Arizona Illustrated

Art is Vital Borderlands Theater strives to build equitable, joyful, and meaningful collaborations with the local community through innovative theater and responsive cultural programs ingrained in the heritage, narratives, and lived experiences of peoples rooted across the Sonoran Desert. They cut the middlemen and go right to the source so that we can hear the stories of the neglected underdog in our community. They have been invited to be part of a national project called: “One Nation One Project” that took place in 18 cities in the US to bring awareness about the vital connection between arts and wellness. This story gives us a glimpse of what it means to have a community mobilization to do good in our community via art making. Love and Hot Dogs After recent health-scare we check on Daniel Contreras, owner of restaurant, El Güero Canelo. The Sonoran Hot Dog is one of Tucson’ s most well-known delicacies, so we look at the man and his restaurant that put them on the map, by winning a James Beard Award. A customer expresses his love for the establishment and food and employee explains a little bit on what makes a good Sonoran dog, and why she loves where she works. On Oct. 20, 2024, when this airs it'll be the 31st anniversary of the restaurant, and now Contreras plans on retiring in 2025. The Power of the Independent Vote In Arizona, independent voters represent 1/3 of the state’s electorate who are a growing and influential demographic. Yet, Independent voters are excluded from fully participating in primary elections. This year, Make Elections Fair AZ has put the issue of open primaries on the ballot for the general election in November 2024. This would allow all voters, regardless of party affiliation the opportunity to have more say in primary candidate selection. This story explores how this potential change could reshape Arizona's political landscape, highlighting the voices of independent voters who feel disenfranchised by the current system. Hear arguments both for and against open primaries, examine how it could impact voter turnout, and the overall dynamics of state politics. Ground to Glory Heather Rounds, a XEROCRAFT member invites us in her creative corner at the maker’s space, where she shows how she creates magic and jewelry, while she talks about XEROCRAFT.