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).

Kilauea lava flow in Hawaii has stalled (for now)

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A week ago the active Kilauea lava flow from the Pu’u O’o vent in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park  crossed over a county road (Apa’a Street) and headed onto private property. It destroyed several fence lines, a Buddhist cemetery, some agricultural sheds and a pile of abandoned automobile tires.  This particular flow started up on 6/27/14 heading in the northeast direction, and is about 13 miles from Pu’u O’o.

It is now a few hundred feet in front of the first residence in its path, owned by Alfred Lee, a bulldozer contractor.  Mr. Lee apparently has built up a berm (dirt/gravel wall, with a sunken area) on the sides of his property, and in front of the lava flow, up to 12 feet high to protect his property.  Read more about that controversial berm in the local Big Island newspaper Hawaii Tribune-Herald.  He was recently photographed shooting down the front of the flow with water from a hose (which in the past has been done by Hawaii County firefighters to attempt to slow down the slow-moving lava).

The lava flow has now stalled in the front, but is experiencing breakouts in the rear, mauka (moutainside) areas.  Above is the latest 10/31/14 USGS map of the flow, with the newer areas marked in bright red.

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“Pride” is a powerful film

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Inspired by an extraordinary true story, Pride is a hilarious and heartwarming comedy about finding hope and friendship where you least expect it.

It’s the summer of 1984, Margaret Thatcher is in power and the National Union of Mineworkers is on strike, prompting a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists to raise money to support the strikers’ families. Initially rebuffed by the Union, the group identifies a tiny mining village in Wales and sets off to make their donation in person. As the strike drags on, the two groups discover that standing together makes for the strongest union of all. Starring Bill Nighy (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake), Dominic West (300) and Paddy Considine (Hot Fuzz). (Dir. by Matthew Warchus, 2014, UK, 120 mins., Rated R)

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It’s Cyclovia Tucson time again on Nov. 2

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Check their website, www.cycloviatucson.org for the event schedule — lots to do, including the annual GABA Swap Meet on E. 7th St. x 5th Avenue (near 6th Avenue Hub on the map above). Hours for that event are 8 to 2 p.m. Here’s the link to all the event listings along N. 4th Avenue: http://www.cycloviatucson.org/activity-partner Every year … Read more

Dia de Los Muertos art at Rain Crow Gallery

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Join us at Rain Crow for a dia de los Muertos Party!  November 1st, 6 to 9 pm Artworks by La Valentina, Timothy Schirack and more. The art show features Milagros, Angels, Calaveras and Demons for Dia de los Muertos. We will also be serving Cafe Mexicano brewed especially for the event and traditional dia de … Read more

Full Circle on Death

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Full Circle:  Confluencenter Explores the Sounds, Tastes and Sights of Death on Nov. 1

Full Circle Website Slide

 Press release from Confluence Center: 

As autumn transitions to winter, it’s the time of the season to delve into death. In deference, the Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry is hosting a free, three-part event on Saturday, Nov. 1 – from 11 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – that examines how humans deal with dying and the implications of facing mortality.

Full Circle reflects on death through the cultural lens of music, food and art at the UA School of Music and Art complex, located at the northwest section of 2nd Street and Olive Road.

 

  • Changing the Face of Death is a Creative Collaborations special presentation with Professor Emerita and Confluencenter’s Senior Fellow, pianist Paula Fan, in dialogue with Hospice Chaplin Counselor Greg Griffen. The production pays homage to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’ groundbreaking 1969 book, On Death and Dying, and also gives a nod to the late 15th-century morality play Everyman. The stages of “everyman’s” journey are explored in song by distinguished Welsh baritone Jeremy Huw Williams.
    11 a.m. UA School of Music’s Holsclaw Hall, 1017 N. Olive Rd.

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