“Hey there! I’m Max! Are you my new best friend? I’m looking for a special person who I can give all of my love and loyalty to. I’m 3 years old, and incredibly clever! The staff here at HSSA have taught me lots of tricks, and I’m still eager to learn more! I have lots of energy and would prefer to be your only dog.”

Meet Max at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd or give our adoptions counselors a call at (520) 327-6088 ext 173 for more information.

Beginning at 5 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, North La Cholla Boulevard will be completely closed  between West Lambert Lane and West Overton Road in order to allow construction crews and heavy equipment to operate safely as they work on widening the road to four lanes.

Town staff expect the closure to last for almost three months, until Wednesday, April 22.

Local access to homes and businesses on La Cholla will be maintained throughout the closure, according to an Oro Valley press release. North La Cañada Drive has been designated as the detour route.

“We understand this affects commuters who use La Cholla Boulevard, but the primary reason for this closure is safety in a specific area of the project,” said Public Works Director and Town Engineer Paul Keesler, in the release. “The space needed to accommodate the contractor’s personnel and heavy equipment near a retaining wall constructed for the project leaves limited space for the traveling public. With a complete closure we can maintain the safety of the public and the contractor. And the upside is that it helps us finish the project almost a month and a half early.”

The La Cholla widening project is on schedule and town staff expect this temporary closure to accelerate the completion date to mid-August, instead of late September.

The project, funded partially by the Regional Transportation Authority and Pima County, will also include a landscaped median, bicycle lanes, multi-use paths and ADA facilities, drainage improvements, wildlife crossing corridors and retaining walls.

Keesler said the town previously considered using flaggers to direct traffic around the construction through one-way lanes, but that would extend the project timeline by two more months, which drives up the cost.

He said the town has learned from the previous La Cañada and Moore roundabout construction that “it is more efficient, and safer, to just close the work area and get the job done.”

The Town of Oro Valley produced an informational video to explain the closure, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwQ6XxT59gU&feature=youtu.be.

The Miss Rodeo Arizona Pageant has been around for over 60 years selecting rodeo queens to  represent communities throughout the state and promote rodeos and the western way of life.

This year’s queen for 2020 is Shelby Williams, a Pima Community College student and graduate of Marana High School.

On Saturday, Jan. 11, Williams will be crowned during the 2020 Miss Rodeo Arizona Coronation, taking place at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds T-Barn from 5 to 9 p.m.

Along with the crowning of Williams, there will be plenty of fun with entertainment by the Pinnacle Peak Pistoleros, food by Little Mexico Restaurant and drinks sponsored by Coca Cola.

This event is Williams' largest fundraising opportunity of the year, with all proceeds raised going to help offset her travel costs when she heads to Miss Rodeo America in December.

Seating is limited, but there are still tickets available on her website, here for $20 for adults and $15 for children 10 and under.

Tickets can also be purchased at the door the day of for $25 for adults and $20 for children 10 and under.

This is a family event with no alcohol and the dress is casual/western.

For more information about Miss Rodeo Arizona visit www.missrodeoarizona.org.

To follow Williams on her rodeo adventure, follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shelby.wiliiams.

Make friends and talk books at the Library's monthly Rainbow Reads!

 

Alternating between book chats and book clubs, this reading circle is held on the 3rd Sunday of the month at Woods Memorial Library at 3455 N. First Avenue (map). There will not be a program in March, but you can still get your book fix at the Tucson Festival of Books!

 

Please note this is a new location. The program was previously offered at Exo Roast Co.

 

Next up in Rainbow Reads?

Book Chat
Sunday, January 19 from 1 to 3 pm

 

Come ready to share your favorite LGBTQ+ books of all kinds. Gush about your selected book, then add more to your to-read list as others gush about theirs.

 

Book Club
Sunday, February 16 from 1 to 3 pm

 

Stop in for a facilitated discussion about Casey McQuiston's Red, White & Royal Blue, an "exquisite debut" (The New York Times Book Review) that Entertainment Weekly called "A fireworks in the sky, glitter in your hair joyous royal romance."

 

Can't join us in January or February? Don't worry... mark your calendars for other months (no program in March). All programs run from 1 to 3 pm.

April 19
Book Club: In the Dream House

May 17
Book Chat

June 21
Book Club: These Witches Don't Burn

July 19
Book Chat

August 16
Book Club: Gender Queer

September 20
Book Chat

October 18
Book Club: We Have Always Been Here

November 15
Book Chat

December 20
Book Club: This Is How You Lose the Time War

While this is a queer-themed book club, readers across the gender and sexuality spectrum are welcome to attend and engage in fun, respectful dialogue. Light refreshments will be available.

New Year’s Eve at Hacienda del Sol. Not sure where you want to eat for New Year’s, but know you want to eat a lot? Lucky for you, Hacienda del Sol is cooking up a special menu at The Grill, curated by Executive Chef Bruce Yim and his award-winning team. Starters include grilled octopus, tomato crostata, French onion soup, and ahi tartare; Entrées include Kurabota pork chop with white cheddar green chile grits, lobster pot pie, duck breast with candied blood orange, salmon in sweet potato puree, and scallop with shrimp risotto. 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. 5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Road. Prices vary. New Year’s Eve at Sullivan’s. It’s a four-course countdown at Sullivan’s for New Year’s Eve. They’re breaking out many of their signature items for the occasion, including their filet mignon cheesesteak rolls and iceberg lettuce wedge with bleu cheese crumbles. On the menu is also wagyu bone-in strip, grilled asparagus three-cheese mac, lobster bisque and seasonal salmon. And for dessert, they’re serving banana bread pudding, cheesecake, key lime pie and chocolate-covered strawberries. 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. 1785 E. River Road. $85.

NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. If you’re a football fan living in Tucson, you know about the extra holiday that happens in December: the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl! This nationally recognized college football competition features teams from the Mountain West and Sun Belt Conferences, and has been held since 2015. The Arizona Bowl is also a nonprofit that works to support local charities and inspire youth, so it’s an all-around feel-good event. This year, the Wyoming Cowboys face off against the Georgia State Panthers. 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. Arizona Stadium, 1 National Championship Drive. Tickets start at $15.

The Princess Bride. If you want your New Year’s kiss to have a little more magic this year, stop by the Loft Cinema’s special New Year’s Eve screening of this fairy tale classic. Honestly, how many movies are more quotable than this classic? Get in and enjoy it before some inevitable remake spoils the fun for everyone. More than a film screening, this New Year’s Eve party includes props, a pre-show Princess Bride competition, a costume contest and even a free champagne toast at night. What props are involved? Inflatable swords, of course. En garde! 11 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $15.

Monty Python’s Life of Brian. What is organized religion if not something to poke fun at? In Monty Python’s grandest film, the sextet tell the tale of Brian Cohen, born in a manger in Bethlehem who for some reason keeps getting confused for another pious guy. But perhaps the greatest aspect of the Life of Brian isn’t the satire of religion, but the parody of epic Hollywood films of which it is one. And you can’t beat that closing musical number from atop a crucifix, either. For their Tuesday Night Classics series, Harkins Theatres are screening a merry one for the season! 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. 5455 S. Calle Santa Cruz & 5755 W. Arizona Pavilions Drive. $5.

New Year’s Eve at Tap & Bottle. Depending on your penchant for partying, you have two NYE options at Tap & Bottle. T&B’s downtown location is having a classic NYE affair with a champagne toast at midnight, plus a craft beer toast at 5 p.m. There will also be live music from Febbo Fuentes, DJ Carl Hanni and mariachis. T&B’s northside location is hosting a family-friendly “Noon Year’s Eve” with Ciao Down Pizza food truck, face painting, balloon animals, and even a kid-friendly toast at noon. T&B Downtown: 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. 403 N. Sixth Ave. #135. Free. T&B North: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 7254 N. Oracle Road. Free. Tuesday, Dec. 31.

“I am a beautiful 1-year-old girl who will do best in quiet home. I am very shy at first and will enjoy having a safe place to hide. If you give me enough time to get comfortable I will come out and seek ear scratches,” Belinda (872015). Would you like to learn more about Belinda? Give an adoptions counselor a call at 520-327-6088, ext. 173 or visit her at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd.

“Hi friends! I’m a playful boy 1-year-old boy named Rayson. I was transferred to HSSA from another shelter so they don’t know much about my past. They do know I am a sweet boy who deserves a loving family. Could that be with you?” Rayson (881259) Bring your family, dogs included, to meet Rayson at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. For more information give an adoptions counselor a call at 520-327-6088, ext. 173.

A retired University of Arizona professor is in need of support as he recovers from a stroke.

Edward (Ted) Pope and his wife, Claudia, were traveling in Mexico last week when he suffered a "massive" stroke and needed to receive emergency treatment, including two surgeries.

Pope is currently in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and his wife hopes to fly him back to the VA hospital in Tucson in a few days.

Because the stroke and treatment occurred outside the United States, he is not receiving assistance from Medicare or Veterans Affairs.

Family have created a GoFundMe campaign for Pope to help cover some of his medical expenses. 

So far, they have raised $5,385 towards their $40,000 goal.

To contribute to the Edward Pope Recovery Fund, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-this-warrior-scholar-brother-and-father.

In the words of Charles Dickens... "What greater gift than the love of a cat?" And in our opinion, dogs, too!

Join Pima County Public Library in helping homeless pets at Pima Animal Care Center, our community's only open-admission shelter. Between December 16 and January 6, drop off pet supplies at any *Pima County Public Library.

Want to know what's most needed? Check out this holiday wish list:

Most Needed

• Nylabones & Kong Toys
• Collars, leashes, and harnesses
• American-sourced treats, food, toys, and bones
• Kuranda Beds
• Gently-used or new pet beds
• Large towels & small fleece blankets
• Variety of canned cat food

Cats

• ThunderEase Multi-Cat Calming Diffuser
• Feliway Multi-Cat Calming Diffuser
• Gerber baby food (meat flavors)
• BeechNut Chicken and Chicken
• Broth baby food
• PartyMix Cat Treats
• Canned Cat Food (all types and flavors)
• Cat heating pads/blankets

Dogs

• Jif Creamy Peanut Butter
• Adaptil Calming Collars
• Crates & Kennels (all sizes)
• Slow feed dog bowls
• Dog training clickers
• 100% Pure Canned Pumpkin

* Joyner-Green Valley Library and Salazar-Ajo Libraries are not drop off sites.

“Hello, my name is Beatrice. I am a sweet 5-year-old girl who is patiently waiting for my forever family. New environments can be scary for me so I will need to go home with a patient family. Once I become comfortable I become a very outgoing and friendly girl,” Beatrice (877231) Fall in love with Beatrice at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. For more information give an adoptions counselor a call at 520-327-6088, ext. 173.