Explorer News 08/16/2023

Live entertainment lovers drawn to Gaslight

BY JACK MIESSNER Tucson Local Media Sta

On any given night, visitors of the Gaslight Music Hall or Gaslight Theatre might spot owner Tony Terry pulling a pizza out of the oven, or even sweeping the breezeway.

“All of this is really his brainchild,” said Heather Stricker, general manager of the theater and a member of the opening main cast.

“But he’s really hands on, which I think is super rare after 45 years.”

The two venues are a far cry from their late ’70s beginnings, when a 24-year-old Terry and

some of his UA classmates uprooted their lives and moved to Alaska.

“They put up a big tent and put on some melodramas that summer for all of the cruise ship people that would come off for the day in Skagway,” Stricker said.

“That was in 1977. It was called the Mighty Moose Melodrama Theatre, and it was a huge failure. But they had so much fun that they decided, ‘Why don’t we open it in Tucson, so we can work on it until it’s right?’”

Decades later, the Gaslight continues to

GASLIGHT page 18

BY DAVE PERRY Tucson Local Media Contributor

Pedestrian facility improvements along Naranja Drive could cost between $100,000 and $150,000, Oro Valley town engineer Paul Keesler told the town council in July.

“We’re going to need to design all of this,” and “we’ll need to fund it,” Keesler said after reviewing proposed upgrades. “We would sit down and go through the nuts and bolts,” create an engineered, detailed package, “and bring it forward to council in early fall.”

“I’m sure you’ll have a supportive council to fund those improvements,” Mayor Joe Winfield told Keesler and Oro Valley Police Department Cmdr. John Teachout. Members of the council concurred.

Keesler and Teachout sit on the town’s traffic safety committee, which has studied vehicle speeds, pedestrian accommodations, and other characteristics of the 2-mile stretch of Naranja between La Cañada and First Avenue. Studies came in the aftermath of a March 17 auto-pedestrian collision near the entry to Naranja Park that claimed the life of a young walker, and seriously injured another.

Recommendations from the traffic safety committee include installation of a rapid

Hot Picks

BY LINDA RAY Tucson Local Media Sta

CatVideoFest

2023

AUG. 17

The Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter and Sanctuary will benefit from this unmissable event for cat video lovers, and aren’t we all?

Will Braden, creator of the “Henri, le Chat Noir” videos, curated this collection into a feature-length film. Numbering 100 in all, these are the most hilarious, tender, playful and otherwise engrossing cat videos he found across all the apps that feature them. Food trucks will be on hand for the Saturday and Sunday screenings.

The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Boulevard, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, $10, loftcinema.org

Critter Night

AUG. 18

Dress your kids as their favorite local wild things for Critter Night. They can walk in the Sonoran Wild Critter Parade led by local children’s book author Jodi Del Pont. You’ll find more than 20 wildlife groups and individual experts on hand to talk about desert creatures and environmental issues. Some will have brought wild animals; others will be dipping into the garden’s acequia (canal) to display microorganisms and macroinvertebrates.

Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane, Tucson, free, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., missiongarden.org

Summer Swing Fest

AUG. 18 TO AUG. 20

Through three days of dance parties, a dance

history workshop and classes in Lindy, shag, blues and “Balboa,” a dozen instructors will lead aspiring dancers through all the best retro moves. They never go out of style. The weekend kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Friday with The Wholly Cats swing dance band at the UA Main Gate Square. On Saturday, everything happens at Hotel Congress. Trevor & the Swingin’ Johnsons and The Phoenix Bomb Squad close out the night.

Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, Tucson, Main Gate Square; 814 E. University Boulevard, Tucson, various times and prices summerswingfest.com

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

Join the Oro Valley

see HOT PICKS page 3

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

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

Community & Recreation Center for a topnotch film. “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” is shown on Aug. 19.

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

Tucson Girls Chorus Pop-Up for Kids

AUG 19

Girls through fifth grade are invited to discover the special joy of singing in community. Tunes for Tots at 10 a.m. will engage babies to kindergarten-age kids in the basics: singing, moving and listening. At 11 a.m., kids from kindergarten through fifth grade sing fun songs and make new friends, all under the expert guidance of TGC conductors, trained music instructors.

SAACA Catalyst Creative Collective, 4500 N. Oracle Road, Suite 110, Tucson, free, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., tucsongirlschorus.org, participants must be accompanied by a caretaker.

Tiny Tales for Tots

AUG. 19

Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley presents “The Story of the Sea Creatures” in one of a series of Tiny Tales for Tots, an early literacy program for preschool-aged children. Each month, More to the Story Entertainment presents a costumed character who brings a tale to life. Each story is inspired by a miniature in the museum’s collection. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The Mini Time Machine Museum, 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson, $14, $8 kids, 11 a.m., theminitimemachine.org

Brews and Buffelgrass

AUG. 19

We’re hoping that this event’s two free beer pours will help stimulate guests’ interest in saving saguaros. For a $10 donation, you can buy a Hydroflask and get that filled too. After happy hour, representatives of Saguaro National Park will discuss the pervasive threat of buffelgrass in our desert ecology. The only way to get rid of it is to pull it out. Members of Wilderness Volunteers are doing just that and hoping to increase their numbers.

Summit Hut, 5251 E. Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, free, 5 p.m., summithut.com

Startup 101

AUG. 22

This introductory meeting helps folks

take their first steps toward starting that business they’ve always thought was a great idea. Startup Tucson, a nonprofit, introduces simple best practices for starting a business, and offers the support and companionship of others on the same path. The program is designed to help build a foundation for success and streamline all the planning and paperwork.

Online, 3 to 5 p.m., free, register at startuptucson.com/calendar

Summer Social: “Life in the Tar Seeps” AUG. 23

Complimentary snacks and a cash bar set the stage for a social evening reflecting on a tragedy possibly best understood through poetry. Gretchen E. Henderson will read and discuss her work, “Life in the Tar Seeps: A Spiraling Ecology from a Dying Sea.” Henderson visited the Great Salt Lake’s tar seeps in the wake of a near-fatal car accident. Her work leans into the landscape’s shared experience of life and death, degeneration and regeneration, injury and healing. The Century Room, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, Tucson, free, 5 p.m., poetry.arizona.edu

Swim with a Mermaid AUG. 26

Mermaid Odette just loves Hotel McCoy’s saltwater pool. She’s been holding forth there every other Saturday, talking to kids about ocean conservation, creativity and following their dreams. Find her there on Saturday, Aug. 26. She expects to spend the intervening weekend in Bisbee, where in lieu of their annual Return of the Mermaids on Fourth Avenue, Tucson’s mermaid cohort will descend upon Bisbee’s annual Pirate Weekend. It’s high time someone taught those pirates some manners.

Hotel McCoy, 720 W. Silverlake Road, Tucson, free admission, 6 to 8 p.m., hotelmccoy.com, themermaidodette.com

see HOT PICKS page 5

Correction

A story about Stacks Book Club in the Aug. 2 edition of The Explorer needs correction.

Stacks Book Club carries Coors Light for owner Crispin Je rey-Franco's dad to drink. It's the only beer from outside the region available at the Oro Valley Marketplace business.

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 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.

Marana’s HR department produces results

BY CURRY C. HALE Human Resources Director

Most working professionals are familiar with the human resources department.

