A bulletin to the press let us know this morning that Gabby Giffords, the former Southern Arizona member of Congress, is set to endorse Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick in the race to unseat Republican Congresswoman Martha McSally.

Giffords once held McSally's seat but her career was cut short when a crazed gunman opened fire at her Congress on Your Corner event in 2011, killing six and wounding 13, including Giffords, who miraculously survived being shot through the head.

Kirkpatrick represented Arizona's Congressional District 1 until she stepped down in 2016 to launch an unsuccessful challenge to Sen. John McCain. She has since moved to Tucson and is now one of several Democrats who hope to unseat McSally in Congressional District 2, a highly competitive district that McSally first won in 2014 by just 167 votes.

Other Democrats in the race include former state lawmakers Matt Heinz and Bruce Wheeler; businessman Billy Kovacs; and Mary Matiella, a former assistant secretary of the Army in the civilian role of financial management.

Giffords will be joining her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, and Kirkpatrick at an event this afternoon for a "major announcement," according the press release from Team Kirkpatrick.

“Every teacher that’s taken this class has felt like they're now a better teacher,” says Ron Reid, a professional comedian who’s been teaching his craft for 30 years. He’s just moved his family, and his comedy classes, from Seattle to Tucson. His business, Artists West Management, remains in Los Angeles, booking comedy professionals into clubs and special events.

But better teachers? This is not what we expect to hear when we ask how Reid knows the class is successful. “I've had teenagers. active duty military, shamans, private school teachers, writers, people from law enforcement and people for whom English is not their first language.” Ron says. What they have in common is what he calls “a huge fear factor in speaking in public.”

Several former students eventually became working comedians in the U.S. and Europe. But the core of Reid’s course involves helping students of all sorts to find their comic voice and gain confidence in public speaking.

“Comedy is actually the only performing art that is not collaborative by nature. The way this class works is very simple. People say whatever it is they want to say with the intention of making people laugh. The rest of the people in the group give them some input. And then they do it again. Essentially it becomes a support group and echo chamber and a rehearsal studio.”

The writing is the least of it, though. “I always give my class a quote from (comedian) Bill Burr. He said to concentrate on the performing aspect, and the jokes will come.

“The emphasis I put in this class is on performance There's plenty of opportunity for folks to learn how to write jokes. There are workbooks. You fill in the blanks. But there is almost no opportunity to learn how to perform standup comedy. It's at least 50 percent performance and less than 50 percent content.”

Perhaps the longest-lasting benefit is the bond. “I make friends. Everybody makes friends. It's a bonding experience for the people who take these classes. Some of them have gone on and had great success, and others have never done it ever again. They all stay friends.”

Reid presents his class in collaboration with Laff’s Comedy Caffe, 2900 E. Broadway, over four consecutive Tuesdays beginning Sept. 12. The fourth class is a performance in front of an audience. Reservations for the $150 course are via LaffsTucson.com/classes.

Composer/performer Chris Black rode into town in the summer of 2007, from Austin, Texas, heartbroken. He left a successful musical career—and the girl he once loved—behind to start a new life in Tucson.

Before long, Black found acceptance in the comforting arms of the downtown arts scene. There, the former country crooner and gypsy/punk/cumbia violinist rose from the ashes of love, redefined himself and established the popular alt-classical concert series ChamberLab.

Black and a crew of local musicians take the stage to perform his latest recording, “Lullabies & Nightmares, Chamber Music, Vol 1,” this Friday, Sept. 8. Other pieces, including "Downtown Suite," and a narrated string trio "Cooper Must Die,” will also be on the bill.

Tucson Weekly caught up with Chris Black over lunch. Relishing in a happy domestic life with his wife of two years, Black says, “I rarely go out anymore.” So, to keep up with friends, Black started hosting “The Grilled Cheese Sessions.”

“Many from the local music scene have enjoyed grilled cheese and Wavy Lays at our house,” Black says.

