Background of Halloween at wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween.

My husband and I attended the 6th Annual Zombie Walk on October 22, for our first time. We took a number of photos and here’s 13 to get you into the spooky feeling of Halloween tonight. The event was held at Jacome Plaza, outside of the Joel D. Valdez Main library downtown, 101 N. Stone Avenue. The zombie make-up was amazingly realistic, and there was a booth there offering face make-up for $5. Note that the theme this year was “Zombies in Space” so there were “regular” earthly zombies present, as well as undead space alien zombies. Warning: Some of these photos are not for the faint of heart.

And then after dark, it got really really scary, with gruesome undead zombies roaming around the plaza (see photos below). Note the dead (undead?) zombie fetus in the very pregnant woman, who won one of the costume categories “Most Original”. The last photo is a ghastly guy who was actually pretending to eat the brain in his hand, right next to us.

After we left (fled) Zombie Walk, we encountered lots of zombies as we drove north through the spooky 6th Avenue underpass, and they frightened us by realistically lurching over the rails, trying to get at us. It was too much like “Night of the Living Dead”.

Be safe tonight as you go trick or treating. Watch out for those zombies.

Fix Gun Checks national bus parked on Stone Avenue

Read my earlier blog (click here) about the Mayors Against Illegal Guns rally held downtown today with speeches from shooting survivors & families of homicide survivors, politicians, community leaders including law enforcement officers and ministers. Here’s some photos taken at today’s event by amateur photographer Curtis Dutiel.

Dr. Peter Rhee (UMC Chief of Trauma) at the rally

Ross Zimmerman at the rally, father of deceased aide Gabe Zimmerman

Omar Samaha speaking of his sister's death at Virginia Tech

Hundreds of Tucsonans dropped by the rally at Jacome Plaza (in front of the Joel D. Valdez Main library) to listen to the speakers say why this federal legislation for background checks for gun purchases (especially at gun shows) needs to be passed.

Many people support this legislation due to the ease (without a background check) in which suspect Jared Loughner got his glock gun in November, 2010 prior to the mass shooting here in Tucson on January 8, 2011. His mental competency/fitness to stand trial for murder (of six victims) and attempted murder is now being assessed. One of his victims, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of CD 8 is still recovering at a rehabilitation hospital in Houston, Texas.

To sign the national petition to fix gun checks go to www.fixgunchecks.org.

Tucson’s rally was held today at Jacome Plaza (in front of Joel D. Valdez Main Library) to support the Fix Gun Checks Act of 2011, which will “help get the records of prohibited buyers into the national database, and close the loopholes that let dangerous people buy guns.”

Victims of the Tucson shooting and other tragedies, numerous politicians, and community leaders spoke today calling on U.S. Congress to fix the background check system. Hundreds of people were in attendance at Jacome Plaza, and t-shirts stating “34 Americans are murdered with guns every day” were given out to those who signed the petition.

Ward 3 City Councilmember Karin Uhlich was the MC of today’s rally, saying she spoke with the support of Councilmembers Regina Romero (present), Paul Cunningham and Steve Kozachik (both not present). Uhlich said that “Tucsonans were standing together so that the suffering of January 8, 2011 will not be in vain, and to promote reasonable measures to safeguard the public.”

List of those who spoke at the Tucson rally:

–Patricia Maisch, citizen heroine on January 8, 2011 who stopped shooting suspect Jared Loughner from reloading

–Dr. Peter Rhee, Chief of Trauma, University Medical Center, who helped the January 8, 2011 shooting victims in the emergency room and thereafter

–Randy Gardner, Jan 8, 2011 shooting survivor

–Ross Zimmerman, father of Jan. 8, 2011 murdered victim Congressional aide Gabe Zimmerman (who also spoke for Gabe’s fiancee Kelly O’Brien)

–Dr. Ann Nichols, widow of State Senator Andy Nichols, whose father was killed by a gunman (when Andy was 4 years old)

–Tony Baccerra, gun shooting survivor, accompanied by his mother & sister

–Carol Gaxiola, Homicide Survivors Executive Director, whose 14 year old daughter was killed by a gunman

–Omar Samaha, whose sister Reema Samaha was one of those students killed at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007

–Vicky Walker, mother Pat Yuhas and sister Kristy Johnson – Vicky’s husband and daughter were killed in their car by a gunman

