Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Because of voters who approved proposition 415 in 2014, PACC now runs a modern animal care facility that saves many lives.
Party with the Pets will be on Dec. 2 to from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include behind the scenes tours every hour throughout the event, activities for kids, music, giveaways, adoptions specials, a dedication ceremony and more!
The dedication ceremony will take place from noon to 1 p.m. with speakers including PACC Director Kristen Auerbach, Pima County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Elías, County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, Oro Valley Council member Rhonda Piña, Friends of PACC Chair Tammi Barrick and PACC advocate Laura O'Brien. There will also be a celebratory cake.
The scheduled events, activities and demonstrations include PACC trivia for a chance to win prizes from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., shopping for Fido and Fifi at 1:45 p.m. where you have to get everything for your pet at the store without breaking the bank, Cat Clicker Training from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn how to get your cat to give you a high-five and PACC Saved Me testimonials hourly to meet some of the “top save” pets and hear their story.
There will be information booths from PACC Volunteer, Animal Protection Services, Friends of PACC, PetSmart, Sheriff’s Department Crisis K-9's and Primavera Foundation.
Tags: PACC , Pima Animal Care Center , animals , music , prizes , activities , kids , families , rescue , trivia , tours , ceremony , adoption , Image
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Three high school students who were in summer internships with the UA Bioinformatics Laboratory will leave high school being published scientific authors.
Usually only college students and graduates have the opportunity to be co-authors in scientific published work, but Liam Wilson, Wesley Chiu and Minsu Pumarejo each were able to complete a summer data science internship in a bioinformatics lab in the Center for Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistics at the University of Arizona.
Wesley Chiu is a senior at Basis Tucson North High School and initially had an interest in biology. After the internship, Chiu said he learned more about databases, querying and their connection to the real world application.
"We have don't a lot of programing in class, but this has really opened my eyes to the possibility of integrating programming to solving problems affecting humanity right now," Chiu said.
Though the internship, the three students participated in a four year computational biology project that analyzed 'junk DNA,' an area of the DNA that does not produce proteins and where diseases can derive from. These regions of the DNA are still not completely understood and account for 97 percent of the human genome.
UA researchers analyzed the shared molecular mechanisms between diseases and found 398 new links among approximately 16,000 potential combinations.
The continuous work of Dr. Li and Dr. Lussier in this study has the potential to contribute new solutions of preventive and treatment plans for diseases, lowering healthcare costs and can decrease mortality rates for patients.
Tags: science , biology , high school , university , internship , Image
Crowder graduated in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Middle-Eastern and North African Studies. She has been working in Turkey since she was a teenager helping people displaced by political and cultural conflict.
The Rhodes Scholarship comes from a British Charity to honor the will of Cecil J. Rhodes, a 19th-century business magnate and politician. The scholarship is given to those who have shown a commitment and dedication to a betterment of the world.
Intellect, character, leadership, commitment to service and awareness of inequity are some of the characteristics that Crowder was chosen for.
Crowder will head to Oxford in the fall to pursue her doctorate in international relations. She also recently received the UA 2018 Global Excellence Award in recognition of her contribution to the field of global education and service.
Learn more about Crowder here.
Tags: Rhodes Scholar , University of Arizona , Tucson , Oxford University , Global Excellence Award , Middle-Eastern Studies , Leah Crowder , Image
Monday, November 26, 2018
This film shows that sometimes the drama behind the camera is more interesting than the drama in front of it. This film is considered by many to be Truffaut’s masterpiece and one of the greatest foreign films of all time.
The film won the 1974 BAFTA Award for Best Film, the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Valentine Cortese from the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics. The film was also screened out of competition at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival.
“Widescreen Wednesday” is a series of screened movies about film and television from the School of Theatre, Film and Television. At each screening, a faculty member introduces a favorite film of their choice and talks about the film’s history and its importance to the entertainment industry. A Bachelor of Fine Art film student will enhance select screenings with a presentation of a short film.
The film will be shown at the UA Center for Creative Photography. Find more details about the event here.
Tags: film , television , theatre , widescreen , camera , movies , history , entertainment , presentation , movie , Image
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Opting out of a trip to the mall to shop online is nothing new, neither is the shifting of the retail scene, but the growing trend that favors FedEx over Forever 21, could mark the end of physical shopping experience: the 'retail apocalypse.'
