Destination Tucson 2018

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very year, Tucson Local Media takes an in-depth look into why hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the world choose Tucson, Pima County and the rest of Southern Arizona for their travel plans. Is it the food, the beautiful locales or the cultural events that make this region so attractive?

In many ways, Destination Tucson shows that all of those things, and more, make this region such a prime tourist attraction—and why tourists spend more than $2.5 billion every year in Southern Arizona, according to Visit Tucson.

Inside this magazine, you will find profiles of the following regions and communities: Tucson, Pima County, Oro Valley, Marana, Catalina Foothills, Bisbee and Tubac. Each section highlights the events, destinations and businesses that make each part of the Greater Tucson Metro Region flourish.

In addition to the geographical highlights, this year’s edition includes some of the best tourist events the region has to offer while they visit. Throughout the magazine, you will find helpful information on dining options and a hand-picked calendar of some must-see events every month of the year.

So, welcome to Tucson, Pima County and the rest of Southern Arizona. We are happy you decided to stop by and visit, or even make the region your new home, and we’re sure you will enjoy your time here in the desert.

Once you read through the entire magazine, and visit a few of the places included, you may have a better understanding as to why we all love The Old Pueblo so much.

contents Discover Tucson ��������������������������4-5 Discover Pima County ��������������� 6-7 Discover Downtown ����������������� 8-10 Discover Foothills ������������������������� 11 Discover Oro Valley �����������������12-14 Discover Marana ����������������������16-17 Discover Bisbee ����������������������������18 Discover Tubac ������������������������������19 Discover Outdoors �����������������20-21 Discover Public Safety ��������������� 22 Discover Dining....................... 23-24 Calendar of Events ��������������� 25-26

about this publication Destination Tucson is produced by Tucson Local Media For reprint authorization contact: Tucson Local Media 7225 N. Mona Lisa Road, Ste. 125 Tucson, AZ 85741 (520) 797-4384 • tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com www.tucsonlocalmedia.com

Publisher Jason Joseph Production Manager/Web Editor Chelo Grubb General Manager Jaime Hood Graphic Designers Louie Armendariz, Christa Madrid, Ad Director Casey Anderson Oliver Muñoz Editors Logan Burtch-Buus, Jim Nintzel Writers Christopher Boan, Jeff Gardner, Danyelle Khmara Advertising Kristin Chester, Jesse Smith Drennan, Sandee Circulation Manager Laura Horvath Fischlin, Lisa Hopper, Candace Murray, Alan Schultz, Tyler Accounting Kate Long Vondrak, Tamaron Wright Receptionist Sheryl Kocher

Thirteenth Street Media © 2018. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of material contained in this magazine without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

The content and claims of any advertisement are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Tucson Local Media assumes no responsibility for the claims or content of any advertisement.

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Discover Tucson

ven though Arizona joined the Union in 1912 as the 48th state, evidence of human habitation dates back more than 12,000 years in the Tucson Valley, marking it as one of the oldest settlements in the United States.

The region played host to early agricultural settlements along the Santa Cruz River, as well as the Hohokam civilization (the forerunners of the modern day Pima and Tohono O’odham). The first signs of modern development of the region came in 1699, when Father Francisco Eusebio Kino established the Mission San Xavier del Bac. The Tucson

Presidio was established in 1775 by Hugo O’Conor. Tucson officially became part of the United States with the Gadsden Purchase in 1854.

Originally a Native American village called “Stook-zone,” or “water at the foot of the mountain,” the city now lovingly called The Old Pueblo has taken strides to preserve its heritage while continually focusing on developing its image as an emerging metropolitan region.

As the Tucson Valley has played host to a variety of cultures and groups over the passage of time, the region’s cultural heritage centers around a unique blend of Native American, Spanish, Mexican and

Anglo roots. This culture can be seen in the Hispanic barrios, historical and contemporary American architecture and the prehistoric Native American remnants scattered throughout the area.

The scenery is one of the reasons why so many tourists visit The Old Pueblo each year.

With five mountain ranges surrounding the city and outlying areas, Tucson lives within its own valley in the greater Sonoran Desert landscape, but also boasts mountaintop altitudes higher than 9,000 feet. Tucson is also home to Ski Valley on Mount Lemmon, the southernmost ski site in the continental United States.

Known for nearly year-round good weather, Tucson is the perfect place for any fitness or outdoor enthusiasts; the city contains a multitude of biking trails, walking paths, golf courses and recreation sites.

There are more than 800 miles of bike paths in the city, and Tucson is home to internationally known bicycling events like the El Tour de Tucson.

When not peddling down a path or roadway, visitors and residents alike also take great advantage of the multitude of golf courses and walking paths, the former of which draws regional, national and international tournaments every year.

Discover Tucson Tucson was once referred to as a “mini-mecca for the arts” by The Wall Street Journal, and in 2009 was ranked No. 20 of the Top 25 Arts Destinations by American Style Magazine. The city takes that recognition seriously, as Tucson is one of a select few cities with its own ballet company, professional theater, symphony and opera company.

Home to over 200 art groups, and more than 30 art galleries in the downtown area alone, Tucson is a sure-fire destination for anyone looking to indulge in the best of contemporary (and classic) artwork and cultural performances.

The seat of Pima County, Tucson is the second largest city in the State of Arizona, and is home to several major employers, including the University of Arizona, Raytheon Missile Systems, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Banner-University Medical Center. Surrounding the city are the incorporated suburbs of Marana, Oro Valley and Sahuarita.

While population estimates put the city at around 750,000 residents, the Tucson Metro region is home to more than 1 million.

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Attractions Center for Creative Photography

For more than 40 years, The Center for Creative Photography on the University of Arizona campus has been recognized as “one of the world’s finest art museums and study centers for the history of photography.” When it was founded in 1975, the center housed the archives of five living photographers: Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock, Harry Callahan, Aaron Siskind and Frederick Sommer.

After finding immediate success in the international photography world, the collection is now home to more than 230 archival collections.

Altogether, there are over 5 million archival objects in the collection, including negatives, work prints, contact sheets, albums, scrapbooks, correspondence, writings, audiovisual materials and memorabilia, and there are currently more than 90,000 works by over 2,200 photographers. A library of books, journals, and exhibition and auction catalogs including many rare publications plus an extensive oral history collection complements the archival and fine print collections.

A unique experience for any lover of photography, museums or both, The Center for Creative Photography can be found at 1030 N. Olive Road, and more information can be found online at ccp.arizona.edu or over the phone by calling 621-7968.

Reid Park Zoo

Situated across a 24-acre campus in the heart of the city, the Reid Park Zoo welcomes more than 500,000 visitors every year.

The zoo is home to dozens

of animals of nearly 30 different species, including African elephants, grizzly bears, lemurs, capybara, monkeys and tigers.

Founded in 1965, the zoo has evolved and grown over the years to develop and improve its natural habitats and lifestyles for an increasing variety of inhabitants—and patrons.

Outside of regular exhibits and displays, the zoo also hosts several education programs for children and adults, as well as a variety of signature events throughout the year.

