Carolyn's Community

The Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus will perform two concerts on Saturday, Nov. 21, with proceeds benefiting the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration’s Preserving Our Heritage campaign.

The popular youth chorus, directed by Dr. Julian Ackerley, will present the world premiere of “Prayers from the Ark” at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Benedictine Sister’s historic monastery chapel at 800 N. Country Club Rd. in Tucson.

St. Benefictine monastery

“Prayers from the Ark” was written by French Benedictine nun Carmen Bernos de Gasztold and it includes 27 poems written from the point of view of the animals on Noah’s Ark, each saying a simple prayer to God in its own voice.

In 1966, renowned conductor and former musical director of the Tucson Symphony Frederic Balazs received the book as a gift, and years later after hearing the Boys Chorus, he sat down to write “Prayers from the Ark” as a fund raiser for the Benedictine Sisters. It took two months to complete. The music Balazs wrote depicts the character of each animal portrayed in the poetry, “attempting to match the underlying warmth and wit. Interwoven are chanting, reminiscent of early church music.” Sounds like this premier will be popular with children who can imagine the Ark’s numerous animals.

Danish pianist Torsten Juul-Borre will join the chorus as a featured performer and will play selections of works by Chopin, Grieg and Liszt.

This promises to be an international evening of music inspired by poetry written by a French nun and sung by a chorus which is based on traditions of a European boy choir, accompanied by a Danish pianist.

“Proceeds from the premiere concert will benefit the Benedictine Sisters’ heritage fund, which is raising $1 million for repair and restoration of their 70-year-old monastery” (built by Tucson architect Roy Place.) They have currently raised more than $350,000 with the help of friends, community organizations and benefactors. Last year I toured this monastery and was duly impressed with the architecture and courtyards, well worth preserving.

Tickets are $50 and available by calling (520) 325-6401. Contact person is Prioress Sister Ramona Varela at varela@bspa.us.

Please remember to attend the 6th Annual Memory Screening Day at the Tucson Jewish Community Center (TJCC), on Tuesday, November 17, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

Seems that lots of people are more and more concerned about losing memory, doing things to exercise their brains to retain memory, etc. I confess I even attended a workshop this summer called “Exercising the Brain”, where I learned some memory training tips and the usefulness of “neurobics.” *

This event features memory screening, healthy lifestyle sessions, and education about Alzheimer’s disease, with diagnosis and prevention as well—all free. The sponsors are primarily the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, www.alzheimersprevention.org, and lots other co-sponsors listed on the website.

For those of you without a computer, call 520-749-8374, x 2 for information. RSVP is recommended.

The Tucson Jewish Community Center has an informative, colorful website at www.tucsonjcc.org about their center’s multiple programs. TJCC is located at 3800 E. River Road, at Dodge and the Alvernon Overpass.

They just recently celebrated 60 years of their center in Tucson, and 20 years at their beautiful Dodge location, with a new, unique sculpture garden. (Incidentally the grand opening of that garden is today from 2 to 4 p.m. with complimentary refreshments and a cash bar. RSVP to 520-299-3000).

* “The term neurobics was coined by late neurobiologist Lawrence Katz and Manning Rubin to describe mental exercises designed to keep the brain alert.”

WHEN: Saturday, November 14, 2009, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Habitat for Humanity’s HabiStore, 840 S. Palo Verde Road, Ste. 201 (Southwest corner of Ajo and Palo Verde).

The free Green Living fair will feature information tables offering advice from local experts, the “Gurus of Green”, including Mrs. Green, Pima County Department of Environmental Quality, Pima Computer Recycling, The Solar Store, Tucson Organic Gardeners, Tucson Electric Power, Cartridge World, World Care, Technicians for Sustainability, and others.

Activities and information at the fair will include: Growing a home garden, organic gardening & composting, green transportation, rainwater harvesting, solar power, air quality, saving energy, recycling, resource-conservation, alternative fuels, and other bargains at the HabiStore. There will even be hands-on “green activities” for kids as well.

For this event only, bring your E-waste items for recycling: cell phones, TVs, empty ink and laser cartridges, computers, and other electronics.

“Habitat for Humanity Tucson offers an innovative solution to the crisis of poverty housing by giving a hand up, not a hand out. Habitat Tucson works to end poverty housing by creating opportunities for homeownership in partnership with low-income families; and by making decent shelter a matter of community conscience and action.” They built 300 homes last year.

