Ticket info: www.jello-wresting.org, 520-628-7223, sponsored by Southern Arizona Aids Foundation.

Saturday April 27, 2013

NEW LOCATION: The Slaughterhouse 1102 W. Grant Road

3:00pm Gates Open/Pre-Event Games & Festivities

4:00pm Wrestling & Live Auction Begins

8:00pm Event Ends

The 26th Annual Reno Gannon Memorial Jell-O Wrestling Extravaganza and Benefit Auction will be held on Saturday April 27, 2013 at The Slaughterhouse, located at 1102 West Grant Road, just east of the I-10 access ramp.

Teams of wrestlers raise funds to wrestle in a pit of Jell-O, often with extraordinary costumes and characters. Between wrestling matches our Drag Diva Hostesses run a live auction featuring a variety of unique items selected to please the crowd.

I’ve seen regular wrestling, but never mud wrestling or this stranger version of Jello wrestling. But check it out on April 27 for this benefit. I reported on it last year with background on founder the late Reno Gannon (click here).

Aidswalk Tucson is in its 24th year (started in 1988) and is now moving to the Jacome Plaza downtown in front of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, on Sunday October 14. Event starts at 8 a.m. The Main library is at 101 N. Stone, just south of Alameda.

AIDSWALK TUCSON 2012 EVENT SCHEDULE

Event Program Begins:..8:15 a.m.

Warm Up/ Music:………..8:30 a.m.

Walk Start Time:………..9:00 a.m.

Ending Ceremony:……..10:00 a.m.

Quilt Opening:…………..10:15 a.m.

2012 Honorary Chair is new Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild.

After 6 years at the University of Arizona mall, and previously at Rillito Downs, Aidswalk Tucson has found a new location in downtown. The Tucson Meet Yourself festival runs from October 12 to 14 at the Jacome Plaza, and elsewhere in downtown such as El Presidio Park and La Placita Village. Participate in Aidswalk on October 14, then stay for the rest of the multi-cultural festival. More info: www.aidswalktucson.org, to sign up online. Aidswalk is sponsored by the Southern Arizona Aids Foundation (SAAF).

You can even make a $10 donation on your cell phone by texting “SAAF” to 20222.

Help raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and attend/enjoy Tucson Meet Yourself as well.

Walk straight ahead to downtown for Aidswalk 2012

Who doesn’t love jello? But in wrestling? This event benefitng Southern Arizona Aids Foundation (SAAF) is in its 25th year, and counting…so it must be successful. How did I miss the first 24 matches?

Teams of wrestlers raise funds to wrestle in a pit of Jell-O, often with extraordinary costumes and characters. Between wrestling matches our Drag Diva Hostesses run a live auction featuring a variety of unique items selected to please the crowd.

For all that jello fun, check it out on May 12, 3 p.m. pre-party, with the jello wrestling beginning at 4 p.m. till 8 p.m., all at Kennedy Fiesta Park, 3700 S. La Cholla.

Buy advance tickets online at $20 at a discount (website www.jello-wrestling.org), or $25 at the door/gate.

History of this event from their website:

In 1987, Reno Gannon, a bartender at Tucson bar Rumor Hazzit, returned from a vacation in Mexico with an exciting new idea for a fundraising event. The concept? Jell-O Wrestling!

Reno spoke with Rumor Hazzitt owner Bruce Peg and his management staff of Peter Sitig and Michael Bennett about putting on the event as a fundraiser to help people living with HIV/AIDS. Bruce, Peter, and Michael liked the idea and organized the first Jell-O Wrestling Extravaganza in 1987. Shanti, one of the 3 local AIDS Service Organizations that would later merge to form the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF), was the recipient of event proceeds.

Reno was an energetic, fun-loving, intelligent man in his early 20s when he brought this idea to the community. Committed to doing something to help, he and the owners and management of Rumor Hazzit made the event a reality. At age 23, Reno died from AIDS. The year following his death, the event became a memorial to him.

