Pima County Public Library

I know that a lot of people are currently scaling back on their expenditures. But I've also noticed that some people just don't seem to know some of the stuff that is already available often free.

For example, the public library. Now, I'm pretty sure that everyone has been to the library at one time or another, but I've also found out that very few people go regularly, which is a real surprise. The library has so much to offer, and all of it is free (well I haven't been charged for anything)! Besides books, you can check out DVDs, CDs, read current magazines, use the free Wi-Fi, use the library's computers to browse the internet, get help in researching a topic, use a meeting room, view the art exhibits. All of it 100% free. Not only that, they make it easy, too.

One of my favorite ways of getting books is to reserve them on line. Once the the book becomes available, it is shipped to the branch of you choice and the send you a notice when it's ready for pickup. I just stop on my way home once a week, return last weeks books and get any new ones. It's easy, fast (in and out in under 5 minutes), and a great way to read books that I probably wouldn't have bothered to purchase. I've done the same with DVDs, too.

So, if you live in Tucson, check out the great work that your public library is doing. It is downright amazing. (If you live elsewhere, I bet your hometown library does a great job, too.)

Food Inc.

This past weekend I went to see Food, Inc. at the Loft Cinema. Since I had read The Omnivore's Dilemma and a number of other books on the current state of food production in the U.S. I wasn't too surprised by the movie. But, if you haven't read about it, you might be surprised by some of what goes on. For example:

• The FDA can not recall contaminated food
• It is Illegal for a processor to test all cows for BSE (mad cow disease) which would make for safer beef
• Food manufacturer's say the more food recalls are good thing.

And in case you are wondering about the current food recalls, you can check the FDA itself. As of today, they list 19 food recalls in the last 12 days. More than one a day!

Now it might seem as though you can't do anything to change the way our food is processed and sold, but it turns out that you, the consumer, wield all the power. You are the one choosing how food is manufactured and sold in the U.S. And you have the power to change it if you don't like it; the easiest way is by being selective when you shop.

For example, Walmart no longer uses rBST milk in their private brand. They don't make a change like this because they believe it is in the best interest of your health, nor do they do it out of concern for the cows. They do it because people would buy the non-rBST milk instead of the Walmart milk and they saw that by changing they could increase profits. So you see, simple changes can have large effects.

What other changes can you do?

Shop at Farmers markets. You can search Local Harvest to find one nearby. Just about everyone will find a market close by where they can get fresh, local, and organic food, meet and talk with the grower, and try foods you might not have found elsewhere.

Join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). I'm a member of the one in Tucson, and think it is the best thing I've ever done in terms of eating. Every week I get a share of fresh vegetables (generally eight items) that are grown in a sustainable organic way. And I know it's so, because I've been to the farm. I've spoken with the people that grow what I eat. I've seen how my food is grown and harvested. In fact, on farm visits, I've even picked some of my food. You can search for CSAs at Local Harvest, too.

Buy local. Not just local food, but local anything. Your money will stay in your community, helping it to grow and prosper. And isn't that what we all want -- a prosperous, vibrant community? After all, it's where we live.

Downtown Mural

A while back I wandered around the downtown area taking photos. One of my favorite is here on the right. I think the reason I like it is that the mural looks so life like. It's as though someone pasted a large photo on top of a muted Aztec mural.

For those that want to see it for themselves, you can find it on the back of the Chicago Music Land store on Congress.

June Cinema La Placita

The latest schedule for Cinema La Placita is out. From the first Thursday to the last Thursday in June:

• Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
• Singing in the Rain
• Kramer vs. Kramer
• Topper

Sorry, I posted these a bit late.

Grand Canyon Trees

As it has been a while since I last posted, I thought that I'd put up another photo of the Grand Canyon. It's funny, but of all the photos I took at the Grand Canyon, I happen to like those that don't show the canyon the best. I guess that's because it is so hard to capture it in a way that no one else has. Whereas, a photo like the one on the left has far fewer similar photos to compete with.

Now in case you are wondering, I didn't really post-process this at all, just a simple circular polarizer was used to bring out the blue sky.

Hope you like it.

Maynards Market

This past Thursday we stopped in at Maynards Market for dinner. This is the second time we've been here, and I think we can say that we'll be going back.

