Monday, March 12, 2018
The group of teens gathered in a science class room at Tucson High are not there to talk biology. They’re talking about how fear of being shot is hindering their studies.
“We want regulations on guns,” said Tucson High junior Vivian Reynoso, president of school’s Human Rights Club. “We want to not be afraid to come to school and worry that someone is going to come in with a gun and shoot us.”
Perhaps living in a time when school shootings are no longer shocking has matured these teens. Like many students who endured the Feb. 14 school shooting in Florida, they are having no problem articulating what they want.
Some want stricter gun regulations. They all want the government to take clear action that sees results. They will all be sharing their ideas of what that action looks like at the March 24 rally, March for Our Lives.
“We’re fighting for this, and this is what we want,” Reynoso said. “We’re gonna keep fighting until they give it to us.”
March for Our Lives—a nationwide rally for better gun regulation and school safety measures—was started by student survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, after 17 people were killed by a former student with a legally-purchased AR-15.
The central march is in Washington D.C., and could be the biggest march, nationwide, since the Women’s March, with close to 600 cities signed up at marchforourlives.com.
Press filled the Tucson High classroom, on Friday afternoon, where about 30 teens from a number of local high schools, including Flowing Wells, Catalina Foothills, University High, Marana High, City High and Tucson High, candidly faced the media’s cameras and spoke of their experience, growing up dealing with gun violence in schools.
“Our safety in school should be the number one concern because no parent should ever have to let their kid go to school and not have their kid come back home,” said Marana High School student Eric Brown. “It shouldn’t be on our minds to be afraid to be in school. Our number one priority is our education—that’s why we’re in school.”
University High sophomore Sharmila Dey said after the Florida shooting, her teachers gave the class a talk about what to do in the event of a school shooting.
Thursday, December 7, 2017
We'll get our first real taste of winter tonight, with the National Weather Service issuing a Freeze Warning for Tucson, with a low of 34 degrees in Tucson, which puts those who live in the elements in immediate danger.
Luckily, the City of Tucson and several nonprofits have programs in place to assist those who find themselves without a shelter this evening.
The Salvation Army, for example, is officially in Operation Deep Freeze, opening its doors at its Tucson Hospitality House (1002 N. Main Avenue) on any night between now and March 30 when the temperature falls below 35 degrees (or 40 degrees with precipitation).
The organization asks the public to donate items to keep people warm, such as coats, blankets, gloves, socks and sweaters.
Donations are accepted at any Naughton's Plumbing location, Vantage Bowling Center, or at the Hospitality House itself. Anyone with questions about the operation can call the shelter at (520) 795-9671.
Operation Freeze
The Tucson Department of Transportation is undertaking preventative measures on all bridge decks around town, to prevent any ice buildup that could cause trouble.
The operation, which kicks off at 2:30 p.m. today, involves placing "Wet Road Ahead" signs at bridge entrances, in addition to spraying magnesium chloride on bridge decks. A total of 58 bridge decks will be sprayed and monitored by the City, and motorists are advised to be extra vigilant of ice buildup while driving.
Also, remember to cover up all plants, or bring potted ones inside to prevent frost, and check any plumbing you have to ensure pipes are well-insulated from the cold.
Tags: Tucson , Cold Weather , Operation Freeze , Operation Deep Freeze , Arizona , National Weather Service
Thursday, October 19, 2017
However, the vocalist also created the iteration of the “Music of James Bond” event she’ll be performing as a part of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s SuperPops! Series, which is something fewer people can lay claim to.
“People have a really deep connection, especially over the last 40 years, to these movies and what they mean,” she said. "It kind of unites everyone, as far as you could be 20 or you could be 80, and you’re a Bond fan.”
She first performed a version of the James Bond show with the Charleston Symphony, and when she realized how much the audience connected to it (and how much fun she had) she wanted to do more. She developed a new arrangement with the arranger, wrote all of the in-between segments (she shares facts about the franchise and actor throughout the show) and started performing it.
“I’m always looking for new, fun things,” she said. “To me, it’s always my job to entertain the people who are coming, but to do it at the highest musical level possible.”
Her favorite part, she said, is getting to sing so many different kinds of music over the course of one show, from Louis Armstrong to Shirley Bassey to Adele.
“You have 60 years of some of the biggest starts in the world kind of giving their talent to the Bond franchise,” she said. “The truth is, it really is all about the music.”
The Music of James Bond will be performed by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, with Scott Terrell conducting and Hilary Kole on vocals. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29, both at the Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. Tickets are available on the TSO website for $15 to $78.
