Foothills News 05/31/2023

Volume 13 • Number 11 May 31, 2023

INSIDE INSIDE

Help is available for aspiring poets and writers

Dusenberry-River Library.

Summer

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER Tucson Weekly Sta

If the thought of reading a volume of poetry seems like an exercise in frustration or just plain disagreeable, read on.

Guide

Chicago-style gyros come to Broadway | Page 4

Delta Dental invests in Tucson's oral health | Page 5

Lentils: a humble superfood | Page 19

“Probably a lot of people do have this idea from English class, that (poetry) is something that has to be decoded,” published poet Gene Twaronite said.

Maybe.

Twaronite, this summer’s writer-in-residence at Pima County Library, wants the public to feel that they, too, may join the ranks of poet, or at least the ranks of poetry reader.

He is hosting three free workshops this summer. The first one, “Demystifying Poetry,” is 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at the

Intended for adults, this workshop is “more of a conversation with a poet who’s been published,” Twaronite said. He does have four published collections under his belt, including, “Trash Picker on Mars” and “The Museum of Unwearable Shoes.”

He has also written and had published a picture book, young adult and middle-grade novels, essays and children’s stories.

Twaronite said he hopes that after a few minutes at one of his workshops participants will want to pick up a pen and give it a try. He’ll make it easy with writing prompts, including some he uses.

“I’m going to talk a little about poetry, what it’s not, what it is; give some examples, maybe one or two of my own poems, and then launch into an activity,” Twaronite said.

“I’m going to give (participants) some various prompts I’ve found successful.”

The intention is to help get participants to that first line of writing a poem.

“Discovering Yourself with Poetry (or How to Make Your Head Explode)” is a free workshop for teens and tweens only. It’s 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at Oro Valley Public Library.

Twaronite said he hopes to lead his participants through a time of self-discovery. “I want them to discover themselves through poetry,” Twaronite said. “I want to get to the emotional content. We’ll be talking about ways to get in touch with your emotions."

He added that poetry is “compressed emo-

See WRITER Page 3

Foothills Mall reimagined as urban village

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Sta

Bourn Companies has revealed its “radical redevelopment” plan for Foothills Mall, which will evolve into a high-density urban village.

Dubbed “Uptown,” the 2 million square foot, $500 million project will feature a modern mixed-use environment with high-end residences, entertainment, hotel, retail, o ce space and restaurants.

“We’re very excited to be bringing this to the Northwest side and the region,” said Dillon Walker with Bourn Companies marketing team.

“We’re breaking ground on the first building in August. We began demolition in February.”

On the 51-acre site, Pima County OK’d up to 10-story buildings.

Big changes are coming to the Foothills Mall, where the Bourn Companies are planning to build "Uptown," a dense urban village. (Submitted)

FOOTHILLS NEWS

The Foothills News is published twice each month and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the Catalina Foothills. STAFF

ADMINISTRATION

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EDITORIAL

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Karen Scha ner, Sta Reporter kscha ner@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Veronica Ku el, Sta Reporter vku el@tucsonlocalmedia.com

PRODUCTION

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EDITORIAL & AD CONTENT

Foothills News expresses its opinion in the editorial. Opinions expressed in guest commentaries, perspectives, cartoons or letters to the editor are those of the author. The content and claims of any advertisement are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Tucson Local Media assumes no responsibility for the claims or content of any advertisement. Publisher has the right to edit for size or refuse any advertisement at his or her discretion.

7225 N. Mona Lisa Road, Ste. 125 Tucson, Arizona 85741 • 520-797-4384

Hot Picks

ARTS

“Reverence”

THROUGH JUNE 10

Photographer Laurie Lambrecht chooses abstract motifs from her photography then embroiders them with pigment on linen. The media creates fascinating effects unique to her work. Wendi Schneider’s work captures fleeting moments of beauty in the grace of trees and bare branches, gilding them and pairing them with antique frames. Alongside “Reverence” hangs “In The Cases,” a collection of works by Claire A. Warden from her series, “99 Moons.”.

Etherton Gallery, 340 S. Convent Avenue, Tucson, free, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, ethertongallery.com

Intro to Glass Cutting JUNE 10

Scoring, breaking and nipping are skills essential to many forms of glass art, including fused and stained glass and mosaics. This workshop provides an overview of glass-cutting tools and their functions, as well as hands-on practice using the Morton System for straight cuts; a glass square; and circle and lens cutters.

Sonoran Glass School, 633 W. 18th Street, Tucson, $50, 1 to 4 p.m., 520-884-7814, sonoranglass.org

Linda McCartney Retrospective TO 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.

To start or stop delivery of the

Center for Creative Photography 1030 N. Olive Road, Tucson, various times and pricing, ccp.arizona.edu

Mini Time Museum: Steve Farley’s “Dowdytown”

TO AUG. 20

Pandemic isolation inspired artist, graphic

designer and former Arizona State Sen. Steve Farley to explore childhood memories through a series of miniatures. They’re artifacts of his Ontario, California home, but their resonance with childhood reveries is universal. Farley’s youth included a fondness for building miniature models. As an adult, he’s an artist and graphic designer renowned for public murals. He found that creating these tiny structures helped to ground him in the social and emotional upheaval that accompanied our months in lockdown.

Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive, tickets start at $8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays, theminitimemachine.org

MUSIC

Yachtley Crue

JUNE 3

The Ventura, California-based band plays “soft rock”—or “yacht rock”—tracks, coupled with a stellar live presence, on-stage banter and antics.

Rialto Theatre, 318 Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $30, 9 p.m. rialtotheatre.com

SPECIAL EVENTS

Biosphere 2 DAILY

We may have experienced an earlier iteration of the Biosphere as something like a passive “zoo” of biomes, but now the focus is on climate change and sustainability research. Interdisciplinary scientists from all over are finding ways to “increase resilience and sustainability of Earth systems and human quality of life.” Ecosystems under glass include the world’s largest controlled tropical rain forest, desert, savanna, mangrove, and ocean biomes. Eye-popping fact: 7.2 million cubic feet are sealed within 6,500 windows. Those systems have now seen 30 years of evolution.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, Biosphere 2, 32540 S. Biosphere Road biosphere2.org/visit/visit-biosphere-2, $25, reservation recommended, find a virtual tour on the site

Dog Days of Summer

JUNE 1 TO SEPT. 30

Guests can take their dogs to Tucson Botanical Gardens June 1 through Sept. 30. Imagine the smells they’ll enjoy and the fun of explor-

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Tucson Local Media Staff

ing new trails, most shaded by the gardens’ oldgrowth trees. No doubt they’d also welcome a bite from whatever you order from Edna’s Eatery on site. It’s run by Westward Look Resort. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, tickets start at $15 with discounts available, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., tucsonbotanical.org

Sci-Fi Slumber Party!

