White other Tucson musicians, Christmas” and “Winter as well as solo sets from Wonderland” both get Roger Clyne and Jons keyslinky, uptempo makeo- boardist Paul Jenkins. It’s vers, bringing to mind im- another small gift for what ages of spending the hol- was once again an exhaustiday at a Mexican resort ing year—but this time rather than a snowed-in around, it’s not just for the cabin. The instrumental fans, but the band, too. take on “Little Drummer “The people that are Sponsored by the St. Mark’s Fine Arts Boy” is similarly sweltergoing out to shows, they& Gra ing, propelled by twangy just want to let loose. surf guitars, while “Here They want to forget about Comes Santa Claus” starts all the restrictions we’ve with department-store pi- had for the past two years ano before exploding into or whatever, and they just a chugging, almost snarl- want to go out and have ing punk interpretation. fun anddisplaying listen to music Dozens of vendors unique g (In between, there are a and have a good time,” kindVilla crafts of“And, handmade few partiallyone-of-a improvised says. well, us cera jewelry, and the more. skits, made up mostlyart, of holiday as a band items, kind of want band in-jokes—and some same thing.”

Masterpiece Festi

Christmas Eve Services

Lessons and Carols: - 11 a.m. A service of Scripture and song that tells the Christmas story. Communion will be served.

Blessing of the Children: A family-oriented service with carols and a blessing of the children.

- 2 p.m. Dove Mountain CSTEM School, 5650 W. Moore Rd. - 4 p.m. Main campus, 1431 W. Magee Rd.

12th Annual Arts & Crafts S 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, No

Door Prize Drawings/Food/Free Admission/Fre

A Modern Worship Service: - 6 p.m. With contemporary Praise Band and communion * A Traditional Candlelight Service: - 8 p.m. With Celebration Singers, concludes with candle lighting. *This service will be livestreamed on YouTube UMC St. Mark’s Oro Valley and on umcstmarks.org.

A Traditional Candlelight Service: - 10 p.m. With Chancel Choir and communion; concludes with candle lighting.

www.umcstmarks.org (Southwest corner of La Cañada and Ma 1431 W. Magee Rd., Tucson AZ 85704 (520) 297-2062 www.umcstmarks.org

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Explorer and Marana News, Dec , 

SPORTS EXTRA POINT WITH TOM DANEHY &RECREATION Mountain View grad now announcing games for the UA women’s basketball team Tom Danehy

Special to Tucson Local Media

I

f it wasn’t always your dream, is a dream job really that? Brody Dryden, the new playby-play announcer for the University of Arizona women’s basketball team, will argue that it is. Possessing an impressive lineage and having inherited a smooth, FM deejay voice, Dryden has hit the big time without ever having to have gone through the small time.

He gets to broadcast the play-by-play for a team ranked in the Top 10 nationally, a program that, after having lay dormant for a couple decades, has now burst onto the national scene, joining the likes of storied programs like Baylor and UConn in the process. And it’s a team that has developed a crazy local following that is still on an upward trajectory.

Having been a girls’ basketball coach for most of the past couple decades, I’ve always rooted for the women’s teams at Pima College and the University of Arizona. (For a long, long time, it was much easier to do so with Pima.)

I would listen to the UA radio broadcasts on the hard-to-find station that plays music for people

who have already died. I’d be driving along, listening and imagining that it was just me and the announcer and maybe four other people in the Tucson metropolitan area.

And what a strange trip that was. Back in the day, the voice of the Wildcat women’s team was Derrick Palmer. He knew basketball, he knew how to talk on the radio and he was the biggest homer of all time. It was like he had watched the movie “Major League” and tuned out all the stuff about baseball and love and stuff, and instead just concentrated on Bob Uecker’s radio announcing delivery. (“Man, we really got hosed on that call.”) He would remain fixated on a certain call or play that hadn’t gone the Wildcats’ way, still talking about it after minutes had elapsed on the play clock.

