The U.S. Women's Soccer Team, new World Cup champions, deserve every bit of praise and glory bestowed upon them by their fans and the media. But somewhere in the midst of the speechifying, it would be great to hear one of them say, "I want to thank the U.S. Congress, without which this victory would not have been possible probable."

That's the 1972 Congress I'm talking about, the one that voted Title IX into existence. We can thank that piece of legislation for the dominance of U.S. women athletes on the world stage.

Title IX changed everything for women's athletic programs in our schools, though not a word of it refers to sports. It reads,

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

The crafters of Title IX knew how revolutionary those 36 words were, and they were crafty enough to keep that to themselves until it worked its way through Congress and was signed into law by President Nixon. Most legislators thought Title IX had something to do with equal pay at universities, if they thought about it at all.

But Title IX changed the playing field, literally. It meant women's sports were supposed to receive equal funding to men's sports. Women and girls had the same right to participate in school sports as men and boys, in colleges and K-12 schools.

Take Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the three time gold medalist in Olympic track and field. As a young girl, she was a cheerleader, because that's what girls did if they wanted to be part of a school sports program. Thanks to Title IX, she became a member of her high school track team, and the rest is herstory. Joyner-Kersee was one of countless women who found their athletic calling — or simply had a chance to participate in sports at the schools they attended — because of Title IX.

It's a wonderful story, but as often happens when a group of people are granted rights they hadn't previously enjoyed, it wasn't as simple as that. The implementation of Title IX followed a bumpy road.

Members of the Tucson City Council signed off on a preliminary agreement for a proposed hotel and casino on land owned by the Pascua Yaqui tribe on Tuesday afternoon. 

The 14.38-acre development, which would be located atop an old movie theater near the intersection of Grant Road and Interstate 10, would allow the tribe to build a hotel and casino on the site.

The tribe has owned the parcel since the theater closed in 2011, and has long sought to build on the property, which is located within the traditional Yaqui neighborhood of Old Pascua Village.

The tribe and the city have struck an Intergovernmental Agreement, which includes a set of stipulations for both parties, including for which city services the property would be eligible, and how the property would receive groundwater, should the development not be in compliance with city statues. 

Pascua Yaqui Chairman Robert Valencia, in a prepared statement to the council, called the tribe's Intergovernmental Agreement, which designates the land into a trust with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, as being mutually beneficial to both parties.

"This agreement will provide a structure for the City and the Tribe to operate under if the federal government takes approximately 15 acres into trust [sic] for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe," the statement reads. "...Because these lands are located in Tucson, we think it is important that the City and the Tribe agree on how services and economic development will be handled if the lands are taken into trust. This Intergovernmental Agreement does just that—it lays out the roles and responsibilities of the City and the Tribe and establishes an Oversite Group that can help resolve areas of concern if they develop."

In a statement, Tucson Ward 3 City Councilmember Paul Durham, whose district includes the area of the proposed development, said the two sides are far from a conclusion on the subject.

"The Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council and Chairman Valencia have not yet decided how to develop the land once it's put into trust with the Bureau of Indian Affairs," Durham said. "That process alone may take years or even a decade. One, the land is in a trust, it will be up to the Tribal Council to decide how to develop the land. The land is currently significantly underutilized considering its prime location and I look forward to working with the Tribe in the future on this property."

Durham pointed out that item 9 in the IGA includes stipulations on future discussions for gaming on the trust land, which include a 90-day alert to the adoption of a Tribal Resolution that green-lights any regulations or requirements needed to conduct gaming on the site, as a window into how the process might move forward.

In addition to the 90-day window, tribal leadership would have to notify the city one calendar year prior to opening a casino on the site, so the two sides can reach an agreement on how the tribe will pay the city proceeds from gaming sales, according to the document.

“The man, the myth, the ivory-tickling legend,” Nick Letson performs poolside at Hotel McCoy. Details here.

“I'm high right now, by the way.”

