Zac Reynolds, Director of National Advertising zac@timeslocalmedia.com
CURRENTS
TEEN CLIMBS HIS WAY TO NATIONAL COMPETITION
By Veronica Kuffel Tucson Weekly Contributor
Since Noah Belanger qualified for USA Climbing Nationals, he spends a large portion of his week climbing routes and boulders at his local gym.
He recently finished his first year of middle school, and the 12-year-old is thrilled to have more time to train for the biggest competition of his climbing career.
“I like showing people what I can do, how strong I am and how I’m getting better,” Noah said. “The last two years, I hadn’t made it to Nationals, I haven’t really gotten close even. It feels good to make it, in not just one but two disciplines.”
This past year, Noah qualified for the USA Climbing Nationals in lead/ top rope and bouldering disciplines,
NOAH BELANGER, LEFT, LEADS THE ASCENT IN THE LEAD/TOP ROPE DISCIPLINE FOR THE ROCK SOLID YOUTH TEAM. (JASON CHANG/CONTRIBUTOR)
which will be held from July 9 to July 16 in Salt Lake City. He is the only youth climber in Tucson and one of 12 from Arizona who will participate in the competition. Noah has been a climber since he was younger, thanks to his family’s long-time love for the sport.
His parents, Scott and Becky, have supported him throughout his journey, from training at Rock Solid Climbing Gym to qualifying events and every competition up until Nationals.
“You have to do two qualifying events, but Noah did three,” Becky said. “After each competition, you are ranked, depending on what place you get. You get a number of points for where you place.”
Noah qualified among 26 other climbers to compete at Regionals, including those from Arizona and Southern California. From there, he moved on with the top 13 to Divisionals, which brings multiple regions together to compete. He made it to the
top 13 for Finals and ultimately, the top six to Nationals.
With each competition, Noah climbed in the two disciplines. Bouldering consists of a path of holds attached to the wall that a climber must complete in a certain order, all without a harness or ropes.
“The idea is to always get either to the middle point, or if you can, to the top of the problem, in the fewest number of tries,” Scott said. “If you can do it in one try, that would be as good as can be done.”
Lead/top rope requires athletes to climb a wall around 50-60 feet high in a harness. The goal is to get as far as you can on a particular route.
Noah trains for each discipline at Rock Solid Climbing, spending three days a week and a total of nine hours on the gym’s walls. Depending on the season, he’ll work on different muscles and movements to improve his skill.
“Every training session starts with a warm-up, then you’ll do a little climbing,” Noah explained. “If it’s boulder-
ing season, we’ll do a workout that’s specific to power and strength. … When it’s rope season, I’ll still do the same warm-up but I’ll train more endurance.”
He trains with the gym’s youth climbing team and his instructor, Gustavo Figueroa, the head coach and route setter of Rock Solid. For almost a decade, Figueroa has helped athletes and nonathletes develop their climbing through skills and strength training.
He first met Noah a few years ago while watching him climb with the junior team. Figueroa saw a passion in his squirrelly energy, and as Noah progressed to Rock Solid’s 16-member youth team, the head coach played a larger role in his training.
From organizing practices to setting personal routes and coaching competitions, Figueroa does what he can to prepare Noah for the rocks ahead.
“Noah is an amazing rock climber
CASS PRESTON: MUSIC LOVER HONORS LOCAL JAZZ LEGEND
By Tom Danehy Tucson Weekly Columnist
As a music lover, it has always puzzled me that some people make it big while others — just as talented, just as driven — don’t.
The randomness is bewildering to an outsider; it has to be heartbreaking to that person trying to make it. Of course, there will be one-hit wonders and novelty acts who hit the big time for a split second, but there are also middling talents (or worse) who have long-lasting careers. There must be tens of millions of women in America who can sing better than Lana Del Rey and yet there she is, on her eighth
album?
That’s what came to mind when I learned that Tucson jazz legend Cass Preston passed away.
Born and raised in Tucson, Preston grew up in a Southwest town where segregation was not only accepted, but it was also often the law. In recent decades, Tucson has been seen as a progressive enclave in a right-wing state. Back when Preston was growing up, Tucson was just another rightwing outpost in a right-wing state. Tucson once had an abomination known as The Chinese Wall. It was a place where people of Hispanic origin
could only use the one public pool in town on certain days of the week (and never on the weekend). And it was a place where every African American kid had to go to an all-Black school.
The Dunbar school still stands at University and Main and is now used for cultural activities. Back in the day, every African American kid in Tucson would attend the Dunbar School from kindergarten through the eighth grade. The principal was Morgan Maxwell Sr., for whom Maxwell Middle School, way out on the west side, is named. But then, once they completed the eighth grade, having been segregated their entire life, they would go on to Tucson High, which was integrated.
Preston, in a recorded interview for Archives Tucson, did not reflect kindly on his early education. He said, “Dunbar, I’m sorry. I didn’t get a good education. I got cheated. This is my take. The Black teachers came from the South. They had degrees, but I don’t know how well-educated they were because I didn’t get much. Well,
every time I think about Dunbar, I think negative.”
The interviews he gave are priceless. He talked about growing up near South Park and walking through the “Mexican neighborhoods” to get to Downtown. That whole area was strictly segregated. He could go see a movie at the Fox Tucson Theatre, but he would have to sit upstairs in the balcony. The only way he could enter El Charro restaurant was to pick up a to-go order; no way he could dine there.
In his early teens, he found music, or maybe it found him. Whatever the case, it sparked a lifelong romance that spanned eight decades. His eyes would light up when he would tell the story of how he picked up jazz legend Louis Armstrong, a family friend, from the airport.
The teenager listened to Duke Ellington and Count Basie and sometimes try to play along.
Preston played trumpet in the
CURRENTS
LOCAL AUTHORS TACKLE SABINO CANYON, ARCHEOLOGY
By Karen Schaffner Tucson Weekly Staff
It’s easy to appreciate Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.
So said David Lazaroff, who has a longtime relationship with a place near to Tucsonans’ hearts.
Now readers may cultivate that relationship, too. In “Picturing Sabino: A Photographic History of a Southwestern Canyon,” Lazaroff discusses the history of human interaction with the canyon, and it is extensive. The book is one of many released by Tucson-area authors this summer.
“In thinking about the history of it, I think the basic thing to understand is that you’re entering a landscape, that you’re entering both a natural landscape and a historical landscape,” he said. “It’s a historical landscape because people have been coming there for a very long time, and it’s not just historic. It’s prehistoric.”
There’s evidence of hunters and gatherers who lived there, he added.
Sabino Canyon is more than just a place for people to picnic. There are plenty of photos in Lazaroff’s book showing that particular activity, but there’s another side to the recreation area’s history.
“There have been people who wanted to exploit it,” Lazaroff said. “They wanted to take the water and send it to Tucson and (have it) come out of their taps in town. They wanted to generate electricity from Sabino Creek, and during the Great Depression, a big motivator to doing things was to provide employment for people who were out of work.”
You can see their handiwork in the bridges and paths in the park.
As with any good tale, there are chapters of tragedy.
“There’s a story of someone getting stuck on a cliff and someone tries to rescue him and falls to his death,” Lazaroff added.
“It’s not all happy stories. It’s a story of,
Historical Society, the University of Arizona Libraries Special Collections and the National Archives. Then there are the census records, property deeds and newspaper clippings he looked at.
Still, it’s the photos that really tell the story. Studying them, Lazaroff put together a puzzle of history.
DAVID LAZAROFF IS A LONG-TIME TUCSON RESIDENT WHO WROTE, “PICTURING SABINO: A PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF A SOUTHWESTERN CANYON.” THE PHOTOS ALONE WILL KEEP YOU INTERESTED. (DAVID LAZAROFF/SUBMITTED)
yes, people coming to enjoy themselves but also people with ambition, driven to do things and struggling to get them done for years and then failing to do them.”
There’s even a murder.
“The whole gamut of human experience is there,” he said.
Lazaroff took decades looking for and at photos of the canyon for this book, spending plenty of time at the Arizona
graphic History of a Southwestern Canyon” by David Wentworth Lazaroff and published by the University of Arizona Press at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.
ARCHEOLOGY
Tucsonans know the value of archeology; it’s part of the culture. From the digs at Steam Pump Ranch to what’s already been exhumed and cataloged at the Arizona State Museum, history is being excavated here every day.
