Marana News 01/11/2023

American Furniture Warehouse coming to Marana

“We’re (delivering) a lot of product down there. We have a lot of consumers in that area. It made sense for us to go down there.

Podcast delves into topics vital to Marana residents

ETven in a town the size of Marana, there is a lot of news to keep up with.

o protect “the health, safety and welfare” of its citizens, a unanimous Oro Valley Town Council has adopted what it called “reasonable regulations” for short-term/vacation rental properties in the community.

Owners of short-term/vacation rentals have until early May to comply with the rules.

Town Manager Terry Rozema has been helping with this with his new podcast, “Real Talk with the Town.” Rozema and Marana’s staff answer questions posed by the community and talk about issues relevant to Marana residents, issues including whether North Marana will get a grocery store.

“We didn’t invent this ordinance,” Councilmember Tim Bohen said. It is being created to anticipate any “major problems” with parties, noise, lighting, parking and other violations at short-term/vacation rentals that have been encountered by communities “throughout the state.”

During a recent podcast, Rozema invited Curt Woody, director of Marana’s economic development and tourism, to answer that question.

merican Furniture Warehouse is expected to bring its “no-pressure” sales approach to Marana in the second quarter of 2024.

ONolan Morrison, with real estate and development at American Furniture Warehouse, said after the town of Marana finishes its final review, he’s hoping to start construction in the next two months.

ro Valley Chamber of Commerce kicks off the new year with its second business summit from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa.

The new, 125,000-square-foot store will employ between 150 and 175 workers, topping out at around 250. Morrison said Marana made sense on several levels for a new location.

“We’ve been selling to the Marana market since we opened up the Gilbert location,” he said.

Large and small businesses as well as individuals are invited to attend the summit to participate, discuss and learn ways to advance and promote their businesses. The summit will feature three workshops in the morning and includes lunch. Speakers include Oro Valley

“Going into markets, it’s always difficult to find a location that’s easy for consumers (to find). We looked for a good piece of land that was big enough and close to the freeway.”

Mayor Joe Winfield and keynote speaker, Ted Maxwell.

“Last year was our very first one, so we are still trying to figure out how it will look,” said Kristen Sharp, Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer.

The location at the I-10 and West Twin Peaks Road near the Tucson Premium Outlets checked all the boxes.

Residents ask if a Walmart is being considered and if the town is offering incentives to bring stores like Whole Foods Market to North Marana.

Paul Melcher, Oro Valley’s director of community and economic development, estimated there are between 260 and 400 short-term vacation rental properties within Oro Valley. Some of them may not be registered with the town.

During the podcast, Woody said it has been a long, drawn-out process to get developers to bring a grocery store to Marana.

“There’s a lot of growth in that area,” he added.

“It was very successful, and people were very happy with it from the feedback that we got, so we are doing it again.”

Mary Martin of Good News Communications will present the workshop “Marketing Your Business,” while Ryan Lambert of Three

“Marana is business friendly and they’re bringing a lot of good businesses to that area. We wanted to be off that freeway so people can get to it easily. We’re close enough get Mexican na-

“There are a lot of developers and private land owners out there, that once they’re in a specific zone, which really incorporates quite a few different types of businesses, they can build whatever they want,” he said.

It is a growing industry of businesses, generally operated by sole proprietors, generating economic activity, tourism, employment, and resulting sales, utilities and bed tax revenues for the community.

“We have been trying to attract a grocery (store) to Lon Adams and Tangerine (Farms)

In the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022, Oro Valley collected $512,456 in bed tax

EXPLORER

The Explorer and Marana News is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the Northwest Tucson. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of the Explorer and Marana News, go to www.TucsonLocalMedia.com

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Hot Picks

ARTS

Wednesday, Jan. 11, to Saturday, May 20

It’s been a long journey for Willem de Koonig’s “Woman-Ochre,” since its shocking theft in 1985 from the University of Arizona Museum of Art. More than three decades later, it has returned home and is on display through May. Tickets for “Restored: The Return of Woman-Ochre,” are $8 general admission, $6 seniors 65 and older, and groups of 10 and more, and free for students with ID, museum members, UA faculty, staff, military personnel, AAM members, visitors with a SNAP card or Tribal ID and children. For more information about other ongoing exhibits, visit artmuseum.arizona.edu.

The University of Arizona Museum of Art, 1031 N. Olive Road.

THEATER

Tuesday, Jan. 17, to Sunday, Jan. 22

Broadway in Tucson presents the most successful American play in Broadway history, Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer-Prize winning masterpiece, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” starting Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Centennial Hall. Opening night starts at 7:30 p.m. The run time is approximately two hours and 35 minutes. For more information on showtimes and ticket prices, visit broadwayintucson.com. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Boulevard.

LIVE MUSIC

Saturday, Jan. 14

Oro Valley Parks & Recreation present the inaugural Second Saturdays of 2023 at Steam Pump Ranch on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Listen to the Southwest Americana sounds of the acoustic duo Febbo and Fuentes. Food trucks, nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at the Oro Valley Farmers Market. Outside alcohol is not permitted. For more information about this free event, visit orovalleyaz. gov. Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road.

Friday, Jan. 13, to Sunday, Jan. 22

The annual Tucson Jazz Festival returns Friday, Jan. 13, bringing world-class jazz acts and high-cali-

5-DAY WEATHER

JANUARY 13-22, 2023

DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER, KURT ELLING, & more in MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL ON TOUR

JAN 21 • FOX TUCSON THEATRE in partnership

Starring vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater and Kurt Elling, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, pianist Christian Sands, bassist Yasushi Nakamura, and drummer Clarence Penn, MJF On Tour presents the artistry, spirit, and fun of the Monterey Jazz Festival to audiences far and wide with musicians who embody the Monterey aesthetic by performing music, both historic and new, that reflects the values and legacy of the Monterey Jazz Festival over the last 65 years.

DOWNTOWN JAZZ FIESTA!

JAN 16 - HOTEL CONGRESS PLAZA & THE CENTURY ROOM

This annual, all-day FREE event features amazing artists offering up an array of jazz styles on 3 different stages. A DAY TO COME TOGETHER & CELEBRATE COMMUNITY WITH INCREDIBLE MUSIC, FUN, FOOD, & GORGEOUS TUCSON SUNSHINE (of course, this is Tucson, so there could be a few clouds, but nothing will stop the fun)!Mason, UA Jazz Esembles and more!

