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).

Over $56,000 raised at Jell-O Wrestling benefit for SAAF

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Imagine yourself in a vat  about 7 ft x 7 ft of cold blue/green/orange colored jello,  wrestling another human being, in front of a wild crowd of about 400 adults.  Well, that was the enthusiastic performance of 9 teams last night at the Slaughterhouse on 1102 W. Grant Rd. (east of the I-10) for the 27th annual Jell-O Wrestling event  to benefit SAAF (So. AZ Aids Foundation).

Before and during the matches, little containers (“jello shots”) of lime/orange/strawberry/blackberry jello (with vodka or rum) were sold to the audience.  I confess I had at least 3 of them. The fun began with Mistress of Ceremonies DIVA Lucinda Holliday introducing other Divas (including Miss Gay Arizona) who sang throughout the evening, while people donated funds in plastic buckets or fishing nets to SAAF.  9 different teams of two each wrestled from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. along with a live auction of lovely art, gift baskets, restaurant meals, and hotel nights in Mexico.  The auctions bids ranged from $20 to $1000, and it was announced that over $50,000 was raised last night.

SAAF Executive Director Wendell Hicks just informed me that the final figure raised was over $56,000.

 

L-r: Woman with pink hair, Mia Hansen, Kurt Tallis - before the wrestling match (courtesy of Mia)
L-R: Shawn Kaylor (the Tucson Tamale Fairy) , Mia Hansen, Kurt Tallis – before the wrestling match (photo courtesy of Mia)

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Jell-O Wrestling Extravaganza

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I’ve been publicizing this wild sounding jello event for several years at Tucsoncitizen.com, but never dared to attend.  However, this is the year to go –especially because I know two Tucson friends who will be wrestling at this extravaganza, raising funds for Southern Az Aids Foundation.  See information below for these mystery (or mysterious) friends.

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Celebrate Children’s Day at Yume Japanese Gardens

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Join in the celebration of Japanese traditional Children’s Day on May 3rd at Yume Japanese Gardens (1 to 4 p.m.)
Goldfish netting will test their dexterity, summer yukatas will keep them cool and colorful, origami lessons will give them a chance at making their own paper creations,  and there will be more traditional Japanese toys than ever to intrigue them. This event will end our Spring garden viewing season, so come for a last look at the gardens before we close for the summer.To purchase tickets go to: www.tucsonjapanesegardens.org. Tickets prices: $10 member adults, $15 nonmember adults; children under 10 years are  free.
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