Tucson Weekly August 20, 2020

The UA Will Look Very Different This Fall

TUCSON

By Kathleen Kunz

Sex, Drugs and Rock ’n’ Roll!

It’s the BackTo-College-ina-Pandemic Issue!

WEEKLY AUGUST 20 - 26, 2020 • TUCSONWEEKLY.COM •

BE OF TU ST LAST C CSON ®: HA TO VO NCE TE!

MUSIC: The Tucson Vibe SAVAGE LOVE: Pansexual & Pandemic Play CANNABIS 520: High Returns from the Weed Prop

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AUG. 20, 2020

AUG. 20, 2020

Southern Arizona

COVID-19

THE LOCAL NUMBERS. The number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases closed in on 194,000 as of Tuesday, Aug 18, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County had seen 19,976 of the state’s 194,976 confirmed cases. A total of 4,529 Arizonans had died after contracting COVID-19, including 534 in Pima County, according to the Aug. 17 report. The number of hospitalized COVID cases continues to decline. ADHS reported that as of Aug. 17, 1,167 COVID patients were hospitalized in the state, the lowest that number has been since June 6, when 1,079 people were hospitalized. That number peaked at 3,517 on July 13. A total of 960 people visited ERs on Aug. 17 with COVID symptoms. That number peaked at 2,008 on July 7. A total of 427 COVID-19 patients were in ICU beds on Aug. 10. The number in ICUs peaked at 970 on July 13.

THE NATIONAL NUMBERS. More 5.4 million people had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, which had killed more than 170,000 people in the United States as of Tuesday, Aug. 18, according to tracking by Johns Hopkins University.

WEAR A DAMN MASK. Following the passage of an ordinance on June 19 requiring people to wear masks when out in public, Pima County has seen a drop in the number of new positive COVID-19 tests. The number of cases dropped from a high of 2,368 new cases in the week ending July 4 to 1,408 in the week ending Aug. 1, according to a Pima County Health Department report. Fewer people are dying as well. Deaths related to COVID-19 peaked the week of July 4 with 51 people. The week ending Aug. 1, Pima County saw 25 deaths.

UNEMPLOYMENT EXTENDED FOR SOME OUT-OF-WORK ARIZONANS. Gov. Doug Ducey announced Friday, Aug. 14, that Arizona would accept the extra unemployment benefits being offered by the Trump administration. Trump signed an executive order funding the extra $300 in unemployment dollars after the federal government’s payment of an extra $600 a week expired at the end of July.

While Trump had initially called for states to provide $100 a week in unemployment benefits in order to qualify for the program,

Roundup

Ducey was able to cut some kind of deal with Trump so Arizona will not be required to do so. The extra $300 comes on top of Arizona’s miserly $240-a-week unemployment benefit. Hundreds of thousands of gig workers and others involved in non-traditional jobs, who were eligible for the $600 a week under the expired federal program, will not be eligible for this program.

GET TESTED. The Pima County Health Department continues to offer free COVID-19 testing at three locations.

Saliva tests are available at the Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Road, while nasal swab tests are available at the the Kino Event Center, 2805 E. Ajo Way, and the Udall Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road. All three centers offer easy-to-schedule appointments—often with same-day availability—and you get results in less than 72 hours. Schedule an appointment at pima.gov/covid19testing.

PAC-12 CANCELS FALL SPORTS. The Pac-12 Conference unanimously voted last week to postpone all sports competitions through the rest of the year, with an eye toward pushing fall sports like football to the spring. The announcement, which was unveiled during a Zoom call by Commissioner Larry Scott, came hours after the Big Ten Conference announced a similar decision. Scott said the communal spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus was still too rampant to risk players’ health. During a call with reporters, Scott discussed his desire for all fall athletes to maintain their current year of eligibility, while maintaining their scholarships as well. Scott addressed the realities of the virus, saying that holding events in a “bubble,” where student-athletes

are isolated from the rest of a given campus, was not realistic.

HERE’S WHEN YOU CAN GO CLUBBING AGAIN. The Arizona Department of Health Services has outlined a new series of metrics that businesses such as movie theaters, nightclubs, gyms and other gathering places will have to pass in order to reopen. Representatives from some of the affected sectors have sued the state, saying they were unfairly forced to close by Gov. Doug Ducey. The new benchmarks define the spread of the coronavirus as minimal, moderate, and substantial. Substantial spread is defined as more than 100 COVID cases per 100,000 of population, a positive COVID test rate of greater than 10 percent and greater than 10 percent of emergency room visits related to COVID-like symptoms.

Moderate spread is defined as between 10 and 100 cases of COVID cases per 100,000 of population, a positive COVID test rate of 5 to 10 percent, and between 5 and 10 percent of emergency room visits related to COVID-like symptoms. Minimal spread is defined as less than 10 cases per 100,000 population, a positive test rate of less than 5 percent, and less than 5 percent of emergency room visits related to COVIDlike symptoms.

Bars and nightclubs that serve food must remain closed as long as the spread is substantial but can open 50 percent capacity once spread reaches moderate or minimal levels as long as they implement ADHS mitigation requirements. ■ —By Jim Nintzel with additional reporting from Kathleen B. Kunz, Austin Counts, Jeff Gardner, Christopher Boan and Tara Foulkrod

RANDOM SHOTS By Rand Carlson

Cover image by Jeff Gardner, cover design by Ryan Dyson

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AUG. 20, 2020 | VOL. 35, NO. 34 The Tucson Weekly is available free of charge in Pima County, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies of the current issue of the Tucson Weekly may be purchased for $1, payable at the Tucson Weekly office in advance. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of the Tucson Weekly, please visit TucsonWeekly.com

STAFF ADMINISTRATION Jason Joseph, President/Publisher jjoseph@azlocalmedia.com Jaime Hood, General Manager, Ext. 12 jaime@tucsonlocalmedia.com Casey Anderson, Ad Director/ Associate Publisher, Ext. 22 casey@tucsonlocalmedia.com Claudine Sowards, Accounting, Ext. 13 claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com Sheryl Kocher, Receptionist, Ext. 10 sheryl@tucsonlocalmedia.com EDITORIAL Jim Nintzel, Executive Editor, Ext. 38 jimn@tucsonlocalmedia.com Austin Counts, Managing Editor, Ext. 37 austin@tucsonlocalmedia.com Jeff Gardner, Associate Editor, Ext. 43 jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com Tara Foulkrod, Web Editor, Ext. 35 tara@tucsonlocalmedia.com Kathleen Kunz, Staff Reporter, Ext. 42 kathleen@tucsonlocalmedia.com Contributors: Rob Brezsny, Max Cannon, Rand Carlson, Tom Danehy, Emily Dieckman, Bob Grimm, Clay Jones, Andy Mosier, Xavier Omar Otero, Linda Ray, Margaret Regan, Will Shortz, Brian Smith, Jen Sorensen, Eric Swedlund, Tom Tomorrow PRODUCTION David Abbott, Production Manager, Ext. 18 david@tucsonlocalmedia.com Louie Armendariz, Graphic Designer, Ext. 29 louie@tucsonlocalmedia.com Ryan Dyson, Graphic Designer, Ext. 26 ryand@tucsonlocalmedia.com CIRCULATION Alex Carrasco, Circulation, Ext. 17, alexc@tucsonlocalmedia.com ADVERTISING Kristin Chester, Account Executive, Ext. 25 kristin@tucsonlocalmedia.com Candace Murray, Account Executive, Ext. 24 candace@tucsonlocalmedia.com Lisa Hopper, Account Executive Ext. 39 lisa@tucsonlocalmedia.com Tyler Vondrak, Account Executive, Ext. 27 tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING VMG Advertising, (888) 278-9866 or (212) 475-2529 Tucson Weekly® is published every Thursday by 13 Street Media at 7225 N. Mona Lisa Rd., Ste. 125, Tucson, Arizona. Address all editorial, business and production correspondence to: Tucson Weekly, 7225 N. Mona Lisa Rd., Ste. 125, Tucson, Arizona 85741. Phone: (520) 797-4384, FAX (520) 575-8891. First Class subscriptions, mailed in an envelope, cost $112 yearly/53 issues. Sorry, no refunds on subscriptions.

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AUG. 20, 2020

CURRENTS An image of the asteroid Bennu’s rocky surface, captured by OSIRIS-REx.

Courtesy UA / NASA

DISTANCE LEARNER

OSIRIS-REx is the University of Arizona’s most far-out science project

By Jeff Gardner jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING science projects for the University of Arizona is taking place some 170 million miles away.

Last week, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft conducted its final sample retrieval rehearsal on the asteroid Bennu. This four-hour rehearsal was in preparation for the spacecraft’s attempt at collecting dust and rocks from the surface of the asteroid in October.

If successful, OSIRIS-REx will be the first American spacecraft to bring samples of an asteroid back to Earth.

The mission has been a center of attention here in Tucson, as its principal investigator is Dante Lauretta, a professor of planetary science and cosmochemistry at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. Part of NASA’s New Frontiers program, the OSIRIS-REx mission also features UA’s Heather Enos as deputy principal investigator and Michael Nolan as science team chief.

This final rehearsal, conducted on Tuesday, Aug. 11, involved the spacecraft testing its sampling acquisition system, collecting data from the asteroid’s surface, moving solar panels and using its thrusters as it orbits the rock.

During the rehearsal, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft passed 144 feet above the asteroid’s surface—the closest it’s ever come.