11 AM - 3:30 PM - HOTEL CONGRESS PLAZA STAGE

Mariachi Rayos del Sol de Tucson High • Gabriel Ayala • Matrix: Richard Katz, Gary Love, Evan Arrendondo, Pete Swan • Tommy Gearhart Singing & Swinging Ballads, Blues, & Bop

5:30 PM AFTER PARTY -PLAZA STAGE

Ada Redd Austin’s Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.

11:30 AM - 4:30 PM - TOOLE AVENUE STAGE

11:30 AM - THE CENTURY ROOM

A Tribute to the Clifford Brown - Max Roach Quintet: Jason Carder, Brice Winston, Angelo Versace, Tom Wakeling, Dom Moio

7 PM - 9 PM Century Room Jazz Orchestra

Neaman Lyles • The Tucson Latin Jazz Nonet • UA Jazz with Elliot Mason & Special Guest Sofija Knezevic • Gunhild Carling FREE EVENT!

FURNITURE from Page 1

tionals who come up. There are not a lot of opportunities for them to shop. I think we’ll be able to offer them some great deals as well.”

Morrison said American Furniture Warehouse stands out for a number of reasons.

“For one, we have a no-pressure sales experience,” he explained. “It’s important for the consumer. We’re also honest about the products. We put a lot of time and effort into the information cards on the product.

“We’re not going to oversell the product.”

He also praised chief executive officer Jake Jabs.

“The owner also has a philosophy of giving,” Morrison recalled about Jabs.

“His phrase is, ‘There’s nothing wrong with giving the customer a good deal.’ During the pandemic, prices were going up

all over the place. Post-pandemic, he’s lowering the prices.

“He’s very value-focused for the consumer. The price, the quality of the product, the availability of the product, the customer service after the purchase. All that lends itself to a much better buying experience and people come back for that.”

Jabs shares his philanthropic ways as well. An active member of the community and philanthropist, Jabs lends his support to a number of nonprofit organizations. He serves as national vice president of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and is actively involved with many not-for-profit organizations in Colorado, where American Furniture Warehouse is based.

American Furniture Warehouse regularly supports nonprofits around Arizona, too.

PODCAST from Page 1

for the 10 years I’ve been here and even before that.”

Woody added that when he started working with the town almost 11 years ago, Fry’s Food Stores was looking to build a store in the area.

“I was tasked with getting Fry’s to build on Lon Adams and Tangerine,” he said. “They had put in $2 million in infrastructure, so it made sense for them to build. We were just coming out of the Great Recession, and lending institutions, developers and businesses were still very skittish about development plans. It took probably four years even for residential (development) to pick up again.”

Fry’s officials asked if there would be enough residents to support a grocery store.

Woody provided detailed demographic data to highlight the store’s possibilities.

“It was a greater population than they had imagined, but they weren’t ready to move forward,” Woody said.

In 2017, Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods pushed Fry’s to focus more on the customer service experience, especially online shopping.

Woody said this meant Fry’s wasn’t as concerned with building new stores. Fry’s later hired a retail specialist, who recommended that the town rezone the property to single-family residential or multifamily.

“The mayor and council didn’t support that and said, ‘No we won’t rezone that property. We had promised everybody there’s going to be retail on that property, and that’s what we are shooting for,’” Woody said. He said, ultimately, the town will not be getting a small neighborhood Fry’s store, as originally discussed. A larger Fry’s store will be coming to Marana.

“We’re going to be getting a Fry’s superstore, larger than the one at Cortaro and

Silverbell and almost the same size as the Tangerine and Thornydale store,” Woody said. “As we speak, the plans are in-house for permitting and plan review, and their goal is to break ground in early summer.”

Developers expect to break ground in May or June and have the store open by the first quarter of 2024. In addition to a Fry’s, there will be surrounding retail spaces at Lon Adams and Tangerine Farms. The decision on what businesses will go in will be based on conversations between the Marana town council and mayor, community members and the developer.

“Ultimately, (the developers) make that decision of who comes into the retail pads, but we can still keep that conversation going around the restaurants, around certain amenities that are desirable for the community,” Woody said.

“Those wants and desires have already been expressed to the folks that are going to be responsible.”

In the comments section of the podcast, residents have a chance to give their feedback on topics discussed. There was a mixed response to the news of the North Marana store.

One resident said, “No, we don’t need any more building in Marana; they have already ruined the small town I have always known with all these housing developments. Cortaro is only 10 minutes away; go there to shop. Stop building in Marana.”

Another resident asked, “Do we know how the Fry’s store will be situated on the lot? Will the front of the store be facing Lon Adams or Tangerine?”

Find this and other episodes of Real Talk at streaming platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Anchor, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Talk to your town’s government with new podcast

“Real Talk with the Town of Marana” is a new podcast featuring Town Manager Terry Rozema.

Rozema started the podcast so Marana’s residents could connect with him. During a recent episode, Rozema and Development Services Director Jason Angell addressed complaints about how residential and commercial developments sometimes block the beautiful views of established homes. That’s the real point of the podcast: addressing the concerns of the people of Marana.

reach a lot of people.

It’s “where I sit down with the Marana staff to answer your burning questions about our beautiful community,” Rozema said.

This is a new effort, with the first episode being posted at the beginning of last month. To date only four episodes have been uploaded, though Rozema said he has a few in the can ready for public airing. It’s hoped there will be a new podcast every other week.

The podcast came to be when Rozema was looking for ways to communicate with Marana’s residents. He said it was a good way to educate the community by providing accurate information, something that seemed necessary.

“People have these blogs or the program called, Nextdoor,” Rozema said. “People hear about something, and they make comments that just absolutely aren’t true. They’re completely devoid of any factual data and it’s harmful, I think, to the community when somebody is providing information that’s not factual. It’s detrimental to the town.”

This is not Rozema’s first effort at trying to get factual information out to his Marana neighbors.

“We attempted that through print,” he said. “We attempted that through posting things, and we got very little traction with it.”

Recognizing that people like to listen to podcasts, he decided to give it a try, especially because a podcast has the potential to

“We get a question from somebody who has come into our website, and we would respond to that,” Rozema said. “Well, that’s only one person that gets to hear the answer to a question that’s probably on the minds of more than just one person.”

Many of the subjects of upcoming episodes are generated by residents.

“If somebody posts a question or we hear about something from the community or we read a blog that has inaccurate information, we’re taking those and we’re making a podcast out of them and getting the truth out there,” he said.

