Blog for Arizona

"The Environment in 2026: At the State Capital & Beyond" at Sustainable Tucson meeting
2026-01-06 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Phoenix) | Arizona
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

The Environment in 2026: At the State Capital and Beyond

January 6, 2026 • 6:00https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87556154931?pwd=[REDACTED]

“Join us on Zoom, Tuesday, January 6, at 6:00 pm for our Sustainability Spotlight, “The Environment in 2026: At the State Capital and Beyond.” We expect that the coming year will bring challenges to many important aspects of local and state life, especially looking at environment, health, and related concerns. The program will look ahead at what can be expected in coming months from state (and some national) legislative and administrative actions, with a focus on what will have particular impact on Tucson and Southern AZ – and what we can do. Our panel to date includes State Senator Priya Sundareshan (LD 18), Sandy Bahr, director of the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter, and Kirsten Engel, Chief, Environmental Protection Unit of the AZ Attorney General’s Office.They will preview the policies, places, and programs that Arizonans will need to protect and promote. Their complementary perspectives will give us a full picture of what we can and should do – as individuals and as an organization – to support an agenda of environmental protection and justice as we work for a sustainable future. Following our guests’ comments, we expect a lively question & answer session, with a shared conversation on how to maintain and restore momentum on this work.”

Just Say No to I.C.E. in Marana
2026-01-06 17:00 - 18:00 | Marana Municipal Complex, 11555 W. Civic Center Complex, Marana, Arizona, 85653
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Just Say NO! To Ice

Organizer: PRICE (Pima Resists ICE)

Date: Tuesday, January 6

Time: 5:15pm

Location: Marana Municipal Complex – 11555 W Civic Center Drive

Az Dems House legislative leaders at DGT Salon
2026-01-05 18:00 - 19:00 | Arizona
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

“Join us for insight into the goals and concerns of Arizona Dems Legislative Leadership going into the 2026 Arizona State Legislative session. We’ll be joined by (AZ House) Minority Leader Rep. Oscar De Los Santos and Assistant Leader Rep. Nancy Gutierrez of the Arizona House for this briefing. Please note carefully this event begins at 6pm to accomodate the Reps’ schedule at this busy time.

We’ll be joined by available Members of the Democratic Caucus leadership team for this briefing.”

You Must Register in Advance for this Event:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/qZFB-JmTQ4iawaiO1IxspA

Oscar De Los Santos (LD 11), Nancy Gutierrez (LD 18)

So. AZ Senior Pride New Year's celebration
2026-01-03 13:00 - 15:30 | St. Francis in the Foothills church, 4625 E. River Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85718
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

New Year’s CelebrationJanuary 3rd, 1:00 – 3:30 PMSt. Francis in the Foothills UMC4625 E River Rd.This season’s annual holiday gathering will be a New Year’s Celebration! Mark your calendar for this exciting gathering featuring food, music, friends, and more! Register now!Register for New Year’s Celebration

Resistance Music Festival
2026-01-03 10:00 - 17:00 | Oldfield Oasis, 5288 N. Lead Stra, Bisbee, Arizona, 85603
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Protest at Juan Ciscomani’s office
2026-01-03 09:00 - 11:00 | Congressman Juan Ciscomani’s office, 1636 N. Swan Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85712
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Location:

Rep. Ciscomani’s Office

1636 N Swan Road

Tucson, AZ 85712

Map Links:

OSMGoogleApple

Organizer: LD 18 Dems

Stand Strong Speak Up outside Rep. Ciscomani’s office, every Saturday at 9am unless otherwise noted.

Canned food will be collected for the Community Food Bank at this protest.

Virtual town hall on consumer protection
2025-12-29 16:00 - 17:00 | Arizona
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

“You’re invited! Join us on 12/29 at 4:00 PM MST to discuss corporate money and consumer protection with Pima County Attorney Laura Conover and Washtenaw County, MI Attorney Eli Savit. As always, we will cover a variety of different topics and take questions.”

https://www.mobilize.us/pimadems/event/877331

Carolyn’s note: Defense atty. Laura Conover was elected Pima County Attorney in Nov. 2020, re-elected Nov. 2024.

Protest at Juan Ciscomani’s office
2025-12-27 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-12-20 09:00 - 11:00 | Congressman Juan Ciscomani’s office, 1636 N. Swan Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85712
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Location:

Rep. Ciscomani’s Office

1636 N Swan Road

Tucson, AZ 85712

Map Links:

OSMGoogleApple

Organizer: LD 18 Dems

“Stand Strong Speak Up outside Rep. Ciscomani’s office, every Saturday at 9am unless otherwise noted.

