Brian Box Brown, Rob Brezsny, Eva Halvax, Laura Latzko, Anya Lotun, Andy Mosier, Linda Ray, Aari Ruben, Brian Smith, Jen Sorensen
PRODUCTION
Courtney Oldham, Production/Design Supervisor, production@timeslocalmedia.com
Enrich your family with another culture. Now you can host a high school exchange student (girl or boy) from Belgium, France, Germany, Ukraine, Scandinavia, Spain, Japan, Italy or other countries. Single parents, as well as couples with or without children, may host. Contact us ASAP for more information or to select your student.
Zac Reynolds, Director of National Advertising zac@timeslocalmedia.com
Giorgio from Italy, 16 yrs. Loves to play baseball and spend time with his dogs. Giorgio also plays the guitar, and his dream is to join a drama club at his American high school.
RIKI RACHTMAN RECALLS TUMULTUOUS LIFE IN NEW SHOW
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Tucson Weekly Staff
Former “Headbangers Ball” host Riki Rachtman was nervous when he booked his first oneman show, “One Foot in the Gutter.”
“When I thought of this show, I heard, ‘You’re going to do what? Who’s going to go?’” he said.
Now, he couldn’t be prouder of his show, which is selling out in the United States and Australia. A tour had been a long-standing dream.
“I always wanted to try it,” Rachtman said about the multimedia show that traces his childhood and career.
“I tried it on Sept. 11, in North Carolina. It was a pretty big venue and it sold out. It was the most fun I’ve ever done.”
Apparently, promoters thought the same. He was offered four more dates, which led to another 16, and then four in Australia. Rachtman has two “One Foot in the Gutter” shows in Arizona — Tucson on Aug. 8 and Tempe on Aug. 9.
“This is the first time heading to the West Coast, and I have a show in Hollywood,” he said.
In the two-hour show, Rachtman intersperses stories about the Hollywood scene, The Cathouse and “Headbangers Ball” with photos and videos.
“I talk about growing up in Hollywood, overcoming getting arrested and being flat broke after being on television, and working my way back,” he said.
“It’s weird for me to say this, but this show is hilarious. All the reviews say the show is hilarious. It’s very, very flattering. I talk about all of my jobs I’ve had — and I’ve had a lot of jobs. This is the one I’m most proud of.”
Rachtman was arrested in 1997 on suspicion of battery after punching another radio DJ, Douglas Steckler, in LA. He subsequently lost his job, went bankrupt and took a job selling cars because no one would hire him, he said.
“It was really tough,” he said. “It was quite a ways after MTV. I was doing
radio. When you’re sort of a public figure, everyone expects you to be doing well and then when you have to get a regular job, it’s tough.
“I did spend a couple years selling cars. You always hear, ‘Never give up’ and ‘just keep on working.’ I never stopped.”
He looks back fondly on “Headbangers Ball,” an MTV show that debuted on April 18, 1987, to play heavy metal videos. But he does have some regrets.
“It was incredible,” he said. “But when I look back at it now, what I am a little bummed about it, I don’t think I appreciated it as much as I should have. I had all these great things happening. It was temporary and I should have appreciated it. I got to hang out with all these people.”
“Headbangers Ball” was canceled in 1995, with the advent of alt-rock, grunge, pop-punk and rap music. In March 2021, Rachtman’s “The Ball” debuted.
In June, he brought “One Foot in the Gutter” overseas to Australia — a country that didn’t even get MTV. The gigs were sold out.
“I walked out and asked the audience if they got ‘Headbangers Ball.’” They said, ‘No.’ So I asked why they were there,” he recalled.
“They said they heard all the stories about The Cathouse. One guy said he saw pictures in magazines of his favorite bands; I was in all the photos. He wondered, ‘Who the hell is this guy?’”
One of his favorite gigs was at The Machine Shop Concert Lounge in Flint, Michigan, which is known for its energetic shows.
“It was so loud, and people were so into it,” he said. “The place was rowdy. It was great. We all walked off the stage and thought, ‘This is amazing.’ The way they run that club and everybody who works there is amazing. The owner, Kevin (Zink), his reputation speaks for itself.”
Rachtman does alter his shows to reflect the city in which he’s performing. He discusses the bands he’s watched there, for example.
“I’ve traveled so many places that I have stories for each gig,” he said. “Every show presents itself differently. I keep, basically, the same format because of all the multimedia stuff. But the beginning and end are different. I don’t know where I’m going to go with each show.”
When he’s not on the road, he and his wife run apparel and coffee companies, both monikered Cathouse.
“We love doing Cathouse Coffee,” he
said. “For the past year, most of my efforts have been put toward the show. There has been a lot of tweaking. The Hollywood show is the proving ground. I haven’t checked lately, but I’m sure by now it’s sold out. Every time I get on stage, it’s an adventure. I love it. This is more rewarding for me than anything I’ve ever done.”
WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8
WHERE: The Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street Tucson COST: Tickets start at $25 INFO: www.luckymanonline.com
WHEN: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9 WHERE: Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe COST: Tickets start at $25
INFO: www.luckymanonline.com
Riki Rachtman: “One Foot in the Gutter”
RIKI RACHTMAN TALKS ABOUT HIS YEARS WITH “HEADBANGERS BALL” DURING HIS “ONE FOOT IN THE GUTTER” SHOW. (MINTYPICS/CONTRIBUTOR)
AUG 4 | 8PM
GIPSY KINGS
FEATURING NICOLAS REYES
AT WILD HORSE PASS
AUG 12 | 8PM
IMOMSOHARD
AT WILD HORSE PASS
AUG 12 | 8PM
WHITE WINGED DOVE
AT VEE QUIVA
TRIBUTE TO STEVIE NICKS
LOST KINGS
OASIS POOL PARTY AT WILD HORSE PASS AUG 26 | 5PM
SEP 1 | 8PM
ELTON ROHN
TRIBUTE TO ELTON JOHN
AT WILD HORSE PASS
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!
ON UNIFIED SCHOOLDIS
SCHOOL IS OPEN — FOREVER
By Tom Danehy Tucson Weekly Columnist
I coach high school sports and I see two types of kids who actually break my heart. The first is the kid who, before the pandemic, was the honor roll hard charger. Acing hard classes, playing multiple sports, being in the clubs and student council. Today, that kid is a shrugger. She gets Bs and Cs, maybe plays one sport and isn’t particularly fired up about her future in general, or college in particular.
With school starting back up this week in most districts, there is an interesting mix of storm clouds and bright sunshine off in the distance.
Big issues are facing our education system, both nationally and here in Southern Arizona. Administrators, teachers and students all have daunting challenges and unique opportunities.
