My family and I are "raincoat optimists", so we arrived with raincoats and umbrellas to spare at 5:30 p.m. on August 31 to set up for the First Annual Noche de Luz Flashlight Parade. Of course, at the moment everyone else was to arrive, the sky opened up and let loose a torrent. Happily, by then we'd already walked the route, following the DeAnza trail to the site of the future Tucson Origins Park, and then heading back to 22nd Street, lighting luminarias, checking the trail, enjoying the sky and the evening. Tucson Parks and Recreation surprised us with a sparkling, bright banner posted along the trail--a big "Thank You" to all the Birthday organizers and volunteers. Seconds before the first drop of rain hit my forearm, board member and "official" Birthday photographer Dave Fisher captured perhaps the most spectacular Birthday sunset of a spectacular Birthday month. Let's get started on Tucson's Birthday 2009, shall we?

Thanks to all,
Linda
for Cele Peterson
and Tucson's Birthday

Fiesta de San Augustín Aug. 30

Mariachi Tesoro performed during the Mass led by Bishop Kicanas at St. Augustine Cathedral and then participated in the procession to the Fiesta San Agustin in Armory park. There they serenaded Las Donas de Los Descendientes and hundreds of others gathered to enjoy the food, games and craft show. And they sang "Las Mananitas" for Tucson's Birthday.

Birthday Reception for Train Memorabilia

Around 80 celebrants turned out August 30 to learn about how railroads changed Tucson's history, and to see the memorabilia of renowned engineer Connie Weinzapfel. Among the guests were members of his family and supporters of the Southern Arizona Transportation museum at Tucson's Historic Depot.

Rodeo Night at Bookmans

On August 29, Bookmans at Ina/Thornydale treated customers and passers by to an exhibit of two famous carriages from the Rodeo Parade Museum. Members of the Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee were on hand to welcome visitors and answer questions.

Terra del Sol Celebrates

The Terra del Sol Neighborhood Association held a fee concert on August 27th with a 12-piece orchestra and a singer. The first number was old Mexican piece and they included others up to Rock & Roll. Audience members danced the Tango and waltzes. We had Happy Birthday cake - chocolate with raspberry filling and a white cake with lemon filling. Lots of applause and numerous requests to do this every year. We gave out door prizes for $50.00 at Ace Hardware, $50.00 for gas, $30.00 for Safeway groceries, $25.00 for Starbucks, $25.00 for theater tickets, and discounts at Boston
Market.

Thank you Mrs. Peterson!

Claire Weeks, President

Birthdays Across The Curriculum

Pistor Middle School's mentoring program hosted second graders from nearby elementary schools for a day celebrating Tucson's Birthday with dancing, music and arts and crafts.

Connie Weinzapfel exhibit at the Historic Depot

The Southern Arizona Transportation Museum celebrates Tucson's Birthday with a month-long exhibit of the memorabilia of renowned train engineer Connie Weinzapfel, and a reception on August 30.

Davidson Elementary Celebrates the Birthday

Davidson Elementary School enjoyed a “Back-to-school and Happy Birthday, Tucson” cake and ice cream social on Tuesday, August 26. Ward Two City Councilmember Rodney Glassman paid a visit.

School Annuals on Display at the Main Library

Tucson area high school alumni shared their high school yearbooks for display throughout the month of August for Tucson's Birthday at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library. University of Arizona yearbooks also were on display.

Beowulf Alley Theatre Celebrates with "Noche de Los Muertos"

August 19-23, Beowulf Alley Theatre treated the community to a preview workshop for a new play by Tucsonan and award-winning playwright, Gavin Kayer. The play, "Noche de Los Muertos" will be fully mounted November 1-16. Set in a provincial village in the Sonoran Desert in the 1920's, Noche explores the power of rites and rituals that influence thought to the point of irrationality.

Dance for Tucson

Dance infusion hosted an afternoon of performances and dance lessons with a buffet supper, silent auction and plenty of birthday cake on August 23.

Official Birthday Cake

Hotel Congress' pastry chefs proudly displayed the city's official birthday cake on August 17, moments before a hundred or so celebrants turned it into a handful of crumbs. Historian Ken Scoville told tales of our early history.

Ceremony of Tucson's Five Flags

Flags of the Tohono O'odham and Yaqui Nations, Territorial Spain, Mexico, the United States, the Confederacy and Arizona represent the military and cultural heritage of our city at an August 20 flag raising ceremony at the Presidio.

51 Birthday Babies!

Fifty-one new Tucsonans born on August 20,2008 received a certificate with a reproduction of the proclamation of the Presidio. Volunteers Dave and Norma Fisher delivered them along with a certificate good for a native tree from Trees for Tucson.

Scenes from the Gala

The Raizk family has posted their pictures from the August 16 Birthday Gala on Flicker. They'll give you a great sense of being there if you missed it. Each table had it's own birthday cake!

Flag Raising, Plus !

We couldn't have blogged it better ourselves! The "City of Tucson" MySpace page has lots of great photos from August 20 Flag Raising event celebrating the founding of the Presidio. Enjoy!

