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).

Enjoy Megamania at PCC Downtown

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From the Pima County public library website, for a fun MegaMania event on July 12 at PCC Downtown, 1255 N. Stone  Ave. , 2 to 6 p.m.  Here’s the extensive schedule below (and there’s also a pdf version of the schedule to download & print from their website).

Happening All Afternoon

  • Cosplay—Show off your costume or make your own. Then take your picture at the drawing wall!! Library
  • Video gaming—Open play with Injustice, Super Smash Brothers, and other favorites!! Amethyst Room
  • Tabletop gaming—Open play with classics and new favorites, hosted by Pulp Gamer. Amethyst Room
  • DC vs. Marvel giant chess—Avengers assemble! Justice League unite! Play giant chess as your favorite superhero team. Amethyst Room
  • Go on an origami safari and learn to fold your own menagerie. How many can you make? Galleria (CC building, second floor)
  • Make your own tiny ninja with the Fun Ninja Cool Craft. Galleria (CC building, second floor)
  • Learn Japanese martial arts with A-Long Kung Fu. Amethyst Room West Patio (outside)
  • Go home with sugoi J-Pop giveaways from Freegal. Atrium
  • Anime viewing—Kick back and watch some old favorites or discover new ones with R-Galaxy! Library Learning Studio (LB 153)
  • Giant Angry Birds—Shoot life-sized irate fowl at porcine piglets. Amethyst Room South Patio (outside)
  • Blast your creativity into the future with Scratch animation software! Drop in for a ninja-quick demo and leave with samurai-level skills! Learning Studio (CC 215, second floor)
  • Kids! Deck out your superhero secret identity and make your own masks and capes!! Library

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Community Mental Health forum on July 7

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Ward 6 Councilman Steve Kozachik has organized & will be moderating the event forum focusing on mental health,  with a presentation by Jennie Grabel from the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding to promote the opportunity for people to sign up for mental health first aid training. That’ll be followed by 5-7 minute presentations from each panel member and then there will be an audience Q&A.

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Traditional start of monsoon season at Luis Gutierrez Bridge

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Check out the solar art alignment today at precisely 10:45 a.m. at the Luis G. Gutierrez bridge (formerly Cushing Street bridge, west of I-10, north of Riverpark Inn).

Discovery date: JULY 3, 10:45AM – Traditional start of the Tucson monsoon season

As for what happens on the bridge, at 10:45 a.m. the sun will shine through the overhead cut out canopy of saguaro cacti harvesting (see image below courtesy of photographer Charity Bidegain) onto the engraving on the floor of the bridge. The bridge was designed by architect/solar designer Dave Dobler and public artist  Brenda Semanick, and was dedicated in October, 2012.

monsoonatbridge

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“Let Freedom Sing” on the 4th of July

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Arts Express is celebrating their 30th anniversary of “Let Freedom” Sing at the UA Centennial Hall,  3 p.m.

JOAN ASHCRAFT, Conductor and Artistic Director

FEATURING

THE ARTS EXPRESS CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA

BIG BAND EXPRESS

ARTHUR MIGLIAZZA:  Award Winning Blues & Boogie Woogie Pianist

AND SPECIAL SOLOISTS

A Tribute to Freedom Has A Face – Michael Viti: Hiking for Heroes

Recognition of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Normandy, D-Day

and Presentation of the Colors by Davis Monthan Honor Guard with Recognition of Each Branch of Service

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“Fearless & Friendly” Tucson Death Cafe

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The Friendly and Fearless Tucson Death Cafes offer relaxed, informal and safe spaces for conversation about dying and death, with intentions for living more fully while we are here.  Death  Cafes are part of a global movement “to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of our (finite) lives”.

Coming up on the first Tuesday of every month — so the next one is  on July 1st * (correction: September 2nd),  6 to 8 p.m. at Big Moe’s Coffee Emporium at the Metal Arts Village, 3290 N. Dodge Blvd. (north of NE corner of Ft. Lowell St.)  Moe’s is the only coffee shop in that complex of metal artisans, in  suite #H.

* Call ahead as their FB page is saying that they are on summer hiatus. Just got confirmation that the next Death Cafe is September 2nd.  So save the date.

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