The main problem this year (and probably for the next decade) will be playing catch-up with what was lost during the pandemic shutdown.
Politicians on the right will forever claim the schools never should have been shut down, that losing a few hundred thousand kids to COVID-19 would have been a reasonable price to pay for not falling behind academically. Those on the left will say we need more money for summer school and other programs to help kids catch up.
What we needed was a strong leader and a citizenry who put America ahead of their petty, pathetic personal wants. What we should have done (as a nation) after the schools opened back up was tell every kid in America that they were going back to the grade that they were in when the schools were shut down. There would be wailing and gnashing of teeth about having to graduate high school at 19 and parents having to have kids at home one more year.
It would have been a once-in-acentury thing and we should have had the national stones to have done it. Instead, we ended up with anti-vaxxers, mask cheaters and Ivermectin.
We wouldn’t have had kids missing out on the senior prom or the senior year of sports. Most importantly, we wouldn’t have had an entire generation with a giant hole in its academic progress.
And then there’s the kid who wasn’t beaten down by the pandemic and still has the fire, but lacks the firepower. She’s a senior this year and is slated to take calculus, but she never really learned algebra II during the remote year. She can’t do great on the ACT because she wasn’t able to take AP government. Her teachers are scrambling to help other kids try to catch up and have no time to push her ahead.
Into that unholy mix, add these (some good, some horrible):
Cellphones
On a really positive note, school districts around the country are cracking down on cellphones in the classroom. It took our country 20 years and who knows how many deaths before lazy legislators finally started cracking down on selfish drivers talking on the phone.
There should have been a zero-tolerance policy on phones in the classroom in the first place. I could write 5,000 words right now just recounting the horror stories I have personally heard from teachers concerning phones in the classroom. Kids physically fighting a teacher over confiscation and middle-schoolers with burner phones to be able to stay on TikTok. Districts that have tried to attack the problem from a classroom disruption point have run into opposition from some parents. But now, some districts back east are attacking the situation for what it is — not a want or a need or even an obsession, but an addiction. Districts are approaching it as a mental health crisis and, so far, it’s standing up in court. Let’s hope it spreads westward.
Racism
One of the things that hasn’t spread
SPORTS WILDCATS BASKETBALL HEADED TO ISRAEL, UAE
By James Lotts Tucson Weekly Staff
The UA men’s basketball team will visit Israel and the UAE for a 10day trip in August hosted by the nonprofit Athletes for Israel.
Athletes for Israel looks to combat antisemitism and fight for inclusivity through the voices of professional and college athletes. Daniel Posner, the CEO and founder of Athletes for Israel, said the trips to Israel help educate people about the country.
“Really, the goal of Athletes for Israel is not just to inspire and change the minds of players, of people that come, but it’s
OUMAR BALLO AND THE ARIZONA WILDCATS MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM ARE HEADED TO ISRAEL AND ABU DHABI TO PLAY INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AND VISIT EACH COUNTRY, BEGINNING ON AUG. 9 WITH ATHLETES FOR ISRAEL. (MIKE CHRISTY/CONTRIBUTOR)
really to amplify their experience to hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of others who’ve never experienced Israel or may not ever have an opportunity to go to Israel,” Posner said.
The Tucson Jewish Community Center staff wanted to get involved with the Aug.
9 to Aug. 20 trip when they learned of it, so they contributed as a sponsor. Todd Rockoff, the JCC’s president and CEO, said he hopes to use the Weintraub Israel Center as a resource to help educate the coaches and athletes before they go to Israel.
The Weintraub Israel Center is a joint project between Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona and the JCC to bring some of the culture of Israel to Tucson.
“Our hope is that through the Israel center, we will have an opportunity to interact with both Coach (Tommy) Lloyd and the players before they go to just kind of set the stage alongside what Athletes for Israel will be doing,” Rockoff said.
Abbii Cook, director of the Weintraub Israel Center, said they provide the players and coaches with background so they understand the scheduled activities and places they will visit.
“We want to give the athletes and the coaches a lens to look through the experience through and to have some basic knowledge before they get there, and some tools to be able to kind of think critically about things they’re seeing and hearing,” Cook said.
The Wildcats will travel throughout Is-
rael, visiting the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Tel Aviv and the Yad Vashem, which is the Holocaust memorial museum in Jerusalem.
Additionally, the team will play a game against Israel’s national team. One of the other highlights of the trip will be flying from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi to visit the United Arab Emirates.
Posner said the trip would be in support of The Abraham Accords, a set of treaties signed in 2020 that normalized relations between Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco
“It’s our view that we’d like to help support those efforts and peace in the Middle East,” Posner said.
“It’s fantastic that a number of Arab countries have said, ‘We want to have peace with Israel; we want a relationship with Israel.’ Prior to this, you wouldn’t be able to fly directly from Israel to the UAE. In fact, you couldn’t even make a phone call from Israel to the UAE — and we are flying from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi.”
The team will visit the Grand Mosque and the Abrahamic Family House in
TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO SOUTHWESTERN HISTORY
By Karen Schaffner Tucson Weekly Staff
Even adults can take field trips.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is offering a six-day Mesa Verde Tour from Monday, Aug. 21, to Saturday, Aug. 26. Participants can learn about the history and roots of Southwestern culture.
Among the places on the itinerary: Durango, Colorado; Silverton, Colorado, where a train ride is planned; and Mesa Verde National Park, the largest archaeological preserve in the United States.
“This is one of the most fascinating places in the southwest when it comes to ancient archeology,” said Jesús García, one of the tour guides and a cultural conservation research associate at the museum.
“Ancestral Puebloans chose Mesa Verde as their home over a millennium ago, building an elaborate culture among the canyons and cliffs.”
The $2,975 cost includes most meals, double-occupancy accommodations and luxury coach transportation. It’s suitable for adults and teens.
According to the museum’s website,
participants must be able to walk unassisted at a moderate pace up to one-half mile over irregular terrain, at elevations from 7,000 up to 9,700 feet.
García’s fellow tour guide, Fred Nials, is a geologist and archaeologist. He will discuss rocks and rock formations and will also help interpret the findings at Mesa Verde.
García is all about people.
“I focus on the Hispanic culture, the heritage of northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado, the history of the first Europeans arriving to this area in connection to Arizona and Sonora, northern Mexico,” García said.
“I also try to focus on modern Native American culture in relationship to food, ethno-history and natural history.”
First stop: Kayenta on the Navajo Reservation.
García’s specialty is plants and culture, so it is important to him that participants see what real life is like for those who live there. He also covers modern Native
PAST TOUR PARTICIPANTS VISITED THE MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED STOP ON THIS YEAR’S MESA VERDE TOUR, HOSTED BY THE ARIZONASONORA DESERT MUSEUM. (ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM/SUBMITTED)
American issues, such as water, agriculture and food availability.