Free Pima Air and Space Museum

Today the Pima Air and Space Museum was offering free admission to Tucson residents in celebration of Tucson's birthday! The kids and I raced over there after school to just make the last admission time. (It looked like we weren't the only ones trying to beat the clock...) Then the fun began! The younger kids and I had never been to the museum before. What a sight! We were really impressed at the amount of aircraft and spacecraft they had on display. Equally impressive were the types of hands-on displays for the kids. Even my two year old daughter was excited and kept commenting about "loving the cool planes". The only bad part was that we ran out of time to see everything as thoroughly as my 7 year-old (and I) would have liked. We have vowed to return when we have more time to really check things out! What a great museum we have right here in Tucson, and what a great way to celebrate Tucson's birthday!

--BT

Doubletree Cookie Give-away

According to Doubletree Hotel staff, a steady stream of folks celebrated the August 20 establishment of the Presidio de San Agustin de Tucson with free chocolate chip cookies!

The Haunted Antique Mall Celebrates the Past

The Haunted Antique Mall is celebrating Tucson's birthday! They had very tasty cookies (or "cakies", technically) on a festively decorated table. My boys kept coming back for more!! (Well, they would have if I would have let them...) Also for our perusal were some scrolls with interesting historical facts about Tucson. This was perfect for my 7-year old who is a big history buff! The most exciting part for my boys were the ghost stories. Also on the table were some books describing haunted buildings in our area. We found the section on the Antique Mall and read up! We then went searching the store for ghosts, hitting as many of the "affected" spots as possible. Much to the boys' dismay we had no supernatural encounters, but they sure did spook themselves! We had a good time, and I had to promise to bring them back so they could keep searching for ghosts!

--BT

Tucson's Birthday at Villa Maria

Villa Maria residents celebrated the Birthday by dressing up in historic costumes August 19, and by learning how generations of Tucsonans gardened and harvested food with Native Seeds/Search on August 12. See the video at our MySpace page!

Historical Highlights

Residents of Atria Bel Court Gardens enjoyed a presentation of Tucson's historical highlights given by Celebrando el Pueblo de Tucson on August 19.

Certificates for Birthday Babies

Babies born in Tucson hospitals and birthing centers on August 20 will receive a special certificate with their names, birthdate and a replica of the August 20, 1775 proclamation of the Presidio del Tucson.

Tohono O'odham, Cele Peterson Honored at Gala

Los Descendientes 233rd Tucson's Birthday Gala honored the Tohono O'odham Nation with the organization's first Commandante award. In accepting the award, the Nation's Chairman, Ned Norris, spoke of the Nation's long history in our region, and its tribal lands spanning our border with Mexico.










Los Descendientes also honored Cele Peterson and her family for decades of community service. Tucson's Troubadour Ted Ramirez and Michael Ronstadt serenaded her, and more than 400 guests celebrate her accomplishments, enjoyed a wonderful dinner (including birthday cake, of course!) and danced the night away.

Mrs. Peterson accepted her award from Supervisor Richard Elias, President of Los Descendientes.

Postage Stamp Design Winners!

Thanks to all who entered their designs. The Postal History Museum announced the winners August 15, and here they are!

1st Place Youth Winner submitted by Sierra McLean.


















1st Place Adult Winner submitted by Sylvia Lindemann.

Chick-fil-A Family Night on Tuesday, August 12, 2008

To all,
If you missed the fun on August 12, you have another chance to join in the fun this Tuesday, August 19. My son, Nico, and I had a fabulous time!

It was great to see families together creating some very imaginative and awesome birthday cards. It was also such a joy just to be out with other families in the community and having so much fun.

Please come by this week to join in the birthday fun. Nico & I will definitely be there. You can tell by the pictures your family will have a great time!

Happy Birthday, TUCSON!
Cheers,
Isabel

A History Lesson through native foods August 9, 2008

Tony and Lynn Urias of Celebrando el Pueblo de Tucson took bookman shoppers through a history lesson of Tucson and the southwest through native foods. Among these, baked agave, prickly pear, Aramanth, nopalitos. Dressed in traditional custom--Tony as a Spanish soldier--they presented a celebration enjoyed by all attendees.

Cele and Richard on "Arizona Illustrated"

See and hear great interviews with Cele Peterson and Richard Elias, both talking about the purpose and importance of Tucson's Birthday celebration on Arizona Illustrated!

Flowing Wells Library-National Night Out

Flowing Wells area families enjoyed a National Night Out event celebrating Tucson's Birthday at the new Wheeler Taft Abbett Branch Library.

Tucson's Birthday NEEDS Volunteers!

Hi all - Sam and Amanda here - the official Volunteer Coordinators of Tucson's Birthday. Not an easy task, but we're loving every minute of it! What we need now, more than anything, is LOTS and LOTS of volunteers! Anyone interested in volunteering can send us a note here.

Community Artists Celebrate Tucson's Birthday

Bats! Biologists! Rain Date Aug 27

The monsoon storm that came through August 5 couldn’t deter us eager bat-watchers, but it did keep the bats away. The Game & Fish Department has rescheduled for Aug. 27. See the calendar for info.

Birthday Kickoff