NYC mosque a slap in the face

By Jordan Condra

Nine years ago, on Sept. 11, a disgusting and tragic act of terror was launched on American soil.

You, your friends, your family and every innocent American was targeted that day. We still mourn the 3,000 deaths of those who were abruptly murdered before our eyes as we watched it all unfold on television.

As each year comes and goes just as quickly as the towers fell, we as a nation grow disconnected and desensitized to the simple fact that Muslim extremists were responsible for this act of terror and will continue in their quest to destroy this country and all it holds sacred.

Now, just two blocks away from Ground Zero, a flag of victory is ready to be raised in the form of a mosque. You might ask yourself, why is this a big deal? The ‘why’ itself is the big deal. Why there?

Why do people insist on building a mosque on what most Americans consider to be sacred ground? There are more than 100 mosques in New York City alone – so why there? Ground Zero isn’t even in a residential area, so the trek to this mosque would be an inconvenience to anyone who wished to visit it – so why there?

What will building a mosque on Ground Zero accomplish? And why do those who insist on the construction of this mosque continue to fight the 67 percent of Americans who oppose it?

This is not about freedom of religion or property rights. This is a political statement to the American people, a slap in the face. It is evident we have become a people of ever-growing tolerance with an uncanny ability to forget.

This mosque is not important to those who want it because they are in dire need of a place to pray and worship. This mosque is important only because it is a symbol.

Allowing the mosque would show the entire world that not only was America blindsided and defeated on that dreadful day, but nine years later, we willingly stood by, watched and allowed another defeat.

Art exhibit spotlights Pima artists

By Ana Ramirez

Photos courtesy of PCC Center for the Arts

As the dog days of summer linger, people seek new ways to entertain themselves while staying cool. One way to beat the heat is to visit the Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery at Pima Community College’s West Campus Center for the Arts.

From Sept. 7 to Oct. 22, the gallery will exhibit “Portraits,” featuring works by Louis Carlos Bernal, Ann Simmons-Myers and Hirotsune Tashima. Admission is free.

'Self Portrait,' Louis Carlos Bernal, Douglas, Ariz., 1978

Bernal, an internationally known photographer, taught in the art department at PCC for 17 years before a fatal bicycle accident in 1989. Simmons-Myers directs PCC’s art photography program and Tashima is PCC’s director of ceramics.

What will attract people to the exhibit? “A wonderful sense of humanity, a sense of intimacy that makes you think about the individual,” Simmons-Myers said.

Many of the portraits on display have never been shown to the public and will be available for sale, she said. Proceeds will benefit the Bernal Photography Scholarship fund.

Gallery talks on Sept. 23 and Sept. 29 will provide a chance for artists and audience to interact.

The Sept. 23 event will include a reception from 5-7 p.m. At 6 p.m., Simmons-Myers will discuss her portrait photography and Bernal’s work. Other participants will be Bernal’s daughters, Lisa Bernal Brethour and Katrina Bernal, who accompanied their father on many of his photography outings.

Simmons-Myers, who was friends with “Lou” for nearly 10 years before his accident, called Bernal a spiritually gifted mentor.

“It’s important to keep his work out there and exciting to show new work,” she said.

Never-before-seen images by Bernal will include color portraits and interiors he photographed  from the 1960s through the 1980s that show a firsthand perspective of barrio life.

'Louise Serpa," Ann Simmons-Myers, Tucson, 2009

Simmons-Myers will exhibit color photographs taken during a recent sabbatical. The portraits honor the lives of her fellow Tucsonans in their desert hometown.

“My job as a photographer is to document my times,” she says.

'Organic Fisherman,' Hirotsune Tashima

Tashima will show self-portraits from an “Organic Banana” series, a metaphor that developed from the relationship the artist has with his Japanese culture.

During a gallery talk Sept. 29 from 2-3 p.m., Tashima will explain how he uses the banana as a symbol for everyday life.

“I want to look at the better side of the things,” he said. “I wish my work to give a little happy moment.”

Gallery hours are Monday and Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gallery is also open before most evening performances at the Center for the Arts theaters.

For additional information, visit www.pima.edu/cfa or call curator David Andres at 206-6942.

