Marana News 01/31/2023

Bobcat Lane Cell Tower talks granted continuance, moved to next session

BY KATYA MENDOZA Tucson Local Media Sta

The Pima County Planning and Zoning Commission has granted further continuances regarding communications developer Vertical Bridge LLC ‘ s requests for wireless communications facilities

On Wednesday, Jan. 11, the commission reviewed the Nov. 30, 2022, agenda summary, where the three

Marana school district hosting job fair

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

The Marana Unified School District is hosting an employee job fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Quail Run Elementary Cafeteria, 4600 W. Cortaro Farms Road, Tucson.

Attendees are required to schedule an appointment at 520-616-6318.

The Marana district is seeking support and certified/exempt staff for numerous openings, including:

• Certified and substitute teachers

• Counselors

• Social workers

• Aides

• Health service

Type III conditional use permit requests were voted to grant continuances for North Bobcat Lane, North Red Sunset Trail and West Manville Road . The commission had voted to approve the cell tower application for South Sierrita Mountain Road . These requests will be discussed at the next Planning and Zoning Commision meeting on Wednesday, March 1, due to Rodeo Break, the commission said .

• Bus drivers/attendants

• Secretarial/clerical

• Child care/preschool aides and supervisors

Applicants can bring resumes and participate in on-site interviews. Exceptional benefits include:

• Holidays, personal days, sick leave

• Employer-paid medical insurance, health saving account contribution, dental, vision — all subject to

Elevate Your Expectations of Senior Living

La Posada at Pusch Ridge Now Under Construction

La Posada, southern Arizona’s award-winning Life Plan Community is bringing its commitment to excellence to Oro Valley. Finely appointed, maintenance-free apartment homes. Stunning mountain views. An oasis of first-class amenities. All in an incomparable, wellness-centered senior living community in the heart of nature.

Connect with our retirement counselors at an upcoming informative lunch to hear the latest construction updates, discover the array of exciting amenities and restaurant-style dining experiences, learn about the long-term security of our Life Lease and much more! construction updates, discover the array of

Friday, February 3

Thursday, March 2

Please join us for an upcoming informative event on a date that’s convenient for you:

ORO VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB 300 W Greenock Dr, Oro Valley, AZ • Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. RSVP today by calling 520-531-3480. Seating is

EXPLORER

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EDITORIAL & AD CONTENT

Hot Picks

BY KATYA MENDOZA Tucson Local Media Sta

Arts

Wednesday, Jan. 25, ongoing

A movement, not just a museum, the African American Museum of Southern Arizona has opened its doors at the University of Arizona campus. Co-founded by Beverly and Bob Elliott, the museum presents a cultural and educational experience through items of significance and intentional storytelling to preserve African American and Black life, culture and history in Southern Arizona to benefit the community. It’s located in room 244 of the Student Union Memorial Center. Admission is free. Until regular hours are established, interested visitors can schedule an appointment by emailing aamuseumofsouthernaz@ gmail.com. Visit aamsaz. org for more information. African American Museum of Southern Arizona, 4511 N. Campbell Avenue, Suite 255-2.

more; and free for students with ID, museum members, UA faculty, staff, military personnel, AAM members, visitors with a SNAP card or Tribal ID, and children. For more information about other ongoing exhibits, visit artmuseum. arizona.edu. The University of Arizona Museum of Art, 1031 N. Olive Road.

Wednesday, Jan. 25, to Saturday, April 8

The Tucson Desert Art Museum presents its “¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues/ En los barrios y las grandes ligas”

Wednesday, Jan. 25, to Saturday, April. 8. Organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the National Museum of American History, this exhibit examines the sport and how Latinos have helped shape what it

WARNING! PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENTS NOT WORKING!!

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.

Wednesday, Jan. 25, to Saturday, May 20

It’s been a long journey for Willem de Koonig’s “Woman-Ochre,” since its shocking theft in 1985 from the University of Arizona Museum of Art. Over three decades later it has returned home, on display through May. Tickets for “Restored: The Return of Woman-Ochre” are $8 general admission; $6 seniors 65 and older and groups of 10 and

As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves

cannot survive, and thus, slowly die. This leads to those painful and frustrating consequences we were talking about earlier, like weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, and perhaps even a burning sensation.

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

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.

Effective neuropathy treatment relies on the following three factors:

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!!

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

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

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

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

Arrowhead Physical Medicine will be offering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until December 31st, 2022 Call (520) 934-0130 to make an appointment

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

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

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

Arrowhead Physical Medicine 10425 N Oracle Rd., Suite 125 Oro Valley AZ, 85737

4

HOT PICKS from Page 3

is today. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 students/children and free for active military. For more information about permanent and ongoing exhibitions, visit tucsondart.org. Tucson Desert Art Museum, 7000 E. Tanque Verde Road.

Theater

Tuesday, Jan. 24, and Wednesday, Jan. 25

Broadway in Tucson presents a new theatrical adaptation of an Emmy Award-winning children’s television series “Bluey’s Big Play” on Tuesday, Jan. 24, and Wednesday, Jan. 25, at Centennial Hall. Presented by BBC Studios, Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co., join the Heelers in their first live theater show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets. The runtime is approximately 45 minutes. For more information on showtimes and ticket prices, visit broadwayintucson.com. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Boulevard.

Saturday, Jan. 28, and Sunday, Jan. 29

The Arizona Opera presents the political thriller “Tosca” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday,

Explorer and Marana News, January 25, 2023

Jan. 28, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29. Set in 1800 Rome, “Tosca” tells a passionate tale full of love, lust and self-sacrifice during the Napoleonic wars. For more information about Arizona Opera and showtimes, visit azopera.org. Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 260 S. Church Avenue.

Live music

Sunday, Jan. 29

Vocal fire cat Connie Brannock and her Little House of Funk return for their monthly Congress Cookout from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29. For a $10 advance, head to the Hotel Congress Plaza for a great night of energetic blues and soul. Visit dice.fm for more information. Hotel Congress Plaza, 311 E. Congress Street.

Special events

Wednesday, Jan. 25

Discover Sonoran Wines at the Winter Wine Tasting Series on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at Hotel Congress’ jazz club, the Century Room. Cost is $30. Doors open at 6 p.m. Featuring Keeling Schaefer and Sand Reckoner, the expert-led and

curated flight tasting begins at 6:30 p.m. and live music starts at 7 p.m. For more information about the Century Room and the Winter Wine Tasting Series, check out dice.fm. The Century Room, 311 E Congress Street.

Wednesday, Jan. 25, to Saturday, Jan. 28

The 37th annual Tucson Senior Olympic Festival comes to an end starting Wednesday, Jan. 25, through Saturday, Jan. 28. Support and cheer on your local seniors 50 and older as they compete in categories such as badminton, darts, pickleball and swimming. Times and locations vary; visit tucsonaz.gov for more information. Morris K. Udall Regional Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road.

