Explorer News 07/26/2023

Senior Resource Guide

Town of Oro Valley sta members Matt Jankowski, Jon Schumacher and Dylan Hiatt chat on the porch at Steam Pump Ranch’s “barbecue” building, named for the iconic, now-restored and inoperable barbecue oven at right. (Dave Perry/Contributor)

BY DAVE PERRY Tucson Local Media Contributor

Three old buildings at Oro Valley’s historic Steam Pump Ranch have been cleaned, patched, re-roofed, air-conditioned, painted and adapted for new public uses.

A long-idle bunkhouse, once home to Steam Pump ranch hands, has become a modern restroom facility.

A second nearby bunkhouse is now a “green” room, with a shower installed. It’s a private place see RANCH page 8

BY DAVE PERRY Tucson Local Media Contributor

landowner and a homebuilder are asking Oro Valley to annex a 36acre, undeveloped parcel at the southwest corner of La Canada Drive and Moore Road, two major roadways in northwest Oro Valley.

Currently, the land owned by the Dewanne Daniela Hopson Estate is within Pima County. County zoning allows up to 10 homes, each on a 3.3-acre lot. Oro Valley would place similar “translational” zoning, also allowing 10 single-family homes on the parcel.

Then if it is annexed the estate and homebuilder Insight Homes would ask Oro Valley to allow development of one-story homes on 1-acre lots, up to 34 homes in total. Insight Homes’ owner Mike Jones, who

WARNING!

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!

Hot Picks

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Staff

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

EXPLORER

Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, tickets start at $20, free for members, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 520-8331380, 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 schedule for July are 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

see HOT PICKS page 6

5-DAY WEATHER

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 August 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.

“Anastasia: The Musical” TO AUG. 6

The Art Express Theatre presents the Broadway hit, “Anastasia: The Musical” for three weekends. The musical is 7 p.m. Friday and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Arts Express Theatre, 5870 E. Broadway Boulevard, tickets start at $35, various times, 520-3190400, arts-express.org

Cool Summer Nights TO AUG. 26

Every Saturday night the Sonoran Desert Museum celebrates summer with families.

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

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

AGING WELL

Wellness Coaching: A Winning Strategy

People have found success working with life coaches and career coaches… why not wellness coaches?

“Wellness coaching taught me how to stop being paralyzed by what I knew I had to do; it o ered a way to begin to be more responsible for my own well-being,” says Sandy Briney, a resident at Splendido, a Life Plan Community for those 55 and better in Oro Valley.

Splendido began o ering wellness coaching to interested residents in 2021. The program was designed by Mather Institute (the research area of one of Splendido’s parent organizations) along with researchers from Wake Forest University and Virginia Tech. Sandy was among the first to try the program, which has been facilitated by Galina Wood, Splendido’s Wellness Resource Nurse.

During the nine-week program, each of a small group of residents is invited to engage in a process of self-discovery

way.”

While resident participants find the coaching valuable, the group bonding is perhaps the most valuable component of the program. “I’ve led three programs so far, and in each of them, many participants have opted to continue meeting on their own to keep the discussion going on wellness topics,” says Galina.

every two weeks for informal discussions about “trying to deal with where each of us is in life,” Jon says. “We call ourselves ‘Vegas,’ because what’s said in the group, stays in the group. We’ve gained a level of intimacy that only happens over time.”

with their wellness coach. The coach, like Galina, is a Splendido team member who is trained in therapeutic coaching skills that can support the resident’s motivation to focus on personal wellness goals, build upon strengths, and develop skills for enhancing specific aspects of wellness and lifestyle balance. They then complete workbook activities, as well as meet in individual and small-group

coaching sessions. “The coaching doesn’t tell you what to do; it o ers ways to see where you’re stuck, and o ers ways to move forward. It gives you tools to manage,” explains Sandy.

Goals can be anything— an aspect of physical health such as diet, or focusing on your spirituality, or being better organized. “I was rather surprised when, after considering di erent areas

of wellness, I chose vocational,” says Esther Pasalis, who was also in the first wellness coaching group. Vocational wellness involves gaining satisfaction from work, volunteering, or hobbies. “It was eye-opening to me to realize how important writing was to me. During the coaching, I set aside time to write every day. Since then, I’ve realized that other things fulfill that need for achievement in the same

Sandy says the support is valuable: “We formed a mini-community. It’s always powerful to hear other people’s stories, even if their focus is not your own. It’s useful—and it’s lovely—to get to know other people and learn what they are facing.”

Jon and Carolyn Leonard had recently moved to Splendido when they participated in wellness coaching. Jon says, “In our group of nine, most of us were new to Splendido, so that became a focus of the group. It was helpful to orient us to the community.” Today, many of those group members have committed to meet

Galina says that some coaching graduates have recently started a new resident-led Wellness Leadership Group. “They plan to carry forth the positive outcomes they experienced to the general population at Splendido,” she says.

A program designed to help a handful of individuals meet their personal wellness goals has evolved into ever-expanding connections that could end up benefiting many others at Splendido. That’s a coaching win!

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

Splendido’s Galina Wood, specially trained in wellness coaching, guides residents including Esther Pasalis in setting and meeting their personal wellness goals.

PICKS from page 4

SPECIAL EVENTS

Wet and Wild TO JULY 28

Wet and Wild in the Garden features fun activities such as squirting plants and planting gardens.

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

Dog Days of Summer TO SEPT. 30

Guests can take their dogs to Tucson Botanical Gardens through Sept. 30 for special-event programming. Imagine the smells they’ll enjoy and the fun of exploring new trails, most shaded by the gardens’ oldgrowth trees. No doubt they’d also welcome a bite from whatever you order from Edna’s Eatery on site. Dog Days of Summer is run by Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.

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

Cox Movies in the Park: “Strange World”

JULY 28

Watch “Strange World” under the stars at Reid Park. Pre-screening activities and entertainment begin at 6 p.m., before the movie at 7:45 p.m. Families can look forward to food trucks, live demonstrations, free giveaways, and other engaging experiences that add to the festive atmosphere. Folks are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets to make themselves comfortable as they settle in for a night of entertainment.

Reid Park, George DeMeester Outdoor

Performance Theater, 900 S. Randolph Way, Tucson, free, coxmoviesinthepark. com

“The Muppet Movie” Summer Movie Matinee

JULY 30

Kermit and his newfound friends trek across America to find success in Hollywood, but a frog legs merchant is after Kermit. In addition to the movie, attendees can do crafts, hear the historic theatre organ, celebrate summer birthdays and sing along — all thematically in honor of the Mickey Mouse Club

at the Fox, when kids used to fill the theater on weekends from the 1930s through 1950s. Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, $2.50 for kids 12 and younger, $7.50 for adults, 2 p.m., 520-547-3040, foxtucson.com

Movies on the Lawn: “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” AUG. 19

Join the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center for a top-notch film. “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” is Aug. 19. Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center, 10555 N. La Canada Drive, Oro Valley, free, 7:30 to 9 p.m., orovalleyaz.gov

Biosphere 2

DAILY

The Biosphere's 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 include a controlled tropical rain forest, desert, savanna and mangrove. Biosphere 2, 32540 S. Biosphere Road, Tucson, $25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., biosphere2.org

OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY 6:30AM - 6:30PM NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED

“The Muppet Movie” screens at the Fox Tucson Theatre at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 30. (Fox Tucson Theatre/Submitted)

confident that they’re on track for a successful school year. Mathnasium gives students the instruction they need to reinforce what they’re learning in school, work on concepts that may pose a challenge, and take their math knowledge to a new level. In other words, we got this.

A child who continues to develop their math skills can feel confident that they’re on track for a successful school year. Mathnasium gives students the instruction they need to reinforce what they’re learning in school, work on concepts that may pose a challenge, and take their math knowledge to a new level. In other words, we got this.

where a bride-to-be might find quiet space, or an entertainer might prep for a performance on the nearby Steam Pump stage.

