Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium at the University of Arizona is off to the moon, hosting its first ever Moon Music Serenade event pairing music, telescopes, and a special moon presentation.

A lunar eclipse will begin on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 8:30 p.m. when the Earth’s shadow starts to cross over the Moon, leading to a full lunar eclipse around 9:40 p.m. when the shadow moves to cover the entire Moon.

“When people see things happening in the skies with their own eyes or through telescopes, it inspires their curiosity about planetary science,” said Shipherd Reed, Associate Director of Communications at the Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium.

Flandrau has partnered with the UA Lunar & Planetary Lab, and Tucson Amateur Astronomers Association for this event. Volunteers from TAAA will provide telescopes for the public to enjoy and participate in the lunar eclipse.

Attendees also have the chance to capture some pictures of the eclipse. TAAA will provide smartphone photography adaptors right on their telescopes, so people can capture pictures of this lunar event.

“It’s a great opportunity to tap into what the UA has to offer the Tucson community,” Reed said.

The event will beheld outside on the UA mall. UA Chamber Winds will accompany the eclipse and the telescope gazing with wind, brass, and percussion instruments. The Chamber Winds, comprised of students from the Fred Fox School of Music, will play music themed by the stars and moon, according to Martin Gaines, a UA doctoral conducting student. Gaines will lead the Chamber Winds group for this event.

The Chamber Winds will play three songs while the lunar eclipse is happening, including Mozart Serenade in C Minor and an André Chaplet piece. The songs are paired just right for the event, according to Gaines.

“We’re doing a piece by Mozart that was written in 1782 and this is a wind serenade that was meant to be played at essentially an outdoors social event,” Gaines said. “I think it’s going to be fun to hear that in kind of the way that it was originally conceived to be performed.”

Steve Kortenkamp, a UA planetary scientist, will present about the Moon prior to the Chamber Winds performance at 7 p.m. His presentation will include talks about the Moon, what we already know and what we want to discover from the NASA research spacecraft that is orbiting the Moon.

The concert, the telescope viewings, and Flandrau exhibits will be free and open to the public. The Moon presentation by Kortenkamp and “Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon” Laser light show are $5 each. The event will start at the same time of the eclipse, at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 20, 2019 on the UA mall just outside of the Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium.

Yesterday Tucson Weekly published an article about the upcoming Tucson Women’s March on Jan. 20. The story did not include information about the communities that have felt mistreated during the creation of this event.

Summer Aguilera, a member of the Chukson Tucson Water Protectors, went to the first public organizers meeting for the Tucson Women’s March almost a year ago. From the beginning, she began to notice problematic behaviors from within the organization’s leadership.

She said the leaders, many of whom are white, gave titles but no real decision-making power to some of the groups they claim to represent. They wouldn’t allow Spanish-speaking women to give speeches at the march, claiming their accents were too thick. She said they tokenized women of color and LGBTQ+ groups by believing they had done their part just by scheduling people of those identities to speak at the event.

In response to these actions, a community statement was released in opposition of the march. The community members who drafted the statement made it clear they are not speaking for everyone, since there are women of color and LGBTQ+ folks who will participate in the event and have had different experiences with the leadership.


In December, Aguilera brought her concerns to the leaders of the Tucson Women’s March, but was told she was being “uncivil.” She was accompanied by white allies who repeated her exact concerns, to which the leaders welcomingly acknowledged. Aguilera said she and organizers like her were told they are the cause of the divide in the women’s march, and that they were creating the problem.

The national women’s march movement has struggled with inclusivity since the beginning. The public fallout of the Women’s March, Inc. organization over accusations of keeping organizers of color powerless and anti-Semitism beliefs echo similar rifts happening in women’s march organizations across the country. In some of the most liberal cities, women of color and LGBTQ+ folks have experienced pushback from the very organizations that claim to champion their daily struggles.

Here in Tucson, Aguilera believes the women’s march is not really for marginalized people, it’s for those with privilege to feel good about themselves. She said organizing an event makes them feel like they’re being allies, but by maintaining control of it they are only taking resources away from those who actually need it. She said they don’t talk about their own complicity and actions that perpetuate oppression or attend community events organized by the marginalized groups themselves, they only focus on putting together this symbolic march.

