Explorer News 05/17/2023

OV expands offer of SROs

BY DAVE PERRY Tucson Local Media Contributor

The Oro Valley Town Council has decided to expand its offer of Oro Valley Police Department-assigned officers to every K-12 school in the community.

The town council’s May 3 decision reads that each school should be invited to “have a school resource officer, or other alternate security” as approved by OVPD. If an SRO is assigned, “Oro Valley shall request a reimbursement from each school” for the cost of its officer, the policy reads.

In addition, the OVPD, as well as the town’s emergency management and safety coordinator, should “annually review and provide input” on every school’s security and emergency plans.

“We would be responsible to ensure they’re in compliance,” OVPD Chief Kara Riley told the town council.

For many years, OVPD has provided town-funded SROs at Amphitheater Public Schools within the community. That’s now a total of six officers, plus a sergeant, in the SRO program.

“We had decided as a community years ago this was important, the safety of our children,” said Councilmember Steve Solomon, who brought forward the expansion of the SRO effort in April, amid ever-increasing worries about school violence across the nation. “This should be, I would

BY DAVE PERRY Tucson Local Media Contributor

More than 100 short-term and vacation rental homes are now registered with the Town of Oro Valley, according to a map published on the town’s website, orovalleyaz.gov.

The map is part of the town’s newly enforced rules, regulations, and licensing requirements for those properties. The Oro Valley Town Council adopted a shortterm/vacation rental ordinance in January, enacted it in February, and began a 90-day grace period for voluntary compliance that ended May 5.

The new ordinance requires registration of short-term and vacation rentals, which are leased to transient guests for less than 30 days. A short-term rental license is $80 a year, the same price as an Oro Valley business license. Soon, according to a town release, owners will receive a letter notifying them of a possible $100 civil sanction if properties are not registered by June 6. Owners must also pay Oro Valley’s bed and sales tax levies.

To register a short-term or vacation rental property, owners must prepare a list of documents, provide neighbors notification of intent to rent, give evidence of

think, a pretty obvious policy this council would want.”

In April, Solomon proposed a 200-student minimum enrollment for a school to be eligible for SRO placement. “I’m open to discussions as to whether we have a minimum number or not,” he said in May.

“Student populations are going to vary,” Mayor Joe Winfield said, pointing out Immaculate Heart School, a faith-based pre-K-12 school in Oro Valley, has 196 students. The mayor recommended “perhaps we not use a number.”

Before broadening the SRO program, “I feel like we would need to know what schools we’re talking about, and how many there would be,” Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett said.

Solomon, his voice rising, asked that council not “get hung up in minor technicalities.”

“I know this is a tempting subject to be emotional about,” said Barrett, who has school-aged children. But, she continued, “Arizona’s unique,” with an array of public, charter, faith-based and private schools of assorted sizes. Along with Amphitheater schools, Oro Valley has charter schools, such as Basis Oro Valley and Leman Academy of Excellence Oro Valley, and faithbased schools such as Immaculate Heart, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, and Casas Christian School.

Jonathan Rothschild, attorney for the town council, provided clarity on SRO suitability in a follow-up email.

“The town is aware that the Arizona Constitution provides that no public money shall be appropriated for or applied to any religious establishment,” Rothschild said. “The town may provide SROs in public, private or charter schools. To provide that service to religious schools, the town must be fully compensated.”

This year, the Amphi district has contributed a total of $52,985 toward the expense for one officer at Canyon del Oro High School. That’s “less than a police officer reimbursement,” Riley said. Michelle Valenzuela, director of communications for Amphi schools, said the proposed 2023-’24 Amphi budget does contain an additional $25,000 to the town for SRO reimbursement.

Security concerns are not limited to public school districts.

On April 5, according to a town report, OVPD learned of threats made by a student at Leman/Oro Valley. A juvenile was arrest-

ed. “The threats were isolated, and no general threat to school safety was believed to have been present,” the town said.

Then, on April 7, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, a grade 6-12 school on the east side of Oracle Road in Oro Valley, contacted OVPD about a threat made by a student, the town report continued. The student, 18, was arrested.

Riley said OVPD has been “in talks” with Leman/Oro Valley, which wants an SRO at its K-8 school along La Canada north of Tangerine. Katie Determan, chief executive officer of Leman, said the school has applied for a $175,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Education and its School Safety Program to fund an SRO on the Oro Valley campus.

“We have not received formal approval yet but anticipate that the approval will come soon given Tom Horne's (Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction) support for SROs in all Arizona schools,” Determan said. “We are fortunate to have the support of OVPD and Chief Riley that has allowed us to work towards this endeavor for next school year.”

Riley said grant funding “has increased significantly for SRO programs,” and she is encouraging schools to seek that money. “There are lots more opportunities coming for this program in the future.”

Barrett, concerned about the expense, liked the idea of requesting reimbursement from any school where an SRO is placed. “That may encourage schools to apply for grant funding,” she said.

“I’m not in any way suggesting we don’t have a wonderful SRO program,” Barrett said. “We already have excellent security, an excellent police department, an excellent SRO program.”

Solomon supported giving Riley “more leverage” in approaching all schools, reviewing and discussing their security and emergency plans, and determining “which schools are most in need” of help.

Rothschild said any “arrangement the town makes with each individual school” regarding SRO placement or security review “will have to be made on a case-bycase basis and may include consideration of how they are categorized by the state.”

Riley is pleased to have Louie Gonzales, Oro Valley’s emergency management and safety coordinator, coordinate with OVPD and assist with school safety assessments.

“He is a gem, a wonderful resource we work with,” the chief said. “He’s wanting to get more involved with the review of plans.”

insurance, show the property is registered with the Pima County Assessor as a short-term rental, and present a form of personal identification.

For full details of the required documents and to register online, visit https://bit.ly/OVShortTermRentals. For help registering a short-term rental property, contact the Community and Economic Development Department at 520-229-4800.

Residents can report suspected violations at short-term or vacation rental properties to the town. “Possible violations include lack of licensing, not displaying the neighborhood notification form on the property, or lack of a town license number on rental promotions,” the town release said.

Residents are encouraged to view the shortterm rental property map before reporting a suspected violation. To view the map, visit https://bit.ly/ OVShortTermRentalMap.

For suspected violations related to rental use or zoning code violations, residents may contact the Community and Economic Development Department at 520-229-4800. For criminal, noise or similar complaints, call the Oro Valley Police Department at 520-229-4900. For emergencies, call 911.

“It is important to note that the town will not be proactively inspecting properties for suspected violations,” the release continued. “Rather, the town will respond to public complaints received.”