Friday, Jan. 27

Head over to the Brad DeSpain Stables at the scenic Marana Heritage River Park for Paint Night in the Park from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27. Become the artist you never knew you were. Registration for the instructor-led class is $20 per resident, $25 for nonresidents, and includes a 16-by20-inch canvas and painting supplies. No experience necessary. For information on

how to register, visit maranaaz.gov.

Friday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Jan. 28

Get in, loser, we’re going to the Loft Cinema. Catch the late-night screening of the cult-classic, “Mean Girls,” presented by Barrio Brewing at 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Jan. 28. General admission is $8, or $6 for Loft members. For more information about tickets or showtimes, visit loftcinema.org. The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Boulevard.

Saturday, Jan. 28

The Oro Valley Historical Society invites the public to visit this month’s Pusch House Museum exhibit, “Cowboys, Cattlemen and Ranchin’,” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 28. It offers visions of rugged cowboys, wild horses and ranch life. This weekend, no reservations are required; visitors can sign up at the Oro Valley Historical Society booth at the south end of the farmers market. There is a suggested donation of $5. For more information about ongoing tours, museum hours and events, visit ovhistory.org. Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle.

BOBCAT LANE from Page 1 to the applications end up being made, the commission ' s recommendation would be for denial

Jim Portner, Pima County Hearing administrator, said continuance requests were received earlier this month on behalf of the applicant and that staff was supportive in order to allow the applicant to explore alternatives and potential modifications to their applications based on stiff public opposition .

The commission had instructed the applicant to hold a neighborhood meeting for each one of these requests . "They did. Staff was not pleased with the neighborhood meeting arrangements and that they were held in the evening outside in the middle of winter and essentially occurred in the dark out at the properties," Portner said Portner stated that a meeting between Thomas Drzazgowski, chief zoning inspector for Pima County, and Jim Caciola on behalf of the applicant may have suggested the exploration of alternatives and modifications to accommodate concerned residents . Portner said that if no modifications

"We ' ve had 91 letters of opposition on one, 33 on another and 17 on the third one," Drzazgowski said. "There ‘ s obviously a lot, and when you look at the heights of these towers, they are very inconsistent with what should be allowed in close proximity to national parks, Tucson Mountain Park, things like that."

The most recent letters of opposition reiterate concerns of the potential devaluation of property, disruption of the biological community surrounding Saguaro National Park West, visual pollution and other related issues

"As a commission (we could) continue all three cases to February, and if they decided that they don ‘t want to move forward then they would withdraw (the application) and it wouldn ‘t end up on the agenda," said David Hook, Planning and Zoning Commission chair

Drzazgowski said that the commission holds many public hearings for cell

towers with just the hearing administrator for smaller towers that are only 50 feet tall that do not require a neighborhood meeting .

"If you don't hold a neighborhood meeting and members of the public appear to speak in opposition, we recommend a continuance," Drzazgowski said, adding that most applicants proactively hold meetings in advance .

Although not a requirement, sufficient neighborhood outreach is a widely shared expectation .

Bruce Gungle, commissioner of the planning and zoning commission, stated that the representative from Vertical Bridge LLC was aware of the neighborhood outreach expectation and Chris Poirier, planning official and deputy director of Pima County Development Services, said that the department works directly with applicants. "You can lead a horse to water," he said .

In a recently published Memorandum on the Development Services Department (DSD) website, the Hearing Administrator and DSD staff state that if the applicant does not explore

reasonable alternatives ,given that the each of the three tower sites in question are in close proximity to national and / or local parks, a subsequent denial will be recommended to the Planning and Zoning Commission

Ginger Marth, a resident of the area and lead organizer of the Bobcat Lane Cell Tower Opposition group, which was present at the Jan. 11 meeting, said the optimal outcome would be if the developer ,Vertical Bridge LLC ,withdraws, essentially killing the case .

"We wouldn't take (it to the Pima County Board of Supervisors), nor federal court," Marth said

The cell -tower opposition group is represented by Andrew J Campanelli and Associates, a New York -based firm that handles cell tower opposition nationwide .

"It did not take us long to raise the funds because people felt threatened," Marth said. "We knew we needed to meet the challenge in an aggressive way. That said, it doesn ‘t mean fees can ‘t increase (or) we won ‘t have other challenges in the future."

Calling Amateur Musicians!

Tucson Adult Chamber Players Spring Season Register by Feb 15th

Any string, wind, or piano player is welcome to join. Participants are matched based on level and receive eight (8) 90-minute coaching sessions from professional musicians. At the end, you get to show off what you’ve learned at a recital.

Learn more and register by February 15th at: https://arizonachambermusic.org/tucson-adult-chamber-players/

Adults of all levels and abilities are welcome to join!

Student Chronicles

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

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

Kelly Thorstad of Marana has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s fall 2022 dean’s list. The fall terms run from September to December. Fulltime undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the dean’s list. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired eight-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring and summer. Info: snhu.edu

Claire Conger of Oro Valley and Madelyn Filer of Tucson were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester at Marquette University in Milwaukee. Conger is pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, while Filer is studying bioelectronics, working toward a Bachelor of Science degree. To make the dean’s list, students must have earned at least 12 credits for the fall 2022 semester and have no disqualifying

grades. Info: marquette.edu

Maddy Bohman of Tucson earned a spot on the Drury University dean’s list in Springfield, Missouri. The recognition means a student earned a grade-point average of 3.6 or greater (on a 4-point scale) while carrying a full-time course load of 12 or more semester hours at Drury. Info: drury.edu

Catherine Wilson of Marana, Gabrielle Gendreau of Oro Valley, and Grace Ehler and Michael Mandala of Tucson have earned placement on the Gonzaga University dean’s list for fall semester 2022. Students must earn a 3.5 to 3.84 grade-point average to be listed. Info: gonzaga.edu

Tiffany Sinclair of Tucson made the honor roll at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh for the fall 2022 semester. The term grade-point average (GPA) requirement for university honor roll is 3.3. To qualify, a student must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits. There can be no individual grades below a “C” and no incomplete or nonreported grades at the time the process is run.

AGING WELL Smart Ways to Boost Your Brain Health

Just as you can improve your general physical health with good habits, so too can you improve the health of your brain—boosting your memory and mental agility, as well as reducing your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

Although research has found links between genes and one’s risk of Alzheimer’s, the exact cause is more likely a combination of genetics and other factors. Practicing good brain health at any age can help stave o the disease, as well as build up your cognitive reserve. Cognitive reserve is a term describing the brain’s resilience toward damage.

The good news is that our brains are able to continue forming new neural connections throughout our life cycle, called neuroplasti-

city. In other words, no matter what your age, your brain health can improve as the internal structure of its neurons changes and as the number of synapses between neurons increases.

Brain health is an ongoing focus of Mather Institute, an award-winning resource for research and information about wellness, aging, trends in senior living, and successful aging service innovations. The Institute is the research arm of Mather, one of the two parent organizations to Splendido, a Life Plan Community for those 55 and better in Oro Valley. According to research gathered by Mather Institute, you can boost your brain health in a number of easy ways:

1. Get a Move on. Regular physical activity can prevent or delay signs of dementia. People who have

Factors we can control—such as making a habit out of a brisk walk every day—can improve our brain health, boost memory and mental agility, and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.

a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s Disease may be helped the most by physical activity.

