A reflection

This blog was conceived in a online journalism course at the University of Arizona in conjunction with our class' semester-long project, Borderbeat.net.

In the past few months, our class has written stories of artists, political leaders, caring do-gooders, and even immigrants themselves. From those stories, I have learned the intricacies of the border and how its influence spreads indiscriminately across culture lines.

For instance, the assignment was to create a Web site dealing with the U.S.-Mexico border, but many times over the Border Beat staff would mistakingly write a story about Tucson, or a Tucsonan. As editor, this caused me much ire, but interestingly enough, with minimal tweaking those stories could easily become "border stories."

The reason is that as a border town, Tucson IS a border story.

The culture south of our city limits plays a part in the architecture of the city, flavors the celebrations of masses, and plays on the compassion of the people. Most importantly our proximity to the border morphs our feelings towards the immigration debate. To us, it is not some hypothetical situation that can be solved by men spitting cold logic at a round-table discussion. The long term affects of immigration have enhanced our culture in many ways. It has become an economic strain to the working people, and--as more and more men, women, and children die in the desert each year--it has also dangerously tested our limits of humanity and compassion.

For those who are not fortunate to experience this first-hand, our online magazine is now available to the entire world. I encourage anyone who feels strongly that this country should do something, or anything, about immigration to earn their opinion first--as we are all stake holders here.

The Web site is re-invented each semester and there is new content added every few weeks or less. Next semester, I hope that the staff becomes as passionate about the issue at hand as the staff had this semester.

Additionally, I hope that the class will continue to explore and exploit multimedia offerings of the journalism department. I hope to see more videos and narrated stories, so that the important people we find as journalists are able to tell their own stories too. Their faces should be seen and their stories heard by the world.

...you're on a bike.

This weekend in Tucson held the 25th Annual El Tour de Tucson, a 109-mile biking race that unites the wellness-loving community each year. The race also includes an 80, 66, 35-mile options and a Kids & Family Fun Ride of 4-miles or 1/4-mile.

This year racers competed hard amongst neighbors with a record number of bikers--over 9,000.

Traffic was terrible driving to work Saturday morning.

Three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond attended the events of the weekend, (LeMond was the first American to win the famous race), and Tucsonans were excited to race alongside the celebrity, but he didn't end up competing.

Carlos Hernandez of Hermisillo, Ariz. was the champion of the 109-mile race, finishing in a record-setting 4 hours, 10 minutes, and 51 seconds. Just one second behind Hernandez was Michael Grabinger, the winner of last year's race who has since turned pro.

Brent Barber of Tucson, Ariz. and Jim Hays of St. Augustine, Fl., led the pack for the 80-mile event, both finishing in 3 hours, 17 minutes, and 37 seconds.

Geoff Ernst and Gregory Patchen tied for the win in the 67-mile event, both finishing in 2 hours, 33 minutes, and 54 seconds.

And, David Murray of Phoenix won the 33-mile event with one second to spare finishing in 1 hour, 31 minutes and 18 seconds.

Below is a peek at the events of the weekend.

Courtesy of You Tube user rjfonty

...the skyline is more outdated than mullets.

For years the City of Tucson has been contemplating a new addition to its downtown skyline. As a large city that lacks in downtown pizazz, voters approved proposition 400 in 1999 that funded the Rio Nuevo project with the purpose of revitalizing Downtown Tucson. Seven years later there’s little tangible evidence of progress, but developers now have a few things in the works.

For one, big name developers have been competing for a bid to build a 700-room luxury hotel. Tomorrow, the city council will decide who wins.

The selection committee has already made its recommendation.

Garfield-Traub developers have won the big bid with their Sheraton hotel. The Sheraton plan by Garfield-Traub Development is closest to the Tucson Convention Center. This plan has 707 rooms and will cost about $200 million. The main difference in this plan compared to the other competitors is the close proximity to TCC and the spacious built-in convention room.

The construction costs will be paid by the developers, but if the council agrees with the recommendation, Garfield-Traub will will low-interest financing from the city. So, in essence the Sheraton will manage the hotel, but the city will own it. In return, the city will have a new cash cow downtown, supposedly.

Jaret Barr, manager of the project, admits that after so long, the public seems to would be happy to see any change, and that the hotel selection process has taken many years. “There are a lot of moving parts to this project,” he said.

While the hotel developers compete for what they believe to be a good investment, the public is skeptical that the hotel will help or even survive.

