Desert Times July 2023

Pastries fill the cases at La Baguette Parisienne

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Did the Phoenix Suns really have a chance?

Probably not.

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DESERT TIMES

Beware of OTC melatonin; labels can be deceiving

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The Voice of Southwest Tucson

War efforts driving rapid growth locally

BY JIMMY MAGAHERN Tucson Local Media Contributor

On the day Inside Tucson Business spoke with Lynndy Smith, the 29-year-old president of the Arizona Defense and Industry Coalition had just returned from a trip to Ukraine, where she and other members of the group talked with the country’s department of defense to find out how Arizona could aid in its war effort.

It was the first time the political wunderkind, who improbably segued into government affairs after a promising college career in varsity women’s ice hockey (a post-grad stint as a staff assistant to Sen. John McCain did the trick), had actually been in a war zone. The experience, she said, was an eye-opener.

“We had one night of full sleep without an air raid,” she said of her week-long stay with the U.S. Embassy in a bunker at a Kyiv hotel. “But then the second night, there was an alarm

that went off around midnight that lasted until about 4:30 in the morning. From what I gathered and could understand, it sounded like there was a (Russian) drone in the area.” Smith admitted she didn’t get a lot of sleep that night but said overall she “felt really safe. After all, Raytheon built those missile defense systems — that’s what’s being used in Ukraine. And the missile defense systems are working great.”

Tucson Museum showcases the state’s best artists

BY VERONICA KUFFEL Tucson Local Media Contributor

For Julie Sasse, chief curator at the Tucson Museum of Art, summer is the time to highlight some of the best artists in Arizona. It’s this focus on local art that has helped establish the museum as a southwestern cultural mecca.

“(Museums) seemed to feel they had to go outside the region to show New York or Chicago artists because that was the important stuff,” Sasse said. “That idea is over; people are saying the art right in front of us is valid, it’s important.”

The Tucson Museum of Art showcases emerging Arizona artists through Oct. 1 as part of its renowned Biennial Exhibition. The gallery not only allows artists to exhibit their

Mount Zion Lutheran Church

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EDITORIAL & AD CONTENT

The Desert Times expresses

Hot Picks

ARTS

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 is weekly from Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The exhibition will also feature various community events inspired by the collection.

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

Cool Summer Nights TO AUG. 26

Every Saturday night, the Sonora Desert Museum celebrates summer with families. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, 2021

N. Kinney Road, tickets start at $20, free for members, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 520-833-1380, desertmuseum.org

MUSIC

Deja Crue

JULY 8

Well known throughout Phoenix, the Motley Crue tribute band hits the Gaslight Music Hall stage for the first time.

Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley, $27, with discounts for children and military, 6 p.m., gaslightmusichall.com

SPECIAL EVENTS

La Encantada + Lululemon Present Moon Glow 520

JULY 7

Join the group in the courtyard for Moon Glow 520. These Friday evening yoga classes are complimentary. Guests should bring their own yoga mat and water bottle. Presented by Lululemon, in partnership with Yoga Loft Tucson.

La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Drive, Tucson, free, 6:30 p.m., laencantadashoppingcenter.com

“Mary Poppins”

JULY 9

In addition to the movie “Mary Poppins,” attendees can do crafts, hear the Fox Tucson Theatre’s historic organ, celebrate summer birthdays and sing along.

Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $2.50, 2 p.m., foxtucson.com

“Babe”

JULY 16

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Tucson Local Media Staff

collie Fly (Miriam Margolyes) and discovers he, too, can herd sheep. In addition to the movie, attendees can do crafts, hear a historic theater organ, celebrate summer birthdays, sing along and more — all thematically in honor of the Mickey Mouse Club at the Fox, when kids used to fill the theater on weekends from the 1930s through 1950s.

Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $2.50, 2 p.m., foxtucson.com

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. Biosphere 2, 32540 S. Biosphere Road, Tucson, $25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., biosphere2.org

Dog Days of Summer TO SEPT. 30

Gentle farmer Arthur Hoggett (James Cromwell) wins a piglet named Babe (Christine Cavanaugh) at a county fair. Narrowly escaping his fate as Christmas dinner when Farmer Hoggett decides to show him at the next fair, Babe bonds with motherly border

Guests can take their dogs to Tucson Botanical Gardens through Sept. 30. Imagine the smells they’ll enjoy and the fun of exploring 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 

That’s what she heard time and again from the Ukrainians she met.

“Since Raytheon obviously has a large presence in Arizona, we got a lot of praise from the people for the assets that are already coming out of Arizona to make them feel safe in Ukraine.”

It’s that gratitude and trust that prompted the ADIC’s invitation from Ukrainian parliament member Dmytro Liubota, who met with the coalition in Arizona in March to discuss his country’s immediate defense technology needs. Together with other members of the ADIC, which include representatives from the four leading defense organizations in Arizona — the Southern Arizona Defense Alliance, the Mesa Industry and Defense Council, West Valley Defense Alliance and Yuma 50 — along with advisers for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and Gov. Katie Hobbs, Smith basically asked the Ukrainian leaders, “What else can Arizona do for you?”

“We didn’t want to come in with this pre-packaged deal that we put together,” she said. “We met with every agency, from their department of defense to digital transformation to strategic industries and

foreign affairs, with the goal of identifying not only their immediate needs, but also the long-term needs of Ukraine.”

Turns out, they came up with quite an inventory.

“Yeah, it was a healthy list,” said Robert Medler, president of the Tucson-based Southern Arizona Defense Alliance, who also went along on the trip.

“And not just for the current war. They’re already looking confidently to after they win the war and reclaim their land. They want Arizona’s help in rebuilding a better defense for the future and a stronger economy.”

Medler is assured Arizona can do it, and his piece in rallying together the assets of the six military installations across Southern Arizona — from the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Arizona National Guard’s 162nd Fighter Wing in Tucson to the Fort Huachuca Army Base in Sierra Vista and three other installations in Yuma and Marana — is crucial to the effort.

“The defense industry in Arizona is not Phoenix-centric,” Medler said.

“It’s spread out through the state. There are assets throughout Southern Arizona, there’s assets in the East Valley, Northern Arizona, the West Valley, Yuma. And so

how do you reach out to all those? That’s where the ADIC comes in. It’s truly a statewide partnership.”

In Southern Arizona, the defense industry is particularly robust. Raytheon Technologies is the largest employer in the region, employing more than 12,000 people and contributing an annual $2.6 billion economic impact to the state. But that’s just the start.

“The defense industry is still our largest industry here in Tucson,” said Michael Guymon, president of the Tucson Chamber of Commerce.

“We have over 25,000 people employed in the aerospace and defense industry, and it’s really centered around two major facilities and installations: The first is Ray-

theon, and the second is the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, which the chamber actually helped establish back in the 1920s. Today we have over 7,000 airmen and women, and probably another 1,700 civilian employees.

