Thursday, November 21, 2019
Thanksgiving Tamales. To embrace the Thanksgiving season, Tucson Tamale Company is putting turkey and cranberries in the tamales! While their legendary “Thanksgiving Tamales” don’t have every holiday staple in them, the turkey and cranberry sauce fuse together, and the masa tastes like cornbread. They’re perfect pockets to wow the family. The tamales are available at both of their restaurants, and you can also order them online. Order tamales by 11/24 to have them in time for Thanksgiving. Available at 7159 E. Tanque Verde Road, 7286 N. Oracle Road. Information.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day at REVEL. REVEL wine bar is celebrating everyone’s favorite French holiday that doesn’t involve toppling hierarchies. Beaujolais Nouveau Day is marked in France on the third Thursday in November and includes fireworks and plenty of wine. The holiday celebrates Beaujolais nouveau, a red wine made in the Beaujolais region of France. As such, REVEL will be pouring three special wines: the Domaine Ruet “Sans Soufre” Nouveau Rouge 2019, the Domaine Ruet Nouveau Rosé 2019, and the Jean Baronnat Nouveau Rouge 2019. 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. 416 E. Ninth Street. Information.
Female Storytellers Presents: True Colors at Club Congress. Who doesn’t love a league of strong women+ who are excellent at storytelling coming together on a local stage to showcase their talent? This hilarious group is taking the stage this week to tell stories around the theme “true colors.” There could be stories about learning that it’s possible to be loved as you are, about the search for the perfect foundation, or about when your ex-BFF from high school showed who she truly was. The cover charge will benefit a local nonprofit, there are ASL interpreters provided, and you’ll laugh your butt off. What’s not to love? 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. $8. Information.
Catharsis: Rachel Ivanyi & Joanna Taylor. Joanna Taylor is an award-winning folk artist known for her textiles and paintings. Her daughter, Rachel Ivanyi, is an award-winning illustrator and educator. They teamed up for this exhibit at the Tucson Botanical Gardens about the healing powers of the natural world. Working together on this project, and drawing on shared personal experiences, allowed the two women to develop new styles in an effort to help viewers enhance their awareness of the interconnectivity of nature. Come spend some time enjoying this art among some of the natural wonders that inspired it. On display through Jan. 5, 2020. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. $15 adults, $13 students/seniors/military, $8 kids 4 to 17 and free for members and kids under 4. Information.
Expecting to Fly: Kate Breakey, Susan Burnstine, Keith Carter and Pentti Sammallahti. This exhibit at the Etherton Gallery is designed to both ground us, by reminding us about our connection to the Earth, and lift us up, by unlocking our imaginations and potential. A photo of a tiny quail egg by Kate Breakey, a white deer in a Keith Carter forest or a bridge standing clear in the midst of a smeary cityscape by Susan Burnstine all evoke both memories and stories yet to be told. In the Gallery Pop-Up, Finnish photographer Pentti Sammallahti captures conversations between animals and their environments. His new book, Des oiseaux (Birds) will also be available. Exhibit is open through Jan. 11, 2020. Reception and book signing are 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Etherton Gallery, 135 S. Sixth Ave. Free. Information.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day at REVEL. REVEL wine bar is celebrating everyone’s favorite French holiday that doesn’t involve toppling hierarchies. Beaujolais Nouveau Day is marked in France on the third Thursday in November and includes fireworks and plenty of wine. The holiday celebrates Beaujolais nouveau, a red wine made in the Beaujolais region of France. As such, REVEL will be pouring three special wines: the Domaine Ruet “Sans Soufre” Nouveau Rouge 2019, the Domaine Ruet Nouveau Rosé 2019, and the Jean Baronnat Nouveau Rouge 2019. 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. 416 E. Ninth Street. Information.
Female Storytellers Presents: True Colors at Club Congress. Who doesn’t love a league of strong women+ who are excellent at storytelling coming together on a local stage to showcase their talent? This hilarious group is taking the stage this week to tell stories around the theme “true colors.” There could be stories about learning that it’s possible to be loved as you are, about the search for the perfect foundation, or about when your ex-BFF from high school showed who she truly was. The cover charge will benefit a local nonprofit, there are ASL interpreters provided, and you’ll laugh your butt off. What’s not to love? 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. $8. Information.
