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).

Valley of the Moon Historic Landmark celebration

January 14, 2016 by Carolyn Classen

You’re Invited to our Historic Landmark Celebration! This January 16, 2016 Valley of the Moon celebrates our designation as a Tucson Historic Landmark!If you love Valley of the Moon, if you’ve ever volunteered at Valley of the Moon, or if you’re excited about Tucson’s commitment to preserving historic resources then you’re invited! January 16th, 2016 … Read more

3rd Anniversary celebration of Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson

January 13, 2016 by Carolyn Classen

“To mark our third anniversary, on January 16 we will feature performances of traditional Japanese music throughout the day by members of the Tucson Repertory Orchestra, as well as music performed on the koto, the 13-stringed national instrument of Japan. Admission is free for members of Yume Japanese Gardens. Admission for non-members is $13 plus … Read more

Global Human Rights Direct preview at Playground Bar & Lounge

January 12, 2016 by Carolyn Classen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jamie Manser
jlmanser@email.arizona.edu, 621-0599

Show & Tell @ Playground: Global Human Rights Direct
Preview an activist website
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
278 E. Congress St.

“It doesn’t take more than a quick glance at news headlines to see a terrible fact: human rights are compromised in every part of the globe. But, behind these headlines, there are groups of people working to stop human rights abuses. They are survivors, activists, scholars, translators, and policymakers from around the world who want to build connections, share their knowledge and create solutions.

Inspired by his work in the classroom and his activism around the globe addressing human rights abuses, UA Associate Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies Bill Simmons is launching a website that aims to revolutionize how human rights is taught and globally communicated, with an eye on defending those rights and to ultimately find achievable solutions to ending abuses.

Funded by a Confluencenter “Innovation Farm” grant, the website – GlobalHumanRightsDirect.com – is set to launch in January. It will be previewed at Confluencenter’s Jan. 13 Show & Tell event. During the presentation, Dr. Simmons will showcase the features of Global Human Rights Direct (GHRD), which allows members to: video conference with human rights experts, connect with individuals and groups interested in similar human rights issues, learn more about important human rights’ topics, publicize human rights causes/organizations, and become educated in ways to contribute to stopping abuses.

Photo gallery of 3rd Annual Japanese Mochitsuki celebration

January 12, 2016January 11, 2016 by Carolyn Classen

The Southern Arizona Japanese Cultural Coalition (SAJCC, of which I am the website Editor) held our 3rd Annual Tucson Mochitsuki celebration for Japanese New Year’s at PCC Downtown , 1255 N. Stone Avenue on Saturday, January 9. This event has grown from its inception 3 years ago at Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson, then to last year at Rhythm Industry Performance Factory, home of the popular Odaiko Sonora taiko drummers. This popular taiko troupe help open the celebration’s festivities.

Odaiko Sonora preparing to do the opening welcome. Photo credit Brandy Gannon

Odaiko Sonora performing,photo credit James Tokishi — Odaiko Sonora performing, photo credit James Tokishi

Odaiko Sonora drummers at 2016 Mochitsuki, photo credit James Tokishi

Here are more photos of the event, focused on the Japanese tradition of cooking, mashing, pounding rice into mochi cakes. Samples of the mochi were provided to attendees (oshiruku soup), along with a festival atmosphere of various Japanese cultural activities, performances, games, and information.

Video of Odaiko Sonora performance and other activities by freelancer James Tokishi:

https://www.facebook.com/AzBunbunmaru/videos/577442482414877/?theater

Usu (mortar) and kine (mallet) before the pounding. Photo credit James Tokishi

Mochi pounding, photo credit James Tokishi

2016 St. Francis Sunday Night at the Movies starts up on Jan. 10

January 9, 2016 by Carolyn Classen

St. Francis United Methodist Church (in the Foothills – 4625 E River Rd 85718 (NW corner of River & Swan)

Sunday Night at the Movies (Sponsored by the Adult Education Program)

2016 Schedule

We will begin with a potluck dinner at 5:30. Bring enough to share with 6 people. The movie will start approximately at 6:15, and we will have a discussion of the theme after the presentation.

Jan. 10th

BOULEVARD (2014)

Starring Robin Williams in his remarkable final on-screen performance, BOULEVARD follows married but closeted 60 year-old bank employee Nolan (Williams) whose spontaneous turn down an unknown street upends his monotonous life and crumbling marriage. After forming an uncommon friendship with a young, charismatic hustler, Nolan finds himself on a journey of self-discovery and must confront the secrets he has kept hidden from his wife (Kathy Baker of SAVING MR. BANKS) and himself. Nolan’s dramatic decision to rethink his own identity holds with it the promise of happiness and salvation for both he and his wife in this touching and inspiring film. From acclaimed director Dito Montiel (A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS, THE SON OF NO ONE), and written by Douglas Soesbe, BOULEVARD shines with an ensemble cast that includes Bob Odenkirk (TV’s BETTER CALL SAUL) and Roberto Aguire (STRUCK BY LIGHTNING) in a breakout performance. [This film got only modest reviews at best.—sgm]

Feb.21st

THE FIRST GRADER (2010)

In a small, remote mountain top primary school in the Kenyan bush, hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free education newly promised by the Kenyan government. One new applicant causes astonishment when he knocks on the door of the school. He is Maruge (Litondo), an old Mau Mau veteran in his eighties, who is desperate to learn to read at this late stage of his life. He fought for the liberation of his country and now feels he must have the chance of an education so long denied-even if it means sitting in a classroom alongside six-year-olds. Moved by his passionate plea, head teacher Jane Obinchu (Harris) supports his struggle to gain admission and together they face fierce opposition from parents and officials who don’t want to waste a precious school place on such an old man. The First Grader is a heart-warming and inspiring true story of one man’s fight for what he believes is his right in order to overcome the burdens of his past. It is a triumphant testimony to the transforming force of education. The First Grader is supported by national TV, online, print, and social media campaigns reaching more than 100 million and it stars Pirates of the Caribbean actress Naomie Harris.