The Explorer: The Voice of Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson

Democrats criticize voting law that is said to help the Republican Pary

PHOENIX -- Gov. Jan Brewer penned her approval Wednesday to a series of changes in voting laws that Democrats and others say are designed to give her Republican Party an edge in future elections...

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Beloved Safeway manager says farewell

As Oro Valley Safeway Manager Mike Hennings prepares for retirement after 42 years with the company, he says the career is all he’s ever known.

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With new budget in place, state session ends

While Gov. Jan Brewer and select members of the Arizona Legislature celebrated the signing of the $8.8 billion budget for the 2013/2014 fiscal year on Monday, ...

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Foothills Optimist Club donates money for underserved youth

The Foothills Optimist Club, for the eighth year, has donated money to the Marana Pool program by providing free passes to underserved youth.

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Summer heat brings a wave of pool activities in Oro Valley

Hands up in the air, water flinging across her face and screaming with delight, 8-year-old Anna Daines splashes down the water slide at the Amphibious Athletes...

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SaddleBrooke Flag Day celebration

On June 14, the Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge #2815 and SaddleBrooke HOA #1 hosted an annual Flag Day ceremony. The ceremony included music, songs and dance, along with the history of the American Flag. American Legion Post 132 Commander Ed Davis, Golder Ranch Fire District Chief Randy Karrer and Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles also spoke during the ceremony.
Jo Holt files 2014 State Senate campaign

Jo Holt filed her 2014 candidacy today for the Arizona State Senate, representing Legislative District 11 on the Democratic ticket. Jo identifies herself as a moderate pragmatist who will represent the people of her district regardless of their political affiliation, and who will maintain a presence in their local communities. In this spirit, Jo has continued to meet with people throughout LD11 this year, as she did during her campaign for the state senate seat in 2012. A resident of Oro Valley and a retired research scientist, Jo supports a strong business economy in Arizona in which small businesses can compete on a level playing field, and have every opportunity to grow and prosper. As part of her emphasis on business, Jo believes “It is absolutely necessary that we get serious about supporting our public school system and its teachers so that Arizona businesses have the workforce to innovate and compete.” She said, “This election is about uniting our communities to find real ways to improve Arizona. After listening to people from around this district, I’m convinced that we have far more in common than we think. There is a boundless energy and optimism in Arizona that deserves leaders who are willing to put people before special interests and political gamesmanship – it’s time for change.” Learn more at www.Holt4Senate.com and on the Holt4Senate Facebook page at www.facebook.com/holt4senate.
AARP Arizona commends governor, legislators for Medicaid expansion

Flanked by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, and numerous stakeholders that included AARP Arizona, Governor Jan Brewer today signed historic legislation that will restore and expand Medicaid coverage for thousands of vulnerable Arizonans. “Over the last five months, more than 400 community groups have rallied behind our effort,” said Governor Brewer. “This Medicaid Restoration Plan does not solve all of Arizona’s health care challenges. But it will extend cost-effective care to Arizona’s working poor, using the very tax dollars our citizens already pay to the federal government. It will help prevent our rural and safety-net hospitals from closing their doors. And it will boost our economy by creating more than 20,000 jobs at a time when Arizona needs them most.” AARP Arizona was among a coalition of community groups that has worked to rally lawmakers behind the Governor’s plan since the legislative session opened in January. “AARP commends the Governor’s leadership and those of the bipartisan coalition of legislators that voted to pass this bill. Today’s event means that more than 300,000 vulnerable Arizonans will now have access to health care through our state’s AHCCCS program,” said AARP Arizona Advocacy Director Steve Jennings. AARP has nearly 800,000 members that are 50 years of age and older in the state, many of whom have lost their jobs or are struggling in jobs without health insurance. “With the expansion of Arizona’s AHCCCS program, these vulnerable Arizonans will now be able to get the care they need, it will help keep our rural hospitals open and also avoid overcrowding in our hospital emergency rooms,” Jennings added.

