Michael Chihak’s weekly TV Show “Arizona Week” is in its 14th Week since its debut on January 14, 2011. Tonight’s show (every Friday at 8:30 p.m. on KUAT Channel 6) focused on U.S. Senator Jon Kyl’s announcement not to seek re-election, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords’ recovery, redistricting, and political campaigns.

Host Chihak’s guests tonight were Assistant Professor Kate Kenski of the UA Dept. of Communication, and Carol Zimmerman, of Zimmerman Public Affairs (and apparently no relation to CD 8 aide Gabe Zimmerman who was killed on 1/8/11). Kenski talks about current trends and the growing number of Independents in Arizona. Zimmerman talks about the upcoming federal races in 2012.

Political comments were also provided by Amy Wang, reporter for the Arizona Republic and Ted Robbins, SW correspondent for National Public Radio. Both discuss Congresswoman Giffords’ current condition/treatment and her uncertain future. Amy also reports that only Republican Congressman Jeff Flake (CD 6) has currently announced for U.S. Senator Kyl’s seat. (Board of Regent Fred DuVal, former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, and former U.S. Senate candidate Jim Pederson– all Democrats– have declined to run).

View this TV segment online here.

Note: I also heard Jessica Schultz, Congresswoman Giffords’s poltiical director speak this week Monday at Democrats of Greater Tucson, who said that the Congresswoman’s condition was still a “long road to recovery”, as a brain injury survivor.

KJLL (1330 AM) radio talk show host Bill Buckmaster will be moderating a roundtable/panel discussion at the UA Student Union North Ballroom on Tuesday Feb. 15, entitled “Civility in Political Discourse”, at 12 noon.

Panelists:

– former Arizona U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini
–former Tucson City Mayor Tom Volgy (and Professor in Government & Public Policy at the U of A)
–UA Assistant Professor Kate Kenski, Dept. of Communication
–David Fitzsimmons, political cartoonist for Arizona Daily Star newspaper

The Student Union is at 1303 E. University Drive, and this ballroom is on the north side of the building, south of Mountain Avenue and E. 2nd Street. The event is open to the public, and students are encouraged to attend. Parking is available at the 2nd Street Garage just north of the Student Union, or on the street (metered), or take the Sun Tran Bus.

Bruce Skolnik, J.D.

This roundtable is part of a Week of Civility starting on February 14 on the UA campus, organized by UA Attorney Bruce Skolnik. He joined The University of Arizona in 2008 where he “represents the University in matters pertaining to intercollegiate athletics and student affairs.”

Other Week of Civility events (all events at 12 noon):

Monday, February 14: Sporting Civility: Promoting a More Civil Student Fan and Athlete Ethos. Greg Byrne, UA Athletic Director, will speak about fans, student athletes and civility. LOCATION: Modern Languages Bldg. 210

Wednesday, February 16: Civil Discourse in a Conflicted Community. “As part of the Civility in the 21st Century event, a panel of University of Arizona faculty members will discuss civility in academia. Pat Hoyer, professor of physiology; Miranda Joseph, associate professor of women’s studies; J.C. Mutchler, associate professor of history at UA South; and J. Jefferson Reid, professor of anthropology, will share their perspectives on academic culture and the importance of debate and sharing a broad variety of views while maintaining civility. LOCATION: Student Union, Tucson Room.

Thursday, February 17: Civility in the Digital Age. Dr. Sheri Bauman, Associate Professor, Disability and Psychoeducational Studies, will speak about Electronic Civility/cyber-bullying. LOCATION: Student Union, Tucson Room.

Friday, February 18: Steve Adamczyk, University Attorney, will speak about Civility and the First Amendment, with panelists Kevin Haywood (UAPD), Kathy Adams Riseter (Dean of Students Office), Sharon Overstreet (UA Residence Life), Josh Estavillo, J.D. (UA General Counsel office). LOCATION: Education Bldg. 318

For more updated information contact Cathy Nicholson at 520-626-4650 or    maryn@email.arizona.edu.

There has been a lot of talk of more civility since that tragic January 8, 2011 mass shooting here in Tucson. Skolnik told me that this particular roundtable was in the works since the General Election of 2010.

Attend this roundtable to find out what local Tucson leaders have to say about political discourse. Ironically the venue is the same north ballroom where the rowdy CD 8 U.S. House debate was held on October 18, 2010.

Log onto the Buckmaster show of 2/3/11 (click here) to hear Bill discuss this upcoming roundtable with organizer Bruce Skolnik.

Interested in political campaigns and the 3 Ms: media, money & message? Attend a luncheon talk at the lovely Arizona Inn, on Nov 12, 11: 45 a.m. to 1 p.m. by Assistant Professor Kate Kenski of the University of Arizona Dept. of Communication. This event is sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Cost is: UA/Pima Students, $15; PRSA Members, $25; Non-members, $35. Those without a reservation may have to pay an extra $10.

Dr. Kenski will discuss “how campaign strategies shape public opinion in pivotal elections. And, with the recent mid-term elections just over, she will weigh in on how effectively area candidates used messages to convince voters.”

Kenski co-authored a new book entitled “The Obama Victory: How Media, Money, and Message Shaped the 2008 Election” (co-authored with Bruce W. Hardy and Kathleen Hall Jamieson; June 2010, Oxford University Press).

Professor Kenski was interviewed on KUAT Channel 6 on October 15 (click here). She did say that the CD 7 and CD 8 U.S. House races were going to be close. And listen to what Kenski said about former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Reservations can be made online at www.prsatucson.org or by contacting Ellen Hull by phone, 520-795-0300 x2283, or email, ehull@jfcstucson.org.

The 20,000-member Public Relations Society of America is the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals. Members represent business and industry, counseling firms, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional service firms and not-for-profit organizations.

More than 100 chapters in 10 geographical districts provide opportunities to grow professionally, share ideas, practice skills, and network with colleagues.

The Arizona Inn is at 2200 E. Elm Street (between Campbell & Tucson Blvd.), phone 520-325-1541.