Friday, August 16, 2019
The annual event, originally scheduled for Nov. 9, has been a Sahuarita tradition for the last 10 years but according to their press release is no longer feasible under the current "global economic conditions."
FICO pointed to the imposition of trade tariffs upon the pecan industry as a major factor in the decision to cancel the event.
Last year, the industry took a major hit when China, the top purchaser of U.S. pecans, imposed a 47 percent tariff on them. The increase happened incrementally, with China imposing a seven percent increase in 2017, a 15 percent increase in April of last year and an additional 25 percent last July.
The impacts of the increased tariff have been felt by pecan farmers across the nation including Texas, New Mexico and Georgia.
FICO also cited the "significant expenditure of funds" involved in producing the festival and staff time as factors in the decision.
The pecan festival averaged about 20,000 guests annually since it began in 2009.
The Pecan Classic race on Nov. 9 will still occur as scheduled.
Tags: Pecans , Sahuarita Pecan Festival , FICO , tariffs , Image
The Harkins Tucson Spectrum theatre, located at 5455 S Calle Santa Cruz, will receive a variety of enhancements as part of Harkins Theatres' $150 million initiative to upgrade their existing theaters.
“Tucson Spectrum holds a special place in our hearts as our first Tucson location, especially for me as a native Tucsonan,” said Mike Bowers, President and CEO of Harkins Theatres in a press release Thursday. “Delivering the Ultimate Moviegoing experience for our guests is always our number one priority. Part of delivering on this promise is to reinvest in our theatres with best-in-show technology and amenities. We are thrilled to announce the enhancements coming to Harkins Tucson Spectrum.”
The upgrades to the Spectrum Theatre will include new plush leather seating in all auditoriums, state-of-the-art laser projection, reserved seating and an in-lobby bar with local craft brews.
A CINÉ1 premium large format auditorium will also be added to the theater that includes features like Ultimate Lounger seats and Dolby Atmos 3D sound.
The construction has already begun and the theater will remain open while the upgrades take place.
For more information about Harkins Theatre, visit www.harkins.com/locations/tucson-spectrum-18.
Tags: movies , upgrades , Harkins , theatres , development , Tucson Spectrum , Image
Thursday, August 15, 2019
By day, this award-winning fiddler's signature black-framed glasses scream mild-mannered Clark Kent. At night, watch this virtuoso transform into a Southwestern country rock Superman. The Billy Shaw Jr. Band is at The Maverick.
This month's installment of the smorgasbord of artistic expression known as Ladytowne Live features candid conversation with mayoral candidates Randi Dorman, Steve Farley and Regina Romero with a musical set by the mighty Just Najima at Club Congress.
It's free jazz! Lookout Tucson Jazz Concert Series—presented by Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance—continues. This week sees the dynamic configuration of pianist Chris Peña, upright bassist Thøger Lund and Josh Carruthers on drums in the Lookout Bar and Grille at The Westward Look Resort.
Bohemian folk rockers Little Cloud scatter rain showers of joy to lead you heavenward at Tap + Bottle-Downtown.
Putting an electrified twist on stripped-down acoustic covers—from retro hits to the indie underground—husband and wife, guitar and violin duo Dos Sueños entertain at Crooked Tooth Brewing Co.
Sky Bar sees October Intuition, BTP & Friends and Sad, Sad Girls cry in their beers.
Nashville music crusader, Virginia Cannon presents a Thursday Night Singer-Songwriter Showcase. Six performers, four original songs, taking turns round robin at Monterey Court.
Accompanied by a revolving cast of guest performers, Joshua Butcher hosts The Butcher's Block at Iron John's Brewing Company–Congress.
This Canadian experimental music collective have amassed a significant cult following since their 1994 inception. GodSpeed You! Black Emperor will have you "Lift[ing] Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas" in reverence at the Rialto Theatre. New York saxophonist/drummer/synthesizer player/composer Devin Brahja Waldman opens.
Tags: XOXO , do this , music , artists , shows , concerts , Image
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
The board also voted to proceed with a $126 million financing plan that includes roughly $70 million for the renovation and any other contingency costs.
“This is a great day,” said board chair Fletcher McCusker in a release. “It’s been a long time coming.”
The TCC was built in 1971 and includes 205,000 square feet of meeting space and three performance venues — the Tucson Arena, Tucson Music Hall and the Leo Rich Theater. The facility also houses a pair of exhibit halls, 20,000 square feet of ballroom space and 10,000 square feet of meeting rooms, all located at 260 S. Church Ave.
Tucson Arena also hosts the Tucson Roadrunners AHL hockey team, the Tucson Sugar Skulls professional indoor football team and the University of Arizona club hockey team.
Current improvement commitments include a full replacement of the arena ice floor and ice plant ($3.2 million), a 300-space parking garage in parking lot A ($5.2 million) and an expansion for 45 additional parking spaces ($45,000).
Convention center priorities include renovation of convention space and existing meeting rooms ($7.6 million), arena lighting upgrades ($220,000), streetscaping and connections for accessibility ($2.5 million), landscape restoration in Eckbo Plaza upper area ($1.9 million), and high-speed data infrastructure ($2.5 million).