Local groups in support of this position include Black Lives Matter Tucson, Coalición de Derechos Humanos, Chukson Water Protectors, Border Patrol Victims Network, Sustainable Nations, TYLO (Tierra Y Libertad Organization), Free the Children Coalition, Flowers and Bullets, Sex Workers Outreach Project, Bruv Luv, Pan Left, Split Seeds Production, O’odham Anti Border Collective, Alliance for Global Justice, Take Back the Night, Borderlinks, Tucson Lobaz, GLOO Factory, Green Party of Pima County Chair Sara Mae Williams (Tohono O’odham) and Tucson Brown Berets - Citlamina Xochitlquetzalli along with numerous local activists. Aguilera said the list has grown longer since they released it.

Cynthia Bistrain, the chair of the Tucson Women’s March, said she was very saddened to see their statement. She said this is a difficult space to be in and everyone is plagued by making their own assumptions, but she and the other leaders, many of whom are older women, are still willing to have those difficult conversations.

Marla Pacheco, a representative of the Coalición de Derechos Humanos, said they have received support from across the country since they released the statement. Groups in other cities have had the same problems with women’s marches in their cities that claim inclusivity but don’t support it.

Their opposition to the women’s march has actually united communities that have equally been sidelined from the mainstream liberal movement, according to Aguilera.

She and others are planning their own demonstration for International Women’s Day in early March. She said they will give a genuine platform for marginalized groups to speak and will be a safe space for all. More details will be available in the near future.

A steady stream of red-clad fans scurried out of the oversized exits at McKale Center in the waning minutes of Thursday's Arizona-Oregon basketball game.

The 14,032 fans in attendance left in advance of the final buzzer, with the home side's fate in-hand, and a rare home loss handed to the Wildcats (13-5, 4-1) by the visiting Oregon Ducks.

It was a result that echoed through the vaunted venue, leaving players and coaches stammering in its wake.

For longtime Arizona coach Sean Miller, the night's result was a result of poor ball-handling, mixed with badly-timed shots and improper execution.

"Our shot selection, our ball movement, and our turnovers were much better in the second half than the first half. But clearly our offense was a problem here tonight," Miller said. "And I'll also tell you that there's been many games that we've won, and had to overcome that night when the ball isn't going in, but you have to do it with great defense. Tonight our defense was good, but it's the furthest from great."

The Wildcats' road to defeat started with the team's nine turnovers in the game's first half, combined with what Miller called five three-point shots that never should have happened.

The net result was a deficit that draped across the home side's backs throughout the night, ultimately proving too heavy to overcome.

"We took some challenged tough threes. We had gotten away from that, and that had really served us well," Miller said. "But I would say at halftime we didn't have nine turnovers, we really had 14 because we took five just horrible, challenged, selfish shots."

Junior forward Chase Jeter, who led the Wildcats in scoring (12) and rebounding (10), heaped praise on the Ducks' relentless effort on both sides of the ball.

The Duke University transfer admitted that the Ducks' relentless press defense was too much for the home side to overcome, resulting in Arizona's second home loss of the season.

"They played really hard tonight. I think initially we were blown back by that. After a while, our effort just wasn't good enough to win tonight," Jeter said. "I think that Oregon played very hard, and we owe them a lot of credit."

The Ducks' defense limited Arizona's leading scorer, Brandon Randolph, to a season-low five points on 2-of-9 shooting.

They limited Arizona to hitting 36.5 percent of their shots from the field, well below their yearly average of 45.2 percent.

Sophomore forward Ira Lee, who scored 9 points for Arizona on Thursday, acknowledged that the home side's offense wasn't up to par against the Ducks.

"We definitely were getting good shots, they just weren't falling," Lee said. "It was one of those games where if we did wanna win it was gonna be on the defensive end. And we were playing good defense, but coach said we could've played great defense. So it definitely made a huge difference in the game."

The Wildcats host Oregon State at 5 p.m. on Saturday, against a Beavers squad that's 11-5 overall, and 3-1 in conference play.

The game, which will be carried on the Pac-12 Network, pits two teams coming off their first conference losses of the year.

The Beavers also lost on Thursday, falling to Arizona State, 70-67, in Tempe. They previously beat Oregon, USC and UCLA to open conference play.

Jeter believes the Wildcats' will be ready to play at a higher level on both sides of the ball come Saturday evening.

