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).

“Why is Germany Doing So Well Today”? lecture on Nov. 7 for UA Homecoming

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UA Distinguished Professor Albrecht Classen
UA Distinguished Professor Albrecht Classen

From the Past to the Future: Why is Germany Doing So Well Today?

Many countries have struggled to survive the economic crisis in recent years, but Germany has fared far better than most. Based on world records of economic success since 1949, Germany is booming ahead. There are many reasons for this phenomenon including basic cultural and economic conditions in Germany’s long history since the Middle Ages. In fact, the past has helped to shape future developments, with one eye backwards, and the other eye turned forward. Learn how Germany’s past perspectives can help us understand modern conditions. Presented by Dr. Albrecht Classen, University Distinguished Professor of German Studies.

Lecture will be on Nov. 7,  at 2 p.m. in the Kiva Room on the first floor of the UA Student Memorial Union, NE side of the building, 1303 E. University Blvd.

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Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos at Raices Taller

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JOIN US TONIGHT FOR THE OPENING CELEBRATION OF DIA DE LOS MUERTOS – 2014 A BEAUTIFUL AND SINCERE EVENT CELEBRATING DIA DE LOS MUERTOS IN THE TRADITION OF THE HISPANIC SOUTHWEST ALTARS AND OFRENDAS BY COMMUNITY GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AS WELL AS PAINTINGS, SCULPTURE, PHOTOGRAPHY AND MIXED MEDIA WORK. EVENT STARTS AT 6:00 PM … Read more

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