Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Posted By on Wed, Oct 10, 2018 at 3:49 PM

The sub sandwich king of Southern Arizona now has a new owner.

Fast food stalwart eegee's was purchased by a partnership of 39 North Capital and restaurant investor Kitchen Fund, according to a press release via Business Wire.

The sale, the terms of which were not released, was announced on Oct. 10. The chain has 24 locations in the Tucson region, and was put up for sale earlier this year, according to CEO C. Ron Petty.

Petty, in a statement, expressed his excitement at the infusion of capital that 39 North, a New York Firm, will bring for the local chain, allowing them to reach new markets and expand their reach into other parts of the country.

"The partnership with 39 North Capital is extremely exciting for eegee's and our loyal employees," Petty said, in a release. "39 North's investment will enable us to supercharge our growth, expand our footprint, remodel the restaurant exteriors and invest in new technology. Just as important, 39 North will continue the family-owned-and-operated tradition on which eegee's was founded."

The chain, which was founded in 1971, was previously sold in 2006 by CEO Foods from original owners, Ed Irving and Bob Greenberg.

Greg Golkin, who serves as a managing partner of Kitchen Fund, said he's excited to see how far the eegee's brand-known for its frozen fruit drinks, French fries with homemade ranch dressing and fresh sandwiches-can go with the financial boost.

"We look at restaurant brands across the country and rarely have we seen a brand that has built such an authentic and longstanding relationship with its guests," Golkin said in a release. "We have known the 39 North team for a while and have long admired their patient investment approach. We are thrilled to work on this opportunity with them."

This is a developing story. For more information, check back on The Range. 

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Posted By on Wed, Oct 10, 2018 at 2:42 PM

The annual Tucson Meet Yourself Folklife Festival will be hosting 56 food booths this year, each representing different nationalities of food. Attendees can find food for under $12 a plate.

According to TMY Lead Folklorist Maribel Alvarez, many of the vendors come from churches, clubs and community groups and the food they cook and sell represents their cultures and traditions. TMY keeps their costs low and helps out with organization to ensure success at the festival. As this is the largest grassroots entrepreneurial event in Tucson, it is a great opportunity for all vendors.

click to enlarge Tucson Meet Yourself Adds New Food Vendors (2)
Photo Courtesy of the San Xavier Co-op Farm
The newest additions to the food vendor group for TMY 2018 include the following:

San Xavier Cooperative Farm, Tohono O’odham Native Foods:
Representing the Tohono O'odham people who have been native agriculturists for the last 4,000 years, this vendor will be serving authentic Native American food. This includes cholla bud salsa, tepary beans, kaiwus, and much more. Learn More.


click to enlarge Tucson Meet Yourself Adds New Food Vendors
Photo courtesy of Yamila El-Khayat and Tucson Meet Yourself
Yamila El-Khayat’s mother ready to do traditional Chilean dances.
Holy Toledo Catering:
Although his restaurant, Holy Toledo, only serves Pizza and Tacos, when he is catering Chef Toledo is able to make many other unique items. At TMY he will be serving, mole, a traditional Oaxacan dish. Learn More.

La Fondita Chilena:
Yamila El-Khayat is bringing back her mothers traditional Chilean cuisine. El-Khayat grew up watching her mother sell her traditional dishes at TMY when she was a child. This year El-Khayat and her husband are bringing the back tradition in their own way. They will be serving empanadas, humitas and chilean salad. Learn More.

BK's Tacos:
A popular Tucson Restaurant, BK Tacos will be featuring their award winning Sonoran hot dog, carne asada tacos and caramelos. Its unique preparation has been quite the hit, they cook it to perfection over a mesquite fire, giving it a flavor fusion. Learn More.

click to enlarge Tucson Meet Yourself Adds New Food Vendors (3)
Photo courtesy of Solid Grindz
Solid Grindz Hawaiian Food Restaurant & Food Truck:
Starting out as a food truck on Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Solid Grindz quickly gained a large following. A short two years later the owners opened an authentic Hawaiian and Polynesian restaurant. A mix of their Hawaiian and Polynesian cuisine will be at TMY. Learn More.

Off-the-Hook Seafood:
Matthew Kearney first started Off-the-Hook to remember a taste of home, New England, but also decided to add a Southern twist. For those of you who are looking to taste the flavor of New England, you will be guaranteed to get it at TMY.

Nur Market and Restaurant:
Started by three refugee brothers from Somalia in 1990, they bring a taste from home. While the market started in 2008, the brothers added a restaurant in 2010. They serve a variety of food that will take you out of your comfort zone. They will be serving lamb, goat, chicken, fish, shawarma and sambusa. Learn More.

Masri: An authentic Egyptian cuisine, offering Koshary, a national dish in Egypt, which is a Vegan dish including rice, pasta, onions and much more. You will not find this dish anywhere else as it is a top secret family recipe. 