FYI

What: “Portraits” by Louis Carlos Bernal, Ann Simmons-Myers, Hirotsune Tashima

When: Sept. 7-Oct. 22
Where: Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery, PCC Center for the Arts, West Campus

Admission: Free

‘Coming in Hot’ play scheduled

By Liza Porter

“Coming in Hot,” a play by Kore Press, will be performed on Sept 10-11 at the Pima Community College Center for the Arts Recital Hall on West Campus. The play is based on the book “Powder,” a collection of writings by women war veterans.

The Sept. 10 performance will be at 2 p.m. Advance tickets are available for $5.

The Sept. 11 performance is at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

Writer Ford Burkhart has called “Coming in Hot” “thoughtful anti-war theater.” Author Dahr Jamail says the play is “a raw, honest, artful exploration of what it means to be a woman in the US military.”

For further information, call 327-2127 or www.korepress.org.

Center for the Arts celebrates 20 years

By Astrid Verdugo

Pima Community College Center for the Arts celebrates its 20^th anniversary season this year.

The 2010-11 season contains PCC programs in theater, music, dance, visual arts and digital arts.

For the 20^th anniversary season, PCC Theater will present “Charlotte’s Web” directed by Mickey Nugent and “Anything Goes,” brought to stage by the creative team of Todd Poelstra, Mickey Nugent, David Waggoner and Mark Nelson.

“The Time of Your Life” and Sophocles’ “Antigone,” both directed by Frank Pickard, will also to be presented.

The PCC Music Department presents Dean and Anna Schoff for a vocal recital, a Raymond and Friends recital, Judith Sandoval-Ferg for a piano recital, the Chorale and College Singers, and a percussion recital by Homero Ceron.

Also to be presented are opera/musical theater scenes, jazz improve combos, jazz ensemble, orchestra, “Kaleidoscope: virtuosic vignettes for cello,” a piano recital by Raymond T. Ryder, “From Classical to Jazz to Rock” featuring Hank Feldman on tuba and vocals, “Tenor Madness: Contemporary Music for Tenor Saxophone,” and a tuba recital by Mark Nelson.

PCC Dance presents “grATTITUDE” and “4 Elements,” directed by Aurora Goncalves-Shaner.

Other CFA events include a spring fashion show, a digital video and film screening, and the Pima Writers Workshop.

The Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery launches “Portraits: Louis Carlos Bernal, Ann Simmon-Myers and Hirotsune Tashima,” “Retrospective: George Welch, “Neon Sculptures” by James White, and the Annual Student Juried Art Exhibition.

For more information, call the CFA box office 206-6986 or visit online at www.pima.edu/cfa.

Aztec Calendar

Compiled by Chris Coco, Liza Porter and Conrad Pursley

Thursday, Sept 2

Deadstring Brothers at Plush, 340 E. Sixth St, 9:30 p.m., $7. Details: 798-1298.

Thirsty Thursday with Tucson Toros, Hi Corbett Field, 3400 E. Camino Campestre, 6-7 p.m.

Odyssey Storytelling Presents: Crazy for You, Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 7 p.m., $7. Details: hotelcongress.com, 622-8848.

Friday, Sept 3

First Friday Shorts, Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., 9 p.m., $5. Details: loftcinema.com/firstfridayshorts.

Through Sept. 5: Club Congress 25^th Anniversary Party, Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 7 p.m. $10 per day, $25 for the weekend. Details: hotelcongress.com, 622-8848 or www.hotelcongress.com.

La Encantada Summer Concert Series, 2905 E. Skyline Drive, 7 p.m. $10 in advance, $11 day of show.

Saturday, Sept 4

Through Sept. 25: Abnormal Formal at Lulubell Toy Bodega, September Gallery Exhibit, 439 N. Sixth Ave., Suite 187, 6-9 p.m. Live art, graffiti, music by Josh Flood, Zackey Force Funk, DJ Milkcrate, Isaiah Toothtaker and more.

Vinyl Revival 2010, Fourth Annual Record Fair, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., free. Details: 622-8848, www.hotelcongress.com.

Sunday, Sept 5

Tucson Farmers Market at St. Philip’s Plaza, 4180 N. Campbell Ave., 8 a.m., free. Details: 529-2775.

