Tucson Village Farm Holiday Market. A trip to the Tucson Village Farm, the urban farm centered around teaching young people to grow and prepare their own fresh food, is always a pleasure. But a trip to the farm when there’s an artisan fair going on, full of gifts hand-crafted by Tucsonans and delicious seasonal food and drink, is a little slice of holiday heaven. If getting holiday shopping done is more of an obligation than a delight for you, take solace in the fact that you can make marshmallows over a bonfire and sip on hot cocoa after you shop. 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. Tucson Village Farm, 4210 N. Campbell Ave. Free. Details here.

Kids Craft Night at Chick-fil-A on Oracle Road. The restaurant will be providing supplies for children to decorate ornaments for this unique event. If you dine in, each child receives one ornament to decorate for free. Also, for any adult meal purchased, receive a free four nugget kids’ meal. “Just show up with holiday spirit.” 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. 4585 N. Oracle Road. Details here.

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Patronato’s Christmas at San Xavier. More than two decades ago, Linda Ronstadt headlined at a concert to raise funds for Patronato, a local nonprofit dedicated to restoring and preserving Mission San Xavier. Today, that concert is a much-loved tradition that rings in the holiday season for Tucsonans. The Sons of Orpheus and the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus will both be performing, and the Dec. 10 performance will also feature the Tucson Girls Chorus and some other special guests. The Monday evening show begins with a 5 p.m. reception at the Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm St., before the 7 p.m. show, and tickets are $250. The regular performances are at 6 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, through Thursday, Dec. 13, at San Xavier Mission, 1950 W. San Xavier Road, and tickets are $100 to $125. Details here.

Roadrunners vs. Eagles. The Tucson Roadrunners face off against another aviary team in two home games this week in these games against the Colorado Eagles. Tuesday night is Finals Break and Wednesday night is 12-12 Night, where sides and ends seats are both just $12. And hey, the cheaper the seats, the more money you have for food and drinks. Sometimes in the midst of the stressful holidays, or even in the midst of finals week, if you’re a student, you don’t want winter peace and holiday good cheer—you need to watch a good old-fashioned ice hockey fight. 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, and Wednesday, Dec. 12. Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. $10 to $61+. Details here.

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Courtesy Arizona Opera

Joyeux Noel. Based on an actual truce that occurred during Christmas in WWI, this film opera (translated to “Merry Christmas”) examines the lives of the French and German soldiers who put down their guns one December to celebrate brotherhood in the midst of warfare. Hosted by Arizona Opera, this showing at The Screening Room features the voices of “two of today’s leading opera stars,” Natalie Dessay and Rolando Villazón. 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. 127 E. Congress St. $10. Details here. 

Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas. Wait, you mean to tell me in some parts of the world there’s a half-goat, half-demon spirit named Krampus that accompanies Santa Claus and punishes bad children on Christmas? If you’d like to learn more about the spooky customs of ye olde Christmas, head over to the Tucson Museum of Contemporary Arts’ ArtNow! with Al Ridenour. They’ll be examining movies, television shows and advertisements that show how the holiday isn’t exactly what you think it is. 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. 265 S. Church Ave. $10. Details here.

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Courtesy Photo

Ramirez

Ramirez. What if gangsta rap turned Biblical? If every murder was a Slay, every horse White and every drive-by an epic showdown of good and evil? The answers await in Ramirez’s imaginative and sardonic album, Judgement Day: Revelations. With Kendricks’ ethereal production, archangels swirl around Ramirez’s rhythm and flow, which recalls Bone Thugs. It’s an aural comic book, an alternative reality reminiscent of the very best Bay Area concept albums (sorta like Deltron 30/30 or Doctor Octagon). Hard enough to be a true contender for best new gangsta emcee, Ramirez dishes artfully penned rages like “the devil’s comin’ end of the day” atop Kendrick’s dark melodic nightmares, which stand up to any trap out there. Since they hail from the mighty S.F., they dare shoot the moon, creating a record that feels like an astute homage and send-up of both genres at once. This is Revelations, the Biblical chapter that adds up to nothing, but takes the listener down a thousand rabbit holes, each track a riddle. With Young Davon, Ray Colfaxx and RJ. Tuesday, Dec. 11. 191 Toole. Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. $20. All ages. Details here.

Send Us Your Photos:
If you go to any of the events listed above, snap a quick pic and message it to us for a chance to be featured on our social media sites! Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @tucsonweekly.

Events compiled by Brianna Lewis, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

“I am a sweet girl who loves hot dogs and frisbees!”

- Hazelnut

Hazelnut is a 2-year-old girl who has graduated from the HSSA New Beginnings Canine Program.

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

In the first scientific data returned from the OSIRIS-REx mission, hydrated minerals have been found on Bennu's surface. For hydrated minerals to be formed, they must come in contact with water at some point.

