Tucson Desert Times 110222

By Karen Schaffner Tucson Local Media

Elizabeth Warner’s life is invested in the Tucson

Celtic Festival and Scot tish Highland Games, which come to Rillito Raceway Park Friday, Nov. 4, to Sunday, Nov. 6.

“My parents helped start the Tucson Celtic Festival,” said Warner, the festival president.

“My mom was their secretary

helped sign in their con stitution

bylaws when they incorporated. I’ve been involved

The event is the largest Celtic festival and highland games in Arizona, she said.

“We’re bigger than Phoenix, and we are one of the last ones in the country for the season,” Warner added.

There are two parts to the

event.

The Celtic festival features food and drink, as well as per formances by Tempest, Celtic Nova and Traveler on Friday. The Circus Farm Fire Dancers will toss around flaming sticks.

For families, there’s a kid’s corner, which will be full of jumping castles, arts and crafts, games and pirates and mer

Applications open for homeless work program

By Tucson Local Media Staff

The city of Tucson is asking appli cations from nonprofit partners for its homeless work program. Applications are due Novem ber 15.

The Tucson Homeless Work Program provides day labor/temporary employ ment opportunities for people experi encing homelessness. It simultaneously addresses municipal clean-up needs.

The program is administered by the city of Tucson’s Housing and Com munity Development Department, Environmental and General Services Department, and not-for-profit organ izations.

The Tucson Homeless Work Program supports pathways out of homelessness through work, community coopera

Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games, Friday, Nov. 4, to Sunday, Nov. 6, at Rillito Raceway Park. (Celtic Festival/Submitted)

maids, Warner said. There will also be kids’

in that area.

Adults can learn the difference between whiskey and whisky at a tasting class on Saturday and Sunday for an additional fee. Handfasting is on Sunday.

ics liaison and a competitor.

“We have the Canadian Champion, the Canadian world champion, and then we have the U.S. champions.”

“Traditionally in

culture, you would be handfast, and then for two years and a day, you are considered married,” Warner said. “At the end of that period, you decide, do you really want to be mar ried or not. You can walk away, or you can go on and be married.”

The other half of the event is the Scot tish Highland Games, put on by the Kilted Athletes of America. In past years, the or ganization put on the men’s heavyweight and the women’s lightweight champion ships.

This year, it’s the World Lightweight Championship, during which time 12 kilted men from Canada, Europe and the United States will compete for an as-ofyet announced first prize.

“The individuals coming from Europe are the three top champions in Europe,” said Ildefonso “Ponch” Green, the athlet

Invitations have also been sent to three athletes who came close to winning, but in these games are considered wild cards. Green said their throws were just as good as the champion’s toss, but they did not make it to the top.

Green said there hasn’t been a group of throwers of this caliber together in the world. So, what will they throw? A lot. During the two days, the athletes will throw 22- and 16-pound hammers, as well as weights over a bar; cabers, which look like telephone poles; a 22- to 28-pound Braemar stone; an open stone; a sheaf; and a heavyweight stone and a lightweight stone.

It’s a long two days, but they’re up for it, Green said.

“These are world-class athletes,” he added. “They’re beasts.”

These will not be the only competitors that weekend. There are up to 15 classes of athletes based on age and gender, all of whom wears a kilt and modest underpin nings.

Tucson has its own team of highland gamers, called the Tucson Celtic Ham merheads, which anyone is welcome to join. As with the games, it’s not just men; women may also join. For more informa tion, visit tucsonceltichammerheads.com.

Green said the games are a long-held tradition.

“If you know nothing of the games, you

should know the reason the games exist,” he said.

“In the year 1040, Malcolm was the head chief (in Scotland). He gathered all the clans together and they would compete. The games are actually a preparation for war. He wanted to know who his strongest were or who his fastest were. The festival is designed around that tradition.”

&Bake Fair

At the Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games plenty of prizes will be given, including one for best legs in a kilt and best clan tent. There will also be a world championship in the lightweight category of the Scottish Highland Games. (Celtic Festival/Submitted)

Desert times

The Desert Times is published the first week of every month and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations through out south Tucson. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of the Desert Times, please visit www.TucsonLocalMedia.com

STAFF

ADMINISTRATION

Steve T. Strickbine, Publisher

Michael Hiatt, Vice President Claudine Sowards, Accounting claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com

EDITORIAL

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, Executive Editor christina@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Karen Schaffner, Staff Reporter kschaffner@timepublications.com

Hope Peters, Staff Reporter hpeter@timespublications.com

PRODUCTION

Courtney Oldham, Production Manager, tucsonproduction@timespublications.com

Nathalie Proulx Graphic Designer nproulx@timespublications.com

CIRCULATION

Aaron Kolodny, Circulation Director, aaron@phoenix.org

Brian Juhl, Distribution Manager, brian@timeslocalmedia.com

NATIONAL ADVERTISING

Zac Reynolds, Director of National Advertising Zac@TimesPublications.com

TLMSales@TucsonLocalMedia.com

Kristin Chester, Account Executive kristin@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Candace Murray, Account Executive candace@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Gary Tackett,

gtackett@timespublications.com

Tyler Vondrak,

tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com

By Katya Mendoza Tucson Local Media

ARTS

Thursday, Nov. 3 to Sunday, Nov. 13

Desert To-Dos

Scott Avenue.

LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday, Nov. 9

The UA School of Dance presents its main stage production, “Fall for Dance,” Thursday, Nov. 3, to Sunday, Nov. 13. This student-led concert series features talented dancers and works by faculty who showcase a variety of dance styles that will have you, too, falling for dance. The production will also feature special guest dancer, Juel D. Lane, with com missioned work by the school’s director. Tickets start at $15 at dance.arizona.edu. Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1737 E. Uni versity.

THEATER

Saturday, Nov. 5

The Arizona Theatre Company celebrates the holidays early with its latest production, “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley.” Lydia Wickham (formerly Bennet) returns to center stage for the sequel of last year’s holiday show. For information about ticket pricing and the 2022-2023 season, visit atc. org. The Temple of Music and Art, 330 S.

Greta Van Fleet makes a stop at the Tuc son Convention Center Arena during its “Dreams in Gold Tour” at 7 p.m. The Gram my-winning rock band brings along special guests Durand Jones & The Indications and Crown Lands. Tickets range from $47.50 to $90. Visit tucsonarena.com for more information. Tucson Convention Center Arena, 260 S. Church Avenue.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Wednesday, Nov. 2 to Saturday, Nov. 5

Startup Tucson presents the TENWEST Im pact Festival. Established in 2015, the festival has been a community-oriented event for local, regional and national entrepreneurs to come together to collaborate on creative solutions with social, environmental and economic impact. The five-day innovation festival is for all ages and includes keynote speakers, opportunities for networking and presentations. This year’s iteration in troduces a block party with local vendors

and regional music. For more information, visit tenwest.com. The TENWEST Impact Festival will be held at various locations throughout Downtown Tucson.

Thursday, Nov. 3 to Sunday, Nov. 6

The Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson pres ent the Fall Ikebana Festival. Also known as, “the way of the flowers,” Ikebana is the meditative art of Japanese floral arranging. This art, which dates back to the 15th cen tury, incorporates nature with an emphasis of lines, shapes and form throughout the arrangement and the hand of the arranger.

General admission tickets $18, members $10, children under 15, $5. Tickets include entry to the gardens. For information on times and dates, visit tickettailor.com. Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson, 2130 N. Alvernon Way.

Friday, Nov. 4 to Sunday, Nov. 6

The 33rd annual All Souls Procession Week end is presented by Many Mouths One Stomach. The festivities begin at the MSA

Farm shares peaceful vibe with guests

By Karen Schaffner Tucson Local Media

Trick or treat may soon be over but there’s still time to remember loved ones, both past and present, while munching on pie or pan de muerto at the Dia de Los Muertos No vember to Remember Santa Marana Farm Fair on Sunday, Nov. 6. A second fair is planned for Sunday, Dec. 4. It’s a mouthful but so is the event. Within the six acres of the Santa Mara na Christmas Tree Ranch on Sagebrush Road, guests will find plenty of fam ily-friendly fun, including eats, goats who beg to be petted, a couple of antique shops, and even baby Christmas trees.

Live, potted Afghan pine trees will be available for purchase. The species orig inated in Afghanistan, hence the name, but those origins make them particular ly suited to a dry, hot climate.

This is the brainchild of Troy and Jodi Yahraes, who own the ranch and

thought it would be nice to share what they have with the public.

“First of all, it’s Marana; we’ve always liked Marana,” Jodi said. “It’s very peace ful out here.”

On any given day, it is pleasantly qui et, but it probably won’t be so on fair day. That’s when you can walk and eat while strolling food truck row, shop the vendors and listen to a live band. That’s the fun. There’s plenty to look at, plen ty to eat and plenty to listen to. There’s even a shaded area to sit and listen.

“We really like the country feel out here but it’s never going to be, like, rock or R&B,” Jodi said. “It’s going to be some thing soothing and fun for families.”

Because November’s fair day actually does fall on All Souls Procession Week end, there will be skull painting for the kids, among other fun activities.

The couple began hosting the fair right after the pandemic, when people

It looks quiet now but on Sunday, Nov. 6, the Santa Marana Tree Ranch will be alive with food trucks, music and fun at the Dia de los Muertos November to Remember Santa Marana Farm Fair. (photos by Noelle Taro-Gomez)

world class

for the Dance of the Dead

4. The following

can take part in the Procession of Little

at Armory Park from 3 to 7 p.m. The grand

procession is 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. For

list of events and various admission prices,

allsoulsprocession.org. MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida Del Convento.

Friday, Nov. 4

Seinfeld visits the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall at 7 p.m. Seinfeld, who has enjoyed a decades-long career of success in comedy, film and television, brings his latest standup routine to the Southwest. For more information, visit tucsonmusichall. org. The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 250 S. Church Avenue.

