The rope ruins the pic but I found these two screech owls, parent and owlet, inhabiting my carport last week. I am not sure how I missed it for so long. This little bird is about to fly.
Hi Folks,
We have replaced our events page for now. There are no events you can physically attend. You can still plan and visit our Annual Events page here. We believe in hoping for the best but planning for the worst. Stay informed. This page has plenty of resources to guide you through this tough time.
As we begin to recover from the shock, people are finding other ways to provide education and entertainment in and around Tucson.
Here are but a few ideas we have found around the web.
To support Downtown Businesses the Downtown Tucson Partnership has done a great job of adding resources and information about the downtown area. Where to park Free for Takeout, who offers virtual classes and entertainment. Check out the website.
SHOPPING
Many people are switching to online shopping. Groceries especially. Delivery dates at Safeway are currently 3 days in advance.
To get delivery from Whole Foods, it is best to buy an Amazon Prime membership. They do have a trial and the yearly membership fee is $119 should you wish to continue or $12.99 a month.
Bashas uses Instacart. I ordered this way yesterday. They delivered within 5 hours. They were still out of many items.
Sprouts Organic and Natural Foods also uses Instacart. Delivery on your first order is free. Please tip well.
Here is a list from the City of Tucson for Grocery Stores offering Senior Hours.
Recently I ordered online from Lowes. When your order is ready you can go to Lowes, park in one of their Pickup spaces and call or test to have them deliver your order to your car. Bring your own pen. Total Wine has the same convenience if you buy $50 worth of booze.
DONATE & SUPPORT
The DownTownTucson Partnership and Rio Nuevo as sponsoring a Gift Card Incentive program for downtown Merchants. This will be the 6th of these. Get to the website for Downtown Tucson promptly at 5 pm on Friday to get in on the deals. They are only selling 1000 and you are limited to 4 merchant gift cards. $25 buys you $35 of GIFT CARD to many of the Downtown restaurants and merchants.
Donate to your local Community Food Bank. There will be plenty of people who will appreciate it soon.
Flying Leap Vineyards & Distillery has joined up with Sia Botanics to bring you Hand Sanitizer. OR you can make your own with at least 60% grade Alcohol and Aloe from your yard. The Distillery sells 90% alcohol by the gallon if you want to start a new business.
Support our advertisers who support us. Here is the page to the Museum of Miniatures. Consider purchasing a membership for yourself or a family in need.
Rancho Rossa, the vineyard with a heart, and one of our favorites will ship free with a purchase of 3 bottles or more. Say hi to Chris and Breanna for us.
The Fox Tucson Theatre is busy rescheduling events for you. If you already have tickets, you will be contacted. If you love the Fox, now is the time to buy a membership.
Support the Loft Cinema by buying a membership or viewing one of their Live Stream Movies. These are places that say Tucson. Please be generous. We want them around when we can go out again.
The Desert Museum’s Desert GALA, its largest fundraiser is ONLINE. Bidding starts April 20th. The auction runs until 5 pm Sunday, April 26th. Register and bid today or Buy a Raffle ticket.
THINGS TO DO
So, now, what can we do? How about a veggie garden? Take walks. Get fit with an online exercise course. Clean out that closet. Take the stuff you don’t need to your favorite thrift shop. You have wanted to have time to do this for years, right?
Visit the Tohono Chul Park website. They have revamped it for your stay at home. Good job guys.
Arizona Public Lands are open for recreation. Here is an article on Responsible Recreation from the Office of Tourism that makes good sense when venturing out on the road.
Take a bike ride or wheelchair out on The Loop. If you are handicapped, electric scooters are acceptable.
We are going to try Sweetwater Wetlands. Even with the freeway widening project, you can still access it. I suspect there will be no one else there. We will let you know. If you are a birder and have never been to Sweetwater Wetlands, see our article.
If you are a history buff and love ghost towns and mining camps, well, only the ghosts are there to complain. You can read about some of the ghost towns you can visit here. Not far from Patagonia are a few mining camps you can discover on your own.
Agua Caliente Park is open but the buildings are closed. Please practice safe distancing.
Make your own facial mask. This is my favorite video. Quick and easy. Make several. Be chic. You would have to contact the hospitals directly to see what their specifications are and if they are in need.
PARKS
Both Arizona State Parks and the Coronado National Forest are open with a few exceptions. Here is a list of what is open and closed in the Coronado National Forest. Trails and RV Campgrounds are open in the State Parks.
Madera Canyon is open. Ramsey Canyon and Carr Canyons are closed.
Pima County has closed ramadas in its parks. Here is more information from Pima County.
BOOKS
Read a book. Here is our list of recommended reading. ( If you purchase from Amazon we get a small cut.)
RESTAURANTS FOR TAKEOUT
Many restaurants are open for take-out or delivery. IF you want to see your favorite restaurant open when things return to normal, buy a gift card. The Downtown Tucson Partnership is having a Gift Card Incentive program.
Here are the restaurants that have reported to Tucson.com that they are open for pickup and delivery. And YES, Gourmet Girls is open. (Shameless Plug) Tell them we sent you.
And a big thank you to Jo Schneider from La Cocina who is feeding many unemployed restaurant workers.
Be well, stay well. This too will pass. And we will eventually heal and hopefully have learned something from this tragedy.
FOR KIDS
The Reid Park Zoo is offering a free ONLINE Education program each Thursday at 11 am and 2 pm. Advanced registration is required.
Here is a great page for ideas for Kids from the City of Tucson.
MOVIES
A pop up DRIVE IN movie on Thursday, May 7 at Tucson Speedway. Gates open at 6. Show starts at 7. $15.
A Month of weekly FREE Drive-In movies for the Kiddos in Sahuarita. Get there early. It will fill up fast.