Jam Out With Your Clam Out record show, every Sunday at Red Room/Grill, 100 E. Congress St., free. Details: 623-7621.

Furry Pollinators, 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail, 2-3:30 p.m., $5. Details: 647-7121 or colossalcave.com.

Monday, Sept 6

Meet Me At Maynards Social Run/Walk, 400 N. Toole St., 5:50 p.m. with check-in at 5:15 p.m., free. Details: 991-0733.

Chk Chk Chk at Club Congress, 100 E. Congress St., 8 p.m., $17. Details: 622-8848 or www.hotelcongress.com.

Saguaro National Park Labor Day Run, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail Road. Registration 5-6 a.m., race start 6:30 a.m. Fees vary. Details: azroadrunners.org/races/detail/saguaro.

Tuesday, Sept 7

Through Nov. 6: “Ojos bien abiertos (Eyes Wide Open),” Etherton Gallery, 135 S. Sixth Ave. Tuesday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., free. Details: 624-7370.

Necromentia premiere, Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd, 7 p.m., free. Details: loftcinema.com.

The Anchor, Breaker Breaker 19ner, Red Room/Grill, 100 E. Congress St., 10 p.m., free. Details: 623-7621.

Batucaxe Rehearsals, Rhythm Industry Performance Factory, 1013 S. Tyndall Ave., 6:30-8:30 p.m. free. Details: www.batucaxe.org.

Wednesday, Sept 8

2010 TAMMIES, annual Tucson area music awards, Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St., 6:30 p.m., free. Details: 740-1000.

Imperial Can, Dr. Dinosaur, Nervous Steps, Skrappy’s, 191 E. Toole Ave., 7 p.m. $5. Details: 358-4287.

Join the Sonoran Desert Weedwackers to eradicate buffelgrass and fountain grass, 7 a.m. Ages 12 and older. RSVP required. Details: 615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov.

Thursday, Sept 9

Happy Hour at Cup Café, Mon-Fri, 4-7 p.m., Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Details: 798-1618.

D.R.I. at The Rock, 136 N. Park Ave. 5:30 p.m. $16.

N9NE Fest with Girl Talk, Far East Movement, Silver Medallion, Tucson Electric Park, 2500 E. Ajo Way. Foam party, water slides, light show. $8-$50. Details: 344-2224.

Friday, Sept 10

Sept. 10-11: “Coming in Hot,” play by Kore Press, PCC Center for the Arts Recital Hall, West Campus, 2 p.m. Details: 327-2127.

Necronauts, Garboski, Minibosses, at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 8 p.m. 21+, free. Details: 798-1618.

Electric Blanket at Red Room/Grill, 100 E. Congress St.,10 p.m., free. Details: 623-7621.

Saturday, Sept 11

Second Saturdays Downtown, free music by Anna Warr and Giant Blue, street performers, arts/crafts vendors, downtown business specials, starts at noon. Details: 2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com.

A Concert in Your Backyard, free concert series, Crossroads at Silverbell Park, 7548 N. Silverbell Road, 6 p.m. Details: 797-3959. 

Repo! The Genetic Opera and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog featuring the Vampire Bunny Slayers, Oracle View Theater, 4690 N. Oracle Road, 11 p.m. Tickets $8 at door. Details: 292-2430.

Sunday, Sept 12

YogHA Club, yoga and laughter, Curves Studio, 2816 N. Campbell, 5:30 p.m., free. Details: 777-7544.

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Details: 622-8848, hotelcongress.com.

Books and More Entertainment Sale, 9 a.m., Humane Society, 3465 E. Kleindale Road. Details: 327-6088.

Monday, Sept 13

Yoga for Beginners, Tucson Yoga, 150 S. Fourth Ave., 7 a.m., $5. Details: 1-877-TUC-YOGA.

Sabertooth Snatch, I Fail, Magical Power Record Show with Matt & Dan, Red Room/Grill, 100 E. Congress St., 10 p.m., free. Details: 623-7621.

Sept. 13-19: Free acupuncture for students and teachers, Tucson Community Acupuncture, 2900 E. Broadway, Suite 170. Details: 881-1887.