More than anything, Rozema said he wants Marana residents to ask questions, bring up issues, agree or disagree with him. In other words, he wants to make meaningful contact with the people of Marana.

“We’re looking for a relationship,” Rozema said. “Government is better when we have a relationship with our community…If we’re open to take any question and answer any question, and if people have questions about the podcast and want to know more, or disagree with what we said, we’re open to that. We’ll talk about it.”

“Real Talk with the Town of Marana” maranaaz.gov/realtalk

Available on most services, including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible, Anchor, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio and Spotify.

OV Children’s Museum expands outdoor fun

Kids can now explore the beauty of the desert through 6,000 square feet of outdoor spaces and classic exhibits while visiting the Children’s Museum at Tohono Chul in Oro Valley.

Nature-based programming and the expansive outdoor space welcomed visitors for the first time on Jan. 3.

“It was beautiful. It was chilly but the rain was out of the forecast,” said Teresa Truelsen, the museum’s marketing director.

“It was great. We had so many families, I think more than 200 visitors this first day; lots of families and kids coming to Tohono Chul, which I think was kind of a new experience for them, especially on a Tuesday morning. It worked out exactly as it was supposed to.”

Children’s Museum Oro Valley opened in 2015 in the Steam Pump Village shopping center. It closed in November 2022, moved to Tohono Chul in December, and opened Jan. 3, Truelsen said.

“We were shut down for a month as we made the move to Tohono Chul,” she said. “We have a whole lot of new exhibits…Everything is kind of tied to the fact we are within Tohono Chul now.”

To tie in with the natural surroundings of Tohono Chul, Truelsen said the outdoor space has a mud kitchen, clay studio, water table and outdoor painting areas.

“There is a little planting station where they can protect plants. It’s not real dirt, it is like bark (mulch), that they can dig into,” she said. “There’s a fort building area with blocks.”

“Some older kids were hanging out, playing around in the mud garden, which is actually a sand garden at this point in time. It was fun to watch them. It’s not something kids in Tucson are generally used to playing with…you really can’t dig up mud in your backyard.”

The Children’s Museum at Tohono Chul also includes the meditation garden and the buddha water painting station.

The Tohono Chul meditation garden is “actually within our space,” she explained. A xylophone is available in the meditation garden, where children can make gentle music.

The buddha boards are slate tiles that are painted on with water. Slate tile painted with water will change color and darken.

Survey to guide OV general plan outreach WARNING!

SPECIAL TO TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA

The town of Oro Valley invites residents of all ages to participate in a brief survey to identify the best ways to engage the community as it prepares for the next general plan, which will be on the ballot in 2026.

The survey, which is open through Thursday, Jan. 26, can be taken by multiple members of the household. Visit https:// arcg.is/10aGrK1 to access the survey.

Survey participants will have the opportunity to provide an email address if they’d like to be notified of future opportunities for input and engagement on the plan. Information will also be posted on social media and on the general plan webpage. Visit orovalleyaz.gov and search “general plan.”

For more information or to complete a paper or telephone version of the survey, contact Milini Simms, OV principal planner, at 520-229-4836 or msimms@orovalleyaz.gov.

The general plan is a community-driven, 10-year plan that includes goals, policies

CHILDREN from Page 8

“It’s just water painting on slate tile,” Truelsen said of the buddha water painting station. “It’s a little more thoughtful.”

The museum’s Nature Niños Educators offer daily programming with themes inspired by the surrounding garden. Story time at 9:30 a.m. is followed by nature-based movement, with a related arts and crafts activity at an open table for creativity throughout the morning. New outdoor exhibits and activity spaces also include an art studio — everything is designed to inspire interactive play for kids. Highlights include indoor exhibits from the original space, “airways” which are air float tubes, and Peek-a-Boo Palace, an indoor climbing area.

She said the indoor play areas are designed for children ages 0 to 5. However, Truelsen said they are looking to expand the age range for their outdoor space.

“If you are playing with clay, anyone can have fun creating with clay, or playing in the mud garden, or painting,” Truelsen said. “There’s the blocks, the big Fort Building blocks interlocking blocks you

and measurable actions for public safety, environment, parks, water, development, housing, employment and more. The first step in updating the general plan involves creating and adopting a community engagement plan to ensure that Oro Valley residents have opportunities to share their input on the town’s future.

The current Your Voice, Our Future General Plan was ratified by voters in 2016. Extensive public outreach was conducted over three years, which resulted in an action plan that resonated with the community and was ratified by 71% of the voters.

There are 310 actionable items in the current general plan and the town formally reports progress annually. To date, 95% of those items are either finished or anticipated for completion soon. The parks and recreation master plan, ongoing protection of large saguaros and increased transparency of town services are just a few achievements that resulted from the current general plan.

To read the current general plan, visit https://bit.ly/OVGeneralPlan2016

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENTS NOT WORKING!!

Oro Valley, AZ – When it comes to chronic pain and/ or neuropathy, the most common doctor-prescribed treatment is drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin. The problem with antidepressants or anti-seizure medications like these is that they offer purely symptomatic relief, as opposed to targeting and treating the root of the problem. Worse, these drugs often trigger an onset of uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes harmful side effects.

cannot survive, and thus, slowly die. This leads to those painful and frustrating consequences we were talking about earlier, like weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, and perhaps even a burning sensation.

The drugs your doctor might prescribe will temporarily conceal the problems, putting a “BandAid” over a situation that will only continue to deteriorate without further action.

1. Finding the underlying cause

2. Determining the extent of the nerve damage (above 95% nerve loss is rarely treatable)

3. The amount of treatment required for the patient’s unique condition

The number of treatments required varies from patient to patient, and can only be determined following an in-depth neurological and vascular examination. As long as you have less than 95% nerve damage, there is hope!

can build huge structures with. There’s a lot of stuff they can do, plus the walk up there is beautiful.”

Hilary Van Alsburg, the museum’s executive director, said she’s excited the facility is open.

“This is an exciting collaboration,” Van Alsburg said. “We look forward to welcoming families to a beautiful new setting where they can explore, learn about the Sonoran Desert and (have) fun in nature, right in our urban core.”

Children’s Museum Oro Valley at Tohono Chul

7366 N. Paseo Del Norte, Oro Valley 520-297-8004

childrensmuseumtucson.org, tohonochul.org

Outdoor exhibits:

Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Indoor museum play and programming:

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday

Theonlywaytoeffectively treatchronicpainand/or peripheral neuropathy is by targetingthesource, which is theresultofnerve damageowingto inadequatebloodflowto the nerves in the hands and feet.Thisoftencauses weakness,numbness, tingling,pain,andbalance problems. A lackof nutrientscausesthe nerves to degenerate – an insidious and often painful process.