"The difference this time is how much power consumers now have in affecting change through their choices and the feedback they're able to provide retailers online," said Sabrina Helm, a UA associate professor in the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Helm and her colleagues decided to survey over 400 consumers about their shopping habits and perceptions of today's retail environment. They also "analyzed over 1,600 comments made on online news articles written about store closures or the evolving retail environment," according to the press release.
The results were published in the Journal of Retailing and Customer Services Navigating the 'retail apocalypse': A framework of consumer evaluations of the new retail landscape.
According to the press release, respondents who preferred online shopping report not liking poor customer service, long lines, and items being out of stock. Some even admit that they avoid the social interaction.
On the other hand, some like shopping in stores for the social experience that they like to share with family and friends. Some even like interacting with strangers, unlike their online shopping opposites. "Others even said that shopping was important to their physical health, as it was their primary source of exercise," the press release reported.
"There's a sense that brick-and-mortar stores are part of the social fabric of our society. If they disappear, many are concerned about the economy and what this will do for jobs and revenue for communities. Many people also said stores were vital to their quality of life. There are also fears that come from the closure of store spaces: What happens with all that empty space? Is crime going to increase because now we have all these empty areas? Crime rate was also a concern with regard to increased online shopping: Are there going to be more home invasions because there are all these packages on door fronts?" Helm wrote.The study concluded that closing all retail would be bad for society; so really, when it comes to the fate of our society as consumers, have more power than ever.
Tags: Retail apocalypse , Retail transformation , Retail change , Online shopping , Physical stores , Channel choice , Helm , Image
Monday, November 19, 2018
The Indigenous Teacher Education Project began in 2016 at the University of Arizona’s College of Education with the goal of increasing the number of indigenous teachers educating students at indigenous schools and communities.
In 2016 only 3 percent of indigenous students met the ACT standards for science, technology, engineering
With the grant, the project will effectively double its reach to 28 teaching students supported and several new partnerships including the Hopi Tribal Education Department, Gila River Indian Community, San Carlos Apache College, Tohono O'odham Nation Education Department, Tohono O'odham Community College, Tucson Unified School District and Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation.
Learn more about the Indigenous Teacher Education Project here.
Tags: Indigenous Teacher Education Project , Department of Education , Grant , STEM , Hopi , Tohono O'odham , San Carlos , Gila River Tucson , Southern Arizona , Education , Image
Friday, November 16, 2018
Koffler was president for nine years in which UA saw increases in enrollment by 30 percent. Koffler led the Century II Capital Campaign, the UA’s first major fundraising activity with a goal of $100 million and he raised $198 million. He also led UA as it was elected to membership in the Association of American Universities which is the top 62 research universities in the U.S. and Canada. Koffler allowed the UA community to reach international commerce with ties to Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom among others.
He expanded the general education and honors programs and started the first online student information system. Koffler invested in central computing capacity, facilitated collaborations with community colleges and won efforts to improve enrollment rates and graduation rates of undeserved students.
Also, several new teaching and research buildings were constructed during his tenure that are still here today including the Chemistry and Biological Sciences Building, renamed the Henry Koffler Building in 2000, the Gould Simpson building, a new Center for Creative Photography, the Karl Eller Center, now known as the McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship and a renovated Centennial Hall.
He was vice president of academic affairs at the University of Minnesota, several positions including department head of biological sciences at Purdue University and he was chancellor of the University of Massachusetts when he was chosen to become the 16th president of the University of Arizona.
He earned a bachelor’s degree at UA in 1943, a master’s degree from University of Wisconsin in 1944 and a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin in 1947. He earned many awards and recognitions for being a distinguished microbiologist and biochemist including the Guggenheim fellowship and the Eli Lilly Award in Bacteriology and Immunology.
The tribute will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in The Fred Fox School of Music at Crowder Hall.
Tags: Henry Koffler , Crowder Hall , president , University of Arizona , alumni , education , community , tribute , honoring , Image
Many believe the historic hotel was established in 1919, but with more research on the history, it was found that the building had a soft opening in Nov. 1918. On Sunday, Nov. 18 Hotel Congress will celebrate 100 years of business with the Copper Jubilee.
The Copper Jubilee will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. at Hotel Congress. There will be free birthday cake with 100 candles, historic hotel tours, poetry readings by UA Poetry Center contest winners, historic lectures, painting of the Hotel Congress on the Tap Room patio, food and drink specials from the era, live music all day and a huge surprise at dusk!