Archeology used to be a man’s world. Now, however, there are plenty of women discovering the past, thanks in part to people like Marjorie Lambert, a pioneering archaeologist from the last century.
Read about her work and times in “No Place for a Lady: The Life Story of Archeologist Marjorie F. Lambert,” by Shelby Tisdale, and published by the University of Arizona Press.
Tisdale knew and worked for Lambert for many years.
“So many of these women did important work but were not recognized for their contributions to anthropology and archeology,” Tisdale said. Hence, the book.
During her time, Lambert had to make things work, maybe differently than men.
“She had the barriers and obstacles that she really had to maneuver around to really make a career in archeology,” Tisdale said. “In some ways it really hadn’t changed that much even by the mid-1980s for women. Fortunately, that’s changed a lot since.”
“There’s a whole lot to be learned from just studying a photograph,” he said.
“If you ‘mine’ it for information. The long (exposures) in the book encourage people to look deeply into the photography and kind of imagine you’re there.”
All the photos are in black and white. This is not a coffee table book, but the photos are compelling.
Find “Picturing Sabino: A Photo-
For example, “men just did not want women in the field,” Tisdale added. “It was kind of that Indiana Jones persona, right? Women were supposed to be more the assistant, the wives, the lab technicians, things like that. They weren’t supposed to be in academia. They weren’t supposed to be in the museums. If they were in the museums, they were relegated to working in the collections. They were really the handmaidens of the museums.”
Lambert had that role, Tisdale said, but she was much more than someone who fetched tools. Lambert gave tours and lectures and curated shows. She also worked in the field a dozen times.
and a brilliant, wonderful teenager,” Figueroa said. “He will definitely be leading the pack as far as youth Tucson climbers at a national level. I’m excited to see where he pushes the sport and puts Tucson on the map.”
Another part of Noah’s success stems from his family of rock jocks. His father, Scott, has been climbing for over 20 years, and got his mother, Becky, into it when they started dating.
Becky also teaches Pilates at Rock Solid a few times a week, and while Noah’s 8-year-old sister, Gracyn, is an accomplished gymnast, she participates in the gym’s club and has even qualified for Regionals.
Noah leans on his family for support throughout his climbing seasons, and it helps to have a culture that reflects, as Scott put it, more pride in progress than achievement.
“We try to focus more on the process of growing as athletes and what (Noah and Gracyn) can learn from their sports more than the outcome,” Scott noted. “But of course, we’re
super proud that Noah’s been able to advance this far and it’s a testament to his dedication and his hard work.”
Aside from competing, Noah has found a way to connect with people through fun climbing. He’s made friends from all over the country who share his passion and help push him to do better. He also takes time with his family to climb rocks outside, with Mt. Lemmon as their favorite destination.
The Belangers have been there for Noah through all of his trials and triumphs, all of the competitions and fun rock outings. Becky, Scott and Gracyn are excited to watch him compete at Nationals, but to them, his love for the sport means so much more than winning.
“We’ve witnessed the disappointment in past years of not getting as close as he would like and not meeting his goals,” Becky said. “We have watched him take that disappointment and turn it into motivation. He works so hard. For as much as he grows in this sport, his love for it continues to grow too.”
Tucson High School band and was a good enough athlete to earn a high jump college scholarship.
Back in post-World War II Tucson, Meyer Street (now Avenue) was the place to be. There were all kinds of clubs that catered to all kinds of tastes and temptations. You can just visualize it like it’s something out of an Easy Rawlins novel.
When he was old enough, he would play at The Beehive, a jazz joint. It was on Convent, one street over from Meyer. He would play trumpet and get paid $3 a night. Imagine doing what you love and getting paid for it. Many of the town’s prostitutes lived out back behind The Beehive.
The realities of adulthood caught up to him and he had to deal with grownup stuff. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from college, served for a time in the Air Force, and then taught P.E. at Pueblo High School for 20 years. Yet, all that time, he and music were inextricably intertwined.
Jazz is not an easy sell. While it is not strictly a Black art form (either
in musicianship of fandom), it does tend to skew in that direction. Back in his day, the Black population of Tucson was around 2%, a stunningly low number. (Even today, it’s barely at 5%; Anchorage has a higher percentage of African Americans than Tucson.)
Plus, not everybody likes jazz. I remember the great line from “The Commitments,” a classic movie about a bunch of kids in Dublin who get together to form a soul-music band. Their young manager scolds a trumpeter for spiraling, yelling, “Jazz is just musical wanking!”
But Preston always found someplace to play. He would list off the places (now all gone) where he would play — Executive Inn, The Beachcomber (in Tucson?!), Gun & Andy’s, Monte Vista and Jester’s Court. More recently, he played at Kingfisher.
Cass Preston died in April at the age of 93. It was way cool they waited until the weekend of Juneteenth to host a celebration of his life. And they did it at the Dunbar School.
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ALL YOU CARE TO EAT BUFFET
Some of that fieldwork lasted years.
One of Lambert’s issues, according to Tisdale, was pay disparity.
“Some of her male colleagues were making a lot more than her, but they were not doing much work,” Tisdale said. “They would go out and do fieldwork, but they didn’t do a lot of work around the museum, even though they had offices there. They sat around a lot drinking coffee or tea … and they all got paid more. That used to just irritate the heck out of Lambert.”
The men didn’t care.
“Any time it came up, they would say, ‘Well, marry a man who’s making a lot of money if that’s what you want,’” Tisdale said. “Even her bosses would say that.”
Much of the work on the book was done during the pandemic, Tisdale said,
though the book has been in the works for longer than that. In fact, Tisdale and Lambert wrote together until she died in 2006 at the age of 98.
Tisdale said it was great to write with her because she could ask questions. After Lambert died, the writing got a lot harder.
“Even after I was finishing up the final draft, it was like, ‘Gosh, I really wish she were here and I could ask her for more details,’” Tisdale said. “(However), because I did these taped interviews with her, I was actually able to use her voice and quotes from those interviews.”
Find “No Place for a Lady: The Life Story of Archeologist Marjorie F. Lambert,” by Shelby Tisdale, and published by the University of Arizona Press, at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.
DRIP OILS AND EXTRACTS
Drip Handcrafted Caviar
Strain: Strawberry 2.1
Lineage: Hybrid (Sativa Dominant)
THC: 40.6%
CBD: 0%
Drip Oils Strawberry 2.1 Caviar nugs are tasty treats for those who enjoy more bang out of their cannabis. A sativa-dominant hybrid strain bringing the best of strawberry guava and OG Kush Breath 2.1 strains together. These little nuggets are packed with flavor and offer a potent punch. The strawberry flavor is sweet and fruity, making it a great choice for those who prefer a more refreshing taste.
Please note these caviar nugs are quite strong, so it’s important to consume them responsibly. The effects can be intense, so it’s best to start with a small amount and see how it affects you. The packaging is also convenient and easy to use, ensuring the nugs stay fresh for a long time.
Overall, if you’re looking for a flavorful and powerful cannabis experience, Drip Oils Strawberry 2.1 Caviar nugs are a great choice. Just remember to use them responsibly and enjoy the sweet and fruity taste in moderation.
Drip Batter Live Resin
Strain: Hybrid
Lineage: Hybrid (Sativa Dominant)
THC: 74.5%
CBD: 0.1%
710 OIL REVIEWS
By Tucson Weekly Sta
Drip’s Mandarin Cookies Batter Live Resin is a delicious cannabis extract that offers a unique and delightful flavor experience.
Upon inhaling, a burst of sweet citrusy mandarin flavors tickle the taste buds, accompanied by subtle notes of cookies. The combination of these two flavors creates a pleasant and harmonious taste profile. The citrusy zest brings a refreshing and tangy sensation, while the cookie undertones add a hint of sweetness.
The overall taste is balanced and enjoyable, making it a treat for those who appreciate fruity and dessert-like flavors.
When it comes to texture, the batter live resin boasts a smooth and creamy consistency. The batter-like texture is easy to work with and has a slightly sticky quality, which helps it adhere well to dabbing tools or vape pens. Its malleable nature makes it effortless to handle, providing a hassle-free dabbing experience. The smooth texture also contributes to an even vaporization process, allowing for a consistent and satisfying inhale.
For its effects, it offers a pleasant and balanced effect that can appeal to both recreational and medicinal users. Upon consumption, users may experience a gentle uplift in mood and an increase in focus, making it suitable for daytime use. The effects are not overpowering, promoting a relaxed state without inducing excessive drowsiness. Additionally, this live resin may provide relief from mild pain and stress. It is important to note the potency and duration of the effects may vary depending on individual tolerance and dosage.