Saturday, Nov. 5

Comedienne and former late-night television host Chelsea Handler stops at the Linda Ronstadt Mu sic Hall. Her standup is sure to bring laughs as she guides the audience through personal experiences, current events and more. The show starts at 8 p.m. For information on tickets and bag policy, visit tucsonmusichall.org.

Saturday, Nov. 5

Forrie J. Smith, aka Lloyd Pierce from the hit west ern television series, “Yellowstone,” visits the Mes cal Movie Set at 1 p.m. Smith, who began his acting career as a stuntman at the Mescal Movie Set, will donate his time as part of a fundraiser to support renovations of the historical location. Tickets start at $100. For information about the fundraiser and Smith’s engagement, visit mescalmovieset. com. Mescal Movie Set, 1538 N. Mescal Road.

Saturday, Nov. 5

The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson and the Tur quoise Trail present the outdoor showing of the Disney movie, “Coco,” in celebration of Dia de los Muertos. Movie festivities and themed crafts run

from 5 to 9 p.m. Throughout the weekend, the museum will also have public altars and ofrendas on display honoring local families. Refreshments will be available. Visitors are welcome to bring blankets, chairs and snacks. Tickets are $5 per member, $7 nonmember and children ages 6-13.

Admission is free for children under 5. Purchase tickets at tucsonpresidio.com. The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson and the Turquoise Trail, 196 N. Court Avenue.

Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5

Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens and Galleries hosts their autumn series, Brewin’ at the Chul. From 5 to 9 p.m., visitors can enjoy the grounds, after hours free of admission, as well as a delecta ble rotating food menu from the Garden Bistro. Sip on a craft beer or refreshing prickly pear mar garita while listening to jazz guitarist Joe Weinberg on Friday, or Pat Bridges on Saturday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For information, visit tohonochul.org. Tohono Chul, 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte.

Friday, Nov. 4 to Sunday, Nov. 6

The 36th annual Tucson Celtic Festival and Scot tish Highland Games return to Tucson, at the Ril lito Raceway Park. The three-day weekend festival, dedicated to promoting Scottish and Celtic culture throughout Arizona, brings live Irish, Celtic and Scottish music, dancing, athletics, food, beverages and other activities. Tickets start at $5. For a full list of activities, visit tucsoncelticfestival.org. Rillito Raceway Park, 4502 N. First Avenue.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS

Friday, Nov. 4

Head over to the Brad DeSpain Stables at the sce nic Marana Heritage River Park for Paint Night in the Park - Teen Edition from 6 to 8 p.m. “Become the artist you never knew you were!” Registration for the instructor-led class is $20 per resident, $25 for nonresidents, and includes a 16x20 can vas and painting supplies. No experience nec essary. Only open to children ages 10 to 17. For information, visit maranaaz.gov

6th Annual

Benefit for

started going out more.

Sunday,

Sunday, Nov.13

Sunday, Nov.13

• The Loft Cinema • 3233 E. Speedway

SHORT FILMS AND

“We literally had maybe 100 people and 10 to 12 vendors (at the first fair),” Troy said. “Since then, we have now reached 60 vendors and 2,000 to 3,000 people.”

Benefit for

Despite the many visitors, Troy said there has never been an unpleasant in cident and everyone seems happy. Even the four-legged visitors.

• The Loft Cinema • 3233 E. Speedway

SHORT FILMS AND VIDEOS STARRING DOGS!

4:30

4:30

4:30 pm - VIP Reception

5:00 pm – Silent Auction and Raffle

STARRING DOGS!

“We are a pet-friendly ranch,” Jodi said. “Anybody can bring their animals out here on a leash.”

DOGS AND THEIR

SILENT AUCTION OF ITEMS FOR DOGS AND THEIR PEOPLE

which is really a stand where they sell freshly made pies, and the Santa Ma rana Snack Shack, where they sell hot dogs and such, is the other antique shop that Jodi calls the Furniture Shop. It’s a shipping container, so much smaller than the other building, but here there are end tables with twisted barley legs or easy chairs or even a mirror or two. Guests never know what they will find.

The Resale ranch is open not just on fair day but Wednesdays through Fri days, too.

$25 before Nov. 13

$25

6:00 pm – Furry Film Fest begins

$25 before Nov. 13 • $30 day of event • Buy online at www.DoggieShorts.org

$30 day of event

VIP Reception Ticket – $75

Buy online at www.DoggieShorts.org

GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY – LIMITED SEATING!

VIP Reception Ticket – $75

Includes Wine, Beer and Appetizer

“People are looking for family-envi ronment entertainment where you don’t have to break the bank,” Troy added. “It’s not $20 like (other venues). It’s five bucks and the kids have something to do and dad can go watch the band and have a hamburger and there’s plenty of shop ping for mom.”

at www.DoggieShorts.org

DOGGIE STARS

Includes Wine, Beer and Appetizer Reception prior to the event and reserved seat for the Film Fest.