The hotel is meant to support visitors to Tucson who visit the convention center and the new arena which construction is already in the works. Rio Nuevo funded an extensive market analysis of Tucson, determining that the city can in fact feasibly support a new, large arena, and in turn a hotel.

Although there are no other convention arenas within Tucson, it will still have to compete with casinos like AVA Amphitheater. Venues like AVA have an advantage, as they have room to cut ticket prices and make up the profits in casino revenue.

However, the new arena will be much bigger with 11,000 seats for ice hockey and up to 12,500 seats for other events compared to AVA with just under 5000.

The amount of money residents can spend on entertainment will affect the success of the arena. Tucson’s median income sits about $2,000 below the national average at $40,817.

The study mentions that the income characteristics of Tucson may indicate the city’s lack of ability to use disposable income on entertainment, although still conceding that the arena is financially feasible.

The hotel will not be as directly affected by Tucson residents’ spending habits, as most patrons will be from out of town. However, if the arena goes under, the hotel goes with it.

“It’s a chicken-and-the-egg thing for us,” Barr said, explaining that the hotel will be built to support the new arena, which will bring business to the hotel, and how both are meant bring revenue to Tucson.

...the dead are alive.

The blocking power of the Arizona-Mexico border is no match for ancient tradition. El Dia de los Muertos or The Day of the Dead, a Mexican tradition dating back to before the Spanish Conquistadors arrived, is celebrated with fervor across Arizona.

The celebration is now a hybrid of pagan, indigenous culture and Catholicism, honoring those who have died.

Below is a great video of this year celebration.






Visit http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/ to learn about the celebration and Tucson's adaptation of the celebration, and stay tuned to http://www.borderbeat.net/ for a special report on Dia de los Muertos and All Souls Day.

...you're not in Phoenix.

Earlier this week I stumbled onto an online forum that asked: Where is the better place to live, Tucson or Phoenix?

Although a seemingly simple question, to residents of both cities the legend of this perplexity lies amongst the best of the great two-sided debates, somewhere above "Pepsi or Coke" and just below "to be or not to be."

As an ex-Phoenician turned Tucsonan, I have grown a strong opinion on this matter backed by over four years of deep, open-minded contemplation. While I'm not originally from Phoenix (a Faux-nician?), I've spent enough time in both cities to understand the differences.

If you're wondering which city fits you, your age is probably the determining factor. Here's an abbreviated overview of the two cities in those terms:

Kids
Kids go to school, kids play video games, kids ask too many question, and kids like to run around in the park. While both cities cover the first three characteristics of children equally, each has something different to offer in terms of city parks. Tucson Parks are numerous, 127 in total. That's a big number for a relatively small area.

Phoenix parks are much more spread out and crowded. The city boasts about 200 in a much larger area, and are more crowded and industrialized in comparison to Tucson's more secluded and shaded parks that are great for families and running/walking. (Most Phoenicians walk in air-conditioned malls, not parks.)

In a related category, kids are like pets, pets run in the park too, dogs are pets, and Men's Health Magazine named Tucson the 4th best city for dogs.

20-somethings
As a college student, I couldn't ask for a better place to learn. Since Tucson is not a metropolis area, its not as easy to get lost in the crowd. We are supported by a town that pours into campus and a campus that is deeply invested in the community. The result is a sense of belonging that comes with your education. Bear Down Fridays bring the campus and the surrounding community together to cheer on the University of Arizona football team.

The Arizona State campus in Tempe, Ariz. lies in the middle of fast-paced urban living, and the surrounding Phoenix area doesn't pay nearly enough attention. Not necessarily out of negligence, but because is busy with the hustle and bustle. The plus? An actual nightlife.

The bar scene includes areas-- like Tempe, Old Scottsdale, Downtown Phoenix, etc... The Tucson nightlife includes a street(Fourth Avenue), one or two good places downtown, and a few scattered venues throughout the city. In fact, Tucson is small enough that it's nearly impossible to run into an acquaintance while out-and-about on the weekends, and the three degrees of separation is the norm compared to the standard seven.

If you're a young professional--move to Phoenix. There's not much more to say about that. Tucson's First Magnus, the one reputable employer of the newly graduated, recently collapsed, filing for bankruptcy and laying off nearly all of its employees.

