Giant Tiki at THE HUT in Tucson with its new warm scarf (Photo by Fini Finicial)

The Giant Tiki Head, from the old Magic Carpet located at the popular nightclub THE HUT, got a surprise gift recently  to help him handle the cold climate we have been having lately.

Some of our compassionate and artistic Tucsonans appear to have spent a lot of time knitting a large warm scarf together and in the cover of darkness wrapped it around our favorite TIKI (Moai) to give it some warmth against our desert chill.

Douglas “Fini” Finicial, one of the operators of the hut and a major Tiki collector, believes the scarf was knitted and placed on the Tucson landmark as a venue for a “renegade art installation”, a peaceful movement to place positive projects around the nation.

The giant sculpture was a significant part of the former Tucson icon, Magic Carpet Golf property, on Speedway here is Tucson. The majority of the statues created by the late Lee Koplin were saved from demolition and can be seen in various businesses and homes around town. The giant Moai, now in its permanent home at The Hut, seems to have a smile on its face now that it has a new warm scarf around its neck.  How many Tikis have you seen with a hand-knitted scarf?

If any of you get to the Seattle area there are some sculptures at a bus stop in Wallingford, there that the residents of the area decorate often depending on the season. They are concrete sculptures of people and a dog or two that have received lots of loving care by the town. Sometimes they get raincoats other times warm clothes and at Christmas a little Christmas decoration.

Old Stump from Magic Carpet Flying

On Saturday August 15 Tucson’s historic Valley of the Moon is having a birthday celebration at its children’s fantasyland and the public is invited. It will be the first opportunity for visitors to see the newly relocated sculptures from the closed Magic Carpet Golf property. The Pygmy Hut, The Castle, The Old Stump and The Spider Web are now concreted into their permanent location in the front part of the park.

Magic Carpet Castle Being Cut From Site

Valley of the Moon is in the middle of some major renovations. The work continues with the planting of a lawn, trees, shrubs and decorative ground cover for the front acre of the park.  Since 1923, Valley of the Moon has been spreading the message that Kindness to All is the Golden Key to Happiness.  Since the closure of over 30% of the park in 2008, many of the original works of George Legler have not been open to the public.  The Magic Carpet statues give The Moon a much needed facelift and an area to have weddings, birthday parties, and public events, with all proceeds dedicated to keeping the gentle dream of George Legler alive.

Spider Tree Flying From Magic Carpet

The film crew of  FOX 11  TUCSON TREASURES television show with Gina Trunzo will be at the event filming the entire fantasyland for an upcoming episode.

The public is invited to this unique event. Cake, music and good times will be furnished as well as a tour of the historic fantasyland led by the legendary Angus McDougal.

This is a one-night only family oriented event Saturday, August 15th from 7:00PM till 9:00PM. ADMISSION IS FREE, but donations are always welcome. All donations benefit the preservation of Valley of the Moon. Location:  2544 East Allen Road or for more information call 520-323-1331.

Web site: http://www.tucsonvalleyofthemoon.com

Magic Carpet Bull

The forty-year old BULL from the closed Magic Carpet Golf on Speedway found a new home last week.  The 3000 pound, 13 foot long, 9 foot high sculpture, created by the late Lee Koplin, was removed from its No 1 hole on the East course by a giant crane. It was lifted into a waiting stake-bed truck to be transported to its new home a few miles away.  The Penhall Company using a diamond blade chainsaw had cut the hoofs of the Bull away from its concrete base a few days before.

Bull flying by crane

Bulls are stubborn as anyone knows that has been around them and this concrete and steel creature is no different. It insisted that it be taken to listen to some country music at the nearby Maverick, King of Clubs on its way to its new home.  The Bull named Tucson Toro wanted to meet some of the Toros baseball players signing autographs that day at the club. Toros’ owner Jay Zucker owns the nightclub.                   (more…)