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.  

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Rafiki at the Loft Cinema. The Loft Film Fest is here, so it's an excuse to see as many movies as possible. Rafiki, a film in competition for the Cicae Award, is a romantic story between two women in a society that bans homosexuality. Even though this film has been banned in Kenya, the African culture shines proud throughout this movie and the director wants it to be an example of what the African film world should look like. She describes its as "Afrobubblegum" which means, fun, fierce, and frivolous African Art. See this film at The Loft at 3 p.m. Details Here.

UA Dance “Premium Blend” 2018. If you’ve ever seen a show put on by the UA School of Dance, you won’t be surprised to hear that it’s got what’s considered one of the top dance programs in the United States. The director of admissions at Juilliard listed it as one of the best 20 in “The Performing Arts Major’s College Guide,” for example. At their annual fall presentation, you’ll see athleticism and artistry at their finest in the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre. The 140-person ensemble performs more than 40 times a year, but this chance to see some of the best in ballet and contemporary dance in an intimate setting is not to be missed. Wednesday, Nov. 14 through Sunday, Nov. 18, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 6 p.m. Sunday. Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1737 E. University Blvd. Details Here.

Eli Young Band at the Rialto. A modern country band, also known as a true band of brothers who each play their own instruments, bring some unique beats to the stage. With their fourth studio album titled "Fingerprints" these self-proclaimed "misfits" are embracing what makes them unique. They will be performing at the Rialto Theatre on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. and the show will start at 8:00 p.m. Tickets $24-27 per person. Details Here.

Palo Verde High Magnet School in the Tucson Unified School District received a total donation of $1,075.23 as part of the tenth annual Fall Voting campaign through the chain restaurant SONIC Drive-In. The donation funded a variety of learning materials to local public classrooms not only in Tucson, but all over the country.

SONIC Drive-In has been a long time supporter of public school teachers through a program called Limeades for Learning. The program completed its 10th annual Fall voting campaign last month with donations given to two TUSD classrooms and one in the Sunnyside Unified School District.

During the Fall Voting campaign, SONIC customers were invited to vote for inspiring teachers' projects at LimeadesForLearning.com. The projects that earned the most votes received part of the sum in SONIC's $1 million donation. Some of the teachers' projects included materials such as books, new seating, Chromebooks, art supplies and robotics kits.

SONIC's donation helped 945 public school teachers across the country reach their classroom goal. Thanks to voters, SONIC was able to fund 1,900 teacher projects, support 945 classrooms and donate to teachers in 285 cities across 37 different states across the U.S.

To view the full list of public schools teachers whose projects were funded, including TUSD's teacher projects, Click here.  And to learn more about SONIC's Limeades for Learning, Click here.

UA Presents welcomes Meng Su and Yameng Wang of Beijing Guitar Duo to perform in Tucson.

Their debut CD Maracaípe received a Latin-GRAMMY nomination. It was dedicated to them by Sergio Assad, a Brazilian guitarist and composer.

The duo has performed throughout Europe, Asia and North America in countries such as Germany, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Poland, China, Panama and the United States with their mentor, Manuel Barrueco.

Meng Su and Yameng Wang were born in the city of Qingdao, China, and have packed great musical success in their young lives.

Su won the Vienna Youth Guitar Competition and the Christopher Parkening Young Guitarist Competition and Wang won the Tokyo International Guitar Competition at age 12 and was invited by Radio France to perform at the Paris International Guitar Art Week at age 14.

Before they performed as a duo, they both made solo recordings. This duo is currently supported by the Maryland State Art Council’s Touring Artists Grant program, and has been since 2014.

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, at Crowder Hall. 

The Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, SW CASC, at the University of Arizona received a $4.5 million grant from the United States Geological Survey to support research on climate science and adaptation in the Southern Arizona region.

SW CASC was originally established in 2011 and is responsible for researching the adaptation impacts of land, water and wildlife in the southwest.

With the grant, the SW CASC will be able to continue its seven-year research in partnership with the United States Geological Survey, USGS, to assess the southwest's scientific needs. 

