What's happening

The Canyon Knitters meet Tuesdays at the Kirk-Bear Canyon Library. The gathering is open to beginners and experienced knitters.

Big firms finding it hard to fill skilled jobs at Arizona mines

As part of training in 2011, UA student Mark Iobst helped guide a drill bit by communicating with the operator (not pictured) of a single-boom jumbo drive drill.

Unrealistic to set fixed benchmarks for border arrests

Over the years, the border fence in Nogales, Ariz., has been reinforced or rebuilt in a number of ways to deter people from crossing illegally.

Arizona softball: Turning 20, memories aplenty

Capacity crowds are the norm at the UA's Hillenbrand Stadium, which has averaged at least 1,291 fans a game every season for the past 19 years.

"Original" at Tucson's Abbey Eat + Drink is a big bite of burg-vana

Lightly griddled English muffins cradle juicy beef patties and yummy toppings in the "Original" at The Abbey Eat + Drink.

Road runner: Saddle up on a bicycle this month

During Cyclovia Tucson, riders, skaters and walkers have the streets to themselves - or at least some streets. In 2011, a crowd of bike riders, above, headed along a route near downtown. This year's first Cyclovia is on Sunday and starts at Armory Park.

Can't make a living as a magician in Tucson?

Michael DeSchalit, with microphone, laughs as he watches Tony Lomonaco and Niki Zarris react to a scary "movie" under hypnosis.

Kenzie Fowler

UA pitcher Kenzie Fowler shakes hands with head coach Mike Candrea before the start of their game against Cal. The University of Arizona defeated Cal in 10 innings 2-1 at Hillenbrand Stadium on May 12, 2011.

Bring some, take some, for free

At the FreeCycle event at the Kirk-Bear Canyon Library last year, Marilyn Ryan Hulbert got this guitar from Gloria Davis, right, and gave Davis a cookbook in exchange.

Create Cafe closing; owner plans to focus on her catering business

Create Cafe, a family- and artist-friendly restaurant, ends its 13-year run today. Owner Lauri Kaye says she will continue to cater and is exploring a food truck for community events.

Berk's Beat: Freshman already on UA's radar

Freshman has promising future

Tucson Country

Kevin Sterner and Strait Country so closely mirror Strait vocally and swagger-wise you might think George is on the stage. Sterner also pays tribute to a number of classic country stars.

Menu rollout tonight

The Abbey's new menu brings back the house burger and fries.

UA football hotsheet: Versatile linemen help Cats make up for a lack of depth

Stanford tailback Stepfan Taylor, now a senior, had 153 rushing yards against Arizona last year.

WILDCATS FOOTBALL: Scott believes he's matured, prepared, ready to lead Cats

At ASU last year, Ka'Deem Carey ran 13 times for 92 yards and caught four passes for 47 yards and a TD.

Cats hope to fatten up on home cooking

The Wildcats will play eight of their 12 games, including five conference contests, at Arizona Stadium, which might help offset their inexperience and lack of depth - at least a little.

Taste of Judaism marks milestone

Mila Vasser, program coordinator for Temple Emanu-El, sets out plates of Jewish bread called challah and a sweet noodle dish called kugel. The Taste of Judaism class includes tastings of traditional Jewish foods prepared by Temple Emanu-El's Women of Reform Judaism.

Reid Park Zoo can learn a lot from San Diego

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Connie, 1 or 2 elephants moved from Tucson zoo, euthanized

Connie called Tucson's Reid Park Zoo home for nearly four decades. '. Photo by David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star.

Nogales fence

The border fence stands out between Nogales, Arizona and Sonora. Agents were told last summer that drug traffickers were planning to send a group across the border to "round up" informants in Nogales and Rio Rico, Ariz.

Historic Manning House closing as event center, goes up for sale

The front entryway to the Manning House in downtown Tucson displays intricate architechtural designs. The house is selling for $2.48 million - "a bargain," says the owner.

Watch out for blast from the skies

Lightning, such as this strike on Kolb Road, is an inherent part of the annual monsoon. Lightning kills an averge of 54 people nationally each year.

Fletcher McCusker

Hansen's Sunday Notebook: Cats good, and they know it

If they're on, Arizona's Lawi Lalang, right, and Stephen Sambu could combine for three national titles this week.

All wrapped up in it

UA's Robert Refsnyder, retaping his bat, certainly has a good grip on the competition this year - he's hitting .359 with six homers and 57 RBIs.

Town's parks pack many amenities

Tom Twiddy enjoys the diving board at the Marana pool in Ora Mae Harn District Park.

Tucson Padres notebook: Healthy Cabrera making most of roles

Everth Cabrera has played at shortstop, third base, second base and center field for the Tucson Padres this season. He suggested learning outfield during spring training.

