It's a bit of a shock to realize my little girl Olivia is starting kindergarten this week. She's ready and raring to go, though she's gonna miss the school she's been attending most of her life: The Strauss Early Childhood Education and Kindergarten at midtown's Temple Emanu-El. And I'm gonna miss that place a lot, too. I can't say enough about the amazing team Strauss Executive Director Lyn Henry has put together there. The teachers have not only prepped Olivia for success in kindergarten; they've showered her and little sister Izzy with love and attention. I owe a titanic debt of gratitude to many of them: Bernie, Alejandra, Chandra, Mimi, Cynthia, Stephanie, Ashley, Jay, Jesse, Jenna, Brittany, Siria, Ally and the rest of team have done so much for my family.
In short: Thanks to everyone at Strauss ECE.
Here's hoping that all the families in our community get off to a good start with the new school year. And let's all raise a toast to the teachers who expand the minds of our kids. It's not easy work and, as the #RedForEd movement has shown, they deserve way more reward than they are currently receiving.
So what's up in Tucson Weekly this week? Danyelle Khmara takes a look at the Democratic House primary in Legislative District 9; longtime columnist Tom Danehy has a new list of grievances about TV news, pet lovers and Congresswoman Martha McSally; arts writer Margaret Regan seeks shelter at Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery's annual monsoon show; music writer Jeff Gardner floats in the warm embrace of The Sea The Sea ahead of the band's upcoming Hotel Congress show; theatre critic Sherilyn Forrester diagnoses a play that ponders whether love is just another chemical imbalance; calendar editor Emily Dieckman looks at some local teens tackling heavy-duty work through Arizona Theatre Company's Summer on Stage program; Chow writer Mark Whittaker gets a bite of barbecue at Kiss of Smoke; and there's plenty more, so dig in.
Oh, and I almost forgot: This is your last chance to vote in Best of Tucson, so do it before midnight on Sunday!
— Jim Nintzel Executive Editor
Hear Nintz talk about what's happening in Tucson's entertainment scene Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. during The Frank Show on KLPX, 96.1 FM.
