Many many events are scheduled today by an amazing partnership of Southern Arizona groups, to “commemorate, celebrate and commit” to moving beyond that mass shooting on January 8, 2011. The earliest event start at 7:15 a.m. and some last till 6 p.m. tonight.

Here is again the BEYOND website for a long list of events today (click here), all over Southern Arizona.

The Main Event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Reid Park (22nd and Country Club area):

•Run/walk the BEYOND Outdoor Experience Activity Course.
•Take a class from Zumba, Yoga Oasis, The Uncarved Block (Tai-Chi)
•Try Pima County’s Bicycle Obstacle Course
“There will be creative opportunities with Bens Bells, Beads of Courage, Story Odyssey, Stories that Soar, Arts and Crafts and more! Tucson High Jovert Steel Drum Band will be performing as well. And you won’t want to miss Beyonce’s “Move Your Body” Flash Workout at 11am at Demeester Outdoor Performance Center.”

BEYOND is a community-wide event to commemorate the anniversary of January 8th, celebrate the spirit of togetherness we felt in the days and months afterward, and re-commit ourselves to working together to build a stronger community every day.

After that horrendous and shocking shooting in our community, there was an outpouring of love & support at the 3 memorials, many dedications to the six deceased victims over the months, many public forums & lectures, even a photography book “Together We Thrive” (click here for that blog on its release day).

Today let us remember January 8th — a day early before tomorrow’s 1st year anniversary and “Remembering January 8th” events (click here).

And if you decide to stay at home tomorrow, at 6 p.m. turn on KUAT Channel 6 to watch the very moving “Together We Heal” PBS one hour documentary of that tragic day (click here).

UPDATES: My notes in the comment section below about the events I attended today for BEYOND.

1st ANNUAL RALLY FOR LITERACY on October 1! Fun for the entire community!

Saturday, October 1
9:00am – 11:00am

Jácome Plaza at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Downtown Tucson, 101 N. Stone Avenue – Near the corner of Church Ave./Alameda
Free parking in the library garage (underground) or on the street.

In July, five powerful literacy organizations — the Literacy for Life Coalition, Literacy Volunteers of Tucson, Reach Out and Read Southern Arizona, Reading Seed, and Stories That Soar! — took a bold step and merged to become one strong organization that will empower people to create a culture of literacy and creative expression throughout our community.

Literacy is the foundation upon which the success of individuals, our economy and our community is built. Improving literacy improves all of our lives. Our new literacy organization is an innovator and the go-to resource that supports and connects the agencies and organizations promoting literacy in Southern Arizona. Celebrate with us as we unveil our new name and logo at the rally!

Because of your passion for literacy, we are able to do more together and serve thousands in our community from birth through adulthood. Let’s write the next chapter of our successful story as we officially launch our literacy movement at this fun, family-friendly rally!

Activities include:
- The unveiling of the new name of our organization
- Performances by Stories That Soar!
- An interactive, all-ages Community Rhythm Jam with Kenya Masala
- A presentation by the Tucson Festival of Books
- Book exchange
- Children’s activities

Show your support at the rally:
1. Participate – Put a group together from your neighborhood, organization, or business
2. Show our unity – Wear a plain, white t-shirt to demonstrate our collective unity around literacy
3. Tell us what literacy means to you – Create and bring posters or make your own at the rally
4. Bring a book to exchange – Take a book to read
5. Find out more information – Share it with others

You’re also invited to their Pre-Rally Poster-Making Party on Thursday, September 29th, 5:30pm – 7:00pm, at Literacy Volunteers of Tucson, 2850 E. Speedway Blvd., where you can make your own poster to bring to the rally! (Poster supplies and refreshments provided.)

Click here for website: Tucsonliteracymovement.org