Desert Times 03/08/2023

Plenty to do this weekend | Page 2

Cuisine Classique cuts to the chase

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER Tucson Local Media Staff

Mardi Burden learned to cook the hard way.

She, admittedly, cut her fingers “millions” of times before she mastered knife handling.

“I’ve put a knife through my hand,” said the outspoken Mardi. “Yeah, my hands look like crap.”

Spectacularly going nowhere on this train | Page 9

Mardi co-owns the 20-year-old Cuisine Classique cooking school with her husband, Bob Burden, both of whom teach knife handling straight out of the gate. The Burdens teach the class at their home on West Magee Road, where they’re hosting an open house 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 16.

The teaching room features a very large island, where students are equipped with their own burners. If they’re lucky, the glass doors

See CUISINE Page 6

Another outbreak may be looming this season | Page 12

Mardi Burden is co-owner of Cuisine Classique, a cooking school located in her West Magee Road home. First thing students learn is proper knife technique. (Photo by Noelle Haro-Gomez)

Youth leader seeks to change state's education policy

BY KATYA MENDOZA Tucson Local Media Contributor

Maritza Roberts-Padilla says quality sexual health education is lacking.

So the 18-year-old created Increasing Sexual Literacy Matters (ISL Matters) to bridge the sexual health gap among teenagers.

The New Jersey-based Institute for Citizens and Scholars seeks to engage in the development of civic learning. Audra Watson, senior program director, said that the institute’s mission is to develop young people who are knowledgeable, engaged and hopeful about democracy.

“Civic learning encompasses a number of

A junior at BASIS Tucson North, Padilla is one of 33 national Civic Spring Fellowship recipients.

things,” Watson said. “It includes developing civic knowledge, skills and dispositions, understanding what the systems of our government are and how to engage with one another on an individual level.”

Watson said in 2020, the institute sought to begin work with young people and called upon youth-led organizations to propose pro-

See POLICY Page 6

Hot Picks

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Staff

ARTS

African American Museum of Southern Arizona Ongoing

The African American Museum of Southern Arizona has opened its doors at the UA. Co-founded by Beverly and Bob Elliott, the museum presents a cultural and educational experience through items of significance and intentional storytelling to preserve African American and Black life, culture and history in Southern Arizona to benefit the community.

Admission is free to the museum in room 244 of the Student Union Memorial Center. Until regular hours are established, interested visitors can schedule an appointment by emailing aamuseumofsouthernaz@gmail.com.

African American Museum of Southern Arizona, 4511 N. Campbell Avenue, Suite 255-2. Info: aamsaz.org

“The Addams Family” Through Saturday, March 11

The Addams Family is a smash-hit musical comedy that brings the dark world of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandmama, Wednesday, Pugsley and Lurch to spooky and spectacular life. This macabre new musical comedy is created by “Jersey Boys” authors Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, Drama Desk-winning composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa (“The Wild Party”), choreographer Sergio Trujillo (“Jersey Boys”) and Olivier Award-winning director/designers Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch (“Shockheaded Peter”) with creative consultation by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks. Ironwood Ridge High School, 2475 W. Naranja Drive, Oro Valley. Info: 520-696-3900.

“¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues/ En los barrios y las grandes ligas”

Through Saturday, April 8

The Tucson Desert Art Museum presents its “¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues/ En los barrios y las grandes ligas” now through Saturday, April 8.

Organized by the Smithsonian Institu-

tion Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the National Museum of American History, this exhibit examines the sport and how Latinos helped shape it. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 students/children, and free for active military. Tucson Desert Art Museum, 7000 E. Tanque Verde Road. Info: tucsondart.org

“Woman-Ochre” Through Saturday, May 20

Willem de Koonig’s “Woman-Ochre” was stolen in 1985 from the University of Arizona Museum of Art. It’s returned home and on display through May.

Tickets for “Restored: The Return of Woman-Ochre” are $8 general admission; $6 seniors 65-plus and groups of 10 or more; and free for students with ID, museum members, UA faculty, staff, military personnel, AAM members, visitors with a SNAP card or Tribal ID, and children. The University of Arizona Museum of Art, 1031 N. Olive Road.

Info: artmuseum.arizona.edu

Linda McCartney Retrospective

Through Friday, Aug. 4

The North American premiere of the Linda McCartney Retrospective comes to the University of Arizona Center for Creative Photography, now through Friday, Aug. 4.

Spanning McCartney’s entire career from 1965 to 1997, this exhibition features 176 photographs and archival materials, including Polaroid images and presents three sections such as family life, photographic experimentation and artists. The exhibit will recur weekly from Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The exhibition will also feature various community events inspired by the collection. Center for Creative Photography 1030 N. Olive Road.

Info: ccp.arizona.edu

THEATER

“Pru Payne”

Through Saturday, March 25

The Arizona Theatre Company presents “Pru Payne.” Created by Pulitzer

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Prize nominee Steven Drukman and directed by Sean Daniels, “Pru Payne,”’ follows the emotional story about an esteemed critic Prudence, in the face of memory loss. The Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Avenue. Info: atc.org

LIVE MUSIC

Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra Sunday, March 12

The Oro Valley Riverfront Park Classical Concert Series supports some of the finest classically trained musicians with the opportunity to perform monthly in the community’s largest outdoor amphitheater. This month features Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra. Riverfront Park Amphitheatre is located at 551 W. Lambert Lane. Info: orovalleyaz.gov

Rillito Park Racetrack Through Sunday, April 2

It’s racing season at the historic Rillito Park Racetrack.