Reno’s legacy of hope and dedication to raising public awareness about HIV/AIDS continues through this wonderful event. In the past 9 years alone, Jell-O Wrestling has raised more than $260,000 for the programs and services of SAAF.

Thinking about this jello wrestling inspired me to make some lime jello (for consumption) this morning.

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.

Aidswalk 2010 banner

22nd Annual Aidswalk coming up on Sunday October 17, early morning at University of Arizona mall (schedule below):

7:00 registration & check in
7:30 10K fun run starts
8:15 Daybreak Quilt opening ceremony
9:00 Aidswalk 5K walk opening ceremony
9:30 5Kwalk starts
10:00 entertainment begins – food, fun, kids’ activities, music

Register online at www.tucsonaidswalk.org , please help fundraise & support this event.
Or call Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) at (520) 628-7223 or Toll Free: (800) 771-9054.

Fellow blogger “Rainbow Ramblings” encouraged people to participate in Aidswalk yesterday: click here.

Thousands of people turn out for this event every year to fight the battle against AIDS. And I usually walk in memory of my friend F. Leo Brown (of Connecticut & New York) who died from AIDS back in 1991 at age 49.

Walk the Walk!

PEOPLE OF COLOR FESTIVAL – SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

Tucson, AZ – The 5th annual People of Color Festival takes place on Saturday, September 11th from 8:00am-1:00pm at the Northwest Neighborhood Center (2160 North 6th Avenue, south of Grant Road).

This festival, focusing on the promotion of health and wellness among African Americans and the medically underserved of Southern Arizona, is sponsored by the Coalition for African American Health and Wellness, and features free entertainment, games, food, health and safety exhibits, workshops, health screenings, activities for kids, and door prizes.

The People of Color Festival supports efforts to reduce health disparities as part of Arizona Healthy People 2020. Our theme: “Wellness, Mind, Body, and Soul,” and our keynote speaker, Dr. Cheryl Ritenbaugh, University of Arizona Professor of Family and Community Medicine, will open the session around 10:00am with her presentation “Complimentary, Alternative, and Traditional Medicines: Systems of Care Focused on Wellness for the Whole Person.” Following her will be panel presentations on Mind, Body, and Soul.

“We’re excited about this year’s event that will bring together resources to help people of color and others who are medically underserved address their well-being and get information and support to become better stewards of their own health and our community’s health,” said Mary F. Stoute, president of the Coalition for African American Health and Wellness.

One of the highlights of the festival will be the presentation of Harriet Tubman Vanguard Awards to seven outstanding and unwavering supporters of community health and wellness:
Community Health Activist: Sheila H. Parker, MPH, DrPH
Community Health Educator: Paul Appleby
Community Health Provider: Nicola Finley, M.D.
Community Health Volunteer: Mary F. Stoute
Community Organization: SAAF (Southern Az Aids Foundation)
Faith-Based Organization: Mt. Calvary Baptist Church
Community Health Policy Advocate: Linda Leatherman

The 2010 People of Color Festival sponsors include Community Partnership of Southern Arizona, La Frontera Center, SAAF, El Rio Community Health Center, Pima County Health Department, Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN), Tucson Southern Arizona Black Chamber of Commerce, and Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.”

About the Coalition for African American Health and Wellness: “Our mission is to promote healthy living and improve the overall quality of life for African Americans and medically underserved people in the Tucson community.”

For more information, visit www.caahw.org or contact Mary F. Stoute, President of the Coalition, at (520) 471-6481 or maryapple@aol.com.

I’ve been to this festival in the past (being a so-called “Person of Color”) and there was lots of helpful health & well-being information for all minority populations.

logo

Wingspan is located at 430 East Seventh Street, just a short walk east of 4th Ave.
Website: www.wingspan.org. I’m glad to see Wingspan marking the first year anniversary at this new location with an open house.