Our human resources team is a support services department that is mission-driven and solution-oriented. Many HR departments have the reputation of being the department of “no” or they’re viewed as the “principal’s office.”

We change the perception by producing results. Our team works hard to partner with the other departments, to learn their business and show them that their challenges are our challenges, and their successes are our successes.

HR is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our employees. At the town of Marana, we are the department that manages employee experiences. From recruitment, onboarding, and

education to benefits, payroll, and safety, the HR team is dedicated to providing a supportive culture for employees so the town can be an employee destination.

Let’s start with your first day on the job.

At orientation, new employees are welcomed by Town Manager Terry Rozema.

Even on his busiest days, Terry finds time to chat and build connections, as well as share the Town’s mission of providing five-star service to support a thriving community. This is a great opportunity to get to know our town leadership and learn about the values and goals.

Next, you’ll learn about the town’s benefits package. An employee-run benefits committee provides recommendations to HR with the goal of developing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that will enhance our employees’ quality of life.

Recent improvements include merging sick and personal leave time into

a program called “managed time off” (MTO), which allows more flexibility for employees to take time off for whenever life throws a wrench.

We also increased our vacation leave accruals and added an MTO Leave Payout program for tenured employees and retirees upon separation.

Payroll is another important component. The team is responsible for the full payroll process, including W-2s, payroll checks/direct deposit advices, and reporting to external agencies. We also take proactive steps to minimize and avoid some of the most common payroll errors. Weekly reviews of time entry and leave requests are completed, and new hire payroll and ESS training is provided along with any specific training requested by the departments. Getting payroll right is a great way to exceed employee expectations and build their trust in the organization.

Now you’re onboard as an employee! What can you expect?

In addition to your daily tasks and responsibilities within your department, HR manages a number of programs that highlight the town’s cultural values of dedicated service, teamwork, respect and engaged innovation.

The TOM Awards encourages employees to recognize their peers for their contributions to the organization and serving as examples. We provide educational opportunities for those seeking to enrich their skills. Additionally, we run two annual employee appreciation celebrations. This is a great opportunity for employees to come together, enjoy food and the great outdoors.

In addition to these services, HR also oversees risk management and safety and health.

Risk management in the public sector is essential for the effective functioning of government organizations. It involves identifying potential risks, assessing their potential impact and developing strategies to mitigate or address these risks.

This involves engaging stakeholders, conducting risk assessments, developing contingency plans and regularly monitoring and reviewing risk mitigation strategies. Effective risk management in the public sector helps to ensure the smooth operation of government services and safeguards the interests of the citizens.

Safety and health ensures that all employees, regardless of the nature of their job, have a safe place to work by adher-

PICKS from page 3

ONGOING EVENTS

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., Saturdays to 9 p.m. 520-833-1380, desertmuseum.org

Dog Days of Summer TO SEPT. 30

Guests can take their dogs to Tucson Botanical Gardens through Sept. 30. Imagine the smells they’ll enjoy and the fun of exploring new trails, most shaded by the gardens’ old-growth trees. No doubt they’d also welcome a bite from whatever you order from Edna’s Eatery on site. It’s run by Westward Look Resort Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, tickets start at $15 with discounts available, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 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

ing to regulations set by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, National Fire Protection Association, and Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration. Safety committee meetings and safety training ensures that employees can participate and contribute to the conversation of a safe workplace. These functions of the human resources department play an important part of our employees’ everyday lives. From working in a safe environment to ensuring employees have the best benefits available to them, our staff works hard to provide five-star service to our organization.

If you are interested in working for the town of Marana, and would like to see available opportunities, visit: maranaaz.gov/careers.

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

Heirloom Farmers Market SATURDAYS IN AUGUST

Fresh fruits and veggies deliver the cool on these summer days. Find all your favorite local produce for a dessert, a salad or a slaw and stock up on pork, beef and eggs from nearby farms and ranches. The Heirloom folks now operate all five of the biggest farmers markets hereabouts. In this Oro Valley event, food vendors and artisans spread their wares among the historic structures and gardens of Steam Pump Ranch.

Historic Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley, free admission, 8 a.m. to noon, heirloomfm.org

Your Source For Community News!

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HOT

Smoothie restaurant gets P&Z nod

BY DAVE PERRY Tucson Local Media Contributor

Adrive-thru smoothie restaurant at La Cañada and Lambert in Oro Valley has received three unanimous, favorable recommendations from the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

Now, the proposal for a 1,649-squarefoot, 20-foot-tall Tropical Smoothie Café building with drive-thru and outdoor seating goes to the Oro Valley Town Council for its consideration in September.

Tropical Smoothie is a “fast-casual” franchise restaurant offering smoothies, sandwiches, salads and other options. It wants to build and operate on the southwest corner of La Cañada and Lambert within Cañada Crossroads, a commercial center anchored by two sit-down restaurants, Harvest and Caffe Torino.

When the Tropical Smoothie proposal was first aired at a neighborhood meeting in June 2022, neighbors and Harvest diners submitted petitions with several hundred signatures, sent dozens of emails, filled council chambers and aired their grievances about fast food and drive-thru uses.

After that meeting, the applicant made architectural and screening wall changes to its proposal. In later adjustments, it moved the building to its southeastern-most location on the .76-acre pad, and agreed to plant lower-profile trees near Harvest to ease the effect on views from that patio.

Verbal opposition has diminished each time the public has had a chance to comment. At P&Z’s Aug. 8 meeting, one resident — longtime neighbor Jerry Roberts — spoke against the drive-thru component.

For three decades now, drivethrus have been “the only thing we’re

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concerned about” at Cañada Crossroads, Roberts said. “We wanted something ... to fit in.” Right now, the only drive-thrus along La Cañada are at the post office and a bank, he said, “because the residents did not want it.”

“I have nothing against what they want to put there, as far as a business,” Roberts said. But if Tropical Smoothie proceeds, he predicts the northernmost vacant pad at Cañada Crossroads “will go to a drive-thru, too. I know people do not want that.”

“I appreciate the concerns about neighbors’ desire for no drive-thrus,” Commissioner Kimberly Outlaw Ryan said. A drive-thru would increase vehicular and foot traffic within the center, she added.

“That being said, it’s part of our obligation to honor the General Plan, and this development will add to commerce,” Outlaw Ryan concluded.

Kyle Packer, senior planner for the town, said the southernmost of two

vacant pads at Cañada Crossroads has been scraped, yet idle, since 1999. Cañada Crossroads was zoned for neighborhood commercial use in 1997.

“We’re excited to bring some life to this area. That’s been vacant a couple decades,” said Rory Juneman, attorney with Lazarus & Silvyn, representing property owner OneTen REI and its principal Nico Fricchione of Tempe.

The primary focus of Tuesday’s presentation was the compatibility of Tropical Smoothie Café with existing businesses. “We think this complements the uses in the center,” Juneman said. “We don’t think it’s going to compete directly with any of the current uses.”

Existing permissions would allow OneTen REI to build a 25-foot-tall, 5,950-square-foot office building on the pad. The Tropical Smoothie building is 72% smaller than what’s allowed,

see SMOOTHIE page 7

SMOOTHIE from page 6

Juneman said. It would sit within part of the Harvest view

“It will obviously block some views, but that’s pretty limited,” Juneman added. A larger building would be “much more imposing. That alternative isn’t great, and we much prefer what we’re proposing.”