JUNE 3 TO JUNE 4

The party starts at 7 p.m. Saturday with a 35th anniversary screening of “They Live,” and wraps up with a 5 a.m. screening of an uncut and unrated 35 mm print of “Lifeforce.” In between, guests will see “Blade Runner 2049” (featuring Ryan Gosling in search of Harrison Ford), “Johnny Mnemonic” (crazy cyberpunk), “Matango: Attack of the Mushroom People” and “The Last Starfighter.” Enjoy the sustenance of the Loft’s exceptional locally made snacks and brews or visit the Under Pressure food truck parked outside.

Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, $20, $17 members, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., loftcinema.org

Reisen Winery Tour (Sonoita-Benson) THROUGH JUNE 3

Owned and operated by a third-generation Tucsonan, Reisen tours are laced with inside knowledge and informed by decades of family memories. Sonoita is rolling and wheat-colored this time of year. Its terrain eases the way of the desert into the surrounding high country. The land and climate are ideal for boutique wineries. Taste wines at four of them on Reisen’s six-hour winery tour itinerary.

Start times vary Saturdays through June 3, reisenarizona.com/#day-tours, $175, pickup is in Tucson, lunch is included

“Tombstone”

30th Cast Reunion

JUNE 23 TO JUNE 25

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film “Tombstone” with special guests, including Michael Biehn (Johnny Ringo); Dana Wheeler-Nicholson (Mattie Earp); Joanna Pacula (Kate); Christopher Mitchum (Hooker’s Ranch foreman); John Philbin and Robert Burke (Tom and Frank McLaury) and Peter Sherayko (Jack Vermillion). Selection of free and ticketed events throughout Tombstone.

Tombstone, see website for locations, ticket prices and times, tombstone30th.com

Poet and published writer Gene Twaronite is this season’s Pima County Library writer-in-residence. He is available for half-hour consultations with anyone who wants to discuss their writing. Reservations are required. (Gene Twaronite/Submitted)

WRITER from Page 1

tion on the page but expressed in just the right way with precise language. I want to emphasize with them to think about things they love or hate or really feel deeply about.”

The final workshop — Poetry Mania at MegaMania — is 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at Pima Community College Downtown Campus. Twaronite said this is a time for costumes and props. All ages are welcome.

“It’s basically more of a literary cosplay, where people are encouraged to dress up as their favorite literary characters,” Twaronite said.

“I’m going to encourage (participants) not to just read the poem, no, but to perform the poem. Use props if you can. Dress up, perhaps. Just have some fun with it.”

Participation in all three workshops is free.

Besides the workshops, Twaronite recently began working with people to improve their writing. He will continue to

be available twice a week for a half-hour consultation. He said anyone of any writing skill level may meet with him. He’s willing to chat with anyone who hasn’t written a word since high school all the way up to published authors.

“So many people, they want to be writers or they dream about it, but they don’t know how to go about it,” Twaronite said.

Then there are these others.

“I was just surprised by the variety of writers,” he said. “(There were) some poets, but some people have already written a memoir or they’re talking about writing a memoir or they’ve gotten their novel (written).”

The sessions are free, but time slots are limited, and so participants must make a reservation by calling 520-594-5445. Appointments are available from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays every week until the end of July at Woods Memorial Library, 3455 N. First Street.

Gene

Twaronite genetwaronitepoet.com

Gyro Shack piles meat high on pitas

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Weekly Staff

Boise, Idaho-based Gyro Shack has brought its Chicago/Greek-style dishes to Tucson, marking the brand’s first Arizona location.

Located at 5775 E. Broadway Boulevard, Gyro Shack serves the authentic Greek street food for which founder Gus Zaharioudakis was known.

“He wanted to take the food that he remembered growing up on and spread it around to the people of Idaho,” said Matt Lord, Gyro Shack’s director of operations. “We didn’t have anything like that available to us at the time.”

Gyro Shack was acquired by Boise-based entrepreneurs Mark Urness and Matt Jeffries in 2000. They launched an aggressive franchising strategy.

“My bosses, the current owners, worked with him and bought him out when he wanted to semi retire,” Lord said. “Since then, we’ve tried our best to maintain his vision, which is serving affordable Greek food to the masses.”

Gyro Shack celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 12. The brand donated 20% of all sales to the Wounded Warriors Project on May 11 and May 12.

The menu offers a variety of gyros and pita sandwiches, including the original

with gyro meat, tzatziki sauce, tomato and onion. Lord called the deluxe the stereotypical gyro with gyro meat, tzatziki sauce, tomato and onion and topped with feta cheese. The super adds bacon, hummus, pepperoncini, kalamata olives and spicy sauce.

“It’s Chicago style,” he said. “We thin shave our meat and roast it fresh in the store. Then, we pile it up high on the pita. It’s all fresh cooked and thinly shaven.”

As for pita sandwiches, there are the chicken bacon ranch, spicy bacon avocado, Philly gyro and the “Z,” the latter of has gyro meat, tzatziki sauce, grilled onions, pepperoncini, feta and spicy sauce.

“The super gyro drags the European

NEWS

MALL from Page 1

The initial build-out plan calls for more than 350 residential units, 425,000 retail square footage, three outdoor environments, over 10 food and beverage concepts, 230 hotel rooms and a public market.

The completed project will boast more than 1,000 residential units, 500,000 retail square footage, six outdoor environments, more than 25 food and beverage concepts, 500 hotel rooms and the public market.

Most of the mall has been demolished, but the AMC Theatres, Applebee’s, AT&

T, Bath & Body Works, Destination Tan, Kinko’s/FedEx Store, GameStop, Outback Steakhouse, Pappoule’s Restaurant, Sushi Garden, Uniform Destination, VN Nails and Whiskey Roads remain. The Barnes & Noble building will become the public market, while the bookseller will move to a smaller space.

“We’re demolishing about 65% to 75% of the mall,” he said. “The reason we chose to do that is we can then build really dense buildings. Zoning allows us to build tall buildings. All the buildings will be five stories tall, providing a really unique opportunity for the area and for Tucson in general to be looking at something dense

concept through the whole Greek concept,” Lord said. “That’s our big, fancy signature item.”

Lord said Gyro Shack doesn’t sacrifice taste for convenience. He was a fan before he started working for the company.

“I spent a lot of money going through their drive-thrus,” he said with a laugh. “I usually eat the deluxe or the Z, a gyro with grilled onions. It depends on if I want spicy or not.”

Gyro Shack

5775 E. Broadway Boulevard, Tucson 520-771-6248 gyroshack.com

outside of Downtown. That’s why we called it Uptown.”

The Bourn Companies owned the mall in the early 1990s but sold it. Due to the shifting retail dynamic, the mall was returned to the market and reacquired by the Bourn Companies in 2016.

From 2016 until the COVID-19 pandemic, Bourn Companies worked “diligently” to figure out a plan for the property.

“The beauty of (the pandemic) was we had time to refine and be able to plan something that we think is going to be fantastic,” he said. “It’s not a mystery anymore. We know what we’re building. We’re building out a dense urban village on the

51 acres.”

The full build-out plan is still being tweaked and finalized, Walker said, adding the timeline isn’t complete. When finished, Uptown will be a “little dense neighborhood.”

“We like to think of ourselves as integrative and holistic as developers,” Walker said.

