Brian Box Brown, Rob Brezsny, Tom Danehy, Connor Dziawura, Eva Halvax, Laura Latzko, Andy Mosier, Jacinda Palomo, Linda Ray, Margaret Regan, Will Shortz, Jen Sorensen, Tom Tomorrow
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THESE PUBLIC FIGURES ARE THE WORST IN ARIZONA
By Tom Danehy Tucson Weekly Columnist
These are some of the very worst people in Arizona:
Kari Lake: Still rakin’ in the dough on the Losers’ Circuit, Lake is technically an Arizonan, but she now mostly belongs to the vast sea of angry old white people who are willing to show up at a gatherin’ or a meetin’ to hear a regurgitation of the lies that she spewed, the ones that allowed a very mediocre Katie Hobbs to become governor of the Grand Canyon State. Lake ran one of the worst campaigns in Arizona history; she made Terry Goddard look dynamic. All she had to do was go on TV and say, “I’m a Republican; that means I’m not a Democrat”
and she would have won by 5 percentage points. Instead, she went full-frontal, conspiracy clown, election-denier Trumpist and Arizona’s independents went “Yeah…no!”
Of course, after she took that ass-whuppin’, she tried to graft Trump’s election lies onto her own failed campaign, but that also went nowhere. She got laughed out of court by Republican judges and you’d figure that by now, six months on, she would have faded into Loser History. It got so bad that the state Supreme Court fined Lake’s lawyers for lying in court.
But she’s back with a new threat. She has said that if she doesn’t get installed
as governor (she’s not saying by whom since it’s an absolute impossibility), she’s going to run for senator in 2024.
So, she’s running for the senate. You’ve been warned.
Jayden de Laura: After I (and hundreds of thousands of other Arizona Wildcat fans) have been forced to wander in the desert for what seems like 40 years, waiting for a winning football team, we were all set to go all-in on the 2023 Cats.
And then we learn that UA quarterback Jayden de Laura committed sexual assault when he was in high school and basically got away with it. He and a teammate committed sexual assault on a 17-year-old girl, but because they were all under 18 at the time, the case went to juvenile court. He eventually had to write a letter of apology! Talk about judicial overkill.
This isn’t boys will be boys or he said/ she said. This is a heinous crime to which he admitted, one that could have put him in prison for decades if he had done it just a few months later.
sus to pull a fast one and stretch the boundary to include a mobile home in Flagstaff that Rogers claims to occupy… sometimes.
Rogers and her husband almost certainly live in either Tempe or Chandler, but she wouldn’t have received 20% of the vote if she had run in either one of those two districts. So she pretends to be from the redneck part of Flagstaff so she can preach nativism and antisemitism in the state legislature.
I should say that if the people of that part of Flagstaff and the surrounding boonies want to vote stupid, different strokes. The thing is that it’s illegal for Rogers (or anybody else) to do that. The Arizona Constitution requires legislators to live in the district which they represent.
A really funny (but not really) side note is that Rogers billed the state for nearly $20,000 for travel and subsistence expenses. She got the large amount because she used her Flagstaff address; people who reside in the Valley get a much lower amount.
You suck, dude. I hope backup quarterback Noah Fifita gets a chance to play and leads Arizona to a bowl game.
Kyrsten Sinema: I mean, she’s Kyrsten Sinema…Party of One.
Wendy Rogers: Where to begin? She’s such an angry racist white person that when she ran for office the first five times, she couldn’t even persuade the other angry white people to vote for her. The only reason that she won on the sixth try is that she got a guy on the committee that was drawing the legislative districts after the last cen-
That means one of two things. Either she’s scamming the state for money (which is a crime) or, to keep up appearances and to keep from getting busted for the fake-address scheme, she’s making regular trips to Flagstaff, leaving her comfy Valley homes behind to go camp out in a trailer. I don’t know which one I want more to be true.
Of course, the Legislature itself should be looking into this. Unfortunately, the jerkweed whose responsibility it to police that is…
Warren Peterson: The senate presi-
COVER DIAMOND LEX HONORS FLOYD WITH ‘BLACK IN AMERICA’
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Tucson Weekly Staff
Diamond Lex strives to be authentic.
His lyrics pull from reality.
Heavily affected by George Floyd’s death, he penned “Black in America, which pays tribute to the murdered Minnesota man.
Heard on all streaming platforms, “Black in America” originally hit airwaves in 2021, but the rapper said it didn’t receive the support it deserved. It’s being re-released Thursday, May 25, the anniversary of Floyd’s death.
“George Floyd’s death really made me question the police, in a sense, and how they handled the situation,” Lex said. “A lot of things transpired, like Black
Lives Matter. It was a weird situation, and it couldn’t have happened at a worse time. It was a hostile situation because of COVID.”
Lex said Floyd’s murder made him feel insecure because “you never know how things can pan out.” One to avoid trouble, he kept his nose in his business.
“I wouldn’t say I was overly afraid, but it makes you question some things,” he said. “You never know what can happen when it comes to situations like that.”
Lex is troubled that police officers and every day citizens are getting away with this. That led to “Black in America,” a dramatic song that starts with a rally and segues into gunshots.
DIAMOND LEX PULLS FROM REALITY TO CREATE HIS MUSIC. DEEPLY AFFECTED BY THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD, LEX WROTE, “BLACK IN AMERICA,” A SONG THAT WILL BE RERELEASED THURSDAY, MAY 25.
(JONO MELAMED/SUBMITTED)
“It really touches deep,” he said. “There’s a lot of truth in that song. There’s no fabrication. It’s how I felt about it. I really put some time into it.”
Variety is Lex’s “thing.” Never one to be pigeonholed, he crisscrosses the lines of East Coast and southern rap. Born in Mesa and educated at Gilbert High School, Lex has been performing since he was 7, but started making beats at 13.
Diamond Lex
Instagram: @diamondlexcge Facebook: diamondlex
He recorded his vocals onto cassette and when he heard his voice on tape, he thought, “We’re going to have to do something with this.”
“I liked a lot of the rappers for the music and when it comes down to the beats, I got more into it,” Lex said.
“I’m inspired by Timbaland, Pharrell and Swizz Beatz, major producers who came out with platinum hits for artists. I also look up to Drake, Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Tupac and Biggie, people who have messages. I don’t listen to watered-down stuff. I like stuff with content. I do like some club stuff and pop stuff, but I lean toward songs with a message, something that’s inspirational.”
From his cassette years, he upgraded to CDs and MP3s and digital tracks. Lex is planning to release his album, “Long
Awaited,” in mid-July. The collection took a backseat to his battle rap league and his studio, CGE Studios. Now that he has the right people in his corner, including award-winning DJ Jahmar, he’s ready to make his mark.
“I pushed music to the side,” he said. “It’s been two years since I released the ‘Diversity’ mixtape that has ‘Black in America’ on it. Over these past few years, I’ve written a lot of good content.”
He’s helped others as well at CGE Studios, working with a wide variety of artists ranging from rock bands to R&B singers and rappers. Working with them has inspired Lex.
“It makes me understand how to record somebody like that,” he said. “It’s fun to see a new artist and what they bring to the table. I’m bringing my album to the table next.”
CURRENTS
oran Institute is doing on the river.”
Along with its partnerships with Caterpillar and other organizations, the institute plays a crucial role with the Pima County Flood Control. The Sonoran Institute has completed research in over 200 locations across the river, enumerating every piece of trash they find. They publish their research in their Living River Magazine, documenting what type of trash can be found in the river and where it is to build a public database. They will also report data to Flood Control, who may use it to improve their own efforts during monsoon season.
SONORAN INSTITUTE HOSTS SANTA CRUZ RIVER CLEANUP
By Veronica Kuffel Tucson Local Media Staff
Alarge conservation effort— with many area groups and nonprofits — is cleaning trash along the Santa Cruz River. The Sonoran Institute is no different, but director Luke Cole addressed the crucial aspect of the organization’s work on the watershed.
“What separates the Sonoran Institute in particular initiatives is we’re collecting data all the while,” Cole said. “This is nonpartisan, this is data collecting and this is consensus building, bringing people to the river.”
