Cyclovia Tucson is now in it’s fourth year and is a free, family friendly event for bicyclists, skateboarders, skaters, joggers, walkers, etc. who follow the street maps along the route which is closed to traffic. (We bicycled one of these earlier routes near the University of Arizona, and it is lots of fun, with activities along the way, such as arts & crafts, exhibits, puppet shows, demonstrations freebies, etc.)

Here’s the specifics below for the April 7 Cyclovia, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. It’s being advertised as “car free, and care-free”.

The North End
(Armory Park & Tucson Children’s Museum)
Axé Capoeira Tucson
BICAS Bike Rental
Jumping Castle by Cox
Safford K-8 Magnet School Band

The East Side
(Santa Rita Park & Restaurant Row)
Interactive Games by Pima County
Giant Chess Set
The Pima County Book Bike

The South End
(Arizona Children’s Association & Mission View Elementary School)
DJ Javi
Mission View Chill Zone

The West Side
Santa Rosa Park
Fur and Flower
Your Bike Station by El Grupo
Free Bike Helmets for Kids (while supplies last)
Kids’ Bicycle Obstacle Course
Pima County Loop Information
Bicycle Commuting & Safety Info

Ochoa Elementary School
Literacy Station
Dance Movement Station
Arts and Crafts Station by U of A Early Childhood Learning Center

En Route Activities:

(Near 4th Ave and 24th St)

- TriSports Activity Van: basketball hoops, FREE water bottles!!!
- Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicylist: bicycle-plate decorating, bicycle prizes, guided rides
- Sun Tran “bike-on-the-bus” demo
- REI

And save the date for the 2nd Cyclovia Tucson event this year on April 28, also 10 to 3 p.m. in North and Central Tucson. Click here for route.

“Cyclovia Tucson is a project of Living Streets Alliance, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote healthy communities by empowering people to transform our streets into vibrant places for walking, bicycling, socializing, and play. Living Streets Alliance is improving access to alternative modes of transportation in the region through outreach, education, advocacy and research”.

There are two Street Fairs per year, one in Spring and one in the Winter. The next Street Fair is March 22, 23, 24, 2013. Hours are 10 am to 6pm each day. The Street Fair takes place between Ninth Street and University Blvd. along Fourth Avenue. Free to the public, the Fourth Avenue Street Fair brings together 400+ arts and crafts booths, 35+ food vendors, 2 stages, Community Stage North, Main Stage South, street musicians, food, jugglers, street performers, the ever so popular Free Tucson’s Children’s Museum’s kids hands-on-art Pavilion. There is face painting, balloons, demonstrations, sidewalk entertainment and tons of other fun activities.

This large street fair is definitely a Tucson tradition, and is very well attended, street to street crowds…twice a year.
And every year there are new booths and new art experiences. Check out the colorful map below:

Yesterday Sunday March 17, Winsett Park (near 316 N. 4th Avenue) was re-dedicated to the Mike Haggerty Plaza aka “The Mike”, as he was the so-called Honorary Mayor of 4th Avenue. Former Tucson Councilman Haggerty passed away last year on March 5, 2012. LD 10 State Rep. Bruce Wheeler spoke at the ceremony, as well as family & friends of the one term former Tucson Councilman. Mike’s widow Mimi Haggerty was in attendance as well. And they served green frosted cup cakes in celebration of Mike and St. Patrick’s Day.

On February 16, 2013 downtown Tucson will be the place to be for the 2nd Annual Tucson Science In The City festival, a Signature event of the statewide Arizona SCITECH festival.

Experience Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) events and activities for everyone.

10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Get engaged in the Science In The City Family SCIFest with hands-on activities for children of all ages.

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Checkout the Tech in Tucson Showcase and and the Technology and Innovation Forum for adults, high school, and college students. You will learn about Tucson’s technology industries and their contribution to the Tucson economy, technology development at the University of Arizona, STEM careers and education opportunities, and lots more.

Mark your calendar today. You won’t want to miss these engaging and educational events!

