History of the Santa Rita Mountains
About a month ago I met a lady at the Green Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, she is the Program Coordinator for the Santa Rita Experimental Range located in Florida Canyon on the northern slope of the San Rita Mountains. If you're not familiar with what the Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER) is, it's about 80 square miles of rangeland administered by the Arizona State Land Department in cooperation with the US Forest Service, and dedicated to the study of rangeland management, a topic if paramount importance in the Western US.
Established in 1902, this area is the world's oldest continuously studied rangeland. Being interested in all things "Southern Arizona," I asked to be added to their e-mail list for info and updates. Through this exchange I learned about a program they offer called "Science Saturdays," and signed up for a presentation at the site by US Forest Service Archaeologist William Gillespie.
The presentation was titled The Human Dimension, A Look at the History of People on the Santa Rita Range. I've got to say it was one of the most interesting presentations I've attended in a long time, as he chronicled the lives of all those who have inhabited the area from the nomadic tribes that roamed the area BC, to 20th century Ranching Families. The beauty of the program is that they offer a different topic and speaker each month, and it's located in one of the most spectacular settings in our area.
I suggest you make a day of it, attend the presentation (usually 9 - 11 am), pack a lunch and hike Florida Canyon, as numerous trailheads are accessible from site. SRER is managed by the UofA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, more information and a schedule of up coming topics is available at their website. Check it out!
Tucson Toros
These days I find myself thinking less about what I want to do in my spare or leisure time and more about what I can afford to do. I look for events and activities that offer great value and I shun name brands for store brands (and make them last longer). I'm not alone. I've found a new "store" brand in Tucson this summer, the return of the Tucson Toros! It's professional baseball without the attitude, ego or expense that has come to dominate the sports landscape. This latest incarnation of our beloved Toros competes in the Golden Baseball League throughout the western US. The games are played at Hi Corbett Field, right in the center of town. There is no affiliation to a major league club (or a minor league one for that matter). These guys play because they love the game, the coaches coach because they love the game; I go to see them because I love the game. For a $5.00 general admission ticket, you're guaranteed a great view of all the action. The expected ballpark snacks and treats are plentiful and affordable (especially on Thursdays!). Each home game features an interactive series of events for fans and the atmosphere is exciting, friendly, fun, safe and genuine ... it's three hours of bliss for the avid or casual fan. Every Friday home game features an awesome fireworks show that seems to last forever. Check it out at www.tucsontoros.com. Did I mention the parking is free?