We arrived around 5:30 and were met by the hostess and promptly seated. Perusing the menu, we both decided on the Mac' and Cheese side (large), and one of us had fries as a second side and the other had chard with raisins and pine nuts. Let me tell you, the large Mac' and Cheese is a meal. Do not make the mistake of ordering it to go along with something else. As it was, we had to take home a small box for the next day.

After a wait of about 20 minutes, two large, extremely hot, bowls of M&C were brought to the table. Covered in slightly toasted, garlicky, bread crumbs, it was obvious that these were done in the oven as all good M&C should be. Taking a bite, one could tell that they used a smoked Gouda along with Parmesan, and probably some Mozzarella to add to the stringy consistency. Wow! This is how M&C should be made!

The fries, well, they were fries, nicely done and crispy, and the chard with raisins and pine nuts, was quite good. Unfortunately, we did not have room for dessert, but of coarse there's always next time.

The vibe at Maynards is quite Tucson-like. Instead of trying to make the train depot conform to the restaurant, the restaurant conforms to the depot. Drink menus hang on a railroad spike at the table, and the main dining area looks out over the tracks so you can watch the trains go by. Overall, Maynards is bit on the noisy side, but that was just because it was quite busy. I hope it stays that way.

North Shore

As I mentioned in the last post, we took a quick vacation up north. To the North Shore of Lake Superior, in fact. It was quite nice to see the bright new green showing up everywhere in the spring, and the area was just beautiful. I'd highly recommend a trip up there.

We spent a few days going along the shoreline, pretty much covering the area from Duluth to Canada, stopping to wander out to the lake shore, or watch the cascades of snow melt tumble down rivers on the way to the lake. Every time we would see the rushing cascades, I would think of the story Paddle to the Sea by the wonderfully named Holling C. Holling and winner of the 1942 Caldecott Award.

For those that haven't read Paddle to the Sea, you are missing out.

Ice Break

This year it looks as though I missed the ice break on the Rillito. We took a short vacation up to one of those northern climes. You know the kind of place -- where the real ice had broken just a week or so prior. Really. In fact, right up near the Canadian border we happened to see a lake that was still covered in ice! And when we arrived back in Tucson, the radio announcer said it was a lovely 100° degrees in Tucson.

Here in Tucson, we don't have real ice on the rivers, or even water for most of the year, so we make up our own version of an ice break. The first day above 100°. This year it was on May 7th.

Keep cool.

Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society

When most people think of the desert, they think dry, brown, and dusty. It can be all of that, and more. For example, the photo to the left (a tricocereus) was taken right here in Tucson, just a day or so ago. Not quite brown and dusty is it?

In fact, right now a number of things are blooming here in the desert, although they are mostly cacti of some sort: prickly pears, chollas, and even the saguaros are starting to bloom. And what is nice is that cacti bloom every year without fail. It doesn't matter how much or how little rain we get, they bloom. That, and the minimal care that is needed, make cacti one of the best landscape plants for Tucson in my opinion. To make it even easier, you should get native cacti. That way there is no wories about the plants getting too much sun. Yes, too much sun. The first year we lived in Tucson, we went out and picked up a number of cacti from one of the nurseries in town and nearly all of the cacti ended up dying from sunburn. Ah well, live and learn and pass it on.

To avoid problems like acclimitization, I generally buy cacti for the yard from the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society (click on the title) sales. They offer up rescued plants at terrific prices, and for the most part you can just put them in the ground, cover them with shade cloth for a season, and you're done. If you're looking for great blooms, check out the hedgehogs (echinocereus spp.), you won't be dissappointed.

Grand Canyon

I've lived in Tucson a fair number of years, and surprisingly (to me), I've only been to the Grand Canyon once. Just once, and that was late last year. The reason it's surprising is that it is relatively close: 4 to 5 hour drive. A half of a day to get to one of the most spectacular locations in North America.

If you're like me, you tend to put off those close by attractions in favor of something more exotic. Something distant, perhaps a plane trip overseas. And by doing so you miss out on some really great experiences. I tend to think this is natural, but kind of a shame, really. You (and I) should spend more of our time doing things close by. Learn about the area we live in. Eat the regional foods. Visit those small local shrines. These are what makes it so exciting to live in Tucson.

So with that, get out and start exploring!