Explorer News 07/15/2023

“Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” o ers Instagrammable moments. (Exhibition Hub/Submitted)

Officials: ‘Van Gogh’

complements local art scene

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Sta

“Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” has traveled the world and, in late July, it will visit Oro Valley Marketplace.

The waitlist is open to secure tickets before the general public.

“Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” is

exactly what it sounds like, said John Zaller, the exhibit’s executive producer. It offers cutting-edge digital projections, groundbreaking virtual reality experiences. Guests can step into the life and paintings of Van Gogh, Zaller said.

“It’s a complete immersion into the life and times and works of Vincent Van Gogh,” he said.

see VAN GOGH page 18

Vocal residents cool toward smoothie drive-thru

BY DAVE PERRY Tucson Local Media Contributor

Tropical Smoothie wants to build a “fast-casual” restaurant with a drive-thru on a .76-acre parcel within Canada Crossroads, a retail center on the southwest corner of Lambert and La Canada in Oro Valley. It needs a conditional use permit — which must be approved by the Oro Valley Town Council — to operate a drive-thru at the business.

That drive-thru, and the loss of Santa Catalina Mountain views from the patio of locally owned and operated restaurant Harvest, were raised as worries by residents who attended a neighborhood meeting on the proposal June 27.

“We just need to preserve Oro Valley,” said resident Anne Marie Rogan, an Oro Valley resident who enjoys outdoor dining at Harvest and nearby Caffe Torino with her husband, Jim, and their friends. “This is a diamond. When it’s gone, it’s gone.

“We want you in our town, we really do, we love young people, and entrepreneurs,” Rogan told the applicants. “But you have to come in and fit within us. You

A Senior Living Option as Unique as You.

La Posada, southern Arizona’s awardwinning Life Plan Community, is bringing its commitment to excellence to Oro Valley. Finely appointed, maintenance-free apartment homes. Stunning mountain views. An oasis of first-class amenities to enjoy with friends, old and new. All at an incomparable, wellness-centered community in the heart of nature.

Connect with our retirement counselors at an upcoming informative lunch to hear about the latest construction updates, delicious restaurant-style dining experiences and the long-term security of our Life Lease and more.

ORO VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB

Friday, August 4

Please join us for an upcoming luncheon and informative presentation on a date and location that is convenient for you:

Tuesday, September 12

SADDLEBROOKE 2 BALLROOM

Friday, July 21

Friday, August 18

Thursday, September 14

RSVP today by calling 520-531-3480. Seating is limited. Lunch will be served.

"SHE SAVED MY LIFE"

Oro Valley resident Dawn R. had been experiencing the painful side eff ects of Peripheral Neuropath y. "My feet and legs were extremely painf ul and my doctor told me there was nothing they could do, and that I would have to take Gabapentin for the rest of my li fe." Then she met Oro Valley's very own Kari Hahn, L.Ac.

Peripheral Neuropathy is the pain, discomfort and numbness caused b y nerve damage of the peripheral nervous system. Dawn explained that daily tasks like opening doors and using the bathroom were overwhelmingly painful. "How can you live for the next 30 years when you don't even want to get out of bed to do simple things?"

She was experiencing the burning, numbness, tingling and sharp pains that those suffering with neuropathy often describe. "The way that I would describe it, it's equivalent to walking on glass." Dawn hadn't worn socks in five years and was wearing shoes two sizes too big so that nothing would 'touch' her feet.

Unfortunately Dawn's story is all too familiar for the over 20 million people in the U.S. suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy.

If you're unfortunate enough t o be facing the same disheartening prognosis, perhaps you're not sleeping at night because of the burning in your feet. You may have difficulty walking, shopping or doing any activity for more than 30 minutes because of the pain. You're possibly struggling with balance and living in fear that you might fall. Your doctor may have told you to 'just live with the pain' and you may be taking medications that aren't working o r have uncomfortable side effects.

Fortunately, four months ago, Dawn read an article about Kari Hahn and the work she was doing to treat those suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy, without invasive surgeries or medications.

Kari Hahn, founder of Oro Valley Acupuncture, is using the time tested science of Acupuncture along with other modern therapies to assist in increasing blood flow and expediting recovery and healing to treat this debilitating disease.

"Now when I go to bed at night I don't have those shooting pains. I don't have that burning sensation. I don't have pain coming up my legs," Dawn enthusiastically describes life after receiving Kari's treatments. "I can wear socks and shoes!"

Dawn and her sister now operate a successful dog walking business, sometimes covering up to 5 miles a day.

"It's life altering. As far as I'm concerned Kari saved my life!"

Kari Hahn has been helping the senior community for over 19 years using the most cutting edge and innovative integrative medicine. Specializing in chronic pain cases, specifically those that have been deemed 'h opeless' or 'u ntreatable', she consistently generates unparalleled results. What was once a missing link in senior healthcare is now easily accessible to the residents of Oro Valley.

If you've missed too many tee times because of pain or you've passed on activities with the grandkids because you're afraid of falling, it's time to call Kari and the staff at Oro Valley Acupuncture.

It's time you let your golden years BE GOLDEN!

Oro Valley Acupuncture is now accepting new patients but only for a limited time. In an effort to protect her patients, both current and future, she has made the difficult decision to limit the number of patients seen in her clinic. Only 20 new neuropathy patients will be accepted before the end of summer, so call (520) 532-2012 now to schedule a consultation. Mention this ad for a consult fee of $30 for our New Patient Offer.

Imagine everything you need to flourish. And, everything you’d need to flourish for years to come. It’s all here, in one very captivating place. The wealth of activities. The stylish setting. Fabulous cuisine. Attentive service.

And expert healthcare support should the need arise. It’s everything you need to live your life, your way.

LUNCH & LEARN

THURSDAY, JULY 20TH • 11:30AM

Join us for a presentation on the benefits of senior living. Afterwards, take a tour of our community and enjoy a delicious lunch. To RSVP, please call 520.704.6491.

3

Hot Picks

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local

Media Sta

ARTS

Linda McCartney Retrospective TO AUG. 4

The North American premiere of the Linda McCartney Retrospective comes to the University of Arizona Center for Creative Photography, now through Friday, Aug. 4. Spanning McCartney’s entire career from 1965 to 1997, this exhibition features 176 photographs and archival materials, including Polaroid images and presents three sections such as family life, photographic experimentation and artists. The exhibit is weekly from Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The exhibition will also feature various community events inspired by the collection.

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

Cool Summer Nights TO AUG. 26

Every Saturday night, the Sonora Desert Museum celebrates summer with families. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, tickets start at $20, free for members, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 520-833-1380, desertmuseum.org

MUSIC

Westward Look Concert Series

THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS

Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa hosts some of the best local acts in town. On the sched-

ule for July are Midnight Blues (blues), Friday, July 14; ROH Band (top 40/rock), Saturday, July 15; Whose Blues (blues/R&B), Friday, July 21; Corey Spector (top 40), Saturday, July 22; Connie Brannock and Friends (funk), Friday, July 28; and Jukebox Junqies (classic rock), Saturday, July 29. All shows start at 6 p.m.

Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa, 245 E. Ina Road, Tucson, free admission with table reservation, 6 to 8 p.m., saaca.org

The Outlaw Mariachi JULY 14

The Outlaw Mariachi is considered “LA’s premiere rock mariachi band, combining American and Latin rock music.

