Celebrate the upcoming holidays with the passionate women (and men friends) of the Arizona Women’s Political Caucus (AWPC) on Thursday Dec. 8, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

This holiday party will be once again at the home of attorneys Sherry Teachnor and Michael McCrory in mid-town Tucson. Call 520-327-3527 for directions.

“Come raise a glass to celebrate our public officials and to cheer on those 2012 candidates seeking an end to all the insanity.”

Welcome guest speaker Krista Millary, Th.D, the new (and first) Program director of the UA Women’s Resource Center.

RSVP to Linda at 520-625-4579 or lhbarter@cox.net. Members and friends (and guests) welcome to enjoy a delicious appetizer buffet and to talk politics.

I attended last year AWPC’s holiday event (click here) and met Pam Simon, Outreach Coordinator of CD 8 Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’s office. Less than a month later Pam was shot twice in that January 8, 2011 mass shooting. Thankfully she has fully recovered.

For more info on the AWPC, log onto www.awpconline.org. It is the state affiliate of the National Women’s Political Caucus. Their goal is: “50/50 by 2020! Changing the face of Arizona politics!”

We are the only multi-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to increasing the number of pro-choice women in elected and appointed office. We work to help women attain leadership positions at all levels of government

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The Arizona Women’s Political Caucus Tucson chapter celebrated the holidays and the victory of most of their endorsed, pro-choice candidates tonight at the home of attorney Sherry Teachnor. In previous years this party was held at Sherry’s former Galeria La Sirena on Broadway/Country Club which closed in January, 2010. Sherry still has some of the Caribbean & Latin art (paintings) at her home studio for sale.

Arizona Women’s Political Caucus (AWPC) President Pat Weidhopf welcomed the thirty women & men in attendance and said that the holiday event was to celebrate the victories of their endorsed candidates, to honor the great campaigns, and to encourage pro-choice women to “advance their convictions.”

Speaking tonight were elected officials:
–Pam Simon, Outreach Coordinator for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (CD8)
–Olivia Cajero Bedford (LD 27 Senator-elect, current LD 27 House Rep.)
–Linda Lopez (LD 29 Senator)
–Paula Aboud (LD 28 Senator)
–Sally Ann Gonzales (LD 27 House Rep.-elect)
–Patti Noland (Clerk of the Superior Court, and the only endorsed Republican)

Also speaking were the candidates who did not win their elections:
–Pat Fleming (LD 25 House Rep.)
–Nancy Young Wright (LD 26 House Rep.)
–Cheryl Cage (LD 26 Senate candidate)
–Mohur Sidhwa (LD 28 House candidate, lost in the primary)
–Andrea Dalessandro (LD 30 House candidate)

Many of these officials and candidates spoke of the help they received from the AWPC, saying that the Caucus was their “backbone”, “anchor”, “sense of sanity.” Many encouraged their supporters to continue their hard work and to monitor the upcoming State legislature, especially in terms of issues pertaining to education and families.

Also attending tonight were F. Ann Rodriguez, Pima County Recorder and Justice of the Peace (Precinct 4) Carmen Dolny.

10% of tonight’s sale of art goes to the AWPC girls’ leadership project, and another 10% to Haiti relief efforts. If interested in purchasing colorful, authentic Latin and Caribbean art, contact Sherry Teachnor at 520-319-1262.

Not attending tonight were statewide endorsed candidates Felecia Rotellini (for Attorney General) and Penny Kotterman (for State Superintendent of Public Instruction).

For my previous blog on AWPC prior to the General Election (click here).

Unfortunately the tough economy is forcing another art gallery in Tucson to close its doors.

Caribbean art poster

Galeria La Sirena, 2905 E. Broadway (just west of Country Club) is closing on Saturday, January 30. The gallery specialized in Latin and Caribbean art, and started 9 years ago with co-owner Sherry Teachnor promoting Haitian art due to her friendship with assassinated Justice Minister Guy Malary. She had served as a peace corps member in the Dominican Republic, and fell in love with art from that region as a consequence.

And the gallery has been a venue for free community groups and events over the years.

A special “Remembering and Thank You show” will be held on January 30, from 4 to 7:30 p.m.
Drop by the gallery (open Tuesdays through Saturdays) as there are still many lovely, colorful paintings available, as well as wooden and glass fish objects. For more information call 520-319-1262.

After February 1st call Sherry and her husband/co-owner Michael McCrory at 520-327-3527 for remaining art & framing.

I’ve been to a number of the art shows at Galeria La Sirena over the years, and have blogged about them for this paper in September about an Ecuadorian tapestry exhibit. We will miss this special gallery’s contributions to the art community of Tucson.

Adios, Galeria La Sirena!