Info from Arts Express:
Website: www.arts-express.org

Join us on Memorial Day, May 28th at 3 PM as Arts Express honors the brave men and women from the Tucson Community who have served, as well as those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. “A Hero’s Salute” will be presented in Crowder Hall on the University of Arizona campus at Park and Speedway.

This uplifting and inspirational Memorial Day tribute will recognize our military, first responders, public servants,volunteers, and others who have placed themselves before others.

The program will feature the Arts Express Choir and Brass Quintet, directed by Dr. David Ashcraft, Co-Artistic Director of Arts Express, and will include several uplifting Memorial Day messages.

“A Hero’s Salute” will be presented free of charge. A minimum donation of $5/person is suggested to cover expenses of this event. All proceeds will go to the Arts Express arts education scholarship fund benefiting local youth. Tickets will be required for guaranteed seating.

Individuals may request up to four free-admission tickets by going online to: www.arts-express.org. Tickets are also available by calling 520-319-0400. Those attending without a ticket will be seated as space is available. All ticket requests by mail must be received by Thursday, May 24.

Karen Wiese, Executive Director
Arts Express, Inc.
Phone: 520-319-0400
Email: info@arts-express.org

Crowder Hall is at 1017 E. Olive Rd., south of Speedway, east of Park Avenue, and seats 544 persons.

Honor our Veterans and remember especially those who gave their lives for our country in this Memorial Day musical salute.

A live debate between the 3 candidates running for the vacant CD 8 Congressional seat will beheld on May 23 at 7 p.m. at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Rd. (north of Dodge Blvd.) The organizers are asking the public not to arrive before 6 p.m. due to parking issues. Complimentary tickets for admission will be issued starting at 6 p.m. for the 500 people allowed inside the ballroom. Injured Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords resigned from this seat in January of this year.

All 3 candidates Ron Barber (D), Jesse Kelly (R) and Charlie Manolakis (G) will be participating. The MC for the evening will be radio talk show host Bill Buckmaster of the Buckmaster Show (high noon on weekdays on KVOI AM 1030) . Bill was a TV talk show host on “Arizona Illustrated” on KUAT Channel 6 for 23 years.

This debate is sponsored by the Arizona Daily Star and the Tucson Jewish Community Center, and will also be broadcast live on KVOI AM 1030 Tucson and KAPR AM 930 Douglas.

Click here for my previous blog about the CD 8 debates (with photos and campaign websites).

If you don’t want to attend the debate, with want to listen to it with other “liberals”, Drinking Liberally is hosting their weekly meeting with a radio to listen on KVOI. They meet at The Shanty at 6 p.m., 401 E. 9th St. (NE corner of 4th Avenue).

The latest voter registration as of 3/1/12 for CD 8 (parts of Cocise, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz Counties) from the AZ Sec. of State’s website:

Democrats: 133,571
Greens: 852
Libertarians: 2646
Republicans: 159,200
Americans: 27
Others: 128,242

Ron Barber has been endorsed by the Tucson Weekly (click here), and The Arizona Republic (click here). Early voting for this special general election started on May 17, 2012.

The person elected on the upcoming June 12 special general election will only serve out the remainder of Giffords’ term till January, 2013.

A wonderful way to spend time over the long, hot summer months is to vist your local branch library (or the Joel D. Valdez Main Library downtown) and read! And this year the reading program highlights Arizona’s Centennial.

From the Pima County Public Library’s website:

Summer Reading Preview – Our State, Our Story: Celebrating 100 Years of Arizona

Summer Reading is on the horizon. This year it begins on May 24 and runs through July 21. On May 24, mosey on in to your library to pick up your Reading Passport and Arizona Adventure Pass. This year’s program also includes activities that will keep you and your family exploring, doing, creating, writing and reading all summer.
What’s New?

Along with the fantastic fun programs and events that come with Summer Reading each year, this year we are rolling out a new way to think about Summer Reading. This year it’s going to be about reading, writing, creating, doing, and exploring. It’s going to be about reading for pleasure, encouraging a love of reading for all ages, and participation in creative, challenging and exciting activities.

Everyone (adults, teens and kids) who joins Summer Reading this year will receive a Reading Passport and an Arizona Adventure Pass. Your Reading Passport is where you’ll set your reading goal and log your activities. (Have your passport stamped as you meet goals and complete activities.)

Decide Your Reading Goal
What’s a good reading goal? Set your reading goal of minutes or number of pages. Make it your goal to read all of the books in a series or all of the books by a certain author. Maybe you’ll want to read 10 books about horses. Got a stack of magazines you’ve been wanting to read? That’s a reading goal—something that’s a challenge, but not a chore.

Choose Six Activities
In honor of Arizona’s Centennial we’re going to give you a list of 100 activities. Throughout the summer you’ll choose six appealing activities from the list to complete and log in your Reading Passport. You’ll find things that are easy to do as well as others that are more challenging. Your Arizona Adventure Pass will come in handy since it includes passes for fun activities and interesting venues all over the state.

Summer Reading Night at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Who? Readers ages 2-14, your Adventure Pass is your ticket for free admission with one paid adult admission to Summer Reading Night on Saturday, June 23.

SummerQuest
You will have completed the journey with your fellow SummerQuesters when the hidden image you seek appears. How many of the quests will you fulfill to reach the goal?

SummerStory
Are you more the writerly type? SummerStory may be right up your alley. Each week the story will continue with an installment chosen from those you (teens 13-18) submit.
Finale Events

After you’ve accomplished your summer reading goals we want to help you celebrate!

Wrock out with those wizard rockers Harry and the Potters at the Hotel Congress on Thursday, July 19. Thanks to Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange and the Hotel Congress for joining with the library to make this event free and fun for all ages.

Kids who accomplish six activities will receive a pass to a finale event at Reid Park Zoo on Saturday morning, July 21!

The Summer Rock Concert returns this year. Talented local teen bands will play at this free, all ages, concert on July 21 at 8 pm. Teens who have completed 6 activities will receive a backstage pass to an exclusive VIP pre-party.

Wow! What a great way to continue to celebrate Arizona’s 100 birthday (February 14, 2012). Enjoy the summer by reading!