2. Oooohhmmmm…. Meditation increases gray matter in areas of the brain associated with short- and long-term memory and complex cognitive processes.

3. Go for the “Good Fats”! Mono- and poly-unsaturated fats are good for your brain, be-

cause of their essential nutrients. Unlike saturated fats, they don’t clog your arteries!

4. Seek the Spiritual. In people with Alzheimer’s Disease, those who practiced religion or spirituality are associated with slower rates of cognitive decline.

5. Walking the Walk. Cardio exercise such as brisk walking has been linked to growth in the

area of the brain associated with creating new memories.

6. 1, 2, 3, Relax! Stress is bad for the brain and the body. Learn to counter it by activating your relaxation state. For example, you can sit quietly and focus on slowing your breathing.

7. Time to Go Back to School! Researchers believe that the most ecient way to build more connections between brain cells is to learn something new.

8. Eat Your Fruits & Veggies. Antioxidants reduce chronic inflammation, which has been linked to Alzheimer’s. They also relieve oxidative stress, which has been linked to a number of conditions and diseases including Alzheimer’s.

9. To Err Is Human . . . Forgiveness is good for the brain. Letting go of grudges and anger can

reduce stress and depression, and increase feelings of well-being— all benefits to the brain!

10. Be a Social Butterfly. Social engagement has been associated with preserving memory and thinking abilities. In one study of more than 1,000 older adults, the 10% with the highest level of social activity had 70% less cognitive decline than those in the lowest 10%.

The good news about brain health is that it’s never too late to start the healthy habits that can improve your cognitive abilities and protect you against dementia.

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

Power a house full of connected devices with even faster internet speeds from Xfinity. And, Xfinity Mobile is the fastest mobile service with 5G and millions of WiFi hotspots. That means you get ‟can't catch me” speeds at home and on the go. You can even save hundreds a year on your wireless bill. The fastest internet, the fastest mobile service, and major savings? Can’t argue with the facts.

TMC Mega Raffle celebrates 11 years

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

Tickets for the annual TMC Mega Raffle will go on sale Thursday, Feb. 2.

Marking its 11th year, the raffle has generated nearly $13 million for patient care services and programs at Tucson Medical Center. The 2023 Mega Raffle will award more than 3,000 prizes with a total retail value of approximately $2.3 million. The 50/50 Jackpot, which totaled $964,075 in 2022, is also back with no limit.

“The excitement surrounding the TMC Mega Raffle each year and the continued support from the community is incredible. Last year we sold out in just 13 days,” said Kathy Rice, director of the TMC Mega Raffle. “Now, in our 11th year we are keeping that excitement going with an incredible mix of prizes for 2023.”

Grand prize No. 1 is a 2,084-squarefoot, three-bedroom home from A.F. Sterling. The home is located within the builder’s Sierra Point at Continental Ranch community in Marana. The winner can choose to take the home or the cash option of $650,000. Grand prize No. 2 is $150,000 cash.

Participants who enter before midnight Feb. 23 will automatically be eligible to win the two early bird and all prizes in the final draw. Early Bird prize No. 1 is a five-night vacation in Reykjavik, Iceland, including airfare and accommodation for two. Early bird prize No. 2 is a six-night vacation with airfare and accommodations for two to France that includes stays in the iconic Loire Valley, Paris and Provence. Both early bird prize packages include $50,000.

In addition to the grand prizes and

early bird prize packages, participants are eligible to win an amazing selection of luxury and electric vehicles; a variety of vacation packages; the latest in electronics, jewelry and home accessories; plus additional cash prices ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.

In 2022, the TMC Mega Raffle grant monies helped fund new technology and equipment that directly enhances patient care. New additions include a remote cardiac rehab facility at TMC’s hospital in Benson, the purchase of a DaVinci surgical system, new CT and portable X-ray machines along with a remodel of the ICU.

“Even more incredible is seeing the TMC Mega Raffle dollars at work and how it is making a difference in the hospital’s innovation in health care services and its expansion to Southern Arizona’s rural communities,” Rice

added.

The final cutoff for purchasing tickets is Thursday, March 16, or until they sell out. Final winners will be announced by late March.

Tickets are $100 each with a limited number of three-ticket packages available for $250. Participants must purchase a ticket to be eligible to enter 50/50 jackpot. To purchase tickets, visit tmcmegaraffle.org or call 1-800-3958805.

Important raffle dates

Thursday, Feb. 23: Early entry prize cut-off

Wednesday, March 1: Early entry prize drawing

Thursday, March 16: Final cutoff

Wednesday, March 22: Final drawing

Sports injuries can be reduced

BY MIA SMITT Tucson Local Media Columnist

The country watched in horror as Damar Hamlin was resuscitated on the football field.

The 24-year-old Buffalo Bills safety suffered a cardiac arrest after being tackled by a player on the Cleveland Browns.

Continued speculation runs through the media as to the cause of Hamlin’s cardiac arrest, but one reasonable conclusion is that he experienced “commodio cordis” (a Latin term for heart disruption), a rare interruption of heart rhythm after a blow to the chest at a precise time in the heart’s electrical conduction cycle. This will cause the heart ventricles to beat erratically then stop beating.

Though very rare, these types of injuries are most common in baseball players

the chest. Detroit Lions wide receiver Chuck Hughes is the only football player to die while playing. He, too, suffered a cardiac arrest after running across the field, but the cause was never determined. This occurred 50 years ago when medical technology was not as sophisticated as it

is now.

Christian Eriksen suffered a similar collapse during a soccer match in Denmark in 2020 and was successfully resuscitated. He returned to the game a year later after getting an implantable defibrillator.

Concussion injuries are traumatic brain injuries that can be mild or severe. Their subsequent disease states have dominated the research into sports injuries. It has been well documented that depression, suicides, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and early dementia can follow concussions. Not only famous football players and boxers but high school and college players can suffer severe problems after a concussion injury.

those injured.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was formed back in 1906 after 19 players died on the football field. Brian Hainline, current chief medical officer for the NCAA, has instituted several policies to increase player safety. There was a significant drop in head injuries after spearing (a tackle with the top of the head and body splayed like a spear) was outlawed in 1976. Equipment and protective gear have improved in many sports and proper coaching for safer body mechanics is better taught.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 15% of U.S. high school students reported one or more sports- or recreation-related concussion injuries in 2019. No sport is without some risks, but football is certainly one of the most physically violent games, even at young ages. Pre-play physical evaluations will identify (and hopefully eliminate from play) those with existing cardiac, organ or skeletal conditions. But concussions cannot be predicted; they can only be prevented and recognized for early intervention. Falls, brutal impacts, overexertion, dehydration, lacerations and poor sports maneuvers leading to bodily damage are other serious factors that can cause sports injuries.