Every Saturday and Sunday, check out fast horses, jockeys and big purses for nine weekends this spring. Gates open at 11 a.m. on race days. Post time is at 1 p.m. Rillito Park Racetrack, 4502 N. First Avenue.

Info: rillitoracetrack.com

Arizona Renaissance Festival Through Sunday, April 2

Huzzah! The 35th annual Arizona Renaissance Festival returns to Pinal County. The medieval amusement has a 16-stage theater, a 50-acre circus, arts and crafts fair, jousting tournament and feast. Mingle with over 2,000 characters in costume and don’t forget to eat a giant roasted turkey leg.

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Simply the Best: Tribute to Tina Turner Sunday, March 12

“Simply the Best: A Tribute to the Music of Tina Turner” stars Jenn Cristy (national touring performer and former backing vocalist/instrumentalist for John Mellencamp). The Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road, Tucson. Info: gaslightmusichall.com

SPECIAL EVENTS

Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson Various days and times

Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson celebrates its 10th year of attracting U.S. and international visitors to authentically detailed recreations of intimate courtyard gardens in Kyoto, Japan.

Upcoming events include:

“Duo Chinoiserie” – Koto Concert: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 9

Issun Boshi (“Little One Inch”) Puppet Show: 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 12

Book Presentation: The Japanese American Experience – Change and Continuity, by Minoru Yanagihashi, 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18.

Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson, 2130 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson. Info: yumegardens.org

Eat, drink and be merry, for there is so much to see and do. Tickets cost $33 for adults, $21 for children 5-12, (children 4 and younger are free) if purchased in advance at any Bashas’ or Food City statewide. Arizona Renaissance Festival, 12601 E. U.S. Highway 60, Gold Canyon. Info: arizona.renfestinfo.com

St. Paddy’s Throwdown Thursday, March 16

Oro Valley Social & Business Club’s St. Paddy’s Throwdown at Pusch Ridge Golf Course in Oro Valley features the scramble and one free drink for $25 plus tax. To register, visit friendsofpuschridgegolf. org.

The 3 p.m. shotgun start is followed by a 5 to 7 p.m. networking party, which includes barbecue, beverages, prizes, chair massages and professional photos at sunset. Info: https://fb.me/e/40jaJh6FW

Western Experience

Through Sunday, May 7

Journey into a Western Experience at Old Tucson Studios, through Sunday, May 7, and witness the spirit of the Old West come alive. Enjoy live action cowboy gun fights, death defying stunts, rides and attractions. Tickets — are $34 for adults, $17 for children (5 to 11) — include admission and attractions. A Western Experience will be open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays. Western Experience at Old Tucson Studios, 201 S. Kinney Road. Info: oldtucson.com

AGING WELL

Service with a Smile – and a Robot

To offer memorable culinary experiences, a restaurant must deliver smooth, friendly service as well as delicious meals. For both of these, Splendido, a Life Plan Community for those 55 and better in Oro Valley, is “thinking outside the box.”

While Splendido’s culinary team, under the direction of Executive Chef Masood Shirmohammadi, is behind the scenes creating mouthwatering menu selections for the community’s restaurants, the front of house is raising the bar for customer service— including a new addition.

Robot Support

Culinary team members have recently welcomed a robot to their ranks, which residents have named “Jeeves.” It acts as a runner, taking plated food from the

kitchen to a restaurant and then bussing dishes back to the kitchen. The wait staff still serves the food from the robot and clears dishes from the table. “We’re always looking for new ways to improve the efficiency of our restaurant service, so servers can give their attention to residents,” says Thad Parton, director of restaurant operations for Mather. Splendido is a collaboration between not-for-profit Mather, which manages the community, and Arizona-based Plaza Companies.

“The robot allows our servers to spend more of their time inside the restaurant,” adds Jaime Smith, Splendido’s director of dining services. “For example, if the kitchen has two tables’ meals ready at the same time, the robot can deliver one while the

server takes the other. It doubles the staffing for those moments.”

Server Veronica Ving agrees, saying, “The robot is great! It’s really helpful when we’re in a crunch. And the residents like it—they get a kick out of it.”

Working Smarter

During Splendido’s recent transformation of its amenity spaces, the team took advantage of reimagining the restaurants to not only refresh the décor, but to build in new efficiencies behind the scenes. “We added several service stations and substations where servers can plate soups and bread, soda, coffee, and more,” Jaime explains. “This really speeds up service—we’re now working smarter.”

Even after employing a robot server and building in behind-the-scenes

service stations, Splendido continues to explore how it might improve on restaurant service. “We’ll never stop looking for ways we can make experiences even better for residents and our team members,” says Thad.

If you would like to join Splendido’s service team and work with Jeeves, please apply online at splendidotucson. com/jobs. 

Alonzo’s—one

Veronica Ving, a server at Splendido, teams up with her robot coworker in Alonzo’s, one of their onsite restaurants, which offers a Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, wine, and cocktails.

of the restaurants at Splendido

to the backyard will be open, and they’ll cook to the sounds of a rooster crowing and chickens clucking while they lay the eggs that will be used in a later class.

Mardi teaches a variety of classes, including, in March, hands-on sausage making, sourdough bread, ravioli or fish tacos. The stand-alone classes are for adults, in the evening.

For those who wish a longer commitment, she offers a seven-week class, on Saturday afternoons, where, besides knife skills, students learn how to prepare meat, chicken, fish and shellfish. There are also lessons in grains, vegetables, desserts.

