Explorer April 27, 2022

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The Voice of Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson

ORO VALLEY

PROGRAM GUIDE 2022

Brought to you by Oro Valley Parks & Recreation • www.orovalleyaz.gov •

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LOCATION INFO

ORO VALLEY SUMMER PROGRAM GUIDE Summer Camps ART + STEM = STEAM CAMP AT STEAM PUMP RANCH Date(s): Time: Location: Cost: Ages:

May 31 – July 29, weekly 7:30 – 11:30 AM Steam Pump Ranch $60 per week 6 – 12

CAMP SPF (SWIM, PLAY, FUN) AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER Dates: Time: Location: Cost: Ages:

May 31 – July 29 (Monday – Friday) 9 AM – 4 PM Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center $150 per week 6 – 12

Extended care is available for mornings and afternoons for an additional fee.

CAMP SPLASH AT ORO VALLEY AQUATIC CENTER Dates: Time: Location: Cost: Ages:

May 23 – July 22 (Monday – Friday) 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM Oro Valley Aquatic Center $135 per week 6 – 12

Extended care is available for mornings and afternoons for an additional fee.

HORSE CAMP – CRAZY FOR HORSES Dates:

Time: Location: Cost: Ages:

June 6 – June 10 & June 27 – July 1 7 – 10 AM Rolling Hills Riding Academy $350 per week 6 – 12

I CAN TOO! CAMP AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER Dates: Time: Location: Cost: Ages:

May 31 – July 29 9 AM – 4 PM Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center $150 per week 6 – 12

Other Programs

I CAN TOO! THERAPEUTIC RIDING AT ROLLING HILLS ACADEMY Dates: Time: Location: Cost: Ages:

May 31 – July 29 9 AM – noon Rolling Hills Riding Academy $60 per lesson 6 – 12

PLAY-WELL TEKNOLOGIES CAMP Dates: Time:

Location: Cost: Ages:

June 13-17 & July 11-15 Half-day sessions 9 AM – noon or 1 – 4 PM Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center $165 5-7 & 8-12

KARATE/TAE KWON DO Dates: Time: Location: Cost: Ages:

Mondays & Wednesdays 5 – 6 PM, 6 – 7 PM Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center $96 5 and up

TGA PREMIER SPORTS CAMP Dates: Time: Location: Cost: Ages:

June 6 – July 29 8 – 11 AM Riverfront Park $179 per week 5 – 12

YOUNG REMBRANDTS DRAWING CLASSES Dates: Time: Location: Cost: Ages:

Every Tuesday, all summer long 4 PM Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center $81 6-12

PAINTING AND DRAWING WITH CHRISTINE LYTWYNZUK Dates: Time: Location: Cost: Ages:

Thursdays & Saturdays Varies Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center Varies 7 and up

EXPLORER The Voice of Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson

Apr , 

Volume • Number 

Out of the Loop

Oct. , 

Lessons learned from Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry’s retirement | Page 8

Volunteers remove mysterious flagpole near archaeological site

INSIDE

Border Wall

‘We Build the Wall’ leaders to plead guilty for defrauding donors

Alexandra Pere Tucson Local Media

| Page 10

Happenings

Music and theatre around town | Page 11

Sports & Rec Playoff formula cheats highschool athletes | Page 12

cal and tequila. But over the years, its scope has expanded to include agave’s cultural, historical and commercial significance throughout the borderlands. This year’s festival includes panel discussions, workshops, music, art exhibitions — and still plenty of opportunities to enjoy beverages as well.

See AGAVE FEST, P4

See FLAG, P6

The Agave Heritage Festival returns to celebrate the spirit and spirits of the Southwest Jeff Gardner Tucson Local Media

A

ccording to Aztec mythology, the agave plant is a gift from the gods with the ability to bring comfort when its nectar is prepared and ingested. And while agave spirits have certainly brought their fair share of comfort and joy throughout the years,

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the plant group has also found its way into art, medicine, cuisine and even weaving. All of these facets are on display, when the 14th annual Agave Heritage Festival takes over multiple venues across town from Thursday, April 28 to Sunday, May 1.

Started in 2008, the Agave Heritage Festival was originally more confined as a celebration of mez-

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wo mysterious flagpoles appeared on hills behind Marana’s Los Morteros neighborhood in early March.

These two 10-foot flagpoles with American flags were spotted by nearby homeowners in the Los Morteros neighborhood. Bill Ohl is one of the neighbors who saw the flagpole on Linda Vista Hill.

Ohl said the neighbors first enjoyed the flags for their patriotic look.

“But the problem I had, I knew it’s not an easily accessible hilltop and I knew with the wind up there that the flag just wasn’t gonna last and sure enough, there wasn’t much more than a week, eight or nine days, and it was it was shredded,” Ohl said.

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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 Gary Tackett, Associate Publisher gtackett@tucsonlocalmedia.com Claudine Sowards, Accounting claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com EDITORIAL Jim Nintzel, Executive Editor jimn@tucsonlocalmedia.com Jeff Gardner, Managing Editor jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com Alexandra Pere, Staff Reporter apere@tucsonlocalmedia.com Nicole Feltman, Staff Reporter nfeltman@tucsonlocalmedia.com PRODUCTION Courtney Oldham, Production Manager, tucsonproduction@timespublications.com Ryan Dyson Graphic Designer ryand@tucsonlocalmedia.com Jay Banbury, Graphic Designer jay@timespublications.com CIRCULATION Alex Carrasco, Circulation alexc@tucsonlocalmedia.com ADVERTISING TLMSales@TucsonLocalMedia.com Kristin Chester, Account Executive kristin@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.

Explorer and Marana News, Apr , 

Hot Picks Pima County Fair.

The fair is here, and there is so much to do this weekend. Watch a pig race! Eat a deep-fried oreo! See concerts and ride stomach-churning rides and watch culinary competitions!

There’s nothing like the delightful sensory overload of the fair, and we can’t wait to experience it all.

We’ll see you there. Let us know if you’d rather meet up for a caramel apple at Carmelot or grab some powdered sugar goodness at the Funnel Cake of Love. Through Sunday, May 1. Gates open at 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road. GA $10, $5 for kids 6 to 10, free for kids 5 and under. $5 parking.

Oro Valley Battle of the Bands. They’re in high school, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to rock out.

Head down to Riverfront Park this Friday for the Oro Valley Battle of the Bands! At this local competition of high school bands, musicians stand to win a song recorded and edited by a local professional recording studio.

Participating bands will perform a three-song set. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges. (And if you haven’t already signed up your band, sorry,

competitors have already been selected. But there’s always next year!) Friday, 5 to 9 p.m. Riverfront Park Amphitheatre on Lambert Lane. $5.

DeGrazia’s Sombreros.

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is hosting an exhibit that traces more than 50 years of paintings and illustrations of the traditional Mexican sombrero by Ted DeGrazia. The Gallery in the Sun is the longtime residence, and an artwork itself, of one of Tucson’s most famous painters. This sombrero exhibit follows DeGrazia’s evolution of “symbolism and abstraction” with the hats. At the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, 6300 N. Swan. (520) 299-9191. degrazia.org

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Agave Fest: An intersection of culture, ecology and beverages Continued from P1

“Agave’s intersection of spirits, culture, art and ecology is almost hard to describe in words,” said Todd Hanley, festival founder and general manager of Hotel Congress.

“It’s been really interesting to see the festival evolve toward the agave plant as a symbol of sustainability and resilience. The ecology and science of the agave plant related to the mezcal industry has been a pleasant surprise, and worked with my business ethos around Hotel Congress and Maynards Kitchen.”

While the festival’s signature event, the Agave Fiesta, takes place at Hotel Congress, other participating locations include the University of Arizona, Mission Garden, the Loft Cinema and the Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill. The first full version since the pandemic, this year’s Agave Heritage Festival packs dozens of events into just a few days.