To manage noise from the drive-thru, the latest proposal calls for installation of a state-of-the-art speaker system that lowers its volume when background noise is lower, and raises it when it’s noisier nearby. There should be “no noise impact on nearby residential,” Juneman said.

Code requires 250 feet of space between a drive-thru and a residential property. In this case, the applicant seeks a 185-foot separation. A Cañada Crossroads building, and a hill, sit between the drive-thru and the nearest home. “This reduction is justified,” Packer told the commission.

Right now, there are 26 parking spaces around the vacant pad. If and when this

development is completed, there would be six additional spaces, Juneman said.

“Fifty percent or more of our business traffic will come through the drive-thru,” which would have “stacking” capacity for up to eight vehicles, Juneman said. “That translates into more open parking spaces” for adjacent businesses.

Zoning allows the restaurant to be open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Tropical Smoothie would like to be open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Given minimal noise impacts, staff recommended the requested hours be allowed.

More U.S. diners use drive-thrus

Increasingly, American “fast-food” and “fast-casual” diners want to receive their food through a car window, an attorney for Tropical Smoothie Café told the Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 8.

In late December, the Washington Post reported restaurant drive-thru business was up 13% from pre-pandemic numbers, Lazarus & Silvyn lawyer Rory Juneman said. About 39% of all restaurant traffic was drive-thru, the newspaper reported.

The publication Restaurant Business reported 45% of fast-casual diners — Tropical Smoothie Café is a “fast-casual” restaurant — now place their orders at drive-thrus, the same percentage as customers who order at the counter.

And, in the future, surveys show diners are more likely to order food at drivethrus, Juneman said.

support from Robert and Toni Bader Charitable Foundation

Bonnie Schock is the brains behind the theatre

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER Tucson Local Media Sta

Putting together the new fall and spring lineup for the Fox Tucson Theatre is no easy task.

For programmer and Executive Director Bonnie Schock, it's like putting together a giant puzzle — except the pieces are always in motion.

“There are so many different aspects of how the puzzle comes together and who the players are involved in all of that,” she said. “It’s a complicated business.”

The Fox’s 2023-24 has something for everyone — and that’s Schock’s goal. From finding the artists to booking them, creating contracts and finally getting them in front of an audience, this is her world.

Schock works in a neat, spacious, upstairs office in a building adjacent to the theater itself. She looks out of tall windows to a brick outer wall of the actual Fox building. From where she sits, she can still see the sun, but more importantly she can see the semis that bring in the larger acts.

Sometimes artists reach out to her, but most of the time, it’s Schock who initiates the conversation.

“It’s a combination of a lot of different things, but it’s all based on relationships,” Schock said.

She likes to book far in advance.

“We try to have stuff confirmed a minimum of four to five months out; I like more time,” she added.

If Schock had her way, she’d book a year out, primarily for advertising purposes. To fill the 1,164 seats, tickets must go on sale fairly far in advance.

“Six weeks before a show you’re out there pushing and selling,” she said. “You really need three months.”

The Fox features a dozen different series or categories of acts, among them are four categories of “listening room” (country and Americana; jazz; singer-songwriter; and rhythm, blues, soul and gospel).

“Global journeys” includes a Merry-Achi Christmas featuring the Mariachi Sol De México de José Hernández. The Ten Tenors, Greatest Hits Live also

The Fox Tucson Theatre opened April 11, 1930, as a dual vaudeville/movie house. (Emily Pratt/Contributor)

falls into this category.

“Picture palace” is a movie category. An example is “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Live in Concert,” which pairs a screening of the animated film with live musicians and turntables onstage.

Planned for Spanish-language events is Los Amantes Perfecto. There are more catgories: fine vintages, outburst comedy, family and youth, and regional artists and community events.

Schock keeps these categories in mind when she’s finding acts.

“We’re looking for different types of things that fit what we believe to be our role in the community,” Schock says. “We have a range of different things.”

Looking at the schedule, Schock was indeed busy last year. She just hired an assistant programmer.

After acts are booked and they’ve arrived, they have to sleep and eat somewhere. Schock says a full-time staff

member takes care of the artists.

“That ranges from their transportation needs while they’re here, to where is the bus going to park, to where does the bus driver sleep during the day when the show is loading in, because they’re going to leave and drive the bus at night,” Schock says.

“There’s food and catering and hotels. It depends on the contract. We could make the arrangements or the artist sleeps on the bus.”

Then there’s unloading and setup, sound checks, lighting, video screens. Sometimes the Fox must provide instruments such as drum kits that the artist may need but did not bring.

Then there’s the Fox Theatre itself.

Tucson audience members are not the only ones who admire the beautiful, Southwest art deco-style Fox Tucson Theatre ceiling. There’s even a custom chandelier. It is remarkable.

According to Jeff Rodenkirch, director of production and facilities, the first thing artists do when they step on to the stage is snap pictures of it with their phones.

Some of the acts’ staffers question the acoustics because the walls look concrete. Not so, says Rodenkirch.

“The sound engineers come in and they think, ‘Oh, this room’s going to sound bad,’ because it looks like hard surfaces,” he says.

“But the walls are absorbent, and at the end of the night they say, ‘This is the best hall we’ve played in the entire tour.’ It’s got the best acoustics in Tucson. We’re the only theater to have this material on the walls.”

“It’s fantastic,” Schock added.

The Fox is a midsize venue, not as small as a club but also not as big as the

THEATER from page 8

Linda Ronstadt Music Hall. There are two bars with tables where guests stand. In the balcony is an unusual feature: love seats that give guests a close-up view of the ceiling and the stage.

Schock’s job is no 9-to-5 gig. She works when she has to, no matter what time it is, she says. There are night meetings, talking to the public, talking to donors (this is a nonprofit theater), talking to the acts and staff. It’s an exciting job, though; one day is never the same as the next. Schock is grateful for the support of the people in Tucson. As a 501(c)(3), the Fox lives and dies by community support. Revenue comes in by grants and ticket

sales, but 30% of the Fox’s income comes from private donations.

“Without that, we wouldn’t be here,” she said.

The Fox Tucson Theater

17 W. Congress Street, Tucson 520-547-3040

To see the Fox Tucson Theatre’s full schedule: foxtucson.com/events

To schedule a tour of the theater or a eld trip: foxtucson.com/take-a-tour

With first class amenities, and a

Fox Tucson Theatre was built in a Southwest art deco style. (Randy Juster/DecoPix)

Act is over the moon about Pink Floyd album

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Staff

Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” was released 50 years ago, and The Australian Pink Floyd Show is celebrating right along with it.

The tribute act is bringing its show to the Fox Tucson Theatre on Wednesday, Aug. 23.

Vocalist Chris Barnes said the gigs show the album’s wide reach.

“As I’ve stood on the stage, playing the album, you realize how much it means to so many people,” Barnes said. “It’s a masterpiece. It’s an honor to play it.”

The Australian Pink Floyd Show has sold more than 5 million tickets in 35 countries since it was founded in 1988 in Adelaide. Even Pink Floyd bassist David Gilmour believes: He recruited them to play his 50th birthday party.

Australian Pink Floyd also celebrated the 30th anniversary of “The Dark Side of the Moon” in 2003, when it added backing vocalists and a saxophonist. They performed the album in its entirety in 2003 and 2004, marking the first North American tour. A DVD of the Liverpool Summer Pops show was available. Its resume also includes stops at Glastonbury Festival and London’s Wembley and O2 arenas. This year, the focus

is on “The Dark Side of the Moon.”