Club Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $20, 21 and older, 8:30 p.m., hotelcongress.com

see HOT PICKS page 6

5-DAY

EXPLORER

The Explorer and Marana News is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the Northwest Tucson. To nd out where you can pick up a free copy of the Explorer and Marana News, go to 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 Scha ner, Sta Reporter kscha ner@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Jack Miessner, Sta Reporter jmiessner@tucsonlocalmedia.com

PRODUCTION

Courtney Oldham Production/Design Supervisor production@timeslocalmedia.com

Arman Olivares, Graphic Designer aolivares@timeslocalmedia.com

CIRCULATION

Aaron Kolodny, Circulation Director, aaron@phoenix.org

ADVERTISING

TLMSales@TucsonLocalMedia.com

Laura Meehan, Associate Publisher, lmeehan@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Kristin Chester, Account Executive kristin@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Candace Murray, Account Executive candace@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Tyler Vondrak, Account Executive tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Leah Pittman, Account Executive lpittman@tucsonlocalmedia.com

NATIONAL ADVERTISING

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

EDITORIAL

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENTS NOT WORKING!!

Tucson, AZ - When it comes to chronic pain and/ or neuropathy, the most common doctor-prescribed treatment is drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin. The problem with anti-depressants or anti-seizure medications like these is that they offer purely symptomatic relief, as opposed to targeting and treating the root of the problem. Worse, these drugs o en trigger an onset of uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes harmful side effects.

The only way to effectively treat chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is by targeting the source, which is the result of nerve damage owing to inadequate blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet. This o en causes weakness and numbness.

As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves cannot survive, and thus, slowly die. This leads to those painful and frustrating consequences we were talking about earlier, like weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, and perhaps even a burning sensation.

The drugs your doctor might prescribe will temporarily conceal the problems, putting a “BandAid” over a situation that will only continue to deteriorate without further action.

(above 95% nerve loss is rarely treatable)

3. The amount of treatment required for the patient’s unique condition

Arrowhead Physical Medicine in Tuscon, AZ uses a state-of-the-art electric cell signaling systems worth $100,000.00. This ground-breaking treatment is engineered to achieve the following, accompanied by advanced diagnostics and a basic skin biopsy to accurately analyze results:

1. Increases blood flow

2. Stimulates and strengthens small fiber nerves

3. Improves brain-based pain

The treatment works by delivering energy to the affected area(s) at varying wavelengths, from low- to middle-frequency signals, while also using Amplitude Modulated (AM) and Frequency Modulated (FM) signaling.

It’s completely painless!

THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT THIS TREATMENT IS COVERED BY MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND MOST INSURANCES!!

Depending on your coverage, your peripheral neuropathy treatment could cost almost nothing – or be absolutely free.

The number of treatments required varies from patient to patient, and can only be determined following an in-depth neurological and vascular examination. As long as you have less them 95% nerve damage, there is hope!

Thankfully, Tuscon is the birthplace of a brand new facility that sheds light on this pressing problem of peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain. The company is trailblazing the medical industry by replacing outdated drugs and symptomatic reprieves with an advanced machine that targets the root of the problem at hand.

Effective neuropathy treatment relies on the following three factors:

1. Finding the underlying cause

2. Determining the extent of the nerve damage

Arrowhead Physical Medicine begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage – a complimentary service for your friends and family. Each exam comprises a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy findings.

Arrowhead Physical Medicine will be offering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until July 31st, 2023. Call (520) 934-0130 to make an appointment.

Due to our very busy office schedule, we are limiting this offer to the first 10 callers. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL (520) 934-0130...NOW!!

We are extremely busy, so we are unavailable, please leave a voice message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Band: The Music of Boston

JULY 15

Rock ‘n’ Roll Band makes its first appearance on the Gaslight Music Hall stage playing the music of Boston.

Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road, Suite 165, Oro Valley, $25 with senior discounts available, 6 p.m., gaslightmusichall.com

SPECIAL EVENTS

Cox Movies in the Park: “DC League of Super Pets”

JULY 14

Watch “DC League of Super Pets” under the stars at Reid Park. The outdoor movies are free and open to the public. Pre-screening activities and entertainment begin at 6 p.m., before the movie at 7:45 p.m. The next one is Friday, July 28, with “Strange World.” Reid Park, George DeMeester Outdoor Performance Theater, 900 S. Randolph Way, Tucson, free, coxmoviesinthepark.com

Buffett’s Margaritaville

JULY 14

Buffett’s Margaritaville pays tribute to everyone’s favorite Parrothead, Jimmy Buffett. The colorful stage will transport the audience to a “tropical paradise.” Tickets are $34 for regular admission and $80 for VIP admission. With VIP admission, guests get unlim-

SMOOTHIE

from page 1

have to assimilate; you can’t just break us. Why does it have to be drive-thru?”

Tropical Smoothie proposes a 1,649-square-foot, 20-foot-tall building, with both outdoor and indoor seating, on the southernmost, long-scraped pad at Canada Crossroads. Current permissions for the site, within a Neighborhood Commercial/Office zone, allow a 5,950-square-foot, 25-foot-tall building on the pad.

“What we’re proposing is significantly smaller,” said Rory Juneman, a land use attorney with the Tucson law firm Lazarus & Silvyn, who is representing property owner OneTen REI and its principal Nico Fricchione of Tempe. Fricchione and franchisee Samir Patel, who owns two other Tropical Smoothie locations in greater Tucson, were part of an audience of two dozen people at the neighborhood meeting.

ited soft beverages and appetizers, a waitstaff and a gift bag.

Old Tucson, 201 Kinney Road, Tucson, tickets start at $34, 6 to 7:30 p.m., oldtucson.com

Movies on the Lawn: “The Bad Guys”

JULY 15

Join the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center for a top-notch film. “The Bad Guys” is the July 15 selection, while “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” is shown on Aug. 19.

Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center, 10555 N. La Canada Drive, Oro Valley, free, 7:30 to 9 p.m., orovalleyaz.gov

Paint Night in the Park

JULY 15

Marana Heritage River Park will house Paint Night in the Park, an instructor-led class; no need for painting experience. A canvas and painting supplies are part of the ticket price. Attendees can bring their favorite food and drinks to enjoy while painting. Marana Heritage River Park, 12375 N. Heritage Park Drive, Marana, tickets start at $30, 6 to 8 p.m., maranaaz.gov

Splendido Car Show

JULY 22

Join Obsessions Car Club for its family-friendly event with food trucks and cars. Car show registration is $10.

Juneman said the applicants have changed their proposal since the first neighborhood meeting in June 2022, when several dozen people raised their objections, hundreds signed petitions, and many offered suggestions. “From that first meeting to the submittal, we got a lot of feedback that improved the project,” Juneman said.

The latest proposal includes a taller screen wall on the drive-thru, enhanced landscaping, plans to use existing trash and loading locations at the center rather than add new ones, increased outdoor seating on the north-side patio, and more detailed architecture intended to “have this building blend with the existing center,” Juneman said.

The drive-thru would have “stacking” for up to eight vehicles, “a purposeful count, based on the town’s requirement,” Juneman said. A study of the Tropical Smoothie location at the Houghton Town Center in Vail showed 26 vehicles using

Splendido at Rancho Vistoso, 13500 N. Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, Tucson, free admission, 9 a.m. to noon, obsessionscarclub.com

“Fantastic Mr. Fox”

JULY 23

After 12 years of bucolic bliss, Mr. Fox (George Clooney) breaks a promise to his wife (Meryl Streep) and raids the farms of their human neighbors, Boggis, Bunce and Bean. Giving in to his animal instincts endangers not only his marriage but also the lives of his family and their animal friends. When the farmers force Mr. Fox and company deep underground, he has to resort to his natural craftiness to rise above the opposition. In addition to the movie, attendees can do crafts, hear the historic theater organ, celebrate summer birthdays and sing along.

Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $2.50, 2 p.m., 520-547-3040, foxtucson.com

Wet

and Wild TO JULY 28

Wet and Wild in the Garden features fun activities such as squirting plants and planting gardens. There are four sessions for the price of $40 and children ages 2 to 10 are allowed with an adult.

Heritage River Park, 12375 N. Heritage Park Drive, Marana, $40, 8 to 9 a.m., maranaaz.gov

the drive-thru during its busiest onehour period, each with an average dwell time of two minutes, and seven cars in line at the hour’s peak. “We think eight cars is ample for stacking,” Juneman said.