One of the most unique events is hosted at the “living agricultural museum,” Mission Garden, where participants can view the ancestral practice of an agave roasting pit. Mezcal is traditionally crafted by harvesting the piña (or heart) of an agave plant and roasting it in an earthen oven, producing the signature smoky flavor.

This demonstration at Mission Garden is paired with a sampling of the agave, and also serves as a fundraiser for the gardens. And as with almost every Agave Heritage

Agave Heritage Festival Thursday, April 28 through Sunday, May 1 Multiple events at Hotel Congress, the Loft Cinema, El Crisol bar, Mission Garden, Hotel McCoy, University of Arizona and more agaveheritagefestival.com

Courtesy photo

Farmers in Mexico harvesting agave hearts to make mezcal.

Festival event, this will be accompanied by music and “mezcaleros” discussing the drink.

“It really does make it easier to understand the importance of culture and heritage when you’re in a fun and engaging environment,” Hanley said. “My knowledge of agave distillate and mezcal is still truly limited, because it is a living, breathing spirit.

But what I’ve learned is that whenever I sip on mezcal, I really do try to consider the story of the product without over analyzing it.

I’m more appreciative of it because I’ve visited these rustic and almost ancient palenques to see the work.

You can read about how laborious the work is, but to actually experience it firsthand totally changes your view. It’s almost hard to not overthink it.”

Hanley also said that Hotel Congress’ new jazz club, The Century Room, works in concert with agave’s role. It’s a meeting place for culture and a historical craft — plus it carries plenty of mezcal and tequila.

The new location, converted from the Copper Hall space, hosts touring and local jazz performers in a more intimate setting than other Hotel Congress venues. It’s hosting multiple Agave Heritage Festival events, such as Sonoran singer Lila Downs, Navajo jazz composer Larry Redhouse, and the Amilcar Guevara Latin Jazz All Stars.

The Century Room is also home to the Festival’s wrapup party, which will feature the Zona Libre Latin Jazz Band and obligatory mezcal tastings.

Hanley says Hotel Congress and Maynards are

working with agave spirits that are “closest to the festival ethos as possible,” meaning they are focusing on hand-selected and more sustainably sourced drinks to highlight.

“On some levels, Tucson and Southern Arizona is almost a ground zero for how we need to adapt to the climate realities that we stare at daily,” Hanley said.

“I want to create tourism for downtown Tucson and Southern Arizona that engages in the environment, not just takes from the environment. There’s a new but small movement called ‘restorative tourism’ where you’re going into an area and giving back to the community. Sometimes tourism can overwhelm the ecology, so I want the Agave Heritage Festival to be a symbol of tourism as well as environ-

mental sustainability.”

To that end, many of the events also come with an ecological and conscientious focus, such as the Women of Mezcal panel at the Tucson Convention Center. According to panelist Francesca Claverie of the Borderlands Restoration Network, the event’s focus is to highlight the women involved in the historically male-dominated mezcal production industry. Claverie is a native plant specialist in the borderlands region, and will be discussing sustainability related to agave.

“Unlike so many other spirit festivals, the Agave Heritage Festival is really big on promoting the conservation aspects of agaves, since it’s such an extractive process,” Claverie said. “It’s such an important thing to keep in mind, and more and more producers are taking note of that. The industry is really changing with how we think about inclusivity and conservation with the product.”

Claverie explains a common misconception about sustainability that consumers might have is that agave spirits are produced in the same style as other liquors.

However, she says it is on “such an intensely different timeline” and there are larger ecological impacts related

to the harvesting and the pit ovens.

“Agaves in general are a huge cultural plant in the borderlands, and it’s really exciting right now the amount of information that is changing, whether it’s basic landscaping to bacanora producers who are on board to help conserve this plant because they realize there’s a problem with overharvesting of agaves as it surges in popularity through Europe and the United States,” Claverie said.

Blue agave takes an average of seven years to mature before it is ready to harvest for tequila production, making it difficult to keep up with demand. This has led to the overharvesting of immature wild agaves in some Mexican states, spelling ecological trouble for agave pollinators like the long-nosed bat.

The Borderlands Restoration Network works throughout Southern Arizona and across the border, such as with the Colectivo Sonora Silvestre, to promote habitat restoration, environmental education and responsible land stewardship.

“It really does come down to consumer education.

If they aren’t asking for or purchasing environmentally friendly mezcals, the whole

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process doesn’t work. And the Agave Heritage Festival is a great way to have that education,” Claverie said.

“It’s so special to be able to combine this education with a celebration, because so often, as a conservationist there’s a spin on ‘you can’t do this anymore!’ This way people can learn about conservation and still get excited.”

With the industry trying to become more environmentally friendly, different manufacturers are setting sustainability goals. For instance, the producer Mezcal Vago has set a goal of planting three agaves for every one agave they harvest. In addition, they’ve also discussed ending the use of wild agave by 2025 for most of their releases.

“We want to have a focus on ethical and sustainable spirits production,” said

Francisco Terrazas, brand manager at Mezcal Vago.

“Being from the borderlands, I always felt a familiarity and connection with the ecosystems that produce these spirits. They tend to be more arid and warm and I feel like that is reflected in the spirit. Using unaged agave spirits, I feel they transmit the flavor and taste of the raw material. Whereas if you’re using a wood-aged whisky, the overarching theme on the flavor profile will come from the wood. I feel unaged spirits are a more honest representation of the material producing the spirits.”

Terrazas is from Tucson, and previously worked at Maynards. With his agave spirits knowledge and connection to the Hotel Congress group, he has helped organize some of the programming for the Agave

Heritage Festival. This year, he will discuss mezcal at Hotel Congress’ art exhibition opening of agave and mezcal photography.

“There’s 20 or so states in Mexico that have a history of producing agave spirits, and Mexico is such a geographically diverse country which inherently leads to cultural diversity,” Terrazas said. “So looking across those 20 different states, you’re looking at a vast variety of climates and cultures that are producing these spirits. It’s a great way to learn about these different places and people.”

With unique opportunities to see mezcal roasting, and a focus on sustainability, Terrazas says the Agave Heritage Festival is one of the best spirits events he’s seen, and “it gets bigger and better every year.”

“There are so many ele-

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ments of the human experience that this one plant touches,” Terrazas said. “I hope people get an appreciation for the various contexts the agave plant has. It’s a food source, it’s a resilient plant, it has a richness of flavor diversity, and it’s so representative of culture. I think if they appreciate all the different facets of this one type of plant, that’s going to lead them to more responsible buying decisions, which is ultimately what interests me as a brand representative and as someone invested in sustainability.”

While such a large event being focused around a single type of plant may seem like a bottleneck, Terrazas argues agave is multifaceted enough to interest almost anyone in some way. He even says mezcal itself is far more diverse than people

might think.

“I think one thing people get wrong is they might believe the flavor profile is homogenous,” Terrazas said.

“They may have had one bad tequila one time, and they think that’s what all these spirits taste like. In reality, agave spirits have the richest diversity of flavor profiles across the board. People might have the conception that all mezcal is inherently smoky, and that’s just not true. Of course, some are very smoky, but others can be light. It’s such a wide family of flavors.”

For the Agave Heritage Festival, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero even formally proclaimed Tucson as a “City of Century Plants.” In a special release in partnership with the Tucson City of Gastronomy, Romero explained how ubiquitous aga-

ve is in Tucson’s history, as well as front yards. It plays a large role in the ecology and economy, and may strengthen international bonds; the governor of the state of Sonora, Alfonso Durazo, has announced plans to make a traditional agave distillate, bacanora, a core part of the state’s economy. Romero expressed an intention to build “a partnership between the City of Tucson and the State of Sonora to continue to explore our economic, cultural, and geographic ties.”