The 2nd Annual
Science In The City Family SCIFest

10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Children’s Museum Tucson in downtownTucson (200 S. 6th Ave.)
Free Admission

Pre-K12 children will see fascinating demonstrations and experience exciting hands-on STEM activities that will stimulate interest in science and math. Families will discover some of Tucson’s many innovative K-12 STEM student projects and school and community programs. The Pima County Joint Technical Education District and many Tucson Schools will be there along with the University of Arizona, the Children’s Museum Tucson, the Mathematics Road Show, the Southern Arizona Rocketry Association, and many more.

Arizona Technology Council
Tech In Tucson
Showcase and Innovation Forum

Tucson scientists and innovators in industry and the University Of Arizona are at the cutting edge of global Science and Technology. They are growing the Tucson economy and creating exciting and high paying jobs.

These amazing industry professionals, engineers, educators, scientists, and even college students are engaged in the development of some of the greatest advancements in science and technology such as new space exploration missions; creating new energy sources; developing new food supplies to feed the hungry; inventing new fuel efficient cars; engineering tiny nano technologies used in electronics, medical devices, and even stain resistant clothing; designing video games or the next generation Internet; developing new technologies to protect the environment; working to prevent and treat disease and more.

Careers in these industries require significant skills in math and science. Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) education provides students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills to prepare them for science and technology careers.

Tech in Tucson Showcase

1:00 – 4:00 pm
Tucson Electric Power Headquarters in downtown Tucson (88 E. Broadway)

The Showcase will feature exhibitors representing industry, education and community organizations. They will showcase their research, technology innovations, or education programs and resources. Adults, high school and college students will meet amazing Tucson scientists, educators, engineers, and other professionals from industry and the University of Arizona working at the at the cutting edge of science, technology and industry. You will see some of the latest and greatest innovations in Optics, Information Technology, Biosciences, Aerospace and Defense, Electronics and Semiconductors, Environmental Technology/Alternative Energy, and more being developed in Tucson.

You will also learn about science and technology careers and meet representatives from education and community organizations showcasing STEM education programs and resources and talking with you about what STEM education is and why it is important for our children and the Tucson economy.

As they say on TV, wait, there is more. You will also get connected to technology industry organizations such as the Arizona Optics Industry Association, the Arizona Technology Council, the Bio Industry Organization of Southern Arizona, the Arizona Nanotechnology Cluster, and the Arizona SCITECH Festival.

Forum – Technology Innovation and
Economic Development In Southern Arizona

2:00 – 3:00 pm
At the Tech in Tucson Showcase

Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and Congressman Ron Barber will headline this Forum on technology innovation and economic development in Southern Arizona. They will be joined by CEO’s from innovative Tucson companies and a representative from the University of Arizona to share with you how science, technology and innovation creates high paying jobs and drives economic development in southern Arizona.

More Info: http://azscitechfest.org/events/tucson-science-city. My previous post announcing this state-wide SCITECH festival and events in Pima County through March 16 at various locations, click here.

“Grey’s Anatomy” star Patrick Dempsey and top American pro cyclist Tom Danielson led cyclists on a 2.2-mile loop closed to traffic that extended from Jackson Street to 19th Street and included South Fifth and South Meyer avenues.

The event will be featured in Bicycling Magazine’s next issue.

Patrick Dempsey and Tom Danielson, courtesy of Pima County Communications

My previous blog post announcing this bicycling event (click here).

Ride on, Tucson!, courtesy of Pima County Communications

March & Rally for Immigrant & worker rights on May 1st, 2012

Gather 9 a.m. at Greyhound Park parking lot,
2601 S. 3rd Ave.

March: 10 a.m. to Armory Park
220 S. 5th Avenue (between 5th & 6th Avenues, east of Children’s Museum Tucson, between E. 12th and 13th Streets)

Tucson May 1st Coalition: www.tucsonmay1st.org, info@tucsonmay1st.org
phone 520-770-1373, 520-762-6629.

Border Action Network: www.borderaction.org

The next Street Fair is set for this weekend March 23, 24, 25, 2012. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm each day. The Street Fair takes place between E. Ninth Street and E. University Blvd. along Fourth Avenue (see map below).

