From http://pondoenterprises.com

I was known to party quite a bit back in the 90′s when I was young and had the energy.  I would come home late, not quite ready to go to bed yet.  So I would watch Beavis and Butthead and the local public Access Tucson channels until I got tired.

The latter featured kids chatting about partying and odd topics.  They usually took calls from viewers.  The late hour was a brightly lit welcome sign for slap-happy prank callers.  Who could resist watching that?  Surely not this buzzed girl.

I found myself developing an affinity for the shows that carried the “Pondo’s Kids” moniker.  Over the years as I matured and changed – so did the shows and hosts.  They went from just trying to give the viewers cheap thrills (sometimes while sloshed) to soberly examining topics of life, pop culture, politics, and movie making.

Marty Ketola, co-owner of the “Pondo” production company, says he gets recognized by fans who say the shows have touched a chord in them.  He says “they were going through similar events in their life, and that it was good to know they were not alone in those experiences.  This runs the gambit of everything from my divorce to dealing with authority figures back in high school. We were just trying to entertain people, but apparently we ended up doing more than that, and that’s gratifying. Fans sharing these experiences with me gave me the same affect; that I’m not the only one with issues.”

Pondo’s Kids has evolved into the production company called Pondo Enterprises (no longer kids) co-owned by Marty Ketola and Clif Campbell.  They focus on creative low-budget films.  Their work is appropriately called “off the grid filmmaking” on their website.

Tonight is an exciting night for Pondo Enterprises.  Their latest project, a movie called “Writing Fren-Zee,” written by Campbell and Ketola, will premier on the big screen.  It is described as a clever, unique romantic comedy about friendship and writer’s block.

This movie was directed by Ketola, had a production cost of $2000 and was shot entirely in Tucson over a thirteen-day period.  It stars prominent Tucson theater actors Jonathan Northover and Eric Schumacher.  It also stars newcomers Nate Campbell, Julie Schaffer, Megan Guthrie, Marie Sembar and features the hilarious Reb Moorehead as Merle the bum

“Writing Fren-Zee” premiers tonight (Tuesday, October 27, 2009) at the Crossroads 6 Grand Cinemas theater with a “PG-ish” rating and is open to the general public. Admission is $5.

Sharing the bill is a short horror comedy named “HUNNYBEAR” from local director Peter Leon.  “HUNNYBEAR” starts at 9 p.m.,
followed by trailers for local projects and then “Writing Fren-Zee” at 9:30 p.m.

See the official “Writing Fren-Zee” trailer here.
See the official “HUNNYBEAR” trailer here.

The sun from Magic Carpet Golf at it's new home: Water on 22nd

I get water from Water on 22nd, a very fine establishment.  In the past, this business had been hard to find and you couldn’t see it until you were right upon it because it is set back from the road.

However, lately it’s visibility has been greatly improved by a giant, bright, concrete sun set out front.  You can’t help but notice it.

Today while filling up my water jugs I asked Daniel the water guy about it.  He told me it was the sun from Magic Carpet Golf that closed after 30-plus  years  in January of last year to the disappointment of many Tucsonans.

In April of this year it was announced many statues, including this one, had been found adoptive homes by Tucson artist (and Tucson Citizen Blogger) Charlie Spillar.  In June he blogged this statue had been removed and headed to an eastside location.  Well, now we know where the sun went!

This was one of many of statues created by Lee Koplin in the 1970s who has been called the inventor of goofy golf.  It has certainly helped Water on 22nd become more noticeable.

Have you had your own sightings of Magic Carpet Golf statues around town?

Welcome to my new blog!

I am a mom, diabetic, pop-culture addict, cactus-hugger, and native Tucsonan with a long family history in Tucson.  That’s just the tip of my self-described iceberg.

Tucson has a special place in my heart.  I have lived in just about every part of town and attended Amphi and Sunnyside high schools.  My favorite hang-out spots range from what many consider ghettos to what I consider paradise (mostly our natural wonders).

I look forward to showing what my Tucson looks like.

Today I’m indulging in my pop-culture addiction, and featuring how Tucson is represented on YouTube.  Below are links to the highest-rated and most-viewed Tucson-related videos.  All happen to be musical acts.

Highest Rated

1. “Make Believe” Music video by Tucson band Golden Boots
2. Another video featuring Golden Boots performing live at Hotel Congress

Most viewed

1. Jesse McCartney singing an acoustic version of Leavin’ in a recording studio.  He invited  DJ’s Johnjay and Rich from93.7  KRQ to meet him at the secret recording location in Los Angeles
2. From the Tucson Folk Festival 2007 featuring yodeling by 14-year-old singer Tiffany Jo Allen
   

What do you think?