As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves

Thankfully, Oro Valley is the birthplace of a brandnew facility that sheds new light on this pressing problem of peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain. The company is trailblazing the medical industry by replacing outdated drugs and symptomatic reprieves with an advanced machine that targets the root of the problem at hand.

Effective neuropathy treatment relies on the following three factors:

Arrowhead Physical Medicine in Oro Valley, AZ uses a state-of-the-art electric cell signaling systems worth $100,000.00. Th is ground-breaking treatment is engineered to achieve the following, accompanied by advanced diagnostics and a basic skin biopsy to accurately analyze results:

1. Increases blood flow

2. Stimulates and strengthens small fiber nerves

3. Improves brain-based pain

The treatment works by delivering energy to the affected area(s) at varying wavelengths, from low- to middle-frequency signals, while also using Amplitude Modulated (AM) and Frequency Modulated (FM) signaling

It’s completely painless!

THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT THIS TREATMENT IS COVERED BY MEDICARE, MEDICAID,AND MOST INSURANCES!!

Depending on your coverage, your peripheral neuropathy treatment could cost almost nothing – or be absolutely free.

Arrowhead Physical Medicine begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage – a complimentary service for comprises a detailed your friends and family.sensoryEach exam evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy findings.

Arrowhead Physical Medicine begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage –a complimentary service for comprises a detailed your friends and family. Each sensory exam evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy ndings.

Arrowhead Physical Medicine will be offering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until December 31st, 2022. Call (520) 934-0130 to make an appointment

Arrowhead Physical Medicine will be o ering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until January 31, 2023. Call (520) 934-0130 to make an appointment

Due to our very busy office schedule, we are limiting this offer to the first 10c allers YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL (520) 934-0130… NOW!!

We are extremely busy, so we are unavailable, please leave avoice message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Arrowhead Physical Medicine 10425N. Oracle Rd., Suite 125 Oro Valley, AZ 85737

10425 N Oracle Rd.,

934-0130*

Zoppé Family Circus carries on its tradition

Giovanni Zoppé has traveled the world as Nino the Clown in his Zoppé Family Circus.

Crowds have watched him and his fellow performers in awe. However, lately, he’s witnessed — still — a nation divided. He’s hoping to bring folks together with Zoppé Family Circus’ new show “Liberta.” They set up their big top in the parking lot on the corner of Congress and Avenida del Convento in the Mercado District. The 2023 run features 24 performances between Friday, Jan. 6, and Sunday, Jan. 22, including two shorter, discounted performances on Friday mornings.

“The word, ‘liberta,’ means freedom,” Giovanni said. “It also means all for one, one for all. Unity. With all the stuff happening right now in the world, we need this. We’re human beings doing terrible things to other human beings. We need to try to pull us all together as much as we can.”

Zoppé history

The Zoppés welcome guests into its 500seat tent for their show that stars Nino the clown. The circus is propelled by a central story, instead of individual acts, that features acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers and clowning.

“Circus is about family,” Giovanni said. “It’s about joy, honesty, reality. You cannot get the same feeling from any other event. Circus is so real. There’s nothing fake about it. We’re performing, yes, but we are acting as ourselves.

“We’re all actors. We’re all artists. It’s not like when you see a play and Bob is playing Jim. Bob here is playing Bob. Plus, Bob can do a double somersault. Our family is inviting your family to our home.”

Besides bringing Nino the clown to life, Giovanni is the circus’ director and a sixth-generation performer.

The Zoppé Family Circus was founded in 1842 when a young French street performer, Napoline Zoppé, wandered into a plaza in Budapest, Hungary, looking for work.

There, he met an equestrian ballerina named Ermenegilda, who captured his heart. However, Napoline was a clown and

Giovanni Zoppé and his family’s circus appear in the big top in the parking lot near Congress Street and Avenida del Convento in the Mercado District through Sunday, Jan. 22. (Zoppé Circus/Submitted)

Ermenegilda’s father disapproved of the relationship.

The two ran away to Venice, Italy, and founded the circus. Almost a century ago, Alberto Zoppé, Napoline’s great-grandson inherited the circus.

During Alberto’s travels, he met actor/ director Orson Welles, who persuaded Alberto to appear in the film “The Greatest Show on Earth.” He remained in America, producing circuses for Ringling and starting his own family.

With his wife, Sandra, Alberto carried on the family tradition in the United States with his children, Giovanni, Tosca and Carla, and their spouses.

This year, in Tucson, Ilario Zoppé, Giovanni’s 19-month-old son, is winning audiences over.

“Every show is different,” Giovanni said. “He comes into the ring. He starts in preshow and runs all over the place, causing havoc in the ring. He’s real.

“I started this thing a couple days ago. I play with my hat a lot. I took my hat off and he did the same. He plays a mini-me. He stood in the ring and looked at me for 2 minutes. It was a long 2 minutes. I was thinking, ‘Come on. Let’s go. Let’s do something.’ The audience went bananas, and he did a front rollover.”

The common theme throughout the years is inclusiveness.

“Everybody is welcome to our show,” Giovanni said. “We’re hoping we can unite people. We want everybody to come—no matter which language they speak, which color they are or who they choose to love or any of that.

“We’re all human beings in this world. We’re here to survive and be happy. Our show is about pulling everyone together as one people and encouraging that, meaning we want to live in peace. The boy in India, the boy in Africa, the boy or girl in France — we’re all the same. We’re from different

places and to start wars, it’s just crazy. We’re trying to pull everyone together as much as we can.”

If you go

Zoppé Family Circus

WHEN: Various times through Sunday, Jan. 22

WHERE: Big top in the parking lot near Congress Street and Avenida del Convento in the Mercado District COST: $25, $45 ringside, free for children ages 3 and younger; 10 a.m. short program, $15, $30 ringside, free for children ages 3 and younger

INFO: zoppe.net

Duo Febbo Fuentes Southwest sounds to Steam Pump Ranch

Mark Anthony Febbo and Oscar Fuentes have built a rapport, dating back to their time in Clam Tostada. It continues with the Southwest Americana duo Febbo Fuentes.

The duo will perform at Steam Pump Ranch on Saturday, Jan. 14, during the Second Saturdays Oro Valley Farmers Market. The market will also have vendors, food trucks and children’s activities.