High Times named Doug Benson Stoner of the Year in 2006. In 2007, he starred in Super High Me, a documentary about marijuana use. He hosts multiple long-running YouTube series and-podcasts that revolve around his being stoned, yet his lists of movies, albums, TV specials and ad hoc internet exploits defy several-fold any stereotypes of stoner slackitude.

Benson’s Doug Loves Movies podcast, its games and challenges, are the work of an intricate and relentlessly busy mind. Its panel comprises an A-list of entertaining smarties—comedians, comedy writers, actors, improvisors, etc. The Benson Interruption, a Comedy Central series based on his long-running standup comedy showcase in LA, has lately iterated into a podcast.

Most popular is his weekly YouTube series, Getting High with Doug, hosted by the 420 Club. It airs at 4 p.m.; Benson and his guests light up at 4:20. We especially recommend Episode 15. It features Southern Arizona home-boy Doug Stanhope getting drunk on mimosas in lieu of getting high. Cannabis highs are the whole point of the show, but Stanhope avers that he smokes pot badly, so he doesn’t do it at all. The rest of us Benson fans who weird out ugly on pot are forever grateful for the validation.

As much as Benson’s output revolves around marijuana, he doesn’t consider himself an activist. “I will wear a weed shirt if it looks cool, feels good, and above all, is free,” he says. “I'm an activist in that I'm very open about using cannabis, normalizing and taking away the stigma through comedy, and we discuss weed issues a lot on Getting Doug With High.”

Benson started his standup career in the late eighties. Although he was a hit out of the box – Comedy Central tapped him for both standup and writing assignments within a couple of years—his career really took off with internet exposure.

“I just started getting into Instagram, but I've never had a Facebook,” he says. Twitter is my main jam, because I'm better at writing jokes than taking photos. I definitely bother some of my Twitter followers with constant promotional tweets, but it's the platform where I have the most eyes and therefore potential ticket buyers. Like I say in my Twitter bio, ‘If you can't stand the tweet, unfollow the kitchen.’” How could 843,000 followers be wrong? “I chat a lot with fans on social media,” he says.

Benson performs at Laffs Comedy Caffe on Wednesday, July 10 at at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets are $22 via Eventbrite.com.

He travels a lot, but grueling as it is, he finds much to like about it. “I know my way around many cities, in this country and others, that feels good. I used to enjoy doing all the touristy things, but now I'm more into flowing with the vibe of whatever city I'm in. Plus, I like going to the movies in the daytime when theaters are empty.”

About his process, Benson says, “Performing is the fun part, so why not do the writing while doing the performing? I reached that point when a comic's act starts to become more personal, more honest, so I just started talking about being high on stage. People responded positively, so I just kept doing it."


Unscrewed Theatre debuts The Unscrewed Family Hour

A new show at Unscrewed Theater improvises an original comic-book story every second Saturday at 6 p.m. According to Unscrewed’s executive director Chris Seidman, “The adults (are) as engaged as the kids, and more than one energetic youngster left the theater acting like a superhero.”
The show debuted June 15; the next one is July 13. Tickets are $8; $5 for children 12 and younger. They’re available at the door or online at unscrewedtheater.org.

“Every show is different because the suggestions come from the audience,” Seidman says. The composition of the team changes each week, too. Each month the show’s own team, Comic Chaos, is joined by one of the theater’s veteran teams. “For July, Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed is performing with Comic Chaos,” Seidman says. “There will be short-form games with an emphasis on incorporating as many young volunteers as possible.”

Laughs for Lucy: A Benefit

Pauly Casillas may be the most loved comedian in Tucson. His humor and compassion are almost universal. He performs regularly in comedy clubs in Tucson and Phoenix, but declines to travel farther because he’s a family man. Casillas ran the legendary open mic at Mr. Heads, and he originated the popular local show, The Switch, to which Matt Ziemak has recently succeeded as host. Ziemak also produces the Brew Ha Ha series at Borderlands Brewing Company.

On Thursday, July 11 Casillas headlines a show Ziemak will host at Borderlands. The event will raise money to pay for a costly run of therapy for Casillas’ daughter Lucy. The rest of the lineup includes national touring comedians Joe Tullar and Olivia Grace plus Michael Paul Kohn and Eric Sobczak. Admission is $20 at the door.

