As the founder of the local networking group for Latina entrepreneurs the Tucson Creative Comadres (TCC), Fabiola Bedoya cultivates a sense of belonging by promoting community and collaboration.
By Tucson Local Media Staff
Encantada is revving up to welcome several new tenants — True Food Kitchen
the apparel
Tecovas, Levi’s and Psycho Bunny.
its first Tucson location, True Food Kitchen will begin serving its seasonally inspired dishes and natural beverages in late-summer 2023 on the second level.
Dr. Andrew Weil — founder and director of the UA’s Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine — founded True Food Kitchen in Phoenix in 2008.
Diners can expect nutrient-rich staples, responsibly sourced proteins, and little-known superfoods in creative and flavorful dishes, as well as thoughtfully crafted cocktails.
“We’re looking forward to adding True Food Kitchen and its cutting-edge wellness menu to our dining options at La Encantada,” said Toby Horvath, president of Town West Realty.
“Our guests — from local Tucsonans to winter visitors and tourists, University of Arizona families and alum — love having healthy dining options
that support their active, outdoor lifestyles, and True Food Kitchen meets that demand, especially given the variety of gluten-friendly, vegetarian, and vegan dishes they have available. I think True Food Kitchen is going to quickly become a Tucson favorite.”
The Levi’s Store is slated to open in November.
Tecovas is an Austin-based retailer of cowboy boots and Western-style apparel, while Psycho Bunny will sell its “reimagined classic menswear,” including its trademark 4,000-stitch bunny-embroidered polos.
It was a pipe dream that blossomed into a monthly meet-up group and growing social network community. Through it, Bedoya encourages Tucson Latinas to uplift and seek support from each other. Their most popular event, Cafecito & Chill, brings together comadres to discuss ideas, promote their businesses or even just to spill the frijoles.
Most recently, Bedoya participated in the Startup Tucson’s 2022 Idea Funding Pitch Competition to present her idea to a panel of judges. She made it as far as the second down-select round on Oct. 5, competing against over 50 other companies. Although just falling short of the Main Stage prize, she is still eligible to win the Adelante Arizona and Social Impact prizes, both worth $5,000 each.
“I started through (my pitch) strong and the questions were very engaging that I
Thursday, Nov. 3 to Sunday, Nov. 13
Oro Valley, 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 antidepressants 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 often 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 often causes weakness, numbness, tingling, pain, and balance problems. A lack of nutrients causes the nerves to degenerate an insidious and often painful process.
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.
Thankfully, Oro Valley is the birthplace of a brandnew facility that sheds new 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.
1. Finding the underlying cause
2. Determining the extent of the nerve damage (above 95% nerve loss is rarely treatable)
3. The amount of treatment required for the patient’s unique condition
Arrowhead Physical Medicine in Oro Valley, AZ uses a state-of-the-art electric cell signaling systems worth $100,000.00. Th is 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!!
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 than 95% nerve damage, there is hope!
Arrowhead Physical Medicine begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage – a complimentary service for your friends and family. Each examcomprises 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 October 31st, 2022. Call (520) 934 0130 to make an appointment
UA School of Dance presents its mainstage production, “Fall for Dance,” Thursday, Nov. 3, to Sunday, Nov. 13. This student-led concert series features talented dancers and works by faculty who showcase a variety of dance styles that will have you, too, falling for dance. The production will also feature special guest dancer, Juel D. Lane, with commissioned work by the school’s director. Tickets start at $15 at dance.arizona.edu. Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1737 E. University.
The Arizona Theatre Company celebrates the holidays early with its latest production, “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley.” Lydia Wickham (formerly Bennet) returns to center stage for the sequel of last year’s holiday show. For information about ticket pricing and the 2022-2023 season, visit atc.org. The Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Avenue.
Wednesday, Nov. 9
Tucson.
BY KATYA MENDOZA Local MediaThursday, Nov. 3 to Sunday, Nov. 6
The Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson present the Fall Ikebana Festival. Also known as, “the way of the flowers,” Ikebana is the meditative art of Japanese floral arranging. This art, which dates back to the 15th century, incorporates nature with an emphasis of lines, shapes and form throughout the arrangement and the hand of the arranger. General admission tickets $18, members $10, children under 15, $5. Tickets include entry to the gardens. For information on times and dates, visit tickettailor.com. Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson, 2130 N. Alvernon Way.