Tuesday, Sept 14

Johnny Cashew at Red Room/Grill, 100 E. Congress, St., 10 p.m., free. Details: 623-7621.

Euchre Tournament at Nimbus Brewery, 3850 E. 44th St. Cash prize and Nimbus gift certificates. Sign up by 6:45 p.m, play starts promptly at 7 p.m. Details: 795-2388.

Dead Confederate, Alberta Cross at Plush, 340 E. Sixth St., 8 p.m., $8. Details: plushtucson.com.

Wed, Sept 15

9/11 Truth Tucson, a screening of 9/11 Revisited, Ward 6 City Council Office, 3202 E. First St., 6:30 p.m. Details: 791-4601.

“Coming in Hot,” play by Kore Press, Gallagher Theater, UA campus, 7 p.m. Details: 327-2127.

Every Wednesday in September: Billy Sedlmayr at Red Room/Grill, 10 p.m., free. Details: 623-7621.

Horoscope

By April George

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept.22)

Let’s be reasonable, Virgo. Sure, a pet monkey sounds like a good idea now, but when he flings poo at your significant other? Well, then all you’ll have left is the monkey. Except he’ll run away with the circus, so you won’t even have him.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

I feel a certain responsibility to be nice to you, Libra. That said, be careful who you insult this week. Sure, it’ll feel good now, but your pride isn’t worth the 300-pound wrestler pile-driving you into oblivion.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

You have a stunning personality, Scorpio. Keep telling yourself that when you get caught in the pouring rain with no umbrella. Ah, who am I kidding? Just get soaked and wallow in the misery of being you.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

If you can’t laugh at yourself, Sagittarius, then you’ve obviously never super-glued your fingers into the Spock formation. Trust me on this one, guys. I’m one of you.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Broaden your horizons, Capricorn. Sure, sitting in your mom’s basement watching “Star Trek” and eating cheese puffs is fun now, but all it’s going to lead to is heartache. And potentially a quadruple-bypass.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Aquarius, remember to feed that cat you adopted last week. Otherwise, it will come back as a zombie, and then you’ll just feel bad as Mr. Kitty eats your eyes out.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

You know you’re named for a fish, right Pisces? So don’t take it personally if someone comments on that strange odor around you. I’d lay off the trout dinners, though. Those are your cousins, after all.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

No matter what, Aries, remember this: Sunglasses are sexy. If you wear them all the time, you look mysterious. I’d suggest taking them off in dark hallways, though. That black eye from running into the door is not quite as sexy.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Remember one thing for me, Taurus: Hair of the dog. Sooner or later we all dance with the devil. Believe me, this week you’re going to be doing a lot of that when the 18-wheeler shows up out of nowhere.

Gemini (May 21-June 21)

Don’t be ridiculous, Gemini. Those cuties don’t actually like you for your personality. Better hold onto those looks, because that’s all they see in you.

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

Lighten up, Cancer. Remember, you catch more flies with honey… but if catching flies is your thing, I’d suggest professional help.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

You’re named for the majestic lion, Leo. That doesn’t make you one. Actually, you remind me more of a majestic llama. They should change the name of the sign, in fact…hmm. I’ll get back to you on that.

CRACKING WISE: Surviving reality TV

  By David Mendez

If you’ve been watching much TV lately, surely you’ve noticed the trend: Survival shows are big. Ridiculously big.

Look at the shows that air on Discovery Channel: “Dual Survival,” “Worst Case Scenario,” “Man vs. Wild” and (coming soon!) “Beyond Survival.” All of them star large, burly men who could kill me in an instant if they learned I was disparaging them, so I’ll refrain from doing so.

Other popular shows explore how humans react when society breaks down, like “The Colony,” “Survivor” and, of course, “Jersey Shore.” (There is no way you can look me in the eye and say “Jersey Shore” doesn’t represent our society’s failure. When a girl with a failed beehive hairdo who looks like an overcooked turkey becomes a cultural icon, something has gone wrong in our world.)

And damn it, I’m addicted to these shows.

I can’t lie, Pima. I often think about ditching this life of mine and striking out on my own in the desert to live off the land before one day returning to civilization as a grizzled, nature-hardened Eastwood-esque man’s man.