Lucy has been diagnosed with Amblyopia, an eye condition for which the only treatment that could help is Vision Therapy. It costs up to $10,000 and is not covered by insurance. Last October, a golf fundraiser and other personal donations enabled the family to provide Lucy with six months of Vision Therapy. Now funds are needed for the final four months.

So far, the therapy has allowed Lucy to make substantial progress in reading, writing and math.

The Hideout Saloon East recently announced its live music calendar for July, which includes R&B, country, rock and almost any other type of music Tucson bands are working with. 

Friday, July 12
Desert Treasure
A variety cover band made for dancing! Featuring Joe DeLauro, Dave Mick, and Bruce Schoenberger.
8 p.m. to midnight

Saturday, July 13
Wendigo Crossing
This Tucson band runs the gamut from country, pop, rock and blues mixed up with a little funk.
8 p.m. to midnight

Friday, July 19
Soul Essential
Soul Essential fuses classic R&B with modern pop, and throws in a bit of Motown for good measure. Dancing is allowed!
8 p.m. to midnight

Saturday, July 20
The Q
This rock band features dynamic group vocals paired with a variety of hard rock and classic genre styles.
8 p.m. to midnight

Sunday, July 21
Frank N Steel
Returning to the Hideout, Frank N Steel are performing their own brand of country classics and original tunes.
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday, July 26
Half of Twice
Performing everything from the 70s until now, Half of Twice are capable of playing hair metal, blues, pop, country, reggae, blues and more.
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, June 27
360 Degrees
8 p.m. to midnight

Stranger Things 3

The third season is the best yet for the Duffer Brothers eighties throwback series. Much of the action, including a final showdown with the Mind Flayer monster from the Upside Down, takes place in the Starcourt Mall, a mighty authentic wonder of art direction (Sam Goody and The Ground Round make notable appearances). Of course, the Russians now play a prominent part as Hopper (David Harbour) tries to protect his adopted daughter Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) from the Reds, demons, and, most notoriously, her new boyfriend Mike (Finn Wolfhard) who likes to kiss way too much. Steve (Joe Harrington) has his best season yet, working in an ice cream store with new cast member and major standout Maya Hawk (daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman) as his co-scooper. The special effects this time around are top notch, with nice nods to, once again, John Carpenter, Stephen King and The Blob. Harbour gets a little goofier in this round, and it’s a lot of fun watching his Hopper trying to date Joyce (Winona Ryder). The finale provides some major cliffhangers for the inevitable season four, which could actually wind up in a completely different series. It’s good to see the show make a comeback after a middling season 2; it’s a total blast, and it features a nice ode to The Neverending Story. 
Spider-Man: Far from Home

Tom Holland cements his status as best-ever Spider-Man with what amounts to the goofiest, but still major fun, Spider-Man movie yet. Jon Watts once again directs as Peter Parker looks to vacation with his friends after the events of Endgame, traveling to Europe and leaving his superhero responsibilities behind. When a strange breed of elemental monsters start striking the planet, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) interrupts Peter’s sojourn and gets him back into the swing of things. Jake Gyllenhaal gets into the shenanigans as Mysterio, a crime fighter from another dimension that slides right into the Tony Stark mentor role. Holland is good fun as Spidey, giving him a nice, youthful effervescence to go with his comic timing. Zendaya rules as MJ, Jon Favreau gets a lot more screen time (It’s a good thing!) as Happy, and the film doesn’t have nearly enough Marisa Tomei. It’s a bit lightheaded at times, but it’s the sort of breezy affair that the Marvel universe needed to get things revved up again. Hopefully, this is just the beginning for Holland and he has a bunch of these in his future, because he’s perfect for the role.

Club Congress was graced with the presence of Latin rhythms and rock, all thanks to Tropa Magica. Before the four-piece took the stage, Los esplifs livened up the crowd with upbeat banda.

The anniversary of Beethoven's birth is coming up... do you know he'd be 250 years old?!

