Oro Valley, AZ Experts in Container Rental, Sales & Customization

Friday, September 29, 1950. That’s the day Tucson Lions Club secretary J. Sydney Pearson made a presentation on bringing Little League to Tucson to three other local civic organizations including the Kiwanis Club. Eight board members were selected from those four organizations and the rest, as some say, is history. The first game was played on Aug. 12, 1951 at Santa Rita Park. Tom Hassey was the winning pitcher for Valley National Bank, 6 to 3 over Minarik Realty. Tony Amado recorded the first home run and A. Barraza scored the first run. Play got underway too late for state that summer but the first local Little League tournament started on Sept. 12, 1951 at the Hi Corbett Fields.

Little League All-Star action for the Old Pueblo starts on Tuesday with 50/70 competition between Cactus and Sunnyside at the Vista del Prado Park on the east side. It’s a best-of-three bracket that continues on Wednesday and then Thursday if necessary. District 8 will host the State Tournament for 50/70 at Fleisher Park in Nogales starting on July 11.

TUESDAY, JUNE 14

D-12 BASEBALL 50/70: VISTA DEL PRADOCactus vs. Sunnyside, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15

D-12 BASEBALL 50/70: VISTA DEL PRADOCactus vs. Sunnyside, 6:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 20

D-5 BASEBALL 8-10: MEHL 2Western vs. Oro Valley, 5 p.m.Continental Ranch vs. Canyon View, 7:30 p.m.

D-5 BASEBALL 9-11: CURTIS 2Oro Valley vs. Thornydale, 5 p.m.Tucson Mountain vs. Western, 7:30 p.m.

D-5 BASEBALL 10-12: ORA MAEFlowing Wells vs. Thornydale, 5 p.m. 1Marana vs. Tucson Mountain, 5 p.m. 2Oro Valley vs. CDO, 7:30 p.m. 1Continental Ranch vs. Western, 2

D-5 SOFTBALL 8-10: ARTHUR PACK 2Tucson Mountain vs. Thornydale, 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 21

D-5 BASEBALL 8-10: MEHL 2Flowing Wells vs. Tanque Verde, 5 p.m.Tucson Mountain vs. Thornydale, 7:30 p.m.

D-5 BASEBALL 9-11: CURTIS 2Canyon View vs. Marana, 7:30 p.m.

D-5 BASEBALL 10-12: ORA MAE 2Canyon View vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m.

D-5 SOFTBALL 8-10: ARTHUR PACK 2Continental Ranch vs. TBD, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

D-5 BASEBALL 9-11: CURTIS 2Canyon del Oro vs. TBD, 5 p.m.

D-12 SOFTBALL JUNIORS: FILED OF DREAMS 3Southwestern vs. Sunnyside, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 23

D-12 SOFTBALL 10-12: FIELD OF DREAMS 3Sunnyside vs. Randolph, 7:45 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 24

D-5 SOFTBALL 10-12: ARTHUR PACK 2Marana vs. Thornydale, 6:30 p.m.

D-5 BASEBALL 50/70: ARTHUR PACK 5Tanque Verde vs. Thornydale, 6:30 p.m.

D-12 BASEBALL 9-11: FIELD OF DREAMS 1Cactus vs. Copper Hills, 5:15 p.m.Los Ninos vs. Sunnyside, 7:45 p.m.

D-12 JUNIOR BASEBALL: JESSE OWENSRandolph vs. Empire, 5 p.m.Sunnyside vs. Copper Hills, 7:45 p.m.

D-12 SOFTBALL 10-12: FIELD OF DREAMS 3Copper Hills vs. TBD, 5:15 p.,.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25

D-5 SOFTBALL 10-12: ARTHUR PACK 2Marana vs. Thornydale, 6:30 p.m.

D-5 BASEBALL 50/70: ARTHUR PACK 5Western vs. TBD, 6:30 p.m.

D-12 BASEBALL 8-10: PURPLE HEART 4Cactus vs. Copper Hills, 5:15 p.m.Southwestern vs. Rincon, 7:45 p.m.

D-12 BASEBALL 9-11: FIELD OF DREAMS 1Rincon vs. TBD, 5:15 p.m.Randolph vs. TBD, 7:45 p.m.

D-12 JUNIOR BASEBALL: JESSE OWENSCactus vs. TBD, 5 p.m.Southwestern vs. TBD, 7:45 p.m.