“Everyone gathers and, depending on what we’re making, we usually have to make the dessert first,” Mardi said. “Then we move right into the meal. The last thing we do is usually salad and a dressing. Then we sit down and enjoy our meal together.”

The seven-week Basics of Gourmet Cooking course is $599, and that includes a four-piece knife set. Stand-alone workshops start at $64.

Mardi has been cooking since she was 8. Her first dish was lemon meringue pie because “my mother hated to cook so she would let my sisters and I cook anything we wanted.”

Since that day, Mardi knew she wanted to make her living in the kitchen. Besides Snickers bars and wine, she said her favorite dish to eat is paella, which

from Page 1

jects and activities that were important to their communities. Most of the topics were a direct result of COVID-19, she said. The organization awarded grants to six groups to support youth’s work. The fellowship was developed by 40 subject-matter experts with recommendations from young people and an independent evaluation was conducted by Tufts University’s Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE). The findings conveyed that the fellowship helped youth strengthen their voices and advocate for policy change.

Last year, through a strategic partnership with PayPal, the Civic Spring Fellowship was expanded to Maricopa County.

she also enjoys making. She’s also a fan of baking.

For the kiddos

Mardi will host a Kids Spring Break Cooking Camp for kids ages 5 to 12. Students will learn to make fresh pasta, among other things from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, March 13, to Friday, March 17. The cost is $259 per child; $245 for siblings. Individual days may be purchased for $64.

“I teach the kids, really, just like I do the adults,” she said. “The difference is that the desserts are way better. They’re stuff like mud pie and Oreo stuff, but I teach kids to make pasta just like I teach the adults to do it.”

Mardi divides the kids into teams, she said, then “two people on their team

The program’s third iteration selected fellows in Tucson, Phoenix, Austin, Chicago, Philadelphia and New York City, and includes an $1,800 stipend to help fund their projects.

“What we were most interested in were young people who understood not just what they were passionate about but what was needed for their community,” Watson said.

Padilla said that she heard about the fellowship through Junior State of America (JSA), a nonpartisan political youth organization that centers activism based on discussion. She is the national vice chair.

“I’m really passionate about this,” Padilla said. “I believe that Gen Z has become one of the largest activist generations because of hyperpolarization in our government.”

will be the bagel chefs, and then they have to take orders and prepare the bagels for everybody else on their team.

It’s total fun.”

Then there’s snack time.

“There are snack chefs, and they have to prepare it for the rest of the team, and it’s usually popcorn,” Mardi said. “They can eat their food. Most of them eat a part of it.”

The reason is not surprising.

“They save it to show their parents,” she added.

A teen camp for children 13 and older will held in the summer.

It’s clear that Mardi and Bob love their cooking school. Their tasks are divided: Mardi teaches and Bob does everything else, including sharpen the knives,

Through activism-based discussion, she said that it is possible to find a common ground.

A driving factor behind Padilla’s ISL Matters project is Arizona-specific legislation in which schools are not required to teach sex nor HIV education.

“But if schools do decide to teach it, they have to stress abstinence,” Padilla said, according to Arizona Revised Statutes § 15-711, 15-716 and 15-102. Sex education is also an “opt-in” program that requires parents or guardians to provide written permission for their child to participate.

“I’m creating a website that will have a comprehensive sex education curriculum that can be self-taught,” Padilla said. Her project gives access to information about basic anatomy, proper hygienic

which he teaches. Still, they have the same goal for all their students.

“To cook fearlessly and not be a slave to a recipe,” Bob said. “To be able to walk up to their fridge or their pantry and look in there and go, ‘Oh, I can make this and this.’” 

If You Go...

Cuisine Classique Cooking School Open House WHEN: 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 16 WHERE: The Burdens’ home, 1060 W. Magee Road, Oro Valley COST: Free INFO: 520-797-1677, cuisineclassique.com

practices and sexual health. She said she hopes to include a collection of Arizona-specific data as well as a youth coalition aspect, to provide an opportunity for youth ambassadors to contribute toward the website.

Padilla and the other 32 fellows will work in small groups for 10 weeks, meeting with coaches to support their work through communities of practice, Watson said. The goal is to work on their respective topics which vary from education, community health and wellness, economic opportunity and others.

“Depending on their particular project, they will gain a better sense of where change can take place,” Watson said. “I think they walk away with a

Throughout Mardi Burden's teaching kitchen, students will find stacks of tools and dishes waiting to be used. Mardi doesn't just teach adults how to cook; she also has a kid cooking camp slated for March 13-17. (Photo by Noelle Haro-Gomez)

sense of agency.”

With the third class, the fellows range in age from 15 to 24. As a former middle school teacher, Watson is looking forward to the program expanding to 14 year olds. “The younger that you get people started, the more that they’re going to be able to do in their lifetimes,” she said.

“My goal is to continue expanding the project and continue collaborating with organizations, initiatives, local health clinics and just spreading the awareness of the website because I want someone to have a question answered,” Padilla added. Padilla, whose interests range from activism, policy and environmental science, is also involved in the local Unidas Teen Philanthropy Program affiliated with the Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona, serves as secretary on the National Honor Society, assists with environmental chemistry research at the University of Arizona and runs an academic blog called @maritzastudies where she posts studying content for students. She said that she is interested in studying public policy or environmental studies after she graduates high school.

“That’s something that I also care about a lot, the access to education,” Padilla said. “It’s just unfair to students who were never given the opportunity to learn to be hindered by their ignorance of sexual health, their lack of literacy.”