Researchers at the SW CASC will be able to use the funds to research topics including vegetation conversion, the theory that after destructive natural events such as wildfires and pathogen outbreaks, new species will appear in the landscapes effected. 

The center also announced that it will continue research on drought, the steady increase of summer and winter temperatures and flood risks due to increases in rainfall.

Stephen Jackson is the USGS director of the SW CASC and adjunct professor of geoscience and natural resources and environment at UA. Jackson said that the research would also be able to help other parts of the country.

"The entire world is going to be and already is facing impacts of climate change, but in the southwest, we're seeing it faster and more intensely," Jackson said. "Seeing this first puts us in a good position to tell people in other parts of the country what challenges might be coming to them and pass along information about how to adapt."

To read more about the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, click here.

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Conrad Wilde Gallery: Closing the Doors. After 13 tremendous years, Conrad Wilde Gallery is closing their doors. Before they close them for good, make sure to head over the gallery to see their last ever exhibits. The gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday. The final exhibit will be on Dec. 1, 2018. There will also be an art supplies sale from Dec. 8-15. Prices may vary. 101 W 6th St. Details Here.

UA Women's Basketball vs. Loyola Marymount. Get back into the basketball spirit and watch UA women's basketball kill it on the court on Tuesday, Nov. 13. We all know how much love the guys receive so lets get out there and cheer on our women too! Send good luck their way, the game will begin at 6:30 p.m. at McKale Center.1721 E Enke Dr. Details Here.

Second Tuesday Talks: Iran, Experiences and Observations. On Tuesday, Nov. 13, Michael  Zaccaria will talk about his trip to Iran in 2018. He will discuss its political and religious landscape, holiday observances, nuclear relations and much more. Zaccaria has a MA in History and has worked in higher education much of his life. Since 2003 he has taught History of the Middle East at Pima Community College and UA. The conversation will be hosted at the United Nations Association of Southern Arizona. 12-1:00 p.m. 6242 E Speedway Blvd. 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.

Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema's prepared remarks tonight as she made a victory speech after being declared the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate seat in Arizona since U.S. Sen. Dennis DeConcini called it quits in 1994:

Hello, everyone! Thank you so much for being here.

I’m honored to be here today with Arizona veterans - the brave men and women who have worn our country’s uniform. Today, and every day, we honor their service and sacrifice. They’ve given everything to protect our freedoms and our democracy, and it’s because of them that we are here today.

I’m grateful to all veterans and servicemembers - including my brothers, Paul and Sterling, and my opponent, Congresswoman McSally.

We launched this campaign because Arizona veterans and all everyday Arizonans deserve a leader who will fight for them in the United States Senate. Together, over the last 13 months, we have accomplished something incredible. We’ve talked to and engaged more Arizonans than ever before.

We did this because voting is a fundamental part of our democracy. Our country is its best when everyone is engaged and everyone’s voice is heard. That work isn’t over, and we will continue to make sure every vote is counted.

I’m honored that Arizonans chose our vision of a better Arizona. Now, it’s time to get work.

Arizonans had a choice between two very different ways forward — one focused on fear and party politics, and one focused on Arizona and the issues that matter to everyday families.

Arizonans rejected what has become far too common in our country: name calling, petty, personal attacks, doing and saying whatever it takes just to get elected. It’s dangerous, and it lessens who we are as a country.

Arizona proved that there is a better way forward. We can work with people who are different than us. We can be friends with people who are different than us. We can love and care about people who are different than us. We can keep people who are different than us safe. We can be good people who care deeply about each other even when we disagree.

We can start by listening to someone with a different opinion – listening not to rebut or debate, but listening to understand.

We can try to understand another person's life experiences and perspective. We can try to imagine what another person's life might be like, that perhaps her experiences have shaped her life just like our experiences have shaped ours.

We can articulate our own opinions and beliefs without believing or saying that someone else's are therefore wrong. We can embrace difference while seeking common ground.

