Carolyn's Community

May the luck of the Irish be with you!

“Irish import, musician, and singer Jamie O’Brien will be bringing you some beautiful, haunting Irish and Celtic songs, both old and new, influenced by his very own individual approach to the traditional, complete with a wee touch of the contemporary.” Saturday, March 13, 2010, between 3:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M, at Himmel Park branch library, 1035 N. Treat Ave., in the large meeting room.

Then the next day Sunday, March 14 “run with the Irish” downtown for the annual St. Patrick’s Day festival and parade. The fest is all day at Armory Park (220 S. 5th Avenue), 10 to 5 p.m. with the parade starting at 11 a.m.

Here are two good Tucson Irish American/St. Patrick’s Day websites:

http://www.tucsonstpatricksday.com/ for parade & festival info, along their theme of “Running with the Irish.”

http://tucsonirishcommunity.com/Events/st-patricks-day-parade-and-festival (lots of information about the happenings of the Irish Community in Tucson).

For updates contact John Flanagan at info@FlanagansCelticCorner.com, by phone at 520- 623-9922, or meet him in person at the only Celtic/Irish/Scottish/Welsh shop in town–
FLANAGAN’s Celtic Corner, 222 E Congress St, in downtown Tucson, across from the Ronstadt Transit Center. Hours are Wed – Fri: 11AM – 3 PM, Sat – Sun: 9 AM – 6 PM.

My husband and I honeymooned in Ireland, and I am good friends with several Irish Americans who always celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. And believe it or not, I bake Irish soda bread (recipe courtesy of my friend, the late Alice Creagh Brown, of Ridgefield, Connecticut).

Happy St. Patrick’s Day a wee bit early. And don’t forget to wear green (or you’ll get pinched)!

Celebrate Women’s Herstory Month during the month of March!

Here’s a Food for Thought lecture at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library:
“Seeing Themselves: Women’s Self Portraits” presented by Tucson Museum of Art docent Vida Thomas.

“Learn more about the skills and lives of women artists from the Middle Ages to the present. Vida Thomas has been a docent at the Tucson Museum of Art for 25 years.”

Thursday March 11, 2010, 12 noon to 1 p.m.

Frida Kahlo self-portrait, 1940

I recently created a collage self-portrait for a Drawing Studio art class. It was illuminating as to how a self portrait can tell a woman’s story about how she views herself. This will be a very interesting talk for adults and teens.

The Joel D. Valdez Main library is at 101 N. Stone, between Alameda and Pennington Streets, downtown. Phone: 520-791-4010.

For those attending the program in the lower level meeting room, a two-hour free parking validation is available for the garage directly below the library. Otherwise bike or walk over, or take the Sun Tran bus. All are invited to bring their lunches for these free programs.

For future Food for Thought lectures, click here.

And Happy International Women’s Day (March 8th) as well.

NOH8 logo

Background info from the website, www.noh8campaign.com: “On November 4, 2008 Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The defeat provoked a groundswell of initiative within the GLBT community at a grassroots level, with many new political and protest organizations being formed in response."

The NOH8 Campaign is a "photographic silent protest” created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and his West Hollywood partner Jeff Parshley, as they wanted to bring publicity for the need for marriage equality for gays/lesbians. Parshley has stated that the duct tape over the mouth represented the 48% of Californians who favored marriage equality, and yet were “silenced” when Prop. 8 passed.

Perhaps two of the most famous NOH8 models have been Cindy McCain (2nd wife of Arizona U.S.Senator John McCain, who is up for re-election in November, 2010) and their daughter Meghan McCain. Congratulations to these McCain women for their courage to stand up for equality in marriage and civil rights for the GLBT community.

Cindy McCain photographed by Adam Bouska

You too can contact info@noh8campaign.com, to inquire about having your face duct taped and added to this campaign.

Check out the website for their online Store, to purchase the usual campaign paraphernalia: t-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons, and even tattoos, with the “NOH8″ logo, pictured above.

Sidenote: U.S. Senator John McCain will be bringing newly elected U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) to Tucson tomorrow for 2 events at the Arizona Inn, and the Manning House. Information on his campaign website above.

The Joel D. Valdez Main library downtown opened a small bookstore on the first floor (behind the reference/info desk) on January 25, 2010. Being the only bookstore downtown is a big draw for those seeking something to purchase to read later, or as a gift.

The bookstore is open Monday to Friday, 11 to 2 p.m. and is all volunteer run by the Friends of the Pima County Public Library. The co-managers are two dedicated members of the Friends, Carrie Tucker and Libby Stone.

I dropped by recently to check it out and found hard covers, paperbacks, DVDs, CDs, children’s books, audio books, travel books, etc. — all for sale at low prices. And no sales tax is charged! All proceeds go to the Friends, 520-795-3763, website is www.fpcpl.org. Co-manager Carrie told me they are hoping to expand their selection in the future to gift cards and other popular reading materials.