“We wanted to bring something fantastic to the site. In 2016, there was an opportunity to redevelop the actual mall building, use some of it and build around it. We took a hard look at that and through the challenges of COVID, we homed in on this vision.”

When completed, "Uptown" will include 1,000 residential units. (Submitted)

A bird's eye view of the planned development of "Uptown." A couple of the businesses that are there such as the theaters will remain. (Submitted)

Delta Dental investing in area’s oral health access

BY FOOTHILLS NEWS STAFF

Delta Dental of Arizona recently made two key announcements to increase health equity and access across Southern Arizona.

Delta Dental of Arizona, through its foundation, awarded grants to nonprofits that are working to increase access to oral health services and provide nutritional programs for underserved populations across Arizona. Nearly $150,000 in support and supplies was awarded to organizations across Southern Arizona.

“We expanded our guidelines this year to include non-dental programs, specifically nutritional access programs such as food banks, after-school and weekend food programs for children, and senior delivery programs,” said Barb Kozuh, executive director of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation. “We were thrilled to see the response from these organizations.”

Delta Dental of Arizona Southern Arizona grants

Grants were awarded via two funding categories: Community and IMPACT grants.

“Our foundation board was intentional in updating our guidelines,” said Michael Jones, president and chief executive officer of Delta Dental of Arizona and president of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation.

“There are thousands of individuals in our community that struggle with food insecurity daily. These individuals and their families likely also have unmet dental needs, and without access to proper nutrition no amount of preventative care or education can protect them from long-term oral health issues.”

Southern Arizona organizations awarded Community and IMPACT grants:

• Chiricahua Community Health

Centers, a mission-driven, federally qualified health center began as a grassroots community effort in 1996 that has since grown to be the largest primary care organization in south-

eastern Arizona, received a $30,000 grant to support a medical-dental integration program that offers children routine immunizations during dental visits.

• Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, which provides services to eligible applicants across Pima, Cochise, Graham, Greenlee and Santa Cruz counties, received a $20,000 grant to support a mobile school pantry program to provide produce to 30 school pantry sites.

• Desert Senita Dental Center, a federally qualified community health center delivering comprehensive, culturally competent, high-quality primary health care services across Ajo and Arizona City, received a $20,000 grant plus dental supplies to support its Preventive Oral Health for a Brighter Tomorrow program. It screens children ages birth through 18, pregnant women, and seniors for preventive treatment such as cleanings, sealants, fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride at schools and community events. Participants receive oral health instruction, education fluoride varnish treatments, dental supplies and referral information.

• Marana Healthcare, an innovative, patient focused organization dedicated to providing quality healthcare to all individuals of all ages regardless of insurance, received a $15,000 grant plus supplies to support its Emergent and Comprehensive Care for Uninsured Children program. It provides dental care for prescreened, uninsured children under 18 years old, for all levels of emergent and comprehensive dental care.

• Sun Life Health, with locations across Pinal County, received a $20,000 grant plus supplies to support its Sun Life Oral Health Screening/Fluoride program, which provides oral health screening and varnish application services and supplies to children aged 6 years old, and up to 26 elementary schools in eight primarily underserved Pinal County school districts.

• Tucson Children’s Museum received a $10,000 grant plus supplies to support the Family Brain Boost program to provide oral health education through bilingual, STEAM-focused activities.

In addition, El Rio Health Center is in year two of two of its IMPACT grants, a combined $100,000 grant — $50,000 in 2022 and $50,000 in 2023 — to support the expansion of its Pediatric Dental Integration program. It provides direct dental screening, varnish, and oral health education during children’s medical well visits by embedding dental hygiene teams in five El Rio Health clinic locations throughout Tucson.

Delta Dental, puppet theater

Beyond this, Delta Dental also recently announced a partnership with Great Arizona Puppet Theater to make oral health education more accessible and fun for children through the creation of a traveling puppet show that will perform at Title One schools and daycare centers statewide over the next two years. The program anticipates educating nearly 13,000 children through approximately 160 shows each year, including a significant amount across Southern Arizona. Each show will be tailored to a specific age range and development level, and “Smile Bags” containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and fun facts about dental health will be provided for all children through the partnership as well.

Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation in Southern Arizona

Since its inception, the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation board has been focused on affecting positive change as it relates to oral health across Arizona. Currently, there are two members of the Southern Arizona dental community on the six-member board, Dr. Shaharyar Ashraf and Dr. Laila Hishaw, both serving three-year terms.

Ashraf earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in 2012 and has been practicing in Tucson since. He is a Tucson native and completed dual

undergraduate degrees with honors from the University of Arizona. Since 2014, Ashraf has been the owner dentist of Tangerine Dental Group, a multi-provider dental office supported by Pacific Dental Services.

Hishaw is a change agent for children’s oral health and diversity in dentistry. She is a board-certified pediatric dentist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and International College of Dentists.

Hishaw is a private-practice owner and author of the Amazon bestseller, Cavity Free Kids. She’s been featured on Discovery Health Channel for her role in diagnosing a rare disorder in her patient, and in multiple podcasts and publications. She serves on the ADA Presidential Task Force to Eliminate Barriers for Underrepresented Minorities into the Dental Profession and as a delegate for the Southern Arizona Dental Society. Info: deltadentalaz.com

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PichiAvo 2018 Orphical Hymn to the Graces Spray, Acrylic and Oil on Canvas 67” x 165” (170cm x 420cm)

SUMMER SURVIVAL GUIDE

The cure for the summertime blues

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

There’s no reason to be blue this summer. Tucson has plenty of activities to keep everyone occupied — and cool. Here are our top picks for things to do this summer.

1.

See a movie at the Loft Cinema 3233 E. Speedway Boulevard loftcinema.org

If you can’t find anything to do this summer, you clearly have not looked at the Loft Cinema, where even kids can get their fill of popcorn, games, prizes, raffles and, oh yeah, movies. During Loft Kids Fest they will be screening “Toy Story,” “Sing 2,” “The Sandlot” and “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” among others. The best part of this nine-day fest? It’s all free.

Things kick off with a Looney Tunes Outdoor Movie Party on Friday, June 23, at Himmel Park. After that, Loft doors open at 9:15 a.m. and the movie starts at 10 a.m.

Adults are not without their entertainment at the Loft. No, not that kind, just really good, sometimes kitschy, movies from times past.

Every Thursday until Aug. 31 check out the likes of Doris and Rock in “Pillow Talk,” or the amazing Marlon Brando at possibly his very best in, “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Find out what we were really afraid of in 1956 with, “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” or watch Jimmy Stewart become a peeping Tom in “Rear Window.” It’s all part of the Loft’s Hollywood Classics Series.

Think that’s all? This is the Loft; there’s way more.

Of course, the Loft will still be showing

its usual selection of interesting, bizarre and contemporary films.

Find all the featured titles, times and tickets on the website.

2.

Stay in your cool house and binge kanopy.com

Because we don’t have enough streaming services, here’s one that’s free.

With Kanopy, all you need is a library card or to be a university student or professor. After that it’s classic and not-soclassic movies galore.

