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"Road Repair" continued on page 2

County” tax – and others. All of these options would require either voter approval or approval by the state legislature and governor – or both.

Each of these plans would take a great deal of time to pursue – time our roads and we don’t have. Further, the prospects of success in enacting any of these options are next to zero – particularly when it comes to dealing with the state legislature up in Phoenix.

In the meantime, our roads will continue to deteriorate, making road repair that much more costly and that much more diffi cult. Our road plan, I believe, is the most fair, makes the most sense, is the most effi cient and transparent, and will have the greatest countywide support, as well as the greatest and quickest chance of success. And we can do it together – now.

Here is our plan: Our plan begins with the board of supervisors immediately repealing the newly enacted Property Tax for Road Repair. This was a bad

what is the point of raising the state’s gas tax if the legislature sweeps it away?

At the federal level, no immediate action for road repair seems forthcoming and even if there were, how much would slowly drip down to fi xing our roads here in Pima County? Certainly, there are a number of other options out there: a “vehicle miles traveled” tax; a “special district” tax; a “tax at the gas pump in Pima

disrupting much of Pima County operations?

At the state level, raising the state’s gas tax has an even bleaker future. That would require approval by both the state Legislature and the governor. Someone close to the governor told me that during a recent function, someone asked Governor Ducey if he would support raising the state’s gas tax. His response? He said, “Not only no, but Hell no.” And

by Steve Christy, Pima County Supervisor, District 4

Pima County has more than 1,200 miles of roads that have been rated poor or failed – that’s 2/3 of all the roads. This comes directly from statistics provided by the Pima County Department of Transportation. And they are getting even worse with each passing day. Clearly, something has to be done – and done now.

I personally feel addressing our road repair situation is the most important issue facing Pima County today. The options before us are fraught with roadblocks and dead ends, to use a topical metaphor. They are all time-consuming, complicated, and most likely impossible and futile to attain or even attempt.

At the county level, there is little hope to fi nd adequate and signifi cant monies in our general fund that could properly address our road repair challenges. Though we should continue to look for unnecessary expenditures, realistically how much money could be taken out of the general fund for road repairs without

Road Repair, The Most Important Issue Facing Pima County

mission to complete road capacity and increased mobility enhancements designed to fight congestion throughout our region – and at the same time begin to conquer our deteriorating and failed roads. Our road repair plan is an investment in ourselves; the countywide sales tax revenue stays wholly in Pima County. It does not get shipped off to Washington, DC or up to Phoenix, with the forlorn hope that some of our own dollars will eventually trickle back to Pima County someday, maybe.

Pima County money stays in Pima County, to be invested in Pima County. This plan is not without its challenges. The biggest and most formidable hurdle that must be cleared if this plan is to succeed is that it requires a 100%, 5 - 0 approval vote by the board of supervisors – a daunting task.

That is why I feel that by announcing it today, our plan has been delivered into the public square. Now it can be publicly vetted, analyzed, and discussed in great detail and consideration. I will be presenting our plan to the newly formed Sales Tax Advisory Committee and to all business and community organizations as well. I plan to finalize the plan’s wording and place it before the board of supervisors for a vote in November or early December at the latest.

I implore my fellow board members to put away our differences and to begin working together today to advance the RTA Road Repair Plan – utilizing our concepts rolled out here today – as a platform and model that allow all of us to finally address our road repair needs. This is not a “Democrat versus Republican” issue. This is not a “majority versus minority” issue. This is, most certainly, not an “us versus them” issue. This is an “all of us are in this together” issue.

I am fully open to suggestions and concerns – and criticism – from my fellow members of the board of supervisors, and I actively seek their input and support.

Here and now, I give them and you my promise and pledge that I will work with each of them in good faith, to seek a workable road repair plan that all of the members of the board of supervisors and - most importantly – all of the residents of Pima County can be proud of.

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of all tax dollars generated will go directly to road repairs. The other 1 percent will cover the RTA’s cost of administering the entire program. As a former car salesman, I can tell you – now that’s a good deal. Citizen input and oversight can be continued and expanded through the newly created Transportation Advisory Committee. Pima County, the City of Tucson and all incorporated jurisdictions can also contribute to the development of the RTA’s road repair plan. The RTA can be in constant communication with the public and the Board of Supervisors as to the RTA’s road

repair plan’s development, with public “dash boards,” public hearings and meetings, and many other transparent communication conveyances. And a very important piece of RTA Road Repair Plan must include that all countywide road repair projects be put out to an open

and public bid process.