The zoo is located at 3400 Zoo Court, and more information can be found online at reidparkzoo.org or over the phone by calling 791-3204.

The Loft Cinema

Looking to satisfy your foreign film craving? Or maybe you’re just in the mood for an independent screening? Either way, this one-of-a-kind nonprofit cinema is the first, last and only needed stop.

The Loft Cinema has been a mission-driven, membership-supported nonprofit arts organization since November 2002, and provides Tucsonans and visitors alike with an opportunity to become better acquainted with the films and filmmakers that have helped shape and enrich Tucson’s cultural environment.

Signature events at the cinema includes Q&A sessions with filmmakers, a monthly short film contest, sing-a-longs, showings of cult favorites, an annual film festival and plenty more.

The Loft Cinema is located at 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., and more information, including show times, can be found online at loftcinema.org or over the phone by calling 795-0844.

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Discover Pima County

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hile the hustle and bustle of the Greater Tucson Metro Area acts as the primary confluence point for Pima County, there is much more to the region than meets the eye.

Stretching out roughly 9,200 miles across Southern Arizona, Pima County is one of the longest continuously inhabited areas of the United States, supports a population of roughly 1 million and is the second most populous county in the state.

Roughly half of Pima County residents reside within the City of Tucson, though over a hundred thousand live throughout the region in the outlying towns of Sahuarita, Oro Valley and Marana, all of which of experienced continued population growth for more than a decade.

Created in 1864, Pima County included approximately all of Southern Arizona acquired from Mexico as part of the Gadsden Purchase, and is one of 15 counties in the state. That swath of land includes flat, green desert, forested hills, desert washes and everything in between. Because of this multifaceted environment and geography, Pima County visitors (and residents) have the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of native flora and fauna—from the vast saguaro parks at lower

elevations to the cragged peaks of pines higher up. Just as the plant life has grown to adapt to the different environments of the county, the wildlife is just as diverse.

For example, Pima County is home to more than 400 different species of birds throughout the year, many of which are difficult—if not impossible—to find anywhere else in the United States.

Other Sonoran Desert critters found throughout the county include coyotes, Gila monsters, a variety of owls, mule deer, fox, javelina and plenty more. For a chance to catch a glimpse some of that wildlife, Pima County’s numerous trails make for easier connectivity.

The county has a long history. Human habitation dates back to its Native American population, which settled the area in prehistoric times. Even the name, “Pima County,” finds its origins in its native people, the Pima tribe indigenous to the region. The county is also home to the San Xavier Indian Reservation and Pascua Yaqui Indian Reservation.

In terms of nature, any outdoor enthusiast could easily find themselves happily lost in a variety of national parks and forests, including the Coronado National Forest, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Ironwood Forest National Monument and

Saguaro National Park.

While not a nationally registered site in itself, Mount Lemmon houses some of the most interesting adventures found in the county, including the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter.

Though the county was home to fewer than 1,000 residents roughly 200 years ago, the discovery of gold and silver in the middle of the 18th century created dramatic spike in both population growth and physical development.

Having passed the 1 million resident mark several years ago, Pima County is projected to reach 1.4 million by 2041 in the highly urbanized county.

To serve the growing educational needs of families within Pima County, students attend schools in the Tucson Unified School District, Amphitheater Public School District, Marana Unified School District, Flowing Wells School District, Catalina Foothills

Unified School District, Vail Unified School District and other, smaller districts.

Pima County is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors: District 1 Republican Ally Miller, District 2 Democrat Ramón Valadez, District 3 Democrat and Board Chair Sharon Bronson, District 4 Republican Steve Christy and District 5 Democrat Richard Elías. None of the supervisors are up for election, and will remain in their seats until the 2020 election season. Working with the governing body is longtime Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.

by the numbers Population (est. 2016) 1,016,206 Density 106 people per sq mile Median family income $46,764 Founded Nov. 9, 1864 Largest city Tucson Land area 9,189 sq miles

Attractions Pima County Fair

There are some events you just can’t miss, and the Pima County Fair is one of them.

Situated on a 640-acre complex, the annual fair draws huge crowds to its numerous rides, shows, vendors and shops.

The facility was designed and developed to support a wide array of events, including outdoor performances, equestrian competitions and showings and animal and livestock auctions and showings, and includes three exhibition buildings, storage facilities, picnic areas, RV facilities and camping.

The fair is held every year in April (this year from April 19-29), and draws millions of dollars in revenue, much of which is used to maintain and improve the fairground facilities. The fair grounds are located at 11300 S. Houghton Road. More information about the fair can be found online at pimacountyfair.com.

significant achievement for the museum, as its collection and size are relatively smaller than its counterparts.

Not a museum in the typical sense of the word, the ArizonaSonora Desert Museum is an unparalleled composite of plant, animal and geological collections, with the goal of making the Sonoran Desert more accessible, understandable and treasured. The Museum is located at 2021 N. Kinney Road, More information can be found online at desertmuseum.org or over the phone at 883-1380.

q Biosphere 2 One of the most unique research facilities in the world is located just a few miles north of Oro Valley in the form of Biosphere 2, a center where students and families can learn more about the living systems of the planet.

Biosphere 2 serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies in which researchers operate within completely climate-controlled environments, including a tropical rainforest, ocean with coral reef, savanArizona-Sonora nah grasslands and mangrove Desert Museum wetlands. Heating and cooling Founded in 1952, systems monitor the levels of the Arizona-Sonora humidity and condensation to Desert Museum is make a perfect environment and widely recognized throughout the world as a model institution atmosphere for the different living organisms which call the for both innovative presentation and interpretation of native facility home.

Biosphere 2 has a unique plants and animals featured history in serving as a center together in natural ecological for research, outreach, teaching exhibits. and learning about the Earth The museum is regularly listed as one of the top 10 zoological and its varied ecosystems—and parks in the world because of its sees countless visitors on tours unique approach in interpreting every year. The facility is located at 32540 S. Biosphere Road. More the complete natural history of information can be found online a single region, in this case the at biosphere2.org or over the Sonoran Desert and adjacent environments. This represents a phone at 621-4800.

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Discover Downtown

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owntown Tucson’s renaissance has continued to pick up momentum with the opening of the AC Marriott, a 130-room hotel at the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue. More hotels are in the works— including one at the Tucson Convention Center and another at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Toole Avenue.

Those new hotels join Hotel Congress, the nearly century-

old hotel that has been the beating heart of downtown cool for more than three decades. Hotel Congress features vintage hotel rooms, a bustling nightclub where both local and touring musical acts perform and the Cup Café, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner along with a legendary Bloody Mary bar on weekends. The hotel regularly holds special events, including the annual Agave

Festival celebrating the magic of tequila and the Labor Day weekend Hoco Fest that brings dozens of bands to Tucson.

Entertainment is one of the main draws of downtown Tucson, which is home to two historic theaters, the Rialto Theatre and the Fox Theatre.