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Pima Animal Care shares tips to find lost pet

It is frightening and heartbreaking to lose a pet. Fortunately, Pima Animal Care Center is seeing a 6 percent increase in happy reunions this fiscal year. At the close of May, 1,834 lost pets had been returned to their owners because of improvements in our reporting process and an increase in networking and outreach. Last year at this time, that number stood at 1,724. As the Fourth of July holiday nears, when we will see an increase in lost pets frightened by fireworks, we would like to share some tips with owners. Posting flyers and notices around the neighborhood is a good idea still, but should be supplemented with other approaches: • Go to our website daily to see animals that have been picked up as strays or turned in by the community. Our intake list is frequently updated at http://www.paccintake.pima.gov/. Keep in mind that if an animal is not claimed within three full days by its owner, it will be evaluated for adoption or rescue. • File a lost report with Pima Animal Care Center by calling 243-5900, as well as filing one with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. And make sure you check with both shelters about any found reports. Sometimes members of the community will hold onto dogs or cats rather than bring them into a shelter, but will leave contact information for inquiring owners.
Splendido resident displays Arizona landscape photography

A 35-millimeter camera on his 17th birthday is all it took for Walter Heilman, now a resident of the Splendido community, to find his passion. Now, many years later, Heilman still finds enjoyment in photography and recently shared some of his artwork in the art gallery at Splendido. Throughout the year, Splendido hangs up artwork from residents of the community. Heilman displayed 12 photographs featuring landscapes, nature and people in Arizona. “It’s been in my blood since I was young,” said Heilman. “I’ve always had an interest in photography. You take a good photograph and then, when you show people, you get a lot of feedback. That’s what keeps me going.” Before moving to Tucson four years ago, Heilman and his wife lived in Green Valley. During that time, Heilman took occasional trips with his family to the West Coast where he spent much of his time photographing landscape and nature. Heilman also participated in a yearly contest in Green Valley. The contest was to make a phonebook cover for the community based off of a specific theme. Heilman won nine out of the 15 years he participated. Since retirement, Heilman spends most of his time making photo note cards and gardening.
North Tucson Firefighter Association offering free swim lessons to Catalina residents

Residents of Catalina can apply for free swimming lessons at the Catalina Pool, 16562 N. Oracle Road, thanks to a generous donation from the North Tucson Firefighter Association in partnership with the pool. Swim lesson scholarship applications are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Golder Ranch Fire Administration Office, 3885 E. Golder Ranch Drive. The office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The completed scholarship application must be taken to the Catalina Pool to receive the free lessons. (See flyer attached.) Session III of swimming lessons at Pima County pools begins Monday, July 8. Session IV begins Monday, July 22. Registration for Sessions III and IV begins at 7:30 a.m. Friday, June 28, at your local pool and continues during open hours. You may register for both Session III and IV at that time.

Today's Top Headlines

Today's Headlines

(June 19) Today's Top Headlines - Another country winner announced on The Voice

According to an NBC News report, Country is once again king. If there’s one takeaway from “The Voice” this season, that is it. When in doubt, the secret to winning is to stick as close to Nashville radio as possible. Blake Shelton was the winning coach -- again. Danielle Bradbery was the winning singer, the youngest “Voice” champion ever and someone her coach swears is the next big thing in country music. Another Blake act, The Swon Brothers, made the finale and finished third. That’s not all. Adam Levine’s top-finishing singer, Amber Carrington, was a country artist who he tried and failed to make more of a rocker. As if to emphasize that coaching error, both Danielle and the Swon Brothers brought her back as part of their teams for their group finale numbers. “Secretly, we think she belongs on Team Blake,” the Swon Brothers said. Secretly, she probably agreed. No fan of the show could be surprised by the result. After all, Danielle’s victory gave Blake his third “Voice” title in a row. A year ago, Cassadee Pope won by emphasizing country music in the semifinals and the finale. Jermaine Paul was more musically well-rounded in season two, but sang an actual Blake song in the finale to bring it home.
(June 19) Today's Top Headlines - The top 10 stories of the day