The Fourth Avenue Street Fair brings together 400+ arts and crafts booths, 35+ food vendors, plus Value Meal Deals, 2 stages: Community Stage North and Main Stage South, street musicians, food, jugglers, street performers, the ever so popular Free Az Virtual Academy’s Tucson’s Children’s Museum’s kids hands-on-art Pavilion, face painting, balloons, and tons of other fun activities.

It’s the usual 3 days of fun, festivities, food, and friends (old and new).

La Pilita Museum 420 S. Main Ave., 11am-2pm, also offering Barrio walking guide books

Presidio San Agustin del Tucson 133 W. Washington, 10am-4pm

Southern Arizona Transportation Museum 414 N. Toole, 10am-5pm

Tucson Museum of Art 140 N. Main Ave., 10am-6pm

Science Downtown: “Mars & Beyond” 300 E. Congress St., 9am-9pm

Sacred Machine 245 E. Congress St., 4pm-11pm

Jewish History Museum 564 S. Stone Ave., 1pm-5pm

Children’s Museum Tucson 200 S. Sixth Ave., 10am-5pm

MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) 265 S. Church Ave., 12pm-5pm

Great way to see these art, history, science exhibits for free. Thanks to all the sponsors that made this happen for families and adults in Tucson, as I know there are normally fees at some of these museums (i.e. Science Downtown, Museum of Art, Children’s Museum Tucson, MOCA).

And read my other blog about all the rest of the events happening downtown on Feb. 10, 11, and 12 for the Arizona Centennial birthday celebrations (http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/2012/02/08/3-days-of-celebration-for-arizonas-100th-birthday-feb-10-11-12/).

Over 150 free events put on by over 250 organizations state-wide for this upcoming science-themed celebration:

The Arizona SciTech Festival will take place February-March 2012 and will offer a series of hands-on activities and workshops, conversations and debates, exhibitions, concerts, guided walks and tours.

28 events in Pima County alone, too numerous to list. Pick up a brochure (I got mine at Bookman’s on Grant/Campbell), or go online at www.azscitechfest.org, find the Events Calendar, click on Pima County:

http://azscitechfest.org/events

Some of these science events with coincide with Tucson Gem & Mineral Show (Feb. 9), the Tucson Festival of Books (March 10 & 11), and the UA Living Beyond 100 series of six lectures, which I blogged about yesterday (click here), which runs from January 24 to February 28.

One of the highlight events in Tucson appears to be the one on Sat. Feb. 18 – Science in the City-

“Arizona Technology Council, Providence and Downtown Tucson Merchants: Experience science in downtown as never seen before with interactive science activities, demonstrations and exhibits. Features include downtown merchants demonstrating the science of their profession and interactive science exhibitions form local schools”.

Other science related activities such as Zero Gravity and Mathematics Road Show will be in the Interactive Park on Congress. Tucson schools and Pima JTED will showcase their projects at various venues including the Children’s Museum Tucson, Science Downtown, and the Pima County Joel D. Valdez Main library. Where: Congress St. Movie & Interactive Park, Scott Ave. and Stone Ave. When: 2 to 6 pm. Cost: Free.

Sounds like a great way to get your child/ren interested and passionate about science as a career. Or to renew your own interest in science and technology. So mark your calendars for any of these SCITECH Festival events.

And don’t forget to check out the Mars & Beyond exhibit in the Rialto Building at 300 E. Congress St., scheduled to be there till June. I visited it on January 7 and found several of the exhibits quite fascinating, esp. a 3 dimensional globe depicting each of the planets and moons, and a film about the Hubble Space Station with incredible images from outer space.

Remember the first moment you heard/read online that CD 8 Congresswoman “Gabby” Giffords had been shot in the head (credit to blogger “3 Sonorans” for his fast blog here at Tucsoncitizen.com, minutes after the shooting).

Remember when you realized that 19 persons including a 9 year old child had been shot & injured at that Safeway in NW Tucson.

Remember the pain when you realized that you personally knew someone who died (for me, Gabe Zimmerman, Gabby’s community outreach aide). Remember the grief thereafter for such a senseless killing.

Remember anxiously waitng for news from UMC of the condition of the injured.