“One of the things that I find very intriguing and I continue to research and interpret is essentially the people,” García said.
There will also be time for shopping.
“We (will) visit one of the oldest trading posts in downtown Durango,” García said. “It’s one of the best Navajo rug places to shop.”
Other stops include, but are not limited to, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument; Winslow, where the tour will dine at the famous La Posada Grand Railroad Hotel, a one-time Harvey Girls Hotel; Meteor Crater; and Aztec Ruins National Monument.
García, however, is looking forward to the Mesa Verde stop. He is hoping to lead the tour on a hike to some of the ancient dwellings where the National Park Service allows visitors.
“Visiting the cliff dwellings up close and personal is one of the most signifi-
cant experiences for anybody to see basically a glimpse of the culture of these peoples,” García said. “To me, that is one of the most amazing experiences.”
Although he and Nials are archeologists and versed in ancient Native American cultures, there is a lot scientists don’t know about the Cliff Dwelling peoples.
“We don’t know what language these people spoke,” he said. “We don’t know what the life was. There are so many clues through archaeology, but you can only go so far.”
The tour is limited to about 18 people, so there will be an opportunity to ask questions and get complete answers.
“The travel itself, the journey, is what matters,” he said. “From the moment people step on this bus, they are moving in a rolling classroom.”
South of the Border Tours and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s Mesa Verde Tour
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 21, to Saturday, Aug. 26
WHERE: Various sites
COST: $2,975
INFO: For information about the itinerary or logistics, call Debby Bernier, 520-760-4000; or email southofthebordertours@msn.com.
For questions about payment, call 520-883-3025; or email education@desertmuseum.org.
To see the itinerary, visit www. desertmuseum.doubleknot.com/ adult-trips-and-classes/75596
westward (thankfully) is the racist nonsense Florida and a couple other states are putting in their textbooks. Florida recently adopted a textbook that said that slavery was a good thing because it taught some slaves certain skills that could be useful in case they were ever, you know, not a slave!
Vouchers
Arizona’s most-expensive socialist program, that of the taxpayer-funded vouchers that help rich parents send their rich kids to rich private schools, is taking a bite in the butt. A new public school in Phoenix will be opening this month, hoping to serve LGBTQ youth, many of whom have encountered problems at other schools. Boldly named the Queer Blended Learning Center, it will be funded by the voucher program.
Vouchers and charter schools are part of a malignant scam that has cost Arizona’s public schools hundreds of
millions of dollars over the past decade. It will be interesting to see if the voucher vultures step forward to defend the new school.
Curriculum questions
Parents showing up to school board meetings to shout about curriculum is almost a good thing. Of course, there is an easier way to make sure your kid gets a good education. Put down the beer, turn off the Netflix and read to or with your kid(s). Go to open house and meet their teachers.
If you can’t help your kid with physics, study government so you can help her with that. I’ll get you started. There are 27 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Apparently, 99% of all Americans (including virtually all of the school board screamers) don’t know that.
You’re welcome.
THE 94.9 MIXfm MORNING SHOW
NOLEN/SUBMITTED)
RUNNING BONDS MICHELLE AND LUKE NOLEN
By James Lotts Tucson Weekly Staff
F•
• Fitness Eval. Required
• Research Based Program
• Begins Mid-September
• Respite for Caregivers
•
or longtime Tucsonan Michelle Nolen, running is more than just exercise. It is her passion.
It’s also a way for her to bond with her son, Luke. In April, Nolen accomplished one of her “bucket list” items when she ran the Boston Marathon.
Nolen ran when she was younger and revived it after she gave birth to Luke. When she started running seriously, Nolen didn’t plan on participating in the Boston Marathon.
“My son has special needs, but he always loved being pushed in the strollers on our walks and runs,” Nolen said.
“So, as he got older and bigger, and outgrew the standard-bought jogging stroller, I needed to find a way to keep that going.”
Nolen was then introduced to Team Hoyt Arizona. The organization was founded after Rick Hoyt, who uses a wheelchair, asked his father, Dick, to push him in a race. Nolen said Team Hoyt helped her find the equipment she needed to run with her son.
Her goal was to run with Luke in the Boston Marathon. At the time, she had seven years to train. Participants in the
Boston Marathon, like Luke, must be age 18.
To prepare for her first Boston Marathon, Nolen increasingly ran farther. She went from 5Ks to 10Ks to half marathons until she was ready to run in Boston.
Nolen raised over $11,000 for the parent organization, The Hoyt Foundation, so she could register to run in the Boston Marathon. She was overwhelmed but excited. She was only the second member of Team Hoyt to run the Boston Marathon. It did not disappoint.
“So, my big fear about the Boston Marathon wasn’t the distance,” said Nolen, whose father, Truly David Nolen, founded the pest control service of the same name.
“It wasn’t the weather that can be so unpredictable. I was really worried. It’s such a hyped experience. People build it up to be the end-all-be-all. You only live once. Usually that’s a concern for me. I was like, ‘Oh, everything gets hyped up and it’s never going to live up to that experience.’ And it was so much better than anything I expected.”
Nolen said the energy in Boston was palpable during the marathon. The city embraced the runners.
“Everything about it was so amazing,” she said.
“The hospitality, the other runners there, it’s a special community for sure. The course genuinely had people before the start … there’s people cheering you on and so excited, and little kids with posters and dogs and all the way to the finish line and beyond even with the rain.”
Abu Dhabi. Posner said the team will also play two games while in Abu Dhabi, as well as a chance to meet Steve Kerr and the USA men’s basketball team.
Tommy Lloyd, the UA Men’s Basketball head coach, said he was excited for the competition in Israel and Abu Dhabi, but thrilled his team can experience this.
“I’m looking forward, for one, just the life experience for our guys,” Lloyd said in a press conference.
“I don’t know if any of you guys have
ever been to Israel, but if you haven’t you have to go — amazing. I haven’t been to Abu Dhabi. I’ve been to Dubai, and I’ve heard great things about Abu Dhabi. It’s an extremely unique place and I think for our guys to go there and get the experience will be something they’ll remember more than the games for the rest of their life.”
The atmosphere stuck with Nolen, who eschewed taking photos or listening to music during the Boston Marathon.
Nolen finished the Boston Marathon in four hours and 41 minutes, according to her watch. That was her personal best — and proud of it.
“I mean, Boston brought out the best in me, and I didn’t expect to run it that well and be able to enjoy,” Nolen said. “It’s like, ‘OK, you either run hard or you can kind
of smile and take it all in,’ and it brought out the best. I got the best of both worlds.”