"These hydrated minerals have evidence of liquid water in Bennu's past," said Amy Simon, Deputy Instrument Scientist for the OSIRIS-REx mission. "It's one of the things we were hoping to find... we're super excited." 

Christopher Charles Burroughs grew up in West Milford, New Jersey. He studied journalism at Rutgers University before moving to Tucson to pursue his dream of a career in music. With a penchant for language, he put pen to paper. Combining social commentary and vagabond philosophy, vivid storytelling became his musical trademark.

In the summer of 1982 Chris Burroughs and the Nationals made their debut playing local clubs—Nino’s, Dooley’s and such—leaping onto the scene with contemporaries Eighty Go Ninety, Jonny Sevin and The Fred’s. The Nationals spent the next two years playing dive bars and watering holes from Bisbee to Flagstaff before the bright lights of Los Angeles beckoned.

“We would do something like eighteen one-nighters in a row… And only play three cities,” Burroughs was quoted as saying.

Burroughs released six albums—his debut West of Texas (Triple Bar Records) was released in 1988—and appeared on numerous others. In addition to The Nationals, he fronted Chris Burroughs and the Mercenaries and most recently Hardpan, with stints in Yard Trauma, Losers Club and Creosote, acquiring fans throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Christopher Charles Burroughs passed away unexpectedly at his Tucson home on Monday, Nov 19. He was 60 years old.

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La Cerca merge disparate strands of symphonic, country and pop to create a winning din all their own. Yes, that sounds all made up in 2018, but it is true. In short, songwriter-guitarist Andrew Gardner and bandmate Bill Oberdick play layered, swirling guitars that slightly nod to My Bloody Valentine, beneath ever-hummable vocal melodies and smart words. Their new LP, Sunrise for Everyone, is a sort of southwestern Daydream Nation, part sweet noise, Street Hassle and inescapable songcraft. Gardner took three years to write and record these songs, which include no shortage of sunny blue-eyed soul worthy of Beach Boys’ Wild Honey and ’90s indie, and whatever aural dazzle the gents toss in. For instance, there’s a sadness in the Tucson melancholy of “Arizon,” and Gardner’s vocals emphasize a kind of X-factor longing; that is, the listener can’t pinpoint the central emotion, like a long sunset made all the richer by far-off pollution. Songs like “Car Crush Heart” feature a wild, free-jazz saxophone and “Sorry XO” offers mournful and sweet pedal steel. Deceptively simple tunes that manage to deepen and bloom, when no one really listens hard anymore, which is too bad. Monday, Dec. 10, at Elliott’s on Congress, 135 E. Congress. Doors at 9 p.m. Free. All ages. Details here. 

Winterhaven. The magical, glorious, festive and busy Winterhaven Festival of Lights may have opened this past weekend, but if you want to beat the crowds, Monday night just might be the perfect time to bask in all the glowing holiday glory. Winterhaven is open every night until Dec. 26 for your holiday enjoyment. Entry is free but be sure to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. A true Tucson tradition celebrating it's 69th year, bundle up and stroll through the lights and decorations of this winter wonderland. There will also be food trucks, party bikes and hayrides for those looking to make a full evening out of it.There is no official parking for the event, and entrances for the Festival are on Ft. Lowell, Tucson, Country Club, and Prince. 6 to 10 p.m. Details here.

Pet Photos with Santa. If you haven't sent out your Christmas cards yet, here's your chance to get the purr-fect photo for them. Dress up your pets in their favorite holiday sweaters to look their best for the man in red. Santa will be at the Tucson Mall from 5 to 8 p.m. to take pictures with pets (dogs and cats only). So pose your pups at 4500 N. Oracle Rd. Details here.

Send Us Your Photos:
If you go to any of the events listed above, snap a quick pic and message it to us for a chance to be featured on our social media sites! Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @tucsonweekly.

Events compiled by Brianna Lewis, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Fourth Avenue is one again taken over by a jumble of white tents and confusing road closures. With so many people attending the Winter Street Fair among other downtown events this weekend, parking can be a headache.

Here's how to get around this weekend according to Park Tucson:

This weekend there are free shuttles to the 4th Ave. Street Fair from both Pennington St. and Tyndall Garages.

Also, this weekend only, Park Tucson will not be enforcing residential permits in the neighborhoods surrounding the Street Fair, so extra street parking will be available.

The Sun Link Street Car has been diverted because of the tents covering its tracks, so riders can board Sun Tran buses from temporary end point stops at 4th Ave. and 9th St. and University Boulevard and 3rd Ave. to reach the street car's usual destinations.

So, don't worry UA students, you can sill get to your finals today!

For the entirety of the Street Fair (now through Sunday, Dec. 9) 4th Ave. will be closed to all traffic from University to 8th St. with the exception of 6th St. which will remain open. With over 300,000 people estimated to attend, the whole area is best avoided by car if possible. Walk, bike or ride to the fair and save yourself the parking headache.

