I miss the Pacific Ocean and sometimes go out looking for ponds and public water features around town. So here’s my list of where there are large bodies of water (and fountains) in Tucson. Lots of ducks and other aquatic birds habitate most of these ponds.

Ponds:
1) Reid Park ponds, with cascading streams on the hill nearby. NE corner of E. 22nd St. and Country Club
2) Ft. Lowell Park (NE corner of Glenn and Craycroft), small pond with spouting fountain in the middle, for fish, turtles, ducks & geese
3) Kennedy Park pond (NW corner of Mission Rd. and Ajo Way), medium sized pond for fishing
4) Christopher Columbus Park (4600 N. Silverbell Rd, north of Grant Rd., west of I-10), perhaps the largest of all these ponds, even has boats, fishing, and wind surfers
5) Chuck Ford Lakeside Park pond (8300 E. Stella Rd., south of Golf Links), medium sized for fishing
6) Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park pond (12325 E. Roger Rd. at Soldier Trail Road) in Pima County, pond 1 has fish, turtles, frogs, & aquatic birds; ponds 2 & 3 are dried up (see photo below)
7) University of Arizona small turtle/goldfish pond on Park Avenue (between E. 2nd St. and E. North Campus Drive, across from the AZ Historical Society)

Streams:
Sabino Canyon and Bear Canyon out east both have natural steams and small pools of water

Fountains:
1) El Presidio Park (near Tucson City Hall) and La Placita Village downtown just between Leo Rich Theater and the Music Hall, east of Church Street have large fountains
2) Tucson Museum of Art (140 N. Main Avenue, north of Alameda Street), small fountain outside in front plaza
3) Fourth Avenue Underpass layered metal fountains (south end, near E. Congress St. and the new parking garage)
4) University of Arizona Administration Bldg. on the UA Mall has some spouting fountains on the south side, and the Student Union Memorial Center to the west has cascading water over large chains, near the UA Bookstore)
5) University of Arizona Old Main historic circular fountain on the west side of the building, facing Park Avenue
6) University of Arizona Architecture building on Speedway (east of Olive Street Underpass), in the back of the building is a small, lush landscaped wetland pool, “Sonoran Landscape Laboratory” with a waterfall from a metal scupper
7) Geronimo Plaza fountain at Main Gate Square, just east of Euclid Avenue on University Blvd.
8) E. Speedway Blvd. at Warren Street Underpass (west of Nob’s Hill shopping center), cascading waterfall fountain (area under construction due to streetcar)
9) River Center, cascading stream (NE corner of River and Craycroft)

Know of any more ponds, streams, or fountains in Tucson open to the public? Please note in comments below for our readers to seek out & enjoy the refreshing coolness of these water features in this Southwest desert, especially during the summer.

Agua Caliente Park pond, courtesy of Friends of Agua Caliente Park

Keep cool in the hot summer heat.

Bonus: Youtube video from University of Stuttgart in Germany about water having memory:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ILSyt_Hhbjg

Ben’s Bells has two studios in Tucson, at Main Gate Square, 816 E. University Blvd. and downtown at 40 W. Broadway. Drop by & check out their studios and see these lovely kindness bells being painted & created.

www.bensbells.org

Ben’s Bells small nonprofit organization did a terrific job on the statewide Arizona Gives Day on March 20, 2013. They were #1 in Most Donors category (441), garnered $10,093 from those donors, plus won the Most Donors first place prize of $20,000, and $4,000 in single $1000 Golden tickets for the most donors per hour for 4 hours. Congratulations to them for this excellent showing on the first Arizona Gives Day.

Our mission is to inspire, educate and motivate each other to realize the impact of intentional kindness and to empower individuals to act according to that awareness, thereby strengthening ourselves, our relationships and our communities.

Be Kind.

His photos of the birthday celebration at the Southern AZ Transportation Museum on August 18:

Ward 2 Councilmember Paul Cunningham celebrating with train museum officials

Photos of the Tropical Bash at Main Gate Square & 4th Avenue, and the Hotel Congress cake on August 18:

And photos of the flag raising ceremony at the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Grounds on August 20.