Catharsis: Rachel Ivanyi & Joanna Taylor. Joanna Taylor is an award-winning folk artist known for her textiles and paintings. Her daughter, Rachel Ivanyi, is an award-winning illustrator and educator. They teamed up for this exhibit at the Tucson Botanical Gardens about the healing powers of the natural world. Working together on this project, and drawing on shared personal experiences, allowed the two women to develop new styles in an effort to help viewers enhance their awareness of the interconnectivity of nature. Come spend some time enjoying this art among some of the natural wonders that inspired it. On display through Jan. 5, 2020. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. $15 adults, $13 students/seniors/military, $8 kids 4 to 17 and free for members and kids under 4. Information.
Expecting to Fly: Kate Breakey, Susan Burnstine, Keith Carter and Pentti Sammallahti. This exhibit at the Etherton Gallery is designed to both ground us, by reminding us about our connection to the Earth, and lift us up, by unlocking our imaginations and potential. A photo of a tiny quail egg by Kate Breakey, a white deer in a Keith Carter forest or a bridge standing clear in the midst of a smeary cityscape by Susan Burnstine all evoke both memories and stories yet to be told. In the Gallery Pop-Up, Finnish photographer Pentti Sammallahti captures conversations between animals and their environments. His new book, Des oiseaux (Birds) will also be available. Exhibit is open through Jan. 11, 2020. Reception and book signing are 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Etherton Gallery, 135 S. Sixth Ave. Free. Information.
Courtesy photo
Kristin Hersh
Fusing elements of guitar-driven folk-rock, Native American flute and troubadour balladry with propulsive world percussion, timeless yet unconventional, The Sun Dog Twins (Leon Little Bird & Will Clipman) will guide initiates into the Circle of Dreams. At Solar Culture Gallery...
With a voice that ranges from softly melodic to impassioned caterwauling, at the peppy age of 14, this songwriter/author founded art-punk band Throwing Muses with her step-sister Tanya Donelly back in 1981. In continuum, as a solo artist her prolific output is an assemblage of jagged emotional edges tempered by plain-spoken folk. "The songs keep on writing themselves, and I really love them. It's as close as I get to a religion." In a special solo acoustic performance, Kristin Hersh is at 191 Toole. Singer-songwriter Fred Abong—former bassist for Belly and Throwing Muses—opens performing his new ep, Pulsing...
Spindly and resilient like an armless saguaro cactus, desert survivor Al Perry and axeman Loren Dircks, backed by drummer Joel Ford, pick material from a setlist of originals and obscure covers. At Tap + Bottle-Downtown...
Six performers taking turns round robin. Virginia Cannon presents Thursday Night Live. This week sees Arizona songwriters Lauren Lawson, Toby Slade, Chris Sahlin, Hoge Day, Hannah Eblin and Andrea Lithgow take to the stage along with Whitherward, a touring indie-folk duo from Nashville. At Monterey Court...
Playing original jazz, bossa novas and experimental French esoterica, Dark Maps—Jeff Grubic, Sean Rogers and Dmitri Manos—create a unique atmosphere on the patio at Agustin Kitchen...
Anything goes at The Libertine's Lounge on Thursdays. Scratchy Records: DJ Carl Hanni spins vintage, exotica and novelty...
Tags: music , XOXO , live music , concerts , fun , tunes , Image
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
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Tags: MAGA , chick-Fil-a , LGBTQ. Trump , MAGA , Image
Waking Dream (Free screening!). DocScapes and the University of Arizona’s Hanson Film Institute are teaming up to present a documentary about those with DACA status. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration policy allows those who were taken into the US unlawfully as children to receive a “renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation.” It is estimated there are roughly 700,000 DACA recipients, or “Dreamers.” Waking Dreams is a series of short films detailing the stories of students with DACA status. This screening also includes a Q&A with filmmaker Theo Rigby, a subject from the film, and members of the UA Immigrant Student Resources Center. 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20. At Gallagher Theatre, 1303 E. University Blvd. Free. Information.