The Rialto features a packed spring schedule of touring acts such as Bruce Cockburn, Jake Shimabukuro, Little Dragon and the Kenny Wayne

Shepherd Band, as well as local artists. The Fox features not only live music but also movies, lectures and other special events. The Fox spring schedule includes performances by Amy Grant, Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen, and the Kingston Trio, as well as screenings of Casablanca and the BANFF Mountain Film Festival 2018.

Downtown is also home to many museums and performance spaces.

Hub Ice Cream Factory

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The Tucson Museum of Art just underwent a million-dollar renovation, the Museum of Contemporary Art-Tucson continues to host challenging, cutting-edge exhibitions and the Tucson Children’s Museum offers fun for kids of all ages.

If you have an appetite before or after a show, downtown is one of Tucson’s main dining destinations. Get stylish American fare at Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery, 47 Scott or Maynards Market & Kitchen; Mexican food at El Charro, Penca, El Minuto or Elvira’s; great hamburgers and fries at Diablo Burger or steaks and salad at Charro Steak; a slice at Empire Pizza or a specialty pie at Reilly Craft Pizza; or Asian at Senae Thai Bistro or Miss Saigon. Check out our dining section on page 23 for more options.

There are also plenty of watering holes, including the likes of Tap & Bottle, Cushing Street Bar and Grill, R Bar, the Royal Room and Good Oak Bar. A blossoming brewery scene is just what beer lovers are looking for, with Thunder Canyon Brewery, Borderlands Brewing Company, Barrio Brewing Co. and Ten Fifty-Five Brewing all within strolling distance from one another.

Downtown is also home to the Tucson Convention Center, home of the Tucson Roadrunners hockey team, an American Hockey League affiliate of the Phoenix-based Arizona Coyotes.

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DOWNTOWN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

The Convention Center hosts all manner of conventions, home shows, concerts and other performances throughout the year.

If you stroll through the underpass on the east end of downtown, you’ll enter the historic shopping and dining district along Fourth Avenue.

Between Ninth Street and University Boulevard, you’ll find cafés such as Café Passe, Epic Café, and Revolutionary Grounds, as well as bars such as The Shanty, Maloney’s, Bison Witches, Surly Wench Pub, Sky Bar, IBT’s Bar and Food, and Ermano’s Craft Beer and Wine Bar. Live music is a staple at Che’s Lounge and

the Flycatcher.

When it comes to restaurants, Fourth Avenue is a virtual United Nations of food. You’ll find Italian food at Caruso’s, Mexican food at La Indita, Martín’s Comida Chingona and Boca Tacos; chicken and waffles at The Drunken Chicken; burgers at Lindy’s Diner on 4th; pizza at Magpie’s and Brooklyn Pizza Company; Greek at Athens on 4th; classic American fare at The Coronet; sandwiches at the 4th Avenue Delicatessen; and sweets at Isabella’s Ice Cream and Chocolate Iguana on 4th.

Fourth Avenue also hosts two streets fairs in the spring and winter.

Discover Foothills for beautiful architectural design and elegant scenery. In addition to luxury shopping, Ventana Canyon Resort the plaza also often hosts a Courtesy Photo number of events, including he land at the southern John Murphey, and his wife jazz performances, weddings base of the Santa CataHelen, continued to help and a weekend farmers market. lina Mountains, northexpand the Catalina Foothills Catalina Foothills isn’t just east of Tucson’s city center, area into an all-inclusive com- about country clubs, nice had long been designated as munity. The couple, with the houses and high-end shopping. federal trust land, and used help of architect Josias Joesler, The area hosts or is set near for cattle. Nearly one hundred built the St. Philip’s in the Hills some of the most breathtaking years later, the Catalina FootEpiscopal Church in 1936. outdoor regions in Tucson. hills region is home to some of Catalina Foothills is now one One of the most significant the most beautiful views and of the most affluent regions geographic features in the footiconic desert scenery for which in the city, as well as Arizona hills is Sabino Canyon. Located Tucson is famous. at-large. within the Coronado National The area was originally develThe region hosts premium Forest, the canyon is by far one oped with the intent of becom- country clubs and resorts: the of the most popular tourist ing a residential community Skyline Country Club, the Wes- destinations in the city. Day or comprised of large-lot subtin La Paloma Country Club, night, the region offers some divisions to allow residents a Ventana Canyon Resort and of the best trail opportunities higher quality of living, while al- the Tucson Country Club. Each for new and experienced hikers lowing more privacy. With such of the facilities offers worldalike. The canyon is also home beautiful views of the valleys of class amenities and a relaxing to numerous creeks, pools and the Santa Catalina Mountains, luxury experience. the famous Seven Falls area. the prospect of living in the In addition to the developThough not within the conarea seemed quite enticing. ment of country clubs and fines of the Catalina Foothills By the 1930s, the region had resorts, Catalina Foothills is a region, Catalina State Park is a school district, aptly named premier shopping destination. another avenue for visitors The Catalina Foothills School In the west, along East Skyand residents alike to visit District, which began in a line Drive, is the La Encantada and experience first-hand the garage. What started with nine Shopping Center, a luxury beauty and splendor of the students and a single teacher is outdoor shopping center with Santa Catalina Mountains. The now comprised of nine schools a number of higher-end dining park has a multitude of trails and thousands of students. options. Down the road from for hikers, backpackers and The same man integral in La Encantada sits the iconic St. equestrians as well as several the formation of the region, Phillip’s Plaza, an area known campgrounds and the local

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favorite, Romero Pools.

For families living in the area, a safe community and high-quality schools are some of the most alluring characteristics of Catalina Foothills.

The region is served by three separate public school districts: Amphitheater Public School District, Catalina Foothills School District and Tucson Unified School District.

The area is also home to one of the most successful charter schools in the nation, BASIS Tucson North.

Whether coming by for some high-end shopping, enjoying a morning on the putting green, a fine dining experience or just regular, everyday activities, Catalina Foothills has in time become one of the premier districts in the Tucson Metropolitan Area.

by the numbers Population (ACS 2015) 50,940 Households 23,495 Median home value $397,000 Median family income $78,586 Education High School graduate or higher: 98%; Bachelor’s degree or higher: 63.8% Per capita income $56,578

Attractions DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun

Originally established in the area in 1950 by Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia, an artist who once found it difficult to put his artwork in any local galleries. DeGrazia’s artwork has become one of the beautiful additions to the collective culture of the Southwest, and has been appreciated across the nation.

The original project is now a 10-acre National Historic District which houses six permanent collections of paintings and other various forms of artwork, which all depict the beauty of native and regional cultures. The

gallery often features local and guest artists, and hosts a number of events throughout the year.

The DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is located at 6300 N. Swan Road. degrazia.org

La Encantada Shopping Center

Since 2004, Tucsonans living on the north side of town have had a luxury shopping center at which to sate their most lucrative shopping desires.

Located at 2905 E. Skyline Drive, La Encantada is home to over 60 different higher-end stores.

The main body of the outdoor mall is comprised of general retail stores, from clothing to beauty products to electronics, there is a stop for everybody to make along the way. On the east end of the center is located several finedining options, including sushi, American cuisine and gelato. laencantadashoppingcenter.com

Sabino Canyon

Situated in the southern base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Sabino Canyon is a must-do for anyone living in, visiting or even passing through the area. The canyon

offers self-paced hikes, guided and narrated walks through the grounds as well as tram rides to take visitors to harder-to-reach regions of the canyon.