D-12 SOFTBALL 8-10: FIELD OF DREAMS 3Southwestern vs. Sunnyside, 5:15 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 27

D-5 SOFTBALL JUNIORS: ARTHUR PACK 4Marana vs. Thornydale, 6:30 p.m.

D-12 BASEBALL 10-12: FIELD OF DREAMS 1Randolph vs. Copper Hills, 6:30 p.m.

D-12 SOFTBALL 8-10: FIELD OF DREAMS 3Copper Hills vs. TBD, 7:45 p.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 28

D-5 SOFTBALL JUNIORS: ARTHUR PACK 4Marana vs. Thornydale, 6:30 p.m.

D-12 BASEBALL 8-10: PURPLE HEART 4Empire vs. TBD, 5:15 p.m.Sunnyside vs. TBD, 7:45 p.m.

D-12 BASEBALL 10-12: FIELD OF DREAMS 1Rincon vs. Sunnyside, 5:15 p.m.Empire vs. Cactus, 7:45 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29

D-12 BASEBALL 10-12: FIELD OF DREAMS 1Southwestern vs. TBD, 5:15 p.m.

D-12 SOFTBALL 9-11: DREAMS FIELDS 3Randolph vs. Rincon, 5:15 p.m.

Named one of “Arizona’s Heart & Sol” by KOLD and Casino del Sol, Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014, he was awarded the Ray McNally Award in 2017 and a 2019 AZ Education News recognition. He was a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. He was the first in Arizona to write about high school beach volleyball and high school girls wrestling and his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy is a Southern Arizona voting member of the Ed Doherty Award, recognizing the top football player in Arizona, and he was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Andy was named an Honorary Flowing Wells Caballero in 2019, became a member of the Sunnyside Los Mezquites Cross Country Hall of Fame in 2021 and he was a member of the Amphi COVID-19 Blue Ribbon Committee. He earned a Distinguished Service Award from Amphitheater and he was recognized by City Councilman Richard Fimbres. Contact Andy Morales at amoralesmytucson@yahoo.com

A chemical banned decades ago in Arizona nail salons is still turning up in some Pima County beauty shops, public records show.

Ten local nail salons were cited in the first nine months of 2021 for having methyl methacrylate on the premises — a substance described by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as “a poisonous and deleterious substance that should not be used in fingernail preparations.”

Arizona is one of 30 states that banned the chemical compound, commonly called MMA, since the FDA raised an alarm in the early 1970s after receiving “a number of complaints of personal injury” related to its use in nail products.

Experts say MMA can cause severe allergic reactions such as blistering, peeling and cracking and rashes on the hands, nails or on the face if someone touches their face after getting a set of acrylic nails made with MMA. The Arizona Daily Star obtained salon inspection data through a public records request to the Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board.

In the 1970s, the FDA cracked down on MMA at 100% strength but did not impose an outright ban, prompting many states to pass their own laws against using the substance in nail salons.

MMA still turns up quite regularly in nail salons around the state, said Isabella Neal, spokeswoman for the board that regulates the industry. “MMA citations are extremely common and have always been since the FDA prohibited the use,” she said.

MMA products typically cost far less than legally-approved alternatives, a financial incentive to operate outside the law. For example, directnail.com, a Florida-based wholesaler, charges $70 for a gallon of MMA nail solution and $126 — 80% more — for a similar product without MMA.

In Pima County, all of last year’s MMA violations came to light during board inspections, Neal said. None were due to complaints of injury, which isn’t unusual, she said, because consumers generally are not aware of a potential link between acrylic nails and medical symptoms.

“The public doesn’t typically know about MMA or the signs relating to the use of MMA, so it is not that common to receive complaints about injuries as a direct result from using MMA,” Neal said in an email.

Doctors at the Banner-University Medicine Dermatology Clinic in Tucson, many of whom also teach at the University of Arizona’s medical school, say it’s not unusual to see local patients who developed severe skin conditions after acrylic nails were applied.

“We see it commonly in the fingers and the face or anywhere the nails touch. Hand dermatitis, itching, scaling and rashes,” said Dr. Rebecca Thiede, an assistant professor. Sometimes there’s permanent damage to a patient’s natural nails, she said.

The fine for having MMA in a licensed Arizona salon is typically $250 if there are no other violations at the time of inspection and no previous violations in the last three years. Neal wouldn’t comment on whether a fine of that level is sufficient to deter the use of MMA.

To file an online complaint about a licensed nail salon, go to https://boc.az.gov/complaint-form-0 and scroll down to Page 3.

