There's not a whole lot more to be said. The arguments have been argued. The allegations have been allegated (That should probably be "alleged," but it turns out "allegate" is a real word, so I'm sticking with it). Now it's time for people who haven't voted to become voters, and VOTE!

Want to cast your ballot Monday? Go to any of three locations between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Downtown, 240 N. Stone Ave.
South side, 6550 S. Country Club Road.
East side, 6920 E. Broadway.

If you still have your mail-in ballot, DON'T MAIL IT! Drop it off Monday at any of the locations above, or at any polling place on Tuesday. Any polling place, it doesn't have to be yours. Don't wait in line. Just walk up and turn it in. If you have any questions where it goes, ask one of the poll workers.

On Tuesday, polling places are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you're in line at 7 p.m, you'll be allowed to vote. Bring valid I.D. (A valid drivers license is fine, as well as a number of other forms of identification. Check here if you don't know what will be accepted).

Don't know where your polling place is? Type your address on this Pima County site and find out where to vote.

WARNING. No electioneering within 75 comments of this post. Violators will be, well, they'll be violating what I asked them to do, and that would be wrong.

Seven candidates are vying for three seats in this year’s general election for the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board. The three incumbents—Kristel Foster, Cam Juarez and Mark Stegeman—are facing four challengers: Betts Putnam-Hidalgo, Lori Riegel, Brett Rustand and Rachael Sedgwick.

One of the most controversial topics in the race is the leadership of TUSD Superintendent H.T. Sanchez, who has been the top administrator since 2013 and, thanks to a contract extension last year, is set to stay at least through 2018. Many of the challenging candidates said they feel the district’s leadership has some serious flaws.

With a new contract, Sanchez also gained a significant pay raise in comparison to his first year’s pay, including a bonus consisting of a $12,000 performance-based incentive; basically if he meets the outlined goals, he gets the added bonus to his salary that is currently based at $210,000. He also received a $120,000 incentive to stay in his current position for at least three years, which he has successfully done, according to a previous Weekly article.

The goals are big problem with the incumbents’ challengers. The majority of them claim Sanchez has just not met many of those that he and the board proposed. One of the main problem the challengers addressed in their campaigns is district enrollment. Since 2000, the district has lost more than 13,000 students, dropping from 61,280 to 48,078 in the 15-year time span, according to reports from TUSD online enrollment data. While enrollment has clearly been an ongoing issue before Sanchez arrived, one of his most recent goals is to maintain rather than increase the district’s enrollment.

Kristel Foster, current board member up for reelection and Sunnyside School District instructor, said the reason for the performance measure came down to setting realistic goals.

“I think that was realistic, you have to set realistic goals,” Foster said. “We had lost 1,600 students and the next year about 800 and we have to be realistic because of the funding. We have to plan our budget on those enrollment numbers.”

Invisible Theatre is continuing to try to woo us with romantic stories, and although their season's first show didn't inspire too much of the sweet stuff due to an inferior script, their second offering, Kenny Finkle's Alive and Well, is a much better script with a couple of winning characters embodied by two very good actors.

The story takes place in Virginia. The line goes like this: Cute but lonely Southern boy, Zachariah (Sean William Dupont) is escorting, in a most primitive way, a rather prissy journalist along a route favored by Civil War re-enactors leading to Appomattox, the scene of Lee's surrender. Dressed as a Union soldier, the uptight Yankee girl, Carla (Verity Stansall), with a British accent (which may or may not be real—she claims she's from England but is found to be untrustworthy in matters of self-representation) has been tapped to write an article for a magazine about the “Lonesome Soldier,” a phantom said to be sighted regularly along the re-enactment route. She is less than happy to be accompanied by Southern Boy, although it's hard to see why. He's a nice guy, not unintelligent, and is not overtly offensive. He's personable and warm, but she's more interested in what's happening at the ashram in Yogaville, a place in which she'd rather be ensconced, not hiking miles off-course in bad weather or indoors in a ragged cabin in even worse weather. Their journey is ours.