Eon youth are also invited to enjoy the festivities with the community at the Wingspan center. “Eon works to strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and straight ally youth community by creating social opportunities, providing information and support on health issues, advocating for youth rights, and challenging society’s perceptions of youth.”

I wrote about their move last July, 2009 from their larger 2 story facility to their present one across E. 7th Street (click here). Drop on by and learn more about the terrific work done by Wingspan, Southern Arizona’s only LGBT center.

Coming up shortly on July 15 from their newsletter as well:

“The Wingspan Anti-Violence Programs (AVP) is organizing a community event to raise awareness of Anti-Gay/Trans bullying in local area middle and elementary schools. The event was motivated by a recent increase in calls to the crisis line from community members personally or vicariously affected by school violence.

The goal for the community event is to draw attention to Anti-Gay/Trans bullying in local area middle and elementary schools and serve as a catalyst for cultural change.

LGBT issues are taboo subjects for many middle and elementary schools, leaving students to suffer in silence. Affected students and their parents need the support.

The AVP staff, AVP advisory committee and community members had an initial planning meeting in June. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at the SAAF offices at 375 S. Euclid Avenue. Interested community members who want to help plan the event are invited to attend the July 15 meeting.” (SAAF stands for Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation)

For more information, please contact AVP Manager Oscar Jimenez at ojimenez@wingspan.org.

Anti-gay bullying is a problem in our Tucson schools, and I’m glad to see this ATV group and other community members working to combat it.

AIDS ribbon

Read the full text of the Resolution below, unanimously (5-0) passed by the Board on May 11, 2010 and signed by Board Chair Ramon Valadez.

“WHEREAS, people of Pima County will join those in more than 1,200 other communities in more than 100 countries to observe the 27th annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, the oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaign for HIV/AIDS awareness in the world; and

WHEREAS, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is based on four simple principles: to honor the memory of those lost to AIDS; to show support for those living with HIV and AIDS; to raise community awareness and eliminate stigma related to HIV and AIDS; and to mobilize community involvement in the fight against HIV and AIDS; and

WHEREAS, our observance in Pima County derives from the cooperation of many local agencies, including AIDS Ribbon Tucson, Be Positive Tucson, City of Tucson Human Relations Commission, Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network, Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona, and Wingspan; and

WHEREAS, HIV/AIDS continues to impact the lives of citizens of all ages, races, and genders living and working in Pima County and across Southern Arizona.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Pima County Board of Supervisors hereby declares May 16, 2010, to be:
“INTERNATIONAL AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL DAY”
in Pima County, and encourages everyone to join together in the family-friendly International AIDS Candlelight Memorial event in Himmel Park on Sunday, May 16, at 6 p.m.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 11th day of May, 2010.”

One of my dear friends F. Leo Brown died from AIDS in 1991 in New York City. I will light a candle in his memory tonight. For more info: www.candlelightmemorial.org.
_____________________________________

Aidswalk 2009 bookmark

Sunday October 11, 2009 is the date for the upcoming 21st Tucson Aidswalk event, once more to be held at the U of A. The official website is: www.aidswalktucson.com sponsored by the Southern Arizona Aids Foundation. Blogger Mark Kerr “Tucson Observer” has already blogged on this event, but I wanted to repeat it for the readers out there.

I am usually able to raise about $200 to $300 each time I participate in Aidswalk. A few years ago I was interviewed by a reporter from this newspaper, as to why I walked.

My niece Tiffany raised an astonishing $3,000 for the Honolulu Aidswalk this past April. I’m so proud of her for caring so much to help this cause.

“This year’s message, I walk because…it allows people to share their story. I walk because…every 9½ minutes someone is infected with HIV. I walk because…approximately 2 young Americans under the age of 24 become infected with HIV every hour of every day. I walk because…everyone has an HIV status. I walk because… ”

Thousands and thousands of people show up on the U of A mall– to run the 10K, walk the 5K, check out the educational booths, snack on free food and listen to the entertainment, lend support, socialize, etc.

“I walk because”…this event is all about community in Southern Arizona.