Bring items that represent Hotel Congress and downtown Tucson to help fill a 100-year time capsule. The reason for the year-long celebration is to showcase Hotel Congress’ strongly rooted heritage, give thanks to those who have left footprints and set their eyes on the future as they strive to go beyond and continue to be a true travel destination.
The celebrations will continue through Dec. 2019 with events toasting the hotel’s dedication to serving the Tucson community and world travelers for the past century. There will be a variety of new and new versions of events, art exhibits, lecture series, historical and modern additions to the hotel and much more!
10 Historical Facts about Hotel Congress:
1. In 1934 Hotel Congress caught on fire and John Dillinger was captured and tried in Tucson.
2. In the 1940s, because of the fire, Hotel Congress went from 80 to 40 rooms.
3. In 1959 Tiger (Thomas Ziegler) began working in the Tap Room and still works there today.
4. In 1985 Richard and Shana Oseran purchased Hotel Congress and Club Congress, a center for Tucson nightlife opened its doors.
5. In 1989 Muralist Larry Boyce painted the lobby.
6. In 1990 the Cup Café, an eatery that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner opened.
7. In 2000 an event space called the Copper Hall opened.
8. In 2010 the 1930’s cooler was replaced with air conditioning.
9. In 2011 Local Muralist Joe Pagac painted the private guest patio into an urban oasis.
10. In 2013 the Tap Room was renamed “Tiger’s Tap Room” in honor of his 80th birthday.
Tags: Copper Jubilee , Hotel Congress , history , 100 years , community , downtown Tucson , century , historical , hotel , music , food , drink , Tap Room , cake , tours , poetry , lectures , heritage , travel , Image
Thursday, November 15, 2018
It turned out to be a Democratic wave election, even if it didn't look that way the night of Nov. 6. It wasn't the tsunami some of us hoped for. It wasn't even a Waimea Bay wave with Democrats riding the barrel while the crest of the wave crashed down on Republicans' heads. It was one of those Southern California waves immortalized by the Beach Boys, a breaker just big enough to surf, then grab your board and strut over to talk with your friends about the ride.
It was a good wave, but not a great wave. Still, it beat hell out of being dragged out to sea in a Trump undertow.
How did education fare in the election? Again, it wasn't a major pro-education wave, but it was a wave nonetheless. It depends if you're a "wave half empty" or "wave half full" kind of educator, whether you're disappointed or pleased.
A good year for Democrats is a good year for the future of public education, period. But let's break the education picture down to the local, state and national levels.
Local
The big local news is another one of those power shifts for the TUSD board. The voters clearly didn't want Michael Hicks on the board for another term. By his own admission, Hicks didn't much want Hicks on the board either. His seat went to top vote getter, Leila Counts, and Adelita Grijalva held onto her seat. Those two and Kristel Foster share similar educational values, so they're likely to vote together on most issues, a significant change from the Hicks, Mark Stegeman and Rachel Sedgwick majority. Counts brings experience in counseling and special education with her, which will add a valuable perspective to the board's discussions and decisions.
I'm happy with the new board makeup, even cautiously optimistic. It's possible Superintendent Trujillo, who doesn't draw enemy fire like the last two superintendents, will be able to work with the new board majority to effect positive change in TUSD. Here's hoping.
Tags: TUSD school board. Leila Counts. Kathy Hoffman. Doug Ducey. Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. , Image
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Celebrate the season at the Literacy Connects Harvest Festival in the Literacy Garden. The festival is put on by Literacy Connects, International Rescue Committee Tucson and the Pima County Public Library.
The event will be perfect for children with activities including chalk art, an activity with seeds and story time, provided by the Pima County Public Library. The festival will also be handing out free books in multiple languages and features a potluck, with foods of different ethnic backgrounds.
The Literacy Garden has recently planted apple, fig and pomegranate trees to provide shade and fruit. The festival will allow visitors to see the progress of the growing plant-life.
Literacy Connects offers free reading and writing support for children and adults of all ages.
Visit the Harvest Festival at the Literacy Garden on Friday, Nov. 16th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event is free and the Literacy Garden is located on 200 E. Yavapai Road, near Prince Road and Stone Avenue.
For more information, visit their Facebook Page.
Tags: reading , literature , garden , children , story time , literacy connects , harvest festival , fall , Image
