Tucson, AZ

Some places just seem to have everything. I guess that was the design concept behind a mall. But Tucson has a great little micro-mall for those who appreciate a sense of history along with their love of arts and crafts.

My girlfriend is a fanatic about coral jewelry and one of the gals I work with told me that I simply had to go to the Old Town Artisans to get her some jewelry. She couldn’t remember the name of the specific shop but the description of the complex was too much to resist.

Old Town Artisans is located on the site of El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson, the fort built by the Spanish in 1775 to stake claim to the northern frontier of New Spain. The block which is now Old Town Artisans was the stables area, and the north wall is where the residents of the fort fought back the Apache attacks. The construction of the original adobe buildings dates back to the 1850’s. Read the rest of Old Town Artisans - Arts and Crafts in an Historical Setting - Tucson »

I don’t mind the thermometer creeping past the century mark while I am working in a nice air-conditioned office, but when I have the day off — in the middle of the week — I need a hot weather thing-to-do.

All I could think of was how nice it would be to go to the beach for the afternoon. I know, San Diego is 400 miles away and gas is $4.00 per gallon. So I called my girlfriend who is off on Thursdays anyway. “Let’s go to the YMCA” she said. “They have a great pool, a big water slide and a waterfall you can sit under.”

Half hour later we were pulling into a parking spot at the Northwest YMCA PIMA County Community Center. It’s at 7710 North Shannon, at the intersection of Shannon and Magee. Read the rest of Beat the Heat at the Northwest YMCA »

Temperatures soared past 100 degrees on Saturday afternoon when I dragged my family to the Marking the Summer Solstice Celebration on the U of A campus. We arrived a little after 6:00 in the evening. Though the celebration began at 4:30 we found lots to do and all sorts of things to see. The celebration, held inside the museum and spilling out onto the surrounding shaded lawns, emphasized green energy, desert resources, and multiculturalism. So much to see and do!

Read the rest of Summer Solstice Celebration in Tucson »

It’s been a while since I’ve been to a park; I drive by plenty of them, and often feel a little envious of the people I see relaxing in various ways in the oasis’s of grass and shady trees. So when I heard about flyball, a kind of relay race for dogs, I figured I’d get two birds with one trip, and woke up in the Sunday morning cool to check it out. Up to James D. Kreigh Park, and canines racing pell mell over hurdles!

The park turned out to be a little further than I expected, about twenty minutes past River Rd, going north on Oracle Rd, but it was well worth it. Both in driving up and arriving at the park, there are spectacular views of the Eastern side of the Catalinas, rising majestically up on the other side of Oracle, which are great to take in from almost the entirety of the park. I should note, though, as I learned – though the park website describes the park as being off of W. Calle Concordia (which is more convenient to the pool), there is also a parking lot on the northern side of the park. Read the rest of Shade, Views, and Plenty of Options at James D. Kreigh Park in Tucson »

A fairy kingdom lies in wait of my discovery, tucked away behind an unassuming glass storefront exactly where I least expect to find it, at Crossroads Festival in the center of Tucson on the northeast corner where Grant and Swan intersect. A sign on the glass invites me to bring my Cold Stone Creamery concoction inside, and how can I resist? I open the door of Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s Toys and step into a magical wonderland where kids can be kids and grown-ups can be kids, too.

In fact, as I stand there with mouth agape a fairy of giant proportions flits to my side and asks “Have you visited Miss TiggyWinkle before? Is there anything I can help you find?” I have been there before, and I’m looking for a set of Kapla blocks, but I stammer something about how I’ve forgotten, maybe it was a dream. That’s the adult mind at work. Read the rest of Tiggy Winkle’s Tempting Toys in Tucson »

Bigger isn’t always better and Veinte De Agosto Park in the heart of downtown Tucson is absolute proof of this old cliché. Veinte De Agosto Park is on Church Street between East Congress and Broadway Boulevard, right across from the PIMA County Superior Court building.

This tiny 1 acre park — designated as a “mini park” by the city government, is dedicated to Manuel De Jesus Alvarado and is sometimes known as Alvarado Park. But the real attraction for the park is the bigger-than-life equestrian statue of General Francisco Villa better known as Pancho Villa, the Mexican revolutionary. Read the rest of Veinte De Agosto Park and Pancho Villa - Tucson »

I’d mostly thought of Tucson Botanical Gardens for the events I’d seen on their marquis as I drove past – butterfly gardens and “weird plant” sales. But I learned there this past weekend that if you’re looking for a relaxing way to get out of the heat for a little while, the Tucson Bonsai Society is happy to provide one!

Given that my parents’ backyard is about half full with bonsai trees, I’ve come up with an interest in the miniaturized trees, and I was excited at this opportunity to learn more about the art. Read the rest of Tiny Trees at the Tucson Botanical Gardens »

Finding indoor entertainment over the summer for children of elementary school age is always a challenge in Tucson. Though I’ve lived here for eight years and had a child of movie-going age for the last five of them, I only just discovered the Summer Kids Club at Oracle View and Crossroads Cinemas. Neighbor, it’s a ganga.

Each weekday Crossroads features two different family movie selections and Oracle View offers one. The show starts at 10:00 am. Children under the age of 10 are free—that’s right—FREE! All other admissions are $2.00. The concession stand runs specials until 10:30 am: 2 for $3 or 3 for $4 on select items including a small popcorn, small soft drink, hot dog, bottled water, giant pickle, or medium candy. Read the rest of Movies Free for Kids in Tucson »

When I heard that the 20th Annual Waila Festival advertised on our local community radio station, 91.3 FM KXCI, I made a mental note to attend this year. I recalled fond memories when I attended years ago of Tohono O’odham music, food, and dance, so understandably, I was eager to relive the experience. This year, I decided to head out early and to drag my parents along. The festival was held at the Bear Down Field, just south of the University of Arizona Main library. Normally, I avoid navigating the parking garages or meters at the University because it can be such a hassle. This day, however, the parking garage adjacent to the field was free, as was the festival. Read the rest of 20th Annual Waila Festival - Tucson »

A spectacular spring is melting into the bake-oven heat we Tucsonans deal with come every June and July. Within the last few years our coping options have expanded with the completion of the Brandi Fenton Memorial Park at the new conjunction of River and Alvernon Roads in the north central foothills. Read the rest of Relief from the Heat: BFMP Splash Pad Tucson »