At the end of Bear Canyon Tram is one of the most iconic parts of Sabino Canyon, Seven Falls. The location is aptly named, as visitors will find a beautiful, seven-tiered waterfall in the middle of the desert. The tram does make the trek to the falls much easier, though many are still drawn to making the 8-mile round trip hike. sabinocanyon.com

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Discover Oro Valley

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elcome to Oro Valley!

We’re proud to be part of the TucsonMetro area’s Northwest region, but we’re prouder still of the unique qualities and amenities that make Oro Valley an extraordinary community.

Over the years, Oro Valley has earned a spot on some impressive lists, including: One of America’s 10 Safest Suburbs (2014) Movoto Real Estate; Best Place in Arizona to Raise Kids (2013) Bloomberg Businessweek; and 100 Best Places in America to Live and Launch a Small Business (2008) Fortune Small Business Magazine.

And in 2017, Oro Valley was ranked “Safest City in Arizona” and “Arizona’s Best Small City,”

by Safe Home and WalletHub, respectively.

In addition to its growing list of accolades, Oro Valley has built a solid reputation for outdoor recreation and active lifestyles. At the Oro Valley Community Center, residents and visitors alike have public access to a state-of-the art fitness facility, beautiful golf courses and nationally awarded tennis courts.

The Town’s Parks & Recreation Department offers more than 3,000 classes each year, in everything from yoga to dog training. Competitive swimmers, or kiddos looking for a water slide and splash

pad, will find everything they need at the Oro Valley Aquatic Center. If tennis is your game, play with a friend or sign up for lessons on one of our 31 lighted tennis courts.

Archers young and old will be challenged by the archery range and courses at Naranja Park. Cyclists will enjoy the smoothest roads in the region.

If there are children in your life with special needs, then we invite you to learn more about the “I Can Too!” programs, which modify traditional programs and classes, increasing staff-to-youth ratios so that our special needs children get to play alongside their non-disabled peers.

The spectators out there may be interested in some of the major sporting events that come through Town, such as Major League Soccer (Sporting Kansas City, Columbus Crew, FC Tucson and the New York Red Bulls have all used Naranja Park for practice), the United States Tennis Association Junior Nationals and the American Junior Golf Association Junior All Star Tournament, and the 2018 USA Synchro Collegiate and U.S. Senior Championships.

If your passion is for the arts, then you’re in the right place. Oro Valley’s investment in arts and culture has put us on the national map, with Mayor Hiremath being one

Staying fit and active is easy in Oro Valley. of only two mayors in the U.S. to receive the prestigious 2017 National Award for Local Arts Leadership. Oro Valley offers nearly 40 free concerts each year in addition to a thriving public art collection, and vibrant arts and culture events, held in partnership with our friends at the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance.

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by the numbers Population (est. 2016) 43,781 Incorporated 1974 Households 20,340 Median home value $281,700 Median family income $75,966 Per capita income $41,615 Education High School graduate or higher: 97.5%; Bachelor’s degree or higher: 50.7%

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Oro Valley hosts a variety of outdoors events at its many parks.

ORO VALLEY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

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your interest, Oro Valley has something special for you.

To top it all off, the Town The doors are always open to of Oro Valley is proud to host guests and regional friends major community events who want to experience firstthroughout the year that hand why Oro Valley is such are free and open to the an extraordinary community. public, including the Easter When it comes to quality of life, Eggstravaganza, July 4th the tagline explains it all - “It’s Celebration, Halloween in our nature.”

Spooktacular and the Holiday Be sure to follow the town Tree Lighting Celebration. on Facebook for the latest info Whatever your age, whatever and special events!

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Discover Marana

ocated in the northwestern part of the Greater Tucson Metro Area, Marana stretches into the southern terminus of Pinal County and is one of the fastest growing communities in Southern Arizona.

The history of the region known today as Marana stretches back more than 4,000 years, according to archeological discoveries. The area has been home to Native Americans for thousands of years, as well as European and early American settlers. By the 19th century, modern railroads of the frontier age brought new peoples, and a new name—Marana.

While the region and its inhabitants may have changed greatly over the millennia, the town has not forgotten its modern roots as a farming community of the west.

Facing forward with an eye on the future, the town has welcomed amenities like the Ritz Carlton-Dove Mountain, Tucson Premium Outlets and the newly opened Top Golf facilities.

Today, working farms and ranch homes exist within the shadow of the bustling town municipal complex, though all aspects of life in Marana remain enviable, as growth in the community is abundant in widespread.

The town has grown, in large

part, due to annexations in the 1990s and an emphasis placed on creating the kind of community in which people not only want to visit, but to live.

This includes work on maintaining—and improving— good roads, parks infrastructure, community involvement, public art and more.

The town maintains a strong park system, both in terms of small, neighborhood parks and larger, regional sites. The town is located at the base of the Tortolita Mountains, providing an opportunity for a variety of outdoor adventures—and the trail systems in the region draw visitors from all over the state, and the country.

Due in part to its agrarian roots, the town has no central gathering place. Instead, each section of the community maintains a slightly different looks and feel, though the town is looking to change that.

A downtown Marana, of sorts, is in the works, which will eventually host a variety of shops, restaurants and nightlife destinations.

Every year, Marana hosts three “signature events” every year which not only celebrate an aspect of the town, its culture and history, but provide an opportunity for residents to get to know one another—and have some fun.

The Fourth of July Star Spangled Spectacular continues

to grow every year, and drew more than 16,000 attendees in 2017. The event takes over every usable foot of the 48-acre Crossroads at Silverbell District Park, and includes a little bit of something for everyone.

Last year, there were two stages of entertainment with a country singer, an alternative pop band, a blues/R&B band and a string quartet. Food vendors were strategically placed all over the park, and there were also two beer gardens for adults who wished to partake in a frosty beverage. For the kids, there were a variety of inflatable bounce houses and water slides, a face painter and a stilt walker. The night ended with a nearly half-hour long fireworks show.

Marana’s Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting is a must-visit event that kicks off the holiday season at the beginning of December, and drew more than 6,000 attendees in 2017.

“Our hope is that we can create an experience that will help people to build new traditions and family memories,” Town of Marana Special Events Coordinator Monique Hagberg told Tucson Local Media before last year’s event.

“We carefully think through every element so that there is something for everyone. We want this to be a fun, festive event for the entire family.”

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The centerpiece of any holiday festival tends to be the lighting of the Christmas tree, and Marana has long embraced this tradition in the form of a 40-foot tree. The tree is also part of a massive, synchronized light show that incorporates the surrounding area. The lighting and first performance of the show

by the numbers Population (ACS 2015) 41,000 Size 121.7 square miles (316.5

people per square mile)

Median home value $397,000 Median family income $74,438 Education High School graduate

or higher: 94.1%; Bachelor’s degree or higher: 40.5%

kicks off the season, and is the largest in Southern Arizona.

