Editor's Note

Special K

This week, Danyelle Khmara introduces us to Republican Mariano Rodriguez and Green Party candidate Mike Cease, who are coming at midtown Ward 6 Councilman Steve Kozachik in this year's City Council race. Kozachik likely needs no introduction to Weekly readers or most of Tucson, as he has been one of Tucson's most visible council members.

Back when he was a Republican, Kozachik pulled off a nearly impossible feat in unseating an incumbent elected Democrat, Nina Trasoff, in 2009. But after his election, Kozachik found himself in any number of battles with GOP lawmakers, and by the time he ran for reelection, he had jumped over to the Democratic Party, which welcomed him with open arms.

Kozachik is a master of using his bully pulpit to draw attention to causes he believes in—so much so that he decided to take a vow of poverty in his re-election campaign and asked potential donors to give their money to a worthy nonprofit instead.

Given his profile and the Democrats' voter-registration advantage in the citywide election, he probably hasn't put himself in too much danger, especially since his GOP opponent speaks glowingly of President Donald Trump, who isn't terribly popular with Tucson Dems. But we'll find out when the votes are counted on Nov. 7.

Speaking of counting votes: The Weekly is urging a yes vote on two sales-tax props on your city ballot: a half-cent for early childhood education and one-tenth of a cent for the school. What can we say? We're suckers for kids and animals. Read our reasoning on Page 4.

Elsewhere in this week's issue: Local mystery author Shannon Baker shares an excerpt from her just-released novel Dark Signal; feature writer Emily Dieckman introduces us to the folks behind Danzeisen Dairy, an Arizona farm that mashes up old-fashioned machines and modern tech to take good care of the cows and deliver artisan milk; Tucson Salvage columnist Brian Smith tells the story of an Iranian rug maker who survived war and depression; Brett Callwood reveals the story behind the Crosby, Stills & Nash hit "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" ahead of a Fox Theatre performance by folk singer Judy Collins (the subject of said love song) and Stephen Stills (the author of said love song); Sherilyn Forrester reviews a zany Sherlock Holmes romp at Live Theatre Workshop; Serene Dominic breaks down the magic behind the Rolling Stones' Their Satanic Majesties Request in light of the 50th anniversary reissue; Bob Grimm sees a mashup of Groundhog Day and Scream in Happy Death Day; and our various little hobgoblins tell you all about how to have fun this week in columns scattered around the book.

We're sad to report that we don't have an Ask a Mexican column this week, as writer Gustavo Arellano has hit an employment snag; he left the OC Weekly somewhat, um, unexpectedly and the publication owns the copyright on his column. As he explained it via email: "The Mexican has been deported from his job at OC Weekly because he didn't want to lay off half his staff. But, like any good Mexican, he'll return next week with some news. In the meanwhile, enjoy a bacanora for him, porfas!" ¡Hasta pronto, Gustavo!

— Jim Nintzel, Editor