Mismatched pilgrims, they are. But like in so many other tales that use this convention of oil-and-water companions stuck in each other's company, their differences offer plenty of room for comedy and ultimately reveal that the ol' opposites attract theme is the current sweeping them along.

The script is far from brilliant, but it works well enough to entertain us as we watch the Civil War Re-enactment version of strange bedfellows. This is largely due to the acting skills of our two guides. Stansall's character is not the more immediately likeable one, so Finkle wisely inserts a scene in which she gets tipsy and quite literally lets her hair down. She's a wild woman when intoxicated and that softens us up a bit. Her boundaries snap back in place pretty quickly the next day—as much as anything can snap quickly when nursing a hangover.

I wrote about this band way back in 2004 (with photog Doug Coombe) and that’s when I first met its piano man Eddie Harsch. Before that I'd often see him down in Greektown, in downtown Detroit, scoring weed. Now the tall, lanky Harsch just looked so lived in; he moved with a stoner's grace, like he had a total comfort about himself, an earned soul. He looked way older than his years, and he knew more about music from the American South than anyone I’d ever met, even in Detroit, and that’s saying a helluva lot. He played the piano and Hammond B3 organ with absolute grace too; his beautiful counterpoint lines and runs exercised perfect restraint, even on the flat-out rock ’n’ rollers. You can hear him on Black Crowes records, like Amorica and Three Snakes and One Charm. (Harsch co-wrote “Silver Car,” the best song by far on Chris Robinson’s solo debut, New Earth Mud). He played in the Crowes for years. 

Harsch was also in this band Bulldog, in Detroit, fronted by my friend, gifted singer-songwriter Kenny Tudrick. (The quartet also included pedal steel player Pete Ballard, another wholly undersung Detroiter.) They made one absolute gem of an album, which blended a kind of melancholy Gram Parsons, and Neil Young and The Band, or something like that, and it had real gentle power. No one cared about Bulldog in Detroit, or anywhere else. Timing is everything, of course, and these guys really were a bunch of stoners. They should've been huge. Their sound was their own because this guy Tudrick is the real thing—seek out his solo records, they hum and they soar—and Eddie Harsch was the real thing too. I just found out that Harsch had died yesterday, and it's heartbreaking. He was playing with Rich Robinson again. A gentle giant to be sure.

This song, "Crash and Burn" is lovely, in an "Out on the Weekend" kinda way. Watch Tudrick, Harsch and Bulldog in the vid below.

If you manage to find time to watch a movie on your couch this weekend (and there is a lot going on in the next few days, so I would truly be impressed), you should make an effort to make it a movie you rent from Tucson's longtime favorite video store, Casa Video. 

The most popular movies at their store last week were:

1. Independence Day: Resurgence

Citing an endorsement statement on a Mark Stegeman campaign flier he calls "deplorable" and "dog-whistle racism," Don Jorgensen, former chair of the Pima County Democratic Party, has withdrawn his endorsement from the TUSD board candidate.

Jorgensen says he had endorsed Stegeman because he wants to see "greater transparency and accountability on the TUSD board." Jorgensen also said he is "disappointed by the Board failure to keep their commitment to direct Prop 123 funds to teachers." I respect his concerns even if I don't entirely agree with them.

However, Jorgensen withdrew his endorsement when he saw Stegeman's campaign flier. Jorgensen is quoted on the flier as a supporter, but he was disturbed by a comment above his from Carolyn Cox, former chair of the Pima County Republican Party. According to Jorgensen, "I condemn Cox's comments and reject any association with her views, which are nothing more than dog-whistle racism."

In her statement, Cox says she supports Stegeman because he will "keep the board's emphasis on accurate American History." The statement is a thinly veiled message to voters who don't want schools to include the teaching of American history from the perspective of the country's racial and ethnic minorities, assuring them that Stegeman will do what he can to make sure history is taught from an Anglocentric point of view. In a longer quote on Stegeman's website, Cox adds, "The texts used in classes are critical and those decisions are a major function of the school board." This statement reminds those same voters that Stegeman, who was instrumental in dismantling TUSD's Mexican American Studies program and banning the use of texts which were part of the MAS curriculum from classroom use, will be in a position to monitor the purchase of new textbooks.