From that close proximity, the spacecraft’s camera suite captured its highest quality images yet.

According to NASA, because the spacecraft is millions of miles from Earth, it takes approximately 16 minutes for the spacecraft to receive the radio signals used to command it. This time lag prevented live commanding of flight activities from the ground during the rehearsal. As a result, the spacecraft performed the entire rehearsal sequence autonomously. Prior to the rehearsal’s start, the OSIRIS-REx team uplinked all of the event’s commands to the spacecraft and then provided the “Go” command to begin the event. The actual sample collection event in October will be conducted the same way.

OSIRIS-REx will not land on Bennu’s surface to capture its sample. Instead, it will use the Touch-And-Go (TAG) Sample Acquisition Mechanism to shoot a jet of nitrogen, dislodging particles from the asteroid. The spacecraft is expected to be able to capture upwards of 60 grams worth of carbonaceous dust and rock ejected from Bennu’s surface.

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft launched from the Earth in September 2016 and is planned to return in 2023. The spacecraft will collect rocks and dust from the surface of Bennu in order to better understand “the initial stages of planet formation and the source of organic compounds available for the origin of life.” Since arriving at Bennu, OSIRIS-Rex has mapped the asteroid’s rocky and carbon-rich surface.

Its extremely rugged terrain will make the sample acquisition more difficult than previously anticipated. However, the OSIRIS-REx team has selected a potential

site, named “Nightingale,” that is comparatively less hazardous.

“Many important systems were exercised during this rehearsal—from communications, spacecraft thrusters, and most importantly, the onboard Natural Feature Tracking guidance system and hazard map,” Lauretta said. “Now that we’ve completed this milestone, we are confident in finalizing the procedures for the TAG event.

This rehearsal confirmed that the team and all of the spacecraft’s systems are ready to collect a sample in October.”

Since arriving in December 2018, researchers have learned much about the asteroid. Possibly the most important announced discovery is the roughness of Bennu’s surface. Scans reveal Bennu is “packed with more than 200 boulders larger than 33 feet (10 m) in diameter and many more that are 3 feet (1 m) or larger. The largest boulder measures 63 yards (58 m) across.” This is a far cry from the originally expected surface of gravel and pebbles.

This complicates the original plan for the spacecraft to collect its sample; instead of having roughly half a football field to navigate in, OSIRIS-REx will have to collect a sample in a site half the size of a basketball court or smaller.

Bennu is also one of the darkest objects in the solar system. High resolution images shot with OSIRIS-REx’s multiple cameras reveal Bennu reflects only 4 percent of sunlight. This is due to Bennu being a carbonaceous asteroid, meaning its composition includes a large amount of naturally dark carbon. However, researchers also found Bennu’s surface to possess a higher-than-expected variety of albedo,

or solar reflection. Meaning the brightness of Bennu’s surface varies greatly from one area to the other, due to the rough surface.

This presents an unexpected challenge for the spacecraft’s laser scanning system, or lidar.

With a “spinning-top shape” already known before arrival, Bennu’s surface is older than expected, but shows evidence of recent activity. Scientists describe this as a “dynamic surface,” formed from multiple collisions with smaller asteroids. Bennu also contains a lot of empty space, up to 60 percent, but its shape indicates interior stiffness, with enough internal strength to allow the surface to crack.

Some of the first scientific data returned from the OSIRIS-REx mission was visible and infrared imaging that revealed hydrated minerals on Bennu’s surface. For hydrated minerals to be formed, they must come in contact with water at some point in the past. Hydrated minerals are “ubiquitous across the surface of the asteroid,” and while Bennu is too small to have ever hosted liquid water, the finding indicates liquid water was present at some time on Bennu’s parent body, a much larger asteroid.

Reseachers also found that Bennu’s rotation is steadily accelerating at about one second per century. This increase is due to the YORP effect, where differences on the surface of a small astronomical body unequally scatter solar radiation. Due to Bennu’s aforementioned roughness and variety of albedo, it is catching and reflecting sunlight at different angles, causing its rotational rate to drift. Researching this phenomenon is one of the original goals of the OSIRIS-REx mission. ■

Technicians assembling the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in a Lockheed Martin facility near Denver.

Courtesy Lockheed Martin

LEARNING CURVES

AUG. 20, 2020

dropped from a high of 2,368 new cases in the week ending July 4 to 1,408 in the week ending Aug. 1, according to a Pima County Health Department report.

However, Ducey has required districts to open their campuses as “learning centers” for students who may have special needs, lack access to learning equipment or have parents that are required to work away from home during the day.

will be open as in-person learning centers, but the amount of students allowed on each campus will depend on the staff they each have available. They intend to meet a ratio of nine students to every one adult.

Sunnyside is also exploring potential Schools delay in-person instruction, ramp up partnerships with KIDCO, Boys and Girls ‘learning centers’ for at-risk students Club, YMCA and other community organizations that can provide additional support to district families. More details are expectBy Kathleen B. Kunz ed in upcoming weeks. kathleen@tucsonlocalmedia.com Sunnyside officials are watching Pima TUCSON UNIFIED County health metrics closely to deterThe Tucson Unified School District began THIS WEEK, SCHOOL DISTRICTS mine when it is safe to bring students teaching students online last Monday, Aug. across Arizona opened their campuses to back to campus.

10. During their board meeting on Aug. 11, students in need of a reliable environment A large number of SUSD students are the TUSD governing board voted to delay to engage in their remote learning, as Gov. the start of in-person instruction to Oct. 9, at in need of meals usually provided by the Doug Ducey required them to do in a July district. To address this, free lunches will the earliest.

23 executive order. be available to students at their designated To accommodate Ducey’s order that In Pima County, many districts are trying schools Monday through Friday from 10:30 schools reopen for any student who needs to limit the number of students to those a.m. to 1 p.m. Families also have the option support during the school day, TUSD offiwho absolutely need the service, in order to to pick up meals through Sunnyside’s cials have determined that they will prioriprotect their communities from the spread tize on-site learning centers for students that mobile meal service Monday through Friday of COVID-19. between 11 a.m. and noon at 10 different bus fall into four specific categories: those in All Pima County districts are following the governor’s guidelines for when it is safe special education programs, those in foster stop locations. More details can be found at www.susd12.org/responsible-reopening. care, those experiencing homlessness and to reopen schools for traditional in-person This mobile service is provided to those who are refugees. instruction. On Aug. 6, the Arizona DepartSunnyside students only, and each child While they won’t turn any student away ment of Health Services announced its pubwill need to present their matric number to from the on-campus learning centers, the lic health benchmarks for school districts to receive a meal. district is hoping to significantly limit the use when determining if it is safe to reopen. amount of students who come in.

The benchmarks consist of three metrics: “Smaller populations of students on AMPHITHEATER the number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Amphitheater Public Schools administrapeople in the region, the percentage of pos- campus, at this time, is going to allow for a itive COVID-19 tests and the percentage of more effective cohorting of students, mean- tors told its district families that these oning smaller groups of students that will be site learning centers are similar to a superhospital visits for COVID-like symptoms. together longer periods of time,” said TUSD vised study hall. According to their website, The department recommends schools Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo at the it is intended to serve students who need a stick to remote learning until their county’s board meeting.

“This is really going to help “quiet, safe environment to independently case numbers drop below 100 per 100,000 if there’s going to be any contract tracing for engage in their remote learning during the people for two consecutive weeks, their case positive situations that may hit us later school day” and is not the same as traditionpositive testing rate is 7 percent or lower, and hospital visits with COVID-like illness- on. For a contact tracer to deal with a smaller al teacher-led classroom learning. group of students is going to make that On-site learning is limited to students es drop below 10 percent for two consecuwork a lot easier.” and families who have a critical need for this tive weeks. type of service. The district is prioritizing The state has also said county health students based on need, which is assessed SUNNYSIDE UNIFIED departments should work with local school by an application families are required to The Sunnyside Unified School District districts to determine if it’s safe to reopen complete. Applications can be accessed at began its 2020-21 school year on Wednesfor in-person instruction. On Tuesday, July www.amphi.com/Domain/4874. day, Aug. 5, remotely and does not have an 28, the Pima County Health Department Amphi spokesperson Michelle Valenzuadvised all districts that based on then-cur- identified start date for in-person learning at ela said the district had support staff this time. rent public health data, it was not safe for Their on-site learning centers are focused assigned at all district schools, but as of schools to reopen their campuses to all Friday, Aug. 14, registration for in-person on students who need internet access, students. County officials said they didn’t instruction totaled 95 students across 21 younger students who are struggling to think schools would be able to safely reopen schools, with some schools seeing zero access the curriculum, students whose IEPs at least until Labor Day and perhaps as late need to be implemented at a school site, stu- students register. as sometime in October.

“Students who are participating will While the criteria have not been met, the dents in Foster Care, students facing unique spend the day doing their classwork in our living and housing challenges, English number of new cases peaked in mid-July computer labs and will work in other locaand began to decline after the Pima County Language Learners, and students who are tions at our schools, with breaks for lunch pre-registered in the District Tuition Based Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance and outdoor time,” Valenzuela said.

Childcare Program. requiring people to wear masks in public Parents who want to do on-campus superAccording to Public Information Director when maintaining physical distance isn’t vision next week need to register before Marisela Felix, all of Sunnyside’s schools possible. The number of confirmed cases

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Friday morning at 10 a.m. Applications are available at amphi.com and on all school websites. The City of Tucson’s KIDCO program is providing services at Nash Elementary, Keeling Elementary and Prince Elementary. Preschool is also available for a fee at Innovation Academy, Painted Sky Elementary and Canyon Del Oro High School and reservations are limited. Interested families should contact those schools for more information.

