Eat. Sip. Bid!

at Jerome Beillard Festival for Life on Saturday Nov 19, at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 W. River Road (east of La Canada, north side).

“Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuveres, and a no-host bar while viewing and bidding on more than 600 pieces of artwork, one-of-a-kind experiences, and gift packages featured in the Festival for Life live and silent auctions”, now in its 23rd year.

5:30 p.m. event registraton
6:00 p.m. silent auction dorrs open
7:00 p.m. live auction begins

Auction items include a trip for 2 to Bali, Mexican vacation packages, framed artwork by local artists Gail Marcus-Orlen, Liz Vaughn & Wil Taylor, framed photographs by Betsy Leacock and Lorraine Darconte, a ballet-themed Christmas tree, gifts baskets.

Each year, Festival for Life features more than 80 framed Paper Prayers for bids in our silent auction as well as 100s more unframed for sale at $10 each. Paper Prayers are created by artists, SAAF staff, clients, and volunteers and are one of the highlights of each year’s event. In Japan, when someone is ill, friends and family bring pieces of artwork on strips of paper, the traditional gift to inspire good health.
Bidding on framed Paper Prayers begins at $40.

Featured entertainment by Flam Chen, the Street Minstrels, Jose Luis Puerta.
Moderated by Lupita Murillo, KVOA Channel 4, and Bobby Rich, 94.9 MIX fm.

More info: www.festvalforlife.org or call 520-628-7223. All proceeds benefit SAAF, the Southern AZ Aids Foundation, www.saaf.org. It’s fitting to use these paper prayers to aid in the healing of SAAF’s clients.

Tickets are $25 in advance (purchase online) or $35 at the door.

December 8, 1989 was the first Festival of the Trees, a fundraiser for the People with AIDS Coalition of Tucson (P.A.C.T). The event auctioned off nearly 200 decorated trees and wreathes for the holiday season. Over the years, the event grew and in 1992, Festival of the Trees became Festival for Life adding artwork, menorahs, and celebrity items. That year also had a special appearance by Miss Mary Wilson, formerly of the Supremes. In 1995, P.A.C.T.’s co-founder and Executive Director, Jerôme Beillard, passed away from AIDS complications and Festival for Life was renamed to the Jerôme Beillard Festival for Life – honoring the work and spirit of a great man. Each year added amazing artwork, designer Christmas trees, gift baskets, celebrity items and sculptures. Each year also added local sponsors and community members all supporting the same cause.

Can’t attend but want to support Festival for Life? Make a $10 donation by texting “SAAF” to 20222 on your cell phone.

If you want to meet & greet all Mayoral & Council candidates (Wards 1, 2, 4) plan on attending this candidate forum at Temple Emanu-El on 10/17, starting at 6 p.m. LWVGT stands for the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson and PCTWC stands for Pima County/Tucson Women’s Commission. KVOA Channel 4 reporter Lupita Murillo will be the moderator.

For Mayor of Tucson:
Mary DeCamp G)
Rick Grinnell (R)
Jonathan Rothschild (D)

Ward 1:
Beryl Baker (G)
Regina Romero (D) – incumbent

Ward 2:
Paul Cunningham (D) – incumbent
Jennifer Rawson (R)

Ward 4:
Shirley Scott (D) – incumbent
Tyler Vogt (R)

Temple Emanu-El is north of Broadway Blvd., west side of the street.

My previous blog on campaign websites for these 9 candidates (click here).

Since only 16.65% of the registered voters (266,448) in the City of Tucson cast ballots in the Primary election on August 30, there is hope that more will vote in the General election on November 8. Vote-by-mail ballots will be sent out on October 19, so you can vote as early as the next day by mailing it back in. Or you can wait to take the ballot to one of the seven polling locations on November 8. Last day to register to vote for the General is on October 11.

Running for election this year:
For Mayor of Tucson (no incumbent, as Republican Mayor Bob Walkup is stepping down after 3 terms- 12 years- in office):

Mary DeCamp (G), www.decampformayor.org
Rick Grinnell (R), www.grinnell4mayor.com
Jonathan Rothschild (D), www.jonathanformayor.com

For Ward 1:
Beryl Baker (G), www.berylbaker.comli.com
Regina Romero (D) – www.votereginaromero.com, incumbent (elected 4 years ago)

For Ward 2:
Paul Cunningham (D) – www.votepaulcunningham.com, incumbent (appointed May, 2010)
Jennifer Rawson (R), www.rawsonforcouncil.com

For Ward 4:
Shirley Scott (D) – www.shirley2011.com, incumbent (elected 16 years ago)
Tyler Vogt (R), www.vogt4tucson.com

Familiarize yourself with these candidates, the issues facing the City of Tucson, and attend upcoming forums to learn more about your choices this fall.

The League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson is hosting a candidate forum on Monday October 17 at Temple Emanu-El, and all 9 candidates have confirmed their attendance. KVOA Channel 4 reporter Lupita Murillo will be moderating this forum, which starts at 6 p.m. This event is co-sponsored by the Pima County/Tucson Women’s Commission.