The following Pima County salons were cited and fined for MMA violations:

Bella Nails & Spa

An inspector found a gallon of nail solution with MMA on site on May 18, 2021. The inspection also found towels and wet disinfectant were improperly stored and a container of paraffin wax was “contaminated with debris.” The operator had no previous violations in three years and paid a $750 fine. Management did not respond by deadline to a voicemail seeking comment.

Diva Nail Spa

A board inspector found two gallons of MMA nail liquid on the premises on Jan. 14, 2021. The operator also was cited for dirty conditions (dust, nail clippings, trash) at seven of eight stations and for reusing items such as nail files and pumice stones that are supposed to be thrown away after each client. The salon, which had no violations in the previous three years, paid a $500 fine to settle the allegations. Manager Simon Tran said the salon no longer uses MMA.

Elegant Nails

An inspection on March 29, 2021 found a gallon of nail liquid with a “very strong smell of MMA” and no ingredients label. The inspector also found two employees illegally performing manicures and pedicures on clients without a required state license. The salon, which had no other violations in the previous three years, paid a $750 fine to settle the case. Manager Lien Trinh told the Star the MMA solution was left behind by a previous salon owner.

Expert Nails

A state inspector found a gallon of MMA nail solution on site on Feb. 9, 2021. No other violations were found and the salon had no history of violations in the previous three years. The operator paid a $250 fine. Management could not be reached for comment because there was no answer and no voicemail at the phone number listed on state licensing records.

Hollywood Nail Spa

4016 N. 1st Ave., Tucson.

An inspector found two gallons of nail liquid with MMA on the premises on March 29,2021. No other violations were found, and the salon has no previous violations in the last three years. The operator paid a $250 fine. A man who answered the phone number listed in state records but would not identify himself declined to comment.

Latrice Nail Salon & Spa

202 W. Calle De Las Tiendas, Suite C, Green Valley.

The operator paid a $250 fine after gallon of nail solution with MMA was discovered on site during an Aug. 12, 2021 inspection. It was the second fine since 2019, when the operator was fined $250 for not properly disinfecting salon tools and for having a “soiled work area.” Management did not respond by deadline to a voicemail seeking comment.

MS Nails

A gallon jug of MMA nail solution “was the only nail liquid in the salon,” when an inspector visited on Oct. 12, 2021, state records show. The inspector “educated the owner” about the ban on MMA products, the report said. The salon, which has not had any other violations in the past three years, paid a $250 fine. Management could not be reached for comment. There was no answer and no voicemail at the phone number listed in state licensing records.

Nails 2001 By Sam

A board inspector found a gallon of MMA nail liquid on site on Jan. 19, 2021. The salon also was cited for having no manager on duty, for having contaminated jets in three of four pedicure basins due to lack of proper disinfection; and for reusing nail files and other single-use tools that are supposed to be disposed of after each customer. The operator paid $850 to settle the allegations. Management did not respond by deadline to a voicemail seeking comment.

Tip Top Nails by Tony

A gallon of nail liquid with “a strong MMA odor” was “the only nail liquid they had in the salon,” said an March 8, 2021 inspection report which did not find any other violations. The salon, which has not been previously cited in the last three years, paid a $250 fine. Management could not be reached for comment. There was no answer and no voicemail at the phone number listed on state licensing records.

TN Nails

6811 N. Thornydale Road #155, Tucson.

An April 26 inspection found a gallon of nail liquid with MMA on site. The operator had no violations in the previous three years and paid a $250 fine. Management did not respond by deadline to a voicemail seeking comment.

Tell-tale signs

Regulators and consumer protection agencies say there are often tell-tale signs when nail salons use MMA products:

1. A distinctive chemical odor often described as a fruity or skunky smell.

2. No ingredients labels on bulk containers of acrylic nail solution. If in doubt, ask to see the container your technician is using.

3. Unusually low prices for acrylic nails, bargains made possible because MMA is much cheaper for salons to use than legal alternatives.

4. MMA nails are extremely hard and are difficult to cut, file or remove even if soaked for hours in remover solutions.

Sources: Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board and staff research.

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TUCSON,Ariz.(KGUN) — Imagine checking out at a store, only to discover you accidentally missed an item. It's an easy mistake to make, but for several people KGUN 9 spoke with, their mistake cost them a ticket and a hit on their record.

"Out of the shadows, two women just jumped out at me and grabbed the cart and ushered me all the way back across the store, into a tiny little interrogation room, if you will, and told me I was being arrested for shoplifting," She said. "And I was just in complete and total shock because I had absolutely no knowledge, let alone the intention of not paying for my items."