Students learning at home can still access school meals through Amphi’s curbside Grab & Go meal service. Breakfast and lunch to-go meals can be picked up between 10:30 a.m. and noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Amphitheater High, Amphitheater Middle, Canyon Del Oro High, Coronado K-8, Donaldson Elementary, Holaway Elementary, Keeling Elementary, La Cima Middle, Mesa Verde Elementary, Nash Elementary, Painted Sky Elementary, Rio Vista Elementary and Walker Elementary.

Meal prices will vary based on students’ free and reduced eligibility status. For more information, visit family.titank12.com.

MARANA UNIFIED In a letter to district parents, Marana Unified School District Superintendent Dan Streeter said the district has not yet identified a start date for in-person learning. But he said the district is working with county health officials and other school superintendents to “identify appropriate local benchmarks and indicators with a goal of returning us to school safely as soon as possible.”

Streeter said that although Pima County has not met the state’s safety benchmarks yet, the metrics are currently trending downward in the right direction.

MUSD is trying to limit the amount of students that come to schools for in-person learning and is asking families who have the resources to adequately support their students’ learning at home to refrain from using this service. They are requesting all families fill out an application on their website if they want their child to participate.

According to MUSD Public Relations Director Tamara Crawley, all MUSD schools with learning centers have implemented “advance scheduling procedures” to avoid overcrowding and ensure that the number of students in the on-campus centers does not hinder physical distancing measures.

If a school reaches capacity, some students may need to be relocated to another school site.

For more details on MUSD’s learning centers and where to sign up, visit www. maranausd.org/Page/4062. ■

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AUG. 20, 2020

DANEHY

TRUMP IS BULLYING TEACHERS INSTEAD OF SUPPORTING THEM

By Tom Danehy, tucsonweekly@tucsonlocalmedia.com AS I SIT HERE AT THE DINING room table pounding away on my laptop, my wife, Ana, is in the room we call the office, teaching 35 kids a business lesson.

She’s got a sweet set-up that my son, the computer savant, put together for her—a desktop and a laptop, multiple monitors, and a whiteboard, if necessary. She’s deftly handling her responsibilities, introducing the subject matter to the new kids and offering fresh new challenges to the returnees.

I watch her go into the office an hourand-a-half before the start of her first class and then she goes back in there after working out and hurrying through her dinner.

Last night, she was in there well past 10 p.m., revising and refining her time-tested lesson plans so as to best serve her students through distance learning.

Having known her since we met back in college, I can absolutely guarantee that nobody wants to be back in that classroom more than she does. She teaches not for fame and certainly not for fortune. She loves walking up and down the aisles, looking at her students’ computer screens and making corrections and recommendations in the moment. Her passion is fueled by

CLAYTOONZ By Clay Jones

seeing that “Oh, I get it now!” light go on in a student’s eyes.

She could have retired a few years ago, but she simply loves teaching. She’s always told me that if she ever wakes up some morning and no longer wants to be a teacher, she’ll go do something else. Or do nothing. But, for now, she still has the fire. And she’s an absolute star. She’s in the Halls of Fame for both her school and her district. She takes on the added responsibility of being Department head and advisor for both the Future Business Leaders of America and National Honor Society with a smile on her face.

And she is just one of thousands in Southern Arizona going to work in dens and living rooms and “offices,” marshalling all their experience, expertise, and enthusiasm to keep their students engaged until we, as a society, can get back to something approximating normal.

Everybody—educators, parents, students, administrators—wants kids and teachers back in the classroom. But except for the blinded-by-economics numbskulls in the White House and sycophants like professional moron Betsy DeVos, no one wants to force people into the classroom under

the current circumstances.

I absolutely despise the people who use false claims to try to get the schools opened up prematurely. Saying that kids don’t get COVID-19 is a lie. Yesterday, in a coronavirus briefing in which Trump spent the first 20 minutes talking about the stock market, he later said “99.995% of kids won’t get it.” (That’s a lie.) Then, he tried to repeat it, but said 99.95% (a different number, but also a lie). I also hate it when the only people that the Trumpbots mention when they make their false arguments are the students. What about the teachers, administrators, bus drivers, maintenance workers, monitors, cafeteria workers, and teachers’ aides? They’re a significant part of the equation, too, not to mention the parents and grandparents of the kids that some would want shoved back into a classroom before it is safe to be there.

I read an article about a woman who is the head of the Republican caucus of the Oklahoma teachers union. And yes, there are Republican teachers, despite what cynical politicians might say. I’ve always thought that teachers (like reporters) see the toughness and the unfairness of life on a daily basis so they tend to gravitate toward a political philosophy that actually gives a crap about other people.

Anyway, this teacher said that she’s incredibly frustrated by Donald Trump’s insistence on schools reopening, saying that his sole focus is on the economy rath-

er than the health and safety of teachers.

(Remember when he wanted the churches to be full on Easter Sunday, April 12?! It’s the middle of August and we’re still going to Mass remotely.) She hints that she won’t vote for Trump in November. Meanwhile, Trump is quoted as saying that the potential life-saving actions taken by teachers’ union leaders is “disgraceful.”

Trump’s bleating is having the opposite effect of what he wants. Poll after poll shows that anywhere from two-thirds to three-quarters of Americans don’t want schools to re-open right now. And the more he screams and stomps and tries to bully people, the more the parents and teachers are digging in their heels.

In a way, it’s working out on two fronts.

Students and teachers are staying safe and Trump’s re-election hopes are fading fast.

He could have helped himself immensely with a couple basic steps (e.g. a national mask mandate) but he can’t seem to get out of his own way.

I would challenge him to put his money where his vulgar mouth is and get in front of a classroom of kids and teach a class (as though he could!). But I’m betting that the Secret Service wouldn’t let him do so because it would present a serious threat to his health (COVID-19-wise). And yet, he wants America’s teachers to put their lives on the line. What’s most frustrating is that if he had done his damn job back in the spring, the teachers could now be doing theirs in the classrooms. ■

AUG. 20, 2020

PHOTO BY OTIS BLANK

The University of Arizona is offering students four different ways to take classes this fall, ranging from in person to fully virtual.

MASK UP AND BEAR DOWN The UA is going to look very, very different this fall

By Kathleen B. Kunz kathleen@tucsonlocalmedia.com AS THE STATE BEGINS TO recover from a summer of skyrocketing coronavirus cases, the University of Arizona will soon begin instruction for the 2020-21 school year and bring thousands of people back to its campus.

The university is offering students four instructional options this semester: in-person classes with safety precautions in place, flexible classes that include a

mix of in-person and online work, online-only classes where a traditional class format is adapted for virtual use, and iCourses, which are self-paced classes that students complete through the university’s D2L online platform.

The university expects to begin a phased reopening on Monday, Aug 24.

Initially, only a few courses that are deemed essential will have students come to the campus to participate. These will be research labs, medical courses, fine arts studios and other hands-on classes that are difficult to conduct virtually.

During a press conference earlier this month, UA President Robert Robbins said about 5,000 students are expected to come to campus for those initial courses.

All other classes will be taught online.

The following week, in-person and flexible classes of up to 30 students are scheduled to begin, bringing 14,000

people to campus. Larger classes will continue to be taught online.

On Sept. 8, the university will allow larger in-person and flexible courses to join the campus as well, increasing the daily population from 25,000 to 30,000.

Robbins said about half of all classes taught in the fall semester will have some kind of in-person component.

Campus libraries, dining and outdoor recreational services will be available beginning on Aug. 24. Students who choose to move into dorm rooms will be tested for COVID-19 with a rapid antigen test and must get a negative result before they move in, according to Robbins.

Any dorm student who tests positive for COVID-19 will live in an isolation dorm for 10 days and their regular room will be reserved for them in the meantime.

The university has established enhanced cleaning protocols throughout campus and will require face masks in all university buildings and outdoor spaces when six feet of physical distance is difficult to maintain. The “Test, Trace and Treat” initiative continues, which includes free antibody testing for all employees and students, traditional contact tracing and a new exposure notification smartphone app for the university community.

All employees and students can also access COVID-19 testing for free through the university. Two types of tests will be provided: Polymerase Chain Reaction diagnostic tests which produce results within 24 to 48 hours, and rapid antigen tests which give results in one to two hours.

During their Aug. 13 press conference, President Robbins and Reentry Task Force Director Dr. Richard Carmona said they were cautiously optimistic about the continuing average decline of new COVID-19 cases in Pima County and

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across Arizona. They hope the trend will continue, but Robbins said if case numbers begin to multiply within the university community, they will have no choice but to revert back to a fully online instructional system.

Robbins reported that out of 1,200 tests performed on students who live on and off campus, only one had a positive result.

While the state is still recovering from a high number of cases and hospitalizations over the last three months, Robbins said the university is monitoring public health conditions and will make adjustments to their reopening plans as necessary.

“This all depends on the public health conditions and whether students, faculty and staff follow good public health measures to minimize transmission of this virus,” Robbins said. “We have a plan, and we have confidence that our students, faculty and staff will carry it out, but if we see noncompliance or if the public health conditions require it, we will shut this down” and return to fully online instruction.

But many university faculty, staff and students oppose Robbins’ plan and believe opening the campus during the COVID-19 pandemic will ensure widespread transmission, and risk severe illness and deaths for people who step onto the UA campus.