Drip’s Mandarin Cookies Batter Live Resin is a delightful cannabis extract with a tantalizing flavor profile, smooth texture and a well-rounded effect. Its sweet and citrusy taste, coupled with the creamy consistency, makes it a joy to consume. The subtle mood-enhancing and relaxing properties further
add to its appeal. However, it's crucial to consume responsibly and consider individual preferences and tolerance when using any cannabis product.
Drip Live Rosin Batter Solventless
Strain: 8-inch Bagel
Lineage: Hybrid (Indica Dominant)
THC: 74.5%
CBD: 0.1%
Drip’s 8-inch Bagel Live Rosin Batter Solventless is a cannabis extract that offers a unique and flavorful experience. When it comes to taste, this concentrate stands out with its rich and earthy notes.
With each inhale, the palate is greeted by a combination of deep and herbal flavors. The earthy taste adds a distinct twist, making it a delight for those seeking a more savory and complex flavor profile. The overall taste is robust and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression on the taste buds.
In terms of texture, the solventless concentrates are much less sticky than their live resin siblings. Rather than using a pick, I found using a small scoop was much easier for dosing. Once fired up, the perks of the solventless are immediately apparent as it burns quite nicely in a rig as well as a vaporizer.
Drip’s 8-inch Bagel Live Rosin Batter Solventless offers a well-rounded effect that can cater to recreational and medicinal users.
Upon consumption, users may experience a sense of relaxation and tranquility, making it suitable for unwinding after a long day. The effects are
not overpowering, allowing for a mellow and enjoyable experience without excessive sedation. Additionally, this solventless concentrate may provide relief from mild discomfort and stress. It is important to note the potency and duration of the effects may vary depending on individual tolerance and dosage.
Drip’s 8-inch Bagel Live Rosin Batter Solventless is a delightful cannabis extract with a rich and savory flavor profile, smooth texture and a well-balanced effect. Its earthy and herbal notes, combined with the creamy consistency, make it a treat for the taste buds. The relaxing properties add to its appeal, providing a pleasant and calming experience.
Drip RSO Full-Spectrum Cannabis Oil
THC: 76.9%
CBD: 0%
Drip’s RSO Full-Spectrum Cannabis Oil is a natural extract that offers a unique taste experience. When it comes to taste, this oil has a distinct earthy and herbal flavor profile. The natural essence of the cannabis plant shines through, providing a robust and authentic taste. I noticed hints of woodiness and a subtle touch of sweetness.
The overall taste is bold and might take a little getting used to for those new to cannabis oils. However, for those who appreciate the natural flavors of the plant, this full spectrum oil delivers a satisfying and genuine taste.
It has a very thick and sticky texture. The oil is dense and viscous, making it easy to measure and
work with when administering doses. The sticky texture allows for precise dosing, ensuring accurate intake. Though the consistency might feel slightly heavy, the oil is easy to swallow and does not leave an unpleasant residue in the mouth.
Drip’s RSO Full-Spectrum Cannabis Oil offers a comprehensive and potent effect. When consumed, users may experience a sense of relaxation and calmness. This full spectrum oil contains a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes, providing a holistic and synergistic effect.
The oil’s potency may make it suitable for those seeking relief from discomfort or anxiety. It’s important to start with a low dose and gradually increase to find the right balance. The effects can last for an extended period, allowing for sustained relief.
Drip’s RSO Full-Spectrum Cannabis Oil is a natural extract that offers a robust taste, thick texture and potent effects. The earthy and herbal flavors give it an authentic character, while the sticky consistency aids in accurate dosing. This oil is primarily intended for oral consumption and delivers a comprehensive effect, providing relaxation and potential relief from discomfort.
iLava Atomic Cartridge 1000MG
Strain: Blue Dream
Lineage: Hybrid (Sativa Dominant)
THC: 68.9%
CBD: .13%
Atomic Cartridges are a great way to vaporize in-house strains discreetly. ILava has incorporated its Atomic Cartridges with HTFSE Sauce for more flavor and closer medicinal effects to the flower of the same strain.
Cannabis distillate is infused for higher potency and a more stable concentrate cartridge. Atomic Cartridges are cannabis derived, solventless and lipid free. No cutting or thinning agents are used to stabilize Atomic cartridges either.
The strain itself, Blue Dream, is a slightly sativa-dominant hybrid (60% sativa/40% indica) strain that is a potent cross between the hugely popular Blueberry X haze strains. This infamous bud boasts a moderately high THC level that ranges from 17% to 24% on average and a myriad of both indica and sativa effects.
The Blue Dream high can best be described as having an immediate onset of an uplifting cerebral head high that leaves you completely motivated and focused with waves of creative energy that hit quickly and hard.
This is accompanied by a mellow, relaxing body high that leaves you warmed, numb and completely pain free. Due to these potent combination effects, Blue Dream is said to be an ideal strain for treating patients suffering from conditions such as chronic stress, chronic pain due to injury or illness, mild to moderate cases of depression and sleep disorders, including insomnia.
Blue Dream has a delicious aroma of sweet blueberry pie and a taste of sugary sweet blueberries that stays on your tongue long after smoking. This bud has large, dense — yet fluffy — popcorn-shaped neon green nugs with amber and blue hairs and rich blue undertones. These nugs are dusted with a fine layer of sandy milky white trichomes and sweet sticky resin.
I really enjoyed this product and felt it brought the best of both worlds with a nice relaxing body high with the euphoria you come to expect from premium sativa, without the anxiety. It’s a great product for anyone looking for a more discreet and effective way to deliver their dose.
High Scorez Sauce-Infused Preroll
1.2G
Strain: Emergency
Lineage: Indica
THC: 33.77%
CBD: <.01%
High Scorez Sauce-Infused Prerolls are packed with the best indoor-grown flower and High Terpene Full-Spectrum Extract Sauce for an extra punch.
Each pre-roll has 1 gram of flower and 0.2 grams of sauce powered by iLAVA infusion.
The strain, Emergency, is a cross between Seed Junky’s Orange Push Pop and Sherbinski’s Sunset Sherbet. Orange Push Pop is a sweet and uplifting strain that tastes like a creamy orange dreamsicle bar. It leaves you happy and is not overly sedative, so it’s a great strain for new smokers. Sunset Sherbet is on the other end of the spectrum, with a high THC content and a high that is more sedative and will be strong and last longer. It has a fruity sherbet taste, with a bit of berries and bubblegum, as well. Together, Emergency was born. The preroll is easy to use and convenient, making it a great option for those who want a quick and enjoyable cannabis experience. I found myself really enjoying this product, as with the .2 grams of sauce in there it burned really well, and the flavor profile was one of my favorite that I reviewed. I would easily recommend this to anyone from the first timer (maybe just a single rip) to the seasoned with a more developed tolerance looking for a pre-roll experience that elevates them above the standard.
ILAVA Magma Sugar Wax
Strain: G-Code
Lineage: Hybrid (Indica Dominant)
THC: 70.23%
CBD: .56%
Magma is derived from iLAVA’s
favorite house-grown flower and is refined into a wide variety of strains and consistencies.
They send their top-shelf raw material through a sophisticated extraction process with long solvent purge times to offer a variety of quality extract options available in budder, sugar wax and crumble.
The G Code strain reviewed is a fairly strong indica-dominant hybrid. It's a cross between the strong indica G13 and the sativa Grizzly Purple. G Code Strain is a potent stress reliever. It provides uplifting mood enhancement while remaining very relaxing.
This strain is ideally smoked from the comfort of a leather armchair while wearing a smoking jacket and sitting next to a crackling fire in your mansion on the hill.
The sugar wax has a smooth and crumbly texture, making it easy to handle and use. When it comes to the flavor, G Code brings a sweet and fruity taste with a hint of floral notes. Overall, it was a really nice experience I would definitely save for later in the day after getting things done. Anyone looking for a consistent, easy-to-handle extract that can wash away the day’s stress, look no further than here.
RE-LEAF BRAND CONCENTRATES
Solventless Live Rosin
Solventless live rosin is a type of cannabis concentrate made without the use of any chemical solvents during the extraction process.
It is produced by carefully selecting high-quality cannabis flower or hash
ILAVA
CANNABIS CONCENTRATES: WHAT IS THIS STUFF?
