City Week

Planned Party

A couple of months ago, a Weekly cover story chronicled Margaret Sanger's contribution to Tucson and to human sexual and emotional health in general. Birth control, the idea of family planning and legal reform are the legacies of this pioneer--values that are continued locally by Planned Parenthood of Southern Arizona. This week, PPSAZ celebrates its 70th birthday, and we're all invited.

This isn't your average birthday party--tickets are $125--but it's worth the expense. Live music, great food and a silent auction are among the attractions at the event, and two of Margaret Sanger's granddaughters will be special guests at the soiree. Join other socially minded Tucsonans to remember the woman for whom Tucson's Planned Parenthood building is named, and to look forward to a bright future in which all children are planned for and cared for.

Most importantly, by enjoying yourself on Friday night, you will be helping the institution continue to reach for the same goals as when it was founded in 1934: to help improve quality of life for men, women and their future children, by serving as a resource for responsible family planning.

Read All About It

Used book sales can be great fun. At the good ones, a few bucks will get you an armload of popular, unusual, well-loved or one-of-a-kind books. True to form, at the Public Library's May sale this week, 90 percent of the books cost $5 or less; 83 percent cost $2 or less; and fiction books for adults begin at five for $1. For a latte's worth of money, you could stock up 'til next year's sale. There are special areas for children's books, Arizona Highways magazines, unusual treasures and even a "downright blushable" sex section. Now that's something you don't see every day.

Even though the sale began on May 1, it re-opens on Friday after three days of restocking, so bargains are sure to be found. Special events are also planned, such as a Mother's Day ice cream social and instant rebate on Sunday, May 9. Bring your mom (or someone's mom) for ice cream from noon to 4:30 p.m., and get an instant rebate. Purchase $25 worth of books, and get $5 off; find $100 worth of books to buy, and save $25. It's a lifesaver for those feckless sons and daughters who forgot to get Mom a gift this year; you can pretend you planned it all along!

The deals don't stop there. Monday, May 10, is a half-price day. On Tuesday, May 11, get a bag of books for $5, and on Wednesday, May 12, get two bags for $5. For more information on the sale, e-mail mbillings@qwest.net.

Here's the Pitch

This just in from the sports desk: The Arizona Diamondbacks may be off to a so-so start, but their Triple-A affiliate, the Tucson Sidewinders, are atop the Pacific Conference's Southern Division of the Pacific Coast League, at least as of press time. The Sidewinders return to town on Tuesday, May 11, to begin an eight-game homestand at Tucson Electric Park, with plenty of hot dogs, cold beer and pulse-pounding promotions promising fun for the whole family.

On Tuesday, May 11, the Sidewinders shed their skin to become the old hometown favorites, the Tucson Toros, as they go up against the Oklahoma RedHawks. Tickets can be had for as little as $2 a person, with coupons available at all Quik-Mart stores. On Thursday, May 13, it's buck-beer night, with beer and soft drinks priced at just a buck for two hours after the first pitch. (Full disclosure: The Weekly is a sponsor of these Thursday Thursdays.) On Friday, May 14, the first 2,000 fans through the gates get a free Sidewinders cap.

The New Orleans Zephyrs start a four-game series against the Sidewinders on Saturday, May 15, with a very special guest appearance: the Famous Chicken. On Sunday, May 16, hot dogs cost just one measly dollar. And Monday, May 17, features two-for-one margarita specials and strolling mariachis. ¡Olé!

Games start at 6:30 p.m., except Sunday, when first pitch is 4 p.m. Tickets run between $4.50 and $8.

In Memory of Sara

Sara Courtney's friends say she was a smart, fun and feisty girl. Sara, a Type I diabetic since the age of 8, never made a fuss about her disease, preferring to fight her battle with a strong spirit. Over time, though, even her stoic attitude and determination could not overcome the effects of the disease. Last summer, at the age of 26, Sara Courtney died of juvenile diabetes.

Her memory remains in the hearts of friends, family and acquaintances, and it has motivated them to create the Sara Courtney Memorial Walk/Run, to be held at Sabino Canyon on the morning of Saturday, May 8. The event will raise money for juvenile diabetes research and education at UA's Steele Memorial Children's Center.

Runners and walkers can choose from a one-mile fun walk/run, a 5k noncompetitive walk/run, a 5k competitive run and a 10k competitive run. Registration begins at 5:30 a.m., and the event starts an hour later. Early registration is $20 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under; on the day of the race, registration is $25. Parking is limited, so carpool if you can. Information is available at walkforsara.com or crc.arizona.edu.