“Tucson and Southern Arizona is such a unique region and so close to the border, I hope people realize that agave breaks down barriers,” Hanley said. “Learning about the people involved, the history, the geography — it’s an amazing plant.”

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Flag Continued from P1

Ohl is a veteran and was upset seeing the flag fly in such poor condition.

Exactly who planted the flagpoles remains a mystery. Ohl said the area around the flagpoles had no markers or messages to give clues. Ohl was most surprised by how determined the individuals were to keep the flagpoles structurally sound. The flagpole closest to Ohl’s home was erected in an area without a clear trail and treacherous terrain, especially for someone carrying a large metal pole.

Ohl alerted the owners of the land where the poles were erected. One of them

was on property that belongs to the Archaeological Conservancy, a national nonprofit organization that protects and identifies important archaeological sites in the United States.

Archaeological Conservancy Southwest Field Representative Shelby Magee was immediately sent to the site for inspection.

Once she had a chance to scope out the site, Magee said she was extremely disappointed to discover elements from a nearby archaeological site were moved to structure the flagpole.

The archaeological site is a protected hilltop terrace built by ancient people from the Hohokam tribe whose ancestral homelands stretch across much of the Southwest. The Hohokam tribe is famously known for

its extensive irrigation canals along the Salt and Gila rivers. According to the National Park Service, their cultural patterns have been detected from the earliest AD years to 1440 AD. “Typically when damage is done to an archaeological site, even if it can put things back, sometimes it’s better not to because the damage is already done,” Magee said. “You can’t put it back. You might not put the rocks back exactly where they came from and so the information has already been lost, like construction techniques, and putting it back wouldn’t improve anything. It would just confuse any future data that could be collected.”

Although Ohl was already in favor of taking the flagpoles down, the degradation of the archaeologi-

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cal site further supported his plans to remove one of them. The first week of April, Ohl and a few associates with a metal saw traveled up the treacherous desert terrain to get the pole down. Ohl filled the base with cement in the hopes it would deter future attempts to add another flagpole.

“If anyone wants to help preserve archaeological sites, Arizona has a really fantastic Sites Stewards Program that’s always looking for volunteers,” Magee said. “It’s run by Sean Hammond.”

Ohl and his wife Kim are a part of the Arizona Sites Steward Program.

Volunteers who are interested in helping to preserve historical sites can email sitesteward@azstateparks. gov, to join the waiting list.

Photos courtesy of Bill and Kim Ohl

Two mysterious flagpoles with American flags were erected on Linda Vista Hill in March 2022. The individuals who placed them are unknown. Bill Ohl, along with a few volunteers, removed one of the flagpoles in early April.

While one flagpole is still standing, Ohl hopes his efforts in bringing the other flagpole down will prevent future erections of any flagpoles in the area in the future.

“It’s beautiful,” Ohl said.

“You can see the Ironwood National Forest up there and you can see all the way to Kitt Peak and so it really is a magnificent view.

It should be left pristine but, of course, people are sloppy.”

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GUEST COMMENTARY

Lessons learned from Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry’s retirement

Supervisor Rex Scott Special to Tucson Local Media

T

here has been some recent discussion in the community about the former county administrator, Chuck Huckelberry, his resignation earlier this month and the revelation that he activated his Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) pension several months ago. My purpose for writing this column is to lay out the facts and to reassure the public that Mr. Huckelberry abided by both the terms of his contract and all ASRS regulations. It is also certainly fair to point out that my colleagues and I should learn some lessons from this experience to inform our practices moving forward.

The Board of Supervisors renewed Mr. Huckelberry’s contract for an additional four years in January. He has served as the county administrator since 1993. We inserted into his contract a provision that allowed him to retire and return to work as a contractor without affecting any of the contract’s terms. However, we did not add language that required Mr. Huckelberry to notify the Board if and when he retired.

Arizona State Retirement System records show that Mr. Huckelberry initiated his retirement on July 4, 2021. He continued to receive full pay up until the time that he was involved in a bicycling accident on October 23, 2021.

Two days after that accident,

he began to use accrued sick and/or vacation leave and continued to receive his full pay. This continued until November 14, 2021.

Beginning on November 15, 2021, Mr. Huckelberry began to use 19 hours of accrued sick and/or vacation leave so that he could be in compliance with the ASRS 20/20 rule. This rule states that an ASRS retiree cannot work for any ASRS employer for more than 20 hours per week for 20 or more weeks in a fiscal year.

After 12 months, the retiree can return to full-time work and not have their pension benefits affected. This is often referred to as “double-dipping” and is allowed under ASRS regulations.

According to our Human

Resources Department, if Mr. Huckelberry had continued to use 19 hours of accrued leave through the week of May 2, 2022, he would have been in compliance with the ASRS 20/20 rule. Since he began using accrued leave in November of last year, he received part-time pay and all the terms of his contract. The Board accepted his resignation on April 5, 2022 and the contract was terminated as of that date.

If Mr. Huckelberry had not been involved in a tragic accident in October of last year, I am certain that Board members, both individually and collectively, would be engaged in dialogue with him about why he did not let us know that he had retired in

July. For both interpersonal and political reasons, it would have been ideal for him to notify us of his decision. Nevertheless, in taking the action he did, there was no violation of his contract, nor of ASRS regulations.

What are the lessons learned? First, we should have inserted language into the contract requiring that Mr. Huckelberry notify us if he initiated his retirement. The Board should have also anticipated the need for Mr. Huckelberry’s compliance with the 20/20 rule and inserted language into the contract as to how his duties and responsibilities would be addressed during that 20-week period.

I certainly should have anticipated that need being an

ASRS retiree myself.

Mr. Huckelberry began his professional career with Pima County in 1974 and worked within the Transportation Department before being appointed as the county administrator 19 years later. He is a hometown boy who made Pima County a better place to live, work and raise a family. I am sorry, as a new supervisor, that I was only able to work alongside this extraordinary public servant for less than a year. Nothing associated with either his resignation or retirement detracts from the fact that our entire community owes him and his family a sincere debt of gratitude.

Rex Scott represents District 1 on the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

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‘We Build the Wall’ leaders to plead guilty for defrauding donors Jerod MacDonald-Evoy Arizona Mirror

T

wo men who worked with former Trump advisor Steve Bannon are expected to plead guilty in federal court for charges that they conned millions of dollars from donors who thought they were funding construction of a wall along the southern border.

Instead, the money was used for luxury purchases, including a boat, jewelry, a highend SUV and plastic surgery.

Some of the defrauded donors were from Arizona.

Bannon and his “OG MAGA crew” campaigned for the We Build the Wall effort here in 2019 along with one of his co-defendants who is expected to plead guilty, Brian Kolfage, a triple-amputee and

Marine veteran who started the fundraising effort with initial viral success before being embroiled with lawsuits.

The news comes from court filings in the Manhattan federal court, where prosecutors alleged that Bannon, Kolfage, Florida venture capitalist Andrew Badolato and Timothy Shea siphoned off more than $1 million of the cash into a nonprofit controlled by Bannon. The money was then used for personal expenses, prosecutors say.

More than $350,000 went to Kolfage, who used it for home renovations, a luxury SUV, boat payments, a golf cart, plastic surgery and jewelry. The court filing states that Kolfage intends to plead to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, as well as other federal tax-related

charges that were brought against him related to the case.

Badolato is also expected to plead guilty, The New York Times reported. Bannon is not facing charges because he was issued a presidential pardon by President Donald Trump.

Arizona has played a center stage in Bannon’s talks around the wall and the organization itself.

In February 2019, Bannon and members of the group visited a gated community in Sahuarita to speak to the Quail Creek Republican Club.