The Sonoran Institute of Arizona will host its recurring Clean the Santa Cruz event on Saturday, May 20. Participants will meet at the river and pick up trash as part of the institute’s commitment to keep the Santa Cruz water flowing clean.
The institute will also host a raffle based on participation, and prizes donated by local businesses will be given out at the end of the event. After the cleanup, volunteers will head to Dragoon Brewing Company to celebrate their efforts, with first drinks at $1.
Their goal is to pick up over 2,000 pounds of trash in two hours. This minimum was greatly surpassed by their last cleanup in February, where more than 100 volunteers showed up to help.
“We’re hoping to do what we did back in February, which was to pull out 7,000 pounds of trash in two hours,” Cole said. “The community really exceeded our expectations, and the Santa Cruz River is better for it.”
An anonymous sponsor has pledged to give $1 for each pound of trash picked, up to $1,000. Caterpillar has also committed to sponsoring the cleanup, partnering with the Sonoran Institute in their efforts to clean the waste they find in the river.
Part of the company’s involvement comes from a desire to maintain the environment near its location on the Santa Cruz.
“One would think they chose that location because of the beautiful waterfront,” Cole noted. “They are a community stakeholder organization that’s tied with the Santa Cruz, and saw it worthwhile to support the work that the Son-
Although trash buildup has been an issue on the Santa Cruz, the river and its tributaries have run relatively clean for the last decade. The river used to be a bountiful resource to ancient Indigenous tribes before drying up around the time of western expansion in the 20th century. Since then, according to Cole, the water system has acted as an open sewer for the city.
“Great grandparents, grandparents and parents have cautioned their kids, understandably, from going into the river because it was so dirty and dangerous,” Cole explained.
After 2013, the Aqua Nueva and Tres Rios wastewater treatment plants were built and provided clean water to the Santa Cruz. The Sonoran Institute’s mission is to ensure the river continues to run clean and even improve the
water flow and quality in the years to come.
“The work we’re doing is meant to promote positive change with respect to those who came before us…” Cole added,. “... in hopes we can reconnect people with natural resources like the Santa Cruz River that have sustained them for millennia.”
Cole explained that everyone in the community can make a difference with the Santa Cruz, even if they can’t attend a trash clean up. Collecting a bit of trash in a road, driveway or neighborhood will prevent it from making its way into the water system.
He hopes that organized clean-ups not only benefit the river but teach people the importance of water conservation as a whole, especially in a vibrant desert city that owes its existence to it.
“Everybody who lives in Tucson and Pima County should feel a responsibility for stewarding the Santa Cruz River, what’s left of it and what we’ve been able to make of it,” Cole said. “That’s being a good neighbor and a good person in history.”
Clean the Santa Cruz by the Sonoran Institute
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20 WHERE: 514 N. Riverside Drive
COST: Free
INFO: https://rb.gy/v0wu9
dent, when asked if one of his members was breaking the law, responded with, “If you have three homes, you get to decide which one is a residence,”
I mentioned this list to a friend, and she asked why the morning right-wing radio talker wasn’t on the list. I figure his life is hard enough. One of the big things we learned from all the leaked emails and texts during Fox’s Dominion debacle is that even the people at the very top of that dung heap don’t believe that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.
He knows that Trump didn’t win. He knows that Blake Masters and Kari Lake didn’t win. He just has to say that stuff to feed the sheep and keep his job. Imagine having to do a Father Coughlin imitation for a living.
Find the latest events happenings in Tucson!
VOLUNTEERS FROM THE LAST CLEANUP PICK UP 7,000 POUNDS OF TRASH FROM THE SANTA CRUZ. (JULIUS SCHLOSBURG/CONTRIBUTOR)
DANEHY FROM PAGE 4
PCC STUDENTS SHOWCASE FASHION DESIGNS AT SHOW
By Laura Latzko Tucson Weekly Staff
Each year, the Pima Community College fashion design department spotlights student-created outfits by hosting a runway show.
This provides an opportunity for beginning-level to more advanced students to present pieces they have been working on for a semester or longer.
This year, the fashion show is Friday, May 19, at the Leo Rich Theater in the Tucson Convention Center. It will also be livestreamed for audiences who are unable to attend.
VIP tickets are available in a limited number and include a reception with light bites, a swag bag with items from
sponsors, early access to the silent auction and photo booth and seating in the first two rows.
This year’s fashion show is themed “A New Aesthetic, Presenting a Wardrobe that is Anything but Subtle.”
Show director Savannah Franco said this year’s runway show allows the designers to highlight what makes them distinctive.
“We wanted to showcase every student’s personality that they showcase within their garments,” Franco said.
“Everyone’s style is different, and I think with today’s fashion industry, you don’t really need to necessarily be
on trend. Anyone’s garment or wardrobe can be anything they want. That’s what we want to try to focus on. Some people’s style is more eclectic and more flashy than other people’s. There will be a nice variety on the runway.”
Franco, who is also the social media specialist and lab assistant for the fashion department, started out as a student at Pima. She has had designs in the fashion show and has watched the event expand and evolve.
“My very first show was on campus. It was when they used to have it within the theater department, at the Proscenium (Theatre) on West Campus,” Franco said.
“Because the show just kept gaining interest, and people started seeing there is this fashion show that happens at Pima, it moved to the Fox (Tucson Theatre) and started getting bigger and bigger…Being in the show, just putting in one or two garments, and seeing it progress is really cool.
“Just seeing it progress over the years and continue to grow and grow has been a cool thing to see, especially for students within the program. It gives them a chance to really participate in a real fashion show of a great magnitude.”
This year, the estate of Janis Joplin
donated fabric from the “Made for Pearl” collection, which was created by her niece, Malyn Joplin Dahlin, in honor of the music icon.
Pima students worked with fabric from this collection, including velvet and ’70s-inspired prints.
For the fifth year, the fashion department has partnered with Goodwill of Southern Arizona for an upcycle design project, through which students had the chance to create sustainable designs.
Students also used the Tukatech digital pattern-making program in creating looks for the runway.
Franco said it can be meaningful to see original designs once they have been printed onto fabric.
“It’s super exciting to see the fruition from just a design in your head, to being on the computer, to being a garment on the runway,” Franco said.
Franco said sustainability has increasingly become more of a focus in the fashion industry. Using donated fabric from the Janis Joplin estate and creating patterns using digital software allows the school to engage in ecologically friendly practices.
Recently, digital programs have be-
(LEFT TO RIGHT) KALISTICA LUEVANOS MODELED HER OWN DESIGN IN PIMA FASHION’S 2022 RUNWAY SHOW; LISA OLSON’S DESIGN IN PIMA FASHION’S 2022 RUNWAY SHOW; KATHLEEN GARZA’S DESIGN IN PIMA FASHION’S 2022 RUNWAY SHOW. (DAN QUIÑONES/CONTRIBUTOR)
come more prominent within the department. This is part of an effort to expose students to technologies they will see working in the fashion industry.
The fashion show is a fundraiser for the department, which helps them to be able to purchase digital products and make further updates to the lab.
Students in the program also get exposed to different careers within the fashion industry. Franco said there are different routes that students can take after they graduate.
“You could be a pattern maker. You could be a designer. You could be alterations. You could be a textile designer. You could be a stylist. You could work in retail in merchandising. There are different avenues. It’s not just about being a designer and having a brand. There’s a lot of different jobs and aspects that go into a brand,” Franco said.
During the fashion show, around 45 students will be presenting anywhere from one look to as many as five or six.
Some students have taken part in the show multiple times. Franco said it can
be exciting to see the growth in these students over their time at Pima.
“You can see their skills set is evolving. They are venturing and trying to figure out what is my style? What do I want to create and how can I evolve that?” Franco said.
The garments featured in the show are mainly produced within fashion design classes.
“It can be from beginning sewing classes, where they are learning to make pajamas, skirts and shirts, all the way up to advanced, where it could be much more tailored garments, more difficult fabrics. We even have a bridal gown in the show this year. So, most of the garments come from projects they submit in class, learning techniques to perfect their sewing skills,” Franco said.
Students within the program are also allowed to showcase designs they worked on at home.
Franco said there will be a variety of different styles, including ready-towear, evening wear and street wear fashions.
