Tucson's St. Mark's Presbyterian Church wants you to come party with them in the name of marriage equality. 

On Sunday, the congregation invites the public to come down to More Light Sunday, where there will be a celebration for the progress the country's made with same-sex marriage laws. More than half of the U.S. has legalized it. 

More than 200 churches are part of the More Light Presbyterian. The church recently amended its constitution to define marriage between two people. The positive progress nationally toward marriage equality inspired the theme of the party to be "abundance."

"We are a faith community that is willing to take risks for progress on social justice. Since the founding of St. Mark’s we have embraced advocacy on behalf of civil rights... shelter for vulnerable women and children, the Sanctuary Movement, justice and safety for immigrants, and the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in the life of the church and society. Our commitment to justice is in our DNA," the church's website says. 

The service begins at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mark's, 3809 E. 3rd Street. It also can't hurt that our own Reveille Men's Chorus and Desert Voices will sign a few tunes.

Same-sex couples in Arizona have been allowed to wed since Oct. 17, 2014.

Here's a bit of what Mari Herrera's wrote about that day on This is What Equality Looks Like:

After state after state had anti-same-sex marriage laws declared unconstitutional, Arizona that morning became the 32nd state to have a U.S. District Court judge rule its same law also unconstitutional. At that point, the only perceived holdup was the state.

Would state Attorney General Tom Horne appeal? Supposedly we wouldn't know until Monday, when Horne was expected to have a press conference. In what seemed like an uncharacteristic reality check at the Capitol up north, Horne's press conference was rescheduled to late Friday morning to announce there would be no appeal and that counties across the state could start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples immediately.

Ready. Set. Go.

I call the Pima County Office of the Clerk, and the clerk who answers the phone says happily and breathlessly, "Yes, today, people can come down right now and get licenses. Isn't this exciting?," With phones ringing in the background, he has to go, dozens of people are calling asking the same thing, and "Can we come down today and get a marriage license?"

The county, in anticipation that a federal judge would soon overturn Arizona's anti-marriage equality law after the 9th Circuit ruled earlier in the month that similar laws in Idaho and Nevada were unconstitutional, had said it could have new licenses with spouse replacing husband and wife on new licenses printed up as soon as Monday, Oct. 20.

Grab your biggest blanket and head to the Demeester Performing Arts Pavilion at Reid Park this summer for free movie events that are fit for the whole family. 

From June 6 until August 14, the Southern Arizona Arts and Culture Alliance and Cox Communications will be showing five movies in the park. The free, all ages events take place starting at 5:30 p.m. when attendees can do a range of activities like face painting, crafts, balloons and more. Food trucks will also be on-site for the events.

Then when the sun sets, approximately 7:45 p.m., the movies will begin. Those interested in going are encouraged to bring their own seating, be it chairs or blankets, to Reid Park located at 900 S. Randolph Way.

Here's the full line-up of movie events.
June 6: Big Hero 6
June 19: Shrek
July 17: Frozen
July 31: How to Train Your Dragon 2
August 14: The Princess Bride

There is a two-day camp and educational conference (hosted by Apache Stronghold) this weekend to learn about future actions in the fight to protect Oak Flat. 

Drive down there early tomorrow morning. The Protect Sacred Oak Flat Conference and Apache Stronghold Spiritual Gathering starts at 11 a.m. with traditional Apache songs, followed by a free concert featuring Native American artists like Nataanii Means and Frank Waln, DJ ScapeGoat and Indigenize. At 5 p.m. that day, you can have some reflection time with the Apache Mountain Spirit Dances, who will also do a blessing ceremony for everyone present.

On Sunday, the advocacy portion kicks off at 9 a.m. Afterwards, there's a look into art as a positive outlet for youth, an eco tour to experience Oak Flat and "introduce participants to the land being threatened and under attack," a press release said. During the spiritual tour, visitors can get a better understanding of the San Carlos Apache Tribe and the Yavapai-Apache Nation's view of Oak Flat as a holy ground.

"Apache Community meeting in Oak Flat campground with the San Carlos community will discuss future work and present an action plan for protecting Oak Flat," the release said.

There will free dinner both days, but bring your own camping gear. 

Do it. 

For more info, visit the Saving Oak Flat campsite Facebook page.

Here's a great summary by Tim Vanderpool about why you should care:

Oak Flat hits close to home for the San Carlos Apache Tribe and the Yavapai-Apache Nation. Both consider the spot, in the high desert outside the former mining town of Superior, to be holy ground. They have conducted sacred ceremonies there since forever.

And since early February, a group called Apache Stronghold has also staged a gritty, ongoing occupation at the site.