Other local fellows include Farah Mohamed, 21, Myleigha Truitt, 22, and Samuel Turner, 21, whose community health project MIA (Mental Health Awareness)

Maritza Roberts-Padilla, 18, is a BASIS Tucson North junior. (Institute for Citizens & Scholars/Submitted)

seeks to address mental health and trauma that impact young people.

“I think one of the things that is exciting to me (is) the diversity of the group,” Watson said.

“Some of the fellows had just a kernel of an idea about what they wanted to work on and were able to put one or two action steps on paper, while others had a much clearer sense of the steps they would take over the course of the 10 weeks. It will be exciting to see how the group learns from each other.” 

WARNING! PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENTS NOT WORKING!!

Oro Valley AZ – When it comes to chronic pain and/ or neuropathy, the most common doctor-prescribed treatment is drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin. The problem with antidepressants or anti-seizure medications like these is that they offer purely symptomatic relief, as opposed to targeting and treating the root of the problem. Worse, these drugs often trigger an onset of uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes harmful side effects.

The only way to effectively treat chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is by targeting the source, which is the result of nerve damage owing to inadequate blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet. This often causes weakness, numbness, tingling, pain, and balance problems. A lack of nutrients causes the nerves to degenerate – an insidious and often painful process.

As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves

cannot survive, and thus, slowly die. This leads to those painful and frustrating consequences we were talking about earlier, like weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, and perhaps even a burning sensation.

The drugs your doctor might prescribe will temporarily conceal the problems, putting a “BandAid” over a situation that will only continue to deteriorate without further action.

Thankfully, Oro Valley is the birthplace of a brandnew facility that sheds new light on this pressing problem of peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain. The company is trailblazing the medical industry by replacing outdated drugs and symptomatic reprieves with an advanced machine that targets the root of the problem at hand.

Effective neuropathy treatment relies on the following three factors:

1. Finding the underlying cause

2. Determining the extent of the nerve damage (above 95% nerve loss is rarely treatable)

3. The amount of treatment required for the patient’s unique condition

Arrowhead Physical Medicine in Oro Valley AZ uses a state-of-the-art electric cell signaling systems worth $100,000.00. Th is ground-breaking treatment is engineered to achieve the following, accompanied by advanced diagnostics and a basic skin biopsy to accurately analyze results:

1. Increases blood flow

2. Stimulates and strengthens small fiber nerves

3. Improves brain-based pain

The treatment works by delivering energy to the affected area(s) at varying wavelengths, from low- to middle-frequency signals, while also using Amplitude Modulated (AM) and Frequency Modulated (FM) signaling

It’s completely painless!

THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT THIS TREATMENT IS COVERED BY MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND MOST INSURANCES!!

Depending on your coverage, your peripheral neuropathy treatment could cost almost nothing – or be absolutely free.

The number of treatments required varies from patient to patient, and can only be determined following an in-depth neurological and vascular examination. As long as you have less than 95% nerve damage, there is hope!

Arrowhead Physical Medicine begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage – a complimentary service for comprises a detailed your friends and family.sensoryEach exam evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy findings.

Arrowhead Physical Medicine begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage –a complimentary service for comprises a detailed your friends and family. Each sensory exam evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy ndings.

Arrowhead Physical Medicine will be offering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until December 31st, 2022. Call (520) 934-0130 to make an appointment

Arrowhead Physical Medicine will be o ering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until March 31, 2023. Call (520) 934-0130 to make an appointment

Due to our very busy office schedule, we are limiting this offer to the first 10 c allers Y OU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL (520) 934-0130 NOW!!

We are extremely busy, so we are unavailable, please leave a voice message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Arrowhead Physical Medicine 10425 N Oracle Rd., Suite 125 Oro Valley, AZ, 85737

934-0130*

Blood donors needed to reverse shortage

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

Vitalant is urging all eligible blood donors to give in March to help patients amid a prolonged blood shortage that was compounded by inclement weather.

Cold, snow and other adverse weather conditions across the country canceled blood drives, preventing more than 1,300 donations to go uncollected in February.

To make a blood donation appointment, download the Vitalant app, visit

vitalant.org or call 1-877-25-VITAL (1877-258-4825). Southern Arizona locations detailed below.

Donors of every blood type are critically needed, especially those with type O. The universal blood type, O-negative, can be transfused to any patient when there’s no time to match.

O-positive is the most in-demand and transfused blood type.

Those living with disorders including hemophilia and von Willebrand disease depend on blood donations for their treatments to alleviate chronic pain

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and uncontrollable bleeding. Donors of every blood type are critical to helping patients for both ongoing and emergency needs.

Those who donate with Vitalant in March will automatically be entered to win one of two $10,000 prepaid gift cards, to be used wherever accepted, enough to buy groceries for a year. In addition, all donors are invited to join Vitalant’s donor recognition program.

With each donation, donors can receive points toward thank-you gifts redeemable online. 

If You Go...

Local blood drives:

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 19: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, gym, 8650 N. Shannon Road

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, March 27, DOD Tucson National Guard, main multipurpose room, 1750 E. Silverlake Road

To learn more, call us today and schedule your free, no-commitment demonstration!

to learn more about advertising in any of Tucson Local media’s six newspapers: Tucson Weekly • The Explorer • Marana News Inside Tucson Business • Desert Times • Foothills News

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AZ technology delivers speech that sounds clearer and closer to you - speech as it was always meant to heard.

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FEATURES

Spectacularly going nowhere around the garden

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER Tucson Local Media Contributor

ohn Carmichael has a serious avocation.