VIP Reception Ticket – $75

Well-behaved Dog Ticket – $75

Want to bring your dog? Get your dog a ticket!

VIP Reception Ticket – $75

DOGGIE STARS OF TUCSON

Wine, Beer and Appetizer Reception prior to the event and reserved seat for the Film Fest.

All-inclusive VIP Furry Film Fest Package – $150

TUCSON

Put Your Dog/s On the Big Screen!

Includes Wine, Beer and Appetizer Reception prior to the event and reserved seat for the Film Fest.

Includes VIP Reception, reserved seat for the Film Fest and ticket for your dog.

Well-behaved Dog Ticket – $75 Want to bring your dog? Get your dog a ticket!

For a $125 donation, share a photo of your dog or dogs for display at Doggie Shorts. Images will rotate before, during intermission and at the end of the film fest.

Well-behaved Dog Ticket – $75 Want to bring your dog? Get your dog a ticket!

All-inclusive VIP Furry Film Fest Package – $150

SPONSORS/PARTNERS

VIP Reception, reserved seat for the Film Fest and ticket for your dog.

All-inclusive VIP Furry Film Fest Package – $150 Includes VIP Reception, reserved seat for the Film Fest and ticket for your dog.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Walk past a patch of pine tree seed lings and you will find a largish pen where you can feed several happy-look ing goats. Chickens and ducks live there, too. If you need it, there’s a building where you may purchase sacks of dog, chicken, bird or goat food. Although they don’t mean to have bug food, Jodi said bugs and cobwebs are a reality on a farm.

$25 before Nov. 13 • $30 day of event • Buy online at www.DoggieShorts.org

DOGGIE STARS OF TUCSON

DOGGIE STARS OF TUCSON

Put Your Dog/s On

Put Your Dog/s On the Big Screen! For a $125 donation, share a photo of your dog or dogs for display at Doggie Shorts. Images will rotate before, during intermission and at the end of the film fest.

Be a Film Fest Sponsor/Donor! Learn more at DoggieShorts.org or call Handi-Dogs at (520) 326-3412.

SPONSORS/PARTNERS

DOGGIE

DOGGIE STARS OF TUCSON

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

A Benefit for MEDIA PARTNERS

at

before,

of

Also on the ranch are two buildings, the larger one built by the couple, that house the Resale Ranch, which used to be located on Oracle Road. It’s a sort-of antique shop where Jodi sells items both antique and just plain used. She does a lot of picking and estate-sale buying so you might find old tools — lots of those — and Army surplus containers, old sewing patterns, Catholic relics, and candy cigarettes of the type you might remember from childhood. The Resale Ranch building is packed, practically stuffed, from floor to ceiling.

Across the way, next to the Pie Factory

DOGGIE STARS OF TUCSON

Be a Film Fest Sponsor/Donor! Learn more at DoggieShorts.org or call Handi-Dogs at (520) 326-3412.

DOGGIE

“If you’re coming to a farm, you better realize that there’s going to be bugs and cobwebs,” Jodi said.

Even so, both Jodi and Troy want guests to enjoy their ranch just as much as they do.

“If you’re looking for somewhere to go and just relax and enjoy the farmland and the goats and the activities that we offer, then we’re here,” Jodi said. “It’s a nice little getaway.”

Two days before Thanksgiving, Troy and Jodi bring in dozens of Christmas trees for sale. The ranch will be open for

SILVER LEASH TAIL WAGGER

SILVER LEASH TAIL

Lynn & Chris Karabinas Chris Pendleton

Debbie & Bobby Rich

& Jan Gandolfi

Alexander & Paul Lindsey

Lynn & Chris Karabinas

Chris Pendleton

Debbie & Bobby Rich

& Jan Gandolfi

Alexander & Paul Lindsey

Lynn

At the Santa Marana Christmas Tree Ranch, afghan pines find the weather and soil to their liking. (photo by Noelle Haro-Gomez)

those who want to begin their Christ mas with a pre-cut tree. Troy said it’s a festive day.

“Come Thanksgiving is when the Christmas season starts,” Jodi said.

“Thanksgiving Day we open for the pre-cut trees and we have Santa Claus here. We’ve got hot chocolate, treats, a full-blown Christmas store with lots of Christmas stuff to buy. We’re going to have a fire pit and Christmas music.”

“It’s a new tradition,” Troy added.

The Dia de Los Muertos November to Remember Santa Marana Farm Fair

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. The resale ranch is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

WHERE: The Santa Marana Christmas Tree Farm, 13645 W. Sagebrush Road, Marana COST: $5 for parking, INFO: maranachristmastreefarm.com, facebook.com maranaxmastreefarm

Work Program

Continued from P1

tion, and navigation of existing services. The program primarily serves individu als for whom more structured employ ment-based services such as traditional job training programs and/or longer-term employment programs may be out of reach and provides the support they need to prepare for these types of opportunities and/or direct employment.

