HARAMBEE HO! Move over, Miracle on 34th Street, there's a new story of the power of a child's vision of truth set to air this year, and it has a lot more to do with spirituality and community than a fat, red-suited white guy in whom the world has lost faith. Liz Nealon and Fracaswell Hyman, co-creators of the popular PBS children's literacy mystery series Ghostwriter, team up to present Harambee!, a family drama that centers around the seven days of Kwanzaa, a festival of East African origins celebrated today by African American communities nationwide. Harambee!'s overt intent is to educate viewers on the meaning and importance of the Kwanzaa holiday, which celebrates a philosophy of Umoja (mutual well-being) Kujichagulia (self determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). This Independent Television Service production stars Howard Rollins, Aaron Beener and Novella Nelson, and airs at 10:30 p.m. Friday, December 20, on KUAT-TV, Channel 6. Kwanzaa refers to a set of prescribed rituals and ceremonies honoring Nguzo Saba, or the Seven Principles (listed above). The Kwanzaa observance was established in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, as a life-affirming celebration in African Americans' continuous struggle for economic, political and social equality in American life. It runs from December 26 to January 1. Call 628-7785 for information on local activities. WHEN DONKEYS FLY: Whatever the song says happens on the eighth day of Christmas, we're certain it can't be better than the Saturday signing at The Book Mark, which boasts a live Donkey named King Henry, the title character of Kathy Wuertz children's book, King Henry Saves Christmas. Joining the smart ass will be author Leslie Hill, who signs Fairies Have Wings, But They're Not Angels, described as a picturebook for all ages. Both signings are from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 21, at The Book Mark, 5001 E. Speedway. Call 881-6350 for information. SONORA REVIEW: That bastion of literary talent from the University of Arizona has put together another meaty issue of the Sonora Review, a bound journal of fiction, poetry and non-fiction drawing from a national pool of award-winning and emerging authors. The project, a labor of love by the graduate students of the UA Creative Writing program, is an unassuming celebration of the written word, with more than 100 pages detailing stories of love, pain, isolation and bullfrogs. Also included are translations of poems by Takamura Kotaro, an interview with Rodney Jones, and photo essay excerpts from The Bisbee Graveyard: Reflections in Stone. Some of the Sonora Review is material best suited for a warm spot by the fire and a long winter's nap; but with a wide range of form and content, it makes an excellent stocking stuffer for fans of the short and poetic. Single issues are $6, available at a variety of local booksellers. Annual subscriptions are $12 (two issues); $22 for two years (four issues). For subscription and submission information, write Sonora Review, UA Dept. of English, Tucson Arizona 85721. A-MUSING: Time is running out to pen your winning entry for the 14th annual Statewide Poetry Contest, sponsored by the Tucson Poetry Festival Committee and The Tucson Weekly. Contest is open to all Arizona poets without a full-length, published collection to their name. First prize is $150 cash and a reserved place at the podium as a featured reader at the Tucson Poetry Festival, which runs from February 28 to March 2. This year's Festival Poets are Barbara Cully, Jon Davis, Mark Doty, Carolyn Kizer, Rick Noguchi and Daisy Zamora. Tickets will be available from Bentley's and The Bookstop in early February, for $5 per day or $10 for a weekend pass. See the Literature section under the City Week listings for detailed contest submission information. Deadline is January 2. Call 620-2045 for additional information.

		© 1995-97 Tucson Weekly . Info Booth