City Week

Electoral Debacle

New York University professor, author and media critic Mark Crispin Miller will talk about his book, Fooled Again: How the Right Stole the 2004 Election and Why They'll Steal the Next One Too (Unless We Stop Them), on Friday.

Miller contends that both the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections were "stolen" and that Americans should not assume their votes will be counted correctly, because electronic voting machines have harmed the electoral system.

"I wrote it because I can't think of a more important subject than the viability of American democracy," Miller said. On Friday, he plans to focus on the 100-page afterward of the paperback version of his book: "The most startling point in the afterward is that the left press played a crucial role in debunking evidence," Miller said.

Victoria Westover, a UA media arts professor--Miller's talk is being sponsored by the Hanson Film Institute--said she was astonished at the detailed information about the wrongdoing. "I was angry that the information was not made known to the public. It's difficult to read, because it's infuriating."

Miller responded: "It's a hard pill to swallow. You are, for all intents and purposes, not free. This is not a conspiracy theory; no one has attacked the evidence (in his and other scholar's works on the fraudulent 2004 election). Fraud is not new; what's new is the scale and the ideological motivation. ... Bush's regime is different, because in addition to wanting total power, they really hate democracy."

The event is free, and Miller said "these kinds of talks are crucial for getting the word out. The establishment is not wanting to face the truth here. That's not the case with the people." --D.P.

Work Out for Research

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is nearly over, but the folks at the Pilates Connection will offer Tucsonans another chance to make a difference on Saturday. They will be offering a variety classes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with all donations going to breast-cancer research as part of the "Pilates for Pink" initiative, which kicked off earlier this month in New York City.

Julia Kreis is a Pilates instructor and the owner of the Pilates Connection, whose mission is to provide people with healthier lives through exercise and nutrition. After losing 150 pounds, Kreis said, she was able to keep the weight off with the strength-and flexibility-based exercise, and she wanted to help others achieve the same well-being.

Kreis will combine her enthusiasm for Pilates with a cause that hits close to home: "My mother had ovarian cancer which turned into breast cancer," she said. "I also have two aunts and two cousins who've had it."

Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in women, according to the National Cancer Institute.

"I see a lot of what needs to be done for research," Kreis said. "The more research, the better for everyone. We really have to fight with this stuff."

The studio will offer mat classes every half-hour, starting at 10 a.m., with suggested donations of $10 for a 30-minute class, $20 for a 60-minute class, and $25 for 60-minute class along with an exercise ball to take home. For each donation of $50 or more, you'll receive a certificate for a free mat class. To schedule a class, call 207-6121.

Kreis hopes to raise at least $1,000, and all proceeds go to Pilates for Pink. For more information, visit the Pilates Connection Web site. --D.P.

Environmental Celebration

Saturday is National Make a Difference Day--a great time to start maintaining a sustainable lifestyle. Help contribute to global environmental cleanup efforts during the inaugural Living La Vida Verde green festival, a wrap-up celebration to an environmentally friendly three days.

The festival organizers' mission is to engage people to consider what it means to be sustainable. Local environmental experts, government officials, professors, students, faith leaders and the consciously aware will come together to share the opportunity to experience new ways to live and work with the environment.

"Biodiesel production by local high school students, solar-oven cooking, solar energy and hybrid car demonstrations, as well as water-harvesting basics, will be (demonstrated) there," said Jessi Williams, 20, an activist and conference coordinator of the event.

The festival is the finale of the Educating for Sustainability conference, featuring lectures at the University of Arizona on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 25 and 26. (See our Lectures listings for more information.) But the conference's big draw is expected to be the Livin' La Vida Verde festival.

"There is one event that will measure your ecological foot size--your impact on the environment," said activist Keely Sinclair. "It is a percentage measurement of how your consumption compares to the U.S. average, based on things like how much public transportation you use and if you eat locally grown foods; an average apple travels 1,500 miles to get here." --J.W.

Talkin' About Sex

Just in case your sex-education classes in high school weren't intense enough for you, a new initiative to raise sexual awareness between parents and children has been designed. Community organizations are partnering with the organization "Real Life. Real Talk." to give parents a much-needed 90-minute crash course on how to discuss issues such as sex with adolescents in today's sex-saturated culture.

"Sex can be difficult to discuss with your kids," said Rudy Ayala, director of community relations at the Scottsdale-based Devereux Foundation, which is a partner in the group "Real Life. Real Talk." "This program gives parents the tools needed to create an open discussion and bridge the communication gap. It is important to all parents that their children grow up healthy and safe; fortunately, there is a program like this to help them accomplish that."

"Real Life. Real Talk." was recently awarded the Health Educators Media Makers Yearly (HEMMY) award from the Arizona Public Health Association. The award is given to outstanding campaigns involving health materials developed for the primary purpose of educating a target audience on a health issue.

The event will be hosted by local schools, libraries and places of worship as experts converse about sexual health and provide parents with the edge they need in order to reach out and influence their children on these vital issues. The latest information on teens, technology and romance will be available.

The events at various locations throughout the day are free; Spanish-language sessions will be offered in November. Check out the Real Life Real Talk Web site for details. --J.W.