In addition, the historic ranch’s “barbecue” building, where pigs were once roasted, and where caretaker Carlos Rivera lived until 2008, has been “returned to its natural state,” said Matt Jankowski, the town of Oro Valley’s interim director of parks and recreation. The building’s covered porch, enclosed with a wall of windows when Carlos lived there, is once again wide open to the majesty of Pusch Ridge.

All the work was undertaken with deference to Steam Pump Ranch’s rich history and architectural appearance.

“This will really bring them back to life,” Mayor Joe Winfield said at a July 18 ribbon-cutting event for the three buildings. He’s pleased to see them transformed for new uses while “we’ve acknowledged the historic fabric” woven within. “Buildings have a soul, too,” the mayor said.

The structures within the ranch on the west side of Oracle Road, north of First Avenue, have been essentially closed to public use since Oro Valley acquired the 16-acre property in 2008. Their reimagination as public venues is going to “improve the experience” for guests at Steam Pump public and private events," Jankowski believes.

“The community really enjoys coming out here,” he said. Now, with these amenities, people have “even more reasons” to visit.

Work on the two bunkhouses and barbecue cost $1.012 million, Jankowski said, with the funds coming from the town’s general fund. Poster Mirto McDonald was the project architect, Chasse Building Team the general contractor. “They were fantastic to work with,” he noted.

Repair, restoration, and reuse of the ranch’s former garage building was completed in January, and it now hosts several members of the town parks and recreation staff six days a week. That work cost $960,000; in the last two years with these two projects, Oro Valley has invested almost $2 million in those four Steam Pump Ranch buildings, Jankowski said. He believes it’s money wellspent.

“We’re really excited about this,” Jankowski said. He called the work “a testament to the importance of this site in preserving our local history,” and gave credit to the town council for funding the improvements.

Winfield was impressed by the dedication of the crowd, 30 or so guests who turned out

on a steamy morning the day after 2023’s first monsoonal rain. Many guests were members of the Oro Valley Historical Society, which champions investment in and preservation of the ranch.

Steam Pump Ranch is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the three buildings are “an important element of that historic core,” the mayor said.

Jankowski said the new bathrooms in one bunkhouse “doubled the number of available public restrooms on the site.” The “green” room in the second bunkhouse should make the ranch more attractive for special events. Yet it’s the “barbecue” building and its central porch which may be the most useful, unique and interesting of the improvements.

While the central roasting oven is no longer operable – “purely for aesthetics now,” Jankowski said — it grabs eyes and attention. Its stone frame and back-wall brick have been repainted black. Thick, original, embossed bricks line the raised floor. At the foot of the back wall sits one lighter brick, found during cleanup, and stamped only with the initials “JFK,” presumably a reference to U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who was slain in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. All of it is crowned by a curved, copper-painted hood.

From the porch, today’s guests might imagine the days of 50 years ago, when latter-day ranch resident Hank Leiber, who hit 101 home runs during his 1930s-era Major League Baseball career as an outfielder with the New York Giants and Chicago Cubs, hosted barbecues and parties for big-league teams training in Tucson.

Porch guests can find an adjacent storage room with an intact, original adobe wall. On the other side of the porch, a small kitchen, with refrigerator and sink on the way, should make the barbecue building “a central place for a lot of activity” when the ranch hosts fairs, concerts, weddings, family gatherings, private parties, town-sponsored activities and simple leisure time, Jankowski added.

Winfield is “not sure a lot of leisure was happening at Steam Pump Ranch” when it was a working operation. “We need to add some cows and manure to get the real flavor of what was happening,” the mayor joked.

In the late-19th century, those cows were driven from up north to Steam Pump for watering the night before they were loaded on a Tucson train. According to the historical society, Steam Pump founder George Pusch was paid 15 cents for each cow watered.

Pusch and John Zellweger, both immi-

grants, pooled their resources in the late 1870s to buy a portion of the Canada del Oro Ranch. With water plentiful and close to the surface, they rigged up a steam pump — it remains now protected at the site — to lift water for consumption. Hence the name, Steam Pump Ranch.

Pusch ran cattle on the ranch. His pasture included a forest permit in the Santa Catalina Mountains, below Pusch Ridge and Pusch Peak, both visible from the porch of the building Carlos Rivera once called home.

Just the facts

Steam Pump Ranch is located at 10901 N. Oracle, on the west side of Oracle Road. It is open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. Town of Oro Valley staff members are onsite Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Steam Pump Ranch is the home to the Heirloom Farmers Market, which operates year-round every Saturday; the Pusch House public museum operated by the Oro Valley Historical Society; and other community events such as Second Saturdays and Friday night concerts. To learn more or reserve event space, go to orovalleyaz.gov.

Red flag

I want to thank the Tucson Local Media Staff (Explorer) for its “119 home permits” piece published in the July 19 edition. I just wish it had gone a little deeper to truly expose an open and festering wound in the town of Oro Valley revenue stream. Over the past several years construction sales tax represented 25% of all sales tax collected in the town. That’s a big chunk for a community that is greatly dependent on sales tax. In the recently adopted FY 23-24 Oro Valley budget, sales tax was the largest single revenue source for the entire town.

moved with his family to Oro Valley in 1989, told the Oro Valley Town Council his company has built “a number of quality subdivisions” across the region since 1980.

“Our goal with this property, if we are successful (in rezoning), is to build a community similar” to La Canada Ridge, an Insight Homes subdivision directly south of the property, Jones said at the council’s July 19 meeting. Homes at La Canada and Moore, to be called Northridge Estates, would be Southwest contemporary, single-story houses with a low profile, Jones said.

Karl Shaddock, management analyst in the town manager’s office and Oro Valley’s annexation coordinator, told the town council the parcel “meets all key provisions in state law” for annexation. Those criteria include contiguity with the town limits, adequate size, and status as unincorporated territory.

The 36-acre parcel, essentially square, nests directly within the southwest corner of Moore and La Canada. The land, desert with some older-growth saguaros and expansive views, is bordered by the town limits on three sides.

County zoning would allow a maximum building height of 34 feet. Oro Valley’s comparable zoning would allow a maximum height of 18 feet, Oro Valley Planning Manager Bayer Vella said. That lower building height “works perfectly for (Jones’) vision for the property,” said Paul Oland of Paradigm Land Design, representing the applicants.

If development were to occur under the county’s authority, each homeowner could drill its own private water well into the aquifer, Shaddock said. If it is annexed, those homes would be served by the Oro Valley water utility without private wells.

If up to 34 homes are built, the neighborhood would generate an estimated $449,000 in development impact fees, and annual state-shared revenue of approximately $40,000 for the town, Oland writes. In addition, Pima County would receive $142,000 in sewer connection fees.

Oland said the annexation would “strongly meet the goals and guidelines within the general plan.”

“The property owner knows the project could be developed in Pima County approximately as proposed,” Oland writes. “However, Oro Valley’s development regulations and quality branding are superior, so we respectfully request annexation.”

LETTER

Editor:

Don Cox Oro Valley

M-F

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We take you further.

What makes a sports fan?

BY TOM DANEHY Tucson Local Media Columnist

Uncovering and defining the essence of being a hardcore sports fan is something that could keep an army of psychology majors busy for decades. That would be cool because that way, they wouldn’t all have to work at Starbucks.

My dear late friend, Emil Franzi, was one of the few people I’ve ever met in my life who had zero interest in sports. Through osmosis, he knew the names of teams and players, but he couldn’t have cared less about who won and lost. His obsessions were opera and politics. His Super Bowl was which candidate would win the Republican primary for state house in Legislative District 19.

Just about every other human being I’ve ever come across (as well as a few suspicious house pets) has a connection

to sports. For some, it’s a way to connect socially with others who are more committed. These are the people who blow 30 bucks so they can wear the Wildcats Final Four T-shirt to work during that short week so they can be part of the frenzy.

Remember those days? The whole town (except Emil) bought in. The energy was palpable. However, the last time we here in Tucson experienced that was the first year of this century. (And yes, 2001 was the first year of the century. There was never a Year Zero; it started with a one. So, every year that ends with a zero is the end of a decade or a century or a millennium.) We were all hoping that new coach Tommy Lloyd was going to get Arizona back to the Final Four. But it’s like Mr. Miyagi says, “First learn stand. Then learn fly.” I believe Arizona can make it back to the Final Four. But first they have to learn how to beat Princeton in the

first round.