A woman, who does not want to be identified, says she was given a petty theft citation at the Walmart off La Cholla at 7635 N. La Cholla Blvd. B in Tucson. She says she accidentally forgot to scan a few items during check out.

"They proceeded to hold me there. For about an hour and a half. They called the sheriff. They said because it was over $30 they would have to arrest me. I've never been arrested in my life. I'm in my 60s and they were just very rude and inconsiderate and I kept asking them to explain things because I didn't understand what was going on," She said. "The sheriff came, he read me my rights. I had to sign some things, then he offered to stay and chat with me afterward because he could tell I was so upset."

She's not alone, KGUN 9 spoke with three other people who were too afraid to go on camera with similar stories.

The trend was noticed by Sandra Barger, who is a counselor and provides court ordered treatment. Barger noticed several people going through the court diversion program who weren't her typical petty theft clients.

"Well, what I've noticed is I'm getting a lot of clients that have to do the adult responsibility course for petty theft," Barger said. " And it's coming out of one particular place ... which is the Walmart on La Cholla."

She says in March she had 14 clients who were cited for petty theft from the Walmart on La Cholla. Some of the items they were caught for ranged from kitty litter to a bottle of bleach.

"It's the same story. You know, I'm standing there scanning, I have my children with me. I have one client that had his kids with them," Barger said. "And it was just the simple one item that he missed, which can happen you know, anyone can do that. I have another client that is a business owner that purchased over $2,000 in items and one item is what he missed and he got cited for that."

According to Pima County Sheriff Deputies there were 62 cite and releases at the Walmart on La Cholla from January 2021 to April 11, 2022.

Meanwhile the Walmart in Oro Valley off Oracle had only 3 shoplifting arrests, which were felony arrests related to retail theft.

Across town in Marana at the Walmart off Cortaro and I-10 there were around 84 cite and release arrests for 2021 and 2022.

"I think there should be an opportunity before they leave the store to rectify the situation," Barger said. "Now there are circumstances where yes, people are doing these things. But I do think there needs to be a little more regulation on the situation."

KGUN 9 reached out to Walmart for their policy on thefts. They provided the following statement.

"Like all retailers, we take basic measures to control inventory and keep prices low. For obvious security reasons, we don't discuss specific store policies. When necessary, we reach out to law enforcement as part of our commitment to meet our customers' and associates' expectations of a safe and enjoyable shopping experience."

The next time you plan on using the self check out, make sure each item appears on your screen and don't be afraid to ask for help from a cashier if you are having trouble with an item.

——-Denelle Confair is an anchor and reporter for KGUN 9. It's been her dream to tell your stories for the past decade. She is extremely curious and wants to continue to use her storytelling for the greater good. Share your story ideas and important issues with Denelle by emailing denelle.confair@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, and Twitter.

Parts of Southern Arizona could see "dangerously hot" temperatures as high as 114 degrees toward the end of the week, particularly on the Tohono O'odham Nation and the western deserts, with sweltering highs in Tucson and the metro area as well.

The weather forecast is "not your typical desert heat," National Weather Service officials said, with "high temperatures challenging daily records."

The "hottest temperatures so far this year are expected," they said. "No significant cooldown overnight" is expected during the "four straight days of extreme heat."

An excessive heat warning — a change from the heat watch issued Monday, as NWS has become more confident in the forecast for blazing temperatures — will be in effect from Thursday morning through Sunday evening. Highs above the century mark are possible for an area including western Pima County and the Tohono O'odham Nation, including Sells and Ajo, as well as much of Pinal County, the Phoenix metro area, and Arizona's western deserts stretching to Yuma and beyond to the California desert, Weather Service officials said.

Nearer Tucson, the warning covers Green Valley, Sahaurita, Vail, Marana and Oro Valley, as well as Nogales, and the Safford area.

"Temperatures will remain on an upward trend all week with max temps challenging daily records late this week and this weekend," officials said. "Virga showers and dry lightning will pose fire weather concerns with potential new fire starts and gusty, erratic winds."

"Saturday and Sunday look to be the hottest days," NWS said. The highest temperatures are likely in the lower deserts west of Tucson, with thermometers in the city likely to read 107-109 degrees between Thursday and Sunday.