“In addition to those, we have over 200 other aerospace and defense companies in the region. Everything from Sargent Aerospace and Defense to some of the companies that provide the optical instruments within the optical guidance systems that Raytheon places into its products.” Optical science is an oft-overlooked part of the defense industry, but it is a field where Tucson excels. The University of

see UKRAINE page 6

Raytheon employees work on advanced intelligence and space projects. (Raytheon/Submitted)

Lynndy Smith, president of the Arizona Defense and Industry Coalition, meets with representatives in Ukraine. “We felt really safe. After all, Raytheon built those missile defense systems, and (they) are working great,” she said. (ADIC/Submitted)

phone keys wallet bag

Arizona’s Wyant College of Optical Sciences is ranked the second-best optical sciences school in the country (behind only the University of Rochester), and number one in the Southwest. And optical system design is the key component in the detection, tracking and stopping of hypersonic cruise missiles — highly sought-after by the Pentagon for its unmatched speed and maneuverability in attacking Chinese and Russian air weaponry.

Last September, Raytheon Technologies and Northrop Grumman, which has a facility in Chandler that employs over 2,500 people, were awarded a nearly billion-dollar contract to design and develop the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile for the U.S. Department of Defense, using a unique type of optical sensors. And in June, Raytheon was awarded a $621 million “indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity” U.S. defense contract to transport, test, upgrade and repair “exo-atmospheric kill vehicles,” which use lasers to autonomously collide with incoming warheads.

Attracting technologist brainpower to such instruments of war has historically been a hard sell for the tech community, which has a reputation for liberal, or at least libertarian, thinking. In 2019 a group of Google employees sent a well-publicized letter to the company’s management demanding it abandon work on a customized AI surveillance engine codenamed “Project Maven” that used data captured by U.S. military drones to provide vehicle tracking results to the Department of De-

fense, charging that assisting the U.S. government in military surveillance violated the company’s mantra, “Don’t Be Evil.” (Ultimately Google dropped the project, amid resignations and refusals by employees to work on it.)

The war in Ukraine changed that mindset, according to some Silicon Valley insiders that Inside Tucson Business spoke with, by casting an appealing underdog in the arms race. Today, Bay Area defense companies like Palantir Technologies and Anduril Industries, which have long operated under the radar of the splashier tech companies, are successfully competing for top-level technologists alongside Apple, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Meta (Facebook) and Microsoft, attracting tech-heads who want to work on “more important things than the latest smartphone upgrade,” according to one longtime Apple employee. (The Swift programming language that Apple uses even began featuring the Ukraine flag in

its internal emails.)

For her part, Lynndy Smith is angling to capitalize on tech’s growing enthusiasm for defense work by empowering innovative Arizona startups with more clout in competing for defense contracts.

“What we’re trying to do is increase those lines of communications between those startups and the DOD, as well as foreign governments,” she said.

“For instance, when we met with Germany, they’d explained that they’re trying to buy something from the DOD along the lines of like a tactical lunchbox, and instead they’re getting sold a rocket launcher. The DOD has all these pre-packaged opportunities, which are great for some countries, but they’re not solving the whole problem for others. Raytheon or General Dynamics are never going to want to build that smaller niche technology, because it’s not economical for them to do so. Whereas that smaller project could be the entire lifeblood of a certain startup. So,

one of our goals is to build a major ecosystem through the ADIC so that startups and small companies in Arizona can compete with the big companies on defense procurement contracts.”

That should be good for Tucson’s economy, said chamber president Guymon.

“We’re going to continue working very hard to attract more aerospace and defense companies to this region, because not only can they benefit from the workforce that exists at Raytheon, but they can also benefit from the focus that our college of engineering has on aerospace and defense positions and skills,” he said.

“Arizona has an extremely business friendly climate,” added Medler. “And part of our job at the Southern Arizona Defense Alliance is just getting the word out about the capabilities we have here, to encourage growth and investment by the firms that are already here and attract new business. That’s an ongoing challenge, but we’re well-suited to meet it.” 

ROBERT MEDLER

LYNNDY SMITH

MICHAEL GUYMON

work within the museum but for many, it’s their public debut.

“The Biennial Exhibition is a chance for these artists to get noticed,” Sasse explained, “instead of waiting years to maybe have somebody discover them.”

In this year’s 37th exhibition, more than 400 artists submitted their work and the museum narrowed its final selection to 56. Of the chosen applicants, 68 pieces were put on display in the James and Louise Glasser Gallery and the Chann Gallery.

Sasse noted this year’s works reflect the search for a sense of place.

“There’s a real self-awareness that we live in a really unique environment and a unique place positioned at the border,” Sasse said. “They’re maybe not so much seeing themselves solely as an artist in the world … but they are attuned to what’s affecting them directly. I find that very interesting.”

Many pieces comment on the physical, emotional and spiritual impacts of the southwestern landscape, with two recurring topics: the U.S.-Mexico borderland and human interactions with the environment. Other themes include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, migration, labor automation and political polarization.

All work is depicted through a variety of media and materials, including painting, fiber works, sculptures and electronics. Many artworks feature distinctly Sonoran creativity; a presidential speech is portrayed as a mound of individually cut-out letters.

“They put their hearts into these works,” Sasse said of this year’s artists. “They’re thinking, they’re observing and distilling it into something that’s beautiful or into something you can’t take your mind off

of. That’s to me where the good artists rise above, because they do stop you in your tracks.”

Every year, the museum chooses a juror from outside of Arizona to judge hundreds of artist entries. Staff organized every work into a presentation, and the selection process took a whole day to complete.

This year’s juror is Taína Caragol, curator of painting, sculpture and Latinx art and history at the National Portrait Gallery. She works to uplift Latinx and Latin American art into the public sphere and recover stories and history suppressed through colonialism.

“I thought she would be perfect, especially with our strong representation of Latinx artists,” Sasse explained. “These curators are highly trained. For the most part, they’ve seen so much art they know what is going to make an impact.”

Along with the exhibition, the Tucson Museum of Art hosts a lecture series for artists to discuss their work. The final lecture is 5:30 p.m. Sept. 7 in the Stonewall Community Foundation Room.

The museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The first Thursday of every month will have free entry from 5-8 p.m.

Sasse is excited to feature so many emerging artists in this year’s Biennial Exhibition. She noted the work of Arizona creatives, from local to international origins, will continue to awe the world for some time to come.

“It’s been so gratifying to help share with people that people from the Southwest aren’t just ‘cowboys and indigenous’ but it’s people from Vietnam, from Guinea, from all over and they’re doing very interesting work,” Sasse said. “It keeps the art vital, to have that diversity of all kinds.” 

Family Nurse Practitioner

CHOW La Baguette Parisienne generates rising interest

BY VALERIE VINYARD Tucson Local Media Staff

The first thing you’ll notice is the aroma.