The event, which takes place at the Marana Municipal Complex Roundabout, also includes a wide selection of food, an “Elf Flea Market,” live performances from community groups and plenty more to do. The town’s 40-foot tree, an evergreen monolith, remains throughout the season.

A uniquely Marana event takes place every year at the Marana Heritage River Park which transforms the site into the entertainment epicenter of the town and draws thousands to the fun—The Cotton Festival. Attendees participate in a number of events, from a chili cook-off under the park’s ramada benefitting the Marana Food Bank to carnival rides and a rodeo exhibition hosted by the University of Arizona rodeo team. The event, which harkens to the town’s long history as a

cotton-growing community, includes more than a dozen food trucks, a steak fry, live musical performances and more.

“It’s a great opportunity to see things the way most of us did in the early days,” said Marana Mayor Ed Honea said.

“You can actually watch them pick the cotton if you get there early in the afternoon. You can watch the ranching events, and Marana was founded as a ranching community. So it’s a chance for them to take in some events that take them back to the early days.”

The 2017 Cotton Festival was the town’s third, and drew more than 4,000 attendees in October.

As the spring season rolls through, residents and visitors have an opportunity to enjoy two other community events, Founders Day in March and the Marana Bluegrass Festival in April.

Serving Breakfast & Lunch 6:30am - 2pm Daily

Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups, Good For Kids.

Locally owned & operated since 1982

SW Eggs Benedict

Steer Mushroom burger

Take Out Available • Outdoor Seating 11750 W. Avra Valley Rd. • Marana, AZ 85653

520.682.3046

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18

Discover Bisbee

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T

he onetime mining town of Bisbee has been through many boom and busts over the last century, but it’s now home to a curious collection of artists and other characters who have had enough of big-city life, and are seeking a place to get out of the rat race.

The hilly town is also a great place to a day trip or weekend getaway for Southern Arizona residents and visitors who enjoy a change of scenery— and Bisbee has plenty of scenery. If you’re looking for lodging, keep the Copper City Inn or the historic Copper Queen Hotel in mind, both located in downtown Bisbee and perfect as a staging ground for exploring Bisbee on foot after you’ve had breakfast

at the Bisbee Breakfast Club or Café Roka.

And there is plenty to explore in this small town, which is filled with galleries, quirky vintage shops, bookstores, jewelry stores, clothing boutiques and more. You can find almost anything at the Miners and Merchants Antique Center, a three-story former bank that is jammed with all manner of goods.

If you’re a history buff, you might consider touring the Copper Queen Mine, taking a gander at the Lavender Pit Mine, visiting the Bisbee Mining Museum or signing up for a Historical & Heritage Tour.

Bisbee is also a great staging ground for exploring Southern Arizona. It’s a short drive to Tombstone, “the town too

tough to die,” where you can experience a true Old West Town. Catch a show at the Bird Cage Theatre, visit Boot Hill Cemetery, tour the famous OK Corral where the Earp brothers had their showdown with the Clayton gang, have a drink at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon and Restaurant, watch a shootout at the Gunfight Palace and go underground at the Good Enough Mine tour.

Also nearby is the region of Sonoita, where a collection of Southern Arizona vineyards such as Callaghan Vineyards, Ranch Rossa Vineyards, Dos Cabezas Wineworks and Charron Vineyards are producing a variety of reds and whites. Take a drive through the rolling hills and visit a few of the tasting rooms, as long as you have a

designated driver on board.

Or sign onto one of the many tours that are offered and leave the driving to someone else.

If you’re more of an outdoors type, there are numerous hiking, horse and mountain biking trails as well as camping spots in the region. Consider a visit to Gardner Canyon or Kentucky Camp, an old mining camp along the Arizona Trail that is now home to a cabin that’s available for rental through the U.S. Forest Service.

by the numbers Founded 1880 Incorporated Jan. 9, 1902 Size 5.2 sq miles Elevation 5,538 ft

Discover Tubac

19

W

ay back in 1691, Father Francisco Eusebio Kino founded a colonial mission called Tumacacori near what is now the United States/Mexico border.

That building still stands in the heart of Tubac, a tiny town that has become home to a gorgeous state park and artist community.

The artists ply their wares in the quaint central village, where they have both galleries and studios that are often open for visitors to investigate. You’ll find jewelers, painters, sculptors and other craftspeople making beautiful, one-of-a-kind objects for you to take home as a remembrance of your visit. On Feb. 7-11, the town celebrates its artists with the annual Tubac Festival of the Arts, featuring free admission and 175 booths with artists from around the country.

The Tubac State Park is located on the site of a presidio built by Spanish colonists in the 1750s before they relocated their settlement to Tucson a few decades later. Besides the ruins of the presidio—which visitors can see if they go into an underground room that features a window that looks into a slice from an archaeological dig—the park features the second-oldest schoolhouse in the state, a one-room building that dates

Courtesy Photo

back to 1885. There’s also a museum that celebrates the rich history of the area.

Exhibits are dedicated to Native American tribes which originally settled in the area, as well as the Spanish colonists and others who came later.

One exhibit highlights an expedition led by presidio commander Juan Bautista de Anza II that led to the founding of San Francisco in the 1770s; another is dedicated to the Baca Float, one of Arizona’s first major land scams. Visitors can also get a look at the original printing press that published Arizona’s first newspaper, the Weekly Arizonian, whose debut edition hit the streets of Tubac on April 3, 1859.

After the Arizonian moved

to Tucson and went out of business, the press was put to work in the service of the fledgling Arizona Star.

Besides B&B and inn options, the town is also home to the Tubac Golf Resort and Spa, a former 500-acre ranch that now features Spanish Colonial architecture, luxurious rooms, a golf course, a spa and the Stables Ranch Grille.

Tubac is also a great staging point for exploring Southern Arizona. The twin border towns of Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, are a short drive away, so bring your passport for some south-ofthe-border adventure. It’s also close to the natural wonder of Kartchner Caverns, a rare wet cave operated by the Arizona

State Parks Department, which took extraordinary steps to keep the cave in nearly pristine condition while still allowing daily tours. If you’re more interested in sunshine, you can visit the nearby Pena Blanca Lake or Patagonia Lake State Park, which both feature fresh water lakes stocked with fish as well as campgrounds and hiking trails.

More information about Tubac can be found at tubacarizona.com.

by the numbers Population (2016) 1,491 Founded 1752 Size 10.8 sq miles

• Archaeological Display • Anza Trail • 1850s Ambulance • Historic Buildings

State Historic Park In the Village of Tubac...

Arizona’s First State Park. Nearby Hiking, Birding, Golf, Dining, Lodging & Shopping.

South of Tucson, I-19 to Exit 34

Museum Award Winning

1 Burruel Street • Tubac, AZ 85646 • 520.398.2252 • www.TubacPresidio.org

• Arizona’s 1st Printing Press

•

Living History Demonstrations

•

Concert Series

10

20

Discover Outdoors

hikes

Tucson area

connecting you to the Sonoran Desert

H

iking in the Tucson area is one of the best ways to connect to the desert and see the beauty of this sunshine and cactuscovered land first hand. While there are some trails better left to experienced hikers, the region hosts potential adventures for outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Regardless of your experience, always exercise good judgment. In the desert, no matter what season, it’s important to wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water. In the summer, save hikes for early mornings and always bring more water then you think you need.