By Aari Ruben Tucson Weekly Columnist
Cannabis concentrates are aplenty these days, and the different methods employed have pros and cons.
The basic concept is to separate active compounds from inert organic material considered waste by herbalists.
This creates an extract that can be tested for potency and diluted or portioned to create consistent potency and effect in a batch.
This can be accomplished by using solvents or not. Solvents like ethanol, carbon dioxide, butane and propane are commonly used in cannabis extraction as well as the production of other herbal medicine.
Let’s go through the pros and cons of each of these. We will start with ethanol. This type of alcohol extraction is an inexpensive and effective method. However, the resulting extract will contain chlorophyll and plant waxes considered undesirable by the consumer and resulting in a dark and tar-like extract.
Carbon dioxide is nontoxic and has the benefit of capturing many terpenes. On the flip side, the equipment required is expensive because of the pressures utilized, and the process is inefficient with cycles of material taking many hours at commercial scale.
Some simple methods of CO2 extraction only require dry ice, a bucket and cheese cloth, but this can be inefficient.
Hydrocarbons, such as propane and butane, are favored by the nutraceutical industry. This method extracts fewer
undesirable compounds because of the short time the gas is in contact with the plant material. The disadvantage is hydrocarbons are toxic and can even cause cancer. Great care, knowledge and expensive equipment is required to purge the residual solvent from the result.
The other big factor affecting the quality and character of concentrates is the nature of the starting material. Modern chemistry has hit this part of the cannabis industry hard.
People are converting CBD-rich hemp extract into psychoactive compounds — all kinds of kooky manipulation to cannabinoids.
Concentrate can be made from trim, whole buds or any cannabinoid-rich material. The higher quality the starting material, the higher quality the resulting extract will be.
Personally, I will let nature be my guide and stick to natural compounds in their natural form and in their naturally occurring ratios. This is what we know as full-spectrum cannabis oil.
Let’s talk about the different product designations for a moment; all these products can be generally lumped into the product category hashes. Waxes have a creamy consistency that some used to say looks like “ear wax”; it can be extracted with CO2 or hydrocarbons. Crumble is typically wax with air whipped into it before purging, thus creating a drier “crumbly” texture.
GET TO KNOW 710: 420’S DABBED OUT COUSIN
By Eva Halvax Tucson Weekly Columnist
Yep, there’s another cannabis holiday to add to your roster. 710, also known as “Oil Day,” is a relatively new cannabis holiday that celebrates cannabis oils and extracts. Quaintly named after the way in which the numbers 710 spell oil when flipped backward and upside down, July 10 has become a new staple within cannabis culture.
A mysterious history
The origins of this stoner holiday are hazy, but can be traced back to internet forums from 2010. The term has been traced to a virtual dab session in a TinyChat room where rapper Taskrok and other prominent members of the cannabis community were present. Since then, 710 has blossomed.
In response to his role in leading the creation of 710, Taskrok remained humble. As reported by Mitchell Colbert via Leaf Online, Taskrok said it was “of the strong opinion that none of the group members should make any attempt to lay any claim to it. I wanted it to grow as a natural grassroots campaign.”
It is worth noting rumors of the holiday have roots beyond a mid 2000’s chatroom. Notably, the Grateful Dead lived at 710 Ashbury in San Francisco.
But whatever the origins, there is no mistaking the significance of 710.
710 vs 420
While the two days celebrate aspects of cannabis, they do so in differing ways. 420 is an all-encompassing celebration of cannabis culture that has been around for decades while 710 is a newer holiday that homes in on the beauty of cannabis concentrates, celebrated every July 10.
With the legalization of cannabis across the country, 710 continues to be a prominent moment of celebration within the cannabis community. When it comes to the heart of 710, oil, there are a number of avenues to explore as cannabis concentrates can be consumed in a number of forms — whether it be in a vape cartridge or through what is known as a dab.
Dabbing explained
Dabbing is an integral part of 710, but what is it exactly? As this cannabis holiday celebrates cannabis oils and extracts, let’s break down an aspect of cannabis that can seem a bit intimidating at first.
Dabs are a highly concentrated form of cannabis that can be found in many forms and textures. They are consumed in what’s known as a dab rig, electronic rig, nectar collector or dab pen. Dabs require a very hot temperature, one that reaches at least 400
and subjecting it to heat and pressure to extract the resinous trichomes. The term “live” refers to using freshly harvested, uncured cannabis material, which helps preserve the natural flavors and aromas of the plant.
The rosin extraction method retains a wide range of cannabinoids, terpenes and other beneficial compounds, resulting in a flavorful and potent concentrate. Solventless live rosin is highly regarded for its purity and quality, offering cannabis enthusiasts a clean and natural way to enjoy the full spectrum of the plant's therapeutic properties. I sampled two different strains of this live rosin from the Re-Leaf Brand Concentrates line and enjoyed them both.
Strain: Dessert RTZ
Lineage: Indica
THC: 76.604%
CBD: 0%
Dessert RTZ live rosin is a cannabis concentrate that delivers an indulgent experience. This live rosin offers a combination of dessert-like flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
With each inhale, you’ll be greeted by sweet and creamy notes, reminiscent of desserts. The flavor profile often includes hints of vanilla, caramel and baked goods, creating a delightful and satisfying taste experience. The extraction process used to create Dessert RTZ live rosin ensures the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes and other beneficial compounds are preserved, enhancing the taste and therapeutic potential of the concentrate.
In addition to its mouthwatering flavor, Dessert RTZ live rosin also delivers a potent and well-rounded effect. The high-quality live resin used in its production offers a comprehensive cannabinoid profile, resulting in a balanced and enjoyable experience.
Upon consumption, I found my experience to be a combination of relaxation, euphoria and uplifted mood, with soothing and calming effects, making it a great option for unwinding after a long day or indulging in a moment of relaxation. Overall, Dessert RTZ live rosin provides both a delightful flavor journey and a satisfying extract experience.
Strain: Red RTZ
Lineage: Indica
THC: 79.07%
CBD: 0%
This particular strain of live rosin boasts a rich and robust flavor profile. When you take a hit, you’ll be treated to a combination of earthy and spicy notes with a hint of sweetness.
The taste is well-balanced and satisfying, making it a great choice for those who appreciate a full-bodied flavor.
Beyond its delicious taste, Red RTZ solventless live rosin also delivers a potent and well-rounded effect. When consumed, users may experience a sense of relaxation and euphoria. The effects are often described as uplifting and calming, allowing for a pleasant and mellow experience. Red RTZ is known for its ability to promote a positive mood and a general sense of well-being. This live rosin offers a flavorful and enjoyable cannabis experience with a relaxing and uplifting effect.
I.O. EXTRACTS
I.O. Extracts Sauce Pod powered by Potent Planet
Strain: Liquid Imagination (Blue Zkittles and Jet Fuel OG)
Lineage: Hybrid (Indica Dominant)
THC: 81.38%
CBD: .11%
The I.O. Extracts Sauce Pod powered by Potent Planet is an extract product that provides a convenient and potent experience. This sauce pod contains a concentrated form of cannabis extract known as sauce, which is rich in cannabinoids and terpenes. The pod is an all-in-one rechargeable disposable device, making it easy to enjoy on the go.
The potent formula of the Sauce Pod delivers a strong and long-lasting effect, providing a feeling of relaxation and euphoria. With its user-friendly design and powerful effects, the I.O. Extracts Sauce Pod powered by Potent Planet offers a convenient and enjoyable way to experience the benefits of cannabis.
The Liquid Imagination strain is a cross between Blue Zkittles and Jet Fuel OG. It presents a citrusy burst, reminiscent of tangy oranges and a zesty lemon flavor profile. The herbaceous
undertones provide a refreshing and earthy essence, while a subtle hint of sweetness adds a touch of balance to the overall flavor experience. I sampled the disposable pods, and it delivered a high potency dose that was very enjoyable. While Indica dominant, it doesn’t exactly knock you into the couch like some other strains could. I found I was still able to go about the house (not to say that the effects weren’t cerebral).
A heavy dose of body relaxation along with a mild but definitely present head high made for a really nice evening experience that lasted. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a premium extract experience in an easy-to-use stress-free product.
RED 22
Red 22 Live Resin Diamonds & Sauce
Strain: Wedding Crashers
Lineage: Hybrid (Indica Dominant)
THC: 72.10%
CBD: 0%
22Red has brought together something truly special in their latest addition to the concentrates market with their Wedding Crasher strain, a marriage of Wedding Cake and Purple Punch.