Below is Don Jorgensen's complete statement about why he is withdrawing his endorsement, followed by Carolyn Cox's endorsement of Stegeman as it appears on his campaign website.

Don Jorgensen's statement withdrawing his endorsement:

"I supported Mark's reelection because I support his focus on the need for greater transparency and accountability on the TUSD board. I was also disappointed by the Board failure to keep their commitment to direct Prop 123 funds to teachers. (Like many others I did not buy their rationalization for the diversion of funds.)

However, the recent mailer including my endorsement alongside one from Carolyn Cox has caused me to withdraw my endorsement. I condemn Cox's comments and reject any association with her views, which are nothing more than dog-whistle racism. I am disappointed to see that Mark has associated himself with such divisive and deplorable comments."

Carolyn Cox's statement on Stegeman's website:

"Mark Stegeman is a critical member for re-election to the TUSD board. He will keep the board’s emphasis on accurate American History plus math and reading skills to prepare students for good jobs. The texts used in classes are critical and those decisions are a major function of the school board."

The AC Hotel in Tucson by Marriott is in its final stages and will host a "topping out" party to celebrate the placing of the final beam on the building. Everyone in the community is invited to come to this free event on Nov. 5 from 1-5 p.m. at the site, 151 E. Broadway Blvd.

Guests are invited to enjoy free ice cream from HUB, tacos from Charro Steak, coffee from Cafe Lucé live music and refreshments for sale. Some of the proceeds from drink purchases will benefit the Sister Jose Women's Center for Tucson's homeless women.

At 2:30 p.m., Mayor Jonathan Rothschild will take the stage to say few words about the new hotel in downtown. Other speakers include: council member Steve Kozachik, developer Scott Stiteler, and Rio Nuevo board member Mark Irvin.

If you want to take home a few memories from the event, guests can also enjoy a photo booth at the site. Bring your friends, your dog and your mom for this afternoon block party. For more information click here.

There has never been a better time to be into nerd culture. Superheroes dominate the movie theaters and TV lineups. Sci-fi novels are being mined for Netflix and Amazon streaming services. And Comic Cons are drawing huge crowds in cities around the world.

Here in Tucson, Mike Olivares is prepping for the ninth annual Tucson Comic-Con this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 4-6.

The founder and director of the con, Olivares was born in Tucson and grew up in the southwest side. The youngest of three, he didn’t find it that easy to find comic books when he was growing up.

His first introduction to fantasy culture was the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons.

“My cousins would come down from California every summer and we would play Dungeons & Dragons,” Olivares said. "Maybe that left a little spark in me when it came to things like fantasy.”

But in middle school, he discovered comic books.

“I was really into art when I started going to Mansfeld,” he said. “Then I started getting into comic book art.”

His first comic book was given to him by his older brother.

“It was an Amazing Spider-Man,” he remembers. “I wanna say it’s either (issue) 38 or 48. I can’t remember the dang number.”

He was hooked. He started collecting comics and, eventually, decided to launch a Tucson Comic-Con.

"My whole thing was, why don't we have one?” he said. “Maybe I'll start one."

At the time, regional conventions got much less attention than the big cons, such as the ones in San Diego and New York. In 2007, the first Tucson Comic-Con was held for one day at a Four Point Sheraton.

"It was in this small meeting room in the back, maybe about 500 people showed up to the first one," he remembered.

That year they had a couple of guest artists and writers, but Olivares was always focused on Tucson.

“Besides Image and Marvel, you don’t think that there’s people creating comics books on an indie platform,” he said. “I was just as excited to know that we had indie companies here in Tucson.”

This year, the Tucson Comic-Con is a weekend-long affair at the Tucson Convention Center with various celebrities and artist and an expected 10,000 attendees.

Olivares describes the con being a yearlong job now, without pay: “A labor of love for sure.”