High temperatures across Southern Arizona will range from 106 to 114 degrees, and the "extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses," forecasters cautioned. "Those with outdoor plans this week should plan ahead to bring plenty of water, dress in light, loose- fitting clothing, and take frequent breaks. If possible, move outdoor activities to the early morning or evening hours."

TucsonSentinel.com relies on contributions from our readers to support our reporting on Tucson's civic affairs. Donate to TucsonSentinel.com today! If you're already supporting us, please encourage your friends, neighbors, colleagues and customers to help support quality local independent journalism.

"Be prepared to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes," officials cautioned.

"Isolated storms will be possible Wednesday through the end of the week east and south of Tucson," NWS said.

From the Weather Service:

An Excessive Heat Watch means that a period of very hot temperatures, even by local standards, will occur. Actions should be taken to lessen the impact of the extreme heat.

Stay indoors and seek air-conditioned buildings. Drink water, more than usual, and avoid dehydrating alcoholic, sugary, or caffeinated drinks. Dress for the heat — lightweight and light-colored clothing. Eat small meals and eat more often. Monitor those with a higher vulnerability to heat, including small children. Check in on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly. If engaging in outdoor activity, take longer and more frequent breaks and avoid the hottest parts of the day. Never leave kids or pets unattended in cars.

Public cooling shelters are available in some areas. Consult county officials for more details, which may include guidance for proper social distancing measures.

Recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. Early signs include thirst and muscle cramps. Heat exhaustion may include: cool, moist, pale skin; headache; dizziness; weakness or exhaustion; nausea. The most serious illness is heat stroke, which may include: vomiting; confusion; throbbing headache; decreased alertness or loss of consciousness; high body temperature (above 105F); hot, dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, shallow breathing; seizures. Heat stroke can be DEADLY. Treat as an emergency and call 911.

Researchers at San Francisco State University conducted a study in 2003 that showed that the temperature inside a vehicle can rise to 114 degrees on a 95-degree day, and will rapidly rise to 140 degrees in under an hour even with the windows open.

TucsonSentinel.com relies on contributions from our readers to support our reporting on Tucson's civic affairs. Donate to TucsonSentinel.com today! If you're already supporting us, please encourage your friends, neighbors, colleagues and customers to help support quality local independent journalism.

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More than 20 Arizona wineries including a couple whose names might not immediately ring a bell will be on hand to pour their latest vintages.

Tucson food trucks Sexy Grilled Cheese & Salad Company — owned by the popular East Grant Road restaurant Dante’s Fire — and Fork & Fire will be on site, and there will be live entertainment from the Pete Swan Quartet and jazz harmonica player Paul Green and Midnight Blue.

“It feels pretty interesting to be circling back around to it,” said association President Kris Pothier, one of the owners of Chateau Tumbleweed Winery & Tasting Room in Clarkdale.

Off the Vine is one of the association’s largest events of the year, and it’s the only one on the books so far for 2022. The association also hosts the Grand Wine Festival in Phoenix in the fall to coincide with its annual wine contest.

“This is actually my favorite festival. There is something really special about being at the base of the Catalina Mountain range,” Pothier said.

The 23 Arizona wineries participating in Saturday’s festival:

Caduceus Cellars of Jerome, owned by Grammy-winning rock star Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle, Pucifer), who also is the chief winemaker. caduceus.org

Callaghan Vineyards in Elgin is one of the state’s oldest vineyards, dating back to 1990 when owner Kent Callaghan planted his first vines. callaghanvineyards.com

Carlson Creek Vineyard of Willcox is a family affair that has grown from a small venture in 2008 to one of the state’s largest vineyards. carlsoncreek.com

Chateau Tumbleweed out of Clarkdale in the Verde Valley is a couples affair — two couples with years of experience at other Arizona vineyards combined talents a decade ago to create their own wines from locally sourced fruit. chateautumbleweed.com

Cove Mesa Vineyard in Cottonwood is one of the newest Arizona wineries. Owners Emil and Cindy Molin and Dean Pefanis opened the premium winery in 2020, sourcing its fruit from Willcox, Elgin and the Verde Valley. covemesa.com

Deep Sky Vineyard of Willcox is a 20-acre boutique vineyard whose name was inspired by the billions of stars they see overhead when the sun goes down. They specialize in Malbec and most of the Rhone varietals to create their wines that take their names from the galaxy — Celestial, Constellation, Gravity and Black Hole among them. deepskyvineyard.com

