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What's New in Tucson / October 2007
Pre-Thanksgiving Bike Event - On the Saturday before Thanksgiving-when many are raking leaves or baking pumpkin pies-thousands of athletes of all ages and abilities gather for Tucson's world-famous bicycling event: The 25th annual El Tour de Tucson (officially titled "University Medical Center El Tour de Tucson presented by Diamond Ventures"). The headliner is a 109-mile tour of the city's perimeter that ranges from paved streets in the city's historic core to roller-coaster foothills and sandy Sonoran Desert riverbeds. Five other shorter rides, an expo, and a foot race round out the fun. More than 8,000 cyclists, 2,700 volunteers, and 27,000 spectators are expected. For more information, contact Perimeter Bicycling of America, (520) 745-2033, or www.pbaa.com.
Native American Basketry & Foods Celebration - Southeast of Tucson in tiny Topawa, Ariz., the new Tohono O'odham Cultural Center and Museum will host a Celebration of Basketry and Native Foods, November 29-December 2. The event includes a conference for basket weavers and native-food producers as well as a marketplace for the public. At the marketplace (December 1-2), visitors can browse booths showcasing baskets and native-cooking demonstrations by accomplished chefs-including Loretta Oden of the PBS show, "Seasoned with Spirit: A Native Chef's Journey" and chefs from Tucson's Loews Ventana Canyon Resort-as well as performances by traditional dance groups. For details, contact Veletta Canouts, Museum Administrator, 520.383.0201, ext. 102; or e-mail veletta.canouts@tonation-nsn.gov.
A Pause in Repairs Coming to San Xavier - Scaffolding enclosing the west bell tower at Mission San Xavier del Bac is expected to come down by late February, early March 2008. Then, after more than four years of exterior restoration, Tucson's landmark mission will be visible-but just briefly-before repairs begin on the east bell tower. This is good news for photographers and other pilgrims hoping for an obstruction-free glimpse the 300-year-old Catholic church. Until then, crews will continue replacing modern, cement stucco with "breathable" plaster made from a centuries-old recipe combining sand, lime, and boiled prickly-pear cactus. For more information, contact Vern Lamplot, Executive Director, Patronato San Xavier, at (520) 407-6130, or visit www.sanxaviermission.org.
Tucson's Newest Upscale Nightlife - Tucson's upscale nightlife recently got a breath of fresh air with the arrival of three trendy, sophisticated clubs. The 20,000-square-foot Pearl, in midtown, bills itself as Tucson's first "Las Vegas-style" venue and features a restaurant and lounge, an oxygen bar, a dance club, and unisex restrooms. In St. Philip's Plaza, Level is a leather-and-wood decorated haven for well-heeled foothills patrons, with unique culinary offerings and top-notch drinks. On the east side, I.C.E. (Incredible Conceptual Entertainment) is a dazzling club for those who would rather dress up and hit the dance floor than relax on a barstool.
Nature Education for Kids at Oracle State Park - Nature education programs for kids are featured at Oracle State Park, 40 miles north of Downtown Tucson near the community of Oracle. At the park's Center for Environmental Education, kids in grades 1-6 use all their senses while exploring the surrounding oak grassland as part of programs that combine classroom studies with a fun and educational field trip. Everyone is given a chance to hike the trails, discover the plants and animals, and learn about the world in which they live. The programs are led by trained, park staff and are available by reservation. For more information, call the park at (520) 896-2425 or visit the website at www.azstateparks.com/parks/parkhtml/oracle.html.
Special Venues for Groups - Three of Tucson's top visitor attractions offer their properties for group events. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (883-2702) is making available various facilities that may be rented for meetings, dinners, banquets, and other special gatherings that fall within the museum's mission. Included is the Baldwin Education Building, which features a glass panel opening to an outdoor balcony that overlooks a beautiful desert vista and accommodates up to 200 guests. As Tucson's sole Southwestern Art Deco movie palace, the Fox Tucson Theatre (624-1515) offers 4,000-square feet of lobby space on three floors for charming sit-down dinners, receptions, meetings, corporate and special events, weddings, and private parties. Pima Air & Space Museum (618-4850) is now available for private and corporate events, ranging from picnics to team-building programs. In its aircraft hangar, the renowned aerospace museum can host groups of 20 to 700 guests; outdoors the number is practically limitless.
Arboretum Covers University of Arizona Campus - Many university campuses have set aside green areas where displays of local flora are exhibited. Others, such as the Campus Arboretum at the University of Arizona in Tucson, like to spread out. A collection of some 500 individual plant species are found throughout the U of A campus, including many unique plants from arid and semi-arid climates around the world. For example, a trio of bizarre-looking Boojum trees in the historic Krutch Garden has a long and interesting history through their 70 years on the campus. Other plants and wildlife are identified on maps of several self-guided walking tours around the campus. For more information, or to download a Plant Walks or Wildlife map from the arboretum's website, go to http://arboretum.arizona.edu.
New, Affordable Foothills Digs - Embassy Suites has opened an upscale, all-suite hotel at Paloma Village (6350 N. Campbell Ave.), across La Encantada shopping center in the picturesque Santa Catalina foothills. The hotel's two-room suites offer separate living areas, a sofa bed, private bedroom and bath, 32-inch flat-screen television, two phones with voicemail, high-speed Internet access, a wet bar, refrigerator, microwave oven, and work desk. The hotel features original landscapes and floral watercolors by Tucson artist, Diana Madaras. For more information, call 342-4000.
The Best of Tucson - Tucson's Hotel Congress recently was named "One of the Best Bars in America" 2007 by Esquire magazine. The cover story featured only one bar in the Southwest and "Hot Cong" was it (http://www.hotelcongress.com). USA Today ranked Downtown Tucson's own Royal Elizabeth Bed & Breakfast Inn as among the country's top five urban bed-and-breakfast establishments for business travelers (www.royalelizabeth.com). And Sunset magazine rated Loews Ventana Canyon Resort as a Top-10 hotel for nature lovers: "Within minutes of leaving the resort's tony confines, you can hike into some genuine, 100 percent American wilderness" (http://www.loewshotels.com/).
Tucson Super Savers-During the upcoming holidays, Tucson visitors can save up to 50 percent off regular, high season room-rates at Tucson's hotels, resorts and ranches. These annual holiday-season rates apply to guests who book rooms online through the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau's "Winter Super Savers" program. For details, or to search for room availability, phone 1-800-638-8350, or log on to www.TucsonSuperSavers.com.
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