“The HabiStore is changing the world one couch at a time! By selling surplus new and used building and home improvement materials, appliances and furniture to the public the HabiStore is diverting more than 150 tons of material from the landfill each year. Usable materials, donated by retail businesses, contractors, individuals, and other organizations, are sold to the public at below cost prices. Proceeds from the HabiStore fund the Habitat Tucson mission of eliminating poverty housing within our community. ”

For more information please visit www.habitattucson.org, or call HabiStore at 520-889-7200.

Sounds like a wealth of information on “living green.”

Free workshops, free tax preparation, free checking & savings options, free food– all at the Tucson Money Faire coming up on Saturday November 14 at the Northwest Neighborhood Center, 2160 N. 6th Avenue, south of Grant Road, from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. There are even prizes and free cash giveaways.

Sponsored by the Southwest Center for Economic Integrity, this faire (fair?) offers “affordable, friendly financial services and products” for all. You can also learn about foreclosure timelines and options, and credit reports and repair.

This Center for Economic Integrity (whose Executive Director is Councilmember Karin Uhlich) lead the fight against pay day loan companies in Arizona. Their mission is to “engage in research, education and advocacy to strengthen local economies by mobilizing and protecting marginalized people, holding corporations and industries accountable to communities and cultivating support for good business practices.”

Last year I attended this annual event and I witnessed someone win $100 in the free cash giveaway. How lucky!

For more info: Deputy Director Kelly Griffith, whose email is kelly@economicintegrity.org or 520-882-2165.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going”…hopefully to the Tucson Money Faire.

Bear Essential News for Kids, the free monthly newspaper “to educate, enrich and entertain children and families” is celebrating their 30th year of publication this month.

First published in 1979, this paper is now distributing to 700 public and private schools in Arizona, and most public libraries in Tucson. In total, Bear Essential News distributes a quarter million newspapers a month all over this state, and all for free!

A great program of this paper is the Young Reporters Program where students (3rd to 8th grades) get trained as reporters. 2000 students are currently enrolled, and these students may someday dream of becoming journalists.

“Even by professional standards, Young Reporters are a big success at getting the scoop. They cover stories close to home like school food drives and community events. They also nab national stories, interviewing some of the biggest names in politics, sports and entertainment. Young Reporters have the responsibility of reporting what’s making news in their world.”

My son and I read this paper all through his childhood, enjoying the news of community events, the numerous coupons, and summer camp listings. What a valuable resource for families for 30 years.

Happy Birthday Bear Essential News, and many happy returns to you and your polar bear mascot, Boomer. Kids can write letters to Boomer at boomer@bearessentialnews.com, or via “snail mail” to 1037 S. Alvernon Way, #150, Tucson, AZ 85711.

For more information, call 520-792-9930 in Tucson, or log onto www.bearessentialnews.com.

Bear Essential News logo

If you haven’t been to “The Castle” at 388 S. Stone Ave south of downtown Tucson, then I encourage you to drop by tomorrow November 7, between 7 to 10 p.m. for the monthly reception of WomanKraft (www.womankraft.org), a non profit arts organization. Founded in 1974, WomanKraft’s mission is to “claim, validate, and empower women artists and other under represented groups.”

This November reception will highlight the beginning of their annual Holiday Bazaar–which started in 1986, to provide a venue for Tucson women artists and artisans to sell their “most affordable, original and diverse artworks”. Free & creative gift wrapping for all gallery purchases will be done by Darlene Kirk of Payson, Arizona.

I’ve been to a few of their receptions over the years, and the crafts on sale include acrylic or watercolor paintings, photographs, sculptures, metal creations, feathery boas, lots of lovely jewelry, notecards, etc.

Another second Holiday Bazaar reception will be held on Saturday December 5, also from 7 to 10 p.m. for more holiday shopping!

Regular hours for WomanKraft (located south of Cushing Street) are Tuesdays to Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m.

“The Castle” (built in 1918, photo below) houses the art gallery, the School of the Arts, The Sanctuary–an all natural beauty salon–and the Institute for Shamanic Arts. Read more about these programs on their website, or in their bi-monthly newsletter “The Castle Voice”, or call 520-629-9976.

Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona are teaming up to “Fish for a Wish” all day Saturday, November 7. Make-A-Wish’s mission: “We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.”

Rubio's logo

ALL 29 Arizona Rubio’s will donate ALL proceeds from its World Famous Fish Taco sales to sponsor one wish, up to $10,000. “Please come out and eat some tacos to support the Make-A-Wish foundation and make the wish of a special little girl with a life-threatening medical condition come true.”

