May 11 is National Public Gardens Day when these two gardens listed below are free of charge all day. Adult admission at both parks is regularly $8, so save some money & enjoy nature.

Tucson Botanical Garden, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, http://www.tucsonbotanical.org/events/national-public-gardens-day/. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m, this garden is located south of Grant Rd. on Alvernon.

Learn water conservation, native and adaptable plants and landscape design experientially, through visits to o...

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Emerge! 2012 Mother’s Day Luncheon

Emerge! serves mothers who would go to the end of the earth to protect their children. Each year we choose one mother, a mother who has displayed exceptional courage and strength. At our Mother’s Day Luncheon we tell her story, and celebrate her bravery.

Award winning editorial cartoonist for the Arizona Daily Star David Fitzsimmons will be our Emcee and is offering caricatures before the event for $25 each. All proceeds will benefit Emerge!

We need you to...

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Brand new campaign from the Loft’s website:

What is Building For The Future?
Building For The Future is a campaign to raise $2.5M in order to deliver a superior film-going experience by expanding The Loft, updating technology, and making the entire facility fully accessible.

What is The Loft?
The Loft Cinema is authentic Tucson – a beloved local arts organization dedicated to creating community through film. The Loft promotes the appreciation and understanding of film, honors the ...

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Second Annual Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer Zumbathon
Sunday, May 6th – 3-5PM
Catalina High School – 3645 E. Pima Rd.

We’re doing it again! The 2nd Annual Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer Zumbathon! We have moved to a bigger venue with plenty of parking. Sunday, May 6th from 3-5PM at Catalina High School – 3645 E. Pima. Register online at www.nocc.kintera.org/tucsonaz tickets are $25 each and you get a FABULOUS t-shirt. Join us and help Break the Silence on Ovar...

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Thursday, May 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
Admission: $25.00 all tickets
at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway
All proceeds benefit Empire Ranch Preservation
for tickets, call 888-364-2829
http://empireranchfoundation.eventbrite.com/
Tickets will also be sold at the door, beginning at 6pm.

Don’t miss a very special screening of a classic movie for a classic cause when Empire Ranch Foundation presents MONTE WALSH, the epic 1970 Western starring LEE MARVIN, JEANNE MOREAU and JACK PALANCE, and partially ...

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From wikipedia:

The National Day of Prayer (36 U.S.C. § 119) is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked “to turn to God in prayer and meditation”. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.The modern law formalizing its annual observance was enacted in 1952, although it has historical origins to a mandate by George Washington, the first president ...

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Kicking off their 13th Season!

Showing classic movies outdoors in downtown Tucson, 110 S. Church

every Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m.
May through October
$3 per person includes popcorn!

Schedule for May 2012:
May 3: Valley Girl
May 10: The Women
May 17: Shadow of a Doubt
May 24: A Streetcar Named Desire
May 31: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Wow, 13 years of movies in that outdoor setting at La Placita Village (SW corner of Broadway and Church, near the Zocalo). Lots of loyal fans & lovers of ...

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Ward 6 Councilmember Steve Kozachik called a press conference yesterday in front of the 1st Assembly of God Church, 1749 E. Broadway, which may be demolished should the north section of Broadway be widened into 8 lanes per the May,2006 Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) voter-approved plan. The church was built in 1950 according to Councilmember Kozachiak also known as “Steve K”.

Blogger Pam Powers (“Tucson Progressive”) announced this event (with an online poll): ht...

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Press release:

The University of Arizona’s Humanities Seminars Program explores subjects from Shakespeare to Vaudeville in its summer series of 4-week classes, which offer the perfect cure for Tucson’s summertime blahs. All the courses are taught by UA professors who have been selected for their scholarly accomplishments and exceptional teaching abilities.

In May, Professor Meg Lota Brown will teach Shakespeare and Film, which looks at the question of how Shakespeare and the filmmakers who a...

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I commit to bring civility into my daily life in all interactions by treating everyone with respect, consideration and kindness regardless of differing beliefs opinions or actions.