Didn’t see “Chinatown” the first time around? It’s here. Watch, with regret, Amy Winehouse come apart in the documentary, “Amy.” Get some good advice from Mo Willems when you “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.”

There’s something for everyone.

3.

Thousands of years in the making Arizona State Museum 1013 E. University Boulevard statemuseum.arizona.edu

Across the street from Centennial Hall on the UA campus is the oldest and largest anthropological research facility in the Southwestern United States, the Arizona State Museum. Want to do some archeological digging? This is where you go to get permitted, though that happens upstairs in the offices.

In the first-floor public spaces find a bit of the more than 3 million archaeological, ethnographic and modern objects that belong to the region’s Indigenous people. There’s also the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of Native North American basketry with objects from more

than 7,000 years ago, along with southwest Indigenous pottery that goes back roughly 2,000 years.

Right now, the museum is showing off some of its ancient and modern Southwestern native jewelry.

It’s worth your time, won’t take all day, and the gift shop is pretty good, too.

Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Tickets start at $8, $6 for seniors ages 65 and older and free for children younger than 17.

4.

Be on a mission

San Xavier del Bac Mission 1950 W. San Xavier Road 520-294-2624

sanxaviermission.org

Drive nine miles from Downtown on I-19 and you will see a sight that has welcomed visitors to Tucson since 1797, our own San Xavier del Bac Mission. One look, even from the freeway, and you will immediately see why it got the nickname, The White Dove of the Desert.

The mission is Arizona’s oldest intact European structure. It is a National Historic Landmark founded as a Catholic Mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692, though the actual structure wasn’t completed until the late 18th century. Inside the church’s walls are original statuary and mural paintings that remember Spanish Colonial times.

Here’s something to keep in mind when visiting. This is a working Roman Catholic Church, a house of worship. Mass is offered here, and people still come to pray. Be respectful of the space and the worshipers.

Last year at the Loft it was Indiana Jones. This year, the Minions and Toy Story. (Submitted)

The church houses a small museum, which has been closed for a bit, but staff is hopeful it will be opening again by the beginning of June. Call ahead to be sure. Still open, however, is the gift shop, where they have any number of Roman Catholic items, T-shirts and other souvenirs.

After seeing all there is to see, get native frybread hot out of the boiling oil and covered in powdered sugar. If that doesn’t do it, get it with meat. Both yummy. Fry bread vendors are in the parking lot.

5.

Picture this Etherton Gallery

340 S. Convent Avenue

ethertongallery.com

Hankering to start an art collection but don’t know where to start? Etherton Gallery has an idea. Here you will find works created by the masters of the art of photography, both past and present. Pieces are available to see but they can also be available to buy. As they say on their website, “...we remain dedicated to

making great works of photography accessible to novices and experienced collectors alike.”

You don’t have to buy to visit the gallery. These days see works by Wendy Schnieder and Laurie Lambrecht until Saturday, June 10.

6.

Yeah, but is it art?

Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson 265 S. Church Avenue moca-tucson.org

It couldn’t be the summer of art without spreading your vision a little with a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson, which lets you in for free every first Thursday of the month.

Currently showing is “While Hissing,” by Raven Chacon, from Fort Defiance, the Navajo Nation. He wants to celebrate sound as a medium for resistance and connection. “Through video installation, graphic scores, and performance, Chacon amplifies Indigenous women’s voices, centering their leadership and vision both as carriers of memory and authors of culture,” according to the museum’s website. Was he successful? Visit the ex-

hibit and find out.

Touch the edge of your memory with, “Subrosa,” by Na Mira. The exhibit showcases nonlinear film that uses radio transmissions and the color red all bleeding together. This installation uses 16 mm film and infrared video. Yes, it is different but make of it what you will.

MOCA’s artists are often a part of the BIPOC community and are women-identifying, giving a broader perspective to the current exhibits.

Keep your kids busy at the weeklong kids’ art camps in June, which you will find listed on their website.

7.

Take a trip to

the stars

Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium

1601 E. University Boulevard flandrau.org

Even if you can’t get away this summer, take a trip that’s out of this world at Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium.

In the domed planetarium you may tour our very own solar system or visit a black hole with a film produced in collaboration with NOVA and NASA. Stay after the film for a star talk. You don’t have to be a genius or even a science geek to enjoy these programs.

There are also Laser Light Music Nights, where colorful lights dance to themed music, but you have to be quick about getting tickets. They sell out fast.

Check the website for times and ticket info.

In the science center, look for these four exhibits: “Undersea Discover,” “Wild World of Bugs,” “Sharks: Magnificent and Misunderstood” and “HiRISE: Eye in the Martian Sky.”

Plus, there’s a little gift shop, where they have every kid’s favorite, astronaut ice cream.

8.

Find Sombra Fria in Agua Caliente

Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Regional Park

12325 E. Roger Road friendsofaguacaliente.org

Don’t let the name Agua Caliente, or “hot water,” sway you from this summer gem. The vast 101-acre spread of land includes a perennial warm spring and an artificial stream linking its three ponds. The park supports diverse wildlife from fish to animal populations and allows

for birdwatching, bat sightings and idle ramblings among the acres of cool shade. Restored buildings that dot the landscape recall the property’s long history as a ranch and thousands of years beyond that. Admission is free, parking is ample, and hours are 7 a.m. to sunset.

We suggest you visit the website of the Friends of Agua Caliente Park before you go. You’ll find a video tour, information about the bats and birds and a top-line history of the property.

The site also relates a cautionary tale of the human interventions that, in just the last two centuries, all but destroyed the flowing springs that first attracted our ancestors.

9.

Feel the breeze through a dozen species

Madera Canyon

South Madera Canyon Road, Green Valley fs.usda.gov

Throughout the summer, the canyon’s average temperature sits in the low 90s with a typical light breeze through the opening. A few dozen species of oak trees shade the land and provide a cool, low-key adventure along the Madera Canyon Nature Trail. At 5.8 miles out and back with a 921-foot elevation gain, it’s an easy path for those interested in hiking. If you’re not the type for a hike, there are plenty of spots to bust out the cooler and camp chairs and enjoy the nice weather.

Native plant species are labeled along the trail, so it’s fun to count the kinds of oaks. Take your binoculars, too, because Madera Canyon is rated the third-best birding destination in the United States.

10.

See the world through someone else's eyes

Center for Creative Photography

1030 N. Olive Road

https://ccp.arizona.edu/

The UA Center for Creative Photography is home to a collection of stunning photography and is known as one of the finest academic art museums in the world. The center holds more than 100,000 works from 2,200 photographers, along with archives of major artists like Pulitzer Prize-win -

Brown 6/14

Crow Medicine Show 7/19

$20 Fox Fan Seats

Co-Founder of The Beach Boys Al Jardine & His Endless Summer Band 6/17

Don’t

Mary Chapin Carpenter 6/10 Cowboy Junkies 7/27

Junior

ning photographer David Hume Kennedy, who has created images of every president since Gerald Ford.