It was naughty fun listening to somebody who was so unashamedly biased in favor of the team for whom he was announcing. Palmer was also fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, handling the play-by-play duties as the Wildcat women rode their self-generated tsunami to national prominence, culminating with a spot in the National Championship game.

Stepping into that role could not have been easy for anyone, let alone for someone who was still in high school when the current head coach was first hired.

Brody Dryden, at first glance, had a fairly typical Tucson upbringing. He went to the local public schools, played some ball, and was a rabid Wildcat fan. But unbeknownst to many, he had an extra layer to his Wildcat fandom.

His dad is the legendary University of Arizona announcer Brian Jeffries.

(Jeffries is a stage name, you know, like Cary Grant was to Archibald Leach.)

Dryden went to high school at Marana Mountain View. He actually played basketball for the Mountain Lions, but tennis was his main sport.

“Basketball was always my favorite sport,” he explains, “but I was definitely better at tennis. After I left high school and stopped playing structured basketball, I actually got much better at it. I spent a lot of time at the campus rec center playing pickup ball.”

When he got to the UA, he majored in journalism and got into the campus radio station, KAMP (1570-AM). He did a lot of little things for the station, but then he broadcast the

Arizona Bowl in 2019 and the dream part kicked in.

A couple years later, in his senior year, he was doing the play-by-play for the final season in the stellar career of UA legendary softball coach Mike Candrea. When the women’s basketball gig opened up, he jumped on it.

“I owe my dad a great deal of gratitude,” he said.

“He has always been so helpful and so professional. I would watch him spread out the rosters

the top of her craft?

“Adia is wonderful.

Sometimes when I’m doing play-by-play, she’ll be standing right in front of me. I suppose it could be intimidating, but she lets me do my thing.”

He is obviously a fan, but hopes to maintain the family tradition of professionalism over all else.

“I’m living the dream,” he says. “And so far, every game I’ve ever called has been a Wildcat win.”

on the dining room table and go over all of the names in preparation for a game. He has given me some great advice, as well.

You should listen to your broadcasts, but don’t be hyper-critical. There’s no such thing as a perfect broadcast. You’re going to make mistakes; just try to learn from them.”

And what is it like working basically for and (disquietingly near) Adia Barnes, who in just a few short years, has risen to

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WWII veteran and COVID survivor Col. Richard Bushong recently celebrated his 98th birthday at the Pima Air and Space Museum, where he has volunteered for 29 years. A veteran of both WWII and the Vietnam War, Bushong is seen here sitting beneath the B-17 bomber he flew multiple missions in. Read more on page 12.

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Ducey lifts COVID restrictions but health officials warn it is too early to let guard down

mask mandates, while events of more than 50 people would no longer require permission from local governments. ov. Doug Ducey lifted all Ducey also said requirements coronavirus restrictions for businesses to limit occupancy last week regarding local and take other steps to reduce the ordinances, businesses and spread of COVID would shift to events. recommendations and bars could Ducey said he would block now operate at full capacity. local jurisdictions from enacting Ducey noted the state’s on-

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going vaccination efforts—as of Monday, March 29, at least 2 million Arizonans had been given COVID-19 vaccines and 1.2 million were fully vaccinated. In addition, hospitalizations had decreased considerably since the January peak during the winter wave.

1,595,000 3BD/4BA (4,955

Kara Riley reflects on one year as Oro Valley Police Chief J G Tucson Local Media

T

aking charge of a police department with more than 100 officers is no easy feat even during a good year.

But Oro Valley Police Chief Kara Riley’s first year on the job included a pandemic, nationwide protests, natural disasters and shifting regulations.

In the law enforcement profession for nearly 30 years, Riley says 2020 turned out to be the most rewarding of her profession.

“We were really put to task and had some difficult, difficult times,” Riley said. “These challenges were things that haven’t been experienced in the law enforcement profession in many years, and the pandemic was just one of them.”

See COVID, P10

See POLICE, P7

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INSIDE Events around town | Page 3

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Christina Duran Tucson Local Media

Health & Wellness

(Left to right) Andy Cathey, Donny Cathey and Carly Timpf.