A lot of people get their first taste of fandom from family members. My mom, who had several brothers who played college sports and/or minor league baseball, was all into it. (Her dad, Alfonso DiMarco, had brought his ridiculously large family to America from Italy and had learned how to speak his broken English by listening to broadcasts of Chicago Cubs games on the radio.) She knew stats and standings and strategy.

Like a lot of people, I don’t like Djokovic and I don’t root for him. He’s not a screamer like John McEnroe or a crybaby like Andre Agassi. He’s got a complete game with all the shots and he plays hard. I played tennis in high school and college. I coach a high school girls’ tennis team. I should appreciate a tennis player as good as Djokovic is. But there’s just something…

First of all, I prefer his main rival, Rafael Nadal. For a time, Nadal and Djokovic were both chasing Roger Federer to see who could win the greatest number of Grand Slam events (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open) in a career. Nadal held a one-Slam event lead heading into this year, but then he got hurt (again) and Djokovic won the Australian and French Opens to move ahead of Nadal by one.

My poor dad, on the other hand, was, at best, a casual fan. When I was growing up in LA, the Dodgers owned the entire town. The Rams were OK, the Lakers were big, but the Dodgers were huge! And so my dad was an Angels fan. He even bought me an Angels cap…and expected me to wear it! I guess he was one of those old-school dads who thought it would do me some long-term good to get beaten up a few times. Later in life, after I was grown and gone, he praised my apparent fastidiousness. He found the cap in a closet and was amazed that it looked almost exactly the same as the day he had given it to me.

I was thinking about this as I was watching Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon singles final. I was really involved in the match, and I began to wonder if it was because I was rooting for the just-turned-20(!) Alcaraz or against Djokovic. It was almost certainly the latter.

Then there’s Djokovic’s idiotic stance on vaccines. He cost himself a shot at two more Australian titles and maybe another Wimbledon by refusing to get vaccinated. Despite all the blowhards shouting at the top of their lungs, the COVID-19 vaccine has proven to be one of the greatest medical marvels of all time. A principled stand doesn’t count if it’s based on ignorance or stupidity. I really like the other great Serbian athlete currently on the world stage, NBA playoff MVP Nikola Jokic. But Djokovic? He’s really good, but I always hope that somebody else wins.

Senior resource guide

Patient Care Advocates offers personalized services

BY ALISON STANTON Tucson Local Media Contributor

When Alice Milton’s parents aged and their health declined, she had a sobering epiphany.

“I realized that the quality of health care in our country had changed. e family physician no longer existed, and hospital sta was overworked and stressed,” Milton said.

“It was evident that if I did not coordinate their care, monitor their medications, and advocate for them in the hospital, they were going to come out in worse condition than when they entered.”

Milton’s experiences advocating for her parents, along with the realization that she was not alone in her situation, inspired her to start Patient Care Advocates 17 years ago.

Milton, who is founder and CEO of the Tucson-based home health company, said Patient Care Advocates o ers a wide range of services provided by a large team of highly quali ed and caring medical experts.

“We are virtually the only company that provides all of the services we provide that is locally owned and operated rather than being a big national corporation or part of a chain,” she said.

For example, Patient Care Advocates also provides in-home care for a number of medical conditions including diabetes, COPD, chronic heart failure and wound care.

“We have physical therapists, registered nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, speech language pathologists and certi ed nursing assistants on our team,” Milton said.

Home health aides also provide hands-

on care, including help with bathing, dressing and light housework.

“ e home health aides are also clinically trained by my nurses and physical therapists, so they can help with therapy, medications and so much more.”

Patient Care Advocates also provides nutritional counseling, medication set-up and assistance, personalized care plans, and inhome safety and fall reduction advice and assistance.

Additionally, Milton said her team provides specialized services for veterans, helping them to increase their mobility, strength and improve their health.

While Milton is proud that Patient Care Advocates o ers such a wide range of much-needed services, the services remain meaningful and personal for her.

Milton knows that when advocacy services are not in place, the outcome for patients is not always positive.

“Medical care is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and when drug error and complications are factored in, it is the leading cause of death,” she said.

Fortunately, Milton notes, when she approached the head hospitalists at the Tucson hospitals 17 years ago to inform them of her business plans, she was pleasantly surprised by their positive reaction.

“ ey said, “‘Come on, we need all the help we can get.’”

As she notes, people who know they will be going into the hospital can contact Patient Care Advocates to set up their own advocacy services, or family members can also arrange for services for a loved one.

“It is especially wonderful for families that live out of town because they know we will meet their loved one at the hospital and keep them informed throughout,” Milton said.

“ e person here loves it because they are not alone. Doctors and nurses love it because we take the load of responding to the family o their shoulders.”

Whenever possible, Milton suggests that people arrange for their advocacy care services prior to hospitalization.

“Having our advocacy services in place ahead of time is always great because we know the patient, his or her medical history including current medications, and we can meet them at the hospital, o en ahead of their arrival,” she said.

“Being able to talk with emergency room sta , give them current medication lists, surgeries, and medical status can and does save lives.  It also helps get the whole care process started.”

As Milton notes, the proof of her company’s patient advocacy services is in the proverbial pudding.

“According to Medicare, we have some of the best clinical outcomes in the United States,” she notes.

She adds Patient Care Advocates’ improvement rates stay around 98%, and their hospital readmission rate is so negligible that Medicare said it can’t be measured.

“Nationwide and in Arizona the rate averages 15 to 18% and up. at is a crucial number because the data show that a hospital readmission always results in a permanent health decline for the person being readmitted.”

Anita Kellman parlays grief into aid

BY TIFFANY KJOS Tucson Local Media Contributor

Anita Kellman seems to have been born to help people who are dying.

As a patient advocate for nearly two decades, Kellman has been at the bedside of thousands of people facing death and has volunteered for years at local hospices.

But when her mom died, she didn’t know what to do.

“Even though I was in the medical profession, dealing with people passing, when I was in it with my mother, there were so many things that I had to figure out on my own,” she said.

“I saw what gaps there were for people who had no idea what was going on. I want to help people so they won’t feel lost like I did.”

Where is the will? Does the person facing death want to be cremated or have a traditional funeral? Who is designated to make medical and financial decisions?

“These are all the kinds of conversations that I want to have to make it easier and less scary to people,” Kellman said.

Years ago, Kellman founded a nonprofit physical training program for breast cancer patients that evolved into a place for people with all forms of cancer.

One of her lifelong friends, Jan Cohen, said the only character deficiency Kellman might have is being too giving.

“It’s never about Anita. She’s not a businesswoman in the sense that it’s about a profit. Her profit comes from what she could do for people,” said Cohen, who has known Kellman for more than 30 years.

“It’s always about everyone but herself. Truly. That’s part of her.”

Kellman recently became a certified end-of-life doula. She can help people with estate planning, run errands and probably most importantly, be there for patients.

“Physical, emotional and spiritual support is what it is in a nutshell,” Kellman said. “Everything kind of overlaps. I feel I’ve been doing this role for years and now there’s a name for it.”

Doulas (pronounced doola) are generally known to help mothers before, during and after delivering a baby. While

they focus on the beginning of life, Kellman is here to support those at the other end.

“There is the vigil sitting, which I do a lot of, being able to give them peace and comfort and try to take the fear out of the end of life,” she said.

This can involve talking with the patient, family members and caregivers. It also involves referring them to attorneys and others.

“The ultimate gift of love is when the person facing the end of life prepares so their loved ones don’t have to worry,” Kellman said.

People have a hard time not knowing how to navigate and what to do first.

“Is it sad when people pass? Yes. But to know that I helped them to be comfortable and not scared, that’s rewarding,”

Kellman said.

Kellman enjoys listening to patients and can write or videotape their personal histories and prewrite birthday cards for loved ones for years to come.

