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Can it be that time again? For the fun-filled and eventful downtown urban street fest? Go on downtown to E. Congress Street on August 14, starting at 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Here’s the event schedules:

At the Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress, for free, starting at 7 p.m.:

Celebrate Tucson flyer

Celebrate Tucson! A Tribute to the Cultures of Tucson (and a tribute in memory to Cele Peterson):
Featuring entertainment from local groups including STICKSnFINGERS, Los Gallegos, and Mariachi Sonido de Mexico. Special guests include Olga Flores, Salvador Duran, Gabriel Ayala, and the Gospel Music Workshop of America, as well as the Tucson Chinese School Lion Dancers.
This event is co-sponsored by District 5 Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias and SEIU (Service Employees International Union).

At the Scott Avenue Stage (between E. Congress and E. Broadway):

6:30pm-7:30pm: Roll Acosta: Acoustic/Pop/Rock

7:45-9pm: Triple Double Band: Psychedelic/Reggae/Swing

9:15pm-10:30pm: The Tryst: Funk/Jazz/Soul
“Contenders in three categories for the 2010 TAMMIES (Tucson Area Music Awards) – best jazz band, best female vocalist and best horn player. Come and see why they are deserving of such accolades!”

Plus lots of craft vendors, food booths, street performers. Human statues (see photos courtesy of Donovan Dean Durband below) have been present before at other Saturdays, but sadly not this weekend. There’s always lots to do and lots to enjoy every 2nd Saturday Downtown.

Check it all out on their website at www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com.

Enjoy this urban street fest. Tell all your friends!

male human statue with drums at July's 2nd Saturdays Downtown

female human statue at July's 2nd Saturdays Downtown

8/15/10 UPDATE (photo gallery, click here).

At 11 a.m. Sunday Feb. 21 be one of the first in Tucson to see a 1776 broadside copy of the Declaration of Independence at the Arizona Historical Society (AHS), 949 E. 2nd St. (west of Park Ave.). The Museum will open be till 8 p.m. that evening, and again from 8 to 4 p.m. on Monday Feb. 22, to see this historical document. Admission will be free for both days. AHS phone number is 520-628-5774.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will be joined at the opening ceremony by Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup and Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias. Also participating in the opening ceremony will be 30 VFW Riders, Arizona Rangers, Explorers, and the Tucson High School Mariachis. A video message from former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will be shown throughout the visiting 2 day exhibit. See event flyer here.

This 1776 broadside is only one of 25 known left of the Declaration, and here’s the information from the event flyer below on what a broadside is (and the amazing story of how this one was found in a Philadelphia flea market):

“THE DECLARATION of INDEPENDENCE 1776 BROADSIDES–
A broadside is about the size of a full sheet of newspaper, printed on one or
both sides and folded.

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress, led by John Hancock, renders official
Thomas Jefferson’s text of the Declaration of Independence. The manuscript is
rushed to the shop of printer John Dunlap in Philadelphia. Dunlap typesets the
document and creates about 200 broadsides of the text.

The Dunlap broadsides are delivered to the nation’s founders early in the morning
on July 5, 1776. One copy is officially entered into the Congressional Journal, and
additional copies of the freshly drafted Declaration of Independence are carried by
riders on horseback throughout the colonies and read aloud to assembled colonists.
John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, dispatches Dunlap broadside
copies of the Declaration to America’s political and military leaders.

(The “original copy” of the Declaration of Independence – the one that was signed by members of Congress – is at the National Archives in Washington. However, this famous copy wasn’t produced until later in the summer of 1776, and wasn’t signed until August and later in 1776,when Congress returned to Philadelphia after a summer break.)

Today there are only 25 of these July 4 – July 5, 1776 first printing Dunlap
broadsides that are known to exist.”

The broadside copy that will be on display in Tucson was purchased at auction for $8.14 million by TV producer and philanthropist Norman Lear in 2001 at an auction. This copy was discovered in 1989 by a man (in Philadelphia) after he purchased a painting for $4 at a flea market because he was interested in the frame. Concealed in the backing of the frame was this original Dunlap broadside of the Declaration of Independence.

That’s why flea markets are so popular in America!

Today family members of a deceased Chicana community activist cut a ribbon dedicating the 1.2 mile Lorraine Lee Hidden Canyon Trail in Pima County adjacent to the JW Marriot Starr Pass Resort and Spa . The resort is at 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd., the western extension of 22nd Street.

Lorraine Lee was Vice president of Chicanos Por La Causa, which is a “community development corporation committed to building stronger, healthier communities by being a leading advocate, coalition builder, and direct service provider. CPLC promotes positive change and self-sufficiency to enhance the quality of life for the benefit of those (they) serve.” In that capacity she worked tirelessly to bring social justice to the Chicano community in Tucson and Southern Arizona. Lorraine died from throat cancer at age 51, a little over 2 years ago.

400 people were in attendance today for the Dedication Ceremony including speaker Chairman Richard Elias of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, which unanimously approved the naming of the trail in April. Also speaking this morning were Pete Garcia, La Victoria Foundation; Danny Ortega, National Council of La Raza; and Lorraine’s 17 year old eldest daughter Rita Morado. Rita said that she remembered how much her mother loved picnics in the desert and taught her children to cherish and take care of it, by only “leaving footprints” behind.

Particularly moving were words from Father Ricardo Elford who stated that “we walk the trail of our lives with the heart and spirit of Lorraine.” How true.

An indigenous group Calpulli Teoxicalli performed a “duality of life” ceremonial dance, followed by scattering of flowers at the trailhead, representing Lorraine’s finding beauty in all of Nature.

Others in attendance were Ruben Reyes, aide to Congressman Raul Grijalva (CD 7), Ward 5 Councilmember-elect Richard Fimbres and his wife Mary (former aide to Councilmember Steve Leal), Public Defender Isabel Garcia, Jaime Gutierrez (University of Arizona), artist David Tineo, Scott Egan, aide to Supervisor Ray Carroll, Keith Bagwell, aide to Supervisor Elias, and former Ward 3 Councilmember Jerry Anderson. And of course lots of relatives and friends of Lorraine and her husband Alonso Morado were in attendance.

I knew Lorraine (who was part Chinese American) when she and I co-founded the Asian Pacific American Women of Tucson, now defunct. We were a social and political group of women in the 1990′s.

Lorraine Lee giving a speech

Like everyone who spoke today, I remember Lorraine as a passionate, fearless leader, who fought for social change, civil rights, women’s rights, and the environment as well.

Today was a fitting tribute to a courageous local activist, who loved the desert she grew up in, and who died much too young.

For more information about hiking this particular trail and other Pima County trails and parks, log onto www.pima.gov.nrpr.