Who knows? Maybe the RTA can include beautification and landscaping plans for our medians and sidewalks. And finally, the RTA Road Repair Plan – funded by a countywide sales tax – must include a “sunset” clause and time limit. Annual reviews and progress reports until that “sunset” takes effect must be included, too. I would suggest 10 years to “sunset.”

The positive benefits of the RTA Road Repair Plan include:

Tax relief by repealing the current Property Tax for Road Repair just recently enacted. Tourists and non-residents of Pima County will contribute and participate in sales tax revenue generation for road repair – not just Pima County residents or property owners alone. The sales tax would not tax food, housing, or medication.

Voters overwhelmingly approved the RTA and its mission back in 2006 by a 60 to 40 % margin. I view our plan as just an enhancement and expansion to the original RTA mission and of an already existing tax. With our plan, the RTA can continue on its

That’s it – that’s our plan. Now let’s look at how it can work and how it can succeed.

The RTA enjoys the universal confidence of Pima County residents. The RTA is an independent, regionally administered transportation-focused entity that has an unprecedented proven track record of success. After 11 plus years, almost 1,000 multi-jurisdictional, multi-modal transportation enhancement and improvement projects designed for greater mobility and capacity have been conducted and completed on-time and under budget by the RTA.

The RTA’s process for success has been magnified by its transparent, citizen-driven, and publicly accountable methodology that has visible results in practically every corner of Pima County, including our own Green Valley and Sahuarita. As further evidence shows, as if any further evidence is even needed, that the RTA has the ability to address road repair issues, just last spring, the state auditor general issued its findings regarding its financial and operational audit of the RTA’s performance – and the RTA passed with flying colors. The state legislature mandated this audit, and the RTA received praise and commendation from the very auditors themselves.

Further, with the RTA leading countywide road repair efforts, we can all have confidence that 99%

tax and a bad plan to fix our roads. However, the county had very few choices.

Annually, countywide, this new property tax is estimated to raise barely a little over 19 million dollars for fixing our 800 million to 1 billion dollar road repair problem. Clearly, a drop in the bucket all paid for on the backs of county property owners, who already feel over-taxed. Even our county administrator has acknowledged that at the current rate of using this new property tax for road repair, it would take 35 years to fix our roads, and that’s if the roads remain in the very same condition as they are today. Second – upon repeal of the Property Tax for Road Repair, we propose that the board of supervisors pass a countywide, half-cent sales tax. By doing so, this regional sales tax can raise, countywide, over 75 million dollars annually or more than 800 million dollars over the course of 10 years. Third – we further propose that upon enactment of a countywide half-cent sales tax, that the board of supervisors authorize that all revenues generated by the sales tax be directed solely and singularly to the Regional Transportation Authority and that the RTA has the complete and total direction over the administration of this tax revenue for the singular purpose of fixing our roads – and for fixing our roads only.

"Road Repair" continued from page 1

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The latest from Pima County District 4 Supervisor Steve Christywill return next month!

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"Tanque Verde Unified School District News and Information" continued on page 4

Day Saints, Rincon Mountain Presbyterian Church, and the Oasis Church turned out to assist with playground surface maintenance and nature trail beautification at Agua Caliente Elementary School; the focus was also on playgrounds and courtyard maintenance at Tanque Verde Elementary School; while at Tanque Verde High School volunteers repainted courtyard seating and areas marking physical hazards on campus, such as steps and door swing areas. In the spirit of the event, volunteers remarked that they felt a sense of community pride and satisfaction after the projects were completed, knowing that they made a difference for our local schools.

Art And Arts Integration Programs Thriving In Tanque Verde District SchoolsMs. Emily Dobson, Art Teacher at Tanque Verde High School, was selected as the recipient of the Arizona Art Education Association's 2017 Distinguished Service within the Profession Award. This award acknowledges her dedication and service to her profession, and to quality art education in the state.

Ms. Betsey Robinson (no photo available), a 2nd Grade Teacher at Agua Caliente Elementary School, was awarded a $1,000 Artist Residency Grant from CommunityShare, a locally-based online network connecting the skills and experiences of individuals, community leaders, organizations and businesses, with the goals and needs of educators. With this arts integration grant, the three second grade classes (70 students total) at ACES will participate in Living River of Words, a STEAM project integrating science, art and poetry into the study of watersheds and wetland habitats. Through a series of workshops students will conduct field research at Agua Caliente Park, then work with a water color artist and a poet to create visual and written artistic expressions of their experience.