“At our shows, we’re playing the album in its entirety, along with other aspects of Pink Floyd, including from the psychedelic ’60s to the big albums of the ’80s and ’90s. It’s literally all eras of Floyd. The main thing is we’re celebrating ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’s’ 50th anniversary.”

The Manchester, England, native discovered Pink Floyd through his brother, with whom he shared a room. He was captivated by the Pink Floyd album “Relics” at age 5. He was, admittedly, “absolutely terrified” of “Interstellar Overdrive.”

“As a teenager, I saw the Pompeii concert from 1971,” said Barnes, 46. “I heard

‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ age 15. I couldn’t believe it. It was this long, continual piece of music.

“I never heard anything like it. It was prog rock but not in the 500-notes-a-second way. Pink Floyd stands alone in its own little box.”

The Australian Pink Floyd Show: The Darkside 50 Tour

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23

WHERE: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W.

Congress Street, Tucson

COST: Tickets start at $20

INFO: 520-547-3040, foxtucson.com

Manchester, England, native is the frontman for The Australian Pink Floyd Show. (Mark Gibson/Contributor)

Steel Panther brings the metal to Tucson

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Staff

Steel Panther drummer Stix Zadinia admitted he was a little hesitant when his hair metal band was asked to appear on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”

“We didn’t know what we were walking into,” Zadinia said via telephone from a noisy New Orleans street corner.

“We were 50/50 on if it would be cool or horrible. But it was very cool. We figured, what do we have to lose? Put Steel Panther on network television and let the people decide.”

Steel Panther advanced to the live rounds, which begin later this summer.

“It’s a phenomenal opportunity,” he said. ‘It’s network television, though. We had to figure out how Steel Panther fits in that sandbox and play within those rules. We rose to the occasion. We played by the rules.”

While Steel Panther awaits its time on live television, the band is touring in support of its sixth studio album, “On the Prowl.” Steel Panther will provide a heavy dose of the album during its Aug. 18 show at the Rialto Theatre.

At the Tucson show, fans can expect hair

metal, new dance moves, Spandex, and the classics.

“They’ll also hear a lot of new songs from ‘On the Prowl,’” Zadinia said.

“The tour is going well, though. People are showing up and rocking out. We’re going to a lot of cities we’ve never played before, like Huntsville, Alabama. The fans went crazy and there were a lot of good vibes.”

“On the Prowl” could be called Steel Panther’s pandemic album, as it was recorded in their homes during the shutdown. The files were then sent to producer Jay Ruston.

“I enjoy group recording in the studio,” he says.

“We had to do it this way, though. We hadn’t been working a lot at the time. The funds were low. We had to be smart with how we spent it. We made it for very, very little money, but I think it sounds on par with others.”

Steel Panther

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

WHERE: Rialto Theatre, 318 Congress Street, Tucson

COST: Tickets start at $29.50

INFO: ticketmaster.com

Steel Panther is readying for the live rounds on “America’s Got Talent.”

(Dave Jackson/Contributor)

Steel Panther will rock the Rialto Theatre

Mammoth WVH strives to avoid sophomore slump

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Sta

Wolfgang Van Halen will soon witness both sides of touring.

He’s gigging at the Rialto eatre on Tuesday, Aug. 22, and then stepping on Metallica’s massive “M72” stage on its tour Friday, Sept. 1, at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium.

“It’s ridiculous,” the vocalist/guitarist/ keyboardist said with a laugh about Metallica’s stage setup.

“ eir stage alone is a very insane thing. It’s in-the-round and it’s wacky, crazy and amazing. We just played MetLife (Stadium) in Jersey and, man, you just feel like an ant on it.”

Both sets with his band Mammoth WVH will have something in common: ey will feature songs from his new album “Mammoth II” and his live band — guitarists Frank Sidoris and Jon Jourdan; bassist Ronnie Ficarro and drummer Garrett Whitlock.

With the new album, the son of Eddie Van Halen wanted to think outside the box. Songs like “Miles Above Me,” “I’m Alright” and “Waiting” are all sonically varied.

“Right?” kicks o the album.

“It’s a super aggressive but super melodic song,” he said. “It shows you what to expect from the album with its aggressive rhythm and catchy melodies.”

“I’m Alright” rocks a driving drumbeat, a hypnotic piano and a guitar solo — the latter of which is by his uncle, Patrick Bertinelli. His mother, legendary actress Valerie Bertinelli, appears in the video.

“‘I’m Alright’ is the single that is coinciding with the album release,” Van Halen said.

“ e video is really fun continuing the story that was established from ‘Don’t Back Down’ and ‘Another Celebration at the End of the World.’ I think it’s really funny that the lyrics are quite angry but delivered through the lens of sort of a comfy rock song. If there ever was an anthem for myself about standing up for what I believe I should be doing — as opposed to what people expect — this is certainly that song.”

“Mammoth II” was recorded at Van

album. I didn’t know if I could sing. I did it and it worked.”

With “Mammoth II,” Van Halen — who wrote and performed all the songs, like on his rst album — took into consideration how the songs would sound live.

“We thought this especially with the second album—this moment would be great live, this solo would be fun live, this chorus is great,” Van Halen said.

“‘Another Celebration at the End of the World’ is de nitely one of the more fun songs to play live. It’ll be exciting. I’m writing the setlist for the headlining tour. We’re going to have an A set and a B set. So, fans might hear di erent songs, depending on the show.”

In the meantime, Van Halen is balancing his one-o shows and the Metallica shows before the headlining gigs with Nita Strauss opening.

“I hope fans enjoy the new album,” he said.

“We’re going to play everything we can from it. The live show informed the creation of ‘Mammoth II.” It’s going to be a really fun night, given this is our first actual headlining tour. It’s going to be really fun to fully delve into a full 90-minute set.”

Mammoth WVH

WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22 WHERE: Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street, Tucson

COST: Tickets start at $27.50

INFO: ticketmaster.com, mammothwvh.com

Metallica w/Pantera and Mammoth WVH

WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1

WHERE: State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale

COST: Tickets start at $60

Halen’s 5150 studio, which was built by his father. e collection was produced by friend and collaborator Michael “Elvis” Baskette. e key was avoiding the sophomore slump, he said.

“ ere’s a really strong desire to not have a sophomore slump,” he said. “ at’s what people wait for. I came into the whole process with a bit more con dence. I had established everything on the rst

INFO: statefarmstadium.com, ticketmaster.com

(Metallica, Five Finger Death Punch and Ice Nine Kills perform Sunday, Sept. 3)

Mammoth WVH features Wolfgang Van Halen on vocals, guitars and keyboards. (Travis Shinn/Contributor)

Tucson Paracon explores the city’s mysteries

BY LAURA LATZKO

Tucson Local Media Sta

Much in world can’t be explained. A new event called Tucson Paracon delves into ghost hauntings, Bigfoot, extraterrestrial activity and other phenomenon, with a focus on Tucson’s haunted history.

The event is Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Fox Tucson Theatre, and organized by the Tucson Ghost Company.

Becky McKiddy-Gydesen, the owner of the Tucson Ghost Company and founder of the Tucson Ghost Society, will host the event. She grew up in Toledo, Ohio, in a haunted house and now leads ghost tours and investigations.