The psychological impact of the traumatic event can be felt not only by the player but the coaches, family and spectators, too. Football, a popular sport attracting players of all ages, may not be the riskiest for head injuries but has the highest numbers of such injuries when compared to other sports.

Overall, sports-related injuries have decreased, but according to the National Safety Council 3.2 million people in the United States were treated in emergency departments for sports and recreational equipment injuries. It is essential for sports leagues, from children’s programs to the professionals, to keep safety ahead of everything else. Winning is great, but not at the cost of a players’ health and well-being. Some parents push and some coaches skirt the regulations to achieve certain goals, but is this what we want for our society, a win at all costs? The allure of fame and fortune can be a strong draw, but there are risks even when safety and prevention and good sense are in play.

Hamlin appears to be recovering from his heart attack on the field. Many people worldwide are praying and wishing him well. Hopefully we will learn from this to prevent similar tragedies. Hopefully, too, continued research into concussions will lead us to a more thorough evaluation of such injuries and perhaps a change in some sports to prevent their occurrence.

(Actually, rugby is highest and football second in players 18 and older. Rugby is highest, ice hockey is second, and then football in players younger than 18 years.)

In the United States, football is the most dangerous sport for children ages 5 to 14, and basketball has the highest number of injuries in players 15 to 24 years. Sports-related concussions usually resolve within a few weeks, but more persistent symptoms continue in 10% to 15% of

There is risk in many activities. Caution, safety measures, proper equipment and education about what you want to do are all necessary for any sport or recreational undertaking. Helmets have reduced bicycle injuries exponentially. Proper shoes help prevent foot injuries in runners. Body padding lessens injury in falls and contact sports. Proper nutrition and rest are essential.

Sports — professional, school and recreational--all have a place in our society. Preventing injury behooves us all.

Mia Smitt is

The Gaslight Theatre is old-fashioned family fun

BY LINDA RAY Tucson Local Media Contributor

At The Gaslight Theatre, it’s a given that the audience is part of the family and the show. For decades families have celebrated their special occasions there, and everyone cheers as the celebrants are introduced. Organizations often fill whole sections of tables. Laughter and good cheer have been good business for 45 years.

Recently, there were 65 members of Gold Star Families of Cochise County — folks who have lost family members in the armed services — and a happy woman surrounded by family and guests for her 100th birthday party. The audience cheered as the emcee recognized almost a dozen birthday and anniversary celebrants, then invited any current or former armed services members or law enforcement to stand and be recognized. In recent years, The Gaslight Theatre has branched out into popular culture with big musical comedy mashups like “Space Wars,” “Wizard of the Rings,” “Henry Porter,” “The Revengers,” “Ghostblasters” and “Elf’d.” But it still produces classics like “The Phantom of the Opera” and “The Two Amigos.” The Gaslight Theatre’s current show, “The Ballad of Two Gun McGraw,” echoes its cowboy melodrama beginnings.

From almost every dusty mining town in TV and movie Westerns we recognize The Gaslight Theatre’s architecture as a silver-screen archetype of Old West theaters and dance halls.

The Gaslight’s own era began in 1977, when a few crazy kids from the University of Arizona ran off to Skagway, Alaska, and launched the Mighty Moose Melodrama Theatre. They called their play “Gold Fever! Or Danger at Bonanza Creek.” Howard Allen wrote the play; Tom Benson designed and painted the sets; Tony Terry produced. Their first cold summer dampened their ardor. Even the fun wasn’t enough to keep ambitious desert rats from heading back to Tucson. They first set up in the old, 100-capacity red barn at Trail Dust Town, which already had been a successful attraction for 17 years. By 1980, an investor was persuaded to help them build a 223-seat theater at the corner of Sabino Canyon and Tanque Verde roads. Ten years later, they bought the old Jer-

Enter the days of tv westerns and cowboys at The Gaslight Theatre's current production, The Ballad of Two Gun McGraw." (submitted)

ry Lewis Theatre, their current location. They renovated it with Gaslight-era flair and added the ’50s-themed Little Anthony’s Diner. In 2016, they expanded to Oro Valley’s 220-seat Gaslight Music Hall, which not only provides entertainment unique to the area but also offers another outlet for Gaslight’s stable of actors, musicians and variety acts. Continuity and job security, not to mention all the camaraderie, have inspired the kind of loyalty that keeps top talent around.

Tom Benson, for instance, is still in charge of sets and scenery. Current lighting designer and electrician David Darland came on board in 1977. “The Ballad of Two Gun McGraw” is among a wide repertoire of plays Peter Van Slyke has written, and rewritten, for the company since the ’70s. Kathryn Byrne, an in-demand vocalist in several genres, signed on as a child actor and, following an international singing career, returned to The Gaslight in 2013. She’s now the company’s choreographer, director and co-writer.

The principal actors in “The Ballad of TwoGun McGraw” are also longtimers. Heather Stricker is living her best life as Miss Melody in “The Ballad of Two Gun McGraw” and as theater manager, media/PR director and booker for its Monday Night Family Concert Series. She has a graduate degree in voice from the UA and has toured with the USO, Barry Manilow and the Broadway production of Camelot. But The Gaslight Theatre was her first love.

“I grew up in Tucson, and I grew up

coming to The Gaslight Theatre,” she said. At age 8 she became one of the hundreds of Tucsonans who make The Gaslight part of every birthday celebration. She was already a precocious flautist, but it was much later before it occurred to her to sing. “I didn’t start singing until my junior year in high school,” she said. “But I was already in band and orchestra with the flute.” Then, one day, the band’s lead clarinetist challenged her to try out for the choir. Not one to resist a dare, she auditioned for a role in the school’s production of “No, No, Nanette.” No one was more surprised than she when she won the lead.

The next step was the UA school of music, where she majored in both flute and voice. Concerned that flute-playing would negatively affect her breathing, Stricker’s voice teacher wrangled a full scholarship for her to study opera if she would give up flute. After graduation, she went to New York for the big career.

Still, she said, “I never dreamed I could be in The Gaslight Theatre.” But when she

returned for graduate school, she auditioned and was hired to open several shows. She was over the moon. She joined the company full time in 2013

Stricker’s fellow principal in “The Ballad of Two Gun McGraw,” David Fanning, came to The Gaslight quite a different way.

“I went to Pima (College) and got two degrees in drafting,” he said. “Then I worked for Hughes Aircraft for a year and was absolutely miserable.

“So, I went to the University of Arizona and, walking through registration, I walked past the drama department,” he said. He signed up. “I wanted to do something fun.” That lasted 18 months. Karaoke was more what he had in mind.

Fanning spent the next two years living with an aunt in Chicago, doing karaoke and working security for the Chicago Cubs. After he returned to Tucson, a friend asked him to come along an provide moral support for an audition. It was for The Gaslight Theatre’s See GASLIGHT Page 13

Tucson native aspires to advance social change

SPECIAL TO TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA

Tucson native Davina Mena is passionate about her Latino community and has dreamed of supporting and advocating for bodies of culture in a meaningful way for over a decade. Those dreams became reality. Mena graduated from ASU Online with a Master of Social Work from the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

The mother of three made the decision to resign from her job as a behavioral health technician at the beginning of the pandemic for her family. She quickly realized that time away from work meant more time to pursue an advanced degree.

