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September 1st, 2011  Biosphere 2 is a former highly publicized facility constructed to research and develop self-sustaining space-colonization technology. In the early 1990′s researchers underwent two missions where its residents were sealed into the facility for extended periods of time. Now currently owned & operated by the University of Arizona, it provides a fascinating look into this past history and serves as an ongoing research lab for the school. Plan to spend approximately 2 hours at the facility and allow for sufficient travel time as the facility is located a bit to the north of Tucson off of Oracle Road. Biosphere 2 is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving & Christmas from 9am – 4pm and reservations are not required. While up in the area you can also find afternoon dining just a bit further north in the town of Oracle at Nona Maria’s, an Italian restaurant, or the Oracle Inn, which is a steakhouse.
University of Arizona-Biosphere 2
32540 S. Biosphere Road
Oracle, Arizona 85623
520.838.6200
August 18th, 2011  The University of Arizona Wildcat football team started last year as one of the hottest teams in the country, winning seven of their first eight games. Their play later in the year left much to be desired as they lost their last five games, including a match up with Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl, to finish the season at 7-6. This poor play down the stretch was the opposite of their previous seasons under Head Coach Mike Stoops, as normally the team has been extremely dangerous late in the Pac-10 season. Anchored by quarterback Nick Foles, the Wildcat team has several players on pre-season watch lists for national awards, including wide receive Juron Criner, placekicker Alex Zendejas, and Foles himself.
If you haven’t seen a game at the Arizona Stadium it’s well worth a trip out. Tickets are relatively inexpensive and not too difficult to come by either. During much of the season the temperature at night for the games is quite nice, and the atmosphere down on campus is rejuvenating. Below is the season schedule for the UA football team during this 2011 season. Call 520.621.2287 to order tickets today!
- September 3, 2011 – Wildcats vs. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (HOME)
- September 10, 2011 – Wildcats vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (Away)
- September 17, 2011 – Wildcats vs. Stanford Cardinal (HOME)
- September 24, 2011 – Wildcats vs. Oregon Ducks (HOME)
- October 1, 2011 – Wildcats vs. USC Trojans (Away)
- October 8, 2011 – Wildcats vs. Oregon State Beavers (Away)
- October 20, 2011 – Wildcats vs. UCLA Bruins (HOME)
- October 29, 2011 – Wildcats vs. Washington Huskies (Away)
- November 5, 2011 – Wildcats vs. Utah Utes (HOME)
- November 12, 2011 – Wildcats vs. Colorado Buffaloes (Away)
- November 19, 2011 – Wildcats vs. Arizona State Sundevils (Away)
- November 26, 2011 – Wildcats vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (HOME)
August 14th, 2011 The Tucson Audubon Society hosts the Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival, scheduled to run between August 17th and 21st, in conjunction with Riverpark Inn. Bird lovers will enjoy field trips, workshops, a Nature Expo, and youth birding with Kenn & Kim Kaufman. There will be several birding trips led by local experts including Rick Taylor, Gavin Bieber & John Yerger. Workshops throughout the event are led by Kenn Kaufman & Homer Hansen. Among the experts in their fields that will be conducting presentations are Sheri Williamson on hummingbirds, Leica’s Cameron Cox on optics & digiscoping, and Bob Scarborough on the geology of the Sky Islands. Also incorporated into the event this year is the Sky Islands Birding Cup, Arizona’s new world-class big day birding competition. Some of the other highlights are the welcome reception which includes a presentation by Rick Taylor and the keynote banquet with a presentation by Kenn Kaufman on Southeast Arizona Through the Eyes of Migratory Birds. If you enjoy birding this looks like the premier event in Southern Arizona.
Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival
The Riverpark Inn
350 S. Freeway
Tucson, AZ 85745
August 7th, 2011 Coming August 12th – 14th to Tombstone are Vigilante Days, a yearly event which commemorates an integral part of Tombstone’s unique heritage. An enormous array of activities are scheduled over the three day event, everything from a 10k run, gunfight competitions, re-enactments on historic Allen St., street entertainment, a chili cook-off, and 1880′s fashion on display! Make sure to stop by the Crystal Palace, the West’s most famous saloon. Hearty Western-style foods will be served up all weekend with everything from steak, ribs, chili, burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches available. A full bar and souvenirs also make the trip complete. Runners interested in the 10k should note that event takes place on Sunday, August 14th at 6:30am with registration beginning that day at 5:30am or pre-register on Saturday. The Tombstone Vigilantes will also be raffling off a .45 caliber long colt lever action rifle this year which is the 26th in a series. For more information visit the Tombstone Vigilantes website.