“While university leadership claims that it has adequately addressed the needs of its instructors, students, and staff during re-entry, that does not reflect reality,” said the Coalition for Academic Justice at UArizona in a press release.

“There is a lack of clarity on practical procedures in case of an outbreak, alongside the push for re-entry to be driven by dates rather than data implies an CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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AUG. 20, 2020

MASK UP AND BEAR DOWN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

indifference to the human costs of Fall re-entry, as the university prioritizes financial concerns instead.

“The question now is not if, but when the campus will see an outbreak of COVID-19 that could very likely reverberate throughout the larger Tucson community.”

The Coalition for Academic Justice at UArizona was formed after President Robbins announced a furlough plan consisting of 5 to 20 percent pay reductions for all faculty and staff making over $40,000 annually beginning Aug. 10. The coalition is a group of graduate students, faculty and other university employees that have moved forward with unionization in an effort to force the university administration to live up to its “shared governance” principles.

“I support the faculty to have self determination and if they think unionization is the way they want to go, I fully support whatever the faculty choose to do,” Robbins said when asked about the unionization at his Aug. 6 press conference.

The UA’s General Faculty Financial

Advisory Council published a report earlier this month that showed “widespread dissatisfaction” with the university’s furlough plan among the 2,816 faculty and staff that were surveyed. They have a strong desire for alternatives to mitigating the financial impact of COVID-19.

The report states this plan will negatively impact the university in the long run through retention of faculty and staff.

They explained that morale among university employees is dropping as the administration established a furlough plan that is four times the size of any comparable institution in the country.

They say it creates an “enormous personal burden” on the faculty and staff and nearly 40 percent of those surveyed have expressed they are likely to seek employment elsewhere.

“The employees of the University of Arizona are its greatest asset, and the value of this asset is greatly and unnecessarily jeopardized by the furlough and furlough-based salary plans,” the report states.

Rather than furlough its faculty and employees, the advisory council recommends the university use its cash reserves and take out bonds—which reportedly have historically low rates.

COURTESY UA

UA President Robert Robbins: “Until there’s a vaccine, we’re never going to be completely risk free.”

The group pointed out that the University of Minnesota, Indiana University, the University of Michigan, State University of New York, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Alabama, among others, have all established large lines of credit in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Ultimately, the GFFAC wants to see the furlough plan significantly reduced or eliminated completely. They believe that furloughs will only provide budgetary relief during the period in which they are in effect, whereas taking out lines of credit and bonds can help with budget issues for multiple future years.

ASHFORD UNIVERSITY Another strong point of contention currently simmering between the UA administration and its faculty and staff members is the recent purchase of the for-profit online college Ashford University, which will be incorporated into the new “UA Global Campus,” a fully online degree program available to international students.

The University of Arizona paid $1 to acquire Ashford, which serves mostly non-traditional students over the age of 25. Robbins said the university is guaranteed to gain $225 million over the next 15 years as a result of this deal.

This proposes attractive new revenue, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Robbins said they chose to acquire the online college in order to better serve a student base consisting of working adults.

Robbins called this a “complex and very sensitive” deal, and said the shared governance process was not as robust as usual because they were contemplating a purchase of a publicly traded company. All leadership staff involved with the

process had to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Once the deal was final and the news was released, Robbins acknowledged that there was a vocal group of faculty that raised concerns about this purchase.

As detailed in a June 19 letter from the UA’s Eller College of Management faculty, Ashford University has a history of predatory recruitment and illegal debt collection practices.

In 2014, Ashford University settled a lawsuit with the State of Iowa for $7.25 million. Former Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa called Ashford “an absolute scam,” according to the letter.

In 2016, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau levied an $8 million penalty against Ashford University’s owner, Zovio, and forced them to refund $23.5 million in student loans.

The California Attorney General filed a lawsuit with Ashford University in 2017 and is set to go to trial in 2021.

Due to this alarming track record, the Eller group wrote that the University of Arizona is bound to see future lawsuits once it is legally tied to Ashford University.

“A quick Google search reveals that less than 29 percent of their students graduate,” the letter states. “Furthermore, the average student leaves with $36,000 in debt. Essentially, [Ashford University] takes money from vulnerable individuals and provides little to no value in return.”

The group warned Robbins and other executive leadership that this partnership with Ashford will “impair the value of the University of Arizona, expose the University of Arizona to litigation, impede our ability to compete in the high-quality secondary education online space and harm relationships with current and prospective donors and faculty.”

During his press conference, Robbins responded to some of these criticisms saying that although Ashford has a history of taking advantage of their students, none of that culture will carry over into the new operation under the University of Arizona.

“This is going to be under our management, our guidance and certainly we will not participate in those kinds of practices,” Robbins said. “There are always risks to reputation, I’m well aware of those. I think we need to execute and make sure we deliver a high quality and ethical education to these students.” ■

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University of Arizona students like Lam Nguyen remain unsure of what the coming semester holds.

PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES

UA students discuss returning to campus during an outbreak

by Mekayla Phan and Sam Burdette tucsonweekly@tucsonlocalmedia.com LAM NGUYEN CAME TO THE U.S. during high school as an international student from Vietnam. In pursuit of studying optical sciences and engineer-

ing, he decided to attend the University of Arizona. This upcoming fall semester will be his junior year, and despite concerns of the campus reopening, Nguyen remains hopeful.

“It would be risky but definitely doable,” he said. “I think the school will take a lot of safety measures, of course, to put the students first.”

Nguyen noted the challenges students faced when the school transitioned courses online in March.

“Our health was affected a lot,” Nguyen said. “You went from walking miles and miles every day at school to sitting at home in front of a computer.”

For him, the biggest challenge was the cancellation of lab classes.

“It’s definitely better for engineers and science students to be able to go into the lab. To have an in-person experience instead of trying to look online,” Nguyen said.

He spent the summer in Tucson away from his parents.

“My parents are currently in Vietnam and the country is doing really well with the whole COVID situation,” Nguyen said.

“I am not as worried for them than I am worried about the situation in this country right now.”

However, Nguyen says he is still managing social distancing and only going out for essential travel. He also says that he is looking forward to the new school year.

Adela Granados is a first-generation college student majoring in creative writing. Since she lost her job at a campus grocery store thanks to the pandemic, Granados has tried to keep herself busy with keeping in shape and volunteering in a Korean language study camp, which is also her minor. She is worried about returning back to campus in the fall for her junior year.

“I find it very stupid to be reopening in the fall when this whole pandemic hasn’t blown over yet,” Granados said. “I feel like we are a little too lax in what we should be doing to prevent it. The minute that we are allowing small businesses to reopen again, everyone sees this as a green light to pursue their lives like normal, which is very not conducive to what we are trying to do.”

Granados is OK with shops and restaurants reopening in order to stay in business, she thinks it’s still important to be careful. She suggests the university to have a trial period before fully reopening the campus and provide resources for the students.

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“A test run wouldn’t hurt,” Granados said. “I find that we can never be too careful… The UA should provide preventive measures like gloves or masks ready on hand for those who don’t have them.”

Granados is keeping an open mind as the university reveals more of its plans, but she’s ready to get back to the classroom.

“I am very, very cooped up,” Granados said. “I am very much an introvert, but it’s getting to me too.”

Sav Schlauderaff is a third-year graduate student studying Gender and Women’s Studies. Schlauderaff is the graduate assistant at the Disability Cultural Center (DRC) and a Safe Zone facilitator at the LGBTQ+ Resource Center and was one of the student representatives that presented their concerns at a press conference on campus reentry on June 4. Schlauderaff is chronically ill and disabled, and said they will continue working and studying at home even if the campus plans to reopen.

Schlauderaff expects a lot of changes to university life in the fall semester.

“Students want to get back to campus and experience college, but we are also in a pandemic,” Schlauderaff said. “Desires to go to football games and go to clubs and CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

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other events on campus—it is unfortunate for those individuals who will be missing out on those experiences, but we are in a pandemic where people are dying from COVID-19.”

Schlauderaff said it is not only for the undergraduate and graduate students, but there are also the cultural centers and facility members that are being overlooked in the work they might have to do.

In the many concerns addressed in their DRC statement, there are two Schlauderaff mentions to be personal.

“I think safety and course concerns are the two biggest question marks,” Schlauderaff said. “Course concerns can also overlap with accommodation concerns, and what that is going to look like for not only disabled students but also those impacted by COVID.” Bita Mosallai completed her freshman year at the university and recently declared her major in family studies and human development. She was disappointed in having to stop her Blue Chip Leadership (an engagement program) activities and volunteer work due to the pandemic. However, because of this, she has learned to better socialize with others in other ways.

“It made me talk to people more, ask them how they are doing, how they are feeling and check-in with people more,” Mosallai said. Before she only went to planned gatherings to socialize, but now she takes more of an initiative over platforms like Zoom video conferencing, though it does not mean she feels ready to meet face-to-face just yet.

“I am still wary of when it is a good time to hang out in-person, or in a group of people,” Mosallai said.

She has mixed emotions on the plans for the campus to reopen next week.

“I feel wary about going back, but also curious,” Mosallai said. “I feel like it is going to be normal, but at the same time not normal.”

Mosallai said that though she believes that her family wouldn’t want her to go back to campus, they would still let her.

“At the same time, we kind of have to because we all need to continue on,” Mosallai said. “I think they would want me to be safe, wear a mask and avoid large gatherings, but to still go and get my education.”