Also make sure to wear comfortable shoes, don’t be embarrassed to take a walking stick along and don’t be afraid to get out there and see nature.

Remember to be mindful of wildlife in the area; stay on the trails and be alert, and definitely don’t pet the javelina.

Besides Google, for more info

on area hikes go to visittucson. org or go-arizona.com.

1. Sabino Canyon A natural desert oasis on the northeast side, this hiking gem on the edge of Coronado National Forest is popular with out-of-town visitors and locals alike. Visitors to the canyon have the choice of taking a tram through the eponymous Sabino Canyon Trail or Bear Canyon Trail. Along the narrated Sabino route, nine shuttle stops offer visitors a chance to snap pictures, interact with the environment and enjoy themselves. The Bear Canyon route also leads to the trailhead of Seven Falls—a popular collection of pools often filled with water.

More information can be found online at sabinocanyon. com, and the parking lot for the canyon can be found at 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road.

2. Tumamoc Hill Tumamoc Hill is home to an operating University of

Tucsonans love their Tumamoc Hill

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Arizona research facility sitting on 860 acres of ecologically significant land that’s considered one of the longestsettled locales in the region.

Not only is the site a living laboratory, but a popular destination for fitness enthusiasts. Previously closed to the public from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the week, Tumamoc is now open from 4 a.m. until 10 p.m. The paved road allows for walkers or runners to make the three-

mile trek to the top of the hill where pre-Hohokam once lived (the hike includes a 700-plus foot elevation change). On the way up, the switch backs exercise your heart, and you may see some mule deer and other wildlife.

At the top, a beautiful view of Tucson awaits. Find the hill at Tumamoc Hill Road, which starts southbound from West Anklam Road, just west of North Silverbell Road.

There is also a smartphone

Discover Outdoors app available for anyone interested in taking the trip to the top, called the Tumamoc Tour, and is available for both Android and Apple phones.

of the city, look no further than Mount Lemmon.

In the winter it can be covered in snow, and in the summer it is often a refuge for cooler weather.

3. Pima Canyon Trail Located past the town of Overlooking the Town of Oro Summerhaven lies one of the Valley and the rest of the mountain’s most cherished northwest side, this trail situ- activities, the Marshal Gulch ated within the Coronado Na- Trail. Also known as The Martional Forest offers a chance to shall Gulch Trail #3, this great hike among the region’s green hiking opportunity provides obelisks—the saguaro. Three plenty of forest scenery and other trail heads that are part access to the top of the mounof this Foothills system betain, where the Aspen Trail, sides Pima—Ventana Canyon, Mint Spring Trail and WilderFinger Rock and Linda Vista. ness of Rock Trail can be found.

All go up into our beautiful The out-and-back system Catalina Mountains. covers nearly three miles and Pima Canyon crosses a varincludes roughly 550 feet of ied landscape: a rocky desert elevation change. The Marshal ridge into a cool riparian wash Gulch Trailhead can be found of old cottonwoods, around by continuing through Sumsnaking bends to a col surmerhaven on Sabino Canyon rounded by peaks, up to a set Parkway to the parking lot. of old dams. Mortar holes dot the bedrock where Hohokam 5. Romero Canyon Trail Indian women once ground Located within the spaseeds. Intrepid hikers can con- cious Catalina State Park, the tinue for several steepening Romero Canyon Trail could miles up to a saddle and on to be called a rite of passage for Mount Kimball. To the north local hikers, because this trek are views of the West Fork rift can be tough at times. Stretchand summit of the Catalinas; ing about seven miles into to the south, the whole Tucson the Santa Catalina Mounvalley is laid out below. The tains, this route cuts through most comfortable temps are washes, steep climbs and fall through spring, but you’ll occasional rough trail condisee locals in broad sun hats tions—though it comes with a tackling the heat through the marvelous payoff. summer; this trail is just that Roughly two hours after beautiful. taking off from the trailhead, To get there, head to the adventurers come to Romero intersection of North Oracle Pools, a collection of natural and West Magee Roads and pools that fill throughout the head east on Magee. Follow year to provide a refreshing the road until the parking lot dip after a long hike. Catalina at the end.

State Park is home to several trails, and countless good 4. Marshal Gulch memories. The park can be When the heat of the desert found at 11570 N. becomes overwhelming, or Oracle Road, and you just need to get away more informafrom the hustle and bustle tion can be found

online at azstateparks.com/ catalina/things-to-do/trails.

6. Picacho Peak State Park Home to dozens of camp sites, space for RVs and in the shadow of one of Southern Arizona’s most iconic natural structures, Picacho Peak State Park also hosts a handful of fun (and sometimes challenging) trails to hike.

Along Interstate 10 north of Tucson, the state park’s most well-known trek is the Hunter Trail, a two-mile climb that crests at the top of the peak.

Definitely a difficult path to take, this trail includes sections of steel cables anchored into rock to assist in the ascent.

If you want a taste of cable climbing with an easier beginning, the Sunset Vista Trail (3.1 miles) is a perfect step down in difficulty. There are three other, easier trails to conquer as well: the .7-mile Calloway trail, the half-mile nature trail and the Children’s Cave Trail, which spans only .2 miles. The park is open year-round from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the trails are open while the sun shines. Find the 1,500 foot peak at 15520 Picacho Peak Road.

21

To start off in the picnic area, turn east off of I-19 at the Continental Exit 63. Follow the signs to Whitehouse Canyon Road and on to the Forest boundary, about 11 miles.

8. Tortolita Mountains Bordering the northwestern extent of Tucson’s regional boundaries, near Oro Valley and Marana, is the smallest of the area’s mountain ranges: the Tortolitas. More attuned to the desert environment than the peaks of Mount Lemmon, a trek through the Wild Burro Trail is guaranteed to provide great scenes of the The Wild Burro trail connects to a much larger network of regional trails, and provides for a more challenging (and much longer) trek. The Wild Burro Trailhead is located at 14810 N. Secret Springs in Marana.

10. Saguaro National Park Separated into an eastern and western district on opposite ends of the Tucson region is Saguaro National Park.

Between the two districts, an adventurous spirit could find more than 165 miles of hiking trails ranging from leisurely walks to intensive treks.

7. Madera Canyon Within the Rincon Mountain South of Tucson down InterDistrict in the east are the state 19 is a forest paradise Mica View Loop (2 miles round filled with nearly 100 miles of trip), the Loma Verde Loop (3.4 amazing hikes, spanning the miles), the Deer Valley Loop (4.1 experience chasm and provid- miles) and the Garwood Loop ing handicap-accessible trails (5.6) miles—which means and gentle walking paths. multiple trips into the region Birders love the region for will supply a new experience the winged friends the destievery time. nation attracts. Near the gift Other highlights include store is a great spot to sit and Signal Hill with Native Ameriwatch birds near a set of bird can petroglyphs and Wasson feeders, and sometimes you Peak with a 4,687-foot sumcan find a coatimundi compet- mit. Tucson Mountain Park is ing for some bird seed, too. adjacent to the west area with Like Mount Lemeven more paths. mon, this is also The eastern district is locatanother beau- ed at 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, tiful summer the western district at 2700 N. escape.