At the event, Bannon, Kolfage, former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, conservative Breitbart blogger Brandon Darby and former Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo boasted about their lofty goal of raising $100 mil-

Wildfire Risk Reduction According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are simple steps that you can take now to reduce your risk of wildfire around your home.

• Removing dead vegetation and other flammable materials, especially within the first 5 feet of the home.

• Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to help reduce fire intensity.

• Prune tree limbs so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet above the ground to help reduce the chance of fire getting into the crowns of trees.

• Move construction material, trash, and woodpiles at least 30 feet away from the home and other outside structures.

• Dispose of branches, weeds, leaves, and grass clippings that you have cut to reduce fuel for fire.

• Sign up for local emergency alerts to stay informed.

WE THANK THE COMMUNITY FOR YOUR SUPPORT. Golder Ranch Fire District Administration | 3885 E. Golder Ranch Drive, Tucson, AZ 85739 | grfdaz.gov

Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy / Arizona Mirror

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, We Build the Wall founder Brian Kolfage and an unknown moderator discuss We Build the Wall’s plans to raise money to build a wall on private property along the southern border. lion to privately finance construction of a border wall.

Sen. Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, who was the GOP

House leader at the time, said he wanted to propose legislation during the 2019 legislative session to bar cities and

counties from prohibiting the private building of a border wall, due to a dispute between the organization and a town in New Mexico.

Petersen said he intended for We Build the Wall to have a final say over the legislation.

An investigation by the Phoenix New Times found there is actually very little land in Arizona that the organization could actually utilize and most of the owners of that property had never heard of the organization.

Petersen did introduce his legislation, but it eventually died on the Senate floor and never became law.

This article was originally published by Arizona Mirror, a nonprofit online news agency. Find more reporting at azmirror.com

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Explorer and Marana News, Apr , 

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

THEATER WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 AND SUNDAY, MAY 1

• The Oro Valley Theatre Company returns to the Gaslight Music Hall with their latest production, “Barefoot in the Park.” This comedy, written

by Neil Simon, follows newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter after moving into their “small apartment, six flights up, with bad plumbing, and a hole in the ceiling.” It’s eccentric, relatable, humorous, and proof of the adage “opposites attract.” Directed by Oro Valley Theatre Company artistic director Judi Rodman. April 27, 6:00 p.m. show; May 1, 2:00 p.m. show. At the Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road. $32. gaslightmusichall.com

DAILY THROUGH SATURDAY, APRIL 30

• Experience history again at Arizona Theatre Company’s new musical, centered around the lives of women on the Supreme Court. The musical Justice takes place in 1993, when Ruth Bader Ginsburg has just joined the United States Supreme Court; the first and only other woman there, Sandra Day O’Connor, is ready to welcome her and get to work. This three-person show combines “sweeping songs, urgent conversations about equality, and truly human heroines.” 7:30 p.m.

Tuesdays through Sundays, through the end of the month. At the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. $25 - $60. Atc.org

MUSIC THURSDAY, APRIL 28

• Enjoy the music of Oaxaca fused with Minnesota when Mixtec Indigenous singer Lila Downs performs at the University of Arizona’s Centennial Hall.

Winner of multiple Grammy awards, Lila Downs is “one of the most powerful and unique voices that exist today.

With a symbolic stage presence and emotional storytelling through song, her singing transcends all language

barriers.” 8 p.m. At the Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $30. centhall. org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29

• Head down to Riverfront Park for the Oro Valley Battle of the Bands!

At this local competition of high school bands, musicians stand to win a song recorded and edited by a local professional recording studio. Participating bands will perform a three-song set.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges. 5 to 9 p.m. Riverfront Park Amphitheatre on Lambert Lane. $5.

• Local rock band Element 119 returns to the Gaslight Music Hall to cover a variety of rock, blues and pop hits. Not content to stick with one era of music, Element 119 carefully curates its set lists from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s to feature audience favorites. 7 to 9:30 p.m. At the Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road #165. (520) 529-1000. gaslightmusichall.com. $20. 16+

SATURDAY, APRIL 30

• Enjoy live chamber music when the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra performs at the DesertView Performing Arts Center. The orchestra is performing the works of Czech composer Antonín Dvořák and German composer Moritz Moszkowski. The performance includes guest conductor Jee Woon Park. 7:30 p.m.

At the DesertView Performing Arts Center, 39900 Clubhouse Drive. (520) 818-1000. dvpac.net $30.

TUESDAY, MAY 3

• Experience powerful voices and regional music when the world-famous vocal group Celtic Woman performs at the Tucson Music Hall. This show, titled “Postcards from Ireland,” celebrates the Emerald Isle’s rich music and culture. Since its 2005 debut, global musical sensation Celtic Woman has emerged as a genuine artistic phenomenon representing Irish music and culture all over the world. 7 p.m.

At the Tucson Music Hall at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. For additional information about TCC please call (520) 791-4101. $40 - $60.

tucsonconventioncenter.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 6

• A regular on local stages, OnesAll Band is hosting a dance party at the Gaslight Music Hall. They’re performing a series of funk music covers, ranging from Earth Wind & Fire to Chaka Khan to Michael Jackson. 7 to 9:30 p.m. At the Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road #165. (520) 5291000. gaslightmusichall.com. $20.

SPECIAL EVENTS & CLASSES WEDNESDAY, MAY 4

• For the unofficial nerd holiday May the Fourth (as in “may the force be with you”), the Loft Cinema is hosting a special screening of Star Wars.

The Loft is screening “Star Wars: A New Hope” from 1977 in the Navajo language with English subtitles. This screening is co-presented by the University of Arizona Native American Law Student Association, and sponsored by UA American Indian Studies and Department of Linguistics. Fresh frybread will also be available for purchase at this event. 7:30 p.m. At the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.

Free. loftcinema.org

THURSDAY, MAY 5

• Part of the new Pueblos del Maiz cultural festival, the Fox Theatre is screening the film “Maize in Times of War.” Directed by Alberto Cortés, the documentary features multiple families in Mexico discussing the importance of their crops, and the practical knowhow that enables the “everyday epic tale of corn.” Featured cultures are Wixárika, Ayuuk and Tzeltal. The film examines the need to preserve the land used by countless indigenous Mexican communities and farmers to grow their cornfields. 7:00 p.m. At the Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. Free. foxtucson.com

SATURDAY, MAY 7

• Celebrate public gardens with Community Day at Tohono Chul botanical gardens. This special event allows free admission to the park with family-friendly activities and entertainment. There are also free events throughout the day, including Build a Native Bee Habitat, Paint With a Yucca Paintbrush, Plant a Seed, and Make Insect Antenna. There will also be a performance by the Desert Players, a live pantomime group made up of Tohono Chul volunteers and docents.

By allowing free admission to a family environment, the Gardens “hope to encourage guests to learn more about the Sonoran Desert.” 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. At the Tohono Chul botanical gardens, 7366 Paseo del Norte. Free. tohonochul.org

KIDS SATURDAY, APRIL 30 & SATURDAY, MAY 7

• The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is bringing back their Coati Kids Club event. This month, the club is focusing on Desert Harvesters. For lesson one on April 30, kids will have an online introduction to the subject. Then on Saturday, May 7, participants will go to the museum to discover how native people thrived in Southern Arizona long before there were supermarkets, pharmacies, and hardware stores. At the museum, students will try their hands (and taste buds!) at harvesting and sampling some of the desert’s edible bounty, as well as experimenting with pigments and fibers. Day one: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Day two: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Online and then at

the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road. (520) 883-2702. desertmuseum.org

SUNDAY, MAY 8

• Learn the meaning of “Kodomo no Hi” at the Yume Japanese Gardens’ Children’s Day event. This national holiday of Japan celebrates the healthy growth and happiness of children. The event, which coincides with Mother’s Day, will feature Taiko Drumming performance by Odaiko Sonora, Kamishibai (“paper play”) storytelling, origami, ikebana for children, Japanese crafts, and more. A Japanese food truck will also be on-site. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At the Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N. Alvernon Way. (520) 303-3945. Adults: $18. Members: $10.