Friday, Nov. 4 to Sunday, Nov. 6
As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves
Effective neuropathy treatment relies on the following three factors:
Due to our very busy office schedule, we are limiting this offer to the first 10 c allers Y OU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL (520) 934 0130 NOW!!
Greta Van Fleet makes a stop at the Tucson Convention Center Arena during its “Dreams in Gold Tour” at 7 p.m. The Grammy-winning rock band brings along special guests Durand Jones & The Indications and Crown Lands. Tickets range from $47.50 to $90. Visit tucsonarena. com for more information. Tucson Convention Center Arena, 260 S. Church Avenue.
The 33rd annual All Souls Procession Weekend is presented by Many Mouths One Stomach. The festivities begin at the MSA Annex featuring world class music for the Dance of the Dead on Friday, Nov. 4. The following day, families can take part in the Procession of Little Angels at Armory Park from 3 to 7 p.m. The grand finale and procession is 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. For a full list of events and various admission prices, visit allsoulsprocession.org. MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida Del Convento.
Friday, Nov. 4
Depending on your coverage, your peripheral neuropathy treatment could cost almost nothing – or be absolutely free.
are extremely busy, so we are unavailable, please leave a voice message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Wednesday, Nov. 2 to Saturday, Nov. 5 Startup Tucson presents the TENWEST Impact Festival. Established in 2015, the festival has been a community-oriented event for local, regional and national entrepreneurs to come together to collaborate on creative solutions with social, environmental and economic impact. The five-day innovation festival is for all ages and includes keynote speakers, opportunities for networking and presentations. This year’s iteration introduces a block party with local vendors and regional music. For more information, visit tenwest.com. The TENWEST Impact Festival will be held at various locations throughout Downtown
Jerry Seinfeld visits the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall at 7 p.m. Seinfeld, who has enjoyed a decades-long career of success in comedy, film and television, brings his latest standup routine to the Southwest. For more information, visit tucsonmusichall. org. The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 250 S. Church Avenue.
Saturday, Nov. 5
Comedienne and former late-night television host Chelsea Handler stops at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall. Her standup is sure to bring laughs as she guides the audience through personal experiences, current events and more. The show starts at 8 p.m.
For information on tickets and bag policy, visit tucsonmusichall.org.
Saturday, Nov. 5
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Elizabeth Warner’s life is invested in the Tucson Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games, which come to Ril lito Raceway Park Friday, Nov. 4, to Sunday, Nov. 6.
“My parents helped start the Tucson Celtic Festival,” said Warner, the festival president. “My mom was their secretary and helped sign in their constitution and bylaws when they incorporated. I’ve been involved my entire life.”
The event is the largest Celtic festival and highland games in Arizona, she said.
“We’re bigger than Phoenix, and we are one of the last ones in the country for the season,” Warner added.
There are two parts to the event.
The Celtic festival features food and drink, as well as performances by Tempest, Celtic Nova and Traveler on Friday. The Circus Farm Fire Dancers will toss around flaming sticks.
For families, there’s a kid’s corner, which will be full of jumping castles, arts and crafts, games and pirates and mermaids, Warner said. There will also be kids’ highland games in that area.
Adults can learn the difference between whiskey and whisky at a tasting class on Sat urday and Sunday for an additional fee.
Handfasting is on Sunday.
“Traditionally in Celtic culture, you would be handfast, and then for two years and a day, you are considered married,” Warner said.
“At the end of that period, you decide, do you really want to be married or not. You can walk away, or you can go on and be married.”
The other half of the event is the Scottish Highland Games, put on by the Kilted Ath letes of America. In past years, the organi zation put on the men’s heavyweight and the women’s lightweight championships.
This year, it’s the World Lightweight Championship, during which time 12 kilt ed men from Canada, Europe and the Unit ed States will compete for an as-of-yet an nounced first prize.
“The individuals coming from Europe are the three top champions in Europe,” said Il defonso “Ponch” Green, the athletics liaison and a competitor.
“We have the Canadian Champion, the Canadian world champion, and then we have the U.S. champions.”
Invitations have also been sent to three athletes who came close to winning, but in these games are considered wild cards.
Green said their throws were just as good as the champion’s toss, but they did not make it to the top.
Green said there hasn’t been a group of throwers of this caliber together in the world.
So, what will they throw? A lot. During the two days, the athletes will throw 22- and
16-pound hammers, as well as weights over a bar; cabers, which look like telephone poles; a 22- to 28-pound Braemar stone; an open stone; a sheaf; and a heavyweight stone and a lightweight stone.
