New Year's Eve is supposed to be an evening of fun and festivities, but becomes dangerous when people get behind the wheel after drinking. The number of accidents due to drunk driving as well as DUI arrests skyrockets on Dec. 31 each year.

The Southern Arizona DUI Task Force is teaming up with Lyft this New Year's Eve to keep Tucson drivers and passengers safe.

"This holiday season, we are proud to work with the Southern Arizona DUI Task Force to remind passengers to plan ahead for a reliable and affordable ride option with Lyft," said Drena Kusari, Lyft Southwest region General Manager.

Through Jan. 2 Lyft is committing $20,000 as part of its Ride Smart campaign.

New users can get $5 off four rides with the code PIMASAFE and continuing users can get 10 percent off two rides with the code PIMASAFE18.

So, if you are heading out to celebrate tonight make sure to arrange a safe ride home and leave your keys out of reach. 

Before Mort Rosenblum reported on international wars, joined the Associated Press, or received eight Pulitzer Prize nominations, he attended the University of Arizona as a young Tucsonan. Now, after more than half-a-century of journalism, Rosenblum is taking to teaching local citizens

about news literacy, and how to find out what’s going on in these complex times.

Part of the UA’s Community Classroom series, Rosenblum’s class, “Keeping Tabs on a Mad World: A Correspondent’s Guide to Global News That Matters” is a series of five weekly lectures to “equip townsfolk who give a damn about how to follow news that matters in the world.”

How did a professor of journalism get involved in teaching to the public? Are you tired of college students?

No, no, it’s the other way around. I started out at the University of Arizona back in 1831 or whenever, and I started working for the Star, then I joined the Associated Press in 1965. Then a couple years later I found myself in the Congo… I was covering a mercenary war in the middle of Africa. But at one point, when I was running the International Herald Tribune in Paris, I got asked do come back and do short courses teaching during summer vacation, and I really liked that. But then in 2004 when I finally left the Associated Press, I was asked to come back and do a short course in international reporting, and that to me is the most important thing I do. Because if we old crocs don’t pass along what we’ve learned the hard way to new generation of reporters that have better tools and often much better skills than we did, things are gonna get lost.

How much freedom did you have in crafting this course, and what are you going to do to ensure it’s not just a seminar or a lecture?

For one thing, I fall asleep in seminars and lectures, so I’d probably fall asleep while doing one. So what I’m going to do is engage an audience, I’ve got some incredible footage and interviews I’ve already done… There will be some lecture and explanation but there will also be lively back-and-forth discussion, there will be video clips, Skyped and taped interviews with people who do the news. So it’s not just me sitting and talking.

What is news literacy?

News literacy is a term someone came up with, and I wouldn’t use... But to be news literate, you need good solid sources to start with: a daily, The Times, The Post, The Guardian. You need to have television sources which take you to a story in certain ways – you get to see the faces and hear the words… So once you have an understanding of what the real-world problems are, the real crises in the world, and once you have an idea of how they fit together, essentially once you open a world map and look at it, then it doesn’t actually take much time to follow the major changes.

Do you think there’s a difference between when you started college and the college students of today, or any seekers of knowledge today?

There’s a huge difference. Today, we have this “Tower of Babble,” words are everywhere. And so the good stuff is better than ever, if you know how to find it. But it’s like looking for nuggets in a garbage can… So the trick is to find those basic, solid sources you trust, individuals more than organizations these days. Give yourself a basic framework, and then go from there. Otherwise you’ll just get drowned out.

Can a person nowadays truly know what’s going on in the world?

A person can know what a person doesn’t know. Truly know? No. But know more than people who just make it up or just listen to what some clown politician tells them? Yeah. And so my purpose for this course is to help people inform themselves with solid reliable sources, about what’s happening now and what’s likely to happen. When you study journalism, the old questions are who, what, where. But the important ones are why, and what next?

