stories

Embracing Tucson: The Rodeo Parade

Every February, usually the last Thursday and Friday of the month was rodeo break from school. It was our week to dress up in boots and pearl button shirts and cowboy hats. And the big event was the parade. The La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros rodeo parade is the longest, non-mechanized parade in the world. […]

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Embracing Tucson: Pop McKale’s Place

It has a power and magnetism few places have. From the “A” on the basketball floor to the banners in the rafters, it is the spirit of Arizona. McKale Center is an electric place. I had the chance to see a game in the hallowed structure. The first time I’ve been there in some time.

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Embracing Tucson: Memories of Dime Stores and Downtown

My sister related a story to me earlier today about a memory she had of downtown Tucson as a little girl. “There were three dime stores downtown,” she related to me.  “I remember the cosmetic counter at McLellans, the lunch counter at Woolworths, and the escalator at Kresge’s.” The “Five and Dime” stores she mentions

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David Yetman Trail West Hike

The Tucson Mountains are full of trails and adventures. The latest one for me is the David Yetman Trail. Another “get familiar with Tucson” hike, thanks to my “coffee dealer.” Vicki described it perfectly: beautiful views and a great example of the Sonoran desert. We thought we were starting on one end and actually started

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Embracing Tucson: The Fox Tucson Theatre

A friend recommended that I take the monthly tour of the revitalized and restored Fox Tucson Theatre downtown.  It was well worth the 2 hours. Held at noon on the first Tuesday of each month, the tour is led by a staffer knowledgeable in the history of the place.  I learned today that the Fox

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Embracing Tucson: Street names and strong women

It started with a purpose of finding the origins of street names. What I discovered was more than names but some powerful stories. Including stories of strong women. I found a story on the Arizona Daily Star site after searching “Tucson street names.” I started with the ones nearby: Swan, Craycroft and Campbell. Alexander (A.R.)

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Embracing Tucson: The Community Center and Environs

Walking the neighborhoods surrounding and walking through the TCC (Tucson Community Center) is an education in migration, immigration, emigration, culture shifting, and urban renewal. It’s like watching a time lapse from the 1540s through the 1960s to today. And while we didn’t include it, the Gutierrez Bridge just down the block is the best illustration

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Embracing Tucson: the Southeast Corner of the U of A Campus

Sal and I try to find a walk each day that is at least a mile long and in a loop.  On this day we (re)discovered a corner of the University of Arizona campus. Usually the southeast corner of campus is considered the athletic corridor in that it features the football stadium, McKale Center (the

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