Explorer, July 21, 2021 by Times Media Group

EXPLORER The Voice of Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson

July 21, 2021

Volume 28 • Number 29

Sonoran Sounds

Tucson band Soda Sun find a home in the heat on their debut album ‘Stay Here’ | Page 15

INSIDE

DOG DAYS The Reid Park Zoo is nearing the end of their Summer Safari Nights event series. But there’s still time to show off their new African wild dogs, giant anteaters, and bluetongued skinks for the “dog days” of summer. Read more on page 11.

Our Town

Construction begins on Oracle | Page 4

Voices

Photo by Mathias Appel, Flickr. / Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic

Letters to the Editor | Page 8

Ducey threatens Catalina Foothills School District over COVID protocol as AZ cases rise

Mayor’s Message

Christina Duran Tucson Local Media

Exciting plans for OV Parks & Rec

| Page 13

awyers representing Catalina Foothills School District and Peoria Unified School District last week responded to a letter from Governor Doug Ducey’s office that called their quarantine protocol “unlawful.” In a July 14 letter, Kaitlin Har-

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rier, education policy advisor for Governor Ducey, told CFSD Superintendent Mary Kamerzell that the school’s isolation policy violated an Arizona statute, particularly the section on face coverings, signed by Governor Ducey on June 30. “Specifically, the practice of instituting a mandatory 14-day quarantine for unvaccinated stu-

dents who have a COVID-19 exposure, but exempting vaccinated students, is contrary to Laws 2021, Chapter 404, Sec. 12, which states, “A school district or charter school may not require a student or teacher to receive a vaccine for COVID-19 or to wear a face covering to participate in in-person instruction,” wrote Harrier in her letter. See COVID, P10

County prepares for potential monsoon floods worsened by wildfire scar Jeff Gardner Tucson Local Media

e’re less than a month into the monsoon, and the Tucson area has already received more rain than the entire 2020 monsoon season. While the cooler days and rainstorms are a welcome sight for many, the heavy downpours have also caused flash flooding throughout the state. On Thursday, July 15, the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County declared a state of emergency due to monsoonal flooding. This declaration came as videos were widely shared of flash floods damaging homes and vehicles in Flagstaff, worsened due to the nearby burn scars from Arizona’s drought-heightened wildfires. See MONSOON, P9

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Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

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 find 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 Jaime Hood, General Manager jaime@tucsonlocalmedia.com Claudine Sowards, Accounting claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com Sheryl Kocher, Receptionist sheryl@tucsonlocalmedia.com EDITORIAL Jim Nintzel, Executive Editor jimn@tucsonlocalmedia.com Jeff Gardner, Managing Editor jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com Mike Truelsen, Web Editor mike@tucsonlocalmedia.com Christina Duran, Staff Reporter christinad@tucsonlocalmedia.com Ireland Stevenson, Staff Reporter istevenson@tucsonlocalmedia.com PRODUCTION Courtney Oldham,Production Manager, tucsonproduction@timespublications.com Ryan Dyson Graphic Designer ryand@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Emily Filener,Graphic Designer emilyf@tucsonlocalmedia.com CIRCULATION Alex Carrasco, Circulation alexc@tucsonlocalmedia.com ADVERTISING TLMSales@TucsonLocalMedia.com Kristin Chester, Account Executive kristin@tucsonlocalmedia.com Lisa Hopper, Account Executive lisa@tucsonlocalmedia.com Candace Murray, Account Executive candace@tucsonlocalmedia.com Tyler Vondrak, Account Executive tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com EDITORIAL & AD CONTENT The Explorer and Marana News expresses its opinion in the editorial. Opinions expressed in guest commentaries, perspectives, cartoons or letters to the editor are those of the author. The content and claims of any advertisement are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Tucson Local Media assumes no responsibility for the claims or content of any advertisement. Publisher has the right to edit for size or refuse any advertisement at his or her discretion. 7225 N. Mona Lisa Road, Ste. 125 Tucson, Arizona 85741 PHONE: (520) 797-4384

Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

Hot Picks

The Things We Keep. What are some of the things you keep? The objects that have made it through spring cleaning, moves, you reading “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” and everything in-between? The newest exhibit at the Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art features selections from Swiss-born, Tucson-based artist Olivier Mosset. Artworks, books and other ephemera from his globetrotting career invite us to think about the emotional reasons behind the items we hold onto. The North Galleries hold books, brochures, invitations and posters, while the South Gallery features monochrome paintings and prints. Audio pieces play throughout. On display

through Sept. 5 at MOCA, 265 S. Church Ave. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is currently free! Once Upon This Time. So, fairy tales are unrealistic for a lot of reasons, right? Like, how did Rapunzel’s hair get that long when her mean witch guardian probably wasn’t even providing her with any sulfate-free shampoo or leave-in conditioner? Cinderella seriously had no qualms about wearing a shoe made of GLASS to a late-night dance party? But what if fairy tales took place in the modern world of cellphones and social media? They’d likely be even more unten-

able. That’s the premise of this show at Live Theatre Workshop, the first show for children and children at heart to open in the new dedicated indoor Children’s Theatre! You’ll be cracking up at this tale, featuring six actors playing more than 40 roles. 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays from July 16 to Aug. 1. Live Theatre Workshop, 3322 E. Fort Lowell Road. $12 adults, $10 kids. Humane Society of Southern Arizona Thrift Store now open. Oh, bless the abundance of thrift stores in Tucson. We’re very excited for the HSSA thrift store, which is moving to its permanent home this weekend! Those who thrift regularly know it to be a top-notch experience,

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Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

OUR TOWN

Overnight construction starts on Oracle Road in Oro Valley Ireland Stevenson Tucson Local Media

he Arizona Department of Transportation has launched nighttime road construction on the section of Oracle Road/State Route 77 from Magee to Calle Concordia. This project will result in a repaved road, safety features and ADA compliance in three phases, spanning from the I-10 junction up to Calle Concordia in Oro Valley. Weather permitting, ADOT estimates that it will take approximately 100 days to complete the Oro Valley portion of this project (by

the end of October). Between River Road and Calle Concordia, workers will reconstruct and repave the roadway. The project will include new pavement from I-10 and Miracle Mile to River Road Plans also call for lighting improvements, including new LED street lights between River and Ina roads. The project will also improve drainage, relocate utilities, improve signals and intersections between River and Ina roads. Pedestrians will enjoy new ADA-approved ramps and sidewalks between River and Magee roads, while drivers will enjoy new dual left turn lanes at the intersection of Magee and Oracle Roads.

Construction also involves installing a storm drain system from River to Orange Grove Roads. Work will take place at night between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and one lane will be open at all times. With very few exceptions, all lanes will be open during the day. Motorists can expect a reduced speed limit and uneven pavement during construction. The intersection of Magee Road and Oracle Road will not be paved at this time due to the installation of new dual-turn lanes anticipated in the future. In other transportation news: The Arizona Chap-

ter of the American Public Works Association named Oro Valley’s work on La Cholla Boulevard between Overton and Tangerine roads the 2021 Project of the Year. The La Cholla project is one of the approved projects in the 2006 Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) plan to widen La Cholla Boulevard from Magee Road to Tangerine Road. The project improved traffic capacity and user safety between two completed RTA projects: the 600-foot bridge structure over the Cañada Del Oro Wash to the south and Tangerine Road improvements to the north. Safety upgrades include widening the road, adding

bicycle lanes, creating a separate path/sidewalk, new turn lanes at intersections, signalized pedestrian crossings, an equestrian crossing and stormwater conveyance under La Cholla Boulevard that also provides safe animal crossings. “This was a remarkable project to complete,” said Paul Keesler, Oro Valley Public Works director and town engineer. “With nearly a year of the construction work taking place during the pandemic, it was through an extraordinary effort that we were able to maintain the progress and cost to deliver the project on schedule and on budget. My eternal thanks to the team of fantastic pro-

fessionals who accomplished this feat.” Before the project started, workers salvaged more than 2,800 native plants, including saguaros. The plants were saved at no cost to the project primarily by Pima County Native Plant Nursery and Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society. Pima County Real Property administered acquisitions and PC Native Plant Nursery provided about half of the trees and cacti for the project, greatly reducing the cost for both items. RTA Wildlife coordinated with the design and funded adjustments to drainage structures and fencing to create wildlife crossings.

