Carolyn Classen

Carolyn Sugiyama Classen, a life long Democrat, was born & raised in the State of Hawaii, was a Legislative Aide for U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye on Capitol Hill, and practiced law for a while. In Tucson she worked as a tribal staff attorney for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and later was the Interim Executive Director of the now defunct Domestic Violence Commission. In 2008 she became a “My Tucson” guest columnist for the Tucson Citizen newspaper, then continued blogging for Tucsoncitizen.com for over four and a half years. Her blogsite was entitled “Carolyn’s Community” about community events and some political news, until Gannett Publishing shut down the site on January 31, 2014. She started with Blog for Arizona on Feb. 11, 2014. Part time she sat as a Hearing Officer in Pima County Consolidated Justice Courts Small Claims Division since April, 2005 for 15 years. She is married to University of Arizona Distinguished Professor Albrecht Classen, a native of Germany. They have one son, who lives in Seattle, WA with his wife and daughter. She is also the Editor of the Southern Arizona Japanese Cultural Coalition website, www.southernazjapan.org (since Jan. 2013).

Spare some change? for the homeless

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Last Wednesday I stumbled upon a green/blue parking meter outside the Joel D. Valdez Main library (101 N. Stone Ave.), not a regular parking meter but one that collects donation$ for homeless programs.  Just missed the press conference about Tucson Change Movement (in association with the Community Foundation of So AZ), a new program that is setting up about 20 of these colorful meters around downtown, the modern streetcar line and 4th Avenue, I took these photos to inform our readers. And I put in a quarter, just to test it and it read that I had paid for “12 minutes” just like  regular (gray) City of Tucson parking meters on the streets.

So, if you have spare change, drop it in this meter when you visit the main library, or other locations around town.  More info at www.tucsonchange.org. You can also insert a credit card for any amount of a donation. Hopefully we will hear back later how successful this new program is.

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“A Quiet Passion” film at the Loft Theater

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A Quiet Passion   Starts Friday, May 12 at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Tucson “Acclaimed actress Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City) delivers a triumphant performance as Emily Dickinson as she personifies the wit, intellectual independence and pathos of the poet whose genius only came to be recognized after her death. Celebrated … Read more

3 Day Know Your Immigration Rights & Stand Together Conference at YWCA of Southern Az

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YWCA Southern Arizona Announces, “Muro Informativo: La Inmigracion y Sus Derechos,”  3-day Know Your Immigration Rights
& Stand Together Conference 

  • Thursday May 18, 2017 from 6:00pm-8:30 pm Day One: “Sanctuary Everywhere” Panel Discussion and Workshop for Migrant Allies in English
  • Friday May 19, 2017 from 2:00pm-6:00pm    Day Two: “Muro Informativo” in Spanish
  • Saturday May 20, 2017 from 9:00pm-7:00pm Day Three: “Muro Informativo” in Spanish

YWCA Francis McClelland Community Center,
525 N. Bonita Avenue

For Conference Registration: Please email ajaramillo@ywcatucson.org or call 520-884-7810 ex 108, and indicate wether you are registering for the English, Spanish Sessions for the conference, or both, and whether you will need childcare (available on day 3.) There is no cost to attend the conference, but donations are welcome to cover  conference expenses. 

“The YWCA Promotoras Rompiendo Cadenas, a collaborative of the Latina Leadership Initiative, with the Stand Together Arizona Training and Advocacy Center are hosting a three-day immigration conference. The goal of the conference is to provide information on current immigration policies, executive orders, and create a coalition on behalf of immigrants in our community to bring hope and justice to immigrant families in Tucson affected by anti-immigrant policies.

The first day of the conference will include a Panel Discussion and Workshop on immigration and providing tools for allies to better advocate for immigrant families.
The second day of the conference will be a half day of workshops in Spanish relating to current state of immigration law, knowing one’s rights in the event of an immigration stop or detention. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and the review process of immigration applications regarding criminal background.
The third day of the conference will include a full day of workshops in Spanish including workers’ rights, immigration remedies for victims of crime (the U-Visa and VAWA petitions) resources from the Mexican Consulate’s Office of Protection, information for parents that are Mexican nationals and have U.S. Citizen children, and resources available in the Nogales, Sonora for repatriated families.
The third day of the conference will also have child care for children over the age of four years funded through donation.
The conference will conclude with a “Tardeadea” that will include a resource fair to share information about local immigration non-profits and advocacy groups. Thetardeada will conclude mariachi, dancing, and a piñata for the children in the child care program.

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Progressive Radio in Tucson needs your support

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“Help John C Scott continue to keep a Progressive Radio airing in Tucson on KEVT 1210 AM and Southern Arizona with Local Shows; John C Scott 3-5 pm Daily and Steve Leal’s All Things Politics and National hosts Thom Hartmann, Leslie Marshall and Stephanie Miller; as we need Operational funds in order to stay on … Read more