Marana News November 2, 2022

www.Maranaweeklynews.com

BY KATYA MENDOZA Tucson Local Media

The Varsity Dance Line Team at Mountain View High School is preparing for the Regional Compe tition in Glendale on Saturday, Dec. 10.

But first it is looking to raise $5,000 to cover competition fees and the trip with its Sat urday, Nov. 19, 5K Turkey Trot

Race.

“We brought in a professional choreographer for it,” said Jen nifer Lucius, the team’s head coach.

If the team qualifies for na tionals in the spirit division for pom and jazz, it will have the opportunity to compete in Anaheim in February.

Lucius, a speech and lan guage pathologist for the Ma rana Unified School District,

became the danceline head coach about two years ago, after moving to Tucson, from Tiffin, Ohio. Her background in dance led her to pursue the vacant danceline coach position.

“This year we had an alumni dance for homecoming,” said Lucius, who coaches JV and varsity.

“They (said) they only ever really had juniors and seniors

BY HOPE PETERS Tucson Local Media

The Marana Chamber of Commerce hosted the future of infrastructure and transportation luncheon on Oct. 26 with keynote speakers, ADOT CFO Kristina Ward and Southern Arizona Leadership Council CEO Ted Maxwell.

“The community is full of businesses who care, who want to be involved in making our community even better,” Marana Chamber President and CEO Amanda Wiggins said. “That is why you are here today.”

Wiggins introduced Ward, who gave a funding update.

“The topics I’m going to cover with you today are basically to give you an update on transportation funding,” Ward said. “with primary focus being on federally funding (with) the passing of the IIJA, Infrastruc ture Investment and Jobs Act.”

Ward discussed the funding that is fold ed into the five-year highway construction program and how the regions see and expe rience that money.

ADOT will see an increase in projects during the next five years. This is thanks to the IIJA passage. It uses a mix of funding determined by a formula, and money that will be available only through competitive grants. IIJA replaces the Fixing America’s

by Noelle

PEACE OF MIND LIVING AT ALBUM MARANA

55+ Active Adult Community

Greystar is excited to bring their newest Album community to Tucson. The Album lifestyle is highly sought after by young at heart, 55+ active adults. It’s perfect for those looking for more in life, style, community, and activities.

Welcome to a carefree, maintenance-free living in a controlled-access community designed to be empowering as well as peaceful. Lead your life, as you see fit, and with time to spare, in a place where the feeling is one of excitement for what the future holds.

At Album Marana, you’ll find sophisticated residences with modern features in

addition to stimulating onsite offerings and beautiful social spaces to enjoy. They’ll be conveniently just outside your door; no need to drive anywhere! Your day might begin with coffee with new friends and then to the activities calendar to decide how your day will take shape. There is so much to do here. Each day will be full of variety and fun.

Album is the perfect place to share your passions, find new ones, and make friends easily along the way. What truly sets Album apart is the opportunity to have a real say in the active lifestyle clubs and events. Residents will create, contribute their talents, and run the clubs/events

they want. Examples include teaching a cooking class, meeting up for happy hour (and yappy hours), walking club, flower arranging, movie/game night, and seasonally inspired events. The only limit is your imagination.

The Album Marana leasing center is now open and located at 7620 N Hartman Lane, Suite 172 Tucson, AZ 85743. Our team will be happy to provide you with more information on available apartment homes that will be move-in ready early 2023. Whether you are considering downsizing yourself or have a loved one far away that you want close, Album is an exciting option right here in Tucson!

YOU’RE INVITED!

Lunch & Learn: How To Rightsize

Date: Tuesday, November 22nd

Time: 12:00pm — 2:00pm

Where: Hampton Inn & Suites 6300 Marana Center Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85742

Selling your home and don’t know where to start?

Enjoy a complimentary lunch while our guest speaker discusses ways to help you downsize and provides advice to formulate a plan.

AlbumMaranaAerialEntry

ARTS

Thursday, Nov. 3 to Sunday, Nov. 13

KATYA

Wednesday, Nov. 2 to Saturday, Nov. 5

STAFF

ADMINISTRATION

Steve T. Strickbine,

Michael Hiatt,

President Claudine Sowards,

claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com

EDITORIAL

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski,

christina@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Karen Schaffner, Staff Reporter kschaffner@timespublications.com

Hope Peters, Staff Reporter hpeter@timespublications.com

Katya Mendoza, Staff Reporter, kmendoza@timespublications.com

PRODUCTION

Courtney Oldham, Production Manager, tucsonproduction@timespublications.com

Jay Banbury, Graphic Designer jbanbury@timeslocalmedia.com

CIRCULATION

Aaron Kolodny, Circulation Director, aaron@phoenix.org

Brian Juhl, Distribution Manager, brian@timeslocalmedia.com

ADVERTISING

TLMSales@TucsonLocalMedia.com

Gary Tackett, Account Executive, gtackett@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Kristin Chester, Account Executive kristin@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Candace Murray, Account Executive candace@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Tyler Vondrak, Account Executive tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com

NATIONAL ADVERTISING

Zac Reynolds, Director of National Advertising Zac@TimesPublications.com

The UA School of Dance presents its mainstage pro duction, “Fall for Dance,” Thursday, Nov. 3, to Sunday, Nov. 13. This student-led concert series features tal ented 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.arizo na.edu. Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1737 E. University.