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Cathey’s Sewing Drive Supports Humane Society

Valley fever dangers | Page 6

Jeff Gardner Tucson Local Media

Sports & Rec

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ore than a hundred shelter animals awaiting adoption are now a little more comfortable — and stylish — thanks to a donation from Cathey’s Sewing & Vacuum to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.

The donations are part of Cathey’s annual Christmas-In-July sewing event, where customers and staff create specialized items

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County supervisors shoot down school mask mandate

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Volume 28 • Number 33

What to keep in mind when choosing solar and contractors | Special Section

I’LL RETIRE IN ANOTHER DECADE

Watershed Renewal

The Voice of Marana since 2007

Home Sweet Home

work with federal government on vaccination sites | Page 5

INSIDE

RETIREMENT LIVING

MARANANEWS

August 18, 2021

Oct. 7, 2020

O. After ,  weeks of stalling, Gov. Ducey agrees to allow Pima County to

for local nonprofits. In addition, Cathey’s also raises funds for the selected nonprofit from raffles and events. This year, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona received 165 pet bandanas, 85 cat beds and $3,250.

“Every year we try to choose a different nonprofit, as locally oriented as possible, with a sewing challenge we can connect them to,” said owner Donny Cathey. “Often it’s not too difficult to come up with

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something for a charity… Animals touch everyone’s lives, so to support a charity that helps house and support animals is always worthwhile.” The sewing takes place during Cathey’s Saturday classes, and culminates in awards given to the volunteers who are most artistic and go above-and-beyond. During the finale, attendees vote on their favorites and the best use of embroidery to decide the winners.

See SEWING, P8

F

or more than nine weeks Arizona has seen an exponential increase in COVID-19 cases and public health experts predict the surge would likely exceed cases and hospitalizations seen last summer 2020.

In his latest COVID-19 forecast updated Aug. 14, Dr. Joe Gerald, an epidemiologist with the UA Zuckerman School of Public Health, reported Arizona has a rate of transmission of 255 cases per 100,000 individuals per week as of Aug. 8 and would likely soon exceed the rates seen during the summer of 2020, of 409 cases per 100,000 residents.

“While I am hopeful we will not reach the levels seen in the winter of 2021, the experience of other states (e.g., Louisiana) combined with inaction of our local and state officials suggests this may be wishful thinking,” said Gerald.

“Another wave of cases and hospitalizations caused by the Delta variant is now certain; the only question remaining is just how big.”

See COVID, P4

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Lawsuit: Fertility doctor fathered his patients’ children | Page 4 • UA assistant professor’s book becoming a movie | Page 9

FOOTHILLS NEWS

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DESERT TIMES The Voice of Southwest Tucson

V  • N 

Jan. 6, 2021 • Volume 11 • Number 1 • www.TucsonLocalMedia.com

Summer Survival 2021

It’s time to get out and safely have fun this summer | Special Section

INSIDE

FIDO FRESHENERS

As you were

A new startup business out of the University of Arizona is getting to the science behind bad dog breath, and how to cure it with specialized bacteria.

Pictured are co-founders Eric Lyons and Scott Zentack. Read more on page 6.

Experts say vaccinated people can resume most activities | Page 4

Past the worst of it

UA researcher ends COVID reports | Page 5

2020 in the rearview Looking back at the biggest local stories from an unprecedented year| Page 2

Local Music

Desert Heart, Mountain Soul | Page 9

Photo courtesy Tech Launch Arizona

Lawmaker threatens to sue recall proponents C D Tucson Local Media

S

tate Rep. Mark Finchem sent a “cease and desist” order to the group petitioning for his recall, threatening to sue the group for defamation.

The Republican, who represents District 11, faces a recall by Rural Arizonans for Accountability, a group of his district’s constituents, for spreading voter fraud conspiracy theories and his ties to the “Stop the Steal” rioters at the Jan. 6 Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Natali Fierros, co-executive

Director of Rural Arizona Action, said they were approached by Finchem’s constituents to help organize the recall. “We exist to empower people, regular folks who are involved in the democratic system and really recalling an elected official is a power reserved for the people of Arizona by our state’s constitution,” said Fierros.