Families
Both Tucson and Phoenix have a relatively low cost of living and an affordable housing market, despite rapid growth. Phoenix statistics vs. Tucson statistics show that Tucson has consistently had a higher crime rate in both property and violent crime, although slight. And while all public schools in the state of Arizona have been struggling, Tucson is known for it's many charter schools (some very highly ranked). Phoenix, however offers more choices in the realm of private elementary and middle schools.

Retirees
The warm weather of Arizona brings the retired and snow birds from all around the county, and there are many retirement communities all around the state. Outside the gated "50+ only"housing developments, Tucson offers a slower-paced lifestyle and community orientated atmosphere--not to mention a really slow average speed limit. Although, both cities have an equal distribution of old folks; percentage-wise, both cities have a median age of about 31.

And whether it be Tucson or Rphoenix, you'll still be in Arizona. You're chapstick will still melt in the car, you'll drive with oven mitts, Christmas lights are for cacti, and you'll never have the need to save daylight like the 49 other states.

...feces is an art form.

A four foot concrete pipe sits perpendicular to the ground with large splashes of a hard, brown substance bursting from the pipe's mouth in an animated explosion. Close by, another pipe protrudes from the underground. Broken in the middle, the pipes brown-colored contents gush outward, spilling into the surrounding dirt.

Not a broken sewage pipe, and not the remnants of a vicious monsoon, it could only be one thing: a $140,000 piece of crap--uh, I mean--art.

The final product of artist Paul Edwards design, part of the Mountain Avenue expansion project of 1995, caused a huge uproar in in 2003 after its completion.

The two sculptures on Glenn and Fort Lowell, although resembling a broken sewage pipe, are actually symbolic of desert water flowing through a wash.

(picture1) (picture2)

After spending thousands of dollars on the project, the city spent much more taking neighborhood polls and conducting several city council meetings to decide the next course of action. Should the "water" be painted blue, should it be moved, should it be destroyed?

I read this article last week written by Jim Nintzel of the Tucson Weekly in the hight of the controversy.

The emphasis and resources spent on this project are indicative of Tucson's highly community oriented atmosphere, among other things, (many other things.)

The City of Tucson, for instance, sent of survey to residents of the surrounding neighborhoods that got a lot of responses from the community. Some of my favorite are:

The results at Glenn and Fort Lowell appear to be the effects of an enema introduced to the storm drain at Grant Road.

Please let my kids paint the stupid thing with color. Just buy me the paint at Ace Hardware and I'll do it for free on weekends.

Use money for street potholes

This is the most disturbing (so-called art) I have ever seen. It looks like (crap) coming out of a broken sewer line and a troll buried in the ground with its feet sticking up.

Not everyone responded negatively:

Keep it. I kinda like the barf art.

So, it's been a few years now--what happened to the beloved sculptures? In a classic re-gifting effort, the city decided to dish out some more money and move them to the South Side at the park on Kino Parkway and 22nd Street. South Tucson unwrapped the gift, (which still bore the another's name scribbled out in magic marker), smiled kindly, gave a sarcastic "thanks, always-think-you're-better-than-me-central-Tucson," and put it in the waaaay back corner of the park. One rests half-hidden under an overgrown weed, and I sometimes see teenage love birds kissing on top of the one with a big burst of poop.

Really though, only in Tucson.

...the desert scene includes an elephant, tiger, polar bear and a giraff.

The Tucson Zoological Society has been supporting Reid Park Zoo since 1976. Located near Tucson's city center, the Reid Park Zoo offers a quick escape from desert life.

While Reid Park Zoo is operated by the city, the TZS works to "enhance the value of Reid Park Zoo to the community" through financial support, education, and a focus on conservation and the protection of the natural environments of the animals.

Their efforts have created a neat little park with over 400 animals, an aquarium, and my favorite--a aviary packed with birds of many feathers.

See the slide show from my last trip below.




There are many other places in Tucson to visit and support nature, wildlife, and conservation.
Visit:
The International Wildlife Museum
Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum
Tohono Chul Park
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Sabino Canyon
Wildflowers of Tucson

...you have a city of a half-million people, twice as many vehicals, and only one main highway---aaand it's broken.

The City of Tucson is like an tall, gangly, awkward man who grew too tall, too fast during puberty and never really figured out how to move correctly.