Trobadour Ted Ramirez performing after flag ceremony

Darkness settles upon the El Presidio grounds

What beautiful birthday cakes were created for these celebrations.

If you want to see some of the 2011 Tucson birthday photos by Jon, here’s the link to the former Tucson’s Birthday website (click here).

Main Gate Square
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE
Jazz Summer Concert Series

University Blvd. between Park & Euclid.
All Main Gate Merchants validate parking in the Tyndall Garage Monday through Friday from 5 PM to Midnight.
www.maingatesquare.com

Discover flavor, style and attitude when you visit Main Gate Square, a pedestrian-friendly dining and shopping destination featuring over 20 retailers and 30 restaurants near the University of Arizona and Tucson’s historic neighborhoods.

Fridays at 7pm in the Geronimo Plaza Courtyard at Main Gate Square

FREE ADMISSION

July 6 Cool Breeze Jazz http://cactuspatchmusic.com
“Cool Breeze is a musical ensemble that specializes in Latin-American music. They have been active since 1983 and been the recipients of performance and music education awards and grants from The Arizona Commission on the Arts, Tucson Pima Arts Council, The Tucson Partnership Inc. and The Tucson Jazz Society. Cool Breeze offers a variety of music dance styles: samba, bossa nova, cumbia, mambo, cha cha, tango, calypso, soca and reggae (all with a jazz twist).”

And for the rest of the 2012 summer schedule of jazz concerts, go to this Southern Arziona Arts & Cultural Alliance link (SAACA click here).

Ben’s Bells Project’s 2012 Celebration of Kindness will be held this year at their new downtown location. Order tickets online (click here).

Saturday, April 28th
6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Hosted at Ben’s Bells Downtown Studio
40 W. Broadway Blvd.

Tickets – $50.00
($60 at the door)
• Live Music
• Dancing
• Silent Auction
• Food
• Wine/Beer

Purchased tickets will be available at the “Will Call” table on the night of the event.

Our mission is to inspire, educate and motivate each other to realize the impact of intentional kindness and to empower individuals to act according to that awareness, thereby changing our world.

I’ve recently dropped by after listening to cases at Small Claims Court and sat there in their downtown studio painting ceramic flowers for the bell mobiles. It’s very relaxing and gives you a wonderful feeling to be part of a larger project to spread kindness. Try it sometime, just drop in:

Open Studio Hours:

Tuesday 10-5pm
Wednesday 10-5pm
Thursday 10-5pm
Friday 10-7pm
Saturday 10-5pm
Closed on Sunday and Monday

Ben’s Bells is at 816 E. University (Geronimo Plaza in Main Gate Square, east of Euclid Ave.) or downtown at 40 W. Broadway (just east of Church Ave.)

Ben’s Bells is located at 816 E. University Blvd. in the Geronimo Plaza of Main Gate Square, just west of the UA. Now they are opening up a second location downtown, and the public is invited.

Friday January 20, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. grand opening celebration
40 W. Broadway (east of Church Ave.)

Schedule for the day of kindness:

10 a.m. Studio officially opens
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Open house
BYO Bag lunch
Music
Treats

5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Ribbon cuttings
Music
Food/drink
Kindness all around

I reported on their annual “Kindness Day” last April, 2010 (click here for more background on Ben’s Bells and deceased toddler Ben Packard whom this program is named after).

Our mission is to inspire, educate and motivate each other to realize the impact of intentional kindness and to empower individuals to act according to that awareness, thereby changing our world.

I’ve been nominated for a Ben’s Bell, have volunteered to hand paint some of these bells, and on January 8, 2012 (the one year anniversary of the Tucson Tragedy mass shooting), I helped distribute bells along with 200 other people. It was a terrific feeling to drive around at sunrise to locate places to anonymously hang these lovely bell mobiles, in goodwill and hoping that whomever finds them can find some joy and kindness in their hearts.

Mailing address: PO Box 41025 Tucson, AZ 85717-1025
email: bensbells@bensbells.org
phone/fax: 520-628-2829

Be kind today and everyday.

October 27, 2011 from 4:30-6:00 pm
UA Centennial Hall (east of Park Avenue & Main Gate Square), 1020 E University Blvd.