When you step out of your car in the Broadway Plaza on Broadway Boulevard and Pantano Road, you’ll get a whiff of freshly baked bread emanating from La Baguette Parisienne.

The scent is what lured shopper Marianne Potter to the bakery on a recent weekday.

“I was leaving Sprouts (Farmers Market) next door, and I smelled something wonderful,” Potter said. “I had to check it out.” Potter, 48, left the eastside bakery with a box of pastries and a baguette.

“I think this will be the start of a long relationship,” she said, laughing.

Kim Ireland and EJ Marx bought La Baguette Parisienne Nov. 18 from longtime owners Norm and Mel Marini. Norm’s father opened the bakery in 1983.

“I used to go to that bakery when I was a kid,” said Ireland, 41.

Co-owner Marx, Ireland’s personal and professional partner, is a longtime chef and used to own a food cart called Star Dog that used wholesale bread from La Baguette Parisienne.

When Marx heard the owners were closing, he told Ireland, and the two worked out a plan to try and buy the bakery.

At first, the owners weren’t interested in selling. After about 10 days of discussions, they relented, and the bakery rose again. Ireland and Marx officially bought the bakery on Oct. 1, and its grand opening

ing, we didn’t want to change them.”

The bakery employs 28 employees, and Ireland said most of the former employees stayed on. As a longtime employee in the restaurant industry, Ireland believes in taking care of her employees.

“I make sure they make a livable wage,” Ireland said. “I’m making sure employees are supported, are valued and are paid.”

Marx handles the breads, and Ireland runs the business side, such as invoicing and payroll.

She now can add “baker” to the list, too.

“The pastry side was lacking,” Ireland said, “so in December, I jumped back there and took that department over.”

was Nov. 18.

In addition to the regulars, the news was a relief to the 25 or so restaurants that rely on La Baguette Parisienne for their bread and rolls.

“A lot of the old customers came back,” said La Baguette Parisienne’s general manager Beverly Bruning, 27. “But we’re reaching a whole new set of people.”

That’s partly because the bakery now has a social media presence, and Ireland is working on adding online ordering and custom cake ordering on the website.

Before they reopened, Ireland and Marx gutted and renovated the 3,000-squarefoot space. Walls were knocked out, and

a new ceiling and new pastry cases were installed. They added new equipment in the kitchen, including an oven imported from France that uses steam to bake the dozens of baguettes every day. The resulting look is brighter and fresher.

“I feel like we’ve accomplished so much in the past eight months,” said Ireland, who has a psychology degree from the UA.

Changes included extending the bakery’s hours and accepting credit cards. Not everything changed, though.

“We kept all of the same recipes, all of the same stuff, but we also added a lot of stuff,” Ireland said. “If things were work-

Ireland and her new baker continue to use the time-tested recipes from the original owners, but she’s added many new desserts.

“I didn’t know it would be something I’d be good at,” she said. “EJ’s a chef and he’s incredible, but he was so busy with perfecting the bread.”

What surprises many customers are the low prices. A slice of New York cheesecake costs $3.25, a fat éclair topped with chocolate runs $4.25 and a full-size coconut cream pie costs $15.95.

“We really try to keep the prices reasonable,” said Ireland, who gives kids free rolls when they come in. “The reaction has been a really, really positive one.

“We want to be that family place where kids can come in and pick out what they want, and the parents don’t freak out about the price.”

EJ Marx and Kim Ireland are the new owners of La Baguette Parisienne. (Noelle Haro-Gomez/Contributor)

MY BEST FRIEND

Our annual celebration of pets

New El Jefe café is the cat’s meow

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Staff

The road to Tiffany Lee’s El Jefe Cat Café was an exercise in patience.

After months of hitting dead ends with spaces, the entrepreneur found the perfect spot for a cat lounge at 3025 N. Campbell Avenue, Suite 141, Tucson. The lounge, which opened on Halloween 2019, didn’t have beverage service; instead, the staff encouraged guests to hang out with cats.

“It’s a blessing because it’s absolutely the best space we could have chosen,” she said. “Unfortunately, it was bad timing. It was Halloween of 2019. We had four and a half months before we had to close due to the pandemic because we’re a place of gathering. We closed for five months.”

She could not get PPP loans because she wasn’t taking payroll. Turning to her entrepreneurial skills, Lee started sewing animal- and Tucson-themed face masks.

“Literally, we were sewing 50 face masks a day,” she said.

“Even when we were allowed to open and people were allowed to go out, we

still received the online orders for face masks. Somehow, someway, we made it through COVID.”

On May 11, she and her daughter, Victoria Brown, unveiled the El Jefe Cat Café, complete with espresso drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and Italian sodas to enjoy while mingling with the cats.

Lee said she feels blessed to be part of the Tucson community. Friends and neighbors supported her efforts through the pandemic — financially and through word of mouth.

“I don’t know any other community or city like this,” she said. “Tucson residents just get ‘local’ and they decided what they wanted to stay during COVID.

“They supported us. They went out of their way. People in grocery lines would ask each other where they bought their masks, and they could give them our Facebook links.

“They kept us afloat.”

Various stories tell the tales of cat cafés.

Some say they started in Vienna in 1912, while others cite the first one opening in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1998. In the United States, most cafés focus on adoptions.

El Jefe Cat Café is no different. Its resident felines come from Finally My Forever Home Rescue in Tucson. All the furry friends are healthy and available for adoption, which isn’t required. Guests can just come in and play with the cats. Lee is quick to add that El Jefe Cat Café is not a shelter or rescue.

“They started out in Asia for a purpose,” Lee said.

“It was probably eight years before it hit America. It started in Denver and Seattle and the concept changed. In Asia, their living quarters were getting smaller and

El Jefe Cat Café allows guests to mingle with feline friends, who are available for adoption. (Noelle Haro-Gomez/Contributor) smaller and couldn’t have pets.

“So, they have high-end cats in cafés with coffee. They were like zoo animals, permanent cats. That doesn’t translate well with the United States. When the model came over to the United States, everybody started working with rescues. The cats are all adoptable. They have fun, they don’t feel guilty. They play with them.

During the grand opening celebration/ ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 10, Lee was in tears.

“As a female-owned business — and somebody who’s been funding everything out of her own pocket or credit card — it was a very, very hard endeavor,” she said.

“It was uphill the entire time. I believe in Tucson the entire time, though. They’ve really come through. Now, I’d say 80% of my customers are completely new people or tourists. They’re usually in big cities and people want to visit a cat café.”

An Arkansas native, Lee said she hopes she makes Tucsonans proud.

“I wanted to represent a lot of Tucson in our space,” she said. “That’s why we’ve incorporated the décor and murals. We’re trying to share local businesses in our space as well. We want it to be a tourist destination on top of something that local Tucsonans are proud of.”

