Ring a bell to remember January 8, 2011

It was three years ago tomorrow at 10:10 a.m. when mentally ill Jared Lee Loughner started shooting innocent civilians in front of the Safeway at the SE corner of Ina/Oracle in Tucson, Arizona. Most of us remember that day with horror, yet we have moved forward into Beyond physical activities and Together We Thrive projects, including a proposed permanent memorial by the January 8th Memorial Foundation.
At yesterday’s press conference this memorial’s location (in El Presidio Park, west of the Pima County Courthouse) was announced.

The Mayor of Tucson sent out this press release:

What: Mayor Rothschild asks Tucsonans to ring bells January 8 at 10:10 a.m. in remembrance of the 19 who were killed or wounded on January 8, 2011. The mayor will ring the bell at Fire Central 19 times in remembrance of the six who were killed – Christina-Taylor Green, Dorothy “Dot” Morris, Judge John Roll, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard and Gabriel “Gabe” Zimmerman – as well as the thirteen who were shot but survived, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Congressman Ron Barber.

“Tucsonans will never forget that day,” said Mayor Rothschild, “but it is more important that we never forget the victims. Those we lost contributed greatly to this community, and are greatly missed.”

Where: Fire Central, 300 S. Fire Central Place, Tucson, AZ 85701

When: Wednesday, January 8, 2014; mayor will begin bell ringing at 10:10 a.m.

You can also witness the bell ringing the University of Arizona Medical center, where many of the shooting victims were taken on January 8, 2011 including CD 8 Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and her then District Director Ron Barber (now Congressman in CD 2). Hospital staff will gather at 9:45 a.m. and make remarks, followed by the bell ringing.

January 8 at 10:10 am
University of Arizona Medical Center Moment of silence/ringing of bells
University of Arizona Medical Center, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue – front lawn

And don’t forget to view the new Together We Thrive exhibits at the Joel D. Valdez main library, the Nanini branch library, and Eckstrom-Columbus branch library (click here for previous post). I visited the exhibit at the main library yesterday, and it brings tears to your eyes to see again all the beautiful notes/letters/photos/gifts/candles left at the 3 temporary memorials after that shooting.

Finally, I located a photo taken by former Rep. Nancy Young Wright of the permanent memorial on the boulder in front of the Safeway on Oracle (click here). The words on the plaque read: “Honoring the victims of the event of January 8, 2011, The Tucson Tragedy…we shall never forget. Safeway”

If you can’t attend either of these bell ringing events tomorrow due to work or school conflicts, you can always privately ring a bell at home, or in a park to remember that day. I did that one year in front of the church (Northminster Presbyterian) where Phyllis Schneck’s memorial service had been held.

May we continue to remember the six who died and the thirteen wounded on January 8, 2011, and work together to thrive in Tucson.

Bronze JFK Bust stolen from El Presidio Park

BRONZE KENNEDY BUST STOLEN FROM PRESIDIO PLAZA

Over the weekend, the bronze bust of John F. Kennedy was stolen off its
pedestal base from Presidio Plaza. It was knocked entirely off its
memorial base. The bronze bust, entitled In Memoriam John F. Kennedy was
erected in 1964, one year after the President’s assassination.

A police report has been made and area metal shops have been informed.
Anyone with information on the theft is urged to call 88-CRIME.

# # #

Sierra Davenport, CPRP
Community Promotions and Marketing Manager
Tucson Parks and Recreation
900 S. Randolph Way
Tucson, AZ 85716
email: Sierra.Davenport@tucsonaz.gov
(520) 837-8032

According to Ted Prezelski, Council aide to Ward 2 Councilmember Paul Cunningham, the money for that bust was raised by the Pima County Democratic Party.

My husband and I just recently admired this beautiful bust of JFK near the Pima County Courthouse and the rose bushes. If anyone knows of who did it, please call 88-Crime. Maybe it will be returned, unharmed. We need Tucson’s community help in finding the culprit.