There are social media groups and events for the paranormal community in Tucson. McKiddy-Gydesen wants to provide a space for different branches of the paranormal community to connect.

“The goal is to bring all of the paranormal community together,” McKiddy-Gydesen said.

“It doesn’t happen very often. Usually, you have your alien people, your ghost people and your Big Foot people. But it is meant to create a community, bring them together.”

Kris Williams from “Ghost Hunters” and “Ghost Hunters International” will give a talk and lead a sold-out VIP ghost investigation at the theater.

Throughout the day, authors and paranormal investigators, most of whom are from Arizona, will give talks.

Mercedez Lucke-Benedict, a cranial/ sacral TMJ therapist, paranormal investigator and frequency healer, has had her family’s story of being haunted by malevolent spirits featured on “The Dead Files.”

Debe Branning, an author, paranormal investigator and director of MVD Ghostchasers, has appeared on “Ghost Stories” and “Ghost Adventures.” She has written several books on Arizona hauntings.

Linda Masanimptewa is the author of “Haunted Travels, Haunted Connections (True Ghosts Experiences and the Other Unexplained).”

McKiddy-Gydesen said the event highlights Tucson’s haunted history, especially Downtown locations such as the

Fox Tucson Theatre.

McKiddy-Gydesen has been working in the paranormal field for 10 years and has investigated several places in Downtown Tucson.

She said that while other cities such as Tombstone and Bisbee are often recognized for their haunted history, Tucson often gets overlooked. She wants to bring attention to this haunted history.

“My team and I have strived for so long to help people to understand our haunted history, to help people understand that it needs to be respected, that it’s not like TV. It’s not something that you need to fear,” McKiddy-Gydesen said.

“Having something like this, I hope it helps to spread that awareness. A lot of people are curious. They want to know more about it. We don’t want to encourage people to go out there and start yelling at ghosts. We don’t want something like that. We want an environment where people know these are just people that have passed on. They should be treated with respect like your fellow humans.”

Her company’s walking Tucson Ghost Tour stops at the Fox Tucson Theatre. The venue opened in April 1930 as a vaudeville/ movie house. It closed in 1974 and sat empty for decades. The building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places,

reopened in 2006.

McKiddy-Gydesen said since the theater opened, it has been rife with paranormal experiences.

“When it closed down, during those 40-something years they were closed, the roof caved in,” McKiddy-Gydesen said.

“The homeless went in there. There were rumors of people going in there and using the stage to do rituals. A lot of things happened during that time period that it was closed to the public. When they decided to form the Fox committee and rebuild it, there was one death during that rebuild. We do know for sure of that one death, and we have no clue what happened during that time that it was shut down.

“Ever since they reopened, they have seen ghosts in time-period clothing entering the auditorium. They even have had performers onstage that have seen that in the audience. They have had water fountains turn on like someone was going to drink, but no one was there…. They have seen wet, little

tiny footsteps, like someone walked through a puddle and came in. There have been all kinds of ghostly sounds in their projection room.

“They have seen shadows in that projection room. I personally also saw a shadow in the projection room. They have had interactions with what they believe to be a young woman. People have seen her and heard her. There’s so many I couldn’t name them all, but it’s very rich in that haunted history. Most of the employees that are there late at night have experienced it. They have had cleaning crews quit because they get freaked out over the activity.”

Tucson Paracon

WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

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

PRICE: Tickets start at $44

INFO: paracontucson.com

The Fox Tucson Theatre will play hot to Paracon, which will bring together Tucson's paranormal community. (Submitted)

Learn the ‘real’ history at Presidio Museum

BY VERONICA KUFFEL Tucson Local Media Contributor

The Spanish built the Presidio San Agustín military fort and established modern-day Tucson on Aug. 20, 1775.

While this is the city’s founding date, Presidio Museum director Amy Hartmann-Gordon said please don’t use “birthday” to mark the occasion.

“We don’t use the word ‘birthday’ anymore, we call it a celebration,” Hartmann-Gordon said. “We recognize that it’s the founding day of Tucson, but we also wanted to recognize that this is the longest inhabited valley in North America.”

Before the Spanish Presidio, the area was home to residents who called the valley “Scuk-Sǫn,” (pronounced Skuk-shone), or “spring at the base of the black mountain.”

This year, the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission and the Presidio Museum will host the “Celebration of All Things S-cuk Sǫn/Tucson.” The fiesta on Aug. 19 will commemorate the founding date of modern Tucson and the hundreds of years before it.

“We want people to learn about our history and understand that it’s impactful on them even today,” Hartmann-Gordon noted. “It’s worth understanding how people came to the valley… the exchanges they had with one another and how it’s all affected our community today.”

The Presidio Museum plans to celebrate this rich history in full. The free event will feature the Mariachi Los Diablitos, Chinese Lion Dances from the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center and soldier drills by the Tucson

The celebration will also include Walia music from the Desert Sky Winds Walia Band. According to the Presidio, dancing will be encouraged.

“We have all kinds of community partners,” Hartmann-Gordon explained. “Everyone who represents a cultural or historic organization will come down to the event, and everyone has a booth.”

Along with the entertainment, the Presidio Museum has invited other historic groups that have helped create Tucson, including the Buffalo Soldiers, the Mormon Battalion and the Mexican American

Presidio was reopened in 2007. The Presidio Museum soon joined the commission and began hosting the event at its downtown location.

According to Hartmann-Gordon, it seemed only natural to have it at the site of the original Presidio San Agustín fort.

“Even though it was in our space, we as the nonprofit Presidio just came in to help out and be a part of the commission,” Hartmann-Gordon noted. “That has evolved where it is still hosted by the commission, but we do a lot more now to run the event.”

This year’s celebration marks the 248th anniversary of modern-day Tucson. While the Presidio acknowledges the valley’s longer history, they are also preparing for the city’s upcoming milestone.

Tucson will turn 250 a year before the United States, and the commission is already workshopping plans to celebrate.

Heritage and History Museum.

Representatives from the Tohono O’odham Nation will commemorate the first peoples who inhabited the valley. Additionally, desert and Old Pueblo archaeologists will be onsite.

“What’s really fascinating about Tucson… is the varying people that have been a part of the community,” Hartmann-Gordon said. “History has sometimes not recognized the value some people have given their communities, and I think that’s something that museums are rectifying and working on.”

The Presidio Museum’s modern mission is dedicated to interpreting all facets of the area’s history, including the parts rarely mentioned in textbooks. The director and her team are working with the commission to portray the many influences that made Tucson.

“There’s a lot of work being done on how to interpret history as unbiased as possible, using as many different voices as possible,” Hartmann-Gordon said. “That is the approach we’re taking at the Presidio Museum in general.”

Before it was the “Celebration of All Things Scuk-Sǫn/Tucson,” the fiesta was arranged for decades, long before the

“After this event, we’re going to be working toward our big 250th anniversary bash,” Hartmann-Gordon said. “We’ll work with the commission, the city and the county to come up with something great in two years.”

To help fund the celebration and other operations, the museum will host an online auction through Wednesday, Aug. 30. Donations will also contribute to programs, from adult lectures and children’s workshops to events like Living History Days.

This year’s “Celebration of All Things Scuk-Sǫn/Tucson” will open Saturday, Aug. 19. Hartmann-Gordon hopes this initiative not only a trend in museum culture but a foundation for the honest telling of history.