Like many towns in the Southwest, Tucson was hit hard by a population explosion. It first boomed when air conditioning was invented and the desert became a bearable dominion. Again with the completion of the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct (CAP) created by the Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968, which help bring plentiful(ish) water to many parts of the Southwest from the Colorado River. And most recently because of what I figure to be a newfound loathing for cold weather by retired Midwestern baby-boomers and various other winter-ditching Americans.

So, Tucson grew fast, and its roads were never able to keep up. Today, the I-10 on the west side of the city connects major city roads on that side of the city alone, but any cross-town journey is sentenced to about a 40-mile-per-hour speed limit and traffic lights, (mostly reds ones), at every intersection.

Map of Tucson. See the I-10 spanning the west side
and no highway running cross-town. The red mark indicates the city's center.

There have been many attempts throughout Tucson's history to build another freeway, but re-working the infrastructure of a poorly-planned city is not cheap, and this city has never had the money. In 2002 the city planned to turn Grant Road--a central, east-west running road--into a mini-highway, but things never panned out. Tucsonans have generally been adverse to major changes in an effort to keep the city "charming" and to stunt out-of-control growth--or mainly just because they hate Phoenix and want to do the opposite of whatever Phoenix does, like build highways for instance. When the city proposed an increase of sales taxes to fund the mini-highway and other transportation projects, many Tucsonans adamantly opposed. Read an archived Tucson Weekly article here.

To add to the mix, this year the Department of Transportation has decided to begin the I-10 Widening Project, which will close most of the highly trafficked exits of Tucson, forcing thousands of motorists to travel the frontage roads. Some exits will be closed completely for short spurts of time.

Worst of all, the project wont be completed for another three years. Looks like this old city will still be walking on new-born Bambi legs for a while longer.

Tucson resident or traveling through?
Here are some FAQ's from the project's Web site:

Frequently Asked Questions

Interstate 10: Prince Road to 29th Street

- Will traffic in neighborhoods around Interstate 10 increase during construction? Traffic that typically uses I-10 is directed to the frontage roads and major streets through a comprehensive sign program and public information campaign. The use of neighborhood streets as alternate routes is discouraged. “Local traffic only” barricades and signs are in place.

- Has the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) been working with the City of Tucson to prepare for this construction project? ADOT officials are coordinating with city officials to prepare for the construction’s impact on traffic and the Downtown Río Nuevo project.

- Will any streets be closed during the bridge replacement work? Traffic on major crossroads such as Grant Road, Speedway Boulevard, St. Mary’s Road, Congress Street and 22nd Street will be maintained during construction. However, motorists should anticipate weekend and nighttime closures during bridge demolition and construction. Turning movements at crossroads will be maintained. The Clark Street bridge is closed until further notice in order to move the bridge 100 feet to the north of the existing bridge at the request of the City of Tucson for the Rio Nuevo circulation plan. The 18th Street pedestrian bridge is closed during construction.

- Will the construction work occur 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Some work is occuring at night and during weekends.

- How will the construction affect the annual Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase? People visiting vendors and businesses along I-10 will have full access to the Tucson Convention Center and the frontage roads.

- What is the posted speed limit on the frontage roads during construction? The speed limit on the frontage roads remains at 45 mph and 40 mph.

- Will the stop signs and yield signs on the frontage roads be removed? The signs have been removed since they are not needed after the I-10 exit ramp closures. After the construction is completed and the exit ramps reopen, the signs will be reinstalled.

- Will the traffic signals along the frontage roads be timed? ADOT will make every effort to optimize traffic flow on the frontage roads.

- How will people be notified of the traffic impacts of construction? An aggressive public information campaign was implemented just prior to and during the ramp closures to inform the public about the traffic impacts.

...your night isn't complete without a stop at the neighborhood Nico's

With many open 24/7, this local shop is an oasis for the late-night eater. The portions are large enough to satisfy the insatiable hunger most often found at 3 a.m. when the bars close and patrons have drank away their inhibitions and self-control. Menu items range from loaded nachos, burritos, fish tacos, and the ever-popular bacon-potato-egg-and cheese breakfast burrito.
As seen above, the many flavors of Horchata, flavored rice drinks, complement the greasy comida perfectly. I've discovered that the flavors of the Horchata's differ greatly with each location. Fort Lowell/Campbell has the best, 22nd/Kino the worst.

I consider Nico's the ultimate Tucson initiation. For the 20-something crowd, Tucson attractions pale in comparison to the nearby Phoenix area. What this city does have over the giant metropolis to the north is charm. It may not be the nightclubs of Scottsdale or Fashion Square Mall, but Nico's is part of this Tucson charm.