“My mother and my husband told me, ‘Two years will come and go, and you’re either going to have your graduate degree or not,’” Mena said. “They were right. Two years flew

by, and now I am looking forward to entering the workforce again.”

Mena said the master’s program opened up opportunities that pushed her out of her comfort zone. Her studies and internships provided powerful reminders of why she chose this path and helped solidify the many ways she could empower her community through her social work.

“My last internship for the MSW program was with the office of U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva as a congressional intern,” Mena said.

“Mr. Grijalva and his congressional staff solidified for me what my entire academic journey has meant to me — my community. I learned to work with multiple agencies throughout government, specifically the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and saw firsthand the journey of immigration for hundreds of people.”

Davina Mena graduated from ASU Online with a Master of Social Work from the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. (ASU/Submitted)

and assist individuals in various capacities.

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU Online — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

A: I wish I could say that there is one specific lesson learned during my time in the program, but nothing comes to mind, only a feeling. A wave of loud confidence that mutes the anxiety that tries to cripple me as I think about my future. You see, I didn’t just survive this program, I thrived in it.

At the core of Mena’s social work ethos lies the value and importance of human relationships.

“I do my best to bring my personal and professional identities together so I can offer those who I have the privilege to serve a genuine experience,” she said. “It is a beautiful moment to hear the testimony of someone’s life and feel connected to them.”

If Mena could offer any advice to future learners, it would be to lean into the nerve-racking and the unfamiliar, because those are the opportunities that offer the most growth.

“The best way to learn is to do, and the Professional Experience courses toward the end of my program were great (for that),” she said. “It is always nerve-racking to start a new internship, especially in fields that I was not familiar with, but that’s where I learned the most. They allowed the space for teaching and learning to become graspable and real.”

Mena shares her experience pursuing her degree through ASU Online and advice for those who decide to pursue the same degree.

Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: It was often an ongoing joke with my academic counselor that I was on the 10-year plan at community college because I knew that I wanted to help people but could not figure out how I wanted to help people. After exploring nursing, the idea of becoming a lawyer or a teacher, she casually suggested social work. After my first class, I was hooked. Concentrating on social work has allowed me the opportunity to participate in social change

This entire experience of being an MSW student was hard. It tested me academically, physically, mentally and emotionally. So many nights without tucking my babies into bed because I had to finish an assignment; working with classmates and professors who have different personalities was sometimes difficult; and yet I still turned in quality work, made a few good friends out in Phoenix and networked like my life depended on it. My lesson during my time in this program was that I can do hard things and do them gracefully. I always lacked this confidence as a social worker, like I was never doing the right thing the right way. And now, I feel confident in my skills. The truth is, social work is dealing with people and all the beautiful, difficult things that make us human — there’s never a right way to work with the human spirit. I am prepared now, though. I know about a few theories and what they might look like mobilized. If there is something I don’t know, give me a week and I can write you a short paper on it, APA format of course. I have leveled up my skills as a social worker and feel ready to enter the professional world with developed services to offer future clients.

Q: Why did you choose ASU Online?

A: ASU Online was flexible and accommodating for me and my family’s needs. When I started the program I had a 6-year-old, a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old, so flexibility was a big must. Being an online student allowed me to still be present for my growing family and have my professors readily available with a few clicks from my keyboard without having to leave home.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU Online?

A: Katherine Crowley lectures SWG 610: Advanced Social Work Practice III, and taking her class was amazing! All her video lectures felt personal, and she was always available when I had questions. What I appreciated most about her class was that she made it part of our curriculum to participate in “Mind Over Mood” journal activities. These activities developed mindfulness and were a nice way to reflect on our academic journey.

GASLIGHT from Page 13

Christmas play.

On a whim, he took along the only piece of sheet music he had: Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas.” He auditioned, too, channeling Elvis, and won a part.

Fanning’s been a regular cast member since 1993. Now he lives in Upstate New York, but he returns to the Gaslight for at least one show a year.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: The social work program will test you in every way. It will challenge your world view, your privilege and the systems in which we subconsciously function. It might even peel back some layers of self you might not have known of. If you can read between the lines of the assignments, which can be bothersome at times, and read the more than 20 suggested readings in your modules, I promise that there will be at least one golden nugget in each reading and assignment that will sharpen your skills.

In his portrayal of Two Gun McGraw, he’s resurrected a hint of his Elvis moves, well shy of swoon-worthy but irresistibly laugh worthy. His nemesis, the hired gun, Laredo, is played charismatically enough that he’s sometimes hard to “boo.” But the cast is always very clear about whether and when the audience should boo and cheer.

The professionalism of their productions is such that when actors mess up, the audience loves it. Any mistake with a line or gesture or

Q: What was your favorite spot for power-studying?

A: Once I tucked my girls into bed, I loved sitting down at the breakfast bar with a cup of coffee, all the house lights turned off except for the stove light and the light from the TV being on. … I got some of my best studying done between 9:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. right in the kitchen.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I hope to devote my time, experience

stage move can sometimes call for changes to the script. Stricker said if the audience laughs, the bit stays in the show.

“We do depend on how responsive (the audience) is,” she said. “That’s why we always say, make sure you’re cheering the good guys and booing the bad guys.

“We really try to get people to interact, because the more they interact, the more you’ll see us break that fourth wall and really play with them.”

and education to empowering and supporting bodies of culture, specifically the Latine (a/o/x) community in matters of mental health and intergenerational healing.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: You can’t ask a social worker to address one problem only! That’s torture for us.

I would make plans for the $40 million to promote well-being for all ages and individuals. Well-being can look like and be a lot of different things for people.

If you go

“The Ballad of Two-Gun McGraw”

WHEN: Various times through Sunday, March 26

WHERE: The Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway Boulevard, Tucson COST: See website for pricing INFO: 520-886-9428, thegaslighttheatre.com

CELEBRATE ARTS & CULTURE

FEBRUARY

MARCH 18 & 19

Corey Spector makes his gigs interactive

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media Staff

To say Corey Spector’s gigs are unpredictable is an understatement.

Spector has mixed a fun musical experience with today’s marketing tech by placing a song QR code on the tables and the bar during his performances. The audience chooses the songs he plays.

“The audience chooses the songs for most of the evening,” he said. “They use their phone camera, and my song list pops up for them. They text the songs to me.”

Spector takes fans on a musical journey starting in the late-1950s with Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers up to Bruce Springsteen of the 1980s.

“When I start a night’s music, I actually don’t know which direction a night will be going to go,” he said about his shows. “It depends on what the audience wants,

which is why the evening connects with everybody. People love it, and they like to come back to it. It’s an interactive experience.”

