GIFFORDS: MOM'S PAINTINGS AND CHEEZ-ITS

posted to AZ Week Notebook by Michael Chihak

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has all the comforts of home in the suburban Houston residence she shares with husband Mark Kelly.

And why shouldn't she? It is one of three homes that Giffords and Kelly have maintained as part of their once hectic schedule -- she in Washington for congressional work, back to Tucson most weekends for constituent visits, to Houston when she could; he mostly in Houston, sometimes blasting off into space, visiting his wife in Washington and Tucson when time permitted.

Then came Jan. 8, 2011, when Giffords was shot through the left side of her brain in a tragedy that took the lives of six people who had come to visit Giffords at a "Congress on Your Corner" event. Giffords was among 13 people wounded.

That changed life for Kelly and Giffords, and they have settled in -- temporarily -- to the modest brick home on a quiet, tree-lined street in a residential neighborhood of suburban Houston.

There, the decor includes several of Giffords' mom's paintings on the family room walls, a brightly decorated Christmas tree and several toasters. After all, Kelly pointed out during our visit Thursday, "Gabby likes toast."

Ah, yes, that report of the first word she spoke after the shooting. "Toast," she was reported to have said when served a breakfast that didn't include it. Kelly and Giffords' book, Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope, debunks that, saying her first word, a day or two earlier, was "what" or more like "whatwhatwhat."

Giffords departs each morning for physical therapy in downtown Houston, carrying with her a cooler filled with lunch that Kelly has prepared. Included, he told us, are a couple of pieces of fruit and, usually, her one junk-food indulgence, Cheez-Its.

She was at physical therapy on Thursday when we interviewed Kelly. Our interview can be seen at azweek.com.

GUSTAV LEONHARDT RETIRES

posted to Cue Sheet by James Reel

Gustav Leonhardt, essentially the first musician to spur interest in historically informed performance of harpsichord music among hundreds of thousands of ordinary record buyers in the 1960s, has played his final concert at age 83.

Leonhardt was not the first artist to make notable harpsichord recordings, but he was the first specialist in Baroque style to have a broad phonographic impact. Wanda Landowska's recordings in the 1940s and '50s were popular, but still very much of the Romantic school. Ralph Kirkpatrick and Fernando Valenti made little splashes with their Scarlatti records, and other musicians, such as Karl Richter, did have a harpsichord presence on LP, but it was the discographically prolific Leonhardt whose sober, scholarly, but rarely dry performances were imprinted on the generation of classical record collectors active in the 1960s. His was not the only way to perform Baroque music; indeed, one might count Igor Kipnis, with his wry showmanship and florid approach to ornamentation, as the progenitor of such later harpsichordists as Scott Ross and almost anyone from a Mediterranean country. But Leonhardt's way influenced later harpsichordists from England (notably Trevor Pinnock), the Netherlands and Germany.

He hasn't recorded in years, yet he has continued to perform from time to time. But after a recent, draining recital in France, at which he looked thin and frail and apparently barely had the stamina to make it through an encore, Leonhardt abruptly decided that it was time to retire, and canceled all his future concerts. It's sad to see him go, but thanks to his work, there will be no shortage of fine harpsichordists to take his place on disc and on the concert stage.

If you can read French, or persuade your browser to come up with an adequate translation, you can learn about his decision here.

AZ LEGISLATIVE SESSION JUST 4 WEEKS AWAY

posted to AZ Week Notebook by Michael Chihak

The Arizona Legislature will convene Jan. 9 in Phoenix and hear Gov. Jan Brewer's State of the State speech.

The legislative session comes as Arizona governmental finances are looking a little less precarious than they did during the last session. At that time, the governor and the Legislature took more than $1 billion out of state spending to erase a structural deficit that had been building for 15 years.

The deficit was created in part by the state's sorry economy, driven by the housing bubble burst, foreclosures and plummeting home prices.

In the larger, longer-range sense, the deficit came because state legislators had cut taxes a half-dozen times in the last 15 years without reducing spending.

Those big cuts may be over, at least for the time being. With sales taxes leading the way, the state's overall revenue picture is on the upswing. That's leading some legislators to rethink some of the drastic cuts they made last session.

For Friday's Arizona Week, we plan to speak with Arizona Senate President Steve Pierce, a Republican, and Arizona Rep. Matt Heinz, a Democrat and member of the House Appropriations Committee, about what they foresee.

POTENTIAL CROWDED DISTRICT ONE SUPERVISORS RACE

posted to Political Buzz by Andrea Kelly

Most of the incumbent Pima County supervisors are running for reelection in 2012, according to county election records. But Republican Ann Day announced this year she's not seeking another term in her northwest side District 1.

The open seat has attracted interest from members of both parties, with three official candidates so far, and two considering a run.