Last weekend at about 2:30 a.m. the Nico's on the Fort Lowell and Campbell location was buzzing with hungry customers. We waited in line ordered our food, and waited for the line cook to shout "onea-static-burro toco-mumble-ameta" over the 1800's-era intercom, indications that our food was ready. Then we chose between the two flavors of sauce, red and green, and sat down to eat.

There was a unique combination of many drunk kids, and a fewer number of sober drivers. The social spectrum was bright that night, and many customers came up to talk to me as if we were old friends. I met one dude with a tattoo on his forehead and about 5 piercings on his face that said he hates football and wished smoking was a sport (he wouldn't let me take a picture of him). There were also two scandalously dressed (or not dressed) women who apparently are strippers at a local club. I say apparently because they were shouting "You all wish you were strippers!" at anyone who would listen.
We went because my friends sister was in town from Portland. It was her last night and before she left and we "Oh My God HAVE to go to Nico's!" Once you get past the strange smell of fish tacos and that orange scented cleaner, the often strange and eclectic mix of people, and the questionably-sound building, you start to see how great this place really is. I have memories dating back years of the good times at Nico's where and anything-goes ambiance and lively conversation always makes for a great bookend to the night. Once I practiced my Spanish-speaking skills with the kitchen staff, and asked if I could run the drive through for a while. Me and two other friends had fun delivering burritos to about 4 cars before we got bored.


But my favorite story about Nico's was when we were driving South on Campbell Road on the morning of May 6th and saw that an entire corner of the Nico's building was missing. I looked over concerned, and then laughed and said, "You know you're in Tucson when Nico's gets hit by a car on Cinco de Mayo."

...going "downtown" is like going to another country.

OK, maybe it's not exactly another country, but it is a sanctuary for many walks of life who often celebrate the existence of other countries and cultures. Here's a short montage of the highlights of Downtown Tucson:

Courtesy of You Tube user Guerilladigital

On Sept. 15 at Presidio San Agustin del Tucson in Downtown Tucson, the Tucson Guatemalan community gathered together for a cultural celebration.

Some attendees dressed in traditional garments and danced. Guatemalan traditions stem mainly from Spanish, Mayan, and even some African influences.


















In addition to dancing, food, music and drinks, the event, sponsored by the Consulado General De Guatemala of Phoenix, offered governmental services including assistance with passport extensions and civil registration of birth certificates, marriage certificates and more.



_____________

Last weekend, I traveled downtown to explore Downtown Tucson's Barrio Viejo. My friend thought the streets and architecture were reminiscent of a foreign country (thus this post's title). I'm not sure about another country--but there were two strange bird/turkey-like creatures walking around as if they owned the place...




I asked a women who was walking through the neighborhood if she knew whose/what they were. She replied in Spanish, saying that they were always around the neighborhood and that they lived by eating food off the ground in the neighborhood. Anyone know what they are?

But what makes this neighborhood unique--besides the wildlife--can be seen in more than just the shapes and vivid colors of the homes. The Mexican influence of the neighborhood couldn't be denied, seen in the brightly pained religious murals, front porch cacti, Catholic icons and the Spanish language that rang through the streets in both audio and print.

It was almost like taking a step back into the past, where children played in the streets, homes had as much personality as their owners, and front porches not only still existed, but were a common gathering place.

To see more of this neighborhood, visit the Photomondiale Web site of Jerry Peek. Or, watch the neat You Tube video below. Courtesy of You Tube user bumruntry While the neighborhood was alive with people and culture, evidence of its slow decay was also very real, much like Downtown Tucson in general. For years the City of Tucson has been working to restore downtown to the bustling hub of commerce and entertainment that it once was. Spearheading these efforts is the Rio Nuevo Project. Visit their Web site to learn what they have accomplished, what they are working on, and how they are doing it. Or better yet, visit Downtown Tucson and see the heart of Tucson for yourself.

...a neighborhood is called a barrio

Barrio is the Spanish word for neighborhood. Tucson has many distinct barrios with names like "Barrio Hollywood" and "Anita Barrio." Each has its own unique history and characteristics, as is described in Looking into the West Side: Untold Stories of the People, a detailed account of several well-known Tucson barrios.