In accordance with state law, short-term and vacation rental properties have

always been permitted in Oro Valley.

“Thus far, short-term rentals have not been problematic,” the release said.

“In fact, they contribute to the local economy; however, due to their growing popularity, the town of Oro Valley decided to implement a licensing system to ensure that short-term rentals continue to be a successful endeavor while also providing for the safety and quality of life for surrounding neighbors.”

Licensed, short-term rentals are allowed in all residential neighborhoods except where homeowners associations restrict or regulate them, the town said. “Neighborhoods may be able to regulate rentals through voluntary private agreements. These agreements, commonly known as private deed restrictions, are regulations that the town cannot enforce or provide advice on how to implement them,” the town’s release continued.

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EDITORIAL

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Wednesday, June 14

After a tragedy it’s this team to the rescue

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER

Tucson Local Media Sta

The fire is out, the brigade has gone back to the firehouse, but the home is trashed from water and smoke damage.

There has been an unexpected death in the home.

A grandparent who lives alone has fallen and cannot get up.

Now what?

Enter Marana’s Community Assistance Program, a group of three who help Marana residents return to “normal.”

“We have a unique and special job,” Josie Morgan said.

“We assist the community in navigating resources. We are support for them on the scene when a loved one dies. We are there for them through the hard time. Our main goal is to help the community and find what they need, whether that be a ramp for their home or some shower bars or maybe they need help with placement into a facility or even getting some meals set up. We assist with that kind of situation.”

“We get to be an unbiased resource navigator,” Stacey Christian added. “We have no reason to suggest somebody do something. We give people information and allow them to make choices. Sometimes when you’ve experienced a traumatic event being able to make one choice gets you right back to where you need to be.”

From starting insurance claims to finding a place to go after a fire to clean up after a sudden death, Morgan, Christian and Heathre McAlees — the CAP team — are always on the job. Their shifts overlap so someone is always available, even early mornings. One of the three will help but only at the request of the Marana police or fire department; they do not accept requests from private citizens. They are well connected to available resources in and around Marana.

“The first thing I’m going to say is, ‘I’m here to help you,’” Morgan said. “I want to make sure that that’s OK with you.” Do people accept the help?

“Yes, most people accept our help and are grateful for it because there’s just so much that you don’t know what to do

next in a fire or any tragic situation.”

Of course, when any of the team shows up to a scene, they see to a person’s immediate needs.

“I want to be sure that their basic needs are being met,” McAlees said. “Is it raining outside? Do we need to get them into a shelter so we can sit and talk? Do they need some water? Do they need something to drink? Do they have shoes? Do they have socks? We have all of those in our vehicles. We have slippers; we have socks; we have hoodies. We have all of those things.”

They even consider pets or other animals.

“Sometimes we just put them in the back of our car,” McAlees added. “On fire scenes, I’ve almost had a pig. I’ve had dogs. I’ve had cats. I’ve had ferrets. I’ve had chickens. I’ve had snakes in the back.”

Morgan is a 10-year emergency medical technician, and worked at one of the Northwest fire stations running calls. It’s there she met the current staff. “Having done the time in the ambulance and in the firehouse has helped me understand this job,” she said.

Morgan also has an educational background in social work.

Tragedy and beauty

McAlees knows American Sign Language; at one time she worked at a school for the deaf. However, 23 years ago she had thoughts of becoming a K-9 handler and police officer, and so joined the first volunteer class of community assistants, hoping it would help get her hired onto the force. She’s not on the force but so happy with the way things went.

“It’s my dream job and I feel humbled

that I get to be here,” she said.

McAlees said the job is a learning experience, as there are different situations to handle.

“We work closely with law enforcement, so we do respond to suicides and homicides and rapes and domestic violence and those different things, which all involve different training, and those are always evolving as well,” she said.

“The scenes are different because when you go to those kinds of scenes, you’re there with law enforcement and you have to follow very specific protocols and steps with law enforcement. We’re very well cross trained.”

In fact, the three seek training themselves, and the department is very supportive of making sure they get it. It’s a tough job, but there are a few

(From left) Josie Morgan, Stacey Christian and Heathre McAlees make up the Community Assistance Program. (Karen Scha ner/Sta )

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characteristics that each team member shares.

“You have to have a big heart, I think,” McAlees said. “You definitely need to be very strong. We respond to the same things that firefighters do, same things law enforcement does. However, we’re on scene for a very long time.”

On average, they work with clients for two to three hours, she said. To maintain resilience, McAlees emphasized the importance of self-care and having a support system. In fact, it’s part of their training.

“You have to be able to go to your colleagues or to someone and say, ‘This is kind of tough,’” she said. They also have to be quick thinkers.

“I think we have to be able to pivot because we can pivot numerous times on any scene. You constantly have to be able to assess, and you have to be able to pivot, and we are also very mindful of our district’s mission: We’re there to care for the community, and that helps guide us.”

She said through her position, she’s met many fascinating people.

“It’s amazing the people that are out

there,” McAlees said. “We respond to a lot of trauma, but speaking for me, it is so rare that I ever leave a scene regardless of what it is, how traumatic, homicide or natural death, whatever. It’s really rare that I walk out of there and don’t think, ‘Wow. I am so blessed to have this job. Look at these amazing people, and they allowed me in their life at probably the worst time ever.’”

A 16-year CAP veteran, Christian previously worked as a school counselor and teacher. For her, it’s the beauty she finds on calls that keeps her coming back.

“Every call is so unique, and there’s always something incredible from that, whether it’s a relationship that you see in a family, whether it’s a history that you gain from that family, or whether it’s just that you were able to sit and hold somebody’s hand and help them until the people that they were more familiar with come and be their support,” she said.

Born out of need

CAP was born out of a need that firefighters experienced at a scene. They really don’t spend a lot of time there, maybe

20 minutes or so. Forty minutes is a long call, according to Christian.

“Here they are, maybe they’ve worked somebody’s family member, and they were not successful; that family member died,” Christian said. “They have to get back into service. They were feeling like they were leaving people. ‘OK, so what do I do? What do I do now?’ Our program started because they wanted to provide that bridge for people.”

It was an innovative program at the time and continues to be so, operating with the support of Fire Chief Norman “Brad” Bradley. It allows “firefighters to go back on duty knowing that the community is going to be cared for,” Christian added.

It’s also a way for firefighters to follow up on what happened to the people they helped.

“I want people to know that they’re not alone, that when you’re in a time of need and you’ve had police and law enforcement and fire come, that when you’re in this area you’re not alone,” Morgan said. “We will get you through the hard time with the resources that you need. Any sort of situation that is tragic to you, we

will get you through.”