Rosenblum teaches “Keeping Tabs on a Mad World” at The Loft Cinema from Jan. 9 to Feb. 6. Wednesdays, 5 to 6:30 p.m. To register for the classes, visit uafoundation.org/NetCommunity/events/madworld

The Arizona Cardinals will be in the market for a new head coach, after firing Steve Wilks on Monday.

Wilks, who was hired by the Phoenix-based franchise in January, coached the Cardinals to a 3-13 record in his lone season in the Desert.

That record was the worst for the franchise in 18 years, thanks to a combination of sloppy quarterback play and a woeful defense that surrendered 26.6 points per game this season.

Wilks came to the Cardinals after serving in several assistant defensive coaching positions with the NFL's Carolina Panthers, including a year as the team's defensive coordinator in 2017.

Wilks was hired to replace outgoing coach Bruce Arians in the offseason after Arians retired due to health complications.

His offense struggled mightily all year, finishing dead-last in the 32-team league in points per game (14.1), while ranking near the bottom in passing (157.7) and rushing yards per game (83.9) as well. 

Find more Claytoonz here.

Animal Month at the Madaras Gallery. Maybe you know Diana Madaras for her landscape paintings, her still life works or her pieces depicting some of Tucson's loveliest buildings. This month at her gallery, some of her animal paintings, artwork and gifts will be on display. Desert wildlife like birds and bobcats, yes—but also cows, dogs, horses, elephants and more. Stop in to pick up a gift for a January birthday, and maybe even treat yourself or someone else to a Madaras original—perhaps 2019 is the year you finally become an art collector. Event runs through January. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Madaras Gallery, 3035 N. Swan Road. Details here.

Leslie Yerman: Photography on Display. Leslie Yerman's sepia-toned photographs of subjects like snowstorms, rocks, clouds and tire tracks have a way of making you take pause. She's a big believer in that old photographer's mantra: there is often beauty in the ordinary or the inane. She likes to capture those little pockets of the world where nature creates an oasis of peace and healing in the middle of a hectic environment, and she's particularly drawn to trees and sky. Show on display at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave., through the end of the year. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closes at 5 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Free. Details here.

Diversity. The Wilde Meyer Gallery is continuing to kill it this month with another exhibit featuring extremely talented local artists like Cathy Carey, Judy Choate and Chaille Trevor. The theme of this month's show is "diversity," which is just broad enough to encompass some truly virtuosic work across completely different styles. From abstract pastel work by Debora Stewart to Carey's dramatically colorful desert scenes, there's something for everyone at this monthlong exhibit, and plenty of time to make your way over to the gallery to check it all out. Exhibit runs through Jan. 1, and exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Wilde Meyer Gallery, 2890 E. Skyline Drive. Details here. 

Several Tucson churches received word yesterday afternoon that Immigration and Customs Enforcement had orders to release 70 Central American migrants from detention centers.

In the past, migrants have been dropped off curbside at bus stops with no information for how to find shelter or food while they wait for their asylum cases to be processed. This time, local faith communities mobilized within hours to coordinate with ICE for the migrants to be dropped off at their shelters instead of being left out in the elements.

“No one with a child who speaks a different language and has not a dime to their name should ever be dropped at a bus station to try to figure out how to get to Atlanta or wherever they’re going for their sponsors,” Rev. Delle McCormick said this morning.

McCormick is a pastor at a midtown church who works with a network of faith communities that have both permanent and temporary resources to shelter migrants released from ICE custody. These migrants already have sponsors (either relatives or friends) located throughout the country who have agreed to provide residence for them. The church staff and volunteers help them contact their sponsors, arrange for transportation to their sponsor’s home, and make sure they are clothed, fed and sheltered during the transition.

In the church’s multi-use room, a dozen or so migrants sat in foldable chairs and talked quietly amongst themselves in Spanish. About five or six in the group were children, they seemed happy as they played with a couple of toy trucks that were available. The right side of the room was lined with tables where orange juice, milk and cereal were left over from breakfast. A church staffer sat at an adjacent table and made phone calls to ensure the church has enough supplies and beds for their guests to be comfortable tonight.