“If enough registered voters sign that petition and they agree that Finchem does lack integrity, that he is dangerous and an ineffective legislator, then it goes to the voters in that district to get a chance to vote on whether or not they

should fire him.”

On May 5, the group received a letter from Finchem’s lawyers, which according to the Recall Finchem website, “demands Rural Arizonans for Accountability destroy all campaign materials Finchem incorrectly deems ‘defamatory’ and publish retractions in local newspapers. If not, Finchem’s lawyers promise to sue.”

Rural Arizonans’ lawyers rejected Finchem’s demand and stated they would seek sanctions against him should he sue.

See FINCHEM, P10

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Marana’s Class of 2021 took on big challenges C D Tucson Local Media

M

arana High School Salutatorian Diya Patel didn’t sugarcoat the challenges of the last year in her graduation speech last month.

“I think most people would agree with me when I say that this has been a dreadful year,” Patel said. “Graduation speeches in the past have included stories of proms, formals and football games. However, this year we had to adjust to a brand new way of life full of Zoom calls, masks and COVID tests, which consisted of massive Q-tips being shoved up our noses. Instead of reminiscing on a joyful high school experience, we are all sitting here today, collectively taking a deep breath and just being grateful that we’re finally here.”

Patel, like so many other students, longed for a year of normalcy, but instead lived through a pandemic. Patel and fellow Marana Unified School District graduates expressed the woes of trying to graduate while juggling a series of changes beyond their control caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“This past year, the Class of 2021 proved that we were some of the most adaptable See MARANA, P8

20

Explorer and Marana News, Dec , 

Athlete of the Week: Canyon Del Oro’s Anita Lopez Tom Danehy

Special to Tucson Local Media

T

here was an episode of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in which (main character) Mary Richards was going to receive an award at a banquet on Saturday.

But, beginning on Monday of that week, stuff just started happening. Her dry cleaning got messed up, she came down with the flu, and her hair wouldn’t hold a curl. By banquet time, she was a total disaster.

It wasn’t quite that bad for Anita Lopez, but she

has definitely had better weeks. It actually started off OK. Her Canyon Del Oro basketball team got its first win of the season, a double-digit victory over Walden Grove. But then things started going downhill.

First, she wasn’t feeling quite right. Then the Dorados got rocked by visiting Sahuarita. By the end of that game, it felt as though Lilliputians were playing a spirited game of rugby on the inside of her neck. Then came the diagnosis—strep throat. And it had spread throughout her team.

When I spoke her to

her on Friday, she sounded like Jimmy Durante had gargled sandpaper and Pop Rocks. It was hilarious, mostly because I was feeling perfectly fine.

She told me how she had also played volleyball and softball in middle school before giving them up to concentrate on basketball. Having suffered through the pandemic season (with a dismal 1-9 record), she’s hoping to have a strong senior season, even if it means occasionally having to be a 5’ 5” post player.

“Yes, sometimes I play in the post, but I’m mostly out on the wing,” she ex-

plains. “I’ll do whatever I can to help the team.”

An excellent student whose favorite subject is math (always the correct answer), she plans on attending Arizona State in the fall and majoring in law and public safety.

Speaking to me by phone from her home in Oracle, she expressed concern for her ill teammates and lamented that two of her team’s games had to be postposed, perchance to be re-scheduled. But she just knew that she was going to be fine the next day. You see, Saturday was the winter formal. No way she was going to be sick

and miss that, even if she did sound like a laryngitic goose and had a triple-digit temperature!

Trying to lighten the mood a bit, I asked her to name her favorite basketball movie. So, she says “1000 to 1,” a gut-wrenching story about a stud athlete who scores 1,000 points in high-school basketball, then suffers a stroke and spends the rest of the movie trying to rehab himself so that he can score at least one point in college.

Seriously?! (That has to be the strep throat talking…or rasping, as the case may be.)

