Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Sheep
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Boar/Pig

Legend has it that the Emperor of China wanted to select 12 animals for the zodiac calendar and a race was set to determine which animals would be selected. The clever Rat came in first on the nose of the mighty Ox, followed by the other 10 animals, including the mythical Dragon. There are many children’s books at the public libraries about this zodiac story.

Many Asians believe that the year of a person’s birth determines that person’s personality traits, degree of success and happiness through their lifetime.

So today February 10 is the start of the Lunar New Year for the Chinese lunar calendar. We Japanese start our zodiac calendar on the 1st of January, so the Year of the snake corresponds to the calendar year for us. There are several “snakes” in my life: two best friends married to each other in Hawaii, a niece, another female friend here in town.

One particular zodiac calendar I refer to says that snake people are “wise & intense with a tendency towards physical beauty. Vain and high tempered.” Hmmn, not exactly flattering characteristics, but then the snake is an enigmatic, slippery creature. Year of the Snake years for those born in: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, and 2013.

Don’t miss the fabulous Lunar New Year celebration coming up on Feb. 16 sponsored by Tucson Chinese Cultural Center:

And later this month is a popular yearly event at the Himmel Park Branch library on Feb. 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.:

Chinese New Year Celebration

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with light refreshments and fun-filled activities such as Chinese Calligraphy, face painting, and crafts. The University of Arizona’s Purple Bamboo Ensemble will perform.

Happy New Year of the Snake.

First off, it’s all happening at the zoo:

On Wednesday, October 31st the animal residents of Reid Park Zoo will receive special Halloween treats. A schedule will be provided at the front gate for guests. Pumpkins will be delivered from 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Otters may nibble them, lions may roll them, and elephants will smash them. Many animals will have the opportunity to enjoy the unusual surprises. Staff will be on hand (some in costume!) to answer questions as animals discover the new items. There will be treats for the kids too!

Keepers regularly introduce a variety of foods, changes in physical environment, smells, and even sounds as enrichment. Items that are not part of a daily routine can improve an animal’s wellbeing by increasing exercise, and providing behavioral and mental stimulation. Creating a varying environment for Zoo residents has become an important aspect of animal care. For some animals, the pumpkins will be a tasty, healthy snack. For others, the source of enrichment is the presence of a new smell, shape, or texture.

Reid Park Zoo is open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Regular admission fees apply.
For more information, visit www.tucsonzoo.org or contact
Kristen Metzger
Education Supervisor
837-8088 x 12

If you have children, enjoy a Halloween Extravaganza at Himmel Park branch library, 5 to 6:30 p.m., 1035 N. Treat Ave. (SW corner of E. 1st St.), in the NE corner of Himmel Park.

“Enjoy making your own treats and spooky crafts; listen to howling good stories and trick-or-treat around the library.”

Himmel library website: http://www.library.pima.gov/locations/himmel/

And if you don’t have kids and want to get in the Halloween mood, here’s a photo gallery of Zombie Walk 2012 held on the 13th of October in spooky downtown Tucson, click here. Warning for parents: these are graphically bloody photos of zombies/”undead” people taken by me and former Tucson’s Birthday photographer Jon Scanlon, so please exercise caution & discretion. (I don’t want to cause nightmares for your children.)

Hellfire Pizza Co. food truck at Zombie Walk 2012

Happy Halloween to all — children, youth, parents, elderly, even animals & zombies. Trick or treat?

German Speaking Jesuit Missionaries as Founders of Sonora, Mexico and Southern Arizona

It is commonly assumed that the early history of the Pimeria Alta, currently Sonora, Mexico and southern Arizona, was determined by Spanish colonizers. In reality, the Jesuit order, perhaps best represented by Padre Eusebio Kino, can be credited with having had the greatest impact on the entire region. A surprisingly large number of Kino’s successors hailed from German speaking lands and left a huge impact on the early history of the Southwest. One of these was Swiss missionary Philipp Segesser, whose insightful and enlightening correspondences have only recently been translated into English.
Gain insight into the global role which the Jesuits played, and how important the Sonoran province was for the international Jesuit Order.

This Arizona Humanities Council sponsored program is presented by Dr. Albrecht Classen, Distinguished Professor of German Studies at the University of Arizona.

Read my previous post when my husband published this translation of letters written by Missionary Segesser (click here).

More info: Sue Parker, librarian at Himmel Park library, 1035 N. Treat Ave. Phone 520-594-5305.

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?