Children: $6. Children under 5: Free. yumegardens.org

www. tucson local media .com Your online source for news in the Northwest

12

Explorer and Marana News, Apr , 

SPORTS EXTRA POINT WITH TOM DANEHY &RECREATION

The Arizona Interscholastic Association’s playoff formula cheats high-school athletes Tom Danehy

Special to Tucson Local Media

I

f I were the girls’ tennis coach at Lee Williams High School in Kingman, I would be absolutely livid. As it is, I’m a tennis coach from a school more than 300 miles away from Kingman and I’m fuming, as well. Indeed, it’s safe to say that the vast majority of the 200 or so girls’ tennis coaches across the

state of Arizona are aware of the injustice done to the young people at Lee Williams High and are none too happy about it. But we all know that while that which has been done is inexplicable and indefensible, it is also irreversible.

The girls from Lee Williams are just the latest in a long list of victims of the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s devotion to the unholy Power Point formula.

For decades, the AIA employed a very basic method of determining which teams advanced to the State playoffs. They divided the state into different conferences or classes based on enrollment figures and then divided the conferences into geographic regions (e.g. the 5A-South).

At the end of the regular season, the top two or three teams from each region would advance to the State Tournament, with South #1

playing North #2, and so on. It worked really well, as I said, for decades.

But then, some people in Phoenix decided that too many teams from up north and down south were making it to State, so they set out looking for a way to squeeze out as many non-Valley of the Sun teams as possible, all in the name of “fairness.” They stumbled around until they stumbled upon something called “A Solution To The Unequal Strength of Schedule Problem.”

It is 20 pages of statistical nonsense, full of shaky hypotheses, verbose and misleading conclusions, and math that can only be described as incestuous as it doubles back on itself in a feeble effort to reinforce its dubious findings. And it has sentences like, “The mathematical derivation in this paper of equivalence of the maximum likelihood estimation approach in the references above and in Section 5 to the heuristic approach in Section 4 based on winning percentage arguments may be regarded as additional validation of the presented method…”

It’s the strangest thing.

While it is easy to take potshots at the AIA, I would say that the vast majority of the people there do a good

job and really care about kids. But the adherence to the Power Point formula to determine who gets to go to State is completely out of character. It’s like if Mother Teresa all of a sudden started dating Chris Brown.

I have gone to multiple meetings at the AIA headquarters and tried to explain to them why the math is wrong, but all I ever get back from the officials are glazed-over eyes and verbal responses that are all in the vein of “Well, we don’t really understand it, but we’re told that it’s pretty good.” And they never say by whom they are fed such nonsense.

If every team played 100 games, the formula would be helpful. If every team played 1,000 games, the formula would work really well. But basketball teams play no more than 18 games, tennis just 14, and football only 10.

That is simply not enough games to make the formula work right. Then there’s this: Until a few years ago, they would update the Power Point rankings every day during the season.

But then people noticed that during the two-week Winter Break, when no regular-season games were being played, the numbers kept changing.

It turned out that the

AIA was using stats from other states to bolster their numbers. It was the statistical equivalent of adding a roux to thicken a sauce. The thing is that adding a roux in Rhode Island shouldn’t have an impact on the sauce in Arizona.

Whenever they’re challenged, they trot out a guy who knows a lot of math, but not enough. He starts explaining stuff but he ends up sounding like Professor Irwin Corey (google him; you’ll see). In the end, he contends, it all boils down to a combination of won/ loss record and strength of schedule.

Then, how to explain what happened to the girls from Lee Williams? Mingus Union, the team that finished in the 16th spot and got to go to State, had the exact same record (10-4) as Lee Williams, but had a negative (-1.5691) strength of schedule, compared to Williams’ positive strength of schedule of (+0.4390).

Even more suspect is the case of 18th-ranked Scottsdale Saguaro, which had a better (less-bad) strength of schedule (-1.3460) than Mingus AND had a better won/loss record of 11-3.

Stuff like this doesn’t happen all the time, but if we’re putting the best interests of the kids first, it should NEVER happen.

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Explorer and Marana News, Apr , 

HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You prize loyalty and honesty. These qualities have the potential to clash this week, as no one wants to hurt the feelings of the ones they are loyal to, and honesty sometimes allows people to see the merit in the opposing team or argument. Which quality would you choose if you knew you could only have one?

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll see what you’ve seen before. Your low tolerance for boredom will inspire you to go off on fascinating tangents. At first, you’ll do this alone, but when others see what you’re up to, you’ll have followers. People will be glad to have someone like you around to spice things up.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It’s natural and typical to focus more on others than on what you’re getting out of the situation, though you should be aware that some people are only out for themselves. It’s not necessary to avoid the “takers” altogether -- but do be ready for them.

Know what you’re willing and not willing to give.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll experience a good fit -- a person, job, relationship or shoe that sets a new bar for success. What doesn’t work at all gives you the blessing of guidance.

Then there are the things that don’t quite work.

Their lessons are subtle and tricky. You’ll have examples in every category this week!

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Though a sense of belonging is essential to your well-being, you sometimes feel that wanting the acceptance of others is embarrassing. Consider that anyone slow in accepting you may not be right for you anyway. Loving hearts await. You deserve sweetness in relationships. Believe it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There are two ways to reduce the amount of stress flowing through your days. You can avoid challenges, or you can accept them with the mindset that you don’t have to get everything right. The second way makes life easier in the weeks to come. You’re getting so adept at handling things that, soon, nothing will scare you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You understand what people are expressing, both the public-facing version and the private implications; you get the text, the context and the subtext.

Because so many in the world are unobservant and incurious, interactions with you will stand out in people’s minds. Your curiosity will culminate in adventure.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Life is complicated enough. You see no need to complicate things further by having too many opinions and rules.

Because of your tendency to keep it simple this week, you’ll be popular. Your social instincts are spot-on, too, and your breezy approach to relationships makes you extremely attractive.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Love shapes you. It contributes to your experiences; it is the reason for where you are in the world. You make your home around love. Considering how much you give to relationships and how changed you are by them, you’re right to be choosy about who you let into your heart.

E L A I N E

F D A E M O

Z O O S

E G G S

Crossword Puzzle Answers

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). What you want to make or do may seem far away to you right now given your current financial constraints.

But creative influences will inspire you to go at it a different way this week. What if you brought more hope to the problem? Because you’re open to them, unconventional solutions abound.

G U F F A W

57 Reassuring words after a fall 58 ___ Jose, Calif.

14 15 16 59 “Ple-e-e-ease?”

60 Ones with minority views 17 18 19 64 Oodles 20 21 22 65 Before, poetically 66 Act as a go-between 23 24 25 26 67 Icy hazard at sea 68 When doubled, a 2010s dance 27 28 29 30 31 32 fad 33 34 35 69 Object represented visually twice in this puzzle 36 37 38 39 40 41 Down 1 Belly laugh 42 43 44 45 2 Julia Louis-Dreyfus role on “Seinfeld” 46 47 48 49 50 51 3 Go to 52 53 54 4 ___-eye steak 5 Punk offshoot 55 56 57 58 6 Word with latter or red-letter 7 Deity of Islam 59 60 61 62 63 8 Fancy evening party 64 65 66 9 Lifted weights, informally 10 Breakfast appliance 67 68 69 11 Shook on 12 Places where you might find okapis and gnus (besides Across crossword puzzles!)