Former Northwest Fire chief killed in plane crash Ireland Stevenson Tucson Local Media

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former Northwest Fire District chief was killed in a plane crash last week near Mohave County. Jeff Piechura, 62, died in the crash alongside Matthew Miller, 48. Piechura and Miller were monitoring the Cedar Basin Fire near Wikieup. According to a statement from the Bureau of Land Management, they were on board a Beechcraft King Air C90 when the crash occurred on Saturday, July 10. It’s unclear how exactly the plane crash occurred, but officials said it happened at about noon while an “air attack aircraft” was doing “aerial reconnaissance” over the fire.

The agency further explained in a tweet that the plane provided aerial supervision and coordination for the Cedar Basin Fire’s aviation resources. The Department of Interior Office of Aviation Services, in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, is investigating the accident, according to the Bureau of Land Management. Piechura worked for the Coronado National Forest as an air tactical group supervisor, while Miller worked for Falcon Executive Aviation Inc. through the U.S. Forest Service as a fire pilot. Piechura led the Northwest Fire District in metro Tucson for 24 years after becoming its first fire chief in Novem-

ber 1988. During that time, he helped expand the district to serve its growing community, a statement from Northwest Fire District said. After retiring from the district in 2012, Piechura worked for a fire department in Stockton, California. “Piechura’s passing leaves a tremendous void in the lives of his beloved family, friends and the thousands of firefighters across the country he worked with,” the Northwest Fire Department statement said. “His professional accomplishments are far too many to be captured in a single document and his personal impact on those who knew him is too immense to comprehend.” He is survived by his wife, Donna, and five children.

BUSINESS

Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

Real estate agent’s philanthropy supports Oro Valley Katya Mendoza

Special to Tucson Local Media

ucson native Lisa Bayless has worked in real estate in the northwest communities for more than a decade, but she’s most interested in people. These combined passions lead to her consistent philanthropy after every sale, most recently sponsoring the Town of Oro Valley’s Fourth of July fireworks event. Ranking among the top 1% of realtors nationwide and at Long Realty in 2020, Bayless has set herself apart from her peers through more than closed sales. “I have always believed that the communities that you do business in, particularly as a small business owner, [that] you rely on that community and in turn that community relies on you,” Bayless said.

“It’s a very intertwined relationship. The stronger those communities become, the stronger our business becomes.” Besides donating a portion of her commission from every sale to local nonprofits, Bayless has served on the board of the Rialto Theater and is an active senior board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Tucson and other nonprofit organizations. While striving to stay connected to “Tucson’s heartbeat,” Bayless has also recently donated to the Oro Valley Police Department, Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, Canyon Del Oro Assembly of God Food Pantry, as well as eliminating the $2,100 school lunch debt for Oro Valley’s public schools last year. Through this gratitude towards the community that has supported her business, both she and

husband have found a sense of fulfillment. “Not only has the community embraced us from a business perspective, but this is where we live and on a personal level, the community has also opened their arms and embraced us,” Bayless said. “We want to do everything we can to give back.” After graduating from Green Field School in 1991, Bayless moved to Maine to attend Bates College where she obtained a degree in economics in 1995. Eventually moving to Boston in 1998 after a three-year stint in New York City, she met her husband Jeff Stitt, a real estate developer. It was while she was completing a graduate degree in social work from Boston University in 2006 that Bayless discovered her passion for real estate. “I began to realize that

real estate is about relationships and communicating with people and understanding what they need and what their motivations are and helping them find a place to go home,” Bayless said. “It was not too different, actually, than what I have been studying.” The two moved back to Tucson in 2006 to be closer to family and with a little bit of encouragement from her husband, she began to pursue her license in real estate. Bayless said the key to being a successful real estate agent lies in communication and an ability “to resolve problems and find creative solutions to resolving problems and working with people and helping them navigate obstacles.” Currently “busier than ever,” Bayless said that the housing market is the strongest she has seen

in 15 years. Given the considerable amount of people relocating to the greater Tucson area, the “seller’s market” has completely adapted since the pandemic. “Something we rarely did two years ago, now we do all the time,” Bayless said. “Buyers may not actually be here, so we’ll FaceTime them through homes. That happens a lot. There are 3D virtual tours, I’ve increased staffing to help with the demand, it’s a different market than it was even three years ago.” Given the increase in opportunities for remote work, a major shift that Bayless has observed are potential home buyers who are relocating from more densely populated areas are taking advantage of low interest rates, in addition to the increase in second-home buyers. “People come here, they like the environment,

Courtesy Photo

they like the outdoor lifestyle that we offer, they like the community,” Bayless said. “So, you know, pricing is some of it, but I also think they like the lifestyle that Arizona offers.” While keeping up with the pace of the current intense housing market, Bayless and her team are embracing this new reality of business and look forward to continuing to support the communities that they live and work in. “We’re in that one for the long term,” Bayless said.

VOICES

Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

Tax relief coming to families with kids under the age of 17 Tom O’Halleran

Special to Tucson Local Media

he coronavirus pandemic put hardworking American families through the wringer. Countless mothers, fathers, and caretakers lost jobs through no fault of their own and, amid one of the most acute public health and economic crises of our lifetimes, worked tirelessly to make ends meet and adjust to a drastically different way of work, school and life. Last year, during my

weekly, virtual town hall meetings, I heard from families in every corner of Arizona’s First Congressional District about the challenges they faced on a daily basis as a result of COVID-19. As we negotiated relief legislation in Congress, I fought to prioritize families first. As a father to three and a grandfather to four, I know that the success of hardworking families is the foundation for the success of whole communities. This spring, I voted to pass the American Rescue Plan, a sweeping relief pack-

age to give our communities the tools they need to address this crisis and put money back in the pockets of struggling Americans. Our bill included the largest and widest-reaching expansion of the Child Tax Credit in our nation’s history. The expanded Child Tax Credit delivers monthly payments of up to $300 per month for eligible families with kids under 6, and $250 per month to families with kids 6-17—benefiting 167,000 kids in Arizona’s First District alone. For most families, monthly pay-

ments started hitting bank accounts automatically on July 15. For more than 43,000 First District families, monthly Child Tax Credit payments will put gas in the tank and food on the table, cover expenses like diapers and necessary medical care, and pay for child care to help get parents back to work. With more than 94% of First District kids eligible, these new tax credits will lift 13,700 children out of poverty and 6,000 kids out of deep poverty. This is the kind of relief

that has lasting impacts on our communities. When we invest in the strength of our families and the holistic success of our children— from a healthy breakfast to a good education—we invest in our future leaders and our nation’s success and competitiveness. I was proud to vote in favor of this historic expansion of the Child Tax Credit to give families throughout our state and nation a stronger, more stable foundation to recover in the wake of a destabilizing and devastating year.

Since coming to Congress in 2017, I’ve made it a priority to protect programs that support the health, wellbeing, and education of our children. As we begin to emerge from this crisis and come together to rebuild our economy and our communities, I’ll keep working to ensure that no family’s needs are overlooked. Tom O’Halleran is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. A Democrat, he lives in the Village of Oak Creek.

Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

AGING WELL

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VOICES LETTERSTO TOTHE THEEDITOR EDITOR LETTERS

KUDOS TO DANEHY

egarding “RIP, Charron Campbell: Losing an Amphi High basketball standout far too soon” (June 30): I don’t usually have positive comments for Tom Danehy, as our politics differ. But, I want to thank Tom for telling us about Charron Campbell, the Amphi basketball great. I had seen

a post on Facebook about her but didn’t read the detail. His Explorer article told a beautiful story about a beautiful young person. You can feel his passion in the printed words. May her soul rest in peace!!! — Don Cox Oro Valley

FOLLOW TRUMP, GET VACCINATED

et’s remind the intentionally unvaccinated people in Pima County that Donald Trump’s entire family sought out and received free COVID vaccinations before they left the White House in January. Unfortunately they were unwilling to use their jabs for

the public good—to encourage others to follow their example. (“Do as I say, not as I do.”) Since then, they remain vaccinated and healthy. Unvaccinated Arizonans and snowbirds are keeping Pima County and the rest of Arizona from reaching herd immunity and its many benefits, including freedom from masks. The majority of COVID cases and deaths now happen to unvaccinated victims. Like someone driving 20 mph in the passing lane

of a 45-mph roadway, the unvaccinated are holding back their local economies. I won’t go to a restaurant or theatre event or browse in a store because unmasked, unvaccinated people can spread the Delta variant everywhere they go. Why not follow in Trump’s footsteps and get your free COVID shot now? He didn’t need an appointment and neither do you.

Want to see your opinion in the paper? Send your letter to the editor to tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia. com. Submission does not guarantee print. Limit your letter to 350 words. Guest commentaries should be limited to 600 words.

—Lois Berkowitz, Oro Valley

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Monsoon Continued from P1

Luckily, Tucson, Catalina and Oro Valley have not experienced extreme flooding, but the possibility remains due to the large burn scar from 2020’s Bighorn Fire, which burned nearly 120,000 acres of the Catalina Mountains. However, the Pima County Sheriff ’s Department has already documented road closures and downed powerlines due to the monsoon. Golder Ranch Fire District and Northwest Fire crews have also had to assist drivers with their vehicles stuck in flooded streets. “It doesn’t matter what kind of vehicle you have, please, turn around,” Northwest Fire District warned. “Find a detour instead of driving into a dangerous situation.” In early July, the Pima County Board of Supervisors and Flood Control District sent information to nearly 1,000 property owners in districts 1, 3 and 4 who may be affected by flooding near the Bighorn Fire burn area. “Although a year has passed since the fire, the risk of flooding and debris flows remains high, pri-

Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

marily due to the lack of significant rainfall over the past year, which has limited vegetation regrowth and left soil conditions unchanged since the fire,” a county memorandum read. Locals may recall haunting footage from last year showing jet-black waters rushing down Canada Del Oro wash, choked with ash and burnt wood. Don Falk, professor in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Arizona, said extreme wildfires can cause soil to become “hydrophobic,” meaning it won’t absorb water, leading to worse flash floods. According to the county, after the Aspen Fire on Mount Lemmon in 2003, flash floods and mudflows resulted in at least one reported fatality and caused extensive property damage in watershed areas downstream of the burn area. In response to these threats, the town of Oro Valley is providing free sandbags to residents who may need to protect areas of their homes from flooding. Due to a limited number of supplies, only Town of Oro Valley residents are eligible. Pickup is at Naranja Park (810 W. Naranja Drive) in the area

known as the “Christmas tree recycling lot” while supplies last. Sandbags are self-service. Residents will need to bag and load their own sand, with a limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle. The Town of Marana is also distributing sandbags for residents. Marana Public Works will assist town residents concerned with flooding by providing sandbag pick-up locations and offering pre-filled sandbags at the Marana Operations Center Yard (5100 W. Ina Road) and Marana Heritage River Park (12205 N. Tangerine Farms Road) while supplies last. There is also a limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle. Pima County is providing a limited number of sandbags for impacted properties, available at the Department of Transportation facility (1313 S. Mission Road), Brandi Fenton Memorial Park (3482 E. River Road), in Catalina at the northwest corner of Golder Ranch Drive and Twin Lakes Drive, and in Summerhaven on Carter Canyon Road at the north side of Snyder Road and Lason Lane. The Town of Oro Valley Stormwater Utility has also created a “Monsoon Preparedness Guide’’ with

Jeff Gardner

While Mount Lemmon is recovering from the Bighorn Fire, large sections of the burn scar remain, which can increase the severity of flash floods during the monsoon. resources for residents. The Preparedness Guide recommends families to formulate an emergency plan, which includes identifying meeting locations both inside and outside of the neighborhood, making sure everyone in the household is familiar with alternate routes through town, and naming an outof-area contact if your family gets split up. The Preparedness Guide also lists the “5 Ps” in the rare event of an evacuation: People (and pets), papers, prescriptions, pictures and

personal computers. Pima County also recommends homeowners purchase flood insurance, stating that new policies for flood insurance generally become effective following a 30-day waiting period. However, the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 provided an additional exception to this requirement related to flooding caused by post-wildfire conditions, referred to as the Post-Wildfire Exception. According to the Na-

tional Weather Service, as of Friday, July 16, this July has already seen 1.5 inches of rain (as measured from the Tucson airport), beating out the .46 inches of rain seen all of last July. Every day for the rest of July and the first half of August are predicted to have a chance of rain. For more information, visit pima.gov/BighornFireFloodRisk or pima.gov/ FloodsFollowFires. To sign up for the county’s emergency alerts system, visit MyAlerts.pima.gov

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COVID: Disagreements between state, schools rules Continued from P1

A similar letter was sent to the Peoria Unified School District. Harrier stated, under the Arizona Parents Bill of Rights, parents have the right to make healthcare decisions for their minor child, including vaccinations, and added that the policy would have detrimental effects on a child’s education, with students unable to meet attendance requirements to advance to the next grade level. “This policy will lead to entire classrooms of students under 12 being kept at home for nearly two weeks at a time and potentially on multiple occasions with no way to make up for that lost learning time,” wrote Harrier. In a letter responding to Ducey’s office, John Richardson of the DeConcini, McDonald, Yetwin, and Lacy law firm said the statutes referenced in Harrier’s letter do not apply to the school districts’ COVID-19 isolation policies, nor do they restrict districts from following guidance from federal, state and local public health authorities.

“Parents and other community members have a right to expect that their local school district will do what it reasonably can to provide a safe educational environment for its students, and CFSD and PUSD are committed to providing such an environment,” wrote Richardson. “Students who are required to quarantine based on exposure to COVID-19 are not abandoned. Both school districts provide instruction and assistance to such students during their temporary absence from school.” The dust-up between Ducey and the school districts comes as the delta variant spreads across Arizona and COVID cases have begun a troubling rise across the state. Joe Gerald, an epidemiologist and professor at UA Zuckerman School of Public Health, said last week that 5,813 Arizonans were diagnosed with COVID-19, a jump of 48% from the previous week. It was the fifth consecutive week of rising cases. “This week’s changes makes it likely that Arizona will soon experience case

rates greater than 100 per 100K residents per week, marking a transition from substantial to high levels of transmission,” Gerald wrote in a report examining the state’s climbing numbers. “Prudence suggests we heed this warning and prepare for the worst even as we hope for the best.” Catalina Foothills and Peoria Unified School Districts, along with other school districts across Arizona, follow the same Arizona Department of Health Services guidelines for quarantine and isolation, which states fully vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine and quarantine can vary from seven to 14 days depending on various factors, like whether the person is symptomatic or lives in a congregate setting. School districts like Tucson Unified and Marana Unified reference the ADHS isolation and quarantine guidance. Other districts, like Chandler and Gilbert, follow the Maricopa County Department of Public Health guidelines, which along with ADHS state fully vaccinated individuals are not required to

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Daily new COVID cases in Arizona have remained relatively low since vaccine distribution, with a slight increase recently. quarantine. In her letter, Harrier said the policy “must be rescinded immediately,” and states the Arizona Department of Health Services is “prepared to provide guidance.” According to Ducey’s office, the language in the legislation is specific to schools and is not the same as general public health guidelines. “It takes into account that school is the safest place for kids, whether they are vaccinated or not, and that they have a right to receive in-person education,” said C.J. Karamargin, communications director for the Governor’s office, in an email response. “Quarantine is a mitigation strategy. This law prohibits discrimination based on vaccination status. The use of any mitigation strategy should comply with the law.”