The 3rd Annual Tanque Verde District Art Fair & Market, supporting art programs in the Tanque Verde Unified School District, will be held on Sunday, December 3rd at the Lew Sorensen Center, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Professional artists and skilled artisans will have their pieces available for

Tanque Verde Unified School District News and Informationby Claire Place,TVUSD Community Liaison

History Comes Alive At Tanque Verde High SchoolOn a recent, bright September afternoon, Dr. Rudy Byrd and Ms. Marcia Aurand, of the Arizona Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution visited with students in Mr. Jeremy Samoy’s Social Studies program at Tanque Verde High School. Over 50 students chose to attend this extracurricular presentation in the TVHS Library, demonstrating that today’s students still have their interest piqued by American history.

The presenters were highly engaging in their period attire, and with many historic items and information to share with students, they had their rapt attention. Some of the many pieces shared included an original deck of cards, bayonets, muskets and even an antique cannon ball. Students were able to handle a lot of the materials which was a very effective way to make history come alive.

Dr. Byrd and Ms. Aurand shared interesting stories of various influential revolutionaries, and addressed the ways in which women were an integral part of the success in the war. They also discussed the everyday lives of those who fought during the American Revolution, stressing the overwhelming odds these young Americans faced. Through it all, they noted, the desire to gain freedom for their children and future generations was their driving force.

Make A Difference Day Volunteers Spruce Up Nature Trail, Playgrounds And Courtyards At TVUSD SchoolsTVUSD is once again very fortunate to have the support of several local interfaith groups for our annual Make a Difference Day school spruce up projects. This year, volunteers from the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter

Folk musicians set a festive atmosphere with live music

performances.

One of many talented artisans displays her textiles at the 2016 Tanque Verde Art Fair & Market.

Ms. Emily Dobson

Volunteers from the Tanque Verde High School National Honor Society.

Volunteers from the Oasis Church.

Volunteers from the Rincon Mountain Presbyterian Church.

Volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Mr. Samoy and Dr. Byrd enjoy a photo opp in period costume.

Dr. Rudy Byrd describes American Revolutionary War armaments.

thetanqueverdevoice.com November / December 2017 3

purchase, while live music, food and student groups will make it a festive day. Please save the date and plan to attend to find unique items for holiday gifts and functional pieces for your home. The event is made possible through a collaborative effort which includes instructors and students from the Lew Sorensen Adult Community Education Program, community volunteer Char Atkinson, district staff members, and district art and classroom teachers, led by Ms. Alicia Marrano.

Note from the Superintendent’s DeskDear Tanque Verde Community,

I am very pleased to be the new Superintendent of the Tanque Verde Unified School District (TVUSD). A Tucsonan for the last 17 years, I am very familiar with the excellent reputation of the Tanque Verde schools, and I look forward to the challenges ahead as I work to continue that tradition.

During my first 100 days, I began meeting individually with members of the TVUSD Governing

Board, school principals, teachers, department managers and community members, in order to learn more about the rich history, community values, academic strengths, and challenges of the district. I believe that it is through careful listening to the voices of parents, students and teachers that we can work collaboratively toward innovative and creative schools where all students learn and achieve.

While we will strive to maintain the Tanque Verde District’s tradition of excellence, we must also understand, and prepare our students for, the changing expectations and skills they will need to adapt to the rapidly shifting, technologically complex world in which they will live and work.

Keeping the ideas shared with me during these first months, as well as the future needs of students in mind, I have developed a framework of goals and action steps that will continue to move the district forward and build upon our standing in the current competitive school environment.

Working together with our governing board, school staff, parents and community members, I am addressing the following priorities:

• Developing a vibrant and deeper framework for STEM education and the Arts.

• Engaging our community to revisit the vision of Tanque Verde USD

• Working purposefully to retain and support our excellent staff

• Establishing new board goals and specific actions to be accomplished this year.

I look forward to dedicating this school year to the continued advancement of the Tanque Verde schools, and I look forward to meeting many of you as we work together on these issues of importance to our school community.

Thank you for your continued support.

All my best,

Dr. Scott Hagerman

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"Tanque Verde Unified School District News and Information" continued from page 3

snow to swoop down this far south, snowcapped mountains stand sentinel over Tucson, offering us desert dwellers a chance to make snow angels, to throw mushy snow balls, and give life to desert snow people. If we’re extremely lucky, the rarest occasions of snow in the Tucson Valley creates a hushed, yet magical, world right in our backyard. Agave, prickly pear, and saguaro cacti covered in snow creates a unique memory. As soon as the first child sees that thin blanket of snow waiting in the backyard, the quiet explodes into giggles and yells of delight as they break that ice layer.

(Of course, the cooler temperatures mean that I bundle up and layer clothing like I’m still experiencing a Cleveland winter. My thin desert blood.)

