So I started pondering about what I liked about central/midtown Tucson, where we have lived (two apartments, one home) for over 25 years. So here’s my informal list of 10 things I like about Midtown. Click on the blue hyperlinks if you are new to Tucson and need more information.

1. Himmel Park (south of Speedway, between Tucson Blvd. & Treat Avenue), has tennis courts recently resurfaced, an open air pool now open again for the summer, lots of grass, playing fields, an outdoor grass amphitheater for plays/concerts. A Shakespeare in the park performance of “The Taming of the Shrew” is performing there opening tonight, for three weekends at 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation, to benefit El Rio Theatre Project.

2. Himmel Park Branch Library, oldest branch library of Pima County (built in 1961), children’s storytime, teen activities, Senior Games (including mahjong), films & lectures, lots more, even books to borrow.

3. Reid Park at NE corner of E. 22nd St. and N. Country Club, much larger park with an outdoor performance center & stage, ramadas, playground equipment & stone turtles for children, a rose garden, dog run, a duck pond & gurgling streams, artistic sculptures, etc.

4. The Reid Park Zoo for the children and out of town guests: elephants, tigers, bears, (oh my!), even unusual anteaters and a capybara.

5. The Loft Theater, 3233 E. Speedway, independent and creative movie showings, plus a promised expansion and often freebies during special events

6. Casa Video, 2905 E. Speedway, terrific collection of recent and old DVDs and videos, plus free popcorn whenever you drop in (open daily 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.)

7. Yoshimatsu/Sushimatsu at 2660 N. Campbell – authentic Japanese food in two unique restaurants, plus a very cute gift shop of Japanese items, toys

8. Bookman’s on Grant (SE corner of Campbell): a used book store and much more – gift items, art paraphernalia, current magazines, musical instruments, electronic stuff, even jewelry. And a new Bookman’s is coming to E. Speedway near Camino Miramonte.

9. The University of AZ, between Speedway & E. 6th Street, between Euclid Ave. and Campbell, not only an undergraduate & graduate university, but a resource for the community with art displays, outdoor sculptures, lectures, musical & dance performances, festivals & workshops, intellectual stimulation for all ages. Starting tomorrow an 8-day Chinese Culture Festival, event schedule at www.confucius.arizona.edu.

10. Bicycle path on E. 3rd St. runs from Wilmot Road westward through midtown past lovely, small Miramonte Neighborhood Park (NW corner of Richey Blvd.), one block south of Himmel Park aforementioned (Treat Ave. and Tucson Blvd.), right through the University of Az (on University Blvd.) through to 4th Avenue and Stone Avenue, with several bicyle-friendly “hawk” crossings to help bicyclists cross the major intersections. For more info on bicycling and bike maps in Tucson, go to Tucson Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee website (click here).

These are the 10 things that make my life more enjoyable and fun in midtown Tucson. What are yours?

If you are interested, please download the More Info Request for Proposal online. All submissions due by June 30, 2012. All applications received will be reviewed by committee and the winner notified by the end of the following month (July 31, 2012).

Application online here: http://www.sdmb.org/wp-content/themes/sdmb/images/SDMB-MicroGrant-Program.pdf

So if you or your group has some great, creative idea or plan about improving bike routes, trails, signage, etc. through education, art, PSAs, etc. please consider this RFP — note that the grant’s goal is “the intent of bettering the local biking community.”

I wish someone could figure out a way to educate bicyclists to actually STOP at stop signs and traffic lights, and not bike through them without stopping or even slowing down. The fine for running a stop sign is $105 to $212, a stop light is $270 to $322. I see this all the time on the City of Tucson’s bike route on E. 3rd Street. Perhaps bicyclists going east-west should be given priority over cars on these designated bike paths.

Applications for this grant by snail mail only to: SDMB, PO Box 65075, Tucson Arizona 85718, must be postmarked by 6/30/12.

More information about bicycling can be found in the Tucson Pedaler (Southern Arizona’s bicycling community newspaper), now published once every 2 months by Tucson West Publishing.

The Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists is an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit organization devoted to the promotion of the sport of mountain bicycling, and view the sport as a vehicle to promote low impact outdoor recreation, conservation, and mountain bicycling opportunities that are environmentally and socially responsible. SDMB is dedicated to protecting and enhancing mountain bicycling opportunities through:

–providing fun, safe bicycling experiences and social events for the bicycling community, and at the same time using these events as an opportunity to educate and encourage riders.
–promoting responsible riding and ethical behavior among the mountain bicycling community .
–working in concert with land managers and owners to improve trails and facilities.
–working with other user groups to ensure a quality trail experience for all users.
–efforts to increase the diversity of the mountain bicycling community.

Enjoy biking and please ride safely.