August 4th, 2011 The Tucson Motor Show rolls into town at the Tucson Convention Center this coming Saturday, August 6th from 10am – 8pm for its second year of existence. The show is organized by the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance & features exclusive viewing of automotive rarities, custom builds, and pretty much spans the range of anything that has a motor from cars to boats to airplanes. An interesting feature is a presentation regarding the latest in green technology applications from hybrids to electric vehicles. There will be helicopter and armed forces demonstrations, police & fire vehicles, motorcycles, up to 100 classic cars, concept vehicles, the latest dealer model releases, motor demonstrations, autograph signings, and much more. This event is an exciting way to rev up a summer Saturday by combining food & drinks, motor vehicles of all varieties, action sports, demonstrations, and live music. Activities are available for the entire family with kid events to include:
- Bounce Houses, Obstacle Courses and Mazes
- Youth Train Tours
- Face Painting
- Video Game Simulators
- Rock Walls
- Arts & Crafts
- Games
From 5:00pm to closing at 8:00pm the Tucson Motor Show will also feature live music entertainment from the bands Steel Ribbon & Giant Blue. Admission is $6 at the door and children 10 & under are free.
Tucson Motorshow at the Tucson Convention Center
260 South Church Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85701
520.797.3959
August 3rd, 2011 On the first Friday of each month the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance presents an Art Walk with complimentary wine, hors d’oeuvres, live music, and more at St. Philip’s Plaza. This event occurs from 4:30pm to 7:30pm and the next scheduled event is upcoming on August 5th. Admission is free.
St. Philip’s Plaza Art Walk
4280 N. Campbell Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85718
520.797.3959
July 29th, 2011 The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a remarkable facility featuring many of the most spectacular desert plants and wildlife. This museum is a must see for any new Tucson resident or visitor. Located approximately 20 minutes west of downtown Tucson this makes it an easy day visit. On Saturdays in the summer the museum stays open after sundown, with special exhibits featuring nocturnal wildlife and plants. Many of the Sonoran Desert’s most notable animals are on exhibit such as coyotes, javelina, black bear and bighorn sheep. It’s advisable to visit the museum during the mornings and late afternoons, particularly when hot, in order view the wildlife when they’re most active. Also wear appropriate footwear and clothes as the museum is a more natural habitat than a typical zoo and substantial walking is required.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Road
Tucson, AZ 85743
520.883.2702
July 26th, 2011 Another event happening this weekend that’s slightly off the beaten path is Sonoita Vineyards’ HarvestFest 2011. This event celebrates the upcoming harvest with live music, a grape-stomping contest held at 1:30pm, winery tours by Winemaker, and vineyard tours by horseback. It all happens on Saturday & Sunday, July 30th & 31st in Elgin, AZ from 10am to 4pm. No reservations are required but the event costs $15 per adult to include the above activities and also tasting of current releases, a souvenir glass, souvenir cork key chain, and wine & food pairings. Lunch may be purchased on-site with cash from either The Steakout Restaurant or Praire Chicks Catering.
Sonoita Vineyards
290 Elgin-Canelo Road
Elgin, AZ 85611
520.455.5893
July 24th, 2011 While a bit off the beaten path, if you’re looking for a unique event this summer that you may not have experienced before then the 2nd Annual Garlic Festival might just be the ticket. This event is being held on Friday, July 29th and Saturday, July 30th at the Triangle T Ranch in Dragoon, AZ from 10am – 6pm both days. Celebrate the local garlic harvest with a garlic cook-off, garlic food vendors, recipes, livemusic and games for the kids. Horseback rides are also available which will benefit the Wounded Warriors. If you’re interested in this event then the address and contact information is below:
Triangle T Ranch
4190 E. Dragoon Road
Dragoon, AZ 85609
520.586.7533
The Triangle T Ranch is located approximately 60 miles SE of Tucson. Take Exit 318 off I-10 at Dragoon Road. Follow Dragoon Rd 1/4 mile to the Triangle T Guest Ranch.
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