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EXPLORER
The Explorer and Marana News is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the Northwest Tucson. To find out where you can pick upafreecopyoftheExplorerandMaranaNews,goto www.TucsonLocalMedia.com
STAFF ADMINISTRATION Steve T. Strickbine, Publisher Michael Hiatt, Vice President Jaime Hood, General Manager jaime@tucsonlocalmedia.com Gary Tackett, Associate Publisher gtackett@tucsonlocalmedia.com Claudine Sowards, Accounting claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com Sheryl Kocher, Receptionist sheryl@tucsonlocalmedia.com EDITORIAL Jim Nintzel, Executive Editor jimn@tucsonlocalmedia.com Jeff Gardner, Associate Editor jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com Alexandra Pere, Staff Reporter apere@tucsonlocalmedia.com Nicole Feltman, Staff Reporter nfeltman@tucsonlocalmedia.com PRODUCTION Courtney Oldham, Production Manager, tucsonproduction@timespublications.com Ryan Dyson Graphic Designer ryand@tucsonlocalmedia.com Jay Banbury, Graphic Designer jay@timespublications.com CIRCULATION Alex Carrasco, Circulation alexc@tucsonlocalmedia.com ADVERTISING TLMSales@TucsonLocalMedia.com Kristin Chester, Account Executive kristin@tucsonlocalmedia.com Candace Murray, Account Executive candace@tucsonlocalmedia.com Tyler Vondrak, Account Executive tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING Zac Reynolds, Director of National Advertising zac@timespublications.com EDITORIAL & AD CONTENT The Explorer and Marana News expresses its opinion in the editorial. Opinions expressed in guest commentaries, perspectives, cartoons or letters to the editor are those of the author. 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. Publisher has the right to edit for size or refuse any advertisement at his or her discretion. 7225 N. Mona Lisa Road, Ste. 125 Tucson, Arizona 85741 PHONE: (520) 797-4384
Copyright:The entire contents of Explorer/Marana News are CopyrightTimes Media Group . No portion may be reproduced in whole or part by any means without the express written permission of the Publisher,Tucson Local Media, 7225 N. Mona Lisa Rd., Ste. 125,Tucson, AZ 85741.
Explorer and Marana News, March ,
WELCOME TO BEST OF THE NORTHWEST 2022! Best Wishes! Welcome to the 2022 edition of Best of the Northwest, a compendium of the best restaurants, schools, spas, bars and other businesses essential to living your best life in Pima County north of the Rillito River. It’s no easy thing to assemble this annual manual, but we love the opportunity to shine a light on the many awesome aspects of our community. We started this process by asking readers to vote for their picks for the Best of the Northwest. After digital master Alexander Patocs tallied the votes from nearly 4,000 readers, we had a list of your favorite spots. Our staff team of Jeff Gardner, Alexandra Pere and Nicole
Feltman then set about writing about the best businesses. Ryan Dyson and Jay Banbury in the art department made it all come together. n addition to first place winners, we’re including “reader recommended” runners-up, and check the back for some honorable mentions. A big thank you to the many advertisers who supported Best of the Northwest this year and to the sales staff of Gary Tackett, Tyler Vondrak, Kristin Chester and Candace Murray, as well as to administrative staffers Jaime Hood and Claudine Sowards, who kept track of the time. Now it’s all in your hands. Enjoy! Jim Nintzel, Executive Editor
COMMUNITY - PAGE 4 HEALTH & BEAUTY - PAGE 11 EDUCATION - PAGE 15 SPORTS & REC - PAGE 17 RETIREMENT - PAGE 19 RETAIL & SERVICES - PAGE 20 FOOD & DRINK - PAGE 36 HONORABLE MENTIONS - PAGE 44