Check out their recent exhibit, “The Linda McCartney Retrospective,” displaying her whole photographic career from 1965 to 1997. Her work features striking Tucson landscapes and portraits of famous celebrities throughout the generations, including those of her husband, Sir Paul McCartney. The CCP galleries are

open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday with free admission. The McCartney exhibit will close Aug. 5.

11.

Gotta have art

Tucson Museum of Art 140 N. Main Avenue tucsonmuseumofart.org

The Tucson Museum of Art, fresh from a number of recent expansions, is bigger and better than ever. The gallery specializes in curating art from Latin America, the American West, and Modern and Contemporary themes. Moreover, their mission is to celebrate the diverse culture of Arizona and the Southwest Corridor. Enjoy the renowned Arizona Biennial Exhibition, presenting the work of professional Arizonan artists chosen through a juried competition.

The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday with $7 to $12 admission and free for members and specified populations. While you’re there, grab a bite at Cafe a la C’arte, which serves delicious omelets, sandwiches and salads. Or at least get something sumptuous from their dessert case.

12. See more art DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun 6300 N. Swan Road degrazia.org

Starting in the 1950s, the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun was built and curated by the late artist Ted DeGrazia. What started as a small museum in the middle of nowhere has transformed into an adobe fortress through seven decades of creative ingenuity. You can tour the wonderful gallery fi lled with his works and then wander the grounds to see DeGrazia’s original house, his “Little Gallery,” where he fi rst showed his work. The galleries were designed by the artist and include the lovely chapel he built in honor of the Virgin de Guadalupe.

13.

Stop and smell the lavender

Life Under the Oaks Lavender Farm

1221 N. Rancho Robles Road, Oracle lifeundertheoakslavenderfarm.com

In the northern foothills town of Or-

acle lies a fl ower oasis among 100-yearold oak trees. The elevation and vast fi elds of lavender encourage cooler weather on the grounds of Life Under the Oaks Farm. Enjoy a tour of the farm and take your pick of lavender-induced and -themed products. Life Under the Oaks also hosts tea parties, wreath and art workshops and farm-to-table meals. Plus, the aroma of lavender, we’re pretty sure, has a cool, calming eff ect on our fried brains.

14.

Climb a mountain, eat a cookie Mount Lemmon/Rose Canyon Lake Catalina Highway/Sky Island Scenic Byway recreation.gov, skycenter.arizona.edu

Spend a day, a weekend or the entire summer on Tucson’s most popular mountain range. Mount Lemmon is an oasis in the middle of the desert. Driving up the mountain, the plants slowly change from cacti and shrubs to oak and ponderosa pines. Its biodiverse environment also off ers hiking, camping and fi shing. While swimming is not allowed, the altitude and shade leave the area 20 degrees cooler than Tucson.

Campgrounds are available for rent on recreation.gov. Consider stopping in one of the few mountain towns and visiting the Mount Lemmon Cookie Cabin for cookies, pizza, chili and sandwiches. Sawmill Run and Irondoor restaurants are also open for business. While you’re at 9,000 feet, check out the Arizona stars at the Mount Lemmon Skycenter by making a reservation.

See SUMMERTIME Page 12

See the photographic works of Linda McCartney, an artist in her own right. (Submitted)

Indulge in a cuppa at Life Under the Oaks Lavender Farm. (Submitted)

SUPERIOR PET GROOMING

Australian Pink Floyd Show (Aug. 23). Besides the concerts, the Fox will be doing movies, including singalongs with “West Side Story,” “Annie” and “Greatest Showman.”

17.

Tucson Botanical Gardens

2150 N. Alvernon Way tucsonbotanical.org

HOURS:

Monday & Tuesday: CLOSED

Wednesday: 9am - 4pm

Thursday - Sunday: 8am - 4pm

15.

What’s zoo with you?

Reid Park Zoo 3400 E. Zoo Court reidparkzoo.org

Summer Safari Nights are back at the Reid Park Zoo. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 12, families and friends can explore the zoo in the cooler evenings. Every night will focus on a “Rock Star Animal,” including events themed after the chosen species from the zoo, along with the usual fun with giraffe feedings, live music from local bands and, of course, carousel rides. Tucson Parks and Rec will partner with the zoo for “Ready, Set, Rec!” games and activities.

While Reid Park Zoo undergoes expansions of its parking lot and exhibits, Summer Safari Nights will continue with little interruption. Admission ranges from $6.50 to $10.50 and is free for members and children under 2.

16.

Hear the music

Fox Tucson Theatre 17 W. Congress Street foxtucson.com

There’s something magical about summer concerts. And there’s something magical about Downtown’s gorgeous Fox Tucson Theatre. Put them together and you have memories that will last a lifetime. This summer, you’ve got the likes of Mary Chapin Carpenter (June 10); Junior Brown w/Mark Insley and the Broken Angels (June 14); Al Jardine w/Yahtzee Brown (June 17); Graham Nash (June 20); One of These Nights (June 23); Old Crow Medicine Show (July 19); The Robert Cray Band (July 25); John Lodge (July 26); Cowboy Junkies (July 27); and The

Tucson Botanical Gardens mission is to connect people with plants and nature through art, science, history, and culture. Originally founded in 1964 by horticulturist and collector Harrison G. Yocum, the gardens are now a lovely spread of pathways through gardens on the historic Porter Family property. This nonprofit organization hosts events, classes and programs, including a seasonal butterfly exhibit.

This year, it’s once again hosting Dog Days of Summer, by welcoming leashed dogs from June 1 to Sept. 30. They can accompany their parents on their strolls through the gardens. Take in the free smells, summer plants and grab a pup-alicious snack from Edna’s Eatery. Every Sunday June to August, from 6 to 8 p.m., guests can picnic, hang with friends or take in the garden sights as the sun goes down. Regular admission prices apply. This community favorite is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, except for Sunday evenings. Ticket prices range from $8 to $15 and are available online. Butterfly Magic hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

18.

A whole new world

The Dive Shop

1702 E. Prince Road, Suite 150 azdiveshop.com

72 Aquatics

3110 E. Fort Lowell Road 72aquatics.com

Paragon Dive Shop

2951 N. Swan Road, Suite 175 paragondivestore.com

It turns out it is possible to breathe underwater. You need an apparatus, of course, but where do you get that? At any one of the three scuba shops in town. If you’re just curious about what’s under the sea try an introductory snorkel

Catch a glimpse of some youngsters at the Reid Park Zoo. (Submitted)

Saguaro National Park thrives in the summer

BY VERONICA KUFFEL

Tucson Local Media Staff

The Saguaro National Park is a popular go-to destination in the spring and winter. District ranger Perri Spreiser reminds residents that park is still open in the summer.

“There’s a saying in the parks service, that, ‘This is our off-season. This is our quiet season,’” Spreiser said. “That doesn’t really happen in national parks anymore. It is busy year-round. It’s just less busy than it is in the spring. We still have thousands of people coming from all over the world, all over the country to learn about this place.”

The park’s east and west districts will complete their spring programming June 3, when the summer events are unveiled. As the season closes, the rangers will organize a list of summer programs that will prioritize safety in the desert heat. Most will be hosted toward the beginning and end of days.