Recently this book “The Letters of the Swiss Jesuit Missionary Philip Segesser (1689-1762)”, edited by UA University Distinguished Professor Albrecht Classen (my husband) has appeared in print by the Arizona Center for Medieval & Renaissance Studies (ACMRS) in Tempe, Arizona. Here’s the description of the book from their website:

The early history of Sonora/Arizona (Pimería Alta) was profoundly influenced and determined by the Jesuit missionaries from Europe. After Padre Eusebio Kino’s death in 1711, an increasing number of German-speaking Jesuits arrived in our region and soon dominated the entire missionary district. The Swiss Philipp Segesser, one of the most effective, pragmatic, and industrious members of the Jesuit Order active here in the Southwest, has not yet been fully noticed because, until now, his large collection of letters has never been translated into English. Segesser’s reports about his daily life in our region, his insightful observations about local agriculture, fauna, flora, climate, and geology, and his numerous comments about the American Indian lifestyle, clothing, food, hunting habits, religion, and culture at large are a most intriguing and fascinating glimpse into early Arizona history.

The cover illustration was done by Jere Freeh, one of my husband’s UA undergraduate students who collaborated on the project with him.

Today radio talk show host Bill Buckmaster interviewed Professor Classen about his new book. Click here for the interview on the Buckmaster Show, KVOI 1030 AM.

The book costs $49.95 and can be purchased by clicking here.

Save the Date: My husband will be giving a talk at Himmel Park Branch Library on Monday October 29 at 6 p.m. about missionary Segesser and other German Jesuits, including Padre Kino.

In celebration of Women’s “Herstory” Month of March, this free, interesting talk will be given at Himmel Park Branch Library, 1035 N. Treat (SW corner of E. 1st St.) on Monday March 26.

More info: University Distinguished Professor Albrecht Classen (my husband), and the sponsor Arizona Humanities Council:

The Arizona Humanities Council builds a just and civil society by creating opportunities to explore our shared human experiences through discussion, learning and reflection.

Saturday, June 25, 10:30-4pm

Join us in celebrating Himmel Branch Library’s 50th Anniversary. Here’s what will be happening throughout the day:

* 10:30-11:30 – Local author storytime for children by Sunny Warner and Joan Sandin
* 11:30-noon – Himmel stories & sealing of the time capsule by Himmel youth
* 12:00-1:30 – Refreshments & music provided by youth violin students of Rose Todaro & Rebecca McKee
* 12:30-2:00 – “I Remember Himmel” oral history booth will be open for recording stories about Himmel Park Library.
* 1:30-4:00 – Volunteer appreciation ceremony – Comedy by Mike Sterner, Aaron Stielstra, and Rebecca Bommersbach, music by Shaky Bones Band

For more info: Branch Manager Sharla Darby at (520) 594-5305. The library is on the SW corner of E. 1st Street and Treat Ave, one block south of Speedway.

Himmel Park Branch Library is also hosting a potluck picnic in the park for Tucson’s refugee/immigrant community on Saturday, June 25 at 6:30 P.M. (The actual eating begins at 6:30 P.M.) Please bring a dish (the break down is listed below), serving utensil(s), and a cover for the grass. The food will be served in the large meeting room and eating will be outside. If raining, there will be an alternative site nearby.

If your last/surname begins with — please bring a:

A-C Dessert (Eat dessert first!)

D-G Main Dish

H-P Side Dish (Vegetables, potatoes, casseroles) OR Salad

Q-S Breads & Spreads, Chips & Dips

T-Z Beverages

Representatives from Tucson’s immigration and refugee organizations will be invited to attend.
For info on the pot luck contact librarian Sue Parker at 520-594-5305, Ext. 3 for more details.

At 7:30 P.M., Capoeira Mandinga Tucson, a Brazilian dance troupe, will be performing at Himmel Park’s outdoor amphitheater (aka “Hippie Hill”), located about 400 feet west of the library, which the public is invited to attend as well. That event is also sponsored by the Pima County Public Library Adult Services.

What a great series of events to celebrate the summer and the 50th Anniversary of a library named after the park. Click here for my earlier blog on pioneer Alvina Himmel Edmondson and her legacy to Tucson.

Jamie on his guitar, courtesy of the musician

My favorites from this particular CD are #1 “Don’t Look Back”, #7 “See You Sometime” and #15 “You Only Wish”. The titles probably reveal the theme of the song’s lyrics. Jamie composed the 18 songs on this CD, and seven in collaboration with Stephen Roud, Ernest Hone, Peter Cooper, or Peter Morson.

He (and Bob Lee)will be performing at Lani’s Luau restaurant (NW corner of Harrison and Golf Links) on Friday April 29 at 6:30 p.m. Call ahead at 520-886-LUAU (5828). And he and some friends are also performing the next day at Lani’s for a fundraising luau (click here for the flyer).