The show attracts students who have a goal of working in the industry as well
as those who are pursuing fashion design as a hobby.
Along with students, two alumni will present collections. Franco will bring looks from her Zabana Clothing brand, and faculty member Lisa Olson will present designs from her Lisa Christine brand.
Franco sells her designs at markets around town.
Her brand tends to feature ready-towear designs inspired by space and aliens. She said her clothing is meant for the “young at heart.”
“I always feel like no matter what your age is, fashion should be fun. It should be your personality. It should just showcase you,” Franco said.
During the fashion show, designs will be modeled by students, professionals, friends and family members of designers and the designers themselves.
The fashion show has a following in Tucson.
In 2019, it drew a sold-out crowd and raised around $30,000.
In 2022, the show returned with an intimate in-person audience of around 50 people and a livestream that drew
over 1,200 viewers.
This year will be the first big show back with a full audience since 2019. Franco said the event allows people in Tucson a chance to experience a runway fashion show while supporting local students.
“There’s an interest in fashion within the community. The fact that they show up in support and come to the shows is really great. Our little program is small but mighty,” Franco said.
PCC Fashion Design Department’s Fashion Show: A New Aesthetic
WHEN: 6 p.m. VIP reception. 7 p.m. general admission doors open. 7:30 p.m. fashion show begins. Friday, May 19
WHERE: Leo Rich Theater, Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Avenue, Tucson
COST: $25 general admission, $60 VIP admission
INFO: pimafoundation.org/event/ fashion
By Linda Ray Tucson Weekly Columnist
MOUNT LEMMON HILL CLIMB
Ride 59.6 miles up and down Mount Lemmon with the Greater Arizona Bicycling Association (GABA). The organization’s motto is “Cycling is more than just riding a bike,” so know that you’ll be supported through every pedal push. You may need it. This climb has been named 33rd on a list of 100 toughest road bike climbs in the United States. That means you’ll be welcoming outof-towners, including some Europeans.
6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 19, meet at McDonald Park, 4100 N. Harrison Road, bikegaba.org, free
SANTA CRUZ RIVER HISTORY TOUR
Mauro Trejo guides this new, 2-mile adventure over ground that’s seen all 4,000 years of Tucson’s continuous habitation. Our forebears hunted woolly mammoths nearby. Later, native agrarians invented an irrigation system to draw river water to their crops. A short distance away, a “convento” was one of the two-story adobe structures rare in the Southwest. The walk, hosted by the Presidio de Tucson Museum, includes a stop in the Mission Garden for the San Ysidro Festival, celebrating traditional methods of making flour from Sonoran wheat.
8 a.m. Friday, May 19, Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane, tucsonpresidio. com/walking-tours, $30 includes admission to Mission Garden
BUILD A MODEL AIRPLANE
The third Saturday of every month, kids are invited to discover the fun of making and flying model airplanes. Each child gets a quick-build model kit to construct while they learn about the aircraft. Then they get to visit the real thing out on the tarmac. Museum admission isn’t included in the price, but it’s not required. Each child must be accompanied by an adult, but an adult can accompany no more than three.
10 a.m. Saturday, May 20, Administrative Building, Pima Air and Space Museum, pimaair.org/
INTRODUCING CATALYST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE
The 14,0000-square-foot Catalyst Maker Space now has a new name and a bigger, better concept. An event celebrating the new mission also highlights its new emphasis on sharing resources in a way that participating organizations learned to survive and thrive during the pandemic. Guests will enjoy food and beverage sampling, live performances by partnering organizations, visual arts by artists in residence and interactive educational activities.
5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 19, Catalyst Creative Collective, Tucson Mall, 4500 N. Oracle Road, Suite 110, saaca.org/aboutcatalyst.html, $40
VOCALIST CRYSTAL STARK BRINGS “NOTHING BUT LOVE” TO THE TUCSON POPS. (THE GAWNES/SUBMITTED)
TUCSON POPS: “NOTHING BUT LOVE” WITH CRYSTAL STARK
Local favorite Crystal Stark, a vocalist, artist and “American Idol” finalist, performs a range of popular standards and show tunes, including “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” “Natural Woman,” “I Will Always Love You” and “At Last.” English horn soloist Christian Hill performs a Nelson Riddle arrangement of “When I Fall in Love” and the orchestra will play more favorites. Food truck sales benefit the Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank.
7 p.m. Sunday, May 21, DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, 900 S. Randolph Way, tucsonpops.org, free
CINEMA TUCSÓN: “HOME IS SOMEWHERE ELSE”
This animated feature-length documentary reveals the hearts and hopes of children in undocumented families. Three immigrant kids tell of the complexity of their lives, the challenges their families face and their worst nightmares about their predicament. A different team draws each story in a unique style. Spoken-word poet Lalo, “El Deportee,” weaves them all into a unified narrative.
ANIMATED DOCUMENTARY “HOME IS SOMEWHERE ELSE” TELLS A STORY OF UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN. (FOX TUCSON THEATRE/SUBMITTED)
7 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, foxtucson.com, $6
makentake, $20 for nonmembers, ages 6 and older
WAILA CELEBRATION
We may seem a little heavy on the Waila pedal, mentioning every waila event we find, but the Tohono O’odham social dance known as Waila, or “chicken scratch,” is community gold. Young, old, friends, strangers, lovers, loners, saints and sinners shuffle and smile, always counterclockwise, as one big family. Waila’s heart-like beat is everything, but the band’s defining accordion and
like fun! The Revenue band will fill the night with emo classics while Hath No Fury Tattoos staffs a tattoo station. Forsythe Imaging will run a photo booth to capture everyone’s best emo-tude.
8 p.m. Saturday, May 20, Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway, facebook.com, $10
GEORGE HOWARD CELEBRATION OF LIFE
George Howard was a legend of live blues in Tucson. When he died last month the blues community was left reeling. A regular at Gaslight Music Hall and Oro Valley Marketplace, his shows covered the entire blues genre. Join in with the Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation for a tribute that features at least 12 Tucson blues musicians. 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 21, Hotel Congress Plaza, 311 E Congress Street, hotelcongress.com, $10 suggested donation.
CHILD POOL SAFETY PROGRAMS
Registration for swimming lessons opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 23. Classes fill quickly, but you might beat the clock, or at least get on a waiting list, by registering online. Classes for infants and toddlers teach how to float, submerge, move in the water and roll over to breathe. The classes incorporate songs and other familiar activities to make the learning fun. Classes are at various times at parks throughout the city. 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, registration, tucsonaz.gov, $15 per session
SWEET GHOSTS WITH CALEB CAUDLE
saxophone pump up the joy. See the website for details about the history, sources and complexity of Waila music. Food and arts and crafts will be for sale.
4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 20, Desert Diamond Sahuarita Plaza, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita, ddcaz. com, free
CRY FEST EMO NIGHT
What is emo western wear? “Y’allternative fashion”? If you’ve got it, wear it. Event organizer Katt Kassidy promises that this event will “Go offfff!” Sounds
Sweet Ghosts is vocalist Katherine Byrnes and singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Alfred. For their Century Room show, they’re adding pianist Angelo Versace and bassist Colin McIllrath to help flesh out music from their just released album, “When it Burns.” The pair’s Americana-tinged music is smart and tasteful, exploring the ebb and flow of relationships. Fans may know Alfred as Calexico’s upright bassist. Both he and Byrnes often sing harmony with Calexico, and Byrnes is the choreographer for The Gaslight Theatre.
7 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, The Century Room, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, hotelcongress.com, $20.25
LAUGHING STOCK
DARYL FELSBERG THINKS THERE’S ROOM FOR EVERYONE
By Linda Ray Tucson Weekly Columnist
Daryl Felsberg’s been a popular road comic for over 30 years, traveling out his home in South Texas. He figures he’s performed 13 or 14 times at Laff’s Comedy Caffe, where he’s headed May 19 and May 20. He loves everything about it, here, especially the rock people and the rock lawns.
Recently, he’s launched a YouTube channel about road food — taco stands, convenience stores and the like. It’s called “Daryl Eats.” He’s looking forward to adding an episode about the comparative merit of Tucson taco stops vis a vis his more familiar ones in Texas. (We gave him the lowdown.)
