Just picked up Vol. 1 Issue 2 of Tucson Happenings at the Joel D. Valdez Main library. Never did see issue 1, which must have debuted on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. This issue 2 is dated February 21 and covers a weekly calendar from Thursday to Wednesday.

They say they are a free “weekly reference guide to what’s going on in Tucson and Southern Arizona”, website is www.tucsonhappenings.com. The Founders/Publishers are David and Carrie Francis, business address is 3961 E. Speedway, Suite 410, Tucson 85712.

Issue 2 has interesting articles about Crystalline Treasures of China, artist Nikki Bellio, the 31st Annual Peace Fair, Arizona Animal Fair, The Benefits of Thermal Imaging in Monitoring Heart Health, Alamos Torrontes (Argentinean wine), plus more. There even is a very detailed daily event calendar for the week’s happenings. The magazine is divided into these categories: Art & Culture, Events, Calendar, Health, Faith & Spirituality, Food & Beverage, Home & Garden.

From their website:

Think where to go and what to do is reserved for the weekends? Think again. Monday through Friday are now prime-time for your customers to plan where to go and what to do. Tucson Happenings will be your customers “Go-to-Guide” for arts and entertainment in the greater Tucson area. Tucson Happenings is like a “TV Guide” of local events for all of southern Arizona. Readers of all ages will be picking-up Tucson Happenings to plan their day, week or weekend. Your customers will eagerly go back for the guide they simply cannot live without. More readership means your business or non-profit stays top-of-mind.

So if you want to submit events, send them to events@tucsonhappenings.com, or an article about your special event to Carrie@tucsonhappenings.com. Call 520-620-9100 for more information.

Check out this new weekly Tucson Happenings, wherever you find it in town.

From Downtown Tucson’s website: http://www.downtowntucson.org/

Event:
18th Annual Downtown Parade of Lights
Start:
December 15, 2012 6:30 pm
End:
December 15, 2012 8:00 pm
Where:
Parade starts at Franklin St. (south of E. 6th Street) and proceeds south on Granada (click here for map route), east on Alameda, north on Stone Ave.

The Downtown Tucson Partnership invites you to participate in the 18th Annual Downtown Parade of Lights. Floats, live music and brightly decorated vehicles will fill Downtown Tucson with holiday cheer. Thousands will once again pack the streets to watch the Parade make its way through the vibrant streets of Downtown Tucson.

You can find more information at http://www.downtowntucson.org/visit/parade-of-lights/ including the entry form, staging information, day-of entertainment, parade route and the best place to watch the parade.

The parade route has changed its location from Armory Park to the El Presidio neighborhood. Please download the new route and enjoy all the businesses along the route that evening.

The Tucson Museum of Art and Lohse Family YMCA will be providing pre-parade entertainment that evening. Visit El Charro Cafe and Old Town Artisans before the parade and end the evening with dancing at La Cocina.

Staging will take place along the north and south side of Franklin Street, the east and west side of Meyer Avenue, 9th Avenue and the Franklin Lot. Staging begins at 4:30pm.

Mayor Jonathan Rothschild will light the tree in front of the Joel Valdez Main Library at 5:45 p.m.

Enjoy this 18th year of the Parade of Lights in downtown.

An Unexpected Party: A Hobbit Movie Release Party

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit, and that hobbit loved going to the library! Join us for Lord of the Rings-themed parties to celebrate the release of the first installment of “The Hobbit.” Journey around Pima County to different library branches, representing a variety of Middle Earth locations.

Slip on some Hobbit feet, write your name in Elvish, try your hand at games, compete in riddle and trivia contests, and more merriment.

All ages are welcome, although many activities will require the Elven dexterity possessed only by teens and adults. Costumes are welcome and encouraged.

“And May the Hair on your Toes never Fall Out” says the poster for this event. I loved all the Hobbit books, and movies too. These parties are just in time for the release of the new Hobbit movie on December 14.

Friday, December 7, 2012
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Flowing Wells Branch Library
Journey to Lothlorien, AKA Flowing Wells Library, for a special after-hours party with a costume contest, coloring pages, and maybe even a peek into the Mirror of Galadriel!

Saturday, December 8, 2012
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Oro Valley Public Library
Make your way to Oro Valley Library, a.k.a. Beorn’s Domain!

Saturday, December 8, 2012
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Valencia Branch Library
Valencia Library is The Shire, where the story begins!

Saturday, December 8, 2012
10:30am – 12:30pm
Martha Cooper Branch Library
Brave the mines of Moria at Martha Cooper Library!

Saturday, December 8, 2012
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr Branch Library
Welcome to Mirkwood! Please do not attempt to feed the giant spiders.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Nanini Branch Library
Join the elves at Nanini Library, which is Rivendell!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Dusenberry-River Branch Library
The Dusenberry-River Library is Rohan!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Main Library is Esgaroth!

Friday, December 14, 2012
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library
Make your way to the Wilmot Library, which is Goblintown!