Tucson, AZ

There is a wonderful resource that can be found online and it all started in Tucson a few years ago when some environmentally concious people wanted to give away some household items instead of sending them to the landfill. The founder sent out a few emails, those emails were passed on, other people started sending their own emails with things to give away and Freecycle was born! There are now Freecycle groups in cities all over the United States. The group is found at (more…)

Tucson, environmentally concious, Freecycle

Sounds like something out of a horror movie doesn’t it? But it is a valid warning issued by Pima County officials for an area on the northwest side where 9 rabid bat bodies have been found in the last 2 and 1/2 months. The area is bordered by Overton Rd, La Cañada Drive, Ina Road and La Cholla Blvd. So far this year, fourteen bats have tested positive for rabies and it is unusual to see a significant number come from the same area. One of the rabid bats was found on the Pima Community College Northwest Campus.

Several schools in the area were notified of the potential for bat activity. Cross Middle School did call a company on Friday to remove two bats that were nesting in an eave of a building on their campus. (more…)

Pima County, rabies, rabid bats, Pima Community College, Cross Middle School

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Tucson,
Happy Birthday to you!

Thats right! Tucson is celebrating its 232d birthday today! (more…)

Tucson, birthday

Finding a good mechanic is quite the daunting task sometimes. My friend had recommended this place to me last year but at that time it was on the opposite side of town from where I was living and I didn’t feel the drive was worth it. I have changed my mind!

Recently the transmission on our Escort went out necessitating a new tranny. I contacted my friend again for her recommendation. Now that I’m living on the East side the drive didn’t seem so bad and I was desparate. I must say this is the BEST service I’ve had from a shop I think just about ever. The owner Sheryl is the nicest, most caring individual. She is honest and upfront with you about costs and does what she can to make it reasonable. The work is done in a timely manner and it is done right.

So if you are in need of a good transmission place I wholeheartedly recommend A-Best Transmissions. Sheryl and her husband have owned and operated the company in the same location for over 30 years. It is worth the drive no matter what side of town you live on.

mechanic, transmission, Escort

Thats right! Looking for some old west entertainment this Saturday? I was perusing the Old Tucson website and saw this on their sidebar. Every Saturday through Labor Day you can head over for their Honky Tonk Saturday night complete with a chuck wagon dinner and bull riding. The gates open at 6 pm and the rodeo starts at 7:30 pm. Its a nice time to visit Old Tucson since the weather is much more agreeable after dark than in the afternoons right now. (more…)

old west, Honky Tonk

Its fairly common knowledge that the housing market in Tucson has slowed dramatically from its boom just two years ago. There has a been a swing from the seller’s market that realtors, sellers and those associated businesses enjoyed in the summer of 2005. Back then houses were often selling before they even hit the MLS and were fetching top dollar. Fast forward to this summer - the pendulum has definately swung into the buyers market. Buyers now have time to shop around with more houses on the market then there are buyers waiting to buy.

This shift has had an impact on the downtown redevelopment project dubbed Rio Nuevo. There were several condominium projects planned for the area and it seems the sluggish market has placed these plans on hold. (more…)

downtown, Rio Nuevo

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but one heck of a video capture! I find nature so fascinating sometimes and wanted to share this video capturing a pride of lions attacking a buffalo. It is really an amazing story.

In June it was reported that the Tucson Sidewinders may be leaving Tucson potentially heading to Reno. There have been mixed reactions to this news. Baseball fans will certainly miss the excitement of the games.

However, paid attendance at the Sidewinders games is not as high as projected. The Sidewinders pay the city of Tucson a certain amount based on the paid attendance numbers and their departure may actually mean more money for Tucson.

Currently, during regular season play, because of complaints (more…)

Tucson Sidewinders

Hankering for some good ole’ fashioned Mexican food of the non-Taco Bell variety? Well head over to one of the three Tucson locations of La Parilla Suiza. I personally love the ambience of the Ina and Oldfather location and the Speedway and Craycroft location. On the weekends the northwest location has live mariachi music and these guys are GOOD. The food is fabulous, authentic Mexico City cuisine that is sure to satisfy. You can find a menu and location information on their website La Parilla Suiza as well as more information about the company. It is one of our favorite places to eat! Our last trip I had the Bistek Suizo - a deliciously grilled steak between two fresh flour tortillas with melted cheese. Yum! To finish our dinner we enjoyed a Fried Ice Cream. Don’t miss it!

Taco Bell, La Parilla Suiza, Mexico City

If you haven’t gone lately I highly recommend taking a morning or afternoon and going to the Reid Park Zoo. This is a fabulous zoo! The animals are in natural habitats and the trails winding through the zoo are enjoyable to walk through. There is a wide variety of animals to see. My personal favorite is the Giraffes. The zoo also has Giraffe Encounters every day at 10 am. (more…)

Reid Park Zoo, Giraffe

Recently it was reported that Palo Verde Behavioral Health hospital was closing their pediatric ward to make more room for the adult mental health population that is growing and in constant need of inpatient beds. That leaves Sonora Behavioral Health the only local facility that will be handling pediatric and adolescent patients.

The Arizona Daily Star reported (more…)

Palo Verde Behavioral Health, Sonora Behavioral Health

go out to the families affected by the bridge collapse in the Midwest. God bless.

Looking for something fun for the whole family to do on Saturday? Check out these events:

18th Annual MIXFM Baby Fair - A fabulous resource for parents and parents-to-be. Bring the kids for Kids Karaoke, enter your crawler in the annual Diaper Derby (winner gets free diapers!) and get lots of helpful information from a large variety of Tucson business. Its free and the festivities go from 9 am to 3 pm at the Tucson Convention Center. (more…)

MIXFM

Looking for a job or to switch careers? There is a free job fair today at the Tucson Convention Center (TCC) from noon to 4 pm. There will be a variety of businesses available to do initial screenings, gather information and there will be experts on hand to review your resume as well as several workshops. All free!

The TCC is located at 260 South Church Ave.

Tucson Convention Center