But then I realize that I’m out of shape, practically blind and liable to have my bones picked clean by the only man-eating jackrabbit in the state within a week.

It doesn’t help that I’m too broke to afford basic supplies, too lazy to get decent survival training and couldn’t tell the difference between poison oak and poison ivy if you gave me two guesses.

So I watch these shows, filling my head with impossible-to-replicate survival techniques “Pssh. Can’t be that hard to whittle a canoe with a machete.” I remain confident that I’ll be humanity’s savior when things come crashing down, quietly ignoring the fact that I can’t install a simple doorknob.

Then I watch a show like “Man, Woman, Wild,” which follows a former Special Forces vet (of course) and his British newscaster wife as they’re dropped into some remote area. That’s when I realize I am, without a doubt, screwed.

The first episode I saw had them in the highlands of Mexico, fighting dehydration by eating cacti and drinking their own pee.

She balked, of course, as would most civilians.

Eventually, she suffered heat stroke and the show was forced to call in an emergency crew to make sure she didn’t, y’know, die. Though that doubtless would’ve created compelling television.

My point is that society appears headed for an eventual breakdown but no one seems willing to stave it off. They prefer instead to shout about their discomfort (illegal aliens, mosques, Brett Favre) or plug their noses and accept disgusting solutions that may keep them alive until the next episode (immigration reform, religious tolerance, a “three retirements and you’re out” rule).

These shows provide us with a sense, however delusional, that we just might be able to survive in awfully harsh conditions. And, if we trust the people next to us, no matter how much we disagree with their methods, we’ve got a better shot.

In the meantime, I’m going to hang around and see what they blow up next on “Mythbusters.”

Sandscript unveiling Sept. 2

By Miki Jennings

Students, family and friends are invited to attend an unveiling ceremony for the 2010 edition of SandScript, Pima Community College’s award-winning literary arts magazine, to listen to short stories and poems and view artwork produced by contributors.

The event, to be held Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Recital Hall on West Campus, celebrates the release of the newest edition of SandScript and commemorates 20 years of successful publication.

“With this 20th anniversary edition, the staff and I are presenting a stunning example of the creative arts talent that exists at Pima Community College today and for the past 20 years,” Editor Susan Collinet said.

The event will also mark a change in faculty advisers. Writing instructor Tom Speer will step down after 14 years as faculty adviser, and give the reins to fellow writing instructor Joshua Cochran for 2011.

“It’s going to be Dr. Speer’s last time heading the magazine. He’s been the adviser for a long time and he’s really helpful,” said student Debbie Hadley, who served as assistant editor of SandScript last spring and is the current news editor for Aztec Press.

Hadley said both Speer and Collinet “had a lot of good ideas and helped us to know what we were doing.”

Speer said he arranged to step down from his faculty adviser position before he retired from teaching altogether so that he could provide support and help Cochran settle in as the new SandScript adviser.

“I think he’ll be more experimental,” Speer said. “I expect it will take on a different look with Josh. I’ve always wanted each issue of SandScript to be different, so I encourage that, and I think Josh will go in the same direction. I look forward to seeing what he and the group come up with.”

Cochran said he has “big shoes to fill” as faculty adviser.

“Tom has been doing this so long and he really deserves some recognition for what he’s done,” Cochran said. “I’m terrified, frankly, taking it over because he’s done such a great job.”

The unveiling includes a slideshow of visual art and readings by contributors, which allows students to enjoy the gratification of being in the spotlight, Cochran said.

“It’s just a really warm atmosphere where students get some of their first tastes of success,” he said. “Publishing their poetry, seeing their artwork printed in a book and getting that kind of recognition is really amazing. Their families come. It’s beautiful.”

SandScript accepts submissions throughout the year, with one deadline per semester. Students who will only attend either the fall or spring semester must submit their work during the semester for which they are enrolled.

While the literary magazine class is located at West Campus, students who attend classes on any Pima campus are welcome to submit work. The deadline for fall submissions is Dec. 19.

For further information about SandScript, contact Speer at 206-6851.

Grants aid disabled students

By Darcy Arizmendi

With grants from the U.S. Department of Education, East and Desert Vista campuses will each receive $220,000 a year for the next five years to fund two new student programs.