Canned food will be collected for the Community Food Bank at this protest.”

Holiday Happy hour with LD 20 & 21 Dems
2025-12-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Postino, 2500 E. Grant Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85716
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

“LD 20 is joining LD 21 for a happy hour Everyone is invited to happy hour at Postino 2500 E Grant Rd (the Southeast corner of Grant and Tucson Blvd) this Friday December 19th from 4 to 6 PM. We have invited the Pima part of LD 21. Having fun is resistance.

🥂 LD20 is joining LD21 for a Happy Hour! 🥂

🎄 Kickoff to the 2026 Elections🎄 Elect Democrats to the open Federal and State offices🎄 Turn the Arizona Legislature Blue”

Living Streets Alliance Open house
2025-12-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Living Streets Alliance, 439 N. 6th Ave., Tucson, Arizona, 85705
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

✨”Join us for an end-of-year open house, we’d love to see your faces! Come check out the office, spend time with the team and collaborators, swap a story or two, and enjoy a drink! It’s our way of closing out the year with some connection and a little bit of cheer.

Beer, wine, NA drinks and snacks provided.”

Thursday, December 18th5:00 – 7:00pmLSA office439 N 6th Ave. Suite 201

I.C.E. out of Marana now
2025-12-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Marana Town Council chambers, 11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Tucson, Arizona, 85653
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

I.C.E. OUT OF MARANA NOW!

December 16 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Marana Town Council meeting starts at 6:00PM sharp. they will be discussing the proposed ICE prison in Marana. Arrive early to gather and sign up to speak. Wear orange to show your support and stay the entire meeting. Signs will be available.

Vets for former Gunnery Sergeant Jo Mendoza Holiday Party
2025-12-16 17:00 - 20:00 | Arizona
We hope you can attend the Vets for Mendoza Holiday party on December 16. We are a group of concerned Vets coming together with friends, family and neighbors, spreading some cheer with a Taco and hot dog truck, a band, some refreshments and focusing on how Vets have been hurt by Trump — specifically how homeless Vets are being helped by Esperanza en Escalante, a very special non-profit in Tucson.

Please note, it is NOT a campaign event. Esperanza en Escalante is NOT endorsing any political campaign. In fact, the opposite is true: We are trying to raise everyone’s awareness of what they do.

Finally, we have also asked JoAnna Mendoza to speak to us for a few minutes on what she believes will be important once elected to help all Veterans.

RSVP to Bill Swan at bnswan@newmex.com or Don Womac at Don@mywomack.com.

Celebrating Our Veterans at Esperanza En Escalante!

Thanks for joining us and for thinking of the veterans and families we serve! We’re grateful for your generosity.

Items Most Needed Right Now:

Clothing

New Men’s and women’s underwear in sizes small and medium

Men’s and women’s interview clothing in all sizes

Men’s jeans and pants up to size 36

Household & Cleaning

Laundry detergent, dish soap

Trash bags, paper towels, toilet paper

All-purpose cleaner

Kitchen

Can openers, silverware sets

Cookie sheets, measuring cups

Food storage containers

Food

Non-perishable food especially items with protein (canned chili, chicken, tuna, peanut butter)

Other Helpful Items

Towels, twin bedding

Phone chargers

Reading glasses, backpacks

Every item makes a real difference in helping our veterans rebuild their lives. Thank you for your support!

Clara Platte and Jon Hill, candidates for Az Corporation Commission at DGT
2025-12-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Arizona
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

“Please join us for a discussion of Democratic candidate team Clara Pratte and Jonathan Hill for Arizona Corporation Commission. We will discuss the role and importance for the daily lives of Arizona and our economy and Jon’s and Clara’s plans to take two seats back for Democrats of the five seat commission, which is currently solidly Republican MAGA dominated.

You Must Register in Advance for this Event:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wnL7v5ivRi6lanQ4g-ShCQ

Clara Pratte:

Clara Pratte built her career on public service and is now a successful small business owner and entrepreneur as well as a mom to two boys. She is running to lower costs for Arizonans, restore integrity to the Arizona Corporation Commission, strengthen consumer protections, and ensure Arizona urgently harnesses its clean energy potential before it’s too late. Clara is a member of the Navajo Nation and grew up on the nation in a small town called Lupton on the Arizona / New Mexico border. Her family did not have access to utilities or running water until she was in middle school, so this race to oversee Arizona’s utilities is personal. Her career spans decades of successful work advocating for tribal communities and small businesses, including serving under three U.S. Presidents and four Navajo Nation Presidents.