THEATER

Saturday, Nov. 5

The Arizona Theatre Com pany celebrates the holidays early with its latest pro duction, “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.

LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Startup Tucson presents the TENWEST Impact Festival. Established in 2015, the fes tival has been a communi ty-oriented event for local, regional and national entre preneurs to come together to collaborate on creative solutions with social, envi ronmental and economic impact. The five-day inno vation festival is for all ages and includes keynote speak ers, opportunities for net working and presentations. This year’s iteration intro duces a block party with local vendors and regional music. For more informa tion, visit tenwest.com. The TENWEST Impact Festival will be held at various locations throughout Downtown Tucson.

Thursday, Nov. 3 to Sunday, Nov. 6

The Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson present the Fall

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.

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

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

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

copy per reader. For circulation services, please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@phoenix.org.

Greta Van Fleet makes a stop at the Tucson Conven tion Center Arena during its “Dreams in Gold Tour” at 7 p.m. The Grammy-winning rock band brings along spe cial guests Durand Jones & The Indications and Crown Lands. Tickets range from $47.50 to $90. Visit tuc sonarena.com for more information. Tucson Convention Center Arena, 260 S. Church Avenue.

SPECIAL EVENTS

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:

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.

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

N Oracle Rd., Suite

Valley, AZ 85737

on danceline. So, this year I tried to get JV and build it up so we get those freshmen and sophomores that comes and get inter ested so that we can have a bigger team.”

Danceline is a sport that requires the ex ecution of advanced technical skills such as sharp pom motions, synchronization, for mations, and even aerial dance moves.

Competitors must also emphasize a unique element of showmanship. It’s clear on their TikTok videos that they have this.

MVHS junior Rhys Gamboa, 16, is the JV team captain and social media manager. So far, the TikTok account has 26.1K fol lowers and is growing.

“We want to be original, but we also want to follow trends to make sure that we’re getting enough attention,” Gamboa said. “Any dance moves that are appropriate and (what) we think will be good for us we’ll try and some times change them up a little for the team.”

Lucius added, “I think that’s what sets us apart; we have our girls doing it, so they know what’s popular.”

Many of the local high school dance teams have social media accounts, but only the UA Pom Line TikTok account comes somewhat close, with about 2,944 follow ers. MVHS’ account is mainly student run and managed by Lucius.

“It was (about) giving the girls more re sponsibility to prepare them for later in

life,” Lucius said. “The parents are all super supportive; each day we’ll get updates from them (about views).”

The varsity team’s two 17-year-old co-captains, seniors and best friends, Brooklynn Dyer and Kylie Armstrong, as sist with the team’s choreography.

“The halftime performances we choreo

graphed are more low key but competition pieces will be a lot more flashy than school pieces,” Dyer said.

This is their second and last year on the team.

“We weren’t going to do it freshman year, we were too scared to audition and then COVID happened,” Armstrong said.

“I just like the environment, it’s really fun, stress free, I don’t feel like I’m com peting against my teammates,” Dyer said. The team has a close friendship with the Marana High School Dance Team, filming TikTok videos together.

“(With) danceline, you have your team (and) I feel like you’re closer, I think it’s more fun,” Gamboa said.

Mountain View Danceline Turkey Trot 5K

WHEN: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

WHERE: Tortolita Middle School, 4101 W. Hardy Road

COST: $25 to register

INFO: runsignup.com

TikTok: @mvhs_danceline

Surface Transportation Act (FAST). The additional transportation funding is ap proximately a 20% increase from the ex isting federal funding the state of Arizona receives.

“Let’s touch on where the money comes from,” Ward said. “The department (ADOT) develops and submits a five-year highway construction program every year to the state transportation board for their review and approval.”

Projects funded by new money from IIJA will be approved by the Arizona State Transportation Board. ADOT projects re quire a robust planning and approval pro cess. The board, which approves a five-year program each spring, is the authority, with annual budgets adjusted to the latest finan cial forecasts set for each fiscal year. The board awards construction contracts, mon itors the status of construction projects and has the exclusive authority to issue revenue bonds for transportation financing. All

meetings are open to the public.

Each year, the board considers various updates to ADOT’s Five-Year Transporta tion Facilities Construction Program. This is essentially the blueprint for upcoming

transportation projects. Projects may also require extensive review and approval for environmental, civil rights and other con cerns, according to ADOT.

“There are a variety of fund sources that

flow into and support the program,” Ward said. “The state fund sources, such as high way user revenue fund (HURF), legislative appropriations — that’s a fairly new item only in the last three or so years that we have been seeing an influx of legislative ap propriated projects, and another key fund, is federal fund.”

She said the federal fund is broken down into formula and discretionary grants.

“Let me clear something up. They use the word ‘grant’ differently than we normal hu man beings use the word ‘grant,’” Ward said.

“Formula grants, those are the dollars that have been allocated to the state. They are provided to us, and we must match those dollars and we do not have to com pete for those.”

Discretionary grants, Ward said, even with the word “grant,” are competitive grants.

“We have to file an application and com pete for those grants,” she explained. “Oth

Left: Southern Arizona Leadership Council CEO Ted Maxwell, a member of the Board of Transportation, shares infrastructure news at the Marana Chamber Business Connection Lun cheon. (Arizona Board of Transportation/Submitted) Right: Kristin Ward CFO of ADOT discussed funds and grants at the Marana Chamber Business Connection Luncheon. (ADOT/Submitted)

Mountain View High School Varisty Danceline Team.