As it happens, the Apaches aren't the only ones who care about Oak Flat. Multi-national mining companies likewise harbor deep affection for this place, since it's perched atop a huge copper deposit. Arizona Sen. John McCain cares, too. For years, legislation that would trade away Oak Flat to the mining companies felt flat from lack of support. So in 2014, McCain finally slipped it into an unrelated military spending bill. Subsequently, Oak Flat now belongs to the Resolution Copper Co., which is jointly owned by international mining companies Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton.

It all started really innocently. I laid there on my bed in the familiar comfort of my home, one arm cradled under my head, the other drawing small circles across my right breast. Everything seemed to feel right, though somehow at the age of 25 I seemed to know so little about what was “normal” for my body.

I cross referenced the article on my nightstand, guidelines for a self-breast exam I happened to stumble upon, before moving to my left side. As a long-time hypochondriac, I felt like I had won something with the exciting nothing I found in that first breast.

In the last little swirl of my fingertips on breast number two, the rapid beating of my now terrified heart was not the only abnormality I found.

I held my breath as I pushed around a small, pea sized lump that seemed to float unanchored under the surface. I pushed it around like droplets of water under Saran Wrap. I pinched and squeezed it, hoping that like some inconvenient pimple I could pop it and make it go away. I hoped it was just another unlikely illness I had diagnosed myself with online.

After an hour of obsessively fondling myself, I only knew one thing. I had a lump in my breast and I had never been so scared. Could it really be that before I hit 30, the dreaded C word was growing quietly in my body?

Breast cancer is the second largest cause of death in women, affecting an estimated 220,000 women in the United States annually, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This form of cancer is often treatable if detected early.


While abnormalities found in a women’s breast do not always mean cancer, investigating any changes promptly are critical. In the case that is serious, time is of the essence.

My own lump turned out to be a benign cyst, something my doctor said was quite common in young women in their 20s. This was a huge weight lifted, literally, off my chest. I had carried that fear silently, alone, for two weeks before I scheduled an ultrasound.

The effectiveness of self-breast exams has become a topic of debate within the healthcare community. At one time, the practice of feeling for lumps in one’s own breasts with circular motions of the fingers was a commonly recommended procedure for early breast cancer detection. Recently, the recommendation of monthly self-exams for women aged 20 and up, has been withdrawn.

Tucson's very own live late night talk show is wrapping up its first year on the stage of The Flycatcher and you won't want to miss the show. Romo Tonight Live, hosted by Steven Romo, is celebrating its "season finale" with local comedians, musicians, a bartending competition and more on Sunday, May 31. 

If you haven't seen Romo's show before, which happens on the last Sunday of every month, think of it like any other late night talk show a la Conan or Jimmy Fallon except you don't have to go to New York or L.A. to be in the audience. Plus, each show is jam packed with guests, featuring the folks in Tucson that are making the town a more fun, interesting or generally better place.

For Sunday's show, guests include comedians Josiah Osego and Henry Barajas, magician Kenny Stewart and Jared McKinley showing off their new Yacht Rock white wine, comic maker and cosplayer Frank Powers, Jes Baker of the Body Love Conference, mountain climber Adrea Richmond and stripper Alexa Michelle answering audience questions. House band Dirty P and the Thunderchiefs, as well as WHOOPS!, will be providing the evening's music.

This month's event will also feature a vodka-centric cocktail competition that will pit bartenders Karl Goranowski, Erick Bornmann, and Matt Martinez against each other in a cocktail quiz off.

You can catch all of that Sunday starting at 9:30 p.m. at The Flycatcher, located at 340 E. Sixth St. Ticket will be sold at the door the day of the show for $5.

Ideas make the world go round. One idea can give birth to another, which could possibly impact entire communities. So what makes an idea worth sharing?

Nonprofit think collaborative, TED, has been sharing ideas and voices from individuals of all walks of life globally since 1984. Originally created to speak on topics of technology, entertainment and design, the foundation now presents short talks covering almost every subject imaginable.

On Thursday, May 28, the women of Tucson will have their first opportunity to take part in TED’s knowledge spreading mission.

The TEDWomen conference is a three-day event in Monterey, Calif. gathering unique voices on women’s issues. While attending the event in person is costly at $2,500, a session of the conference is being offered for free via a live stream to Tucsonans.

TEDxStarrPassWomen will take place at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd., from 6 to 9 p.m. During the event, participants will view seven 18-minute TED Talks addressing the theme, “Momentum. Moving forward. Gaining speed. Building traction.” Speakers include Mary Robinson, Jimmy Carter, Sakena Yacoobi, Memory Banda and more.

Guests will then discuss the ideas presented, network and share ideas about community enrichment in an "All Five Senses" reception starting at 7:45 p.m.
All men, women and children are invited to attend this free idea-sharing event, continuing TED’s work to spark global conversation about the issues that affect our world most.

For more information or to RSVP by email, visit tedxstarrpasswomen.com.