Kinney Road.

22

Discover Public Safety

Golder Ranch Fire District

F

Growing Together

or 40 years, Golder Ranch Fire District has been the proud provider of fire suppression and emergency medical services for the Town of Oro Valley, Catalina, and SaddleBrooke. On July 17, 2017, the Golder Ranch Fire District successfully consolidated with the Mountain Vista Fire District. This successful consolidation means a streamlined approach to fire suppression and emergency medical services in the areas that the consolidated districts serve.

“This is a demonstration of how collaborative relationships in public safety can maximize efficiencies.

This is an exciting time for the Golder Ranch Fire District and for the community we serve.” commented Fire Chief Randy Karrer.

The same exceptional service will continue to be the focus of every interaction that the Golder Ranch Fire District personnel have with members of the community. The same innovative programs such as the Community Integrated Healthcare Program and Fire Explorer Program will remain in place and will likely grow. The existing special teams of firefighters will continue their training and work in the areas of Wildland Firefighting, Technical Rescue and Hazardous Materials Teams, and Honor Guard.

The Golder Ranch Fire District is now serving 241 square miles, with 10 stations and over 250 firefighters and administrative employees.

These two great organizations are now one and put the community first.

Please visit www.grfdaz.gov to learn more.

The Golder Ranch Station locations include: Station 370 3835 E. Golder Ranch Dr. Station 372 65462 E. Catalina Hills Dr. Station 373 63735 E. SaddleBrooke Blvd.

Station 374 1130 E. Rancho Vistoso Station 375 12125 N. Woodburne Station 376 10475 N. La Canada Station 377 355 E. Linda Vista Station 378 60891 E. Arroyo Vista Dr. Station 379 9310 N. Shannon Rd. Station 380 1175 W. Magee Rd.

Discover Dining

23

A

fter the United Nations declared Tucson to be a “City of Gastronomy” In 2015, the website Thrillist announced that the Baked Apple was “the best food city in Arizona.” We can’t say we disagree.

Tucson was the first city of the United States to be designated a City of Gastronomy under the aegis of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. It earned the honor thanks to a long history of agriculture and a rich mix of food traditions, many of which shine brighter than ever in our local restaurants and taverns.

Chef Janos Wilder was all about farm-to-table long before farm-to-table was cool.

For more than three decades, Wilder has assembling dishes that highlight fresh ingredients from his own garden as well as the flavor profiles of the Sonoran Desert. His latest restaurant is DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails (135 S. Sixth Ave.), where you’ll find canal streetwalker’s pasta spiced with chorizo or grilled beef rib steak adorned with cholla buds. And don’t pass up the bar menu, which features Janos’ take on the classic Sonoran dog, the J Dawg: A hot dog smothered in chorizo black beans, smoked poblano crema, whole grain mustard, pickled nopalitos and red onion.

But Janos has plenty of competition in downtown, which has become a dining destination in recent years.

Another longtime contender

is Cup Café, located inside the historic Hotel Congress (311 E. Congress St.). You’ll find healthy oatmeal, perfect omelets and insanely rich French toast for breakfast; sandwiches, soups, salads and burgers for lunch; and steak, fish and the occasional Mexican dish for dinner (and just wait until you see what’s in that spinning dessert case).

For more downtown dining options, see the downtown section on Page 8.

Tucson also boasts that it’s home to the best 23 Miles of Mexican Food—and again, we agree. On South Fourth and South Sixth avenues, you’ll find a rich array of authentic Mexican restaurants. There are lowbrow places like the Crossroads (2602 S. Sixth Ave.) and hole-in-the-wall joints like Taqueria Pico de Gallo (2618 S. Sixth Ave.), where the eponymous dish is a cup

Courtesy

In midtown, Kingfisher (2564 E. Grant Road) is the king of the seas. Whether you’re fishing for salmon, trout or just a bowl of New England clam chowder, you won’t go wrong here. The chefs mix up the menu on a regular basis to keep things fresh (as you always want to do with seafood). The mussel bar offers a wide variety of clams and the grilled and chilled shrimp is always is as good as they come. The menu also features American fare, including a range of chicken, beef and pork dishes, as well as one of the best burgers in Tucson. of fresh fruit dusted in chile powder. And then there’s the legendary Mi Nidito (1813 S. Fourth Ave.), where President Bill Clinton once dined (and, judging from the president’s plate, which includes a bean tostada, birria taco, chile relleno, chicken enchilada and beef tamale, Clinton evidently ordered a taste of everything).

Not far from those spots

is Guero Canelo (5201 S. 12th Ave.), home of Tucson’s most famous Sonoran Dog. Guero Canelo was recently awarded a James Beard Award in the American Classics category, so no visit to Tucson is complete until you’ve had one of these bad boys.

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Café Poca Cosa

Chef Janos Wilder

Baja Café Courtesy

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24

Discover Dining

DINING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Speaking of great midtown burgers: Graze Premium Burgers (2721 E. Speedway Blvd.) offers juicy burgers with a wide range of toppings, alongside freshcut fries, salads and some absolutely delicious shakes.

If you’re more in the mood for salad, check out Choice Greens (2829 E. Speedway, which features both chopped classics—a Cobb, a southwest chicken, an Asian—but also dozens of options if you want to build your own salad. If there’s something you love in your salad, you’re likely to find it here.

With three locations (eastside, central and northside), Baja Café serves up innovative breakfast meals that feature masa cakes as the base of their wild benedicts and spicy chiles just about everywhere—except in the unbelievably sweet pancakes dusted in sugar and cinnamon and drizzled with a sauce of vanilla bean sauce.

Another eastside highlight is Millie’s Pancake Haus (6530 E. Tanque Verde Road), Courtesy @chefkevinhandt which features an

Downtown, you’ll find the sophisticated environs of Café Poca Cosa (110 E. Pennington St.), where the menu changes each day. If you’re on the eastside, pop into Poco & Mom’s, which has both a tiny original location (1060 N. Kolb Road) and a fancier new location (7000 E. Tanque Verde Road).

Bring an appetite—these plates are overflowing with New Mexico-style fare. Up in the Catalina Foothills, La Hacienda Restaurant (3225 N Swan Road) serves a rich mix of Sonoran-style beef, chicken, pork and fish specialties alongside the usual burritos, tacos and tostadas.

Wildflower

In the Catalina Foothills, don’t miss Vivace (6440 N. Campbell Ave.), which features a spectacular view of the Tucson valley as well out-of-this-world Italian food, including osso buco and four-cheese manicotti. old-timey atmosphere and delicious omelets, salads, sandwiches and, of course, pancakes. And as long as you’re on the eastside, you might try Eclectic Café (7053 E. Tanque Verde Road), which— as the name suggests— features a mix of American, Mexican and global fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If you’re more in the mood for eastside Middle Eastern, try out the Shish Kebab House (5855 E. Broadway Blvd.), where you’ll find some of the best hummus, shawarma and gyros Tucson has to offer.