Hidden behind a bit of leafy screen in his front yard is evidence of his devotion to craft. There sits a garden train. It sounds prosaic enough, but one peek and the viewer will be amazed at the technology, the engineering, the electronics, the artistry and the mechanics of it all.

Carmichael’s garden train diorama is a true STEAM project.

“Every single one of these ties and stays are handmade,” said Chuck Cook, president of the Tucson Garden Railway Society.

“And designed,” added Carmichael. “Each one is different. Each one is made for the location.”

This is no small project, considering there are about 200 trestles.

“If you put all the pieces together, that’s about 4 linear miles of wood,” Carmichael said.

To it they add Victorian-era figures who, though stationary, seem busy. Then there’s the working funicular railway, and

the spectacular garden that surrounds the entire layout.

The public can check out these masterpieces during Rails in the Garden 2023 on

Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12. It’s a nine-stop, self-guided, self-paced

Members of the Tucson Garden Railway Society use G-Gauge for their garden setups. (Photo by Noelle Haro-Gomez)

From left, Philip Pappas, John Carmichael and Chuck Cook stand in front of the garden railroad created by John. Philip said he carried a lot of rocks around to make the display. Chuck is president of the Tucson Garden Railway Society. (Photo by Noelle Haro-Gomez) See GARDEN Page 10

FEATURES

GARDEN from Page 9

tour of members’ layouts, most of which are outdoors.

The train set is G-gauge, or 1:24 scale. It’s fairly large for those who are accustomed to the household-sized HO scale model trains, and was actually designed for garden railways.

Before he retired, Carmichael spent 25 years in the “retail and wholesale tropical foliage industry,” he said, which explains the garden.

“Most people who do the layouts pick a spot in their yard, and they say, ‘Oh, I want a figure 8 or a circle,’ and they build it,” Cook said. “This one, John had an aerial shot of the yard and put all this in the cactus that was already here.”

Carmichael added, “Most people just take everything out of their yard, and it’s a totally blank canvas. I didn’t want to rip out our plants. The plants were really important to me, so we had to find a design that would work around the existing plants.”

Carmichael took great care in designing around what was there.

“Rather than fight the trees and fight the plants, we wanted to bring them into the whole show,” he said. “We wanted the little people to live with the plants, so all over you’ll see how they adapted to living with plants.”

Although miniature, the Swiss Family Robinson-type treehouse, among other

structures, prove his point. There’s even a dinosaur dig. Carmichael built and designed everything himself.

He didn’t do it alone, however. He had help from his partner, Philip Pappas, who did quite a bit of the lugging and toting.

“He was my boulder guy, my landscaper helper,” Carmichael said.

Pappas said with a laugh that he had to go to work in his office during the week to get a break from the weekend labor.

Tucson Garden Railway Society members are concerned about the next generation, as they’re aging.

“This isn’t going to last long because we’re all getting old,” Carmichael said.

“We’ve lost some of our best members this year. Some of our best companies are going out of business because of COVID supply chain problems. We’re disappearing, so if you want to see some of these things, you better see them in the next few years because they’ll be gone.”

That is, of course, unless they can interest younger people in the hobby. All three men see great value in having garden railroads.

a“The good thing about garden railroading is it’s artistic,” Cook said. “It’s hands-on, it’s outdoors, it’s electrical. You have to learn set up. There’s a lot of things that are good hands-on things that I hope the kids will pick up.”

“They can learn everything,” Carmichael added. “It’s so great for kids.”

The outdoor layout has also united the neighborhood.

“The other cool thing about that is we’ve developed a neighborhood feel,” Pappas said. “Every neighbor knows us. They bring their grandchildren over. They stop by, so we’ve really developed a neighborhood mentality because of this.” 

If You Go...

Rails in the Garden 2023, a self-guided tour of members’ model train layouts

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12

WHERE: Locations around Tucson

COST: Free; monetary donations requested for Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and Tucson Garden Railway Society INFO: tucsongrs.org

John Carmichael integrated his train diorama with the foliage that was already in place. The setup is meant to represent the Victorian era.

(Photo by Noelle Haro-Gomez)

John Carmichael designed and built from scratch the funicular incline.

(Photo by Noelle Haro-Gomez)

The ticket station was modeled after a photo of a ticket booth Michael Carmichael had seen. He was meticulous about getting the details correct. (Photo by Noelle Haro-Gomez)

Village Medical fetes one-year anniversary

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

Doctors and patients from Tucson Village Medical at Walgreens celebrated the practice’s oneyear anniversary in southern Arizona on Feb. 28.

The company boasts six Village Medical at Walgreens in Tucson and two in Oro Valley. The celebration was held at the 5525 E. River Road, Tucson, location. They are full-fledged practices with a separate entrance, eight exam rooms and a door in the back of the practice that leads to the pharmacy so the doctors and pharmacist can communicate efficiently.

Village Medical provides health care services for individuals and communities across the United States, with primary, multispecialty, and urgent care providers serving patients in traditional clinic settings, in patients’ homes and online appointments. Its workforce of more than 20,000 operates from 680 practice locations in 26 markets.

Info: villagemd.com 

Public is invited to Trico’s annual meeting

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

Trico Electric Cooperative strives to serve its members — the community. One way of accomplishing this is through its annual meeting.

The staff would like to hear the public’s take on the future of energy at an 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1, meeting at Casino del Sol. At the meeting, the public can meet the faces behind the cooperative.