–former U.S.Senator Dennis Deconcini

–former Assistant Attorney General Vince Rabago, a gun owner & hunter

–former Attorney General Terry Goddard (with the support of former Attorney General Grant Woods)

–former Mayor Tom Volgy (with the support of former Mayor George Miller)

–Tucson Police Dept. Assistant Chief Brett Klein (for Police Chief Robert Villasenor)

–Pima County Sheriff Captain Byron Gwaltney (for Sheriff Clarence Dupnik), who was on duty on January 8, 2011

–Santa Cruz Sheriff Tony Estrada

–Rev. Jan Flaaten, Arizona Ecumenical Council

–Rev. David Wilkinson, St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church

Also in attendance was Registered Nurse Nancy Bowman, who rendered CPR and first aid to shooting victims Judge John Roll, Congressional aide Pam Simon, and Suzi Hileman on January 8, 2011 at the NW Safeway.

Most of the speakers agreed with Vince Rabago’s statement that “those who shouldn’t have guns shouldn’t have guns”. And most asked that there be background checks for those who are mentally ill, convicted felons, drug abusers, and at gun shows. Ross Zimmerman asked for “responsible behavior regarding gun ownership” stating that his son’s death “changed our community forever.”

Parked behind the speakers was the Fix Guns Checks national truck with a sign on the side stating “Americans murdered with guns since Tucson”. When the rally began the tally number on the truck was 2687, when the rally ended a hour/half later, the number had increased to 2689.

The National Drive to Fix Gun Checks kicked off in the wake of the Tucson shooting with one simple message: “We need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.”

Since then, more than a quarter million Americans have signed the petition to Fix Gun Checks, and President Barack Obama has made fixing background checks a national priority, calling for reforms that would make the system instant, accurate and comprehensive.

The Fix Gun Checks Act of 2011 has been introduced in the U.S. Senate and will soon be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

To sign the National Petition to Fix Gun Checks, go to www.fixgunchecks.org.

Blogger Hugh Holub has written extensively on this issue and announced this event about federal legislation for background checks on guns:

http://tucsoncitizen.com/view-from-baja-arizona/2011/03/27/national-drive-to-fix-gun-checks-comes-to-tucson-monday-at-1-pm-downtown/.

Photos of today’s rally to be posted by me (separately), courtesy of Curtis Dutiel:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/2011/03/28/photos-from-todays-mayors-against-illegal-guns-rally/

Roy Place office then

Roy Place office now

Recognize these photos? It was the location of the former Walgreen’s downtown which closed sometime after 2001, but the facade has now been restored, and the building rented to the University of Arizona as a center for “urban design, planning and policy classes” for graduate students. The College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture will be the new tenant, and Pima County is the lessor/owner. Read more in Arizona Daily star article:

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/education/college/article_623b03b1-baae-51db-85ba-8043e142cbfd.html.

Or in UA News (click here).

It was the office of local architect Roy Place, who also built the Pioneer Hotel, Roskruge Elementary and Mansfeld Middle Schools, the St. Benedictine Monastery.

The dedication for this building will be on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. with UA President Robert Shelton and Fred DuVal, a member of the Arizona Board of Regents. The dedication ceremony will be on the NW corner of N. Stone and E. Pennington Street at Jacome Plaza, although this Roy Place building is at that same intersection on the SE corner, 44 N. Stone Avenue.

I used to shop in there at Walgreen’s when I worked downtown on Pennington Street at the Domestic Violence Commission (now defunct). But it’s wonderful to see the original facade restored, especially as it was Roy Place’s architect office, which looked out upon the lovely Pima County Courthouse, which he built in 1929. It is perhaps his most famous building in Tucson.

For website of Pima County Consolidated Justice Courts/Courthouse, click here.

Incidentally I have held court (Small Claims) in that historic courthouse building for the Pima County Consolidated Justice Courts, although our courtroom is now in the La Placita Village down south on Church Avenue.

28th annual El Tour article already written by Co-editor Ryn Gargulinski (click here).

For more details: go to Perimeter Bicycling Association’s website, www.perimeterbicyling.com.