And the cats as well.

“I’m just an entrepreneur and I was looking for a business that had more purpose than chasing a carrot,” she said.

“I like that this helped people destress, have fun and create memories.” 

3025 N. Campbell Avenue, Suite 141, Tucson

520-849-8856, eljefecatlounge.com

Hours:

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and Sunday

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday

El Jefe Cat Café

Tiffany Lee and her daughter, Victoria Brown, own El Jefe Cat Café. (Noelle Haro-Gomez/Contributor)

Where Your Pets Are Loved

2406 S. Harrison Rd Tucson, AZ 85748 Tuesday - Saturday 7:30-5:30PM* (520)

Low-cost vet practice to open location

BY TUCSON WEEKLY STAFF

After finding success with its mobile practice, Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit, will open its first brick-and-mortar location in Tucson in July.

The new facility at 8860 E. Broadway Boulevard will have the capacity to complete 60 to 80 surgeries per day, focusing on low-cost operations such as dental work, spays and neuters, mass and tumor removals and bladder stones.

“Our business strategy was created to provide worried parents with a reliable location for their pets’ care,” said Douglas Patriquin, co-owner and chief executive officer of Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit.

“We take great pride in offering treatments and procedures at just a third of the typical price so that more pets can receive the high-quality care that they deserve.”

Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit has six doctors, five in Arizona. The practice provides an extensive surgical prep area, large surgical areas that accommodate two doctors and a recovery area for post-operative care. Each doctor can perform more than 18 surgeries per day.

Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit was founded in 2016 by Dr. Kelly Patriquin and Doug Patriquin, who sought to establish a veterinary clinic that could serve more pets. Since its inception, the clinic has performed more than 100,000 pet surgeries, assisted over 150,000 clients and served at least 80 pet rescue organizations. The clinic expanded by 60% in 2022, 50% in 2021 and 160% in the previous three years. In 2023, they will see another 50% increase

Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit was founded in 2016 by Dr. Kelly Patriquin and Doug Patriquiny. (Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit/Submitted)

while adding two to three more locations, including the Broadway Boulevard practice. 

Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit

Opening in July

8860 E. Broadway Boulevard at Camino Seco, Tucson drkellysvet.com

their distraught owners is wearing.

“The animal welfare field in general, due to its high, emotionally driven environment, can make for high turnover in staff,” said Gonzalez of the Humane Society.

Some people, such as Rachel Levinsohn, a veterinary hospital administrator in Tucson, have been at the front for years, yet soldier on. And she has good ideas about how you can help your pets and your vet, probably the most important of which is this: Take your pet for an

annual checkup. Sounds simple, doesn’t happen often enough and can prevent unscheduled visits to your already overwhelmed veterinarian and give them a history of your cat, or dog, or bird or iguana, so they don’t have to die of an undiagnosed illness such as kidney failure, which can be tracked annually via a simple blood test.

“Establish care with the veterinarian. Create that relationship. That is the easiest way to keep your pet’s health on track,” Levinsohn said. “You would catch something before it’s an issue.” 

Having trouble seeing a vet? Here’s why

BY TIFFANY KJOS Tucson Local Media Contributor

You can’t get your cat in to see the vet. No one answers the phone. This is not your imagination.

“It’s dire right now. If anyone has tried to get an appointment with their veterinarian, they’ve likely discovered it’s several weeks before you can get in,” Julie Funk, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Arizona, said.

The veterinary crisis preceded COVID-19 but it is hard to deny the pandemic’s effects. The ASPCA reports around 23 million households adopted a pet during the pandemic.

“The number of animals that people own right now will surpass the number of veterinarians by 2025. That’s alarming,” said Karla Lombana, program director for veterinary technology at Pima Community College. She had a practice in Tucson before joining PCC.

Christian Gonzalez, chief programs officer at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, says the organization works hard to recruit people. (Humane Society of Southern Arizona/Submitted)

of 105 students with doctor of veterinary medicine degrees. Around the same time, 110 students will enter their first semester in the college’s year-round accelerated program in which they attain degrees in three years rather than the usual four.

Pima Community College has a long-established program training veterinary nurses (formerly known as vet techs). It’s one of the most cost-feasible options for anyone wanting to enter the field.

Pima Medical Institute also offers courses, but at a far higher cost.

The humane society’s CEO, Steve Farley, “felt strongly about having a huge incentive for all vet graduates to stay and practice in Arizona to help fill a lot of these gaps that are currently in place … it has been hard to fill any position after COVID. There have not been a lot of people looking for work,” according to Christian Gonzalez, chief programs officer at the Humane Society.

That is endemic in virtually every industry.

“Between the tight labor market, low unemployment and fewer numbers of individuals in the 16-to-24 demographic as compared to previous generations, employers are facing considerable challenges finding qualified workers,” said Michael Guymon, president and CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber.

People stayed home and took on pets that may have had health challenges (which most animal-adoption agencies divulge immediately). Pet owners saw previously unnoticed medical problems in pets.

The UA College of Veterinary Medicine will in late August graduate its first class

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona helped put in place a state tuition-reimbursement law that aims to encourage people in the veterinary profession to stay here.

This has had a considerable impact. Also, it’s already difficult caring for animals — many in the industry experience “compassion fatigue”: dealing with sick pets and

see VET page 1o

Avicultural Society isn’t just for the birds

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER Tucson Local Media Staff

Roseanne Lee has 26 birds, and guests to her place might want to watch their step.

“The birds come out every day,” Lee said. “They’re hardly ever in the cage. We also find seeds, feathers, poop; we’re always cleaning.”

The first bird Joyce Lekawa befriended was a baby parakeet, only a couple of months old, with a preference for water.

“It loved water,” Lekawa said. “It would do anything to get in the water. You’re doing dishes and it would jump in. We had a fishbowl, and we had to put wire over it because it would jump in.”

Lekawa and Lee are members of the Avicultural Society of Tucson, comprising 30 bird lovers. This is not a club for birdwatchers, though that could be a side hobby. The group loves birds and has them as pets and family members.

The club meets on the second Sunday of each month, except May, when they meet the first Sunday. The meetings host guest speakers, who may discuss the dangers of plants or household cleaners. They have raffles where a member might win a toy or a swing for their birds. Sometimes there are even birds on the raffle table.

Lekawa is the longest-tenured member, having joined the club in 1977.

Bird lovers pet and cuddle their avian friends just as much as those with cats and dogs. They are careful about what they feed their birds and they talk to them like children.

“Come here, Poppy,” Lee said, while trying to coax the cockatiel to perform. “Do your trick. Aren’t you going to do your

trick? Where are you going, sweetheart? Can you say ‘Hello?’”

The club’s treasurer and secretary, Lee had birds as a child, but in deference to others in her own household, chose not to have them.