Mask Wearing is Encouraged

I contacted her a few days later. She said she was feeling better, that she had gone to the dance and that most of her teammates were already on the mend. Soon it would be back to being the shortest post player in the 4A Kino Region.

Nutcracker $46 seniors/students/military. Available at www. ticketmaster.com for a fee.

The troupe’s COV- Phone 800.745.3000.

ID-wise protocols require patrons to prove their full More Nutcrackers vaccination, or a negative test taken within 72 hours Dancing in the Street, before the concert. They must also have valid pho- a school for kids on the to ID. Everyone, includ- southside of town, preing children, must wear a sents a traditional fulllength The Nutcracker: mask.

Ballet Tucson’s Nut- El Cascanueces. Boasting cracker plays at the Tuc- the most diverse dance son Music Hall, 260 S. students in the city, the Church Ave., on Thurs- non-profit is directed by day, Dec. 23, at 7 p.m.; a married pair of dancers Friday, Dec. 24, 3 p.m.; and choreographer, Solest and Sunday, Dec. 26 at 1 Lupu and Joseph Rodgers, p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets an African American who $37 to $65 general; $30 to had a successful ballet ca-

Continued from P12

21

Explorer and Marana News, Dec , 

reer before returning to his hometown of Tucson.

The troupe’s Nutcracker Ballet is at 2 p.m. Sat., Dec. 18, and 2 p.m. Sun., Dec.19, at the Temple and Music and Art, 330 S. Scott. Tickets run from $11.50 to $50, with discounts for seniors, military, students and groups of 10 or more. Available at https://buy.tututix.com/ ditsaz. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 855-222-2849; press 5. For info, www.ditsaz.org Last year Danswest Dance director Megan Maltos made a full-length movie of kids dancing a loose version of Nutcracker in outdoor locations.

This year the dancers are back on the stage. Some 50 dancers will perform in Not Your Ordinary Nut(cracker,) an inventive

version fused with jazz, modern dance, hip-hop, tap and acrobatics. The only true ballet parts are danced by the littlest tykes dressed as angels and mice. (A second hour in the show features various non-Nut works.)

Maltos is thrilled to get the kids back dancing in person, but the pandemic is still making its mark.

The dancers are fewer this year and half the seats in the theatre—at Palo Verde High Magnet School— will remain empty. Following TUSD rules, audience and performers will wear masks. But the dancers’ masks are colorful and fun, laden with Christmas images and cheer, she says.

“It’s a good family show.”

Continued on P27

Photo by Ed Flores

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HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis

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ACROSS Redding of Stax Records 5 It often surrounds highmaintenance people 10 Eponym of a famed N.Y.C. deli 14 One who’s got the goods 16 Contents of Lago Titicaca 17 56-Across, to a dairy farmer 18 South African currency 19 Singer Rita 20 Side with tandoori chicken 21 Backed up, say 22 56-Across, to a smartphone user 25 On and on and on 28 x or y, in math class 29 ___ hand 30 State bird of Arizona or South Carolina 31 Debtor’s note 34 56-Across, to a gambler 39 Battle of Britain grp.

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Plant used by ancient Greeks and Romans to treat wounds 42 BuzzFeed offering 43 Becomes more and more irksome 46 56-Across, to Occupy protesters 50 Succeeded in 51 Bad, in Bolivia 52 “Wanna ___?”

55 Apple variety 56 Small amount 59 Mishap during a shave 60 Pharmacist’s workplace in a hospital 61 They consist of reps 62 Actor Buddy of “The Beverly Hillbillies” 63 Rustic verse 41

DOWN Nordic capital 2 Marvel movie directed by Kenneth Branagh 1

Know Us, Know Your Community

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There’s no reason to stress about what to do, which way to go, who to be with or anything of the sort because, in all of these regards, there isn’t one right idea for you. You’ve grown so versatile that there are many options that would be an excellent fit for you. Explore the possibilities.

Your future is bright.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The world is full of narcissists, egomaniacs and drama stars, and there’s no way to avoid difficult people altogether. While you’re not the casting director of your entire life, you most certainly can curate your main social circle. You’ll choose who to keep close. You’ll find excellent and qualified candidates this week.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). At some point in this fast journey through the thick blur of the week, you’ll be wise to lay on the brakes.

