Monday, January 21, 2019
Tucson's Unscrewed Theater announced a program called "Furlough Freebies, Taking the Money Out of Funny." Starting Jan. 18 all federal employees with federal ID's can see any show for free.
Unscrewed Theater's executive director Chris Seidman said that the free shows were inspired by a member of Unscrewed Theater, making the government shutdown hit home.
“Unscrewed Theater’s very own volunteer Gayla Gongwer is a federal employee who has been hit by this unfortunate shutdown" Seidman said in a release.
The theater is working to alleviate some of the stress on federal workers through comedy. The non-profit improv theater released a statement:
“Unscrewed Theater” wants to remind all of the federal workers in our community that they are not facing this very difficult time alone.Another local business is getting in on the giving with a promotion on alignment. KS Mission Automotive is giving away free alignments for government employees during the shutdown. For more information visit ksmission.com.
Some restaurants around town that are offering free food specials are breakfast at Hotel McCoy, burgers and mac and cheese at Pastiche and a buffet at Saffron Indian Bistro.
Tags: government shutdown , furloughed workers , federal employees , comedy , Unscrewed Theater , free shows , freebies , laughs , alignments , KS Mission Automotive , car service , specials , food , Hotel McCoy , Pastiche , Saffron Indian Bistro , good deeds , community , Image
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Local author and artist Kimi Eisele remembers Stella Tucker who passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 9. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 19 at San Xavier beginning at 9 a.m.
Tohono O’odham elder and teacher Stella Tucker passed away on January 9, 2019 at the age of 71, surrounded by family. Stella, a mother of three daughters, was known publicly for her work upholding the tradition of the annual baidaj, or saguaro fruit harvest, a tradition she learned from her parents, grandparents, and her late aunt, Juanita Ahil.
Juanita Ahil harvested from desert lands west of Tucson, lands that in 1961 were designated by U.S. Department of the Interior as Saguaro National Monument. That designation threatened the camp as officials initially prohibited the continued harvest. Friends and educators from the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum wrote a letter on behalf of Ahil prompting then-Secretary of the Interior Stuart Udall to grant permission for the harvest to continue.
Stella took over the camp in 1994 after Ahil’s death and received a special permit from Saguaro National Park every year to continue the harvest. (Saguaro National Monument was upgraded to a National Park in 1994.)
For 25 years, Stella received visitors, students, scientists, artists, and family at the camp to share with them the declining tradition of saguaro harvesting and promote the interrelationship between the O’odham people, the saguaro cactus, and the Sonoran Desert. She also taught many workshops at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
Stella’s primary interest was engaging Tohono O’odham youth in order to keep the tradition alive. She expressed gratitude that her daughter, Tanisha Tucker, had joined her in running the camp and offering workshops. In a 2017 issue of Edible Baja Arizona magazine, Stella said, “It’s a dying culture. One day nobody will know how to do it. I want them to learn. It’s really important to me that they learn and keep this culture going.”
Tina Vavages-Andrew, the Ancestral Ranger at Saguaro National Park, organized educational visits to the camp for nearly 50 schoolchildren and others every year. “Stella was very patient and willing to share the knowledge she possessed. I most enjoyed her personal stories of her harvesting experiences,” said Vavages-Andrew.
Barbara Rose, who runs of Bean Tree Farm and offers workshops about desert foods, met Stella in the mid-1990s when she went to help her harvest saguaro fruit. “Stella shared her homeland so graciously with all who came to Saguaro Camp. We were fortunate to experience her love and care for the desert and its gifts, the sweetness of its fruits. She kept generations of wisdom safe, and now her daughter Tanisha carries that love and wisdom forward. We will miss her,” Rose said.
In 2018 Stella was awarded a Master-Apprentice Artist Award from the Southwest Folklife Alliance in honor of her work upholding, preserving, and teaching the tradition. The award supported her work in passing along the tradition to her daughter, Tanisha Tucker.
Tags: Tohono O’odham , teacher , Stella Tucker , obituary , memorial , San Xavier , baidaj , saguaro fruit harvest , Saguaro National Park , Image
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Either way, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Southern Arizona is challenging all junior culinarians to submit their healthiest (and most delicious) side dishes for a chance to win plenty of prizes, including the title of Arizona’s Top Kid Chef.
The ninth annual Walk On! Kids Cooking Challenge launched on Jan. 1, and runs through Wednesday, Jan. 23. Children between the ages of 9 and 12 years old living anywhere in Arizona can participate.
Recipes should be for “delicious, nutritious and kid-friendly” side dishes, and can be submitted online at walkonaz.com. Finalists will serve their submissions at a Phoenix Suns home game Monday, Feb. 4 and compete to win prizes.
Recipe submissions must be an original recipe for a hot or cold side dish, include at least one fruit and/or vegetable and be cooked within 20 minutes (not including prep time).
“Year after year I am in awe of the creations these kid chefs come up with,” said Myrna Collins, health promotion executive, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, in a release. “The contest inspires participants to try nutrient-rich ingredients like quinoa, cabbage, avocados, beets and zucchini, which are foods many kids shy away from. It’s also a great opportunity for parents to work side by side with their kids in the kitchen, trying fruits and vegetables in new ways.”