“Law enforcement, firefighters, everybody in this community, they really do care about community members and everybody that’s out there,” McAlees said. “We want to do everything we can to give back to it and take care of our community members.”

“Most of the people who live here will never have the need to avail themselves of our services,” Christian said. “Yet they still support the fire district, which in turn supports us. We couldn’t help those people who needed us if they didn’t.

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Capriotti’s brings ‘fanatically delicious’ sandwiches to Tucson

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Tucson Local Media Sta

After 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, Jose Alvarez moved to Tucson, ready to start his next business venture.

He noticed a lack of food diversity in the area and that inspired him and his friend, Ed Mingus, to open Tucson’s first Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, 1830 E. Broadway Boulevard. Two more locations are slated to open in the city.

Capriotti’s is known for its wide array of sandwiches, including The Bobbie, made with oven-roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo.

“I say it’s Thanksgiving in your mouth,” Alvarez said with a laugh.

“It’s turkey, cranberry and stuffing. You can have Thanksgiving year-round.”

Other menu offerings include the Capastrami, with hot pastrami, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and homemade coleslaw; and the cheesesteak with pre-

mium steak, chicken or Impossible plantbased meat and melted cheese plus hot or sweet peppers.

“Our classic cheesesteak has American cheese, grilled onions, mushrooms and steak,” he said. “We also add hot and sweet peppers, which makes it a total game changer of a sandwich. This sandwich is totally amazing.”

Alvarez also enjoys the chicken chipotle crunch, made with grilled chicken, American cheese and topped with lettuce, tomato, crispy cheddar onions and chipotle ranch dressing; and the American Wagyu Slaw Be Joe, with American Wagyu beef, coleslaw, provolone cheese, Russian dressing and mayo.

Prices are reasonable — the Slaw Be Joe starts at $7.99 — and Alvarez chalked that up to a direct purchase from Snake River Farms, eschewing third-party pricing.

“We get to sell Wagyu beef at a cheaper price to the customers,” he said. “The Wagyu is delicious.”

Tucson Capriotti’s fans can download the CAPAddicts Rewards app on iOS and Android to earn and redeem rewards and score free food. Capriotti’s in Tucson offers catering for any event, from corporate events to birthday parties, with items such as party trays with cold subs, box lunches, or a hot homemade meatball bar.

Open since mid-April, the Tucson Capriotti’s offers an order-ahead option, in addition to third-party delivery services. The new shop brought 20 new jobs to Tucson.

Alvarez was born and raised in Southern California and joined the Air Force in 1997. One of his last tours before his 2017 retirement was a year and a half in Turkey.

“I requested to come back to Arizona to retire,” he said. “Luckily, I got Luke Air Force Base, near where my brother and parents live. I got to retire close to family.”

Since he retired, he worked as an airline mechanic, truck driver and utility company inspector.

“I was tired of working for other people,” he said. “I thought, ‘Let me see what I can do for myself.’ I had a good idea. I sold my rental home in Idaho and used that money as a down payment to open the business. I sold my house and used the equity to open Capriotti’s. I just couldn’t help myself. When we were hungry in Vegas, Capriotti’s was our go-to. I hope people in Tucson think the same way about it.”

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop

1830 E. Broadway Boulevard, Tucson 520-771-8069

capriottis.com

Diane Donato dresses clients from the inside out

BY VERONICA KUFFEL Tucson Local Media Sta

Diane Donato’s home in Tucson’s Copper Crest is an extension of her identity: colorful, unconventional and deeply spiritual. Her turquoise and lilac rooms are accented with prints, patterns and metals draping the walls and tables. For most of her life, Donato has cultivated a passion for accessories and fashion.

“People were saying to me, ‘You dress so fashionably. How do you do what you do?’” Donato recalled. “The thing that held me together during my bad times was fashion. I never lost the desire to dress up. I was very depressed, but I got dressed and put makeup on every single day regardless.”

Hailing from Connecticut, Donato has worked in the “image business” since 1980, training and exploring her passions as a holistic image consultant. Her part-time company, Clothes Encounters, helps clients express their image through clothing. In her book, “Clothes Encounters of the Divine Kind – Where Image Reflects the Truth,” she explains her process of combining the physical nature of colors with spirituality to transform a person’s identity.

“Subconsciously, I used clothing to make me feel better, and that’s what Clothes Encounters is all about,” Donato said. “Making people feel better and learning how to use clothing and colors to heal yourself.”

Donato works with the physical nature of colors and textures while incorporating spiritual aspects that have assisted her in her own life. In the 1980s, she began

Actress and image consultant Diane Donato penned the book “Clothes Encounters of the Divine Kind.” (Veronica Ku el/Sta )

training with image consultants across the country and honed her skills with businesses like Aloe Charm Cosmetics and Karla Jordan Kollections. She’s studied color balance, color diversity, semiotics and the art of accessorizing, to name a few.

“The idea of naming my company Clothes Encounters, the accessories are encounters and clothes get encountered with accessories,” Donato explained. “I took all those classes, and I started doing those kinds of workshops. I then learned about the chakras in the early nineties. I incorporated that into Clothes Encounters.”

While working in the industry, on top of a job at the Connecticut Department of Transportation, she felt incomplete with passing trends and the “rules of fashion.” Her struggle with mental health led her to try different solutions, and she found so-

lace with Keshav Howe, a spiritual counselor and shaman of Penobscot Native American Heritage.

The image consultant began to incorporate Reiki healing, Chinese medicine, chakra study and other spiritual practices into her work with fashion.

“I’m holistic in that I dress people from the inside out, rather than the outside in,” Donato said. “I start with the inner person and then work in the physical attributes.”

She developed a program she named, “Reflections of Your True Image – A Journey to Freedom by Way of Fashion.” The program teaches the yin and yang of clothing and colors, helping clients channel the five elements of Chinese medicine into their everyday lives through fashion.

Along with individual consultations, Donato also hosts workshops like The Art of Accessorizing, The Clothing Capsule

SUNDAY, JUNE 18 6 - 10 a.m

Concept and How to Do a Closet Evaluation. Workshops start at $35 per person and Donato’s “playshops,” or consultations, start at $65 per hour. She also offers a personal consultation package for $600, which includes 10 one-hour phone calls or in-person sessions within six months.

Along with a career in the fashion industry, Donato explores acting in Tucson. Since 2019, she’s worked on movies and shorts like “The Unhitch King” and “A Guide to Gunfighters of the Wild West.” She’s recently collaborated with director and producer Mark Headley of Headley International Films on “Single-Minded,” a movie she wrote during the pandemic. She also starred in the recent “Witchery,” a short film by Ben Freese.