Given your momentum, it may take your entire body weight to bring the mechanics to a full stop, but it will be of great benefit to come to a screeching halt, if only for a moment, to ask, “Who is taking care of me?”

CANCER (June 22-July 22). There’s a decision to be made. In the past, you would have brought it to the group or let those close to you weigh in.

But you’re the one who is going to be living the outcome of this choice. Think it through, then pick what gives you the best shot at delight, adventure and enjoyment.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Events of the past don’t change, but the version of them you tell yourself and others can’t help but evolve.

Looking back, you’ll realize things you didn’t before. Your memories will come to mean something different. A fresh take on your story is coming together to empower you for the next adventure.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There are no shortcuts in relationships. People can become fast friends, but those bonds are only as strong as the number of moments it takes to braid them.

You’ll enjoy creating relationships. It’s important work, and you’ll give it your full attention and care. Trust is built over time but can be broken in an instant.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll be made aware of the price of a prize. Figure in the emotional labor and the energetic tax, and it’s way higher than previously assessed, though you may still be interested. In general, you’re not told often enough how valuable your contributions are. Remind yourself so you’ll have the courage to ask more of life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You will lead with a vision of what’s good for the group. You, like every other individual, will benefit as the group does. What happens through this mission will be more valuable than what can be stated in financial terms. Lives will be different because of what you do together.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You could drive a hard bargain if you really wanted to, but you realize

Crossword Puzzle Answers

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SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When asked, you’ll give an honest answer. Still, you’ll consider your audience and whether they have a right to know or are just being nosy. More importantly, when you’re not asked, you’ll keep your opinion to yourself. There’s safety in steering conversation to safe, pleasant and positive topics.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You know the world. You’ve been places and related to many different types of people. You took risks, and now you get to enjoy one of the rewards, which is your ease in myriad situations. Because you can relax around new people and situations, you will be given options not afforded to others.

S T I N E

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Johnny Carson’s home state Lotion letters 5 Hold up 6 Order back 7 Mockery, of a sort 8 Motivational speaker Robbins 9 Genesis craft 10 Gold standards 11 Its dried stalks can be used to make didgeridoos 12 The “dial” in “Don’t touch that dial” 13 Attractive, fashionable man, in modern parlance 15 “Yeezus” rapper 21 Author of the “Fear Street” series 22 Cartoon character who says “Swiper, no swiping!”

23 Stinger 24 Jump on the ice 25 Day of the week named after 2-Down: Abbr.

26 Actress Chaplin 27 “___ said!”

30 Is, in hindsight 31 Wait for the light to change, say 32 What helium and nitrogen lack 33 Exploits 35 Olympic event featuring a table 36 Not bring up 37 Popular flip phone of the mid2000s 38 Sworn words 42 Ones who treat people poorly?

43 Frothy beverage 44 Title woman in a hit song by Dexys Midnight Runners 45 Disdain 46 Lookalikes 47 “___ the Clown” (classic episode of “The Simpsons”) 48 Put into law 49 Make ___ of things 52 Bit of hair decoration 53 Professor ’iggins 54 Texter’s sign-off 56 Dedicated work 57 Writing tip?

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that there is much more to gain in any deal than the dollar amount can encompass. You’ll negotiate on matters worthwhile, which may not be financial. Mutually satisfying deals will be struck quickly and without formal contracts.

T W I N S

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ARIES (March 21-April 19). You could do it alone, but you’ll get there much faster with coaching. Whether it’s a knotty problem or a fun goal, bring it to an objective party. Truthfully, this person doesn’t even have to be skilled on the topic to show you things you hadn’t considered before, expose your blind spots or provide you with accountability.