“I love hearing all their stories, and it’s the first time I’m hearing it so I’m hearing it with open ears,” she said. “That’s one of my favorite things to do. There’s so much history in each person and they love to share.”

Part of giving people death with grace and dignity is seeing them as a whole person and not just a patient, Kellman said.

She recalls a woman in hospice who was concerned about the state of her fingernails. Kellman arranged for a manicurist to come in and in the meantime gave the woman lavender lotion.

“She wanted to feel like a lady again. Just because you’re dying doesn’t mean you don’t care about feeling good,” she said. “A lot of the senses — touch, smell — bring them back to happy times, too.”

Kellman has a natural rapport with virtually everyone. She hosts a free monthly “Death with a Doula” meeting. At a recent gathering she launched a topic, then the rest of the group took off with it.

“She sort of fades back, and people respond to her and open up,” Cohen said. “They really do.”

Anita Kellman is a certi ed end-of-life doula. She helps people die with dignity and grace. (Noelle Haro-Gomez/Contributior)

Friday, August 4

Tuesday, September 12

Thursday, October 5

Tuesday, October 10

Benefits of bike riding for seniors

BY AJO BIKES

Biking is an excellent form of exercise for seniors. It’s easy on the joints, great for the cardiovascular system and a fun and social activity. Plus, a little wind and sunshine are good for the mind. Research shows that when older adults cycle, they can:

• Improve their brain function

• Preserve their balance

• Reduce their risk of heart disease

• Reduce their waist circumference. (When extra weight collects around a person’s waistline they’re at higher risk for diabetes, cancer, heart disease and premature death.)

While biking can be good for you, seek your medical provider’s approval before beginning any new exercise program.

Types of bikes for seniors

There are plenty of bike options that can accommodate older riders and varying levels of skill, fitness and mobility. No matter the

style you ultimately choose, it is recommended practicing on a stationary bike before you hit the open road to help boost your cycling confidence and get you used to the mechanics of a bike, including the sometimes-tricky act of mounting and dismounting.

Cruisers

As the name implies, cruiser bikes — also known as beach cruisers — are made for casual cycling. With wide tires, wide seats and tall handlebars, they’re ideal for older adults looking for a stable yet comfortable ride. They’re great for wheeling around town or running errands. But all those features that make the bikes stable also make them heavy. If you plan to transport the bike anywhere, make sure you can lift it before buying. Cruisers are best used on flat trails, they’re not good for long distances (or going uphill) because of their lack of gears and their weight. The heavier a bike is, the harder it is to start from a stop and generate momentum. Cruiser bikes can also be hard to navigate

around tight turns due to their long wheelbase, and with a top speed of about 15 miles per hour you won’t break any land speed records on a cruiser.

Adult trikes

Remember the tricycles of your youth?

Adult trikes operate under the same principle. They’re three-wheeled adult-sized bikes that, like cruiser bikes, are built for the casual cyclist looking for comfort and stability. Trikes are a great choice for someone new to biking, as they don’t require much skill to ride.

The three wheels give the bike a solid, balanced feel — perfect for riders concerned about falling — and some come with gears, so you don’t have to worry about getting up hills. However, these bikes aren’t built for speed or off-roading. Thanks to their boxy design, they’re heavier, more difficult to transport and take up more room than a traditional bike.

Recumbent bikes

A recumbent bike allows you to cycle in a semi-reclined position, with the bike’s pedals in front of you instead of underneath you. This bike style is a great choice for anyone who needs back or neck support or wants to reduce pressure on their knees. Some recumbent bikes also come with hand cycles instead of traditional foot pedals, so you don’t have to use your legs at all to propel the bike. Because you’re low to the ground, you’re apt to feel more stable. However, that low profile can diminish your visibility to others, so be sure to equip your recumbent bike with a safety flag.

Recumbent bikes allow you to ride on roads and trails, and because of their extra width, riders notice that drivers give them a much wider pass than they did when you ride a regular bike. Some recumbent bikes can be folded, but they can still be difficult to transport due to their weight.

Hospice: Is the time right?

Hospice care is comprehensive, person-centered care provided by an interdisciplinary care team in the comfort of your own home. For those who qualify, hospice is 100% covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances.

Hospice care is comprehensive, person-centered care provided by an interdisciplinary care team in the comfort of your own home. For those who qualify, hospice is 100% covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances.

We understand that making decisions about the care that’s right for you or your loved ones may be difficult. Our team is here to help. Use the questions below to help guide your decision making. If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, it may be time to connect with our team to learn more about how we support families through their healthcare journey.

• Have they been hospitalized multiple times in the last six months?

• Have they increased the frequency or dosage of medication to ease their physical pain?

We understand that making decisions about the care that’s right for you or your loved ones may be di cult. Our team is here to help. Use the questions below to help guide your decision making. If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, it may be time to connect with our team to learn more about how we support families through their healthcare journey.

• Have they been frequently seeking physician’s assistance either by phone or in person visits?

• Have they started to become less active and more sedentary for most of the day?

• Have they grown weaker or noticeably more tired?

Hospice: Is the time right?

• Have they had recent weight loss or begun eating less?

• Have they become short of breath, even while rested or relaxed?

• Have they been hospitalized multiple times in the last six months?

• Have they been diagnosed with a chronic progressive or life limiting illness?

• Have they increased the frequency or dosage of medication to ease their physical pain?

Hospice care is comprehensive, person-centered care provided by an interdisciplinary care team in the comfort of your own home. For those who qualify, hospice is 100% covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances.

We want to help guide you and your loved ones along your healthcare journey. We’ll be there when the time is right.

• Have they been frequently seeking physician’s assistance either by phone or in person visits?

We understand that making decisions about the care that’s right for you or your loved ones may be difficult. Our team is here to help. Use the questions below to help guide your decision making. If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, it may be time to connect with our team to learn more about how we support families through their healthcare journey.

• Have they started to become less active and more sedentary for most of the day?

• Have they grown weaker or noticeably more tired?

• Have they been hospitalized multiple times in the last six months?

• Have they increased the frequency or dosage of medication to ease their physical pain?

• Have they had recent weight loss or begun eating less?

• Have they been frequently seeking physician’s assistance either by phone or in person visits?

HospiceWePromise.com

• Have they started to become less active and more sedentary for most of the day?

• Have they become short of breath, even while rested or relaxed?

• Have they grown weaker or noticeably more tired?

Phone: 520.544.9890 • Fax: 520.544.9894

• Have they had recent weight loss or begun eating less?

• Have they been diagnosed with a chronic progressive or life limiting illness?

• Have they become short of breath, even while rested or relaxed?

• Have they been diagnosed with a chronic progressive or life limiting illness?

We want to help guide you and your loved ones along your healthcare journey. We’ll be there when the time is right.

We want to help guide you and your loved ones along your healthcare journey. We’ll be there when the time is right.

520.544.9890 • Fax: 520.544.9894

Where do you start and what should you look for?

Things to Consider When Making a Move to a Retirement Community

Now more than ever, retirement living o ers residents value, services and safeguards in a supportive setting.

1. BEGIN RESEARCHING IN ADVANCE— BEFORE THE NEED ARISES. A good place to start is to ask family, friends and valued advisors for their recommendations and help with researching retirement communities. Waiting until the need arises can often result in hastier or short-term decisions that might fail to meet your long-term needs.

2. DETERMINE WHICH TYPE OF SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY WILL BEST FIT YOUR NEEDS.

It’s important to understand the di erent types of senior living options and types of services & care they o er. From continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) which require large, upfront entrance fees to “rental” communities, which o er similar services with the flexibility of a monthly fee—there is a community to fit every budget and lifestyle. Begin with a list of your preferences and needs and compare potential communities by taking into account location, specific care services, and additional onsite services such as physical therapy, amenities and activities.

3. GET TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY. Whether you are taking a tour virtually or in person, you can begin to get a feel for a community’s amenities, services and safeguards. But it’s more than

simply choosing a floorplan and supportive services—it’s also about lifestyle. Ask about a community’s fitness, art classes or other interests you may enjoy—or about the community’s wellness programs. A retirement community can o er the peace of mind that there is an “extended family” to help provide support and lifestyle options.