While there are two churches that have a permanent shelter system set up, McCormick’s church and several others do this on a temporary per-need basis. She said this began in mid-October and went on until the end of November. During that six week period her church saw 514 migrants come in and out; half of those were children.

“ICE would send me an email saying who was coming and what time they were coming in,” McCormick said. “The people that deliver our guests to us are not your stereotypical non-caring person. They’re real people and they love to bring people to the church because they know that they’re going to get extra special care.”

Just as the University of Arizona-led spacecraft OSIRIS-REx prepares to begin orbiting the asteroid Bennu, it turns out the consequences of President Trump's continued government shutdown over a border wall reach into outer space itself.

According to a message by OSIRIS-REx communications lead Erin Morton, "For the duration of the shutdown, we are unable to issue press releases through NASA’s resources or communicate mission updates through NASA websites."
Part of President Trump's border wall upheaval means NASA's funding is being held, and no funding means it'll be more difficult for the agency to broadcast some pretty monumental events in scientific history: OSIRIS-REx orbiting the smallest asteroid a human machine has ever orbited, and the New Horizons spacecraft sending back images of the minor planet Ultima Thule.

When the government began its shutdown on Dec. 22, the majority of NASA's 17,000 staff were kept home with no promise of pay. Roughly 1,400 NASA staff remain working, however, to carry out critical agency roles.

Luckily for fans of OSIRIS-REx, updates will still be put online by the UA.

"For the duration of the shutdown, we are fortunate to be able to use the University of Arizona’s resources to keep the public informed of mission developments." Morton said.

For updates on OSIRIS-REx, visit the mission’s website, asteroidmission.org or follow OSIRIS-REx on social media. 

ChamberLab mastermind, composer/performer Chris Black is charging into the New Year with a glut of fresh material. And, he’s pledged to release a song per week exclusively to his email list.

Here’s what you have missed so far.

Week 1 delivered “Angel Goodnight.” A lullaby for solo double bass using natural harmonics.

Week 2 introduced “Butch.” A stomp for bass, drums, and glockenspiel, heralding the arrival of Butch. “If you're a friend of Butch, this is a happy song. If you aren't, then it isn't,” Black says, enigmatically.

And, Week 3 brought “Came Unglued.” Which Black describes as “frantic and calming. Suitable for all listeners.”

Piqued your curiosity? You may want to sign up: www.chrisblackmusic.com

Sounds like someone is at a loss as to how to get himself out of the political corner he's painted himself into and is now issuing very hollow threats:

We will be forced to close the Southern Border entirely if the Obstructionist Democrats do not give us the money to finish the Wall & also change the ridiculous immigration laws that our Country is saddled with. Hard to believe there was a Congress & President who would approve!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2018

Eric Levitz at New York magazine notes that Democrats have little incentive to cave to Trump:

Donald Trump entered the holiday season with a bulletproof plan for advancing his electoral and legislative goals: He would sabotage the basic functioning of the government that he presides over, so as to draw attention to the fact that the Democratic Party does not support an extremely unpopular immigration policy. Or, more concretely, he would refuse to fund the federal government until congressional Democrats agreed to appropriate upwards of $5 billion for his border wall (even though the Republican Senate had already signaled that it was willing to fund the government without such an appropriation, and Democrats would only need to wait a matter of days before they assumed control of the House).

And yet, somehow, the government has been (partially) shuttered for six days now — and the Democrats have yet to surrender.

One Week of Free Classes at Circus Sanctuary. First, let's just take a minute to reflect on how wacky and wonderful of a town Tucson is to have MORE THAN ONE circus school. Now, let's move on to celebrating that the newest one, Circus Sanctuary, has been in business for a whole year now! Their philosophy is to teach students to play like children, train like athletes and perform like artists. And if that's not just a damn good philosophy, we don't know what is. They're celebrating one year with a whole week of free conditioning classes, from Sunday, Dec. 30, through Saturday, Jan. 5. Everything from pole to aerial silks to trapeze to flexibility to beginning contortion will be offered, as well as open studio times and a family circus class. Circus Sanctuary, 3113 E. Columbia St. Free. Check out the Facebook event page for specific class times. Details here.