It’s a long two days, but they’re up for it, Green said.
“These are world-class athletes,” he add ed. “They’re beasts.”
These will not be the only competitors that
weekend. There are up to 15 classes of ath letes based on age and gender, all of whom wear a kilt and modest underpinnings.
Tucson has its own team of highland gamers, called the Tucson Celtic Hammer heads, which anyone is welcome to join. As with the games, it’s not just men; women may also join. For more information, visit tucsonceltichammerheads.com.
Green said the games are a long-held tra dition.
“If you know nothing of the games, you should know the reason the games exist,” he said.
“In the year 1040, Malcolm was the head chief (in Scotland). He gathered all the clans together and they would compete. The games are actually a preparation for war. He wanted to know who his strongest were or who his fastest were. The festival is designed around that tradition.”
WHEN: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6
WHERE: Rillito Raceway Park, 4502 N. First Street, Tucson
COST: Various ticket price levels; see website
INFO: tucsoncelticfestival.org
got from the judges, that gave me hope that they were invested in what my plans were with the possible funding and what the big plans are for this group,” Bedoya said.
A graduate of the University of Arizona College of Fine Arts, Bedoya said it didn’t teach the fundamentals of building a small business.
“That’s what you are, you have to put yourself out there and market yourself.”
Just before graduation, she learned her peers were in a similar spot.
“A lot of people didn’t really know what they wanted to do because they weren’t sure how to go about it,” she said.
She had taken it upon herself to attend entrepreneurial workshops and networking events such as Techstars Startup Weekend Arizona during the fall of 2020. It’s a three-day program for aspiring startup entrepreneurs to collaborate with experts and other aspiring creators to turn an idea into a minimal viable product to present in front of a panel of judges. After graduation, she applied for an Idea Funding Pitch Competition through Startup Tucson that centered BIPOC creatives the following spring of 2021.
“I made it two rounds in and (received) positive feedback that I (could) put in my back pocket,” Bedoya said.
Her second time around in the competition, had she moved forward to the final round in November, would have allowed her to present during the TenWest Festival. The grant would have helped her build a website with a directory of Latina creatives, allowing the online community to expand outside of Tucson; a working space for affordable workshops and funding for behind-the-scenes business fees.
“I want to build a big storytelling aspect of a creative entrepreneur journey and highlight different artists,” Bedoya said
Through her research of the Hispanic community, Bedoya found that the culture brought additional challenges to the pursuit of a creative or artistic career.
“If you’re a first-generation, you know your parents came here and worked hard to provide for their kids and they want to see their kids succeed and not struggle like they (did),” Bedoya said.
It is embedded in the culture to pursue an education and get a well-paying job that has benefits.
“One night I was like, ‘You know what, you gathered all the data about creatives and their pain points, let’s start looking at Latina stats;’ as soon as I started picking up on the Latina pay gap, something lit a fire in me,” Bedoya said.
After becoming a mother, she knew she couldn’t attend as many workshops because kids weren’t allowed in those spaces. She noted a need for Latinas and mothers within the entrepreneurial community.
“The first meeting I launched free of charge and honestly I used a $25 gift card that I got from attending a focus group and $10 of my own,” Bedoya said. “I wanted to test it out first.”
About 10 attendees came to the first meeting, including Erica Cantua, a local painter and muralist of Erixaart, who met Bedoya through a mutual friend at a pop-up flea market at Borderlands Brewing Co. in 2018. Since the first meeting, Cantua said the attendees have “grown every month.”
Cantua, who quit her job last year to pursue art full-time, painted the mural on Speedway and Columbus, on the west-facing wall of the Tucson Appliance Company. She is working on constructing a mobile art shop out of a yellow school bus.
“My mission and vision have always
been the same, to help creatives succeed with the tools to be able to catapult themselves as a small business,” Bedoya said. “Even if they just need help learning how to market themselves as artists or (making) connections, or (accessing) resources.”
Bedoya, who is a full-time marketing coordinator for Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona and a single parent, said she’s been exploring her place within the community and developing community engagement through social media.
“I make sure I know what people are doing, what accomplishments they’ve done and make them feel seen,” Bedoya said.
“If I am paying attention, then they know that I care, and I do care.”