The first thing you’ll notice upon opening is the powerful diesel aroma coming from the container. The diamonds and sauce are super easy to scoop for dosing and making sure you get just the right amount. Upon ignition, you are greeted with a surprising flavor profile of sweet, berry, fruity and floral notes, making for a truly tasty smoking experience in direct contrast to the diesel aroma smell. The only thing better than the taste is the effects.
This is definitely not your standard indica. At a 60-40 split the experience is best noted as euphoric. Happy, energetic and talkative while still relaxed is a perfect recipe for a pre-party before a night on the town. Definitely worth a try for anyone savvy in the extract arts or the curious newcomer looking for a strain to give them a helping hand into the wonderful world of concentrates.
WYLD CBD
Wyld CBD Gummies
Flavor: Peach
CBD: 20 MG
CBC: 10 MG
THC FREE
Broad-spectrum hemp extract
Wyld CBD’s Real Fruit Infused Gummies CBD + CBC in peach flavor are a delightful and effective way to incorporate CBD and CBC into your daily routine.
These gummies offer a delicious burst of juicy peach flavor that is refreshing and satisfying. The real fruit infusion ensures an authentic taste that is not overly artificial or overwhelming. Each bite delivers a sweet and tangy sensation that lingers on the palate, making it a delightful treat for peach lovers.
Beyond their delectable taste, these gummies are infused with both CBD and CBC, two beneficial cannabinoids known for their potential therapeutic properties. The combination of CBD and CBC creates a synergistic effect that may provide enhanced relief and promote overall well-being.
Users may experience a sense of relaxation and calmness, making them great for reducing stress or unwinding
710 FROM PAGE 14
degrees Fahrenheit.
Traditional dab rigs look similar to bongs but have a nail instead of a bowl. The nail is usually heated with a torch to reach the required temperature. Electronic dab rigs circumvent this process as they heat up on their own. Dabs are classified by their texture and their consistency, and are sticky, sugary and different to work with.
The process of creating cannabis concentrates typically preserves the cannabinoid and terpene present of each strain, which ensures a full, deeper flavor and a heavier high.
With 710 approaching quickly, be sure to check out a dispensary near you for fantastic deals on cannabis concentrates, perfect for cannabis connoisseurs. Happy dabbing!
DEALER’S CHOICE
THIS WEEK’S CRUMBLE: Crumble is a form of cannabis concentrate perfect for novices. Crumble is dry and powdery, a consistency that should break apart easily.
Crumble is a low maintenance form of concentrate, as it is easy to sprinkle into a bowl or can be dabbed on its own. Crumble tends to be a coste cient concentrate as well. If used alongside ower, I recommend layering the crumble into the ower to ensure a better smoking experience.
THIS WEEK’S SUGAR WAX: Sugar wax is a cannabis concentrate that is true to its name. Its consistency is wet and grainy, but it is still fairly easy to work with. Sugar wax typically delivers a robust avor when consumed and tends to maintain a lower price point as well. Sugar wax was created accidentally and is best used as a dab.
THIS WEEK’S BADDER: Think cake frosting with this one, as this cannabis concentrate typically yields a thick, whipped consistency. Badder is made with a solvent, typically butane or propane, and tends to be golden in its color. Badder is best used in a dab rig.
THIS WEEK’S ROSIN: Rosin is a solventless concentrate that can be found in dabs or vape cartridges. Rosin is extracted without chemicals and solvents. Instead, it relies on heat and pressure. While it is typically one of the “cleanest” forms of cannabis extracts, it tends to be more expensive. Rosin concentrates taste pure and rich in terpenes.
Shatter is more stable. A thin sheet of hydrocarbon extract is purged under heat and pressure creating a thin sheet of brittle potent extract that “shatters” like glass.
Bubble is an old-school term used to refer to ice water-extracted cannabinoids that when made properly will “bubble” when heat hits it. You can see the hippies who came up with the names for this stuff were pretty clever. Rosin is a technique using heat and pressure to separate the desired resin from the organic plant material. These two techniques combine to make ice hash rosin, which is considered a solventless extract despite chemistry commonly referring to water as “the universal solvent.”
Resin is the term for the resinous sticky fluid naturally produced by this magical healing herb. The term is also used in the product “live” resin, which indicates the plant material was harvested fresh and either extracted immediately or fresh frozen for later extraction, as opposed to cured resin which is dried
in the typical way and then processed. Distillate is next. After extraction by ethanol, hydrocarbon or CO2, the concentrate is put through a process known as fractional distillation. In essence, the THC is separated from the rest of the compounds resulting in a flavorless, nearly colorless and very potent oil. This goes against my broad-spectrum philosophy. The flavorless and odorless qualities come in handy. We can use it to medicate food products without the item having an off flavor. Also, when your vape cartridge contains distillate, your neighbor won’t smell cannabis. A few comments about all these concentrates. They are potent, think 50% to 90% THC. That’s powerful stuff, so start low and go slow — especially if you are taking cannabis oil in an edible form. The onset of effect for this type of product is delayed 40 to 60 minutes for the liver to metabolize the THC and allow its full effect to kick in. When dabbing concentrates, a little goes a long way. Try different products, but use good judgment as you explore.
after a long day. The gummies are also conveniently dosed, allowing for easy and precise consumption. With Wyld CBD’s Real Fruit-Infused Gummies CBD + CBC in peach flavor, you can enjoy the delicious taste of peaches while reaping the potential benefits of CBD and CBC in a convenient and enjoyable manner.
Wyld CBD Real Fruit-Infused Sparkling Water
Flavor: Grapefruit
CBD: 20 MG
CBG: 10 MG
THC Free
Broad-Spectrum Hemp Extracts
Wyld CBD’s Real Fruit-Infused Sparkling Water CBD + CBG in grapefruit flavor is a refreshing and invigorating beverage that offers a delightful twist on traditional sparkling water.
With the perfect blend of bubbles and real fruit infusion, this sparkling water provides a burst of tangy and vibrant grapefruit flavor. The natural fruit infusion creates a refreshing taste that is satisfying and rejuvenating. Each sip offers a revitalizing experience that is sure to quench your thirst and leave you feeling refreshed.
What sets Wyld CBD’s Real Fruit-Infused Sparkling Water apart is the addition of CBD and CBG, two beneficial cannabinoids known for their potential therapeutic properties.
The infusion of CBD and CBG in this sparkling water allows you to enjoy a calming and potentially uplifting experience. These cannabinoids may contribute to a sense of relaxation, promoting a state of balance and well-being.
The convenient and portable nature of this sparkling water makes it a great choice for those looking to incorporate CBD and CBG into their daily routine in a refreshing and enjoyable way. Whether you’re seeking a moment of relaxation or a refreshing thirst-quencher, Wyld CBD’s Real Fruit-Infused Sparkling Water CBD + CBG is a flavorful and beneficial choice.
TUCSON AREA DISPENSARIES
BLOOM TUCSON
4695 N. Oracle Road, Suite 117
520-293-3315; bloomdispensary.com
Open: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
BOTANICA
6205 N. Travel Center Drive
520-395-0230; botanica.us
Open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
DESERT BLOOM
RE-LEAF CENTER
8060 E. 22nd Street, Suite 108
520-886-1760; dbloomtucson.com
Open: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily Offering delivery
DOWNTOWN DISPENSARY
221 E. Sixth Street, Suite 105
520-838-0492; thedowntowndispensary.com
Open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
D2 DISPENSARY
7139 E. 22nd Street
520-214-3232; d2dispensary.com
Open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
EARTH’S HEALING
Two locations:
North: 78 W. River Road
520-253-7198
South: 2075 E. Benson Highway 520-373-5779
earthshealing.org
Open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays; Offering delivery
GREEN MED WELLNESS CENTER
6464 E. Tanque Verde Road
520-886-2484, greenmedwellness.com
Open: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
HALO CANNABIS
7710 S. Wilmot Road
520-664-2251; thegreenhalo.org
Open: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
HANA GREEN VALLEY
1732 W. Duval Commerce Point Place
520-289-8030
Open: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Open: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays
TUCSON SAINTS
112 S. Kolb Road
520-886-1003; medicalmarijuanaoftucson.com
Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
a dab will do ya. medical delivery
By Linda Ray Tucson Weekly Columnist
“AFFAIRE D’AMOUR: THE FIREWORKS EDITION”
Although other producers have sprung up over the years, Surly Wench has been the anchor of Tucson’s burlesque scene since 2006, regularly scoring “Best of Tucson” honors. The club’s “First Fridays Burlesque” features a di erent producer and theme each month. This “Fireworks Edition” features Stephka VonSnatch as host. Performers include Matt Finish, Dottie May Duitt, Stormy Leigh, Jashie Manster, Sonia Rita, Divina Moorephina, Bunny Boom Boom, Jaryn Garters and Desiré d’Amour.