1 Prepared, with “up” 13 ___ Benedict 7 Snake in ancient Egyptian art 18 Six-line stanza 10 Crowdsourced map app 24 Vaccine approver, in brief 14 Final syllable of a word, in linguistics 26 Newspaper parts: Abbr.

15 Singer Rawls 28 Debris from welding or power 16 Wide-eyed with wonder drilling 17 Oxymoronic stage name for the D.J. Norman Cook 29 Heavy metal band whose name 19 Puddle-jumper? includes an actual heavy metal 20 “Phooey!,” to Shakespeare 31 Actress Thurman 21 Frontiersman Wyatt 32 According to 22 Admit, with “up” 34 Movie theater reproof 23 Rashida Jones’s role on “Parks and Recreation” 36 Mentalist’s power 25 Unquestioning followers, in slang 37 Third letter in an alphabet song 27 First three words famously said by Kamala Harris to 38 Judge Judy title Joe Biden upon winning the 2020 election 40 Kindle purchases 30 Gradually increased 43 Birth control option, for short 33 Hard-to-find game cards, in collector’s lingo 45 “I hadn’t thought of it that way” 35 “Am I the problem here?”

47 New York city where Mark 36 Reverberate Twain is buried 39 In ___ words 49 Enter gingerly, as a hot tub 41 Sound likely not made by a Tyrannosaurus rex, despite 50 Few and far between what “Jurassic Park” would have you believe 51 Slowly phase out, in lingo 42 Welcomed at the door 53 “Look for yourself” 44 Streaming service rebranded with the suffix Max in 55 It may cover a cut 2020 56 Feminist Millett who 46 Fragrance popularized the concept of the 48 Singularity patriarchy 52 Gentleman: Sp. 61 Stately tree 54 “The Simpsons” storekeeper 62 Actress Long 55 Vodka brand that sounds like a toast 63 @, as a verb

U P M E A R

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D A Y S E S T E T

12

I U D

11

S U N S E T

10

S P A R S E

9

P W A U A G M F R P F E E P L E D G E D I S I T R R O O G O N E N E E A S E N T E L I A I M A G N

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A S L O L I A R H E E S H E H B O G O O K S S E E

7

E L M I R A

6

I R O N M A I D E N

5

A R T I T B E N D I R O N F I L I N G

4

E C H S E E P E R H O N O R

3

K A T E

2

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Have you ever seen someone juggle sacks of potatoes? Unlikely. It’s easier to juggle things that have form than it is to manage the unpredictability of floppy or feathery things. This week, you’ll get very good at compartmentalizing, which helps you balance a few different areas of your life at once.

S C A B

1

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Once you know something, you often adapt so quickly to the knowledge that you forget how valuable the information really is. You’re not thinking about how much other people would love the information.

You could help many (including yourself) through teaching, publishing, consulting or speaking.

15

Explorer and Marana News, Apr , 

Worship Guide 520.797.4384

COWBOY CH URCH

LUTH ERAN

LUTH ERAN

Cristian Cowboy Ministries

SUNDAY

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

Sunday April 17th Easter Service At the Robertson Horse sale barn @ 10 am

10:30 AM

In Person: 15501 W Ajo Hwy Online: https://facebook.com/ serenitybaptistaz/videos/

Changing the world through Christ, by caring for all people

Worship with us!

Cowboy Churches

METH ODIST

Methodist

VISTA DE LA MONTAÑA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Classifieds@TucsonLocalmedia.com

BAPTIST

Join Us For Sunday Service:

METH ODIST

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!

–button!

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.

Sunday

Wilds Rd. & Golder Ranch Rd.

Sunday April 24th @ Ranch Sorting competition In Queen Creek Az @ 8 am For more onfo. Contact; Ccbm777@aol.com

1431 W. Magee Rd. (520-297-2062) www.umcstmarks.org

(520) 825-1985 www.vistaumc.org

Get The Word Out!

Youth: Weds @ 6:00PM Office Hrs: 9am to 1 pm Mon to Fri (Except Holidays) connect@serenitybaptist.church https://serenitybaptist.church

To advertise in your local Worship Directory,

Call 520-797-4384

520.822.2026

Get the word out!

Reserve Ad space in your local Worship Directory Call 520-797-4384 CATH OLIC

CATH OLIC ORO VALLEY, ARIZONA

ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST Catholic Church

Reconciliation: 7:30 , Sat 3 PM PM and by by appointment.

Reconciliation: T-FT-F at at 7:30 Sat at at 3-3:45 and appointment.

AM,AM

Ash Wednesday Services 12 noon and 6:15 pm Midweek Lenten Services Wednesdays at 12 noon outdoors in our Memorial Plaza

Tenebrae Service - 6:30 Pm, Church

THURSDAY, APRIL 14 - HOLY THURSDAY

12 PM — Stations of The Cross, Memorial Garden 3 PM — Passion of The Lord, Church Saturdays: Vigil at 2 �� (Masks required), and 4 �� 6 PM — Bilingual Passion of The Lord, Church

7PRIL �� 16 and- H 9 OLY ��,SATURDAY ATURDAY, A SSundays: 11 �� Bilingual (4th Sunday is Spanish Mass), 4 PM — Easter Vigil Mass, Church and 5 ��

Parking Lot Yard Sale

Sunday: 9:45-10:45 ��

11575 N. 1st Ave. Oro Valley, AZ 85737 (520) 575-9901 Welcome to Resurrection Lutheran!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13

Monday-Friday at 8 �� FRIDAY, APRIL 15 - GOOD FRIDAY

RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Come join us every Saturday evening or on Sunday for worship!

HolyWeek at Santa Catalina 3 PM — Mass of The Lord’s Supper, Church 4–6:30 PM — Altar of Repose, Parish Hall 6 PM — Bilingual Mass of The Lord’s Supper, Church

LUTH ERAN

Join Us

2727 W. TANGERINE ROAD ORO VALLEY, AZ 85742 520.469.7835

SATURDAY MASS

4:00 PM SUNDAY MASS

7:00 AM 8:30 AM* 10:00 AM 11:30 AM *Masks and Social Distancing required at this Mass

WE ARE A ROMAN CATHOLIC FAITH FAMILY NOURISHED BY THE WORD OF GOD AND THE EUCHARIST. AS A COMMUNITY, WE ADVANCE SPIRITUAL GROWTH THROUGH LIFELONG LEARNING.

Visit our website STMARKOV.COM

Oro Valley Location

5:00 pm Saturday evening Worship 7:45 am and 9:15 am Traditional Worship and our 10:45 am Contemporary Worship!

SaddleBrooke Location

SaddleBrooke 9:00 am Worship HOA1 Clubhouse Vermilion Room.

Online worship available anytime to fit your schedule.

Check our website for more information

www.orovalley.org

16

Worship Guide 520.797.4384

Classifieds@TucsonLocalmedia.com

UNITED CH URCH

OF CH RIST

ORO VALLEY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1401 East El Conquistador Way

(Off Oracle Rd., past Hilton Resort to top of hill)

Explorer and Marana News, Apr , 

Service Directory 520.797.4384

Classifieds@TucsonLocalmedia.com

AIR CONDITIONING/H EATING

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In person and live streaming Service Every Sunday 10 am

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Enjoy our GORGEOUS mountain view location!

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Carpets will look like new CLEAN CARPET 2 ROOMS $59 CLEAN TILE GROUT 2 ROOMS $59:usually $99 CALL NOW & SAVE

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Get The Word Out!

To advertise in your local Worship Directory,

Call 520-797-4384

ROC#032524

OF CH RIST

Casas Adobes Congregational Church

An Open and Affirming Congregation of the UCC

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!