Do you know who’s behind the screen? Here are a few things to consider:

Malware attacks have increased by 400% since 2010.

More than 36 million Americans have been victims of identity theft. Arizona continues to be in the top two states for this crime, which is the top complaint to the Federal Trade Commission.

Many of us use only one or two passwords across many sites, including our banking sites.
Only 57% of computer users use security software, and of those, only 64% have their software set to update automatically.

The average Facebook user doesn’t know one-fifth of the people listed as friends.
How do you keep from being a victim? Plan to attend the UA’s Cyber Citizen Forum, which is being hosted as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s Stop.Think.Connect.™ Campaign.

This community forum is designed to share information on identity theft, fraud and phishing, social networking security, cyberbullying and cyberpredators.

Door prizes include:
iPads
Gift cards
iPod
Printers
Digital camera
Netbook

Please note: must be present to win

This event is free and open to the public — plan to attend, and bring a friend!
Good security info, plus the chance to win fabulous prizes?
No brainer – join us!

For more information, please contact the Information Security Office at 621-UISO (8476) or

CIO-ISO@email.arizona.edu.

UA Information Security website: http://security.arizona.edu/about-us

“Old Pueblo Trolley (OPT) is an all-volunteer, non-profit, operating transit museum which restores historic electric streetcars and buses and operates trolleys on University Blvd. and Fourth Avenue when volunteers are available: Friday night, Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday afternoon. Restoration is dependent on donations and grants; operating expenses are met by fares and memberships in the organization.”

SCHEDULE OF SERVICE:

Old Pueblo trolley car

Friday: 6 pm to 10 pm
Saturday: Noon to Midnight
Sunday: Noon to 6 pm

FARES:
Adults: $1.25 each way/$3.00 all day pass
Children, 6-12 yrs.: 75¢ each way/$2.00 all day pass
Sunday special: All patrons, all ages, 25¢ each trip

All types of volunteers are needed at the Old Pueblo Trolley (click here: http://www.oldpueblotrolley.org/volunteer.htm). They especially need trolley operators right now, which requires a class B Commercial Drivers Licence with Air Brakes and Passenger endorsements. If you know of someone who qualifies please have them contact the Old Pueblo Trolley contacts listed below.

Where can you help out?

There are more than 35 categories of possibilities where Volunteers can benefit Old Pueblo Trolley. Some of these are:

Restoration

* Woodworking
* Welding
* Electrical
* Track Maintenance
* Mechanical

Operations

* Operating historical trolley cars and buses
* Dispatching at the trolley barn
* Serving as a conductor on trolley cars

Docents

* Are available in the trolley barn area and on the vehicles to provide information and a historical perspective to what we do and why

Historical Research

Publications

* Old Pueblo Trolley Inc. publishes a monthly newsletter entitled “Livewire” which is mailed to all members and Volunteers. “Livewire” keeps our Volunteer Team up to date on activities and scheduled events.
* We also publish a quarterly newsletter entitled “Trolley Tracks” which is distributed to members and Volunteers. “Trolley Tracks” is mailed to other historical transportation museums and interested organizations to keep them up-to-date on Old Pueblo Trolleys activities.

Fund Raising

Training

Trolley operators, conductors, dispatchers, and docents are needed during these operating hours. Charters and educational sessions during the week require similar Volunteer staffing.

Restoration and maintenance activities are normally scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays although these activities can be accomplished when Volunteers are available.

To volunteer contact the Volunteer Coordinator at OPTvolunteers@cox.net or fill out and email the volunteer application form online. To volunteer or for comments and suggestions about their Web site, you can also contact Stephen Dix at WebmasterOPT@cox.net. Questions about being a trolley operator should be directed to Tom Macon at 520-306-7675.

They invite you to also become a member and financial supporter of Old Pueblo Trolley and help them in their mission to preserve and operate historic streetcars and buses in Tucson. To become a member, contact Tony Haswell at tonyhaswell@cox.net or Gene Caywood at caywoodgm@juno.com.