Nolen would like to continue running marathons. She said she wants to run in the Boston Marathon if she can’t run in the London Marathon. She’d like to travel to England to run it with Luke.
“Oh, I’ve had the Kool-Aid. I’ve drunk the Boston Kool-Aid,” Nolen said. “And I want to go pretty much any year that I can. So now it’s like, ‘OK, we want to be in that club,’ like every year.”
By Linda Ray Tucson Weekly Columnist
“ANASTASIA: THE MUSICAL”
TO AUG. 6 - The Art Express Theatre presents the Broadway hit, “Anastasia: The Musical” for one more weekend. The musical is at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Arts Express Theatre, 5870 E. Broadway Boulevard, tickets start at $35, various times, 520-319-0400, www.arts-express.org
COOL SUMMER NIGHTS
TO AUG. 26 - Every Saturday night, the Arizona-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. daily, until 9 p.m. Saturdays, 520-833-1380, www.desertmuseum.org
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
TO SEPT. 30 - 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’ old-growth 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., www.tucsonbotanical.org
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. Biosphere 2, 32540 S. Biosphere Road, Tucson, $25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., www.biosphere2.org
SOUTHEAST ARIZONA BIRDING FESTIVAL
AUG. 9 TO AUG. 13
Field trips, presentations, events, lectures, a nature expo — it’s like SXSW for bird lovers. All day, every day, shoulder to shoulder with folks whose passion for birding may be even greater than your own, your binoculars may fix on more species here than anywhere else in the Southwest. The fest’s website o ers tips on how to prepare, including descriptions of Arizona’s “Specialty Birds” and their habitats. Headquarters is The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Tucson-Reid Park, 445 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson, $30, various times, www.tucsonaudubon.org/festival
KXCI BENEFIT HOUSE PARTY: BLACK CAT ZYDECO
AUG. 4
“The Black Cat,” Dwight Carrier, rocks the house with his unique blend of zydeco, blues, country music and R&B. His accordion playing is arguably the most energized in any genre. He comes by it naturally. His family, like the music they helped popularize, is steeped in Cajun Creole culture. This event benefits Tucson and Southern Arizona’s community radio station, KXCI, whose programming includes music from all genres and eras as well as locally produced news and entertainment programs. El Casino Ballroom, 437 E. 26th Street, Tucson, $25 in advance, $30 at the door, 7:30 p.m., www.kxci.org
LA SANTA CECILIA
AUG. 5 - Pity our distant friends who have no opportunity to enjoy cumbia, norteña and waila music on the regular as we do here. We’re privileged by unique mashups, too, like Navajo punk and Spanish-language rap. Rising in the midst is La Santa Cecilia. Their multicultural sounds are highly accessible, in all the rhythms, especially the dance rhythms, of the western hemisphere. Their passion and their sense of fun make for an engaging stage presence, too — warm and rascally, like favorite cousins.
The Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $25, 8 p.m., www.rialtotheatre.com
HEIRLOOM FARMERS MARKET
SATURDAYS IN SEPTEMBER - Fresh fruits and veggies deliver the cool on these summer days. Find all your favorite local produce for a dessert, a salad or a slaw and stock up on pork, beef and eggs from nearby farms and ranches. The Heirloom folks now operate all five of the biggest farmers’ markets hereabouts. In
Dungeons & Dragons game. A paradise for geeks and gamers, its IQ ambience is above average, but you don’t have to be a brainiac to enjoy the craft brews, snacks and special nights such as this one, dedicated to punk icons The Ramones. The bar also has 600 board games to try. Surely, you’ll be an expert at one of them. Short Rest Tavern, Tucson Games and Gadgets, 4500 N. Oracle Road, Suite 253, Tucson, free admission, 8 p.m. to midnight, www.shortresttavern.com
MAGIC MOON TALENT SHOW
AUG. 5 - The Valley of the Moon’s charm is ageless. For over a century, it has stood as a single artist’s tribute to Tucson’s fairy population. Its castles, cottages and ponds have provided a welcome respite for fairies, elves, nymphs and gnomes of all ages. Volunteers maintain it today, providing tours, plays and birthday parties. Now we’re invited to share our talents among our magical friends. The website also details a casting call Aug. 11 and 12 for an upcoming Valley of the Moon play. Valley of the Moon, 2544 E. Allen Road, Tucson, admission by donation, 5 to 6 p.m., www.tucsonvalleyofthemoon.com
SWIM WITH A MERMAID
this Oro Valley event, food vendors and artisans spread their wares among the historic structures and gardens of Steam Pump Ranch.
Historic Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley, free admission, 8 a.m. to noon, www.heirloomfm.org
TUCSON JAZZ SUMMERFEST
AUG. 4 - Hotel Congress features five jazz bands on two stages on Friday. Tucson Young Lions open things at the plaza at 6:30 and are followed by jazz/blues/R&B/ soul/funk favorites, The Coolers, at 8:30 p.m. In the plush and air-conditioned confines of The Century Room, find the Jason Carder Quartet at 7 p.m., the Arthur Vint Sextet at 9 p.m. and a late-night jazz jam hosted by Pete Swan at 10:30 p.m.
Hotel Congress Plaza and The Century Room, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, Tucson, $10, free for members of the Tucson Jazz Festival, 6:30 p.m., www.hotelcongress.com
SHORT REST TAVERN: RAMONES NIGHT
AUG. 5 - Tucked inside the Tucson Games and Gadgets gaming store, the Short Rest Tavern is named for its counterpart in the
AUG. 5 AND AUG. 26 - Mermaid Odette just loves Hotel McCoy’s saltwater pool. She’s been holding forth there every other Saturday, talking to kids about ocean conservation, creativity and following their dreams. Find her there on Saturday Aug. 5 and Aug. 26. She expects to spend the intervening weekend in Bisbee, where in lieu of their annual Return of the Mermaids on Fourth Avenue, Tucson’s mermaid cohort will descend upon Bisbee’s annual Pirate Weekend. It’s high time someone taught those pirates some manners.
Hotel McCoy, 720 W. Silverlake Road, Tucson, free admission, 6 to 8 p.m., hotelmccoy.com, www.themermaidodette.com
MOVIES ON THE LAWN: “THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES”
AUG. 19 - Join the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center for a top-notch film. “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” is shown on Aug. 19.
Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center, 10555 N. La Canada Drive, Oro Valley, free, 7:30 to 9 p.m., www.orovalleyaz.gov
LEARN ABOUT THE ELEGANT TROGON AND MORE AT THE SOUTHEAST ARIZONA BIRDING FESTIVAL. (SHAWN COOPER/CONTRIBUTOR)
BLACK CAT ZYDECO PERFORMS TWO SETS TO BENEFIT KXCI COMMUNITY RADIO. (BLACK CAT ZYDECO/SUBMITTED)
LAUGHING STOCK WOMEN FIND THE JOKES IN REAL LIVES OF MOMS
By Linda Ray Tucson Weekly Columnist
One day nine years ago, best friends Kristen Hensley and Jen Smedley were hanging out, having a glass of wine, commiserating about the sweet, hilarious and often outrageous doings of their four collective kids.
Both had come to Los Angeles to pursue careers in comedy — sketch, improv, standup. Along the way, family became a greater priority. Still …
Having just had a baby, Smedley was feeling particularly low. “Postpartum on its own is such an isolating time,” she said.
“You really have no idea how much time you’re going to spend with this baby, that, you know, cries, which is really a criticism. Let’s be honest. They’re not crying cause they’re happy with what you’re doing.”
Luckily, Smedley said, “I can find comedy in dark situations. I worry if life’s too good, is it going to be funny anymore? Then you have kids and things get so overwhelming and dark. There’s constant material coming out of them.”
And luckily, Hensley was there for her. The two became best friends in LA, partly because, although they never met, they’d grown up going to the same Nebraska schools. Both had left the Midwest for LA hoping for careers in standup and comedy writing. Both had husbands with careers in acting, directing and producing. What cemented their friendship, though, was their mutual passion for making people laugh.
They made each other laugh, and cry, with their bottomless collection of anecdotes about their family lives, but they also frequently shared their frustrations about their stalled comedy careers.
“Getting onstage at 11 p.m. does not work if you’re a mom,” Hensley said, “and if you’re not doing that, you’re never going to get any consistency to your comedy. It just felt like unfair play.
“So, one night Jen came over and we were having wine and we were both
talking about how terrible we are as moms, but through the tears we started to laugh and then she was like, ‘I wonder if this is like a video, if there is something to this.’”
Smedley recalled that, at the time, social media featured mostly content that made moms feel like they weren’t doing a good job. As if to undermine the flailing self-respect of the average mom, videos were all about how they could be doing a better job and looking like models at the same time.
Their latent ambition ignited, and their drive did the rest. They made each other laugh about motherhood. They could make others laugh, too.
According to Hensley, “Within a couple days we were filming at her house in the playroom. We did it wrong in so many ways. As we watched the footage we were, like, we don’t know what this is, but we think this is it.”
Months later, after they’d learned the tech and acquired the basic gear, they dropped their first video on Facebook, the platform their research had told them attracted the most moms.
Hensley said, “It took us six months from the first one to start posting regularly because we had to learn, and we wanted to make sure the storytelling was right. But the first one hit so fast that we had a week to post the second one.
“That really motivated us.”
The duo agrees there was a single moment in that first video that defined their project. It was the now-immortal moment when Smedley couldn’t remember the name of her new baby. Moms understood perfectly: Not only did they laugh, but they also wanted to hug these women for their vulnerability.
Smedley said the vignette resonated as “emblematic of a friendship and also of how women actually are together. They’re not precious, and they give each other a hard time and they laugh about stu that feels bad because that’s how we cope.”
It was because they were eager to meet the women who became their fans and friends that they set out to create a show they could take on tour. “We are very much in service to how grateful we are to the women who propel this thing,” Hensley said.
“The women are so wonderful. They come out and they’re like, ‘Yes, me too. Oh my God. Yes. I feel the same way.’ And that’s why we’ve driven to do this.”
#IMOMSOHARD, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $20, foxtucson.com
PROSCENIUM HOSTS THE MEN OF CLEAN COMEDY
Four touring comics rarely seen in Tucson share a bill at The Proscenium Theatre this weekend. Featured are Brotha Man from TV’s “Martin” and “The Bernie Mac Show”; Barry Brewer from the
Tyler Perry series; “The Bruh” on BET+ and Kevin Hart’s “Guide to Black History” on Netflix; “Jammin” Jay Lamont from BET’s “Comic View” and Byron Allen’s “Comics Unleashed”; and Mo Jones, also from “Comic View.” Top L.A. DJ JiJi Sweet will mix the tunes.
“Men of Clean Comedy,” 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, Proscenium Theater, Pima Community College, 2202 W. Anklam Road, tickets start at $55, ticketleap.com
ERIC SCHWARTZ WAS VIRAL BEFORE IT WAS COOL
Eric Schwartz is a comic for our time, with the skills and imagination to jump on the zeitgeist like a surfboard and hang 10 into the new millennium.
First, he’s a geek, so incorporating accelerating tech developments has been a snap. YouTube once anointed him one of their “NextUp Creator” and he’s won more
LAUGHING STOCK FROM PAGE 13
than 42,000 followers there. In live shows, he mines his multicultural background (Jewish and Latino) for comedy gold.
Eric Schwartz, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $17, screeningroomdowntown.com
OTHER SHOWS
La ’s Comedy Ca e, 2900 E. Broadway Boulevard. 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, la stucson.com, $15, $20 preferred seating. J.R. Brow has performed with Bill Hicks, Wanda Sykes and the Monkees.
Tucson Improv Movement/TIM Comedy Theatre, 414 E. Ninth Street tucsonimprov.com, $7 each show, $10 for both shows, same night, free jam and open mic.7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, “Harold Eta” and “Finding the Words”; 8:30 p.m. Open Mic.; 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, Improv Jam; 7:30 p.m. “The Soapbox”; 9 p.m. Stand Up Showcase; Saturday,
Aug. 5, 1 p.m. “Pretendy Time”; 7:30 p.m. “Return of the Mermaids” events and “The Meeting”; 9 p.m. “The Dating Scene.”
Unscrewed Theater, 4500 E. Speedway Boulevard, unscrewedtheatre.org, $8, $5 kids. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, “From the Top” improvised musical; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, Family Friendly Improv; 9 p.m. “The Backyard,” pay what you will.
ERIK SCHWARZ SURFS THE ZEITGEIST FOR LAUGHS. (ERIK SCHWARZ/SUBMITTED)
THE UNTOLD STORY OF PROHIBITION, ENDOCANNABINOID DEFICIENCY
By Aari Ruben Tucson Weekly Columnist
Many years ago, our food supply came from small family farms that utilized crop rotation practices to keep soils healthy and productive.
Some plants consume nitrogen, other plants sequester nitrogen in the soil and still others tend to leave behind heavy metals and other minerals that build up over time, reducing the health and productivity of a plot of farmland.
By rotating these different types of crops, farmers could keep the land healthy and fertile, and produce the most robust, nutritious food.
One specific crop was an important-yet-undervalued part of this crop rotation. Hemp was used to sequester heavy metals and restore balance to the land. To fulfill its role, hemp had to be harvested — pulled by its roots actually.