Anastasia. Don’t let your heart fail you now, or your courage desert you. You can’t turn back now that we’re heeeeere. By “we,” we of course mean the touring cast of this Tony Award-winning musical about a brave young woman in Paris in the 1920s setting out to discover the secrets of her past. UAPresents is hosting this show, based on the legend of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, but you might be more familiar with the 1997 Disney version of the story. Either way, it’s a wonderful musical Journey to the Past to enjoy Once Upon a… November. Tuesday, Nov. 19 to Sunday, Nov. 24, with varying showtimes. UA Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $25 to $140. Information.
Presidio District Gastronomy Tour. The nonprofit Presidio San Agustín del Tucson is hosting food tours so you can learn about Tucson’s history, and get a taste of the place at the same time. Participants get to experience Tucson’s “complex food heritage and the fusion of Old and New World ingredients while hearing great stories of Tucson’s history in some of it’s more historic locations.” Featured restaurants include El Charro Cafe and La Cocina Restaurant & Cantina. 12:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20. 196 N. Court Street. $70 for members, $85 for non-members. For more information, and to buy tickets, visit tucsonpresidio.com. Information.
Anastasia. Don’t let your heart fail you now, or your courage desert you. You can’t turn back now that we’re heeeeere. By “we,” we of course mean the touring cast of this Tony Award-winning musical about a brave young woman in Paris in the 1920s setting out to discover the secrets of her past. UAPresents is hosting this show, based on the legend of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, but you might be more familiar with the 1997 Disney version of the story. Either way, it’s a wonderful musical Journey to the Past to enjoy Once Upon a… November. Tuesday, Nov. 19 to Sunday, Nov. 24, with varying showtimes. UA Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $25 to $140. Information.
Presidio District Gastronomy Tour. The nonprofit Presidio San Agustín del Tucson is hosting food tours so you can learn about Tucson’s history, and get a taste of the place at the same time. Participants get to experience Tucson’s “complex food heritage and the fusion of Old and New World ingredients while hearing great stories of Tucson’s history in some of it’s more historic locations.” Featured restaurants include El Charro Cafe and La Cocina Restaurant & Cantina. 12:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20. 196 N. Court Street. $70 for members, $85 for non-members. For more information, and to buy tickets, visit tucsonpresidio.com. Information.
Tags: tours , plays , things to do , screenings , Image
Imagine "Sweet Child O' Mine" mariachi style? If heavy metal had a pleasurably sordid affair with mariachi music lots of tequila would surely be involved. It's conceivable that this band of Los Angeles dissenters rose from unconsecrated graves. Like Barrio Viejo's own El Tiradito, where legend holds that Juan Oliveras, a young sheepherder, rests not-so-peacefully after being murdered by his father-in-law, who caught him in flagrante delicto with his enraptured mother-in-law. Metalachi are at 191 Toole. The heavy-as-hell surf music of Shark in the Water gets the party started...
Carefully balancing passion with composure, John Goraj established himself as a singer-songwriter with folk leanings before fronting a rising indie rock band. Soda Sun are at Club Congress...
Poets Sherman Bitsui and Sharon Vap read at Exo Bar...
All three members of this prestigious ensemble are winners of the Naumburg Foundation Prize. Arizona Friends of Chamber Music presents the Naumberg Trio. The evening's program features works by Beethoven. Carter, Schubert and Shostakovich. At Leo Rich Theater...
Carefully balancing passion with composure, John Goraj established himself as a singer-songwriter with folk leanings before fronting a rising indie rock band. Soda Sun are at Club Congress...
Poets Sherman Bitsui and Sharon Vap read at Exo Bar...
All three members of this prestigious ensemble are winners of the Naumburg Foundation Prize. Arizona Friends of Chamber Music presents the Naumberg Trio. The evening's program features works by Beethoven. Carter, Schubert and Shostakovich. At Leo Rich Theater...
Tags: XOXO , where to rock , concerts , music , live music , things to do , poets , Image
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Find more Claytoonz here.
More than three years ago, former state senator and Pima County supervisor Ann Day was killed in a head-on collision caused by an erratic driver. Yesterday, that driver, 27-year-old Jarrad Barnes, was sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison.