As I head to serve our great state in the United States Senate, I pledge to double down on this approach. During my six years in Congress, I’ve tried to be a cheerful warrior, willing to work with literally anyone to get things done.

I’ve tried hard to help others see our common humanity and find our common ground. I’m proud of how this approach has worked. We’ve delivered real results for families, veterans, and business in Arizona.

During this campaign I have been honored to meet with thousands of Arizonans in their workplaces, in coffee shops, in neighborhoods. Listening to their stories reminded me each and every day why we do this work and how much is left to do.

One of the very first Arizonans to join our campaign was Leo. Leo is a proud Air Force veteran who served our country with honor and dignity. Today, he’s battling cancer. In between chemo treatments, he spent his time calling Arizona voters because he knows firsthand how much is on the line.

A woman named Michelle from Glendale recently shared her story. Her son was born with one kidney and she’s worried about how she will afford his care if we lose protections for pre-existing conditions.

In Tucson, I met Anne. Her husband is a disabled veteran. He served in Vietnam and has lived with the affects of Agent Orange ever since. It is our responsibility as Americans to make sure every veteran gets the care he or she deserves.

This campaign was about Leo and Michelle and Anne and all the other everyday Arizonans who are sick and tired of the dysfunction in Washington and who want leaders who put aside party labels and focus on just getting things done.

As your Senator, that’s exactly what I’ll do. Not by calling names or playing political games, but by showing up and doing the work to keep Arizona moving forward.

A few months ago, we lost a legend who exemplified that spirit and all the best of Arizona. His example shines a light on the way forward.

Sen. John McCain stood for everything we stand for as Arizonans: fighting for what you believe in, standing up for what’s right even if you stand alone, and serving a cause greater than one’s self.

Sen. McCain is irreplaceable, but his example will guide our next steps forward. He taught us to always assume the best in others, to seek compromise instead of sewing division, and to always put country ahead of party.

It’s up to us to carry on Sen. McCain’s legacy.

Almost everywhere I go, I’m asked a variation of the same question - how did our country get to this place, and how can we make it better? Sometimes the question is targeted towards Congress - how to get elected officials to break the gridlock and work together. Sometimes the question is about the television commercials - how to get the ugliness to stop. But in each question, the root is the same. What has happened and how can we fix it?

Everyone recognizes that it’s broken. And really, we all know the solution. We - we the citizens of this great country - we must fix it. We must be an active part of the solution. We must be willing to put down our sticks sharpened for battle. We must be willing to turn to our neighbors and pick them up instead.

Our challenge today is to heal the rent in our country’s fabric, to come together as a people and as a nation, to set aside our minor differences and unite around our love of country and its fundamental freedoms guaranteed by our great constitution.

Senator McCain said “But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times.”

It won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but we can work together to meet the challenges our country faces. We can do this differently. For our country, for our future, for Sen. McCain, and for each other I think we must.

Thank you.

Congresswoman Martha McSally congratulated Sinema and gave her concession speech via Twitter.

Congrats to @kyrstensinema. I wish her success. I’m grateful to all those who supported me in this journey. I’m inspired by Arizonans’ spirit and our state’s best days are ahead of us. pic.twitter.com/tw0uKgi3oO

— McSally For Senate (@MarthaMcSally) November 13, 2018

Democrat Kyrsten Sinema has widened her lead over Republican Martha McSally by 38,197 votes following the latest ballot tabulations around Arizona today. Given that McSally continues to lose ground each day and fewer and fewer ballots are outstanding, the odds of a GOP comeback become slimmer with each day.


Meanwhile, Democrat Katie Hobbs has taken a significant lead over Republican Steve Gaynor in the Arizona Secretary of State race. Hobbs now leads Gaynor by 5,667 votes.


And in the race for two seats in the Arizona Corporation Commission race, Democrat Sandra Kennedy and Republican incumbent Justin Olson remain in the lead. Republican Rodney Glassman is trailing Kennedy by nearly 15,000 votes.