The April 7 event was well attended with hundreds of bicyclists (two wheels, tandems), three wheeled vehicles, scooters, baby strollers, wagons, skaters, walkers, etc. enjoying the downtown streets sans automobiles/trucks. There were numerous family-friendly activity centers along the route, as there will be on April 28 as well.

More info: www.cycloviatucson.org. And below are the activities scheduled at each activity area:

La Madera Park Hub

Official event Kick-off Celebration with Ward 3 Council Member Karin Uhlich at 10 am.
Cox Communication’s Kids Zone, Strider Obstacle Course along with El Grupo’s Bike Rodeo and free youth helmet give away while supplies last.
Zumba classes, food trucks, and more!

Keeling Neighborhood Activity Hubs

11 am – 1:30 pm Live Entertainment: Tucson Friends of Traditional Music, Contra Dance Flash Mob, and The Saguaro Stompers
DJ Carl Hanni and DJ Herm
Tucson Audubon Society Bird Watching Activity
Keeling Neighborhood “Glazing in the Park: Art Activity to Beautify the Bike Boulevard”
BICAS Recycled Art hosts a “Fur and Flower Your Bike Decorating Station”

E. Glenn St. and Mountain Ave.

Bike Boogie: Learn to Dance with your Two-Wheeled True Love with Kimi Eisele
Solar powered Music by Chet Gardiner
Ben’s Bells
Cakes for Causes
Bookman’s Recreation Exchange
Bicycle Tune-Ups by Road Runner Bike Shop
Rocks and Ropes Climbing Wall

“Farm Corner” at Mountain Ave. and E. Blacklidge Dr.

HabiStore, FreeCycle™, Pima County Office of Sustainability, Technicians For Sustainability Solar Demo
Honeybee Demo, Tucson Village Farm, Zen Hens Urban Chickens
Tucson Organic Gardeners Compost Experience, Community Food Bank
Music by Tucson Ukulele Meet-Up

North Dodge Boulevard

DJ Alias with Solar Power provided by the Solar Store
Bicycle Tune-Ups by Arizona Bicycle Experts
Pima County’s “The Loop” Info Booth, Giant Bubbles by the Pima County Library
Living with Urban Wildlife Trailer by Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation
Feed the Koi, Tucson Koi and Water Gardens
Raku Pottery Demonstration by Tucson Clay Co-op
Drum and Drummer School of Percussion at Tucson Metal Arts Village

Enjoy the streets of Tucson and enjoy Spring outside.

I wrote a movie review of this inspiring film before it won the Oscar (click here) after I saw it at the Crossroads Festival Theater (where it is still playing once a day). And last week the Loft Theater, which had originally shown this movie, brought it back for one night on April 11.

Seeing this movie the 2nd time brought to reality the role that Rodriguez’s existential, anti-establishment lyrics had on the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.

The star of the film, Sixto Rodriguez is now on tour, and coming to Tucson on April 19, at the AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road. Online tickets at tickets.solcasino.com, or call 1-800-344-9435. More info:http://www.rialtotheatre.com/news/archives/2013/02/rodriguez_at_av.html. Originally he was supposed to perform at the Rialto Theater downtown on Congress St, but due to his recent popularity, the venue was changed to the AVA Amphitheater at Casino del Sol, to accommodate the thousands of new fans.

All ages welcome, doors open at 7 p.m., for the 8 p.m. live show. Giant Sand will also be performing, and tickets are $20 and up.

Listen to new phenomenon Rodriguez perform this week, then see the film (or vice versa). DVDs of the film are also already available at Casa Video and at the Pima County Public Library.

Rodriguez’s nationwide tour starts off in Mesa, Arizona on April 18, comes here, then goes on to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, Salt Lake City, Broomfield (CO), Dallas, Austin, New Orleans, Tampa, Atlanta, Nashville, St. Paul (MN), Chicago, and ends up in his hometown of Detroit, MI, all in a month! Some of his songs are also on youtube.com. I especially like the haunting lyrics of “I Wonder”.

The Circle of Book Clubs invites you to an i-opening afternoon. Meet Ken Segall, author of Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple’s Success.