(Photo by Noelle Haro - Gomez)

MVHS Danceline head coach, Jennifer Lucius. (Photo by Noelle Haro - Gomez)

pete for those grants,” she explained. “Oth er funding sources that support the fiveyear highway construction program, are regional fund sources.”

She explained sometimes regions have regional specific funds that flow in and support the program, but the region so designates.

“When all different funds are added to gether and we add some bonding into the mix, that is what is ultimately available for the five-year highway construction pro gram,” Ward said.

TED MAXWELL

Maxwell lives and works in Marana, so he has a stake in the area.

“Living in Marana, working in Marana and having companies in Marana, you do not have to worry about having a voice when it comes to infrastructure in this re gion,” said Maxwell, who was appointed by Gov. Doug Ducey in 2021 to represent Pima County on the Arizona Board of Transportation.

“Because I’m on the state board, I serve on the PAG RTA (Pima Association of Governments Regional Transportation

Authority) board and there’s nobody more vocal and willing to give their own opinion than their own.”

Pima Association of Governments’ mis sion is to address regional issues through cooperative efforts and pooled resources, and to provide accurate, relevant data that leads to effective regional planning deci sions, according to PAG.

The RTA is the fiscal manager of a 20-year regional transportation plan that includes improvements in four areas: roadway cor ridors, safety, transit, environmental and economic vitality. Nearly 950 individual projects and services have been delivered as of June 30, 2021.

“Why is regional transportation import ant to us?” Maxwell said he was asked. “More importantly, what can you do and why do you care?

The Arizona State Transportation Board, which is responsible for establishing a com plete system of state highway routes in Ar izona, is granted policy powers by the gov ernor and serves in an advisory capacity to the director of the Arizona Department of Transportation. The board awards con struction contracts, monitors the status of construction projects and has the exclusive authority to issue revenue bonds for trans

portation financing, according to the Ari zona State Transportation Board.

“Expansion of our roadways, what hap pens in (20)24-25-26?” Maxwell asked. “It goes to zero. There’s no money there.”

He said Arizona has an incredible state highway system that requires maintenance, requires upgrades, requires safety improve ments, and some statewide modernization.

“When I first got on the board, they said, ‘Don’t worry about your job, but we don’t have any money,’” Maxwell said. “‘You don’t get to pick roads you’re going to do. They’re done.’”

Maxwell said in February they found money so “we knew we were going to be able to do some expansion at the rural com munities.” In May 2022, the IIJA kicked in and money started flowing.

In Maxwell’s transportation expansion chart, in 2023 the state gave $400 million due to the legislative appropriation.

“And that grant we are applying for, the mega grant,” he said. “If we don’t get it done, we’re not getting that three-lanes all the way down to Marana, we are not going to complete the I-10, we won’t get three lanes on each side.”

Maxwell said the grants are very import ant and if they get the mega grant they will

be able to complete the I-10 three-lane ex pansion from Marana to Phoenix.

Maxwell said, 80% of jobs in Maricopa are within 2 miles of the freeway or light rail port. He said people and the jobs want to be located next to transportation and where the ability to move goods, service and people are easy.

“That’s Maricopa, and we are no Marico pa,” he said. “We live here, for the region. We like the areas we live in.

“Pinal County realizes they have success now. They’re growing companies, bringing in high-paying jobs and they need infra structure. They have 13 projects they’re go ing to try to get.”

For Marana, RTA is next. Maxwell said, “We need the business voices and involve ment to provide the input. We don’t hear from business leaders. We need somebody to stand up and say we need this.

“We need this for our community for jobs and opportunities. If we don’t have the infrastructure to support that we are not going to bring in the companies we want.”

Maxwell said Marana is well placed for continued growth, but the activity hubs remain in Downtown Phoenix and Down town Tucson, around the University of Ar izona.

Casas Adobes brings back its rummage sale

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tucson Local Media

Casas

p.m.

Church’s

7 a.m.

Nov. 4, and 7 a.m.

noon Saturday, Nov. 5, after a pan demic-dictated

men, women, children and infant clothing, holiday décor and office supplies.

“We have wonderful items in good con dition,” said Jane Shurtleff, a publicist for Casas Adobes Congregational Church.

“We have cultural and historic items that come through from families who had been in Tucson for a long time. It’s great to see the different artwork, books and pottery.

congregation and the community to donate items to the sale. This year’s co-chairs are Amy Lincoln and Cynthia VerDuin.

reach program that this helps to support. Over the years, it has been a very successful fundraising event for the community.”

The Casas Adobes Congregational Church Rummage

as

books, home furnish ings and décor, baby and children’s items, jewelry, sports equipment, kitchen gad gets/small countertop appliances, kitchen bowls/pots/pans, bedding, towels, linens,

There are a lot of practical things, too, like electronics, small appliances, linens and clothing. It’s a good way for the community to be able to affordably get some really nice things and meet people from our church.”

This year, church volunteers asked the

About 90% of the proceeds from the rummage sale will go to local Tucson or ganizations in need. The recipients are de cided after the sale, however, the church supports AIDS Foundation, Interfaith Community Services, Youth on Their Own and Our Family Services, an organization that works with the homeless community in Tucson.