Longtime resident Jerry Roberts recalled the controversy over Canada Crossroads development more than 20 years ago. A result of that process was a development agreement, since expired, stating “there definitely would not be a drive-thru restaurant” in the center, Roberts said. “We didn’t want drive-thru” then, he said, and he doesn’t want one now. “This one gets in? Another gets in,” Roberts said.

“We definitely hear you loud and clear,” town senior planner Milini Simms said to residents. “You have concerns with a drive-thru.”

“I’m afraid both Torino and Harvest will see a reduction in their customers” if a drive-thru is allowed, a resident said. Juneman disagreed; he said he believes

Dog Days

of Summer TO SEPT. 30

Guests can take their dogs to Tucson Botanical Gardens through Sept. 30. Imagine the smells they’ll enjoy and the fun of exploring new trails, most shaded by the gardens’ old-growth trees. No doubt they’d also welcome a bite from whatever you order from Edna’s Eatery on site. It’s run by Westward Look Resort

Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, tickets start at $15 with discounts available, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., tucsonbotanical.org

Biosphere 2 DAILY

We may have experienced an earlier iteration of the Biosphere as something like a passive “zoo” of biomes, but now the focus is on climate change and sustainability research. Interdisciplinary scientists from all over are finding ways to “increase resilience and sustainability of Earth systems and human quality of life.” Ecosystems under glass include the world’s largest controlled tropical rain forest, desert, savanna, mangrove, ocean biomes. Eye-popping fact: 7.2 million cubic feet are sealed within 6,500 windows. Those systems have now seen 30 years of evolution. Biosphere 2, 32540 S. Biosphere Road, Tucson, $25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., biosphere2. org

Harvest and Torino “could actually increase business” if Tropical Smoothie comes to fruition. “When there’s more business in a center, everyone benefits.”

“I see other businesses coexist and create some synergy,” agreed commercial real estate broker Sean Lieb, speaking in favor of the proposal. “Getting eyeballs through the center benefits the other co-tenants as well.”

Diminished views are a particular worry for Reza Shapouri, owner of Harvest on the center’s west side. Shapouri asked if the proposed building could be moved farther from Harvest, and that trees intended to screen Tropical Smoothie from Harvest not be so large as to block its patio view. Juneman said the building was about as far from Harvest as it could be placed on the vacant pad. Smaller trees could be planted.

“Obviously, there would be some

New store, same great savings on wireless.

Visit your new local Xfinity Store located at 4433 N. 1st Ave. and see how our retail associates make switching to Xfinity Mobile fast and easy. They’ll help break up with your current carrier for you and get you connected to the fastest mobile service with 5G and millions of WiFi hotspots. Visit your new X nity Store at 4433 N. 1st Ave., Suite 103 Tucson, AZ 85705 Mon-Sat 10:00am – 7:00pm | Sun 11:00am – 5:00pm

Meet our southern neighbors with Borderlandia

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER Tucson Local Media Sta

Alex La Pierre is obsessed with history and the relationship between the United States and Mexico. He shares his love through Borderlandia, “a binational organization committed to building public understanding of the borderlands.”

One way to do this is through tours.

Guests can journey to the late 18th century and follow in the footsteps of Capt. Juan Bautista de Anza Bezerra Nieto as he sought to establish an overland route from Mexico to Alta California.

Leading a party of three Catholic priests, 20 soldiers, 11 servants, 35 mules, 65 head of cattle and 140 horses, de Anza left Tubac Presidio and journeyed across the desert to Monterey, California.

Along the way, he showed what a fine diplomat he was by establishing good relations with the First Nation peoples, including the Yuma.

Or, guests can just visit a mission, the San José de Tumacácori mission at Tumacácori National Historical Park, less than an hour’s drive south from Tucson on I-19.

The tours begin at the visitor’s center. There’s even history to savor at this small building.

“There are so many layers of history

here, and the first layer of history here is this visitor’s center,” said founder Alex La Pierre.

“This is almost 100 years old,” he said.

“It goes back to the New Deal Era when FDR was putting people back to work in the Great Depression… What’s so fantastic about this visitor’s center is that it was actually the result of a product of an expedition. The National Park Service sent a whole team of archaeologists, anthropologists, historians down to Mexico just across the border, and they were charged with investigating all the missions, the network of Fr. Kino’s missions.”

La Pierre will point out some of those design elements in the visitor’s center. It's one of the ways Borderlandia helps to bridge cultures.

“Back around the last administration, we realized there’s something really wrong, that the news about the border that was being shared was (focused on) the 1% or 2% negative, and then, of course, you had the xenophobia and all the bad, awful things said by the last administration,” La Pierre said.

“We wanted to provide an opportunity for people to feel safe, to go with (someone) from there and connect with local people and offer this as a service. We consider it not just tourism but really, citizen-level diplomacy.”

To that end, La Pierre offers several opportunities to see how the histories of Mexico and the United States are intertwined. One of those is a private tour of Tumacácori, where guests hear about the how and why the mission was established.

In fact, the mission is stunning in an austere sort of way, especially when you know its history and why it’s in the condition it is now.

Find out why there are holes in the walls of the sanctuary (looters were looking for treasure) or who etched their names high up in the wall (buffalo soldiers). Ask La Pierre just about anything about the mission, he knows.

One of the most interesting parts of the tour is when La Pierre goes into the surrounding woods, and shows off the mighty Santa Cruz River, which, at this

point, is more of a wide creek. Still, he said the river is healthy, measurable by the return of the endangered Gila topminnow fish. They’re only about a couple of inches long, but they are there and noticeable. The walk to the river in the dappled shade is a very pleasant relief from the hot sun.

The 2-mile Tumacácori Tour lasts about an hour or so, most of it on paved walkways. However, the woodsy portion where you walk in de Anza’s footsteps is unpaved, in some places just a narrow trail. Wear long pants and sleeves if possible (there is an invasive plant species that will make you very sorry you touched it) and sturdy shoes. The park is wheelchair accessible. To make it ADA-friendly, La Pierre will omit the woods and river portion.

Borderlandia also offers Tucson Origins, covering Tucson’s Presidio and Barrio Viejo; Tubac’s Heritage, about Arizona’s oldest European settlement; and Nogales: Present and Past. Stay on this side of the border and learn about the binational city’s place in U.S.-Mexico history.

Costs for these tours vary but general -

ly come in at about $50 a person. Group discounts are offered.

Not listed on Borderlandia’s website is a chance to shop in Nogales on the other side of the line. La Pierre will lead a private tour, where he will explain the history and top restaurants.

La Pierra will help those who want prescriptions filled. However, a written prescription must be shown at customs. The cost is $75 per person; bring your passport.

Borderlandia offers overnight opportunities to go deeper into Mexico, including a Sonoran bacanora tour and a Rocky Point and El Pinacate tour.

More than a visit, Borderlandia’s tours are a moment to see things from a different point of view.

“Come and see for yourself about our neighbor, rather than letting the news media present this (rather) dystopian, narrow view, which is very far from the truth,” La Pierre said.

Borderlandia

borderlandia.org

info@borderlandia.org

San José de Tumacácori mission at Tumacácori National Historical Park. (Karen Scha ner/ Sta )

Alex La Pierre, along with his wife, Rocio La Pierre, own and operate Borderlandia, a tour company dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of Mexico. (Karen Scha ner/Sta )

Local animal sanctuary offers reduced cat adoption fees

BY COLE JANUSZEWSKI

Tucson Local Media Sta

Bissell Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, is once again hosting its Empty the Shelters reduced-fee adoption in July.

Through Monday, July 31 Bissell Pet Foundation’s Summer National “Empty the Shelters” will take place at more than 335 shelters in 44 states with spayed/neutered, vaccinated pets available for adoption for just $50 or less.

It includes The Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter & Sanctuary in Tucson.