That Felsberg loves food is the most obvious thing about him. On the surface, he represents a population that is way too overweight to be healthy, but
he just loves to eat. Otherwise, his eating and his weight, in current parlance, don’t define him. He jokes about related issues, but we won’t likely hear about related insensitivity.
That’s relevant because, when asked about how the comedy scene has changed over the past handful of years, he said, “I actually think that outside of, you know, culturalism, it’s a lot better than it was before.”
Wait. What about culturalism?
Felsberg has a theory about how and whether audience sensitivity to race, gender, “Me Too” and other “isms” have altered the character of comedy in recent years. He considers it, thoughtfully, from the perspective of his years as a somewhat weight-disabled person on the road, making people laugh for fun and profit.
ty, Felsberg’s own comedy isn’t likely to inspire walkouts. “There are comics who are extremely edgy that love to poke as hard as they can and incite people.
“I don’t particularly care for that.”
He suggested that provocative comics feel that the public “needs to hear their opinion on politics or whatever. We don’t need a comic to stand on stage and contradict (people’s) beliefs and theories and feelings.” He pointed out that a typical dinner-anda-show evening for two costs upward of $100. “They’re trying to escape. They’re trying to get away from politics. They’re trying to get away from the division.
“We’re entertainment.”
Daryl Felsberg
WHEN: 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Friday, May 19; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20
“I think what’s happened is that the public has provided us new guidelines,” he said, “but that’s probably not going to work.”
He said the “guidelines” worked at first because comics weren’t working. As soon as venues open, he said, the “A-list” comics were working “B-list” venues just to get back on stage. It took a while for road comics to begin finding work.
Felsberg said he believes strongly, though, that standup comedy is the last bastion of free speech. When people abandon comics for their material, he said, “The good thing is that we’re finding people that move right into their place. If you don’t like the way a comic presents something, you don’t have to go. There’s probably two other people that’ll take your seat.”
We’ll see how that works out, but, notwithstanding some vulgari-
WHERE: Laff’s Comedy Caffe, 2900 E. Broadway, Tucson
COST: Tickets start at $15; two-item minimum INFO: 520-32-FUNNY, laffstucson.com,
FRANCO ESCAMILLA COMES TO AVA
Hurry to get what may be the last available tickets to see Mexican comedian and musician Franco Escamilla at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 4, at Casino del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road. Tickets start at $99 at casinodelsol.com.
Besides performing throughout the Mexican Republic and Latin America, Escamilla has sold-out shows in Paris, London, Barcelona, Hong Kong and Tokyo, and has toured Sydney, Melbourne, Israel and Dubai among others. In the United States, he’s appeared in such prestigious venues as New York City’s Carnegie Hall and LA’s Crypto.com Arena, where he performed in English with fellow Latino comedian Gabriel Iglesias. He’s also logged four Netflix specials and dozens of TV performances and
YouTube video episodes.
A musician as well as a comic, Escamilla passed through careers as a criminologist and an attendant at Kentucky Fried Chicken on his way to becoming an international star.
COMEDY IN CATALINA
We’re glad to see Nicole Riesgo doing some hosting. She’s funny and strong with a unique outlook on being just enough different to make life amusing. She’ll host “Comedy in Catalina,” 9 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at Catalina Craft Pizza,15930 N. Oracle Road, Suite 178. Kenny Shade is producing the show with Tempe comic Manny Hernandez as headliner, and Mesa’s Ezra Storment as feature comic. Filling out the lineup are local favorites Connor Hanna, Allana Erickson-Lopez and Lisa Kristine. Admission is free with a donation of clothing or nonperishable food.
OPEN MIC UPDATES
We’ll be reminding you soon of all the regular open mics in Tucson, but meanwhile you should know of some changes. The Friday mics at Kava Bar and Spark Project Collective are gone, but two mics have returned after stepping away during COVID-19, and some
DARYL FELSBERG’S COMEDY MAKES FOR GREAT ESCAPISM. (DARYL FELSBERG/SUBMITTED)
NICOLE RIESGO HOSTS COMEDY IN CATALINA. (JAMES STANLEY/CONTRIBUTOR)
TELEVISION
AARON BRANCH APPEARS IN ROB LOWE’S SERIES ‘UNSTABLE’
By Laura Latzko Tucson Weekly Staff Writer
Aaron Branch had dreams of becoming an actor and comedian from a young age. Now, he is playing Malcolm Drummond on the recently premiered Netflix series “Unstable.”
The workplace comedy stars Rob Lowe as Ellis Dragon, an eccentric biotech innovator whose life spirals after the death of his wife. His son, Jackson, played by his real-life son John Owen Lowe, comes to work for him to try to save his company, Red Dragon Lab.
In the show, Branch plays Jackson’s childhood friend and Red Dragon Lab’s project manager.
Branch brings his personal experiences to the role. He worked as a project manager and assistant to support himself as an up-and-coming comedian in LA.
Branch said the role of Malcolm appealed to him from the first time he read the script for “Unstable.”
“I had taken on all of these different roles, and with Malcolm, it felt like it was a culmination of a lot of experiences that I had from when I was in my early 20s living in Los Angeles, both pre- and post-pandemic,” Branch said.
“It felt like a really awesome way to graduate from that time period in my life to being in entertainment full time. Being able to do this full time is still a new thing for me, and I feel so lucky and energized every single morning when I wake up. This is what I’ve always wanted to do. This project and Malcolm set the tone for that.”
Branch said the “Unstable” set was family oriented.
“It was casual, but it was also professional at the same time. Rob Lowe is hilarious,” he said.
“He’s always there to offer advice. He was also always there to keep the good vibes flowing on set. I always felt very taken care of by the entire cast. Sian Clif-
ford is a freaking powerhouse, and she is also incredibly funny and incredibly kind. Me, Emma (Ferreira) and Rachel (Marsh), who were the newbies on set, always marched over to her dressing room. We would end up having lunch with her and listening to these crazy stories about projects she has worked on, experiences she has had.”
He initially didn’t land the role after doing a first director’s session. About a month later, he was called in for another director’s session and booked the role.
“Every process is definitely different. A lot of peaks and valleys, but I’m really happy this turned out the way that it did,” Branch said.
Branch recently was featured on Netflix Tudum’s “Fresh Faces” campaign.
He did the pilot for “Sue Sue in the City,” the spinoff for “The Middle.” He played a bellman, one of his real-life jobs. Branch has also done a number of national, regional and online commercials. He even had one stint as a hand model.
“I went in for the role of the lead character for that commercial,” Branch said.
“They ended up going with someone else, but I guess the director just liked my hands. I was turning lamps on and off, turning off switches. That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They paid for me to get a manicure. I felt so special. I was wearing gloves for a week.”
COMING TO LA
Branch has been living in Los Angeles since around 2018.
When he moved there, he had to establish himself in the local comedy scene, which took some time. These days, he performs at spots like the Laugh Factory Hollywood and the Hollywood Improv.
He has recently been doing more in San Diego and hopes to go on the road soon. Branch’s resume includes gigs
COMEDIAN, ACTOR AND WRITER AARON BRANCH PLAYS MALCOLM DRUMMOND ON THE NETFLIX SERIES “UNSTABLE.” (ERIC WILLIAMS/CONTRIBUTOR)
with childhood heroes like Craig Robinson. He especially admired Fred Armisen.
“I remember me and one of my childhood friends from grade school, we would sit in his living room and cry laughing at Fred Armisen’s sketches on YouTube. So, to work with him was a dream. He was always my favorite cast member of ‘SNL’ during his time period there,” Branch said.
In the last few years, Branch has been working on writing content; now he’s writing material for his debut comedy album.
“I want to put out something that I’m really proud of. I’ve been doing standup now for 12 years, which is insane to think about. The timing of everything right now, it just feels like it’s a good time to put something out,” Branch said.
showcase at the Laugh Factory. It wasn’t long after that he got the first audition for “Unstable.”
His recent material focuses on living in LA, including his time as a struggling actor and comedian.
“I’m either completely separated from that situation, or I’m really able to see the silver lining of some of my lowest points, not having any money and wandering around LA with a backpack and a dream and living in an artist commune with 25 people per room,” Branch said.