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Explorer and Marana News, Dec , 

Worship Guide 520.797.4384

METHODIST

METHODIST

Methodist

VISTA DE LA MONTAÑA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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Changing the world through Christ, by caring for all people

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Call 520 -797- 4384

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LUTHERAN

8:30 & 10 a.m. in person 10 a.m. online umcstmarks.org/live-worship

Please joinWorship us for for In-Person Vista Sunday at 10Church amand Please join us LIVE! Online service Children’s Sunday School Live Streamed Worship Service Sunday @ 10am @ 10:00am at 10:15 am after the children’s www.vistaumc.org www.vistaumc.org time in the church service or watch anytime using the the previor watch anytime using ous broadcast previous broadcast Adult Sunday Schoolbutton!

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11:15 am Please visit our website and/ 3001 E. Miravista Catalina or VistaUMC onLane, Facebook for Facebookfor viewing and daily updates updates on our our viewing on Locatedand on daily Oracle Rd. between Sunday services. services.

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(520) 825-1985 www.vistaumc.org

Christmas Eve Services

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Christmas Services or onlin Please join Eve us in-person

Casas Adobes Congregational Church An Open and Affirming Congregation of the UCC

Please join usyouin-person No matter who are or whereor youonline are

Dec. 24 journey, at 3:30you pm 7:00 pm on life’s areand welcome here!

Dec. 24 at 3:30 pm and 7:00 pmEve Services Casas Adobes Christmas

Casas Adobes Congregational Church

Call 520-797-4384 CATHOLIC

CATHOLIC ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

2727 W. TANGERINE ROAD ORO VALLEY, AZ 85742 520.469.7835 WWW.STMARKOV.COM

Reconciliation: T-F at 7:30 am, Sat at 3:15 pm and by appointment.

SATURDAY: 4:00 PM Vigil Mass SUNDAY: 7:00 AM 8:30 AM Masks required 10:00 AM 11:30 AM

Christmas Concert December 22nd 8:00 pm Live-streamed on all our media platforms

Christmas Mass Schedule

Friday 24th—Christmas Eve 4:00 pm Vigil Mass 6:00 pm Vigil Mass Saturday 25th—Christmas Midnight Mass 7:00 am Mass 8:30 am Mass 10:00 am Mass 11:30 am Mass You can listen from your car during all Masses on Station 106.1 FM

Join Congregational UsPlease forjoin Church Casas Adobes Congregational Church us in-person or online United Church of Christ United Church of Christ In-Person Dec. 24 and at 3:30 pm and 7:00 pm United Church of Christ6801 North Oracle Rd., Tucson Casas Adobes Congregational Church North Oracle Rd., Tucson 68016801 North Oracle Rd.,www.caucc.org/christmas Tucson United Church of Christ Online Worship Services 6801 North Oracle Rd., Tucson www.caucc.org/christmas www.caucc.org/christmas www.caucc.org/christmas www.caucc.org/welcome/worship 520.297.1181 | info@caucc.org | 6801 N. Oracle Road

LUTHERAN RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

11575 N. 1st Ave. Oro Valley, AZ 85737 (520) 575-9901

Welcome to Resurrection Lutheran! Come join us every Saturday evening or on Sunday for worship!

Oro Valley Location

5:00 pm Saturday evening Worship 7:45 am and 9:15 am Traditional Worship 10:45 am Contemporary Worship Friday, December 24 3:00pm Family Candlelight Service 5:00pm Contemporary Candlelight Service 7:00 and 9:00pm Traditional Candlelight services

NO services Christmas Day. Sunday, December 26 - 1 service only 9:15 am Lessons and Carols Wednesday Advent Services December 1, 8,15 and 22 at 12 noon

SaddleBrooke Location

SaddleBrooke 9:00 am Worship HOA1 Clubhouse Vermilion Room.

SaddleBrooke Christmas Eve Service at 1:00 pm HOA1 Vermilion Room Online worship available anytime to fit your schedule.

Check our website for more information

www.orovalley.org

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Service Directory 520.797.4384

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Nutcrackers

The Danswest show is at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Dec. 18, at Palo Verde High Magnet School, 1302 S. Avenida Vega, at 22nd St. near Kolb Road. Tickets are $15 and $25, available at https://www.etix. com/ticket/v/21978/paloverde-high-school-danswest-dance

The Pima Dance Ensemble is staging a live concert this weekend at at Pima College West Campus. The concert, Signature Selection, showcases choreography and performance.