Remember going to that Safeway to pay your respects to the six fallen on the sidewalk.

Remember going to the UMC memorial to light candles, and to the Congresswoman’s office to place flowers, pray for healing and peace of mind.

Remember President Barack Obama’s speech on January 12, 2011 at McKale Center, in which he stated:
“I believe that for all our imperfections, we are full of decency and goodness, and that the forces that divide us are not as strong as those that unite us”.

We all remember January 8, 2011 and the first responders, Surgeon Dr. Peter Rhee at the UMC Trauma Unit, the outpouring of love and support for the families of the murdered and the injured.

Today, as we reflect on the events of that day a year ago, here is a list of some events to attend, to collectively continue the healing:

7 a.m.

Ben’s Bells Distribution – Hundreds of Ben’s Bells will be randomly distributed throughout Tucson in memory of those we lost and in gratitude for our beautifully supportive community. Contact: Phone:520-628-2829

10 a.m .- 5 p.m.

A Day of Kindness at the Children’s Museum — Tucson Ben’s Bells invites families to gather to sign the Kindness Contract, to paint Kindness Coins and to hang Kindness Wishes in the trees at the Museum. Contact: Children’s Museum Tucson, 520-792-9985, 200 S. 6th Avenue

10:11 a.m. Community-wide Ringing of Bells

1:00 p.m. Interfaith Service
San Augustine Cathedral
190 S. Stone Avenue, Tucson, AZ

3 p.m. – 5 p.m. January 8th Lecture Series
Centennial Hall – University of Arizona Campus
1020 E. University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ
The event will be streamed live at http://ondemand.azpm.org/live.

6:30 p.m. – Candlelight vigil on University of Arizona Mall, with speeches
Congresswoman Giffords and her husband USN Captain (ret.) Mark Kelly will be attending.
The vigil will be streamed live at http://ondemand.azpm.org/live.

For my earlier blog with many more details on today’s events including other faith services (click here).

Today let us remember January 8, 2011.

UPDATES: my notes in comment section below about some of the events I attended today.

1/9/12 update: Channel 6 video of the vigil: http://azpm.org/news/story/2012/1/9/1616-view-jan-8-2012-candlelight-vigil/

Remembering January 8, “Honoring the Spirit of Tucson”

Not many of us can forget that horrendous event of the January 8, 2011 mass shooting here in Tucson, or the outpouring of community caring & support after that tragedy. 6 innocent citizens (including a nine year old girl and a federal district judge) were gunned down in front of that Safeway Supermarket, and 13 (including a 3-term U.S. Congresswoman) were wounded.

We remember January 8th. How could we forget? I took photos of each of the 3 memorials that sprung up after the shooting, which are hyperlinked at the end of this blog.

http://www.rememberingjanuary8.org/

Listed below are community events scheduled for January 8:

January 8th
Together Tucson

7:00 am Ben’s Bells Distribution

Description: Hundreds of Ben’s Bells will be randomly distributed throughout Tucson in memory of those we lost on January 8th, 2011 and in gratitude for our beautifully supportive community.

Location:Ben’s Bells Main Gate, 816 E. University Blvd.
Contact: Phone:520-628-2829

8am-5:pm Tohono Chul Park Complimentary Admission Day

Description:In remembrance of January 8th, Tohono Chul Park will open its gates free of charge to offer the community a place of quite reflection.
Location:Tohono Chul Park – 7366 N. Paseo del Norte

10-5pm A Day of Kindness at the Children’s Museum Tucson

Description: Join Ben’s Bells at the Children’s Museum Tucson For a Day of Kindness. Ben’s Bells invites families to gather to sign the Kindness Contract, to paint Kindness Coins and to hang Kindness Wishes in the trees at the Museum. The Museum will serve as a gathering point for families to celebrate the kindness in our community.