Several rides tomorrow November 20:

The Routes
Participants may cycle 109, 79, 66 or 40 miles, plus the 6, 3 & 1/4- mile Diamond Children’s Fun Ride, open to all abilities. Main routes expose participants to scenic areas of Tucson, with beautiful vistas of its local mountain ranges – three rising over 9,000 feet- complete with the backdrop of the mighty saguaro cactus, icon of the Southwest’s Sonoran Desert. The Fun Ride offers an exciting 6-mile route, highlighting the many special cultural aspects of downtown Tucson. Course profiles can be rolling to moderately hilly, though the 40-mile route is basically flat and great as a family affair or for beginners! Two often dry but sandy river crossings will greet 109-mile riders, while 79 and 66-mile cyclists experience just one. No crossings for 40-mile participants. All routes offer aid stations, spaced each 7-10 miles, full police support at intersections and plenty of morale-boosting volunteers and spectators.

The Finish (downtown):

“The 109-mile startline (and finish line for all events) is located at Jacome Plaza in downtown Tucson at the corner of W Church St & E Pennington St, just .03 miles from the previous year’s venue. Upon crossing the finish line at the end of their ride, cyclists collect a special finisher’s medallion to remember their accomplishment and then onto the adjacent El Tour Downtown Fiesta, a festive atmosphere complete with food vendors, Michelob Ultra Beer Garden, El Tour Perimeter Store merchandise booth, and non-stop music and celebration throughout the day!”

Proceeds from El Tour benefit Tu Nidito which is Southern Arizona’s “little nest” for seriously ill and grieving children. “Yearly, Tu Nidito provides comfort, hope and support to more than 800 children during the most difficult times imaginable. Thousands of children and families have received support from Tu Nidito over the years as a result of contributions made from cyclists of El Tour de Tucson. ” I am familiar with the work of this terrific group (as our son was a Tu Nidito child for 7 and a half years) and that is why I volunteer every year at the El Tour Bike, Fitness & Health Expo downtown at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. This Expo runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today.

UPDATE: 11/20 unofficial results posted online (click here).

El Tour 2009 poster

“Make Way for Books Family Literacy Festival”
Saturday November 6, 10 to 3 p.m.

Popular Costumed characters (i.e. Curious George, Clifford the Red Dog, Corduroy, Daisy, Cookie Mouse)

Story Book performances
–Rhyming Dust Bunnies
–Three Little Fish & the Big Bad Shark
–Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
–We’re Going on a Bear Hung
–I’m Not Cute

Music & Dancing
–Nepali Sunflower Dance Troupe
–Music with instrument making presentation(Anthony Aldinger from Bookman’s)
–Ballet Folklorico Tapatio

“This year the festival also will include short, family friendly workshops featuring read-aloud tips to keep children hooked on books.”

All free, with free parking under the main library and on the street. Food will be available for purchase. I’ve attended this event in the past and it’s a wonderful festival to encourage reading for children aged 3 to 12. It makes reading a book “alive” for children.

Curious George and friend at 2009 Story Town, courtesy of Pima County Public Library

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Saturday morning
10:00 Opening Ceremony with Honorary Mayor Llama Llama
10:00 Stroll over to Art Alley to make a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom craft
10:30 Head to the Book Nook for a fun and interactive storytime with Good Night Gorilla (Storytimes will begin on the half hour throughout the morning).
10:30 Ballet Folklórico Tapatíio on Rhythm Road
10:30 Grab your binoculars and follow the prints to the library for a Jungle Tracks adventure (on-going all day)
11:00 Performances begin on Storybook Lane (Stories are about 15 minutes long and will run continuously.)
11:00 Megascience Meg presents: Jungle Safari! (Lower Level Meeting Room inside the library)

Saturday afternoon
12:30 Music with Nature by Bookman’s Junk Band on Rhythm Road
12:30 Stroll over to Art Alley to make a We’re Going on a Bear Hunt craft
1:00 Head to the Book Nook for a fun and interactive storytime with Good Night Gorilla (Storytimes will begin on the half hour throughout the afternoon).
1:00 Performances begin on Storybook Lane (Stories are about 15 minutes long and will run continuously.)
1:00 Join librarians inside the library for Jungle Jammin’ a musical puppet show & face painting
2:30 Nepali Sunflower Dance Troupe on Rhythm Road
3:00 Parade of Characters closes Story Town

More info: 520-721-2334. www.makewayforbooks.org, email: storytown@makewayforbooks.org

Toby Chivers

Event schedule to date from website, www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.org.