40 years of Tucson Meet Yourself

It’s been 40 years since Big Jim Griffith and his friends started up Tucson Meet Yourself (TMY) downtown, a very popular folklife festival which has grown tremendously over these years. Recently on September 12 my husband and I attended a talk at the UA Library Special Collections venue about the history of this festival. There’s a display there with lots of memorabilia (posters, pamphlets, photos, news articles) about the long history & evolution of TMY. This library exhibition continues to January 12, 2014 at 1510 E. University Blvd. (just west of Cherry Ave.)

Poster above created by Julie Ray Creative.

The festival dates/times at El Presidio Park (160 W. Alameda St.) and Jacome Plaza, downtown (in front of Joel D. Valdez Main library, 101 N. Stone).

Friday, October 11, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, October 12, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
and Sunday, October 13, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m

In 1974 the first Tucson Meet Yourself festival took place at El Presidio Park, with 2000 people in attendance, 15 clubs sold ethnic foods, 30 performers played music & danced.

Check out the TMY website for updates on schedule events & happenings, www.tucsonmeetyourself.org. “Come for the Food, Stay for the Culture”

Cool, aquatic places to visit in Tucson

Ah, water. With the long, hot summer approaching, here are examples of cool, aquatic places in Tucson to visit and enjoy.

I miss the Pacific Ocean and sometimes go out looking for ponds and public water features around town. So here’s my list of where there are large bodies of water (and fountains) in Tucson. Lots of ducks and other aquatic birds habitate most of these ponds.

Ponds:
1) Reid Park ponds, with cascading streams on the hill nearby. NE corner of E. 22nd St. and Country Club
2) Ft. Lowell Park (NE corner of Glenn and Craycroft), small pond with spouting fountain in the middle, for fish, turtles, ducks & geese
3) Kennedy Park pond (NW corner of Mission Rd. and Ajo Way), medium sized pond for fishing
4) Christopher Columbus Park (4600 N. Silverbell Rd, north of Grant Rd., west of I-10), perhaps the largest of all these ponds, even has boats, fishing, and wind surfers
5) Chuck Ford Lakeside Park pond (8300 E. Stella Rd., south of Golf Links), medium sized for fishing
6) Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park pond (12325 E. Roger Rd. at Soldier Trail Road) in Pima County, pond 1 has fish, turtles, frogs, & aquatic birds; ponds 2 & 3 are dried up (see photo below)
7) University of Arizona small turtle/goldfish pond on Park Avenue (between E. 2nd St. and E. North Campus Drive, across from the AZ Historical Society)

Streams:
Sabino Canyon and Bear Canyon out east both have natural steams and small pools of water

Fountains:
1) El Presidio Park (near Tucson City Hall) and La Placita Village downtown just between Leo Rich Theater and the Music Hall, east of Church Street have large fountains
2) Tucson Museum of Art (140 N. Main Avenue, north of Alameda Street), small fountain outside in front plaza
3) Fourth Avenue Underpass layered metal fountains (south end, near E. Congress St. and the new parking garage)
4) University of Arizona Administration Bldg. on the UA Mall has some spouting fountains on the south side, and the Student Union Memorial Center to the west has cascading water over large chains, near the UA Bookstore)
5) University of Arizona Old Main historic circular fountain on the west side of the building, facing Park Avenue
6) University of Arizona Architecture building on Speedway (east of Olive Street Underpass), in the back of the building is a small, lush landscaped wetland pool, “Sonoran Landscape Laboratory” with a waterfall from a metal scupper
7) Geronimo Plaza fountain at Main Gate Square, just east of Euclid Avenue on University Blvd.
8) E. Speedway Blvd. at Warren Street Underpass (west of Nob’s Hill shopping center), cascading waterfall fountain (area under construction due to streetcar)
9) River Center, cascading stream (NE corner of River and Craycroft)

Know of any more ponds, streams, or fountains in Tucson open to the public? Please note in comments below for our readers to seek out & enjoy the refreshing coolness of these water features in this Southwest desert, especially during the summer.