At East Campus, a program titled Students with Opportunities for Achievement and Retention, or SOAR, will help 100 students who have disabilities, including disabled veterans.

SOAR services include academic tutoring, enhanced advising, assistance to promote transfer to four-year colleges and universities, help in applying for financial aid and financial literacy training.

At Desert Vista Campus, the Graduation, Retention Academic Standing and Transfer, or GReAT, program will serve 140 low-income, first-generation or disabled students.

The program includes a personal plan for each participant, and will monitor progress throughout their PCC enrollment.

Free computer training offered

By Jonathan Fraser

Computer skills need a little refining? Need help with research or class assignments? Pima Community College has a solution: basic computer skills sessions.

Free sessions offered at each campus will cover desktop basics, using the mouse and keyboard and how to navigate the PCC web site and MyPima.

RSVP by 5 p.m. the day before a scheduled session. Remaining sessions include:

Desert Vista Campus

Plaza Building Room F-119

(RSVP 206-5101)

- Sept. 10 at 11 a.m.

-Sept. 17 at 3 p.m.

-Oct. 8 at 3 p.m.

-Nov. 19 at 3 p.m.

-Dec. 21 at 8:30 a.m.

Downtown Campus

Campus Center Building Room CC-168

(RSVP 206-7263)

-Sept. 13 at 1 p.m.

-Oct. 12 at 2 p.m.

-Nov. 9 at 8:30 a.m.

-Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.

East Campus

Student Center Computer Commons

(RSVP 206-7861)

-Sept. 9 at 2 p.m.

-Sept. 16 at 10 a.m.

-Oct. 20 at 3 p.m.

-Nov. 17 at 3 p.m.

-Dec. 15 at 3 p.m.

Northwest Campus

Campus Resource Center, Building B–2^nd Floor

(RSVP 206-2127)

-Sept. 7 at 1 p.m.

-Sept. 14 at 10 a.m.

-Oct. 25 at 10 a.m.

-Nov. 22 at 10 a.m.

-Dec. 20 at 10 a.m.

West Campus

Santa Catalina, Academic Computer Commons, C-202

(RSVP 206-6042)

-Sept. 8 at 1:30 p.m.

-Sept. 15 at 9 a.m.

-Oct. 6 at 1:30 p.m.

-Nov. 3 at 1:30 p.m.

-Dec. 1 at 1:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.pima.edu/calendars and click on the “basic computer skills workshops” link.

Football ready to end losing streaks

 Editor’s note: the football team snapped its 29-game losing streak on Sept. 4

Ronald Hopper, left, and Nick Carlson do battle during training camp. Aztec Press photo by Ed Adams.

By Narciso Thomas Villarreal

It took the last game of the 2007 season, the entire 2008 season and the first two games of the 2009 season before the Detroit Lions of the National Football League ended their 19-game regular-season losing streak by defeating the Washington Redskins 19-14.

This fall, Pima Community College football team hopes for a similar stop to the bleeding of a 50-game losing streak in the Western States Football League. The Aztecs’ last victory against a conference opponent was over Arizona Western College, 62-20, on Oct. 30, 2004.

“I think this group of kids could put us over the hump,” head coach Pat Nugent said. “We have a lot of bad history here in the conference, but we feel our team is going to be a little bit better this year, so we’re hoping for a lot better season.”

The Aztecs have not beaten any college team since winning the 2004 Pilgrim’s Pride Bowl 10-7 over No. 3 Kilgore College. Pima’s overall losing streak is 29 games.

Their last win was 63-2 over the Verde Valley Coyotes, a now-defunct semi pro team.

In Nugent’s first season, PCC again went 0-10 but in 2009 the Aztecs used mostly freshmen. This year, the team returns 17 starters.

In 2009, Pima narrowly lost a number of games instead of getting blown out every week. Last year the Aztecs surrendered 352 points and scored 138. In 2008, they gave up 509 and scored 37.

The preseason coaches’ poll picked Pima to finish last in the nine-team WSFL, but Nugent was nominated for coach of the year last year despite going 0-10.