“I met Mark right after I started acting, and he took a shine to me, he liked my energy,” Donato said. “He puts me in all his movies, and he wanted to film my script, so we finished it and it’s in the editing room now.”

The image consultant has connected with the Tucson Metro and Marana chambers of commerce and is the representative of the Film and Media Arts Committee of the Marana Chamber. For the distant future, Donato plans to focus on her acting career with Headley, but she explained she will never stop helping people with Clothes Encounters.

Clothes Encounters

Diane Donato diane@clothesencounters.org clothesencounters.org

Get moving and benefit local youth!

The eighth annual summer 5k will take place along the multi-use path, beginning at Steam Pump Ranch. Proceeds from this event benefit the Town’s Round Up For Youth Recreation Scholarship Program. Children 12 and under race free with a paying adult.

REGISTRATION FEE:

$30 prior to race day

$40 on race day

Athlete of the Week: Karsten Lewis

BY TOM DANEHY Tucson Local Media Columnist

When talking to Canyon Del Oro star hurdler Karsten Lewis, the first question has to be: What’s with the name “Karsten?”

“I don’t know. I’m pretty sure it means ‘Christian.’ I think it’s German.”

She’s right on both accounts, which is good, because Karsten is going to be her name for, like, ever.

She burst onto the Southern Arizona track scene in a big way this year. She had a killer day at the Mountain View Last Qualifier, winning the 100-meter high hurdles and finishing a close second in the 300 intermediate hurdles. (She also ran legs on her team’s 4 X 100 and 4 X 400 relay teams.) And there’s a good reason why this is the year that she made her debut appearance — she’s only a freshman. Track is her only sport. “I did ballet and gymnastics when I was much younger,

but I didn’t play other sports.” She said that she really likes basketball but doesn’t know if she would be good enough to play on the school’s varsity team.

She’s too young to have a job yet, but she looks forward to having one later in high school. “It would be great to get the experience of working, fitting it into the schedule. And, I would really like to have my own money. That will be nice.”

Karsten is a good student; her favorite subject is biology, and she hopes to do something in the medical field sometime way off in the future. However, like many people in her generation, she laments that “lost year” of remote learning during the pandemic.

“It was rough,” she recalled. “Being around the house all the time really fried my brain. I’m still not all the way back to where I would like to be (academically).”

She’s one of only a handful of Southern Arizonans that will be competing at state. (The AIA, in a bone-headed move,

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cut back by 75% the number of kids who can make it to state. That makes life easier for the AIA but also makes it virtually impossible for most small-school athletes to even dream about making it to state.)

Heading into the state meet, she’s not sure what to expect. She would really like to PR (set a personal best in her events). However, even though the state meet brings together the best of the best and the competition is fierce, not a lot of athletes set a PR at state. For one thing, it takes place in the daytime in Mesa in the middle of May. The temperature is often in the triple digits by noon.

The biggest reason, however, is that most track and field athletes have nine or 10 meets during the season in which to PR and only one chance at state. The odds of setting a PR in the pressure-packed meet at state are slim.

Still, “I would really like to PR but I want to enjoy the experience. People tell me it’s really amazing.”

Prenatal care

Prenatal care

Vaginal deliveries

Vaginal deliveries

C-sections

Vaginal deliveries

C-sections

C-sections

Vaginal deliveries

Gynecological surgery

Gynecological surgery

C-sections

Annual Exams

Annual Exams

Vaginal deliveries C-sections

Gynecological

Contraception

Gynecological

Contraception Menopause

Gynecological surgery

Freshman Karsten Lewis qualified to compete at state this year. (Karsten Lewis/Submitted)

The cult of the fastest-growing sport in America

BY TOM DANEHY Tucson Local Media Columnist

Before you ask, no, I don’t want to play pickleball. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. First, I’m only 70, so I’m way too young to play pickleball. Second, I still play tennis on a regular basis, so why would I want to play a crappier version thereof? (It’s like saying that you can go see the Rolling Stones in concert, but you opt for Def Leppard instead.) Third, the PC kinda scares me. PC used to mean politically correct, but now it’s pickleball cult.

I have a friend named Tony. For years, he and I used to referee basketball games together. Then, one time, he texted and said that he couldn’t make it because he was going to a pickleball tournament. I thought, “Oh, that’s nice. His great-grandfather must be playing, and Tony wants to show up and support him before great-gramps shuffles off this mortal coil.”

But then I found out that it was Tony who was playing. I wondered if I had done a Rip Van Winkle and somehow jumped 20 years ahead in time. When I saw him the next week, he was gushing. He apparently had had the time of his life, and good for him. But back in high school, he had been a baller. Now he’s not even a shot-caller.

He went on and on about how he had done in his matches, and he raved about the people in the top tier of the tournament. It was a national tournament and some of the top pickleballers on Earth were there. He rattled off about 10 names, like I was supposed to recognize them. But I did learn that the stars of the sport are all named either Brad, Lance or Bud. When I was a young (and ridiculously smug) college athlete, I remember joking with someone that the age progression for an athlete was that you played basketball until your body no longer allowed you to do so. Then you took up tennis,

followed in 20 years by golf, and then death. It was quite facetious of me since I had been playing tennis since middle school. (I had three older sisters and they forced me to learn the game and tag along with them so we could play doubles. I never thanked them.)

Anyway, that old age progression is out the window. Now, it’s “I used to play some sport. Then I took 20 years off and got really lazy and out of shape. Now I’m a pickleballer!” Or, “I’ve never played a sport in my life. I’ve always had terrible footwork and zero hand-eye coordination. But now I’m a pickleballer!”

Even the name is stupid. The only thing it has to do with pickles is that dill pickles have no calories while playing pickleball expends no calories.

Also, it’s important to know that, under risk of a severe penalty, you are never supposed to mention pickleball without using its full name, like it’s some kind of royalty. The official name is pickleball: the fastest-growing sport in America. I’ve only heard that phrase a few thousand times. However, since we have a word count limit for this column, I ask that every time you hear the name of the sport, you complete the phrase in your head. Please. They’re watching.

Oh yeah, the aforementioned penalty is that you will be strapped in a chair and have your eyelids propped open like Alex DeLarge and forced to watch an entire pickleball tournament — played by

In all seriousness, I’m glad that people are out there doing stuff. The pandemic took a lot out of us. If people want to try out a new sport or try sports for the first time in their lives, good for them. Just don’t preach to me. Pickleball proselytizers are even more annoying than people who take dogs into grocery stores — and those people are all going straight to hell when they die.

