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Jan 4, 2012

Events in Tucson, Phoenix to bring Arizonans together

One year after a senseless attack in Tucson left our state and nation reeling, people across Arizona will be coming together in a show of unity and remembrance. We encourage participation in one or more of the many events and gatherings this weekend. Below are some highlights and resources:

SATURDAY

BEYOND-TUCSON is a community-wide series of Tucson events from sun up to sun down on Saturday, Jan. 7, to commemorate the anniversary, celebrate the spirit of togetherness felt in the days and months afterward, and recommit to working together to build a stronger community every day. Event highlights include a health and wellness fair at Tucson Medical Center, a Festival of Democracy at Pima Community College, and an outing at the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead in Davidson Canyon. Coalition participants include family members of victims of Jan. 8, nonprofits supporting children and families; bicycling, hiking and running groups; environmental advocates; land-management agencies and public health providers. More: beyond-tucson.org

Phoenix Friends of Gabe Zimmerman are also participating in BEYOND, starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Environmental and Educational Building at the South Mountain Parking Lot at 10409 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. Participants will meet at the parking lot and have two hike options. There will be an easy one-mile hike on a paved trail, which is wheelchair accessible. The second hike is more challenging and will tackle the Holbert Trail, a 2.9 mile hike (5.8 mile total, up and back) up South Mountain. Participants are also encouraged to bring items that will be donated to St. Mary’s Food Bank. More: www.facebook.com/events/323323427699223/

STATE CAPITOL VIGIL: People in the greater Phoenix area are invited to attend a candlelight vigil on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 7. Please gather at the Capitol Lawn starting at 5 p.m., and bring your own candles. 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix.

SUNDAY

INTERFAITH SERVICE--We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe: This service begins at 1 p.m. Jan. 8 and will commemorate both the tragedy and the triumph of Jan. 8, 2011. The service will consist of prayer, music, reflections, dance. The service includes Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Baha'i and Sikh traditions of prayer. At St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave., Tucson.

REFLECTIONS--Honoring the lives of Jan. 8 shooting victims: From 3-4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 8, at the University of Arizona's Centennial Hall, the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding is hosting a series of speakers who will reflect on the lives of the six people who died, the survivors and the citizen heroes. Speakers include: <br>• Tucson native Sen. Mark Udall (for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords) <br>• Pat Maisch (for the survivors and citizen heroes). Maisch is considered one of the heroes of Jan. 8 <br>• Judge Raner Collins (for Chief Judge John Roll) Judge Collins is a member of the Arizona District Federal Court and served with Chief Judge Roll <br>• Dr. Lattie Coor (for Gabe Zimmerman). Dr. Coor is the former president of ASU and current Chairman/CEO of the Center for the Future of Arizona. This Center has created the annual Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards <br>• Rev. Dr. Andrew Ross (for Phyllis Schneck). Ross is the pastor at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Tucson. Phyllis Schneck was a member of this church. <br>• Serenity Hammrich and Jamie Stone (for Christina-Taylor Green). They were Christina's best friends in school. <br>• Ron Barber (for Dorwan Stoddard) Ron is Congresswoman Giffords' District Director. He and his family founded the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding in the wake of the shootings. <br>• Brandon Nelson (for Dorothy Morris). Brandon is Dorothy and George Morris' oldest grandson. UA's, Centennial Hall. Tickets are free and can be picked up at the UA Centennial Hall's box office, 2020 E. University Blvd., Tucson; The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, 2250 E. Broadway, Tucson; and Pima Council on Aging 8467 E. Broadway, Tucson.More: fundforcivility.org/events/reflections-honoring-the-lives-of-the-january-8-shooting-victims/

REMEMBERING JAN. 8--Vigil to Honor Victims and Survivors: This vigil will be at 6:30 p.m. on the University of Arizona Mall and is hosted by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and The University of Arizona Medical Center. The emcee for the evening will be Ron Barber, survivor and founder of the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding. The Tucson Symphony Orchestra will perform, and confirmed speakers include Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Dr. Peter Rhee, Chief, Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Emergency Surgery at UA Medical Center, and Captain Mark Kelly, spouse of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Those attending are asked not to bring candles. Glow sticks will be provided at the vigil to all those in attendance.

For more details about the Jan. 8 vigil at the UA Mall and for a longer list of commemorative activities and events, go to www.rememberingjanuary8.org.