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The paralyzed dog that united the Tucson community last year has found his forever home and will soon leave for Durango, Colorado. A public farewell party for Gil will take place this Saturday, Aug. 10, at Tucson Hop Shop, 3230 N. Dodge Blvd.

Team Gil is holding a pet food drive during his party for dry dog, puppy, kitten and cat food to replenish the shelves of Cody’s Friends Charity, a local pet food pantry, as a show of appreciation to the Tucson community that did so much to help Gil.

More than 40 human services organizations that serve people in need with pets depend on Cody’s for more than 35,000 pet food meals every month. Increased need this summer has left their shelves bare. Any kind or sized bag of dry dog and cat food would be appreciated, especially Purina and Pedigree.

For those unable to attend the party but who still want to donate to help, donations may be brought to one of several locations listed on Cody’s Friends Charity website, or monetary donations to purchase food may be made at https://codysfriends.org/wheretodonate/.

Gil was found paralyzed last July on the San Carlos Apache Reservation and was brought to Tucson where it was discovered he’d been shot point-blank in his spine. The Tucson community and others donated thousands of dollars to provide surgical care, physical therapy and medical equipment to help Gil regain the use of his hind legs. Unfortunately, due to the severity of his injuries, Gil will never walk again, but gets around very well with his wheelchair.

Gil’s new family saw a video that Gil’s team sent to the “Walkin’ Pets” company and contacted his foster mom, Kim Kelly. Gil will have other animal friends, including dogs, cats and Alpacas, and lots of room to roam.

“I’m in awe of how much has been involved to repair and nurture Gil through his life so far,” said Alena Alvarez-Mroz, Gil’s adopter. “It truly amazes me how much he’s come through and is now thriving. Gil inspires me, and I feel truly lucky to have found him.”

I usually read education articles written for the Star the day before they make it into the paper, courtesy of my Google Alerts which link me to stories about Arizona education the minute they go live. So on Sunday I read an online version of a story about teacher shortages decreasing in Pima County which was written for Monday's paper. I was happy to read that local districts are doing better with teacher recruitment this year.

When I opened my paper this morning, there the story was on the front page, word for word. Except for one thing. The headline was rewritten to take away any impression that our teacher shortage situation had improved.

Because in the Star, if education bleeds, it leads, even if the editors have to bloody it up a bit. "Ain't it awful?" stories about public education make the front page. They sell papers.

According to the story, Pima County districts still have 142 fewer teachers than they need. That's not good news. But also according to the story, that's down 19 percent from last year. That is good news. Our districts moved the needle. They're trending in the right direction.

The article itself is a long, well researched, well written piece by reporter Danyelle Khmara. No surprise there. She does her journalistic homework and it shows.

Then there are the two headlines, which most likely were not written by Khmara.

Whoever wrote the version for the online story captured the sense of the article accurately.

Pima County has fewer teacher vacancies this year, but it's still a problem for schools

As for the Monday headline? Not so much.

Teacher vacancies still an issue in Pima County despite raises

The original online headline says things are better this year, which is accurate.

The rewritten front page headline implies nothing has changed, it's the same old teacher vacancy problem, even though teachers got a raise. It makes it sound like nothing will satisfy those damn teachers. But that's not what the facts in the article say.

This headline change may sound like a minor detail, except that, as everyone who has studied journalism knows, people who take the time to read a headline often get no farther than the first paragraph before they move on. Most people who see the front page of the Star are going to think Pima County has the same teacher vacancy problem it had last year.

That rankles me. I wrote a series of posts recently about how attacking TUSD in particular and public education in general has turned into a blood sport. The Star had an opportunity to leave readers with a sense that things are a little better. Instead, it blasts out a headline saying things were bad before, and they're just as lousy now.

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) will begin offering American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Canine Good Citizen training starting Wednesday, August 14.

The AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Training Program is designed to recognize dogs that have good manners at home and in the community. This program stresses responsible dog ownership for owners and basic training and good manners for dogs. The CGC TEST consists of 10 skills needed by all well-mannered dogs including meeting new people, grooming basics, walking on a loose leash, and commands such as sit, down, stay, and come.

“I love teaching people and their dogs. It’s amazing to witness the bond that forms when people are able to better communicate with their dogs. Canine Good Citizen is a great way to connect, bond, and learn how to interact with your dog so you can have a rewarding relationship with your dog as a well-mannered family member and community member. I hope that through CGC training that we are able to avoid any issues in the home and have more dogs stay with their forever families,” said Veronica Zimmerman, HSSA’s CGC Trainer.

Classes will be held each Wednesday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. for six weeks. Upcoming programs will be held on different days and times. The cost per dog is $150, or $125 for dogs adopted from HSSA. Each dog must be partnered with their own handler. All dogs who pass the 10 step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.

To register, or get more information, visit www.HSSAZ.org/CGC.

As cooler nights set in during the summer, the Mercado San Agustin Annex invites you to their Summer Night Market. Every last Friday of the month through September, the annex is turned into an open-air market with local makers and vendors.

Come for the live music from DJ Herm, grab some Japanese food from Kukai and browse some rescued potted cactus from DIRT shop.  This family-friendly event features Now or Never boutique store, Why I Love Where I Live and MESA shop, among many others.

When: Friday, August 30

6 – 10:00 p.m.

Where: MSA Annex

267 S Avenida del Convento

Next Night Market:

Friday, September 27

6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

White supremacist Bryon Widner (Jamie Bell), after being raised on a doctrine of hate within a skinhead camp, has a change of heart when he finds love with a single mother (Danielle Macdonald). Of course, putting a skinhead past behind you, especially when you’ve opted to tattoo your face with hate images, is not an easy thing.

Writer-director Guy Nattiv, basing his film on the true story of Bryon Widner, does a nice job of showing that redemption sometimes comes at a high price. Bell is great here as Widner, as is Macdonald as the woman who manages to love him even though he’s a complete asshole.

The film feels like a distant cousin of the Edward Norton-starring American History X, although it doesn’t have near the artistry of that movie. Still, the movie is a solid story, well-acted, and proof that Bell is perhaps a bigger actor than his resume has revealed. Supporting cast includes Bill Camp as the leader of the skinhead camp, and Vera Farmiga as his nurturing yet classless and evil wife. Blink and you’ll miss a quick appearance by Mary Stuart Masterson as Agent Jackie Marks. She acts that part like she’s in a different movie, but it’s fun to see her all the same. (Available to stream during a limited theatrical release).

“I am a sweet 7-year-old girl. I came to HSSA shortly after my owner passed away and I can’t wait to be back in a comfortable home. In my previous home I did great with other cats. Great news, because of my age my adoption fee is only $50. Visit me at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. Have questions? Give an adoptions counselor a call at 520-327-6088, ext. 173.” - Lazarus (874019)

Tucson will be hosting its own sky lantern festival this August in a magical night of music, games and the sky lantern event. Sky lanterns, lit and let off into the sky, have been used in many cultures to symbolize release – whether it’s to make a wish, release a worry, for good luck, or to celebrate. 

There will be a challenge course, lawn games, face painting and food vendors. Cozy up to the fire pits and listen to live music until dusk, then get ready to set your lantern off into the night sky.

When: Saturday, August 31

5  – 10 p.m.

Where: 4600 N Silverbell Road

Tickets: General admission $55

Kids 4-11 $15

Kids 0-3 Free

*Sky lanterns are 100% biodegradable and are tracked for easy cleanup. Sky lanterns will not be released if bad weather is expected. They are designed to descend only when low on fuel and run no risk of causing a fire.

Find more Claytoonz here.

Find more Claytoonz here.