4. DOES A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY MAKE SENSE FINANCIALLY? When compared to the monthly expenses, delivery services, transportation costs, meal expenditures, and the upkeep of a house, many seniors have found that they actually spend less per month and gain countless additional benefits by moving to a retirement community. Take a few moments to compute what it actually costs you to live in your home and compare your present costs to the senior living community. Many communities o er a “Compare the Value Checklist” for your convenience.

5. ARE THE COMMUNITY’S SUPPORTIVE CARE SERVICES ACCREDITED? You can learn a lot with a personalized community tour, but how do you measure the quality behind the scenes? The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is an independent non-profit organization that accredits providers of senior services. Accreditation provides you the assurance that high standards of quality care, service & safeguards are maintained. Make sure your selected community not only o ers access to licensed supportive care and services, but is also CARF accredited.

6231 North Montebella Road Tucson, AZ 85704 520.282.4281

AmberLightsRetirement.com Silver Springs

500 West Camino Encanto Green Valley, AZ 85614

SilverSpringsRetirement.com

6300 East Speedway Boulevard Tucson, AZ 85710

VillaHermosaSeniorLiving.com

Custom makes it, your closet designed for you

BY CLASSY CLOSETS

Custom Closets addresses the fact that one closet size or style doesn’t fit all. Each room has a size and shape and needs a specially designed closet.

You’re unique, and your home should cater to your life the way you want to live it!

Most homes are designed and built with basic and uniform closet layouts that appeal to the general population. The materials used are like the design: basic, standard and inexpensive!

Your daily activities, way of doing things and the things that bring meaning and purpose into your

life belong to you, and your home should play a supporting role.

If you want and deserve custom closets, work with the best, Classy Closets!

Classy Closets is Arizona’s premier custom closet manufacturer and has been designing, building and installing custom closets and organizational solutions in Arizona homes for over 35 years.

We’ve seen firsthand how one basic closet size does not fit all. We’re Tucson, Arizona and surrounding areas’ best company for any storage solutions, organizing your garage, home office, kitchen closet pantries or just about any closet ranking design and installation need.

Heat, exercise and your heart

BY TUCSON MEDICAL CENTER

Summers here in Tucson can be brutal. And while you might want to escape to air conditioning all the time, being inside 24/7 isn’t always possible.

Whether you’re in tip-top condition and anxious to get out and keep up with your training routine, or a regular Joe or Josephine who just wants to walk their dog — Sabine Harrington, registered clinical exercise physiologist, explains just why it’s important to understand how our body responds to heat so we can respond safely.

“Our bodies are amazing,” Harrington says. “When faced with high temperatures, the human body adapts. The volume of blood increases, and diverts more blood to skin surface to dissipate heat via convection. We also sweat more in the hopes that this water will evaporate taking excess heat with it. The main goal is homeostasis — keeping your core temperature from increasing too much.”

How effective your body is at acclimatizing to heat is dependent on a host of factors, and if your body is unable to acclimatize, you risk heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

“Heat stress can be adaptive, but heat exhaustion and heat stroke are dangerous territory, especially in our climate,” she said.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/TMCHeat

Heat as part of the work out

Depending on your goals (training or surviving the summer), you can use heat as an adaptive “acute stress” to complement your traditional workouts, or at least make you more comfortable with daily heat. Think of it as a neuro-vascular workout to keep the body sharp! The intricate communication between the nervous system and the cardiovascular system enables us to thermoregulate, and this is good practice for our bodies. It’s important to remember that working out in the heat will raise your heart rate proportionately much more than working out at the same intensity in cooler temps — for example, a brisk walk on a

June morning may be just as strenuous as a light jog in March on your heart. Pay attention to how you’re feeling, your heart rate, and your hydration levels.

Heat and heart conditions

Those with cardiovascular challenges (coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, etc.) are at increased risk of overheating because the heart and vascular system have increased work to do. If the heart muscle itself can't do as much work, the ability to get rid of heat is limited and the risks associated with heat are increased.

In addition to the physiological constraints of heart related conditions, many common medications also impact the body’s ability to respond to heat including those used for heart-related conditions.

Beta blockers interfere with dilation of the skin blood vessels, diuretics remove water from the body, calcium channel blockers reduce the heart’s work capacity and ACE inhibitors interfere with fluid balance.

If you have a known heart condition you may need to be more vigilant about hot weather. Support your body with proper fluids and electrolytes and find ways to keep your core temp down during the day,” Harrington says.

All should follow these guidelines, heart condition or not:

• Avoid the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Unless you are specifically conditioning yourself for an outdoor athletic event or occupation — in which case, do it gradually!)

• Drink plenty of water. At least eight glasses of water, but more if you’re being active.

• Wear light, loose fitting clothes.

• Enjoy cool foods, salads and fruit that have a high water content as well as being nutritionally dense.

• Avoid drinking alcohol as it can dehydrate you.

• Talk with your primary care provider if you’re starting a new exercise regime. To find a primary care provider, visit https://bit.ly/TMCPCPLL.

Sabine Harrington works with patients in TMC’s cardiac rehab facility. She has a M.S. in physiological sciences from the University of Arizona and a B.A. in paleobiology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a registered clinical exercise physiologist with the American College of Sports Medicine and a movement instructor with 10 years’ experience.

Tucson The of Now Open!

BECOME A VOLUNTEER TODAY!

One reason Patient Care Advocates has such a positive impact on their clients’ health, Milton said, is that local sta members — not an answering service — are available to answer the phone and provide help and assistance 24 hours a day.

“ at means that we can address diculties and problems immediately, and that we can create any sort of program or help that a client needs, whether an individual, a business, or a health facility of any kind in a moment’s notice,” she said.

e company culture that Milton has worked hard to create at Patient Care Advocates contributes to their success.

“I believe that the tone, behavior and attitude of a company is determined by its corporate culture, and we have a culture that emphasizes respect, caring, and helping so sta knows they are important, supported and cared about,” Milton said.

“Consequently, our patients, clients and everyone else we interact with knows they are important and cared about.”

For instance, while Milton said nurses are burning out and quitting their jobs that they had loved at record rates, her team is happy and ful lled.

“Our nurses deliver real care to complex and acute patients in a one-on-one situation, and they get to make important medical decisions that save lives and provide quality care for their patients,” Milton said, adding that they also have access to

the company’s director of nurses, medical director and the patients’ doctors and specialists.

“It’s a great set up. Just as important, they still have time for themselves and their families because they get to determine their own schedules.”

While taking care of her own parents’ needs was challenging at the time, Milton is thankful that the experience inspired her to open a company that is making such a positive di erence in peoples’ lives.

“I especially enjoy watching sta and clients thrive, and watching us empower patients so they want to take care of themselves, so that they understand the health issues they are dealing with, and showing them that they can make a di erence in their improvement and even ‘get rid of many things that ail them’ through the right nutrition and alternative approaches,” she said.

“We put an emphasis on doing the right thing, and the result is that it knocks down walls and barricades, and help is given even when it is outside the work that we do for a living. It means we have a happy sta and it’s the reason we get those stellar care outcomes.”

Patient Care Advocates 520-546-4141

pcatucson.com

Make classrooms memorable at Treasures 4 Teachers

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER

Tucson Local Media Sta

Kelly Caruso, homeschool teacher and Girl Scout Troop 350 leader, knows where to go when she needs school and troop supplies.

On any given afternoon, she can be found at Treasures 4 Teachers, a “store” aimed at making teachers’ lives easier by offering supplies at heavily discounted prices.

Teachers pay $5 for a brown paper shopping bag and stuff it as full as possible.

Caruso took advantage of it with a bag full of plastic coins and paper money, real animal skulls for science classes, marbles and colored plastic animals.

Caruso said Treasures 4 Teachers is a blessing, a place where she can make the most of her money.