Ali Baxley of Ali B Confectionary said
Tucson Creative Comadres “popped up on Instagram.” A full-time Latina cookier who makes pretty cookies, wanted to join a creative and supportive community, a common sentiment heard throughout las comadres.
“I was referred to (Tucson Creative Comadres) by a friend,” said Marcia Frag oso, small business owner of SocialBuzzAZ, a bartending and catering service. “That’s really all it is, small business owners being able to talk to one another and getting to meet people and hearing what inspired them.
“I want people to bounce ideas off of each other and have that support,” said Angie Roberts, a local wedding photographer who owns CandidSol.
Alejandra Foerg, a postpartum doula who recently moved back to be closer to her home of Nogales, Arizona, was also looking for the company of like-minded individuals with whom to share and contribute her gifts.
Through networking events like the Cafecito and Chill, comadres are able to cultivate connections in an accessible and relaxed setting.
“I just know where I want to take this and branch out to a general creative co-
madres community online and travel to smaller places that may not have this kind
of thing,” Bedoya said. “I want them to know that they’re a part of something.”
3302 E. Speedway, El Rancho Center Tucson, AZ 85716
Friday, 3–6 p.m. (members only)
Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. For more information, visit TucsonMuseumofArt.org/TreasureHouse
beneficial in so many ways — lower cholesterol, less heart and cardiovascular disease, less diabetes, and better weight control to name a few. But improved pain control? Oh yes, some pain control and prevention is possible for many people.
About 116 million adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain. This is a huge number, almost a third of the adult population. Nutrition for pain is not a new concept.
Dr. Elizabeth Huntoon, associate clinical professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation neuroscience at Virginia Commonwealth University, spoke about nutrition and wellness at the Moving Beyond Opiods for Chronic pain conference in November 2019.
She postulates that there is a strong connection between an “anti-inflammatory”-type diet and a reduction in pain. There is no single definition of what an anti-inflammatory diet might include, but a classic example is the Mediterranean Diet,
touted for many positive health effects.
Fish, vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans and olive oil are the staples of this diet. Poultry, eggs and dairy products are included and these foods have been shown to reduce and possibly prevent some inflammatory processes.
Red meat and processed foods should be eaten only occasionally.
Some foods actually promote inflammation. Highly processed products such as processed meats, refined grains, refined oils, and sugar sweetened beverages should be avoided.
Oils that are highly refined such as soybean, canola, cottonseed and margarine are not healthy choices. And “low-fat” (not those naturally low in fat such a fruits and vegetables) foods are often highly processed.
Chronic pain is very serious. Too often patients’ complaints are either disregarded or medicated without an evaluation of lifestyle. Pills, not just opiates, are rarely the only answer to better pain control and sometimes not only don’t help but can be harmful. (The opiate crisis in the United States is a clear example of a harmful outcome.)
Diet plays an important role. Though sometimes difficult to embrace in our world of fast and convenience foods, a transition to a Mediterranean-style regimen will reap many benefits, including an appreciation for whole and unprocessed foods.
Regular walking, along with healthier eating, has been shown to lower inflammatory markers (measured in blood) and decrease the risk of inflammation, chronic illness and pain.
Massage therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, guided imagery, music therapy, diet therapy — all are legitimate nonpharmaceutical avenues to pain control.
Diet plays a major role in many other health issues and certain foods have been shown to prevent and sometimes cure some common maladies. Good nutrition is a critical component of health and development including longer life and a lower risk of such illnesses as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Even a few changes in a daily diet can make a lasting difference for more optimal health.
We all know that adequate dairy intake will promote a stronger immune system and healthy bones and teeth. But are we aware that the little
super fruit, acai berries, can reduce cholesterol and improve digestive health? Cinnamon is often recommended to people with diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome.
Salmon is a strong anti-inflammatory food and can be purchased fresh, canned, smoked, as sushi or sashimi. It has a powerhouse of benefits from reducing cardiovascular disease, enhancing brain health and memory, building strong bones and may have a role in cancer prevention. Pumpkin (canned, which most of us use) can help with blood pressure control, reducing the risk of stroke and heart attacks, maintain eye health and help with weight loss.
The Illustrated Food Remedies Sourcebook is an excellent guide and can be found at Amazon.com.
We can benefit in so many ways by adopting an anti-inflammatory diet. Chronic pain is debilitating, and medication is truly needed sometimes. But relief and optimal health may be reached just by adopting that “healthy lifestyle,” which includes a healthier diet.