Agua Caliente Park pond, courtesy of Friends of Agua Caliente Park

Keep cool in the hot summer heat.

Bonus: Youtube video from University of Stuttgart in Germany about water having memory:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ILSyt_Hhbjg

Popular Tucson Folk Festival in 28th Year

More info and biographies of the headliners:

Aidswalk moving to downtown, now part of Tucson Meet Yourself

Aidswalk Tucson is in its 24th year (started in 1988) and is now moving to the Jacome Plaza downtown in front of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, on Sunday October 14. Event starts at 8 a.m. The Main library is at 101 N. Stone, just south of Alameda.

AIDSWALK TUCSON 2012 EVENT SCHEDULE

Event Program Begins:..8:15 a.m.

Warm Up/ Music:………..8:30 a.m.

Walk Start Time:………..9:00 a.m.

Ending Ceremony:……..10:00 a.m.

Quilt Opening:…………..10:15 a.m.

2012 Honorary Chair is new Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild.

After 6 years at the University of Arizona mall, and previously at Rillito Downs, Aidswalk Tucson has found a new location in downtown. The Tucson Meet Yourself festival runs from October 12 to 14 at the Jacome Plaza, and elsewhere in downtown such as El Presidio Park and La Placita Village. Participate in Aidswalk on October 14, then stay for the rest of the multi-cultural festival. More info: www.aidswalktucson.org, to sign up online. Aidswalk is sponsored by the Southern Arizona Aids Foundation (SAAF).

You can even make a $10 donation on your cell phone by texting “SAAF” to 20222.

Help raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and attend/enjoy Tucson Meet Yourself as well.

Walk straight ahead to downtown for Aidswalk 2012

Be Irish at 25th Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on St. Patrick’s Day

The 2012 parade will feature marchers including floats, military units, local dignitaries, media and entertainment personalities and civic, cultural and social groups. The Tucson parade has a 25-year history and provides a good time for the entire family.

The St. Patrick’s Day Festival opens at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 17 at El Presidio Park Plaza, 160 W. Alameda Street, with live Irish music, dancers, entertainment, a children’s game area, and food and merchandise vendors. Irish organizations, ethnic and cultural tables will be set up in the park as well. Festival Schedule TBA.

The one hour Parade will begin at 11:00 A.M. at Pennington & Stone Avenue, making its way through Downtown – around the Presidio – down Main – through the heart of Tucson.

The 2012 parade and Festival theme, “Honoring our Founders”, will pay tribute to our parade founders, celebrate their vision, and honor their dedication to the Irish and Tucson community.

Portion of Festival Proceeds to benefit the Tucson Police Officers Association.

In memory of the more than one million Irish who died in the Potato Famine 150 years ago, marchers and spectators are asked to remember the hungry of Tucson. The Community Food Bank will accept canned food donations during the Festival.

Grand Marshal was supposed to be Mike Haggerty, one of their parade founders, and former Ward 3 Councilmember. Unfortunately Mike passed away at age 81 on 3/5/12 but he will be there in spirit and memory. The Haggerty family will be riding their decorated golf cart in the parade.

I usually go to this very “green” parade & festival, which is lots of fun, even for those of us who aren’t Irish (but would like to be). Note new location of festival at El Presidio Park on Alameda next to City Hall, west of Church Ave. and not at Armory Park.

www.tucsonstpatricksday.com

Also happening that morning for joggers:

The Third Annual “Running with the Irish” will feature the “Green Isle Mile.” It will begin at the corner of Pennington and Stone at 10:55 a.m.

This is THE competition for bragging rights to the fastest mile in Tucson!

The 1 mile run through beautiful downtown Tucson serves as the kick-off to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Register on www.taggrun.com and don’t forget to wear your green!

Tucson’s “100 Thousand Poets for Change” festival

“The New Pueblo: A Multilingual Celebration of Voice and Culture from Tucson and the Sonoran Desert”
El Presidio Park,
160 W. Alameda St., downtown Tucson
from 3 PM – 7 PM,
on Saturday, September 24th, 2011.