The Marana Unified School District Governing Board decided to permanently close Thornydale Elementary School, located at 7651 N. Oldfather Road, in a 4-1 decision on Thursday evening.

Enrollment at the K-6 school has been declining for over two decades, according to the district. In 1994 there were 733 students enrolled, compared to just 306 this year.

Officials said the decline was caused by a demographic change in the neighborhood, with fewer elementary school-aged children living there. There are no new home developments planned either. Only 192 students at the school live within the Thornydale attendance boundaries.

“In keeping with good fiscal responsibility, the district acknowledges that school district budget revenues are solely generated on a per pupil basis; therefore school enrollment is vitally important to the sustainability of a school,” Superintendent Doug Wilson wrote in an open letter to families of Thornydale Elementary.

The district spends about $2 million annually to keep the school running. At the meeting, Wilson said they spend about $6,468 per pupil at Thornydale, compared to $4,662 at the other elementary schools.

The students of Thornydale will be relocated to the neighboring Quail Run and Butterfield elementary schools. At the public meeting, parents of students enrolled at the school expressed concerns over the hardships of transitioning their children, many of whom have special needs.

Board member Dan Post gave the sole “no” vote, stating that closing the school was the practical thing to do, but not the right thing to do.

Board president Tom Carlson said that this was an extremely difficult decision to make, and that he understood the parents’ frustration. However, he said the closure of Thornydale would be for the greater good of the district as a whole.

Assistant superintendent Carolyn Dumler said all of Thornydale’s teachers, administration and support staff will be relocated to different schools in comparable positions, per district policy.

Following the decision to close the school, the board members unanimously voted to convert the Thornydale campus into a multi-use facility for the district’s Dr. Marianne Valdez Play and Learn (PAL) preschool program, the Extended Learning Opportunities Department, the Health Services Department and the Student Services Department.

The school is expected to close at the end of this school year.

The course of Arizona's home contest with Utah Valley turned on the right hand of sophomore guard Brandon Randolph.

The sophomore's steely eyed shooting touch guided a second half surge that stirred the venerable McKale Center into a frenzy, hitting four-of-five three pointers to pace the Wildcats 51-38 advantage in the game's latter half.

The home side's fate looked glum at the half, with the visiting Wolverines (6-4) hitting 42.6 percent of their shots, while forcing 11 turnovers to give them a 31-29 lead at the half.

The tide took a sharp turn in the immediate aftermath of the break, however, when Randolph drained three straight three pointers to cut the Wolverines' lead to one with 18:06 to play.

Randolph, who finished the night with a team-high 16 points, described his second half surge as a feat he won't soon forget.

"I definitely got going," Randolph said. "My teammates found me and it hyped me up, the crowd up, hyped our whole team up, and I think it helped us move into the game a little more."

Arizona's (7-2) victory over the Wolverines extended their non-conference home win streak to 52 games, with their last loss coming in 2011, when San Diego State beat the Wildcats, 61-57.

Arizona coach Sean Miller gave Utah Valley its share of acclaim for their strong first half, saying his team wasn't ready to fight a scrappy Wolverines squad.

Miller said his team's early struggles were more a result of the Wolverines' defense than any sort of letdown from Sunday's 76-72 road victory over the University of Connecticut. 

"We didn't really get after them at halftime and that might be surprising. Our team doesn't have a great margin of error, especially against a team with skill and as experienced as Utah Valley," Miller said.

"They did not catch us off guard. This wasn't a situation where we were still thinking about our UConn victory, it was just the opposite. We had excellent practices, our guys understood that Utah Valley has great size, unbelievable skill level and they run their offense as well as any team we have faced this season. We knew we were in for a fight and it was great for us to respond the way we did at halftime."

Randolph and freshman guard Brandon Williams were the main cogs in Arizona's victory, with the latter scoring 15 points and pulling down a career-high 10 rebounds in the win.

The 6-foot-2-inch guard was caught off-guard by his first collegiate double-double, saying that his teammates had to inform him of his impressive feat.

"When someone told me on the bench, I was shocked when they said I had a double-double; I thought it was assists," Williams said. "As I said, it's just taking a load off of the guys: Ryan Luther, Chase (Jeter) and Ira (Lee). As a guard, that goes a long way."

Tuscaloosa Bound

Miller's squad returns to action to face SEC stalwart, Alabama, on the road on Saturday, with the game tipping off at 11 a.m. Arizona time.

The Wildcats and Crimson Tide have met three times, with Alabama winning two of those contests.

Arizona defeated Alabama in Tucson last year, 88-82, thanks to a combined 54 points from center Deandre Ayton and guard Allonzo Trier.

Both players are now starring in the NBA, along with the Crimson Tide's high scorer from last year's contest, Collin Sexton, who scored 30 points in the contest.

Saturday's game between the Wildcats and Crimson Tide will be carried nationally on ESPN against a 5-3 Alabama squad. 

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