He has taken on Francesca and Brian Pulido as partners and directors of the Con. The Pulidos have been working in the comic book industry for the last 25 years, with their own property Lady Death, which was relaunched on Coffin Comics also owned and operated by the Pulidos.

Your Weekly guide to keeping busy in the Old Pueblo.

Pick of the Week: All Souls Procession

All Souls Procession: Come together and celebrate the dearly departed at one of Tucson’s most well loved traditions: The All Souls Procession. This two-mile walk gathers on Sixth Ave. and Seventh St. at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6, and the walk will start at 6 p.m.— Sugar skull face paint is highly encouraged. Once the procession reaches the Mercado San Augustin, and offering will be burnt to symbolize gifts to the dead.  Saturday, Nov. 6 Sixth Avenue and Seventh Street (832 W. Congress St.) Free, but bring money for food. Need more All Souls in your life? The Procession of Little Angles takes place the afternoon before the main event, inviting kids and their families to come together to paint wings, paint faces, and look at death and grief from a kid's perspective. Saturday, Nov. 5. 3-7 p.m. Armory Park, 221 S. Sixth Ave. Free to attend, but donations are appreciated.

Election Night

Is the Election Apocalypse of 2016 really almost over? If you haven't sent in you your mail-in yet, save it for hand delivery this Tuesday. Then boogie on down to Club Congress, the Rialto Theatre, Public Brewhouse, Ermanos Craft Beer & Wine Bar, the Women's Resource Center, IBT's or Brodie's Tavern. You can also hang out with the Pima County Dems at the Marriott (880 E. Second St.) or the GOP at the Sheraton (5151 E. Grant Road). Need help filling out your ballot? We published a recap of our endorsements in this week's Weekly.

Cinema

The Loft Film Fest: Sure, every weekend can be a film festival if you spend enough time at the Loft. But then the annual Loft Film Fest rolls around and the reels really start rolling. The Loft will be showing 40 films between Wednesday, Nov. 9, and Sunday, Nov. 13, when retired NASA astronaut Mark Kelly will be on hand to close out the festival with the screening and discussion of The Martian. Nov. 8-13. The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Passes: $125 ($100 for Loft members). Individual Tickets $10 ($8 for Loft members). Read more in this week's Weekly. 

Take a look around the city and you’re sure to find that Tucson is an immense melting pot that highlights cultures from all over the world. Whether you find that in food, religion or cultural events there’s one day of the year that displays the colorful palette of Tucson’s residents right in the heart of downtown.

While many see the All Souls Procession as a local Dia de los Muertos, the two-decade-long tradition is meant to be inclusive of all cultures in the community rather than a spin-off of the Mexican holiday, according to Melanie Cooley, a long-time participant and volunteer coordinator for the procession.

“The procession doesn’t endorse a culture,” Cooley said. “Every culture has its own traditions of honoring the dead and some cultures have healthier traditions than others. One of the reasons that the procession exists is because Anglo, Euro-American culture doesn’t have healthy traditions for remembering the dead.”

The first procession started back in 1990 by local artist Susan Johnson. At the time, Johnson was grieving the loss of her father and wanted to find a unique way to celebrate his life. The procession started out small, with just a few local artists, but soon blossomed into a large parade when participants joined by the hundreds and now thousands.

With more than 100,000 people attending the procession over the last couple of years, Cooley said volunteers have been able to make the experience bigger than ever while staying true to the main cause: celebrating life and death.

Every year, procession director Nadia Hagen chooses a central theme for the evening. This year’s theme revolves around predator and prey in a way to identify the crucial relationship between the two and how they both rely on one another.

“Our theme this year is the hunter and the hunted, and finding the relationship of humans in that cycle, that vital relationship because we are both predator and prey,” Cooley said. “Death feeds life. We who live are dependent on death. The death of other beings literally feeds the food we eat.”

The volunteers mingling throughout the crowd will dress as various types of predator and prey, ranging from cattle to wolves. Every year, urn bearer is presented with a custom-made sculpted mask that reflects the theme procession. This year, the bearer will wear a jaguar mask to reflect a Central American myth that portrays the animal as guardian of the underworld.