Republican Matt Caldwell is running for the seat. Ally Miller is also in the race as a Republican, she may be recognizable to some Pima residents as the person who started a recall campaign against Democrat Supervisor Sharon Bronson. Republican Stuart McDaniel is filed as a candidate, he worked on Jesse Kelly's congressional campaign in 2010.

State Rep. Vic Williams, the Republican representing Legislative District 26, is considering running for the seat. He already represents many of the same voters, as the legislative district overlaps significantly with the county supervisor district.

Former State Rep. Nancy Young Wright is also exploring a run in the district, though she's the only Democrat so far showing interest. Like Williams, she represented Legislative District 26 before she lost her bid for reelection last year.

Incumbent Republican Ray Carroll is running for reelection in District 4, as are incumbent Democrats Sharon Bronson in District 3, and Richard Elias in District 5. Though he has not yet filed paperwork to become a candidate, Democrat Ramón Valadez said he plans to seek reelection in his District 2.

AZ BIG-CITY MAYORS PLAN COOPERATION

posted to AZ Week Notebook by Michael Chihak

New Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild says his city and Phoenix have much more in common than might meet the eye.

Thus, Rothschild says, he and Phoenix Mayor-elect Greg Stanton plan to cooperate and coordinate efforts, especially when it comes to approaching state government for help.

Or, in some instances, when fending off state government's attempts to dictate to municipalities how they operate.

In an interview for Friday's Arizona Week broadcast, Rothschild cited Gov. Jan Brewer's veto earlier this year of several bills that would have imposed new procedures on cities as a sign that she believes in local control. That's a good start, Rothschild said.

He and Stanton, both Democrats in a Republican-controlled state, already have begun cooperating. They participated in one another's campaigns and fund-raising and have been in close communication, Tucson's mayor said.

It will be worth seeing how that manifests itself with the Legislature, controlled by conservative Republicans and not known for its friendliness toward local governments, specifically Tucson.

IT'S NOT JUST DICKENS! MY HOLIDAY PROGRAM GUIDE

posted to Inside TV by Susie Hernandez

Each year, there are new TV specials, films and songs celebrating the holidays. When you were a kid, what holiday show, song or movie meant the most to you? Ours varied every year! I could never miss the original Miracle on 34th Street with a young Natalie Wood. We also loved holiday music and sang along with Bing. That is until When Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer came out--we sang that song over and over again and considered it a "classic" in my house for several holiday seasons. My poor Mom!

I had to tap into those winter-like feelings a few months ago when I started my December TV schedule. It was kind of weird to think of music shows and movies for the holidays when Halloween hadn't started yet!

We are airing loads of holiday type programs this winter but I’m only sharing my faves with you here! There’s a great mix of traditional, new stuff and BritCom comedies. Enjoy!

Starting tonight (Wednesday), Dec. 7th and throughout the weekend:

The most gorgeous NATURE of them all airs @ 9:30pm-- Christmas in Yellowstone! It will repeat on Friday, Saturday and Sunday on PBS HD Ch. 6.

Thursday, December 15th: The premiere of Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir featuring David Archuleta and Michael York airs @ 8pm! For those traditionalists, The Nutcracker, Live from Lincoln Center airs @ 9pm. Check out the preview HERE

Tuesday, December 20th: Celebrating culture! A great night for food, music and giving!

My favorite lady, Lidia B. has a brandnew special called Lidia’s Holiday Tables and Traditions that premieres @ 8pm. This is her first special and she is planning on creating more! Check out the preview HERE

The Klezmatics, Cantor Alberto Mizrahi and Mare Winningham among many others perform in Lights Celebrate Hannukkah Live in Concert broadcasts @ 9pm.

Do you find people to be generous and kind? I do!

A thoughtful and uplifting documentary called Passion for Giving airs @ 10pm. I’ve aired this before and viewer response was great. I think it may be your favorite. Check out the preview HERE

Thursday, December 22nd:

A night of modern and traditional music starts with The National Christmas Tree Lighting @ 8pm, then Jessica Simpson’s Happy Christmas Concert airs @ 9pm!

Christmas Day:

For the kiddos, I recommend you turn on PBS KIDS! Check out the schedule HERE

We will have dramas and music on throughout the day, including Downton Abbey @ 8pm! My fave is Masterpiece Classic’s Oliver Twist! Part 1 & 2 will air from 2:30- 5:30 pm.

It’s a Vicar of Dibley Christmas! Catch the infamous episodes on Xmas Eve and Xmas Night! Not to be missed! Vicar airs right after Annie Get Your Gun on Saturday, and immediately following Downton Abbey on Sunday.

READY TV Austin City Limits is ringing in the New Year with a Coldplay LIVE starting @ 11pm. Folks, I'm not sure there will be a cooler show than Austin City Limits that night. It is the must-see concert!

That's my guide. There's more holiday shows airing and I encourage you to check out azpm.org for our schedules.

As always, I appreciate your feedback!

Stay tuned, Susie the TV Programmer