However, ADHS K-12 School Guidance for COVID-19 references their own isolation and quarantine guideline document, which schools use as reference for their policies. Under key mitigation strategies, they list “Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine” with a link to the guidance. Both Catalina Foothills or Peoria school districts made masking optional and do not require vaccinations in compliance with recently signed statute. The Arizona Department of Health Services had not responded as of deadline regarding whether officials will update their own guidelines to match Ducey’s position on the statute. On Friday, July 16, County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry sent a letter to Pima County

school districts assuring them of the support from the county and health department. Huckelberry said in his letter that Pima County had “independent statutory authority and the responsibility to take such actions as required to protect the community from infectious disease.” Further, the county could go before a court to request an “enforceable order of quarantine” if necessary. “Please be assured that Pima County and our Health Department remain committed to you and all our schools as you work to maintain a safe and healthy school environment,” said Huckelberry. “Now more than ever, as the delta variant comes into this community, it is critical that we continue to work as a team to ensure the health of all of Pima County.”

Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

Reid Park Zoo’s Summer Safari Nights celebrate the Dog Days Jeff Gardner Tucson Local Media

he night sky has served humankind in everything from navigation to inspiration since long before writing existed. As we move through the warm “dog days” of summer, the Reid Park Zoo is continuing their Summer Safari Nights series by showcasing their exotic canines and animals that rely on the night sky. The dog days run from the beginning of July through mid-August, and right in the middle, the Reid Park Zoo is hosting their “Dog Days and Astronomy Summer” special on Saturday, July 24. The centerpiece for the dog days event are the zoo’s four African wild dogs, also called painted dogs, which bear striking coats and are known for their successful pack hunting. The Reid Park Zoo’s four African wild dogs were born in the Oregon Zoo. Originally a litter of 12, the new breed meant the Oregon Zoo then had 15 wild dogs, and they asked fellow zoos if they’d like to take some, which the Reid Park Zoo happily accepted

in November 2020. “Their social dynamics are one of the most interesting parts,” zookeeper Hannah Carbonneau said. “I have worked with some primates, so I’m really interested in animals that have unique group dynamics. It’s interesting to go in and help foster those relationships… They are considered hyper-social, so the most reinforcing and rewarding thing for them is each other. Even wolves will disperse their packs sometimes. But the [African dogs] really don’t break apart, and if they do, they are very rarely accepted into other packs.” According to Carbonneau, the zookeepers gave the dogs a few days to explore their new surroundings at Reid Park Zoo. The dogs did some calling for their old pack, but once they realized it was just the four of them, they settled down and sorted out the new alpha. The dogs also got used to the keepers, their new habitat, and where they felt comfortable in their new enclosure. “Wolves and dogs have eyebrow movement and more facial expressions, but these don’t have as many, and researchers think it’s

because they don’t need to reunite as much. Their social hierarchy is kind of set, and that’s that,” Carbonneau said. “So we’re constantly making sure they’re happy and getting along. Fights do happen sometimes, but that’s normal.” Despite some of these unique traits, the African dogs do behave similarly to domestic dogs a fair amount of the time. They play, thrash around on their backs, enjoy tearing up sticks and are always interested in poop. (So much so that Carbonneau even knows their preferred hierarchy: first rhino droppings, then elephant, then zebra.) Also featured during the dog days Summer Safari Night is the giant anteater, featured in the Reid Park Zoo’s logo. Giant anteaters are not canids, but do use the light from the night sky for navigation. Also known as ant bears, the anteaters are mostly nocturnal due to their insect-eating habits, but it may also be in response to human disturbances. During Summer Safari Nights, Reid Park Zoo staff also discusses conservation and sustainability of their highlighted animals. Due

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to giant anteaters’ nighttime navigation, light pollution is a concern. But more than that, giant anteaters suffer major losses in Brazil, becoming some of the most common roadkill in the country. The zoo is also using the time to show off their reptiles, including skinks and bearded dragons. During the event, zookeepers will set up different display areas throughout the park for closer animal encounters. While Tucsonans are no stranger to reptiles, the zoo’s blue-tongued skinks

are much larger than most lizards you’ll find in the Sonoran Desert. “A lot of reptiles have desert adaptations, like the bearded dragon, even though they’re adapted for deserts on the opposite side of the world,” said lead keeper Katie Hutchinson. “Reptiles are great at water conservation themselves. So I think we can learn a lot from them, especially during the monsoon, about how to use our water resources properly.” Summer Safari Nights takes place every Saturday

evening through Aug. 14 at the Reid Park Zoo. The events include live music, recreational activities, food and drinks, and wildlife activities. Live music for this upcoming installation will be performed by Jamie’s Gang, and the zoo will also host astronomy activities. For more information, visit reidparkzoo.org/event/summer-safari-nights-2021. This article is the last in a series of three detailing the Reid Park Zoo animals highlighted at the Summer Safari Nights event series.

Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

El Charro’s summer shrimp specials offer a jumbo bargain Matt Russell

Special to Tucson Local Media

ccording to her great, great nephew, Monica Flinn likely spent the first summer at her new El Charro Café making pots of stew and tortillas to feed local construction workers. That was 99 years ago, and summer survival continues to be the hallmark of the season at each of El Charro’s Tucson locations. “Tia Monica was a fierce and feisty frontier woman, someone who could probably chew tobacco, spit in a spittoon and come back and make your meal,” said

Ray Flores, Flinn’s great, great nephew and president of Flores Concepts which owns and operates El Charro Café. “But at the end of the day she was all about service, to her family, extended family and community.” It’s in that spirit that El Charro reveals its summer menu that Flores says is a symbol of survival. “Our summer menu is kind of like a summer survival guide, providing extra value at the time of year when we’re all hurting the most and giving our guests a reason to come out to dinner on the hottest of days and nights,” said Flores.