"We've got Oregon State on Saturday so it's a new game, it's a chance for everybody to bounce back," he said. "And I think we're gonna do a good job responding."

Pounds of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, and 10,000 pills suspected to be fentanyl are off the streets of Tucson after the Pima County Sherriff’s Department arrested 34-year-old Jesus Maria Lopez-Verduzco Tuesday afternoon.

According to the sheriff’s department, which announced the news the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 18, Lopez-Verduzco was stopped near the 1000 block of N. Euclid Road around 5:45 p.m. after a “Title 28 violation.” Title 28 under the Arizona Revised Statutes covers transportation, and PCSD was unable to immediately provide a specific violation.

During the traffic investigation, $1,916 and “several individually packaged baggies” including cocaine, heroin, suspected fentanyl, and methamphetamine were found. Lopez-Verduzco was arrested and charged for possession of a dangerous drug, possession of a narcotic drug, transportation for sale, prohibited possessor and for possessing a firearm while transporting narcotics and booked into Pima County jail.

PCSD also announced that information obtained during the stop led to deputies investigating a residence in the 1900 block of North Wilmont Road. At the home, deputies found a stolen hand gun, 10,000 suspected fentanyl pills, 11.3 lbs. of heroin, 5.76 lbs. of cocaine, and 8.78 lbs. of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of over $400,000 dollars.

According to jail records, Lopez-Verduzco is being held on $10,000 bond.

Find more Claytoonz here.

Dillinger Days. On Jan. 25, 1934, Public Enemy No. 1, John Dillinger, was finally captured right here in Tucson. We’ve been tooting our horns about it and celebrating with Dillinger Days for a full two and half decades now, so this Dillinger Days is celebrating both Dillinger’s capture and the subsequent celebrations themselves. Check out fancy drinks, like Japanese whiskey and 10-year-old single malt scotch, as well as fancy foods, like smashed fingerling potatoes and mini vegetable wellingtons, at the speakeasy at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18 ($40 GA / $75 VIP). Then watch three reenactments of Dillinger’s capture (11 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.), explore a historical artifacts exhibit and a vintage car show, attend lectures, and do some arts and crafts all day on Saturday, Jan. 19. Saturday’s event is free, or $30 for a front-row experience. Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Details here.

Tucson Square Dance Festival. Usually, you say “be there or be square,” but in this case, it’s all or nothing, baby. Be there AND be square. The Southern Arizona Callers and Cuers Association is bringing in callers from California and Colorado to this three-day bonanza full of workshops, square dancing and more square dancing. They’ll have mainstream, plus, advanced and rounds, and you’ll have tons of fun. (If square dancing is your thing, that is. And hey, it’s a new year and a new you, right? Maybe square dancing really is your thing!) 1 to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. Sunday, Jan. 20. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 8051 E. Broadway Blvd. $40 per person, $25 all day rates. Details here.

Catalina Organ Festival. The Catalina United Methodist Church on Speedway always comes through with incredible organists. On the docket this time: Crista Miller, director of music and cathedral organist at Houston’s Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, contemporary composition advocate and doctor of organ performance (she has a doctorate of musical arts). Miller has performed all over the world and in half of the U.S. states, and oversees the Celebrity Organ Series and on the steering committee of the National Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians. TL;DR: This woman is really, really good at playing the organ. You’re lucky to get the opportunity to watch her play. So go watch her play. 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway Blvd. $5 to $20. Details here.

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue. You might not guess it, but Trombone Shorty is not actually the name Troy Andrews was born with. But it might as well have been. He picked up the trombone at age four, when most of us are just beginning to master the art of picking up regular, non-sippy cups. He started playing professionally soon after, had his own band by age eight and was touring with the Neville Brothers in his teens. He’s performed with everyone from Hall & Oates to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and has performed everywhere from Japan to Brazil to the White House to (now) Centennial Hall! You trombone’t want to miss it. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $25 to $100+. Details here.

WomenKraft Rummage Sale. Everyone knows that, in this day and age, the place you’ll find the most reliably good weather is indoors. The fact that it’s inside is just one of the things that makes this fundraiser by WomenKraft, a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to empowering women and other underrepresented groups, so cool. Looking for clothes, shoes, art supplies, books, LPs, furniture, frames, bedding, dishes or appliances? They’ve got it. What about a red leather electric recliner? Or a vintage cabinet from the early 20th century (at least that’s what they think)? Who doesn’t love a good bargain and supporting badass women? 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 and Saturday, Jan. 19. 388 S. Stone Ave. Details here.

