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).

Help Brandi Fenton Memorial Park in memory of dog lover

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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

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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

Meet PCC Chancellor Lee Lambert, J.D.

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Tucson Councilmember Richard Fimbres, as well as: Pima County Supervisor Ramon Valadez, Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias, Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Tucson Vice Mayor Paul Cunningham, Tucson Councilmember Shirley Scott, Tucson Councilmember Karin Uhlich, Tucson Councilmember Regina Romero,  State Senator Andrea Dalessandro, State Representative Rosanna Gabaldon, State Representative Damien Clinco, TUSD Board Member Adelita Grijalva, TUSD … Read more

Legendary Teacher Stories: “How to Catch a Swamp Frog”

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Just heard about this new book written by retired Flowing Well Superintendent Dr. Nicholas Clement, about the legendary teachers he knew in his career. From his website (www.legendaryteacher.com), a copy of the book cover and explanation about why this title is about swamp frogs: Go to the website for reviews, and info on how to … Read more

Happy Birthday Tucson on August 20

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To celebrate Tucson’s birthday, start off at the Luis G. Gutierrez Bridge (formerly the Cushing Street bridge) west of the I-10  at 9:30 a.m. to watch a solar alignment of the overhead canopy cut- out design (see photo below) onto the bridge’s floor.  The Discovery Date marks  the  Birthday of the Tucson Presidio, San Augustin del Tucson. 

canopy design on Luis G. Gutierrez bridge, courtesy of Charity Bidegain
canopy design on Luis G. Gutierrez bridge, courtesy of Charity Bidegain

This is what is written on the bridge for this Discovery Date:
“The Walled Presidio San Agustin de Tucson, was founded by Hugo O’Connor (sic) on August 20, 1775 as a Spanish outpost. This date is historically celebrated as Tucson’s Birthday. Named after the O’odham village of “Chuck-son”, meaning “Village of the dark spring at the foot of the mountains.” Image from a 1850 woodcut by James Bell. (Dicovery Date and time: August 20, 9:30 a.m.)”

More info on their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/luisggutierrezbridge

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Then later at 5:30 p.m. check out the Tucson Presidio itself at the SW corner of Church and Washington in downtown for their annual celebration.

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