Taking center stage on this year’s summer menu is shrimp, sourced from sustainable farms and served in three dishes that showcase the restaurant’s creativity with camarones. The Shrimp Poblano Enchilada Elegante features grilled shrimp, peppers, and bacon in twicerolled corn tortillas, baked in a poblano crema with queso Oaxaca, avocado salsa, and marinated pink onion. Flores notes that this is “meatier and thicker” than the restaurant’s standard enchilada. Those grilled shrimp and peppers also anchor the Fajita Lettuce Cups, with queso cotija, chipotle

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“Our summer menu is kind of like a summer survival guide, providing extra value at the time of year when we’re all hurting the most and giving our guests a reason to come out to dinner on the hottest of days and nights,” said Ray Flores, president of Flores Concepts. crema, avocado salsa and a margarita lime vinaigrette. This dish has reportedly been popular with guests who’ve adopted low-carb and keto nutritional lifestyles. Third in the summer menu lineup is the Mojo de Ajo Shrimp Tamal, a handmade corn tamal topped with grilled garlic chimichurri shrimp, tomatillo sauce and queso Oaxaca. Flores prefers his tamales with toppers, and he suggests the shrimp and sauce on this dish is an epicurean expression of awesome. With each of these dishes priced under $10, this menu, which runs through Aug. 15, makes surviving the summer a little easier. Flores has also introduced four signature summer margaritas, for less than $6 each, which include mango and jalapeno, coconut and pineapple, watermelon

and mint, and tamarind and citrus varieties. When asked which of these cocktails would appeal most to Tia Monica, Flores replied honestly. “Probably none of them,” he said. “She was a woman who preferred to drink martinis out of teacups.” Summer is also being celebrated at Flores’ other local restaurants, Charro Steak & Del Rey and Charro Vida, with upgraded happy hours. “Coming out of the pandemic and moving into the summer, we really wanted to have a strong happy hour, so all of our stores have focused on greater and bigger offerings.” I’ll drink to that. “The fact that we’ve made it through 99 summers, or even one summer at all, is a testament to a restaurant’s grit,” said Flores. “Tucson has its own challenges every summer that we as busi-

nesses endure, and we know that being all in it together is what helps us get through.” Togetherness. Family. Service. Guiding principles forged nearly a century ago by a woman who stood out among her contemporaries. Flores’ team appears to feed their community with the same affection that Flinn fed hers – minus the spittoon, of course – and in the brutal months of summer, that’s something from which we can all benefit. Contact Matt Russell, whose day job is CEO of Russell Public Communications, at mrussell@ russellpublic.com. Russell is also the publisher of OnTheMenuLive.com as well as the host of the Friday Weekend Watch segment on the “Buckmaster Show on KVOI 1030 AM.

Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

TOWN TALK

Exciting plans for Oro Valley parks and recreation Joe Winfield

Special to Tucson Local Media

esidents of Oro Valley have a lot to look forward to in their Parks and Recreation Department over the next few years. Work on new capital projects planned as part of our Parks and Recreation Master Plan will begin at Naranja Park, the Oro Valley Community Center and our multi-use path system. This fiscal year will bring design work and the start of construction with amenities to be completed in the next couple of years. At the Community Center, residents will enjoy a resurfaced and improved parking lot, upgraded and improved tennis courts, and golf course irrigation repairs. Multi-use paths will be added to La Cañada Drive, Naranja Drive and the CDO Wash to connect the Community Center, Naranja Park, and James D. Kriegh Park to our popular trail system. Naranja Park, identified as a high priority, will be built out with new amenities. Residents can look forward

to additional multi-use fields, pickleball courts, basketball courts, a bike and skate park, a splash pad and paved walking trails. These projects will significantly improve the quality of life in Oro Valley. Over the past two years, the Town has involved the community in developing a Parks and Recreation Master Plan. From this plan came a new design for Naranja Park that works with the topography to minimize grading work. This design costs half of what the previous Naranja Park plan would have at build-out. (The estimated cost for the current Naranja Park design is $17 million, and six years ago, the previous design was estimated to cost $33 million at buildout.) Using bond financing for these capital projects at today’s record low interest rates will allow us to design and build the park as a whole, saving both time and money. It will also allow our current and future residents to enjoy these amenities years sooner without any tax increase. To fund these efforts, the Town will implement

a $25 million parks and recreation bond, which will be funded by the half-cent sales tax that was previously dedicated only to golf and the Community Center. When the half-cent sales tax was originally implemented, it was planned to generate between $1.6 to $2 million in annual revenue, but it will soon approach $3 million per year—well over $1 million more than what was originally planned. Additionally, Town staff and residents have made efforts to cut golf losses, significantly reducing the need for a golf subsidy. In 2018, the golf subsidy was $1.75 million; for fiscal year 2021, it is projected to be less than $300,000. These successful efforts included changing the golf operator to Indigo Golf, changing the operating model of the courses from a country club model to a municipal golf model by opening all courses to outside play, growth in memberships and outside play, and a $125,000 annual HOA contribution from adjacent homeowners. Recognizing that these

improvements in tax revenues and reduced golf losses could provide a parks and recreation funding source without a property tax, the Town Council unanimously voted on May 5 to broaden the use of the golf and Community Center sales tax to include all parks and recreation facilities and amenities. The Council then authorized utilizing this funding to pay for a $25 million parks and recreation bond, and recently set priorities for project funding based on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. These priorities include the needed Community Center exterior refurbishments, enhanced connectivity in the multi-use path system, and the build-out of

future Oro Valley residents. They will provide opportunities for physical activity and social interaction for years to come. I am enthusiastic about implementing the community’s vision for our parks and recreation program as articulated in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and I’m excited that we’ll be adding new amenities to Naranja Park and increasing the connectivity of our Naranja Park. multi-use path system— Health and wellness all without raising taxes. are important to our residents, and these new and Joe Winfield is mayor of refurbished amenities Oro Valley. will support a high quality of life for existing and

Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

EN INGS HAPP EN

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THEATER

SUNDAY, JULY 25

FRIDAY TO SATURDAY, JULY 23-24

• Bring the entire family to Fiesta de Verano presented by Ballet Folklorico Tapatio. Details: 7 p.m.; MSA Annex Festival Grounds, 267 S. Avenida Del Convento; $10; 622-0231.

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY, JULY 23 THROUGH AUG. 1

• Catch a performance of the stunning musical A Chorus Line capturing the spirit and tensions of Broadway auditions while exploring the inner lives and ambitions of professional performers with a fusion of song, dance and drama. Details: 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Arts Express Theatre, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd., #214; $40; 319-0400 or arts-express.org.

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY THROUGH AUG. 1

unique style. Details: 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 6 p.m. Friday, 6 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday; Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway Blvd.; $21.95-$23.95; $13.95 children; 886-9428 or thegaslighttheatre.com.

MUSIC FRIDAY, JULY 23

• Get as close to the real deal as you possibly can at the tribute show Ultimate Bon Jovi that sounds and looks like they just jumped off of the Crush Tour. Details: 6 p.m.; Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $27 with discounts for children, seniors and military; 529-1000 or gaslightmusichall.com.

• Find out if those classic tales of magic, dreams, fantasy and true love hold up in the age of smart phones and WiFi at Once Upon THIS Time where princess stories are given a modern twist. Details: 7 p.m. SATURDAY, JULY 24 Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; Live • Listen to the nuanced vocal stylings Theatre Workshop, 3322 E. Fort Lowell of accomplished international performer Nick Gallardo at Valens to Rd.; $12, $10 children; 327-4242. Valli with the songs of Ritchie Valens, Frankie Valli and others presented WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY THROUGH AUG. 29 with endless energy and uncanny humor. Details: 6 p.m.; Gaslight Music • Don’t miss the intergalactic singing and dancing space odyssey Space Wars Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $31 with careening through the galaxy defending discounts for children, seniors and military; 529-1000 or freedom in the Gaslight Theatre’s gaslightmusichall.com.

• Come enjoy your favorite blues tunes by the best local blues bands and artists at Hot Blues in Concert featuring Tom Walbank and the Bad News Blues Band. Details: 6 p.m.; Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $27 with discounts for children, seniors and military; 529-1000 or gaslightmusichall.com.

MONDAY, JULY 26

• Hear authentic renditions of the era’s most popular songs from the Beatles, the Monkees, Neil Diamond and more at the tribute show Super Songs of the 60s. Details: 6 p.m.; Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway Blvd.; $25-$27, $15 children; 886-9428 or thegaslighttheatre.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 30

• Don your dancin’ shoes for the All Right Now Dance Party with the vintage rock n’ roll Rillito River Band. Details: 7 p.m.; Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $20; 529-1000 or gaslightmusichall.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 31

• Listen to the pure sound of a southern gospel quartet masterfully recreating the hits of favorite vocal groups including the Oak Ridge Boys, Statler Brothers and more at American Made with the Presidio Boys. Details: 6 p.m.; Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $31 with discounts for children, seniors and military; 5291000 or gaslightmusichall.com.

