Tuesday, February 9, 2016
The program is meant to improve the safety, condition, livability, and accessibility of homes owned by veterans. Projects also work to upgrade the energy efficiency of homes in order to reduce energy costs.
“We are promoting respect and dignity for our nation’s heroes,” said Habitat Tucson CEO, T. VanHook about the program. “We are committed to helping our veteran neighbors live in peace and safety. Habitat Tucson builds more than just homes.”Know of a veteran who could benefit from free home repairs? Direct them to this website or to Shianna Searcy of Veteran Homeowner Services at 326-1217, extension 209.
Habitat for Humanity also offers home ownership opportunities and other resources for veterans all over the Tucson metro area. For more information on those programs, visit habitattucson.org/veteran. All general inquiries can be directed to the Habitat for Humanity Tucson main office at 326-1217.
Tags: habitat for humanity , habitat , humanity , home , repair , home repair , veteran , united states military , veterans affairs , good deed
Monday, February 8, 2016
Busy Wednesday night? Playground Bar & Lounge is hosting a free preview of the upcoming Barrio Stories performances by Borderlands Theater. The performances will feature “actors bringing to life the oral histories of the residents whose homes were lost to the construction of the convention center,” according to the event’s Facebook page.
In the late 1960s, a culturally diverse, 80 acre residential and business district in downtown Tucson was demolished as a consequence of urban renewal and the construction of the Tucson Convention Center complex. Over 100 years of historically significant and irreplaceable cultural spaces, shops, homes, restaurants and entertainment venues, notably La Plaza Theatre, were wiped out.
However, through the work of University of Arizona faculty, Borderlands Theater and the Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology, the Barrio Stories Project is reviving the history of this neighborhood by sharing the stories of its residents.
The preview will take place Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Playground Bar & Lounge, 278 E Congress St.
Tags: theater , art , performance , borderlands theater , barrio , barrio stories , barrio stories project , university of arizona , drama
Friday, February 5, 2016
Whether you're a fan of cats or a general fan of adorable animations, I have a game for you.
Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector is a Japanese cat game that has been sweeping through our iPhones in the cutest and most relaxing way. The app, rated number 104 on the Apple App Store free top charts, has become a main focus for many blogs, as well as my own daily life.
Think you might enjoy putting out virtual food and toys and waiting for virtual cats to arrive in your virtual yard? I definitely do.
First, you have to set up your yard. Then tiny cats, all with a different preset names, interests, and personalities will begin to visit, leaving fish treats as a reward for your kindness. You can then use those fish treats to buy more goodies for them. If you are lucky (and generous), a rare and limited-edition cat may visit you.
I am not too embarrassed to say that I've spent days saving up for the highest quality animated food and cat accouterments. Only the best for my (digital) kitty cats!
But be warned: this could happen to you. If you need help succeeding in this a cat-eat-cat world, visit gameskinny.com.
Tags: cat , game , cartoon , animated , app , application , apple , app store , neko atsume , kitty collector , pets , iphone
1) Mount Lemmon SkyCenter SkyNights Program
Check out the largest public viewing telescope in the Southwest any night this weekend. A five hour "tour of the universe" up on Mount Lemmon is $60.
The event is held nightly at the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter (9800 Ski Run Road) from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are required through skycenter.arizona.edu.
Tags: fun , outside , outdoors , weather , fair , art , renaissance , food , stars , astronomy , gifts , weekend
On Wednesday, Feb. 10, Club Camera landscape and nature photographer James Capo will offer tips for taking "Better Backyard Bird Photography." The workshop runs from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m.
Then, on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. 'til noon, Capo will be teaching the "Shoot Better Landscapes" workshop, with an emphasis on composition and light in natural settings.
Finally, on Wednesday, Feb. 24, you can learn the "Top Tips for Better Travel Photos" from the club's president Steve Dell. The final workshop, which begins at 10 a.m., will teach how to shoot pictures worthy of travel magazines on your own vacation.
The workshops are open to all skill levels with tips that work for almost any camera, with both classroom and hands-on instruction. All workshops are free to Pima County Natural Resources Parks and Recreation (NRPR) annual passholders or $5 for non-passholders, with free entry to the park and gallery included. Registration is required in advance, and can be made through Pima County's website by clicking "Register Now."
The workshops are sponsored in conjunction with an fine art photography exhibit titled “Lensmasters: Life and Landscapes of the Southwest,” which is on display at the Ranch House Art Gallery at the park from Feb. 6 through March 2. A "Meet the Artists" reception will take place on Sunday, Feb. 14 from 1 until 3 p.m.