SPORT from page 12

50-year-old first-timers.

Finally, there is the noise. After hearing a paddle hit the large whiffle ball three or four times, you will swear that you would rather listen to Tom Waits and Bjork team up to sing the entire Rick Astley songbook. The sound is causing neighbors to sue each other and even get in AARP-sanctioned fistfights. Cities are having to pass pickleball curfews

and noise ordinances, most of which are being ignored by the obsessive zombies who sneak onto courts after hours, perchance to work up a drop of sweat. So, no thanks, I’ll pass. I’m reminded of when Steve Martin was a stand-up comedian. He did this bit about how the door would slam shut in his head whenever somebody said, “Hey, let’s try this new thing!” Martin is now 77 years old. I wonder what he’ll do when he gets to be old enough to play pickleball.

MOVIES on the LAWN

Bring a blanket or chairs and enjoy a movie under the stars! Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Please be courteous to others and leave your pets at home. Movie begins after sundown (approx. 7:30 p.m.) No registration required.

Loneliness, isolation can be a killer

BY MIA SMITT

Tucson Local Media Columnist

Just as we need water, food and shelter, we need social connections and friendships to survive as well. Human beings have a basic drive for contact and intimacy with others. We are “social animals” even if we feel somewhat introverted, shy or fearful of new situations. Life’s challenges are better faced with social support.

Loneliness is the feeling of being alone even if one has social contact. Episodic periods of feeling alone are very normal. Most people experience the loneliness following the loss of a loved one, a move to a new city, or the breakup of a relationship. This isolation tends to be short lived and a time for grieving losses, building new relationships, and renewing established contacts.

Chronic loneliness is different. Social isolation, the lack of an adequate support system, poor or nonexistent family

ties, an addiction to smartphones and the internet, and few (or no) friendships are all signs of loneliness. The “deficiency of relationships” can make a person feel sad and isolated.

Julianne Hold-Lunstad, professor of psychology at Brigham Young University, presented research findings on loneliness

at the 2018 annual American Psychology Association convention.

She showed that loneliness is more dangerous to health than obesity and actually rivals the risks of smoking.

She stated, “Indeed, many nations around the world now suggest we are facing a loneliness epidemic. The challenge we face now is what can be done about it.”

Two meta-analyses were explored. The first included 148 studies with data on 300,000 participants; it found a 50% reduction in the risk of early death among people with more social contacts. The second showed data from 70 studies including 3.4 million people; it looked at social isolation, loneliness and living alone and found that all three increased health risks as much or more than obesity.

On May 1 of this year, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a report calling loneliness the latest public health epidemic.

“We now know that loneliness is a com-

mon feeling that many people experience. It’s like hunger or thirst. It’s a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing,”

Murthy told the Associated Press in an interview. “Millions of people in America are struggling in the shadows, and that’s not right. That’s why I issued this advisory to pull back the curtain on a struggle that too many people are experiencing.” We have become less connected to our houses of worship, community organizations, and even family members over the past several years. This got a lot worse during the COVID-19 isolation mandates with even less time spent with friends, family, work colleagues and schoolmates. The report noted that we spent about 20 minutes a day in person with friends in 2020 compared with 60 minutes daily in 2000. Those ages 15 to 24 really suffered with a 70% drop during that same time

see KILLER page 15

Dr. Brian Martin

period.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) did a loneliness study in 2018. The findings were similar to the APA convention report: 42.6 million adults over the age of 45 suffer from chronic loneliness. The top factors in loneliness were the size and diversity of one’s social connections, physical isolation, age, depression, living in an urban environment, anxiety, overall physical health, and LBGTQ status. The incidence of loneliness was the same across race and ethnicity. Of note in this study, it was found that 33% of older adults who have ever spoken to their neighbors reported being lonely. A whopping 61% of those who have never spoken to neighbors experience loneliness.

Loneliness is a health hazard because it can lead to many problems such as higher levels of stress hormones, increased inflammation, a disruption in sleep patterns, appetite changes, decreased physical activity, and a less robust immune system. Any of these factors increases risk of disease and injury. The effects of loneliness and social isolation can be seen in both the brain and body; the negative effects of stress hormones can be felt at the cellular level and cause problems from higher blood pressure to memory losses. Loneliness can be a precursor to alcoholism and depression. Loneliness is not related to any known brain pathology but is a social and emotional state. The mind-body health connection is both fascinating and a little bit daunting. As we delve into those links, we find more reason to explore our communality and the positive connections between people.

Social media and technology may be driving the upward curve of the nation’s loneliness. One study noted in the surgeon general’s report found that people who used social media for two or more hours a day were more than twice more likely to report feelings of social isolation than people who used these platforms for 30 minutes or less. Are we using technology instead of in person communication and interaction? Protections for children and young teens need to be put in place to curb hours online.

“Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults,” a 2020 book by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, articulated that loneliness in-

creases the risk of premature death by almost 30%. Poor social connectedness also increases the risk of heart disease (29%) and stroke (32%). Loneliness in patients with heart failure was associated with a four times increased risk of death, 68% increased risk of hospitalization, and 57% increased risk of visits to an emergency room. Social isolation was associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia. Loneliness was also associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide. This is a good book for health care providers as it highlights assessment tools, and resources to combat causes of loneliness.

The surgeon general’s report calls on workplaces, schools, community organizations, tech companies, parents, and people in general to make changes that will boost the country’s connectedness. His advice is for people to “put down their phones when they’re catching up with friends; employers to think carefully about their remote work policies; and health systems to provide training for doctors to recognize the health risks of loneliness.”

There are ways to avoid being lonely. Social isolation can be deadly and we need to be aware not only of our own community connections but also those of the people we care for. Home health agencies offer in home support and assistance for those who may be homebound. For older adults, senior centers are a haven for many to socialize, eat a hearty meal, embark on new projects, and meet like minded adults with varied interests. There are many church organizations that have social programs for people of all ages from children to older adults. Community agencies (such as Interfaith Community Services here in Pima County) offer services to meet the social needs of almost every demographic.

Volunteer agencies actively seek assistance in many projects. Many schools have foster grandparent programs that foster intergenerational friendships and understanding. Some libraries have reading groups and frequently offer lifelong learning courses. The key is to look outward from oneself. We need to look out for each other, too, and bring those who may be isolated into our social circles.