Website: www.launies.com, email jobrien@launies.com to order this CD and others.

I’ve heard Jamie perform at 2nd Saturdays Downtown as well as at Himmel Park branch library and Bookman’s. He performs a lot of Irish Celtic music as well as Hawaiian slack key guitar and on the ukulele. “Uku” is flea and “lele” means jumping in Hawaiian, which is indicative of the lively music of this instrument. He’s also the winner of the 2011 Hawaiian Music Awards Anthology of the Year.

The local musicians accompanying Jamie on this CD are:
Dillon Barr (trumpet)
Phil Borzillo (guitar)
Bruce Campbell (bass)
Jenny Ford (vocals)
Ryck Kaiser (fiddle)
Henry Koreztky (vocals, mandolin, guitar)
Gary Mackender (accordion, Hammond organ)
Paul McKeown (guitar, keyboards, percussion, vocals)
Jon Villa (trumpet)
Dede Wyland (vocals)

presents:

FROM THE DEADLY EAST GERMAN BORDER INTO NATIONAL PARKS:
LIFE RETURNS AND DEFIES ALL BORDERS!

Throughout history, borders have always represented civilization’s most problematic issues, and there have been deadly borders, such as the one between East Germany and West Germany, complete with countless mines, wire fences, watch towers, and guards. Numerous people died trying to cross this no-man’s land between the two countries. In 1989, unification opened the border. The land was cleared and left to itself, and over time, nature reclaimed and transformed what was once a long death strip into a green zone of national parks.

Monday, April 18, 2011

6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

Himmel Park branch library, 1035 N. Treat (SW corner of E. 1st St.) in Tucson

The Arizona Humanities Council is sponsoring this program, which is also part of the Local Authors and Artists Series, and Himmel Park Branch Library’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Contact: Sue Parker, Librarian at 520-594-5305, or Dr. Classen at aclassen@u.arizona.edu.

For more information/publications on Germany’s Green Band (Grünes Band) of national parks, click here.

(You have to be able to read German).

Upcoming at Himmel Park branch library (1035 N. Treat Ave., SW corner of E. 1st St.)

April 9, 10 to 12 noon:
Campaign marketing
by Christina Cruz of Tagline Media Group

“Christina Cruz heads up Internet Services for Tagline Media Group in Tucson. Christina has worked on campaigns in and around Pima County.”

Next workshop on “How to run a Campaign” will be on Sat. May 28, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Udall Park Center by Sam Stone of Cairn Consulting. Udall Park Center is at 7290 E. Tanque Verde Road in Tucson. This class will be taught as a part of the Weekend of the Warrior event taking place at Udall Park on May 28th.

Sam Stone of Cairn Consulting, L.L.C. has been the campaign manager for several GOP candidates in the past. Sam has an extensive knowledge of campaigning especially in media relations. Sam is currently the media relations and communications consultant to the Pima County Republican Party.

And I believe that Stone is assisting Mayoral candidate Shaun McClusky’s campaign.

More information: www.pimagop.org, 520-321-1492 or email at hq@pimagop.org.

Please RSVP by at least the Thursday prior to the specific class or classes that you plan to attend. Email your response to RSVP@PimaGOP.org or call Pima GOP HQ at 520-321-1492 to be added to the class.

McClusky and former Pima County Supervisor Ron Asta are facing off in the Mayoral Republican primary on August 30.

Recently the Tucson Weekly posted a video ad from Asta regarding his causing a traffic fatality in 1994: http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2011/03/28/ron-asta-wonders-should-i-stay-or-should-i-go. The AZ Daily Star also ran an article about whether Asta should stay in the race: http://azstarnet.com/news/blogs/pueblo-politics/article_990ae250-5a29-11e0-b33e-001cc4c002e0.html

No Republican is running (so far) for the Council seat in Ward 1 which is up for re-election this year and held by Democrat Regina Romero. Last week political newcomer Republican Jennifer Rawson filed with the Tucson City Clerk to challenge Ward 2 Councilmember Paul Cunningham. Republican Tyler Vogt is challenging 4 term Democratic incumbent Councilmember Shirley Scott in Ward 4.

And if you want to mark your calendars for the Fall workshops:

Saturday, September 3rd from 10 am to noon
Secretary of State Ken Bennett
Geasa-Marana branch Library, 13370 N Lon Adams Rd. in Marana

Saturday, October 1st, 1 p.m.
LD 30 State Senator Frank Antenori with Ken Moyes
Miller – Golf Links branch library, 9640 E Golf Links in Tucson