The city of Tucson has received shortterm supplemental funding from the Ar izona Department of Housing to tempo rarily expand the Tucson Homeless Work Program through June 30, 2023. The re

quest for proposal invites bids from notfor-profit organizations with capacity to support work crews of seven to 10 people experiencing homelessness through the program.

Selected offerors will work closely with city officials. The clean-up jobs general ly consist of areas used as encampments and/or where non-hazardous trash has accumulated.

The city of Tucson anticipates awarding up to $837,611 to support four or more homeless work crews through June 30, 2023. Nonprofit applicants may apply for funding to support one to four work crews.

For more information, email austin. puca@tucsonaz.gov.

IMS is metal made easy

By Tom Leyde Tucson Local Media

It’s a Mecca for metal heads, but not the hard rock variety.

Industrial Metal Supply Compa ny has more varieties of metal in more varieties of sizes and shapes than most people can imagine.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in Tucson, the company, at 3757 E. Co lumbia Street, is an interesting place to visit, even if metal isn’t on your agenda.

There’s aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, silicon bronze, bearing bronze, zinc and lead. And each one is available in a plethora of forms. IMS also offers specialty metals. Among them are cast iron, expand ed sheet metal, threaded rod, ingot and shot, painted sheet metal, strut chan nel, tread plate, tool steel and U-edg ing.

“It’s your one-stop shop. It really is,” store manager Lonnie Johnson said.

IMS doesn’t do any fabricating, but it does offer cutting, bending and weld ing.

“If you’re trying to do a project, we have every part you need,” Johnson added.

IMS opened its Tucson store in 2012, the sixth of seven stores. Others are in Phoenix, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Jose, California. The company was founded 75 years ago as a scrap metal compa ny by the father of current owner Neil

Sherman.

IMS Tucson has grown rapidly in a decade. It’s started with a 28,000 square foot facility and 12 employees. It now employs 19 people and has 45,000 square feet of space.

Johnson has been working in metal for 17 years. “I love it. It’s a great com pany,” he said. “We really care about safety. ... It’s all about the employees first.”

Besides those working at the store, in both retail and metal work, IMS has sales and customer representatives. “We have so many repeat customers,” Johnson said. “We pride ourselves on really clean products.”

IMS customers include Tucson-ar ea industries as well as DIYers, artists

and hobbyists. One of the favorite ar eas of the store for hobbyists and art ists, Johnson said, is the remnant area, where they can purchase metal pieces by the pound at a discount. “Lots of artists come in here,” he said.

Among the services IMS offers cus tomers are cut to size, hi-def plasma cutting, tube laser services, water jet cutting and metal shearing and sawing service. A recently purchased industri al shear machine can cut through metal as thick as 6 inches like butter, Johnson said.

If you are building a metal fence, check out the fence, gate and rail sec tion. Here you will find:

Lonnie Johnson, store manager at Industrial Metal Supply Co. in Tucson, holds laser-cut metal décor items at the store at 3757 E. Columbia Street. (Tom Leyde/Contributor)

• Wrought iron parts and accessories.

• Holleandar SpeedRail.

• Aluminum slip-on fittings.

• Stainless steel railing components.

• Weld-on railing components.

• Tube and pipe gate openers.

• V-groove wheels.

• Gate hinges.

• Anchors.

• Fasteners.

• Guide rollers.

For home décor there are a wide vari ety of laser-cut ornamental items in the shape of suns, moons, fish, cowboys, cowgirls, motorcycles, trees and ani mals, including horses. IMS has metal shooting targets as well.

The retail area of the store carries welding equipment, safety equipment, tools, paints and patinas for coloring metals.

Customers can pickup their metal or

ders or have them delivered. IMS also will store metal for customers in its warehouse until they are ready to use it.

“If it’s made of metal, we like to think that we carry it,” Johnson said.

Industrial Metal Supply Co.

3757 E. Columbia Street, Tucson 520-441-5900 industrialmetalsupply.com

Cesar Mendez, warehouse lead at Industrial Metal Supply, uses a machine to punch holes in a piece of steel.

(Tom Leyde/Contributor)

Workers load sheets of metal for a customer outside Industrial Metal Supply Co. The company is celebrat ing its 10th anniversary this year. (Tom Leyde/Contributor)

&RECREATION

Canyon Del Oro:

By Tom Danehy Tucson Local Media

It was quite the spectacle at the Am phitheater School Board meeting on Oct. 25.

TV news crews, angry parents, pleading coaches, slick lawyers, stoic board members, and faux-innocent stu dent-athletes were all there. The scene was an all-too-common one in this age of social media. Six members of the Can yon Del Oro football team — all starters — went to a party where there was alco hol being consumed. Images of several of the players drinking showed up on so cial media and, following district policy, they were dismissed from the team.

EXTRA POINT WITH TOM DANEHY

policies and punishment

Before the start of the season, every member of the team and their parents signed an agreement that there would be no consumption of alcohol, tobacco or drugs during the season.

