Dotcom Tucson Editor's Pick - Archives

Tucson Arizona – July 2006
News, entertainment, opinion, events, sports, shopping, dining, movies, golf, local issues & more

Here is a collection of past Site Editor's Picks. Most of these will deal with Tucson, the Sonora Desert region, and Arizona, but you will also find opinion editorials on these pages occasionally, as well as submissions by people living in Tucson who just had something they had to say. It's quite the potpourri – enjoy!

July 13, 2006 – Red Cross Needs Blood

It’s official - The American Red Cross Arizona Region Blood Services is short on blood supplies, and asking for help from area citizens. The Red Cross announced that it has less than a 24-hour supply of O-negative and O-positive blood types available for the 22 Arizona hospitals it provides blood to. In support of the Red Cross plea, Tucson blood collection centers will be open for longer days. If you want to know where one of the over 200 Tucson collection locations are, or get more information on being a blood donor in Tucson, log into https://www.givelife.org.

The blood shortage is not confined to just Tucson, either. Shortages have been occurring since last year. The following article is from the Red Cross website:

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, August 16, 2005 — Concerned about meeting the needs of hospital patients across the nation, the American Red Cross is undertaking a comprehensive campaign to end the cyclical shortages that have affected blood collection efforts this summer. Individual Red Cross blood collection centers across the country have exhausted all local efforts to increase the number of blood donations and are now joining forces in an effort to end the current shortage. For the next two to three weeks, Americans will see a marked increase in formal appeals and requests for blood on behalf of the American Red Cross. Existing and new blood donors are asked to call 1-800 GIVE LIFE to schedule an appointment and help bolster supplies in advance of the Labor Day holiday weekend and through early fall.

Earlier this summer, the American Red Cross issued a national appeal for blood through local media outlets; however, the response by the American public was not enough to ensure the availability of blood for patients in need nationwide. "Few people understand that blood is a perishable resource and must be replenished through regular donation. At least 60 percent of the population is eligible to donate, yet only 5 percent of the eligible population actually donates blood. Compound that number with longer work hours, family and school vacations and you can see how critical the situation has become," said Dr. Jerry Squires, Chief Medical Officer of the American Red Cross. "If the gasoline supply dropped to one and a half days as people headed out to enjoy the Labor Day weekend," he added, "America would consider that a crisis – we want people to be just as concerned about the blood supply."

The situation is further compounded by the paucity of high school and college blood drives. "During the school year, those drives supply anywhere from 15 to 20 percent of the overall blood supply," said Squires. "When schools are closed and college campuses are practically deserted, those blood donations go away, too."

The Red Cross will be increasing contact with former donors, reaching out to new donors, extending their operating hours and increasing their visibility through national media and PR efforts. Individuals are asked to support their local blood centers by making and keeping an appointment to donate blood as soon as possible. To donate blood you must be at least 17 years of age, weigh 110 pounds or more and in good health. Please call your American Red Cross at 1-800 GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or log on to www.givelife.org to schedule an appointment.

The drop in test scores is in line with Arizona's poor educational ranking nationally. In 2003-2004 Arizona ranked #48, in 2005-2006 Arizona ranks #50. On the bright side, it can't get any lower! Unless there's new state added…

911TruthAZ: "September 11 Revisited" Event – At this free showing you’ll understand that 911truthaz was formed to educate the population about the anomalies that fuel our doubts regarding the United States government's official explanation of the attacks that occurred on 9/11, and it’s singular focus on the falling World Trade Center buildings. 3PM. Free. Himmel Park Library

July 22 at 3PM - 1305 N Treat Avenue Tucson Arizona 85716. JT Waldron 520-624-9710 http://www.911truth-tucson.org/index.html.

West Nile Virus is transmitted by an infected culex mosquito, and is indigenous to Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean, and some parts of North America.

West Nile virus is an "arbovirus." An arbovirus is unique in that it is spread by mosquitoes, ticks, and/or other arthropods (a group including crustaceans and arachnids). The virus can cause infections in both animals and people. The disease infects in varying levels, and sometimes can lead to meningitis (inflammations of the spinal cord) or encephalitis (inflammations of the brain) in the victim. Both of these diseases can be fatal.

