What's New in Tucson
October 2009
Tucson Ranks #1 with Triathletes. Tucson is the best U.S. city for year-round training, says Triathlete Magazine. In its October 2009 list of "20 Best Places to Live" list, Triathlete gives high marks to Tucson's dry climate and varied terrain, which includes the 19-mile climb up Mt. Lemmon, the hilly Gates Pass-Tucson Mountains loop, and running trails into Saguaro National Park. Of equal appeal are Tucson's nearby lakes, proximity to rural, low-traffic areas, and abundant swimming pools (including Olympic-size facilities at University of Arizona). All this makes Tucson a favorite training base for leading triathletes-including Leanda Cave, Samantha McGlone, and T.J. Tollakson-as well as other great athletes, such as Lance Armstrong (pro road cyclist), Pete Reid (Ironman World Champion), and Sheila Taormina (Olympic athlete). The next-highest ranked cities are Boulder, Colo; Carlsbad, Calif; Austin, Texas; and Santa Barbara, Calif.
Living History Season Begins at Tucson Presidio. Meet and talk with representatives of colonial Tucson during Living History Days at the Tucson Presidio (or El Presidio Real de San Agustin del Tucson). On select Saturdays from October through April, volunteers will re-enact life at this replica of the adobe fort originally established in the latter half of the 18th century in what is now downtown Tucson. Visitors can experience the fort's 20-feet-tall, 1780s lookout tower; a 1830s-era house and streetscape; and a large mural depicting presidio life. Volunteers dressed in military uniform will march while cannons fire, and volunteers portraying the fort's residents will demonstrate craft-making and cooking and other daily activities. Also featured are interpretive exhibits and a small gift shop. For Living History dates and times, visit the Tucson Presidio Trust website at www.tucsonpresidiotrust.org/calendar.html.
Ansel Adams Works at Tucson Museum of Art. A survey of more than 100 photographs by famed landscape photographer Ansel Adams (1902-1984) will be on exhibit at the Tucson Museum of Art from October 10 through February 14, 2010. Many of Adams' most famous images are included and presented in the more intimate scale he intended them to be viewed. These works were originally printed by the artist himself in his California darkroom and given to The Friends of Photography to represent his legacy. Adams co-founded the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona, Tucson, in 1975. For more information, visit the TMA website at http://www.tucsonmuseumofart.org/.
Tucson Fall Open Studio Tour Features 167 Artists. Art lovers are in for a sensational experience in Tucson, November 14-15, 2009. A group of 167 prominent and emerging visual artists will open their studios to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the free, self-guided 2009 Fall Open Studio Tour. Visitors can tour working studios, and purchase art directly from members of Tucson and Pima County's creative, entertaining, educational, and fantastic arts community. A free, full-color map and calendar with images from the participating artists is available at locations citywide, and will be posted on the Tucson Pima Arts Council website prior to the event. For details, call 520-624-0595 or visit http://www.tucsonpimaartscouncil.org/.
On the Course for a Cause. Friday, November 20, 2009 the first annual Wingspan Classic Golf Tournament will tee off at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain Golf Club north of Tucson, Arizona. The proceeds of the event will be donated entirely to Wingspan, Southern Arizona's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community center that is in dire financial need. Wingspan community center provides a variety of programs critical to youth and the prevention of violence. The Wingspan Classic tournament is open to all members, friends, family, and allies of the GLBT community. Tournament entry fee is $150/golfer for the 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. All golfers will have the opportunity to buy mulligans and other fun advantages throughout the event. Green fees include driving range use, cart, a player gift bag and post-play dinner. Fabulous raffle prizes will also be available including an exotic, all-inclusive tropical vacation package for two! Visit www.wingspanclassic.org or 808.542.1823 for further information
27th El Tour de Tucson a Thanksgiving Tradition. On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, when many Americans are raking leaves or baking pumpkin pies, thousands of cyclists gather in Tucson for Southern Arizona's largest participatory sporting event. At least 9,000 cyclists are expected to ride in the 27th annual El Tour de Tucson (officially, the University Medical Center El Tour de Tucson presented by Diamond Ventures), Saturday, Nov. 21. This event incorporates races of 35, 67, 80, and 109 miles, plus 4-mile and ¼-mile Fun Rides designed for kids. The course typically follows the scenic perimeter of Tucson, with a rolling to moderately hilly course (though the 35-mile is basically flat) offering views of mountain vistas and saguaro cactus stands. In-person registration is open through November 19; online registration closes November 16. The 109-mile event starts at 7 a.m. Learn more at the Perimeter Bicycling Association of America website, http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/.
Art & Design Combined in New Exhibition. To highlight the elegance and diversity of contemporary design in Tucson, Etherton Gallery's newest exhibition combines art and design in one space. The exhibition, "ART+DESIGN: etherton invites," at Etherton Gallery in downtown Tucson, is collaboration of nationally known designers and artists from Arizona. New works not seen before in Tucson are on display, including hand-blown glass lighting fixtures by Tom Philabaum; mesquite-wood furniture by Stephen Paul; paintings inspired by travels to Asia, North Africa, and Spain by Nancy Tokar Miller; monumental Sonoran Desert-inspired paintings by Jim Waid; photographs of colorful beach cabanas by Judy Gelles; and contemporary Tibetan rugs collected by David Adler. The exhibition runs through November 28. View works by the artists at http://www.ethertongallery.com/.
Tucson Marathon is a Scenic Winter Run. December temperatures typically range between 40F and 60F (though it has been warmer) in Tucson-a perfect month to run a marathon. Between 3,500 and 5,000 runners are expected from every state and several countries for this year's Holualoa Tucson Marathon & Half-Marathon, Sunday, Dec. 13. Organized under the direction of record-setting, ultra runner Pam Reed, this race boasts a fast and scenic downhill course. Runners start north of Tucson in Oracle (home to Biosphere 2), and run on a paved road along the majestic Santa Catalina Mountain range through Catalina, and finish in Oro Valley (site of the Tucson Marathon Expo at Tucson Hilton El Conquistador Resort). This event is popular with first-time marathoners and those wishing to set a personal record or qualify for the Boston Marathon or just get outdoors mid-winter. For more details, call the Tucson Marathon Hotline at 520-320-0667 or visit http://www.tucsonmarathon.com/.
Tucson's Craft Brewery Options Grow. More and more beer drinkers are choosing beers brewed and bottled in their own town over mass-produced brands. As a result, the craft brewery is the fastest growing market segment in the alcohol beverage industry. Tucson is home to three main craft breweries: Nimbus Brewing Company and Barrio Brewing Company, both of which are microbreweries, and Thunder Canyon Brewery, a brewpub. Nimbus recently opened a second location, Nimbus Bistro and Brewery on East Tanque Verde Road. This location offers more than 130 craft beers by the bottle-including the seven Nimbus-brand styles of locally brewed classic ales and various seasonal specialties, and about 20 beers on tap-with a menu offering traditional pub grub with more sophisticated bistro fare. Next time you're in Tucson, be sure to sample our great local brews at Barrio Brewing (http://www.barriobrewing.com/), Nimbus (http://www.nimbusbeer.qwestoffice.net/), and Thunder Canyon (http://www.thundercanyonbrewery.com/).
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