Brittany Schlacter, the marketing and public relations specialist for Bissell, said the event started in 2016 and has helped more than 150,000 pets get adopted. Every participating shelter will receive a grant for the pets they get adopted during the event.

This year, she said the foundation

hopes to help about 1,200 pets per day get adopted as shelters have gotten packed in the past couple of years.

“Right now, shelters are so full that we just want to get as many people into their local and participating animal shelters,” she said.

“Even if they are not looking to adopt, hopefully they fall in love and adopt — if it’s the right time. We are also hoping people will at least consider fostering or volunteering at their local shelter.”

The Hermitage No-Kill Shelter & Sanctuary is participating in the event for the first time, according to Diane Siefkes, the executive director.

“We are inundated right now with kittens,” she said. “We’ve received over 300 kittens just this year. It’s a record-breaking year so far and we continue to see intake requests on a daily basis along with people just walking up with litters of kittens.”

She said the uptick of kittens has been

due to the changing economy since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. Many people, she said, have been forced to give up their pets due to changing living situations.

“We are seeing a lot more people put their pets up for adoption because of changing housing situations,” she said. “Either they are having to move because they can’t afford their current rent or the places that they are moving into don’t allow pets. So, we’re seeing a lot of situations where people are either not able to afford their pets anymore or their new living situations won’t allow for pets.”

If the number of kittens continues to increase, Siefkes said they will have to stop taking them in. If this happens, she said the overpopulation problem will get worse.

“If we’re not able to take them in then folks will try to rehome the cats themselves,” she said. “But that just adds to the problem because those cats and kittens are not spayed, not neutered and are not up to date on their shots like they would be if they were adopted from us. So, it just perpetuates the problem with overcrowding and overpopulation.”

She said their participation in the Empty the Shelters event will help alleviate the problem. Specifically, she said The Hermitage No-Kill Shelter & Sanctuary will offer two kittens for $100, one kitten for $75, adult cats in their general population area for $50, and seniors and special needs kitties for $25.

Like Schlacter, Siefkes also encouraged people who are interested in adoption to stop by and look at the cats.

“Every cat here is treated as an individual and we cater to that individuality,” she said. “So, if a cat needs a quiet space and needs a cubby, we offer that space for them. We are a safe space for every one of these cats and we really want to be able to find all these guys good loving homes.”

The Hermitage No-Kill Shelter & Sanctuary

5278 E. 21st Street, Tucson 520-571-7839

hermitagecatshelter.org

Bissell Pet Foundation

bissellpetfoundation.org

Running bonds Michelle and Luke Nolen

BY JAMES LOTTS Tucson Local Media Sta

For longtime Tucsonan Michelle Nolen, running is more than just exercise. It is her passion.

It’s also a way for her to bond with her son, Luke. In April, Nolen accomplished one of her “bucket list” items when she ran the Boston Marathon.

Nolen ran when she was younger and revived it after she gave birth to Luke. When she started running seriously, Nolen didn’t plan on participating in the Boston Marathon.

“My son has special needs, but he always loved being pushed in the strollers on our walks and runs,” Nolen said.

“So, as he got older and bigger, and outgrew the standard-bought jogging stroller, I needed to find a way to keep that going.”

Nolen was then introduced to Team Hoyt Arizona. The organization was founded after Rick Hoyt, who uses a

wheelchair, asked his father, Dick, to push him in a race. Nolen said Team Hoyt helped her find the equipment she needed to run with her son.

Her goal was to run with Luke in the Boston Marathon. At the time, she had seven years to train. Participants in the Boston Marathon, like Luke, must be age 18.

To prepare for her first Boston Marathon, Nolen increasingly ran farther. She went from 5Ks to 10Ks to half marathons until she was ready to run in Boston.

Nolen raised over $11,000 for the parent organization, The Hoyt Foundation, so she could register to run in the Boston Marathon. She was overwhelmed but excited. She was only the second member of Team Hoyt to run the Boston Marathon.

It did not disappoint.

“So, my big fear about the Boston Marathon wasn’t the distance,” said Nolen, whose father, Truly David Nolen, found-

ed the pest control service of the same name.

“It wasn’t the weather that can be so unpredictable. I was really worried. It’s such a hyped experience. People build it up to be the end-all-be-all. You only live once. Usually that’s a concern for me. I was like, ‘Oh, everything gets hyped up and it’s never going to live up to that experience.’ And it was so much better than anything I expected.”

Nolen said the energy in Boston was palpable during the marathon. The city embraced the runners.

“Everything about it was so amazing,” she said.

“The hospitality, the other runners there, it’s a special community for sure. The course genuinely had people before the start…there’s people cheering you on and so excited and little kids with posters and dogs and all the way to the finish line and beyond even with the rain.”

“I mean, Boston brought out the best in me, and I didn’t expect to run it that well and be able to enjoy,” Nolen said. “It’s like, ‘OK, you either run hard or you can kind of smile and take it all in,’ and it brought out the best. I got the best of both worlds.”

Nolen would like to continue running marathons. She said she wants to run in the Boston Marathon, if she can’t run in the London Marathon. She’d like to travel to England to run it with Luke.

“Oh, I’ve had the Kool-Aid. I’ve drunk the Boston Kool-Aid,” Nolen said, “and I want to go pretty much any year that I can. So now it’s like, ‘OK, we want to be in that club,’ like every year.”

The atmosphere stuck with Nolen, who eschewed taking photos or listening to music during the Boston Marathon. Nolen finished the Boston Marathon in four hours and 41 minutes, according to her watch. That was her personal best — and proud of it.

Michelle Nolen and Rick Hoyt of The Hoyt Foundation/Team Hoyt. (Michelle Nolen/ Submitted)

MegaMania offers cosplay, workshops for all ages

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Sta

Pima County Public Library will bring together a plethora of its programs for MegaMania, a

mer festival of cosplay, gaming, crafts, local authors and artists.

The event comes to the Pima Community College Downtown Campus from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 15.

“It’s a comic-con-style event,” said Kendra Davey, Pima County Public Library’s literacy initiatives program manager.

“We’re trying to recreate the fun and excitement of sharing the fandom of whatever you’re interested in — comics, anime, videogames, books, really anything.”

Davey stressed this is an all-ages event with kids’ crafts, games, video games, Dungeons & Dragons games, a variety

of board games, and two escape rooms.

Artist and comic book authors will host workshops, and the writer-in-residence, Gene Twaronite, will lead a poetry open mic from 2 to 3 p.m.

Cosplay workshops will teach guests how to make a simple costume. Groups in attendance will be the 501st Legion, an international, fan-based organization dedicated to the construction and wearing of screen-accurate replicas of Imperial Stormtrooper armor, Sith Lords, Clone Troopers, bounty hunters and other villains from the “Star Wars” franchise.

“We had a lot of adults asking if they could go,” she said. “So, we opened it to all ages. It quickly outgrew any of our library branches, so we moved the event to Pima Community College, and they’ve been really great partners on the event. It’s pretty exciting. It’s a fun event. People have tons of fun.”

Most of the events are drop-in, except for the escape room, for which admittance is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Arizona Ghostbusters is also on the docket. The nonprofit volunteers around the state — all with a Ghostbusters theme.

“We encourage people to come dressed up,” Davey said. “We have a cosplay showcase. It’s not a costume competition. You get to show off your cosplay. They really get into it and spend a lot of time on their cosplay.”

MegaMania was founded in 2010 as a teen program for manga and anime fans. The festival, which took a break during the pandemic, had such a rabid response that it expanded.

“A lot of the things we’re doing at MegaMania are programs at the libraries throughout the year,” said Davey, a UA graduate who has worked for the library for 15 years.

“If you miss the escape room, keep an eye on the library calendar. These are things that we do periodically.”