Location: Children’s Museum Tucson, 260 S. 6th Ave.
Contact: 520-792-9985 (Children’s Museum), 520-628-2829 (Ben’s Bells)

10:11am Community-wide Ringing of Bells

10:15 am Remembering January 8, 2011: Hurting, Healing, Hoping

Description: January 8, 2012, marks the first anniversary of the Tucson tragedy where six people died and thirteen were injured. Join the Rev. Dr. John Kitagawa, at 10:15 a.m., remembering and reflecting on our memories of that day and the year that has followed. In this session, we remember those lost and injured and share reflections of the time since the tragedy. All are welcome to join in this community conversation in the Murphey Gallery at St. Philip’s and at the 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. worship services which will also honor the tragedy of January 8, 2011.

Location:St. Philip’s In The Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave. at River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718

10:45- noon Journey from Mental Illness to Mental Health

St. Francis in the Foothills is offering a class that is open to the public discussing the journey from mental Illness to mental health. Members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will be presenting information to enlarge community mental health awareness and promote civil engagement.

Location: St. Francis in the Foothills, 4625 E. River Rd (River west of Swan), Tucson, Arizona

1:00pm “We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe” Interfaith Service

Description: All faith communities in Tucson are invited to join in commemoration of both the tragedy and the triumph of Jan. 8, 2011. The service will consist of prayer, music, reflections, dance and the participation of those attending. The service will include Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Baha’i and Sikh traditions of prayer.

Location: St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Avenue, Tucson, Arizona

3:00pm Reflections: Honoring the lives of January 8 shooting victims

Description: A series of talks reflecting on the lives of Congresswoman Giffords and those who were killed on January 8.

Speakers include:
Senator Mark Udall (for Congresswoman Giffords)
Federal Judge Raner Collins (for Judge John Roll)
Pat Maisch (for the survivors and citizen heroes)
Dr. Lattie Coor (for Gabe Zimmerman)
Dr.Andrew Ross (for Phyllis Schneck)
Serenity Hammerich & Jamie Stone (for Christina-Taylor Green)
Ron Barber (for Dorwin Stoddard)
Brandon Nelson (for Dorothy Morris)

Location: Centennial Hall – University of Arizona Campus, 1020 E. University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ. Tickets are free and can be picked up at the UA Centennial Hall’s box office, 2020 E. University Blvd.; The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, 2250 E. Broadway; and Pima Council on Aging, 8467 E. Broadway.

6:30pm Candlelight Vigil
University of Arizona Mall

Community members are encouraged to attend and show their support for the families of victims and the survivors. Those attending are asked not to bring candles. Glowsticks will be provided at the vigil to all those in attendance.

The Tucson Symphony Orchestra will perform and confirmed speakers include:

Eugene G. Sander, President, University of Arizona

Ken Bennett, Arizona Secretary of State

Honorable Jonathan Rothschild, Mayor, City of Tucson

Dr. Peter Rhee, Chief, Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Emergency Surgery, The University of Arizona Medical Center

Mark Kelly, Captain, USN (Retired) Spouse, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

The emcee for the evening will be Ron Barber, survivor and founder of the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding.

1/4/11 UPDATE: Injured Congresswoman Giffords will also be attending this vigil (click here).

6:30 pm Shining the Light of Hope and Peace

Description: The entire Tucson community is invited to attend a special evening service of songs, prayer and healing.

Location: Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2450 East Fort Lowell Road, Tucson, Arizona
Contact: 520-327-7121, ext. 229

For more information: Daniel J. Benavidez at

(520) 331-4989, or info@rememberingjanuary8.org.

And for more events commemorating 1/8/11, read my blog on “BEYOND” Tucson (click here) for info and updated website events on what’s happening the day before (January 7) all over Southern Arizona.

Photo gallery of UMC memorial (click here).

Photo gallery of Congresswoman Giffords’ office memorial (click here).

Photo gallery of the Safeway memorial (click here).

And recently I posted a blog about an upcoming PBS documentary about the shooting victims & aftermath entitled “Together We Heal” to show on January 5 & 8, 2012 (click here).

On Wednesday at a press conference for BEYOND, I met Ross Zimmerman, father of the late Gabe Zimmerman, and Suzi Hileman who took the late Christina-Taylor Green to that “Congress on your Corner” (and who was also shot three times.) I felt their pain as victims of that shooting. Let us participate in “honoring the spirit of Tucson” on January 8, 2012.