“It’s a great community event to bring people together,” Shurtleff said.

“We have a very strong mission and out

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4; 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 5

WHERE: Casa Adobes Congregational Church, 6801 N. Oracle Road

COST: Free admission

INFO: 520-297-1181, info@caucc.org, caucc.org

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 admis sion 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

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

Jerry Seinfeld visits the Linda Ronstadt Mu sic Hall at 7 p.m. Seinfeld, who has enjoyed a decades-long career of success in comedy, film and television, brings his latest stand up 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 tele vision host Chelsea Handler stops at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall. Her standup is sure to bring laughs as she guides the audi ence through personal experiences, current events and more. The show starts at 8 p.m. For information on tickets and bag poli cy, visit tucsonmusichall.org.

Saturday, Nov. 5

Forrie J. Smith, aka Lloyd Pierce from the hit western television series, “Yellowstone,” visits the Mescal Movie Set at 1 p.m. Smith, who began his acting career as a stuntman at the Mescal Movie Set, will donate his time as part of a fundraiser to support ren ovations of the historical location. Tickets start at $100. For information about the fundraiser and Smith’s engagement, visit

mescalmovieset.com. Mescal Movie Set, 1538 N. Mescal Road.

Saturday, Nov. 5

The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson and the Turquoise Trail present the outdoor showing of the Disney movie, “Coco,” in celebration of Dia de los Muertos. Movie festivities and themed crafts run from 5 to 9 p.m. Throughout the weekend, the mu seum will also have public altars and of rendas on display honoring local families. Refreshments will be available. Visitors are welcome to bring blankets, chairs and snacks. Tickets are $5 per member, $7 nonmember and children ages 6-13. Admission is free for children under 5. Purchase tickets at tucsonpresidio.com. The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson and the Turquoise Trail, 196 N. Court Avenue.

Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5

Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens and Gal leries hosts their autumn series, Brewin’ at the Chul. From 5 to 9 p.m., visitors can en joy the grounds, after hours free of admis sion, as well as a delectable rotating food menu from the Garden Bistro. Sip on a craft beer or refreshing prickly pear margarita while listening to jazz guitarist Joe Wein berg on Friday, or Pat Bridges on Saturday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For information, visit tohonochul.org. Tohono Chul, 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte.

Friday, Nov. 4 to Sunday, Nov. 6

The 36th annual Tucson Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games return to Tucson, at the Rillito Raceway Park. The three-day weekend festival, dedicated to promoting Scottish and Celtic culture throughout Ar izona, brings live Irish, Celtic and Scottish music, dancing, athletics, food, beverages and other activities. Tickets start at $5. For a full list of activities, visit tucson celticfestival.org. Rillito Raceway Park, 4502 N. First Avenue.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS

Friday, Nov. 4

Head over to the Brad DeSpain Stables at the scenic Marana Heritage River Park for Paint Night in the Park - Teen Edition from 6 to 8 p.m. “Become the artist you never knew you were!” Registration for the instructor-led class is $20 per resident, $25 for nonresidents, and includes a 16x20 can vas and painting supplies. No experience necessary. Only open to children ages 10 to 17. For information, visit maranaaz.gov 

known as MEND

Surf Thru Express Car Wash coming to marketplace

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

the western United States, including Southern

Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Oregon.

Finfrock of Commercial Retail Ad visors

represented the buyer, Surf Thru Inc., and Jesse Peron of CBRE represented the seller, Oro Valley Lifestyle Center LLC

this sale and purchase transaction.

Retail Advisors, founded in 2001, specializes in the leasing and sales of shopping centers and retailer tenant repre sentation throughout southern Arizona.

Blood donors needed for Thanksgiving patients

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

The nonprofit blood services provider

is urging all eligible donors to schedule a blood donation to help ensure all patients have blood avail able to them.

Fewer people donate during the Thanks giving and winter holiday weeks than any other time of year, but every 2 seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. And sometimes it requires many donors to

help just one patient.

To donate, visit vitalant.org or call 1-877-25-VITAL (1-877-258-4825). Oro Val ley and Tucson November donation locations are detailed below. There is no waiting period to donate after receiving an FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccine or seasonal flu shot.

Because red blood cells have a shelf life of 42 days, November donors can save lives past the Thanksgiving holiday.

Blood donors with all blood types, espe cially type O, and platelet donors are criti

cally needed. Type O is the most in-demand blood type and type O-negative is what emergency room physicians reach for be cause it can be transfused when there’s not time to determine a patient’s blood type. Platelets must be used within a week of transfusion and are critical to stop bleeding.

Oro Valley

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, Fry’s on La Canada, Bloodmobile, 10450 N. La Canada Drive

Tucson

• Noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, UA Alpha Epsilon Delta, Bloodmobile, High land between Fourth and Sixth

• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, St. Eliz abeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Gym, 8650 N. Shannon Road

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, DOD Tucson National Guard, Main Multipur pose Rm, 1750 E. Silverlake Road

Eating your way to less pain and illness

BY MIA SMITT Tucson Local Media Columnist

touted for many positive health effects.

know that a healthy diet is ben eficial in so many ways — lower cholesterol, less heart and cardiovas cular disease, less diabetes, and bet ter weight control to name a few. But improved pain control? Oh yes, some pain control and prevention is possible for many people.