During the pandemic, she got a cockatiel named Poppy. Then she got Mali, a parakeet. Twenty-six birds later, cages line two walls in her family room.

A birdsong chorus greets guests to the room. It’s not a cacophony, but a lovely natural sound. Still, it’s constant — and it can get loud.

Lee favors smaller birds so, besides the many parakeets and cockatiels who of-

tate just about any sound, she knows what her husband has been watching when she gets home simply by what her birds tell her.

Poppy the cockatiel was the first bird Roseanne Lee bought. That was in 2021; now she has 26 birds: parakeets, cockatiels and zebra finches. (Karen Schaffner/Staff)

ten fly around, she also has a collection of zebra finches. They’re not as social as their larger roommates. They are more feral, unless they are hand raised from the shell.

Lekawa, who has an African gray parrot and two Gouldian finches, was raised on a farm so she knew ducks and geese. It wasn’t until she acquired the parakeet, however, that she started to really enjoy feathered company.

Her first parakeet lived for years, which leads to an important point. Some species live up to 50, 70 or even 100 years, according to Lekawa.

“You have to put them in your will or find someone who will take them that has a love of birds and knows what they’re doing,” she said.

Because birds are smart and can imi-

“You were watching ‘Star Wars,’” she said. How did she know? They were saying, “Pew, pew.”

One thing is certain: The birds recognize their family members. Let a stranger try to hand feed them and forget it. That bird takes off.

Lekawa and Lee both said newbies should start with one of the smaller species, such as a parakeet or lovebirds. Pet store parakeets come in at around $50, plus they need a cage, food and toys. Larger birds, such as the African grays, begin at about $1,500. If their feathers are unusually colored, they can run $15,000 or more. They suggest bird owners visit club meetings to learn how to take care of them.

The pair encourage everyone to consider getting a bird.

“They are a delight,” Lee said of her own avian crew. 

Joyce Lekawa is president of the Aviculture Society of Tucson, a bird lovers’ group. Mali enjoys sitting on her head. (Karen Schaffner/Staff)

Grooming

Different breeds of dogs require different grooming techniques. For example: long haired breeds like the Maltese or Shih Tzu require daily brushing and regular haircuts, while short haired breeds like the Boxer or Doberman Pinscher require less frequent grooming.

Grooming should start at an early age. Puppies should be introduced to grooming gradually, to make the experience positive and prevent fear or anxiety later in life. This includes handling, brushing and bathing.

BY ANYA LOTUN Tucson Local Media Staff

At Howling Success, Kristine Berg just wants dogs to be happy.

Armed with extensive knowledge about dogs, Berg founded the cage-free facility to board canines older than 10 months. Berg makes the dogs feel at home with a spacious house, 50-foot pool, agility equipment, balance balls and an obstacle course.

“I try to keep them busy all the time,” Berg said.

“We have a schedule that we follow every day. Just like kindergarten, we have an afternoon nap time. I just try to keep them happy. That’s the big thing.”

Berg has been working with dogs since 1977. When she was 16, she went to Munich, Germany, for six months to visit her sister. Upon her return, she found her parents had given away her Doberman.

“I tracked down the trainer, and he had already placed the dog,” she said. “He was impressed with what I had done. I lived with him and his wife. I ended up running his whole business.

A mentor at LA-based Animal Behavior College, she is a nationally certified animal cruelty investigator.

Berg is confident in her abilities, but she encourages dog owners to visit the day care in advance by appointment only. All dogs are required to be spayed/neutered. Berg recommends that the best dogs for boarding and day care are social, outgoing and unaggressive.

When pet parents drop off their dogs, food should be in a labeled, air-tight container, and they can bring a dog bed if desired. In addition, there is no extra charge

for administering medication to the pets.

The boarding rates are based on a 24hour day; $60 per day for one dog. The facility is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Furthermore, a dog day care, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. is available for a $35 fee.

Berg said cage-free facilities are beneficial to the dog’s well-being, as it provides for a calmer environment and happier dogs.

“There’s less stress, socialization, happier dogs and it’s overall better for the dog’s psyche,” she added.

Howling Success is located at Berg’s home, which she bought specifically for her business. There are many doors for dogs to use, as well as beds and couches. She reassured safety is her priority. She even sends photos, videos and updates of the pets to the owners.

“I know what it feels like to leave your

dogs. … I take group photos of the dogs and send them to the owners,” she said. “To me, that’s the most important thing for me when I go away, is to know my dog is safe”.

The yard is secured so snakes and other critters cannot get in. She keeps anti-anxiety dog beds for those who are nervous.

“They’re really fluffy dog beds made to soothe the dog,” she said.

To make sure dogs feel welcome, Berg considers their well-being and ensures the transition into her home is as smooth as possible.

“I monitor the dogs too,” she explained.

“I don’t let any dogs get picked on, I make sure everything is always fair. Sometimes you’ll get a shy dog who doesn’t want other dogs around them and I make sure they get left alone. I respect each dog for their personality, and I try to keep them comfortable and not stressed.”

Berg’s philosophy is to help the dogs in any way she can.

“I’ve always gone by this, I try to make the dog somehow better when they go home than they were when they came,” she said.

She said her business is picking up, especially from word-of-mouth referrals.

“The buzz is starting to get out there, which I’m really thrilled about,” she said.

“I have one guy who flies his dog in from Reno to swim in my pool. Others come from Phoenix, or the other side of Tucson. It’s really nice to know that the word’s getting out.” 

Howling Success owner Kristine Berg says dogs feel comfortable at her daycare and boarding facility. (Kristine Berg/Submitted)

Foster - we receive many kittens (and cats) that need a home environment to thrive. Bottle babies can be labor intensive but most cats just need a quiet, loving place to recuperate

Volunteer - with over 200 cats you know there's always something needing to be done! From cleaning, to maintenance and everything in between, we need your help.

Tuesday-Saturday from 10-5 5278 E 21st Street

Adopt - we have over 200 cats and kittens ready for adoption There's sure to be the purr-fect feline friend for you at the Hermitage. Ask about our July adoption specials! Mention this ad and get a free bumper sticker!

Donate - our adoption fees don't begin to cover the costs of housing, feeding and caring for our cat residents Any amount helps!

Handi-Dogs, Tucson’s only

Dogs International affiliate, trains people and their dogs as certified service dogs. Our dedicated volunteers have been raising purebred Labrador Retriever puppies specifically bred for service work. If you need a service dog, we have three dogs ready to match with individuals with disabilities, including hearing loss, mobility assistance, PTSD/ depression, and diabetic alert.

SUMMERTIME

MOVIE FUN IN TUCSON’S

SING-ALONG MOVIES

WEST SIDE STORY 6/24

ANNIE 7/22

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN 8/26

picture palace

AIR CONDITIONED COMFORT RAIN OR SHINE!