Mia Smitt is a longtime nurse practitioner. She writes a regular column for Tucson Local Media.
Clay Aiken wasn’t overly sold when he was approached to host the “Wheel of Fortune Live” tour. “I wasn’t skeptical, I’d say,” Aiken explained.
“‘Wheel of Fortune’ is legendary and there’s no game show that’s more popular in the America, etc. How to make it work live was something I was very curious about and — holy crap — it does work. It really does.”
The tour comes to The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, formerly the Tucson Music Hall, on Thursday, Nov. 3, and Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino on Friday, Nov. 4, and Saturday, Nov. 5, with Aiken as host.
During “Wheel of Fortune Live,” guests can audition to go on stage and feel like they stepped into the game show. Randomly selected players will have the chance to spin a replica of the iconic wheel and solve the puzzles to win prizes, including up to $10,000 in cash and trips to the likes of Paris and Hawaii at every show. Additionally, hundreds of audience members can win cash and prizes.
“It’s so fun,” he said. “Audiences lose their absolute minds. I’ve been on tour 11 times on my own with my own shows. In all the years I’ve been touring, I wish I had audiences who were that fun, but I’m not giving away trips to Paris at my concerts. They have a reason to be more excited about ‘Wheel of Fortune.’ It’s really fun to watch.”
Aiken recently starred on Broadway, alongside Ruben Studdard, in “Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show” at the Imperial Theater.
This came 10 years after Aiken’s Broadway debut in Monty Python’s “Spamalot.”
On the heels of “American Idol,” he became the first artist to have his first single debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
His subsequent album, “Measure of a Man,” also debuted at No. 1 with the highest first week sales by a debut artist. His 2004 holiday release, “Merry Christmas with Love,” set a record for the fastest-selling holiday album of the SoundScan era and remains tied for the highest charting debut of a holiday album.
The father to son Parker, Aiken served nine years as a UNICEF ambassador and in 2003, he co-founded, with Diane Bubel, what is now the National Inclusion Project to advocate and increase opportunities for children with disabilities to be included in extracurricular activities (such as summer camps and after-school programs) with their nondisabled peers.
Aiken is looking forward to bringing “Wheel of Fortune” back to Arizona.
“Everyone in America is a fan of ‘Wheel of Fortune,’” he said. “It’s been on for 40 years. Even if you’re not a nightly viewer, you’ve seen clips on YouTube. Holy crap. It’s the game that more people play in their
living room than anything else.
“‘Jeopardy’ is wonderful, sure. There’s
only a subset of people who are smart enough for that. ‘Wheel of Fortune’ is the most accessible and approachable game show. We can all sit at home and play it. To do that in person and get to spin the wheel, I’m surprised it took this long.”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3
WHERE: The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, formerly the Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Avenue, Tucson COST:Tickets start at $38 INFO: 520-791-4101, tucsonmusichall.org
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, and Saturday, Nov. 5
WHERE: The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, formerly the Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Avenue, Tucson COST:Tickets start at $38.50
INFO: caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin/ show
An experienced team is only one of the advantages you’ll appreciate when it’s time to deliver your baby. We offer spacious and comfortable private labor and delivery rooms, 24/7 OB specialist care, and access to high-quality mom and infant care. Come see us!
Sitting in his Paradise Valley home, Judas Priest’s “Metal God,” Rob Halford, is jovial. He cracks jokes about singing “Painkiller” in the shower and ticking off Paradise Valley police. In between snarky comments, he drinks out of a clear coffee mug with a cat painted on it.
Most importantly, he said via Zoom, Judas Priest’s tour that hits Tucson is notable on a number of levels.
“You’re going to see Priest celebrate our 50th anniversary,” Halford said. “It’s never going to happen again. It’s the first and last time you’ll see Priest celebrate the 50th anniversary in Tucson.”
The show is a retrospective of Judas Priest’s career, from 1974’s “Rocka Rolla” and clear on through to its latest release, “Firepower.”
“It’s a lot of fun but it’s frustrating,” Halford said.
“I want to do this song or that song, and this song, but the next thing we know, we’d be on stage for six hours. You want to play all of these songs that you love as a band and the fans want to hear. We do the best to pull out the songs that, obviously, people want to hear, like ‘Breaking the Law’ and ‘Living After Midnight.’
“What we’ve done for the final leg of the 50th anniversary is we’ve shifted gears a little bit. We’ve massaged the set and we’ve removed some songs and put on the songs in.”