Join Us In-Person and Online

520-229-7370

Fran the Gopher Errand Service 520-873-7848 www.franthegopher.com

Private Airport Transportation Tucson Airport $60* Phoenix Airport $150*

*per trip NOT per person

Errand/Personal Assistant Services $30 per hour

Medical visits, shopping, pharmacy, transport to locations within 150 miles of Tucson.

Now providing home notary services and home watches Insured • Licensed • Bonded

CLEANING SERV ICES

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Free In Home Estimates Marisol Gomez ExperienceCleaning150@ gmail.com

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520-850-6660 Trouble Shooting Ceiling Fans Lights: Recessed/LED and Under/Over Cabinet/LED Dimmers & Outlets Spa/Pool Wiring Whole House Surge Protection ROC #225243

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AZ Grand Canyon Landscaping Most popular landscaping services we offer: Tree Trimming, Weeding, Mowing, Junk Removal Services and more…

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CONTRACTORS Contractor

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Reasonable rates, honest, reliable, dependable.

orovalleycarpetcleaners.com

BUSINESS/PROF ESSIONAL SERV ICES

UNITED CH URCH

H AULING

$30k STEAM MACHINES! CARPET 2 Rooms .... $59 TILE & GROUT 2 Rooms .... $59

Oro Valley Carpet Cleaners OROVALLEYCARPETCLEANERS.COM

520-331-7777

VOTED - Best of Northwest 10 years in a row!

· Additions & Enclosures · Kitchen Remodels · Bathroom Remodels

· · · ·

"Servicing Tucson Since 1995"

Flooring Patio Vigas Painting www.uriasremodeling.com & More!

572-9128

R.O.C.#270042. Bonded, Insured.

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Service Directory 520.797.4384

LANDSCAPE DESIGN/INSTALL

Landscape Maintenance

Classifieds@TucsonLocalmedia.com

LANDSCAPE/MAINTENANCE

LANDSCAPE/ MAINTENANCE

ORO VALLEY

LANDSCAPE/ MAINTENANCE Landscaping

Budget Landscape

Best Quality/Lowest Price ARBORIST/ ISA CERTIFIED

TREE TRIMMING * TREE REPLACEMENT*TREE REMOVAL

LANSCAPE DESIGN & INSTALLATION COMPLETE OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES* RENOVATIONS

IRRIGATION SYSTEMS SPECIALIST

NEW INSTALLATION* TROUBLE SHOOTING EXISTING SYSTEMS

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SPECIAL RATES: COMMERCIAL, HOA’S

ONE TIME CLEAN-UP

Spring special

10% Savings Call 520-312-8726

Let’s Schedule Your FREE ESTIMATE!

• Irrigation Installation & Repair • Tree Service • Weed Control • Cactus Removal • Maintenance Plans • Decorative Rock - Hauling • Junk Removal • Commercial/ Residential

Miguel

Landscaping Free Estimates

Clean ups, Maintenance, Brick, Cactus removal, Flagstone, Weed control, Pavers, Tree Trimming, Irrigation System and more...

358- 4005 JOE

One time weekly and monthly services

10% Discount for Senior Citizens, Military and First Responders

Miguel Marcial

Free Estimates

520-551-4165

Insured & Bonded • Not Licensed Contractor

mmarcial544@gmail.com

LANDSCAPE/ MAINTENANCE

LANDSCAPE/ MAINTENANCE

ARACELI’S

Trimming • Planting & Removal

Any Type of Trees • Cactus Clean-up Maintenance We Install Timers Repair Irrigation Systems Gravel • Pavers • Etc...

Get your Message to our Readers

Call 520-797-4384 LANDSCAPE/MAINTENANCE

All of your landscape maintenance needs

PLUMBING

LANDSCAPE & DESIGN • Maintenance • Pathways and patios • Irrigation • Tree trimming • Design and install

520-389-1541 CALL OR TEXT

Painting

IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE GRAVEL CLEAN UPS TREE TRIMMING

L L C

1399

$

Water Heater Special *Some restrictions apply

Local Family Owned Full Service Plumbing

909-6605

www.ovplumbing.com For Your Peace of Mind Always Choose a Licensed Contractor!

Licensed, Bonded & Insured #285210

PAINTING

ROOF ING Roofing

EXTERIORS @ A DISCOUNT, Inc. Exterior & Interior Painting For

Residential & Commercial - Pressure Washing - Stucco & Masonry Repairs - Kool-Dek Refinishing - Security Door Refinishing - Wrought Iron Gate & Fence Refinishing - Roof Coating, Epoxy Garage Floors

LANDSCAPING

2018-2022

PLUMBING

247-6369

Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC 218893

Commercial|Residential

FREE Estimates 25 years experience

Hot/Cool, Flat, Shingles, Repair, Installs and More.

520-306-1130 Licensed & Bonded

2.75% Transaction Fee

ROC# 296676

*Call for more services

FREE ESTIMATES

Cell (520) 405-8107

FREE ESTIMATES (520) 481-2824

LANDSCAPE/MAINTENANCE

Know Us Know Your Community LANDSCAPE/MAINTENANCE

Landscaping

Salvador’s Landscape

Designs • Flagstone Fire Pits • Pavers BBQ’s • Irrigation Concrete Sidewalks

Walls • Rip Rap Lightning Driveway Pavers Synthetic Grass

520-248-2437 Good References | Free Estimates salvadorenriquez36@gmail.com

Economy Landscape Commercial/Residential FREE ESTIMATES

LLC

•Weed Control •Irrigation • One-Time Clean Ups •Pavers •Tree Service •Maintenance Mgmt *All Types of Masonry LICENSED CONTRACTOR

520 - 4 9 5 - 8 4 4 4 economylandscapellc@gmail.com ROC# 331733 Insured and Bonded

References

Licensed

JOE’S YARD WORK and MORE Design • Planting • Monthly Service Irrigation • Custom Patios • Brick Repair Lighting • Masonry • Gravel Tree Trimming & Removal

“We Do Whatever Your Yard Needs!”

Monthly Service starting $50.00 a month

Sun City Since 1987

Joe Nicosia 296-5249

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Service Directory Classifieds e Directory Explorer and Marana News, Apr , 

520.797.4384

Classifieds@TucsonLocalmedia.com

The Place “To Find” Everything You Need

Classifieds@TucsonLocalmedia.com

24 hour Plumbing

$99

Sewer Inspection

Free Camera Inspection With Drain Service.

Some Exclusions Apply.

Licensed bonded insured.

Locally owned, Father and son, over 35 years experience.

COVID Safe: Mask, Booties.

520-668-6427 knightowlplumbing@gmail.com

Special

WINDOW CLEANING

Saturday, May 7th, 2022

7am - Noon

Affordable & Experienced • • • • • •

Companionship Cooking/Shopping Personal Care/Bathing Fully Vaccinated Available 7 Days a week Excellent References

Dove Mountain Community Yard Sale

Please Call Janice (520) 329-9092 Friendly, Respectful Care

Dove Mountain Boulevard and Tangerine Look for signs in the community

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING WORKS! EMPLOYMENT GENERAL

Contact us to book an ad!

Call 520-797-4384 to learn more!

B lack H orse Is located B etween Wilds and Golder Ranch. Come b rowse the neighb orhood f or b argains

Saturday, April 30, 2022 7 am to 2 pm

CALL US! 520-797-4384

Having a yard sale?

Black Horse

Community Yard Sale

Caregiver

DISC NTH O ALL M

era inspection. ns apply.

GARAGE SALES/ BAZAARS

ADULT CARE

PLUMBING

10O% UNT

GARAGE SALES/ BAZAARS

Yard Sale

THE VILLAGES OF LA CAÑADA

Huge Community Sale

Saturday, April 30th 2022 7:00 am -Noon, both gates open on La Canada and Lambert

Something for everyone!