In 2018, a jury found Barnes guilty of negligent homicide (a lesser charge than manslaughter), criminal damage, endangerment, driving with an illegal drug and possession of marijuana. They found him not guilty of driving under the influence.
On the morning of May 7, 2016, Day was driving a Toyota Prius eastbound on Ina Road. Barnes was driving a Chevrolet Impala westbound on Ina Road when he swerved into the median and crashed into Day’s car. Immediately after, her vehicle was hit from the rear by a pickup truck.
Paramedics were on the scene within minutes, but Day did not survive the crash and was pronounced dead at Banner UMC’s Trauma Center shortly after. She was 77 years old.
According to the sheriff’s department, witnesses saw Barnes driving over the speed limit and hitting curbs before crossing over the road’s median. After the crash, authorities found marijuana and a glass pipe inside Barnes’ car.
On top of his prison sentence, Barnes will face three years of probation, 200 hours of community service and must pay more than $6,000 in restitution.
Day, who’s sister is former Supreme Court Judge Sandra Day O’Connor, represented Pima County’s District 1 for three terms from 2000 to 2012. She served in the Arizona Senate for 10 years before that.
In 2018, a jury found Barnes guilty of negligent homicide (a lesser charge than manslaughter), criminal damage, endangerment, driving with an illegal drug and possession of marijuana. They found him not guilty of driving under the influence.
On the morning of May 7, 2016, Day was driving a Toyota Prius eastbound on Ina Road. Barnes was driving a Chevrolet Impala westbound on Ina Road when he swerved into the median and crashed into Day’s car. Immediately after, her vehicle was hit from the rear by a pickup truck.
Paramedics were on the scene within minutes, but Day did not survive the crash and was pronounced dead at Banner UMC’s Trauma Center shortly after. She was 77 years old.
According to the sheriff’s department, witnesses saw Barnes driving over the speed limit and hitting curbs before crossing over the road’s median. After the crash, authorities found marijuana and a glass pipe inside Barnes’ car.
On top of his prison sentence, Barnes will face three years of probation, 200 hours of community service and must pay more than $6,000 in restitution.
Day, who’s sister is former Supreme Court Judge Sandra Day O’Connor, represented Pima County’s District 1 for three terms from 2000 to 2012. She served in the Arizona Senate for 10 years before that.
Tags: Ann Day , sentencing , crimes , court , death , Jarrad Barnes , Image
Anastasia. Don’t let your heart fail you now, or your courage desert you. You can’t turn back now that we’re heeeeere. By “we,” we of course mean the touring cast of this Tony Award-winning musical about a brave young woman in Paris in the 1920s setting out to discover the secrets of
her past. UAPresents is hosting this show, based on the legend of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, but you might be more familiar with the 1997 Disney version of the story. Either way, it’s a wonderful musical Journey to the Past to enjoy Once Upon a… November. Tuesday, Nov. 19 to Sunday, Nov. 24, with varying showtimes. UA Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $25 to $140. Information.
Managing Marine Ecosystems for a Sustainable Future. You like science? You like pizza? Then you’ll love the UA Science Café Fall Lecture Series. This week, catch a talk by Lynn Massey, a fishery management specialist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, speaking at Magpie’s as part of a series on ocean science. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered in ocean, which works to keep the planet cool, balance the atmosphere’s chemistry and drive the water cycle that brings (or sometimes doesn’t bring) us our monsoon season. It’s worth learning about ways to help all the ecosystems out there stay afloat (or stay sunk, if that’s where they’re more comfortable). 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19. Magpie’s Gourmet Pizza, 605 N. Fourth Ave. Free. Information.
Secret Tucson: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure. If you were one of those kids that always thought history was boring, Clark Norton’s new book just might get you to change your mind. It explores fun questions about the Old Pueblo, like why that Beatles song “Get Back” includes a reference to Tucson, and which one-time New York crime boss spent his last years here. This award-winning journalist has traveled to 120 countries, but has a special love for the weird little city we all call home. Catch him in a discussion about his book at the Arizona History Museum. 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19. Arizona History Museum, 949 E. Second St. $5 GA, $4 museum members. Information.
