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What's New in Tucson
January 2008
Western Heritage in Verse and Song: A new generation of entertainers is preserving the heritage of the American West. At the Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival, February 1-3 in Sierra Vista, more than 50 poets, pickers, and singers will make music and tell stories about the cowboy lifestyle, yesterday and today. The lineup includes many Western Music Association honorees, including "Daughters of the Purple Sage," known for signature arrangements of classics such as "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" and "Shenandoah." Other artists include cowboy poet, Buckshot Dot who "tells it like it was," and Washtub Jerry, the only "tub bass" player around. For schedules and tickets, go to www.cowboypoets.com.
Cowboys, Golf, and Gems: Every February, while much of the country hibernates, Tucson is busy hosting three of its biggest events. The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase, February 2-17 is a citywide marketplace of gem and mineral, fossil, bead, and jewelry shows that attracts buyers and sellers from around the world. La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo (The Celebration of the Cowboys) is February 16-24 at Tucson Rodeo Grounds, featuring all rodeo events as well as the ever-popular 83rd annual Tucson Rodeo Parade. On February 18-24, Tucson hosts the prestigious World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship at The Gallery at Dove Mountain. During this internationally televised golf tournament the sport's top 64 golfers compete for an $8 million purse while surrounded by saguaro-filled foothills. For details, visit the Events page at www.visitTucson.org.
All-American Rocks and Minerals: An rare collection of minerals will be presented at the "Minerals of the USA" exhibit at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, Tucson Convention Center, February 14-17. This unprecedented exhibition will feature the 39 best mineral-producing areas in the United States, and superb specimens from both private collections and major museums. Arizona will be represented as a world-famous location for minerals, including azurite and malachite from Bisbee; wulfenite from Yuma's Red Cloud Mine; and petrified wood from Petrified Forest National Park. Other highlights include a selection from the British Museum of Natural History of pre-Revolutionary War minerals collected in the original colonies and returned to England; a sample found by Lewis and Clark in the early 1800s; and the oldest-known mineral collection, created by a group whose members included Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. The Tucson Gem and Mineral Society first presented this show in 1954; it is Tucson's first gem show. For details, visit the society's website, www.tgms.org.
Spring Training is in the Air: In mid-February, three major-league baseball teams begin gathering in Tucson for spring training. Tucson Electric Park is home of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox and the 2001 World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks; Hi Corbett Field houses the Colorado Rockies, 2007 World Series contenders. At the two stadiums, an average 45 games are played during March. D'Backs and White Sox tickets go on sale January 19 (1-866-672-1343); Rockies tickets go on sale January 12 (1-800-388-7625). Ticket price range is $4-$20. Because many games sell out, Tucson hotels and resorts fill up fast. Details about accommodations and vacation packages are available from the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau, at www.VisitTucson.org/visitor/events/springtraining and Tucson Visitor Information (1-800-638-8350). For help getting here, www.AirTucson.com has links to airlines flying into Tucson International Airport.
Walking a Wellness Path: Start the New Year grounded by walking a labyrinth in Tucson. The ancient practice of labyrinth walking is making a comeback with modern pilgrims seeking relaxation, healing, and community building. The labyrinth is not a maze, but a continuous path that circles back and forth so one cannot get lost. Walking is done at one's own pace, alone or with others, and is said to have both physical and spiritual benefits. Three Tucson spa resorts feature as part of their wellness programs an outdoors labyrinth laid out on smooth earth and outlined with rocks and other natural materials. For details, contact Canyon Ranch, Miraval Life in Balance, and Westward Look Resort, or check the "Spa" page at www.visitTucson.org/spa.
Reviving American Craft Beer: Microbreweries, or craft beer breweries, are the fastest growing market segment in the alcohol beverage industry. As demand for high-end, handcrafted beers grows, several Tucson companies are dedicated to reviving an American tradition. Nimbus Brewing Company, Arizona's largest microbrewery, brews and distributes seven styles of all-natural beers; a taproom serves lunch and dinner. Gentle Ben's Brewing Company has been a popular university neighborhood brewpub since it opened in 1970; its beers are brewed at nearby Barrio Brewing. Thunder Canyon Brewery serves hearty, brewpub fare and a wide variety of beers crafted on site, including seasonal specials, such as green beer on St. Patrick's Day. More about these and other Tucson restaurants is available at www.visittucson.org/visitor/culinary/restaurants.
Wildlife Museum Turns 20: Tucson's International Wildlife Museum celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2008. The museum's daily movie screenings in the Wildlife Theater feature a variety of topics, ranging from 30- to 60-minute reports on "Habitat Earth," "Life," and "The Desert Speaks" to narratives on cats, lions, sea monsters, and more! Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more with an advance reservation. Groups studying a particular topic can request a movie to complement their studies. The museum contains more than 400 species of insects, mammals, and birds from around the globe. Some collections are more than 100 years old, and all have been donated by various government agencies, wildlife rehabilitation centers, captive breeding programs, zoos, and individuals. For more information, visit www.thewildlifemuseum.org.
Help Getting Here: Tucson International Airport now features flights to 28 nonstop destinations and connections worldwide. For information on local service and airfare, check Tucson's online guide to air travel at www.AirTucson.com.
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