Nugent said offseason training and preseason camp have the players excited about playing this season. The Aztecs had a more extensive off-season training regime than last year.

The toughest teams this year will be conference rivals No. 2 Arizona Western, No. 16 Eastern Arizona College and Snow College, according to Nugent. Pima plays Eastern twice, at home in a non-conference game and on the road.

Scott Campbell sprints for more yards last year against Eastern Arizona. Aztec Press photo by Daniel Gaona.

“We got a lot more talent and there’s a lot more chemistry,” sophomore starting offensive lineman Erick Marquez said. “If we win the first game, it’ll pump everyone up for the season and help us get a better mindset to go to a bowl game.”

“I am very excited; we’re real fast at all positions,” sophomore linebacker Ernie Escarcega said. “We just want to play one game at a time.”

According to Nugent, the team is completely different compared to last season due to the addition of several new players.

In 2009, Nugent was hired just a month before signing day, so he scrambled to get recruits. This year Nugent was able to recruit athletes from outside of Tucson.

Two new freshman quarterbacks from Phoenix high schools, Zach Schira and Zander McKean, are competing for the starting quarterback job. Last year’s starter, Daniel Nicholas, left the team because of injuries.

Nicholas, the 2007 Tucson Citizen Player of the Year, missed the end of last season. Pima’s lack of quarterback depth led Nugent to move starting tight end Doug Steele to quarterback.

Nugent said the Aztecs go six deep at the running back position.

“We’re cautiously optimistic,” Nugent said.

Another hole Pima filled was at kicker. Last year the Aztecs lost to Scottsdale Community College because of three missed extra points. All-Southern Arizona kicker Chris Mayer joined the team this year.

“We finally got a kicker,” Nugent said on Signing Day.

Sophomore receiver Scott Campbell is expected to be the Aztecs’ top weapon on offense. Last year he led PCC in receiving, with 40 catches for 434 yards, good enough for sixth in the WSFL.

Returning players such as sophomore middle linebacker Brent Lush and sophomore safety Griffin Ronstadt will help bolster the defensive side.

“We are really excited about the defense we’re going to put out there,” Nugent said.

On the flip side, the Aztecs lost a couple of key players early. All-WSFL cornerback Avante Johnson went back to Florida and Steele transferred to the University of Northern Colorado.

Eligibility ran out on Pima’s leading rusher, running back Tony Sims, who ran for 481 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

The team’s first game will be on the road against Phoenix College in a non-conference game on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. Pima’s home opener will be Sept. 11 against Eastern Arizona at 7 p.m. at Tucson Electric Park, the Aztecs’ new home.

Last year Pima mostly played at Tucson High School but this year moved to TEP, located at 2500 E. Ajo Way. Tickets are $6 and $4 for students.

Follow us on Twitter for sports news and scores

Pima football losing streaks
Overall: 29
To college teams: 48
Western States
Football League: 43

Storm to Aztecs: Pima’s colorful football history

Storm to Aztecs: Pima’s colorful football history

By James Kelley

2005 Aztec Press file photo by Audra Bastie

There are two basic things every Pima Community College sports supporter knows: PCC sports is headquartered at the West Campus and its teams are the Aztecs.

At least that is the case now.

Pima’s youngest sport, football, also has its wildest history. In less than a decade, PCC football has been a national championship contender and has won just one game since 2004.

Football began in 2001 amid much fanfare but with humble roots. The Storm, as they were known, were based at East Campus. The team practiced at a local park and played games at Santa Rita High School.

The head coach, Jeff Scurran, had previously been the head coach at two local high schools, Sabino and Santa Rita.

Scurran eventually raised funds for a $500,000 synthetic turf practice field that was built at East Campus.

The Storm’s colors were navy blue and light blue, as opposed to the orange and black used by other Pima teams at the time. The East Campus even had its own athletic director, to oversee football, men’s golf and women’s golf.

The Storm began with a bang, upsetting the defending national champions, Glendale Community College, in the school’s inaugural football game. Otherwise, 2001 was rough for Pima, at least by the Storm’s standards, as they went 4-6.

In 2002, Pima went 7-3 and in 2003 they went 6-5.