We

About 116 million adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain. This is a huge number, almost a third of the adult popula tion. Nutrition for pain is not a new concept.

fessor in the department of physical medicine

rehabilitation neuroscience at Virginia Com monwealth University, spoke about nutrition and wellness at the Moving Beyond Opioids for Chronic pain conference in November 2019.

She postulates that there is a strong connection between an “anti-inflamma tory”-type diet and a reduction in pain. There is no single definition of what an an ti-inflammatory diet might include, but a classic example is the Mediterranean Diet,

Fish, vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans and olive oil are the sta ples 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 soy bean, 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 tran sition to a Mediterranean-style regimen will reap many benefits, including an apprecia tion for whole and unprocessed foods.

Regular walking, along with healthier eat ing, 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 nonphar maceutical 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 com ponent 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? Cin namon 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 power house of benefits from reducing cardiovas cular 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, reduc ing the risk of stroke and heart attacks, main tain eye health and help with weight loss.

The Illustrated Food Remedies Source book is an excellent guide and can be found at Amazon.com.

We can benefit in so many ways by adopt ing 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 life style,” which includes a healthier diet.

Mia Smitt is a longtime nurse practitioner. She writes a regular column for Tucson Lo cal Media.

The team at P3 ARIZONA helped me understand my MEDICARE OPTIONS

MIKE CANDREA, Former University of Arizona Head Softball Coach

Kelly is devastating Arizona families

Editor:

Eggs are an excellent source of high-qual ity protein essential to feeding Arizona families. So, it is beyond outrageous that eggs are now $4.50 a dozen at the Oro Val ley Walmart, almost triple the cost when Biden took over. The unprecedented hy perinflation devastating Arizona families is 100% the fault of Biden and the Democrats. First it was Biden’s war on fossil fuels, fol lowed by the Democrats in Congress shov ing over $2 trillion into the economy, dol lars that were totally unnecessary, except to buy votes for Democrats.

Most of the hyperinflation could have been avoided had Mark Kelly done his job and rep resented Arizona families, and voted against the devastating inflation driving boondoggle.

Kelly could have been the 51st vote to

stop inflation dead in its tracks by voting against the Democrat wasteful spending, before it ever got going, and saved Arizo na families. However, Kelly doesn’t care about Arizona families. His loyalty is to his own political career, and for that he needs the backing of the Democrat elites. So, he supported the party elites in their wasteful, hyperinflative spending.

Kelly clearly does not serve the interests of Arizona families. He does not deserve to be elected to a full six-year term. He will continue to support legislation that will devastate Arizona families should he be re-elected. Vote against Kelley and in the interest of Arizona families.

Rick Cunnington Oro Valley

Playwrights open the curtain on 10 new works

BY BRIDGETTE M. REDMAN Tucson Local Media

There are many ways to spend time at the mall, but few offer the literary and dramatic possibilities that can be found at the Tucson Mall from Thursday, Nov. 3, to Sunday, Nov. 6.

For that weekend, visitors can take in 10 new plays at the Arizona Rose Theatre, courtesy of Old Pueblo Playwrights. The decades-old writing group is hosting its 31st annual New Play Festival — back to live performances after COVID-19 chased them to Zoom.

“We were grateful to be able to Zoom our plays last year, but nothing beats a live performance for both audiences and play wrights,” said the organization’s president John Vornholt.

“Our authors are hungry for the valuable feedback they gain from audience response and post-performance talkbacks.”

The 10 plays, all of varying lengths, will each be performed once — three on Thurs day at 7 p.m., one on Friday at 7 p.m., three on Saturday at 2 p.m., one on Saturday at 7 p.m., and two on Sunday at 2 p.m.

David Zinke, the organization’s secretary and the coordinator of this year’s festival, said the event is a great way to showcase lo cal playwrights.

In addition to the pay-what-you-can fes tival this weekend, he said they are hoping to hold another one in the spring as sort of a “catch up” for the one they missed in 2020. It just wasn’t the same to have it on Zoom last year.

“Technically, the annual thing is a little bit of fudging,” Zinke said.

“It’s not exactly accurate, but it’s close enough. Nobody’s going to quibble about that. That’s just the way it is. We’re sticking to our story.”

This year marks the first time the festival is being held at the mall and the Arizona

Rose Theatre. For the past several years, it had been held at the cabaret theater at the Temple of Music and Art, but it wasn’t avail able this year and the price had gone up.

“We started looking for other venues,” Zinke said. “We happened to find the Ar izona Rose willing to rent to us for a week at a rate we found more conducive to what we wanted to do.”

He thinks patrons will also appreciate that parking is easier at the Arizona Rose.

Admission to the festival is free, though Zinke said people are welcome to donate to the organization. There will be a collection box at the front door, or people can donate through Venmo. Concessions will be avail able by donation.

This year’s festival features 10 plays by seven playwrights, all of whom are mem bers of the Old Pueblo Playwrights group. To be included, the play must have been read at least twice in the regular meetings. Members then vote whether the play is

ready for a reading before an audience. If the vote is yes, it become eligible, but the play wrights still have to come up with a director who will cast the show and rehearse it.