SUNDAY, AUG. 1

• Listen to original songs, traditional and contemporary music along with an eclectic mix of bluegrass, folk, Americana, Celtic and Newgrass performed by The Sonoran Dogs Bluegrass Band. Details: 6 p.m.; Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $27 with discounts for children, seniors and military; 529-1000 or gaslightmusichall.com.

nationally-renowned plant experts with their specially-selected inventory. Details: 3-7 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte; free admission during sale; 742-6455.

SATURDAYS THROUGH AUG. 14

FRIDAY, JULY 23

• Explore the Marvelous, Magical World of Moths with Tucson Botanical Gardens including classification, diversity, life cycles, anti-predation strategies and methods of studying these amazing insects led by instructor naturalist Jeff Babson. Details: 10 a.m.noon; online with Zoom link provided; $30, discount for members; 326-9686 or tucsonbotanical.org.

• Bring the kids to Summer Safari Nights at Reid Park Zoo and enjoy the cooler evening temperatures, games and wildlife activities and music from MONDAY, AUG. 2 local bands with this week’s theme • Listen to the old and new hits of “Dog Days and Astronomy Summer” George Strait, Alan Jackson, Johnny featuring African wild dogs, birds, lions, SATURDAY, JULY 24 Cash to Luke Bryan and Kenny Chesney zebra and tortoise. Details: 5:30-8:30 • Explore tools, design, build and create played by Backroads, The Ultimate p.m.; 3400 E. Zoo Ct.; $10.50, $6.50 projects from your wildest imagination Country Cover Band. Details: 6 p.m.; children; 791-3204. and construct freely in facilitated The Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadkid-centric monthly Make It Workway Blvd.; $25-$27, $15 children; shop in the Curiosity Courtyard where 886-9428 or thegaslighttheatre.com. adults learn right alongside the kids encouraging creativity, critical thinking THURSDAY, JULY 22 and problem-solving skills with this • Don’t miss your opportunity to talk month’s theme Space. Details: 5:30-7 with the experts at the presentation p.m.; Children’s Museum Tucson, 200 SATURDAY, JULY 24 Making the Most of your Festival S. 6th Ave., $15 (buy one ticket get one • Kick off the harvest season with wine Photography Experience with free); 792-9985 or tastings, horse-drawn winery and Hunt’s Photo hosted by Luke Safford, childrensmuseumtucson.org. vineyard tours and grape-stomping Noah Buchanan and Tyler Ficker to competitions during at Sonoita prepare for the upcoming Southeast Vineyards HarvestFest. Details: 10 Arizona Birding Festival on Aug. 12-14. a.m.-4 p.m.; 290 Elgin-Canelo Road, Details: 11 a.m.-noon; Zoom presentaSATURDAY, JULY 24 Elgin; $30-$95; 520-455-5893. tion; TucsonAudubon.org. • Bring the kids and chairs or blankets • Explore the tools and techniques for for on the Lawn on a large FRIDAY TO SATURDAY, JULY creating Botanical Art in Pen and inflMovies atable screen with this month’s Ink: Cholla Blossoms for beginner 30-31 feature “Sonic the Hedgehog.” Details: • Shop over 30 local vendors with weird to intermediate level artists presented 7:30-10 p.m.; Oro Valley Community & and wonderful desert-friendly plants by Tucson Botanical Gardens. Details: Recreation Center, 10555 N. La Cañada at the Monsoon Madness Plant 4-5:30 p.m.; online with Zoom link Dr.; free; orovalleyaz.gov. Sale featuring local growers and provided; $30, discount for members;

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Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

Soda Sun find a home in the heat on their debut ‘Stay Here’ Jeff Gardner Tucson Local Media

he story of the band Soda Sun begins with guitarist and vocalist John Goraj moving to Tucson from Los Angeles in 2017. But the story of the band’s debut release begins with a return trip to California to pick up a vintage tape machine. Though there is room for all four band members on the mellow debut, the tape machine almost serves as a

fifth member, maintaining a warm pleasance throughout Stay Here’s runtime. Goraj originally left “the Los Angeles hustle for Tucson’s contemplative desert beauty,” and both of these cities hold an influence on the album, which sees a combination of folk and rock. Though the lyrics range from personal reflections to observations, the consistently tight performances and guitar tones maintain a style throughout.

“There was an ethos that came out of being in Tucson. Even though there’s not a Western thing going on in the music, or any major clues about the Southwest, I think you can feel the desert’s influence,” Goraj said. “There’s a way the music talks about the desert, but not necessarily with words.” Although the album is titled Stay Here and was recorded throughout 2020, there are few references to the pandemic. The album

title instead refers to Goraj finding a kind of home in Tucson after years of travels. The sentiment makes for a pensive and beautiful title track based around a calm wall of guitar and quiet drums with grateful lyrics: “Let’s stay here awhile / Just naked and laughing / the world’s gone to hell / So I’m holding your brave hands / Let’s always stay wild / In this ocean of creosote.” “I spent a lot of time taking it all in and reflect-

ing, especially the first two years that I lived in Tucson,” Goraj said. “I was jotting down a lot of thoughts and writing what I was experiencing. It’s a pretty unique place, with a lot of special and hard aspects. To me, one of the most interesting things is how Tucson has this dynamic culture of half-hippie-art and half people driving around with Trump flags. You don’t find that much… But beyond that, I was taking in the culture and

celebrating that we have venues like the Rialto and Club Congress. There are really high quality places to perform and record music.” These observations are clear on “Junkies,” which Goraj explains is one of the most political songs he’s ever written, although it comments on the occasional pointlessness of political conversations. Reflecting on sights around See SODA SUN, P16

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Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

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Soda Sun Continued from P15

town, the lead guitar has a fitting twang and warmth to celebrate Tucson. In contrast, Goraj explains the track “Gitchie” is about the boredom and need for imagination while growing up in South Da-

kota. The song is a clear standout, with an energetic central rhythm and mildly psychedelic guitar paired with Goraj’s hushed yet passionate singing. “The tape machine was a huge part of how the album turned out,” Goraj said. “There were maybe four or six things that we had to add after. But if you were to look at it statistically, maybe 98% of it

is analog. There were just some things we ran out of space to be able to do. There are only eight tracks, so we had some limitations and couldn’t get super surgical. Everyone had to play their part and play it well until it was filled up.” Aside from Goraj, Soda Sun includes Johny Vargas on guitar, Derek Cerretani on bass and vocals, and David Foley on drums. For a standard rock band lineup, Soda Sun’s music contains ample space for reflection: guitar tones linger, the drums just balance on being submerged, and even acoustic passages feel atmospheric. “The fuzzy guitar tones really have to do with how wonderful of a player and how good of an ear Johny has,” Goraj said. “He’s such a great guitarist, and we were so happy when he joined. Me, Dave and Derek started the band as a three-piece, and Johny came on about a year later, and we were so pumped.” The band started recording in December 2019, but soon had to adapt their recording sessions to often

be isolated. By summer 2020 most of the music was ready to mix. All of the songs were recorded in their own studio in Tucson, but mixed and mastered in other states. “A lot of it had to be recorded in the middle of when everything was going on, so it was a little bit tricky,” Goraj said. “But we were motivated to get it done.” The performances work well filtered through their 35-year-old reel-to-reel Tascam 388. Although the band rarely strays far from standard folk/rock structures, the production gives the music a nice sunbleached feel perfect for listening in both the desert and the beach. “I don’t think there’s an overarching theme. They go across huge time spans of when I wrote them. So some of them were written as a solo artist and then were transmuted for Soda Sun,” Goraj said. “I’m a huge fan of allusion, like bringing in references from across time periods and putting them in the same song, so you can

make up fantasies about what these people might be doing.” This style is best exemplified on the track “Hildegard,” named after the medieval Christian mystic Hildegard of Bingen. Despite the concept, it’s a carefree ballad and arguably the closest to country Soda Sun gets, with sharp guitar and Goraj delivering “Where’s everyone? Where’s Hildegard?” with a slight drawl. But of course, the whole song is browned

at the edges like only analog tape can do. “To me, it was never about being puritanical,” Goraj said. “It was more about it being the main instrument we were using to record the album. It was really cool to make a record that had almost no screens involved. It was just us and this hundred-pound machine.” To listen, visit sodasun. bandcamp.com