Pima’s best year came in 2004 when the No. 11 Storm (8-3) beat No. 4 Kilgore College in Kilgore’s backyard at the Pilgrim’s Pride Bowl in Mount Pleasant, Texas. Scurran resigned after the bowl game because PCC’s recruiting focus shifted to in-state players only.

Pima’s football dark ages began in 2005, when the football team moved to the West Campus and became the Aztecs. PCC officially went 0-9, abandoning the season after losing games by scores of 83-0, 62-0 and 70-7.

In 2006, 2008 and 2009, Pima went 0-10. In 2007, the Aztecs won a pre-conference game 63-2, against a semi-pro team. Pima lost its next game 56-14.

Pima has produced players who have transferred to high-level universities, including Michigan State University, University of California, East Carolina University, Southern Methodist University and University of Northern Colorado.

The Storm and Aztecs haven’t barnstormed all over the county to gain fans, but it feels that way. Pima has played home games at Santa Rita, Amphitheater High School, Tucson High School and Tucson Electric Park. Now the Aztecs have made TEP their home.

Since the glory days of Scurran, Pima has had three coaches.

Current head coach Pat Nugent was hired as PCC’s first full-time coach in January 2009. Nugent won four coach-of-the-year awards as head of the Canyon del Oro High School program, turning a team that was 0-10 into state finalists.

PCC still hasn’t won since 2007, beaten a college team since 2004 or won a Western States Football League game since October 2004, but in 2009 those losses were much closer games. Fans hope Nugent can return Pima to respectability.

All that is left of the Storm is the East Campus field, which is now used for Pop Warner and flag football. Trash cans at the field remain decorated with the Storm lightning bolt logo.

Tucson new-wave artist here to stay

By Kyle Wasson

The Old Pueblo has produced a new artist, one with a brave and truly raw outlook on music and the listeners’ experience.

Pima Community College student Rob Easter, a Tucson resident with a passion for rock, is giving the music scene a breath of fresh air.

At the age of 4, Easter and his family moved from their hometown of Diamond Bar, Calif., to Tucson. Easter grew up in north Tucson and attended high school at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy. After graduating in 2006, he wanted to break away from the ideals set forth at school and take on the world with an open mind.

“I needed to get some experience, get out on my own,” Easter said. “I kept the values they taught but had to get away from that lifestyle and just live my life.”

Music was the path Easter used to escape. Late in his junior year of high school, he started playing with the idea of a band. Shortly after, Long Live the Smoking Gun was formed. LLSG is a gritty, yet harmonic interpretation of rock‘s heavy riffs and bluesy vocals. As lead singer and guitarist for the band, Easter is at the helm of all lyrics, and his tongue is the baritone rudder steering the ship.

Easter and LLSG have completed three west coast tours with a different lineup every time. As he said, “things got crazy.” The band has gone through 13 members. The alumni are not just musicians but friends. Although there is no constant in the lineup, Easter continues to move forward with his music.

With the help of his family and countless hours working two jobs, Easter founded a local record label called 1912 Records, LLC, ‘How the southwest was won.’  From inception, his foundation has been a strong artist-label friendship and openness.

Easter has tackled the plasticity of the music industry with originality. By offering free music online and vinyl for sale, Easter is dedicated to delivering timelessness and quality to the listener.

“Anyone can burn a CD, vinyl’s special,” Easter said. There are 10 bands with 12 releases on the label, most of which have vinyl as an option on the 1912 MySpace.

As creator of 1912, Easter is taking on the challenge of bringing a new scenery and new talent to Tucson’s rock scene. From promoting to actually playing a show, Easter is hard at work peddling not only himself but other musicians as well.

Several major record companies have recently closed due to the failing music industry, but Easter is not worried. “I’m not in it for the money,” he said. “I just want to break even, someday.”

From Portland to Los Angeles,  San Diego to The Living Room in Tucson, people are hearing Easter’s music. With 10 bands on the label, including LLSG, Easter wants to keep making music and continue in this tradition. Building a reputation is not easy, but Tucson’s new-wave artist is here to stay and grow, not only opening eyes, but ears.

To contact 1912 Records, visit www.myspace.com/1912records. You can also follow LLSG and 1912 on Facebook

Photo courtesy of Rob Easter