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).

Happy Mother’s Day

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Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers — biological, adoptive, foster, step, surrogate, grandmothers, greatgrandmothers, mothers-in-law,  etc.  Today is the day to thank your mother especially those who are loving and supportive. My own biological mother Fumiko died last August, 2015 so this is the first Mother’s Day without her presence on Earth. Today we should … Read more

“Under the Gun” free film on gun safety

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PRESENTED BY MOMS DEMAND ACTION ARIZONA, EPIX, AND TUCSON CITY COUNCILMEMBER STEVE KOZACHIK UNDER THE GUN MONDAY, MAY 9 AT 7:30PM | ADMISSION FREE! at Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Join Tucson City Councilmember Steve Kozachik for this special Tucson Pre-Screening of Under the Gun, followed by a post-screening discussion of Wear Orange Day, a June 2nd nation … Read more

Emerge! Mother of the Year Luncheon

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“Please join us on May 9th for Emerge!’s 15th Annual Mother of the Year Luncheon as we celebrate the strength and success of mothers who have overcome domestic abuse to find safety and healing. This year, we will also welcome internationally renowned keynote speaker Tony Porter, co-founder of A CALL TO MEN, who will engage us with … Read more

Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration on May 7

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APAHeritage

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (aka as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month). Celebrate with our diverse Asian and Pacific Islander communities. As an Asian American (of Japanese origin) born and raised in Hawaii (50th U.S. State), I share several cultures. My paternal grandparents the Sugiyamas, arrived from Hiroshima, Japan to the Kingdom of Hawaii in June, 1892 before it was overthrown by U.S. businessmen in 1893.

Join us in celebrating our many Asian and Pacific cultural heritages, and view the travelling Smithsonian exhibit “I Want the Wide American Earth” which is at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center till the end of May, 2016.

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Please help Cafe 54 and Truck 54

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I had just eaten lunch at the popular downtown Cafe 54 (located at 54 E. Pennington St. in Tucson) when this article asking for fundraising help (due to reduced insurance payments)  appeared in the AZ Daily Star (re-posted on their FB page):

http://tucson.com/news/local/watchdog/facing-funding-deficit-caf-asks-public-for-help/article_82349095-795c-5abd-938f-fe127d383d55.html#.VxZZHYLRj8U.facebook (post already has 100 shares via FB supporters).

For those of you who haven’t eaten there yet, the eclectic food is fresh and delicious, mostly southwest creations. The staff is  friendly and many have faced mental illness and are trying to get back into the work force.  I’ve been frequenting that restaurant for years, working downtown and have always enjoyed the rotating local artwork and friendly ambience.  We would hate to lose this wonderful restaurant in downtown Tucson (between Stone Ave. and Scott Ave.)

They also operate a popular food truck, Truck 54, which travels to various locations around Tucson. Best to check their current location via their FB page. I’ve tried their food  as well and it is equally delicious.

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