MegaMania

WHEN: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 15

WHERE: Pima Community College Downtown Campus, 1255 N. Stone Avenue, Tucson

COST: Free

bit.ly/TucsonMegaMania

The Pima County Public Library encourages guests at MegaMania on Saturday, July 15, to dress up in their best cosplay. (Pima County Public Library/Submitted)

Collard greens are delicious and healthy

BY MIA SMITT Tucson Local Media Columnist

Economic “hard times” are being faced by many as we continue to struggle through these postCOVID-19 times.

From young families to seniors, we feel the higher costs of living including groceries as interrupted supply chains are getting back on track. We are eating in restaurants less often, cutting back on “luxury” foods and pinching pennies wherever possible.

Maybe it is time to expand our horizons and look for new nutritional opportunities. The fresh vegetable aisles do not have to mean high expense. And farmers markets, which are popping up in many neighborhoods, can be a welcome relief for the pocketbook as well as a fun place to roam.

Since childhood, we have all heard the mantra “eat your greens.” Our moms may not have known all the precise benefits, but they knew that dark green, leafy vegetables provided a variety of health benefits. Most of us eat various kinds of lettuce and spinach somewhat regularly. Let’s expand our horizons and try another “green leafy,” the humble collard greens. Rich in nutrients and low in calories, collard greens are a big bang for your buck.

“Greens” have been a staple in traditional southern cooking for many years and are becoming more popular in the rest of the country.

Collard greens are very low in calories (about 30 calories per average serving) and have no cholesterol. They are high in fiber, which promotes colon health by preventing constipation. Only one cup provides about 85% of our daily fiber requirement.

They also help to decrease LDL cholesterol (the bad stuff) by binding with bile acids and allowing the excess cholesterol to pass out of the body without being absorbed into the body with fats. Collards are also a rich source of “phytonutrients,” which have been shown to protect against prostate, cervical, colon and ovarian cancers by inhibiting the growth and actually killing cancer cells. (“Phyto” is a Greek word for plant.) These phy-

tonutrients also have antibacterial and antiviral properties and they boost the immune system.

Collards are also high in vitamin C with 59% of the daily requirement in just one serving. Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that helps in wound healing and may prevent or shorten upper respiratory infections and flu-like viral illness. They are also a very rich source of vitamin A with 222% of the daily requirement!

Vitamin A is needed to maintain vision, healthy skin and mucous membranes. Collard greens are also a good source of the antioxidants lutein, carotenes and zeaxanthin, which fight “the free radicals” that cause cell damage. Collard leaves provide 41.5% of the folate requirement, which is essential for DNA synthesis and brain function.

Adequate folate levels also help to control of homocysteine in blood and urine; elevations in this amino acid can be an indicator of heart disease. Folate aids in the prevention of fetal neural tube defects when taken during pregnancy.

Collards are rich in the B vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine and niacin. Dark green, leafy vegetables, including collards, have especially high levels of vitamin K. Vitamin K has been shown in research studies to increase bone mass and possibly limit neuronal brain damage in Alzheimer’s disease.

Collards are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids especially ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which is a potent anti-inflammatory; chronic inflammation can

increase the risk for chronic diseases. Diseases being studied in their response to the anti-inflammatory properties of such cruciferous vegetables as collard greens include Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis and type-2 diabetes.

People taking blood thinners, such as heparin or warfarin, must consult their PCPs before suddenly dramatically altering their diet with the addition of any green leafy vegetable. This can certainly be done but bleeding times laboratory tests (protime and INR) must be measured, and medication doses adjusted for diet so the dietary intake must be consistent. Minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc, copper, selenium and manganese are found in abundance in the leaves and stems.

Both the leaves and the stalks are edible. They are a filling and nutrient-rich

addition to stir-fry dishes and salads. They can be chopped and added to soups. Sautéed with onions, they are delicious with just some pepper and a dusting of parmesan cheese. Fresh leaves can be juiced with other vegetables and fruits for a nutritious drink.

While safe and nutritious for most people, collard greens must be consumed in moderation by people on blood thinners (see above), with thyroid diseases or the tendency to develop kidney stones. Discuss these with your PCP for individual guidance.

Collards and other greens have been staples in the diets of those living in the southern United States since the 1700s. Maybe it is time for the rest of us to reap the benefits of these inexpensive and nutritious veggies.

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

Vai to tame ‘excessive’ guitar at tour kickoff

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Sta

Virtuoso guitarist Steve Vai proudly says he just hit the 2 million mark on American Airlines.

“I’m stunned,” he said with a laugh. “It all crept upon me. My cup runneth over.”

It’s no surprise, looking at his tour itinerary a er he plays the Rialto eatre on Sunday, July 16. Following his short North American run, he’ll perform nine shows in mainland China, and then head to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand. He’s looking at Middle Eastern dates, too.

“My biggest fanbase is in Indonesia, Malaysia and South America,” he said.

“In America, I do nice little theaters and big clubs, sometimes good-sized theaters. Outside of America, it’s a little more robust.”

Vai has been promoting the album “Inviolate” since last summer. He noticed that, with each gig, the band becomes more powerful and connected.

“It’s an instrumental guitar show,” he added. “I think the ones who do come, they’re not just attracted to the way I play, but the melodies and the connection as well. It’s a very engaging experience.

“We’re a tight band and we’re playing powerful music. ere are ebbs and ows, so energies and intensities. I like to build the show the way I would like to see it when I’m in the audience. We’re celebrating live music as an escape from the world for a little bit.”

is time around, his band features bassist Philip Bynoe, drummer Jeremy Colson and fellow guitarist Dante Frisiello.

At the shows, he plays e Hydra, an Ibanez, multinecked guitar that’s been called the “most excessive guitar ever made.” e three necks host 7- and 12-string guitars.

“It’s quite an interesting performance,” he said. “I play all three necks.”

Vai said there was an “unlearning” curve when he picked up e Hydra, a er 50 years of playing somewhat traditional guitars.

“With e Hydra, one hand is completely independent of the other,” he said. “It was this weird jump to get over. You’re picking something on one string, but your other hand has to do something completely di erent. You have to split your attention.”

It's a good thing, he added, that he’s in the zone when he’s playing any guitar.

“My attention has to be fully on it,” he said. “I’m like a tightrope walker. One wrong move and my life isn’t at stake, but it’s bad. When you’re playing e Hydra and you mess up one thing, it can be a real challenge to recover. I’ve gotten it down so strong now. I feel like I’m oating when I’m playing it. It’s a state of grace I’m in.”

In his 40 years in the industry, Vai has sold more than 15 million records, received three Grammy Awards, and recorded with music legends like Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth and Whitesnake.

Vai has also toured extensively and recorded live projects with G3 (collaborating with di erent touring lineups including Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Lukather) and Generation Axe, a supergroup Vai formed with Zakk Wylde, Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi.

Recently, he released the album “Vai/ Gash” as a tribute to his late friend, Johnny “Gash” Sombrotto. e two recorded the music in the 1990s and it was shelved in 1998 when Gash, a vocalist, died in a motorcycle crash. e two shared a love of motorcycles.

“I wanted to create music that shared the way we felt,” Vai said.

“It is just a really straight-ahead ’70s, ’80s rock record. We recorded it in about a week. I didn’t know Johnny could sing. He wasn’t a professional singer.

“He just stunned me — stunned all of us. He was so authentic and had so much swag, chutzpah and rock star DNA. He had a great sense of humor, too. I wanted to nish the record, but I was in the middle of another project.”

When Sombrotto died, Vai said he was so distraught that he shelved the eight songs for 30 years. He decided to release it this year for “a couple of fans who buy everything I release.”

“But it was so well received with press and fans and radio who played it,” said Vai, 63.

“To know him was to really love him,” he continued about Sombrotto. “It’s a very upli ing, empowering, good feeling kind of rock record.”

