Freecycle is a fun way to get rid of some unwanted items without filling our landfills with still usable items. Just last night we picked up some round and some hexagonal pavers that someone was giving away. It saved us a ton of money and now we finally have a defined pathway to our front door. Another freecycler now has room in his backyard! Happy Freecycling!

Tucson, environmentally concious, Freecycle

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. They were gone by Monday but it is unknown if they were removed or flew off on their own. So far no other schools have reported bat activity.

Bats do play an important part in our ecosystem doing their part to keep down mosquitos and other bugs. Pima County Health officials are searching for the colony the rabid bats were a part of. If you see a dead or injured bat please contact Pima Animal Care Center at 243-5900.

Image courtesy of Stock Exchange
Source article

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! On this day back in 1775, Hugh O’Conor an Irishman set the boundaries for the Presidio of San Augustin while working for the Spanish Royal Army. This laid the foundation for our beautiful city of Tucson.

In celebration you can check out the Pima Air and Space Museum for free today or participate in several other birthday events. Check out the website at Tucsons Birthday for a list of events and things to do. I know I’m planning on having some birthday cake - if its in honor of this great city do the calories really count?

Tucson, birthday, Presidio of San Augustin, Pima Air and Space Museum

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

This morning it was announced that local mortgage lender First Magnus would no longer be funding new mortgage loans. Their announcement follows on the heels of the announcement by American Home Mortgage on August 3rd that their company would no longer be funding mortgages. American Home Mortagage filed for bankruptcy a few days later.

Part of the reasons given includes the risks taken when lending to the segment of the population with poor credit histories. During the boom there was a lot of creative financing to get just about anyone into a home. Now that the pressures of paying for those homes has hit many can’t make the payments they thought they could.

Speculation says that First Magnus is closing but sources tell the Arizona Daily Star that they don’t think that will happen. What happens to those whose loans are pending remains to be seen. First Magnus is also one of the larger employers in the Tucson region and the fate of hundreds of employees hangs in the balance.

As home prices decline and lenders declare bankruptcy what will this mean for the real estate businesses? It certainly indicates a very lean time for those businesses that rely on real estate sales - agents, brokers, lenders, appraisers, home inspection companies. Hopefully during the boom a few years ago these individuals were smart enough to save for a rainy day because it looks like there is quite a bit of rain in the forecast.

Images courtesy of Stock Exchange
Source article - Arizona Daily Star

real estate, mortgage lender, First Magnus, American Home Mortgage, bankruptcy

Old Tucson movie studios is an authentic movie set. Built back in 1939 the old west town has had many great actors and actresses cross its boards. It really is an interesting place to visit. There is a museum with props from various movies and it is fun to stroll through town taking in the live-action demonstrations throughout the day. Trail rides are available as well.

So head over to their website Old Tucson to get updated information about this piece of historic Tucson.

old west, Honky Tonk, Old Tucson, movie studios

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.

A recent article in the Arizona Daily Star reports that several major housing projects have been placed on hold and face an uncertain future. You can read that article HERE.

It seems that project planners and real estate developers were counting on the housing boom to continue but we can see that was not the case. High construction costs, coupled with a slow market has made developers wary to be the first to start construction. As the Star reported, to make a profit developers would have to charge around $400,000 for a 1000 square foot condo. That price point just isn’t feasible in this market.

There is some talk about creating more rentals instead of the private condominiums. Adding more apartments downtown could be one solution to Rio Nuevo’s many problems.

With significant amounts of money at stake we should see more progress than we have. In 2006 the Arizona legistature increased the amount of state funding by $600 million dollars and extended the time-frame by 12 years. So when should the public demand that progress be made? These are our tax dollars at work - well right now they are bogged down in planning and “discussion” over how to best spend them. Maybe a better solution would be to finish the projects actually started and give the rest of the money to our struggling school districts.

Image copyright Amber Curtis

downtown, Rio Nuevo, Arizona Daily Star, Arizona legistature

What would you buy with $300? Or even $200 or $100? Now is your chance to find out! Comment on any 451 Press site during the month of August and you could win! Three comments will be chosen at random to win a cash prize of $300, $200 or $100. The more you comment the more chances you have to win. So start reading and let those fingers fly.

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