It’s impossible to think of Apple without thinking of Steve Jobs but Ken Segall, known as the man who put the “i” in Apple, is the man most responsible for introducing the company we know as Apple to the world.

Ken’s book, Insanely Simple, goes behind the scenes with Steve Jobs, showing how Job’s focus on simplicity earned Apple gigantic rewards. For more than 12 years, Ken Segall worked closely with Steve Jobs as his ad agency’s creative director, spanning NeXT and Apple. Segall led the advertising behind the Think different campaign and started the i-frenzy by naming the iMac.

Meet Ken Segall

When: Sunday, March 3, 2013 2 to 4 pm
Where: To be announced. Provide your email address with payment to receive the event address.
Cost: $35 per person, ($25 of which is tax deductible)
How: Reserve your seat today by mailing your check, payable to Pima Library Foundation to:

Pima Library Foundation
PO Box 13245
Tucson, AZ, 85732

Wine and light refreshments will be served.

For more information, please call Betty, (520) 747-3310 or Marcia at (520) 982-3583.

J.A. Jance and her recent book

Cochise County Sheriff Joanna Brady is back on the case in J.A. Jance’s suspenseful new book, Judgment Call. When a body found in the Southern Arizona desert turns out to be the local high school principal, Sheriff Brady’s investigation leads her to question her judgment about her job and her family.

Hear more about the book from the author herself in her upcoming appearance at Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library when Jance will discuss her new book, answer your questions, and sign books.

Jance, who was raised in Bisbee and who now splits her time between Tucson and Seattle, has more than 21 million books in print, including 14 titles in the Brady series. Jance is also the author of the Seattle-based series featuring homicide detective J. P. Beaumont and seven mysteries featuring former television journalist Ali Reynolds.

Meet J.A. Jance

When: Monday, July 30 at 1:00 pm
Where: Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library, 530 N. Wilmot Rd. (south of E. 5th Street)
Cost: Free (Books will be available for purchase.)

More info, refer to J.A. Jance’s website (click here).

I heard Jance speak at one of those author workshops at the Tucson Festival of Books, which was well attended. Lots of people in Southern AZ enjoy her mysteries and she is a New York Times best selling author.

Former CD 8 Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was a strong proponent of solar energy, and her successor Congressman Barber is continuing this series.

The Office of Congressman Ron Barber presents the 57th Solar Power 101—an ongoing community education series on solar energy. The Solar Power 101 series offers practical information and industry updates for those interested in residential solar power.

Congressman Barber’s office is partnering with the City of Tucson, the Southern Arizona Regional Solar Partnership, and Pima County Public Library to make possible quality presentations on a variety of solar-related topics.

Solar Power 101
Monday, July 16, 6 pm
Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library, 530 N. Wilmot Rd.

Please RSVP to thomas.alston@mail.house.gov.

Agenda

Introduction — Dianna Thor, Pima County Public Library
The Importance of Solar to Southern Arizona’s Economy – Congressman Ron Barber
An Overview of TEP Solar Programs – Carmine Tilghman, Tucson Electric Power, Director Renewable Resources
An Introduction to Residential Solar Systems and What you need to Know About Solar Leases – George Villec, Geoinnovation, Owner

About Solar Power in Southern Arizona

Tucson is one of the the Department of Energy’s 25 designated Solar American Cities. Some of the goals, or Solar America Cities Action Areas, undertaken by these 25 cities are: organizing and strategizing a local solar effort, making solar affordable for residents and businesses, and creating jobs and supporting economic development.

The Solar Power 101 series at libraries is ideal for people new to solar energy, who are very interested in the basics and want to ask in-depth questions of local experts, as well as those already familiar with solar energy. Become informed about solar energy at Solar One Stop.

July 1-31, 2012 at Kirk-Bear Canyon public libary, 8959 E. Tanque Verde, NE corner of Bear Canyon Rd.

Tucson artist Pamela D. Howe shakes up the ‘dog days of summer’ with her eclectic display of images in watercolor and oil. She moves between 3 areas in her studio as she paints oils on canvas, works in watercolor on paper, or composes 3-dimensional shadow boxes, sculptures, and necklaces.