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

Honored high school seniors

COMPILED BY VERONICA KUFFEL

Tucson Local Media Staff

Amphitheater Public Schools

Amphitheater High School valedictorian

Boe Reh achieved a 4.4 grade-point average and plans to attend Hope College to study biomedical or mechanical engineering. As extracurriculars, Reh participated in football, cross country, tennis, soccer and volleyball. Among Reh’s awards are Seals of Excellence in English, science, physical education and world languages; and Outstanding English Language Arts Student Award. He is the son of Ney Meh and Lee Reh.

Amphitheater High School salutatorian

Lesly Maria Hernandez earned a 4.35 grade-point average. She’s headed to Lehigh University to study environmental engineering. Her extracurriculars included National Honor Society, Student Leadership Advisory Committee, Young Life, Salvation

Army volunteer, Community Organization for Sustainability with Mayor Romero, peer mentorship, Access ASU, soccer, wrestling and STEP. Awards include: Lehigh University scholarship; National Honor Society; and Seals of Excellence for world languages, math, English, science and physical education. She is the daughter of Edith Garcia and Noe Jimenez Hernandez.

Ironwood Ridge High School valedictorian

With a grade-point average of 4.72, Amy Senkerik plans to attend Barrett, the Honors College, at ASU to study molecular bioscience and biotechnology and political science. She is the daughter of Cindy and Jeff Senkerik.

Ironwood High School salutatorian

Vikas Patel ended his high school career with a grade-point average of 4.7. He’ll attend California Northstate University to study health sciences. While at Ironwood, he participated in men’s volleyball and basketball. He also plays piano and works as a tutor. The son of Smita and Pitush Patel,

he earned the President’s Merit Scholarship and National Scholar awards.

Flowing Wells School District

Flowing Wells High School valedictorian

Headed to Haverford College, Lena Stoltzfus earned a grade-point average of 4.28. The daughter of Tawnya and Kevin Stoltzfus, she will study biomedical engineering. Her extracurriculars included choir (soprano section leader, choral union manager); theater (president); Model United Nations (president); National Honor Society (vice president); Perry Outreach Program Alumna; and Art Express Theater Company volunteer. She earned the Bryn Mawr Presidential Scholarship.

Flowing Wells High School salutatorian

With his 4.23 grade-point average, Daniel Morales Rosales will study to be a forensic psychologist at Harvard University. The son of Maria Victoria Rosales and Alfredo Morales, Rosales participat -

ed in Culinary Arts Cab Cuisine, catering company, culinary arts, varsity volleyball, RUSH Club volleyball, Interact Club president, National Honor Society president and historian, Friends of Pima County Library Club, STEP, Link Crew, chess club, NOLS operations assistant, computer science club president, pickleball club and online business on Mercari.

Private/Charter/Prep

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy valedictorian

Charles Thomas Elliott graduated with a 4.85 grade-point average and will stick close to home by studying mechanical engineering at the UA. The National Honor Society vice president, Elliott served in student body government and participated in track, cross country, soccer and advanced drama. The son of Samuel Elliott and Charlene Whitfield-Elliott, Elliott earned the Elks Most Valuable Student state prize; Association of Christian Schools International Distinguished High School Student; Oro Valley Spotlight on Youth; and PRCA Portrait of a Graduate.

SENIORS from page 16

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy salutatorian

Ella Ruth Pierpont, who earned a 4.78 grade-point average, wants to work as a doctor or medical researcher after attending the UA. Her extracurriculars included participation in women’s choir/ ensemble, National Honor Society, tennis, cross country and OVCN Youth Group. The daughter of John and Jennifer Pierpont, she won National Merit Commended Student; Association of Christian Schools International Distinguished High School Student; Elks Most Valuable Student State Winner; and PRCA Portrait of a Graduate

BASIS

The valedictorians are Katie Cao (Washington University in St. Louis) and Matthew Kim (Cornell University). Salutatorians are Maya Chandra (Northeastern);

Naomi Kolodisner (W.A. Franke Honors College at University of Arizona); Nisha Rajendran (W. A. Franke Honors College at University of Arizona); Amira Rosengren (Barrett, the Honors College at ASU); and Shirley Xiang (UCLA).

Trade Program High Schools

Pima JTED honored students Ironwood High School student Breanna McIver attended Pima JTED Amphi Land Lab. The daughter of Brandon and Bianca McIver, she will study veterinary sciences.

Mountain View High School student Diego Rivera, who attends Pima JTED Early Childhood Education Program, wants to pursue a career in child psychology. He is the son of Rogelio and Zulema Rivera.

Elaina Bredenkamp, also a Mountain View High School, attends Pima JTED Culinary Arts/Advanced Pastry Program. The daughter of Adam and Kelly Bredenkamp will study culinary arts.

Garrett Beem wants to work as an aviation mechanic after attending Mountain View High School and Pima JTED Aviation Technologies Program. He is the son of Christopher and Jacqueline Beem.

Morris, she’ll pursue a career in physical therapy after winning the U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education

PPEP Tec High School

Several students were honored by PPEP Tec High School.

Samuel Carrillo, the son of Elizabeth Perez, plans to attend Pima Community College and own his own restaurant. He earned the PPEP Foundation scholarship.

Litzy Sanchez Chanez will study at the Aveda Institute so she may open a salon. The daughter of Andriana Chanez, she earned the Joe Francis Aveda Institute Scholarship and Presidential Award of Excellence.

Canyon del Oro High School student

Kiersten Morris attends the Pima JTED Licensed Nursing Assistant Program. The daughter of Marshall and Kimberly

Naomi Kolodisner

Amira Rosengren

Pima Community College is Jaime Mejia’s destination. She earned the Presidential Award of Excellence and is the daughter of Jay Cowart and Denise Mejia.

Ahlyn Haro Delcid would like to own a salon after attending Tucson Beauty Salon. She earned the Presidential Award of Achievement.

Marana Unified School District

Marana High School valedictorian

Katherine North Morris plans to attend the UA to pursue a career as an optical engineer.

Marana High School salutatorian

Hannah Hindman plans to attend Brigham Young University to study business. She earned the National Merit BYU, SPEAR Future Business Leaders and BYU Alumni Association scholarships.

pathology at Grand Canyon University.

The daughter of Michael and Maureen Pixley, she participated in academic decathlon and Scouts BSA. She was a National Merit finalist.

Mountain View High School salutatorian

With a 4.53 grade-point average, Riley Knutson plans to study math or computer science at Barrett, the Honors College at ASU. The child of Brenda and Thomas Knutson, Knutson participated in American Mathematics Competitions, USA Mathematical Talent Search, USA Computing Olympiad Tournaments, tennis and chess. Knutson earned honorable mention and bronze medal in USA Mathematical Talent Search, qualifier in American Invitational Mathematics Exam, and AP Scholar with distinction

MCAT High School

Several students were honored by MCAT.

arship and First-Generation Successful Transition and Academic Readiness Program (STAR). She’s the daughter of Angela Romo.