In 2021, he had a chance to spend a few months in the Joshua Tree/Palmdale area, where he wrote every day. He had just quit a full-time job because he wanted to pursue comedy and acting.
He found success with the jokes he penned during that time.
“In maybe a month of performing my material in LA, the first standup clip I posted on TikTok got 1.4 million viewers. That led to another video getting almost 2.3 million. It got a lot of views and a lot of traction,” Branch said.
Shortly after this, he took part in the Laugh Factory’s competition-style open mic, which he won three weeks in a row with this new material. He and another comedian sold out a “Fresh Faces”
“Everything just flowed in this beautiful way that I attribute to being at Joshua Tree for those two to three months, just hunkering down and intending to try to really do this,” Branch said.
BUDDING CAREER
Branch’s career as a performer started at age 7. He did school plays and performed at the local Kansas City children’s theater The Coterie, appearing in shows such as “The Wiz,” “Frindle,” “A Star Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hole in Heaven” and “Bud, Not Buddy.”
Hailing from Kansas City, he did his first open mic night at age 15.
He became a regular in the local standup scene, opening for headliners such as Dave Coulier, Carlos Mencia, T.J. Miller, Michelle Wolf and Iliza Shlesinger. He said he was embraced by local club owners and other comedians.
“They really put me in the position to learn and thrive in that environment,” Branch said.
He won the title of “Best Comedian in Kansas City” at the Stanford and Son’s Comedy Club.
MUSIC
JAZZ IS MUSICIAN LUIS MUÑOZ’S LIFE
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Tucson Weekly Staff
For world-renowned jazz artist Luis Muñoz, his mission with music is simple: sharing his heart and soul with people.
“It’s all about fun,” added the new Tucson resident. “I love connecting with the audience and telling them, ‘This is who I am. This is what comes from my imagination and heart. I hope you like it and let’s have fun.’”
The composer, producer, arranger and percussionist hopes to have fun at the Century Room, where he plays his first area shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday, May 26, and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 27.
He’s touring with a quartet, including Lois Mahalia from British Guyana, who worked as a backup singer for the likes of Kenny Loggins, Joe Walsh and Michael McDonald.
“She’s always been a backup vocalist,” he said.
“In 2019, my last record featured her as a lead singer. I’m touring mainly on that record with her and we’re doing material from my entire discography in the United States. That’s 10 CDs. There are some instrumental songs and some with vocals. There are influences from jazz to rock to tango to folklore from Costa Rica. I put no limits on myself
BRANCH FROM PAGE 12
When he was a fledging comic, his mom drove him to open mics and shows after work. She was always his biggest supporter.
His grandma became one of his biggest champions, although she was initially hesitant when he started doing open mics.
“We had to persuade my grandmother to go. My mom asked why she was so hesitant, and she said, ‘Because Aaron isn’t funny,’” Branch said.
“I love my grandma so much. She was
when it comes to the creative process and writing music.”
He recalled being signed to a record label, which dictated his sound.
“Now we do as we please,” Muñoz added.
The Luis Muñoz Quartet featuring Lois Mahalia
WHEN: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday, May 26, and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 27
WHERE: The Century Room at Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, Tucson
COST: Tickets start at $20 INFO: hotelcongress.com
Hailing from Costa Rica, Muñoz recently moved to Tucson from Santa Barbara. His wife’s family has lived in Tucson for 35 years.
He has 14 brothers and sisters, all of whom are amateur musicians.
“My father was a lot older than my mother,” he said. “After church on Sundays, they used to jam. Music is in my genes. It’s in my blood. I started as a rock ‘n’ roll artist. I was a boy band star in Costa Rica.
“A friend of my brother’s came from Boston, and he left a VW van at our house. He said there was something I was going to enjoy in the van. There was the biggest collection of jazz vinyl you could imagine. Miles Davis, everyone was there. I was totally immersed into that musical idiom. I really wanted to learn it. That was one of the reasons we came to the United States. It’s been great. I have no regrets at all.”
just being honest. But then, I did the open mic night. I did a great job, and the rest is history. She is my No. 1 supporter now. She just didn’t want me to get my feelings hurt.”
Branch attended Columbia College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in comedy writing and performance. Through the program, he was exposed to areas of comedy such as comedic acting, sketch writing, video production and the business aspects of being a working artist.
As part of his program, he spent a semester at the Second City in Chicago.
He has released 10 CDs of award-winning original compositions. His 2015 CD, “Voz” — with singers Claudia Acuña, Magos Herrera and Brazilian singer Téka—won two Association of Composers and Musical Authors awards in Latin America, including jazz CD of the year.
2017’s “The Dead Man” was named “Best Record of the Year” by Jazziz Magazine. Two years later, he was gifted with arranger of the year for “The Infinite Dream,” his collaboration with Mahalia.
He recently completed two new projects, “Canciones de Transfiguración y Esperanza” with Ték and “3/4 (Trio/ Quartet),” his second collaboration with Mahalia. Both will be released this year.
Muñoz was chosen among the 12 Best
“You are writing your own material. You are collaborating with other people within the program to make comedic pieces. We’re doing clowning,” Branch said.
His senior year, he participated in Second City’s and NBC Universal’s Bob Curry Fellowship master program.
Branch applies skills he developed in college throughout his career.
Branch said going through the program and doing standup in Chicago helped him to continue to evolve as an entertainer.
“I feel like I’m always trying to grow,
Artists of the Year by NPR’s AltLatino. Muñoz said he feels the need to write and express himself through the creative process. Every morning he awakens and sits at the piano, mumbles just to see what he came come up with.
“It’s kind of like a job,” he said. “I’m mostly an instrumentalist. It is what gives me joy. It makes me feel connected to this universe of ours and myself as well. It comes natural to me. I’m disciplined and driven. I just follow my heart at all times. I’m a father. I’m a husband and I’m a composer. That’s my life. I don’t strive for the greatest car. What brings me joy and keeps me grounded is the creative process, is music.”
and I’m always trying to push the boundaries. I feel like I became more comfortable with myself because of the program but also because I had the double whammy of being able to perform in the Chicago comedy scene on a nightly basis while being in the program. That helped me to find my comedic voice,” Branch said.
LUIS MUÑOZ AND LOIS MAHALIA WILL PERFORM THREE SHOWS AT THE CENTURY ROOM. (LUIS MUÑOZ/SUBMITTED)
ARTS
WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOW THEIR FIERCE LOVE OF NATURE
By Margaret Regan Tucson Weekly Contributor
In the summer of 2020, the first year of COVID-19, photographer Wendi Schneider fled her home in Colorado to the green mountains of western North Carolina.
She had been there before and had found a peaceful place and mountains teeming with trees of oak, walnut, cherry and maple. In that early visit in 2016, she had made one of her most loved her photos, “Locust,” taken near Black Mountain. The tree is tall and, in the image, spindly, standing alone across a backdrop of mountains reaching up to the sky.
When she returned during the time of the pandemic in 2020, she rose early in the morning to a sky filled with mist. She had always pined for green after moving to Denver. As each morning moved on, she watched the colors change with the light. She began a new series, “Into the Mist.”
In “Into the Mist II,” rich green leaves
surround the edge like a wreath, and, in its center, pale mist erases the distant mountains. In other photographs, it’s just the opposite. Tree branches fill the space, blocking the sun to shelter the forest floor and all the creatures below.
Schneider typically places her works in antique vintage frames. In that time of death and dying, the fancy frames were abandoned. Instead, she placed her pictures into frames that are plain, dark and black. But the trees still give us joy.
Schneider grew up among several generations of artists and studied art history and painting at Tulane University. She has said, “In 1981, I bought a Nikon to create references of models for my oil paintings.”
Later, she embraced photography, including the techniques of the dark room. While working as a photojournalist, she “fell in love with life through the lens.” But she did miss the oil paints. She began to experiment with translucent papers, vellum, Japanese kozo paper, and gold-leaf gilding. The result is work that is beautiful, unique, and almost painterly.
But there’s nothing like the desert with its saguaro, mesquites, and prickly pear cacti.