Tucson and other Southern Arizona towns will be part of the worldwide marches against Monsanto happening Saturday. 

Aside from the usual demands for a global ban of the company's seed monopoly and toxic herbicides, some of the protests happening on U.S. soil hope to influence "no" votes for a bill in Congress— which has been nicknamed the DARK Act—that would prohibit states from creating and implementing their own GMO labeling laws, giving the U.S. Health and Human Services sole discretion on the issue. If it passes, it would overturn legislation in places like Connecticut, which became the first state to require GMO labeling. The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (critics call it the Deny Americans the Right to Know Act) is up for a vote next month. 

Anti-GMO advocates have tried passing labeling bills for years. Another was introduced this legislative session, but went nowhere. 

The Tucson march is hosted by GMO-Free Tucson and Avalon Organic Gardens & EcoVillage. If you're down, head down to the Pima County Public Library, 101 N. Stone Ave., at 4 p.m. There will be music and healthy eats from Food For Ascension Café and other food trucks (all GMO-less, of course).

If you're up for a road trip, the demonstration in Sierra Vista starts at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park, 3105 E. Fry Blvd.

I did Odyssey Storytelling in April and, trust me, it is not as terrifying as it sounds. I mean, right before they call your name, your blood pressure might drop down, way down, but once you are on stage, it is dark enough to make you think you're just chatting with your friends. It also helps to have a couple of drinks beforehand.

(My friend Tony Panigua, who is a TV producer in my old stomping grounds, Arizona Public Media, kinda forced me to do it, but I'm happy to have gotten that phobia of public speaking out of the way.)

The theme for that month was rules, so I shared a few unwritten/made up rules from my weird, little country Guatemala.

Anyway, the Odyssey friends need storytellers for next month's show: Taboo. 

If you have been thinking about participating, this is a fun topic and I am kind of envious. I will be in Guatemala those days, otherwise I would sign up. I have one or two offensive stories in mind.

From the Odyssey folks:

We know that one of you out there has a story about something that NO ONE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT! Sex. Religion. Death. Money. Politics. If you have a story to tell, contact [email protected] or [email protected]

And we hope to see you all at this provocative show! 

Don't worry, you get to rehearse a week before the show and hear good insight from fellow storytellers.

Odyssey happens on June 4 at The Screening Room.

Come on, scratch this off your bucket list. 

As you should already know (because you should have already read the introduction and started your ballot—you only have until June 15 to participate in the first round!), this year's Best of Tucson® theme is Our Ink Stained Heart. 

In case you missed it:

Tucson leaves an impression. It doesn't matter if you grew up picking cholla out of your shins or if you just stopped by for few years at the UA, Tucson pens itself on everyone. And, like the tattoos so many of us desert rats bear, we carry our Tucson with us—through the holes in the road, the sweaty summers and that gentrification our commenters love to complain about.

The fact is, Tucson has an ink stained heart—fragile, strong, in love, in pain, but definitely covered in ink. Our ink. It's true, we newspaper folk have ink-stained everything... but Tucson stains souls. We'll show you in this year's Best of Tucson®—that's the theme of our annual guide to all things good and loved in the Old Pueblo.

Now, we want to see your ink. We need to illustrate our Best Of edition and we thought, hey, maybe our readers have some tattoos that might do the trick. Now, we are specifically looking for heart tattoos (what have you got? Maybe something anatomical? Something a little abstract? Textual?)  that we might be able to use to pair with the ballot but we're also looking for some cool tattoos for the issue as well. (You have a pizza tattoo? We have a pizza category! Literary tattoo? We have several book categories! Tooth/Lisa Frank/color-by-numbers tattoos? We have—well, nothing, but we might still want them in the paper).

The Food and Drug Administration's proposal to go from a lifetime blood donation ban for gay and bisexual men to a one-year (as long as you are abstinent) is up for public discussion for at least the next month. It sounds like good news, but the one-year-no-sex rule doesn't make LGBT rights advocacy groups happy. They have been calling the changes a "de facto lifetime ban."

The wording continues to drag on rules that have been based on discriminatory stereotypes. 

“As the (American Civil Liberties Union) made clear late last year, this inadequate proposal must be seen as part of an ongoing process and not an end point. Deferral decisions should be based on activities presenting an elevated risk, not on the identity of a person or that person’s partner. The reality for the vast majority of gay and bisexual men is that this policy continues to stigmatize their intimate relationships and will indefinitely bar them from donating. In addition, this proposal leaves open the possibility that transgender individuals will continue to be needlessly barred from being able to donate," an ACLU statement said earlier this week. 

The lifetime ban has been in place since the early 1980s.

The FDA first announced the changes in December. At the time, the ACLU came at them demanding they base their prohibitions on science not backward stereotypes. 

Here's the proposal and make sure to comment on this abstinence nonsense: click here.