Dos Cabezas WineWorks in Sonoita has been around since 1995 and has two vineyards — on Willcox’s Kansas Settlement, where the winery got its start, and in Sonoita, where Todd Bostock moved it in 2006. doscabezas.com

Golden Rule Vineyards of Willcox grows 11 varieties of wine grapes, from Sangiovese and Syrah to Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Petit Verdot. goldenrulevineyards.com

High Lonesome Vineyards in the tiny Cochise County town of McNeal — population according to the 2020 census: 182 — was established in 2013, although husband-and-wife owners/operators Tom and Edie Gustason did not roll out their first vintage for public consumption until 2017. highlonesomevineyards.com

Laramita Cellars in the foothills of the Dos Cabezas Mountains in Willcox makes Old World wines from locally sourced fruit. laramitacellars.com

Lighting Ridge Cellars in Elgin is a small family winery that focuses on Italian varietals — Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Malvasia and Muscat Canelli. lightingridgecellars.com

Merkin Vineyards of Scottsdale has 110 acres of vineyards in Verde Valley and Willcox, which makes their wines truly statewide. merkinvineyards.org

Old Pueblo Cellars has a small vineyard in a residential area just off Interstate 10 and Twin Peaks Road, where Roger Pelton has just shy of two acres under vine. He sold his first vintages in March 2021. oldpueblocellars.com

Oddity Wine Collective is a trio of former Yavapai College classmates who took what they learned in the college’s viticulture program to the real world. They have seven vintages including 100% Sangiovese and a Syrah and Mourvedre blend. theodditywinecollective.com

Page Springs Vineyards & Cellars wins the prize for most picturesque vineyard. Located in the small Verde Valley town of Page Springs not far from Sedona, the vineyard is operated by Eric Glomski, who was a partner with James Maynard Keenan before striking out on his own. pagespringscellars.com

Bodega Pierce Wines is based in the Verde Valley, but it has its vineyards in Willcox and tasting rooms in Willcox and Clarkdale. Bodega Pierce got its start in 2011 when the owners bought an 80-acre estate on the Willcox Bench. They currently have 27 acres under vine. bodegapierce.com

Strive Vineyards in Willcox is proudly “off the grid” — relying on solar power and green sustainable farming practices on the husband-and-wife team’s vineyard that they bought in 2014. They have a half dozen vintages including a 2019 Cabernet Franc and a tawny port-style dessert wine called Forté. strivevineyards.com

Su Vino Winery is Scottsdale’s first winery, and it’s making the city proud. Its wines, from a handful of reds and whites to its popular infusion wines including Peachy Keen and Razzle Dazzle champagne punch have won some 40 awards. suvinowineryaz.com

Twisted Union Wine Company is set up in the former Kief Joshua vineyards in Elgin, where 14 wine-connected friends joined forces to take over the estate and make wines with a little wink-wink and nod. They rolled out their first vintages in 2020 and gave them cheeky little names including Alternate Route, Mood Swings, One Seven Seven and Roussanne. In March, they are hosting the Twisted Union Communion, a two-day festival featuring a dozen Arizona wineries, local vendors, food trucks and live music. twistedunionwinecompany.com

Vino Stache Winery in Elgin is Brooke Ida’s one-woman show, where she makes the wine, bottles it, sells it and runs the tasting room. vinostache.com

Winery 101 makes 20 vintages on two labels — Gallifant Cellars, which makes handcrafted single varietal wines the Old World way; and SouthPaw Cellars, which offers blended varietals. Winery 101 has tasting rooms in Cottonwood and Peoria. winery101.com

Parts of Southern Arizona will again see "dangerously hot" temperatures as high as 113 degrees on Thursday, particularly on the Tohono O'odham Nation and the western deserts, with blistering highs in Tucson and the metro area as well.

The weather forecast is "potentially the highest level of the year for many locations," National Weather Service officials said in issuing an "excessive heat warning" in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Monsoon moisture will move in later in the evening, with temperatures over the weekend "cooling back to near normal" and a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms across the region.

Highs above the century mark are possible for an area including western Pima County and the Tohono O'odham Nation, including Sells and Ajo, as well as much of Pinal County, the Phoenix metro area, and Arizona's western deserts stretching to Yuma and beyond to the California desert, Weather Service officials said.

In Tucson, temperatures may top out at 112 degrees on Thursday.

The warning also covers Green Valley, Sahaurita, Vail, Marana and Oro Valley, as well as Nogales, Sierra Vista and Benson, and the Safford area.