Jonathon Hill:Jonathon brings a unique perspective to the Commission, drawing from an unconventional yet highly relevant background. He is neither a politician nor a businessman—he is a scientist, an engineer, and a proud Arizonan. Jonathon has spent the past 18 years at Arizona State University, working on several NASA space missions focused on Mars, Jupiter, and asteroids. He has earned a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences, both from ASU.”

Carolyn’s note: ACC is currently represented by 5 Republican Commissioners. Jonathan Hill ran for ACC in Nov. 2024 and came in 5th of 8 candidates for 3 seats. Clara Platte is a political newcomer. Another Dem political newcomer Derrick Espadas is also running for ACC. In 2026 there will be 2 seats available. More on ACC: https://www.azcc.gov/

9th annual community forum on Addressing Poverty & Housing Insecurity in Tucson
2025-12-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Habitat for Humaniy, 3501 N. Mt. Avenue, Tucson, Arizona, 85719

Candlelight Vigil for families impacted by ICE Violence
2025-12-14 16:30 - 18:00 | Veteran’s Memorial Park, 3105 E. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista, Arizona, 85635
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

“Dear Defenders of Democracy:

This is an invitation from Rural Arizona Engagement & Douglas Indivisible to participate a peaceful candlelight vigil Sunday, December 14, as we stand in solidarity with community members across Arizona and the nation who are being impacted by the ongoing violence of ICE and other agencies. In this moment, it is more important than ever for us to show up for one another, honor our shared humanity, and lift up those facing fear, uncertainty, and displacement.

Here is the link to sign up for the event:

https://www.mobilize.us/ruralarizonaengagement/event/875865

LED candles will be provided, and you are welcome to bring your own candle if you prefer. This gathering is a space for reflection, compassion, and unity. All are welcome.

Let’s show that our rural communities choose dignity, safety, and justice for every person who calls this place home.”

Thank you.

—Jeff & Liz

Democrats for Picture Rocks holiday party
2025-12-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Picture Rocks Community Park, 5615 N. Sanders Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85743
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Democrats for Picture Rocks Holiday Party

“the Democrats for Picture Rocks‘ annual Holiday Party – Party time! Free food! The Dems4PR club will host its annual Holiday party on Sunday, December 14 at 1:00 at the PR Community Park, Ramada 2. It’s fun every year to get together with local Democrats, so join us. Bring a toy or book for a child of any age, any gender that we can once again donate to a local child. And if you have artwork or any other item that we can raffle off, bring that too. 5615 N. Sanders Rd., 85743 (enter at the swimming pool entrance). Bring your family! Please RSVP to dems4prandav@gmail.com so we know how much food to buy! See ya there!”

Winter Fair of Resistance and Community Care
2025-12-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, Tucson, AZ, 85716, United States
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

“Defend Tucson / Tucson Se Defiende (DTTSD) is a cross-sector Tucson coalition—labor, faith, mutual aid, students & educators, immigrant rights advocates, small business, environmentalists, veterans, human rights advocates, peace advocates, and pro-democracy orgs—committed to democracy, nonviolence, and local self-governance. They organize peacefully, lawfully, together—so everyone can participate in public without fear. They are hosting micro-trainings this weekend so you can know your rights and protect the rights as others in peaceful, lawful ways. Stop by the Reid Park Bandshell this Sunday, December 14th from 10am to 1pm to learn more.”

Survival & Resistance mural unveiling
2025-12-13 14:00 - 17:00 | Mission Manor Park, 6100 S. 12th Avenue, Tucson, Arizona, 85706
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Remembering the Southside’s Environmental Justice Movement is a yearlong commemoration that honors the work of Tucson’s south side community, which beginning in the 1980s, organized a historic fight against trichloroethylene (TCE) groundwater contamination and environmental racism. Through free community programming across Pima County, Survival and Resistance will celebrate the undertold story of residents that fought for decades for the health of their community and their drinking water. Working in partnership with those directly impacted, this project celebrates south side resistance, survival, and healing.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1014352217424854?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22your_upcoming_events_unit%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

Hannah Conger, Az List Deputy Political Director at TVVDC meeting
2025-12-13 10:30 - 11:30 | Kirk-Bear Canyon Library, 8959 E Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85749, United States
Event by Tanque Verde Valley Democratic Club

Kirk-Bear Canyon Library

Public · Anyone on or off Facebook

“Unfortunately, Joanna (sic JoAnna) Mendoza will be unable to join us for our meeting on December 13th. She will be attending an important event in Phoenix.