I knew such a little girl, Sydney Theresa Clanagan who died at age 11, back on April 3, 2003 here in Tucson. Her final wish was to swim with the dolphins in Hawaii. She got her wish compliments of this foundation, at the Hilton Waikoloa Village hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii. I was there with her family, to experience her joy. Sydney was diagnosed at Tucson Medical Center with a terminal illness, metachromatic leukodystrophy at age 9. I knew her when she was an athletic, bouncy, normal child, and then I went to her funeral 2 plus years later.

This Tucson Citizen newspaper (print edition) had several articles about Sydney’s rare, genetic illness and her courage in facing death.

I also happen to be a fan of Rubio’s fish tacos. So “go fish” on Saturday to help make a dying child’s wish come true.

“Sustainable” seems to be the buzz word everyone is using in this 21st century. And if you’re curious about a group called Sustainable Tucson, here’s their mission statement:

“a non-profit, grass-roots organization that builds regional resilience and sustainability through awareness raising, community engagement and public/private partnerships. Our members focus their action, advocacy and research through working groups addressing the unprecedented challenges of our time, economic meltdown, population pressures, climate change, and resource depletion.” Whew, that sounds like quite an ambitious mission.

Coming up:
La Vida Verde Picnic and Open Space Event
Saturday Nov. 7
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (potluck picnic, with music till sunset)
Reid Park (between Country Club and Randolph Way, north of 22nd Street)
ramadas 14 and 15

Theme: “How do we unite our Tucson community during this Great Turning towards a peaceful and sustainable future?”

I didn’t know we were in a “Great Turning”– but I think I better find out what that means. Otherwise I may get left behind.

Sustainable Tucson holds monthly meetings at the Joel D. Valdez Main library, 101 N. Stone Ave. downtown, on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:45 p.m. The next meeting is coming up on November 10.

Check out their informative website www.sustainabletucson.org for updates, and for lots of information on sustainability.

Everyone knows who Mr. Rogers is, that TV personality with the red sweater on PBS. Now the Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood Sweater Drive is helping families share “new, or clean & gently-worn” sweaters with others. All sizes welcome, to be donated to the clothing banks at local Tucson schools.

“The Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive promotes Fred Rogers’ giving spirit by helping children and their families share clothing with those who need it.”

Drop these sweaters off at any of the nine Shaffer Dry Cleaning & Laundry outlets listed online and in the phone book, starting tomorrow November 1st through 7th.

Or you can bring them to the Arizona Public Media tent at U of A Homecoming on the U of A mall on Saturday November 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Any sweater donation will also earn you a FREE Kids’ 3 oz vanilla ice cream cone coupon from McDonalds!

This is just in time for winter, so do consider cleaning out your sweater drawer. A few years ago I gave away most of my grown son’s childhood jackets on such a clothing drive.

Mister Rogers in his red sweater

For more info, see www.azpm.org.

We all support public safety. But are you still debating over whether to support the so-called “public safety first initiative” or not?

If you missed the League of Women Voters’ forum on October 19 about the ballot propositions, here’s another chance to learn more about Proposition 200, the “Public Safety First Initiative”.

Go to Leo Rich Theater, 260 S. Church Ave. in the Tucson Convention Center downtown on Monday October 26, from 6 to 7 p.m. for an Arizona Public Media sponsored town hall.

Bill Buckmaster, host of “Arizona Illustrated” on KUAT Channel 6, Ann Brown, editorial page editor for the Arizona Daily Star, and Jim Nintzel, political reporter/commentator of the Tucson Weekly will be posing questions to the pro and con reps of Prop. 200.

Or, if you just want to educate yourself about the initiative online, here’s the links: Vote Yes, or Vote No. I’ve been watching those websites, and the list against 200 is growing. You can also watch a live stream of the town hall that evening at www.azpm.org.

Moreover, in the “Sample Ballot/Publicity Pamphlet and Instructions to Voters” sent for the City of Tucson Elections is the full text of Proposition 200, and arguments for and against on pages 13 to 21. It’s very illustrative to see who’s supporting this proposition and who’s not.

This Proposition has taken clear partisan lines with those running for City Council seats in Ward 3, 5, and 6: the Republicans say vote yes, and the Democrats and Green candidate say vote no.

The decision is yours — vote on or before November 3rd.