Ali Buzza, a UA junior studying political science, said she was excited on the

potential of coming back to campus and getting back into the “school mindset.”

“Coming home this spring, it really made me feel very disconnected,” said Buzza, who lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her parents. “It kind of took away from the college experience and some of my motivation, honestly.”

However, she said she wasn’t quite sure how campus reentry would work with so much uncertainty in the future.

“I think that there will be a lot of trial and error, but unfortunately this is not really something that there can be much trial and error in,” Buzza said.

Buzza also said she was interested to see how some classes will be run. She explained that she was planning to take an economics class this fall that usually seats over 500 students.

“That I just don’t see happening,” Buzza said.

While there is still much to be decided about campus reentry, including course sizes and structures, Buzza said she was most looking forward to potentially regaining some of the normalcy college provides.

Political science major Alex Parker said she was hesitant about campus reopening for in-person instruction in the fall.

“I’m eager to go back, but I’m a little worried,” Parker said.

The Phoenix resident said she thought it was important the University of Arizona properly followed Centers for Disease Control guidelines and enforced social distancing. Should campus open with such safety precautions, she said one of the biggest drawbacks would be still limiting contact with others and how clubs on campus would function differently.

Parker said she would like to return to campus if possible, especially to reap the benefits of in-person instruction.

She said she had a harder time learning solely digitally.

“Being back in class would be a lot more helpful for me as a student,” Parker said.

She also said she missed the campus atmosphere as a whole.

“It doesn’t feel the same learning online, obviously,” Parker said. “I don’t see my friends who live out of state or I don’t feel like I’m a part of the school as much as I do when I’m on campus.” ■ Mekayla Phan and Sam Burdette are University of Arizona journalism students and Tucson Local Media interns.

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Back to School Things to Do!

Well, the last few months have somehow been intensely chaotic and at times overwhelmingly boring. At the very least, heading back to school (in one way or another) is a change of pace, and we hope it’s one you’re excited about! Check out this list for some Tucson must-sees that have begun reopening, while observing strict new protocols in response to COVID-19. Or, if you’re feeling extra cautious, dip your toes into the local community by attending online events and classes.

Online Improv Drop-in Class. Unscrewed Theater, one of Tucson’s comedy clubs, is offering this opportunity to get silly on Monday nights. And everyone loves a good drop-in class, so you don’t have to make too much of a commitment. No experience necessary, and, heck, no “being in Tucson” necessary, so invite your friends from all over and from all skill levels, so you can look ridiculous together. UA students especially: It’s time you learned that you’re not really a college student at all if you don’t join an improv group at some point. 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday nights. Register at bit.ly/ UTZoomDrop-In. Tucson Museum of Art. Also on the art front: TMA is a local staple, and they’ve reopened this summer as well. In addition to things like mask requirements and sanitation stations, they’re requiring that you reserve your ticket for a two-hour time slot in advance online. Attendance is limited to 30 percent of its normal capacity. Come on down to see a variety of art, ranging from Native American to European pieces. In the newest exhibit, Landslice, O’odham artist Dwayne Manuel, an alumnus of the University of Arizona, honors three mountains sacred to his people’s himdak, or culture/ way of life. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 N. Main Ave. $12 adults, $10 seniors, $7 college students and youth 13 to 17. Reserve tickets at tucsonmuseumofart.org.

Madaras Gallery. If you really want to get a feel for the way Tucson inspires visual artists, the Madaras Gallery is a great place to start.

Diana Madaras is a local painter who has been depicting scenes from the Old Pueblo in her trademark style for decades. Come check out her work, and pick up some perfect postcards to send to friends and family from out of town (or to keep for yourself). Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, with private visits also available by appointment. Madaras Gallery, 3035 N. Swan Road.

Tohono Chul. If you’re new to Tucson, you might not know that this dusty desert town actually has several beautiful local gardens.

Tohono Chul, which was named one of the best botanical gardens in the world by Travel + Leisure Magazine, just reopened, just in time for school! They’re taking a wide array of precautions, such as requiring masks, limiting the number of reservations per hour and cleaning restrooms every hour. All this is designed to

The Gaslight Music Hall. If you’ve missed watch-

ing live performances, the Gaslight Music Hall just might have the fix you’ve been looking for with their outdoor, drive-in concert series. You can order pizza/ popcorn/soda packages when you order your ticket, and you can also get beer and frozen margaritas from their drink cart. They have a single-use restroom in the lobby that will be sanitized between each use. This week, Mike Yarema and Walker Foard perform in a Simon & Garfunkel tribute that will have you screaming “Mrs. Robinson” at the top of your lungs and forgetting about your problems. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26. Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road. $30 to $35 per car.

The Positivity of Art. What’s been keeping you sane these days? For us, one of those things is art, and thank goodness for the local artists who still have it in them to create during these crazy times. The Wilde Meyer Gallery is featuring a group show of gallery artists throughout August and September, in a space that’s carefully following COVID-19 guidelines. Come check out the art at a reception, where harpist Vanessa Myers will be performing 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. Wilde Meyer Gallery, 2890 E. Skyline Dr., Ste. 170.

by Emily Dieckman Floor Polish Dance Classes.

Maybe you’re sick of streaming passive virtual events, but a virtual dance class just might be a fun way to try something new and get those endorphins pumping. Plus, Floor Polish is a great local studio that offers classes ranging from a Repose livestream (7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23) to Burlesque Fitness (5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25). If you pay in advance and can’t make the class, you can watch a recorded video afterward. Register and pay at least 15 minutes in advance at floorpolishdance.com. Most classes are $7, with bundle options available.

help your experience in the gardens be just as it should: totally peaceful and relaxing. Gardens are open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the museum shops and exhibit house are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. $15 adults, $6 kids 5 to 12, $13 for students/seniors/active military. Reserve a ticket at tohonochul.org/ visit Tucson Botanical Gardens. Can’t get enough of that desert flora? The Tucson Botanical Gardens, which connects people with plants through art, science, history and culture, is another local favorite. They’ve taken all the proper precautions as they’ve decided to reopen, including deep cleaning, directional markers and limited capacity. 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.

Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. $15 adults, $13 students/seniors/military, $8 kids 4 to 17. $5 discount after 11:30 a.m.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. The Desert Museum, which really feels more like part museum, part zoo and part botanical gardens, is a must-see if you’re new to Tucson (or if you have visitors). They’ve reopened, with heightened sanitation procedures and a few restrictions to promote public health. Some exhibits are closed or modified (for example, the “stingray touch” exhibit is now the “stingray viewing only” exhibit, but it’s free!) Of course, masks are required to enter, and must be worn anytime six feet of social distancing can’t be maintained, and at all times in indoor areas.

To maintain daily capacity restrictions, they’re only selling tickets online or over the phone in advance, so make sure you get your ticket before you go. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road. $21.95 adults, $19.95 seniors and youth.

Reserve tickets at desertmuseum.org.

Heirloom Farmers Markets. If going to the grocery store in a pandemic is just a little too stressful, farmers markets are a fantastic alternative. And getting to support local farmers and other small businesses? Sign us up! Fortunately, there are an abundance of farmers markets in Tucson. You might start out by checking out Heirloom Farmers Markets, which are held from 8 a.m. to noon at several locations. The rules are pretty standard: masks required, stay home if you’re sick, physical distancing and please don’t touch the merchandise. Fridays at Morris K. Udall Park, 7202 E. Tanque Verde Road. Saturdays at Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley. Saturdays at Rincon Valley, 12500 E. Old Spanish Trail, Vail. Sundays at Rillito Park Food Pavilion, 4502 N. First Ave. Pima Air and Space Museum. If you have any interest in aviation, you’d be remiss not to check out this place, which features 80 acres of outdoor displays and 250,000 square feet of hangar space. They’ve reopened with precautions like enhanced cleaning, directed flow and upgraded hands-free fixtures in the restrooms.

All this gives you the chance to check out the hundreds of aircraft, including seaplanes,

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Alma. On a similar note, Arizona Theatre Company has been holding online readings as part of their digital season, and this weekend’s is Benjamin Benne’s Alma, directed by Catherine María Rodríguez. This story tells the story of strict working mom Alma, who, the night before the SAT, finds that her daughter, Ángel, isn’t at home studying like she should be. It’s the story of a mother, a daughter and the American dream that will let you escape from your own problems for just a little while. Stream is available at aizonatheatre.org/show/alma though Saturday, Aug. 22. freshwater aircraft carriers, Kamikaze aircraft and so much more. 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. daily. Pima Air and Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Road. $16.50 adults, $13.25 Pima county residents, $13.75 active military/seniors, $10 kids 5 to 12.

Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures. If you’re interested in miniatures, you absolutely need to check out this museum, which features more than 500 antique and contemporary dollhouses and roomboxes. If you’re not interested in miniatures, that’s just because you haven’t been to this museum yet. It’s a whimsical delight, and the perfect way to reignite your sense of wonder if you’re stuck in a pandemic slump. Right now they’ve got a fanciful fairy houses exhibit, a hand-carved circus exhibit, mini military figures and plenty more. They’ve got all the usual face covering, sanitation and physical distancing measures in place (some of the miniatures are even wearing masks).

They’re also doing timed-entry tickets, so pick yours up in advance. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Museum of Miniatures, 4455 E. Camp Lowell Dr. $10.50 adults, $8.50 seniors, $7 students and youth 4 to 17.

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The Riveters + Salt N Pepper. Maybe you’re not quite ready to do improv yourself, and watching an improv show is more your style.