A couple parents complained that their kids were forced to sign the agreement or they wouldn’t be allowed to play. It’s unclear what point they were trying to make. Signing and abid ing by the agreement is just one of the conditions (along with showing up for practice and not being academically in eligible) for being a part of the team. Nobody forced them to play or to sign.

Some of the parents went to court and got a temporary injunction that al lowed the players to participate for a

couple more games, but the judge ulti mately decided in favor of the district, citing the signed agreements.

As a coach, it’s been my policy that if I find out that one of my players has violated the policy, his or her season is over. I’m sorry, in life, you gotta give something to get something. To be a high school athlete, with all the acco lades and physical and mental benefits that go along with it, you have to agree not to be a selfish knucklehead. Seems like a good deal to me.

Fortunately, I’ve only had to deal with one kid in all my years. The kid (then a sophomore) came to me and admitted it. I told her that she wasn’t banished from my life or even from the

team. She could practice with the team the rest of the season, but she couldn’t travel with the team, nor would she be allowed to suit up or play in a game. Bless her heart, she agreed to the terms, served out her punishment, and came back and started for me as a ju nior and senior.

She was a great kid, one who did something wrong and accepted the (apparently, for some, archaic) notion that actions have consequences. Her parents were great about it, too. They didn’t go to the headmaster (it was a private school) to talk about how much money they paid to have the girl attend

Tuakalau back on the court again

By Tom Danehy Tucson Local Media

This is the third and final installment, following Amphi athlete Danielle Tuakalau from her knee surgery to repair a torn ACL to her return to the basketball court where she suffered the injury.

It hasn’t been easy, and it hasn’t been fun, but we’re soon going to find out if it has been worth it. Last year, about this time, Amphi High then-sophomore Danielle Tuakalau was riding high. The volleyball team she was a part of had reached postseason play and shortly thereafter, she found herself a starter on a basketball team that would go 20-8 and win the region champion ship.

But then it started. While shooting a three-pointer from the corner, she came down on a defender’s foot and rolled her ankle. After sitting out a couple weeks, she rolled it again. A couple more weeks

Canyon Del Oro

Continued from P10

the school. She went on to become a great adult. She’s now a medical doctor living back east.

the issue was not on the agen da, board members were not required to respond to the parents’ statements or to take up the policy at any time. (If the matter is going to be addressed at all, the time to do it is in the summer so that any potential change doesn’t affect some sports, but not others.) The Amphi District did issue the following state ment: “The district has rules and poli cies in place for its athletes that prohibit the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs around the clock during their sports sea son due to the special privileges and re sponsibilities which those athletes car ry. Before participating in our athletic programs, all students and their parents sign an agreement that the student will comply with those rules. The district does enforce rules when violations oc cur to ensure that all students, staff, and our community can trust that the rules are meaningful and are applied fairly

passed by and she tried a rehab assign ment by playing in a JV game. She planted her leg, heard a pop, and went down.

She had torn her anterior cruciate lig ament (ACL), a shockingly common injury that, for a variety of reasons, is more than five times more likely to hap pen to girls and women than to boys or men.

A couple generations ago, knee sur gery of any kind meant an end to an athlete’s career. Medical, surgical and rehabilitation advancements later al lowed athletes to come back, but it often took two to three years to do so and the recoveries weren’t always uniform and often not totally complete.

Now athletes are coming back within a year or less and totally healed. Dan ielle had her surgery in early February and began physical therapy almost im mediately. “It was hard,” she recalled. “My progress was measured in how

many degrees I could bend my knee. It was painful and I could hear and feel the cracking in the leg as I pushed the re paired ligament.”

During the summer, she increased her workouts, but it was spotty. Not old enough to drive (and lacking access to a vehicle on a regular basis), she would bum rides to the Planet Fitness when ever possible. If she couldn’t make it there, she would go to the open gym at her high school, sometimes walking the 3-mile round trip in the summer heat.

When school started, her knee wasn’t anywhere near ready for volleyball, so she joined the newly reconstituted Am phi golf team. “It certainly wasn’t vol leyball, but it was fun,” she said. “We only had four players on the team and none of us had ever played golf before. But we worked hard and by the end of the season, we were winning matches.”

She also took a basketball class for a P.E. credit. She started with just shoot ing and then a little ball handling on the

sidelines. After several weeks, she was ready to try a little one-on-one. Then she finally moved on to five-on-five.

“It’s a little bit sore after I play and I need a lot of conditioning to get back to where I should be, but I think I’m ready.”

Basketball practice starts this week. Amphi has a very young team (the Pan thers will probably start two freshmen, a sophomore and a couple juniors), but they’re hoping to repeat as region champs. One of the freshmen is Dan ielle’s younger sister, Kayla. Still only 14 and approaching 6 feet, Kayla ap pears to have a bright basketball future. She has excellent ball-handling and shot-blocking skills and is a really good outside shooter.

Danielle sighed, “After all this, I might have to try to beat out my younger sister for playing time. Or, maybe we can find a way to both be playing at the same time. Whatever happens, I’ll just be happy to be back on the court again.”

and equally.”