The meeting will include a report on

Trico’s efforts to serve its members’ interests and provide cost-effective, reliable and sustainable energy solutions.

Members will also be able to vote for the two board of directors positions up for re-election—district 3 (Avra Valley, Picture

There will be food, raffle prizes and trees for sale. Entrants must be present to win.

Info: trico.coop/annual-meeting 

Rocks, Star Valley) and district 6 (Corona de Tucson, Vail).

Village Medical feted its one-year anniversary with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Village Medical/Submitted)

Another infectious disease outbreak may be looming

BY MIA SMITT Tucson Local Media Columnist

Norovirus is not a new illness. It’s been around and reported for many years worldwide.

It is a gastrointestinal (GI) infection that can cause sudden severe vomiting and diarrhea and it is highly contagious. It sometimes causes fever, chills and overall body aches but the GI symptoms are the most prominent. It is usually spread through contaminated water and food or from unclean food preparation surfaces. It can also be spread through contact with an infected person. It occurs most often in crowded environments such as schools, nursing homes, airplanes, and cruise ships. It is most common in the winter.

Transmission is quick with vomiting and diarrhea appearing anywhere from 12 to 24 hours after exposure. The illness usually lasts only up to three days for most people and recovery is complete.

But for those at higher risk such as young children, the elderly, and people with a compromised immune system or chronic illnesses, the vomiting and diarrhea can require medical attention or hospitalization for severe dehydration. Norovirus cases have been steadily rising in England this year and it is looking like the United States is seeing an increase as well. It is an underreport-

ed illness since many people have mild symptoms and do not seek testing or medical treatment and also it is not an illness that health care providers have to report.

As of Feb. 4, 17% of norovirus tests were positive, higher than at any time last winter. While trending upward, the numbers are not reaching epidemic proportions here though it hard to know how many cases are present since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) only gathers data during norovirus outbreaks, not from random laboratories or hospitals. Outbreaks are a collection of cases from the same source, such as a school or restaurant and these must be reported to the CDC.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused problems for reporting norovirus outbreaks because many, if not most states, redirected much of their public health services, including reporting, to COVID-19 case numbers and public education on the pandemic. Unfortunately, this means the norovirus numbers were truly higher than the CDC estimates of community outbreaks.

Also, the pandemic lockdowns limited exposures. Schools and restaurants were closed. Hospitals and nursing homes were on extraordinarily high alerts for infection control. We became more diligent with hand washing and distancing so transmission of almost all seasonal illnesses waned significantly.

This was good in many ways but with less exposure to some illness pathogens, our immunity to those decreased, making some people more vulnerable and susceptible now as those illness resurface. (This is true of the respiratory syncytial virus, RSV, as well.) Between Dec. 26, 2022, and Jan. 2 the number of norovirus outbreaks in the United States increased from 15 to 25 according to the CDC.

While it is hard to make accurate predictions on these numbers, trends in Europe often travel across the Atlantic to our shores, as we have experienced with other diseases.

The COVID-19 virus has been especially deadly because it mutated frequently, and people were exposed to new vari-

ants and further illness despite vaccination. The only good news about the norovirus is that it has not undergone many mutations. The current strain causing infection is the “Sydney strain,” which has been dominant for the past few years. Fortunately, we can prevent personal infection and community outbreaks. Hand washing will continue to be a first line preventive measure for so many transmissible illnesses. Of interest is that those alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not as effective at killing this virus as soap and water. Keeping distance from people who are sick, masking around people who are coughing and vomiting, and carefully cleaning household surfaces with a product containing bleach will help to control the spread of illness.

Children can be little “petri dishes” and schools can be incubators for transmissible diseases such as norovirus. They forget to wash their hand or do so haphazardly unless supervised and they have very close contact with each other and share toys. They take illness home and often everybody in the household gets sick.

Norovirus is a very unpleasant experience but fortunately it is usually short lived. Treatment is for symptomatic relief and staying hydrated is of utmost importance. Drink water and an electrolyte drink such as pedialyte or diluted Gatorade every 30 minutes, enough so that you can urinate at least every six hours.

Nausea can be relieved with over-thecounter anti-emetics if needed. Hold off on solid foods when suffering through bouts of diarrhea and start with dry toast or a banana when that passes. Seek medical care if you cannot keep fluids down or your stools become bloody, or your symptoms persist beyond three or four days.

Be aware that we can harbor and shed the norovirus for a few weeks after the active illness so stay diligent on the hand washing and surface cleanings. Hopefully we can prevent an outbreak.

Mia Smitt is a longtime nurse practitioner. She writes a regular column for Tucson Local Media. 

Student Chronicles

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

Know of a student doing something remarkable? Tell us about it! Email christina@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Bela Rein of Tucson was recently named to the Dean's List at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, for the fall 2022 semester. To achieve dean’s list status, a full-time degree-seeking undergraduate student must take at least 12 credit hours and earn a 3.6 quality point average during the semester. William & Mary is the second oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.

Heather Scollick of Marana earned dean’s list honors at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, for the fall 2022 semester. To attain this distinction, students must earn at least a 3.5 average on a 4.0 grading scale. Hollins is an independent liberal arts university offering undergraduate liberal arts education for women and selected graduate programs for women and men. The university features 29 undergraduate majors and 15 coed graduate and certificate programs.

Lucia Iurino, John Iurino and Joni Wallace of Tucson were named to the dean’s list at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, for the fall 2022 semester. The dean’s list recognizes students with a semester grade point average of 3.75 or higher on a 4-point scale.

