We review the week, after the jump.

BTW: Arizona's Illustrated political forums start at the end of this month. I'll be joining Bill Buckmaster for the Ward 3 debate between Democratic Councilwoman Karin Uhlich, Republican challenger Ben Buehler-Garcia and Green Party candidate Mary Decamp on Wednesday, Sept. 30; and for the Ward 5 debate between Democrat Richard Fimbres and Republican Shaun McClusky on Monday, Oct. 5.

Ward 6 Councilwoman Nina Trasoff and Republican Steve Kozachik will be featured on the Friday Roundtable on Friday, Oct. 9.

On Oct. 12, Ann Brown of the Arizona Daily Star will join Buckmaster for a debate on the Public Safety First initiative, aka Prop 200, on the November ballot.

Early voting starts Thursday, Oct. 8.

TUSD Superintendent Elizabeth Celania-Fagen stops by Arizona Illustrated's Friday Roundtable to explain what "21st-century sustainable outcomes" are, after the jump...

While idiots ignoring the effect fossil fuels have on our environment plunge their heads ever deeper into the sand, other groups, like the Alliance for Climate Protection, are fighting the good fight by encouraging a switch to cleaner energies, which means a cleaner planet, and fewer pissed off polar bears.

Repower Arizona, a project of the Alliance for Climate Protection, is just such an entity, and they’re holding a Clean Jobs, Bright Ideas Roundtable at noon, Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Ward 3 Council Office at 1510 E. Grant Road.

The focus of the event is to raise awareness of the benefits that would accompany switching to a clean-energy economy. Guest speakers include Greg McNamee, author of Careers in Renewable Energy, Kevin Koch of Technicians for Sustainability, and Scotty Johnson of Defenders of Wildlife. David Schaller from the Tucson office of Conservation and Sustainable Development will also speak.

Visit www.repoweramerica.org/us/tour for more information.

Dan Multhup, director of operations for Metro Restaurants, said the real opening will take place no later than next weekend. So much for Malingering Monday.

Multhup went on to describe what's going on at the new Nimbus: 1,500 square feet of patio, more than 20 beers on tap, 130 more in bottles (most from craft breweries across the country), a menu of favorites from the Nimbus on 44th Street and new items by Metro Restaurants executive chef Michael Brown. A small test brewery and private tasting room have also been added.

"We’re not trying to duplicate what happens over there," Multhup said, refering to Nimbus' industrial warehouse headquarters. "We're going from just beer to a whole bar, from counter service to actual table service; we’re taking it to the next level."

Multhup said other ventures between Metro Restaurants and Nimbus are being considered, but wouldn't elaborate on the matter today.

In my Currents piece this week on the Michael family and their challenges to get proper medical coverage for their daughter who struggles with bipolar disorder, I mentioned they had an appeal hearing in front of an administrative judge today.

Tera Michael called me this evening (Thursday) to let me know that the judge rejected their appeal. Yes, it was because they do not meet the income guidelines. According to Tera, the judge told them the family was $104 over.

Let's hope, or dream, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona accepts the family's appeal to cover their daughter's medication. There's no way the family could pay more than $600 a month to pay for the psychotropic meds that have turned Tondra's life around the last five months. Without those meds, however, chances are this high school student will be hospitalized again.

• NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

The latest snapshots of Mars taken by the UA Lunar and Planetary Lab's HiRISE camera aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Here's a tidbit I missed when I was writing this week's story on the state budget: The latest estimate from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee puts next year's budget shortfall at more than $2.5 billion. And you thought the billion dollars they still need to cut this year was bad...

We were notified by the event organizer that the following meeting, appearing on page 26 in the Sept. 17 issue, will not take place.

Tucson Life Cache Potluck Meeting
Ward 6 City Council Office
3020 E. First St.
A group working to establish a local currency to create a sustainable local economy meets at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 22. Free. Visit www.tucsonlocalcurrency.org for more information.

Here are a few events worthy of further mention:

Thursday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.
The Little Chapel, University of Arizona (First and Highland)
Tom Miller, author of Trading With the Enemy: A Yankee Travels Through Castro's Cuba, will share his expertise and answer questions about travel to the island. $5, includes talk, Cuban food and music by Duo Libre.

Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Warren Ballpark, corner of Arizona Street and Ruppe Road, Bisbee
The Bisbee Blues Fest takes place, along with an antique car show and motorcycle show. Plenty of food, beer and wine. Performers include Tommy Castro, Grammy winner Pinetop Perkins and Bob Corritore. $21. Call (520) 732-5287 or visit www.bisbeebluesfest.com for more info.

Sunday, Sept. 20, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road
A fundraiser featuring dog washing and walking, doggie massages, organic treat samples, dog adventures and more. By donation. Proceeds go to the breast cancer 3-day walk benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Call 299-4150 for info.

Thursday, Sept. 24, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
University of Arizona bookstore, 1209 E. University Blvd.
Dr. Richard Buyer discusses and signs copies of his book Why the JFK Assassination Still Matters: For My Daughter Kennedy and All Generations to Come. His daughter was born on the anniversary of JFK's death. Buyer wrote the book as a refresher course on this national tragedy.

Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m.
Laffs Comedy Caffe, 2900 E. Broadway Blvd.
Comic Vanessa Hollingshead performs as a fundraiser for Amity Circle Tree Ranch, a local rehab that allows parents to bring their children with them to treatment. Amity has plans to build a new facility called "The Firefly Village" for families. $25. Call 32-FUNNY for tickets.

Congressman Raul Grijalva isn't happy with the Senate's health-care reform proposal. His statement:

Today, the Senate Finance Health Care Reform bill was released by Senator Max Baucus.

It is telling that Senator Baucus stood alone at today’s press conference. There was no “Gang of Six,” including the absence of Senator Snowe and no Democrats. Even with huge concessions to the legislation, including no public option, it not so shockingly, has not garnered any visible support.

Now that we've seen that Senate Republicans are not going to support any bill, no matter how weak, it is time to start earnest negotiations among Democrats for what is best for America, not what is best for people’s personal politics.

This bill fails to meet the basic principle of health care reform; that all Americans will have good, affordable health care. It would give a