Here’s to a magical Fall and Winter!

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Fall and Winter Anticipationby Anne Velosa

As I write this article, Tucson temperatures are in the 90’s. I’m a desert rat that loves the warm weather of the Sonoran desert. Based on comments from friends and family, I suspect I’m the only one who mourns the summer’s passing. (I lived in Cleveland, OH for two years; the thought of lake-effect snow makes me cringe.)

While I adore our desert summers, I look forward to the fall weather that’s about to settle in Tucson. While the change here isn’t as drastic as it is in other parts of the country, there’s something about summer settling into fall. Imagine it…sitting in the warmth of a roaring fire while a cool breeze still gives you goosebumps, roasting marshmallows, drinking frothy hot chocolate, listening to the kids joke with each other, all under twinkling stars of the night sky. Bliss.

Then there is fall turning into winter, bringing with it the hope of snowfall. When we are lucky enough for

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December 3rd at Sorensen CenterT.V. Art Fair & Market

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Velosa Viewpoint

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resentment and an aversion towards those men you see wearing a baseball cap with graphics identifying them as veterans.

Something to keep in mind is, you can support veterans without agreeing with war. Veterans didn’t start the wars, we just answered the call and sacrifi ced for this country and its people. Many of our comrades made the ultimate sacrifi ce. This is our day to honor them. So, if you encounter a veteran perhaps a “Thanks for your

service” would be a more appropriate comment to make, and keep in mind , for some of us, every day is veteran’s day.

Arizona native, Ed Conley enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1968 at the age of 17. Wounded in Vietnam, Ed

returned to the States as a 19 year old combat veteran, with lifelong medical concerns.

Most of his life he worked in the video production industry as a cameraman, director, producer and editor in television broadcast and news fi eld as well as a producer of training and instructional videos for the Department of the Army. Ed is now retired and residing in his home in Vail where, he enjoys gardening, playing music and working with pottery.

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Happy Veteran’s Day: Or is it? by Ed Conley

Just what is this holiday that seems to prompt huge sales at retail outlets and for others a day to drink and have cookouts or other celebrations? Oddly, veterans rarely get the day off from their jobs like other holidays and likely make no big deal of it at all; instead, quietly recall their own experiences and their fellow veterans.

Though many well meaning people like to wish veterans “Happy” Veteran’s Day; however, it is not actually a day of celebration for those of us that have served this country, especially the millions that have been in combat. In reality, it is somewhat of a somber day. A day of refl ection and a time to honor our brothers and sisters in arms, not a time that we glorify war and gloat.

In this time of great divisiveness and turmoil, many don’t even give this day a passing thought, even though many people have friends or loved ones that have served in the armed forces at one time or another. It is rare for many people to even acknowledge this day, aside from enjoying it as a day off . Some who have strong personal opinions may even hold


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year, be careful to keep it as fresh as possible. Get advice from a professional on how to be able to identify if your tree is getting too dry, and the best methods for maintaining its freshness. As for those beautiful Christmas lights….ensure that they

unattended; and, remember to extinguish it before going to bed.

One of the biggest dangers of the season is a family’s live Christmas tree. If you love the smell of pine and plan on getting a live tree this

Holiday Fire Safety

It’s hard to believe how the year disappears. Here we are already right around the corner from Thanksgiving and Christmas. The days are getting shorter; and, the Tucson heat is fading into the cooler temperatures of Fall. Though it is important all year long, this time of year has its own characteristics that make it a good idea to return to some considerations about fi re safety around the house.

With increasing frequency, we will start smelling the pleasant odor of a resident enjoying a warm fi re. If you have a wood burning fi replace, it is a great idea to have a professional do an inspection….and, if need be, a cleaning. This should be done prior to your fi rst fi re. Also, when using your fi replace, keep combustibles away from the fi re (rugs, etc.); and, use a screen to catch the fl ying embers. Along the same lines, another “check prior to fi rst use” item is your furnace.

There will be many parties and family get-togethers; and, candles are often a part of the festivities. Be sure to keep combustibles away from candles. Try not to leave a candle

are UL listed and are in good working order.

Now to a short list of the perennial fi re safety items:

1. Ensure that your smoke detectors are in working order and have good batteries.

2. Consider having a portable fi re extinguisher handy around the house.

3. Do not store combustibles near open fl ame (hot water heater, stove, portable space heater, etc.)

Have a plan of action, just in case of emergency. Stay safe and have a wonderful Holiday season.