Spector has lived in Tucson since 1989, hailing from Hicksville, Long Island, where Billy Joel attended high school. Spector was inspired by his brother’s record collection, which boasted every 45 and album he could imagine. His introduction to music, however, was being put in front of a TV at the age of 5 when he saw the Beatles on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

“I took all those influences and rolled them into something of an original type of music interactive experience today when I perform,” Spector said.

His first concert was the Lovin’ Spoonful when he was 12 with his brother.

“My mom told my brother, ‘You take him or you don’t go, because you’re babysitting him tonight,’” he recalled with a laugh. “It was in New York and my eyes bugged out

Corey Spector has hit stages at Casino Del Sol and The Westward Look Resort, as well as in Sedona/Cottonwood and Scottsdale. (Corey Spector/Submitted)

and I said, between them and the Beatles, that’s what I was going to do in my lifetime. I taught myself to play piano and guitar. My grandfather gave my mom his upright piano, which started my fiddling on the keys to figure out music.”

Spector didn’t get involved with music professionally until 12 years ago, when he decided to live out a lifelong dream. He pokes fun at his age and influences when he performs.

grow through the years at venues like Casino Del Sol and Desert Diamond Casinos, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, JW Starr Pass Resort, Tucson’s St. Phillip’s Plaza, The Westward Look Resort, The Living Room Wine Cafe & Lounge, Noble Hops Gastropub, The Vineyards of Sonoita & Elgin: AZ Hops & Vines & Autumn Sage Vineyards and Sullivan’s Steakhouse.

Spector also extends his musical talents to Sedona/Cottonwood at places like Steakhouse 89, The Soundbites Grill and Burning Tree Cellars. Spector has entered the Phoenix market with Scottsdale’s Roadhouse Cinema’s Concert Series and south to Green Valley

He sees multiple generations of fans at his gigs, enjoying music by the likes of Elton John, James Taylor, the Eagles and the Beatles. Spector generally doesn’t perform music from 2005 and up.

“It’s amazing to see the 25-year-olds who can sing the songs that I perform,” he said. “‘Your Song,’ ‘Piano Man.’ The kids love it as much as adults love it.”

If you go

Corey Spector

WHEN: 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25

WHERE: The Legends Grill and Patio at Omni Tucson National Resort, 2727 W. Club Drive, Tucson COST: Free admission

WHEN: 5:45 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27

WHERE: JW Starr Pass Resort – Salud Patio, 3800 W. Starr Pass Boulevard Tucson COST: Free admission

WHEN: 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28

“When I perform the famous Jim Croce song ‘Operator,’ I say, ‘I wonder if our kids know what a dime in a phone booth means?’ And the audience laughs.

“When I perform, I converse with the audience a lot about the history of the music styles and the times I play. I try to make more of a connection for the memories of music. I was in a very fortunate time of our lives where the music was influential and so beautiful. The songs have harmonies and melodies and meanings. People who are 25 are still drawn to that music as much those who have lived the song at 65 or 75.”

His local following has continued to

WHERE: The Views at Sun City Vistoso, 1555 E. Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, Oro Valley COST: Free admission

WHEN: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29

WHERE: AZ Hops & Vines Vineyard, 3450 Highway 82, Sonoita COST: Free admission

INFO: coreyspector.com

FOX TUCSON THEATRE

THE PLACE TO BE — THE ARTISTS TO SEE

MICHAEL CAVANAUGH THE MUSIC OF BILLY JOEL & ELTON JOHN 1/28

SAN JOSE TAIKO 2/2

High-energy fun that embraces the culture and artistry of Japanese drumming.

IMPROBABLE ASCENT 1/29

MAUREEN BECK, PARACLIMBER

Ticket includes pre-show reception, post show Q & A, and a special gift!

CELEBRATING ELVIS PRESLEY’S RECORDS FROM SUN STUDIOS HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN & TYLER HILTON 2/17

STILL THE ONE: PABLO CRUISE & ORLEANS 2/18

GARY MULLEN & THE WORKS ONE NIGHTOF QUEEN 2/28

JOHN PIZZARELLI & CATHERINE RUSSELL

SALUTE BILLIE HOLIDAY & FRANK SINATRA BILLIE & BLUE EYES 3/4

40+ SHOWS NOW ON SALE A CAPPELLA COUNRY BAND HOME FREE 2/23

EXTRA POINT WITH TOM DANEHY SPORTS & RECREATION

Oscars inspire this semi-tough sports movie quiz

BY TOM DANEHY Tucson Local Media Columnist

With the Academy Award nominations having been announced yesterday, we’d like to give you a quiz concerning the glorious intersection of Oscar-winning and/or nominated movies and sports. Take this quiz, but don’t look down at the bottom, because that’s where the answers are. Let’s see how you do.

1. We’ll start with an easy one. What three sports movies won the Academy Award for Best Picture? (Hint: None of the three movies involved football, baseball, basketball or

hockey. And one was a true story about a guy named Harold Abrahams.)

2. Name an actor who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for portraying an athlete.

3. Now name an actress who won Best Actress for portraying an athlete.

4. True or False: “Hoosiers” is the only basketball movie ever nominated for Best Picture.

5. Name a movie about auto racing that was nominated for Best Picture.

6. At least three Best Picture nominees involve football, at least peripherally. Can you name two of them? One had a Best Actress Oscar winner in it.

7. This 1979 film won the Oscar for Best Screenplay and was a surprise nominee for Best Picture. It involves a unique character named Dave Stohler. Can you name it?

8. When Haing Ngor won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for “The Killing Fields” in 1984, another Asian actor, playing a coach in a much-beloved cult classic of a sports movie, was also nominated in that category. Name the actor and the film.

9. Which “Rocky” movie made the most money?

10. Named the most-recent baseball movie to be nominated for Best Picture. It came out in 2011 also had nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

ANSWERS:

“Jerry McGuire” had Best Supporting Actor winner Cuba Gooding Jr. And 1978’s “Heaven Can Wait” with Warren Beatty has the absolute worst ending of any romantic comedy — ever! And I love romantic comedies. I’m the president of the Man Crush on Hugh Grant Club.

1. The original “Rocky” won Best Picture (and deserved it). The other two are “Million Dollar Baby” and “Chariots of Fire” (about Olympic sprinter Harold Abrahams).

2. Robert DeNiro won Best Actor for portraying Jake LaMotta in “Raging Bull.” (I would have also accepted Wallace Beery, who played the title role in 1930’s “The Champ.”) Beery tied for Best Actor with Fredric March in “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” He plays a broken-down ex-boxer trying to find a way to make his young son proud of him. Really schmaltzy. And no, I won’t accept Russell Crowe in “Gladiator.”

3. Hillary Swank won her second Oscar for portraying a doomed boxer in “Million Dollar Baby.”

4. That would be false. No basketball movie has ever been nominated for Best Picture. This really bothers me because I think that “Hoosiers” is one of the two or three best sports movies of all time. It definitely deserved to be nominated.

5. The excellent “Ford v. Ferrari” received a Best Picture nomination just a couple years ago. If you said “Days of Thunder” starring Tom Cruise, you’ve a very sad person.

6. “The Blind Side” starred Academy Award-winning Best Actress Sandra Bullock.