Laurie Lambrecht’s art is also rooted in nature and her sense of place. In her case, it’s Bridgehampton on the Long Island Sound, a small farming community that has become a tourist town. She grew up there as a child, lived in New York City for many years, and eventually returned.
“In my neighborhood were poets, book editors, painters or illustrators, playwrights. For me, having a life in the arts was a normal thing.”
She lives surrounded by tidal basins, freshwater marshes, and mature oak woodlands. Like Schneider, she has a passion for trees. In her exhibition at Etherton, “Bark/Cloth,” we have 18 close-up photographs of bark, but in a surprising twist, they are printed on precious linen fabric and ornamented with her own hand-woven embroidery. Lambrecht learned to embroider in the Girl Scouts and as a teenager, she learned to sew working in a fancy dress shop for summer visitors. Later, as an adult, she designed sweaters. Today, she calls herself a textile artist.
“INTO THE MIST II,” BY WENDI SCHNEIDER, PHOTOGRAPH. (COPYRIGHT, WENDI SCHNEIDER/ COURTESY ETHERTON GALLERY)
For the series “Into the Mist,” for example, she used hand-gilding that brought a golden shimmer to the pictures.
Tucsonans will be delighted to see the Arizona desert in two of her pictures in ‘States of Grace.” “Another World” and “Desert Mist” are stunning desert landscapes. Schneider employs the same techniques and motifs as in her North Carolina suite: golden morning light, silhouetted trees and misty mountains.
In her piece, “Madoo,” named after a garden and conservancy on Long Island, Lambrecht photographed a slice of tree bark in its natural browns and grays. Then she endowed it with an unruly web of embroidery, stitched in delightful red, blue and teal.
There are 18 of her works in the Etherton show, taken in different places, in the west as well as the east. Each one is different — different textures of bark, different colors of thread, different pallets altogether. “Wyoming” has brilliant yellows, some from nature’s lichen, some from Lambrecht’s embroidery, against a chalky white background. “Santa Fe” has streams of blue and blood red threads on what looks like the white bark of an aspen. “Tucson,” of course, is in the mix. Its bark looks like stone; its stitching is silver and gold — an image that evokes both nature’s rocky canyons and the destructive mines made by humans.
Schneider and Lambrecht are making work that celebrates nature, but
that doesn’t mean they are not giving a warning. The kind of beauty that fascinates them can be taken away. Lambrecht’s photographs on linen have an unusual, unexpected quality that draws you in. She invites us to look closely at the world and think deeply. Schneider’s gold-tinted images have a timeless quality, yet in them nature sometimes seems fragile. The colors are dark, even perhaps ominous, as if a storm were coming. Together, their art calls us to protect these places, for if we don’t, we risk losing them.
Reverence: Laurie Lambrecht, “Black Cloth” Wendi Schneider, “Into the Mist” and “States of Grace”
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday WHERE: Etherton Gallery, 340 S. Convent Avenue, Tucson
COST: Free
INFO: 520-624-7370, ethertongallery.com
LAUGHING STOCK FROM PAGE 11
comics are recommending a newish mixed mic downtown.
Espresso Art Café, 942 E. University Boulevard, is back at 8 p.m. every other Sunday. The next one will be Sunday, May 21. There’s a two-item minimum, but whoever performs the best set wins $20, and the runner up gets $15 tab. Rich Gary hosts.
Joey G is back hosting a Tuesday night mic at The Mint Bar, 3540 E. Grant Road. Signups are at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Visiting comics sometimes drop in for a guest set. There’s a two-item minimum.
Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Boulevard, has an open mic for comedy, music, storytelling and spoken word. Signup is at 7 and the start time is 8 p.m.
Note that while all open mics are free, what keeps them going is sales. A twoitem minimum may not be specified, but it’s the right thing.
OTHER SHOWS THIS WEEK
Tucson Improv Movement/TIM Comedy Theatre, 414 E. 9th Street, tucsonimprov.com, $7 each show, $10 for both shows, same night, free jam and open mic. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, Harold Eta and “Shatfan;” 8:30 p.m. open mic; 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 19, improv jam; 7:30 p.m. “The Soapbox” with Lauren Spradlin; 9 p.m. “Femme Drop” (distaff standup); 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20, “Tootpole” (musical improv) and “Game Show Show;” 9 p.m. “4th Avenue Confessions” Unscrewed Theater, 4500 E. Speedway Boulevard, unscrewedtheatre.org, $8, live or remote, $5 kids unless otherwise noted, 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 19, family-friendly improv; 6 p.m. Saturday, May 20, Unscrewed Family Hour, $5 all ages; 7:30 p.m., family-friendly improv; 9 p.m. “The Backyard Improv Playground,” pay what you will.
MUSIC
LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR
By Connor Dziawura Tucson Local Media Staff
MAY 18
Dear Nora w/Dogbreth and Cry, You Baby
Groundworks, 7 p.m., $10-$12
Tish Hinojosa
Hotel Congress Plaza, 7:30 p.m., $15-$18
Yoke Lore
191 Toole, 8 p.m., $20
MAY 19
Ecclectic Jazz
The Century Room, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $15-$25
Greg Morton & Jim Stanley
LaCo Tucson, 5:30 p.m., free
Grupo Firme
Tucson Arena, 8 p.m., $159.50-$904.50
Neil Hamburger
191 Toole, 8 p.m., $25
MAY 20
Jameson Clay Koweek
LaCo Tucson, 10:30 a.m., free
Lo Blow
Club Congress, 7:30 p.m., $10
Local Love w/Then When, Crown Syndicate, Cranberry Suit, Oracle Jane
Station and Gidget on Donuts
191 Toole, 7 p.m., $5
Tucson Pops Orchestra with Crystal Stark
DesertView Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m., $30
MAY 21
Aaron Lewis
The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 7 p.m., $55-$85
The Brummies
191 Toole, 8 p.m., $20
Mik and the Funky Brunch
LaCo Tucson, 11 a.m., free
MAY 22
Century Room Jazz Orchestra
The Century Room, 7 p.m., $15-$20
Twin Tribes
191 Toole, 8 p.m., $20
MAY 23
Miss Lana Rebel & Kevin Michael
Mayfield
LaCo Tucson, 5:30 p.m., free
MAY 24
Bastille
Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $36-$68
Mysterious Babies Traditional Jazz Band
The Century Room, 7 p.m., $10
Oscar Fuentes
LaCo Tucson, 5:30 p.m., free
Ultrabomb
191 Toole, 8 p.m., $20
BILL COULD BE A GAME CHANGER FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS
By Eva Halvax Tucson Weekly Contributor
SB1466 was approved in late March by Arizona lawmakers. If passed by the House, SB1466 would be a catalyst in changing Arizona’s current medical marijuana laws.
The bill fights to expand medical conditions that qualify one for a medical card, adding PTSD and autism to the list. Additionally, veterans would not pay for a medical license. The bill also fights to cut the costs of the card overall — plunging from $150 to $50. Considering that most Arizonans
have had to pay upward of $275 for a medical card, with all fees combined, this would be a massive change in how people can access cannabis as medicine.
While medical and recreational users pay a 5.6% transaction privilege tax, those who shop recreationally pay an extra 16% in excise taxes. Local counties and cities can also implement a local sales tax that ranges from 1% to 4%. So, while recreational cannabis is legal, those who rely on it as their medicine and cannot afford a medical card, pay
at least 20% in taxes for each transaction.
With all this in mind, it is not surprising that since the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2021, medical sales have trudged along. In fact, the Arizona Department of Revenue found that medical sales have steadily declined since October of last year.
The waters have always been murky between recreational and medicinal users. Because the state has a variety of laws regarding what can be sold recreationally and what can only be sold medically, those who cannot afford a medical card may still require medical products for optimal relief.
Having access to a medical card opens the door to cannabis products such as higher doses of edibles (Arizona currently limits recreational consumers to edibles dosed at 10 mg), lower overall costs, and the ability to buy larger quantities of cannabis per transaction. It isn’t always about getting high, and being unable to afford a medical card creates a valid frustration in consumption. If passed, SB1466 could break down these barriers.