The historic ranch, which once served as a way station for cattle, will also host blues and folk musician Bob Bovee on Feb. 11 and the Tucson Fiddle Contest on March 11.

This is the first time Febbo Fuentes has performed at the Oro Valley Farmers Market. They have worked with sponsors SAACA for other events.

The duo regularly performs each month at Westbound and Tap and Bottle in Tucson. They also play the Button Brew House in Marana every few months and St. Charles

Tavern a few times a year. The duo also hits stages in Bisbee, Phoenix and Tempe, as well as New Mexico.

Febbo said performing around the Southwest allows him and Fuentes to connect with a variety of audiences.

“It’s fun to see people in the community out and about,” Febbo said.

“There are always people who stop, take notice and listen for a little while. It’s nice to get out and be heard by new people who don’t hear us all the time,” Febbo said.

Longtime friends

Febbo and Fuentes have been playing as a duo since 2016.

They became good friends and started playing together in Febbo’s band Clam Tostada in 2012. They met at a show at Monterey Court, as they listened to another band.

“We hit it off, becoming fast friends. I invited him over to come jam with our band once I found out that he played saxophone,” Febbo said.

Fuentes is a full-time musician. Febbo

plays part time, as he works as the communications officer for the UA Cancer Center and books shows for the likes of Tap and Bottle. He has two young children, ages 2 and 6 months, so he doesn’t play out as much as he did in the past.

Even though Febbo is more limited in time, he always fits music into his busy schedule.

“You have to find time and space for something you love to do. If somebody offers us a gig, we definitely take it because we want to form new relationships and find other places to play,” Febbo said.

Febbo and Fuentes have very different styles as musicians, but they have found that they mesh well.

Febbo tends to perform traditional Mexican music and rock and blues songs in Spanish. Febbo does rock, blues and folky music; a mix of originals and covers.

Febbo said they often do covers that aren’t

Febbo especially likes doing covers by Blaze Foley. One of Fuente’s favorites is a traditional Mexican folk song called “La Llorona.”

“We cover a variety. I think that keeps people interested. We have very different voices, but they are complementary to each other,” Febbo said. “That is a different thing about us. I think it’s one of the reasons that people ask for us back. They like that we cover a lot of different styles.”

They will often improvise when they perform.

“We just call stuff out to each other. Half the time, Oscar will play songs in the set I’ve never heard before. That’s always fun to try to keep up. You learn to improvise, that’s for sure. I can hear the chords he is playing and play along with him. That makes for some impromptu arrangements. It’s fun for us and fun for the audience,” Febbo said.

Recently, Febbo has trying to learn dif

“Marichris did a lovely job with my first set of lash extensions ever. They look very natural as I wanted. I’ll go back!”

“I have been going to Amazing Lashes since 2016 and have always been very happy with my eyelashes, their customer service and pricing. My regular technician is Molly and she’s great. I have gotten to know her over the years and look forward to catching up with her on my visits. Thank you Amazing. Lash!”

“Julianna definitely knows what she’s doing. She’s patient and very detail oriented. She exceeded my expectations”

and has been playing the resonator.

“I have been trying to better myself in terms of my musicianship, knowing more and understanding more,” Febbo said.

Fuentes also plays the lap steel guitar, saxophone, piano and other instruments. When they perform, they trade off singing and accompany each other on guitar.

Febbo worked with Fuentes and other local musicians from Tucson, including fiddle player/violinist Heather Hardy, on his latest album “Dry River Redemption.” Sometimes, Hardy will join the duo for performances.

New music

Febbo most recently released new music in February 2020. The album was recorded at Fuente’s studio TucSound Recording Studio.

The album came out at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Febbo didn’t have much of a chance to promote it, save a release party just before the world shut down.

He and the band that made the album did a release party and were able to play out a little before everything shut down.

Sometimes Fuentes and Febbo will play versions of songs from the album.

“It’s different with the duo than it would be with a full band, but we play those songs now,” Febbo said.

Febbo has recently been working on instrumental music, and Fuentes has been writing new songs. Sometimes they will sprinkle this music in during performances.

They are hoping to do a project together as a duo soon. There is one recording of the two of them playing at St. Charles Tavern a few years ago.

Fuentes, who is from Guadalajara, Mexico, played different spots in Mexico for decades before moving to Tucson in 2010.

Febbo, a third-generation Tucsonan, has been playing music in the city since 2001. He started playing the guitar at age 16, when his dad bought a guitar for his mom.

“She played it a little but didn’t ever dedicate much time to it. This guitar was sitting around, and I started teaching myself to play guitar,” Febbo said.

Febbo has enjoyed playing Tucson throughout his career. The scene is supportive with musicians often playing with each other in different configurations and watching each other perform.

“Especially when you play around the downtown area, you will see other musicians come out to listen to their peers,” Febbo said.

If you go

Febbo Fuentes at Second Saturdays Oro Valley Farmers Market

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to noon. Saturday, Jan. 14

WHERE: Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley.

PRICE: Free admission

INFO: saaca.org/steampump.html,

anthonyfebbo.com

Student Chronicles

Student Chronicles

Know of a student doing something remarkable? Tell us about it! Email christina@ tucsonlocalmedia.com

Know of a student doing something remarkable? Tell us about it! Email christina@ tucsonlocalmedia.com

Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, unveiled its dean’s list for its fall 2022 semester. For the semester, 389 students from 24 states and 12 countries were named to the dean’s list. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.7 to 4.0 scale and be registered for full-time coursework. Among the students

Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, unveiled its dean’s list for its fall 2022 semester. For the semester, 389 students from 24 states and 12 countries were named to the dean’s list. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.7 to 4.0 scale and be registered for full-time coursework. Among the students

are Shania Santos of Marana and Maxwell Smith of Tucson, both of whom have a 4.0 grade-point average for the semester. Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Hastings’ student-centered initiatives include providing all required textbooks and an iPad, while a block-style semester schedule allows professors and students to focus on fewer classes at a time. Info: hastings.edu.

are Shania Santos of Marana and Maxwell Smith of Tucson, both of whom have a 4.0 grade-point average for the semester. Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Hastings’ student-centered initiatives include providing all required textbooks and an iPad, while a block-style semester schedule allows professors and students to focus on fewer classes at a time. Info: hastings.edu.