10 p.m. Friday, July 7, Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. Fourth Avenue, surlywenchpub.com/burlesque, $10
WET HOT AMERICAN PARTY
Dress to get wet! This party has a water slide straight from an island fantasy. In fact, Hotel Congress promises an entire water park. We expect the bar menu to feature a fun run of frosty summer drink specials. There will also be great munchies from The Cup and Plaza Eats, and the best beats from DJ Bex and DJ Halsero. We suspect all your friends will be there. Lookin’ at you, Wildcats.
10 p.m. Saturday, July 8, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, hotelcongress.com, free, age 21 and over
PCOA “MEMORY CAFÉ”
The Pima Council on Aging is collaborating with three sites in the city to provide opportunities to socialize among memory-impaired, and otherwise cognitively impaired folks, and their caregivers. Each“café” is designed to create a unique, distinctive experience. Some events include special guests and musicians, others are just for relaxing and chatting. Locations are midtown, Casas Adobes and Green Valley. See the website for details.
MONSOON FARMERS CAMP
Who loves the mud? Kids ages 5 to 9 can let their dirt flag fly for a purpose in this week-long agricultural adventure. Campers learn about dirt, digging, compost and planting, rain or shine, to grow veggies with the summer monsoon rain. They’ll also help with farm chores like tending worms, seed saving, harvesting and preparing garden beds for planting summer crops. When the work is done, they’ll relax and play in the farm’s water play area and snack on fresh veggies straight from the field. 8 to 11 a.m. Monday, July 10, to Thursday, July 14, Tucson Village Farm, 4101 N. Campbell Avenue, tucsonvillagefarm.arizona.edu, $225
TUCSON SUGAR SKULLS AIR-CONDITIONED FOOTBALL
Our summer football team plays against the Green Bay Blizzard in its final game of 2023. The season’s been up and down, but this game will be a winner no matter the score. It’s a cool idea that Wisconsin’s bringing us a blizzard in July, and the arena is air-conditioned. As always, we enjoy the cachet of having a woman-owned football team. Props to Cathy Guy, military veteran and owner and chief operating o cer of Tucson Indoor Football.
6:05 p.m. Saturday, July 15, Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Avenue, tucsonsugarskulls.com, $14
NAIM AMOR AND THE COCKTAIL HOURS
The classic sounds of cocktail lounges and the late-night jazz clubs of yore mix with the tiki lounge vibe of the ’50s and a splash of ’60s exotica in this after-dinner haven for grownups Downtown. If we’re lucky, Naim Amor and his band might mix in some western swing and a bit of authentic French chanson. Amor’s versatility spans just that eclectic a range, and here he has just the band to support it.
9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 8, and every Saturday, Century Room, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, hotelcongress.com, $15
Pima Council on Aging “Memory Cafés,” various dates and times, monthly at each location, pcoa.org, free
MISSION GARDENS’ “BOOKWORM PATH”
This charming, fully accessible adventure is perfect for a summer Saturday morning. Bring a book, find a bench, listen to the birds and relax
946 W. Mission Lane, missiongarden.org/bookwormpath, $5 suggested donation, open rain or shine.
“TUCSON EN FOQUE: CHICANIDAD AND ART”
Tucson artists Luis Mena, Cristina Cardenas and Ruben Urrea Moreno talk about “Chicanx” themes and their influence in the artists’ own work in a panel that’s presented live and online. Mena is a lifelong muralist best known for the piece where Congress Street meets Broadway Boulevard. Cardenas, who works in several media, has participated in multiple residencies internationally. Moreno’s work on the themes of culture and human rights is in the collections of museums in Austin and El Paso as well as the Tucson Museum of Art. 6 p.m. Thursday, July 13, Arizona History Museum, 949 E. Second Street, arizonahistoricalsociety.org, free, in person or online. Find the Zoom link on the website.
STEAM CAMP AT THE AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM
Over the course of three Saturdays, kids ages 10 to 14 will learn to code and fly drones and then run them over an obstacle course on the last camp day. Activities are designed to help kids understand applications in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics according to STEAM education principles.
1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 8, July 15 and July 22, Pima Air and Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Road, pimaair.org/steamcamp, $150, no refunds
FREE BOOKS FOR KIDS!
under a tree with a cold refreshment from the Garden Shop. Or bring some kids along to explore the “Bookworm Path.” Its 20 di erent stops o er books and activities in English, Spanish, Chinese, braille and other languages. Cues in signage along the way encourage visitors to look, taste, touch and learn.
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays to Saturdays, Mission Garden,
Quincie Douglas Library is giving away kids’ books to promote its summer learning program. Stop at the front desk and give the librarians the age of their child. You’ll get two books, a summer learning program sticker, a reading tracker and an invitation to participate in the library’s program to reward kids’ reading 20 minutes each day over the summer.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, Quincie Douglas Library, 1585 E. 36th Street, library.pima.gov, free.
NAIM AMOR AND HIS BAND PLAY LATE-NIGHT SATURDAYS IN THE CENTURY ROOM. (NAIM AMOR/SUBMITTED)
KIDS DIG THE MUD AT MONSOON FARMERS CAMP. (TUCSON VILLAGE FARM/SUBMITTED)
WATCH THE TUCSON SUGAR SKULLS FOOTBALL TEAM FINISH THE SEASON. (TUCSON SUGAR SKULLS/SUBMITTED)
LAUGHING STOCK
‘MR. D.’ IS HAPPY TO OBLIGE
By Linda Ray Tucson Weekly Columnist
Joe Dombrowski, aka “Mr. D,” would like fans to know that the set he is bringing to the Rialto Theatre on Thursday, July 12, is not the same as the one in his forthcoming streaming special, “Don’t Eat the Crayons.”
Inquiring international hordes of his social media fans apparently want to know. We’re happy to oblige.
For our own part, we’d never doubt he could generate even a third original hourlong set between now and “Crayons’” autumn debut, and probably a fourth by next Tuesday.
It helps that Dombrowski’s well of material is bottomless, involving matters common to anyone who has been a child, had a child or gone to school. And he has a disarming talent for finding humor in almost anything in that seldom predictable universe.
Dombrowski characterizes himself as a “creative scatterbrain,” a term of art in human resources parlance. It means approximately what it sounds like. Often highly intelligent, these folks never leave an intellectual cylinder unfired, putting ideas and experiences together in ways that would never occur to the rest of us. In Dombrowski’s case, the connections often come out funny.
It’s been a lifelong skill set. “I was a class clown,” he said, “but I got away with a lot in school because I was not mean-spirited. I wasn’t being rude. I was making sure everyone was having an enjoyable experience in their formative years. I really think my teachers noticed that.”
Dombrowski seems to have come by it naturally. He said he comes from “a comedy family”; his dad is his biggest fan. And it was at a family event that he was inspired to become a standup comedian at age eight in a third-grade talent show.
“I stole all my jokes from a magician
that I saw at my first communion party,” Dombrowski admitted. “I put them together in my own act.”
He always wanted to pursue comedy as a career, but his parents wisely persuaded him to go to college first. No doubt they were thinking he’d have a hard time supporting himself as a comedian. Instead, because he liked kids, he decided to be a teacher. (Cue laughter from the teacher cohort.)
While in college, he worked on honing his comedy through every available channel. “I started messing around with standup and improv and sketch writing, just playing, just having fun,” he said, “And a lot of those things I messed around with onstage later turned into jokes in my standup bag.”
By the time he graduated, he was earning $25 to $50 for every set he performed, and comedy became that extra source of income every new teacher needs.
“I was just kind of finding myself,” he said. “I was good. I had what it took, but I was just writing about my life. I was 21, 22. Did I really have any woes at the time?
“There was a real shift in my comedy when I started talking about what was happening in the classroom,” he said. “That’s when I found my voice, who I am as a comic.”
Yet there were naysayers. He said, “‘How can you have a comedy career trajectory when you’re still working a full-time teaching job?’ was a common question.” His answer? “‘Watch me.’ The truth is, I didn’t let anyone tell me ‘No.’
