Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Posted By on Tue, Jan 22, 2019 at 9:46 AM

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Posted By on Tue, Jan 22, 2019 at 1:00 AM

Teaching in Arizona. The Loft Cinema is screening a documentary about the current state of Arizona educators, filmed by the Tucson Values Teachers initiative. The screening also includes a talk by members of the Arizona teaching community, including teachers from local elementary and high schools, the Pima County school superintendent and the filmmakers. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Free. Details here.

Planet What. Planet What mixes surf, garage and singsong punk to cook up some bittersweet, modern grrl birthday cake. For years this trio has been central to the Tulsa indie scene—in bands The Daddyo’s, Who and the Fucks and The Girls Room, and contributions to zines, bookings, and multi-genre art shows. Planet What is the evolution of these experiences. Surf tones contrast haunting, Breeder-like melodies on tunes like “Kelly 33” while “Lemon Lime Looker” plays up potential energy, a sparse-fuzz guitar lick gives to trashy symbols, killer monodynamic vocals and scathing words directed a phone-loving phony. Fuzzed-up and noisy, the recent Maggie Fingers EP alludes to Kim Deal’s work, continues past ’90s nostalgia towards a wistful mix of anger, hurt and longing. In short, and without getting political, Planet What’s sonic stew well-reflects the frustrations and desires of being a kickass woman in Donald Trump’s America. With Alien Jacket, Vasectomy and Sauced Up! 2448 N. Estrella Ave. Tuesday, Jan. 22. 7:30 p.m. All ages. Donations encouraged. Details here.


click to enlarge Three Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Tuesday Jan. 22
Courtesy
Flor de Toloache
Flor de Toloache. Four New York women of varying musical and ethnic backgrounds may be the preeminent mariachi quartet working today. That’s saying something, man. In 2017, Flor scored the Latin Grammy for best Ranchero album, but that ain’t really shit because this is about the music, not the hype. Soaring vocals over traditional and modern arrangements reveal a nuanced understanding of not only the history of mariachi but their place in it. Like Susana Baca or Lila Downs, these women celebrate their feminismo without ever sacrificing their vulnerable, nurturing sides. As brazen and confident as any dude player, these flores infuse the genre’s already rich emotional palette of romance, nostalgia and longing with delicate strengths of a woman. If Ranchero ballads are a workingman’s blues, then Flor de Toloache is the love letter back, filled with sweet recuerdos, fierce loyalty and the pain of raising a family across the border from the one you love.These “Mariachi Femininos” combine powerful instrumental jams with honey-sweet vocal melodies. The four members play their respective guitar, violin, trumpet and guitarrón, and fuse in four-part harmonies to make music that is at once authentic, traditional and innovative. Their first album got them a Latin Grammy nomination, their second album scored them the prize. Flor de Toloache is recommended listening for anyone in the borderlands region, or anyone looking for proof the ranchero/mariachi music genre is alive and constantly reinventing itself. See Flor de Toloache at 191 Toole. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. $14-16. 21+. Details here.

Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

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Monday, January 21, 2019

Posted By on Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 2:58 PM

click to enlarge Pima County Hepatitis A Outbreak Reaches 34 Cases
Courtesy of Pima County
Pima County health officials continue to respond to an ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A cases in Pima County.

Nearly three dozen Pima County residents have reportedly contracted hepatitis A in Pima County in the last three months, according to the county health department. Twenty cases of already been reported in 2019.

People experiencing homelessness and those who are using or trying to quit using illicit drugs are particularly at risk, and the county has urged they receive the hepatitis A vaccine. Of the 34 cases linked to the outbreak since Nov. 1, 27 have resulted in a hospitalization.

“As we continue to see cases, we are diligently working to protect the people most vulnerable from becoming infected,” said Deputy County Health Director Paula Mandel, in a release. “We are seeing this outbreak hit users of illicit drugs, those trying to quit illicit drugs, and people experiencing homelessness. We want to get the word out that the safe and effective vaccine and good hand hygiene can help protect you.”

Pima County is already working with area service providers, community health clinics, substance treatment facilities and other similar institutions to establish vaccination clinics.

“We are taking action to get ahead of this; to stop this infectious disease from continuing to spread,” said Dr. Carlos Perez-Velez, Health Department Deputy Chief Medical Officer, in a release. “With the continued support and cooperation of partners throughout the community, we have been able to provide more and more hepatitis A virus vaccinations to the vulnerable residents at high risk.”

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable infectious disease that can damage the liver. Infected people shed the virus in their stool in high concentrations from two to three weeks before to one week after onset of clinical illness, and thereby spread the virus during this time. They often carry it on poorly washed hands. It spreads to others when they swallow invisible amounts of the virus through food, drink, sexual activity or after touching contaminated objects. While proper hand washing can prevent spread of infection, vaccination provides long-term protection against the virus.

Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea. People can be contagious for two weeks before, and one week after, symptoms appear, and unknowingly spread the virus. Rarely, the virus can cause liver failure and death – especially in persons with impaired immune systems or chronic liver disease.

HAV vaccine is readily available at doctor’s offices, health clinics, and pharmacies. People who cannot pay for vaccinations or who do not have health insurance should contact the Health Department or a community health clinic near them. Places to get vaccinated can be found at www.pima.gov/hep-a

The county has provided more information about hepatitis A infection and where to get the HAV vaccine, at pima.gov/hep-a or over the phone at (520) 724-7797.

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Posted By and on Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 1:40 PM

click to enlarge 'No More Deaths' Volunteers Found Guilty
Maria Inés Taracena
Message reads, "Pure water. Arrive well to your destination."

Four humanitarian aid workers were found guilty Friday on misdemeanor charges involving leaving aid in a restricted area of Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge after a three-day legal battle.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Bernardo Velasco found No More Deaths volunteer Natalie Hoffman guilty of all three charges brought against her, while Oona Holcomb, Madeline Huse and Zaachila Orozco-McCormick were found guilty of the two charges brought against them.

As the defendants await sentencing, they face a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a $250 fine each.

The legal battle the four volunteers fought this week surrounds an incident on Aug. 13, 2017 when they entered Cabeza Prieta without permits.

Hoffman, who drove the vehicle into the wildlife refuge, is charged with operating a vehicle in a wilderness area. All four of the volunteers are charged with entering the refuge without a permit and abandonment of property for the gallons of water and pallets of beans they left in the refuge.

No More Deaths has been leaving aid for crossing migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border for more than a decade. The group specifically leaves the supplies in Cabeza Prieta, which shares 56 miles of the border with Mexico.

In his verdict, Judge Velasco chastised No More Deaths for not properly warning the defendants of the legal repercussions they could face upon entering the refuge.

“No one in charge of No More Deaths ever informed them that their conduct could be prosecuted as a criminal offense nor did any of the Defendants make any independent inquiry into the legality or consequences of their activities,” Velasco wrote in his ruling.

In a press release Friday, No More Deaths stressed the significance of the verdict.

“This verdict challenges not only No More Deaths volunteers, but people of conscience throughout the country,” No More Deaths volunteer Catherine Gaffney said. “If giving water to someone dying of thirst is illegal, what humanity is left in the law of this country?”

Tensions with legal authorities are nothing new for the group, but the last time a humanitarian aid volunteer along the border was found guilty was a decade ago.

click to enlarge 'No More Deaths' Volunteers Found Guilty
Photo by Meg Potter/Cronkite News
Dan Millis, a No More Deaths volunteer who was convicted of littering in 2008, shares his experiences with protesters outside the Deconcini Federal Courthouse on Tuesday.
Dan Millis was charged with littering for leaving gallons of water at the Buenos Aires National Wildlife refuge in 2008, which was overturned by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2010.

Four more No More Deaths volunteers are scheduled to begin their trials on February 26.

Caitlin Deighan is charged with driving in a wilderness area. Deighan, Zoe Anderson, Logan Hollarsmith and Rebecca Grossman-Richeimer face charges of entering a national wildlife refuge without a permit.

Scott Warren, another volunteer with No More Deaths, is awaiting trial for charges involving harboring undocumented immigrants, which is considered a felony.

During events held in support of the four volunteers’ legal defense last week, No More Deaths volunteer Justine Orlovsky-Schnitzler spoke to the possibility that they are found guilty.

“It’s not over until it’s gone all the way up, you can continue to appeal, and people are certainly prepared for that,” Orlovsky-Schnitzler said.

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Posted By on Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 12:43 PM

click to enlarge Furlough Freebies Extend Beyond Food
Unscrewed Theater Facebook
Local restaurants have been providing free meals to government workers affected by the shutdown, but now other local business are stepping in to help out.

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. 

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Posted By on Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 11:15 AM

click to enlarge Adoptable Pet: Tipsy Needs a Home
HSSA
Tipsy the dog.

“I am a sweet buy very shy girl who is searching for my forever family. My new family will need to be patient with me and help me continue to build my confidence. I enjoy learning and will make a wonderful companion.”

- Tipsy

Take your family, dogs included, to meet Tipsy at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. For more information give an adoptions counselor a call at 520-327-6088, ext. 173.

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Posted By on Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 9:15 AM

Courtesy of Cagle Cartoons, Inc. 

