The Democratic Party lawsuit trial against the Pima County Board of Supervisors was expected to end Thursday, but continued today with Demo attorney Bill Risner's witnesses. The trial is all about access to public records: The party wants database files that contain vote data, specifically from the RTA election. The party continues to question the legitimacy of the election and the possibility there was a vote flip caused by hacking into the system. By the end of the day, Risner and election integrity activists hope Judge Michael Miller orders the county to release the records. 

You'd think if there's nothing to hide, the county would want this to end and stand beside the voting system it supports. 

County administrator Chuck Huckelberry has already taken the stand, as well as Bryan Crane, the Pima County Elections Division employee accused of taking home data backups in his fellow employee depositions. The county also brought in its Diebold expert. 

That said, the best daily coverage of the trial has come from attorney Michael Bryan's Blog for Arizona.  Bryan's blog coverage is being picked up by other blogs across the country. The blog features some film footage of the trial, too, that has also been picked up by local TV stations. Talk about putting your blog where your heart is: If you haven't discovered Blog for Arizona yet, and I can't imagine why you haven't, now is the time with Bryan's excellent trial updates. 

I realized over lunch with a few family members this week that there remain large groups of Average Tucson Joes out there who don't really think there is a problem. When I talked with election-integrity activists they've wondered how they can get better news coverage and how they can pull away from an image they have of being conspiracy theorists. My Sonora Sammy-loving (Democratic) cousin thinks they are just that--crazy people beating a dead horse. 

It is interesting how folks who are smart and intelligent grew tired so fast regarding election fraud post Al Gore's loss. "We lost, let's move on."

But if we really have problems with the system, shouldn't we continue to question how our voting is conducted? If it takes a group of people some see as conspiracy-driven to change something as vital as election fraud, then I guess we're seeing patriotism in action.

Tower Theatres at Arizona Pavilions (8031 N. Business Park Drive) will have its official grand opening Friday, Dec. 7. Their phone number is 579-0500. The Web site is www.mytowertheatres.com. As of this writing, the films times are not on the Tower Theatres Web site. However, we have included the films and show times on the Tucson Weekly Web site. The theater has 12 screens with stadium-style seating. It is located west of Interstate 10 near Cortaro Road.

Compliments of Mike Marizco, here is an updated list of the 11 editorial staffers laid off by the Star:

• Jane See White, copy editor
• Jeff Commings, neighbors reporter
• Dave Castelan, graphics designer
• Jon Hassen, network administrator
• George Campbell, copy desk chief
• Pat Benton, copy editor
• Paul, last name unknown, sports
• Carrie Ord, accent news assistant
• Tiana Velez, business news assistant
• Lupe Ortiz, accent news assistant
• Seth Mauzy, position unknown

I caught only 30 minutes of the Democratic Presidential Debate on NPR Tuesday afternoon on the car radio. I haven't watched any of the televised debates and wasn't sad about missing this radio debate.

Due to the timing, I happened to catch former Sen. Mike Gravel's comment on immigration. I heard most of the other candidates give their nonanswer answers, but was left feeling Gravel brought a little sense to this issue each party has turned into a never ending volleyball match. I found a transcript of the debate on The New York Times Web site, and here's what Gravel said on immigration: 

GRAVEL: This has become obvious in this discussion; that there has to be a reason why, over the last 15 years, we haven’t solved this problem as a nation.

Stop and think. Our unemployment level is about 4.5, and that’s about as low as you can get it. So where is the problem? We have to have people fill these jobs. They come in and fill these jobs. We call them illegal.

Are they illegal? They’re filling jobs that need to be done. If we were to chase them out, aren’t we playing to the nativist, the crazies who are opposed to anybody coming in since they got here?

And the media plays into this. The Congress plays into this. Just open our doors. When the jobs are there to be filled, they’ll come in. The jobs aren’t there, they’ll go home.

We can deal with all these other problems in trade, but we’re making a mountain out of a mole hill. We’re creating laws. We’re trying to deal with this.

Deal with the obvious. We do not seem, as a nation, to be able to solve this problem the way we’ve been approaching it.

Whew ... nothing amazing, but just a little something no one wanted to say, but many have thought. Seems like everyone else wants to make sure they sound as tough as the GOP candidates or swear they've never hired an illegal. Biden was a bit sensitive on this subject.

Gravel's Web site gives his views on all the issues, including immigration. This guy is a fourth-tier candidate, right? But that little nugget made me take another look at him. I discovered he hasn't been invited to other debates, which is probably why I haven't heard much about his campaign in those radio morning news sound bites the day after. Too bad.

Evidently. last week, the Tucson Police Department's Capt Perry Tarrant was at the Tuesday Night Community Bike Ride again to make sure the ride bike marshals (men, women and everyone in between) had reflective vests and handed out lights to those without. Tarrant remains concerned the ride is blocking traffic and that riders are not safe.