The top five recipes will be selected by a panel of experts based on nutritional value, taste and originality. After the cooking demonstrations, recipes will be posted online for a public vote. Voting will be open from Feb. 4 through Feb. 15.
Tags: chow , healthy eating , food , cooking , chef , children , kids , Arizona , Blue Cross Blue Shield , Kids Healthy Cooking , contest competition , Image
Monday, January 7, 2019
While the company recently announced its intentions, the plan is contingent upon approval of the primary jobs incentive by the Tucson’s City Council and closing on the land purchase.
The eastside hospital follows an announcement last May when Northwest shared plans to build an 18-bed neighborhood hospital and medical offices facility in Sahuarita that will open in early 2020.
“We stepped outside of our ‘northwest’ footprint more than eight years ago when we opened an urgent care in Green Valley,” said Kevin Stockton, Regional President and Market CEO for Northwest Healthcare, in a release. “Since then, our commitment to deliver quality care at convenient access points throughout Pima County has not wavered. We have long wanted to provide acute care services for residents on the east side of Tucson. With the success of our freestanding emergency room and physician clinics in Vail, this new hospital is a logical and very exciting next step.”
According to Northwest, the eastside hospital will offer a “broad range of services designed to keep residents close to home.” Expected services will include an emergency room, cardiac cath lab, comprehensive surgical services, labor and delivery including a NICU, outpatient imaging and a medical office building housing primary care, orthopedics, cardiology and OB/GYN.
Joe Snell, president and CEO of Sun Corridor Inc., said, “With the addition of nearly 600 jobs, this expansion of Northwest Healthcare will deepen the healthcare assets on the east side of our region.”
Sun Corridor also announced the news via press release, welcoming Northwest Healthcare’s expanded footprint in Southern Arizona.
"Access to quality healthcare is always a top concern of both area employers and site selectors, and we congratulate Northwest on choosing Tucson and southern Arizona once again," Snell said.
Northwest Healthcare already includes Northwest Medical Center, Oro Valley Hospital, Northwest Emergency Centers in Vail and Marana, five Northwest Urgent Care locations, The Women’s Center at Northwest, Northwest Allied Physicians, Northwest Cardiology, Northwest Tucson Surgery Center, Tucson Surgery Center and Center for Pain Management.
Tags: Northwest , Medical Center , hospital , Tucson , Eastside , healthcare , Image
Shot in the Dark Cafe announced that on Jan. 25 its always-open doors will close.
One of Tucson's last standing 24 hour cafes, this longstanding Tucson establishment attributes their closure to increased rent and gentrification of downtown. They wrote on Facebook:
While their location on Broadway will close, Shot in the Dark hopes to open a new location in Tucson to keep their business going. The new location has not yet been announced.
The announcement of the cafe's closure has stirred up a mix of emotions online, from fans and haters both. While many are sad to see the cafe close, others are happy to see it go and applaud the continual development of downtown.
Shot in the Dark is one of many recent closures of small businesses forced out by rent hikes and new development, including The Flycatcher and Revolutionary Grounds.
Tags: Shot in the Dark , cafe , closing , closed , 24 hours , restaurant , Broadway , downtown , Tucson , Image
Speed Dating Event for All Singles Ages 40s & 50s. Well... why not? If you're single and ready to mingle, but want to try something besides online dating or hitting the bar scene or starting to go to church again just so you can possibly run into someone nice, then why not try speed dating? You meet live people, you don't exchange any information unless you want to, and—because it's SPEED dating—if a conversation with someone goes horribly, you're not stuck with them for the whole excruciating night. 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7. Playground Bar & Lounge, 278 E. Congress St. $32. Details here.
Space Mutiny. For their recurring Mondo Mondays series, The Loft Cinema is showing a sci-fi flick as inspired and unique as its name suggests. Directed by the choreographer for the Star Wars Holiday Special, this B-movie is a cheesy mish-mash of lasers, spaceships, nonsensical dialogue, baffling plot choices and everything else you could hope for. 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7. 3233 East Speedway Boulevard. $4. Details here.
Send Us Your Photos:
If you go to any of the events listed above, snap a quick pic and message it to us for a chance to be featured on our social media sites! Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @tucsonweekly.
Events compiled by Tirion Morris, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.
Tags: things to do , do this , fun in general , science , beer , speed dating , playground , movies , film , Image , Video
Friday, January 4, 2019
After seven cases involving the illegal shooting of wildlife last month, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking the public to be more aware of such incidents and report any suspicious activity.
The incidents, two in Sierra Vista and the rest in the greater Tucson area, involved wildlife being either dead on arrival for treatment, or euthanized. The animals included two Cooper’s hawks, two javelina, a great horned owl, a red-tailed hawk and a raven.
“These cases involving birds are violations of state and federal law, and the javelina case is against state law,” said Regional Supervisor Raul Vega of Game and Fish in Tucson, in a release. “BB and pellet guns are not legal means of hazing away nuisance wildlife. In addition, youngsters need to be taught that wildlife is not to be used for target practice.”