You might check out this one from the all-female improv team at Tucson Improv Movement. Kick back and have a laugh at this free, virtual show. And if you’re able and so inclined, you might consider supporting their work by buying a digital ticket. 7 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21. More at tucsonimprov.com/shows.

Green Chili Roast. Apple Annie’s Orchard has always been the perfect place to take a day trip.

But, in these crazy times, the outdoor environment is especially perfect. The next few weekends, check out the green chili roast, where you can pick your own green chilis, or just swing by to pick up a 50-lb bag and watch them roast right before your eyes. There’s nothing like picking produce to make you feel grounded, and there’s nothing like some fresh roasted chiles (salsa, anyone?) to put some flavor in your life. 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, August 22, 23, 29 and 30 and September 5, 6 and 7. The Farm, 6405 W. Williams Road. Free admission—just pay for what you pick. ■

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MUSIC JEFF GARDNER

The Tucson Vibe CD and book compilation provide a virtual tour through the downtown and 4th Ave. arts and culture scene.

CELEBRATING THE TUCSON VIBE Compilation highlights local music and venues

By Jeff Gardner jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com WHILE LIVE CONCERTS ARE constricted by an indefinite hiatus, Tucsonans still have a way to support and enjoy local music and venues.

The Tucson Vibe is a CD and book compilation celebrating the sights and sounds of the Old Pueblo, featuring 15 local acts. Crowdfunded in late 2019 and completed this spring, the Vibe is now available for the first time online.

The Tucson Vibe aims to showcase “the heartbeat of the Historic Fourth Avenue and downtown neighborhoods” and features music from Mark Insley, Leila Lopez, Joe Pena, Mark Anthony Febbo, Connie Brannock and many more. While the CD comprises 15 homespun tracks,

the accompanying book features photos and information on 15 beloved venues like Borderlands Brewing Company, Che’s Lounge and El Crisol.

“I ran into so many people in Tucson that maybe weren’t aware of the smaller downtown venues, and I wanted to showcase those venues, as well as highlight the amazing musicianship down there,” said Tucson Vibe executive producer Robin Hunn, who began planning the compilation last autumn. “I wanted it to have a visual element, to highlight not just the musicians but the places. So we had a number of local music photographers who contributed.”

Hunn started a Kickstarter for the project in November 2019, which met its goal with the help of more than 100 supporters. Hunn first visited Tucson four years ago after living in New Orleans, where she had produced similar music projects.

“I just fell in love with the vibe of Tucson and the downtown area: the art, the architecture, the music. I knew that’s where I wanted to live,” Hunn said. “I really tried to have each song tie in with Tucson. I worked with the musicians in selecting the songs, and there’s a lot of great references to Tucson throughout

AUG. 20, 2020

the CD.” The Tucson Vibe CD begins with dusty folk/rock we know so well, with musicians like Mark Insley, Hank Topless and Natalie Pohanic singing about the city’s specifics: the monsoons, the Rincons, the swamp coolers and cottonwoods. Kevin Pakulis even affectionately sings “it’s hot as hell here.”

But as the album progresses, the songs grow more eclectic. Miss Olivia & The Interlopers offer their bombastic R&B, Soft Ones perform some noisy psych, and Gabriel Naim Amor sings a subtle ballad to the city in French, hitting that hard C in “Tucsoh”, but fitting in perfectly with his mellow stringwork.

“It was a challenge because there’s so many great musicians here, but you can only fit so many songs onto a CD. It was technically limited, but I tried to reach out to musicians who frequently play in these particular venues,” Hunn said.

In addition to the venue descriptions, The Tucson Vibe book features a map detailing venues, and the CD’s tracklist works as a kind of virtual tour throughout town. The songs are in order of how venues appear on the map, paired with the artists who perform in said venues.

For instance, Mark Insley had a regular weekly gig at Iron John’s Brewing Company, Kevin Pakulis performed at Borderlands, Natalie Pahonic often performed at La Cocina, so they’re all on

facing pages.

Hunn hopes to create a second volume down the road to highlight even more local artists, and hopefully feature all different bands and some new genres.

“Any profit off this would go back to the musicians and into a subsequent volume,” Hunn said. “This is totally a labor of love for me. A lot of sweat and hard work went in to make it all happen.

I think once we can safely be out among each other and are back appreciating live music, when people see this, they’ll love it.”

The original plan was for the book and CD to be sold and concerts and the venues it details. However, COVID-19 hit and those had to be reworked. But Hunn hopes to sell them in person once the city is back to attending live music as is its tradition.

“It’s a way to test whether or not this kind of financial model can be helpful to musicians,” Hunn said.

“Half the proceeds of the Kickstarter went directly to those 15 musicians.

Compared to the tiny pennies that come from streaming songs, this is a way to upfront support those musicians. It’s upfront paying the tip jar, if you will.” ■ The Tucson Vibe CD is available for $15, or the book and CD together for $35. For more information, visit thetucsonvibe.com

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Medical Marijuana

CANNA BOOM

Legal weed has potential to add big boost to state revenues

By David Abbott david@tucsonlocalmedia.com PROP 207, WHICH WOULD legalize recreational marijuana for adult users over 21, could bring an additional $250 million in tax revenue to the state of Arizona, according to state budget experts.

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee recently released its state-mandated fiscal analysis of Prop 207, which noted that the tax revenue would be generated through a 16 percent excise tax on top of the state’s 5.6 percent sales tax and various local taxes.

Funds from the excise tax, licensing and registration fees, estimated at $166 million annually, would be administered through the auspices of the Smart and Safe Fund, to

be established by the Arizona Department of Revenue. The Department of Health Services would be in charge of licensing and regulating “marijuana establishments, agents and testing facilities.”

Additional sales and local taxes would be in the neighborhood of $88 million annually, available for general use in local jurisdictions.

“The JLBC took it very seriously with an accurate, scientific approach, although their analysis was a lot more conservative than ours,” said Stacy Pearson, spokesperson for Strategies 360, the political firm handling the Smart and Safe Arizona initiative.

While the JLBC analysis predicts a $250 million yearly boon to Arizona’s economy, a study done by advocates for Smart and Safe weighs in at a whopping $300 million annual windfall for the State of Arizona.

“It’s the difference between good and great,” Pearson said. “So the question is, is $300 million good for Arizona?”

The state study was based on financial analysis from the five western states that have legalized recreational weed—Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and California—using third-year data from the states where it has been legalized for that amount of time.

Extrapolated to its third year of legal

economic activity, the Arizona cannabis industry is projected to reap $1.04 billion in sales, based on $137 spent annually per capita. That figure is based on the average expenditures in other states that range from $125 in Washington and $156 in Colorado, according to the analysis.

The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity estimates that by 2023, Arizona’s population will be near 7.6 million residents.

The three states with more than three years’ financial data—Colorado, Oregon and Washington—saw a 20.5 percent growth in sales in year four, while Colorado, the first state to legalize the plant, saw an additional 11.2 percent increase in year five.

As to the number of legal weed dispensaries, distribution of licenses would be based on the number of medicinal dispensaries, not to total more than 10 percent of registered MMJ pharmacies in the state. The JLBC estimates that number to be approximately 130, with an additional 26 allowable under a Social Equity program intended to create more diverse ownership of retail facilities and to help low-income communities establish retail outlets.

“There won’t be a permanent cap on licenses, as it’s tied to population growth and will continue to grow over time,” Pearson

said. “We wanted to create more opportunity in Arizona, that’s why we have the Social Equity grant program. We wanted rural communities to have access to legalized marijuana. There’s a direct connection between the number of dispensaries in a community and the level of opioid abuse.

We’ve found that in communities where there is access to marijuana, there are fewer prescriptions for opioids written by doctors.”

Should Smart and Safe pass, an initial one-time transfer of $45 million would be directed from the state’s existing Medical Marijuana Fund to be disbursed to various agencies.

Of that sum, $19 million would go to Department of Health Services for various enforcement and social programs; $15 million to the Arizona Teacher’s Academy Fund to provide grants for teacher training; $10 million to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for grants to reduce impaired driving, and $1 million to start the SSAF. The MMJ fund currently has about $68 million, projected to grow to $91 million by the end of FY 2021. The transfer would reduce the ending balance to an estimated $46 million at the end of that year.

In order to apportion the yearly fiscal pie, the JLBC took into account the potential

AUG. 20, 2020

of June 2020. The JLBC estimates that if costs from increased emergency room visits, hospitalizations and substance abuse all individuals with such charges petitioned for expungement, it treatment, as well as savings would cost more than that could come from re$29 million on a oneduced arrests, prosecutime basis. tions and punishment But other states of low-level marijuana with similar prooffenses. grams “received The initial monies significantly fewer collected into the SSAF petitions,” and not all would fund adminischarges qualify, as trative costs associated those charged with with legalization to the possession of more tune of about $5 million than 2.5 ounces would a year, although if the IMAGES COURTESY BIGSTOCK be excluded.

Department of Public SafeOnce money is taken from the yearly ty’s cost estimate were taken into account, tranche for administrative costs, the rethat number would be far higher.

According to the JLBC analysis, the DHS mainder would be deposited into the SSAF to be distributed as follows: would require $725,000 the first year for • 33 percent to community college “start-up costs,” and $564,000 in subsequent districts; years.