"Thursday will be a transition day where temperatures will peak at potentially the highest level of the year for many locations, primarily central and western parts of the forecast area," NWS said. "South to southeast flow will develop which will begin to usher in tropical moisture, first at the mid levels late in the day then mixing down to the surface late Thursday night into Friday. The moisture looks to arrive early enough to bring about a slight chance for late day thunderstorms to eastern areas and then primarily over the mountains."

"Friday onward through the weekend we will have daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms across parts of Arizona and in typical monsoon fashion each day will be somewhat affected by what happens the previous day,' NWS said. "This moisture and the resultant precipitation will help to lower temperatures back to or a bit below seasonal norms this weekend. Nice to see moisture headed our way!"

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"Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses," forecasters cautioned. "Those with outdoor plans this week should plan ahead to bring plenty of water, dress in light, loose- fitting clothing, and take frequent breaks. If possible, move outdoor activities to the early morning or evening hours."

"Be prepared to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes," officials cautioned.

From the Weather Service:

An Excessive Heat Watch means that a period of very hot temperatures, even by local standards, will occur. Actions should be taken to lessen the impact of the extreme heat.

Stay indoors and seek air-conditioned buildings. Drink water, more than usual, and avoid dehydrating alcoholic, sugary, or caffeinated drinks. Dress for the heat — lightweight and light-colored clothing. Eat small meals and eat more often. Monitor those with a higher vulnerability to heat, including small children. Check in on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly. If engaging in outdoor activity, take longer and more frequent breaks and avoid the hottest parts of the day. Never leave kids or pets unattended in cars.

Public cooling shelters are available in some areas. Consult county officials for more details, which may include guidance for proper social distancing measures.

Recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. Early signs include thirst and muscle cramps. Heat exhaustion may include: cool, moist, pale skin; headache; dizziness; weakness or exhaustion; nausea. The most serious illness is heat stroke, which may include: vomiting; confusion; throbbing headache; decreased alertness or loss of consciousness; high body temperature (above 105F); hot, dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, shallow breathing; seizures. Heat stroke can be DEADLY. Treat as an emergency and call 911.

Researchers at San Francisco State University conducted a study in 2003 that showed that the temperature inside a vehicle can rise to 114 degrees on a 95-degree day, and will rapidly rise to 140 degrees in under an hour even with the windows open.

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- 30 -

You would not need Nancy Drew to learn that nothing about Elaine Powers’ professional career was kids’ stuff. She wore a white lab coat to work, lived in a world of culture dishes and space-age equipment, and searched for compounds that would neutralize newly emerging diseases.

She was an investigative biologist for Sanofi in Oro Valley. It was serious business.

But a fun and funny thing has happened to Powers since she retired from Sanofi in 2016. Everything about her life is now kids’ stuff. Last month, in fact, she self-published her 27th picture book … all of them written to make science fun for kids and educational for the rest of us.

Powers’ latest is “Guam: Return of the Songs.” Like most of her books, it promotes the importance of conservation. In this case, she looks at Guam’s efforts to control the population of brown tree snakes — which have radically changed the island’s ecosystem since they came as cargo-ship stowaways during World War II.

Among other things, their presence led to the gradual disappearance of tropical songbirds.

A project originally suggested by friends at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the book was five years in the making. For a variety of reasons, one of them the pandemic, Powers needed to enlist two editors, two illustrators and two translators to help her complete the effort.

The text is presented both in English and the Guamian language of Chamorro. It was released May 17 and is now available on Amazon.

Powers has become a familiar face in literary circles around Tucson. She is the current president of the Tucson Poetry Society. She belongs to several local writing groups.

Since she markets all her books personally, she is on a first-name basis with a number of local booksellers, too.

Some are surprised to learn Powers was a full-on scientist, but don’t let the lab coat fool you. Before moving to Tucson, she spent her personal time performing in community theater, writing stage plays and dabbling in poetry.

She also has a deep, lifelong love of nature — especially creatures of the reptile persuasion. Need proof? Her current roommates include seven iguanas, 12 tortoises, two box turtles and one red tegu.

Stir all those passions together, and you become one the most prolific authors in Arizona. She has published 27 books in the last eight years. Top that, James Patterson!

Powers began down the road toward self-publishing in 2013, shortly after moving to Tucson. She had developed a story about a curly-tailed lizard she met in the Bahamas. She needed an editor. She needed a plan.

Fortunately, Powers met a locally-based literary consultant named Nora Miller, and together they started down a path Elaine still walks today.