West Nile virus showed up in Arizona in 2003, and has since infected about 500 people – 20 of them fatally.

When you file your FAFSA form for attending college, the federal government determines how much you can afford to pay to attend college. The government then uses a formula to calculate your "Family Contribution." The amount of the Pell Grant is awarded based on the computation for the Family Contribution. Pell Grants retain their relationship with the Family Contribution. Ergo, if the Family Contribution decreases, the Pell Grant increases. If the Family Contribution increases, then the Pell Grant decreases. At no time will the total be greater than the cost of attending the college.

The Pell Grant is the US government's largest grant program, and is for undergraduates only.

July 8, 2006 – Arizona borders better and worse
Since the recent stationing of more troops along the Mexican border, Arizona has seen a decrease in the numbers of aliens attempting to illegally gain entry into the United States. A corresponding number of aliens who have actually been able to illegally enter the United States from Mexico is assumed. The newly deployed troops on the border are credited with this drop.

But as the numbers of aliens attempting to illegally gain entry into the United States from Mexico decreases, the deaths and serious illnesses and injuries among those attempting their illegal entry have increased. While nobody is willing to specify exactly what the cause it, the newly deployed troops on the border are credited with this undesirable increase.

A new game kids are playing is called "choking." The name says it all. Players choke themselves and others during the course of the game. Causing a lack of oxygen to the brain causes a 'rush,' which is something like any drug or alcohol induced sensation.

It's difficult to say exactly how many people have been killed playing the new game, but estimates for this year go as high as 50. And kids are now seeking the game's sensation, even when they are not playing. Children close off the blood supply to the brain by pinching the arteries closed – anytime they choose.

At least four children in Arizona have been killed playing the game this year.

Already, the new tactic is gaining momentum with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is redirecting its funding procedures. Other government agencies as well as private, and religious organizations are following suit.

In Tucson, according to sources, between 2,500 and 4,000 homeless spend the night – every night. Cindy Abril, who works city of Tucson's Community Services Department, says that Tucson is directing itself towards the end of homelessness within ten years. A lofty goal, but Abril believes it can be done if it is approached properly.

The state of Arizona has just received $200,000.00 from The U.S. Forest Service. The money is earmarked for the creation of a 'petition' for developing and managing over than 1 million acres of roadless areas in Arizona national forests.

Arizona governor Janet Napolitano (D) has until November 13, 2006 to submit relative petitions. These petitions either stop or permit the construction of roads in Arizona's national forests. Maintaining and developing "Roadless" areas of federal land are becoming increasingly important to many Americans. Napolitano will make recommendations and suggestions for the management of the approximately 1.2 million acres contained in Arizona's six national forests.

Rank in US Population #32
Population in 2004: 512,023
Average number of years between accidents: 10.0
Relative Accident Likelihood Compared to National Average 0.2%
Safety Rank in the US #63
(#1 safest place to drive: Sioux Falls, SD)

There are now even more improvements slated for the Tucson zoo – including the Conservation Learning Center, a scheduled $4-million, 10,000+ square foot facility which will allow the zoo, among other things, to have more events that they charge money for – a.k.a. " fee-based educational programs."

Not everyone is happy about the expansion and growth at the Reid Park Zoo, and perhaps the area of greatest disagreement has to do with the anticipated $8.5-million dollar elephant home – to properly house the two elephants. It was suggested that the elephants be donated to a facility that focuses on the special care and feeding requirements of these gentle giants, but the Tucson City Council approved a new 3-acre pachyderm pied-à-terre. One half of the necessary funding for the project is supposed to be acquired from private sources.

The End of Golf in Tucson?

Probably not – but - Chuck Huckelberry, the Pima County Administrator, has started a campaign to stop the construction of some of the new golf courses that were scheduled for construction in Tucson and the surrounding area. He also wants to see some existing courses eliminated.