This is the land of a million ‘Nos.’ It’s like you’ve got to get a million ‘Nos’ to get your ‘Yes.’”
Dombrowski’s “yes” came like a digital tidal wave. In what for him was just another fun idea, he pranked his second-grade students with a goofy spelling bee for April Fools’ Day. He made up words, spellings and definitions with deadpan seriousness. The kids didn’t know what to make of it and their questions and expressions were priceless.
e able charm, respect and delight Dombrowski weaves into the trick. He delights in those kids, and they, him. That trust and caring lights up the screen. One by one, we see the lights go on in these little minds, and it’s adorable.
Among the 14 million views that video has achieved was one by Ellen DeGeneres. She invited him to her show for what was to be the first of many times, and she handed him a giant check for $10,000, applauding him for his caring and being a role model.
Having run out of vacation and sick days for touring, Dombrowski has stepped back from teaching for now, but his YouTube videos and podcasts are full of lessons and laughs for anyone who has been a child, had a child or taught a child.
Joe Dombrowski, 8 p.m. Thursday, July 13, Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street, rialtotheatre.com, tickets start at $25
Unscrewed Theatre o ers teen workshop
The class covers core elements like agreement, listening, teamwork and making your scene partner look good. The trick to great improv is collaboration, a fundamental life skill. Learning to be funny as a team is pure joy.
Teen Improv Day Camp, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 9, Unscrewed Theatre, 4500 E. Speedway Boulevard, Suite 39, unscrewedtheatre.org, $99, scholarships available.
OTHER SHOWS
La ’s Comedy Ca e, 2900 E. Broadway Boulevard. 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Friday, July 7, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 9, $15, $20 preferred seating. Ben Roy: Think Bill Hicks and Lewis Black. la stucson.com
Tucson Improv Movement/TIM Comedy Theatre, 414 E. Ninth Street. $7 each show, $10 for both shows, same night, free jam and open mic; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 6, Standup 201 and “Harold Eta;” 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 7, Improv Jam; 7:30 p.m. “The Soapbox;” 9 p.m. Stand Up Showcase; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 8, 11 a.m. “Pretendy Time;” 7:30 p.m. The Dirty Tees and “Finding the Word;” 9 p.m. The Dirty Tees. tucsonimprov.com
But in just this one video we see the in-
Got a class clown in your family? If they’re in grades nine through 12, they may find this workshop life-a rming. But it’s not just for funny kids. Young people who dream of being actors, salespeople, business managers, teachers — nearly everyone of any age benefits from improv skills.
Unscrewed Theatre, 4500 E. Speedway Boulevard, $8, live or remote, $5 kids. 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 16, Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed (NBOJU); 6 p.m. Saturday, July 17, Unscrewed Family Hour; 7:30 p.m. NBOJU; 9 p.m. “The Backyard “uncensored, experimental improv comedy. unscrewedtheatre.org
JOE DOMBROWSKI IS A TEACHER’S PET. (JOE DOMBROWSKI/SUBMITTED)
JEN BLANCO HEADS UP “PRETENDY TIME” FOR KIDS AT TIM. (JEN BLANCO/SUBMITTED)
MUSIC
JUAN WAUTERS HANGS UP ‘WANDERING REBEL’ CAP
By Jack Miessner Tucson Weekly Sta
Rolling stone Juan Wauters is learning the perks of gathering moss.
“I’ve made that my priority the last ten years, going around, sharing my music, but mostly exploring the world and exploring myself away from home,” the indie singer/songwriter said.
“But after COVID put us down, I was able to reflect on other things, and I was able to experience other things by force, like sharing a house with someone, setting roots, being more at peace with not traveling,” Wauters said.
“The world probably sees me as a wandering rebel, but these days I’m not really feeling that.”
The Uruguayan musician composed much of his sixth album, 2023’s “Wandering Rebel,” over the pandemic, and the stability he found during that time translated onto the record.
“This is the first album that I worked with a producer, someone that had something to say about the songwriting,” Wauters said.
“And I opened myself to other things, things that have to do with society. In society, there is a mixing engineer that really knows what he’s doing, that’s his specialty. And the album cover was made by a person who works as a graphic designer. I used to do those things myself, before.
“When you’re a wandering rebel, and you’re not looking for stability, you think you can do everything, and you do everything yourself. And that’s cool, but I’ve learned through life that there’s something positive about sharing with others, as well.”
Though this album taught Wauters to share aspects of production, fans will point to his rich history of collabs as evidence that, for the musician, cooperation is anything but new. His
2021 record “Real Life Situations” is peppered with features, from Mac DeMarco and Homeshake to Tall Juan and El David Aguilar, to name a few.
Wauters, a longtime fan of hiphop and Latin American styles, took inspiration from those genres’ traditions of artists collaborating to “propel each other’s music.”
ish, others will.
“Like, a year before ‘Real Life Situations,’ when I was just thinking about the idea, I would talk to my friends,” Wauters said. “‘How come we don’t do that, in this genre or scene? How come we don’t collaborate, get together and write a song in the studio together? We might come up with something that neither of us is able to come up with alone.’
“‘We might create a beast, a third entity aside from you and me.’”
To test his theory, the musician enlists artists from diverse genres and cultures. On “Wandering Rebel,” the musician runs the experiment with Frankie Cosmos, Zoe Gotusso, Super Willy K and John Carroll Kirby, culminating in a 12-track project that is well informed and dynamic.
Wauters’ songwriting process is even a collaboration between him and his audience. The singer, who alternates between English and Spanish throughout his records, often chooses the language based on the ears he wants his lyrics to fall on.
“If I sing in English, certain people will understand, and if I sing in Span-
“If I’m in New York, and I’m singing about a New York issue, and I’m commenting with my English-speaking friends, I’ll sing in English. I use it as a tool to communicate with whoever I want to hear the message.”
The musician imparts his thoughts with a refreshing earnestness and blunt honesty. In “Wandering Rebel,” the title track on the record, Wauters sings about his personal hygiene, his desire for monetary success and his fear of having to “make some changes” if his career doesn’t pick up.
“I’m looking to make money on this album and the one that follows after,” Wauters explains plainly on the track.
The economic condition is a common theme on the album. Wauters begins “Millionaire” — an ode to the struggles of making it in Los Angeles — by pointing out, “you could be a millionaire, and also you could end up on the street.” He expands on the arbitrary nature of wealth inequality on “Modus Operandi,” a tune about the wealthy’s flight from New York City during the lockdowns.
“COVID made it clear that some people have it harder than others,” Wauters said. “People that didn’t have an option,
they were locked in their apartments. It was right in your face, the inequality of the world, and I commented on that.
“Sometimes I feel like ‘Modus Operandi’ could come o like I was resentful that everyone left the city, and people that didn’t have an option could not leave. Maybe I was resentful. But also, as I now look back and have a conversation about it, I realize that it’s just an observation of everyday life.
“Maybe life is supposed to be like that, that some people live more comfortably than others, and some people are supposed to have it harder. But maybe it’s an opportunity to talk about it, and perhaps we can do something that, if COVID hits again, it’s not unfair.”
Juan Wauters and Los Velvets
WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, July 6
WHERE: Club Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, Tucson
COST: $14 in advance; $16 at the door; 21 and older
INFO: juanwauters.com
JUAN WAUTERS FOUND STABILITY AMONG CHAOS DURING THE PANDEMIC. (JUAN FRANCISCO SANCHEZ/CONTRIBUTOR)
MUSIC TIDES MOURNING THE LOSS OF ITS GUITARIST, HARMONY RANKHORN
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Tucson Weekly Sta
The alt-metal band Tides had its future laid out. The Tucson musicians were excited about their new EP, “Pararse,” and the release party on Friday, July 7, at Club Congress.
They were headed back into the studio in November to record yet again.
But all of that changed in June when guitarist Harmony (Robert) Rankhorn died unexpectedly from a pre-existing health condition.
“He was just about music and his family,” said bassist Abel Moreno.
“He loved making music. He had been playing in the music scene for quite some time. He loved his family — his wife, children and his dogs. He loved his life. His health issues got the best of him. I don’t think he realized what was happening.”
The show has since evolved into a memorial listening party for Tides’ two EPs, with the openers — American Standards and Sinphonics — still performing. Vinyl and limited-edition T-shirts will be sold.