Those include “Screaming for Vengeance,” “Steeler” from “British Steel” and the “Stained Class” track “Beyond the Realms of Death.”
“It just gives another focus because we can’t put it all in one show,” he said. “We feel that this new re-energized set that we’ve put together is going to be particularly fun. I would imagine it would be for a lot of our fans, a lot of our Metal Maniacs.
“When fans up here in Phoenix hear about this new set, they’re going to want to go and listen to ‘Beyond the Realms of Death’ again. We all have these songs in our hearts and in our lives. When you’re banging your head to ‘Living After Midnight,’ it’s 1980 all over again — if you’ve been a metalhead that long.
“Equally, we have a new generation of metal heads who have chosen Priest as their band. I think that’s just the ultimate honor because there’s so much great talent in the metal world today.
“We’re the guys who started it, you know?” Halford says slyly. “We were there day one along with our friends, Sabbath. But where have they gone? A long hiatus? If you want to go to the roots, then you go to Judas Priest.”
While he’s here, he’s looking forward to having “a bit of an explore.” After all, he said, it’s been decades since he’s performed in the Old Pueblo.
“There’s just something very special
about that place,” the Brit added about Tucson. “I mean, to me, it’s the epitome of one of the reasons why I moved to Arizona. It’s just that whole Wild West aspect to it, in terms of American culture.
“It’s a beautiful place and there’s just so much rich history about the town and all the great things that have happened there — whether it’s movies or shows or whatever.”
He’s looking forward to taking advantage of everything the City of Gastronomy has to offer.
“I’m sure there are a ton of places to get my chimichanga,” he said with a laugh. “I’m mad on Mexican food. I love Mexican food.”
The monsoon is over, but he’s hoping to see rain. He missed the summer storms because he was on tour in Europe, but he watched them through his security camera.
“It’s like end-of-the-world stuff,” he said. “The monsoons that we have are really spectacular. They’re something special for us all to enjoy. There’s a little bit of a cool down, but we get to see Mother Nature
go full-on heavy metal, with all the wind and the thunder and the lightning. It’s an incredibly powerful moment. It makes you feel about this big.”
On Nov. 5, Judas Priest will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Downtown Los Angeles. His class includes, among others, Pat Benatar, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Eminem, Lionel Richie, the Eurythmics and Carly Simon.
“It’s going to be great,” Halford said. “I can’t wait to just sit down at the table and watch all these incredible entertainers, musicians in the flesh because I’ve only seen a few of them. These are all new people to me, when it comes to actually performing.”
Still, at 71, Halford has plenty left to accomplish. He has a blues record “lurking in the background.” He wants to do another book and record covers with female singers.
“I just love the contrast between the male and the female voice textures,” he said. “Of course, there are some incredible ladies who have made their stamp on music like Bessie Smith from the ’20s to Janis Joplin and beyond. That’s always been an attractive idea for me to do.
“I take music very seriously, but you’ve got to be able to enjoy and have fun.”
So, is Halford having fun?
“Yeah, I don’t have any regrets. I hate that word — ‘regret,’” Halford said.
“It’s a horrible, horrible, negative, shallow word. I think living longer gives you the wisdom to make sure that you understand what’s important and valuable and what isn’t important and valuable.”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8
WHERE: Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Street, Tucson
COST:Tickets start at $35
INFO: tucsonarena.com
The UA has given up 49 points in each of its last three games. Not basketball games—football games! That’s a sustained whuppin’ of Biblical proportions. They gave up 49 points to Cal, which later scored only 13 points in a loss to Colorado, the worst team in major-college football.
I’m tempted to ask the question, “Do you know how hard it is to give up 49 points three games in a row?” But apparently, it’s not hard at all. Oct. 15 was Arizona’s bye week. They probably gave up 30 or so points that day.
To be fair, Tennessee, which sits at the No. 3 spot in the current coaches’ poll, gave up 49 points to Alabama last week — and won! Southern Cal scored 42 points at Utah and lost. Scoring is up everywhere
and there are several reasons for it. For one, the most dynamic (although not necessarily the best) young football players gravitate to the offensive side because that’s where the flash, the fame, and the funds are. While a rush end or a middle linebacker might be more important to a team’s success, the money goes to the quarterback and the wide receivers.
Rams fans don’t buy Aaron Donald jerseys; they buy Cooper Kupp jerseys.