As a staged reading, actors will have scripts in hand and there will be mini mal technical elements such as costumes, props, set pieces or lighting. While Old Pueblo Playwrights pay for the venue, ad vertising and insurance, there is no pro duction budget for the plays themselves. The playwrights bear those costs.

“This time was a little tricky getting enough plays and playwrights willing to say yes, I’ll do this show,” Zinke said. “Once we know how many playwrights want to do the show, we then have to figure out how long each show is and how they can fit into a schedule. Our festival is always Thursday, Friday, Saturday night and then matinees on Saturday and Sunday. So, we can accom modate a full-length play in any one of

OLD PUEBLO

LIVEN

This year, however, they had several 10-minute plays and a few that were a lit tle longer. There will be three shorter plays opening night, a full-length play Friday and Saturday night, three short plays Saturday afternoon and two short plays Sunday af ternoon.

The plays, Zinke said, cover a variety of topics and themes. There is a show about living in a nursing home, and another about suggested reincarnation. One tells the story of a dysfunctional family connecting over Zoom during the pandemic. Each play var ies in the number of characters, with the roles expanding this year compared to last year’s online festival.

“It’s a wide variety of subject matter,” Zin ke said. “We ended up with a lot of mono logues during the pandemic because they lent themselves better to Zoom meeting than 60-person plays. We’ve kind of stayed away from musicals because it is hard to do music in Zoom.”

This year’s plays are:

• “ The Curious Incident of the Dogs Who Might Bite” by Carl Damhesel and David Rochon, a one-act comedy directed by Dave Sewell

• “All Hallowed Justice” by Sharon Surhoff, a one-act directed by Liisa Rose

• “Janice” by Sydney Flynn, a one-act comic mystery directed by Vince Flynn

• “St. Beseenya” by Mel Hector, a two-act play directed by Regina Ford

• “St. Joseph” by Sharon Surhoff, directed by Regina Ford

• “Bud and Lou Play Right” by Gavin Kayner, who also directs

• “ The Intrepid” by Sharon Surhoff, direct ed by Liisa Rose

• “Flying Lessons” by Gavin Kaymer, who also directs

• “Zoom Intervention” by David Zinke, a one-act directed by John Vornholt

• “ The Hemingway Scholar” by Sydney Fly nn, directed by Vince Flynn

Zinke is an actor who earned a BA in Performing Arts from the University of Arizona when he was 62, but he’s been in volved in the theater, mostly as an actor, since he was 8 years old. The Old Pueblo Playwrights group allows him to stretch his dramatic muscles.

“I’ve been dabbling as a playwright for probably 10 years now,” Zinke said. “I was intrigued by (the playwright’s group) and thought, I’m going to get involved and work on my playwriting skills. I really en joy the process.”

He says they meet every other week — on Zoom since 2020, but before that in person at the Temple of Music and Art Down town. Now they are doing hybrid meetings. The online element allows their snowbird members to participate year-round.

While the meetings provide the writers with feedback on their work from other writers, the festival, Zinke said, gives them the critical audience feedback that a work needs to be successful — whether in the form of the after-show talkbacks or even just the ability to listen to how people re act to each scene and line, why they laugh where they do or why they don’t.

The festivals also provide a source of membership for the group, with member ship typically climbing after an event.

“Please join us in laughing, crying and celebrating the return of live theater to Tuc son,” Vornholt said.

Old Pueblo Playwrights New Play Festival

WHEN: Various times Thursday, Nov. 3,

WHERE: Arizona Rose Theatre, 4500 N.

Suite 329,

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Robert Bartko offers fans everything they want

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Local Media

Robert Bartko has George Michael’s look and sound down pat, complete with the tight jeans, black leather jacket and sunglasses.

But there’s no gimmick here. He did not choose the tribute. In fact, it was the oppo site; it chose him.

“From the time I was in high school, I looked like George Michael when he began to emerge on the scene,” said Bartko, who leads George Michael Reborn.

“I could grow a full beard at 17. I was a football jock and sang in the drama club. Usually, those are very polarized worlds in high school.”

But friends and family saw something special — his uncanny vocal resemblance to Michael.

“In 1988, I went to his big show at the Or ange Bowl in Miami. I thought I was going to lose my life that night,” Bartko said about

the reaction to his look.

He spent the 1990s producing songs for rock acts like Korn (“A.D.I.D.A.S. Level X Mix,” “Wicked” and “All in the Family,” which fea

tured Fred Durst) and dance artist Stevie B.

In 2018, he saw a resurgence of his dance career. When a booking agent called him to perform, he said, “‘Man, you look and

sound just like George Michael. If you could put together a George Michael act,

by the St. Mark’s Fine Arts & Grafts Guild

Robert Bartko channels Wham’s frontman in George Michael Reborn.

(Taylor Brooks/Submitted)

EXTRA POINT WITH TOM DANEHY

Canyon Del Oro: Of policies and punishment

BY TOM DANEHY Tucson Local Media

It was quite the spectacle at the Am phitheater School Board meeting on Oct. 25.

TV news crews, angry parents, pleading coaches, slick lawyers, stoic board members, and faux-innocent stu dent-athletes were all there. The scene was an all-too-common one in this age of social media. Six members of the Can yon Del Oro football team — all starters — went to a party where there was alco hol being consumed. Images of several of the players drinking showed up on so cial media and, following district policy, they were dismissed from the team.