“Robert didn’t grow up with everything, but he became a success at whatever he put his hands on,” Moreno said. “He was an intelligent person. Everyone at (his employer) Intuit loved him. Everybody loved working for him. Nothing was ever handed to Robert. He made it o his own steam. He was humble.”
Moreno — who is joined in the band by drummer Justin Bernard, and vocalists Marcos Moreno and Roman Casillas — said Rankhorn saw the beauty in music and life itself.
“Robert believed in God,” he added. “If I was going through a hard time — or any friend of his was going through a hard time — he would say, ‘Hey, you’re on my mind. I don’t want you to feel bad. We’re going through this
together. I love you.’ He had a heart as big as the world.”
Moreno said the band is in no state to perform.
“We’re just trying to mend ourselves,” he said. “We’re in no place emotionally or mentally to perform. We’re going through a loss right now that’s not easily replaced.
“I don’t want to make promises for the future. I have an actual brother in the band and we’re trying to heal from it. I cried all over his amp. I’m still not handling this well. He chose to make this endeavor (Tides) happen and he did.”
Tides was founded as a way for the musicians to heal from losses, ironically, according to Moreno. Looking back, he said Rankhorn was trying to say “goodbye” through his music.
“It’s eerie and heartbreaking,” he said. “We had such a good time that we planned go to back into the studio six months later.
“He saw the promise in Tides and what our message was and what we really wanted to do. His heart and his mind were invested into what we were doing and saying. We knew what we were doing was bigger than ourselves. Our music resonated with other people.”
Tides Memorial Listening Party with performances by American Standards and Sinphonics
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, July 7
WHERE: Club Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, Tucson
COST: $10
INFO: hotelcongress.com/events/
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19)
Genius physicist Albert Einstein said, "The formulation of a problem is often more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill. To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old questions from new angles, requires creative imagination and makes real advances.” What he said here applies to our personal dilemmas, too. When we figure out the right questions to ask, we are more than halfway toward a clear resolution. This is always true, of course, but it will be an especially crucial principle for you in the coming weeks.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)
“Every great advance in natural knowledge has involved the absolute rejection of authority.” So said Taurus biologist and anthropologist Thomas Huxley (1825-1895). I don’t think you will have to be quite so forceful as that in the coming week, but I hope you’re willing to further your education by rebelling against what you already know. And I hope you will be boisterously skeptical about conventional wisdom and trendy ideas. Have fun cultivating a feisty approach to learning! The more time you spend exploring beyond the borders of your familiar world, the better.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE
20)
Hooray and hallelujah! You’ve been experimenting with the perks of being pragmatic and well-grounded. You have been extra intent on translating your ideals into e ective actions. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you so dedicated to enjoying the simple pleasures. I love that you’re investigating the wonders of being as down-to-earth as you dare. Congratulations! Keep doing this honorable work.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22)
I wrote my horoscope column for over ten years before it began to get widely syndicated. What changed? I became a better writer and oracle, for one thing.
My tenacity was inexhaustible. I was always striving to improve my craft, even when the rewards were meager. Another important factor in my eventual success was my persistence in marketing. I did a lot of hard work to ensure the right publications knew about me. I suspect, fellow Cancerian, that 2024 is likely to bring you a comparable breakthrough in a labor of love you have been cultivating for a long time. And the coming months of 2023 will be key in setting the stage for that breakthrough.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22)
Maybe you wished you cared more deeply about a certain situation. Your lack of empathy and passion may feel like a hole in your soul. If so, I have good news. The coming weeks will be a favorable time to find the missing power — to tap into the warm, wet feelings that could motivate your quest for greater connection. Here's a good way to begin the process: Forget everything you think you know about the situation with which you want more engagement. Arrive at an empty, still point that enables you to observe the situation as if you were seeing it for the first time.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)
You are in an astrological phase when you’ll be wise to wrangle with puzzles and enigmas. Whether or not you come up with crisp solutions isn’t as crucial as your earnest e orts to limber up your mind. For best results, don’t worry and sweat about it; have fun! Now I’ll provide a sample riddle to get you in the mood. It’s adapted from a text by David Wallechinsky and Irving Wallace. You are standing before two identical closed doors, one leading to grime and confusion, the other to revelation and joy. Before the doors stand two figures: an angel who always tells the truth and a demon who always lies. But they look alike, and you may ask only one question to help you choose what door to take. What do you do? (Possible answer: Ask either character
what the other would say if you asked which door to take, then open the opposite door.)
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22)
I found a study that concluded just 6.1% of online horoscopes provide legitimate predictions about the future. Furthermore, the research indicated 62.3% of them consist of bland, generic pabulum of no value to the recipient. I disagree with these assessments. Chani Nicholas, Michael Lutin, Susan Miller and Jessica Shepherd are a few of many regular horoscope writers whose work I find interesting. My own astrological oracles are useful, too. And by the way, how can anyone have the hubris to decide which horoscopes are helpful and which are not? This thing we do is a highly subjective art, not an objective science. In the spirit of my comments here, Libra, and in accordance with astrological omens, I urge you to declare your independence from so-called experts and authorities who tell you they know what’s valid and worthwhile for you. Here’s your motto: “I’m the authoritative boss of my own truth.”
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21)
Is it a fact that our bodies are made of stardust? Absolutely true, says planetary scientist Dr. Ashley King. Nearly all the elements comprising our flesh, nerves, bones and blood were originally forged in at least one star, maybe more. Some of the stu we are made of lived a very long time in a star that eventually exploded: a supernova. Here’s another amazing revelation about you: You are composed of atoms that have existed for almost 14 billion years. I bring these startling realities to your attention, Scorpio, in honor of the most expansive phase of your astrological cycle. You have a mandate to deepen and broaden and enlarge your understanding of who you are and where you came from.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21)
I foresee August will be a time of experiments and explorations. Life will be in a generous mood toward you, tempting and teasing you with opportunities from beyond your circle of expectations. But let's not get carried away until it makes cosmic sense to get carried away. I don't want to urge you to em-
brace wild hope prematurely. Between now and the end of July, I advise you to enjoy sensible gambles and measured adventures. It's OK to go deep and be rigorous, but save the full intensity for later.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19)
Is there a crucial half-conscious question lurking in the underside of your mind? A smoldering doubt or mu ed perplexity that’s important for you to address? I suspect there is. Now it’s time to coax it up to the surface of your awareness so you may deal with it forthrightly. You must not let it smolder there in its hiding place. Here’s the good news, Capricorn: If you bring the dilemma or confusion or worry into the full light of your consciousness, it will ultimately lead you to unexpected treasure. Be brave!
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18)
In Larry McMurtry’s novel “Duane’s Depressed,” the life of the main character has come to a standstill. He no longer enjoys his job. The fates of his kids are too complicated for him to know how to respond. He has a lot of feelings but has little skill in expressing them. At a loss about how to change his circumstances, he takes a small and basic step: He stops driving his pickup truck and instead walks everywhere he needs to go. Your current stasis is nowhere near as dire as Duane’s, Aquarius, but I do recommend you consider his approach to initiating transformation: Start small and basic.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20)
Author K. V. Patel writes, “As children, we laugh fully with the whole body. We laugh with everything we have.” In the coming weeks, Pisces, I would love for you to regularly indulge in just that: total delight and release. Furthermore, I predict you will be more able than usual to summon uproarious life-affirming amusement from the depths of your enchanted soul. Further furthermore, I believe you will have more reasons than ever before to throw your head back and unleash your entire self in rippling bursts of healing hysterical hilarity. To get started, practice chuckling, giggling and chortling for one minute right now.
By Rob Brezsny. Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s EXPANDED
Principal Geotechnical Engineer (69673) with BHP Minerals Service Company located in Tucson, AZ.
Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer (RTFE) for eight tailings storage facilities (TSFs) managed by BHP Legacy Assets; accountable for the integrity of the tailings facility, periodic design assessments, and for the implementation of design requirements.
Travel to various unanticipated sites throughout the United States required.
To apply, please visit careers.bhp. com, filter by job country to the USA, select "Principal Geotechnical Engineer (69673)," scroll to the bottom of the screen and click apply now. From there, please follow the instructions as prompted including completing the form and uploading a resume.
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Wear and tear
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Quick pick-me-up?
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Home country, poetically
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11 Alternative to bread crumbs in some gluten-free recipes
12 Earring Magic ___ (1990s doll that developed a cult following)
First winner of the Canadian Comedy Awards’ Person of the Year (2008)
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23 Playo format
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Column on an airport flight board, informally
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