For almost a century, the prevailing wisdom in football was that defense wins championships. Hold the opposing team under 20 points, create some turnovers (a fumble recovery here, an interception there, giving your offense a couple extra possessions), and you can eke out a 21-17 victory. It was a formula that worked for
generations.
Now that formula has been corrupted by this new emphasis on offense. First team to 50 wins.
It’s interesting. In basketball, players are taught from an early age that defense, like rebounding, is 90% desire. You have to have some skill (coordination, footwork) but a lot of it is heart. You have to want to stop your man (or woman). It’s different in football. There are different positions that require different responsibilities. Linemen have to fight off blocks, linebackers must flow to the ball, and defensive backs have to cover certain areas, perchance to make a play on a thrown pass.
Old person alert: A million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and I played football, I was a defensive back. It was my job to cover receivers who were going out for a pass and to either not let them catch it or to tackle them as soon as they did. My crusty old coach (actually, my high-school coach was in his late 20s) preferred that I do the former, but, failing that, had a strong insistence on the latter.
My coach would get two basketball players who were used to playing manto-man defense on the court and put them at cornerback, saying “That’s your man. Guard him!”
We hardly ever see that anymore. Defenses have to be these intricate schemes, with different zones and different responsibilities on every play. I sometimes wonder if defensive coordinators aren’t psyching themselves out and making it overly complicated. You know how lawyers will use 40 words when four would do and then
employ polysyllabic terms when “wrong” would suffice. Defensive coordinators will use a hyperflex double-drop z-wing spread without considering the possibility that “Guard that dude!” might just work.
Again, we must recognize that Arizona’s is not the only defense that is being shredded. At this point in the season, Oregon is probably the best team in the Pac12, but the Ducks have a 49-3 beatdown stain on their season record. (There’s that “49” number again. It’s like the 37 that pops up in probability all the time, perhaps because, in math, 1/e is .37. Sorry, I went full math nerd there for a moment. The 49 shows up because bad defensive teams are giving up a ridiculous seven touchdowns in one game.)
The problem is that as a long-suffering and occasionally exultant Arizona fan, it’s driving me crazy that the Fisch Fix is so lopsided. The offense is money! The Cats rolled up 500 yards and nearly 40 points against Washington and still lost by double figures. It seems like that shouldn’t happen.
Arizona was dreadful on both sides of the ball under previous coach Kevin Sumlin and we all knew that it would take time. But this is painful. It just seems logical that it would be easier to fix a defense than to trot out a high-flying offense, but that hasn’t been the case.
Arizona’s next four opponents (USC, Utah, UCLA and Washington State) have a combined record of 21-6. These next four weeks probably aren’t going to be pretty.
I wonder if there is a way to program the TiVo to just record the Cats when they are on offense.
BY TOM DANEHY Tucson Local Media Columnist
Elizabeth Thrausch thought her high school volleyball career would end this week. Her indoor volleyball season is wrapping up this week. Her senior night was Oct. 24, and the team closes out its season at Pueblo on Oct. 27.
In the past, she played club volleyball in the off-season, but skipped it this year to concentrate on her studies and getting into college.
But what the setter really wanted to do was play beach volleyball in the spring. Alas, Flowing Wells is the only one of the Northwest schools that does not field a beach volleyball team. The TUSD schools don’t offer the sport, but it is quite popular at Amphi, Canyon Del Oro, Marana, Pusch Ridge and Marana Mountain View. (Amphi actually has spectacular courts, nestled in between the big gym and the softball field. But Flowing Wells has none. Mountain View doesn’t have courts, but they use courts at a nearby church for their home games.)
She has been accepted at the UA and NAU, but she hasn’t made up her mind yet as to where she’ll go. She does know that she wants to study education, with the hopes of someday being an elementary school teacher, “Maybe second grade through fourth grade. Anything after that,
the kids…” Her voice trails off.
Her mother went to NAU and, like many former Lumberjacks, she tells the stories of the snow and cold with this odd gleam in her eye. It’s like the kid who slides down a bannister backward, not knowing that there’s a knob at the bottom of the ban-
nister, just waiting to inflict seven kinds of pain. However, when he reaches the bottom and takes the whuppin’, he doesn’t tell anybody about the knob. Instead, he encourages his best friend to try it, knowing that it won’t be quite as awful when he has someone else living in the House of Pain.
