Molly McKasson

From Pima County News:

Molly McKasson, writer, actress and former teacher and Tucson City Council member, will meet and talk with the public at Pima County Public Library’s next “Meet Me at the Library: Conversations with Arizona Leaders” on Saturday, Jan. 14.*

The event is 2-3:30 p.m. at the Himmel Park Branch Library, 1035 N Treat Ave., and is free and open to the public.

McKasson served two terms representing Ward 6 on the Tucson City Council from 1989 to 1997 and ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1999 against Bob Walkup. She continues to be active in the community. Her writing has appeared in a number of local magazines and other publications. She has directed and acted in a number of theater productions, most recently “Circle Mirror Transformation” at Invisible Theatre in November.

Meet Me at the Library is an opportunity for people to meet and talk to elected officials and other community leaders.

Previous invited officials to this Conversations have been former UA President Robert Shelton, retiring Pima County Supervisor Ann Day (District 1) and current Chair Supervisor Ramon Valadez (District 2), State Senators Paula Aboud (LD 28), Linda Lopez (LD 29), Frank Antenori (LD 30).

I’ve known Molly for a number of years since she was our Ward 6 Councilmember, and attended the memorial service of her husband Rich Morgan two years ago. She is a very strong woman, who has a deep sense of community involvement.

1/11/12: Just received notification that this library talk has been cancelled. See note below.

*1/12/12: Molly’s talk has been rescheduled to Tuesday Feb.7, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Himmel Library.

The Arizona Centennial website offers information about the countdown to next year’s centennial celebration on February 14, 2012. In case you don’t know why, Arizona became the 48th state on February 14, 1912, 99 years ago.

We’re one year away from Arizona’s 100th statehood date, so here’s what the Arizona Centennial Commission in Phoenix is up to:

“Once in a Lifetime Valentine’s Day” at the State Capitol today, 10 to 2 p.m. at the Senate lawn of the State Capitol,

with 50 Expo booths “highlighting Signature Projects & Events, Legacy Projects and Official Centennial Events”.

Click here for more information if you want to drive up there today.

And bookmark that website for additional events all over the great state of Arizona this year leading up to the Centennial next February. Questions? Write to info@arizona100.org or call the Arizona Centennial Commission at 602-364-3702.

Who’s on this Commission from Southern Arizona: Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, University of Arizona President Dr. Robert Shelton, and Lisa Lovallo, VP of Cox Communications.

And Happy Valentine’s Day 2011.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to Visit UA Campus Wednesday

General News January 10, 2011
from UANews | “President Obama will speak at a memorial event at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12 to support and remember victims of the mass shooting in Tucson, and to lift the spirits of those who have been personally affected by this tragedy.”

The event, “Together We Thrive: Tucson and America” starts at 6 p.m. at McKale Center (just west of Campbell Avenue, north of E. 6th Street) and is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 4 p.m.

University of Arizona President Robert Shelton, as well as state and federal officials will also speak at the event– Governor Jan Brewer, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, and Justice Anthony Kennedy, Circuit Justice for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit are expected to attend.

“The event will include a Native American blessing, a moment of silence, a poetry reading, and a presentation of a chain featuring messages from the public.”

Attendees should arrive early because a capacity crowd is expected, and there will be increased security due to the President’s presence.

Six people were shot & killed and 13 others injured on Saturday January 8, 2011 at a Safeway store in NW Tucson, by 22 year old suspect Jared Lee Loughner. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of CD 8 was apparently his target, and 3 of her Congressional district aides were also shot — one (Gabe Zimmerman) died at the scene. Federal district court Chief Judge John Roll was also killed, and 9 year old Christina Taylor Green.

UPDATE: video of event online (click here).

Photo of event tshirt from photographer Jon Scanlon (who attended the event);