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Just on the other side of the natural bridge is a viewing area for tourists coming from Lake Powell. The tourists’ fl ip-fl op attire was juxtaposed to my sweat sodden clothes and heavy pack. I had hiked through wild country and arrived at one of the truly natural wonders of the world – Rainbow Bridge!

Rob Samuelsen's adventures are motivated by his lifelong wanderlust and interest in natural science. His trips are supported by his long-suff ering and understanding wife, four children, and seven grandchildren. To fund his escapades, he works as a business executive having served as CEO, COO, and CFO of various entities. He's served on a number of community boards and operates a small business (www.backcountryexpressions.com) which sells some of his photographs.

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Muir. To accommodate their guests, a comfortable camp was set up in a fabulous spring fed amphitheater

named Echo Camp. The bedframe gate was my fi rst clue of the nearby camp.

Approaching the magnifi cent Rainbow Bridge, there is a memorial to the Native American guides and signs that warn hikers from passing under the arch. According to legend, passing under the bridge without saying the proper prayers curse the sojourner for life. With my Navajo permit, I am uniquely permissioned to go underneath, but I do so with prayers and reverence.

Moqui marbles, believed to provide spiritual healing properties by the Hopi, are ever present. The most notable of these canyons is Surprise Valley fi lled by the fast fl owing Nasja creek! Zane Grey, the famed western author, named it because of its stunning desert oasis appearance. The west fork of Surprise Valley includes several ceremonial sweat lodges, the beautiful Owl Bridge, Anasazi ruins, and enticing green amphitheaters that beg a return trip.

In canyon country, Newton’s law is backwards...what goes down must go up! After multiple steep canyons, I fi nally drop into my fi nal canyon, the headwaters of Rainbow Creek. At my ingress, it’s nothing more than a steep, rocky trail in an ever deepening slot canyon. Foot placement is critical lest I end up as tumbleweed.

About fi ve miles downstream, the trail hugs the canyon wall and rises above the canyon fl oor. It passes through a gate adorned with a bedframe! After the discovery, Wetherill and others started pack trains for tourists, including Teddy Roosevelt, Zane Grey, and John

Rainbow Bridge by Rob Samuelsen

A century ago, Anglos fi rst heard about a magnifi cent natural bridge shaped like a rainbow and larger than the Capitol Dome. In 1909, through serendipity, an archaeology Professor and a government surveyor, contacted southwest explorer, John Wetherill to lead an expedition to fi nd the bridge. With the aid of native guides, the Cummins-Douglas party reached Rainbow Bridge on August 14, 1909. President Taft declared it a National Monument less than a year later and pack train tourists visited it until Lake Powell was created in the early 60’s. Except for a few hardy souls, the trail has been largely forgotten ever since.

To hike the trail, it requires a Navajo permit, 4 wheel drive, backpacks, and a boat! Starting on the backside of the 10,388 foot Navajo Mountain, the trailscape at 5,300 feet is mixed cedar and sage brush dissected by deep riparian canyons where the trail appears to disappear over the edge of the cliff ! The high slick rock plateau is parsed with spectacular vistas across the San Juan River valley and to the rugged pinnacles of Navajo Mountain.

Dropping into the riparian valleys,

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when I was very young? Because they are far from useless. They provide great views of the Moon and of wide fi elds of the Milky Way. It doesn’t matter what you use to enjoy the sky. Going out for a few minutes on a hazy, moonlit night may not be the best way to enjoy the night sky, but a small telescope-like Alouette will give you a very good view of the Moon. The slightly larger one, Alouette III, has a wide fi eld that gives unsurpassed views of wide areas of the Milky Way. The Alouettes even remind me of what I had to work with when I were young and just starting out. The two Alouettes bring me back to my youthful days in

Montréal, when my life stretched endlessly ahead of me, I could sing about a lark, and I had plenty of time to reach for the stars.

David and Wendee Levy live in Vail. Together they run both the Jarnac Observatory and the National Sharing the Sky Foundation. You can meet David at the monthly Star Night at the Corona Foothills Middle School.

For more information you may write [email protected]

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summer I was reminded of yet another Alouette I bought in 1978 and which I named Alouette II. I lent that telescope to Angelika Hackett, a friend from Queen’s University where I was studying for my MA at the time. Ika held onto the telescope for many years and returned it to me after this summer’s eclipse of the Sun. I use the two remaining Alouettes on many clear nights. They are both too small to be my major instruments, but they make great travel and quick-look telescopes

Why am I writing about tiny, almost useless telescopes that I had

Clear/Westmount High School/Alouette/ Sunspot-II.