Hannah Pfleiderer of Marana and Abel Barrios of Tucson made the academic high honor list at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota. Among 3,714 students, a total of 1,126 students qualified for the high honor list by achieving a 4.0 straight “A” average, while 2,588 students earned a 3.5 to 3.99 average to qualify for the honor list. To qualify for academic honors, undergraduate students must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours for the semester. Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 14,482 students, is part of the Minnesota State system,

which includes 26 colleges and seven universities.

Joshua Tofel of Tucson was named to the dean’s list at Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina, for the fall semester 2022. To be named to the dean’s list, a student must maintain a 3.5 grade point average or higher for the semester.

Sara Brunenkant, of Marana, was named to Tallahassee (Florida) Community College’s fall 2022 dean’s list. Brunenkant was among more than 1,600 students with a 3.50 grade point average earning their spot on the dean’s list.

Chloe Cordova, a sport and recreation management student from Tucson, made the dean’s list at The University of Pittsburgh in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Dean’s list status is awarded to students who have earned a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Jacob Contreras was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester at the University of Texas at Tyler’s Soules College of Business. To qualify for the dean’s list, a student must have completed 12 or more semester hours of undergraduate college-level credit in the awarding semester with a grade point average of at least 3.75. To be considered for this recognition, a student must qualify as a matriculated student pursuing a first bachelor's degree. This recognition is made in fall and spring semesters.

Megan Curtis of Tucson was named to the dean’s list at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, for the fall semester 2022. The list is comprised of students who have earned a 3.7 grade point average or higher. 

SPORTS & RECREATION EXTRA POINT WITH TOM DANEHY

Association’s plan will be ‘obvious and ugly’

BY TOM DANEHY Tucson Local Media Columnist

For generations, the New York Times has been touted as “the paper of record.” They want to get the story right in the present, but they also want people to be able to look things up 50 years later and see that the Times often got it first, but always got it right.

Along those lines (but on a somewhat smaller scale), I witnessed something the past couple weeks and I want The Explorer to be the first in this matter. As a result of the Law of Unintended Consequences, something is going to happen, maybe next year, maybe the year after that, but it’s definitely going to happen, and it’s going to be ugly when it does.

A couple weeks back I wrote about a

new twist to the state high school basketball playoffs here in Arizona. The Arizona Interscholastic Association, taking a cue from other states, decided to have an open championship, taking the top 32 teams in the state regardless of division and throwing them into a giant tournament designed to determine the absolute best team in Arizona.

To avoid the embarrassment of having teams decline to participate, the AIA created an escape clause of sorts. Teams that lost in the first or second rounds of the open tournament could then go back to their own divisions (say, class 4A) and participate in that state tournament. It was like getting two free warmup games before heading off to state.

This year the 4A Kino Region was like the soccer World Cup’s Pool of Doom. Four

teams — Pueblo, Salpointe, Sahuaro and Flowing Wells — all had legitimate shots at winning the state championship. Salpointe rolled to an undefeated 8-0 region record, while the other three beat each other up (and lost to Salpointe twice each) to end up with 4-4 records.

All four made it to the open tournament. Flowing Wells had to play Class 6A mega-power Desert Vista in the first round. Flowing Wells lost by 50 points, but so what? They got to go to the 4A State Tournament. Pueblo and Sahuaro both won their first games in the open tournament but lost their second games and then they also got to go to state.

two or three teams in the entire state, why would you want to reach that third round of the open tournament? It would be infinitely better to lose in one of the first couple rounds of the open and then go on to win the 4A or 5A State Championship. (Catalina Foothills’ girls also lost in the first round of the open and then reached the Final Four in the Class 5A State Tournament. They also played last night.)

It has got to be painful for players from Salpointe to have their season come to a crashing end in a made-up tournament and then turn around and see Pueblo in the final four of a much more significant tourney.

That brings me to what’s going to happen. Probably next year, a really good 4A or 5A team is going to get to the second round of the open tournament. They will look around and see all of the powerful teams left in the tournament, teams that they would have little or no chance of beating, and they will lose and drop down to their own state tournament.

But Salpointe won its first two games in the open and advanced to the round of eight. That’s pretty cool, but a loss in the quarterfinals of the open tournament would end a team’s season. There would be no dropping back down to the 4A State Tournament. As luck would have it, in that quarterfinal matchup Salpointe drew the same Desert Vista team that had dispatched Flowing Wells. In relative terms, Salpointe did OK. In the fourth quarter, they were only down by 30 and not 50, but they still got bounced, and their season came to an unfulfilling end.

Meanwhile, the other three teams all won their first-round games in the 4A Tournament. Flowing Wells would lose in the second round while Pueblo and Sahuaro would square off in the quarterfinals. Pueblo won and played in the state semifinals last night.

The deal is, unless you’re one of the top

No one will openly accuse them of tanking, but it will have been weird that their star point guard had a 24-hour bug that kept her from playing. Or that the coach decided to let his bench players get a few minutes. Or that their usual money defense was suddenly counterfeit that night.

No one will say it out loud, but everyone will know. It’s going to happen, and it’s going to be obvious and ugly. And the AIA will have no one to blame but themselves for creating the situation. 

Athlete of the Week: Allee Noble

BY TOM DANEHY Tucson Local Media Columnist

Sometime around Labor Day, Allee Noble will learn about “indoor facilities.” That’s because the senior leader of the Canyon Del Oro softball team will attend Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, on an athletic scholarship.