The group's route for this week crossed Speedway Boulevard, and had to deal with a pedestrian crossing on Oracle Road north of Drachman, and then Euclid. The group planned and successfully crossed Speedway on foot in order to keep the group together and--more importantly--remain legal. 

On Erik Ryberg's Tucson Bike Lawyer blog, he and Elizabeth have an update and share their perspectives.

This didn't make it into the "Noshing Around" column, but it sounds fun and worthy of a mention.

The 17th Street Market celebrates its 16th Anniversary with Asian cooking demos  and food tasting on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 17th Street Market offers an epicurean selection of Asian cuisine: noodles, satays, foods flavored with chilies, lime, coconut, lemongrass and soy and fish sauces.

In addition to the festivities, the store will offer many special sales on Asian products and vegetables.

Even if you are not well versed in the ways of Asian cooking, the market has something for everyone. A large selection of fresh fish, organic produce, world gifts and toys. The musical entertainment will be the Redhouse Dancers, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

In honor of their 16th anniversary, customers get 10 percent discount on all gift items more than $20.

The 17th Street Market is located at 810 E. 17th St.

Directions can be found online. Store hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Friday; Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

As we note in The Skinny, we've extended the deadline for launching your very own presidential campaign as part of Project White House until noon on Monday, Dec. 10. So now you have all weekend to put together your campaign and get your name on the Arizona presidential primary ballot in February. Rules and details here.

We hope to break the news of a celebrity entrant later today ...

We'd also like to give props to Dave Maass, who has spreading the word of Project White House throughout the American Southwest. Maass, a one-time TW contributor who now works for the Santa Fe Reporter, has recruited Rhett Smith of Texas for PWH. You can learn more about Rhett at Maass' blog.

So says the Star itself.

The daily newspaper biz continues its downward death spiral. Sigh.

UPDATE: The Weekly has learned that the laid-off employees include a lot of news assistants and lower-level newsroom types--including some people who have been with the Star for decades.

The list of people let go--which, it needs to be noted, is unconfirmed and based on only one source, so take this with a massive grain of salt--includes:

• George Campbell
• David Castellan
• Lupe Ortiz
• Carrie Ord
• Tiana Velez
• Jon Hassen
• Someone named Julie
• Jeff Commings

UPDATE: Former Star reporter (and current Weekly contributor) Michael Marizco has more info here.

UPDATE: Jane See White is also reportedly among the laid off, according to a source. Also, the severance package, as we've heard from several sources: three weeks' pay, as long as they keep their mouths shut. That's pitiful.

UPDATE (8:45 P.M.): Michael Marizco informs us that Rutha Brundidge, who was on this list, was apparently NOT laid off. Thus, we have removed her. However, we're adding Jeff Commings, an education reporter. After hearing a rumor that he was one of the unfortunate, I contacted him via his Facebook page, and he had this to say: "I never thought I'd be one of the people to say this: I can't confirm or deny your information." So, take that for what it's worth.

For the last four hours, the blog has not let anyone do anything to it--post, comment, anything.

Well, we have fixed the problem and apologize for the inconvenience.

Here are a few events that were received too late for inclusion in our Dec. 6 issue. We recommend calling event organizers to check for last-minute changes in location, time, price, etc.

• Friday, Dec. 7 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

  Tucson Musuem of Art and Historic Block

  140 N. Main Ave.

  First Fridays. All of the Tucson Musuem of Art galleries will open to provide an opportunity for people to mingle. Food, music by DJ Corbin Dooley, cash bar, cigar patio, henna tattos and desserts from Cafe a la C'Art will be provided. Complimentary valet parking. $20, $10 for TMA members. 21 and older event. Call 829-4677 or visit www.typfirstfridays.com for info.

• Saturday, Dec. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  Beowulf Alley Theatre Company

  11 S. Sixth Ave.

  Audition Notice. Audtions for Arcadia by Tom Stoppard will take place on Saturday, Dec. 8, with callbacks on Sunday, Dec. 9 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Prepare two contrasting monologues: one comedic and one dramatic. They do not have to be memorized. Bring a resume and headshot. To make an audition appointment, e-mail [email protected] or call 622-4460. For questions about roles, call 888-5815. For more info, visit www.beowulfalley.org.

• Saturday, Dec. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m.

  Tucson Creative Living Center

  4850 W. Jojoba Drive

  Soul Journey Sound Circle. Darrell Hicks will lead a sound circle with toning, didging and chanting, using classical guitar and crystal bowls. The event ends with a group guided shamanic journey. RSVP a spot by Friday, Dec. 7. Suggested donation is $15 (cash and check). E-mail [email protected] or call 971-3255 to reserve a spot. Visit www.darrellhicks.com for info.

• Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  Tucson Historic Depot

  410 E. Toole Ave.

  Annual Holiday Express Arts and Crafts Show. Do some holiday shopping. Get a picture taken with Santa. Kids can have their faces painted. Free. Call 574-9320 or visit www.tucsonhistoricdepot.org for information.