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Posted By on Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 1:00 AM

click to enlarge Three Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Monday Jan. 21
King Center/Adam Kurtz
MLK Day Freedom Song Singalong. During the Civil Rights Movement of the ’60s, young people created and repurposed a number of songs all about the times they were living in, and which sustained and offered hope as they fought for what was right. Music is already known for being a fantastic way to connect to others and celebrate, so what better way to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. by revisiting these songs and rediscovering the strength of the people who created them, and discovering our own strength through singing along the way? 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21. First Christian Church Little Chapel, 740 E. Speedway. Free. Details here.

Black Panther (free MLK Day screening)
The Loft Cinema is screening Black Panther for free all throughout Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Get a bad-ass heap of liberation with three free consecutive screenings all throughout the day of remembrance! 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Free. Details here.



Mid-Winter Celebration: Snowflakes and Cocoa
The great thing about a Tucson winter is that, for the most part, you can spend it outside, if you want. Bring your family, friends and self down to the Tucson Botanical Gardens for this event full of both merriment and learning opportunities. Kids can learn how snowflakes form, decorate a galaxy cookie and sip on some hot cocoa among some of the city’s loveliest foliage. And we can all band together to appreciate that, no matter how you feel about Arizona winters, at least it’s not an Arizona summer. 9 a.m. to noon. Monday, Jan. 21. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. Event included with admission, $15 adults, $13 seniors/students/military, $8 kids 4 to 17, free for members and kids 3 and under.
Details here.

Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.


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Friday, January 18, 2019

Posted By on Fri, Jan 18, 2019 at 4:27 PM

click to enlarge Picks of the Dragon: Who to Pick in Sunday's NFL Playoff Games
Kelly Rashka
Tyler Vondrak, a.k.a. The Dragon
This week Tyler lines up his picks for the NFL Playoffs. Pick your bets wisely with the knowledge of the dragon by your side.

Game 1: Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints
Line: Saints -3.5,
Over/Under: 57
Pick: Under 57
Bet: $25 to win $22.73

A rematch of our two NFC titans this year. The two best offenses meet again but this time around I’m expecting a different style of game. A few factors are pushing me to the under. Brees’ arm showing some wear and tear throughout this year, Talib sure to be all over Thomas (He was absent last game in the 10 points loss), McVay’s lack of confidence in the big pass play with Goff, Goff’s fall off in production since Cooper Kupp’s injury, and two teams with dual dynamic running backs has me grabbing the under 57 all day. While this isn’t the most exciting bet in the world it is what I feel a safe one. This is the NFC championship game and positions are more valuable than ever. We will see plenty of action from the four running backs in a grind it out type of game keeping that score below 57.

Game 2: New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs
Line: Chiefs -3
Over/Under: 55.5
Picks: Chiefs -3 and Under 55.5
Bet: $25 on -3 to win $22.73 and $25 to win $22.73

Couldn’t ask for a better AFC championship game in my opinion. The old guard coming into the new guards house as an underdog in a sub 20 degree game. Mahomes is playing lights out. The Chiefs defense, one of the NFL’s worst, has come alive in the postseason with an extremely impressive showing against the colts. All while the Patriots have been awful on the road this year and while they usually own this time of the year I can’t go against this Chiefs team at home. Mahomes I think will have us all talking around the water cooler on Monday after an impressive game on his way to making history this year.

The other bet on this game is far more data driven. There has never been a NFL game to go over 50 points in temperatures below 25 degrees. While the weather report keeps changing daily I haven’t seen anything forecasted above 22. I’ll take those odds and see what happens.

Pick = Chiefs to win -150 parlayed with Saints to win -160
Bet = $20 to win $34.17

Final pick of the week I’m throwing out a money-line parlay on the home teams. History is on our side with the home teams typically coming out ahead in these scenarios. 9 out of the last 10 years the AFC home team has won while 8 of the last 10 years the NFC home team has won. These teams are all so even that I think it really comes down to that edge of home field advantage and I’ll take that check to the bank.

Total Bets = $95 to win $102.36

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Posted By on Fri, Jan 18, 2019 at 4:13 PM

The second installment of Tucson Weekly's newest podcast, All Bets Are On, is live, with co-hosts Christopher Boan and Tyler Vondrak breaking down the latest in sports and betting information.

The hosts this week tackle the Wildcats' 59-54 loss to Oregon, as well as their upcoming clash with Oregon State University on Saturday evening.

The two also break down the Pac-12 as a whole, giving their picks for the other men's basketball games scheduled for Saturday.

The dynamic duo finish their 30-minute podcast with a segment on this weekend's NFL playoff games, and whether anyone can knock Patrick Mahomes off to win the league's MVP award.

Check out the episode in the link above, and make sure to abide by the suggestions that the Dragon himself, Tyler Vondrak, lives by.

Happy betting, ladies and gents. 

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