Photographer Mamta Popat

Arizona Daily Star staff photographer Mamta Popat

Choir recording 9/11 oratorio

Tucson Chamber Artists, conducted by Eric Holtan, will record a CD of works that are world premieres.

Canyon Del Oro High School graduation

Charlotte Lochowitz, left, uses the reflection in the window of a door to check out her hair as Cheyenne Sanchez, center, and Brianna Lopez, right, check their tassels in preparation for the graduation ceremony at Canyon Del Oro High School on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. Photo by Ro…

Canyon Del Oro High School graduation

Bryana Blackmon is all smiles as boyfriend Jeremiah Callahan returns her mortar board following the graduation ceremony at Canyon Del Oro High School on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

Canyon Del Oro High School graduation

Barbara Gomez Hugs her son Nicholas Huerta as family gathers following the graduation ceremony at Canyon Del Oro High School on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.

Canyon Del Oro High School graduation

Graduate Sang Lee gives a big hug to history teacher Sonya Gauna on his way back to his seat after receiving his diploma during the graduation ceremony at Canyon Del Oro High School on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

Canyon Del Oro High School graduation

Yesse's supporters showed up in force during the graduation ceremony at Canyon Del Oro High School on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.

Canyon Del Oro High School graduation

The class of 2013 on the football field during the graduation ceremony at Canyon Del Oro High School on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

Canyon Del Oro High School graduation

Stephanie Strickland, center, straightens her cap as a group of graduates make their way back to their chairs with their diplomas during the graduation ceremony at Canyon Del Oro High School on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

Share your graduation photos

Seniors Kylie Jarufe, left, and Briauna Johnson relax on the football field after graduation practice for Catalina Foothills High School. The ceremony begins at 7:30 tonight.

Customer service comes first at northwest Tucson camera shop

First-time visitor Scott Bulau, left, gets a hands-on demonstration of a Canon flash from store owner Paul Kitzmiller at Greg's Camera Shop & 1-Hour Photo, 6336 N. Oracle Road. Kitzmiller hopes to build a community among his customers.

Animals at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

Black-tailed prairie dog pups have begun to emerge from their burrows to socialize, learn and play together with their peers and their parents at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum on Monday, May 7, 2012, in Tucson, AZ. Photo by Ron Medvescek/Arizona Daily Star.

Fun in the sun

Maya Foukas, 4, gets last second advice from her dad, Zack Foukasn as she begins to swim at Thad Terry Pool, Northwest YMCA on Saturday, May 28, 2011.

Benjie Sanders photo mug

Benjie Sanders, Arizona Daily Star photographer shot in the Star studio on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.

Ron Medvescek photo mug

Ron Medvescek, Arizona Daily Star photographer shot in the Star studio on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. Photo by Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star. MANDATORY CREDIT: NO MAGS, NO SALES.

A.E. Araiza photo mug

A.E. Araiza, Arizona Daily Star photographer shot in the Star studio on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.

Morsels

Shanali Davila, baker/owner of downtown's Cup Quequitos, decorates some of her cupcakes with raspberries in the kitchen at downtown's Poca Cosa restaurant, where she operates her business. Despite the comings and going of cupcake makers in Tucson , the little custom cakes still enjoy popular…

Tucson composer brings 'The List' to Fox stage

Parker Snell and Gemma Krebs rehearse "The List: A Musical," by Tucson writer, producer and director R. Clark Jewett. Performances are Friday and Saturday at the Fox TucsonTheatre.

New owner at longtime photo store plans to widen store's focus

Rosemarie Deppisch watches intently as sales associate Guillermo Escudero programs the new camera she just purchased at Greg's Camera Shop & 1-Hour Photo, 6336 N. Oracle Road. Deppisch was traveling and needed someone who could give her hands-on help to set up her camera.

Music tradition of summer starts

Conductor László Veres guides a rehearsal of the Arizona Symphonic Winds in the band room of Tucson High Magnet School. The symphony will begin its "Music in the Park" series at Udall Park on Saturday.

Kitchen must-haves

Double duty: A garlic press at A Perfect Pantry, 21 E. Congress St., also slices garlic.

Kitchen must-haves

Spice grinder at A Perfect Pantry is a gourmet's delight. "Everybody loves kitchen gadgets," says owner Amy Pike.

May's Counter

Chicken and Waffles with sauce and butter is the specialty at May's Counter Chicken & Waffles.

Tucson composer R. Clark Jewett directs his dream - "The List: The Musical"

Director, producer, writer and composer R. Clark Jewett, who is legally blind, gives direction during a rehearsal of "The List: A Musical." He hopes to donate the play's proceeds to Arts for All.

Catalina park's outdoors beckons

Wayne and Dianne Allen of Austin, Texas, retired for six months, sit under a tree in their camping spot at Catalina State Park. The couple are on an extended vacation, heading to Utah and Denver to see their kids. They were preparing a vegetable dish in a gas oven, foreground, they just boug…

'It's our future': PCC students urge 4 on board to step aside

About 100 faculty, students, faculty members and alumni rallied Wednesday at Pima Community College administrative offices at 4901 E. Broadway to urge four members of the college's Governing Board to resign.

New AZ permit may stoke housing boom on NW side

Work is already underway on Meritage Homes' Los Saguaros community off Dove Mountain Boulevard on the northwest side. On Tuesday, workers from Royce Masonry were building retaining walls along the edge of one of 60 lots.