This is the civility pledge I’ve been hearing about since that Tucson Tragedy on January 8, 2011, where 19 innocent citizens were shot in front of that Safeway on Ina/Oracle, and six died as a result.

One of those shot, Ron Barber, former District Director of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords started up the Fun...

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March & Rally for Immigrant & worker rights on May 1st, 2012

Gather 9 a.m. at Greyhound Park parking lot,
2601 S. 3rd Ave.

March: 10 a.m. to Armory Park
220 S. 5th Avenue (between 5th & 6th Avenues, east of Children’s Museum Tucson, between E. 12th and 13th Streets)

Tucson May 1st Coalition: www.tucsonmay1st.org, info@tucsonmay1st.org
phone 520-770-1373, 520-762-6629.

Border Action Network: www.borderaction.org

Photos below sent to me from Andrew Ryan, graduate student at Arizona State University’s School of Earth & Space Exploration. He co-authored an article that revealed evidence of lava coils on Mars (click here for my earlier blog about this today). I asked Ryan for photos (being as I’m from the Big Island of Hawaii where the active volcanoes are) and here’s what he sent me. First two of Mars, taken by NASA/JPL/University of Arizona, and the last one of Hawaii is courtesy of ...

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http://azstarnet.com/news/science/asu-grad-student-spies-odd-lava-spirals-near-martian-equator/article_87957678-e676-5c8e-9486-d7fbe0d2c1db.html

Science surprise of the day: read this morning that lava coils/spirals have been discovered on Mars near the equator. The Arizona Daily Star article (above) says they look similar to lava coils in Hawaii. The Martian ones are apparently 16 to 100 feet across.

I grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii (which has the only live volcanoes in the State of Hawaii...

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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, educa...

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From Loft Cinema: http://www.loftcinema.com/endbullying

Saturday, April 28th at 10:00 am
Free Admission

In honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding presents “Step Up, Speak Out, End Bullying: PSA Showcase and Awards”.

The Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding wants to find out what your solutions to bullying are and to share them with Southern Arizona. They are inviting you to take part in their Public Service Announceme...

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If you (like me) missed the Loft Theater’s screening of “Bag It” back in February sponsored by the Sierra Club & Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection (click here), you have another chance to see it for free again this Friday at:

Catalina United Methodist Church, fellowship hall
7 p.m.
2700 E. Speedway (NW corner of Treat Ave.)

Join us for a FREE screening of the award winning documentary “Bag It”. If you care about the condition of our beautiful earth, if you are co...

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Come Help us Turn on the 4 restored Neon Signs!

Friday – April 27 – 6:00 – 9:00 pm.

Pima Community College Downtown Campus (1255 N. Stone Ave.)

Join the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation and Pima Community College for a night celebrating Tucson’s Neon past.

The evening will include the lighting of 4 historic neon signs rescued and restored by the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation; the release of THPF’s Driving Guide to Tucson’s Neon Signs, a m...

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The Pima County Board of Supervisors selected political newcomer attorney Nick Fontana this morning to fill the vacant LD 29 House seat. Last Thursday a 5 member citizens committee (appointed on 4/16/12 and comprised of 2 Democrats, one Republican, and 2 Independents) selected 3 names for appointment by the Board. Click here for my report of that selection meeting.

Nick Fontana, J.D., courtesy of David Snyder Photography

The citizens committee reviewed cover letters and resumes, and a report fr...

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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 chil...

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BRING BACK THE SPLASH CAMPAIGN OPENS SIX ADDITIONAL SUMMER CITY POOLS

The Tucson Parks and Recreation Department and the Parks Foundation have been rewarded by the efforts of proactive businesses, philanthropic groups and individuals dedicated to making city pools available to our community.

The “Bring Back the Splash” campaign has attracted needed funds to open an additional six Summer Splash pools this upcoming summer season.

Special thanks to Catalina Rotary, Jim Click Automotive...

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