We want to welcome Hannah Conger, Arizona List Deputy Political Director to our meeting on Saturday, December 13th. Hannah will speak on the success that Arizona List has had in electing prochoice women to a variety of political offices. Our program will be followed by the Tanque Verde Valley Democratic Club Annual Meeting.”

“Hannah graduated from the University of Arizona W. A. Franke Honors College in May of 2022 with a double major in Political Science and Gender & Women’s Studies. She was an intern with Arizona List in 2019 and 2020 and is excited to be back on the team as a political consultant. Outside of her work with Arizona List, Hannah enjoys spending time with her dog, Pablo.”

LWVGT Winter Brunch
2025-12-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 85716
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

RSVP: https://lwvtucson.org/content.aspx?page_id=31&club_id=726009

Protest at Juan Ciscomani's office
2025-12-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Congressman Juan Ciscomani’s office, 1636 N. Swan Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85712
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Time

Saturdays

9 – 11am MST

Location

In front of Ciscomani’s office

1636 N Swan Rd

SE corner of Swan & PimaTucson, AZ 85712Map

About this event

“Join us every Saturday at 9AM – we will protest peacefully outside Congressman Ciscomani’s office. With our presence and our signs, we will tell him to properly represent his constituency, and uphold the constitution! We will have extra signs; chillin’ chairs; and a letter-writing station for you to write a letter to Ciscomani and deliver it personally to his office! Indivisible Tucson’s Pressure Ciscomani Team will have information tables at these events. Please join us to protest Rep. Ciscomani’s voting record and hypocritical messaging. RSVP if you like, but no need to – just show up any Saturday morning! We will also be collecting canned goods for local Food Banks. See you there!”

Coffee with PCDP Chair
2025-12-13 08:00 - 09:00 | Pima County Democratic Party HQ, 2302 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 85719
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Time

Saturday, December 13

8 – 9am MST

+ 1 more day

Location

Democratic Party-Pima County

2302 E Speedway Blvd Suite 106Tucson, AZ 85719Map

About this event

“Come down to Pima Dems HQ and have a cup of coffee with Party Chairman Eric Robbins.

Voice your concerns, have your questions answered, learn about the county party, or just enjoy the free cup of Joe.”

RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/azdems/event/861676/

PCDP Chair Eric Robbins

Tucson Sentinel Holiday Shindig
2025-12-11 18:00 - 22:00 | The Shanty, 401 E. 9th Street, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Event by TucsonSentinel, Gene Moreland and 3 others

The Shanty

Duration: 4 hr

Public · Anyone on or off Facebook

PLEASE JOIN US FOR A CELEBRATION of whatever it is you/we/they celebrate this time of year — especially the 234th birthday of the Bill of Rights (Dec. 15), or the impending 16th (or is it 17th?!) birthday of the Tucson Sentinel (Jan. 22).

We’d like to get together with those who contribute their time, talents, money, comments and good wishes to our project to build a whole new way to provide local journalism, and thank you all for your continuing support.

Like most years, we’re holding a Sentinel “holiday shindig” down at the Shanty, with a warm bar packed with a motley collection of reporters and left-wing political activists and conservative stalwarts, elected officials of all spots and stripes, small business types, a few folks with gripes, normally shy bureaucrats that we journalists pester, and regular readers who want to learn a bit about more about what it is we do. And thus we’re doing so yet again.

6-10 pm (or later) ~ 7 pm toastMini-chimis & holiday treats on us; drinks on you

More at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1525353065253662?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22your_upcoming_events_unit%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

Say No to ICE Detention Center in Marana
2025-12-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Tortolita Middle School, 4101 W. Hardy Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85742
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Location:

Tortolita Middle School

4101 W. Hardy Road, Marana

“Join us for our 2nd forum to discuss MTC’s potential plans to open an ICE detention center in Marana.

Moderated by Pima County Supervisor Jen Allen. Panelists include members of the ACLU of AZ, Tucson PSL, Coalición de Derechos Humanos, Florence Project, and a human rights, asylum, and removal defense attorney.

Non-police security and Spanish-English translator will be provided.”

Ward 1 holiday open house
2025-12-11 17:30 - 20:00 | Ward 1 Council office, 940 W. Alameda St., Tucson, Arizona, 85745
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Save the Date – Ward 1 Open House!

“You’re invited to join us for our Holiday Open House at Ward 1 on Thursday, Dec. 11!

Everyone is welcome for food, games, music, and making luminarias. We’ll also present community awards to some amazing individuals in our Ward.