1. OBAMA LAUNCHES PUSH FOR NUCLEAR WARHEAD CUTS President Obama, on his first visit to Berlin as president, plans to call for reducing America's deployed nuclear arsenal by one-third, provided Russia makes similar cuts. The move will renew disarmament goals Obama committed to early in his first term. His speech will be delivered at the Brandenburg Gate, once a key passage through the Berlin Wall and the backdrop then-president Ronald Reagan used in 1987 when he called on Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall." [Washington Post] ……………………………………………………………………………… 2. KARZAI SUSPENDS TALKS WITH THE U.S. ON A SECURITY PACT Afghan President Hamid Karzai is suspending talks on a security pact with the U.S., his spokesman said Wednesday. Karzai made the decision because he believes Washington is sending mixed messages on peace talks with the Taliban. The news came a day after Taliban representatives announced they were formally opening an office in Doha, Qatar, to begin — as early as Thursday — discussing preparations for talks on ending a decade of war. [Reuters] ………………………………………………………………………………
(June 19) Today's Top Headlines - FBI calls off search for Hoffa

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — According to a USA Today report, The FBI said Wednesday that investigators have found no remains of former Teamster Boss Jimmy Hoffa at a farm field in suburban Detroit and have ended their search at the site. The announcement was made by Robert Foley, head of the FBI in Detroit, just a few hours after a backhoe and bulldozer and forensic anthropologists resumed digging for a third day.. Some skeptical officials, however had already questioned whether a Michigan State Police K-9's alert at site Tuesday was for human remains — or animal bones. This Oakland Township property came under scrutiny in January after Tony Zerilli, 85, the son of reputed former Detroit mob boss Joseph Zerilli, told investigators that Hoffa was buried there. Tony Zerilli said Hoffa was struck with a shovel and buried alive here with a slab of concrete placed over the body. Read more at USAToday.com

Entertainment

Readers will laugh, cry and remember a deep love for reading in the book

I am a little late coming to the party with the “Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”. It was a sensation when it was released in July 2008, receiving both critical acclaim and fantastic mainstream success. Now I see why. Writer Juliet Ashton is in a slump. After writing an uplifting column during World War II that was later turned into a book, she has success, but she is tired. The war has taken it out of everyone and destroyed her home in London. All she wants to do is write something different, something with a bit more substance, under her own name. But finding a topic for a book is a difficult undertaking and one she struggles with. But then, out of the blue, she receives a letter from Guernsey, a tiny island in the English Channel. During the war, the island was occupied and during this time, and in order to save the skins of a bunch of residents who were illegally eating a pig, they formed the Guernsey Literary Society. One of the gentlemen came to possess an old book of Juliet’s that she had given away and he writes to ask her more about it. And so begins a series of correspondence. Not only does Juliet come to know more about her new friend, but she starts up relationships via post to all the members of the literary society and finds the elusive subject for her next book. Eventually, she goes to the island and once there her life is transformed by the wonderful people she meets and their tales of occupation and the saving power of reading. There is no wonder the book was received so well. Told in the form of a series of letters, it is in a word, spectacular. Not only does it explore the wonders of reading, but also the triumphs of the human spirit. The island is filled with ordinary people and yet once Juliet scratches the surface, she sees just how extraordinary they all are. I laughed out loud, I wept uncontrollably and I found myself missing my Guernsey friends when the last page was turned. If you are like me and missed out on the hoopla when this book was first released, I highly recommend you pick it up. I give it an enthusiastic five-stars.
Photographer Howard Paley to open show at JCC