The Snowman Factory. As of the time this issue is going to print, it does not look like a white Christmas is in the forecast for Tucson this year. But Little Cardboard Rocket is going to help you make it up to your little ones, and teach them a little bit about science to boot! Head on over to make a snow-like substance out of only two ingredients, and then create a snowman with your child. There's also several other activities that everyone can work through at their own pace, a healthy snack and plenty of take-home resources. This is designed for kids ages 3 to 5, but younger scientists are welcome as well! 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29. Little Cardboard Rocket, LLC, 5630 E. Pima St. $8. Details here.

A Night of Tucson Salvage. If you don't know and love Brian Smith already, where have you been? The award-winning journalist, former alcohol and crystal meth addict, one-time rock 'n' roll front man for bands like the Beat Angels and Gentleman After Dark, and Tucson Salvage columnist is well-loved around these parts. His Tucson Salvage columns and essays have been gathered into a book, and at this event, we're celebrating with all sorts of art! Poet Maggie Golston is doing a reading, Billy Sedlymayr and Kaia Lacy are making music, filmmaker Maggie Smith is showing some of her work and (of course), Brian is doing a reading from his new book. A Q&A and book signing follow. 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29. Exo Roast Co. 403 N. Sixth Ave. $5 to benefit Youth on Their Own, but no one will be turned away at the door for lack of money. Details here.

Tucson Repertory Orchestra Concert. The Tucson Repertory Orchestra was created to bring skilled musicians together for a chance to play some classical standards. That's exactly what they're doing at this show, and you get to watch! Music director Toru Tagawa will conduct and violinist Michelle Abraham is the performance's featured musician. 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29. Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St. Admission by donation. Details here.

Tucson Roadrunners vs. Stockton Heat. If we can get through these hockey game without a team literally called "heat" melting the ice, then they're definitely a fun way to spend your Friday or Saturday night. And hey, you have to admit that if the ice melts during the game, it would still make for an interesting time. If you're looking for an especially nerdy experience, go to Star Wars Night on Saturday, where you can meet your favorite characters form the franchise and participate in a costume contest to win some cool prizes. 7:05 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 28, and Saturday, Dec. 29. Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. $11 to $61+. Details here.

Goal Post Party! Even if you're not a sports person, you might enjoy a free concert by Everclear, lots of fun and games, food and beverages for all ages and a charity village where you can really get in the holiday spirit. It's important to pack as much living as you possibly can into these last few days of the year, and this event full of things to do and see is a perfect opportunity. 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29. UA Mall. Free. Details here.

Cuban Night at Crooked Tooth. It's getting lively at Crooked Tooth Brewing Co! The funky tropical Cuban trio Acerekó—Enrique Feldman, Doug Davis and Bubba Fass—is performing. Food will be provided by Cuban Twist Cafè, with a special menu of bean and rice bowls, special Cuban sandwiches and more. Plus, there are always plenty of great in-house drinks from Crooked Tooth! 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29. 228 E. Sixth Street. Details here.

Succulents & Sangria. What a glorious pair of words. If you want to enjoy the look and taste of wonderful vegetation, Green Things has your back. At this event, you'll get step-by-step directions on how to plant your very own succulent bowl. And at the same time, you get to drink sangria. What more is there to say? Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30. 3384 E. River Road. $5 plus supplies. 21+ for sangria. Details here.

Bacon Day at 1912 Brewing. Back by popular demand, 1912 Brewing is combining mead and bacon for one super-special flight. The mead is made by Superstition Meadery and the bacon is by Daniela's Cooking. And as an extra bonus, they will be adding bacon as an extra for micheladas. If you're the kind of person who likes maple syrup on their bacon, the flavors of mead and bacon are close enough...right? 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30. 2045 N. Forbes Blvd. Details here.