These industrious people were left with a crop that did not have a direct market, so they used it themselves in many ways. Waste not, want not. Google industrial uses of hemp and be amazed. They smoked some along with their other tobacco. This was good for their health as cannabinoids mitigate cancer. They ate some like oatmeal or used it as
a flour in baked goods. This helped their stomachs function properly and without painful inflammation.
Hemp grows like a weed, so a lot of this extra harvest was fed to their livestock. The result was the entire food supply had trace amounts of nonpsychoactive cannabinoids.
All the pigs and cows and chickens were eating hemp, and that resulted in eggs, milk and meat that had trace cannabinoids. Thus, the average American’s diet and life was cannabinoid rich. If you consume hemp-based cannabinoids daily and have a cannabinoid-rich diet, your body benefits. Inflammation is reduced, and we develop a resistance to illness.
Along came prohibition and these good, law-abiding people stopped growing hemp. It seemed innocent enough for quite a long time. A few generations later, many health issues rose. Cancer, epilepsy and GI disorders like Crohn’s became far
too normal in our modern world.
Twenty-some years ago, Dr. Ethan Russo coined the term endocannabinoid deficiency to describe the phenomena.
Cannabinoids play a critical role in maintaining balance in our bodies. They are nutrients that our systems need. Breast milk has trace cannabinoids. Our brain has naturally occurring cannabinoids. As we age, suffer from illness or eat a woefully deficient commercial food supply, we suffer from basic nutrient deficiency.
This is why people turn to cannabinoid-based medicine for such a wide range of conditions. Through these products, they sometimes have life-changing healing over time. It’s an almost magical response and relief from the first dose. It’s not magic. They are simply replacing what should have been there all along.
SEE PROHIBITION PAGE 19
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 to 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. Sunday
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
THE LEGAL BATTLEGROUND SURROUNDING DELTA-8
By Eva Halvax Tucson Weekly Columnist
OK. It’s not CBD. And it’s not quite the regular THC. But it can get you high — kind of. Think slightly more relaxed and less stressed out.
It’s a hemp-derived form of THC known as Delta-8, and it’s a tense story of legal loopholes and semantics.
Let’s go back to 2018, a pivotal moment in the industrial hemp industry.
This was thanks to the Farm Bill of 2018, a legal framework that removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. It effectively legalized the cultivation, possession and sales of hemp-derived products, as long as their THC content was lower than 0.3%.
And as hemp production relished in its newfound legality, producers began to see what else they could come up with.
Delta-8 is a compound that occurs naturally (albeit in small amounts) in the cannabis plant, and was discovered in the 1940s. But Delta-8 found in the market today is a different story, usually made by synthesizing CBD — a molecular structure changed by the introduction of solvents and acids.
But because Delta-8 is sourced from hemp, and Delta-9 THC, the major psychoactive compound in cannabis that gets you “high,” is not, a convoluted new market began to boom.
Now, a mildly and intoxicating form of THC could be found in a handful of unlikely places, most notably gas stations, convenience stores and the internet.
Some classify the high from Delta-8 as a much milder version of regular THC. The effects depend on who you ask. A seasoned smoker will have a much different experience with Delta-8 than someone with a lower tolerance. Some refer to it as “diet weed” or “boneless weed.” You get the idea. Yet, Delta-8 can still provide similar feelings of intoxication.
But the legal nature of Delta-8 does not diminish the fact it remains a vastly unregulated and untested whirlwind of gummies, vapes and prerolls. Some consumers may confuse Delta-8 for CBD, given they’re both derived from hemp and are lumped into the same legal category.
They are, in fact, very different from each other. CBD has no known psychoactive properties, while Delta-8 does.
This is only the beginning of experimentations in hemp-derived goods, as the legal framework now provides producers with the credence to deconstruct the previously existing norms of the hemp industry.
Any product sold in a dispensary is required to go through rigorous lab testing to determine its THC content, pesticides and presence of any heavy metals and toxins.
A license to grow and sell marijuana in Arizona is worth millions of dollars.
In response to the 2018 Farm Bill, many states began to implement their own methods of regulating Delta-8. For example, California chose to redefine “THC” in a manner that includes Delta-8, Delta-9 and any other form of intoxicating cannabinoids. No legal hemp-derived product can contain 0.3% of any intoxicating cannabinoid.
In Arizona, there are two proposed bills in response to regulating and monitoring the production of Delta-8. The proposal SB1271 would delegate the regulation of hemp-derived products to the Arizona Department of Agriculture, and sales would be limited to people 21 years and older. On the other hand, SB1453 would make it illegal for Delta-8 to be purchased anywhere other than a licensed dispensary. SB1271 has received hearty support from the hemp industry in
BATTLEGROUND FROM PAGE 16
Arizona, while the Arizona Dispensary Association does not endorse it. In fact, the ADA and poison control partnered to oppose the bill. Ann Torrez, the executive director of the ADA, stated “since the bill does not provide any of the amendments discussed in hearings to remove intoxicating products, the Arizona Dispensaries Association has recently registered as opposed to SB1271.”
The resounding confusion that blankets the cannabis industry is contentious between, well, everyone. So, I’ll leave you with this: It doesn’t
DEALER’S CHOICE
hurt to arm yourself with information, especially when it pertains to a political landscape. It’s important to understand there are benefits to Delta-8, particularly if one is looking for an alternative to THC. But at the same time, it is equally important to note the market for Delta-8 is still in its infancy phase, and much is subject to change.
THIS WEEK'S INDICA: Grandaddy Purple, or “GDP,” is a bold and legendary indica strain that packs a sedative punch. GDP originated in California in 2003 by Ken Estes, who hoped to create the indica of every stoner’s dreams — and he was pretty successful in that feat. Smokers of this strain report heavy feelings of relaxation, sleepiness and an overall buzz that lingers for a while.
THIS WEEK'S HYBRID: Superboof is a hybrid strain that crosses two cannabis legends: Black Cherry Punch and Tropicana Cookies. Don’t let the name fool you. This is one of those strains that you simply can’t pass up; it is a remarkable blend between productivity and relaxation. Superboof is an ideal strain for anyone looking to treat gastrointestinal issues, fibromyalgia and depression.
THIS WEEK'S SATIVA: Mimosa is a sativa-hybrid strain known for its citrusy flavor and cerebral kind of high — the perfect choice for a long summer day. Mimosa is rich in myrcene, pinene and caryophyllene, a blend of terpenes that can help with pain and overall mood.
CANNABIS LAWS ARE CHANGING, AS MUST DRUG TESTING
By Paul Armentano Deputy Director NORML
Voters and politicians are reshaping America’s marijuana laws for the better. The possession and use of cannabis is now legal for medical purposes in 38 states and legal for adult recreational use in 23 of those.