She works part-time as a lifeguard at the Oro Valley Community Center. Her favorite subject is English and she prefers reading over writing. When told that the answer to the question of one’s favorite class is always math, she responds with a hearty “Ohhh, no!”
The conversation went back to beach volleyball and she was told that the Arizona Interscholastic Association has a rule that states if a school doesn’t offer a particular sport, a student-athlete in good standing can go play that sport at another school. They generally have to play it at the school that is geographically closest to their own. (That would be Amphi.)
At first intrigued, then fired up, she said, “Several of my friends and I have been talking about playing beach for a long time. We might just become part-time Panthers.”
AlbertEinstein said, “Creativity is con tagious. Pass it on.”
Residents at Splen dido took this quite literally, as well as figuratively, when they shared their love of art with local youth this fall.
Splendido, a Life Plan Community in Oro Valley, is home to many artists—some are accomplished experts with decades of experience and others have just recently be gun to explore their creative expression through the many programs offered at the com munity.
Splendido celebrates ag ing as a time of great creative potential, whether through music, poetry, storytelling, dance and movement, or even gardening—the sky is truly the limit. This philosophy is reflected in an ever-changing variety of opportunities for residents to master new forms of self-expression in a com munity setting. “We simply provide additional opportu nities to support each individ ual’s creative journey through innovative, in-depth pro gramming that’s tapping into their expertise and passions,” says Caroline Edasis, Director of Community Engagement.
Knowing the positive im pact creative expression can have, Splendido residents re cently donated a carload of art supplies to Youth On Their Own (YOTO), a nonprofit that provides support services for 6th- through 12th-grade Tucson-area children who are homeless.
Resident Sandra Procida heard of YOTO’s need of art supplies through her involve ment with the Southern Ari zona Art Guild. An artist her self, she connected with other Splendido residents who share her passion, including Ellie Cannan. Together, they put out a call for new or gently used art supplies to the en tire Splendido community, and the response was over whelming. The group ended up filling more than a dozen large boxes with quality art supplies, including canvas es, acrylic paints, watercolor paints, art pencils, palettes, different types of paper, and more, all of which were deliv ered to YOTO in September.
YOTO helps middle and high school students stay in school and, in many cases, continue on to college; to date they have supported more
than 20,000 local youth in their journeys toward high school graduation.
“We hoped our Splendido art group could donate qual ity supplies to this important group of youths, so that they
can also experience the joy and insight art brings into our lives,” said Sandra, whose husband Phil had previously worked with YOTO to pro vide bicycle repair and dona tions for the group.
“We all appreciate the ac tive art environment at Splen dido and the magical ideas Caroline and her staff pro vide,” says Ellie. “Residents ap preciated the chance to share their passion with these young
people.”
Interested in learning more about Splendido? For floor plans, photos, and informa tion on upcoming events, visit splendidotucson.com.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Although you love being the focus of everyone’s attention, it’s a good idea to take a few steps back right now to just watch the action. What you see can help with an upcoming decision.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) “Caution” con tinues to be your watchword this week, as a for mer colleague tries to reconnect old links. There are still some dark places that need to be illumi nated.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Making a good first impression is important. Revealing your often hid den sense of humor can help you get through some of the more awkward situations.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Are you taking that Cancer Crab image too seriously? Lighten up. Instead of complaining about your problems, start resolving them. A friend would be happy to help.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) A widening distance between you and that special person needs to be handled with honesty and sensitivity. Don’t let jeal ousy create an even greater gap between you two.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Congrat ulations. Your handling of a delicate family matter rates kudos. But, no resting on your laurels just yet. You still have to resolve that on-the-job problem.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You might surprise everyone by being unusually impulsive this week. But even level-headed Libras need to do the unexpected now and then.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A peri od of turmoil gives way to a calmer, more settled
environment. Use this quieter time to patch up ne glected personal and/or professional relationships.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21)
A new relationship could create resentment among family and friends who feel left out of your life. Show them you care by making more time for them.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Concen trate on completing all your unfinished tasks be fore deadline. You’ll then be able to use this freedup time to research new career opportunities.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) You’re right to try to help colleagues resolve their heated differences. But keep your objectivity, and avoid showing any favoritism between the two sides.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your personal life continues to show positive changes. Enjoy this happy turn of events, by all means. But be careful not to neglect your workplace obligations.
BORN THIS WEEK: People of
to you
You would make an excellent counselor.
10 a.m.
W.
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