Four local students were honored on the dean’s and dean’s honor lists at the UW-Madison for the fall semester of the 2021-2022 academic year They are: Rylie Crane, school of business, dean’s list; Macy Goode and Erika Spivack, school of human ecology and dean’s honor list; and

Four local students were honored on the dean’s and dean’s honor lists at the UW-Madison for the fall semester of the 2021-2022 academic year They are: Rylie Crane, school of business, dean’s list; Macy Goode and Erika Spivack, school of human ecology and dean’s honor list; and

Samuel White, college of letters and science, dean’s list. Students who achieve at a high-level academically are recognized by the dean at the close of each semester. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester. Each university school or college sets its own GPA requirements for students to be eligible to receive the distinction. Most call the honor “dean’s list,” but some grant the “dean’s honor list” and “dean’s high honor list.” Info: wisc.edu

Samuel White, college of letters and science, dean’s list. Students who achieve at a high-level academically are recognized by the dean at the close of each semester. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester. Each university school or college sets its own GPA requirements for students to be eligible to receive the distinction. Most call the honor “dean’s list,” but some grant the “dean’s honor list” and “dean’s high honor list.” Info: wisc.edu

Jake Hudson of Marana made the dean’s list for the 2022 fall semester at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. To be eligible for the Angelo State University dean’s list, full-time undergraduate students must

Jake Hudson of Marana made the dean’s list for the 2022 fall semester at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. To be eligible for the Angelo State University dean’s list, full-time undergraduate students must maintain a 3.25 or better grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. Hudson is majoring in intelligence and analysis at Angelo State. Angelo State University, founded in 1928, is a four-year public school in Texas. Info: angelo.edu

maintain a 3.25 or better grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. Hudson is majoring in intelligence and analysis at Angelo State. Angelo State University, founded in 1928, is a four-year public school in Texas. Info: angelo.edu

Got Youth News to Share?

Got Youth News to Share?

Contact Christina Fuoco-Karasinski at christina@timeslocalmedia.com

Contact Christina Fuoco-Karasinski at christina@timeslocalmedia.com

EXTRA POINT WITH TOM DANEHY SPORTS & RECREATION

A look back: Plays of the year

On New Year’s Eve day, college football fans were treated to the double delight of two absolutely magnificent games in the NCAA National Championship semifinals. First came TCU’s huge upset of Michigan and that was followed by the Georgia-Ohio State game, an instant classic won by Georgia (by one point) in a game that went down to the absolute final seconds.

It was great, especially in light of the fact that many previous Final Four football games were stinkers, either blowouts or just plain boring games. It’s great when teams play up to their potential and fans across the country are treated to outstanding games. Ohio State had a chance to upset the reigning national champions from Georgia, but the Buckeyes kicker suffered a complete meltdown on the potential game-winning field goal, kicking it both short and wide left.

While Southern Arizona had its share of state titles in 2022 (CDO’s boys in baseball, Salpointe’s girls in basketball), the rest of the state enjoyed a prep sports year for the ages. With COVID sorta gone, athletes and teams jumped back into the fray with incredible enthusiasm…and often with spectacular results.

We’re in region play now in basketball and soccer, and wrestling is heading toward its regional and state competitions. But before we get there, let’s take one last look back at some of the wild things that happened in other parts of Arizona during the past year.

• Easily the most amazing single play of the year came in the Class 4A boys’ basketball semifinals. Heavily favored St. Mary’s was playing at home, but had to put on a furious rally in the closing minutes to finally take the lead over Gilbert Mesquite. St. Mary’s had finally

scratched out a 73-71 lead with 2.3 seconds left.

St. Mary’s had the ball out of bounds under the Mesquite basket. With Mesquite frantically pressing, St. Mary’s opted for a long pass, figuring that even if the ball was stolen, there was no way that Mesquite could get it downcourt and get off a good shot in 2.3 seconds.

Sure enough, the ball was intercepted by Mesquite’s Nate Calmese. But instead of trying to take a couple dribbles to get it into the frontcourt, Calmese caught the ball, set his feet and let it fly. More than 50 feet later, the ball hit dead bottom and gave Mesquite the most-improbable 74-73 victory.

A couple days later, Mesquite beat Salpointe’s boys for the 4A State Championship.

• How would you like to be a part of a team that went 44-0?! That’s what the boys’ volleyball team from Sandra Day O’Connor High School did. They won every regular-season match, every match in the 6A State Tournament and won every match they played in every tournament. They even won the Best of the West Invitational Tournament in California, becoming the first Arizona team ever to win that tourney. They finished ranked fifth in the entire country, although they might well have won a national championship if such a thing existed.

• We all know that rules are rules, but… In Arizona’s big-school state baseball tournaments, it’s double elimination (meaning that one loss doesn’t knock a team out of contention; they have to lose twice). Chandler Hamilton was a monster favorite to win the 6A State title, but after an early tournament stumble, they faced elimination against Queen Creek. The underdog Queen Creek team posted a gritty performance, winning a nail-biting 2-1 victory to knock Hamilton out of the tournament. But then it was discovered

that the Queen Creek pitcher had thrown 64 pitches in the game. That exceeded the strict 60-pitch limit that the Arizona Interscholastic Association puts in place to help protect the arms of the pitchers. The Queen Creek player had pitched in a game just two days earlier, so he was bound by the 60-pitch limit.

The AIA ruled that Queen Creek had to forfeit the game. Hamilton went on to win the State championship with an 11-1 blowout of Chandler in the title game.

• The field-goal kicker for Chandler Basha High School, had a moment that the poor guy from Ohio State would have loved to duplicate. Kicker Timothy Tynan had transferred from Hamilton High to Basha and found himself facing his former teammates. At first, it didn’t seem that it would matter. Tynan had kicked three field goals, but Basha trailed, 23-9 in the second half.

A furious rally allowed Basha to tie the game at 23-23 and then they got it back in the final minute. Basha was in field-goal range, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed the ball back 15 yards. Tynan stepped up and nailed a 40-yard field goal at the buzzer to beat his former teammates.

Here’s hoping that some Northwest teams can find some similar magic in 2023.

Athlete of the Week: Alondra Pereida

It was a scene no doubt repeated throughout Tucson, throughout Arizona and probably throughout a substantial portion of America. Students sitting in class, trying to pay attention to what the teacher was saying, while occasionally stealing a glance at their phones that were showing the World Cup match between Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

Mexico had been in a hole since the beginning of pool play. El Tri (named for the tri-color Mexican flag) had managed only a 0-0 tie against Poland and had then lost to eventual World Cup champion Argentina, 2-0. Mexico had to have a huge game against Saudi Arabia, an unheralded team that, as it turned out, was the only team to beat Argentina in the entire tournament. The Mexican side was playing okay, but they needed a blowout win to move them past Poland in the point differential and move on to the knockout round.