Italy Meets AZ. There’s a lot of partnerships going on in this event. Italian chef Simona Fabrizio and Maynards executive chef Brian Smith are coming together to create a six course dinner. Italian and Tucsonan culture will be coming together, as the six courses will use local Sonoran ingredients to make authentic Italian food. Lastly, the UA College of Social & Behavioral Sciences is partnering with Maynards in order to put this event together. 6 p.m. Sept. 10. Maynards Market & Kitchen, 400 N. Toole Ave. $135.

Pantcake Breakfast. What would you do for a pancake breakfast? Empty out your savings account? Fast for three days? Kill a man? All Summit Hut is asking you to do is show up. This pancake breakfast is complete with coffee, juice, and a raffle ticket for some KÜHL gear. If you try on a pair of KÜHL pants, you’ll receive a free gift as well, while supplies last. Put on breakfast gear and get ready for your jacks to get flapped and your cakes to get pantsed. 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 10. Summit Hut 5251 E. Speedway. Free.

Primavera Cooks! These gourmet fundraising dinners have been going on throughout the summer to fundraise for the Primavera Foundation, which helps people find pathways out of poverty. This week, Chef Tim Moore of Pastiche teams up with apprentice chef Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall. Five courses, complete with wine pairings, will be served at the Tucson staple along the Campbell Avenue corridor. Wednesday, Sept. 13. 6 to 8:30 p.m. Pastiche Modern Eatery, 3025 N. Campbell Ave. $125. Call 308-3104 for reservations.

The Garden Kitchen Grand Reopening. The Garden Kitchen, Fourth Avenue’s cutest culinary school and seed-to-table gardening center, is reopening after summer construction. In celebration, they’ll be holding cooking demos with yummy and healthy recipes to demonstrate the new and improved hands-on classroom. Tour the garden, enjoy a plant-a-seed activity, and pay tribute to plants, because plants are friends AND food. Saturday, Sept. 10. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Garden Kitchen, 2205 S. Fourth Ave. Free.

bRUNch Run with Southern Arizona Roadrunners and Whole Foods. If you’re a runner who’s anything like Matthew Inman, the man behind the popular webcomic series The Oatmeal, then you’ve deeply internalized the idea that the more you run, the more you can eat. Do just that with the Southern Arizona Roadrunners, who are hosting this free social run on a Saturday morning. Sign a quick waver, run either three or six miles down the Rillito River Path, and then head over to Whole Foods for coffee, smoothies and the most important meal of the day. 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. Whole Foods Market 5555 E. River Road. The run is free, but bring a form of payment for your discounted breakfast.

Pizza Patrón Grand Opening Event. We're hesitant to put the word out about this one, because we want to be in the first 20 people in line. Those who are (and who make a minimum $5 purchase) get FREE PIZZA FOR A WHOLE YEAR. This is not a drill. How much pizza can a human being eat in a year? Scientists have never dared to investigate, but it will be up to these 20 lucky pioneers to find out. There’s also free custom T-shirts from CREAM Design and Print available, and pizza is 50 percent off for the duration of the event. Pizza-n Earth. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. Pizza Patrón 1785 W. Valencia Road, Suite 143. Free.

If you’re a fan of last year’s excellent modern Western Hell or High Water, you have some big reasons to get yourself into a theater for Wind River. Taylor Sheridan, who writes and directs, has a wordsmith’s way of capturing American dilemmas on par with the likes of Sam Shepard and Cormac McCarthy.

The man knows how to pen a great thriller with depth, and his works—he also wrote Iscariot and Hell or High Water—have in common a somber tone. This is a guy who knows that many of the people you pass on the street today are dealing with an eternity of grief and loss. They are making it, but it’s a bitch, and it’s not going to get easier. Wind River marks Sheridan’s second feature directorial effort, after 2011’s low-budget Vile, and it stands as one of the summer’s best films. It’s a solid mystery-thriller and a showcase for two fierce performances from Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen—yes, Hawkeye and Scarlet Witch.