Parents, players, some alumni, and (sadly) coaches all argued that the players should be reinstated, saying that they have suffered enough. Every one kept using the word “mistake.” A mistake is wearing two different color socks. This was a chosen course of ac tion undertaken with full knowledge of the potential dire consequences.

Some bemoaned the potential loss of college scholarships, and all said that the policy, which has been in effect since 1995, should be revisited. None of the speakers offered a suggestion as to what the punishment should have been, but to hear them talk, I’m guess ing that they’d figure that anywhere from running an extra lap after practice all the way up to missing a single game would be appropriate.

I can see it now. “Hey guys, we have a tough game this week, but we play Cholla next week, so you can party on Saturday.”

It was the lead story on the late news that night, with Channel 13 using this misstatement as a tagline: CDO Players Kicked Off Team for Attending Party. Um, no.

AGING WELL

a Love of Art & Creativity

AlbertEinstein said, “Creativity is con tagious. Pass it on.”

Residents at Splen dido took this quite literally, as well as figuratively, when they shared their love of art with local youth this fall.

Splendido, a Life Plan Community in Oro Valley, is home to many artists—some are accomplished experts with decades of experience and others have just recently be gun to explore their creative expression through the many programs offered at the com munity.

Splendido celebrates ag ing as a time of great creative potential, whether through music, poetry, storytelling, dance and movement, or even gardening—the sky is truly the limit. This philosophy is reflected in an ever-changing variety of opportunities for residents to master new forms of self-expression in a com munity setting. “We simply provide additional opportu nities to support each individ ual’s creative journey through innovative, in-depth pro gramming that’s tapping into their expertise and passions,” says Caroline Edasis, Director of Community Engagement.

A Carload of Creativity

Knowing the positive im pact creative expression can have, Splendido residents re cently donated a carload of art supplies to Youth On Their Own (YOTO), a nonprofit that provides support services for 6th- through 12th-grade Tucson-area children who are homeless.

Resident Sandra Procida heard of YOTO’s need of art supplies through her involve ment with the Southern Ari zona Art Guild. An artist her self, she connected with other Splendido residents who share her passion, including Ellie Cannan. Together, they put out a call for new or gently used art supplies to the en tire Splendido community, and the response was over whelming. The group ended up filling more than a dozen large boxes with quality art supplies, including canvas es, acrylic paints, watercolor paints, art pencils, palettes, different types of paper, and more, all of which were deliv ered to YOTO in September.

YOTO helps middle and high school students stay in school and, in many cases, continue on to college; to date they have supported more

than 20,000 local youth in their journeys toward high school graduation.

“We hoped our Splendido art group could donate qual ity supplies to this important group of youths, so that they

can also experience the joy and insight art brings into our lives,” said Sandra, whose husband Phil had previously worked with YOTO to pro vide bicycle repair and dona tions for the group.

“We all appreciate the ac tive art environment at Splen dido and the magical ideas Caroline and her staff pro vide,” says Ellie. “Residents ap preciated the chance to share their passion with these young

people.”

Interested in learning more about Splendido? For floor plans, photos, and informa tion on upcoming events, visit splendidotucson.com.

Splendido residents Ellie Cannan (left) and Sandra Procida organized the community’s sizeable donation of art supplies to Youth On Their Own.

By Mia Smitt Tucson Local Media Columnist

e all know that a healthy diet is benefi cial in so many ways — lower cholesterol,

heart and cardiovascular disease, less diabetes, and better weight control to name a few. But improved pain control? Oh yes, some pain control and pre vention is possible for many people.

About 116 million adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain. This is a huge number, almost a third of the adult population. Nutrition for pain is not a new concept.

Dr. Elizabeth Huntoon, associate clinical profes sor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation neurosci ence at Virginia Com monwealth University, spoke about nutrition and wellness at the Mov ing Beyond Opiods for Chronic pain conference in November 2019.

She postulates that there is a strong connection between an “anti-inflamma tory”-type diet and a reduction in pain. There is no single definition of what an anti-inflammatory diet might include, but a classic example is the Mediterranean Diet,

touted for many positive health effects.

Fish, vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans and olive oil are the sta ples of this diet. Poultry, eggs and dairy products are included and these foods have been shown to reduce and possible prevent some inflammatory processes.

Red meat and processed foods should be eaten only occasionally.

Some foods actually promote inflam mation. Highly processed products such as processed meats, refined grains, refined oils, and sugar sweetened beverages should be avoided.

Oils that are highly refined such as soy bean, canola, cottonseed and margarine are not healthy choices. And “low-fat” (not those naturally low in fat such a fruits and

vegetables) foods are often highly pro cessed.

Chronic pain is very serious. Too often patients’ complaints are either disregard ed or medicated without an evaluation of lifestyle. Pills, not just opiates, are rarely the only answer to better pain control and sometimes not only don’t help but can be harmful. (The opiate crisis in the United States is a clear example of a harmful out come.)