Cristian Maldonado will attend UA or ASU to study neuroscience and cognitive science. The son of Elizabeth and Damian Sr. Maldonado, he earned the Wildcat Recognition Award.

Ariadna Quezada plans to attend Pima Community College and Pima Medical Institute to become a nurse. The daughter of Rosa Quesada, she earned the Presidential Award of Achievement.

Mountain View High School valedictorian

Rachel Pixley earned a grade-point average of 4.67. She plans to study forensic

Harlie Wagner will study secondary education-mathematics at NAU. She was honored with the Dean’s Tuition Schol-

The daughter of Rene

into the U.S. Navy.

Lopez Rivera and Virginia Lopez, Patricia Lopez Tapia has enlisted

Edited by WIll Shortz

7 Christmas carol

8 Information header on a business’s website

9 Higher in temperature

10 ___-backwards (u erly wrong, in slang)

___ de Janeiro

Thieves’ hangout 14 Ford model that’s also a zodiac sign

20 Loaf-shaped cake 21 Innocent sorts “in the woods” 24 Playwright Chekhov

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

You're a wild card this week in that you're versatile in how you can t into a situation, and it's totally up to you how you want to play it. Maybe you're not trying to be an enigmatic and captivating presence in the lives of others, but that's how it's turning out. Be sure to wield your charisma responsibly.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Reciprocal relationships boost your resources and badly matched relationships drain it. For optimum vitality, consider the transactions occurring. What exactly is being exchanged and in what quantity? Consider that the commodity might be something di erent than it seems.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21)

The problem with coming up with achievable goals is that they are entirely subjective. What's doable for you is impossible for another and much too easy for someone else. Sharing with a mentor or group will give you ideas about what sounds reasonable and attainable.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

This week, you will generously circulate your smile. It lifts and comforts people. Your smile gives a sense of warmth, safety and belonging. It works on loved ones and strangers alike. But most of all, it works on you, both improving your mood and giving you the opportunity to collect the reciprocal warmth of others.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21)

Sudden change happens but is more unusual than the kind of transformation you are in this week, which will unfold in stages. You could say that the rst stage is sensing a happier and improved you in a parallel universe. The next stage is nding your way to it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

One way to have more energy is to avoid relationships that keep you dancing out of fear of upsetting anyone. If you're going to dance this week, it should be for fun. If you nd yourself working hard to win someone, step back and make sure it's really worth it. It's not sel sh to ask, "What's in it for me?"

21 Innocent sor ts “in the woods”

24 Playwright Chekhov

25 Makes water tight, say

Wear away 28 Attack, as a bee might

29 Muppet who loves his rubber duckie

Chicken piece that’s not a breast or a wing

Come up

18 Director Welles

30 Neighbor of Mali

31 Milk, in Spanish

for

19 The 2005 compilation “Killer Queen” is one honoring Queen

22 Guided adventure in the Serengeti

47 Hotel chain whose name rhymes with “quiet”

25 Makes watertight, say 26 Wear away

28 A ack, as a bee might

Qualities like resilience, determination and grit are not comfortably attained, but you're glad when the game gets a little harder. You know that trials are like int to a blade. They sharpen character to the razor's edge that will slice through challenges and take obstacles down to a manageable size.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

You'll come at the main issue with a holistic approach. You've already thought enough about the problem. Now it's time to feel it out. You'll ask casual questions aimed at nding common ground. If you can identify shared interests, building together becomes a joy.

Liveliness, from the French

48 Scintillas

Flower that vanilla comes from

49 Because of

51 Many N.Y.C. dwellings: Abbr

50 Classic song about a soulmate … or a phonetic hint for repeated pairs of le ers in 19-, 27- and 42-Across

52 “Oh, ner ts!”

54 Fashion label from Milan

57 ___ donna

44 One born shor tly after W.W. II, informally

Muppet who loves his rubber duckie 30 Neighbor of Mali 31 Milk, in Spanish 32 Buffalo Bill, for William Cody

It's a day to be enchanted by the masks people wear, which includes posturing, social presentation, online persona and more. These performances require intelligence, creativity and discipline. Instead of writing everything o as "fake," you'll take a moment to appreciate the e ort before returning to your quest for authenticity.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

53 Kind of bar with island-themed drinks 54 Winter hrs. in L.A. 55 Fish eggs

Gripping tool 37 Capital of Western Australia

Engage in épée, e.g.

58 “Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 ___ 9!”

59 Sun-related

56 “___ roads lead to Rome”

60 No longer available, as a seat

Things with necks and frets 41 Head covering

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

This is not a time for striving. You're already being challenged enough. Concentrate on doing what you do well. And look into the archives to see what resources you've been overlooking. There is something that worked well for you in the past that could help you again in the future. Aries and Sagittarius are allies.

Compassion is not something that is mysteriously bestowed in xed amounts. Rather, it's a quality that develops both consciously and unconsciously as it is modeled, observed, copied and practiced. It is easy to have compassion for loved ones, but this week, you will o er it to strangers and to those you wish were.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Whether the outcome you want is in the physical world or the emotional world, action will get you there. Work things out by cleaning, clearing, xing, beautifying and building. It is much easier to change your thoughts while moving through a different environment than you were in when those thoughts took form.

23 Drill sergeant’s “Relax!”

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).

27 Chemistry lab device

31 Doesn’t have

34 A empts

35 “___ Te Ching” (philosophical

61 Bit of body ink, for short 62 Rats (on) 63 Kerfuffle 64 General on a Chinese menu

Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay

1 Straps that go around the waist 2 “La Bohème” or “La Traviata”

3 It’s very unlikely to happen

4 Actor/comedian Steve

5 8-Across for some New York plays

6 Civil rights icon ___ Parks

PUZZLE BY SETH BISEN-HERSH

Guide

GF and Son Contractor

Family Business 25 yrs. BBB Member & licensed. Specialize in all types of(New/Old) Roof repairs, Coating, Rotten Wood, Fascia Boards, Remodeling & Additions,

GF and Son Contractor

Family Business 25 yrs. BBB

GF and Son Contractor

Family Business 25 yrs. BBB

Member & licensed. Specialize in all types of(New/Old) Roof repairs, Coating, Rotten Wood, Fascia Boards, Remodeling & Additions, Permit plans. Now Accepting Credit cards Gary or Chase 520-742-1953

GF and Son Contractor

Remodeling & Additions, Permit plans.