• 31.4 percent to municipal police and The State Supreme Court estimates its fire departments to enhance retirement costs at between $200,000 and $800,000 benefits; annually and DPS wanted $29 million per • 25.4 percent to the Highway User Reveyear, although JLBC believes that estimate nue Fund is “substantially overstated.”

• 10 percent to the Justice Reinvestment The Department of Revenue would Fund, which would be divided between require $1.3 to $1.7 million annually for the county health departments and the DHS first four years, but the Department did not to address public health issues related to provide a cost estimate for the analysis. cannabis, and “For purposes of our analysis, we have • 0.2 percent to the Attorney General’s assumed the total administrative distributions would be $5 million,” the report states. office for enforcement.

One of the unknown aspects of the “We think the DPS estimate for the cost of analysis is the number of medical mariexpungements is overstated.” juana patients who might opt out of their Should the initiative pass, those with $150 biannual fee and move their purchaslow-level cannabis-related charges would es to the legalized recreational market. be eligible to petition for expungement There are approximately 240,000 medical of their charges beginning July 12, 2021. cardholders in Arizona, but there is no way Those petitions can also come from “the to determine how many of them will cross original prosecuting agency or the Atover. Therefore, the JLBC based its analysis torney General,” although “there is no requirement that these individuals submit a on the “actual revenue experience of other states.” petition for expungement.”

As to the costs the state would incur for According to the DPS there are more than 192,000 such charges in existence as CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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BOOM

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

additional health care, enforcement and treatment, the JLBC references a study by Colorado Christian University’s Centennial Institute—a study that has been largely panned as “junk science” by Colorado weed advocates and policy experts—claiming the societal costs of legalized pot are too high in monetary terms, and that the state of Colorado spends $4.50 for every dollar in tax revenue from cannabis. But the JLBC largely rejects that claim, stating that the total cost to the state would be “marginally lower.”

Critics of legalization point out that states with legalized weed have seen a black market explosion that blow any revenue estimates out of the water.

Arizonans for Health and Public Safety Chair Lisa James says the costs are too high and cautions Arizonans should be wary of the proposed outcomes.

“Look at the states where it’s legal and you’ll see they haven’t seen nearly the revenues and the costs are higher than expected,” she said. “The black market exceeds the legal market.”

She adds that there is also insufficient spending on K-12 education built into the legislation.

But consultant Jim Rounds, whose firm did the fiscal analysis for Strategies 360, says problems with the black market in other states comes down to convoluted regulation on a municipal level and that Smart and Safe is written in a way that would reduce those conflicts.

“We’re not anticipating the black market and $400 million after five to six years is reasonable, although the team used $300 million to be conservative,” Rounds said.

“We feel [the state] did a decent job. They chose to be conservative and they’re not being overly optimistic.”

Regardless of the financial windfalls or costs to the state—depending on what side of the argument one falls on—cannabis is here to stay and is becoming legal throughout the country, albeit in piecemeal fashion.

“Arizonans don’t have to debate the merits of legal marijuana,” Pearson said. “We’ve seen models in other states. The question is: Should it be taxed and regulated? It’s not going away and isn’t off the table.”

As to expungement, Pearson believes that is an invaluable piece of the puzzle and the benefits cannot be ignored.

“How do you value human potential?” she posits. “A felony conviction for a victimless crime can have a devastating effect on that person’s contributions to society.” ■

TUCSONWEEKLY.COM 19

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

By Rob Brezsny. Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s EXPANDED WEEKLY HOROSCOPE 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700 $1.99 per minute. 18 and over. Touchtone phone required.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “We never know what is enough until we know what’s more than enough,” said Aries singer Billie Holiday. I don’t think that applies to everyone, although it’s more likely to be true about the Aries tribe than maybe any other sign of the zodiac. And I’m guessing that the coming weeks could be a time when you will indeed be vivid proof of its validity. That’s why I’m issuing a “Too Much of a Good Thing” alert for you. I don’t think it’ll be harmful to go a bit too far and get a little too much of the good things; it may even be wise and healthy to do so. But please don’t go waaayyyy too far and get waaayyyy too much of the good things.

animals’, to upgrade your practical love and compassion for animals. I bet you’ll find it inspires you to treat your own body with more reverence.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian literary critic Harold Bloom bragged to The New York Times that his speed-reading skills were so advanced that he could finish a 500-page book in an hour. While I believe he has indeed devoured thousand of books, I also wonder if he lied about his quickness.

Nonetheless, I’ll offer him up as an inspirational role model for you in the coming weeks. Why? Because you’re likely to be able to absorb and integrate far more new information and fresh experiences than usual—and at a rapid pace.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus author Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850) took many years to write The Human Comedy, an amalgam of 91 intertwined novels, stories, and essays. For this vast enterprise, he dreamed up the personalities of more than 2,000 characters, many of whom appeared in multiple volumes. I bring this to your attention, Taurus, because I believe that the next 15 months will be an excellent time for you to imagine and carry out a Balzac-like project of your own. Do you have an inkling of what that might be? Now’s a good time to start ruminating.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “Magic lies in challenging what seems impossible,” says Leo politician Carol Moseley Braun. I agree with her, but will also suggest there’s an even higher magic: when you devise a detailed plan for achieving success by challenging the impossible, and then actually carry out that plan. Judging from the current astrological omens, I suspect you’re in an unusually favorable position to do just that in the coming weeks.

Be bold in rising to the challenge; be practical and strategic in winning the challenge.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Not until the 19th century did humans begin to take organized actions to protect animals from cruelty. Even those were sparse. The latter part of the 20th century brought more concerted efforts to promote animal welfare, but the rise of factory farms, toxic slaughterhouses, zoos, circuses, and cosmetic testing has shunted us into a Dark Age of animal abuse. I suspect our descendants will look back with horror at our barbarism. This problem incurs psychological wounds in us all in ways that aren’t totally conscious. And I think this is an especially key issue for you right now. I beg you, for your own sake as well as for the

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Joy is a mystery because it can happen anywhere, anytime, even under the most unpromising circumstances,” writes author Frederick Buechner. What he doesn’t say is that you must be receptive and open to the possibility of joy arriving anywhere and anytime. If you’re shut down to its surprising influx, if you’re convinced that joy is out of reach, it won’t break through the barriers you’ve put up; it won’t be able to land in your midst. I think this is especially important counsel for you in the coming weeks, Virgo. PLEASE make yourself available for joy. P.S. Here’s another clue from Buechner: “Joy is where

SAVAGE LOVE QUICKIES

By Dan Savage, mail@savagelove.net

I’m a 35-year-old woman. I recently discovered I’m a size queen. (Is it OK for me to use this term?) This has been brewing for a while as I have dabbled with purchasing larger and larger cucumbers and fucking myself with them after a good wash. I use a condom and tons of lube and it’s been amazing. Are there any safety or health concerns I should be aware of? I’m moving away from fucking produce and purchased my first sizeable toy. I see safety tips online for men who like large toys in their butts but I wanted to know if there is anything I should be aware of as a vagina-haver. I mainly partner with men but am expanding to

date women and I’ve been fisted only once by a woman and absolutely loved it.

—Finding I Lately Love Enormous Dildos So long as you’re taking it slow, FILLED, so long as you’re using lots of lube, so long as you’re playing with toys that have flared bases and were designed for insertion play, and so long as those toys are made of body-safe materials like silicone, then you’re doing everything right.

And yes, FILLED, you may use the term “size queen” to describe yourself!

I’m a longtime fan of your column and your podcast. Recently a discussion

the whole being is pointed in one direction.”

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “I transformed stillnesses and darknesses into words,” wrote Libran poet Arthur Rimbaud. “What was unspeakable, I named.

I made the whirling world pause.” In accordance with current astrological potentials, I have turned his thoughts into a message for you. In the coming weeks, I hope you will translate silences and mysteries into clear language. What is unfathomable and inaccessible, you will convert into understandings and revelations. Gently, without force or violence, you will help heal the inarticulate agitation around you with the power of your smooth, resonant tenderness.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Your desires, whether or not you achieve them, will determine who you become,” wrote author Octavia E. Butler. Now is a fertile time for you to meditate on that truth. So I dare you to take an inventory of all your major desires, from the noblest to the most trivial. Be honest. If one of your burning yearnings is to have 100,000 followers on Instagram or to eat chocolate-covered bacon that is served to you in bed, admit it. After you’re through tallying up the wonders you want most, the next step is to decide if they are essential to you becoming the person you truly want to be. If some aren’t, consider replacing them with desires that will be a better influence on you as you evolve.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): If you can manage it, I recommend taking a break from business-as-usual. I’d love to see you give yourself the gift of amusement and play—a luxurious sabbatical that will help you feel free of every burden, excused from every duty, and exempt from every fixation.

The spirit I hope you will embody is captured well in this passage from author Okakura Kakuzo: “Let us have a sip of tea. The afternoon glow is brightening the bamboos, the fountains are bubbling with delight, the soughing of the pines is heard in our kettle. Let us dream of evanescence, and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things.”

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Rapper Eminem

came up on Facebook and I was curious as to what your take on the situation was. It was about diaper play: A group of people seem to think that enjoying this kink is the same thing as being a pedophile or engaging in “pedo-lite” behavior.

Another group—myself included—believes that it is simply an expression of a kink between two consenting adults, and therefore isn’t the same as pedophilia at all. I was curious as to what your take on the situation was, or if you had any suggestions on how to approach this topic with the first group? Thank you, wishing you all the best!