According AZGFD, the maximum penalty for a felony violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act is a $250,000 fine and two years in prison.
To report suspicious activity or suspected violations to Operation Game Thief, call 800-352-0700.
Tags: safety , crime , animals , nature , protected , BB guns , pellet guns , javelina , hawks , owls , Image
Thursday, January 3, 2019
John Slaughter's Changing West: Tombstone, Bullets, and Longhorns. If your New Year's resolution was to start incorporating more art into your life, there are so, so many opportunities in Tucson to do it. For example, head over to the Arizona History Museum to see their ongoing exhibit about the Slaughter family. In the wake of the OK Corral shootout, Sheriff John helped bring peace to Cochise County so it could be safer for his cattle, his wife and daughter and—ultimately—all of the people there were to come. The Slaughters were living in the period where large cattle ranching was just coming to an end, so the exhibit explores the transitional nature of the period. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Arizona History Museum, 949 E. Second St. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 student adults, $4 students 7 to 17. Free for kids 6 and under, veterans and museum members. Details here.
Free First Thursday at the Tucson Museum of Art. It's the very first Thursday of the new year, and you know what you gotta do! Seize the day! Soak up some art! And do it for free! As always, there will be live music, art-making and a cash bar. Be sure to check out the 30 Americans exhibit, featuring sounds by Mother Tierra. And enjoy conversations in the galleries with the Southern Arizona Psychological Association. This is the year you're finally going to be able to confidently answer the question, "What's your favorite painting?" or "Who's your favorite artist?" 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 N. Main Ave. Free. Details here.
We Are All Kin: Intro to Shamanic Animism. If you're wondering what the hell Intuitive Shamanic Animism is, well, that's exactly why this event exists: to explain it to ya. Shamanic practitioner and founder of Intuitive Shamanic Animism, Quynn Red Mountain, will also help you explore questions like "What do I do with my intuitive abilities in this world?" "How can these ideas help you live more fully in the dreamed reality of our culture?" and "How can I enhance and share my intuitive gifts?" When has some serious, deep self reflection ever served you wrong? 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3. Web of Life-Intuitive Shamanic Animists, 2016 E. Broadway Blvd. Requested donation $10 to $20. No one will be turned away. Offer what you can. Details here.
Odyssey Storytelling Presents: Magical. What does the word "magical" make you think of? For some, it's childhood stories by Edward Eager or J.K. Rowling. For others, it's the way the air feels right before it's about to snow. Others' minds go to angels, or first kisses or watching a baby take her first steps. There's magic all around us! Hear Tucson storytellers, including Miles Schneiderman, Bella Vivante, Kermie Wohlenhaus, Joe Silins and Stephen Hall, share their stories about magic in a night curated by Ana Gaskin. 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3. Sea of Glass Center for the Arts, 330 E. Seventh St. $10, or $7 for students with ID. Details here.
Tags: things to do , Tucson events , Thursday , Jan. 3 , start the weekend , music , art , comedy , Image
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Pima County recommends using top-water lures or weedless lures and are asking that grass carp are not taken.
Beginning in the summer the pond will be restored to increase its depth by removing sediment build-up, reducing water loss from the bottom of the pond and replanting cattails inside containers to control the spread of the invasive plants. The overall goal of the restoration is to conserve water as the natural spring has not produced measurable flows since 2014.
Agua Caliente Park is home to a seasonal warm spring and ponds that host a rich environment filled with diverse plants and animals. After Pond 1 is restored there will be no fishing, so grab your gear and head out to the water for this one-time opportunity!
Agua Caliente Park is located at 12325 E. Roger Road and is open from 7 a.m to sunset.
Tags: community info , things to do , Agua Caliente Park , fish , fishing , fun , Image
Starting Jan. 22, the hill will be inaccessible while University of Arizona crews pulverize the current road to create a base for the new asphalt road. The process is expected to take two weeks, with reopening scheduled for Feb. 1
"We see this as a huge opportunity to improve a road that has outlasted its time," said Ben Wilder, director of Tumamoc Hill, in a release. "After more than three decades, the new road will look and feel better to those who use it to exercise, and it also will assist with the Desert Lab's mission of research and education."
Tumamoc is an 860-acre ecological reserve and U.S. National Historic Landmark owned and operated by the UA in partnership with Pima County. The Desert Laboratory at Tumamoc was created in 1902 by Andrew Carnegie, beginning more than 100 years of ecological research on the hill, which is a rich resource for scientists and other researchers who study its plants, animals and other features.
According to the UA, the cost of the new road is approximately $200,000. The university will invest half, with the UA College of Science raising the rest through a crowdfunding campaign at crowdfund.arizona.edu/tumamocroad.
Edith Sykes Lowell and David Lowell are providing a dollar-for-dollar match up to $50,000. Sykes Lowell is the granddaughter of Godfrey Sykes, one of Tumamoc Hill's early scientists.
Tags: Tumamoc , repaving , road , exercise , two weeks , Jan 22 , Tumamoc Hill , UA , Image