“I especially like animal images, but am also drawn to southwestern, Native American, and fantasy themes. My style ranges from realistic, touches on impressionistic, and expands to a bit of what I call ‘essence abstract’.”

Meet the Artist Saturday afternoon July 14th, 2pm-4pm. Extra items will be available including cards and jewelry. Refreshments will be served.

"Comic Relief" by Pamela D. Howe

Pamela D. Howe, Artist Statement:

Pamela was born and raised in New Jersey. Always interested in art, she received a National Scholastic Gold Key Award for a painting while a senior in high school. After college in Ohio, Pamela taught school for several years in Pittsburgh, PA, where she took art classes at Carnegie Mellon and Pitt. Over the years she has been a florist, gallery assistant, and a working artist.

"Girl in a red skirt" by Pamela D. Howe

Pamela has lived in Tucson since 1980 and is an award-winning, Signature Member of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild. She shows her watercolors, oil paintings, necklaces, and sculptures at the oldest artist cooperative in Tucson, Desert Artisans’ Gallery at 6536 Tanque Verde Road.

Her work is also on display at her Upstairs Studio and she welcomes guests; call 520-822-6144 for an appointment.

A wonderful way to spend time over the long, hot summer months is to vist your local branch library (or the Joel D. Valdez Main Library downtown) and read! And this year the reading program highlights Arizona’s Centennial.

From the Pima County Public Library’s website.

Summer Reading Preview – Our State, Our Story: Celebrating 100 Years of Arizona

Summer Reading is on the horizon. This year it begins on May 24 and runs through July 21. On May 24, mosey on in to your library to pick up your Reading Passport and Arizona Adventure Pass. This year’s program also includes activities that will keep you and your family exploring, doing, creating, writing and reading all summer.
What’s New?

Along with the fantastic fun programs and events that come with Summer Reading each year, this year we are rolling out a new way to think about Summer Reading. This year it’s going to be about reading, writing, creating, doing, and exploring. It’s going to be about reading for pleasure, encouraging a love of reading for all ages, and participation in creative, challenging and exciting activities.

Everyone (adults, teens and kids) who joins Summer Reading this year will receive a Reading Passport and an Arizona Adventure Pass. Your Reading Passport is where you’ll set your reading goal and log your activities. (Have your passport stamped as you meet goals and complete activities.)

Decide Your Reading Goal
What’s a good reading goal? Set your reading goal of minutes or number of pages. Make it your goal to read all of the books in a series or all of the books by a certain author. Maybe you’ll want to read 10 books about horses. Got a stack of magazines you’ve been wanting to read? That’s a reading goal—something that’s a challenge, but not a chore.

Choose Six Activities
In honor of Arizona’s Centennial we’re going to give you a list of 100 activities. Throughout the summer you’ll choose six appealing activities from the list to complete and log in your Reading Passport. You’ll find things that are easy to do as well as others that are more challenging. Your Arizona Adventure Pass will come in handy since it includes passes for fun activities and interesting venues all over the state.

Summer Reading Night at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Who? Readers ages 2-14, your Adventure Pass is your ticket for free admission with one paid adult admission to Summer Reading Night on Saturday, June 23.

SummerQuest
You will have completed the journey with your fellow SummerQuesters when the hidden image you seek appears. How many of the quests will you fulfill to reach the goal?

SummerStory
Are you more the writerly type? SummerStory may be right up your alley. Each week the story will continue with an installment chosen from those you (teens 13-18) submit.
Finale Events

After you’ve accomplished your summer reading goals we want to help you celebrate!

Wrock out with those wizard rockers Harry and the Potters at the Hotel Congress on Thursday, July 19. Thanks to Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange and the Hotel Congress for joining with the library to make this event free and fun for all ages.

Kids who accomplish six activities will receive a pass to a finale event at Reid Park Zoo on Saturday morning, July 21!

The Summer Rock Concert returns this year. Talented local teen bands will play at this free, all ages, concert on July 21 at 8 pm. Teens who have completed 6 activities will receive a backstage pass to an exclusive VIP pre-party.