Ride the trolley from the University of Arizona Main Gate Square to Fourth Avenue, especially this weekend for 2nd Saturdays Downtown on E. Congress Street. It’s a lot more fun than walking.

The Big Kahuna Tropical Bash on Aug 21, 2010 (TODAY)
Time: 5-9 pm
Admission: FREE
Location: Tucson’s historic Entertainment District
Address: Downtown, Fourth Avenue and Main Gate Square
Contact Name: Cara Rene
Email: cararene@downtowntucson.org
Phone: 520-837-6504
websites: www.downtowntucson.com, www.Fourthavenue.org

Celebrate Tucson’s “all sand, no water” existence at this family-friendly tropical bash for Tucson’s 235th birthday. Tucson does have a lot of beach sand!

event flyer

“Enjoy music, look alike contests, dunking booths, kids activities, giveaways, water safety instruction, free Old Pueblo Trolley rides, and much more.”

“Think Tucson can’t throw a great beach party? You may be surprised to find an enormous sandcastle birthday cake, Gilligan lookalike contest, Tiki party, hot coconut toss, hula hoop revue, chalk art, dunking booths, giant water slide and live island music among the many offerings.”

Tucson Hawaiian music legend Ernie Menehune will play a special downtown show at 160 S. Scott Avenue. Definitely a lot of fun as former Kauai native “Uncle” Ernie will be performing at the Scottish Rite Temple (7 to 8 p.m. ). I know “Uncle” having been a member of the Tucson Polynesian Society (of which he is President), and he’s a great guy and colorful performer.

Merchants will be offering “235″ specials, presenting items/gifts/food for $2.35, $23.50, etc. in honor of Tucson’s birthday celebration. What a fun challenge to seek out those specials! “Uncle” Ernie’s Polynesian show listed above will be asking for only a donation of $2.35.

P.S. What is a kahuna? A Hawaiian priest. That term was made famous in those “Gidget” and “Beach Blanket Bingo” movies of the 1960s. But it is also a term of respect for a wise priest of prehistoric Hawaii (before the Christian missionaries arrived in 1820).

More detailed info on the Big Kahuna event, click here for an earlier Tucsoncitizen.com entry. Or here for a printable version of the schedule to take along with you and the kids, plus lots of friends.

Surf’s up?

Celebrate Kindness Day” by Ben’s Bells Project coming up on Saturday, April 24th at 816 E. University Blvd (Geronimo Plaza in Main Gate Square)! It’s time to buy your tickets and order your “YOU ARE KIND” mini Ben’s Bells!
2:00-5:00 p.m. – Free Admission
Live Music – Face Painting – Raffle – Bell-making – Kind Kids Sign-up

5:00-8:00 p.m. – Tickets $25 ($30 at the door)
Ben’s Bells invites you to spend the evening with Elliot Glicksman, The Determined Luddites, The Tryst, The Rapallos, Olympic swimmers, and other fun and KIND Tucsonans!
Live Music – Dancing – Food – Wine – Beer – Silent Auction
Free parking on the street (Saturday) and at the UA parking garages nearby.

website: www.bensbells.org. The story behind the bells: Toddler Ben Packard suddenly died from croup on March 29, 2002 at age 2, and his mother Jeannette founded Ben’s Bells in his memory in 2003, creating lovely ceramic mobiles to thank people for their kindness. “On the first anniversary of his death, hundreds of Ben’s Bells were distributed throughout Tucson, hung randomly in trees, on bike paths, and in parks with a written message to simply take one home and pass on the kindness.”

Weekly awards of these bells are given to lucky Tucsonans for their kindness and community spirit. I was nominated once for the work I did for founding/coordinating/steering a volunteer elderly project in my neighborhood.

I have also helped paint those lovely ceramic shapes that compose a Ben’s Bells mobile. It’s a great art project to help the Tucson community appreciate kindness. You too can help by dropping by their office/studio at 816 E. University Blvd. (Geronimo Plaza, east side). Hours are:

Wednesdays 10-3pm
Thursdays 10-3pm
Fridays 10-7pm
Saturday/Sunday 10-3pm

“Nothing is more important in these trying times than kindness.”

Be KIND and celebrate kindness on April 24.