Tags: James Bond , Hilary Kole , The Music of James Bond , TSO , Tucson Symphony Orchestra , Super! Pops , Scott Terrell , Tucson Music Hall , symphony , skyfall , live and let die , goldmember
Friday, October 13, 2017
Completely free of charge.
So if you need a pet spayed or neutered (over 1,200 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered over the first two years, and ASAVET is expecting to provide surgery for about 300 animals this year), head over. If you don’t, head over to their website to make a tax-deductible donation to a good cause.
The ASAVET MEGA Spay and Neuter Event will be held beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14 and Sunday, Oct. 15. at the Old Mission Manor Elementary School, 6105 Santa Clara Ave. Visit AsavetCharities.org or contact Pat Hubbard at [email protected] or 403-6947 to learn more.
Tags: Asavet , asavet charities , spay and neuter , spay , neuter , dog , dogs , cat , cats
Friday, September 29, 2017
Olivia Avanzato, 28, has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She’s been teaching classes at Floor Polish for about a year, teaching styles like “bad-ass tap” and solo salsa.
When Marina Cornelius, the studio’s founder, suggested she teach a couple’s class, Avanzato was having a hard time getting psyched about it. Then she realized what the problem was.
“I’m not excited because I’m not excited about taking couples classes,” she said.
Avanzato lives in Tucson with her partner Nadia, and had never been enthralled by the traditional, very heterosexual nature of most partner classes.
“Anytime I’ve ever taken a couple’s class, I’ve gone by myself, without my partner and done the traditional follow part and danced with a male," she said. "Or I’ve gone to a traditional class and stood in for the lead part.”
So she decided to do something different, something more inclusive for everyone. And she came up with Rainbow Salsa: a monthly dance class for LGBTQ+ couples. The first class was in September, and Avanzato said the couples who attended enjoyed it.
“It was really sweet,” she said. “It was really intimate and loving.”
The classes aren’t limited to same-sex couples–Avanzato wants to make sure that that everyone on the LGBTQ+ spectrum is included.
“I wanted it to be a place where you can dance with your partner and it’s fine,” she said.
Rainbow Salsa classes will be offered once a month at Floor Polish, 215 N. Hoff Ave. #107, and cost $15. The next one is Saturday, Oct. 7 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Tags: rainbow salsa , floor polish , pride , tucson pride , lgbtq , lgbtq+ , salsa , dancing , dancer , olivia avanzato
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Shop Local
Mercado Flea Market. There’s something for everyone at these second Sunday flea markets, which begin this month. Antiques treasures, collectible tchotchkes, vintage pieces, artwork—it’s fun for the whole family. Bring the kids, bring the grandparents. You can bring your own booth if you contact Mercado San Agustin in advance to get the details. But please do not bring fleas. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10. Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento. Free.Good Times Silent Auction. The Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society will be holding at least three silent auctions of cacti and succulents for this extravaplantza. After the auction concludes, a free area of pottery, plants and other garden-related items will open up, along with $2, $5 and $10 tables with items for purchase if you feel like being a big spender. Free ice cream, complete with all the fixins’, will be available as well. 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10. Sky Islands Public High School, 6000 E. 14th St. Free.
Tucson’s Fall Gem Show. The mega-event gem, mineral and fossil showcase isn’t hitting the city until January 2018, but the miniature fall version is this week! Shop for minerals, fossils, gems and beads at venues throughout town, some of which are open to the public. Quartz, turquoise, sterling silver jewelry, jade, crystals and agates are just some of the offerings at the event, where there will be jewelry and gemstones from all over the world. Thursday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. to Sunday, Sept. 10, at 4 p.m. Tucson Expo Center, 3750 E. Irvington Road. $10.
Shows
Free Range Country. The “crown jewel” of Downtown Tucson is about to be joined by some of Tucson’s twangiest jewels. Fox Tucson Theatre is presenting a free concert series in conjunction with Second Saturdays Downtown. Singer Mike Loychick recently took over the vocals for The County Line, bringing a country twist to a group that started off in 2012 as a rock cover band. The Jim Howell Band will be playing songs from their debut album and an EP released in March that speak on humankind’s dichotomies. Tucson native Caiden Brewer, who is influenced by Blake Shelton, Johnny Cash and Lynyrd Skynyrd, will be playing as well. 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress. Free.