MUSIC & MOVIES

2ND SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN

SUNDAY FAMILY MATINEES

MARY POPPINS 7/9

BABE 7/16

FANTASTIC MR. FOX 7/23

THE MUPPET MOVIE 7/30

Music: BACK TO BACHARACH

Movie: BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID 7/8

CHOW from page 8

At least 10 breads are available daily. Depending on the size and type, loaf prices range from $2.65 to $5.85 and include country whole grain, country French and rustic French. Besides the rolls, baguettes and Parisians, there’s an epi, which Ireland described as bread shaped like a wheat stalk: “You get like 10 rolls to an epi,” she said. For smaller appetites, there are jocos ($1.90), or smaller-sized French loaves. A

customer favorite is Bavarian rye, which is offered Tuesdays and Fridays.

“We have the best baguettes in town; our bread is so good,” Ireland said.

For those with a sweet tooth, La Baguette Parisienne offers about 30-plus pastries a day.

“Everyone comes for the bread, but the highest sellers are the pastries,” Bruning said.

Once you gaze at the pastry cases, you’ll see why.

Rows of croissants, Danish pastries, cakes, cookies, tarts and cheesecakes are artfully arranged in several cases.

Try a “mini hand pie,” which is a puff pastry rolled in cinnamon and sugar and filled with an apple or cherry.

“I had heard about this place for a while, and then I finally went there,” said Ben Durham, a 42-year-old self-described dessert lover who “lives for pastries.”

“These are fresh. And they cost less than a lot of places in town.” 

SPORTS & RECREATION

BY TOM DANEHY Tucson Local Media Columnist

When I heard the Phoenix Suns were cleaning out their cupboards, getting rid of players and what few draft picks they had left for the rest of this decade, to get another AllStar scorer, my mind jumped to the Texas Hold ‘Em scene in “Casino Royale.”

Having been beaten, humiliated and almost killed by the dastardly Le Chiffre, James Bond pushes his pile of chips all-in, taking the final pot to a figure over $150 million.

In dramatic fashion, the first player shows he has a flush, a very good hand. But the next player has a full house, an even better hand. Le Chiffre smiles sardonically as he shows he has an even higher full house. James Bond drops his whole hand on the table, showing them to be a crummy five and seven of the same suit. They turn out to be the missing pieces for a straight flush, the highest hand possible. (A Royal Flush is just a straight flush running from 10 up to the Ace.)

The scene is absurd, starting with the fact nobody is going to hold onto a five and a seven, even if they are the same suit. But it’s all for dramatic effect, and James Bond is safe because he’s James

Bond and also because the scene was made up by a writer.

In real life, the Phoenix Suns have gone all-in with the acquisition of Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards. Actually, they had cleaned out the cupboards (trading away three players and four first-round draft picks) to acquire Kevin Durant late in the regular season, Now they’re basically getting rid of the cupboards, as well. The next person they draft with a first-round pick is spending this summer getting ready to enter middle school.

Adding an extra dash of spice to the mix is the fact that one of the pieces they traded to get Beal was future Hall of Famer Chris Paul. He was sent to Washington, which, in NBA terms, might as well be Siberia. But in just a couple days, he was back in the Pacific Division with the Golden State Warriors, one of the teams the Suns will have to get past to get to the NBA Finals. There is still a chance Paul will end up with the Lakers for financial reasons. Either way, the Suns will see him several times a year and it should be … interesting.

Excitement ran high when Durant arrived in Phoenix, then he suffered a bizarre ankle injury during warmup for a game and had to sit out all but a couple games leading to the playoffs. The Suns got lucky by meeting (and beating) a banged-

up Los Angeles Clippers teams in the first round of the playoffs. Then they ran into the Denver Nuggets.

It’s weird: The Nuggets had been in first place basically the entire season, but they had gotten no media attention. Instead, the focus was on whether the Lakers would even make the playoffs, if the aging Golden State Warriors could put together one more championship run, how big a hole would the Suns dig for themselves with Devin Booker out with a groin injury, and is Ja Morant really that stupid? (The answer to that last question is yes.)

As it turns out, the Suns actually did the best of the four teams that Denver ran through on the way to the NBA title, but that’s cold comfort. Even though they were favored by the oddsmakers, the Suns lost the first game in Denver. Then they were leading late in the second game when Chris Paul suffered a groin pull. (You say playoffs, I say injury. That’s the Chris Paul mantra.)

Booker and Durant put on a show for the ages in Phoenix to even the series at two games apiece, but then disappointing DeAndre Ayton went down with some kinda’ owie and Denver won the next two games.

Side note to UA and Phoenix Suns: Has DeAndre Ayton ever failed to disappoint? The one time that he was about to live

La Baguette Parisienne

7851 E. Broadway Boulevard, Tucson 520-296-1711

labaguetteparisienne.com

Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays and Sundays

7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Closed Mondays

up to his potential, in the Suns’ surprising run-up to the NBA Finals in 2021, but when he got to the Finals, he didn’t just disappoint. He disappeared.

Back when LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade formed a Super Team in Miami, it was considered to be a prototype for future championship teams. But since that time, almost all of the championships have been won by teams with one star (Dirk Nowitski in Dallas, Kawhi Leonard in Toronto) or, at most, two stars (Steph Curry and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors).

Still, the allure of the Super Team persists and for the next couple years, Phoenix has one. What’s really odd is that back in 2018, at a time in the season when the Suns were in last place with the abysmal record of 4-15, a really young Devin Booker was quoted as saying, “I’d like to build a super team. I want the super team to come to me.” At the time, pretty arrogant. In retrospect, absolutely prescient.

Now that he’s got what he wanted, let’s see what they do with it. The odds are slim. At best, they’ve got only a two-year window of opportunity. They all have to stay healthy (not likely). DeAndre Ayton has to improve (extra not likely).

And then there’s the defending champion Denver Nuggets. 

Your

Melatonin: Helpful or hazardous?

BY MIA SMITT Tucson Local Media Columnist

Many people swear by melatonin for a good night’s sleep or to reset circadian rhythms after a journey across several time zones. This is a naturally occurring hormone produced in the pineal gland that helps regulate night and day cycles. Melatonin production kicks in when it is dark and signals the body to sleep. Light decreases melatonin production, signaling the body to wake up. Melatonin supplements are made in laboratories.

The Journal of the American Medical Association (April 23) published a study showing more and more people in the United States are using melatonin supplements in an attempt to improve sleep.

Both the use and amount taken more than doubled between 2008 and 2018.

The Academy of Sleep Medicine, in a 2021 consumer survey, found 51% of people responding reported they used supplements, prescription medication or other substances to help them fall asleep. About 68% of those using the sleep aids said they used them more frequently during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some melatonin users are using very high amounts for many days at a time. Headaches, irritability, depression, dizziness and confusion can be symptoms of melatonin overdose.