Park staff and volunteers lead a cactus program at Saguaro National Park. (Perri Spreiser/Submitted)

They also need to be wary of the animal and plant populations that are active during mornings and evenings.

“The thing we have to tweak is how to provide programming safely,” Spreiser noted. “We don’t want people out in the middle of the day, so we need

to reflect that in our actions as well, which is why we shift to earlier in the morning or when the sun goes down.”

Most events, like “Secrets of the Saguaro” in the east and “Living with Giants” in the west, will continue this summer. Rangers may initiate new pro-

grams.

“They’re going to be different because of ranger preferences,” Spreiser said. “We try to keep everything very fresh and engaging, and we focus on things that are interpretively themed to the park. We allow our rangers a little bit of freedom to take their passions and, if you will, geek out on those with visitors.”

As the park transitions to summer, night programming will continue sporadically, as most of the seasonal employees and volunteers leave Tucson for the season.

Parks staff initiated their night programming in April during International Dark Sky Week, leading full moon hikes, nocturnal lectures and stargazing.

Their recent Dark Skies Over Saguaro Party included activities organized by the Tucson Amateur Astronomer As-

See SAGUARO Page 14

sociation and International Dark-Sky Association. Saguaro rangers directed programs on Tohono O’odham sky knowledge and sound identification when visibility is low in the desert.

“We have reduced staffing even with our volunteers, a lot of them are winter

SUMMERTIME from Page 12

class for about $50. For those who want to have more than just passing acquaintances with the watery inhabitants, there are classes to be certified to scuba dive. Finally, for the really enthusiast, look for classes to become PADI certified to teach scuba diving. You don’t even have to go far. At least one of the shops has an onsite pool to learn in.

Once you’ve mastered a snorkel and tank, take an organized tour to one of the many international and exotic locales that all the shops offer. Or maybe just go on a drive and dive weekend to San Carlos. There’s plenty there to see, including a newly sunk decommissioned ship.

residents,” Spreiser said. “As they leave, we have to alter our programming to reflect a well-balanced, manageable workload for everyone.

“We feel it’s our job, it is our duty to still provide excellent education and interactive experiences for those individuals. I encourage people who have been here for five minutes or 500 years

19.

Introduce yourself to your town

Trejo Walking Tours, the real history of Tucson trejostucson.com 520-329-2639

Taste of Tucson tasteoftucsondowntown.com

520-904-2119

Borderlandia borderlandia.org info@borderlandia.org

Even if it is hot, take a tour that will introduce you to your very own UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Hear a different take on the history of a few of

to come out and explore their national park.”

In related news, the staff is hoping the venue will become an International Dark Sky Park, a facility that implements “good outdoor lighting and provides dark sky programs for visitors.”

To achieve this, Spreiser said the park needs to decrease light pollution.

Tucson’s neighborhoods, sample the wonderful food produced here in local restaurants, learn about the Turquoise Trail or spread out and tour Tubac, Tumacacori or our side of Nogales. You might even venture out for an overnight trip to learn about, and more importantly sample, bacanora. There is still plenty to see when the town slows down.

Some of the tour operators prefer to lead their tours in the early morning or evening, and some of them will give you a private tour if you prefer. Check their websites for details.

Find more here: rb.gy/qpn08

“The park is working on changing the exterior lighting on buildings to make sure the tops of lights are protected,” Spreiser noted. “We’re going out with things like black lights and thermal imaging and night-vision goggles, tools and toys that allow people to experience the Sonoran Desert in literally a different light.”

20.

Be a hero

Santa Rita Park

401 E. 22nd Street

Next time you visit your favorite discount warehouse, consider picking up a couple of cases of water and a bulk package of flavored electrolyte powder packets.

Then round up some friends to help take it all to Santa Rita Park. You don’t have to talk to anyone you see hanging out there. If you don’t want the company, just leave your gifts on a picnic table. Folks will find and share them among your house-less fellow Tucsonans. You’ll never feel more grateful for your air-conditioned ride home.

CHUL CHILLIN

Summer Safari Nights start amid zoo construction

BY VERONICA KUFFEL Tucson Local Media Staff

Summer Safari Nights are back at the Reid Park Zoo to help beat the heat.

“During the summer, it’s so hard to spend time outside when it’s 110 degrees,” said Chelo Grubb, the zoo’s marketing and communications supervisor.

“We want to give that opportunity for people to come enjoy the zoo during the cooler evening hours and get some time outside without risking sunburns and whatnot.”

Every Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. through Aug. 12 has a theme based on a “Rock Star Animal,” a species that staff incorporate into their programming.

“We’ll do keeper chats about the specific animals we’re featuring each week,” Grubb said. “Depending on the animal, we’ll have docents out with some really cool artifacts. People will get to know the animals a little more intimately.”

Presented by TMC Healthcare, Summer Safari Nights include animal encounters, artifact stations, giraffe feedings, carousel rides and crafts.

The Reid Park Zoo also scheduled live music each night, featuring local artists and acts that range from The Circus Academy and Mr. Nature’s Music Garden to Mamma Coal and Dry Wash Anglers.

“As opposed to later hours at the zoo, it’s a little bit more of a celebration, more of a summer festivity,” Grubb said. “We work with a number of great bands throughout the year at different events. There’s nothing more fun than taking a break from walking through the zoo.”

For a few nights, the zoo will also host a Shopping Night with Desert Peach Man-

An

owl nimbus educator introduces a zoo animal to the public. (Chelo Grubb/Submitted)

agement. Local artisans will provide their artwork and products of varied media types for the public. Reid Park Zoo has partnered with Tucson Parks and Recreation to put on their “Ready, Set, Rec!” games and activities throughout the night as well.

Summer Safari Nights will run alongside the zoo’s current construction projects, supervised by Lloyd Construction.

CEO Nancy Kluge confirmed the Reid Park Zoo will continue to be open to the public and will not affect summer programming.

“There won’t be any effect on Summer Safari Nights, so that’s the good news,” Kluge said. “We’re constructing a sloth exhibit… so there is a small portion of South America closed off, but all of the

animals in that area are still visible.”

The zoo is renovating a portion of its South America loop to welcome a new habitat for a Linne’s two-toed sloth. Kluge projected it will be completed by the end of the summer.

With development so close to existing animal enclosures, the CEO also noted the zoo puts animal well-being at the forefront.

“We monitor how our animals are doing during construction very closely,” Kluge said. “Our contractors know the animals come first here, so even if an animal looks like it’s having a difficult time with noise or vibrations, then they know they pull off that day.”

Along with habitats, a new nature playground will be constructed outside the

BLOOM Season at the Lavender Farm in June!

Open Memorial Weekend on the 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th & 28th from 8am-1pm. We will also be open Wed-Sun of every weekend in June from 8am-1pm.

Conservation Learning Center and will also be finished in late summer. The Angel Charity for Children World of Play Area will feature an Antarctic Ice Cave and a 30-foot manmade Sequoia tree. Reid Park Zoo will expand its parking, allowing more visitors to the area and shade pathways with an additional 100 planted trees. After completion, developers will work on a new Pathway to Asia.

