Necessary Targets, presented by UA’s Arizona Repertory Theatre opens tonight. The play is directed by Kevin Black and written by feminist author Eve Ensler, known for her play The Vagina Monologues.

• Patrick McArdle
• Zlata (Michelle Luz) remembers a better Bosnia before the Yugoslavian Civil War and JS (Georgia Harrison) listens with empathy during a quiet moment in the night.

Two American women in war-torn Bosnia — one, a New York City psychiatrist, and the other, a journalist who routinely embeds herself in war and trauma — attempt to help a group of female refugees during the immediate aftermath of the Yugoslavian Civil War. Based on playwright Eve Ensler’s interviews with Bosnian women, this psychological drama protests war and violence against women. Haunting, empowering and unflinching, Necessary Targets explores the passion, pain, humor, and the humanity alive within war’s most undeserving victims.

When: Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m., showtimes continue through Feb. 26

Where:
 Tornabene Theatre on the UA campus

For tickets and information, call the UA Fine Arts Box Office at 520-621-1162 or visit arizona.tix.com

We mentioned last week that former Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot Martha McSally was considering jumping into the April 17 GOP primary for the special election to complete the term of Gabrielle Giffords, who resigned from Congress on Jan. 25.

McSally is preparing to announce her entrance into the Congressional District 8 race tomorrow afternoon at Zinburger's Grant Road location, according to Sam Stone, her communications director.

Stone says that McSally is "absolutely" intent on running in the regular election for the new Congressional District 2 later this year. Congressional District 2, created as part of Arizona's redistricting process, covers much of the same ground as Congressional District 8, although it does not include GOP-heavy precincts in Marana, Oro Valley and SaddleBrooke. CD2 is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, eliminating the GOP edge in CD8.

Republicans Jesse Kelly, Dave Sitton and state Sen. Frank Antenori are already in the GOP race in the special election.

State Rep. Matt Heinz is the only Democrat in the race so far, but it's expected that Ron Barber, who has been Giffords' district director since her election in 2006, will get into the race this week. Heinz has said he'll drop out and concentrate on the regular election for CD2 if Barber gets into the special election for CD8.

From McSally's Facebook page:

Colonel Martha McSally was a pilot in the United States Air Force. She was the first American woman to fly in combat since the 1991 lifting of the prohibition of women in combat. McSally is also the first woman to command a USAF fighter squadron, the 354th Fighter Squadron (354 FS) based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. McSally is an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot.

One of my favorite rappers ever, Gift of Gab, probably most famous for his time in Blackalicious, is coming to Club Congress on March 4th. He has a new solo album, The Next Logical Progression, coming out on March 27th, so I imagine he'll performing some of that material as a preview, but whatever this guy does is amazing to me, so I'll be there along for the ride. Tickets are $10, which is a bargain. Mark your calendars now.

Gage - #713252 — 8 Years Old — Domestic Long Hair — Male

“Is that a tuna sandwich in your hand? May I please have a bite?” Gage loves food… a little too much, actually. This hefty, handsome lap cat will need a diet and some tough love when it comes to declining his convincing requests to share your meals. Brought to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona with a very bad temper, Gage would hiss, growl and swat when you tried to pet him. But with terribly matted fur, Gage was only showing his discomfort at the tight clumps of hair pulling his skin. Now he’s sporting a new look — furry boots! And his cattitude? He’s made a complete transition into an affectionate, happy and comfortable companion. Won’t you give this big love muffin a hug?

Come meet Gage! He's currently living at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. The Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The phone number is 327-6088.

Below the cut, see Gage in YouTube form.

Tucson has finally had some warmer days which has confused our plants. Some of our shrubs and trees are starting to put out new growth. This does not mean it is time to prune.

Our last average frost is March 15th. If you prune now, you will expose tender unprotected stems to a possible freeze which will harm the plant.

We must practice patience now. I know things look bad but if you can hang in there another 4-6 weeks, you will be much happier with your plantings in the long run.

• Frost Damaged Blooming Lantana

For more information on potted gardens in the desert, visit The Contained Gardener. Have a question? Email

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I'm not exactly sure what's so fascinating about this found footage of Disneyland from 1957, especially since I generally don't find myself nostalgic for time periods that I wasn't alive for, but the next time I'm having a rough day, I might just watch these baby boomers ride the Astro-Jets.

Sarah Gonzales, your only female option on the Arizona Presidential Preference Primary Republican ballot, has an ad online for her candidacy, and she smartly incorporates buzzy elements people might care about, including the word "occupy", a hashtag reference, immigration, and a beer.

AIDS Ribbon Tucson could use your help tonight. About 15 volunteers are needed to help carry the large beauty during a procession at an event sponsored by the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) and the UofA Black Alumni Club to mark National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, tonight, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the UA Vine Annex, 1125 N.Vine Ave.

The event is the 12th year for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - a national HIV/AIDS testing and treatment community mobilization initiative targeting African Americans. There will be HIV rapid testing that is free and confidential, guest speakers, a candlelight vigil and entertainment.

To volunteer to carry the ribbon, which we strongly encourage you to do, call 207-0902.

According to a UA press release, the nation-wide search for a new president is over. The Arizona Board of Regents named Ann Weaver Hart president and her formal introduction to the UA campus is Monday, Feb. 13.

Hart is the current president of Temple University, and has had past posts as president of the University of New Hampshire, and provost and vice president for academic affairs at Claremont Graduate University. She also worked as a professor of educational leadership, dean of the Graduate School and special assistant to the president at the University of Utah.

From the release, which you can also read in its entirety here:

"Dr. Hart is a dynamic leader with a distinguished resume and an impeccable track record of successfully managing and advancing world-class research institutions," said ABOR Chair Fred DuVal. "We are extremely pleased that Dr. Hart has agreed to pursue the presidency at the UA. Her extensive background as an accomplished chief executive officer and experience in academic medicine will be a tremendous asset to the UA and the entire state."

During her six-year tenure as president of Temple University — America's 27th largest university and home to the academic medical center Temple University Health System — Hart is responsible for taking Temple's academic reputation to new heights. She has significantly increased undergraduate and graduate applications while raising the academic qualifications of incoming students; produced an institutional record number of Fulbright scholars; improved the freshman retention rate and time to degree; grown research expenditures by nearly $30 million; fostered technology transfer and economic development efforts; and advanced Temple's ranking with the National Science Foundation seven spots. The Chronicle of Higher Education cites Temple's graduation rate as increasing at the second fastest rate among public research universities nationwide, a feat accomplished under Hart's leadership.

Nello Ferrara, who died at the age of 93 near Chicago on Friday, wasn't just the man behind Lemonheads and Atomic Fireballs, but also just seemed incredibly cool, based on his obituary in the Chicago Sun-Times:

In his free time, Mr. Ferrara enjoyed playing cards and golfing at Ridgemoor Country Club. But his lifelong passion was singing.

In fact — after a few duets with Frank Sinatra — he deemed himself the better singer, his son said.

Mr. Ferrara helped build Villa Scalabrini nursing home, where the then-Italo-American residents would be treated to shows by stars like Jimmy Durante, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra....

Mr. Ferrara often phoned his daughter Nella at another family business, the Ferrara bakery, to serenade her with “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

“I’d say [to a customer] ‘Sweetie, can you just give me a minute? I can’t tell my dad not to sing to me,’ ” she said.