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Posted By on Wed, Oct 10, 2018 at 10:25 AM


NextGen Arizona Registers 21,051 Young Voters
NextGen America
NextGen works to fight political issues such as climate change, gun violence, equal rights and affordable healthcare for all.

NextGen, a nonprofit political-action organization, has registered 21,051 new voters between the ages of 18-35 ahead of the registration deadline in Arizona.

NextGen Arizona Registers 21,051 Young Voters
NextGen America
NextGen has worked to raise support for political issues such as immigrant rights, affordable healthcare, equal rights and battling climate change.
To do this, organizers in Arizona have knocked on 43,069 doors and sent 43,285 texts through Oct. 9 to entice the youth population to vote in the upcoming election.

Since its founding in 2013, NextGen has worked to raise support for political issues such as immigrant rights, affordable healthcare, equal rights and battling climate change.

Jalakoi Solomon, NextGen Arizona State Youth Director, said that young people are the largest voting block and may be the deciding factor in the upcoming November election.

"Young Arizonans hold incredible potential and power and are ready for political change," said Solomon. "Now is the time to flex our muscle and show Trump and his Republican allies, like Martha McSally, that their time is up."

click to enlarge NextGen Arizona Registers 21,051 Young Voters
NextGen America
The youth organization in Arizona has employed more than 50 organizers and has recruited nearly 2,437 volunteers across 23 campuses to politically empower young people.

The Our Lives, Our Vote program is a joint initiative between NextGen, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and Everytown, which is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. The nationwide initiative was created in order to register young voters and start a conversation about gun reform before the 2018 midterm election. The program has since registered 3,442 high school students to vote in Arizona.

For more information about NextGen's initiatives, click here.

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Posted By on Wed, Oct 10, 2018 at 9:18 AM

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Posted By on Wed, Oct 10, 2018 at 1:00 AM

Three Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Wednesday, Oct. 10
courtesy
The Hitch-Hiker. The Center for Creative Photography and the Hanson Film Institute are coming together for a new film series featuring independent female directors. This second film in the  series is directed by Ida Lupino, featuring guest speaker Joshua Gleich, assistant professor of the UA School of Theatre, Film, and Television. The Hitch-Hiker, inspired by the true-life murder spree of Billy Cook, is about two men on a camping trip who are held captive by a homicidal drifter. 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10. 1030 N. Olive Road. Details Here.

50 Great American Places author talk. Brent D. Glass, director emeritus of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, selected Mission San Xavier as Arizona’s “great American place” in his book which selects a notable American place for every state. You live right next to this thing, so you should take this chance to learn at least as much about it as this guy from the Smithsonian already knows, right? For example, it was built in 1783, and is the oldest European-inspired building in Arizona, as well as the finest example of Mexican baroque architecture in the United States. Proceeds benefit Patronato San Xavier, the nonprofit dedicated to preserving and restoring the mission. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10.  Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm St. $25, or $20 for members of Friends of Patronado. Details Here.

Three Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Wednesday, Oct. 10
courtesy
Ignite Sign Art Museum Grand Opening. Get your art senses flowing and open your mind to unique pieces of art at this grand opening on Wednesday, Oct. 10. Some of these neon pieces may even require sunglasses so be sure to arrive prepared. As it continues to grow, Ignite will start to host sign making classes as well as other events. A creative date night for the couple who thinks they've seen it all. $15. 6:30-9:00 p.m. 331 S. Olsen.  Details Here.



Send Us Your Photos:
If you go to any of the events listed above, snap a quick pic and tag us for a chance to be featured on our social media sites! Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @tucsonweekly.

Events compiled by Brianna Lewis, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot, Ava Garcia and Jeff Gardner.

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Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Posted By on Tue, Oct 9, 2018 at 4:12 PM

YWCA's 30th Annual Women's Leadership Conference: Speaker Preview (5)
YWCA Southern Arizona

The 30th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference will take place on Oct. 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at JW Marriott star Pass Resort. The conference will feature keynote speakers Alejandra Y. Castillo, Jes Baker and Kelly Fryer. This event is hosted by YWCA Southern Arizona.

click to enlarge YWCA's 30th Annual Women's Leadership Conference: Speaker Preview (4)
YWCA Southern Arizona
Alejandra Y. Castillo: CEO of YWCA USA, Castillo leads a network of 210 associations serving 2.2 million women and girls in 46 states around the country and the District of Columbia. In 2014, she was appointed to serve as the national director of Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) by the Obama Administration. She became the first Hispanic-American woman to lead the agency.