An Evening with Steve Vai

WHEN: 8 p.m. Sunday, July 16

WHERE: Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street, Tucson

COST: Tickets start at $39.50

INFO: rialtotheatre.com, vai.com

Steve Vai kicks off the next leg of his tour at Tucson’s Rialto Theatre on Sunday, July 16.

(Larry DiMarzio/Contributor)

Old Crow Medicine Show plans boisterous set

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Tucson Local Media Contributor

It’s been nearly seven years since Old Crow Medicine Show visited the Grand Canyon State. So, the band plans to give fans a healthy dose of music when it plays the Fox Tucson Theatre on Wednesday, July 19.

The two-time Grammy Award-winning band plans to an adrenaline-filled show with no moment of silence.

“No dead air, that’s kind of our thing,” said Cory Younts, who plays the mandolin, harmonica, keyboards and sings. “We’re really all about keeping the show moving and keeping it full of entertainment that just never stops.”

Music is continually playing, and the musicians sing or tell jokes.

“Our show has a lot of humor,” Younts said. “Some of it might be a little cheesy but as long as we’re having fun, the audience is having fun.”

Younts said he and the band encourage an exchange of energy with the audience.

“When they’re smiling and clapping it makes our job a lot easier,” he said. “It’s a give-and-take thing and as the audience is showing us that they’re enjoying it, it makes our job a lot easier.”

The band needs all the encouragement it can get as it rotates through myriad instruments, including fiddlesticks, washboard, accordion, jaw harp, fiddles, piano and as many as five banjos, which are played in unison during one part of the set.

“It’s quite an entourage,” Younts said with a laugh.

Adding to the ensemble is an expansive discography of nine full-length studio albums. The latest release was 2022s “Paint This Town.”

Younts admits that having a 25-year broad discography has made creating a setlist a tall task.

“It is pretty hard,” Younts admits. “Over the years it does get a little bit more difficult to try and keep playing something from every album, but we try and stick to at least one song from everything.”

Younts confessed he has felt a strong affinity for playing some of the band’s more contemporary tunes and unre -

leased material.

“I’m really enjoying playing songs off ‘Paint This Town,’ our most recent album,” he said. “We have another album coming out in September that we’re looking forward to. We haven’t started playing too many of those songs yet, but they’ll be out soon.”

Because Old Crow Medicine Show covers a range of music and plays a bigger mix of instruments at its shows, Younts said he enjoys playing in intimate theaters like the Chandler Center for the Arts.

“We still stick to the same rule of no dead air, but I sometimes feel that our storytelling is a little bit better and our

stories get a little bit more detailed when we’re playing in an intimate environment like that,” Younts said.

These types of shows allow the band to forge a deeper connection with prospective musicians in the audience as well.

“It’s a great thing to see a child’s face light up especially when we try and give away a harmonica during our set, which we always try to do,” he said. “I also hope that someone will go ‘I’m going to go buy me a banjo or go buy me a harmonica after this is over.”

But above all, Younts hopes to give fans a stellar show.

“We want the audience to leave with a good smile on their faces,” he said. “And

we want to keep country music alive. But we truly believe in the traditional spirit of country music and that’s kind of what we hope that people will still remember what good country music is.”

Old Crow Medicine Show w/ Pillbox Patti

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 19

WHERE: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson

COST: Tickets start at $22

INFO: crowmedicine.com and foxtucson.com

Old Crow Medicine Show performs at the Fox Tucson Theatre on Wednesday, July 19. . (Joshua Black Wilkins/Contributor)

Most All-Star Games are unwatchable

BY TOM DANEHY

Tucson Local Media Columnist

By now, if we’re lucky, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game (which started sometime yesterday) will be over. e pitch clock and the other most-welcome, hurry-up e orts that are helping to make the game a bit more palatable probably won’t have much e ect on the All-Star Game.

And that’s OK, really. It’s a no-win proposition for each manager to try to squeeze 25 players into a nine-inning game. e only real drama is to try to gure out exactly how the American League is going to win the game, because it wins every year. e American League wins when it has the better players and also when it doesn’t. ey win in one of their ballparks and they win in the National League ballparks. It hasn’t happened, but if the game were ever played on a neutral eld, the AL would win there, too.

Other sports have All-Star Games, too, but most are unwatchable. I’m pretty sure that the National Hockey League has one, but Lord knows I’ve never seen one. at’s mostly because I’ve never seen a professional hockey game all the way through. I know that there is

some really fast skating and then guys ght for no reason. (Why would you ght in a game where it’s perfectly legal to crash into somebody? It makes no sense.). en, occasionally, a light goes on and people cheer because the light told them to.

I must admit that this year, during the Stanley Cup playo s, I watched a part of a pro hockey game. I was watching SportsCenter on ESPN and they said that one of the playo games was in a third, sudden-death overtime period. at sounded exciting, so I switched over. A er watching a couple minutes of really fast skating, I started daydreaming about dental work, so I switched back to SportsCenter. Apparently, one team eventually won that game. e light went on, so everybody went home.

To be honest, I did watch the “Miracle on Ice” game on tape delay. I was watching a basketball game on TV and the announcers kept saying that viewers should probably want to stay tuned for the Olympic hockey game, which would follow the basketball game. ere was no internet back then. I couldn’t look up what had happened, so I watched. It was pretty exciting. ere was a lot of fast skating, no ghts and the United States won a

game that it was given no chance to win. What’s funny is that if you asked a million Americans to name the country that the United States beat to win the gold medal in hockey at the 1980 Olympics, all but about seven would say the U.S.S.R. But the “Miracle on Ice” game against the seemingly invincible Russians was the semi nal game. Two days later, the United States beat Finland to win the gold.

Interesting fact: the United States trailed the Russians, 3-2 heading into the nal period before outscoring them 2-0 to win the game. en, the Americans trailed Finland 2-1 heading into the nal period before exploding for three goals and a 4-2 win.

at was the only hockey game I’ve ever watched all the way through and because it’s the most-important hockey game of all time, I can live with it being my only one.

Anyway, I’m sure that the NHL does have an All-Star Game, but I don’t know the format or how the players are chosen. I’m guessing that it’s guys whose last names end with a vowel against guys who last names don’t end with a vowel.

at brings me to the All-Star Game that infuriates me the most, that of the National

Basketball Association. is used to be a masterpiece, a game featuring the greatest athletes on the planet going at each other hard, with the outcome o en decided in the nal seconds. Now, it has become a grotesque joke along the lines of “Let’s see if we can score 200 points in a game.”

Nobody plays defense. Nobody cares who wins. is past season, the “format” was to have two NBA legends choose teams, like it was going to be contested on as asphalt playground somewhere. e only authentic thing about the entire farce was that the fat white kid (Nikola Jokic) was chosen last. A few months later, that same guy had the most-impressive playo run in NBA history.

I’ve got the perfect way for the NBA AllStar game to be great again — American-born players vs. players born in other countries. Just think about the foreign team: Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and maybe Domantas Sabonis. at includes the three most-recent winners of the NBA MVP Award. e American team would be equally impressive. It wouldn’t be the “Miracle on Ice,” but maybe they would play hard and care about who won. at in and of itself would be a miracle.

Rotary Club of Dove Mountain awards scholarships

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

The Rotary Club of Dove Mountain, as part of its focus on youth, education and vocational service, has awarded scholarships annually since 2006 to exemplary town of Marana HS seniors. eir scholarship o erings include:

• Academic scholarships for students seeking a four-year university degree.

• Career and technical scholarships for students seeking specialized training for a trade or technical profession.

• Tatum Memorial scholarships recognizing the very best students for their service and exemplifying the guiding principles of the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.”

In 2023, the following local high school seniors were recognized with scholarship

awards:

Rachel Pixley, Mountain View High School: Awarded a Tatum Memorial Scholarship; attending Grand Canyon University to study pre-med.

Mia Partch, Marana High School: Awarded an academic scholarship; attending the UA to study engineering.