St. Philip's Plaza Classic Market. In the quiet lull between Christmas and New Year's Day, take a morning to enjoy the simple things, such as locally made food and crafts. The St. Philips's farmers market is both a great place to shop and relax, and it's an even better place to eat. This market will include some awesome local bakers, such as the Bakehouse Bread Company and A Simple Cookie. 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Dec. 30. 4280 N. Campbell Ave. Details here.

Winter Break STEAM. Maybe your kid doesn't think he or she's interested in STEAM. But maybe he's wondered just a little bit about how electrical circuits light up the house, the Christmas tree and every electrical appliance they need. Or maybe she'd be interested to learn you can manipulate static electricity to make objects move without touching them. (Wingardium leviosa, anyone?) First through fifth graders who have ever wanted to learn a little bit more about how things work will love this activity at the library. 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, and Friday, Dec. 28, as well as Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 2-4. Quincie Douglas Library, 1585 E. 36th St. Free. Details here.

Last Fridays at MSA Annex. It's the last Friday of the month. Hell, it's the last Friday of the whole year! How are you going to spend it? One great option is a low-key night of shopping under the stars at some of the merchants' stores in the MSA Annex. This family-friendly event also features live music, food trucks to supplement the usual on-site restaurants and other libations by Westbound Bar. In this few-day lull between Christmas and New Year's Day, a nice stroll with your family and a chance to support local artisans might be just what you need. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28. MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento. Details here.


The HugTrain Stops in Tucson. Loneliness is bad for your health—some studies are showing it can lead to anxiety, depression, reduced cardiovascular health and weakened immune systems. But you know what's good for your health? Hugs! They're a small, powerful way to let another human know they're not alone. The HugTrain founder, a guy named Arie, has been traveling through Canada in the United States during the holiday season since 2009, giving out free hugs to whoever wants them in an effort to make the world just a little bit better. He'll be around for a few days, with his train arriving at the Tucson Amtrak, 400 E. Toole Ave., at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27, and leaving at 8:35 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 30. So keep an eye out! Details here.

Tucson Garden Railway Society Holiday Train Display. Wait, you're telling me it's almost the end of the year—almost the end of the holiday season—and you still haven't seen any model train displays? You'd better hurry on over to the VA for this sweet little display, featuring mountains, buildings, picturesque scenes and—of course—a big ol' miniature train. Members of the Garden Railway Society will be around to explain the display and answer questions. It's a great way to give your kids taste of the holidays of yesteryear, or to give yourself a refresher on the holidays of yesteryear. Stop in any time from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27 and Friday, Dec. 28. Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, 3601 S. Sixth Ave. Free. Details here.

Settle This Thing. Ever had an argument with your partner, or even with a friend, that you needed to bring in a third party to resolve? Ever had to bring in an entire audience full of people to be the third party? Married comedians Tamara Bick & Drew Antzis (they're comedy writers/directors for Funny or Die, Comedy Central, Second City and HBO) are doing just that, and if you like having fun and laughing, you should be in the audience. The couple will be going over everything from sex to parenting to dealing with the in-laws. "Should a man be allowed to fart freely in his own home?" Drew might ask. "Should your partner have to agree to go on a diet with you? Especially if you're cooking the food all the time?" Tamara might counter. It's up to you to settle this thing. 9 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29. Unscrewed Theater, 4500 E. Speedway. $15 one ticket, $25 for two tickets (couples only). Details here.


Katie Wise & Bhakti Explosion. The band name tells you a lot of what you need to know: Katie Wise & Bhakti Explosion are a music outfit without borders. Fronted by singer/songwriter Katie Wise, this band sidesteps being simple folk musicians with lush, meditative infusions of Hindustani music. It's partially New Age, but Wise keeps the style grounded with positive, conscious lyrics: "Thank you almighty, for every damn thing." Certain to get you whirling in weird, worldly sonic wonder. Catch Katie Wise & Bhakti Explosion at Galactic Center. 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29. 35 E. Toole Ave. $10-$30. Details here.