Unfortunately, over-the-counter melatonin products, like other supplements, are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Melatonin receptor agonists such as ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) are FDA-approved medications for the treatment of insomnia.

Research led by Dr. Pieter Cohen with Harvard Medical School and Cambridge Health Alliance in Somerville, Massachusetts, found that most of the melatonin gummies sold in the United States may contain far more melatonin than is listed

on the label. Some products also contain cannabidiol (CBD).

“The results were quite shocking” Cohen said.

Using some of the melatonin products as directed on their labels could mean consumers could be getting doses that are from 40 to 130 times more than recommended.

“Melatonin gummies contains up to 347% more melatonin than what was listed on the label, and some products also contained cannabidiol; in one brand of gummies, there was zero melatonin, just CBD,” Cohen said.

This increased use included children and might explain the large increase in pediatric overdose hospitalizations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 3, 2022, reported that the number of children who unintentionally ingested melatonin supplements (gummies taste like candy) increased 530% from 2012 to 2021. More than 4,000 children needed hospitalizations, 287 children required intensive care and two children died.

Cohen analyzed 25 brands of melatonin gummies available online. The quantity of melatonin ranged from 1.3 to 13.1 milligram per serving. The amount of melatonin ranged from 74% to 347% of what was labeled. Twenty-five products were analyzed and 22 of these were inaccurately labeled, and only three had the quantity listed on the label.

Five products listed CBD as an ingredient and these amounts ranged from 104% to 118% of what was listed on the label. One product contained only CBD.

A Canadian study published in the Feb. 15, 2017, issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine showed an analysis of 31 melatonin supplements. The melatonin content ranged from 83% of what the label indicated to 478%. Even the same product varied by lot with a variability as high as 465%.

Dr. Judith Owens is the director of the Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Boston Children’s Hospital and professor

of neurology at Harvard Medical School. She gave a presentation on melatonin use at a sleep conference in Indianapolis June 3 to June 7.

She remarked, “I think it’s become fairly obvious that melatonin is the ‘go-to’ pharmacologic intervention of insomnia in children, and that is a worldwide phenomenon. The CDC’s MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) in 2020 noted that 1.3% of children in the United States used melatonin for ‘sleep, stress and relaxation.’”

A child who takes as little as .1 to .3 mg will have a concentration the same as a normal nighttime range. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises parents to talk with their child’s health care provider before giving melatonin for sleep issues. Cohen, in his research summary, stated, “Given new research into the excessive quantities of melatonin in gummies, caution should be used if considering their use.”

For many people, melatonin helps with insomnia. It is legal and readily available without a prescription in the United States, but melatonin can have adverse effects. Excessive lethargy, low blood pressure, irritability and headaches can occur

with excessive or long-term use. Non-pharmacologic approaches should always be considered for anyone with sleep problems. A restful environment without lights and electronics — such as phones, televisions and computer screens — should be turned off. These lights can affect natural melatonin production. A consistent sleep schedule should be adopted. Regular physical activity during the day can promote better nighttime sleep. A snack before bed is OK if you feel hungry, but avoid a large heavy meal within a few hours of going to bed. Be aware of stressors that can cause a disruption in sleep and seek help if you are not able to resolve the stress. 

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

Let’s not sugarcoat diabetes problems

BY DEB ARDREY Tucson Local Media Contributor

Do you feel hungry all the time? Polyphagia. Are you insatiably thirsty? Polydipsia. Are you constantly having to urinate? Polyuria. These are referred to as the “Three Ps,” although there are many other signs and symptoms of diabetes: Does your vision become blurred after that daily soda or flavored coffee? Gentleman, are you concerned about your inability to perform? Ladies, are you concerned about frequent UTI or yeast infections? Do you have a wound that just will not heal?

Then you may be an undiagnosed diabetic. Please see your primary care provider and ask to have this simple blood test completed: hemoglobin A1C. Here at United Community Health Center, we can complete this testing in-house and have a response for you during your appointment.

Depending on the results, it may need to be repeated in three months and again in six months to confirm diagnosis. Depending on the source of your research, the general goal is <6%, depending on your age and other individual circumstances.

Why are you at risk? Family history matters. You can change your intake habits, lose weight, stop smoking and increase your activity, but if mom and dad were diabetic, chances are you will be too. I would encourage you to change what you are able, as some things (like genetics) are out of your control.

Check your blood sugars, but not just in the morning fasting, as that only gives us an idea of how your intake last night affected your blood sugar. Did you eat late or get up in the middle of the night for a snack? Morning fasting readings can also be affected by hormonal shifts that happen overnight, especially if you are not sleeping well. Checking one to two hours after eating can tell us how the intake affected our blood sugar — are we down below 180 or still elevated above 180? Check your blood sugar when you are symptomatic so you will be familiar with your signs/symptoms should you be symptomatic when you do not have access to your glucometer. It is important to know at what number you become

symptomatic when your blood sugars are low.

Do you live alone? Are you confused? Did a police officer find you slumped over your steering wheel? Did you pass out in the grocery store? Continuous glucose monitors are becoming the new normal and give us a picture of blood glucose throughout the day, rather than poking fingers regularly, so you can see exactly what those choices do to your blood sugar in real time. Unfortunately,

they are not available nor affordable to all; perhaps this will change in the future when the insurance companies see the associated health benefits with behavioral change as a result.

Can I prevent a diabetic diagnosis or progression to insulin use? Yes, to some extent, if you are diligent about lifestyle changes; however, this is difficult to maintain over time and most diabetic patients will eventually be on insulin to control their blood sugars. The time it takes for you to become insulin dependent (if you are not a type 1 or 1.5 diabetic) can depend on you and your individual health circumstances.

• Some cancer patients on steroids will note an increase in blood sugar and, therefore, need insulin

• Some pregnant moms with gestational diabetes will need insulin during pregnancy to control their blood sugars to prevent having special needs babies

• Some shift workers with altered circadian rhythm need insulin to control their blood sugars, i.e., nurses, mine workers, caregivers and police officers

• Those who have harmed their livers with excessive alcohol use or those with fatty liver, HIV or hepatitis C

• Those with uncontrolled anxiety,

who are in a constant state of “fight or flight”

What can I do? Read your labels! There is hope for you; don’t let the manufacturers win! Don’t just look at the sugars, but look at the carbohydrates as well, as they turn to sugar in the body. Be familiar with the many artificial sweeteners and the new research showing they may actually lead to increased blood sugars.

Set small goals for yourself and write them down. Post them in the house where you can see them. For example: I will drink one more glass of water per day. I will drink one less soda per week. I will walk for 5 minutes per day this week, 10 minutes per day next week and 15 minutes per day the week after and so on.