Scott Avenue Stage (between Congress St. and Broadway Blvd.):

6:00pm-7:00pm: A Son y Sol (Latin American music with a twist)
7:15pm-8:30pm: Banana Gun (upbeat acoustic)
8:45pm-10:00pm: Jumper (power-pop)

Along Congress Street:

Art Car Exhibit: 10+ vehicles presented by Automorphosis
Odyssey Storytelling: Look for the StoryArts Cart on the topic – “Masks: Hidden Identities”
5:30 pm-6:15pm: 7 Pipers Band – bagpipers
7pm-9pm: Critical Stilts – Stilt walking & dancing
6pm-10pm: Living Statues, presented by Parasol Project (see photo below courtesy of Donovan Durband)

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Ronstadt Transit Center @ 6th Ave & Congress Street:
5:30pm-7pm: Les Avenge – beat boy acrobatics
7:00pm-8:00pm: Desert Melodies
8:00pm-9:00pm: The Technophobes – candy folk music
9:00pm-10:00pm: Honey Pistol – folk rock/indie/acoustic
7pm-9pm: Magician John Coppin
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Indian Village Lot – Kid’s Corner! Between Stone & Scott on Congress:
West wall: Cinema La Placita screens “Alice in Wonderland” & an encore presentation of a compilation of music videos from the Tucson Film & Music Festival.
East Wall: Ultimate Electronics hosts Rock Band video competitions.

Plus art activities for the kids, an anti-gravity jumping device and more!
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Old Pueblo Garage, 27 E. Congress Street:
6pm-8pm: Blanco Cliff & John White – blues

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NW Corner – Congress St./Stone Ave:
6pm-8pm: The Missing Parts – Folk music from an undiscovered country

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

SW Corner – Congress St./Stone Ave:
7:30pm-10pm: Les Avenge – Beat boy acrobatics
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Chicago Store, 130 E. Congress Street:
6pm-10pm: One Phat DJ
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

June’s Corner Store, 10 E. Broadway Blvd.
6:30pm-8pm: TBA
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Flanagan’s Celtic Corner, 222 E. Congress Street:
Annual Celtic Pumpkin and Gourd Carving Contest. Gift Certificates to Flanagan’s Celtic Corner will be awarded.

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And over at El Presidio Park and the Jacome Library Plaza of the Joel D. Valdez Main library is Tucson Meet Yourself, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., also on Saturday! Read my blog on that annual event (click here).

Upcoming 2nd Saturdays Downtown: Saturday, November 13, 2010 and Saturday, December 11, 2010.

“Tu Nidito, which is Spanish for “your little nest”, is a very special not-for-profit organization. Its mission is to provide individual, family and group support through emotional, educational, social and spiritual services to children and their families as they deal with serious illnesses and death.” I’m familiar with Tu Nidito was our son was a Tu Nidito child for 7 and a half years.

One of the fun parts of El Tour is the Bike, Fitness and Health Expo on the days preceding the bike rides at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church, downstairs in the exhibition hall. This fair includes registration and packet pick up, and is scheduled for:

Wednesday, November 18, 4 to 9 p.m.
Thursday, November 19, 10 to 6 p.m.
Friday, November 20, 10 to 9 p.m.

The Expo also offers something for cyclists and non-cyclists alike with over 100 booths offering:

* Sports and fitness products
* Athletic apparel
* Cycling gear
* Exercise equipment
* Recreational activity displays
* Nutritional products
* Free samples

I’ve been helping with registration and distribution of children’s t-shirts for several years at the Kids’ Fun Ride booth. I’ve met some amazing cyclists and bike patrol volunteers, as well as very enthusiastic families and children who want to cycle the 109 mile El Tour ride someday. Many people think I am an El Tour bike participant, but the longest I’ve ever ridden is 30 miles, back in Virginia years ago.

Come on down to the El Tour Expo for information and current tips on bicycling in Tucson. For more info, call Perimeter Bicycling (2609 E. Broadway) at 520-745-2033, or write info@perimeterbicycling.com. There’s lots of information about El Tour and other community events on their website: www.pbaa.com.

NEW this year: start/finish line for El Tour will be moved to Church Ave. near W. Pennington at Jacome Plaza where the Main Pima County downtown Library is located.

Also, online registration for El Tour ends TODAY, so don’t delay!

Happy bicycling!