The weather in Muncie will quickly turn cold after she arrives in Indiana. While she and her Dorado teammates were getting ready for the start of the season by practicing in unseasonably cold Tucson temperatures in the high 50s for this season’s play, Ball State students were “enjoying” a high of 38 in February. The average low temperature doesn’t get above freezing until April.

Noble doesn’t mind.

“That’s OK,” she said in an upbeat manner. “They have a really good indoor facility.”

Noble is the catcher on a loaded Dorado team that is looking to get back to the state championship game again this year. (They lost in a slugfest, 10-7, to archrival Salpointe in last year’s title game.) She said that she has always played catcher, going back to when she started playing softball at age 7.

“I was the only one willing to wear all that catcher’s equipment in the 110-degree heat, but I figured if I was the only one, I would get to play all the time and never get subbed out.”

Being a star catcher has other perks, as well. She makes a little money on the side giving catching lessons to younger players.

Around age 13, she became a slap hitter, taking advantage of her being a left-handed hitter and her wheels. (In a broad generality, catchers in both baseball and softball are not known for their foot speed, but there are exceptions.) “I’ve really been working on getting out of the (batter’s) box and getting down the baseline fast.”

The two-word phrase that is holding most of her attention is “state championship.” Her squad came tantalizingly

her high school career with a title. The Dorados were clearly one of the best teams in the entire state last year. They lost an early season tournament game to Class 6A power Desert Vista. They then went 16-2 in the regular season, but both losses were to Salpointe (by a combined score of 21-4).

They advanced to the state tournament and won their first four games by a combined score of 42-7. (Three of the four games were shortened due to the mercy rule.) It all came down to the state championship game at the UA’s storied Hillenbrand Stadium.

“It was really frustrating,” she recalled. “We had so many chances to take control of the game. I mean, we scored seven runs. Every other game last year where we scored at least seven runs, we won.”

While she and her teammates don’t like losing to Salpointe, they do enjoy the intensity of the matchups. “There’s just this incredible feeling in the atmosphere when we play them. It’s like the best against the best. I look forward to playing them again this year and this time coming out on top.” 

Edited by Will Shortz No. 1128

Edited by Will Shortz

HOROSCOPE

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Stop being the wool-gathering Lamb, and start turning that dream project into reality. You have the ideas, the drive and the charisma to persuade others to follow your lead. So do it.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You've scored some big successes. But remember that all hard-working Ferdinands and Ferdinandas need some time to restore their energies and refresh their spirits.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You're gaining a stronger mental image of what you're trying to achieve. Now, look for the facts that will help get this to develop from a concept into a solid proposal.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Some of you eagerto-please Moon Children might want to delay some decisions until midweek, when you can again think more with your head than your heart.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) A new business venture seems to offer everything you've been looking for. But be careful that this rosy picture doesn't betray traces of red ink under the surface.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A volatile situation needs the kind of thoughtful and considerate care you can provide right now. There'll be plenty of time later to analyze what might have gone wrong.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your loyalty to a friend in a tough situation earns you respect

from people you care about. Those who criticize you don't understand what friendship is all about.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your strong work ethic is rewarded with the kind of challenging opportunity you love to tackle. Now, go ahead and celebrate with family and/or close friends.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A legal matter you thought had been finally resolved could require a second look. But don't make any moves without consulting your lawyer.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Taking charge is what you like to do, and since you do it so well, expect to be asked to lead a special group. This could open an exciting new vista for you.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) An important matter might wind up being entrusted to you for handling. The responsibility is heavy, but you'll have support from people able and eager to help.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A spouse or partner might make an important, even life-changing, suggestion. Consider it carefully. It could hold some of the answers you've both been looking for.

BORN THIS WEEK: You always try to do the right thing for the right reasons. No wonder people have come to depend on you.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc. 

and study 10 Treadless, as tires

Clickable image 15 Knights of the Round ___

Scent 17 Pepper measuring over 1 million on the Scoville scale 19 “Veni, ___, vici” (Caesar’s boast)

20 Ages and ages

21 Israeli port north of Tel Aviv

22 Drawn-out attack

23 Chanel No. 5, par exemple

25 They’re the picture of innocence, in the pictures

27 Longtime friend

Individual

Mount Etna output

32 Brings up, as a child 34 Owl’s question?

37 The whole ___

DreamWorks princess who remains an ogress after true love’s kiss

60 Roadside stopover 61 Taj Mahal locale 62 Really miffed … or a hint to the circled letters

Inspect for information, as a gas meter 65 Cry from a goat

“___ Man” (1984 cult film) 67 Run without moving, as a car 68 In an unusual manner

Unspoiled paradise

1 Skull-and-crossbones fraternity, for short 2 Golfer Lorena 3 Wheeled vehicle designed to function in low gravity 4 Many a “Star Trek” officer: Abbr.

5 Spending time away from parents for the summer, say 6 When doubled, a brightly colored fish

7 Certain collection of criminal evidence and documents

The “A” of E. A. Poe

Big retailer of outdoor gear

12 Après-ski locale

Towels off

“Clunk!”

Have a feeling

Fatty flesh

Like many a Tarantino movie

Best Picture winner set in Iran

Acid that’s “dropped”

“I’ve got it!” 33 π r2, for a circle 34 On the mark, as an insult or a dart 35 ___-haw (donkey sound) 36 Praiseful poem

38 “Stayin’ ___” (Bee Gees song often used in CPR training)

39 Called off, as a launch 41 ___-Ball (arcade game)

Encouraged

Like 86% of New York State, contrary to stereotype

“This poker hand’s no good!”

Potter’s Potions professor