Capacity

Workers from Royce Masonry build retaining walls along the edges of one of 60 lots in the Meritage Homes community of Los Saguaros at Dove Mountain off Dove Mountain Blvd on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. So far several homes have been sold and building has begun. Photo by Ron Medvescek…

High school state softball: Peoria Sunrise Mountain 1, Salpointe Catholic 0: Lancers wash up for rematch with CDO

Salpointe Catholic pitcher Emily Griffin gave up just three hits, but a single and a double in the fourth scored the only run.

Special ed, general ed students increasingly sharing sports field

Special education student Joseph Kallner Venos and tutor Travis Patterson walk around the track at Mountain View High School during a warm-up for Special Olympics practice last month.

Special ed, general ed students increasingly sharing sports field

Tutor Ava Red watches as student Drew Rohr takes off for a long-jump in the special ed tutoring program at Mountain View.

Father Kino and the beef burrito

Sonoran style machaca

High school softball photos: Salpointe vs Peoria Sunrise Mountain

Tucson Salpointe Catholic's Emily Griffin pitches to a Peoria Sunrise Mountain batter as a Peoria runner starts off the second base bag during the Salpointe vs. Mountain View High School game of the Division ll AIA Softball Playoffs on Monday, May 6, 2013 at Rose Mofford Sports Complex, 9833…

High school softball photos: Salpointe vs Peoria Sunrise Mountain

A Salpointe Catholic' fan hangs on despite a rough nigh for the Lancers during the Salpointe vs. Mountain View High School game of the Division ll AIA Softball Playoffs on Monday, May 6, 2013 at Rose Mofford Sports Complex, 9833 N 25th Ave, in Phoenix, AZ. The Lancers lost 1-0. Photo by Ron …

High school softball photos: Salpointe vs Peoria Sunrise Mountain

Tucson Salpointe Catholic's Emily Griffin gets a piece of the ball during the Salpointe vs. Mountain View High School game of the Division ll AIA Softball Playoffs on Monday, May 6, 2013 at Rose Mofford Sports Complex, 9833 N 25th Ave, in Phoenix, AZ. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.

High school softball photos: Salpointe vs Peoria Sunrise Mountain

Tucson Salpointe Catholic shortstop Denae Fisher throws to first to get a runner out after a hit during the Salpointe vs. Mountain View High School game of the Division ll AIA Softball Playoffs on Monday, May 6, 2013 at Rose Mofford Sports Complex, 9833 N 25th Ave, in Phoenix, AZ. Photo by R…

High school softball photos: Salpointe vs Peoria Sunrise Mountain

Tucson Salpointe Catholic center fielder Hannah De Luna can't quite make it to a deep fly ball during the Salpointe vs. Mountain View High School game of the Division ll AIA Softball Playoffs on Monday, May 6, 2013 at Rose Mofford Sports Complex, 9833 N 25th Ave, in Phoenix, AZ. Photo by Ron…

High school softball photos: Salpointe vs Peoria Sunrise Mountain

Salpointe Catholic fans rise to cheer during the top of the 7th inning as Salpointe put a runner on base during the Salpointe vs. Mountain View High School game of the Division ll AIA Softball Playoffs on Monday, May 6, 2013 at Rose Mofford Sports Complex, 9833 N 25th Ave, in Phoenix, AZ. Ph…

High school softball photos: Salpointe vs Peoria Sunrise Mountain

Peoria Sunrise Mountain pitcher Taylor Nowlin and catcher Morgan Leonard conference after Salpointe put runners on base during their final at bat Division ll AIA Softball Playoffs on Monday, May 6, 2013 at Rose Mofford Sports Complex, 9833 N 25th Ave, in Phoenix, AZ. Peoria was able to hold …

Live blog: Southwest Climate Assessment

Catalina State Park marks 30th birthday Saturday

Tucsonans John and Kathy Mulligan relax with their dogs, Max, left, and Wiley, in the Cañada del Oro Wash where it passes through Catalina State Park. The couple were having lunch Wednesday before taking a hike.

Catalina State Park marks 30th birthday Saturday

This piece of pristine desert was slated for expansive residential development in the 1970s, but a citizens coalition saved it.

Their musical roots get to grow anew

From front, flutists Hillary Rizzi, Angel Aguayo and Karli Wilson practice a piece as Todd Ponder directs.

Their musical roots get to grow anew

Todd Ponder, left, leads the newly formed Marana Winds in a rehearsal, their sixth since getting together as a group. The new orchestra taps the musical skills of Marana district employees and students, and the group is preparing for its first concert this coming Monday at Mountain View High…

30th anniversary of Catalina State Park

A view of the Catalina Mountains looking east from the Nature Trail at Catalina State Park on Wednesday, May 1.

30th anniversary of Catalina State Park

A view of the Catalina Mountains looking east just after sunrise at Catalina State Park on Wednesday, May 1.

30th anniversary of Catalina State Park

Late day light gives an enchanted feel to these trees at Catalina State Park on Tuesday, April 30.

30th anniversary of Catalina State Park

Late afternoon sun peaks through the leaves of a tree as a catus stands in the background at Catalina State Park on Tuesday, April 30.

30th anniversary of Catalina State Park

Wayne and Dianne Allen of Austin, Texas, retired for six months, sit under a tree in their camping spot at Catalina State Park on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. The couple are on an extended vacation heading to Utah and Denver to see their kids. They were preparing a vegetable dish i…