“All the (educational) resources are so expensive, and you provide them yourself as a teacher,” she said. “By coming here, it really helps out because your money is stretched and goes so much further… I can spend $200 here which elsewhere would be over $1,000. It really, really helps.”

Treasures 4 Teachers is an intimate warehouse full of useful materials, everything from bear jaw bones and test tubes to fluffy yarn and knitting needles. There are books, puzzles, games, science kits, lots of things teachers might need to fill their classrooms.

Manager Adrienne Ledford is on a mission to make Treasures 4 Teachers known to all of Tucson’s educators. The place is available to public school, private school, charter school, Christian school and homeschool teachers, though homeschool teachers need to present documentation that they are in fact homeschooling.

“Any teacher can come in here,” Ledford said. “All schools can come in here. All people who teach a child can come in here, it doesn’t matter what kind of (school) it is.”

It works much like Costco or Sam’s Club. Teachers buy a $35 membership before they shop.

Ledford works hard to see that she has

Kelly Caruso homeschools her children and shops at Treasures 4 Teachers. She also works with the Leman Academy of Excellence, Harelson Elementary School and the Girl Scouts Troop 350. (Karen Schafner/Sta )

what teachers need, and conversely, she knows what they don’t need.

“They don’t want folders; they don’t want spiral notebooks,” she said, noting that teachers get plenty of those items already. “They want dry erase markers. They want erasers. They want things that are really useful.”

To that end, Ledford said she has posters and office equipment such as letter trays and furniture (office chairs, plastic drawers and shelving, for example). Most pieces are used but still plenty viable. Then there is a wall lined with bins filled with what Ledford calls loose parts, which she said are among her most popular items.

“Loose parts are items a teacher can use for a kid to create,” she said. “You give them odds and ends like pop tops, buttons, pompoms, puzzle pieces, and a glue stick and paper, and you sit two kids down at a table, and they make these really (beautiful) things to take home.”

Also included in loose parts bins are glue sticks, scissors, colored paper and

bundles of scrapbooking cardstock, colored pencils, markers, even crayons; all these items may go into the $5 bag.

“Why do they have to buy new crayons every year?” Ledford asked. “We sort crayons that are whole into bags — no broken ones — and they can get 10 bags of them whereas a box of crayons cost $3 now.”

Ledford said she and her staff also make art kits with the loose parts to make things more convenient for teachers.

“I make the kits; it’s just something we do because the teachers don’t have time,” she said. “We try to save them not just money but time. That’s a big thing about this place. It’s not just that they save money on everything.”

There are other items that seem commonplace but can take time to gather, such as toilet paper and paper towel rolls, and egg cartons.

“There’s everything weird here,” Ledford said.

Caruso spends a lot of time at Treasures, but the time invested is worth the return.

“We would not be able to do what we do without these resources,” she said. “Teachers should come here to be able to make their classrooms amazing and everlasting in the kids’ minds. They’ll just always remember when you set up your classroom with the unusual items and the unique items. It sticks with the kids.”

Treasures 4 Teachers

6800 N. Camino Martin, Suite 124, Tucson 520-425-3956

tucsonstore@t4teachers.org t4teachers.org

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday Cost to join is $35

Birding festival takes flight in Marana

BY VERONICA KUFFEL Tucson Local Media Contributor

Marana is quietly becoming a must-visit birding hotspot in Pima County, according to Jason Grodman, the town’s natural resources supervisor.

In addition to El Rio Preserve, eight other locations within Marana have recorded over 150 bird species. anks to these aviary visits, the Southeast Arizona Birding Festival has become one of the most captivating in the country.

e Tucson Audubon Society will host the 13th annual festival from Wednesday, Aug. 9, to Sunday, Aug. 13, featuring special guests, presentations and a free nature expo.

e major highlights of the week, however, are the dozens of eldtrips across the region.

According to Luke Sa ord, Tucson Audubon’s director of engagement and education, the festival’s goal is to exhibit the many great options for birding.

“ e big thing people want to do when they go to birding festivals is they want to see birds,” Sa ord said. “ at’s what draws people to Southeast Arizona, both people who live here and people who visit.”

e festival will explore four birding locations in Marana as part of its trip schedule, including popular sites like El Rio Preserve and Tohono Chul and lesser-known spots like the North Simpson Habitat and along North Luckett Road.

Once a shallow gravel pit, El Rio Preserve was transformed into a bird and wildlife sanctuary by town sta . ey have documented almost 250 species of birds since its initial restoration.

“It’s probably the best-known birding location in Marana,” Sa ord noted. “Anywhere there is water, that’s where the wildlife is, especially here in the desert. e town has done a great job of making that space look beautiful.”

Tohono Chul is a vast botanical garden and gallery that partners with Tucson Audubon throughout the year. e popular site is known for its year-round birding tours and accessibility for birding beginners.

e North Simpson Habitat is a Tucson

Audubon-led project to restore the land deteriorated by farming and wastewater.

e festival eld trip will include one of its featured guests, Phil Chaon, co-author of “Habitats of the World,” who will speak on the restoration work.

“It’s a project we’ve been working on for quite a few years and it’s right along the Santa Cruz River,” Sa ord said. “ ey’ll talk about what we’re doing for the habitat, look at the di erent birds that are there and what people can do to play a role in preserving it.”

e last location can be found along North Luckett Road, which is one of the region’s best spots to nd burrowing owls.

Along with featured birding spots, Marana will host booths at the festival.

“Marana Parks and Recreation, along with Discover Marana and the Friends of El Rio will have an information table at the event HQ,” Grodman said. “Festival attendees can receive information about where the preserve is located, the birds they might see, becoming a Friend of El Rio and other

outdoor recreation opportunities in Marana.”

e Tucson Audubon Society is a bridge between people and birds, especially in its highlight event of the year.

“ e festival brings birds and people together, it’s a lot of socializing and a lot of birds,” Sa ord said. “It’s a great event for everyone, whether you’re really into it or just want to know more about what birds and the birding community are like.”

While eld trips and presentations require a $30 registration fee with other activity expenses, Tucson Audubon welcomes the public to the festival's free Nature Expo.

Participants will get to meet wildlife professionals, organizations and even live animals from Arizona Game and Fish and Reid Park Zoo.

e town’s festival participation is one piece of a commitment to make birding and the overall outdoors available to those curious about it.

“ e Marana birding community is

growing, and I think more people are noticing it,” Sa ord said. We also really value partnering with our local communities, and we’re thankful for Marana’s sponsorship.”

Southeast Arizona Birding Festival

WHEN: Various times Wednesday, Aug. 9, to Sunday, Aug. 13

WHERE: Festival headquarters is DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel TucsonReid Park, 445 S. Alvernon Way COST: There is a $30 non-refundable registration fee for all festival participants who are attending feebased activities: eldtrips, workshops and evening programs. In addition, each activity has associated fees. Admission is free to the nature expo. INFO: tucsonaudubon.org/festival

A Southeast Arizona Birding Festival field trip to El Rio Preserve in 2021. (Tom Brown/Submitted)

Tucson Trades serves as a catalyst for local economy

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Sta

Travis Freeman has participated in markets around town, but none were really the right fit.

So, he created his own. The first Tucson Trades Indoor Vendor Market will bring 100 local sellers to the Tucson Convention Center from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 29.

“I came up with the idea and concept by being a vendor at other markets in the past,” said Freeman, who owns Healthful Flowers, a Tucson CBD dispensary.

“At the other markets, something always tends to arise — heat, wind or cold. There’s always some sort of environmental issue.”

Even indoor markets didn’t work for him, as they often had limited space or poor lighting.

“It dawned on me that by having a previous relationship with TCC, it would be the best place to host a large market,” Freeman said. “The biggest part of that was figuring out if vendors would be willing to sign on to something that large.

“We immediately got a big, big, big response. People have been looking for something like this for a long time.”

From handmade crafts and artisanal goods to culinary treats and innovative technology, the market will be impressive, Freeman said. Among the food vendors is Ducky’s Pineapple Banana Bread.