Friends' logo

Definitely stop by this bookstore if you work downtown, or are just there for a few hours. Parking is free in the underground garage for one hour (ticket validation by the library is no longer required). Or take the Sun Tran bus downtown for only $1.25 one way.

The Joel D. Valdez Main library is located at 101 N. Stone, between Pennington and Alameda Streets. Regular library hours are:
Mon 9am-8pm
Tues 9am-8pm
Wed 9am-8pm
Thu 9am-6pm
Fri 9am-5pm
Sat 10am-5pm
Sun 1pm-5pm

Note: There is a used bookstore– Book Mark at 214 N. 4th Avenue, which some people would consider downtown but I don’t, as I see that as the 4th Avenue Shopping district, close to downtown.

1st Festival of Books event in 2009

www. TucsonFestivalofBooks.org has all the informaton. This free event last year drew reportedly 50,000 people, to the family-friendly events, numerous book exhibits, food court, writing workshops, and best-selling author talks.

Last year I heard J.A. Jance (local mystery writer) speak, and she’s due again this year. We also listened to Barry Goldwater, Jr. candidly speak about his U.S. Senator dad, and his own Congressional experiences (1969 to 1983) in “Pure Goldwater” (co-authored with John W. Dean).

Some of the scheduled authors this year include:

* Dan Balz, whose book “The Battle for America 2008” is an authoritative account of last year’s presidential race.

* Frank Beddor, whose “Looking Glass Wars” trilogy is a critically acclaimed re-invention of Lewis Caroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.”

* Alice Hoffman, whose novel “Practical Magic” was made into a film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

* Phil Caputo, whose memoir “A Rumor of War” was one of the definitive books about the Vietnam War.

This year’s theme is “Where Words and Imagination come to life”. How fitting, for people who love to read. As a child, reading books became a terrific fantasy world for me, into secret gardens and faraway places, many of which I did see one day. Truly, words and imagination came to life for me for decades.

Street parking is free on the weekends, and there are also numerous parking garages around the U of A Mall (west of Campbell Avenue off E. 3rd St.). Or take the Sun Tran bus, bicycle, walk, scooter, skateboard to this fun weekend festival.

Pick up a good book and read– before, during and after this Festival.

“White Light Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki” documentary

Hiroshima after the A-bomb

Monday, March 1, at 7 pm

Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME) Auditorium on UA campus, 1130 N. Mountain,
Northeast corner of E. Speedway Blvd. and N. Mountain Ave.

Free, and open to the public
Free, easy parking east of building
sponsored by Voices of Opposition, http://www.voicesofopposition.com/, call 520-622-6419

“With shocking archival footage, stunning photography, and heartrending interviews, this extraordinary documentary gives a deeply moving look at the painful legacy of the first use of nuclear weapons in war. Featuring interviews with fourteen atomic bomb survivors – many who have never spoken publicly before – and four Americans intimately involved in the bombings, this film provides a detailed exploration of the bombings. It is an important documentary for all to see in this nuclear age.” (from email sent from the Tucson branch of WILPF the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom)

Released on August 6, 2007 (on the 62nd anniversary of the bombing on Hiroshima), this HBO documentary is by Japanese American Sansei (3rd generation) filmmaker Steven Okazaki who met with 500 survivors. Read more here.

I wrote about a Hiroshima/Nagasaki Never Again event back in August, 2009 (click here), since my paternal grandfathers left Hiroshima in 1892 for the Kingdom of Hawaii, but we must have had relatives still living there in 1945.

The Prince is giving a ball…on Thursday February 25, 7:30 p.m. at the Center for Arts Proscenium Theatre, PCC West Campus– for only a mere $18 (discounts available to commoners).

Cinderella

On this “Cinderella” Opening Night, come dressed in “elaborate and ornate formal attire” for a chance to win one of several Royal Prizes (for both adults and children). The royal categories are: Best little princess and prince, Most likely to win the Prince’s hand, Most likely to impress the Queen or King, Most elaborate, Most unique, Best accessories, and Best looking couple or family. Dress to the max in ball attire, and you could win.

“Cinderella” is a fairy tale musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, and directed by the creative team of Todd Poelstra, Mickey Nugent, David Waggoner, and Dr. Mark Nelson. Reception and photo opportunity with the cast follows the performance. Call the box office now for tickets at 520-206-6986, website is www.pima.edu/cfa. The Proscenium theater is located at 2202 W. Anklam Rd., two miles west of I-10 on St. Mary’s Road which turns into Anklam Road.

If your evil stepmother or stepfather won’t let you leave the house to go to Opening Night, the musical runs through March 7, on Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Last summer I got to be Queen (for an evening) at a medieval dinner in Austria. Royalty definitely has it perks– as I had servants serve my dinner and my two Ladies in Waiting had to do my bidding. I also used to live in England where people adulated their royalty, and girls did grow up hoping to become a Princess Diana.

Don’t forget those glass slippers, Cinderella.