Berk's Beat: New Amphi football coach lands running

Ironwood Ridge's Tyler Williams, going for a gain against CDO last season, received an offer from San Diego State. A quarterback last season, he's viewed as a wide receiver or a defensive back at the college level.

Scream on: It's time for UA Spring Fling

Food, rides - like the Yoyo - and games pack Rillito Downs for the University of Arizona's annual Spring Fling, the largest student-run carnival in the nation.

Big tax refund a foolish plan? Here are five reasons it's not

Money coach and volunteer Jude Gilford, left, got a high-five from Ed Gallego after Gilford helped him file his tax return at Tucson's Pio Decimo Center last April. While some tax experts say having too much money withheld from paychecks isn't a good idea, others note that's not necessarily so.

CYCLOVIA SPOKEN HERE

An estimated 10,000 grabbed their bikes, walking shoes, skates and skateboards and participated in last year's Cyclovia, during which streets are closed to motor vehicles to promote exercise and getting outdoors.

Hansen's Sunday Notebook: Turner's days at UA appear over

Cienega High School football coach Nemer Hassey will speak at a coaching clinic at the UA next month.

Bicyclists, walkers get their way at Cyclovia

As it did last March, above, Cyclovia will open a long, car-free route to all who like to bicycle, walk, jog, skateboard or just plain skate. This year's route will loop into South Tucson from downtown Tucson.

High School Volleyball season preview: Falcon reaches new heights

Catalina Foothills' 6-foot-8-inch senior Tolu Obafemi, right, has grown 5 inches since his freshman year.

Border-militia bill requests $1.9M for Ariz. patrols

The border fence snakes along hilltops, separating Nogales, Ariz., from Nogales, Sonora. Said Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake, the bill's sponsor: "Something has to be done . . . at the border - people are being terrorized."

Fort Lowell Day celebration

Rod Preuss leads members of the B Troop, 4th US Cavalry from Fort Huachuca, during last year's Fort Lowell Day Celebration.

Real estate: Lenders battle over Marriott Starr Pass

The JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa and its 27-hole Arnold Palmer-designed golf course are the subject of a court fight by lenders, but the staff says day-to-day operations and the guest experience won't be affected.

Wrestling: Safford's Andrews devoted to winning his 4th state title

Safford's Trey Andrews, right, suffered one on the few losses of his career last year against Chandler's Dalton Brady in the Flowing Wells Invitational.

Tucson elephants

Asian elephant Connie, left, and Shaba, an African elephant, were being moved Wednesday to a San Diego facility.

Fiesta Bowl: Dorado can't wait to be Cardinal

How excited is CDO linebacker Blake Martinez about playing at Stanford? He's already been to four Cardinal games this season and plans to be at Stanford's bowl game tonight.

Beefed-up security has its good side and its bad

From left, Dick Wilder, Steve Pruess, Bill Bens and Robin Blais explore a snowy region near Madera Canyon.

Magazine honors UMC, 44 of its doctors

University Medical Center surgeons G. Michael Lemole Jr., left, and Peter Rhee earned international recognition for treating the victims of the Jan. 8 mass shooting, as did Dr. Randall Friese.

Beating downtown's drum

Fletcher McCusker

Tucson groups put feelers out to entice pro leagues in 2 sports

Soccer's Desert Cup in March perked up MLS interest in Tucson.

Eric Fuller

Eric Fuller, who was shot twice, feared he would be unable to play tennis, but he has resumed playing. However, his emotional recovery has not been so smooth. He was taken for a mental-health evaluation at Palo Verde Hospital, where he spent several days, after disrupting a town-hall-style t…

Rosemont CEO says worker caused May 2 blaze

Fire from a back burn consumed grassland along a forest road on May 2. Fire crews set the blazes to help battle the Greaterville Fire along Box Canyon and Greaterville Road, about a mile west of Greaterville.

Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams on going pro: "I pretty much made the decision on my own."

Spring training in Tucson: Dodgers, D-backs play to support Tucson fund

It was a full capacity crowd at Kino Stadium during the special spring training Diamondbacks vs. White Sox game March 7, 2011, to honor Christina-Taylor Green, who was killed during a shooting event on Jan. 8, 2011, involving Gabrielle Giffords. Both the Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamond…

Music news

Manic After Hours with lead singer Raymond Sanchez, right, will perform at Philip Heilman's "Breast Fest" on March 31.

Forde wasn't there, defense says

Shawna Forde (cq-SHAWNA FORDE) with her lawyer Eric Larsen (cq-ERIC LARSEN, right) during Forde's trial at Superior Courts, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011. Photo by David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star. #151772.