By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Feder steps down as Sugar Skulls executive director
Mike Feder, the Tucson Sugar Skulls’ executive director since franchise’s formation last year, is stepping down from his position to focus on his family and the sports ventures he founded prior to joining the organization.
Feder, 67, has spent nearly 40 years in executive positions with a number of sports franchises, including 15 years as the general manager of Tucson’s Triple-A baseball teams, other indoor football teams, and as executive director of the local Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl.
He co-founded and operates the annual Mexican Baseball Fiesta played each fall in several Arizona cities, including Tucson, and with journalist and radio personality Steve Rivera owns and operates the Lute Olson Fantasy Basketball Camp which takes place each August.
“I want to thank Kevin and Cathy Guy for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this great organization,” Feder says. “I’m glad I had a chance to play a role in the inaugural season. It’s just time for me to slow down a little and get ready to be a grandpa for the first time, help organize the Lute Olson Fantasy Basketball Camp, and continue being the president of the Mexican Baseball Fiesta for the ninth year.
“I know this franchise has a great future. I plan on being one of the biggest Sugar Skulls fans in Tucson.”
Feder was announced as the Sugar Skulls’ first executive director when the formation of the team was announced last August. He left June 30.
“We genuinely appreciate Mike’s commitment to helping the Sugar Skulls get off the ground and set the stage for future success,” Sugar Skulls owner Cathy Guy says. “It was important for us to establish ourselves as Tucson’s team with management firmly rooted in the community. Mike’s knowledge of Tucson and the business community helped us have a successful season from a business standpoint. We wish him all the best as he leaves our organization.”
County needs volunteers for trail building and restoration
Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation needs volunteers to help build 2.5 miles of trails at the Painted Hills Trails Park and assist with ongoing restoration efforts at the Enchanted Hills Trails Park. Both trail systems are located on the west side of Tucson, bordering Tucson Mountain Park.
The Painted Hills trail system will feature 4 miles of new trails, and the Enchanted Hills area will offer 7 miles of new trails. Both locations border Tucson Mountain Park, and trails are suitable for all ability levels and user groups.
The Pima County trails staff needs volunteers to help with new trail construction and restoration efforts at both locations. No previous experience required. Dates and times are:
Painted Hills Volunteer Event
6 to 10 a.m. Saturday, July 13
Painted Hills Trailhead, 3950 W. Anklam Road
To register, contact Neil Stitzer at neil.stitzer@pima.gov or 724-5239.
Enchanted Hills Restoration
No set dates. Those interested should contact Stitzer.
Banner Alzheimer’s Institute breaks ground in Tucson
Banner broke ground on the Toole Family Memory Center at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute on June 28. The building will be at the southeast corner of North Hacienda del Sol and East River roads.
The 10,000-square-foot facility, slated to open in spring, is a collaboration between the Phoenix-based Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and University of Arizona Health Sciences clinicians and researchers.
The Toole Family Memory Center at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Tucson will offer comprehensive services for patients and families and conduct research studies into the treatment and prevention of memory disorders.
The memory center is named for the Toole family of Tucson, who donated $5 million to the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation to bring the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute to Southern Arizona.
AARP members can save at Radisson Hotels
Radisson Hotel Group is teaming with AARP to offer the 50-and-older organization’s members 10% discount on the best available rate at more than 1,100 participating hotels worldwide.
AARP members will receive a special offer through Radisson Rewards, Radisson Hotel Group’s loyalty program. Through December 28, AARP members who are also Radisson Rewards members can fast-track to Gold status through February 2021 when completing four stays at the eligible AARP Member Rate.
Info: radissonrewards.com/joinrewardsft.
Woman indicted for allegedly stealing multiple victims’ identities
A state grand jury indicted Randi Marie Hartjen with six counts each of fraudulent schemes and artifices, theft of means of transportation and forgery, and three counts each of aggravated taking of another and taking the identity of another.
Between September 2018 and May, Hartjen allegedly stole the identities of six Phoenix-area women. Hartjen then purportedly used the stolen identities to order duplicate driver’s licenses in those victims’ names and have them sent to various addresses in the Tucson area. As alleged in the indictment, Hartjen used those driver’s licenses to rent or purchase outright the following six vehicles: 2018 Nissan Sentra; 2018 Jaguar F-Pace; 2016 Cadillac ATS; 2017 Lincoln MLC; 2019 Buick Enclave; and a 2014 GMC Acadia Denai.
Hartjen was reportedly stopped by police while driving the Denali in midtown Tucson, and all but the Lincoln MLC have been recovered by law enforcement.
Grant will fund new archery backstops at two county ranges
Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation won a $30,000 grant from the Arizona Game and Fish Department to renovate the archery backstops at three walking courses at the Tucson Mountain Park Archery Range as well as those at the Southeast Regional Park Archery Range.
Pima County will match the funding in money or labor and will add about $8,000 more to complete the project, Leonard Ordway, Shooting Sports program manager, says. The county receives 90% of the grant funding at the start of the fiscal year (July 1), and the remaining 10% upon project completion, expected to be late March.
The grant will fund 42 new backstops, also called archery butts, at Tucson Mountain Park and 30 at Southeast Regional Park. The new archery butts have a 20-year life expectancy versus the fabric-covered, straw bale design now in use, which only lasts about three years.
The Southeast Regional Park Archery Range is open 7 to 11 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays through September 30; and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Hours change October 1.
The Tucson Mountain Park Archery Range is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk.
Daily fee is $3 per archer; youth under 16 may shoot for free, but must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. An annual archery range pass is $25 per calendar year.
For more information, visit pima.gov.
Circle K to sponsor MADD Arizona’s Honoring Heroes Banquet
Circle K Stores is the 2019 Honoring Heroes Recognition Banquet Presenting Sponsor for MADD Arizona’s Southern Arizona and Arizona State banquets. While this banquet has had continuous corporate, law enforcement agency, and community support, Circle K Stores’ “Presenting Sponsor” commitment to banquets is a first for these signature events.
“These banquets, held in honor of Arizona’s top law enforcement officers, first responders, and prosecutors who tirelessly support MADD’s mission, are two of our most significant events of the year,” says Jason Frazier, Arizona state executive director.
This year’s banquets—Thursday, August 8, in Tucson, and Thursday, August 15, in Scottsdale—will include a reception hour, including nonalcoholic beverages, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction; a banquet dinner and MADD Hero award presentation; and a dessert bar and live music. To learn more about either banquet, contact Rachel Hersh at rachel.hersh@madd.org or 602-240-6500, ext. 6453.