Tags: club camera , tucson , photography , outdoor , travel , birding , workshops , pima county , agua caliente park
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Radziner, who took on architectural projects for celebrities and designers including Tom Ford, Demi Moore and Oliver Peoples, will speak about craft's role in contemporary architectural practices. His talk also explains Marmol Radziner's "architect-led design-build" approach, as well as shows the process through a visual tour of the Kaufmann house restoration, among other design-build endeavors.
The talk kicks off at 6 p.m. at 140 N. Main Ave. Check out more of Marmol Radziner's projects here.
Tags: ron radziner , marmol radziner , university of arizona school of architecture , university of arizona , ua , craft lecture series , kaufmann house
Monday, February 1, 2016
By the end of the century, the season averaged growing temperature will very likely exceed the highest temperature ever recorded throughout the tropics and subtropics. By 2050, the increase in temperature alone is projected to cause a 20% reduction in the yield of all of the major grains (maize, wheat, rice and soybeans). The breadbasket countries in the midlatitudes will experience marked increases in year-to-year volatility in crop production. Increasing stresses on the major crops due to climate change, coupled with the increasing demand for food due to increasing population and development, present significant challenges to achieving global food security. This lecture explores the likely impact of climate change and volatility on food production and availability in the foreseeable future.The lectures draw a full house to Centennial Hall, so get there ahead of the 7 p.m. start time if you want a good seat. More details here.
Looking for a some meaningful discussion next weekend? Come see the Oscar-nominated 2014 film, "Selma," at the The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., on Saturday Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. as a part of the Journalism on Screen series.
There will be a question and answer period after the film with journalist and Pulitzer Price winning author, Diane McWhorter.
Tickets are available here. For more information about the event, click here.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Whistling at a woman while she walks down the street to the local grocery store is not a compliment.
Screaming things at us in the nature of, "nice legs," "nice tits," "smile!" Or, in Spanish, "mamacita," "dame un beso" (give me a kiss)—not compliments. And, please, please, please, do not look at us from atop your awful, gas-wasting trucks with eyes that say, "If we were in a room alone, I'd have my way with you, whether you consent or not."
Now, if I'm approached by someone and that someone says, "you look really nice today," or, "I love your dress"—that's a compliment. Thank you so much. Smile.
I usually respond to the "mamacita" or "nice legs" with the middle finger. But these young women from Mexico City gave me a way better idea—let's combat sexual harassment on the streets with a toy gun filled with confetti and loud punk music.
Tags: aj+ español , mexico , mexico city , women , confetti , punk rock , feminism , sexual harassment
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Sometimes people call Tucson the foot of Arizona because it's boring, because it's barren, because it's "no Phoenix," etc.
Locals, you know that's not true. If you need a reminder, the Tucson community offers up a LOT of cool, recurring weekly and monthly events. Not only are the events on this cool, though—they’re also free. I can’t think a better-sounding combination.
Tucsonans, don't let yourself waste away in this culturally vibrant, diverse town. Get out and explore with Tucson’s 15 coolest, free-est attractions, separated into categories for your ease of use.
MUSIC
The more I’ve lived here, the more I’ve realized that Tucson is kind of a small-scale Austin, Texas—and, yes, I’ve been to Austin. Its music scene is, from a non-local standpoint, actually pretty popping. Any given week, many downtown / 4th Ave. venues host shows ranging in genres from jazz to EDM.
2nd Saturdays: 2nd Saturday is the Tucson equivalent of what is elsewhere known as First Friday. It’s one of Tucson’s many cultural affairs, mixing art, food, and music to create what 2nd Saturday organizer Sandy Mellor calls an urban block party. Though the art and food sometimes cost attendees, the music is always free, entertaining and oftentimes from local artists.
Hotel Congress: You can expect Congress to host a live show from a menagerie of touring artists at least a couple times a week. The historic hotel offers a pretty diverse range of shows, too—they’ve hosted groups including chillwave Hippie Sabotage, pop-punk Modern Baseball and new-wave Martha Davis and The Motels. Every week, though, catch DJ Sid the Kid’s ‘80s/’90s-themed Monday House Party, cumbia-inspired DJ DirtyVerbs Friday nights on the Plaza, and a bunch of local DJs at Saturdaze Dance Party every Saturday night, among many other weekly Congress events.
Cushing Street Cool Jazz: Every Saturday night from 7 to 10 p.m., Cushing Street Bar and Restaurant hosts a “cool” jazz showcase featuring the music of Jeff Lewis and pals. Jazzy.
Tags: tucson , do this! , tucson events , free stuff , free events , community , music , arts and culture , farmers markets , tucson second saturdays , meet me at maynards , free yoga , hotel congress , free jazz , MOCA Tucson