Tags: Mercado Flea Market , silent auction , Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society , Fall Gem Show , Free Range Country , Oro Valley , Steam pump ranch , Mike Loychick , Jim Howell Band , Caiden fewer , Amber Norgaard , Little Mermaid , thingamabob , Second SundAZe , TMA , historic properties , La Casa Cordova , J. Knox Corbett House , Etherton Gallery , James G. Davis , Archery after dark , International Wildlife Museum , Mother Earth art reception , daddy day care , daddy boot camp , boot camp for new dads , library , El Rio Riparian Reserve , spelling bee , accommodate , Tap & Bottle , free citizenship classes , Hurricane Harvey , Austin Counts , Tom Wallbank , The Muffulettas , Miss Olivia & The Interlopers , Nobody aka Willis Earl Beal , Chris Hall , Christopher T. Stevens , flycatcher , RiP Factory review , Odaiko Sonora , Flam Chen , Sol Axe , dueling pianos , putt for paws , dogs , bubbles , lights , Glow! Light the sky , Nightcrawler , lithe Shivas , So Pitted , Beth Hart , Dwight Smith
Friday, September 1, 2017
Before today, there were only eight states that had full coverage from Lyft, but this gives them the largest coverage area of any ride sharing company in the U.S. (we're looking at you, Uber), with services available to 94 percent of the U.S. population (287 million people).
Although Uber's ride service launched in Tucson several years ago and its food delivery service launched in the city last month, Lyft’s introduction will offer residents an alternative to Uber, which has been entrenched in controversy over the last year.
Tags: Uber , Lyft , ride sharing
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
The Obama-era ruling protects close to 800,000 people whose parents brought them into the country, undocumented, as children. DACA makes it legal for them to work, get a driver's license, pay in-state tuition to college and to live their lives without fear of deportation.
"We continue to hear these threats against DACA," said Jessica Rodriguez, a member of the humanitarian organization Living United for Change in Arizona. "This is not going to stop. We're going to continue to take the streets. We're going to continue to call on our officials. We are not going to stop."
Immigration attorney Mo Goldman said to focus energy toward local elected officials.
"Call out representatives like Rep. McSally, who has said that she supports the DACAmented community and the Dreamers," he said. "She's been out there. She said it, and she needs to be held accountable. She needs to be on the phone talking to the White House."
Tags: DACA , dreamers , Tucson , City Hall , Here to stay , Martha McSally
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
The focus of Tucsonans Against Racism Protest and Rally was County Supervisor Ally Miller, who announced her white pride on Facebook, only hours after a white supremacist mowed down a crowd of protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 12. For the last week, citizens and fellow board members implored her to apologize for her comments.
And now it seems the time for apologies has passed, at least for the hundreds that gathered on Tucson’s downtown. People want her gone. It was no accident this rally was planned on the day Trump addressed supporters in Phoenix. Inside the Phoenix Convention Center, Trump hinted at pardoning former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio for illegally continuing racist practices, and Trump decried the “very dishonest media,” blaming them for the backlash to his “many sides” statement following Charlottesville. Outside, thousands protested and were finally dispersed when police set off tear gas into the crowd. In Tucson, people chanted—families with toddlers in strollers, old ladies waving American flags, teenagers standing up for their future.
People of every age, creed and color shouted, “This is what democracy looks like,” and held their signs high as cars passed, honking their approval.
Tags: Ally Miller , Pima County Board of Supervisors , Tucsonans Against Racism Protest and Rally , Slideshow
Monday, August 14, 2017
Sunday, Aug. 13: We were late. Ten minutes behind the hundreds of marchers, and a four-year-old in tow. The photographer offered us a shaded seat until they circled back. But this was no time to sit still. Hate and intolerance had once more surfaced on a national level at the Charlottesville, Virginia white nationalist march. We paused to remove a rock from my son's shoe, and that's when we met Faith. She is pregnant and tired. But it feels too isolating and helpless to stay at home today. We stop for water and a hug at one of three aid stations along the route. All this organization in less than a day—no sirens, no helicopters. Then we hear the chant, "Through love, not hate, let's make America great." Black and gay, Mexican and Muslim, all were walking in unison.
As we passed frat row, six white guys hung together jeering, "Blue Lives Matter." An angry student paused to take their picture. "So that's what privilege looks like," he yells back. Then the black man beside me lays a hand on the marcher's shoulder, "They've just never had something bad happen in their lives yet." A woman up front starts to sing, "And you will know that we are family by our love, by our love." When we hit the 4th Avenue tunnel, our collective voice resounds through the streets. "And you will know that we are family by our love."