Photographed at the UA’s Arizona Sands Club, Travis Freeman of Healthful Flowers, a Tucson CBD dispensary, created Tucson Trades Indoor Vendor Market. He’s recruited 100 vendors from the area to share and sell their wares. It’s set for Saturday, July 29, at the Tucson Convention Center.(Noelle Haro-Gomez/Contributor)

“Ducky’s Pineapple Banana Bread is hard to come by and it sells out quickly,” the Catalina High School graduate said.

“They’re bringing extra loaves. I have a lot of bakers who are coming with special dishes and treats.”

The world’s first nonprofit tattoo and body piercing shop, Spark Project Collective will be there as well. The staff will offer flash tattoos starting at $20.

Speaking of nonprofits, Arizona Rescue Life will host dog adoptions. The meta-

physical supply store, Aquamarine Daydream, will bring crystals and gemstones.

The Community Investment Corporation, an economic development nonprofit dedicated to the empowerment of Pima County residents and the surrounding area since 1996, will show the small businesses how to acquire loans.

Providing the soundtrack to the event will be local musicians and performers.

“This event is going to be fantastic,” he said. “We’re going to have so many differ-

ent things to offer people. We have a little bit from every industry. There’s not going to be an overabundance of one thing. It’s not industry specific. Events that are industry specific, the cost point to get in there is pretty high for the vendors.

“Our vendor fee was not very high.”

The key was to not interfere with the timing of the Fourth Avenue Street Fair. Freeman is working around those dates and creating a market when business slows down a bit — in July and January — after Christmas and in the summer when the students are gone.”

If Tucson Trades is successful, Freeman said he hopes to one day host up to 400 vendors under one roof. After all, it’s beneficial to all involved, he added.

“This event not only offers a fantastic shopping experience but also serves as a catalyst for economic growth and community connection,” he said. “By supporting local businesses, attendees can contribute directly to the success and sustainability of Tucson’s ecosystem.”

Tucson Trades Indoor Vendor Market

WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 29

WHERE: Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Avenue, Tucson

COST: Free admission

INFO: tucsontrades.com

from page 8

A “significant” wash runs north-south through the parcel. According to town code, a wash would be delineated as a critical resource area, with 95 percent of it kept as open space. “We will need to cross it once, with a road,” Oland said. “Other than that, we would leave it entirely alone.”

A trail alignment extends through the parcel. The applicant would grant a public, non-motorized trail easement to the town, so both the wash and trail alignments would be “protected during the development process,” Oland writes.

The annexation requires two public hear-

ings. One of hearings was July 19, with three speakers, two of whom openly supported the proposal.

“We don’t want to have another storage unit or a gas station” on the parcel, said Steve Stuebner, a resident in a nearby Insight Homes house. He asked about ingress and egress points to and from any eventual development. Jones said it would be accessed from La Canada.

“Please annex this property,” neighbor Brandon Michel said. “Currently, it’s being used for semis to park and work on their vehicles, and it’s driving me through the roof.

... These guys build great homes. I strongly encourage this.”

A third speaker, a neighbor, asked about setback requirements and view protection.

Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett asked Oland why he is not simultaneously pursuing the annexation and the request for more dense development.

“Our thought was we would do the annexation first, because it’s a quicker process,” Oland said. A request for a zoning change requires neighborhood meetings and public hearings before a town council decision, Oland said. That process would offer “a lot of input opportunity there that would help shape the plan.”

Councilmember Steve Solomon expressed concern that, as it stands, 10 homes could be

built on the parcel “with private wells which tie into our aquifer. The water’s going to come from Oro Valley, potentially, one way or another.

“It makes, obviously, a lot of sense to annex,” Solomon said. “Keep in mind any infrastructure needed will be 100 percent borne” by the developer. “The town will receive construction sales tax, it will receive impact fees,” and each residential unit “will probably be generating a good amount of sales tax for the town of Oro Valley.

“This gives us control,” Solomon said. “I just don’t see any downside to this.”

A second public hearing would take place “sometime this fall,” Shaddock said.

HOMES

Back-to-school tips for young children

BY SABRINA CHAPMAN Tucson Local Media Columnist

As summer winds down, there’s nothing quite like the three hyphenated words “back-to-school” to evoke a wave of emotions. Whether it’s a hit of Rockwellian nostalgia, a scramble for the perfect IG-worthy out t and monogrammed backpack for the rst-day-ofschool photo, or an achy, summer-is-over blues, back-to-school is a time of transition for parents and children. ankfully for Tucsonan parents, there is an abundance of local resources to help you and your children strive and thrive this 20232024 school year.

But where to start? Emotional awareness and preparedness with a toolbox of coping strategies is an important rst step. e beginning of the school year is lled with new schedules, new teachers, new friends, just about new everything, and that’s a lot of new for anyone to navigate, especially children.

Debbie Curley, associate FCHS agent at the UA Cooperative Extension Pima County, recommended starting by helping children navigate through emotions brought on by the school year, including fear, excitement and anxiety by “labeling and honoring every emotion. Let children have their feelings, help them understand them, and give them tools to work through their feelings.”

As for your toolbox when your little one’s tears begin to swell or voices begin to boil as you pull up for drop-o or the bus stop, Curley suggests breathing exercises, dancing it out, and Calm Kids, a mindfulness app for nurturing mental well-being for children. Personally, as a mother of a 4-year-old who wears his emotions on his sleeve, e Fun Squad’s “Fun in the Sun” was our go-to to dance it out when he transitioned out of Pre-K into summer camp, and you better believe I’ll have it ready for the rst day of school.

Curley, whose program has served over 6,000 caregivers and their children, emphasizes routines at the start of the school year. Routines can help children regulate themselves because they know what to expect. For younger children, Curley suggests listing out the series of tasks that

need to be done in the morning and evening, such as breakfast, getting dressed, and going to school. Draw or print the words and images of the action, put them in a basket, and work with your child to arrange the checklist chronologically.

As for middle school and older, if parents are having a challenge with their child completing homework or other school routine tasks, Curley said, “ ere is a bene t in encouraging them to make decisions about what they need and putting the ball in their court.

“Asking questions such as how can we support you to make that happen will help them to learn how to create their own strategies.”

Now that we have stocked up our emotional toolbox, the next step is consistency.

Melissa Barnett, director of Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth and Families at the University of Arizona, said, “It’s important for parents to understand what is going on in the classroom and establish consistent communication and reinforcement between home and school.”

e reinforcement doesn’t have to be complex and can be a natural integration into daily activities like learning fractions while cooking in the kitchen. Barnett said, “ e classroom is all around you when you are a parent.”

Katie Yaeli, founder of e Play District,

a guide for families in Tucson, described an activity she does with her children.

“Take them to do normal errands like grocery shopping. Give them a chance to pay and interact with the cashier. If you go to Trader Joe’s you can give them their own cart (they have kid-sized), a budget and have them do it all on their own.”

Reading helps reinforce what children of all ages are learning and experiencing emotionally in the classroom and for them to learn how to communicate and overcome challenges.

“Helping kids become lifelong readers helps them become lifelong learners,” Curley said.

One of my favorite personal experiences with Curley’s advice on reading for lifelong learning involves my son’s introduction to Pete the Cat at a Story Time Character Hour at the University of Arizona Bookstore. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend it. e story times are monthly, lled with activities and free.

If you aren’t familiar with Pete, he is a rock star cat with a relatable lesson for just about everything. In “Pete the Cat Saves Up,” he learns how to save and earn money for a supercool Sharkbot toy by selling lemonade and making money-saving choices, like eating pizza at home instead of at a pizza restaurant.

Without the book, the concept of saving and expenditure choices was too abstract for my 4-year-old to grasp and caused power struggles. A er reading the book several times at bedtime, he asked what chores he could do to save money. Friends, this is what we call a #winning parent moment.

Curley also tipped me o to Read to a Dog at the Pima County Library. Many children experience anxiety when reading aloud. e program, appropriate for preschoolers, kids and tweens, is designed around a dog, a nonjudgmental listener, to read to which allows them to relax, overcome their fears and increase the motivation to read.