“You can stick with tradition in a community,” Hartmann-Gordon began, “but you can also be very cognizant of opening it to interpretation for as many voices as possible. That’s what we are doing with this celebration."

Celebration of All Things

Scuk-Sǫn/Tucson

WHEN: 6:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

WHERE: Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum, 196 N. Court Avenue, Tucson

COST: Free INFO: tucsonpresidio.com

Tucson High Mariachi Rayos del Sol performs at last year’s Celebration of All Things S-cuk Sǫn/Tucson. (April Bourie/Submitted)

Presidio Garrison.

Reenactors demonstrate the duties

A day of shame in college sports

BY TOM DANEHY Tucson Local Media Columnist

For college sports fans ranging from the most casual to the absolutely obsessed, Aug. 4, 2023 is a date that will live in eternal shame.

ere is no one alive today for whom the existence of the Pac-8/10/12 didn’t occupy at least half of their lives. e University of Arizona’s participation in the conference dates back 45 years, only to now be erased from the sports landscape forever. Sports pundits have been speculating (and/or warning us) about this for the past couple of decades. But, like the character in the Ernest Hemingway novel, it happened slowly and then all of a sudden.

In Pittsburgh, the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers form a con uence, joining together to create the mighty Ohio River. Last week, the raging waters of Greed joined up with the steady stream of Incompetence to wash away a storied conference and leave in its wake a fetid and festering pool, an oozing putrescence that will forever be so much worse than what was in that spot just a week earlier.

Just by the oddest coincidence, on Aug. 4, 2011, I had a cover story in the Tucson Weekly about the birth of the Pac-12. As an entrenched sports fan, I wasn’t thrilled with the addition of Utah and Colorado to the conference. ey were OK schools and athletic programs, but I expressed concern over the added travel distances for student-athletes in places like Oregon State and Washington. How quaint, considering that now Oregon will travel to Rutgers in New Jersey and Utah will play a conference game at Central Florida.

e Pac-12 was by no means perfect nor was it the best, but it worked and it t. It was a great re ection of the West Coast, its foibles and its promise. You can sneer all you want, but it was, indeed, the Conference of Champions, o en winning more titles in one year than several other conferences combined. at was a great source of pride for fans like me, even if they weren’t in football or basketball.

Over the past few days, I have consumed just about everything written or spoken about the demise of the Pac-12.

ere are recurring themes and certain phrases that keep popping up, including:

• “It’s not about the money…” Whenever anybody (except for maybe St. Francis of Assisi and Gandhi) says that, it’s absolutely about the money. Obviously, college presidents have to watch the bottom line, perhaps especially in athletics, but this became a matter of millionaires chasing billions.

Everything else got shoved aside, including a lot of stu that should have mattered more than money. College football has always been a great regional sport. Alabama against Georgia. Texas vs. Oklahoma. I even remember the good old days of Arizona vs. New Mexico. Now it’s going to be Washington against Minnesota and Arizona State against Cincinnati? Yeah… no.

• “ e rivalries will continue.” I used to love watching the Civil War, the season-ending matchup of Oregon and Oregon State. It was usually cold and foggy, with some bitter rain thrown in. It was absolute heaven watching it from Tucson — no matter how good the Ducks were or how lousy the Beavers were, you knew it was going to be a game. e Ducks were

o en in the hunt for the Pac-12 North title, while the Beavers wanted to end their season on a big high. e same went for Washington-Washington State.

e talkers have hurriedly claimed that the Civil War game will continue, but it will have to be an early non-conference matchup since Oregon State was le behind in the Big Money Dash. No way that the game will have the same appeal in early September that it has always had in late November. My fervent hope is that Oregon State nds a way to win the Civil War this year and then tells Oregon to pound sand.

“Yeah, that’s cool. We’ll just forever be the team that won the nal rivalry game.”

• “It’s what’s best for college football going forward.” No, it’s not. It’s probably what’s best for the TV networks, at least in the short run. I’m guessing (and fervently hoping) that they’re eventually going to have trouble drawing eyeballs to

that Saturday morning matchup of Oregon at Maryland or the nightcap of Indiana at Washington.

Taking away the natural geographical rivalries won’t kill college football, but it will severely wound it. Making 18- and 19-year-old college athletes travel thousands of miles is going to be bad for their minds, their bodies and their spirits. And, for those who still consider themselves to be student-athletes, their studies.

e college presidents can claim they did what was best for their schools, but they’re lying to themselves and us. What they have done by creating three mega-conferences is to make college football into a mini-NFL, a game with no soul.

e presidents can congratulate themselves on their maneuvers. Technically, the operation was a success. But the patient died.

The aspartame sweetener controversy

BY MIA SMITT Tucson Local Media Columnist

Most of us have been exposed to various artificial sweeteners.

They are in some baked goods, cereals, various beverages and candies. They are also readily available for adding to foods and baking. Saccharine, stevia, sucralose, aspartame and sugar alcohols such as xylitol are the most common artificial sweeteners.

Though approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as early as the 1970s, ongoing research has questioned their safety and benefits.

Initially introduced as a weight loss tool, artificial sweeteners continue to be very popular in our quest to lose or maintain weight without sacrificing sweetness in our diets. The positives include being non-caloric and a flavor enhancer (sweet), but we should be aware of possible health risks when we use these substances.

The focus here will be on aspartame since it has been in the forefront of the news cycles lately. Research reports of possible links to the development of cancer, diabetes, fertility issues and anxiety have given us reason to maybe cut back on its use.

Aspartame was discovered in 1965 by James Schlatter, working for Searle Pharmaceutical Company, by accident as he was researching compounds for antiulcer drugs. It was found to be almost 200 times sweeter than sucrose (regular sugar).

The FDA issued the initial approval for aspartame as a food additive in certain foods in 1981 after a 16-year attempt by Searle amid controversy over possible falsified studies. (The approval itself was controversial when a former CEO of Searle was able to appoint a new FDA commissioner.) Another approval was granted in 1983 for use in carbonated beverages, and a third in 1996 as a general purpose sweetener (NutraSweet and Equal).

A Japanese study published in the Oct. 22, 2022 Nutrients showed that a high intake of artificial sweeteners was associated with multiple risks,

including all-cause mortality, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular, cancer, hyperglycemia, abnormal high density lipoproteins (HDL, “good” cholesterol) and impaired Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 secretion (this hormone plays a role in regulating glucose, lipids, and energy balance.)

The International Journal of Molecular Science (November 2022) published a study conducted by researchers examining whether aspartame affected a woman’s fertility. This study had 840 pregnant women participate, and the researchers found that aspartame increased oxidative stress in the reproductive system — including the ovaries — resulting in an increased risk of infertility.

Could aspartame increase a risk for developing anxiety?

The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) Dec. 2, 2022 published a preclinical study of mice led by Sara K. Jones and a team from the Biomedical Sciences Department at Florida State University.

The mice were divided into three

groups; two drank water with aspartame added and one with plain water. The two with the aspartame had different amounts, equivalent to two or four small (8-ounce) cans of diet soda which was eight or 15% of the human daily maximum dose.

The researchers found that both the male and female mice drinking the sweet water exhibited anxiety behaviors that were relieved with valium. Of particular interest it was found that in the male mice, these same anxiety behaviors were exhibited by the next two generations.

Aspartame is broken down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol, and all of these can impact the central nervous system. Further research is warranted to determine whether aspartame truly can cause neurological (such as headaches and convulsions) and behavioral issues (anxiety and depression) in humans.