Diet plays an important role. Though sometimes difficult to embrace in our world of fast and convenience foods, a transition to a Mediterranean-style regimen will reap many benefits, including an appreciation

for whole and unprocessed foods.

Regular walking, along with healthier eating, has been shown to lower inflam matory markers (measured in blood) and decrease the risk of inflammation, chronic illness and pain.

Massage therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, guided imagery, music therapy, diet therapy — all are legitimate nonphar maceutical avenues to pain control.

Diet plays a major role in many other health issues and certain foods have been shown to prevent and sometimes cure some common maladies. Good nutrition is a critical component of health and devel opment including longer life and a lower risk of such illnesses as diabetes and car diovascular disease. Even a few changes in a daily diet can make a lasting difference for more optimal health.

We all know that adequate dairy intake will promote a stronger immune system and healthy bones and teeth. But are we aware that the little super fruit, acai ber ries, can reduce cholesterol and improve digestive health? Cinnamon is often rec

ommended to people with diabetes and ir ritable bowel syndrome.

Salmon is a strong anti-inflammatory food and can be purchased fresh, canned, smoked, as sushi or sashimi. It has a powerhouse of benefits from reducing cardiovascular disease, enhancing brain health and memory, building strong bones and may have a role in cancer pre vention.

Pumpkin (canned, which most of us use) can help with blood pressure control, re ducing the risk of stroke and heart attacks, maintain eye health and help with weight loss.

The Illustrated Food Remedies Source book is an excellent guide and can be found at Amazon.com.

We can benefit in so many ways by adopting an anti-inflammatory diet. Chron ic pain is debilitating, and medication is truly needed sometimes. But relief and op timal health may be reached just by adopt ing that “healthy lifestyle,” which includes a healthier diet

Mia Smitt is a longtime nurse practi tioner. She writes a regular column for Tucson Local Media.

DO YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED MANAGING BILLS?

3302 E. Speedway, El Rancho Center Tucson, AZ 85716

Friday, 3–6 p.m. (members only)

Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

For more information, visit TucsonMuseumofArt.org/TreasureHouse

The Tucson Museum of Art League presents November 4–6, 2022

By Holiday Mathis

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Pay attention to the way you feel around people. Whether you feel bigger, smaller, funnier, duller or sharper, it’s what you’re making of their response, not a reflec tion of who you actually are. Even so, these feelings matter and will sway your decisions. Make efforts to be near those you feel good around.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Destiny takes no pleasure in tripping us up, though her path is rich with rocky paths. Treacherous stretches are opportunities to be a little more careful or skillful. Stay upright and keep moving forward. The secret to success in both these aims is sturdy shoes and steady company.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Even though there are many welcoming souls around you, you may still feel like an outsider at times this week. One reason is that there’s so much on your mind that you don’t quite know how to share. Once you sort it through and accept all the different parts of you, it will be much easier to connect with others.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It’s fantastic to be able to control where you go and love it when you get there. But when you have to be somewhere you don’t prefer, that’s when it gets interesting. This week brings a chance to become clever, solve problems and develop coping mechanisms. You’ll meet good people in unexpected places.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Do you really want something or do you just think you want it? Maybe it’s too early to tell. Either way, a bit of acting will be involved in this acquisition. You won’t know what you can pull off until you try. One theme that runs throughout the week: What you pretend for an extended period of time will become real.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You can accom plish much on your own, though sometimes it’s better to be part of a team. You’ll have choices in this regard. Directing a group can include a lot of extra work you don’t need to deal with when you’re working solo. Seize the opportunity to ex periment with different styles to find your success zone.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll serve the ones you love, and your love is part of what makes you a servant. When you adore a per son or believe in an institution, a position of helping is a great joy. Be sure to let others take care of you, too. And if there is a relationship imbalance, it can be righted this week before it becomes a problem.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). People go to great lengths to avoid feeling afraid. You can save your self the trouble by opting to be brave. Working through uncomfortable emotions is a skill that opens your horizons. There’s so much more for you to experience when you’re not running from the possibility of an unpleasant emotion.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll act out of a desire to benefit others, and your eyes will be opened to the opportunities in the situation. You will witness tenderness and give it. Your heart will soften, not just for your main people but for the whole world. You’ll be generous with attention, forgiveness and affection.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Just because there are obvious issues on this path doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong one. Every road has features and obstacles, and the problems are a normal part of every life. You’ll get the ones that make you better, and you never have to worry about making any more than would naturally occur.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You may seek advice knowing full well that each opinion is but one way of looking at things -each fact, each rule a mere drop in an ocean of information. In the end, you’ll be enriched by what others have to say, but you’ll follow your gut instinct, which is as good an indica tion of what to do as any could be.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There are people who would love to be by your side, cheering you on, though it does take work and time to find them. In the meantime, self-encouragement is a worthy skill to de velop. Confidence is a habit, and you wel come the chance to practice positive self-talk and cultivate your strong, can-do attitude.