“This semester, we have a group of incredibly prolific choreographers,” says Dance Ensemble director Nolan Kubota.

Tucson Albums Donde Duermes is a dense yet groovy series of compositions inspired by desert sights, with songs like “Dark Side of the Dune,” “Ocotillo Wand,” and “Arroyo Seco.” The songs may start with a new-agey drum foundation, but they mix in swirling synthesizers, acoustic strings, marimba and more. This makes for a rich sonic palette that jumps everywhere from cumbia to funk to EDM to ambient as gorgeous as the desert sunrise.

around the Weekly offices this year—and all for a good cause. Local troubadours like Calexico, Leila Lopez, Howe Gelb, Naim Amor, Katie Haverly, Golden Boots and more lent their time and talent to raise medical funds for local rockabilly rebel Al Foul. At more than an hour, this tribute album jumps everywhere from blues to rock to pop, but maintains an uplifting atmosphere. But the fact the project is a result of local artists and their camaraderie probably represents Tucson more than any one song can.

Various Artists Al Foul: A Tribute to the One and Only

David Huckfelt Room Enough, Time Enough

Not a traditional album, but this collection from more than a dozen Tucson musicians saw plenty of play time

On the pleasantly subversive Room Enough, Time Enough, folk singer David Huckfelt sought to “deconstruct the cow-

Continued from P13

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The dances were created by both faculty and students during the fall semester. In addition to the works of the Dance Ensemble, the show includes dances by Pima Dance Club and Kubota’s jazz class.

Signature Selection takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 11 at the Proscenium in Pima College Center for the Arts, 2202 W. Anklam Road. $12 at the door. For info, call 520-206-6986, or email centerforthearts@ pima.edu.

ZUZI! Dance Winter Solstice Celebration is set on Dec. 21 Solstice itself.

Solstice is the shortest and darkness day of the year and ZUZI Dance has for years marked the day with dance and light, and used dance to ponder our lives. This year, not surprisingly, the theme is restoring harmony. The title? Where You Place Your Feet. The show features work by a host of choreographers, including the marvellous Charlotte Adams, Maddie Brown and ZUZI co-founder Nanette Robinson.

The Solstice Showcase is one night only, at 8 p.m., Dec. 21, at 8 p.m. at The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre (formerly ZUZI! Theater) in the Historic YWCA at 738 N. Fifth Ave. Tickets $20 general; $25 seniors, military and students. Tickets must be purchased by Dec. 19 through ZUZU at www.zuzimoveit. org. All patrons must be fully vaccinated and email a copy of their vaccinated card to the theatre in advance. For instructions, see zuzimoveit.org.

boy myth.” The album is still rooted in the singer/ songwriter tradition, but reinvents folk standards with multiple vocal lines and the occasional electronic instrument.

Huckfelt’s smooth singing and poetry mix surprisingly well with his efforts to avoid any and all limitations or thematic constraints. It’s an album hell-bent on common-ground after years of division. Accompanied by a fleet of Tucson musicians and indigenous artists, Huckfelt lays out the roadmap for

a new kind of Americana music, one that stretches across the lonesome prairie into the mountains and woods beyond.

shooting at Gabby Giffords’ Congress on Your Corner. For the 10th anniversary, Luz de Vida II raises funds for the local nonprofit Homicide Survivors Inc. This collection of conscious and inspired folk and rock includes Tucson-affiliated artists like Calexico, The Resonars, XIXA, Dr. Dog, Hannah Yeun and more. Kudos to Tucson musicians for making damn-near everything better this year.

Various Artists Luz de Vida II We figure we might as well use this space to spread the love and fit in one more great collection of local music going to a good cause. The original Luz de Vida, released in 2011, saw Tucson musicians gather and record music to raise funds for victims of the mass

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Explorer and Marana News, Dec 15, 2021