We’d love for you to join in on the fun and bring a dish for our potluck! Let us know what you’re bringing here.“

LD 17 Democrats "Back to the Future: The Musical" raffle at holiday party
2025-12-11 00:00 - 23:59 | Arizona
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

“Rev up your Deloreans, we are heading to Back to the Future: The Musical a raffle ticket to win dinner for two plus two tickets to Back to the Future: The Musical. Your purchase supports LD17 Democrats in our work to keep Kevin Volk in the Arizona State House and to flip an Arizona Senate seat blue. For more information and to buy tickets visit: https://www.ld17azdemocrats.org/raffle“

Carolyn’s note: “Back to the Future: The Musical” will be at 7:30 p.m. on April 17, 2026 at Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. in Tucson.

https://www.ld17azdemocrats.org

”Earth’s Greatest Enemy” documentary film tour
2025-12-09 18:30 - 21:30 | Integrated Learning Center, 1500 E. University Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 85721
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

“Join Abby Martin for the Arizona premiere of her second feature documentary film on the environmental impact of the US military!

Earth’s Greatest Enemy is the second documentary from journalist Abby Martin that uncovers a shocking blind spot in the climate conversation: the U.S. military.

Exempt from international climate agreements and rarely scrutinized in mainstream reporting, the Pentagon is revealed here as the world’s single largest institutional polluter—spewing carbon, contaminating water, and scarring landscapes across the globe. Combining investigative journalism, striking visuals, and stories from impacted communities, the film challenges audiences to rethink the hidden costs of a global military empire and its planetary consequences. Provocative, urgent, and eye-opening, this is a documentary that will change how you see both the military and environmentalism.

Featuring Q&A with Abby Martin and co-director Mike Prysner following the film.

Learn more about the film and watch the trailer at EarthsGreatestEnemy.com”

Date and time

Tuesday, December 9 · 6:30 – 9:30pm EST

Location

University of Arizona1500 E University Blvd Tucson, AZ 85721Get directions

Intergrated Learning Center 130

Agenda

6:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Doors

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Show starts

9:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Q&A with Abby Martin

Tickets $15 to $30: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earths-greatest-enemy-tucson-premiere-with-abby-martin-qa-tickets-1757999787689

Turning Things Around at Sustainable Tucson meetng
2025-12-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Arizona
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Turning Things Around:Harnessing the Power of Science and Communication for a Sustainable Future

Tuesday, December 9, 6:00-7:15 pmZoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87001542338?pwd=[REDACTED]

“Join us at our December Sustainability Spotlight for a warm-up discussion on Sustainable Tucson’s emerging plans for a City-County “Infrastructure Investment Summit” in March 2026. Our guest is Dr. Edward Maibach, Distinguished Emeritus Professor at George Mason University (GMU) and the Founding Director of GMU’s Center for Climate Change Communication—a “think-and-do tank” focused on illuminating public engagement in climate change and strategies for enhancing it. This evening is the first in a series of community conversations on investing in people and infrastructure – a creative initiative to rethink our economy by putting people and sustainability first. Ed’s opening comments will be followed by brief remarks from Matt McDonnell, Julie Hendricks, and Jessica Janecek, who will offer futher insights, leading into further discussion with each other and the audience as a whole.

Ed is a Member of the National Academy of Medicine, a Fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science, and serves on the Global Climate and Health Alliance board of directors. In 2024, he and his center were honored by the National Center for Science Education with a Friend of the Planet Award. For a preview of Ed’s thinking, see a chapter he co-authored in the 2023 Annual Review of Earth: “Harnessing the Power of Science and Communication and Behavior Science to Enhance Society’s Response to Climate Change.”

“There is nothing that physically and technologically limits us from doing it all with renewables. There are only cynical or specious arguments that say we can’t. The biggest barriers remaining have the same origin: inertia or the stubborn insistence on the current way of doing things.”Dr. Saul Griffith, Electrify: An Optimist’s Playbook for Our Clean Energy Future (October 2021)

Democrats of Oro Valley holiday party with Fitz
2025-12-08 17:00 - 19:00 | El Molinito, 10180 N. Oracle Rd., Oro Valley, Arizona, 85704
by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Monday December 8th; 5 PM to 7 PM

DOV Holiday PartyEl Molinito, 10180 N Oracle Rd, Oro Valley

RSVP by December 4th, to info@demsov.org

David Fitzsimmons in action, taken by Daniel Buckley

Carolyn’s note: Fitz retired as cartoonist at AZ Daily Star in Tucson in Jan. 2023. Gone, but obviously not forgotten.