Local fundraising professional and nature photographer Howard Paley will present his second photographic exhibition of the year at the Tucson Jewish Community Center’s Fine Art Gallery (River and Dodge), June 20 through July 17. A special artist reception will be held on Thursday, June 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. This exhibition, entitled "First Impressions," will feature some of Paley’s finest work and showcase the natural beauty of Tucson, southern Arizona and a few other surprises. Paley describes his treks and immersion in nature as cathartic, transformative and spiritually uplifting. Holly Swangstu, Director of the Art Institute at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, described “the beauty, light, and depth of his landscapes as a true inspiration…” during Paley’s previous exhibition in the Desert Museum’s Baldwin Education Center Gallery earlier this year. Some of the pieces selected for Paley’s exhibit capture the iconic ridges and vistas of the Santa Catalina and Tucson Mountain ranges set aglow by the “magic hour” of dawn or dusk for which southern Arizona is famous. Paley's artistry will take you on a sweeping journey through breathtaking landscapes of hidden canyons, wilderness, sky islands, and historic ranchland. Paley’s portfolio includes a unique collection of Native American rock art. Other favorite subjects, include sunrises and sunsets, cloudscapes, flowers, wildlife, windows and doors, and a unique gallery of hand portraiture. Paley’s versatility behind the lens also extends to live performance. Howard has been a resident photographer for Phoenix Opera Company, since 2007. Visit Paley's website at www.hpaley.com.
‘Man of Steel’ is an exciting reboot

There’s no denying that Richard Donner set the bar for the Superman franchise with his 1978 film. The icy landscapes of Planet Krypton, John Williams’ vigorous musical score, Christopher Reeve’s iconic performance - every aspect of Donner’s movie remains definitive. Since then, most interpretations of Superman have either drawn inspiration from or paid homage to the classic. One has to give director Zack Snyder and producer Christopher Nolan credit for taking “Man of Steel” in the complete opposite direction. Where Donner’s “Superman” was light, funny, and colorful, “Man of Steel” is dark, serious, and brooding. The film presents a vision of Superman that’s new and bold, with a satisfying payoff. There have been countless renditions of how Clark Kent became Superman. The TV show “Smallville” even managed to stretch the story out for ten seasons. Although Screenwriter David S. Goyer revisits many familiar plot points from Superman’s origin tale, he also manages to structure the narrative in a refreshing, nonlinear light. Occasionally it feels like you’re hearing this story for the first time, which is no easy feat. The real appeal of “Man of Steel” is its performers, particularly Henry Cavill as Superman. Cavill isn’t as cheerful or humorous as Reeve, but he does capture the turmoil of being an alien lost in a world of humans. Superman is often depicted as such a flawless character that people forget he’s capable of being confused, lonely, and morally conflicted. “Man of Steel” is truly a human story about the need to belong and finding your place in the world, or universe. In that sense, this interpretation of Superman is very different, but also very true to the character’s emotional core. Plus, he no longer has the dorky red underwear over his pants. After more than 30 years of feeling alone, Clark Kent finally meets a fellow Kryptonian named General Zod, played by Michael Shannon. In search of a new planet, Zod and his exiled followers plan to wipe out Earth and build a new Krypton. This is a much more complex version of Zod, who was previously portrayed by Terence Stamp. Where Stamp’s Zod primarily wanted to seize control, Shannon actually gives the character a fair deal of depth and an understandable motive. We sympathize with this guy who desperately wants to preserve his species and their legacy. But it’s his methods of achieving his goal that establish him as a villain. Since the performances and characters are so strong, one would expect a heated rivalry between Superman and Zod. Unfortunately, most of their scenes just consist of physical violence with little tension. Where that dynamic is a bit of a disappointment, “Man of Steel” more than makes up for it with the relationship between Superman and Lois Lane.