After I graduated Westmount in the spring of 1966, I put Alouette away someplace safe, and it has since been lost. However, around the same time I stored the original Alouette, I purchased a small fi nder telescope, which did service for many years before I decided to use it as an independent telescope; I named this second telescope Alouette in honor of my earlier interest.

It turned out that this was the third Alouette. Last

AllouetteAs a youngster growing up in Montréal, Canada, I always enjoyed the children’s song Alouette. It was a little ditty about a small lark whose loud chirp woke little children early every morning, and each stanza referred to a diff erent part of the bird.safe As I grew up, I prepared for graduation from Westmount High School in 1966. By this time I was passionate about astronomy and I was active in almost every branch of observing, including a daily check on the Sun to count the number of sunspots from day to day. In order to make this particular project a bit more convenient, I used a very small pocket-sized telescope that I named Alouette. During recess or lunchtime, I would take the telescope outside the school, set it up on the steps and project its image of the sun onto a piece of paper. I even still have a record of two of those observing sessions from so long ago:

1296S: Wednesday, March 2, 1966/1230-1235/Partly cloudy/ Westmount High School/Alouette/ Sunspot II: 0 spots. 1297S2/1515-1520/

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Both Alouettes mounted in a wooden frame. The black one is better for the Moon. Photographs by David Levy.

One of the Alouettes as it appears after it was painted green in 2016. It provides beautiful, wide-fi eld views of the Milky Way.

Skyward...

with David H. Levy


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November/December Word SearchFind the words that describe this time of year!

See the Solution onPage 11 - No Cheating!

Place a Number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of

the numbers from one to nine.

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Happy HolidaysFrom All of Us at

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Tips for a Low-Stress Holiday Season by Jennifer Phelps of Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

November marks the start of the holiday season and all the stress, rushing, shopping and entertaining that comes with it. Here are a few tips for keeping the craziness from squashing your holiday spirit.

The most important thing is to make a realistic budget and stick to it. Also, budget your time. Mark your calendar with all the big stuff, but add the little stuff too. I recommend including specific grocery and gift shopping times to avoid last minute scrambling. Make lists. Even if you don’t use them, writing them down will help organize your thoughts.

Plan ahead for the person at work who unexpectedly got you something (oops!) by having a few extra gifts on hand. Avoid cluttery and gender-specific gifts, like candles, knick-knacks, and toiletries. Get creative with gift cards from locally owned businesses and activity gifts, like movie tickets.

Whether you’re hosting a meal, entertaining drop-ins or throwing something together for the company potluck – keep it simple. Google “5-minute appetizers” and “Crock Pot for potlucks,” have a few clever things in the freezer and pantry, just in case, and when hosting, remember that a few great dishes are easier to make than a zillion mediocre ones. Your friends and family want to enjoy your company, not watch you stress out in the kitchen.

While life is hectic, it’s even more important to take care of ourselves. Eat right. Keep healthy snacks handy for on-the-go days. Use that Crock Pot for easy, make-ahead dinners and make one huge salad to last a week. Exercise, sleep, drive safely and when in doubt, use Uber or Lyft.

So honor your budget, manage your time, be grateful for what you already have, choose happiness over perfection and enjoy the holiday season.

Jennifer Phelps is the owner of Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent! Which helps her clients create beautiful, organized and inspiring spaces. Known for her humor and down-to-earth approach, Jennifer is also the “in-house” Organizing Expert on KGUN9’s Tucson Morning Blend and a contributor to Houzz online design magazine. She has also been a featured presenter at the Arizona Home Show and President of Tucson Professional Organizers. You can also read her simple tips on her blog entitled “Because Life Is Messy: A Survival Guide.”


remixes, taking the visual, auditory and plot elements of their original films and changing them up just enough so that they can feel slightly new, without changing enough to cause any alienation. This epitomizes the impetus of looking backward in Hollywood cinema—they offer a kind of fresh nostalgia.

Unfortunately, in both cases, but especially in the case of a ‘big idea’ movie such as Blade Runner 2049, this approach to conceptualizing a movie causes an inherent lack of purpose. Why make Blade Runner 2049? It fails to add anything to the philosophical framework of the original movie (and by my

money inherently misunderstands it). It’s extraordinarily bloated running time—another shared trait with Star Wars Episode VII—does nothing to justify itself, outside of a lazily masturbatory exercise in mimicking the original’s cinematic and aural language. These movies make for pretty pictures, but what is the technique in service for? If going to the movies is now about

activating nostalgia, why not just re-release Blade Runner? It probably holds up better than the studios might think.

Jared graduated from NYU and is currently signed with an agency and living in Los Angeles.

