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).

2014 AZ Primary elections results – Southern Arizona (updated)

by

AZ Blue Meanie has posted the early statewide results (and will do the final tally tomorrow), and I’m only reporting on the Southern Arizona races for U.S. Congress (CD 1, 2, 3), the Legislative Districts down here (Senate & House), and for the contested Justice of the Peace 1 race.

However, at my press time of Aug 26, 10 p.m. in the contested Republican statewide races: Doug Ducey is leading for Governor, Michele Reagan for Sec. of State, Mark Brnovich for AG, Diane  Douglas for Supe of Public Instruction, and Jeff DeWit for Treasurer.  There’s may be some upsets here esp. for AG and Superintendent of Public Instruction if the voting trend continues into the evening/morning.  The Dems had no primary races statewide except for Supe of Public Instruction and Dr. David Garcia is leading in that race.

UPDATED  8/27 (only for close races  in CD 1, LD 3 Senate, JP 1)

CD 1 (updated 9/2/14)

Ann Kirkpatrick (D), incumbent  50,585

Gary Kiehne (R)  18,157

Adam Kwasman (R) 15,069

Andy Tobin (R) 18,481

Too close to call between the Republicans in their primary.  Stay tuned.  UPDATE 9/2/14: House speaker Andy Tobin has the lead by 324 votes and rancher Kiehne has conceded today.

Read more

Women’s Equality Day: vote in Arizona Primary

by

It’s Women’s Equality Day and also the 2014 Arizona Primary today!

From wikipedia about August 26:

Women’s Equality Day is a day proclaimed each year by the United States President to commemorate the granting of the vote to women throughout the country on an equal basis with men. Women in the United States were granted the right to vote on August 26, 1920, when the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was certified as law. The amendment was first introduced many years earlier in 1878. Every president has published a proclamation for Women’s Equality Day since 1971 when legislation was first introduced in Congress by Bella Abzug. This resolution was passed designating August 26 of each year as Women’s Equality Day. 

I checked online with Center for Women & Politics and more women reported voting in 2012 than men, 71.4% to 61.6%.  More women were registered to vote in 2012 than men, 81.7% to 71.4%.  See more data (even by age groups) at: http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/fast_facts/voters/documents/genderdiff.pdf

So, come on Arizona women, vote today at the polls, if you haven’t already mailed in your early ballot.  It was a tremendous battle to earn the right to vote back in 1920 (and previous years), so we women should not take the right to vote lightly.

Read more

Next free Mental Health First Aid training on Aug. 25

by

With the  recent news about famous actor Robin Williams’ battle with depression and then committing suicide , mental health issues have re-surfaced.  In Tucson, you can get free training in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) from Community Partnerhsip of Southern AZ to recognize symptoms of mental illness and then know what to do to help (in case). Next class is August 25 and 26, 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (both days).

MHFABanner(466x100)

​CPSA’s free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) programs provide effective, evidence-based public education that will benefit all community members. Participants learn a five-step process to recognize, support and assist a person experiencing a mental health or substance abuse issue, or any type of mental health crisis.

The two main trainings offered through CPSA are Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for identifying and assisting adults, andYouth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) for adults to identify and assist youth 12 to 20 years of age.

Atendees learn to identify the signs and symptoms of mental illness and provide initial help until appropriate professional, peer or family support can be engaged. Participants also learn about risk factors and warning signs of specific mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, psychosis and addiction.

For more information regarding Mental Health First Aid training, please visit the National Mental Health First Aid USA website.

Read more

Help Brandi Fenton Memorial Park in memory of dog lover

by

If you haven’t been to this lovely park, check it out as well during this fundraiser on August 23. It is located just north of the Rillito River, west of Dodge Blvd. at 3482 E. River Rd. Here’s a link to the park, with a map: http://webcms.pima.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=1367

Get into a romantic mood with “Mood Indigo” film

by

Opening August 22 at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Eminently inventive auteur Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) finds inspiration from French novelist Boris Vian’s 1947 cult novel to provide the foundation for this visionary and romantic love story starring Audrey Tautou (Amélie) and Romain Duris (The Beat My Heart Skipped). … Read more