Wow! What a great way to continue to celebrate Arizona’s 100 birthday (February 14, 2012). Enjoy the summer by reading!

In April, we have our minds on money and money on our minds!

It can’t be helped since April 21-28 is Money Smart Week @ the Pima County Public Library!

Money Smart Week is a nationwide financial literacy event brought to you by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the American Library Association and the Pima County Public Library.

We invite everyone to participate! Come and learn about the resources, programs, services available in Pima County. There are workshops for everyone, from children to adults and covering topics including reading credit reports, financial survival, and fair housing information. We’ll have Storytimes for the kids, Creating Duct Tape Wallets for the crafty, and Coupon Club for the thrifty!

There couldn’t be a better time to begin planning for tomorrow. Financial fitness begins here, at your library… Special thanks to our partners: Debbi Jasperson’s Coupon Club, The Credit Wise Cats, Financial Education Collaborative of Southern Arizona, Southwest Fair Housing Council, Hughes Credit Union, and the Pima County Housing Center.

Lots of events from Monday April 23 to Saturday April 28, at various branch libraries–Nanini, Flowing Wells, Woods, Valencia, Martha Cooper, Dusenberry-River, Kirk-Bear Canyon (click here for full schedule). The free workshops include info on homebuyer education/fitness, identify theft, financial literacy, duct tape wallets, coupon clubs, credit card reports.

Now that Tax Day (April 15) is past, we can all concentrate on other money/financial matters.

Sister Spit: GLBT Author Tour

Pima County Public Library – in conjunction with RADAR Productions, a San Francisco-based queer literary arts nonprofit organization – proudly presents the Sister Spit annual North American tour in two multimedia author readings and performances on Saturday, April 7.

The renowned and raucous performance gang, Sister Spit, will perform at 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Fluxx Gallery and Studio, 414 E. Ninth St. The performances are free and open to the public. Doors open at 3 and 8 p.m. Seating is limited so arrive early.

Sister Spit teams up established and award-winning writers:
Host Michelle Tea (The Chelsea Whistle, Valencia, and Rent Girl) and legendary author Dorothy Allison (Bastard Out of Carolina, Two or Three Things I know for Sure, and Cavedweller) with up-and-coming GLBTQ authors and performers:

•Brontez Purnell, writer and creator of Fag School fanzine and musician (Younger Lovers, Gravy Train!!!)
•Performer and playwright Erin Markey (Green Eyes, Puppy Love: A Stripper’s Tail)
•Comic artist and writer Cassie J Sneider (Fine Fine Music)
•Nationally ranked slam poet and Mr. Transman 2010 Kit Yan.
•Local authors Sam Ace and Amrit Donaldson (Walking the Plank)

This event is made possible through generous funding from the Friends of Pima County Public Library. For more information about Sister Spit or about Pima County Public Library, including branch locations, schedules, news and events, please visit www.library.pima.gov or call 520-791-4010.

Fluxx Studio & Gallery is at 414 E. 9th St., just east of 4th Avenue & that underpass to downtown.

More info on Sister Spit from Pima County News (click here).

Melinda Cervantes, currently Director of the Santa Clara (CA) County Library
Teresa Landers, currently Director of the Santa Cruz (CA) Public library
Gina Macaluso, Family Literary Services Mgr. at Pima County Public Library
Amber Mathewson, Library Service Mgr Lifespan Learning at Pima County Public Library

The former Director Nancy Ledeboer resigned to move to Spokane, Washington as library director there, and she worked here in Tucson since 1996. Ledeboer was recently nominated for a Leadership award at the 2nd Annual Women in Government Day hosted by the Pima County/Tucson Women’s Commission.

According to the press release announcing Cervantes’ hiring, she will begin effective May 14, 2012. She was named Librarian of the Year by the Arizona Library Assn. in 1997 and the California Library Assn. in 2010. Cervantes was at one time Director of the Pinal County Library District in Arizona, and has also held library management positions in Alaska, California, Ohio, and Oregon.

For photo & full press release go to Pima County News online – click here.

Welcome back to Arizona Melinda and hope you enjoy Tucson and Pima County.