The reason for this substantial deviation from previous positions on golf course construction in Tucson is water. Golf courses use lots of it, and Tucson residents are becoming more and more concerned about where it will come from.

What effect, exactly, the above changes would have on local construction and real estate values is not known at this time.

Tucson Arizona veterans, along with the veterans from other states, have been told they can finally quit worrying about the personal veterans' information that was on a laptop computer that was stolen several weeks ago. The FBI announced that it has found the computer, and that it "appears" as though nothing has been taken from it. Since the laptop has been missing for about two months, no identity theft incidents have been reported thus far, and no data appears to have been tampered with, the FBI is telling vets not to worry any longer.

The Tucson Arizona public bus system, Sun Tran, will operate on a regular Sunday schedule this 4th of July (Tuesday). If you don't know that schedule, you can contact Sun Tran for additional information: call 792-9222 or visit the Sun Tran website at: www.suntran.com.

Wednesday - July 5, 2006 you can donate blood at:
● The Southern Arizona Veteran's Admonistration Health Care System, 3601 S. Sixth Ave., 10:30 AM- 2:30 PM
● The Broadway Donor Center, 7 AM-2 PM
● The Foothills Mall Donor Center, 8 AM-1 PM

Saturday - July 8, 2006 you can donate blood at:
● Redeemer Lutheran Church Ministry Center, 8845 N. Silverbell Road, 8 AM-noon.
● Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty, 7474 E. Broadway, 10:30 AM-3 PM
● The Broadway Donor Center, 7:30 AM-12:30 PM
● The Foothills Mall Donor Center, 8 AM-12:30 PM

Ashraf Qazi said the blast in the Sadr City neighborhood, which caused the death and injury of dozens of innocent Iraqi civilians, was "a particularly abhorrent and despicable crime apparently aimed at sabotaging the prospects of national reconciliation."

In a statement released by the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), he also condemned the kidnapping of Iraqi parliament member Taiseer Al-Mashhadani, and called for her "early and safe release."

Mr. Qazi voiced hope that measures recently adopted by the new Government "will rapidly succeed in preventing such criminal acts of violence which targets innocent civilians."

*The dew point, also correctly referred to as the dewpoint, of a specific volume of air is the temperature to which the air must be cooled in a constant barometric pressure, in order for the water vapor available in the volume of air to condense into liquid water. The water formed by this process is called "dew." We see it on plants and automobiles some mornings – especially during the annual Tucson monsoon. The higher dew points, especially those over about 60° F, tend to make people feel less comfortable.

Tucson is replete with alien workers, and a robust population of Mexicans. And since Mexican citizens living in the US can now vote in the Mexican election, Tucson's role in the election, and its fallout, is elevated.

Tucson resident should understand that this is not merely a presidential election for Mexico. On July 2, 2006 the Mexican people will vote on:

•The new President of the Republic, who will serve a six-year term. President Vicente Fox is the incumbent, but according to the laws of Mexico, the President cannot be re-elected.
•500 Deputies that will serve three-year terms in the Chamber of Deputies.
•128 Senators who will serve 6-year terms in the Mexican Senate.

There will also be ballots cast for several lesser political positions.

The results of the elections will have their affects on Tucson Arizona residents at varying times – starting shortly after the elections. Considering that the money sent back to Mexico from Mexicans living in the US is the second largest economic factor in Mexico, Tucsonans should all watch the election, and subsequent political changes in Mexico, very closely.

Living in the Sonora desert regions of Tucson, we all expect the heat. And there are some ways to cope with it, or at least make it less unpleasant.
• Wear a wet neckerchief loosely around your neck.
• Stay inside!
• Get in some shade.
• Put some more suitable clothing on – or take some clothing off.
• Jump in the swimming pool.
• No matter what, drink a lot of liquid!
• Hope for this year's monsoon to cool things down fast!

If you don't have a swimming pool – and most people don't, try one of the Tucson public swimming pools for a reprieve from the heat. Tucson Parks & Recreation operates more than 25 swimming pools in Tucson. Eight of them are open all year. For more information on Tucson swimming pools call 520-791-5352.