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Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

SPORTS EXTRA POINT WITH TOM DANEHY &RECREATION At Amphi High School, the action on the tennis courts starts early Tom Danehy

Special to Tucson Local Media

t’s 5:47 a.m. on what will be another blazing-hot summer day, but for some crazy reason there is a flurry of activity on the Amphi High School tennis courts. At the center of it all is a stud athlete who was born in Scotland back when Harry Truman was president of the United States. This story actually starts with Yousef. Born in Sudan, he and his family had to go through Eritrea before finally making it to the U.S. Outgoing, almost too smart, and endlessly curious, he’s ranked third in his class academically and is also an outstanding multisport athlete. Yousef has embraced the oft-given (but rarely taken to heart) advice to do highschool stuff when you’re in high school. The four years will fly by and when they’re done, you’re old for the rest of your life. To go along with his academic pursuits and various extracurricular activities, he decided that he wanted to try as many sports as possible while in high school. He’s an All-Southern Arizona soccer player, but he has also tried basketball and cross country. In the spring of 2020, he was on the baseball team when sports (and

the world) got shut down by COVID. This past year, he decided to try tennis. He went from zero to not-bad in a matter of weeks. But once you get a little bit good, you want to be real good and that’s when the hard work and the heartbreak become permanent parts of the equation. With a short roster, Yousef quickly became the No. 1 player on the squad, meaning that he had to play the best player from Sahuaro on Tuesday, then Canyon Del Oro’s best on Thursday. It wasn’t fun, but it was instructive. He realized that the whuppins were probably going to keep on coming, but he wanted to do whatever he could in the short term to make them a bit less one-sided. The two-and-ahalf-hour practices in the afternoon weren’t enough, so, with the number of hours of sunlight increasing as the spring season sprinted toward summer, he decided to show up to the school courts at sunrise to work on his groundstrokes and serve. He was surprised to find that he wasn’t alone. Yousef recalls, “I got there one morning around 6 a.m. and there was this woman already there, hitting the ball up against the wall.” They exchanged hellos,

but that was it. Yousef went to a different hitting wall and got to work. But she was there again the next morning and the one after that. Pretty soon they got to talking and then both started working on improving his game. “I was really surprised,” says Yousef. “She knows so much about tennis and I was surprised that she’s so good…” His voice trails off. His attempt to fix it came out as “She has lots of gray hair.” He told his friends— some on the tennis team, some not--and pretty soon the number of members of the Unofficial Early Morning Tennis Club had grown to a significant figure. (Anybody who thinks that today’s high schoolers are all just TikTok-ing their lives away has to be impressed with young people who rise at 5:30 so they can put in 90-120 minutes of work on their game before the start of school.) Even after the school season ended, they kept showing up—Yousef and Yoshi, Isaac and Leilani. They do it because they want to be really good next year, but they also feel that they owe a debt of gratitude to the Lady With The Hair, the person who has reined in Yousef ’s focus and helped convince Yoshi to go out for the tennis team next year. After Yousef told me the

story, I decided to see for myself. And so I showed up a few minutes after dawn to witness the spectacle. And there she was with the wild gray hair in the style of Rosanne Rosannadanna. (Google her.) She was an absolute whirlwind of activity, showing an elementary-school kid how to serve and then another first-timer kid

the kids. It’s no big deal that she’s out there at the crack of dawn playing the game she has loved all her life. What’s impressive is the young people out there defying the conventions of summer vacation. So this is not about the amazing woman who will remain unnamed. But it sort of is.

how to hold a racquet. Leilani and Yoshi wanted to play doubles, so the Lady teamed up with a friend of hers named Marvin (who, as it turns out, was named after Marvin Gaye, making him the coolest guy in all of Tucson). I told her that I’d like to write about her, but she quite firmly declined. She said that it was all about

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Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis

53 57

64 68

outside the Miss America Pageant in 1968 5 Prefix that makes a pseudoscience when paired with 44-Down 11 Quatrain rhyme scheme 15 Fancy fabric 16 Embryo’s home 17 Barbershop job 18 Tiptop 19 Jim Sheridan gives Daniel DayLewis nothing to work with in this Irish dramedy (1989) 21 Photographer Goldin 22 Stop up 23 Rapper Megan ___ Stallion 24 Letters seen on some tote bags 25 Rian Johnson helms this snoozer of a whodunit starring Daniel Craig (2019) 28 Thorny tree 30 Adorable one

ACROSS

63 67

1 Items purportedly burned

hotel

3 Pool or fitness center, for a

45 51

Island

31 It made the peseta passé 34 Have in inventory 35 Handy sorts 37 Fey of “30 Rock” 39 Follower of smart or bad 40 Elia Kazan bungles this John

Steinbeck novel adaptation (1955) 43 Hit the slopes 45 Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys 46 Foe of Austin Powers 50 Nice dinnerware 52 Tavern offerings 54 Assemble 55 Korean alphabet system 57 Anne Fletcher misses the mark with this first film in a dance franchise (2006) 59 1950s White House nickname 60 Word with luck or waiter 63 Nonkosher sandwich 64 Captain’s record 65 Led astray … or like the films at 19-, 25-, 40- and 57-Across? 68 Muppet with a big orange nose

Know Us, Know Your Community

4 Census info 5 Mountain lions 6 Frustrate 7 “___ out!”

(ump’s cry)

8 Lit ___ 9 Jackman of “X-Men” 10 ___ Jackson, a.k.a. Ice Cube 11 D.O.J. agency 12 Winners of

Super Bowl 50 “Frida” and “Selena,” e.g. Operator of the California Zephyr 20 Gumshoes 22 Big name in tractors 26 For your ___ pleasure 27 Almond extract, e.g. 29 Finished 32 Big guns 33 Unnamed person 36 Job app ID 38 Recipe instruction 41 Gossip, in slang 42 Lose one’s cool 43 “Hips Don’t Lie” singer, 2006 44 See 5-Across 47 Word that fills both parts of the Shakespeare quote “These ___ delights have ___ ends” 48 Inventor’s happy cry 49 Protracted 50 Subjects for Jane Goodall 51 BMW competitor 53 Monk known as the “Father of English History” 56 Baited 58 Respected tribe member 61 Handout from a maître d’ 62 Secretly loops in, in a way 66 Private Instagram exchanges, briefly 67 Tater ___ 68 Hon 13 14

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Some people react to work like they are allergic to it. The more contact they have, the worse the aggravation. Your approach is playful. If you can make a game out of it, you will. This is why you’ll be chosen for key assignments. People feel you can lessen the load for everyone. CANCER (June 22-July 22). While it is human nature to push the mind into a problem and make predictions as to what might happen next, it is also human nature to crave novelty, which will come quite naturally when you refrain from guessing about the future. You’re safe, and you’re free. Reduce expectation; open your arms; welcome tomorrow. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It’s not an optimal time for delving into complex tasks, although with your brain working on all cylinders as it is, the bar for complexity is greatly raised. It would have to be a pretty knotty problem indeed to deter you from seeing and applying a simple solution. This weekend, you’ll be appointed to an honored position. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). To compare your insides to another person’s outsides is a fast-track to loneliness and lack. Keep in mind that all are working hard to project the image of successful living they most want others to believe about them. Meanwhile, however you are feeling, others feel it, too. You might be surprised at who.