Alondra Pereida remembers that day all too well. “It was so frustrating. I mean, Saudi Arabia was good. They had beaten Argentina, but Mexico was better. They were playing so hard, maybe too hard. You know how when you’re desperate as an athlete, you make mistakes.”

Eternally optimistic with a near-constant smile, Pereida is active in student council (she’s in her second year as student body president) and is constantly on the go at school. She plans to attend the UA in the fall and major in criminal justice.

As a freshman, she was the student manager for the girls’ basketball team. She would sit in the stands and keep stats and remembers that they weren’t very good back then.

“I remember watching them play. I wondered if they would ever be good. But they worked hard and last year they won the (region) championship. I was happy for them.”

(She considered switching to basketball this year, but stuck with soccer.)

Back then, she was the manager because she was nursing a knee injury that she sus-

tained in a youth game. She actually had ACL and meniscus surgery before she got to high school. She lost her freshman year to rehabbing the surgically repaired knee and then the next year to the COVID-19 shutdown. She didn’t get a chance to play for her school until her junior year. But it has worked out and she’s one of the mainstays on her squad.

“I really like playing soccer and I’m having fun this year, even though we’re not doing well.”

To say that the Amphi girls’ soccer team is struggling this year is an understatement. They have lost all 10 matches this year, some by lopsided scores, and have scored only two goals the entire season. But they’re not giving up. “We have a bunch of young players and they’re improving. We’re all trying hard.

“Our first goal is to score another goal. Mexico only scored two goals in the World Cup and they have some of the best players in the world. I’d like us to outscore Mexico.”

Chocolate is not just a sweet treat

It’s true: Chocolate really is pretty good for you. Most of us enjoy a good piece of chocolate without really thinking of what these little morsels contain other than the fat and calories.

Snickers, M&Ms, and Hershey’s kisses are delectable to many adults as a reminder of childhood treats. Many of us have grown to develop a more sophisticated See’s, Fanny Mae or Godiva habit.

Regardless of the sweet treat, many of us are addicted to chocolate in its various forms and flavors. Chocolate comes from the cacao tree, theobroma cacao meaning “food of the gods.” The Aztecs introduced cacao to the Spaniards who sweetened the concoction with vanilla, cinnamon, and tooth decay. Many of us were programmed to believe that this delectable nibble was a bad habit which led to poor health. But this enjoyable indulgence may actually be good for you.

The benefits are from dark chocolate far more than the milk or white varieties. Dark chocolate is made from the seeds of the cacao tree and is really packed with nutrients that can promote good health and actually reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Dark chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants, flavonoids, polyphenols and even fiber, which helps to maintain a healthy intestinal system. It does contain sugar but less than milk or white chocolate.

Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (70% or higher) is a nutritious food. A 3.5-ounce portion contains 11 grams of fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese,

potassium, zinc and selenium. The fatty acids in dark chocolate are mostly oleic acid (also found in olive oil). Chocolate also provides us with vitamins B1, B2, D, and E.

Cocoa beans contain large amounts of flavonoids, plant compounds with strong antioxidant properties. (Other flavonoids-rich foods include red wine, cranberries, tea, peanuts, and many fruits and vegetables.) Research is showing that flavonoids help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The darker the chocolate, the higher the flavonoids. This substance has been shown to help the body process nitric oxide (NO), necessary for blood pressure control and healthy blood flow. Other studies have shown that these flavonoids prevent fatty materials in the bloodstream from oxidizing and clogging the arteries. They may also help blood flow by making the blood platelets less likely to clump together causing clots.

Dark chocolate might improve brain function. Chocolate contains serotonin,

which has an antidepressant effect. It also contains theobromine, caffeine and phenylethylamine, which have a stimulating effect (but for most people not enough to interfere with sleep). It can stimulate the brain’s secretion of endor phins, giving a pleasant feeling similar to a “run ner’s high” after jogging or running several miles.

The December 2020 is sue of the journal Nutri ents published a study that showed high flava nol cocoa can improve blood flow to the brain in young adults, improving attention, verbal learning and memory. The scientific journal, Medicina, showed that cocoa flavanoids may help maintain cognitive function in older adults and reduce the chance of progression to dementia but further research is needed.

Dark chocolate may also be good for your skin. The minimal erythemal dose (MED) is the minimum amount of ultraviolet B rays that causes skin redness 24 hours after sun exposure. Research has shown that this MED can increase to almost double after eating high flavanol dark chocolate for 12 weeks, resulting in some skin protection. (But it is imperative to still always use a good broad-spectrum high-SPF sunscreen when outdoors.)

Chocolate is not exactly the world’s healthiest food because, despite its great qualities, it is also high in sugar, fat (including stearic acid, a saturated fat as unhealthy as marbled meat fat) and calories. As al-

ways, common sense in all dietary choices should prevail. Enjoy the chocolate but don’t eat that whole box of See’s or several candy bars at one sitting.

There are healthy alternatives too: CocoaVia is a low fat, flavonoids-rich cocoa powder with that dark chocolate flavor that can be added to other foods or beverages.

On a personal note: My dear grandmother loved chocolate and ate a piece or two daily. She was never overweight, had the energy of the Energizer Bunny, and lived to be almost 104 years old.

Mia Smitt is a longtime nurse practitioner. She writes a regular column for Tucson Local Media.

Walmart Wellness Day offers free services

Walmart will offer free health screenings during the first Walmart Wellness Day of 2023 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14.

Services include screenings for glucose, cholesterol, BMI and blood pressure, as well as affordable immunizations like flu, COVID-19, mumps and measles at pharmacies nationwide.

To find a free event in your neighborhood, visit walmart.com/wellnesshub. Select stores will also feature vision screenings and in-store giveaways and demos of wellness products to make it even easier for customers to access the specialized services they need.