Current qualified conditions for ap-
DEALER’S CHOICE
plying for a medical card in Arizona include cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, seizures and other severe medical conditions. At least 20 states have included PTSD as a qualified condition; and 14 count autism. If SB1466 becomes law, Arizona’s medical program would establish new avenues of relief for many people in Arizona.
Via AZMarijuana, Ann Torrez, the executive director of the Arizona Dispensaries Association, said, “ADA supports SB1466, which gives veterans the ability to acquire a medical marijuana card at no cost. Often veterans suffer from PTSD, insomnia, heightened anxiety and chronic pain. A free medical marijuana card gives veteran patients access to medical cannabis treatment for any of these common conditions.”
Any change to the medical marijuana program faces rigorous constitutional limits regarding the ways in which cannabis laws are changed. Any cannabis-related bill will only become law if two-thirds of supermajorities in each chamber support the bill. SB1466 received hearty bipartisan support and will move to the House where it must receive at least 40 votes.
THIS WEEK’S INDICA: El Jefe is a heavy and delicious strain, with deep purple and orange buds that are sugared with trichomes. El Jefe is typically high in caryophyllene, meaning that it has antiinflammatory properties, along with being helpful in helping with anxiety and depression. At the end of a long day, El Jefe will usher you into a happy state of relaxation.
THIS WEEK’S HYBRID: Jealousy is known for its warm blend of mental relaxation, and physical energy. Jealousy is a great strain to elevate your mood, without feeling too sedated. Complete with a terpene profile dominant in caryophyllene, limonene and myrcene, Jealousy delivers a unique high that soothes stress and brings on the giggles.
THIS WEEK’S SATIVA: Candyland has the perfect name. Bred by crossing Granddaddy Purple and Platinum Cookies, Candyland is a sweet delight of euphoria. Known for its vivid blend of bright green buds, Candyland can sweeten any sour mood.
ELECTRATECT CREATING MARIJUANA BREATHALYZER
By Jacinda Palomo Cronkite News
Scientists at Phoenix-based company ElectraTect are working to create a marijuana breathalyzer to detect recent consumption of THC — the major psychoactive component in marijuana.
As marijuana decriminalization spreads across the country, the market for the plant has flourished, along with a need for technology that can detect THC impairment.
Currently, marijuana is completely banned in only three states; 38 states, three territories and the District of Columbia allow medical use of cannabis products, and more than 20 states allow recreational use for adults, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
“I think especially in states where it’s legalized, we do need a device that can detect whether someone is impaired,” said Kayla Merker, research assistant for ElectraTect.
ElectraTect was founded in 2020 after CEO Evan Darzi and co-founder Neil K. Garg decided to create a company that would focus on the detection of THC, based on their prior work at UCLA.
Darzi, who was born and raised in Arizona, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arizona State University in medicinal biochemistry. After getting his doctorate from the University of Oregon in 2016, he received a National Institutes of Health grant to work as an organic chemist at UCLA.
After working together, Garg and
Darzi realized there’s a greater need for the general public to understand the importance of science in everyday problem-solving.
ijuana yet, Darzi said, “We came back to the lab and asked a bunch of the researchers there, ‘Hey, let’s look into this and see why there isn’t any technology like this.’”
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“I think when people hear about chemistry or science, they kind of shudder and don’t like to think about it,” Darzi said. “So we really wanted to do what we could to sort of bridge that gap. So we did a lot of outreach, including this whole series of organic chemistry coloring books — some are good for kids, and some are good for adults. But what Professor Garg also did was, he would give lectures in public spaces talking about very simple fundamental chemistry discoveries that led to technologies that we use every day.”
In these lectures, Garg would include examples, one of which was the wellknown breathalyzer.
After an audience member asked why there wasn’t such technology for mar-
The initial hurdle: At the federal level, marijuana is still considered an illegal Schedule 1 controlled substance — along with heroin, meth and LSD. Obtaining a Drug Enforcement Administration license took a year of paperwork, calls, emails and security, just to be able to conduct research. Then, they tackled the challenge of converting fundamental chemistry into something that could eventually be used in a handheld device.
“If we look at the molecular structure of alcohol versus THC, alcohol has two carbons and an oxygen. What that little breathalyzer is doing is actually tak-
ing away these two little hydrogens in a process called oxidation,” Darzi said. “If you want to do that on THC, there’s a lot more places where that can happen. There’s a much more complicated structure.”
Darzi and Garg published a paper about the idea that gathered a lot of interest from donors and investors, leading them to start ElectraTect. Currently, the company has six full-time employees in an office/laboratory space in a building on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus.
Overall, the need for a breathalyzer stems from the fact that current testing detects marijuana usage over days rather than recent use that is more closely linked to impairment.
“We don’t have technology that’s really capable of testing for THC, especially recent THC. So somewhere like Arizona, you can get pulled over, and we’re still using old-school testing technology that can’t really tell you recently" whether someone used THC, Darzi said. “But you can still get prosecuted, and you can still be denied the right to work. So we’re trying to really use our technology to build a more fair system for testing.”
Thomas Marcotte, co-director of the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at the University of California, San Diego, has been conducting cannabis clinical trials for more than two decades and is currently the principal investigator on studies addressing the effects of cannabis on driving performance.
“THC concentrations in blood spike very quickly, and then it very quickly distributes to other parts of the body. So within an hour, the amount of THC detectable in blood is very low,” Marcotte explained. “A person can still be impaired with these low blood concentrations; it is what is happening in their brain, not the blood.”
Marcotte said that regular marijuana users can also have low levels of THC in their blood hours and days after use, and that in the case of traffic safety, it can take hours after a blood draw to test the blood, leading to low concentrations.
Unlike alcohol, Marcotte said there is currently no biological method to deter-
EVAN DARZI, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF ELECTRATECT, HOLDS A FILTER USED FOR THC DETECTION IN THE COMPANY’S LAB. (MIA ANDREA/CRONKITE NEWS)
mine a legal limit for THC above which an individual can be called impaired.
“With respect to driving, at this point the best approach is for law enforcement to take into consideration the ‘totality of the evidence’ — driving behavior, driver interviews and field sobriety tests,” Marcotte said in an email.
While current technology, which detects marijuana usage through blood or urine samples, is not yet refined enough to work like a breathalyzer, ElectraTect is focused on what scientists there call the “peak impairment window.”
“There are clinical trials that show that there are trace amounts of THC on breath that are present between three to six hours after usage,” ElectraTect Senior Scientist Christina Forbes said. “We want to be able to capture that timeframe, which would correlate most with the peak impairment window, which is what we’ve been calling it.”
Forbes, who joined the company in May 2021, believes the product will benefit the public in many ways, especially in regard to public safety.
“We know from Colorado, once cannabis legislation passed — especially for recreational (use) — there was an increase in incidents of people … impaired due to THC while driving, leading to a number of traffic fatalities,” Forbes said.
“It’s a big problem, and we’ve seen that growing nationwide. These are people legally using a product, but they’re not actually being responsible, because they don’t know their own impairment levels.”
Madeline Meier, associate professor of psychology at Arizona State Univer-
sity, has researched the effects of cannabis use on cognitive function and mental and physical health. According to Meier, THC is fat-soluble, which means it’s absorbed into fat tissue and is gradually released into the bloodstream, which can show a positive blood or urine test for THC, even if the user has not used cannabis recently.
Meier agrees a marijuana breathalyzer is needed.
“This product is potentially very important,” Meier said. “Now that medical and non-medical cannabis use are legal in Canada and in many states in the U.S., it is critical to have accurate measures of recent cannabis use. Accurate measures could, for example, aid in exonerating drivers who are not impaired but show a positive blood test because they used cannabis yesterday.”
Meier said additional research is needed to find the most accurate tests of impairment and breath or blood cutoffs that reflect impairment.
Darzi said ElectraTect plans to market its breathalyzer to medical marijuana users first, but they will eventually offer the device to law enforcement.
“We don’t want to discourage people
from using cannabis products to treat their pain because they’re worried they might lose their job,” Darzi said. “We also want to know what level of THC impairment is unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery. It’s very likely there’s some low dose that can give you some pain relief, but is not going to exceed that threshold.”
