I recently read an article in the AZ Daily Star “East side has so much to offer” by regional editor Tiffany Kjos.

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?

Excerpt from article by Hope Yen, Associated Press reporter:

“The new figures show, among other things, that the number of people getting married fell to a record low level in 2009, with just 52 percent of adults 18 and over saying they were joined in wedlock, compared to 57 percent in 2000.”

(Click here for full article, with more census information)

I think young people don’t see the value in marriage (maybe it’s too traditional or old fashioned), and the divorce rate has steadily risen over the years (showing others that marriage doesn’t work for all, or is not financially necessary for women anymore). And lots of young people aren’t attending church (of any religion) so they don’t hear about the religious reasons from a Pastor/Rabbi/Priest/Oman/Sensei to enter wedlock. I broached this subject back on January 1st of this year (click here, blog entitled “Why marriage?)

The AP article states the reasons may be economic (too expensive to get married now, wait till later), or that cohabitation may be cheaper. And I think young people are increasingly commitment-shy and afraid of marriage, which ended in divorce for many of their parents. Half of my son’s friends now come from families of divorce.

But I also like to think it may be somewhat societal as well with gay marriage being denied couples in 45 states, that maybe it’s a civil rights issue for some younger folks (who tend to be more accepting of gays/lesbians). If gays can’t get married, why should straights?

Now I know why we haven’t been invited to too many weddings in recent years. One of my six nieces is living with her partner (and choosing not to marry), with their 3 year old son, & another baby on the way. And only one of the others is married.

Marriage isn’t for everyone, but it can work well, as I’ve stated in my previous blog.

What do you readers think are the reasons for the lowering of the marriage rate in America?

And speaking of the recent census, here’s a quote I just read which is inscribed on the walkway at Miramonte Neighborhood Park (NW corner of E. 3rd St. and N. Richey Blvd.):

“The true test of civilization is, not the census, nor the size of the cities, nor the crops, but the kind of man that the country turns out.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1870).

Let’s also reflect upon the kind of man (and woman) we are turning out today in 2010, 140 years hence.