Walmart Wellness Day events will feature the following health resources, ad

sion center teams:

• Free health screenings, including glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index and vision screenings (select locations)

• Affordable immunizations, including flu, measles, mumps, pneumonia, tetanus, HPV, rubella (MMR), varicella (chicken pox/shingles), whooping cough (TDAP), Hepatitis A & B and more

• No cost to patient COVID-19 vaccines

• Wellness resources and the opportunity to talk with pharmacists

“A fresh, new year presents a great opportunity to really check in on our health as families, and as communities,” said Kevin Host, Walmart’s senior vice

president of pharmacy.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we’re able to offer through our Wellness Day events. These free screenings and affordable immunizations provide not only valuable insight but also valuable protection against illnesses that become common during the winter season. We continue to innovate the ways we deliver care through our pharmacies, vision centers, Walmart Health Centers and beyond. We look forward to making more positive impacts in the lives of our customers and patients.”

Since 2014, Walmart pharmacies have hosted Walmart Wellness Days, contributing more than 5 million free health screenings for customers.

Edited by Will Shortz No. 1103

Horoscope

Mars and ‘Mean Girls’

The end of a retrograde starts a war march by Mars through the social realm of Gemini. Social wars are the stuff of Jane Austen classics and cinematic comedies from “Mean Girls” to “Bridgerton” and beyond. The spotlight centers around school or other structured societies where status maneuvers, though not matters of life or death, certainly can feel like it! On the bright side, it’s a chance to learn where we fit in and what makes us feel important.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You set the tone and people treat you accordingly. The confident assertions you make now signal to the world that you’re a force to be reckoned with. Later you’ll find it easy to be generous and nurturing because you won’t feel like you have to prove or defend yourself.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Don’t fall prey to the common myth that you need to figure yourself out before you interact effectively with others. The way to figure things out is to interact naturally with others and take both the awkwardness and the wins as good information to grow on. You’ll become masterful because you have the courage not to be.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll ask yourself a question you already know the answer to and you’ll get a different answer than you had before, proving once again that as humans, we often operate from guesswork, so convincingly we believe it ourselves. This is natural and keeps us moving. Just don’t be afraid to change your mind.

Across

1 Tinker (with)

5 Obscures, in a way

10 Acts as one?

14 Memo starter

15 Garden of ___ (punnily named snack brand)

16 Word with bird or nest

17 Persian for “country”

18 Taqueria menu adjective

19 “ You sure about that?”

20 _N_ _ _ERS

23 Téa of “Madam Secretary”

24 “No ___!” (cry in a queue)

25 CR AWL SP_ _ _

31 Brand owned by Whirlpool

34 Absence of musical ability

35 Trojans’ sch.

42 _EABR_ _ _

45 Small valley

46 First name in cosmetics

49 COLD S_ _U_ _ER

54 Goes over or under, in a way

55 Worst possible turnout

56 It might help you get a grip

57 Product with a Mini variety

58 Role on “Stranger Things”

59 University in a town of the same name

60 Org.

61 What good pitches often result in

62 ___ control (city law subject)

($39.95 a year).

9 Popular app originally launched under the name Picaboo 10 Column base

Directionless sorts

Enterprise rival

Lead-in to a counterargument 21 Ancient worshiper of Pachamama (“earth mother”)

22 Violinist Leopold

Mineral whose name means “crumb” in Latin

Cures for what ails you

Marks in the sand, perhaps

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). This is a common problem for many people. We all want to be our best selves, lose the things that bother us about ourselves and shine in the ways we think we could. But it’s hard to do the work of changing, if we even know what that is. This is why models are essential. You’ll seek and find excellent ones this week.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Some memories swagger proudly to mind, others sneak in unwelcome and proceed to do cringe-inducing dances in your psyche. Some memories don’t come back at all. It’s why you make the extra effort this week. You want the things you’re involved in to be extraordinary enough to make the round trip.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It’s hardly ever the case, but strangely often true this week: Unpreparedness is the key to success. Say yes even if you suspect you’re not ready. It’s amazing what you can come up with on the fly. You can trust yourself to say and do the right thing, so just get in there and start acting and reacting to life.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). No one can prove the demise of the cat was its curiosity. It’s more likely that curiosity is the quality that made the cat king. To watch and learn in stealth -- to silently track a subject before the pounce -- these are the habits of a fearsome thriver. You’ll use your curiosity well, learning what you need to know to succeed.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There is no zero-sum game here. You can get all the points you want this week without taking points away from anyone else. You’ll work within a diverse group -- the luckiest kind! You can all succeed together, and, because you take the time to understand the strengths of everyone involved, you absolutely will.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It’s not always easy to find bright people like you, but it’s worth the effort to try. No one becomes sharper alone. Supporters and competitors, teammates and enemies all help you become your best self. It may surprise you which category people fall into. Bottom line: You can’t go wrong aligning with vibrant minds.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). To overcome the fear of rejection, one must risk the dreaded feeling and accept what comes. It helps to be rejected and it also helps not to be. So there is no downside of taking small, manageable social risks. Practice in low-stakes environments where you will not be judged harshly.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). No one said growth was comfortable, but the discomfort can certainly be managed and paced. You are intrigued this week by the versions of yourself you might become. You’ll be inspired to tinker with your appearance, habits or environment. It’s a wonderful high when you find something that works for you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Everyone wants to talk to you this week, and you’re not sure you want to hear what they have to say. Your trepidation is well founded. Everything you pay attention to that doesn’t contribute to your purpose is stealing something from you. You’ll get extremely good at guarding your time and directing your efforts.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS: This year brings many a wonderful and lucky day in which unexpected and indeed unexplainable things happen. A bright, younger influence comes into your world. Together you’ll investigate new places, eat different kinds of foods and enjoy a relationship that’s free of tired, old rules. You’ll be given a valuable item or job. Try it out to decide if it’s worth the energy of maintenance. There are proud family moments, too. It’s wonderful how you can help someone succeed in the same ways you have.

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

36 The “seven” referenced by the film title “Seven”

Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay

37 Intoxicated, in modern slang

38 Meh

39 Exam taken by many jrs.

40 Works at a restaurant

… or what many diners experience at popular restaurants

41 Sauce that often contains nuts

1 Nashville university attended by W. E. B. DuBois and John Lewis 2 To 3 Go over, in a way 4 Riddles in Buddhism 5 ___ Baby

6 Anchor ’s position

7 Home of the Uintah and Ouray reservation 8 Nag, nag, nag

Us For Sunday Service: English-10:30 AM In Person: 15501 W Ajo Hwy Online: https://facebook.com/ serenitybaptistaz/videos/ Youth: Weds @ 6:00PM Office Hrs: 9am to 1 pm Mon to Fri (Except Holidays) connect@serenitybaptist.church https://serenitybaptist.church 520.822.2026

FREEDOM.

TO BE YOU.

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Worship Guide

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