Talk of the Town: Hints to calm the hot-headed and those you’ve really ticked off!

How to calm people down and other suggestions to help better your people skills:

Here are some tips from author Michael Staver, who wrote the book, “21 Ways to Defuse Anger and Calm People Down.”

No. 1: Try not to react. Remember that you have a choice about how to respond when someone is angry with you.

Focus on the situation. If your significant other has a problem and it has to do with you, acknowledging that you are listening and the other person’s perceptions are real, is the first step to resolution.

No. 2: Make eye contact. If you can look at the other person openly, psychologists say, it will give them the reassurance you are paying attention.

And last: To calm someone down, try taking a walk together. It may sound zany, but it’s a good trick. Physically, you just got your agitated friend to move with you rather than against you. Walking is calming and it gives both of you the chance to calm down and release negative energy. And if it doesn’t calm your burning brow, at least you’re both burning calories.

Thanks to radio talk show host John Tesh for turning me on to Michael Staver’s book

Up with People, the international global education program for young adults, is coming to Sahuarita Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Sahuarita Auditorium, 350 W. Sahuarita Road.

The 110 cast members will be performing the “Up with People Show,” a community celebration that features original and international songs and uses the universal languages of music and dance to inspire, energize and educate. The event serves to spark people to action by highlighting local non-profit organizations and the unique characteristics of communities they visit.

While giving to communities through its community impact activities and shows, the program also addresses the real need to help young adults gain a global perspective, intercultural understanding, knowledge of worldwide issues, leadership skills and a sense of social responsibility.

Admission is $15 for adults, $8 for students and $42 for family discount package (two adults, two students) and tickets are available at Super Stop Shell gas station, Green Valley Village main office, State Farm Insurance in the Rancho Sahuarita Marketplace, New Day Cleaners, and Green Valley Cleaners & Laundry. All proceeds benefit Carondelet Foundation.

Up with People’s visit to Sahuarita was made possible by generous sponsorships from Jim Click Automotive Team, Rancho Sahuarita, and Carondelet Health Networks.

Up with People provides young adults an international and intercultural experience that teaches servant leadership and uses the performing arts to deliver messages of hope and goodwill throughout the world. Up with People exists today to spark people to action in meeting the needs of their communities, countries and the world while building bridges of understanding as a foundation for world peace. For more information visit www.upwithpeople.org.

The Green Valley Elks Soccer Shoot will be held at Sahuarita Park on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 8 a.m. until noon, or until all who wish to compete have done so. Children from ages 4-13 are eligible to participate. Birth certificates must be provided as age is determined by the age of the contestant as of Aug. 1, the year the contest is held.

All first- and second-place winners, one boy and one girl from each age group, will be invited to an awards presentation dinner Oct. 6 at the Green Valley Elks Lodge #2592. For more information, please call the Elks Lodge at 625-2592 or Jack Najar, chairman, at 625-5873.

Mayor Lynne Skelton, Town of Sahuarita, recently presented the Green Valley Elks Lodge #2592 with a proclamation in honor of National Patriotism Week, recognized Sept. 11-15. Witnessing the proclamation was Carol Sturdevant, the Elks’ public relations director, on behalf of Exalted Ruler Phyllis Curran.

Those of you familiar with the Gaslight Theatre in Tucson will recognize the name of Deborah Klingenfus, one of the cast members in the currant production of “Frankenstein Lives! or The Jolt’s on You!” For the past six years, Deborah has sung and danced her way through Gaslight’s wild and fun musical melodramas. There’s another side to this actress, too.

I talked to her the other day and in a telephone interview she said she’s very excited about her new upcoming production at the Gaslight—a special show called “Celebrating Women!” which features an evening of fun and frivolity with vocalist dancers: Deborah Klingenfus (of course), Sarah Vanek, Rebecca Carlson and Nancy LaViola, accompanied by pianist Linda Ackermann and Carla Brownlee on the sax and flute.

Deborah says she wants to just have fun on stage and feature some great music, like hits from Broadway shows such as “Mama Mia,” “Chicago,” “Hairspray,” “Enchanted” and more.

“We want to celebrate all that is fabulous about being a woman,” Deborah says. “But men of all ages are very welcome, too.”

“Celebrating Women!” a concert for everyone who enjoys great entertainment, is Monday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson. Call 886-9428 for reservations and tickets or visit: (www.thegaslighttheatre.com).

rford@gvnews.com