“In my case, there were a couple of reasons self-publishing made the most sense,” Powers said. “For one thing, most of my books have niche audiences. They are set in the Bahamas, the Caymans and Tucson. The big publishers would rather see themes that will sell everywhere. The biggest reason, though, is that publishers discourage bright illustrations and rhyming text. I like bright illustrations and rhyming text. They make the story fun, and I wanted my first books to be my books.”

At the time, an Amazon platform called CreateSpace Publishing was beginning to popularize print-on-demand books. The self-published book boom was about to begin, and Powers helped light the fuse. “Curtis Curly-tail and the Ship of Sneakers“ was released in 2014 and now is available both in Spanish and French.

The curly-tail series has sold well in the Bahamas, primarily in museums, bookshops and souvenir stores. Her second series, featuring Cayman iguanas, became popular in resort destinations such as George Town, West Bay and Bodden Town.

More recently, she has developed a series of stories about creatures we know here in Tucson. “Don’t Make Me Rattle,” “Don’t Call Me Turtle,” and “Don’t Make Me Fly“ feature rattlesnakes, tortoises and roadrunners.

“Queen of the Night,” published three years ago, will always be timely in June. It features the desert flower that blooms only one night a year. A watch party will be held at Tohono Chul on the appropriate evening … sometime in the next two weeks.

Word is out among Tucsonans now exploring their own self-publishing projects. The Pima County Public Library’s current Writer in Residence, Lori Alexander, has pointed several first-time authors to Powers to learn about the good, bad and exhausting of self-publishing.

“It’s a lot of fun, but it’s a lot of work, too,” Powers said. “You’re not just the author, you’re the publicist, distributor and sales director, too. If somebody is ready for all that, they should go for it!”

Another poet, Robert Frost, overcame initial resistance from publishers by running his first significant poem in the newspaper. “My Butterfly,” appeared in the New York Independent on Nov. 8, 1894. CreateSpace wasn’t an option then.

A more contemporary success story is “Still Alice” by Lisa Genova. Unable to find an acceptable offer, she self-published “Still Alice” in 2007. Released later by Simon and Schuster, it was on The New York Times bestseller list for 40 weeks. At last count, it had been published in 20 languages.

Several weeks ago, Pima County Public Library announced that the Martha Cooper Branch would close this month, making way for a yearlong construction project. Last week, the branch regulars received a temporary reprieve. The library will remain open at least through the end of the summer.

TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - Barbed wire, broken glass, and other debris is piling up in an area where wildlife frequent and it’s becoming an eyesore for some residents.

This is happening in the wildlife corridor near the Oro Valley Marketplace off of Tangerine.

Some residents are concerned that this trash could harm wildlife if they get caught in it, but Pima County says cleaning up the trash could cause even more problems.

“There are bobcats and javelina trotting through with their young and we don’t want them to be injured by rusty barbed wire and tangles of old bailing wire and these sharp dangerous objects,” Oro Valley resident Dr. Amy Eisenberg said.

Broken bottles, parts of tires, even some rusty sheet metal are all things you’ll find in the wildlife corridor. Some of it is old and still left from when this spot was a dumping site, but some of it is from people dumping their trash now.

“Contemporary stuff has no place here. If we remove this stuff, the native vegetation may regenerate and animals will have a safe corridor alongside this Oro Valley Marketplace,” she said.

Dr. Eisenberg took her concerns to Pima County. When they told her the area wouldn’t be cleaned up, she brought her worries to KOLD. We spoke with the county about why there wasn’t a plan to get the trash picked up.

“If we were to bring in those bigger machinery types of equipment, the back loaders, the scrapers, we would have to remove infrastructure in order to get into the wash. We would potentially have to blade around these trees. We would actually do more of an environmental harm by picking up the trash than just leaving it,” said Joseph Cuffari, program manager for Pima County Regional Flood Control.

They will take away the big stuff, but the glass and debris will stay.

But is it a threat to wildlife in the area?

The county brought along a research scientist who says trash can have lots of impacts on wildlife, but it depends on the trash.

″I think of all the threats they have to deal with, it wouldn’t be a big concern of mine. Maybe that one individual animal might suffer a little while until the wound healed up,” Matt Goode said.

Though things like barbed wire and broken glass have the potential to injure wildlife passing through, he believes the animals will be able to avoid it for the most part.

For that smaller debris, the county is hoping that during monsoon it will flow into the trash captures they have. They say that will be the easiest and most environmentally friendly way to clean some of it up.

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