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Remaking Sci-Fi by Jared Free

The past few years have seen American cinema look backwards—producers and writers are drawing inspiration from the great films of the past, in an effort to revitalize and re-energize the current film economy. While this offers an opportunity for older filmgoers to revisit the movies that formed their pop culture sensibilities, and goes to a certain extent to ensure that there is an audience for these films, it also opens up these movies to a critique of their “derivative,” “uninspired” nature. Blade Runner 2049 is a film that seems as if it would be wide open to these critiques, given Blade Runner’s status as a science fiction aesthetic milestone, but it would appear that the film, and its director, Dennis Villeneuve—a former indie darling turned science fiction visionary—has managed to sidestep these critiques, although the movie still lacks a real sense of ingenuity.

Blade Runner 2049 uses a very similar approach to the most recent Star Wars installment to win over its viewers. They are content to function as neither a true sequel nor a remake, but something in-between the two. These most recent blockbusters are

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Pima County Public Library: We RecommendHere are stories of people who braved diffi cult circumstances and fears, in their journey for justice. As we near the celebration of Veterans and those who have served America, try this mixed collection of children’s books that show appreciation for all our warriors of freedoms.

Like these? Be sure to check out our books page at library.pima.gov/browse/books and explore our Genre Guides.

These book recommendations are brought to you by Anne at the Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. Library. Visit us at library.pima.gov for more great reading suggestions, to view upcoming events, and to visit our E-Library!


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I would need to know from this dreamer what she feels the wave symbolizes for her—and why she believes that it is behind a closed door. It could be a symbol of overwhelming responsibilities or emotions she feels are about to crash down upon her and she is keeping it pent-up, behind the door, to protect herself or prevent herself from having to experience it or acknowledge that it is there (like the child who hides broken things, bedroom mess, or dirty clothes in his/her closet). Or it could be a symbol of the dreamer’s desire for freedom, recreation, and relaxation in life—a symbol for a place where she would like to be but feels that she cannot go, and must, instead, close it off due to daily responsibilities and commitments. By shutting it out and keeping it closeted, hidden, and separate, she does not feel the pain of a “dream deferred.” I am inclined to believe that this dreamer just needs a peaceful and happy break from life, and that these dreams recur whenever she feels this need for recreation, relaxation, or a “break from it all”—but does not feel able to follow through and actually experience her desire. So, instead, she just takes a look at what she wants—probably longingly—and then shuts the door.

Please submit your dreams for analysis to:

[email protected] special interest is recurring

dreams; otherwise, a most recent and remembered dream will work. Ms.

Schild may need to establish contact with you for additional information. However, your name, email contact

and shared information will stay anonymous and private. Feel free to

use an alias.

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and forces in life—as in a “wave of responsibility” or a “tidal wave of emotion” crashing down upon us.

As to doors presenting themselves in dreams, they are usually symbols of a transition from one state, quality, world, or realm of existence to another. Doors are also symbols of entrance and can represent the potential and opportunity for making new connections—as in a situation which “opens doors” for a person in life. However, doors can also be symbols of separation and prohibition—when, by shutting these doors, the dreamer shuts out situations, people, or emotions. Sea life, such as fish, whales, and dolphin, are often symbols of freedom, and seeing them in a wave in a dream may be a reflection of the need to “swim freely,” so to speak. Furthermore, ocean beaches—and people engaged in ocean and beach activities—usually symbolize that the dreamer is desiring recreation, vacation, and pleasure in life.

some suppressed or repeating issue in the dreamer’s waking world.

Waves and the ocean are usually symbols for life in a dream; however, due to their mystery and fluid nature, waves and the ocean can also be symbols for the unconscious world (a relatively uncharted place that, like the ocean, can take great courage to explore). The ever-changing physical nature of waves also allows them to become symbols for change and flow in life, as well as the interconnected “ying and yang” of life. Waves are also common representations for emotion as the waves can be calm and serene or turbulent and out of control. As a result, the relentless and overpowering physical characteristics of waves can become dream symbols for overwhelming situations, emotions,

"Dear Claire,

I have a recurring dream where an ocean wave is in my closet. Sometimes, in my dream, the ocean is also in my bedroom. I will open the door to my closet or my room and see this enormous wave in there. Sometimes, there are dolphins, whales, fish, and people swimming and playing in the wave. Usually, it is just a wave. After I open the door in my dream, I just stand there and look at the wave for a moment; then, I close the door. What do you think that this means?