Meanwhile, lots of questions remain, and competition is looming. California-based Hound Labs and Canadian firm Cannabix Technologies have also developed marijuana breathalyzers. Darzi said that what makes ElectraTect different is its approach.
“Each company is going about approaching and solving this product a little differently, but what sets ElectraTect apart from the others is our approach uses fuel-cell technology, which is something already widely used in a variety of other applications, such as alcohol breathalyzers,” Darzi said.
According to ElectraTect, it is too early to say what the exact cost of the product would be, but the company is ideally shooting for a price range similar to alcohol breathalyzers that are on the market for private consumers.
Forbes said ElectraTect plans to have the product available to the market in the next two to four years.
For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19)
Aries dramatist Samuel Beckett, winner of the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature, wrote 22 plays. The shortest was “Breath.” It has no dialogue or actors and lasts less than a minute. It begins and ends with a recording of the cry of a newborn baby. In between there are the sounds of someone breathing and variations in the lighting. I recommend you draw inspiration from “Breath” in the coming weeks, Aries. Be succinct and pithy. Call on the powers of graceful efficiency and no-nonsense effectiveness. Relish the joys of shrewd simplicity.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)
In the coming weeks, you Bulls must brook no bullies or bullying. Likewise, you should tolerate no bullshit from people trying to manipulate or fool you. Be a bulwark of integrity as you refuse to lower your standards. Bulk up the self-protective part of your psyche so you will be invincibly immune to careless and insensitive spoilers. Your word of power is BUILD. You will align yourself with cosmic rhythms as you work to create situations that will keep you strong and stable during the next 12 months.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20)
How much do you believe in your power to become the person you want to be? Ninety percent? Fifty-five? Twenty? Whatever it is, you can increase it in the coming weeks. Life will conspire with you to raise your confidence as you seek new ways to fulfill your soul’s purpose. Surges of grace will come your way as you strive with intense focus to live your most meaningful destiny. To take maximum advantage of this opportunity, I suggest you enjoy extra amounts of quiet, meditative time. Request help from the deepest core of your intelligence.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22)
Early in the 19th century, cultural researchers Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm gathered an array of old folk sto-
ries and published a collection of what we now call fairy tales. Because the two brothers wanted to earn money, they edited out some graphic elements of the original narratives. For example, in the Grimms’ revised version, we don’t get the juicy details of the princess fornicating with the frog prince once he has reverted to his handsome human form. In the earlier but not published stories of Rumpelstiltskin, the imp gets so frustrated when he’s tricked by the queen that he rips himself apart. I hope you will do the opposite of the Brothers Grimm in the coming weeks, Cancerian. It’s crucial that you reveal and expose and celebrate raw, unvarnished truths.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22)
Is there a job you would love to have as your primary passion, but it’s different from the job you’re doing? Is there a calling you would delight in embracing, but you’re too consumed by the daily routine? Do you have a hobby you’d like to turn into a professional pursuit? If you said even a partial yes to my questions, Leo, here’s good news: In the coming months, you will have an enhanced ability to make these things happen. And now is an excellent time to get underway.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)
Virgo-born Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) was a versatile virtuoso. He excelled as an essayist, biographer, playwright, editor, poet, and lexicographer. How did he get so much done? Here’s one clue. He took his own advice, summed up in the following quote: “It is common to overlook what is near by keeping the eye fixed on something remote. Present opportunities are neglected and attainable good is slighted by minds busied in extensive ranges and intent upon future advantages.” Johnson’s counsel is perfect for you right now, Virgo. Forget about the future and be focused on the present. Dive into the interesting work and play
By Rob Brezsny. Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s EXPANDED WEEKLY HOROSCOPE 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700 $1.99 per minute. 18 and over. Touchtone phone required.
that’s right in front of you.
LIBRA
(SEPT. 23-OCT. 22)
I would love you to go searching for treasure, and I hope you launch your quest soon. As you gather clues, I will be cheering you on. Before you embark, though, I want to make sure you are clear about the nature of the treasure you will be looking for. Please envision it in glorious detail. Write down a description of it and keep it with you for the next seven weeks. I also suggest you carry out a fun ritual to formally mark your entry into the treasure-hunting chapter of your life.
SCORPIO
(OCT. 23-NOV. 21)
In the coming weeks, you’ll be guided by your deep intelligence as you explore and converse with the darkness. You will derive key revelations and helpful signs as you wander around inside the mysteries. Be poised and lucid, dear Scorpio. Trust your ability to sense what’s important and what’s not. Be confident that you can thrive amidst uncertainty as you remain loyal to your core truths. No matter how murky this challenge may seem, it will ultimately be a blessing. You will emerge both smarter and wiser.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21)
If you take the Bible’s teachings seriously, you give generously to the poor and you welcome immigrants. You regard the suffering of others as being worthy of your compassionate attention, and you express love not just for people who agree with you and share your cultural traditions, but for everyone. Numerous Biblical verses, including many attributed to Jesus Christ, make it clear that living according to these principles is essential to being a good human. Even if you are not Jewish or Christian, Sagittarius, I recommend this approach to you. Now is an excellent time to hone your generosity of spirit and expand your urge to care for others.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19)
In 1982, Capricorn actor Ben Kingsley won an Oscar for his role in the film “Gandhi.” Then his career declined. In an animated movie in 1992, he voiced the role of an immortal frog named
F.R.O.7. who worked as a James Bondlike secret agent. It was a critical and financial disaster. But Kingsley’s fortunes rebounded, and he was nominated for Academy Awards in 2002 and 2003. Then his trajectory dipped again. He was nominated for the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor for four separate films between 2005 and 2008. Now, at age 79, he’s rich and famous and mostly remembered for the great things he has done. I suggest we make him your role model for the coming months. May he inspire you to emphasize your hits and downplay your misses.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18)
I’m devoted to cultivating the art of relaxation. But I live in a world dominated by stress addicts and frenzied overachievers. Here’s another problem: I aspire to be curious, innocent, and open-minded, but the civilization I’m embedded in highly values know-it-all experts who are very sure they are in command of life’s secrets. One further snag: I’m an ultra-sensitive creator who is nourished by original thinking and original feeling. And yet I constantly encounter formulaic literalists who thrive on clichés. Now here’s the good news: I am a successful person! I do what I love and enjoy an interesting life. Here’s even more good news, Aquarius: In the next 12 months, you will have a knack for creating rhythms that bring you closer than ever to doing what you love and enjoying an interesting life.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20)
Most of us suffer from at least one absurd, irrational fear. I have a daft fear of heights, even when I’m perfectly safe, and a manic fear of mosquitoes dive-bombing me as I sleep, an event that has only happened four times in my life. My anxiety about running out of money is more rational, though, as is my dread of getting sick. Those worries help motivate me to work hard to earn a living and take superb care of my health. What about you, Pisces? Do you know which of your fears are preposterous and which make at least some sense? The coming weeks will be a favorable time to get a good handle on this question. Ask yourself: “Which of my fears are misdirected or exaggerated, and which are realistic and worthy of my attention?”
ACROSS
58 “September 1, 1939” poet 59 “Never heard that before”
1 Sleeper’s support
8 Quick refresher
45-Across, for one
14 “The Spoonful of Milk” painter, 1912
Bridesmaids’ expenses
15 Whom The New York Times co-named athlete of the year, with Babe Ruth, in 1920
16 Peppery orange-red condiment
17 What a single is worth
18 Toy inspector?
Great deal
20 Hillary Clinton or Kamala Harris, once: Abbr.
21 Missed-the-turn maneuver
“This can’t be happening”
22 Not doing anything
26 What comes before a final
29 Some bands’ practice sessions
31 Place to get a platza treatment
32 Gymnast Raisman
33 Simplest choice
34 State of ___
35 Condone an action tacitly
Biter 4 Tennis great nicknamed “The Punisher” 5 Tool that you turn on
38 Secretly pass gas?
39 M.L.B. great with a famous “unbreakable” streak, familiarly
fastest horizontal flier)
40 Ottoman authority
41 ___ fusion
Place to go, for shor t
42 Anti-discrimination govt. agency
43 Nautical ropes
44 Do some branding?
“Damn right!”
One who is mean as the Dickens?
6 His “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dir t Cowboy” was the first album to debut at #1 on Billboard