Crossword Puzzle Answers

DOWN

1 Item needed for burning, once 2 Indigenous people of Easter

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Follow the rules and guidelines and you’ll get an end product that’s identifiable, effective and consistent. Add a twist (perhaps a deliberate misinterpretation or violation of a rule) and you’ll also get the immense satisfaction of knowing your work is so unique it won’t be duplicated by anyone.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll gravitate toward ambiance that matches your inner mood, or the mood you wish you were in. Environments have greater influence than you’re comfortable with, as you prefer to think your psychic strength can override exterior circumstances. As long as you can enter and exit at will, you’re still powerfully in charge. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Matters have not yet reached the point in which you should take action. To move forward prematurely changes (lessens, ruins) the whole deal. So, you want to be a little patient, without waiting until someone pushes you; that’s too late. The moment of action is when your fear and anticipation meet an opening. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). While it would be fun to make an excellent plan and then sit back and watch it unfold, you’re also the supplier, the muscle on the ground, the transportation, the inspector and more. And actually, getting to take on multiple roles makes this process even more fun and brings many more opportunities past this one. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). When the aim is polite conversation, there are so many topics to avoid it’s easier to remember what to stick with. Your charm comes through when the subjects are breezy, and it’s amazing how much you learn by chatting about hobbies, leisure, things of regional interest and that old standby, the weather. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Even though your work takes time away from the pursuits you love, it also gives structure to your days that allows you to schedule those quests in a nearly ritualistic way, giving them a sense of the sacred that keeps you from breaking the appointment. In short, you get more done when you have more to do.

A M E N I T Y

69 Victorian 70 Make hard to read, in a way 71 Egyptian cross 72 Lip 73 Cleaning tool 74 Online crafts shop

R A P A N U I

20 23

B L A N K C D

P S U T M Y A M S I E S S T N E A

A B B A T R I M F O O T N P R A C I A T O C K A S S N E V I L N I T E D O W N L O G B E R T A N K H E T S Y

Y C H O E R U S R I G H T T H E E N A C U R O S T I N A O F E D E I L D R L E S U S T E P B B L T C T E D C O D E S T E R

M E N U

L U R E D

S E X D V E I E E R W E I N A G U D D I M S

K I N E S I S

S H A K I R A

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). World peace is an ideal so fantastical it’s hard to wrap the mind around. And though sometimes it feels like the odds are just as insurmountable for finding peace in your own heart, the ideal is actually not as impossible as it seems. Whatever is keeping that from happening, it can be overcome.

C H I M P S

ARIES (March 21-April 19). If you think that everyone else is doing something better and more interesting, it’s just a symptom of the times. Remind yourself that anyone can only ever do their own best work or make the best of the given circumstance. For optimum results, believe this is good enough. Get behind it with your whole heart.

Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

Worship Guide 520.797.4384

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Closed Saturday & Sunday Due to Covid-19, the Parish Office will be closing to the public for walk-ins until further notice. Please email or call and we will assist you.

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Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

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Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

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Eastern Arizona College has a full-time GEAR UP Site Coordinator, Ft. Thomas USD position open based in the beautiful rural area of Graham County, AZ. Excellent salary and benefits offered. The Position Open Notice, which includes application instructions and other important information, and application form, may be viewed and printed at http://www.eac.edu/Working_at_EAC/list.asp Or, you may call (928) 428-8915 to have a notice mailed or faxed. Position closes at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, August 5, 2021. EOE

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Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

Tech Talk: Tracking asteroids, real-estate 520.797.4384 tech, and new degrees EXPLORER MARANA NEWS

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Jeff Gardner Tucson Local Media

ith a major research university right in our backyard, a strong military presence and innovative companies throughout the metro region, there’s often a plethora of interesting science, medical and technology news to be found in Southern Arizona. Here’s a breakdown of the most interesting recent developments.

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Attack Asteroids. Furthering their partnership with NASA, the University of Arizona has been selected to lead a mission to “find, track and characterize” asteroids and comets that may pose a threat to Earth. UA Professor of Lunar and Planetary Science Amy Mainzer will lead the Near-Earth Object Surveyor mission, which uses an infrared space telescope to identify potentially hazardous asteroids and comets that come within 30 million miles of Earth’s orbit. Asteroids and comets in this range are classified as near-earth objects, or NEOs. NASA has previously identified an estimated 90% of all NEOs larger than 1,000 meters. This new mission aims to identify 90% of NEOs larger than 140 meters within a decade. There are currently more than 25,000 near-Earth asteroids and comets identified. These types of celestial bodies are widely considered to have had major impacts on Earth’s history, both geologically

and biologically. The mission will use infrared sensors to detect asteroids and comets that have been warmed up by the sun. Searching for asteroids by sensing their heat emission allows astronomers to not only detect their location and speed, but also to compute their size. “The fact that NASA tasked Dr. Mainzer and her group with the scientific leadership of this mission is a direct testament to her incredible leadership and expertise, as well as our university’s strong foundation in infrared astronomy,” said UA President Robert C. Robbins. “With NEO Surveyor, we are embarking on a project that transcends basic research and directly tackles one of humankind’s grand challenges: keeping our planet safe from devastating asteroid impacts.”

NASA is working with the University of Arizona to detect and catalogue asteroids that may pose a threat to Earth. Courtesy illustration.

Homie currently provides real estate listing services in conjunction with its affiliated insurance and loan businesses in the greater Tucson area including Casas Adobes, Catalina Foothills, Oro Valley, Marana, Tucson Estates, Green Valley, Vail and High-tech Housing more. Listings. A real-estate techPromoting Health. The nology company recently University of Arizona’s Mel announced the launch of its and Enid Zuckerman Colbrokerage services in Tuclege of Public Health has anson. The company Homie, nounced a new undergraduwhich has served the greater Phoenix Metro area since ate degree option in Wellness 2018, does not charge the and Health Promotion Pracstandard percentage-based tice, which will be offered commission to sell a home. in-person and online startInstead, they charge sellers a ing autumn 2021. According $3,000 flat fee, regardless of to UA, the bachelor’s degree the home’s sale price, to mar- allows students to specialket and sell a home. In addi- ize in one of three tracks: tion to selling the home, the health and wellness, health flat fee also gets users pho- education, and aging and tography, signage, lockboxes, population health. In each and their home listed on the track, students will learn to multiple listing service. The conduct health needs and company estimates their flat resource assessments, and fee for all home sales puts to plan health promotion an average of $10,000 back services and interventions in the pocket of the seller. to promote behavior change

and healthier lifestyles. According to the World Health Organization, high blood pressure, obesity and physical inactivity all rank among the top five leading global risk factors for death. And in the United States, from 2000 to 2018 obesity prevalence increased from 30.5% to 42.4%. During the same time, the prevalence of severe obesity increased from 4.7% to 9.2%. “This is a great degree for students who want to help others develop healthy lifestyles and experience overall wellness,” said Velia Leybas Nuño, UA assistant professor and program director for the new degree. “Students who earn this degree can work in health care, health departments and elder care. They can become a community health worker, a health educator or a health coach. This field is predicted to grow significantly over the next 10 years, making the need for trained public health professionals essential.”

Explorer and Marana News, July 21, 2021

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