Before the start of the season, every member of the team and their parents signed an agreement that there would be no consumption of alcohol, tobacco or drugs during the season.

A couple parents complained that their kids were forced to sign the agreement or they wouldn’t be allowed to play. It’s unclear what point they were trying to make. Signing and abid ing by the agreement is just one of the conditions (along with showing up for practice and not being academically in eligible) for being a part of the team.

Nobody forced them to play or to sign.

Some of the parents went to court and got a temporary injunction that al lowed the players to participate for a couple more games, but the judge ulti mately decided in favor of the district, citing the signed agreements.

As a coach, it’s been my policy that if I find out that one of my players has violated the policy, his or her season is over. I’m sorry, in life, you gotta give something to get something. To be a high school athlete, with all the acco lades and physical and mental benefits that go along with it, you have to agree not to be a selfish knucklehead. Seems like a good deal to me.

Fortunately, I’ve only had to deal with one kid in all my years. The kid (then a sophomore) came to me and admitted it. I told her that she wasn’t banished from my life or even from the team. She could practice with the team the rest of the season, but she couldn’t travel with the team, nor would she be allowed to suit up or play in a game. Bless her heart, she agreed to the terms, served out her punishment, and came back and started for me as a ju nior and senior.

She was a great kid, one who did something wrong and accepted the

(apparently, for some, archaic) notion that actions have consequences. Her parents were great about it, too. They didn’t go to the headmaster (it was a private school) to talk about how much money they paid to have the girl attend the school. She went on to become a great adult. She’s now a medical doctor living back east.

Because the issue was not on the agen da, board members were not required to respond to the parents’ statements or to take up the policy at any time. (If the matter is going to be addressed at all, the time to do it is in the summer so that any potential change doesn’t affect some sports, but not others.) The Amphi District did issue the following state ment: “The district has rules and poli cies in place for its athletes that prohibit the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs around the clock during their sports sea son due to the special privileges and re sponsibilities which those athletes car ry. Before participating in our athletic programs, all students and their parents sign an agreement that the student will comply with those rules. The district does enforce rules when violations oc cur to ensure that all students, staff, and our community can trust that the rules are meaningful and are applied fairly

and equally.”

Parents, players, some alumni, and (sadly) coaches all argued that the players should be reinstated, saying that they have suffered enough. Every one kept using the word “mistake.” A mistake is wearing two different color socks. This was a chosen course of ac tion undertaken with full knowledge of the potential dire consequences.

Some bemoaned the potential loss of college scholarships, and all said that the policy, which has been in effect since 1995, should be revisited. None of the speakers offered a suggestion as to what the punishment should have been, but to hear them talk, I’m guess ing that they’d figure that anywhere from running an extra lap after practice all the way up to missing a single game would be appropriate.

I can see it now. “Hey guys, we have a tough game this week, but we play Cholla next week, so you can party on Saturday.”

It was the lead story on the late news that night, with Channel 13 using this misstatement as a tagline: CDO Players Kicked Off Team for Attending Party.

Um, no.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON MENTAL

Join the Oro Valley Police Department, Oro Valley Parks and Recreation, Golder Ranch Fire District, and a panel of local mental health professionals for a free community conversation on mental health. This event will focus on navigating the added stress and anxiety that comes with the holiday season.

Available in person and virtually via Zoom. Visit orovalleyaz.gov for details.

Thursday, November 10, 6 PM

Oro Valley Council Chambers

11000 N. La Cañada Drive

EVENT

OF ORO VALLEY

Athlete of the week: Tuakalau back on the court again

BY TOM DANEHY Tucson Local Media

This is the third and final installment, following Amphi athlete Danielle Tuaka lau from her knee surgery to repair a torn ACL to her return to the basketball court where she suffered the injury.

she rolled it again. A couple more weeks passed by and she tried a rehab assign ment by playing in a JV game. She plant ed her leg, heard a pop, and went down.

She had torn her anterior cruciate liga ment (ACL), a shockingly common inju ry that, for a variety of reasons, is more than five times more likely to happen to girls and women than to boys or men.

I could hear and feel the cracking in the leg as I pushed the repaired ligament.”

It hasn’t been easy, and it hasn’t been fun, but we’re soon going to find out if it has been worth it. Last year, about this time, Amphi High then-sopho more Danielle Tuakalau was riding high.

The volleyball team she was a part of had reached postseason play and shortly thereafter, she found herself a starter on a basketball team that would go 20-8 and win the region championship.

But then it started. While shooting a three-pointer from the corner, she came down on a defender’s foot and rolled her ankle. After sitting out a couple weeks,

A couple generations ago, knee surgery of any kind meant an end to an athlete’s ca reer. Medical, surgical and rehabilitation ad vancements later allowed athletes to come back, but it often took two to three years to do so and the recoveries weren’t always uni form and often not totally complete.

Now athletes are coming back within a year or less and totally healed. Danielle had her surgery in early February and be gan physical therapy almost immediate ly. “It was hard,” she recalled. “My prog ress was measured in how many degrees I could bend my knee. It was painful and

During the summer, she increased her workouts, but it was spotty. Not old enough to drive (and lacking access to a vehicle on a regular basis), she would bum rides to the Planet Fitness whenev er possible. If she couldn’t make it there, she would go to the open gym at her high school, sometimes walking the 3-mile round trip in the summer heat.