Up on the northwest side, Wildflower (7037 N. Oracle

Road) offers fresh twists on American classics—think pan-roasted chicken, homestyle pot pie and woodgrilled New York steak. If you’re more in the mood for a burger or a salad, don’t miss Truland Burgers & Greens (7332 N. Oracle Road), which serves up burgers from from hormone-free beef and a wide range of salads, alongside other comfort food, shakes and monstrous fourlayer carrot cake. If you’re just in the mood for coffee, check out Sky Rider Coffee Shop (11750 W. Avra Road), an oldschool coffee shop offering good cups of joe and a solid breakfast in Marana.

2018

Calendar of Events

25

calendar

January

19-20 Dillinger Days. Why exactly are we celebrating one of America’s most notorious criminals? We aren’t! We’re celebrating his arrest at the hands of Tucson Police Department (at least that’s what we tell ourselves). Even if you aren’t there for the historical reenactments, there is plenty of ‘30s pop culture, whisky tasting and cigar sampling.

And that’s something we can all agree on.

whole city of tents and pavilions forms in the Sonoran Desert. It is an allaround romp celebrating the culture of mountain biking.

Stampedes. Costumes. Tents.

Vendors. And of course, biking. There’s too much to list here. Just gear up and have fun.

Courtesy Photo

24  Tucson Hip Hop Courtesy Photo

27  Tucson Gem, Mineral

& Fossil Showcase. Precious stones and artifacts from near and far all gather at one of Tucson’s largest events.

Lucky for you, it’s in your own backyard! You don’t have to travel like an archeologist to feel like one. There are also plenty of jewelry-makers and trinkets on display. Runs through Feb. 11

February 16-18 Hours in the Old Pueblo. For a few days, a

Festival. If you like hip-hop or if you don’t, you have to like Tucson. And it turns out Tucson has a hip-hop scene!

And the Rialto Theater is the center of it all, at least for this year. Come out and see some local and touring rappers.

Featuring the one-and-only Bun B. as headliner.

March 2-4 Fourth Avenue Spring Street Fair. Local artists, local cooks, local everything converges on one of the coolest streets in Tucson! Eat until you can barely walk, and then stumble around and buy some local artisanal

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wares. Or, just aimlessly wander and look at all the wondrous festivities. That’s fun, too.

10-11  10th Tucson

Festival of Books. One of the largest events in Tucson.

If you enjoy reading, and chances are you do if you’re reading this, then get down there! Not only are there up-and-coming authors networking, but there are some heavyweights in the literary scene as well. Plus, you can buy some books.

19-29 Pima County Fair.

Whether you enjoy carnival rides, arts and crafts, model railroading, farm animals or live music, you’ll find it at the Pima County Fair, an 11-day festival of fun for the whole family. Bring your A game midway and win a kewpie doll for your sweetheart.

May

April 7 Great Paper Airplane FlyOff. Take your 6-14 year olds over to the Pima Air & Space Museum and have them compete in one of the most esoteric events on this list.

Not only is this a competition, it’s a learning experience.

18-29 The Arizona International Film Festival.

The oldest and longest running independent film festival in Arizona. It features dozens of films ranging from drama, documentary, animation, and children’s.

If you’re feeling brave, you can even submit your own independent film!

5-6  Tucson Folk Festival.

This is an annual, familyfriendly folk music festival held across some of the most historic locations in downtown Tucson. And did we mention it’s free? Five stages hold some of the best folk, bluegrass, and country musicians around. There will be national headliners, local headliners, and even songwriting competitions.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

26

Calendar of Events

CALENDAR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

June

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p The Tucson 23: Mexican

Food Festival. Our Mexican food is great. So great, in fact, that we just have to celebrate it sometimes. Here, you’ll get to sample some of the best Mexican food and drink Tucson has to offer.

24 El Dia de San Juan Fiesta.

A celebration of both John the Baptist’s birthday and for the summer rains to bring life back into the desert. There are bands, dancers, mariachi, history and culture. Family friendly and free.

August 8-12 Southeast Arizona Birding Festival. See hundreds of birds, including rare hummingbirds, at one of the greatest birding festivals in the nation. Here, there are birds you can view nowhere else in the United States. After this, you’ll understand why Southern Arizona is considered one of the best birdwatching areas in the nation.

September Tucson Pride. A parade and a festival in one! Hosted by Arizona’s first LGBT pride organization and one of the oldest in the nation. There will be dancing, music, food and drinks, and an all-around good time.

p Salsa, Tequila & Taco

Concert. Since 1984, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Honor Guard has celebrated the Armed Forces at this holiday concert of patriotic classics in the UA Centennial Hall. Be sure to wear red, white, and blue!

17 p El Tour de Tucson. For

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20 p Great Tucson Beer

Festival. More than just drinking, a opportunity to meet and talk with some of the best brewers in Tucson and in the nation. This festival features dozens of stations set up by breweries big and small, all for the same reason: to have a good time. There are also food trucks, photo booths, live music.

3-4 q All Souls Procession.

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4 ‘Let Freedom Sing’

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November

July

Courtesy Art Express

experiencing all the other culture you can handle. And who knows, you might even find a distant cousin or two.

Challenge. Local chefs battle it out to see who has the best cocktails, tacos, and salsa. And all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the results. If you like eating or drinking, this is the place for you.

One of the largest and most unworldly attractions of the year, this parade is a combination of multiple lores and holidays, and is uniquely Tucsonan. Face paint, floats, glow sticks, music. Celebrate life while remembering the dead. All on a wild autumn night.

one day in November, the roads in Tucson are dominated by bikes instead of cars.

Thousands of cyclists take multiple routes (ranging 106, 76, 54, 37 and 28 miles) and all converge upon downtown Tucson for a street fair Afterward there is food, music, beer, and a sense of relief that can only come from no longer having to bike 100 miles.

December Parade of Lights & Festival.

Get into the holiday spirit by watching a dazzling display of illuminated floats parade through downtown Tucson.

There will be Santa, food, hot chocolate, and everything else filled with wintertime splendor.

7-9 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair. Get all of your Christmas shopping done in one place! Dozens of local artists and cooks meet up to celebrate the mild temperatures of winter in Tucson.

You’d be hard-pressed to find something uninteresting or un-appetizing here.

October 12-14 Tucson Meet Yourself. The annual festival for Southern Arizonans to converge and celebrate their unique ethnic backgrounds.

Go around the world in a single day by trying various foods, seeing dances, and

Courtesy All Souls Procession/Kathleen Dreier

C I T N E H T

AU DE FROM

H C T N A A I L R A C IT

MA

SNORTHERN

E N I S I U C

HAPPY HOUR EVERYDAY 3-6PM

7850 N. ORACLE RD. ORO VALLEY, AZ. 85704 FOR RESERVATIONS CALL- 520-638-7221 HOURS: MON - THURS 11AM-10PM, FRI & SAT 11AM-12PM & SUNDAY 11AM-8PM