Note: The Tucson Weekly reported last week that this play is not the traditional Cinderella story, as it will be Bollywood style, with the setting in India. Just so you won’t be surprised.

Tucson local artist/author David Laughlin is the author of a 1992 booklet “Buffalo Soldiers: An Illustrated 30 Year History of the 10th Regiment of the US Cavalry“. He is well-known for his “realistic and historically accurate artistic depictions of the Buffalo Soldiers.” This regiment was comprised entirely of African American men who served in the 10th U.S. Army Regiment of the Calvary in the frontiers of Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona beginning from 1867 to 1896. These “Buffalo Soldiers” were known for their dedicated discipline and courage, and had the army’s lowest desertion and court-martial rates.

12 paintings called “Military Hours” done by Laughlin will be on display at the Quincie Douglas branch library,1585 E. 36th St (NW corner of Kino Parkway). They accurately depict the activities throughout a day of a troop of “Buffalo Soldiers”, hour-by-hour.

artwork by David Laughlin

A reception for the artist, as part of African American Heritage Month, will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2010, from 1-3 pm at the library. Along with conversations with the artist, there will be a slide show produced by local youth, patriotic demonstrations, music, and refreshments.

The public is invited to this free event. Phone number there is (520)594-5335.

Also coming up at Quincie Douglas library on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6 to 8 p.m. “Explore the history of African Americans in the military with a History Channel documentary and discussion. The film chronicles the tales of seven soldiers who served their country valiantly only to be denied immediate recognition: though they fought in WWII, the men did not receive their much-deserved Medals of Honor until decades later. Featuring re-enactments of the soldiers’ harrowing days on the battlefield, this History Channel documentary celebrates their courage and determination in the face of both enemy fire and institutional racism.”

Are you celebrating Valentine’s Day today, or are you one of the “I Hate Valentine’s Day” followers?

Here’s a brief film review of a newly released Valentine’s Day comedy, the preview of which I saw last Monday at El Con theater. Check out the website, of this movie which opened two days ago on 2/12/10.

“Valentine Day” stars a number of beautiful, famous actresses– including Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Julia Roberts, and beautiful, famous actors –Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Jamie Foxx, Ashton Kutcher, among others. Wow, that cast alone would make most of us go to the movie.

The plot basically revolves around a Los Angeles florist shop owner/manager who is in love, has a best woman friend, has to help customers send Valentine flowers on probably the busiest day of his job, along with his workers. Most of the twenty characters interact, so it’s a complicated film, but quite funny and definitely a “date flick”.

It’s all about a day in the life of love.

Valentine red roses

But more importantly, the movie portrays different types of love: high school romances, the dating game at work, romantic love, married love, parental and grandparental love, love for a teacher, gay love, straight love, elderly love.

And there are even scenes of a hilarous “I Hate Valentine’s Day” party, with Jamie Foxx playing the piano.

Enjoy today however you celebrate it. Happy V-Day (or not).

For you chocolate lovers, here’s an upcoming opportunity to sample the many tastes of chocolate (both savory and sweet) from restaurants including: El Charro, La Cocina, La Indita, El Minuto, and Real Bakery.

When? Sat. February 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where? At the Presidio de San Agustin de Tucson, 133 W. Washington (corner of N. Church St.) Tickets are $5 for 3 tastings.
(For special offer including a walking tour, continue reading).

Also happening at the Presidio will be storyteller Jean Baxter about the fate of Father Garces, at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Padre Francisco Garces

Who was Father (Padre) Garces? In 1775 Tucson’s Presidio del San Agustin was established. “Soon after, Father Francisco Garces was commanded to build a new settlement in Yuma. Although much beloved by many of the Indians, Father Garces was still seen as a representative of the detested New Spain, and the Indians soon attacked his settlement. Garces was captured while drinking his chocolate and resting at a ranch house. The warriors called to him to “stop drinking that and come outside. We are going to kill you.” To which Garces replied, “We would like to finish our chocolate first.” (from the event flyer).

And you can also take the El Presidio Historic District walking tour for $15, at 10:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m, 2 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Stroll along Main Street and see how the Corbetts, Mannings, and Steinfelds entertained in their homes. Special offer: $18 for the walking tour and the chocolate tastings.

Also during this event will be featured musical performances by El Mariachi Corazon de Tucson. Entrance to the Presidio is free all day.

For more information, log onto website for the Tucson Presidio Trust for Historic Preservation whose mission is:
“To guide and aid in the interpretation of the history of the Old Pueblo at the Tucson Origins Heritage Park with special emphasis on the Spanish Colonial period through research, education and living history.” Phone number is (520) 837-8119.

Also coming up at the Presidio this month:
Saturday February 27, Living History Day. 10am – 3pm. Crafts demonstrations, soldiers drilling, and cannon fire bring the Presidio to life. Sample Spanish Colonial food and watch the reenactors bake bread in an horno (oven). Parking is free on the nearby streets.