Family Business 25 yrs. BBB

Now Accepting Credit cards Gary or Chase 520-742-1953

Member & licensed. Specialize in all types of(New/Old) Roof repairs, Coating, Rotten Wood, Fascia Boards, Remodeling & Additions, Permit plans.

Member & licensed. Specialize in all types of(New/Old) Roof repairs, Coating, Rotten Wood, Fascia Boards, Remodeling & Additions, Permit plans. Now Accepting Credit cards Gary or Chase 520-742-1953

Now Accepting Credit cards Gary or Chase 520-742-1953

LIVING LIFE AFTER COVID

LIVING LIFE AFTER COVID

"Covid was rough on everybody, but I was one of those unlucky ones and my cough caused me to tear muscles in my chest and side. I've pulled muscles before, but never had I been in so much pain, and the area was really swollen. Obviously I kept coughing, so I imagine that didn't help because long after my Covid symptoms disappeared, I was still in pain. Months went by and I wasn't healing, how do you rest an area that you use to breathe?"-

"Covid was rough on everybody, but I was one of those unlucky ones and my cough caused me to tear muscles in my chest and side. I've pulled muscles before, but never had I been in so much pain, and the area was really swollen. Obviously I kept coughing, so I imagine that didn't help because long after my Covid symptoms disappeared, I was still in pain. Months went by and I wasn't healing, how do you rest an area that you use to breathe?"-

Joseph M.

Joseph M.

Kari Hahn, L.Ac. at Oro Valley Acupuncture has been successfully treating Covid "long-haulers" since the early days of the pandemic.

Kari Hahn, L.Ac. at Oro Valley Acupuncture has been successfully treating Covid "long-haulers" since the early days of the pandemic.

"I have protocols for headaches, fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and other symptoms associated with long-haulers syndrome. In addition to acupuncture, I use adjunct therapies to help combat lasting effects of Covid. Joseph was the first person I saw whose infection caused a severe injury," shares Kari Hahn, L.Ac. "Normally with acute injuries, I instruct my patients to rest, take ibuprofen, and come see me if the pain persists for more than a week or two. Joseph had been suffering for months, his body simply refused to heal."

The human body is a self-healing organism. When you scrape your knee, your blood will quickly

The human body is a self-healing organism. When you scrape your knee, your blood will quickly

work to clot and scab. Your liver has a unique ability to regenerate after injury. If you break a bone, there are specific cells that immediately begin to knit the edges back together.

work to clot and scab. Your liver has a unique ability to regenerate after injury. If you break a bone, there are specific cells that immediately begin to knit the edges back together. Unfortunately, there are also a number of factors that inhibit those regenerative cells from completing the tasks they were designed to do including stress, age, not getting enough quality sleep, and suffering from serious infection or disease.

"I have protocols for headaches, fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and other symptoms associated with long-haulers syndrome. In addition to acupuncture, I use adjunct therapies to help combat lasting effects of Covid. Joseph was the first person I saw whose infection caused a severe injury," shares Kari Hahn, L.Ac. "Normally with acute injuries, I instruct my patients to rest, take ibuprofen, and come see me if the pain persists for more than a week or two. Joseph had been suffering for months, his body simply refused to heal."

Unfortunately, there are also a number of factors that inhibit those regenerative cells from completing the tasks they were designed to do including stress, age, not getting enough quality sleep, and suffering from serious infection or disease.

Kari Hahn shares her expertise. "In Joseph's case, his battle with Covid really afftected his muscle tissues and their ability to heal and repair. Beyond the body just being terribly fatigued from fighting a very challenging infection, his cells were nearly depleted of oxygen. At Oro Valley Acupuncture, I have several cutting edge solutions that I use to treat injuries of this nature and at the forefront is O3 Regenerative Therapy™."

Having used acupuncture to heal her own longtime ailments of asthma and fatigue, she saw the power that this ancient medicine has on many issues that people are told they "just have to live with".

Kari Hahn shares her expertise. "In Joseph's case, his battle with Covid really afftected his muscle tissues and their ability to heal and repair. Beyond the body just being terribly fatigued from fighting a very challenging infection, his cells were nearly depleted of oxygen. At Oro Valley Acupuncture, I have several cutting edge solutions that I use to treat injuries of this nature and at the forefront is O3 Regenerative Therapy™."

"I'll be honest, I was skeptical at first," said Joseph. "But I was out of options and too many people have had such incredible success at her hand that I just couldn't say no. With each treatment I felt better and better. It wasn't 2 weeks into treatment before I was once again playing pickle ball!"

Kari Hahn has been treating complex, chronic conditions in Tucson for nearly two decades.

Kari Hahn has been treating complex, chronic conditions in Tucson for nearly two decades.

At Oro Valley Acupuncture, Kari uses acupuncture in combination with adjunct therapies to break through the patterns in longstanding chronic issues. "Those conditions that Western medicine professionals deem 'untreatable,' and then send you on your way with a prescription in hand - that's where we do our best work." There are real solutions to your suffering. Kari Hahn works to create those solutions based on the successful treatment of seemingly chronic cases over the years.

"I'll be honest, I was skeptical at first," said Joseph. "But I was out of options and too many people have had such incredible success at her hand that I just couldn't say no. With each treatment I felt better and better. It wasn't 2 weeks into treatment before I was once again playing pickle ball!"

"I've seen Kari Hahn for almost every ailment and condition since, " tells Joseph. "Now I check in every few weeks for maintenance. I know I make it sound like changing the oil in your car, but that's exactly what it is. Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of ordering custom new parts for my body, so I plan on taking good care of the one I've got!".

Having used acupuncture to heal her own longtime ailments of asthma and fatigue, she saw the power that this ancient medicine has on many issues that people are told they "just have to live with".

At Oro Valley Acupuncture, Kari uses acupuncture in combination with adjunct therapies to break through the patterns in longstanding chronic issues. "Those conditions that Western medicine professionals deem 'untreatable,' and then send you on your way with a prescription in hand - that's where we do our best work." There are real solutions to your suffering. Kari Hahn works to create those solutions based on the successful treatment of seemingly chronic cases over the years.

"I've seen Kari Hahn for almost every ailment and condition since, " tells Joseph. "Now I check in every few weeks for maintenance. I know I make it sound like changing the oil in your car, but that's exactly what it is. Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of ordering custom new parts for my body, so I plan on taking good care of the one I've got!".

If you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a new patient consultation, please call. Mention this ad for a consult fee of $30 for our New Patient Offer.

If you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a new patient consultation, please call. Mention this ad for a consult fee of $30 for our New Patient Offer.