—Wandering Ethical Terrain Of Nappies Employed Sexually Does fucking someone who’s wearing a dog collar count as bestiality? Of course not, WETONES, because dog collars no

advises us, “Never take ecstasy, beer, Bacardi, weed, Pepto-Bismol, Vivarin, Tums, Tagamet HB, Xanax, and Valium in the same day.” What’s his rationale?

That quaffing this toxic mix might kill us or make us psychotic? No. He says you shouldn’t do that because “It makes it difficult to sleep at night.” I’m going to suggest that you abide by his counsel for yet another reason: According to my analysis, you have the potential to experience some wondrous and abundant natural highs in the coming weeks.

Your capacity for beautiful perceptions, exhilarating thoughts, and breakthrough epiphanies will be at a peak. But none of that is likely to happen if you’re loaded up with inebriants.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Everyone who has ever built a new heaven first found the power to do so in his own hell,” declared philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. That’s a rather histrionic statement!

But then Nietzsche was a Maestro of Melodrama.

He was inclined to portray human life as a heroic struggle for boldness and liberation. He imagined us as being engaged in an epic quest to express our highest nature. In accordance with your astrological potentials, I propose that you regard Nietzsche as your power creature during the coming weeks. You have a mandate to adopt his lion-hearted perspective. And yes, you also have a poetic license to build a new heaven based on the lessons you learned and the power you gained in your own hell.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Here’s some knowledge from author John le Carré: “In every operation there is an above the line and a below the line.

Above the line is what you do by the book. Below the line is how you do the job.” According to my analysis, you have, at least for now, done all you can in your work above the line. That’s great! It was crucial for you to follow the rules and honor tradition. But now it’s time for a shift in emphasis.

In the coming weeks, I hope you will specialize in finessing the details and massaging the nuances below the line. ■ Homework: Meditate on the possibility that you could gain personal power through an act of surrender. FreeWillAstrology.com

more turn consenting adults into dogs than diapers turn consenting adults into infants. And the disapproval of strangers on the Internet not only won’t stop an adult who wants to wear diapers from wearing diapers, WETONES, that disapproval makes wearing diapers all the more arousing because the transgression and “wrongness” of wearing diapers makes wearing diapers arousing—not for everyone, of course, but for most people who are into wearing diapers.

Which means your disapproving friends are playing right into the pervy hands/ crinkly rubber shorts of all the diaper lovers out there. And while it’s true that some people who are into age play are also into diapers, WETONES, it’s not true that everyone into diapers is into age play. For most people who get off on diapers it’s the humiliation of being a

AUG. 20, 2020

diapered adult that turns them on, not the fantasy of being a child.

While bisexual was once commonly understood to mean, “attracted to both sexes,” the Human Rights Campaign’s online glossary now defines bisexual as, “emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to more than one sex, gender or gender identity.” That same online glossary defines pansexual as, “the potential for emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to people of any gender.”

While on the first read there doesn’t seem to be much daylight between those two definitions, LABEL, there actually is some difference between being attracted to “more than one [gender]” and being attracted to “people of any gender.” And while a lot of people use bi and pan pretty much interchangeably these days, the bi label is probably a slightly better fit for you, LABEL, seeing as your libido disqualifies all members of one gender—your own—from emotional, romantic or sexual consideration.

My husband and I recently watched the fantastic ’70s porn Alice in Wonderland: An X-rated Musical Fantasy (we got to it by watching Meatballs). It was everything I’ve ever wanted in a porn. Perhaps you or your readers could recommend something similar to put in our rotation?

—Likes To Watch

I’m a queer man who’s starting to bottom again after 10 years of being on top. I have a butt plug that my anus keeps pushing out, even though I’ve tried relaxing and lots of lube. It feels great when it’s in, and then there it goes! I need tips!

But not just the tip please.

—Exciting XXX Toy Or Projectile?

Check out Caligula. This intermittently pornographic 1979 film probably isn’t as lighthearted as the version of Alice in Wonderland you stumbled over, LTW, but it doubtless has a much more interesting backstory and far bigger stars.

A young and sexy Malcolm McDowell as the mad Roman emperor with Peter O’Toole (!), John Gielgud (!!), and Helen Mirren (!!!) in supporting roles. Even better, this amazing train wreck of a movie is based on a screenplay by Gore Vidal.

(Got a ’70s porn recommendation for LTW? Share it in the comment thread!)

The butt plug you’re using is too small.

Like other recovering tops before you, EXTOP, you made the mistake of purchasing a small plug because you didn’t think your ass could handle a medium or large one. But butt plugs are held in place after the widest part slides all the way into your ass, past your anal sphincters, and then your sphincters close around the neck of the plug, aka the narrow part before the flared base.

But if the wide part isn’t much wider than the narrow part—if you bought a plug that looks more like a finger than a lava lamp—then the anal sphincters will push the plug back out. Or, even worse, they’ll send the plug flying across the room when your sphincters contract at the moment of orgasm. Do yourself and your wallpaper a favor, EXTOP, and get yourself a bigger plug.

Here’s a quickie: If a woman is attracted to cis men and non-binary humans (who can have either a penis or vagina) but that woman is not attracted to cis women… would that woman be bi or pan? Labels are not super important to me, Dan, but I’m calling on my friendly neighborhood sex advice columnist for help just the same!

—Loves All Bodies Except Ladies

I am an avid reader, and I incorporate much of your advice in caring for my patients. I have tremendous respect for you and your column. Nonetheless,

I must raise a concern about a small comment on in your response to COVET, the woman who was wondering about getting together with a new partner for sex despite social distancing: “Life is short,” you wrote, “and this pandemic is going to be long.” The lockdown is indeed difficult, Dan, but the concept that “this pandemic is going to be long” leads too many of us to feel as if the pandemic will never end. Impatience is driving some people to risky behavior that can be otherwise avoided. With attention to safety measures, we can reduce our risk of infection, as well as emotionally survive until a vaccine is available. Patience with the pandemic is analogous to the perseverance that Londoners used to get through the bombings of WWII. —Practice All Necessary Deeds Especially Masks Isolating COVID-19

TUCSONWEEKLY.COM 21

I entered his car and I thought he was going to turn it off when he realized it was still on and I was already planning to ask him to turn it back on if he did. I’ve had some heartfelt beautiful and rich conversations with my Lyft drivers and I thought we would bond over our shared love of your show. I was literally sitting in the backseat thinking, “This is so great, we are so different but we have at least one thing in common, I wonder how long has he been a listener, and could he be a Magnum subscriber too?” Then I realized the episode playing was the one I was listening to the previous night as I fell asleep... and then I realized my phone was connected to his car’s Bluetooth. Oops. Love you, Dan! —Sheryl In TEXAS!

Thank you for sharing, PANDEMIC!

Thank you for sharing, SIT, and thanks for turning a new listener on to the Savage Lovecast! ■

I got into my Lyft at 6 AM this morning to go to the airport. My driver was an older man with a southern drawl. The Savage Lovecast was playing on the radio when

mail@savagelove.net Follow Dan on Twitter @FakeDanSavage savagelovecast.com: this week with Dr. David Ley on sex addiction vs. kink.

JEN SORENSEN

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1

ACROSS

Classic MTV show that launched a film franchise 8 Common recyclable 15 Firm, in a way 16 “Fifty Shades of Grey,” e.g.

17 Certain fair fare 18 Involving crystals and incense, say 19 “I just knew it!”

20 Cause of death in the Sherlock Holmes novel “The Sign of the Four” 22 “___ Meets Godzilla” (classic film short) 25 Ending with slug or gab 26 Break 29 Part of the Constitution establishing the executive branch 32 Where I-80 crosses the Missouri River 34 Narrative through multiple TV episodes 37 Caught 38 Sighting from a crow’snest 39 Con 41 Lift at a resort 42 Do a favor for 44 Numerical trio 46 Rude one in an audience 1

Diagram at a business meeting 48 Disseminate 49 “Then again …,” in texts 51 Ankle bones 55 Protagonist in “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” 58 Mary ___ Evans, real name of George Eliot 59 Big name in online dating 62 “Sure, makes sense” 65 Video game controller that uses gesture recognition 66 Johannes Gutenberg, for one 67 Voice actor for Carl in “Up” 68 Witchcraft … or what each block of three black squares in this puzzle represents?

47

DOWN

___ deGrom, two-time Cy Young Award winner (2018 and 2019) 2 Hello or goodbye 3 Obsolescent storage device 4 “Jeopardy!” genius Jennings 5 “Then what happened …?”

6 What red might mean 1

Mention this Ad to receive advertised prices.

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in “The Empire Strikes Back” 26 Classic leading lady honored on both U.S. and Swedish postage 27 Leading 28 Father 30 Delinquent 31 Be off base 33 Powdered green tea leaves 34 Sorts who might wipe their mouths with their sleeves 35 Off-limits 36 Turned up just a little

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Hours:

Disciples Of Christ

Mon - Fri 8:30am - 3:30pm

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

*Any Questions Please Call

520-624-8695

Closed Sat & Sat

3818 N. Highway Dr.

Tucson AZ 85705 Must mention this ad for the advertised prices* Prices subject to market changes

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We mov to a NEWed LOCATIO N

342-4042

740 E. Speedway (Corner of Euclid & Speedway)

www.firstchristianchurchtucson.org

e are an open and affirming Christian community, called to Seek God, Love like Jesus, and Serve the World.

Weekly Worship - Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School - all ages 9 a.m.

Come worship with us! There is much we can do together.

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4120 E Speedway Tucson, AZ 85712