“Pathway to Asia will be a big addition, and that will open in 2025,” Kluge noted. “That’s the one that will have red pandas, small-clawed otters, tigers and reptiles like Komodo dragons.”

Kluge said she’s proud that the building plan uses no existing green space in the zoo or park. It will add 300 trees, converting 45% of the area to green space. Kluge, Grubb and other zoo staff hope families not only have fun but leave with a new respect for nature and all of its wildlife.

“Our mission is to connect people with wildlife to inspire them to protect wild animals and wild places,” Grubb said. “We’re excited about any opportunity we have to get people to come to the zoo, to learn more about the animals in our care, to learn what they can to do make conservation a part of their life.”

Summer Safari Nights at Reid Park Zoo

WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 12

WHERE: Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court, Tucson

COST: $6.50 to $10.50 (free for members and children under 2)

INFO: reidparkzoo.org

By Tom Danehy Tucson Local Media Columnist

Graduation week should be one of the happiest times of the year. Young women and men are reaching the culmination of a decade-plus-long journey full of academic challenges and extracurricular opportunities. Learning how to play a musical instrument or playing on a team. Running into the brick wall that is geometry and getting that first job. Learning how to drive, all the while figuring out how to negotiate the blind curve of adolescence.

On graduation night, young people can take pride in what they have accomplished (especially having lived through the bleak COVID-19 years) and graduation can mark a clearly delineated turning of a page in their lives. They are surrounded by friends and family and it can be a great, great night.

I know one kid for whom graduation

was probably not so great. And it’s a shame because a year ago at this time, “the kid” had the world on a string. Some people in the local sports community know of whom I am writing, but I don’t want to identify the person nor even mention his/her gender. What’s important was what happened to “the kid” and how much of it was self-inflicted.

Heading into last summer, the possibilities were numerous and almost all of them were extremely positive. All “the kid” had to do was to stay focused on the goal and not get sidetracked by nonsense and/or hubris. But when you’re dealing with 17-year-olds with stars in their eyes, that’s easier said than done.

“The kid” was a member of a solid basketball program, a consistent winner who has made frequent trips to the state tournament over the past decade. Another solid year lay ahead, with a strong senior class leading the way.

Like a lot of one-sport athletes who get

pigeonholed and browbeaten into dropping all other interests and doing just one thing every day, “the kid” played on a club team.

As last summer progressed, somebody in the club system started using the word “better” with “the kid.” You’re better than your club teammates. You’re better than your high school teammates. You’re just…better.

And what do “better” ballers do these days? They turn their backs on their high school teammates, many of whom they have probably know since elementary school. They turn their backs on their club teammates. That’s actually not that hard, because club “teams” aren’t really teams; they’re just collections of kids whose parents are willing to spend lots of money.

And then they go to an “academy.” This particular perversion of the English language is rich in irony. They are basically places where kids take a few online courses (which are useless) and then play a

lot of basketball all day. It sounded like a dream gig to “the kid” and away they went.

Alas, “the kid” wasn’t the only one who had been given the “better” talk. Lots and lots of “better” players gathered at the “academy,” each probably believing that the opportunity to play all that ball would allow them to rise to the top, perhaps further enhancing their chances for a college scholarship. (What’s sad is that “the kid” probably would have gotten a scholarship, anyway, just by playing the senior year with the high school team.)

Even under the best of circumstances (let’s assume that all of the players at the “academy” were indeed at the elite level), that kind of pressure cooker situation can have some bad (and unintended) results. It would be like dozens and dozens of high school valedictorians gathering for their freshman year at MIT. After having been the smartest person in the room for the past 13 years, all of a sudden, you’re not.

And that’s just the best-case scenario. Imagine that the people running the “academy” had something different in mind instead of straight-up competition. Perhaps they had an agenda or they played favorites or maybe they just weren’t that good at assessing talent.

Suffice it to say that “the kid” learned some hard lessons in a relatively short time. When the “academy” began its season playing other “academies,” playing time was initially hard to come by and then dwindled from there. Frustration set in, followed by anger, and then despair.

“The kid” left the “academy” midseason with the unrealistic hope of perhaps rejoining the high school team. The Arizona Interscholastic Association (for sure) and the school (almost certainly) were having none of it and “the kid’s” prep basketball career was over. “The kid” didn’t even go back to the school, finishing up with online courses, instead.

It’s a sad story and some adult(s) should pay a price for their part in it. But they won’t. As Bruce Hornsby and then Tupac said, that’s just the way it is. We wish “the kid” well. We wish the academy system only the worst.

Lentils are the superfoods we all need

BY MIA SMITT Tucson Local Media Columnist

Lentils, those tiny flat legumes that look like pea “wannabes,” are a powerhouse of good nutrition. They may be one of the first foods ever cultivated; 8,000-year-old lentil seeds have been found in Middle Eastern archeological sites. Lentils are mentioned in the Bible as something Esau traded for his birthright, and also as part of the bread the Jewish people ate during their time of Babylonian captivity.

Their use spread to Africa and Europe as people migrated and they were introduced to India in the first century A.D. where they remain a staple of Indian cuisine. Lentils are a dietary staple in many countries. Canada is the leading producer and exporter of lentils at 3.2 million tons per year. India is second and Australia is the third largest lentils grower.

Lentils are members of the legume family and grow in pods that contain one or two seeds. There are dozens of varieties of large and small size and a variety of colors. In the United States, we use mostly the green and brown but are finding more red lentils in nonspecialty supermarkets. There are also orange, yellow and black varieties and are found either whole or split. They are available year-round. The health benefits of lentils are

many. Like other legumes, lentils are rich in soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. The soluble fiber binds with bile and cholesterol in the intestines and they are excreted in the stool. Studies have shown that high fiber foods can lower total cholesterol and triglycerides significantly. The insoluble fiber increases bulk and helps to prevent constipation and may help to prevent such maladies as irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis. Insulin resistance or pre-diabetes, hypoglycemia, and diabetes can cause wild fluctuations in blood-sugar levels. The soluble fiber helps to regulate blood sugar and provide steady energy.

Research has shown that high fiber diets promote an overall lower level of glucose and insulin, improving

glycemic control. Lentils can also increase energy levels by increasing the level of iron. Other iron rich foods such as red meat also carry a lot of fat and calories while lentils offer a lower calorie and fat free alternative.

Lentils have a positive impact on heart health. The Archives of Internal Medicine published a study in 2001 showing that eating high fiber foods such as legumes (lentils) helps to prevent coronary heart disease. It reported 9,632 American adults were followed over 19 years. Those who ate legumes such as lentils four or more times per week had a 22% lower risk of developing heart disease.

Besides their fiber content, lentils have significant amounts of folate, lowering homocysteine which damages arterial walls. The high folate content is also very beneficial for pregnant women in that it helps to prevent neural tube defects in their infants (severe birth defects of the brain or spine and spinal cord that occur in the first month of pregnancy). They are also rich in magnesium which naturally relaxes blood vessels improving blood, oxygen, and nutrients flow throughout the body.