When school started, her knee wasn’t anywhere near ready for volleyball, so she joined the newly reconstituted Am phi golf team. “It certainly wasn’t volley ball, but it was fun,” she said. “We only had four players on the team and none of us had ever played golf before. But we worked hard and by the end of the sea son, we were winning matches.”

She also took a basketball class for a P.E. credit. She started with just shooting and then a little ball handling on the side

lines. After several weeks, she was ready to try a little one-on-one. Then she finally moved on to five-on-five.

“It’s a little bit sore after I play and I need a lot of conditioning to get back to where I should be, but I think I’m ready.”

Basketball practice starts this week. Amphi has a very young team (the Pan thers will probably start two freshmen, a sophomore and a couple juniors), but they’re hoping to repeat as region champs. One of the freshmen is Danielle’s young er sister, Kayla. Still only 14 and ap proaching 6 feet, Kayla appears to have a bright basketball future. She has excellent ball-handling and shot-blocking skills and is a really good outside shooter

Danielle sighed, “After all this, I might have to try to beat out my younger sister for playing time. Or, maybe we can find a way to both be playing at the same time. Whatever happens, I’ll just be happy to be back on the court again.”

REBORN from Page 14

Thus, George Michael Reborn was off and running. Bartko, who recently played a gig for Dita Von Teese’s birthday, stages a retrospective of Wham! and Michael’s ca

reers. He said he “nails” the whole “Faith” era.

“He’s a hard act to pull off,” he said. “It’s a hard vocal, especially in America where most think of 1988 George Michael, where he was just fighting fit trim. His vocal range was abso lutely amazing. That’s what people remember.”

And fans lose their minds at his shows, which includes a 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov.

10, concert at the Green Valley Recreation West Social Center.

“I did a show in North Carolina and these women went absolutely crazy and were just tackling me,” he said. “I thought I was really going to get hurt there. But at times, it is quite flattering because whatever I’m doing is working.”

George Michael Reborn

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10

WHERE: Green Valley Recreation West Social Center, 1111 S. GVR Drive, Green Valley

COST: Call for ticket prices INFO: 520-625-3440, gvrec.org

Dr. Brian Martin

Robert Bartko of George Michael Reborn will perform at Green Valley Recreaetion West Social Center on Thursday Nov. 10.

(Taylor Brooks/Contributor)

AGING WELL

a Love of Art & Creativity

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.

A Carload of Creativity

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.

Splendido residents Ellie Cannan (left) and Sandra Procida organized the community’s sizeable donation of art supplies to Youth On Their Own.

By Holiday Mathis

21-April 19).

rarely born of a

of who you are. Instead, it

from the heat of action, as you get a job done. Your role comes into vivid view.

aspects of your world will seem somehow touched with specialness. You'll understand exactly who you are and what you need to do.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There's no reason to fix, organize or clean a thing you're about to discard. But consider documenting it so you can remember the time when it was yours. You'll save time and energy by getting rid of things at the opportune moment. There's an art to know when that is, and you'll master it this week.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You think you know what makes you happy, so it's very surprising when the typical favors don't bring about the feeling you'd hoped for. Oddly, good things can ultimately come from being put out and displeased. It helps to be open-minded. Don't worry about heeding expectations and sticking within systems.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Happiness is a streamlined experience. That means let ting go of anything that creates what the athletes and race car drivers call "drag." If it's sticking out or otherwise creating friction with the wind or water, smooth it down or get rid of it so you can cut through with the least possible amount of resistance.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Maybe from the outside you look like one person doing one thing, but you're not. You represent many. You operate on behalf of many. You not only contain multitudes; you move for them, too. There's nothing you can do that won't affect them all. The knowledge will have you considering your choices very carefully.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You don't really have to develop your uniqueness, which has always been a part of you. What you do have to do is notice it, which takes a bit of discovery and probably the help of a backdrop that allows you to compare, contrast and shine in the way that is spe cial to you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). While shooting for an unlikely outcome, have fun with the process. The more unlikely you are to suc ceed, the more fun you should have -- why not? While assessing obstacles to the goal, also figure out what's standing in the way of your fun. The more you can enjoy this, the better your results will be.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Love is the magic ingredient with its own improba ble math and chemistry, too. If you apply great amounts of skill, money and talent to a project but do not apply love, you won't find as much success as you would had you applied a small amount of skill, money and talent and a great amount of love.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). In most situations, you want people to know the real you instead of your credentials. But this week, it will sometimes be flipped. You'll have rapport with someone, and getting to know more relevant back ground information will lead to finding out where your shared interests lie and how you can help one another.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Some may want to help but can't. Others have the kind of "help" you don't need. Knowing how difficult it can be to find just the right kind of assistance, you will treasure your luck in this regard. When this week brings just the quality assistance you need and deserve, you'll make sure everyone feels valued.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Commu nication rules are generally specific to a particular culture and are therefore more difficult to cross than many would imag ine. In general, it can take boldness to get to know someone new. Sometimes many attempts are needed before a person feels inclined to let you in. If it's important to you, be persistent.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You'll turn the mood way up this week. You're well aware that the human brain is wired to remember bad experiences more vividly than good ones. Reversing the tendency takes work, and you're up to it! As you focus on the wins, what makes you feel good and what you're proud of, you grow in power.