Jes Baker: An American writer, photographer and activist who is part of the body positive movement. She blogs about self-image at The Militant Baker. She founded the Body Love Conference and has authored two books: Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls: A Handbook for Unapologetic Living and Landwhale: On Turning Insults Into Nicknames, Why Body Image Is Hard, and How Diets Can Kiss My Ass.

click to enlarge YWCA's 30th Annual Women's Leadership Conference: Speaker Preview (2)
YWCA Southern Arizona
Kelly Fryer: CEO of YWCA Southern Arizona. She was a founding board member and is a teacher in the Eller Social Innovation program at the University of Arizona. She previously served as Associate Professor of Leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. She offered leadership training where she helped hundreds of organizations and thousands of leaders across the U.S. and Canada learn "to do what matters." She also served as Executive Director of Arizona List in 2012 where she helped 39 women get elected to state and local office. She also just completed her 6-month sabbatical to run as candidate for Governor of Arizona.
YWCA's 30th Annual Women's Leadership Conference: Speaker Preview
YWCA Southern Arizona

At the festival, along with the three keynote speakers, there will be two empowering workshop tracks, 14 workshops, live screen-printing by Cream Design & Print, LinkedIn headshots and interactive group activities and networking with 400 leaders. Find more information here and register for tickets here.

Tucson Local Media is a sponsor of this event.

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Posted By on Tue, Oct 9, 2018 at 3:10 PM

Lack Of Charter School Accountability Was Baked Into the System From the Start
Illustration from wikimedia.org graphic

Note [of exasperation]:
I'm beginning to think the Star has a policy: "Never write the words, 'According to an article by Craig Harris in the Republic . . .'" Harris has written a groundbreaking series of articles on charter school corruption and profiteering which has statewide relevance, but to my recollection, the Star hasn't mentioned any of them, nor has it done similar investigations on its own.


Craig Harris has a new article in The Republic that takes another look at the lack of charter school regulation and accountability. Not only does the State Board for Charter Schools conduct minimal charter school oversight, it doesn't acknowledge public complaints about charters on its website.
For the past three years, each charter school's profile on the site displayed the message: "This charter has no complaints."
According to Harris, the board received 91 complaints during the 2017-18 school year. Two months into this school year, it has already received 141 complaints.

The board's motto: See no evil. Hear no evil. Post no evil.

According to Harris, the website has addressed the problem, though the board has yet to release complaints, which are public records, to the paper.

None of this is recent, or accidental. It's part of a pattern that goes back to charter school beginnings in Arizona. The state charter board has always been more a promoter of charters than a regulator. Here's some historical background.

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Posted By on Tue, Oct 9, 2018 at 2:41 PM

click to enlarge Pet Supply Shop Opens at PACC
Nikki Reck
Courtesy of PACC
The Pima Animal Care Center in partnership with Friends of the PACC nonprofit has opened a pet supply store in the lobby of PACC.

The store, named “Central Pet: Adopt. Shop. Give,” sells treats, bones, food, leashes, collars and everything else your new pet might need.

The shop's prices are competitive with other pet shops in the area, and the best part is that 50 percent of the profits will go towards Friends of the PACC, a nonprofit partner of PACC that is dedicated to saving animals lives and helping find them loving homes.

PACC is the largest animal adoption agency in Southern Arizona, caring for 17,000 animals each year.

Whether you're buying for your newly adopted pet or your longtime friend, your purchase will benefit the animals at PACC; better yet, buy a treat for your pet and one for a PACC animal.

click to enlarge Pet Supply Shop Opens at PACC (2)
Nikki Reck
Courtesy of PACC

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Posted By on Tue, Oct 9, 2018 at 1:35 PM

click to enlarge Learn How To Juggle at Tucson Meet Yourself
Courtesy of TMY

Want to try your hand at juggling or acrobatics with experts available for hands-on instruction? Look for the circus performers at Tucson Meet Yourself Folk Festival on October 12-14 in downtown Tucson.

Performers from Big Toe Acro, Circus Academy of Tucson, Cirque Roots, Circus Sanctuary, Flight School, Acro Kinetic Arts, Tucson Les Femmes Merveilleuse and  Movement Culture will roam around the festival busking for donations to help keep the festival free. They will also demonstrate their skills and assist anyone wanting to attempt the circus arts such as juggling, acrobatics and more.

Performers will also be at the corner of Stone Ave. and Pennington St. all weekend.

Learn more here

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Posted By on Tue, Oct 9, 2018 at 12:32 PM

Welcome to another week of action-packed college football in the land of In-N-Out and bad officiating, better known as the Pac-12.

We were treated to several tantalizing contests last Saturday, with Arizona's defense saving the day against Cal, while Colorado outlasted ASU in Boulder and Washington and Washington State survived stiff challenges by conference lightweights, UCLA and Oregon State.

The Stanford Cardinal's midseason collapse continued, losing at home by 19 points to Utah, capping off the week's on-field action.

This week presents a new slate of challenging contests, starting with Arizona and Utah's clash in the SLC at 7 p.m. on Friday night.

That game, which pits a 3-3 Wildcats squad with little offensive rhythm against an inconsistent Utes squad that's looked equal parts fascinating and frustrating through five weeks, should be a fun contest to keep an eye on as you hit the bars with your mates, with ESPN broadcasting the game.


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