7. The movie is “Breaking Away,” about a recent high school graduate in Bloomington, Indiana, who fancies himself to be a famous Italian bicycle racer. It’s one of my all-time favorite movies of any kind, not just sports. It stars Dennis Christopher as Stohler, one of four friends who recently graduated from high school in the college town of Bloomington, Indiana. The other three are played by a ridiculously young Dennis Quaid; equally young Daniel Stern (who is unfortunately known as the taller of the Wet Bandits in “Home Alone”); and Jackie Earle Haley, who has always looked old.

Barbara Barrie was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Dave’s mom, and Paul Dooley steals the movie as Dave’s long-suffering dad. In one scene, Dooley, angry that Dave has renamed the family cat Fellini, explodes, “It’s all them ‘ini’ foods … zucchini … and linguine … and fettucine. I want some American food, dammit! I want French fries!”

The American Film Institute lists “Breaking Away” as the No. 8 of the Most Inspirational Movies of All Time. It is also on the AFI list of the all-time greatest sports movies (also at No. 8).

In case you’re wondering, that list has “Raging Bull” at No. 1, followed by “Rocky,” “The Pride of the Yankees,” “Hoosiers,” “Bull Durham,” “The Hustler,” “Caddyshack,” “Breaking Away,” “National Velvet” and “Jerry McGuire.”

8. Pat Morita was Oscar nominated for his role as Mr. Miyagi in “The Karate Kid.”

9. That would be “Rocky IV,” where he fights the steroid monster, Ivan Drago. That’s followed in order by “Rocky III,” the original “Rocky,” and “Rocky II.”

10. “Moneyball” with Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill.

Athlete of the Week: Davia Henry

BY TOM DANEHY Tucson Local Media Columnist

Seven seconds. That’s less time than a champion bull rider stays on a frantically bucking beast. It’s about the amount of time for a basketball player to catch the inbounds pass and dribble it past half court. That’s also how long it took Davia Henry to pin her opponent in the semifinal match at the Flowing Wells Invitational on Jan. 14.

The ref said “Wrestle!” Then, in quick succession, it was: Grab. Pull. Push. Throw. Land upon. Lean. Exert. Pin! All in 7 seconds.

The funny thing was that, directly after the mini-match, she said that she was nervous before the competition. Nervous about what? That you were going to permanently damage the poor kid from the other school?

“No, I’m always nervous before a competition. I take my opponents seriously, and I never want to underestimate them.” When she speaks, you can hear the slightest Jamaican lilt in her voice. She was born in Jamaica, but she has been in the United States long enough for the accent to mostly fade. “I want to get rid of (the accent). I don’t want to be known for the way I talk.”

She says that she really likes her English class and enjoys both reading and writing. After high school, she would like to go into the military to help pay for her school. “Maybe the National Guard,” she said. “That way, I can stay in Arizona. I

really love Arizona.”

She made it to state last year in wrestling, but didn’t make it to the medal stand. She lost her elimination match on points but didn’t get pinned. Her goal this year is to get past the elimination rounds and get to the point where they are standing up there with a medal around her neck.

Earlier this season, she took first place in the prestigious Prescott Invitational. “I had a really good meet up in Prescott,” she said, somewhat sheepishly. “My coaches were happy.”

With wrestling for girls still a relatively new sport, it is sometime difficult to find opponents in matches (girls will often have to wrestle outside of the weight class just to get in a match or two). With several schools only having a handful of athletes on the entire squad, it’s even harder to find people with whom to practice.

In that matter, Henry considers herself lucky. “Me and (fellow Tiger wrestler) Makayla (Roebuck), we both want to make it to the (state medal stand). Obviously, we would both like to win the state championship in our weights, but if we can’t do that, we want to make it to the finals.”

She and Roebuck are wrestling partners in practice. Henry wrestles in the 185-pound class, while Roebuck is in the 145-pound class.

“Makayla is super strong. I know that I outweigh her, but she is hard to move around and try to pin. We really push each other hard in practice.”

LETTERS

TO THE EDITOR

Support public notices in newspapers

Editor:

Here we go again! Arizona Sen. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills) wants to eliminate public notices from newspapers through SB 1006. I do not want to go down the rabbit hole of lousy ideas Sen. Kavanagh has had over the years, but this recurring debate over public notices in newspapers is insidious.

We have issues to resolve in this state, and on the list of importance, this one does make the cut of “important.” Hating the press is not a good enough reason for us engaged citizens.

Whenever the government takes over a task that is being done efficiently by the private sector, several things always happen. It becomes more expensive than originally planned, it takes more manpower than originally planned, and the result is less than desirable than planned. The current method of delivering important

information to the taxpayers through the local newspapers’ print and online platforms is not broken, and it serves the best interests of the citizens.

Public notices published in local newspapers is the definition of transparency. Newspapers are the last bastion of locally written, trusted, credible, verifiable information dissemination with a keen knowledge of the community. Sen. Kavanagh, I’m sure you cannot say the same about government-controlled information sites. Let’s all make sure that public notices remain in the local newspapers across this great state.

Send a message to Sen. Kavanagh at jkavanagh@azleg.gov and your local state legislator to tell them to fix things that are broken, not create remedies for issues that do not exist.

John Courtis Retired Executive Director

Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Owner

Advertising Development Services, Dewey

Davia Henry pins her finals opponent in 10 seconds to win the Flowing Wells Invitational. (Davia Henry/Submitted)

How to get a letter published

7225 N. Mona Lisa Road, Tucson, AZ 85741 or Email: christina@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Media welcomes letters that express readers’ opinion on current topics. Letters must include the writer’s full name, address, including city, and telephone number. Tucson Local Media will print the writer’s name and city of residence only. Letters without the requisite identifying information will not be published. Letters are published in the order received, and they are subject to editing. Tucson Local Media will not publish consumer complaints, form letters, clippings from other publications or poetry. Letters’ authors, not the Tucson Local Media, are responsible for the “facts” presented in letters.

Southern Arizona avors invite sampling at festival

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER

Tucson Local Media Sta

At El Corral steakhouse on River Road, the food speaks for itself.

“It’s basically humble and simple; there’s no need to complicate things,” said Casey Wills, president of Argo Land and Cattle, which owns El Corral. “If we choose good ingredients, let’s just not stand in the way.”

Prime rib is the star of this historic restaurant’s show.

“It’s cooked low and slow,” Wills added. “The seasoning that we put on it is minimal: salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder, that kind of thing. The goal of it is to let the beef be the star.”

He, along with kitchen lead Ray Figueroa, will be handing out samples of their tender prime rib at SAVOR, Southern Arizona Food and Wine Festival, Saturday, Jan. 28, at Tucson Botanical Gardens.

Tickets for the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance event are $100, which allow samples of more than 70 restaurants’ offerings. The area’s best mixologists and bartenders will serve sips from local breweries, wineries and distilleries.

Wills said guests can sample El Corral’s greatest hits at SAVOR, including prime rib, tamale pie and a small side salad with the house honey-Italian dressing. It’s a shortened version of a visit to the restaurant.