To celebrate, Pima County Public Library and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra are teaming up on a special book club series in September. Book clubs at three libraries - Joel D. Valdez Main Library, Joyner-Green Valley Library, and Oro Valley Public Library - will read Beethoven's Hair and discuss it with TSO's Music Director José Luis Gomez.

Saturday, September 7 at 2 pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library

Sunday, September 8 at 2 pm
Joyner-Green Valley Library

Tuesday, September 10 at 10 am
Oro Valley Public Library

Hailed as a "terrific story—odd, suspenseful, controversial, and ultimately rewarding" (Denver Post), the book follows a single lock of hair from Ludwig Van Beethoven, from the great composer's deathbed in 1827 to its 1994 sale at Sotheby's.

Get your copy of the book today and join us in September! The book is currently available at numerous library locations, but we expect a waitlist as we gear up for the event. Reserve your copy soon, or find it at your local bookstore!

Like Aves filling their four-chambered hearts with joy, soaring where the clouds of emotion no longer obscure the clear sight of the soul, Birds and Arrows shoot bolts of deliverance with courage as they move forward.

They formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 2007. After releasing four full-length albums and critically-acclaimed EPs—this husband and wife duo's songs appear on compilations with Jeff Tweedy, Yo La Tengo, Ryan Adams' Whiskeytown and the mythic Big Star—having outgrown their genesis as a quiet folk act, Andrea and Pete Connolly came to shed their skin under the desert sun, peeling away the old atop metamorphic rock, to allow further growth.

Recorded in Tucson’s Dust and Stone Studios, produced by Gabriel Sullivan, Arbitrary Magic (Baby Gas Mask Records, 2018) marks a sea change in vision and attitude.

“Yes, Arbitrary Magic was a departure. But, true to all of our biggest influences,” says Andrea Connolly. “I’d say this is our new direction—finding a balance between energetic, hard hitting Rock ‘n’ Roll and melodic, harmony based song craft.”

Recently, Birds and Arrows premiered their latest video, “Animatronic Heart,” to a small but enthusiastic crowd. Outfitted with knee pads and a heart shaped pendant dangling from a chain around her neck, frontwoman Andrea Connolly, with drummer Pete Connolly’s relentless poundings—and guitarist Ben Nisbet sitting in—utterly demolished Wooden Tooth Records.

Andrea Connolly says of the video, directed by Tyler Lidwell, “As far as ‘Animatronic Heart’ goes—that song was influenced by taking care of Pete's dad, the last few years.” A significant factor behind the couple’s decision to relocate to Tucson. “It's a pretty heavy subject about life, aging and our interconnectedness.” In comparison to the seven other rollicking tracks on the album, “Animatronic Heart” is the exception. “So, to add some levity, we thought it would be an interesting/humorous juxtaposition to have the video reference a classic action movie, like Terminator 2.”
Here is the other side of the coin.

When asked if politics ever seep into the lyrics of Birds and Arrows songs, Andrea Connolly is quick to rebound. “Yes, definitely. ‘Overloaded’ is very political. Influenced by all the shit that is happening along the border. As is, the song ‘Stay Down.’ It’s about violence against women. It’s hard to not let all that come through in our writing. If at times, on this record, we seem a little pissed off...It’s because we were.”

Catch Birds and Arrows on Saturday, July 20th at Che’s Lounge.

Painter Rachel Nelson works with acrylic paints and encaustic, or hot wax painting. Her paintings are emotive and human, stories told through texture and color. They are sometimes bubbly or dimpled, shattered or scratched.

Since June 2017, Nelson has had a studio in the Steinfeld building where she has created many of her pieces, and taught art therapy classes.

Every first Saturday of the month, she has welcomed the public to see her work in progress and finished. This coming art walk, on Saturday, July 6, Rachel will host her last showing in her studio.

Come see her work as well as the other artists who have studios in the Steinfeld building. The First Saturday Art Walk is hosted by the Central Tucson Gallery Association and includes other galleries as well.

Located at the Steinfeld Warehouse Community Arts Center, 101 W. 6th Street on Saturday, July 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. Free.