They both offer up career-best work, with Renner searing the screen as Cory, a man with a tragic past, paid to hunt wolves and lions on a Native American reservation. Olsen commands her screen time as Jane, one of cinema’s gutsiest FBI agents since Clarice Starling. With this film, Renner has been tasked with some of the more difficult, emotionally brutal scenes an actor has had to handle this year. He’s been impressive before (The Hurt Locker), but this takes his stock to a new level.

Your Weekly guide to keeping busy in the Old Pueblo.

Shop Local

Mercado Flea Market. There’s something for everyone at these second Sunday flea markets, which begin this month. Antiques treasures, collectible tchotchkes, vintage pieces, artwork—it’s fun for the whole family. Bring the kids, bring the grandparents. You can bring your own booth if you contact Mercado San Agustin in advance to get the details. But please do not bring fleas. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10. Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento. Free.

Good Times Silent Auction. The Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society will be holding at least three silent auctions of cacti and succulents for this extravaplantza. After the auction concludes, a free area of pottery, plants and other garden-related items will open up, along with $2, $5 and $10 tables with items for purchase if you feel like being a big spender. Free ice cream, complete with all the fixins’, will be available as well. 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10. Sky Islands Public High School, 6000 E. 14th St. Free.

Tucson’s Fall Gem Show. The mega-event gem, mineral and fossil showcase isn’t hitting the city until January 2018, but the miniature fall version is this week! Shop for minerals, fossils, gems and beads at venues throughout town, some of which are open to the public. Quartz, turquoise, sterling silver jewelry, jade, crystals and agates are just some of the offerings at the event, where there will be jewelry and gemstones from all over the world. Thursday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. to Sunday, Sept. 10, at 4 p.m. Tucson Expo Center, 3750 E. Irvington Road. $10.

Shows

Free Range Country. The “crown jewel” of Downtown Tucson is about to be joined by some of Tucson’s twangiest jewels. Fox Tucson Theatre is presenting a free concert series in conjunction with Second Saturdays Downtown. Singer Mike Loychick recently took over the vocals for The County Line, bringing a country twist to a group that started off in 2012 as a rock cover band. The Jim Howell Band will be playing songs from their debut album and an EP released in March that speak on humankind’s dichotomies. Tucson native Caiden Brewer, who is influenced by Blake Shelton, Johnny Cash and Lynyrd Skynyrd, will be playing as well. 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress. Free.

Voucher supporters don't believe in a fair fight. Pro-voucher legislators don't trust the voters they work for. They're trying to quash a referendum on the vouchers-on-steroids-for-everyone law passed last session, using any means necessary. If that effort fails, expect them to repeal and replace their own voucher law next session, rendering the referendum null and void.

If the referendum actually does end up on the ballot in 2018, it will make for an interesting battle. There's no way to predict which way the vote will go.

When Republicans first passed the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts law—aka Educational Savings Accounts, aka Vouchers on Steroids—a limited number of Arizona families were able to use the ESAs. But from the beginning its advocates said their plan was to make vouchers universal so everyone from welfare recipients to billionaires could get government money to pay for private schools, or pretty much any other form of non-public education. "Eventually" came in the last legislative session. They got what they wanted. If the law stays in effect, it will take twelve years for every child who isn't attending a district or charter school to receive between $5,000 and $30,000 a year to pay for their educations.

Along came a group, Save Our Schools, which began a quixotic quest to overturn the law. The effort should have been doomed from the start. Logic says you can't collect enough signatures to put a referendum on the state ballot without lots of funding. But the group's shoe-leather-driven volunteer effort worked. The referendum got the signatures it needed. Clearly, lots of Arizonans want the vouchers-for-all law off the books.