Unfortunately, antiquated and discriminatory drug testing policies often haven’t kept up with these changes.
It’s reasonable for employers to expect sobriety on the job. But requiring wouldbe hires and employees to undergo urine screens for past cannabis exposure are invasive and ineffective. They neither identify workers who may be under the influence nor contribute to a safe work environment.
That’s because conventional urine tests only identify the presence of non-psychoactive “metabolites” — byproducts
that linger in the body’s blood and urine well after a substance’s mood-altering effects have ended.
Even the U.S. Department of Justice acknowledges: “A positive test result, even when confirmed, only indicates that a particular substance is present in the test subject’s body tissue. It does not indicate abuse or addiction; recency, frequency, or amount of use; or impairment.”
Carboxy THC, marijuana’s primary metabolite, is fat-soluble and can remain detectable in urine for days, weeks or even months after a person has stopped using cannabis. It doesn’t provide any definitive information about how often an employee uses cannabis, when they last consumed it or whether they were under the influence when they took the test.
Aside from these practical limitations, there are larger philosophical questions raised by random workplace cannabis testing — especially in jurisdictions where the possession and use of marijuana is now legal under state law.
Studies indicate employees who consume cannabis during their off hours are little different from their peers. Their workplace performance seldom differs from their co-workers, many of whom consume alcohol, and they don’t pose any increased safety risk.
According to an exhaustive review by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, “There is no evidence to support a statistical association between cannabis use and occupational accidents or injuries.”
This begs the question: Why are we OK with policies that single marijuana users out and discriminate against them?
Fortunately, in a growing number of jurisdictions, lawmakers are doing away with these outdated and discriminatory policies.
The District of Columbia plus California, Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island — as well as major corporations like Amazon — have
amended their rules so many employees are no longer terminated from their jobs solely because of a positive drug test for THC metabolites.
The states of Michigan, Nevada and Washington — along with local governments in Atlanta, Baltimore, Philadelphia and elsewhere — have also enacted laws prohibiting certain employers from taking action against new hires because of a failed drug test for marijuana.
Lawmakers in other states and localities should follow suit and amend workplace cannabis testing regulations in accordance with the plant’s rapidly changing cultural and legal status.
Those who consume alcohol legally and responsibly while away from their jobs aren’t punished by their employers unless their work performance is adversely impacted. Those who legally consume cannabis should be held to a similar standard.
Paul Armentano is the deputy director for NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. This op-ed was distributed by www.otherwords.org
We are making use of natural supplements from a plant-based source.
When we use these phytocannabinoids, it is wise to be aware of where they come from and what methods were employed. The ethics of the team producing the products matter. The primary cannabinoids, THC and CBD, are only two of hundreds of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids that work in our bodies to restore balance.
When cannabis is grown using organic inputs and with care, the broad spectrum of compounds is produced. Our nutrition requires many micronutrients to balance and catalyze certain chemical and electrical processes in the body.
Perhaps you have heard of integrative medicine. This was followed by
functional medicine, which is unknown to most of our population.
Functional medicine recognizes certain body systems are connected, and others are disconnected. One important connection it recognizes is the link between the neurological system and immune system.
The definition of the endocannabinoid system is “a set of neuromodulatory lipids and their receptors. All mammals have endocannabinoid systems. It seems our very evolution depended on these compounds.
So that is the real takeaway. When our systems lack nutrients, it causes a cascade of other health issues. When we restore the link between our neurological and immune systems, we see profound effects and function more optimally.
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
By Rob Brezsny. Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s EXPANDED WEEKLY HOROSCOPE 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700 $1.99 per minute. 18 and over. Touchtone phone required.
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19)
Emotions are not inconvenient distractions from reason and logic. They are key to the rigorous functioning of our rational minds. Neurologist Antonio Damasio proved this conclusively in his book “Descartes’ Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain.” The French philosopher’s famous formula — “I think, therefore I am” — offers an inadequate suggestion about how our intelligence works best. This is always true, but it will be especially crucial for you to keep in mind during the coming weeks. Here’s your mantra, courtesy of another French philosopher, Blaise Pascal: “The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know.”
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)
The famous Taurus TV star Jay Leno once did a good deed for me. I was driving my Honda Accord on a freeway in Los Angeles when he drove up beside me in his classic Lamborghini. Using hand signals, he conveyed to me the fact that my trunk was open, and stuff was flying out. I waved in a gesture of thanks and pulled over onto the shoulder. I found that two books and a sweater were missing, but my laptop and briefcase remained. Hooray for Jay! In that spirit, Taurus, and in accordance with current astrological omens, I invite you to go out of your way to help and support strangers and friends alike. I believe it will lead to unexpected benefits.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20)
“Did you learn how to think or how to believe?” When my friend Amelie was nine years old, her father teased her with this query upon her return home from a day at school. It was a pivotal moment in her life. She began to develop an eagerness to question all she was told and taught. She cultivated a rebellious curiosity that kept her in a chronic state of delighted fascination. Being bored became virtually impossible. The whole world was her classroom. Can you guess her sign? Gemini! I invite you to make her your role model in the coming weeks.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22)
In the coming weeks, I advise you not to wear garments like a transparent Gianfranco Ferre black mesh shirt with a faux-tiger fur vest and a coral-snake jacket that shimmers with bright harlequin hues. Why? Because you will have most success by being down-to-earth, straightforward and in service to the fundamentals. I’m not implying you should be demure and reserved, however. On the contrary: I hope you will be bold and vivid as you present yourself with simple grace and lucid authenticity.
LEO
(JULY 23-AUG. 22)
In 1811, Leo scientist Amedeo Avogadro (1776-1856) formulated a previously unknown principle about the properties of molecules. Unfortunately, his revolutionary idea wasn’t acknowledged and implemented until 1911, 100 years later. Today his well-proven theory is called Avogadro’s law. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, Leo, you will experience your equivalent of his 1911 event in the coming months. You will receive your proper due. Your potential contributions will no longer be mere potential. Congratulations in advance!
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)
Israeli poet Yona Wallach mourned the fact her soul felt far too big for her, as if she were always wearing the clothes of a giant on her small body. I suspect you may be experiencing a comparable feeling right now, Virgo. If so, what can you do about it? The solution is not to shrink your soul. Instead, I hope you will expand your sense of who you are so your soul fits better. How might you do that? Here’s a suggestion to get you started: Spend time summoning memories from throughout your past. Watch the story of your life unfurl like a movie.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22)
Nineteenth-century Libran physician James Salisbury had strong ideas about the proper ingredients of a healthy diet. Vegetables were toxic, he believed. He created Salisbury steak, a dish made of ground beef and onions, and advised
everyone to eat it three times a day. Best to wash it down with copious amounts of hot water and coffee, he said. I bring his kooky ideas to your attention in hopes of inspiring you to purge all bunkum and nonsense from your life — not just in relation to health issues, but everything. It's a favorable time to find out what's genuinely good and true for you. Do the necessary research and investigation.