In answer to the global call from 100 THOUSAND POETS FOR CHANGE, “The New Pueblo: A Multilingual Celebration of Voice and Culture from Tucson and the Sonoran Desert” will hold its first annual festival of language and action at Tucson’s El Presidio Park, from 3:00PM-7:00PM, on September 24th, 2011.

As participants at one of more than 600 simultaneously scheduled events in 450 cities and 95 countries—from Egypt to Afghanistan to the Ivory Coast to Columbia—performers and audience members alike will represent Southern Arizona in the world’s largest ever poetry reading. The New Pueblo shares the 100TPFC commitment to make September 24 the first day in a critical mission to “seize and redirect the political and social dialogue of the day and turn the narrative of civilization towards peace and sustainability.”

Here’s the schedule from website: http://www.bigbridge.org/100thousandpoetsforchange/?cat=626

*Capoeira Mandinga Tucson will be conducting all-age capoeira workshops from 3:30-5:00.

*Lisa Levine and friends from the U of A MFA program in creative writing will be painting children’s faces.

*We’ll have two 30 minute open mic sessions—at 4:20 and 5:30—so audience members can add their words to those from the following line-up:

v Ben Quick ¤ Essayist, Poet, Teacher, Activist ¤ Organizer and Host ¤ Hometown: Dixon, IL ¤ ben-quick.com

v Kristen Nelson ¤ Founder and Executive Director of Casa Libre en la Solana ¤ http://www.kristenenelson.com

v Mike Wilson ¤ Tohono O’odham Human Rights Activist

v Lisa Bowden ¤ Co-founder and Publisher of Kore Press ¤ Kore’s GRRLS Literary Activism Project

v Aisha Sloan ¤ Essayist, Teacher, Activist ¤ Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

v Sewing the Seeds: A Women’s Writing Collective presents: Mari Herreras ¤ Rosi Andrade ¤ Geneva Escobar ¤ Elena Díaz Bjorkquist ¤ Jenny Fiero ¤ Kaitlin Meadows ¤ Wanda Poindexter

v 4:20-4:50 OPEN MIC

v Chet Phillips ¤ Essayist, Poet, Activist ¤ Cascabel Working Group Co-Chair

v Waylon Nakai Begay ¤ Dine Poet, Scholar, Activist ¤ Hometown: Shonto, AZ

v Tucson Youth Poetry Slam and YWCA’s Nuestra Voz present: Sarah Gonzales ¤ Director of Racial Justice Programs, Tucson YWCA ¤ Alexia Vasquez, Sunnyside High Alum ¤ Amy Briseno, Sunnyside High Alum ¤ Enrique Garcia, Junior at Pueblo High

v 5:30-6:00 OPEN MIC

v Lisa O’Neill ¤ Essayist, Teacher, Musician, Activist ¤ Hometown: New Orleans, LA

v Leon De La Rosa ¤ Professor of Art at the Universidad Autónoma de CIudad Juárez ¤ leondelarosa.org

v Ocotillo Poetry Slam, Tucson’s official poetry slam presents: Maya Asher ¤ Shaikh Sammed ¤ Brian Towne ¤ Mickey Randelman ¤ Melissa Della Femina.

*Every artist and performer is Tucson-based and is giving his or her time to help make this historic event a success. We believe in Tucson. Remember:

Everyone is welcome to set up non-staked tents and booths, pass out literature, sign up volunteers, collect petition signatures, grow membership and sponsor rolls, display art of every form, and conduct peaceful campaigns for any inclusive cause.

We encourage–in fact, we need–groups or individuals to provide children’s activities such as face painting, chalk art, and any language-centered expression. Activities that showcase Non-Western cultural or ethnic traditions are especially welcome.