Lentils are a low-calorie (239 calories per cup) source of molybdenum, an essential trace element for all forms of life in that it acts as a catalyst in chemical processes in the body. They also offer a rich supply of tryptophan, manganese, iron, protein, phosphorus, copper, potassium and thiamine.

There has been concern that lentils contain a high level of purines, naturally occurring substances that provide part of the chemical structure of genes in plants and animals. Purines are metabolized into uric acid which is an antioxidant that helps to protect the lining of blood vessels. When

the kidneys cannot adequately keep uric acid levels balanced or there is an excessive breakdown of purines and accumulation of uric acid, these crystals can be deposited in kidneys, joints, tendons and other organs. This is known as gout, a painful inflammatory illness that can be crippling though treated. Recent research has shown that animal purines clearly increase the risk of gout while plant purines do not. So, eating lentils will not cause gout.

Lentils can be found dried or canned — both have the same nutritional value (just watch for added salt or preservatives in the canned products). Stored in an airtight container, dried lentils will stay fresh for a year. They are easy to prepare by boiling one cup of lentils in three cups of water for 20 to 30 minutes. They can be served hot in soups, stews, and various ethnic dishes, and they will absorb the flavors of spices and herbs. They can be served cold in a variety of salads.

Sprouted lentils are another nutritional powerhouse. They can be found in some grocery stores but are easy to make at home. Soak dried lentils overnight, then drain and rinse them the next morning. Leave them in a jar with good air circulation and within 24 hours they should begin to sprout. Turn the jar and rinse the lentils a few times a day until fully sprouted. These are actually easier to digest and have more vitamins B and C and are great on salads, in sandwiches, or as a garnish.

Do your waistline, heart, colon, and tastebuds a big favor and add some lentils to your diet.

Mia Smitt is a longtime nurse practitioner who writes a column for Tucson Local Media.

Edited by Will Shortz No. 0106

Edited by Will Shortz

HOROSCOPE

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Problems begin to affect relationships, both personal and professional. Act now to shore up those weak foundations before it all comes crashing down around you.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Take a break from all that hard work you've been doing. There's nothing like some well-earned fun and games to charge up those Bovine batteries and send you back fully energized and ready to go.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Deception can sometimes affect perception. You should take a longer, deeper look at what you're being offered. Things might not be quite what you first thought they were.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A friend's loyalty suddenly comes into question. But, before you rush to judgment, listen to what they have to say. This could be an important learning lesson for you.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) The time has come for you to set things right. Your courage will help you meet the difficult challenge ahead. Others will be inspired by your actions and rally to support you.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A stubborn insistence that your way is the only way to solve problems could make things worse than they are. Open your mind to suggestions from others.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Congratulations! Your decision to take action and deal with a long-simmering situation in the workplace begins to pay off. In addition, a family member has some good news.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) You still need to persuade your partner that you're sincere in wanting to save this relationship. Remember: Performance speaks louder than promises.

1 Remark made after catching someone by surprise

47 Item in Yo-Yo Ma’s right hand

23 Port ___, capital of Mauritius

24 John of “The Big Lebowski”

10 Alt-rock band with the 2001 hit album “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot”

15 Indoor swimming pools

Squelched, with “on” 27 His dying words were “There is another

50 Sound of su ering … or pleasure

51 Whi

Hold on to

52 Where the cattle drive in the western epic “Lonesome Dove” begins

Skywalker

16 What might roll in the leaves

17 Pet dogs and cats, a ectionately

18 Surge protector?

19 Great work

20 Embroiled (in)

22 Stage that you might enter at night

23 Broadband letters

28 Ghostlike, in a way 29 ___ Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer-winning author of “The Sympathizer”

25 Gangs

31 Aids for stage crews

27 With 39-Across, answer to the question “Who’s the solver of this puzzle?”

32 Via, informally 33 University in Georgia

28 Bird: Prefix

30 Pro with extensions, in brief

31 Big ticket item?

35 Leading disability rights activist in the 2020 documentary “Crip Camp”

36 Valuable collection

37 Black ___

38 “Get out of here!”

39 See 27-Across

40 “Get me?,” informally

43 Guileful

44 “Love Island” airer

26 Squelched, with “on”

27 His dying words were “There is another … Skywalker …”

28 Ghostlike, in a way

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A close associate reveals a secret that could affect an upcoming decision. Rely on your natural instinct to weigh everything carefully, to help you get through this dilemma.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A disappointment in the workplace can be a blessing in disguise. Take another look at your goals and see if this is the path you really want to follow.

55 Consideration when doubling a recipe, perhaps

Arcade game character with a propeller beanie

56 “Don’t worry about me”

57 Like Alaska on a U.S. map, often

58 Quite a sight DOWN

Word with store or Stor y 41 ___ Greenwich, co -writer of “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” and “Da Doo Ron Ron”

1 Going to get

2 Khaki alternative

3 Use a pick, perhaps

4 Punches

in modern

5 ___ Pippig, three-time winner of the Boston Marathon

6 Word with sister or story

7 Ride with a third wheel

8 Outward attitude

9 Bed of roses, so to speak

10 Character who’s striped and spotted?

11 Causes of some brain freezes 12 Hot take?

Breakfast skillet

What a pointer finger can represent

Labor relief, perhaps

29 ___ Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer-winning author of “The Sympathizer”

31 Aids for stage crews

32 Via, informally

33 University in Georgia 34 Hold on to 35 Arcade game character with a propeller beanie 36 Word with store or Story

41 ___ Greenwich, co-writer of “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” and “Da Doo Ron Ron” 42 Dispense 43 Muscly, in modern lingo 44 Popular talk show of the 2010s 45 Achievement indicator 46 Show of contempt 48 Eponymous region of northern France

for

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Avoid winding up in the middle of an unpleasant family situation by reassuring your cantankerous kinfolk that you love them all -- but that you won't take sides.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A successful workplace move begins to pay off with offers of new opportunities, but some might come with strings attached. Check them all carefully before deciding.

BORN THIS WEEK: You love to entertain. You appreciate fine food and elegant surroundings. You're happiest when you make other people feel good about themselves.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

PUZZLE BY ERICA HSIUNG WOJCIK

DYLAN SCOTT

MAY 19th • SHOW 8:00PM

MAY 20th • 4PM - 11PM

AMBROSIA & FIREFALL

JUNE 3rd • SHOW 8:00PM

EASTON CORBIN

JUNE 30th • SHOW 8:00PM

GRAND FUNK RAILROAD

GIPSY KINGS

AUGUST 5th • SHOW 8:00PM WAILA

JULY 22ND • SHOW 8:00PM

SAHUARITA PLAZA

Marana Unified School District is also pleased to announce top three placement for the following categories:

Dondi Luce, Twin Peaks K-8 School

Caitlyn Kauffman, Marana High School

Matt Uden, Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary

Marana Unified School District Superintendent, Dan Streeter

Valerie Ramirez, Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary

Jessica White, Twin Peaks K-8 School

Kelly McGarity, Dove Mountain CSTEM K-8

Twin Peaks K-8 School

Marana High School

Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary

Marana High School Tigers

Mountain View High Mountain Lions

Find your career at Marana Schools!