A meeting room addition will also add 18,000 square feet adjacent to the ball room, costing $9.2 million.
Other priorities include a 500-spot garage in Lot C ($11.4 million); renovations to the music hall to include the restrooms and a lobby, production lighting and sound equipment and new seating ($6.6 million); an outdoor event patio and interior VIP area at the music hall ($780,000); renovations to the Leo Rich Theater to include the restrooms and lobby, production lighting and sound equipment and new seating ($2 million); and improvements to the Eckbo Plaza central plaza and north walkway ($6.1 million).
Tags: Rio Nuevo , TCC , Tucson Convention Center , development , projects , renovations , Image
According to Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation, the purpose of the pond restoration is to “conserve water by minimizing seepage from the pond and to improve habitat by deepening the pond and adding additional features.”
Staff have slowly drained the main pond to prepare for the project. Well water is no longer being pumped into the main pond, and remaining water is being siphoned into Pond 2.
According to the county, the first stage of the restoration project involved removing select palm trees and invasive cattails, which will help restore the historic view of the pond and allow native species at the park to thrive in a healthier environment.
Workers will next excavate the pond to deepen it and install a polymer-amended soil lining to the bottom and sides of the pond to reduce water loss. This phase will also include installation of a wildlife island and replacement of the bridge to the current island.
During the time the park is closed, dog walkers can visit McDonald Park at 4100 N. Harrison Road.
Tags: Agua Caliente Park , closures , restoration , ponds , Pima County , Image
How does an elephant celebrate her birthday? At the Reid Park Zoo, the occasion is marked with songs, pachyderm treats and cupcakes for her human friends.
Nandi, the zoo’s African elephant, turns 5 this Sunday, and the whole town’s invited. Learn all about this amazing elephant species, sing Nandi “Happy Birthday,” watch her eat her favorite treats and enjoy some African Music and entertainment.
The celebration kicks off this Sunday, Aug. 18, at 8 a.m. at the Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court.
Schedule of Activities
· 8:10 a.m. Free birthday cupcakes for the first 100 guests
· 8:15 a.m. African drumming and dancing presented by African Diaspora Showcase
· 8:30 a.m. Sing “Happy Birthday” to Nandi and watch her receive her favorite treats
· 8:45 a.m. Elephant dance performance by African Diaspora Showcase
· 9:00 a.m. Elephant-themed activities and keeper chats
“Nandi is an ambassador for her species,” said Sue Tygielski, PhD, director of zoo operations. “We are celebrating her life and birthday, but we are also celebrating the lives of wild elephant herds too.”
Nandi’s Fifth Birthday Bash is free with zoo admission of $10.50 for adults; $8.50 for seniors and $6.50 for children. Zoo members receive free admission. For more information on Reid Park Zoo, visit the website at reidparkzoo.org.
Tags: Nandi , elephants , Reid Park Zoo , birthdays , animals , zoo , family , Image
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Esteemed bluesman Tom Walbank holds court as part of the Plaza Live Tuesday Night Concert Series in the Courtyard at St. Phillips Plaza.
Tags: XoXo , concerts , music , shows , metal , rock , club congress , Tom Walbank , Suicide Forest , St. Phillips , Image
Monday, August 12, 2019
"These are songs and powerful prayers, created to protect the land and its people, recognize the ancestry that burns in our hearts, and treasure wisdom weaving healthy bonds that reflect self-love with dignity."
Singer-songwriter Luz Elena Mendoza will lead us through the places that we are afraid to go. Y La Bamba are at Club Congress. The velvety dream pop of Andria Rose creates painterly music.
Tags: Music , XOXO , concerts , Y La Bamba , Club Congress , Image
Bring your family to meet Jake at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. Have questions? Give an adoptions counselor a call at 520-327-6088, ext. 173.
Tags: Humane Society , pets , adoptions , dogs , Jake , Humane Society Southern Arizona , animals , Image
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Michael Lewis Arthur Meyer, the 40-year-old founder of the armed, vigilante group Veterans on Patrol, will face two felony counts of third-degree burglary and misdemeanor counts of theft and criminal damage.
Meyer has a history of tampering with water tanks placed in the desert by humanitarian groups and posted multiple videos of himself emptying tanks several times last year.
PCSD Public Information Officer James Allerton said the department received several reports of damage and/or theft of water barrels on private properties in the Three Points and Arivaca areas.
An incident on July 12 where several water barrels on private property were damaged and or taken prompted an investigation.
On Monday morning, around 10 a.m., deputies responded to a report of suspicious individuals in the desert in the Three Points area where they made contact with Meyer. He was arrested and booked into the Pima County Jail where he was held on a $4,450 bond.
Meyer made headlines last year when he started a conspiracy theory that a homeless camp near Interstate 19 and West Valencia Road was the site of a pedophilia and human trafficking ring with global reach. Police investigated and found no evidence that the site was used for such a purpose.
Meyer was also arrested in July and December last year.
Tags: Michael Lewis Meyer , Veterans on Patrol , water barrels , crime , Pima County Sheriff , Image