Amanda Portillo holding a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe

I recently took a trip through a neighborhood around 36th Street and Kino Parkway with my friend, Amanda Portillo, in search of front yard shrines of the Virgin Mary, which are common in Mexico and with Mexican-American families.

Our Mother of Guadalupe is an iconic figure in Mexican culture, particularly for Catholics. To honor the Virgin Mary, some Catholics place shrines with her statue along with other religious materials like rosaries, prayer cards, statues of saints or Jesus, and even pictures of family or friends.

None we found were as elaborate as are documented here at the Web site of photographer Bryan Hansel, but it was interesting to see how the average family pays their respects to the Virgin Mary.

Below is a slide show of some of the shrines we found in the neighborhood.

Some we found were adorned with lights, and many were protected by fencing or glass, emphasizing the sacredness of the religious icons.

While strolling through, Amanda told me about her Nana, who has a similar shrine in her backyard. Her Nana and other family visit the shrine when when they wish to pay their respects or feel close to Mary and God.

"In the Christmastime, we put the manger scene out there too with the baby Jesus. Actually, we don't put the baby in His cradle until Christmas Eve," she said.

Discovering the religious undertones hidden in the barrios of Tucson is fun and exciting--and only a short drive away.

...you are surrounded by art

Traffic in Tucson is relentless. Luckily, frustrated motorists have plenty of time during the constant rush-hours to not only brush up on their bumper sticker reading skills, but to revel in the beautiful and unique murals that grace the roadsides.

Remnants of the Old West are prominent in this southwestern town.

On Grant Road just East of the I-10, the nostalgic mural below stretches along the busy road, blending into the landscape like a window into the city's past.



This Leslie Grimes mural is painted on the site of the old Farmer John Meats plant.






To learn more about the mural, visit its
Roadtrip America site.

A slide show of the mural can be found here from Tempe's Gerald Thurman.


But, more than just an old pueblo, Tucson is a border town. The influence of Mexican culture is prominent in more ways than one.

Below is a mural on the side of a video store in a southwest barrio depicting Our Mother of Guadalupe.



The iconic figure of the Virgin Mary painted here is prominent in Mexican culture. As the legend goes, a poor Aztec Indian named Juan Diego saw a vision of the Virgin Mary. The mother of Christ miraculously placed this image of herself on cloth to prove that Juan Diego was in fact her messenger.






Read more on Our Mother of Guadalupe at Catholic Online. Read more about the numerous Mother of Guadalupe murals in Tucson in this Tucson Weekly article by Margaret Regan. Or, find more on Chicano Murals in Tucson here.


These two murals are great examples of opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to Tucson art genre. However, there is no shortage of equally dynamic murals in this city. A short Sunday afternoon drive through the town is proof enough, but for more on all the Tucson art scene has to offer, visit the Tucson Pima Arts Council Web site.

Welcome and Introduction

This year marks the beginning of my fifth year as a Tucsonan, colloquially referred to as a T-loc. This big small town in southeastern Arizona seems to exist independent of the ordinary. The ever-expanding Phoenix metropolitan area is less than a two-hour drive away, yet its fast-paced and increasingly Southern California-like culture bears no resemblance to life here in the Old Pueblo. No doubt Tucson’s proximity to the border shapes its unique culture, which is rarely understood or accepted by outsiders yet is wholly appreciated by its endeared residents.

I will attempt to decrypt the inner workings of this crazy town. Partly for those of you happily surrounded by the Tucson lifestyle and most importantly for those of you who have not learned to appreciate it…yet.

For T-loc’s like me, we’re used to the animosity from first-time visitors. Maybe visiting family members have been aggravated by the strange smell that greets I-10 travelers at Tucson’s city limits, compliments of the strategically placed sewage treatment plant. Or, maybe visiting drivers have had one too many near-death experiences while navigating Tucson roadways, whether it is the unrelenting traffic, the laissez-faire drivers, or the green arrow that comes after the red light. Only in Tucson.


But those are only the surface-deep differences that set this city apart. What is at the heart of Tucson is a culture so rich and plenty that it sucks you in with the power of an overflowing wash during the monsoon season. The influx of Mexican culture through our desert border has forced an attitude of acceptance rarely found anywhere else. Acceptance not only for all walks of life, but acceptance of the arts, of unique music and food, and of way of thinking that differs from the hackneyed collective thought of the main stream. In essence, Tucson is a refuge for people and ideas that can call no other place home.

Come back each week to see why.