The New Pueblo will be especially grateful to groups willing to donate and distribute bottled water and/or prepackaged food—candy, chips, etc. Buying a few bags of pre-wrapped treats from the 17th St. Market or other grocers carrying international selections of food and passing them out to festival goers is a great way to highlight the gifts of a culture.

If you wish to go further, please contact Pima County Health Department at (866) 939-PIMA (7462) or (520) 243-7770 to ensure health code compliance. If your group possesses a current permit from the PCHD and wishes to distribute unpackaged items, please contact event organizer Ben Quick at bnquick74@gmail.com or bquick@email.arizona.edu, or 520-250-0799. (Ben Quick, Department of English,Modern Languages Building,University of Arizona 85721. Ben’s Personal Webpage and Blog: ben-quick.com).

Be part of this “world’s largest-ever poetry reading”.

Teenager Toby Chivers opening at the Fox for 2nd Saturdays Downtown

13 year old Toby Chivers (rock guitarist) will be the opening performer at the historic Fox Tucson Theatre, before Latin jazz musical group “Descarga”, on Saturday October 9 for the monthly 2nd Saturdays Downtown urban street fest. Concert is free, from 7 to 9 p.m., 17 W. Congress Street. Chivers plays with a teen band called “Deceptively Innocent.”

Toby Chivers

Event schedule to date from website, www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.org.

Scott Avenue Stage (between Congress St. and Broadway Blvd.):

6:00pm-7:00pm: A Son y Sol (Latin American music with a twist)
7:15pm-8:30pm: Banana Gun (upbeat acoustic)
8:45pm-10:00pm: Jumper (power-pop)

Along Congress Street:

Art Car Exhibit: 10+ vehicles presented by Automorphosis
Odyssey Storytelling: Look for the StoryArts Cart on the topic – “Masks: Hidden Identities”
5:30 pm-6:15pm: 7 Pipers Band – bagpipers
7pm-9pm: Critical Stilts – Stilt walking & dancing
6pm-10pm: Living Statues, presented by Parasol Project (see photo below courtesy of Donovan Durband)

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Ronstadt Transit Center @ 6th Ave & Congress Street:
5:30pm-7pm: Les Avenge – beat boy acrobatics
7:00pm-8:00pm: Desert Melodies
8:00pm-9:00pm: The Technophobes – candy folk music
9:00pm-10:00pm: Honey Pistol – folk rock/indie/acoustic
7pm-9pm: Magician John Coppin
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Indian Village Lot – Kid’s Corner! Between Stone & Scott on Congress:
West wall: Cinema La Placita screens “Alice in Wonderland” & an encore presentation of a compilation of music videos from the Tucson Film & Music Festival.
East Wall: Ultimate Electronics hosts Rock Band video competitions.

Plus art activities for the kids, an anti-gravity jumping device and more!
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Old Pueblo Garage, 27 E. Congress Street:
6pm-8pm: Blanco Cliff & John White – blues

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NW Corner – Congress St./Stone Ave:
6pm-8pm: The Missing Parts – Folk music from an undiscovered country

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SW Corner – Congress St./Stone Ave:
7:30pm-10pm: Les Avenge – Beat boy acrobatics
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Chicago Store, 130 E. Congress Street:
6pm-10pm: One Phat DJ
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

June’s Corner Store, 10 E. Broadway Blvd.
6:30pm-8pm: TBA
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Flanagan’s Celtic Corner, 222 E. Congress Street:
Annual Celtic Pumpkin and Gourd Carving Contest. Gift Certificates to Flanagan’s Celtic Corner will be awarded.

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And over at El Presidio Park and the Jacome Library Plaza of the Joel D. Valdez Main library is Tucson Meet Yourself, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., also on Saturday! Read my blog on that annual event (click here).

Upcoming 2nd Saturdays Downtown: Saturday, November 13, 2010 and Saturday, December 11, 2010.