Because SAVOR is a bit of a party, El Corral invites guests to quench their thirst with a prickly pear margarita.

“We’re trying to give people a little taste of what El Corral does, what it’s about and what

it’s been doing since, basically, the late ’30s,” he said.

Borderland Spirits will serve a taste of the Wild West — bacanora, to be specific. It’s made from the agave plant.

“It’s a type of mescal,” said Michael Hurley, owner of the company. “It has its own designation of origin, so it’s a mescal with its own history and its own culture. Part of that culture comes from Tucson.”

Hurley represents two separate family producers, the Mazot and Batuq families. Their products will be available to be sampled.

Hurley said what he is interested in is the ethical import of these spirits, with no additives. What you see is what you get.

“Let’s compare it with tequila,” Hurley said. “Tequila is more of an industrial production, and there’s a lot of manipulation of tequila.

There are lots of ingredients added. This is all small-scale, traditional, family (produced).”

Bacanora comes with an interesting history in Tucson, which can be traced back to at least the very early 1900s.

“It was probably second to whiskey, the primary drink in the bars so there was more bacanora per capita back at the turn of the last century than there is now,” Hurley said.

Due to greed, Hurley said he believes, importing it into the United States was outlawed from 1915 to 1992. That didn’t stop people here from having it, though.

“People had it — especially in the Latino community,” Hurley said. “It’s been in every household and a lot of the hipster communities have their Coke bottles of bacanora. It’s still used in the Latino community for quinceaneras and funerals and weddings and

things like that. That’s often how the young people get introduced to it. It’s embedded in everyday life.”

Now, thanks to SAVOR, the public can be introduced to it, too.

SAACA Executive Director Kate Marquez said this is an opportunity to see why Tucson was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. It shows the diversity of restaurants and libations found here.

“It’s all sampling wineries, breweries, restaurants, food makers like pastry chefs, and small businesses that make olive oil and tea, you name it,” she said.

SAVOR was last held in 2020, so participants are eager to show off their skills and products, especially as they’ve been teaching themselves to use heritage foods and foods products that are locally sourced.

“When (guests) support an event like this, they’re also supporting the culinary infrastructure here in Southern Arizona, which has just made so many strides toward international recognition,” Marquez said.

If you go

SAVOR, Southern Arizona Food and Wine Festival

WHEN: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28

WHERE: Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way

COST: $100; proceeds bene t SAACA, Local Arizona Tucson and Tucson Botanical Gardens INFO: saaca.org

Prime rib is one of El Corral’s most-requested cuts of meat. Get a sample of it at SAVOR, Southern Arizona Food and Wine Festival. (Argo Land and Cattle/Submitted)

Edited

by Will Shortz No. 1109

By Holiday Mathis

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Young children can have di culty distinguishing between subjective worlds in their heads and the objective world we share. They sometimes believe their thoughts can directly cause things to happen. It's not all wrong. Thoughts do change things, but only when combined by action, as you'll prove this week.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Getting where you're supposed to be will not require you to be assertive this week, so you can relax knowing that if it's the right door, it will open for you without work. It's safe to make yourself like water, nding the path of least resistance. You'll interact especially well with Scorpio and Pisces.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21)

Many of the week's interactions are based in an implicit social contract, the details of which may be di erent to each person involved. Since the speci cs of a "deal" are never talked about, it takes a lot of paying attention to gather and live up to what they are. You win loyalty making every e ort in this regard.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

5 Gives a once-over

10 Don’t take it seriously

14 Cry before “I did it again!”

15 Saturn’s largest moon

16 Event at a convention center

17 1987 thriller featuring the same characters as TV’s “Californication”?

20 Drink suffix

21 Vex

45 “Love Song” singer Bareilles

47 Siren

51 Tennis’s Rafael

54 2003 Marvel movie featuring the same characters as TV’s “Riverdale”?

57 They’re blowing in the wind

59 When Cannes hosts its festival du film 60 Pique 61 1952 musical featuring the same characters as TV’s “Stranger Things”?

Cocktail garnish

Its

Who is on your side? You, hopefully. Who else? Look around to see who is onboard with support for your goals. More importantly, who is onboard with support of you, just as you are, goals notwithstanding? Your support system should include people who don't require you to be or do anything to be loved.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

You can't grow as a person without growing in awareness. New possibilities open when you can see, feel and know more. You welcome all chances to improve, even if they involve a moment of humility. No one said it would be comfortable. The opportunity to learn what you were doing wrong and correct it is a gift.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

method of getting your prize and be quite e ective this week.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

You eventually gure out what you're supposed to do and do it. Whatever sort of false starts, missteps and confusion that happens before that is simply what it took to bring you onto the journey. How you got there will be a dim and inconsequential memory. It's what you do when you get there that matters.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21)

Your way will be made light this week, mostly by your own excellent attitude. You may compromise because it would be harder for the others involved to do the same. Still, it won't be worth it unless you can do it gladly with love and nonchalance. Don't put yourself in a position to be resentful further down the road.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

You're so good at getting along with di erent types of people that you will nd yourself in the role of a human bridge between people who otherwise wouldn't get along without you. In the spirit of tolerance, you'll set a ne example and bring harmony to the scene.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

The limits and rules you've set are quite reasonable considering your scene and the sort of people in it, therefore you won't have to do much to enforce your boundaries. But this isn't a "set it and forget it" kind of plan. Check back as things change. Be ready to make new systems for different seasons.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

There are many wonderful things that come with you being you, just how you are right now and exactly how your mind and body are in this moment. Focusing on your uniqueness as an asset will put you in the mindset to maximize your gifts. The world will want to celebrate you, so let them.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Just in case someone out there is wondering how they can be a better friend to you, model the behavior you'd most love to receive. You've been there for yourself all along and know exactly how you want the world to support you. The more you give yourself what you need, the quicker others will be to follow suit. Across 1 ___ Turismo (racing video game series)

22 Travolta film with a 0% rating on Ro en Tomatoes

23 1992 comedy featuring the same characters as the film “Secretariat”?

27 With 26-Down, syrup source

29 Place for un chapeau 30 Tangy 32 “Jingle Bells” preposition

33 Key next to Q

36 See 56-Down

39 1990 action film featuring the same characters as the film “Collateral”?

41 “It’s too dark in here!”

43 Kimono accessory

44 Mont Blanc or Ma erhorn

65 Push-up targets, for short 66 Only state whose seal was designed by a woman (Emma Edwards Green, 1891)

67 Twit, to a Brit

68 Guitar bar

69 Dads

70 “Well, what do we have here?!” Down 1 Fly off the shelves 2 One carrying amps and such 3 H.S. exam scored from 1 to 5 4 Cyb-org.?

What you pursue will run from you, and that's just nature. The animals get around it. The lion stalks, the alligator sinks below the surface, the spider works on auspicious positioning then waits. You'll think of your own less than obvious

PUZZLE BY DAVID TUFFS

Worship Guide