Sports

Former Dorados return to help with football camp

Nearly three dozen soon-to-be high school students had a chance to learn from some of Tucson’s best football players while participating in Canyon Del Oro High School’s annual Dorado Camp of Champions. Current college football players Jared Tevis and Blake Martinez, both former Dorados, were just a couple of those to return to their old stomping grounds last Thursday, where they helped teach football fundamentals to the 32 participants of the free program. The camp is in its second year of operation after a 10-year halt left young players with fewer training options. CDO head football coach Dustin Peace was instrumental in reviving the program. “It’s about getting kids excited about playing football,” he said. “It’s a good camp. We’ve got a good group of kids and they’re out here having fun and working hard.” The three-day camp, which ran from June 11-13, develops basic football skills such as blocking, tackling, catching, and passing, and wraps up with a friendly scrimmage.
Sports Perspective: Beating the Heat

Anybody who owns a television, radio, or has access to the Internet has heard of the Miami Heat. We have stamped nicknames upon them such as “the big 3”, “the Hollywood Heat”, or “the super friends”. We have immortalized their highlights and famous quotes such as “takin’ my talents to South Beach” and the infamous “not 1, not 2, not 3” championship speech. But do we truly understand how they function, what makes them tick, and most importantly, how they can be beaten? The basketball team has become more than a 1990’s-esque dynamic duo, a one man show, or a stacked super star experiment. Team president Pat Riley and underrated Coach Erik Spoelstra have transformed the Heat into a complex organism. The ball club is a riddle that is not easily cracked, but like any sports team, the Heat can be defeated. The backbone to Miami’s success is the masterful orchestration of offense led by none other than LeBron James. James has become a point-forward, meaning that though he is not the smallest or quickest player on the court, he is the one who facilitates the offense. Of course, Miami can also rely on shooting guard, Dwayne Wade, who compliments James by utilizing his athleticism, durability, and finesse in order to provide a second scoring threat for opposing teams. Yet, while Wade uses quick flashes to the basket to rack up points, LeBron prefers to strong arm his way into the paint via raw athleticism. King James’ basket driving attack is the most unstoppable offensive onslaught in the NBA, but what makes him especially dangerous is his keen court vision, as well as a passing ability that draws comparison to NFL quarterbacks. This is why the Heat organization has surrounded James by outside shooting specialists. High post whiz Chris Bosh, as well as legendary 3-point shooters Ray Allen, Mike Miller, and Shane Battier provide an offensive safety valve on the outside in case LeBron runs into any trouble when attacking the basket. This forces the defense to spread out, taking away their ability to crowd the inside, and thus minimizing Miami’s weakness of lacking size and strength. LeBron’s ability to collapse the defense and feed outside shooters has given aged and battered veterans a resurgence in their careers, as they could not remain so stationary on any other NBA team. So how do you compete with a near perfect basketball team? There are three methods in particular that would prove highly effective against the 2012 Champions. First, opponents must force the Heat into playing a physical basketball game, one where less physical Miami players such as Wade and Bosh are constantly concerned for their health. Second, opposing organizations must build around quick, athletic, durable, and extremely tall players. A particular fusion of size and speed is crucial in order to keep up with Miami, while still exploiting their lack of height. This allows quick and long armed defenders to rotate in time to place pressure on outside shooters such as Ray Allen, and also uses athletic centers to make James think twice before taking the ball inside against towering defenders. Finally, teams must combat Miami by mentally attacking their engine, LeBron James, and bringing him out of his element. The San Antonio Spurs’ head coach Greg Popovich (who has been referred to as the LeBron James of coaches) accomplished this by leaving James open as he brought the ball up the floor. This lack of outside defenders goaded James into taking lower percentage shots rather than using his unparalleled athleticism to take the ball inside for one of his unstoppable attacks on the basket. This is the formula for defeating the Miami Heat. There is no such thing as an unbeatable basketball team. All it takes is careful planning, a brilliant coach, a blend of size and speed, expendable enforcers, near perfect execution, and maybe a Miami injury or two. In other words, it takes the perfect storm. Which reminds me, what’s the weather like in San Antonio this time of year?
Padres beat Las Vegas 5-2

Tucson Padres Game Summary June 18, 2013 Tucson 5 Las Vegas 2 WP: Quackenbush (1-0) LP: Burke (1-1) S: Mikolas (13)

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Group collecting signatures to put measure on ballot that would legalize marijuana (3)

Jo Holt files 2014 State Senate campaign (1)

Guest Column: A message on the privacy debate (1)

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