SCORPIO
(OCT. 23-NOV. 21)
“I’m amazed that anyone gets along!” marvels self-help author Sark. She says it’s astonishing love ever works at all, given our “idiosyncrasies, unconscious projections, restimulations from the past, and the relationship history of our partners.” I share her wonderment. On the other hand, I am optimistic about your chances to cultivate interesting intimacy during the coming months. From an astrological perspective, you are primed to be extra wise and lucky about togetherness. If you send out a big welcome for the lessons of affection, collaboration, and synergy, those lessons will come in abundance.
SAGITTARIUS
(NOV. 22-DEC. 21)
Please don’t make any of the following statements in the next three weeks: 1. “I took a shower with my clothes on.” 2. “I prefer to work on solving a trivial little problem rather than an interesting dilemma that means a lot to me.” 3. “I regard melancholy as a noble emotion that inspires my best work.” On the other hand, Sagittarius, I invite you to make declarations like the following: 1. “I will not run away from the prospect of greater intimacy — even if it’s scary to get closer to a person I care for.” 2. “I will have fun exploring the possibilities of achieving more liberty and justice for myself.” 3. “I will seek to learn interesting new truths about life from people who are unlike me.”
CAPRICORN
(DEC. 22-JAN. 19)
Champions of the capitalist faith celebrate the fact we consumers have over 100,000 brand names we can purchase.
They say it’s proof of our marvelous freedom of choice. Here’s how I respond to their cheerleading: Yeah, I guess we should be glad we have the privilege of deciding which of 50 kinds of shampoo is best for us. But I also want to suggest the profusion of these relatively inconsequential options may distract us from the fact that certain of our other choices are more limited. In the coming weeks, Capricorn, I invite you to ruminate about how you can expand your array of more important choices.
AQUARIUS
(JAN. 20-FEB. 18)
My best friend in college was an Aquarius, as is my favorite cousin. Two ex-girlfriends are Aquarians, and so was my dad. The talented singer with whom I sang duets for years was an Aquarius. So, I have intimate knowledge of the Aquarian nature. And in honor of your unbirthday — the time halfway between your last birthday and your next — I will tell you what I love most about you. No human is totally comfortable with change, but you are more so than others. To my delight, you are inclined to ignore the rule books and think differently. Is anyone better than you at coordinating your energies with a group's? I don’t think so. And you’re eager to see the big picture, which means you’re less likely to get distracted by minor imperfections and transitory frustrations. Finally, you have a knack for seeing patterns others find hard to discern. I adore you!
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH
20)
Is the first sip always the best? Do you draw the most enjoyment from the initial swig of coffee or beer? Are the first few bites of food the most delectable, and after that your taste buds get diminishing returns? Maybe these descriptions are often accurate, but I believe they will be less so for you in the coming weeks. There's a good chance flavors will be best later in the drink or the meal. That is a good metaphor for other activities. The further you go into every experience, the greater the pleasure and satisfaction will be — and the more interesting the learning.
EMPLOYMENT-GENERAL
WilliamsMarston LLC seeks Senior Valuation Consultant (Tucson, Arizona) Perform valuation of complex finance’l instrumnts for tax, accting & compliance purposes, analyze clients’ financ’l statemnts, perf valuation analyses rely on income & mrkt approaches, valuation analyses of complex financ’l instrumnts, & prep reps & provide advice on client projs. Reqs: Min Master’s in Finance, Econ or closely rltd financ’l field, & 1 yr exp perform valuation of complex financ’l securities, includ convertible debt, warrants/options, Performance Share Units (PSUs) & 409a analyses for privately held companies; use of Black-Scholes & option pricing models, Geometric Brownian Motion, & Stochastic stock price simulation; prog langs such as Python & MATLAB to dvlp programs to perf financ’l analyses of complex financ’l instrumnts; & exp w/ financ’l databases includ S&P Global Market Intelligence, BVR Mergerstat, & iVolatility. Send resume and cover to the Talent Acquisition team, WilliamsMarston LLC, recruiting@williamsmarston.com.
EMPLOYMENT-GENERAL
CAID Industries, Inc. seeks a Controls Engineer II in Tucson, AZ to formulate & produce complete electrical design package, incl. detailed schematics, cable routing diagrams, panel layouts, BOMs, & material requisition forms. Reqs: Bach degree in Elec Eng, Electronic Eng, or rel fld & 3 yrs exp in rel fld. To apply, go to: https://ebct.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/ CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1033/ job/222602/?utm_medium=jobshare
Ver y: Fr.
Sound of a contented cat
toymaker
The “p” of m.p.h. 57 “Fancy seeing you here!”
U.S. facility in Cuba, informally
Countr y bordering Yemen
Bring on staff
___ pot (device for clearing sinuses)
Sound of a contented cat
The “p” of m.p.h.
“Fancy seeing you here!”
Very: Fr.
U.S. facility in Cuba, informally
Tucked (away) 6 Wiggle from discomfor t 7 ___ vez (again, in Spanish)
Country bordering Yemen
Bring on sta
Egg-shaped
66 Thanksgiving side dish
67 Al ___ (firm, as pasta)
1 Steep drop-o
10 Edible squash seed
Humongous
65 ___ pot (device for clearing sinuses)
Ancient tool for hunters or warriors
C minor and F sharp major, for two 22 Like a diet low in sodium and favoring whole grains
2 Meat that may be “chopped”
3 Wow
4 Take the pot, in poker
5 Tucked (away)
11 Phenomenon witnessed from space … or a hint to this puzzle’s sequence of shaded squares
12 On the ocean
13 C minor and
Send, as a payment
F sharp major, for two
Wear away
22 Like a diet low in sodium and favoring whole grains
6 Wiggle from discomfort
7 ___ vez (again, in Spanish)
8 Humongous
Salad green some chefs massage to soften
“Life of Pi” director Lee
___ Grey tea
9 Ancient tool for hunters or warriors
Tax IDs: Abbr
Eyelid
24 Salad green some chefs massage to so en
26 Tax IDs: Abbr.
27 Texas city between Dallas and Austin
Does sums
30 Courage, metaphorically
31 Computer menu with Undo and Redo 32 Bunches
33 Wander
34 “Gotcha”
What the Apollo 8 crew was orbiting when astronaut Bill Anders took his iconic 11-Down photograph