Glory. Created by Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was one of the first official groups of Black soldiers in the Civil War. Glory, starring Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, tells of the regiment’s formation and career throughout the Civil War. Not only did the Oscar-winning film increase the public’s knowledge of this historic group of fighters, it also solidified Washington and Freeman as major actors of their time. As part of their Tuesday Night Classics series, Harkins Theatres is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Glory. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19. 5755 W. Arizona Pavilions Drive & 5455 S. Calle Santa Cruz. Information.
Managing Marine Ecosystems for a Sustainable Future. You like science? You like pizza? Then you’ll love the UA Science Café Fall Lecture Series. This week, catch a talk by Lynn Massey, a fishery management specialist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, speaking at Magpie’s as part of a series on ocean science. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered in ocean, which works to keep the planet cool, balance the atmosphere’s chemistry and drive the water cycle that brings (or sometimes doesn’t bring) us our monsoon season. It’s worth learning about ways to help all the ecosystems out there stay afloat (or stay sunk, if that’s where they’re more comfortable). 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19. Magpie’s Gourmet Pizza, 605 N. Fourth Ave. Free. Information.
Secret Tucson: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure. If you were one of those kids that always thought history was boring, Clark Norton’s new book just might get you to change your mind. It explores fun questions about the Old Pueblo, like why that Beatles song “Get Back” includes a reference to Tucson, and which one-time New York crime boss spent his last years here. This award-winning journalist has traveled to 120 countries, but has a special love for the weird little city we all call home. Catch him in a discussion about his book at the Arizona History Museum. 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19. Arizona History Museum, 949 E. Second St. $5 GA, $4 museum members. Information.
Glory. Created by Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was one of the first official groups of Black soldiers in the Civil War. Glory, starring Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, tells of the regiment’s formation and career throughout the Civil War. Not only did the Oscar-winning film increase the public’s knowledge of this historic group of fighters, it also solidified Washington and Freeman as major actors of their time. As part of their Tuesday Night Classics series, Harkins Theatres is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Glory. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19. 5755 W. Arizona Pavilions Drive & 5455 S. Calle Santa Cruz. Information.
Tags: things to do , fun , movies , books , events , activities , Image
Soul/blues/gospel/Latin. Roots Rising showcases up-and-coming talent: Matt Andersen, Gaby Moreno and Liz Vice performing both stripped down individual sets and a collaborative finale. At Club Congress...
Monday, November 18, 2019
First came high stakes tests, the educational equivalent of trying to improve children's physical fitness by measuring their body mass index, strength and stamina, then measuring them again next year. And the next year. And the year after that.
High stakes tests yield terabytes of data, but no measurable student improvement. All we learn from the time consuming, curriculum distorting exercise is, test scores correlate with family income. Actually, we don't even learn that. We knew it already.
Then came A-F school grades issued by the state based on students' scores on the high stakes tests. In their original form, they were just a different way of presenting schools' test scores. The only added value was, they made intuitive sense to people who want a simple way of rating schools. We all know what letter grades on report cards mean, so the system was easy to understand. Schools with an "A" or "B" grade were likely to have mostly middle-to-high income students and high academic achievement. The "C," "D" and "F" schools were likely to have lower income students and lower academic achievement.
Lots of people complained about the grades, with good reason. They echoed the class bias of test scores, but the grades made the results were even more judgmental. They lavished praise on schools with high income students — "You get an A! You get a B! — while they labeled schools with low income students anywhere from average to failing. No matter how talented the teachers and administrators at the schools teaching low income students were, no matter how hard they worked, it was nearly impossible for them to get the top grades schools with higher income students received as a matter of course.
People at the Department of Education heard the complaints, so they decided to try and make the grading system more nuanced. Educators, statisticians and computer techies set to work to create a weighting system which made the grades more equitable.
The changes were at least a partial success. The current state grades reflect more than the students' family income. That's a step in the right direction, isn't it?
Well, maybe. But the changes create a new problem. If the new, improved grading system doesn't tell us which schools have the highest test scores, what does it tell us?
Tags: High stakes test , State grades , Arizona Department of Education , TUSD , Ochoa Elementary , Holladay Magnet Elementary , Sam Hughes Elementary , Gale Elementary , Image