Small changes over time have been shown to lead to permanent changes. Make activity part of your routine, like brushing your teeth. Go outside. Plant a patio garden. Practice mindfulness. Find a place to be quiet. Learn how to relax. There is hope for the future. Take control of yours!

Deb Ardrey graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Grand Canyon University’s accelerated nursing program in 2011. Prior to attending GCU, she attended Pima, Rio Salado and Red Rock community colleges completing her prerequisites for nursing school.

Before attending college, Ardrey was a stay-at-home mom to her two daughters, after her husband died in a car crash. The care she received after her C-sections and when she was airlifted to a local hospital inspired her to go back to school to become a registered nurse.

Ardrey joined UCHC in 2014 as a case manager. After seeing the growing diabetic population and the need for an educator in the local community, Ardrey pursued her certification. She is a certified diabetic care and education specialist as of July 2020. She is working toward her diabetic wound certification.

To make an appointment with Ardrey, call 520-407-5900, ext. 5861. 

Deb Ardrey is a certified diabetic care and education specialist. (Deb Ardrey/Submitted)

Across

1 House overhang

5 Sci. class that might have controlled explosions

9 Look at rudely

13 Holey shoe

14 Camera setting for novice photographers

15 Cartoon brother of Dewey and Louie

16 Heaven’s opposite

17 5, for the set [2, 4, 6, 8]

18 Be philanthropic

19 Not delayed

21 Crystal-filled rocks

23 Device with Rewind and Fast Forward functions

26 Aid for squeezing into a tight piece of footwear

27 Extreme point in the Arctic or Antarctic

30 World Cup cheers

31 Store sign displayed from 9 to 6, say

35 “If you ask me …,” online

36 True or false, on a true/false test

38 Promise in front of a judge

39 Unsaid yet understood

41 Have dinner at home

43 Glass frequently used for toasting the New Year

48 Two quarters

49 Wet forecast

50 Meat of the matter

51 Advice to a musician with a 23-, 26- or 43-Across?

54 Egyptian counterpart of Hades and Pluto

56 Deals from the bottom or marks cards, say

59 Lack of seriousness about a serious situation

60 “Yay!”

61 Juicy bits of info

62 Future therapist’s major, for short

1 “HELLO … Hello … hello …” effect

2 “Well, ___ you clever?!”

3 Alessandro who invented the electric battery

4 High-level cover-up?

5 Country between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea

6 Shade of color

7 Prediction of a flight tracker app, for short

8 African mammal that’s resistant to snake venom

9 “What a terrible, awful idea!”

10 Tour leader

11 Bar used on a fulcrum

12 “Blinkers” or “peepers”

20 Passable, at best

22 Make a mistake

24 Jellied fish in some British pies

25 Enjoy, as gum

27 Marketing spiel

28 Largest city in Nebraska

29 Neighborhood spot for cheap booze

32 So-called “master gland” of the endocrine system

33 Revises, as an essay

34 Nine-person combo

36 Sports org. for Nadal and Djokovic

37 Official with a whistle

40 “Sounds good to me”

42 Capital of Africa’s largest country

44 Pretentious

45 Gift of ___

46 Zero, in a soccer result

47 Cain’s eldest son

52 Tiny faults

53 Beat decisively, informally

54 Aged

55 “Catch my drift?”

57 Tic-___-toe

58 [Excuse me, this is a library ...!]

The full Buck Moon is one of the four supermoons of the year. This moon in Capricorn is the time of year to flex, grow your own version of magnificent antlers and cut a strong silhouette against the luminous orbiters. The full moon opposes Mercury and forms a lucky angle to Jupiter. Consider saying everything with nonverbal cues. There’s power in letting things like presence, silence and the language of posture do the work for you.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Caring for others gives you a natural lift, as long as you keep a balance. Past a certain amount of giving, your energy will be drained instead of boosted. There’s a kind of internal regulation system to set up and pay attention to here involving an awareness of your energy levels and your resources for refuelling.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A major theme this week is the search for meaning, which is an ongoing process. Does it relax you to know what you gather from relationships, culture and even from your own stories is always changing? Self-reflection will lead you to new understanding of your purpose and a fresh way to view your history.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The ancients listened their way through the wild to find their food and avoid becoming the food of a predator. These days, listening is still one of the top skills for getting along in life, and it will be your strength this week. You’ll put an ear to the “grapevine,” hear approaching opportunity and sensitize yourself to nuances of communication.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It will take time for these improvements you’re making to fully blossom in your life. When results seem meager and it doesn’t all line up logically, accept it as a normal part of the process and have faith as you follow the directions a little longer. Something nonsensical will sort itself out by the end of the week as deeper reasoning emerges.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). How can you answer the needs of those around you? This is the magic question to keep asking because the discovery will go deeper and deeper. You’ll also be honing social skills, especially the sort you employ for networking. Experiment with different approaches, topics and takes.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Managing the various components of a relationship can be more difficult than balancing on a tightrope, and for certain highstakes relationships, the result can feel as elating, the consequences as dire. The use of a balancing pole will stabilize the endeavor. Shared routines, a mutually understood language and common goals will give you

the effect.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll once again be reminded of your core similarities in the kinship of humanity, even though you may seem to be thinking very differently from everyone you’re around this week. It’s not yet time to share your ideas or your unique mental process, but that hour is coming. For now, keep working with the aim of clarity and relevance.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There can be a fluidness to your beliefs. This isn’t wishy-washiness, but sophistication. The reasons to believe things that aren’t technically real may include optimism, grace, delusion, hope, denial, vision, to name a few. While beliefs can change, your values, like altruism and kindness, remain.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It’s all humming along this week, and your natural inclination will be to relax and let the wheels turn. Smart! If you throw on the brakes, it will be hard to get back to your current momentum. Also, attention will flow your way, and it’s up to you to deflect it or use it to your advantage.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The word “wild” is often associated with abundant energy, but in the actual wilderness, sleep is top priority. Tigers sleep 16 hours a day. Opossums and armadillos clock in 18 hours. Since the most energetic version of you will be the best rested one, make sleep more of a priority this week.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You can be who you want to be. One definition of identity: a story you tell yourself about who you are. There is not one truth, but many true options for your focus. You’ll press into malleable parts of your personality and shape your thinking to align with new goals and aspirations.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It can be daunting to try the new thing, but what you gain from daring to venture into uncharted territory is worth the risk. Another version of you waits on the other side of doing. You look forward to seeing what qualities will be acquired through the invaluable gift of experience.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS: Even as you enjoy a bountiful year, you’ll be happy not to have exactly all you need because the fun is in reaching out and connecting with others. Collaborations bring love and money into your world. Record things as you go, as these experiences will add up to a new philosophy of sorts. More highlights: You’ll endeavor a 10-week study that ends in new friends, skills and investments. You’ll witness magic in a place and return several times to share it. Developments for people in your inner circle will involve and delight you. 