The Public Library of Science (PLOS) journal, March 24, 2022 published the findings of a French population cohort study conducted from 2009 to 2021.

There were 102,865 adults enrolled. Adjustments for age, sex, education, smoking, height, weight gain during the follow up period, diabetes, family history of cancer and diet were made. They concluded that high consumers of artificial sweeteners (particularly aspartame and acesulfame K) had a higher risk of overall cancer and the aspartame users had a higher risk of breast cancer.

Environmental Health, April 12, 2021 showed the link between cancer and aspartame intake in rodents and the cancer risk was seen at low exposure levels. There is certainly legitimate debate over the use and safety of aspartame and

other artificial sweeteners.

The February 2023 issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology reviewed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES) data for the years 1988 to 2018 and found no aspartame association with an increased risk of cancer. This contradicts other studies so research continues.

Many healthcare gurus favor artificial sweeteners over sugar since we know an excessive intake of sugar can wreak havoc on our metabolic and cardiovascular systems. Obesity is rampant in this country with 43% of adults being overweight or obese, much of which is due to inactivity and overconsumption of calorie-rich but nutrient-poor foods.

Aspartame does not taste like sugar and many people report an aftertaste. The FDA recommended daily maximum is 50 mg/kg. To keep these numbers in perspective, a packet of Equal has 37 mg and a typical can of diet soda has 200 mg; a 150 pound person would need to consume 3,409 mg to meet the daily maximum.

Perhaps any potential health risks can be lessened by using less, alternating with other artificial sweeteners, and being aware of how much aspartame is actually in other food products.

Read labels and add the numbers. And remember that sugar in itself is not terrible. Again, watch intake and budget it into a healthy meal plan if obesity is not a concern. And try to lessen the “sweet” intake… the natural flavors of fruits, vegetables, coffee, tea and even plain yogurt are quite fine.

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

Student Chronicles

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

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

More than 10,500 University of Maryland Global Campus students were named to the dean’s list for the spring semester. To be eligible for the honor at the Adelphi, Maryland, school, a student must complete at least six credits during the term, earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the term, and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at UMGC. Among them are Ernesto Lorenzo Rivero of Marana, and Yazmin Rogers of Tucson.

University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher

NARANJA

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rectangular flashing beacon to alert motorists of pedestrian presence, advanced pre-warning interconnected signals in both directions on Naranja, installation of “flexible vertical delineators” and “mumble” strips to keep motorists and pedestrians in their proper lanes, and painting of high-visibility striping. The most intensive facilities would be placed within a pedestrian crossing at the park’s Naranja Drive entrance.

Town crews have already cleared, delineated, and paved a new, temporary pedestrian access into the park, on the north side of Naranja Drive just east of the park’s vehicle entrance. “They’ve really done a lot of work pretty quickly here,” Keesler said of his team.

“All these measures will help increase safety throughout the corridor,” town staff said in its July 19 presentation to council.

As it began its analysis, the traffic safety committee “heard from the community requests for lowering the speed limit” on Naranja, Keesler said. Vehicle speeds were recorded at three locations along the eastwest roadway during April and May. That analysis showed “45 m.p.h. is the appropriate speed limit,” he said; a lower speed limit would be “contrary to the study results we’ve seen.”

education needs of working adults and military servicemembers.

The following local students have been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2023 semester at Washington University in St. Louis.

Jad Bader of Tucson is enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences. To qualify for the dean’s list in the College of Arts & Sciences, students must earn a semester grade-point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.

Danika Strayhorn of Tucson is enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences. To qualify for the dean’s list in the College of Arts & Sciences, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.

Brook Wang of Tucson is enrolled in

the Olin Business School. To qualify for the dean’s list in the Olin Business School, students must earn a semester grade-point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.

Washington University in St. Louis is counted among the world’s leaders in teaching, research, patient care and service to society.

The university draws students to St. Louis from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands. The total student body is more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

The approximately 4,300 faculty teach in eight schools: Arts & Sciences, Brown School, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, McKelvey School of Engineering, School of

Law, School of Medicine and University College. The university has been affiliated with 26 Nobel laureates, many of whom did a significant portion of their award-winning work at the university.

The university offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs.

Sophomore Pamela E. Galindo of Tucson was named to the 2023 spring semester dean’s list at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

To qualify for the dean’s list, a student must complete 12 or more letter-graded credits while attaining a 3.66 grade-point average.

A reduced speed limit “does not necessarily change driver behavior,” Keesler continued. It could create “a false sense of security,” particularly for motorists exiting the park onto Naranja Drive. And it may result in other safety issues.

“People just are not going to go 25 miles per hour there,” Councilmember Dr. Harry “Mo” Greene II said.

The rapid rectangular flashing beacon at the park entrance would serve to “warn drivers a pedestrian is about to cross,” Keesler said. “It’s a good safety feature to have. I’m very, very happy for this.”

Keesler suggested Naranja from La Cañada to First Avenue may be a prime candidate for Oro Valley’s first, designated “pedestrian safety corridor.” Within such corridors, monitoring signs would flash speeds to drivers, and fines for speeding could be doubled, “Much like we do in construction zones,” he said.

“It helps with driver awareness,” and creates “the expectation that pedestrians are out there,” Keesler said of the designation.

Doubled fines might also make motorists believe “there’s more of a police presence,” Councilmember Josh Nicolson said.

“Does doubling of fines really have an effect?” Greene asked Teachout.

Teachout did not have readily available

data. If such a warning “creates some visual alertness,” and serves as “an additional detractor” for speeding, “that’s not a bad thing. It’s an attention-getter,” he said.

Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett wondered if labeling a “pedestrian corridor” might lead the public to believe it is “an ideal place for pedestrian activity.” She wondered if a “safety corridor” label might be more appropriate.

Since January, there have been three crashes on Naranja between La Cañada and First. Two did not involve injuries, Teachout said.

OVPD recorded 183 traffic stops along that stretch of Naranja from January through mid-July. “For those people who think we write a lot of tickets, we’ve only written 18 tickets along that road,” Teachout said. Flashing lights on police cars are “preferred to taking people’s money,” he continued. OVPD opts for the “trifecta” of education, engineering, and enforcement, Teachout said. “It’s more toward education, community outreach, and conversations with people roadside.”

Councilmember Tim Bohen asked about the status of a multi-use path on the north side of Naranja Drive between La Cañada and First Avenue. The town has been awarded $3.656 million in federal funds to

construct the 2-mile, 10-foot-wide path. Keesler said design meetings have taken place with the Arizona Department of Transportation, which must administer the federal dollars. A report from Town Manager Jeff Wilkins to the town council indicates a “project kickoff” meeting with ADOT on Sept. 15. Many steps must take place before the project goes out for contractor bids in September 2024, Wilkins reported. Staff plans to keep an eye on Naranja traffic and pedestrian use as improvements in Naranja Park are completed, and as the multi-use path is installed on the north side of Naranja.

“When we put in that big path .... that’s going to create an avenue for more pedestrians,” Keesler said. When Naranja Park improvements are completed, a newly created north-south circuit through the park between Naranja Drive and Tangerine Road is likely to be “much more inviting to pedestrians.” At a minimum, he said, pedestrians will be counted annually.