Suppressed desires, emotions, and troubling issues will often seep into our dreams at night in order to force us to confront them and work through them. Recurring themes in dreams are usually due to the brain prodding the dreamer to deal with and/or recognize

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Here are the Best Times and Places to View Fall Foliage in Arizona

by Monica Spencer from www.onlyinyourstate.com

It may be September but most of the state still feels like summer. While we wait for those triple-digit days to dwindle into something signifi cantly cooler, we can start making plans for fall weather activities. This includes checking out the changing leaves throughout the state, and it looks like those activities may commence much sooner than you think!

I’m ready to see those golden fall leaves, so let’s see how to tell when the leaves will change. The Smoky Mountains website (https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/) has released an interactive tool that predicts when and where to fi nd fall foliage throughout the country between August and October. Simply move the controller below the map forward to see predictions for what the colors are expected to look like and when. For example, by the beginning of October, the entire state is expected to see some level of color transition. And just two weeks later in mid-October, northern and central Arizona’s leaves will be reaching their peak colors.

This is a pretty cool tool to help you enjoy the very best of the fall season, but keep in mind that nature can be fi nicky, so the predictor isn’t 100% accurate. However, you can start making plans to enjoy the great outdoors, such as hiking some incredible trails in Flagstaff , on the Rim, or even in southern

Arizona. Or you can enjoy a leisurely drive through some of Arizona’s best back roads and highways that will show off nature’s amazing color palette.

The Smoky Mountain Fall Foliage predictor map can be found on their website, smokymountains.com. You can also read about the science behind the color change and why the leaves eventually fall from the trees.

What are you looking forward to seeing or doing once the fall season arrives here in Arizona? If you’re looking forward to checking out the pretty leaves, you’ll want to read Take This Gorgeous All Foliage Road Trip To See Arizona Like Never Before. We know you’ll be truly impressed if you’ve never seen Arizona’s beautiful fall season.



The population of prairie falcons is stable. They are not considered a threatened or endangered species. For those interested in more information on the prairie falcon, conduct a web search on Falco mexicanus. For a display of raptors in free fl ight, plan a visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum between October 21, 2017 and March, 2018, with shows at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

John’s interest in nature began as a child while hiking in the mountains and playing on the beaches of his native Hawaii. Formal training in

fi eld ecology and tropical

agriculture led to a global career in

agricultural development.

He has published both technical and non-technical

papers and since his retirement observing, studying and writing on

nature has become a hobby.

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While cracks and depressions in cliff s and steep bluff s are preferred nesting sites, trees, utility poles, buildings and bridges will suffi ce. Prairie falcon nests typically contain 2 to 6 pinkish eggs with brown, reddish-brown, and purplish speckles. Depending on ambient temperatures during the incubation, egg hatch occurs 29 and 39 days after laying. Fledgling occurs between 4 and 6.5 weeks following hatch. While the lifespan in the wild is typically 3 to 7 years, the longest lifespan for a prairie falcon in the wild was over 17 years.

upon utility poles and lines surveying their environs for small mammals and birds to prey upon.

F. mexicanus is described as a medium-large sized falcon; about the size of a peregrine falcon, but more tubular than stocky in body. The upper back and wings are gray-brown with a lighter colored tail. From below, their lighter colored feathering is off set by a darker “armpit” streak (Photo 1.). The eyes are proportionally large for its head size while a ridge of lighter colored feathers above the eyes and a dark mustache stripe mark the face (Photo 2). Their wings are pointed. The tail is about one-third the body’s length. Males are about 15 inches in length with females averaging an additional 2 inches.

F. mexicanus ranges from southern western Canada south to northern Mexico. They are migratory from their northern latitudes and are altitudinal migrants in Arizona where they remain yearlong residents. Its speciation has been so precise that there hasn’t been a need to develop subspecies to accommodate survival within multiple habitats throughout its extensive range.

Prairie Falcon by John R. Leeper

With a whoosh, a puff of feathers was all that remained as the dove’s existence was stanched away in the talons of an aggressive, opportunistic hunter. The prairie falcon or prairie hawk, Falco mexicanus, is a bird of prey, a raptor. Their excellent eye-site allows them to spot small prey at extreme distances. Strong talloned feet and a sharp beak allow for grasping and tearing the fl esh of their prey. Prairie falcons cruise at just over 45 mph, but at attack speed, from high altitude, can exceed 100 mph. The favored hunting habitats of prairie falcons include shrubby deserts, grasslands, mountain meadows and open agricultural fi elds. Prairie falcons can be frequently observed perched

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A close-up of a prairie falcon head showing large eyes, a ridge of lighter

colored feathers above the eyes and a dark mustache stripe.

A prairie falcon displaying the darker “armpit” streak on its wing underside.

Observationsin Nature

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