Coincidence once again placed me in D.C. at a historic moment. A little more than two years ago, I stood in front of the Supreme Court and witnessed the joyous moment when the Court moved the country forward, deciding gay marriage is legal everywhere in the U.S. Today I stood in front of Trump's White House protesting his alarming decision to move the country backward, tossing out DACA and putting its fate in the hands of a deeply divided, ineffective Congress, leaving 800,000 Dreamers and their families walking a razor's edge for the next six months as they wait to see if they will be allowed to remain in the country legally.

Except for the White House in the background, the march and demonstration could have been in Tucson or pretty much any city in the country.

We gathered at Lafayette Park across from the White House, walked along H Street, then down 15th Street.

In the wake of Trump’s latest sledgehammer, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipients and their many allies gathered on Tucson’s City Hall to demand action from Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Tucson City Council, local school boards and universities.

They told the hundred or so gathered that they have nothing left to lose, and they’re not going to rest until they have the same rights afforded to all Americans.

“We are undocumented and unafraid, and we’re not going back into the shadows,” said Jessica Rodriguez, a member of Living United for Change in Arizona, or LUCHA. “We are going to send a message. No racism will be allowed in this town.”

The Trump administration announced yesterday an end to an Obama-era policy that protected 800,000 young people from deportation, saying Congress has six months to come up with legislation to replace it.

As of March 6, thousands of people a week nationwide will lose their right to drive, work, study and leave their house without fear of deportation if Congress can't find a solution.

Activists are marching from De Anza Park to Tucson City Hall at 4 p.m. today in support of DACA.

Rodriguez addressed the crowd in Spanish and then switched to English. Thanks to DACA, she was able to buy her first car and drive without the fear of being deported. Thanks to DACA, she’s pursuing her educational goals and career goals.

“I have DACA,” she told the crowd. “And they’re not going to take that away from me.”

Edward Cott, from Lucha Unida de Padres y Estudiantes, or LUPE, said that Trump is a white nationalist, chauvinist and a racist who pardoned Joe Arpaio after the former sheriff was found in contempt of court for continuing racist policies during his long tenure in Maricopa County.

Supervisor Ally Miller didn’t violate county policy with her controversial Facebook comments announcing her white pride while neo-Nazis marched in Charlottesville on Saturday, Aug. 12. The Pima County Board has no recourse to discipline or censure her, advised the Chief Civil Deputy County Attorney Andrew Flagg.

County policy states that “County employees are expected to be professional, respectful, fair, unbiased, honest, civic-minded, service-oriented and fiscally responsible,” but only when engaged in county duties. Miller made the comment on a Saturday evening, and therefore is entitled to be as offensive and insensitive as she sees fit.

“I think our First Amendment rights are alive and well, and I’m very pleased with the county attorney’s opinion,” Miller said following the meeting.

Many showed up to Tuesday’s board meeting to both condemn and support Miller.

Najima Rainey with Black Lives Matter Tucson spoke directly to Ally Miller, saying Miller can have German pride or Irish pride because those are cultures, but if Miller doesn’t realize that saying “white and proud” would be synonymous with the white supremacist movement, she’s not fit for her job.

“When you say, ‘I am white and proud,’ you are saying you embrace a designation of superiority,” Rainey said.

Local activist and former Pima County public defender Isabel Garcia also spoke, telling Miller she should acknowledge the racist history of this region and country—the genocide of indigenous people and enslavement of black people.

“Did we wake up and say these things were wrong?” she said. “We didn’t. We didn’t do what Germany did and say, ‘Never again.’”

Community member Bryna Koch echoed the sentiment of many who opposed Miller’s statements, saying that making that statement while neo-Nazis marched in broad daylight, “shows a lack of empathy and lack of a moral compass.”

“As a white person, I’m here to tell you that what you said is unacceptable,” she said. “The fact the Supervisor Miller thinks equality for everyone is a threat to her whiteness tells me everything I need to know.”