As part of ongoing park improvements, the town does plan to create pedestrian entrances to the park from its three surrounding neighborhoods, Monterra Hills, Tangerine Terrace and Copper Creek, theoretically taking walkers off Naranja Drive as they access the park.

stage parody shows nearly every night of the week, featuring a cast of entirely local actors and an in-house production team. The plays are co-directed by Mike Yarema and Katherine Byrnes, the primary writer and choreographer, respectively.

The theater’s current offering is “The Revengers,” a spoof on a certain largerthan-life Marvel movie. Next, the Gaslight will take on J.K. Rowling’s beloved book series with the show “Henry Porter.”

“We have a big annual production meeting where all of the bigwigs of the theater come together over food, and we all just pitch our ideas,” Stricker said.

“It’s a lot of pop culture, for sure. I’ll research what movies are coming out in the next year, that’s a big thing that we look at, and shows that have done really well in the past will always be mentioned, but mostly I would say pop-culture references.”

The theater also began hosting a concert series where, on Monday nights, a tribute band performs for two hours. The series was a huge success, so much so that Terry opened another venue in Oro Valley to “give the folks out there some great live music.”

“The Gaslight Music Hall is just what it sounds like. We do a bunch of concerts.

It’s always live music,” Stricker said.

“Friday nights we do dance parties. For Christmas we do an in-house-produced Christmas review show where kids can come meet Santa and just hear their favorite Christmas tunes. Sometimes we have magic shows and comedy shows. Things like that.

“We opened a little over six years ago, and we started by doing one or two tribute shows at night. It was nice because when people start a new company, there’s usually a big learning curve. But we already knew what worked from our Monday night concert series here. So, we just kind of extended that.”

The music hall’s variety of performances promises something for everyone, with tributes covering everything from James Taylor, to the Blues Brothers, to Metallica. According to Stricker, who doubles as the music hall’s talent booker, finding acts is a matter of knowing the crowd.

“Most of my day is scoping bands,” Stricker said. “I try to tailor our shows for our audience demographic in Oro Valley.”

“We have a lot of retirees; a lot of great military veterans; families of veterans; a lot of folks who love the music of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. We even do some shows from the ’30s and ’40s.”

“It’s a lot of just knowing what their

favorite music is, what music they grew up listening to that they’d probably still really enjoy seeing live.”

Stricker may do the research, but coming up with show ideas is a “collaboration effort” between her, Terry and other members of the Gaslight community. Most importantly, though, are the suggestions given by patrons, either in person or on the website’s “contact” page.

“We listen to what they say. A lot of times we have regulars be like, ‘Hey, we’d

love a Johnny Cash tribute,’ so the next day I’m on the computer looking for the best Johnny Cash tribute that we can afford to come out to our venue.

“It helps that my parents are around. Sometimes I’ll be like, ‘Mom, what was your favorite band in the ’70s?’”

While searching out new bands, Stricker makes sure to rebook the acts that remain favorites of the community. A standout among the returners is the Tributaries, a local classic rock tribute outfit.

“They do like 10 different shows, and all of them sell out every time,” Stricker said.

“So that’s something we realized, that our retiree friends in Oro Valley really like being able to see a show they know they love with different friends or out of town guests. A lot of times we promote shows as ‘come bring your grandchildren and introduce them to the music you grew up with,’ so they’ll bring their grandchildren, or their kids, or even their great-grandchildren sometimes.

“It’s just a neat opportunity, because where else can you go hear the music you grew up with when you’re in your 60s or 70s and those artists and bands aren’t around anymore?”

The Gaslight Theatre staff in the 1980s. (The Gaslight Theatre/Submitted)

A family’s might be

“It’s really difficult to underestimate you,” for one

Major turnoff, perhaps

Places where majors are of minor concern?

46 Ones breaking ground

Seesaw, e.g.

Sign of affection, in 28-Down

Really wants

“Sex a er 90 is like trying to shoot pool with a ___”: George Burns 53 Alternative to pinot grigio 55 Seems acceptable

Basketball player in purple and yellow

German newsmagazine Der

Cuts, maybe

Serious-minded Down 1 Who reinvented the wheel in 1893?

Ask someone to provide, informally

Praise for a queen

Slate, e.g.

Provoked

Edited by WIll Shortz

Something simple done for pleasure 7 World’s busiest origin and destination airport

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

You will often bring sunshine to your people this week. However, no one is positive at all times, and expecting this of yourself is a nonhuman ask that could only have annoying results. It's OK not to see it, but know that it's coming. It may help to a rm, "I can hardly wait for the good that comes out of this situation."

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

You can only act on intuition if you can hear it. There's noise getting in the way of your signal. Simplify your life in any way you can think to. Keep moving until you're in a place with better reception, and when you nd that place, stay there awhile and see what comes up.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21)

Happy times accommodate your creativity. The best work is structured but not rigid. Agreements can be changed, appointments moved and relationships rede ned. Do what it takes to keep your plan exible enough for exploration, invention and, most importantly, play.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

Belief alters your perspective. Belief o ers limits and structure to your worldview. When you're not sure what to believe, you are open to possibilities. Neither way is inherently better, but it's more empowering to make a conscious choice instead of just going along with what others are doing.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Resilience is one of those things you can only demonstrate when you've been knocked down. You take advantage of even the smallest slight as a chance to work on a positive, elastic style of responding to life, which is arguably among the most essential qualities of a happy person.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Even though it seems like you already have plenty to do, consider getting more structure in your life. A new responsibility will provide it. Counterintuitively, having more on your plate will allow you to be more productive because of the way it inspires you to prioritize and cut out what's super uous.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

It's discouraging to demand too much of yourself, and if you expect too little, you might become bored and abandon the mission. You'll motivate yourself with kind expectations. You'll start small and raise your expectations incrementally. Ten percent will be the perfect challenge.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21)

This week, you'll find out how much you want something, first by noticing how much it hurts not to have it and then by noticing how happy you are when you finally get it. There's something good about the ache of wanting. It makes you feel more alive.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

The digital process is ones and zeros and the creative process is wide and narrow. You will open to influence from far and wide then use your preferences, needs and taste to find a narrow focus that will allow you to solve a problem in a way that only you can.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

You are a hard worker, and there are people around you who don't give you enough recognition, perhaps because you make the work look easy. Seek sources of encouragement so you can feel great about your abilities and know that you really are uniquely talented.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

When the opportunity to exercise your power arises, it's important that people see you as strong, able and secure enough to do what's necessary without showing off. Someone important will notice you when you flex but be even more impressed when you show mercy.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Part of you is making plans that the other part doesn't want to go through with. There's a good reason you're conflicted. Would you be willing to hear all sides out? Get all sides together to name some common goals because you'll be as powerful as you are unified.

PUZZLE BY KAVIN PAWITTRANON AND NIJAH MORRIS

Worship Guide

Summer Special

GF and Son Contractor

Family Business 25 yrs. BBB

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

Now Accepting Credit cards

Gary or Chase 520-742-1953

GF and Son Contractor

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.

GF and Son Contractor

Family Business 25 yrs. BBB

Now Accepting Credit cards

Gary or Chase 520-742-1953

GF and Son Contractor

Family Business 25 yrs. BBB

Accepting Credit cards

Gary or Chase 520-742-1953

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

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

Now Accepting Credit cards

Gary or Chase 520-742-1953

Now Accepting Credit cards

Gary or Chase 520-742-1953