Angelina Santiago, Mountain View High School: Awarded an academic scholarship; attending the UA to study business/pre-law

Luis Gonzalez, Mountain View High School: Awarded a career and technical scholarship; attending Pima Community College to study aviation mechanics.

Each graduate received $2,000 scholarships. e students were selected based on academic achievement, service, extracurricular activities and essays.

Mia Partch

Rachel Pixley

Luis Gonzalez

Angelina Santiago

Student Chronicles

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

Know of a student doing something remarkable? Tell us about it! Email christina@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Kristy L. Mace of Tucson was named to the Wichita State University dean’s honor roll for the spring 2023 semester.

To be included on the dean’s honor roll, a student must be enrolled full time (at least 12 credit hours) and earn at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Wichita State University is Kansas’ only urban public research university, enrolling almost 22,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the United States and more than 100 countries.

Info: wichita.edu

Zachary Manuel of Tucson was named to the dean’s list at Aurora University in Illinois for the spring 2023 semester.

The Dean's List recognizes full-time undergraduate students who have earned a 3.6 GPA or higher. Manuel is studying psychology.

Founded in 1893, Aurora University is a four-year, private, nonprofit, accredited higher education institution located on a 39-acre campus in Aurora, the second-largest city in Illinois. The university serves 4,000 undergraduate and approximately 1,900 graduate students across more than 100 academic programs.

Info: aurora.edu

David Lyons earned a Doctor of Philosophy in biological education from University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado, at the end of the spring 2023 semester.

Info: unco.edu

Caleb Raney of Marana earned a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology: exercise science from Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado, during the spring 2023 commencement ceremony.

“I feel very blessed to have chosen Adams State as it allowed me to pursue my baseball career at the collegiate level while also earning my bachelor’s degree

at a great institution in an enjoyable environment,” Raney said.

“Adams has also given me the opportunity to meet some of the best people I know and develop friendships that will last a lifetime.”

Raney said he believes the professors and advisers always have their students’ best interests in mind, from deciding a major as a freshman to keeping him on track to graduate in four years.

“My major professors have been extremely motivating and helpful to me by always being understanding of the busy schedule that comes with being a student athlete in addition to providing the best instruction possible in our course materials,” he said.

During the summers and other breaks, Raney worked in the construction industry as a mason and his final semester worked at a local fitness center.

The financial aid staff made the process of applying for aid very manageable and they helped Raney with his financial aid package, including talking through options such as the Pell Grant and federal loans. It eased Raney’s mind to earn a degree without stressing about paying for college.

“I believe Adams State has allowed me to become more mature as a person and as a student. By providing a high-quality education, I have been pushed to work hard to do well in classes while also managing my time well between baseball and academics.”

Three local students graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in May. They are: Clara Braunberger, Bachelor of Science, marketing, Marana; Claire Conger, doctorate, physical therapy, Oro Valley; and Jianda Ni, Bachelor of Arts, interdisciplinary international affairs, Tucson.

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university that draws over 7,500 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate and professional students from nearly all states and more than 60 countries.

Info: marquette.edu

Branden Devoy of Tucson made the

2023 spring semester academic honor list at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln.

Nebraska Wesleyan University is an independent Methodist liberal arts university of approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Info: nebrwesleyan.edu.

Jose Velarde of Tucson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, Minnesota. He is the son of Adela Vasquez and Miguel Velarde.

Founded in 1912 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota enrolls nearly 4,100 students at its undergraduate and graduate programs on campuses in Minneapolis, Rochester, Winona and online.

Info: smumn.edu

Allie Webb of Marana was named to Ohio University’s 2023 spring provost’s list.

At the end of each semester, Ohio Uni-

SMOOTHIE

from page 6

blocking of the view from the Harvest patio,” Juneman said. “You simply can’t get around that.”

“If this project doesn’t go through, what could?” Shapouri asked. The list of permitted uses within the applicable zoning district are primarily retail stores, offices or restaurants, Juneman replied. Permitted uses and building designs that conform with the zoning code, as well as a development plan approved for the center, may only require administrative review, Simms said.

Property owner Fricchione “is going to have to build something there,” Juneman said. “Understand the vacant lot’s not going to be there much longer. I don’t want that to come off as a threat, it’s just a fact.”

If a drive-thru permit is denied, “we’d start the process over for a larger building,” Juneman said. “There is a fallback plan, and that fallback plan from a visual impact is much worse.”

versity’s undergraduate students are evaluated based on their semester GPA and hours to determine placement on the president’s list, dean’s list or provost’s list.

The provost’s list recognition is shared with high-achieving, part-time undergraduate students who exemplify academic success. Qualifying students must possess a 3.5 or greater GPA and between 6 and 11.99 credit hours attempted for letter grades that are used to calculate GPA.

Info: ohio.edu

Caroline Mays of Marana graduated from the University of Mississippi in University, Mississippi. She was one of more than 3,100 students who earned their degrees in May.

Mays earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the School of Journalism and New Media.

The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is the state’s flagship university.

Info: olemiss.edu

Tropical Smoothie has submitted a formal application for the project, at 10335 N. La Canada, and for the conditional use permit. It next goes to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a public hearing and recommendation in August, then to the town council later this year.

Chas Roberts giving away A/C units

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

Chas Roberts, a local family-owned A/C, heating and plumbing provider, launched the 14th annual Cool Play Giveaway.

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting its community, Chas Roberts is giving away three new air conditioning units to deserving families or nonprofits in need. Nominations are being accepted online through Thursday, July 20.

“The Cool Play Giveaway has become a cherished tradition for us, allowing our team to give back to our community that has supported us for so many

New air conditioning units will be given away to three families or nonpro ts in need. Nominations for the units are now being accepted online until Thursday, July 20. (Submitted)

years,” said CEO Sissie Roberts Shank. “At Chas Roberts, we understand the importance of comfort and safety, especially during the hot summer months in Arizona. This is our way of giving back and having a positive impact in the lives of those who may be experiencing financial difficulties.”

Individuals or nonprofits in need of an air conditioning unit are encouraged to apply at chasroberts.com/coolplay. Winners must be an Arizona resident. Chas Roberts’ partners, Carrier, Goodman and Lennox will once again donate the A/C systems, Smiley Crane will provide the crane service and Chas Roberts will coordinate the program and provide the installation.

“We’re using in-depth educational information on his life, re-creations of his paintings on canvas and 3D environments. Our immersive gallery is a 360-degree digital projection mapping on the walls and floor in about 10,000 square feet of space. It features a 35-minute loop where Van Gogh paintings come to life.”

Zaller said the virtual reality component sets the experience apart. Guests wear goggles and walk in the countryside that Van Gogh loved.

“It’s a wonderful experience,” Zaller said. “We find that often it’s the guests’ first experience with virtual reality and the reviews are amazing.

“They love it. It’s this Zen-like guided tour, seeing the world of Southern France through the eyes of the painter. We have hands-on activities in our artist studio area. We put it on the big screen and it’s part of the show forever. We created this experience to appeal to all types of learning and experience. There are different ways for everyone to get involved and really be immersed overall. We do take the immersive experience seriously.”

Zaller said “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” is the perfect complement to Tucson’s arts community.

“Tucson is an area that we’ve been looking at for quite some time,” he said.

“It has a great support, overall, of the arts. A lot of artists live there and are inspired by the area. Oro Valley is dedicated to public art programs and arts programming in general. The Oro Valley Marketplace is a center hub for the North Tucson area.”

The town of Oro Valley and Oro Valley Marketplace are looking forward to the event, too.

“As a town dedicated to promoting and expanding its arts programming, education, and culture, we are thrilled to welcome this immersive experience to Oro Valley,” said Paul Melcher, Oro Valley’s community and economic development director.

“‘Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience’ is an excellent fit for Oro Valley Marketplace,” added Toby Horvath, president of Town West Realty.