Along the lines of keeping your children’s motivation high and helping them grasp concepts that may feel hard to understand, Yaeli brings her children to e Children’s Museum Tucson (CMT).

“It’s interactive, which keeps children

engaged. When you have learning appear as play, children are more likely to learn,” Yaeli said.

CMT’s marketing director, Teresa Truelsen, said sometimes it’s hard for kids to learn at a desk.

“We are here to help kids educationally in a fun hands-on way,” she said.

CMT activities range from volcano building to demonstrate chemistry, colorful scarves owing through transparent tubes to explain aerodynamics and even mixing dirt and water to make mud to spark interest in engineering.

“ ey may not understand all the science behind it, but it’s something that they can remember and sticks in their mind,” Truelsen said.

And sticking is what bonds the building blocks of education both in and outside the classroom together.

Resources

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Pima County provides tools to create a rich learning environment for children through free parenting classes to the public. extension.arizona.edu

The free University of Arizona Story Time Character Hour is held on the rst Saturday of every month. https://shop.arizona.edu/storytime

Pima County Public Library o ers Read to a Dog and many learning events and programs for all ages. library. pima.gov

The Children’s Museum Tucson o ers a variety of programs and price points, including free Discovery Nights on Thursdays and yearly memberships. childrensmuseumtucson.org

The Play District is a local guide to allthings family in Tucson. Instagram: @theplaydistrict_tucson.

At the Children's Museum Tucson, learning is disguised as play. (Submitted)

29 “Is it wor th the risk?”

30 Do great at

31 collar (iconic Ruth Bader Ginsburg neckwear at the Smithsonian)

33 Part of a coconut that can be shredded

35 Clarification words for a speller

38 “Freeze!”

47 Major provider of scholarships, in brief

39 Along with lentils, one of the two main ingredients in idli

by WIll Shortz

9 Yet to come 10 Mythological being with a horse’s tail

11 Facilities in England

12 Prey for a dingo

13 Command that might precede “Shake!”

One might have the disclaimer “Professional driver on closed course. Do not a empt.”

Erode

“Stop! I’ve heard quite enough!”

Formative

Science that deals with the phenomenon spelled out by 10 missing le ers in this puzzle

29 “Is it worth the risk?”

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Responsibility and power go together. Taking responsibility gives you power, and you can't have real power if you don't take real responsibility. This week, you'll take on a cause wholeheartedly and make it your own. It won't be long before you are known for this and it is indeed a part of you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

The eyes in your head can only see what's visible, and even then, as they are only focused on one thing at a time, they miss a lot. But your invisible eyes can see invisible things and many things at once. You can trust the information they take in this week.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21)

While some will be inclined to spin the roulette wheel or pull on the handle of a slot machine, hoping for destiny's favor, you prefer to base your finances on something far less precarious. You'll find security in a fair exchange of sweat to dollars, and you'll leverage your work and talent to make a tidy bundle this week.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

You crave certain aesthetic standards -- a blessing and a curse. You feel it is your responsibility to find, appreciate and utilize the splendor around you. It's not always easy, but it pays off for you. People warm to the loveliness you cultivate, and portals of opportunity open wide.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21)

The body has its own intelligence. It's not hard for you to imagine that your muscles, bones and cells hold energy of things forgotten, but do they also hold the energy of experiences to come? Your intuition will tingle this week, and acting on your inklings will bring you good fortune.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

At times, your sensitivity and empathy have been exploited, but these qualities are not a weakness. Quite the opposite is true. Your deep understanding of others is a remarkable ability, your connection a most precious gift. You will use your talents with discernment and make a difference.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

55 Some antique collectibles

It's exciting to be around passionate people, though there may be consequences to bringing them in to certain environments where caution is what's called for. Your heart may be such an environment. You will learn a fuller range of someone's personality and get a sense of how they might fit into your world.

48 Look through a window, say

49 Like bananas and banana slugs

51 Orangish-brown gem

41 Exposed, as a cover

57 Princess whose brother is not a prince

53 Otolaryngologist, familiarly

44 One giving a wakeup call

54 Make fun of 56 Error’s counterpart

45 Hyundai Sonata, for one 48 Cer tain ecclesiastic

58 Components of a rosary

61 More o en than not

66 More than enough

67 We: Fr.

50 Punch bowl go-with 52 Quibble

68 Big Ten school

58 Meadow call 59 Ambulance letters 60 Well-suited 62 “Kidding!” 63 Father of une princesse 64 Saddler’s tool

30 Do great at 31 ___ collar (iconic Ruth Bader Ginsburg neckwear at the Smithsonian)

33 Part of a coconut that can be shredded

35 Clarification words for a speller

“Freeze!”

Along with lentils, one of the two main ingredients in idli

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Silence is wisdom's favorite dancing partner. It will take a great deal of restraint not to say what pops to mind, but you'll hold back and observe, intent on listening carefully and reading the room accurately. You will wait until you are convinced your input will be helpful, then you'll give generously.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You may feel stuck, but it's because you are buying into an illusion. With a little detachment, you'll notice your rights and freedoms and you'll clearly see what limits are imaginary. Pretend you're an actor playing a role that just happens to be "you." Step outside of it for a moment to decide how best to play this.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

A chasm of confusion matches an age gap. If you feel misunderstood by the generation before you and underappreciated by the one behind you, know that you're not alone -- it's the same for every generation. Because you're wise beyond your years and youthful inside them, you are uniquely qualified to solve this.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

69 Holiday dependent on the lunisolar calendar

Américas

Hyundai Sonata, for one

There are those who ask things of you all day long, but they are not the ones who need you the most. The neediest will be quiet and may not even know what to ask for. You've a talent for sensing the best way to take care of people. Just remember that you can't give what you don't have. Replenish yourself.

Your mental fortitude is impressive. When your mind grabs onto an idea, your body will obey. You have serious follow-through and won't have to muster up the motivation to complete your tasks because you'll be driven by deep and mysterious motivation.

70 [Ignore that edit] 71 Train tracks

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

1 With 2-Down, money-saving flight option, o en 2 See 1-Down 3 Certain line segment 4 Hockey feint

5 Receptacle near a firepit

6 ___ Ark

7 Offering on a sushi menu

8 Mayor Lightfoot of Chicago

Certain ecclesiastic

Punch bowl go-with

Quibble

Some antique collectibles 57 Princess whose brother is not a prince 58 Meadow call 59 Ambulance le ers 60 Well-suited 62 “Kidding!” 63 Father of une princesse

Saddler’s tool

___ Américas

PUZZLE BY ELISE CORBIN

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.

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.

Now Accepting Credit cards

Gary or Chase 520-742-1953

This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This This This Month This Month This Month This This Month This This Month Month This This Month This Month This Month This Month This This Month This Month This Month This Month This This Month This Month ThisThisMonthMonth This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This Month This This This Month This This Month This This Month This Month Month This Month This Month This Month This Month Month This Month This Month This This This This Month This Month This This Month Month This Month This Month This Month This Month Month

in Oro Va ey Parks & Recreation

New facility schedules for the Community & Recreation Center and the Oro Valley Aquatics Center begin in August, scan the QR code or visit www.orovalleyaz.gov for the latest schedules.

AUGUST EVENTS & SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Gadget Guidance

Technology Assistance

Wednesdays in August

10 a.m. – noon

Steam Pump Ranch

10901 N. Oracle Rd.

Cost: Free

Cost: $20 per child Ages: 5 – 12

Register to attend at www.playov.com

Movies on the Lawn Featuring: The Mitchells vs. the Machines Saturday, August 19

7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Oro Valley Community and Recreation Center

10555 N. La Cañada Dr.

Cost: Free Ages: All

Senior Single Mingle Thursday, August 24 10 a.m. – noon

Steam Pump Ranch

10901 N. Oracle Rd.

Cost: Free Ages: 55+

Teen Dive-In: Live DJ Night

Presented by the Youth Advisory Council Saturday, August 26 7 – 10 p.m.

Oro Valley Aquatic Center 23 W. Calle Concordia

Cost: Free Ages: 13 – 19