Classifieds

WANTED TO BUY

Grant Rd and Tucson B lvd Newly remodeled 3 B r , 2 B ath H ome with new A/ C, new roof , new windows, new b athrooms, and new appliances. Large f enced b ack yard $290, 000 2 7 3 1 E Water St Call 5 2 0 -2 7 2 -9 8 4 8

LESSONS/ TUTORING TAP DANCERS WANTED The Tucson Prunes A senior (50+) tap dancing & entertainment group of 10 currently recruiting women & men. We perform lively musical reviews highlighting dancing, singing & comedy. Tap dancing exp preferred.

Student teacher available for training.

(520) 591-9810

NETWORK ADS

EXPLORER MARANA NEWS

PUBLIC NOTICES

The Place “To Find” Everything You Need

H OMES F OR SALE

REACH

520.797.4384

Classifieds@tucsonlocalmedia.com

#1 Rated Adjustable Bed. Massage.

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Call 5 2 0 -3 8 9 -8 6 6 8 ( Tex t only) 5 5 9 -3 5 5 -5 9 3 5 L ocal Company

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PUBLIC NOTICES

Summer Survival Pullout Section

LET US HELP YOU NAVIGATE MEDICARE.

OUT

GET YOUR MESSAGE TO OUR READERS

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TOP $$ PAID! Call/ Tex t: Mike 520- 97 7 - 1 1 1 0. I b ring trailer & cash! ( Az CAN)

PERSONAL SERV ICES

SHIP IS AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS OR CAREGIVERS

Receive free, unbiased guidance on Medicare benefits with Arizona’s State Health Insurance Program (SHIP).

Our counseling services provide in-depth information to help you understand your options and optimize your access to care.

Call 1-800-432-4040 to get started.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 90MPPG0022, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201.

Callto learn 520-797-4384 more about advertising

Simply Real Wellness & Nutrition

520-425-7251

Dori Stolmaker-certified nutritionist and health coach www.simplyrealwellnessandnutrition.com Email: dori@simplyrealwellnessandnutrition.com

Tell our readers how to survive the summer!

Coming May 2022 Reserve your space NOW! Call 520-797-4384

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O

Explorer and Marana News, Apr , 

James D. Kriegh Park

Oro Valley Aquatic Center

Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center

Rolling Hills Riding Academy

Steam Pump Ranch

23 W. Calle Concordia

23 W. Calle Concordia

10555 N. La Cañada Dr.

Cielo Tierra Ranch, 11600 N. Oracle Rd.

10901 N. Oracle Rd.

Aquatics

Special Events

LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION CLASS Dates:

Times: Location: Cost: Ages:

May 23 – 27 May 30 – June 3 or June 6 – June 10 9 AM – 4 PM Oro Valley Aquatic Center $90 15 and up

LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION CLASS Dates: Times: Location: Cost: Ages:

May/June 9 AM – 4 PM Oro Valley Aquatic Center $50 15 and up

MOVIES ON THE LAWN Dates:

Time: Location: Cost:

May 21, June 18, July 16 August 20 7:30 PM Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center Free

Movies on the Lawn are back! Join the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center for a fun night out with family and friends for a movie under the stars. The movies will begin shortly after sundown (approximately 7:30 p.m.) and will take place the third Saturday of the month, May through August. This is a free community event. Dates and movies: May 21 June 18 July 16 August 20

$5 SUNDAY FAMILY FUN DAY

Admission to the OV Aquatic Center is just $5 for the entire family!

Dates: Times: Location: Cost: Ages:

May 22 – July 31 9 AM – 4 PM Oro Valley Aquatic Center $5 All

Call of the Wild Encanto The Goonies Sing 2

ROUND UP AT THE RANCH 5K RUN/ WALK Dates: Time: Location: Cost: Register at:

June 19 6 AM Steam Pump Ranch $25 prior to race, $30 day of https://tinyurl.com/yswe9mhv

This seventh annual summer 5k will take place along the multi-use path, beginning at Steam Pump Ranch, and will include snacks, water, watermelon and a water balloon toss! Runners, walkers and strollers welcome! Prizes to overall male and female winners, and five-year age group prizes. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Town’s Round Up For Youth Recreation Scholarship Program. Children 12 and under race for free with a paying adult. T-shirts provided to all entrants. Round Up at the Ranch 2022 is proudly sponsored by Fleet Feet.

JULY 4TH CELEBRATION

Dates: July 4 Time: 5 – 9 PM Location: James D. Kriegh Park Cost: Free Celebrate Independence Day with us! Enjoy an exciting laser light show,* food trucks, a beer garden, face painting, family-friendly activities and live music by The Petty Breakers, a Tom Petty cover band. Sponsored by Lisa Bayless, El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort and Tucson Local Media.

(A laser light show is being provided in lieu of fireworks due to ongoing supply chain issues that have caused lack of inventory from our licensed state distributer.)

For program details and registration, scan the QR code or visit playov.com

Explorer and Marana News, Apr , 

Facility Information

ORO VALLEY AQUATIC CENTER

EL CONQUISTADOR GOLF

10555 N. La Cañada Drive Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone: 520-544-1900 www.orovalleyaz.gov/community-center

23 W. Calle Concordia Monday – Friday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Phone: 520-297-7946 www.orovalleyaz.gov/aquatics

The Oro Valley Community Center is a 52,000+ squarefoot facility located in the heart of Oro Valley. The center features more than 50 fitness classes a week, a child watch area, a full suite of cardio and strength equipment, free weight area, two racquetball courts, aerobic spin bike room, yoga studio, and a lap pool.

The center also has reservable meeting and event space, a golf shop and full-service restaurant/bar. The center offers two membership levels as well as dropin daily use for a fee. The Town is excited to announce major capital improvement projects will be taking place this summer and will include the expansion and construction of new post-tension concrete pickleball and tennis courts. For the duration of these projects, the availability of the listed areas will be impacted. The availability of tennis and pickleball courts can be found by visiting our website.

The Oro Valley Aquatic Center is Southern Arizona’s premier competitionlevel facility. Amenities include an 18 lane Olympic pool, a six-lane recreation pool, 130-foot water slide, a splash pad, four springboard diving boards, rentable indoor and outdoor space, family changing rooms, shaded bleachers and rest areas. All water is heated year-round. The facility is also able to be rented after-hours for private parties. The center offers a variety of memberships for the avid swimmer, someone just beginning, or families looking for a fun, safe activity.

Membership includes access to weekly aqua fitness classes.

Tee off under the warm Arizona sun in the shadow of the dramatic Santa Catalina Mountains, just north of Tucson, Arizona. The Oro Valley Community Center - El Conquistador Golf, boasts two championship golf courses, the Conquistador Course, the Cañada Course and a 9-hole Pusch Ridge Course. Please note that this summer, only the 18-hole La Cañada Course will be open for play, as the Conquistador course will be closed for irrigation replacement. Additionally, the 9-hole Pusch Ridge Course will be closed for the season, reopening this fall.

El Conquistador Golf is open for public play seven days a week, offering a variety of membership options, including individual, family and corporate. See website for details.

ORO VALLEY COMMUNITY & RECREATION CENTER

Volunteer opportunities • • • •

Archery range maintenance Trails maintenance on one of the Town’s pedestrian paths and trails Assisting with senior programming Assisting with phenology Trail Program

• • •

at the Oro Valley Community and Recreation Center 10555 N. La Cañada Drive Phone: 520-544-1900 www.elcongolf.com

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer for Oro Valley Parks and Recreation? We have many areas that may be of interest, including: Assisting with special events Assisting on the Heritage Garden at Steam Pump Ranch Assist on the front desk at the Oro Valley Community and Recreation Center

To apply, please call the Oro Valley Parks and Recreation office at 520-229-5050.