“This first-in-class immersive experience is the perfect way to appreciate the brilliance of Van Gogh’s genius. We invite residents and tourists alike to enjoy this unforgettable journey through his masterpieces.”

Zaller said guests from around the world love shows like these.

“I think that’s because of Van Gogh himself,” he said. “The artist is such a rock star in today’s world and is viewed as your archetypical struggling artist who had all this amazing work to get out, yet he strug-

gled. He’s one of the most revolutionary painters of all time, and one of the most accessible.”

Produced by Exhibition Hub in partnership with Fever, “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” has been presented in more than 25 locations in the United States, and 30 other cities around the world since it started in 2017 in Italy.

It quickly traveled throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia, he said. “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” debuted in the United States in 2021.

“Essentially, it’s been a love affair with the United States,” Zaller said. “People are

so fascinated by the world and the experience overall.”

“Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience”

WHEN: Various dates starting in late July through September

WHERE: Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley COST: Tickets start at $34.90 with discounts for children, seniors, students and the military INFO: vangoghexpo.com/tucson/

VAN GOGH from page 1

“Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” comes to Oro Valley Marketplace in late July. (Exhibition Hub/ Submitted)

Gradually develop, literally

Doozy

Gradually develop, literally 14 Cuba’s ___ Castro, brother of Fidel

Kind of group in chemistry

Like many indie films

17 Last monarch of the House of Stuart 18 Barber’s belt

19 Trademarked coffee holder

20 Sierra ___ (Mexican range, informally)

22 Comicdom’s “Queen of the Jungle”

43 One way an animal may be held 44 Shakespearean cries 45 The “Gateway to the West”

Chinwagging 48 In a bind 50 Google ___, service beginning in 2017 51 Name hidden in “oleomargarine”

Way off

Gradually develop, literally

Company originally founded as Blue Ribbon Sports

Commoner 63 “Let’s ___!” 64 Is the real deal

Edited by WIll Shortz

5 One might hit a very low pitch

Many an essential worker, for short

in which the object is to score 500 points

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Even though it pleases you to know that you make someone's life easier, you can't be everything to another person. Relationships bene t from a sense of pacing and a little more space. Don't be afraid to let others miss you at times this week. It's a form of appreciation!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Though a cash ow opens to you, keep in mind that meaningful lifestyle upgrades won't be bought with money. The most signi cant improvements will be born of compassion. You'll direct a warm and caring spirit toward yourself and to everyone around you, and things get immediately better.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21)

Attention is not a one-size- ts-all situation. You'll t yourself like a key to another person's preferences. It may take time and experimentation to gure out what ts, but when you get it just right, the heart door swings open. This will come with various advantages, though the other person's well-being is all that matters to you.

Enormous amounts to spend

“As far as I’m concerned …”

Sushi staple that isn’t served raw 23 Put a fork in it!

25 Quantity contrasted with a vector, in physics 26 Most like a wallflower

Foxy

Ink holder

Kind of power in math

Early 2010s 36 You might make waves when you lie about this

Bunch of

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

When others around you don't acknowledge what you are experiencing, it makes you question your reality. Try not to fall for this. There are people with a similar resonance to yours and you will nd them. A sense of relatability and belonging like this doesn't happen every day, which is why you'll cherish those relationships.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

What you once considered important will fade into the priorities of the group. Working toward common goals lends stability beyond what you, or any individual, could achieve alone. You'll put your e ort into things like fostering trust, economic integration and shared prosperity, and build a shared success story.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You're well aware of the e ect you have on others and of your power to stir up feelings and cultivate vibes. And though you can't control everything about how you are perceived, you can absolutely go for a particular reaction. You're capable of creating a speci c experience for others, and you'll thrive in thrust of this challenge.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

You'll find that the concept of "deserving" is problematic in general, and rife with moral implications and complexities. It won't help to speculate about what is fair for anyone else. Such a thing is unknowable. Focus on you this week, and not on what you deserve but on what works for you or doesn't.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21)

A feeling cannot be wrong or right; it just is. Emotional balance is achievable when you welcome whatever feelings come up for you, even the ones that are disruptive and unwieldy. If you accept them without judgment, they will calm down and settle in. Overall, you will be stronger.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Everyone is seeing something different. Experiencing another perspective takes work. You'll move to try and deepen your understanding, which could involve stooping, climbing or assuming uncomfortable positions. Empathy is always a worthy endeavor.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

The path of destiny is not always smooth, but rocky roads aren't designed to trip you up. This terrain provides an opportunity to be a little more careful. Success is a function of sturdy shoes, steady company and the tenacity to keep stepping forward.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Intense emotions burble to the surface this week. The feeling may seem out of step with the win or loss that triggered it. The mismatch of intensity is a sign. This is really about something that happened long ago -- a feeling that's been trapped all this time. Historical emotions need release and expression, too!

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

You'll be attracted to people who are worth the extra effort it takes to get to know them. Trust will be earned and given in its own mysterious timing. Be patient. Relationships change the ways in which you are powerful. You will lose control in one area to gain more in another.

24 Things you might save while driving

26 More aged, as some cheeses

27 Aptly named mascot of the 2000 Olympics

28 Jean-___ Picard of “Star Trek”

29 “Watch it!”

30 Boom producer, once: Abbr. 31 Leaves in the kitchen? 33 Developing phenomena literally depicted three times in this puzzle

65 Kitchen gadget with an edge

66 French season

67 Bu erfly, but not a caterpillar

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

68 Hole maker

69 Norse god of war

70 “Are you down for this?” Down

1 Pop-pop 2 Farm storehouse

3 Punished for the weekend, perhaps

4 Beer containers

PUZZLE BY DAN ZIRING AND QUIARA VASQUEZ

Worship Guide

GF and Son Contractor

Family Business 25 yrs. BBB

GF and Son Contractor

Family Business 25 yrs. BBB

GF and Son Contractor

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

GF and Son Contractor

Now Accepting Credit cards

Gary or Chase 520-742-1953 

Gary or Chase 520-742-1953

GF and Son Contractor

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

Family Business 25 yrs. BBB

Now Accepting Credit cards

Gary or Chase 520-742-1953

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.

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

PEACE OF MIND LIVING AT ALBUM MARANA

55+ Active Adult Community

Greystar is excited to bring their newest Album community to Tucson. The Album lifestyle is highly sought after by young at heart, 55+ active adults. It’s perfect for those looking for more in life, style, community, and activities.

Welcome to a carefree, maintenance-free living in a controlled-access community designed to be empowering as well as peaceful. Lead your life, as you see fit, and with time to spare, in a place where the feeling is one of excitement for what the future holds.

At Album Marana, you’ll find sophisticated residences with modern features in

addition to stimulating onsite offerings and beautiful social spaces to enjoy. They’ll be conveniently just outside your door; no need to drive anywhere! Your day might begin with coffee with new friends and then to the activities calendar to decide how your day will take shape. There is so much to do here. Each day will be full of variety and fun.

Album is the perfect place to share your passions, find new ones, and make friends easily along the way. What truly sets Album apart is the opportunity to have a real say in the active lifestyle clubs and events. Residents will create, contribute their talents, and run the clubs/events

they want. Examples include teaching a cooking class, meeting up for happy hour (and yappy hours), walking club, flower arranging, movie/game night, and seasonally inspired events. The only limit is your imagination.

The Album Marana leasing center is now open and located at 7620 N Hartman Lane, Suite 172 Tucson, AZ 85743. Our team will be happy to provide you with more information on available apartment homes that will be move-in ready Summer 2023. Whether you are considering downsizing yourself or have a loved one far away that you want close, Album is an exciting option right here in Tucson!

WELCOME TO A FRESH IDEA IN FEEL GOOD LIVING

• Celebrate an active lifestyle

• Share rich social experiences

• Enjoy maintenance-free living

• Valuable promotions for a limited time*

Enjoy 6 WEEKS FREE for a Limited Time*

AlbumMaranaEntry