Tucson World Refugee Fest on June 19

event flyer

“Tucson World Refugee Fest is held annually to commemorate World Refugee Day, a tribute to the remarkable determination and resilience of tens of millions of refugees uprooted by war and violence.” Go on down to El Presidio Park on Saturday, June 19, from 5 to 9 p.m. and celebrate with these newcomers to Tucson, from all over the world including Cuba, Burma, East and West Africa, Iraq. There will be performers, an international market, games for the children.

Here’s the schedule directly off of their website www.tucsonrefugeefest.com:

“Duo Libre – returns to Refugee Fest, combining the musical talent of guitarist Alejandro Ochoa de Miguel and singer-songwriter Yasel Mendoza Patterson. Formed shortly after arriving in Tucson three years ago, Duo Libre performs their original Cuban music in festivals and stages around Arizona. In 2006 Alejandro and Yasel won the Cuban Disco award for best album.

Karen Music – Roe Paw (voice) and Tu Tu (guitar) return to the stage at RefugeeFest once again to perform traditional Karen music. Roe Paw and Tu Tu are Burmese refugees who came to the United States almost three years ago from camps in Thailand.

African Choir – The Goshen Ministries Choir – Under the direction of Pastor Bigimba Ngabo, the choir will perform Christian songs in Swahili, Kirundi, French and English.

African Drumming – Experience the rhythms of East and West Africa with Martin Klabunde of The Dambe Project

Cameroon Rapper – African artist Rootman Kujah expresses his world view through hip-hop and reggae

The Finding Voices of Refugee Youth – Students from the nationally recognized voices program at Catalina High will perform a selection along with their digitial stories available all evening.

Mohammed Al Saeed – is a Palestinian refugee from Iraq who comes to the stage to perform modern Middle Eastern music on electric keyboard and drums. Music has been a life-long hobby of Mohammed; prior to coming to the United States he performed with his band in festivals and events around Iraq.

Shukuru Kalunga joins Refugee Fest to share his original African songs for guitar and voice. Shukuru came to the United States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo three years ago. In addition to his music, Shukuru also performs poetry and wrote, directed and acted in The Unexpected, a play about refugee life.

Refugee Youth Poetry – Tucson refugees from The Owl & Panther Project share poetry

Congolese Dancers from Rincon High School

Bhutanese Dancers – Refugee women from Bhutan will dance to traditional Nepali/Hindi music.

Martin Klabunde has traveled and studied extensively for the past 18 years with traditional drum masters in East and West Africa. He is a Certified Professor for Mamady Keitas Tam Tam Mandengue International School of the Djembe and is an advanced student of a master healer from Mexico, who has taught Martin the ancient rites of Portal Drumming and Healing Ceremonies. He is the director of The Dambe Project and Kalumba (www.kalumba.org), in which he conducts community workshops and school residencies in Tucson, Arizona. This is his third year performing at Refugee Fest.

Nabil Bazel came to Tucson one year ago from Basra, Iraq. He joins us on the Refugee Fest stage to perform traditional Arabic and English songs, while accompanying himself on the table. He has been performing all of his life.

Adel Kadir, whose stage name is Adil Kalali, was born in Kerkuk, Iraq, where he graduated from a fine arts institute. Beyond poetry, his hobbies include acting and composing. Adel writes poems in five different languages– Arabic, Turkish, Kurdish, Turkmen, and English. Tucson has been his adopted home for one year. This is his second year performing at Refugee Fest.

Purna Adhikari began writing poetry at the age of 11. He became a well-known poet in Nepal and was invited to share his poetry around the country. He was published in magazines and books, and his lyrics were often used by Nepali singers. Come listen to some of his poems.”

I wrote about this event last year after seeing many African refugees at the Pima County Board of Supervisors’ meeting (one of my first blogs for this online Tucsoncitizen.com) — click here.

“Since 1982 Tucson has become home to almost 10,000 refugees. A refugee is any person who is unable to return to his or her own country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Each year thousands of families arrive in the United States from countries all over the world to rebuild their lives and become members of a new community. For many, Tucson has become that community.” (from their website)

Celebrate the new American tapestry. Once again, welcome refugees!