If you need reason to stay up on a school night, the dramatic name of this lunar event should be  enough to keep you up. This Sunday's lunar event called a Super Blood Wolf Moon is an event not to miss.

Need another reason? Sunday night, Jan. 20, will be the last total lunar eclipse of the decade. The moon will appear red in the night sky as the moon passes directly through the Earth's shadow. The red color gives this lunar event it's nickname of blood moon.


The moon will also be "super" this Sunday, as it appears larger because it is within the closest part of its orbit around Earth.

Where does the wolf come in? Full moons in January have historically been nicknamed wolf moons.

“In Native American and early Colonial times, the full moon for January was called the Full Wolf Moon. It appeared when wolves howled in hunger outside the villages,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac reported.

We are pretty lucky here in Tucson that the conditions will be just right for us to have a great view of the moon throughout the night.

The first phase, or the penumbral phase of the eclipse will start at 8:30 p.m. The shadow will then start to move across the moon, covering more and more of it until 9:40 p.m. when the entire moon will be covered for the total lunar eclipse.

The injury-riddled Oregon Ducks flock south to Tucson tonight in a Pac-12 battle with the Arizona Wildcats.

The Ducks (10-6, 1-2) enter tonight's game without leading scorer Bol Bol and sophomore forward Kenny Wooten, with both missing the rest of the season to injury.

The team has endured a rough start to conference play, blowing a double-digit lead in the final minutes of their home game against UCLA on Thursday, Jan. 10.

The Ducks lost that game in overtime, 87-84, a game after losing by 5 to in-state rival, Oregon State, in the team's conference opener.

They responded with an 81-60 win over USC on Sunday, Jan. 13, and enter Thursday's game in search of their first road win since beating Boise State on Dec. 29.

Here's some of the pertinent information to keep in mind, ahead of tonight's contest between the Wildcats (13-4, 4-0) and the Ducks.

How to Watch: Arizona and Oregon tip off at 7 p.m. MST on ESPN.

How to Bet: Arizona is a six-point favorite, as of Thursday afternoon. The Wildcats are 9-7-1 against the spread this season.

Who to Watch: Keep an eye on junior guard Payton Pritchard, who is the Ducks' leading scorer with Bol on the shelf for the season. Pritchard is averaging 11.7 points and 4.6 assists per game.

Pick to Win: I'll go with Arizona beating the Ducks, 69-68, to improve their conference record to 5-0, with another crucial home contest awaiting the team at 5 p.m. Saturday, when Oregon State comes to town. 

Find more Claytoonz here.

Wings Over Willcox. Are you ready to see some birds? At the 24th annual Wings Over Willcox, we promise you will see some birds. You can also see presentations by Mark Hart, the Arizona Game and Fish Department's public information officer in Tucson, and Bryan Nelson, a writer and documentarian based in Tucson. The four-day festival features bird watching events of various intensities, from a half-day photography session to a day-long Hawk Stalk to an overnight trip to Cave Creek Ranch and Canyon Montane. If you're a bird person, you really can't miss it — you'd never forgive yourself. Thursday, Jan. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 20. Events at various times and places, with a center at the Willcox Community Center, 312 W. Stewart St. Event tickets range from $15 to $100. Details here. 


Creative Juice Art Bar Adult Painting Class (Celtic Tree of Life). Grab a friend and enjoy some drinks from the bar while exercising your creative muscles. Follow the instructor's step by step instructions and paint your own Celtic Tree of Life masterpiece. $29 per person. Drinks are available for purchase, wine $5-$7 per glass and beer by the bottle is $4. Thursday, Jan. 17 at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 6530 E Tanque Verde Rd Ste. #160. Details here.

UA Men's Basketball vs. Oregon. Cheer on the Wildcats as they take on the Oregon Ducks at McKale Center. Maybe, just maybe, that cute little duck mascot will be there. His fist-pounding-floor-rolling antics during the Ducks football game against Arizona this season was without a doubt the best part of the game. Tickets range from $40-$150. Thursday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. McKale Memorial Center, 1721 E Enke Dr. Ticket information is available online. Details here.

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