What’s New in Tucson, Arizona February 2008
2008 Field of Champions: Three recent champions of Major League Baseball return to Tucson for Cactus League Spring Training, February 27-March 27. The teams-Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, and Colorado Rockies-play home games every week at Tucson Electric Park (TEP) and Hi Corbett Field. One of the season’s hottest matches-between Chicago rivals, the White Sox and the Cubs-is already a sell‑out, Saturday, March 15 at TEP. Another big game, between the Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers, takes place Friday, March 21 at TEP as the Dodgers prepare for their 2009 move to the Cactus League.
A two-nation competition is scheduled for Hi Corbett Field when the Colorado Rockies host the Mexican National All-Star team on Friday, Feb. 29 and Sunday, March 2. For more information, check the Spring Training page under Events at www.visitTucson.org; or call the ticket offices of Tucson Electric Park at (520) 434-1367 and Hi Corbett Field at (520) 327-9467.
Mariachis in the Making: Tucson is a laboratory for students of traditional Mexican music and dance. Every year, at least 900 students from across North America travel here for the La Frontera Tucson International Mariachi Conference. Budding mariachi musicians and folklorico dancers participate in the conference’s workshops and concerts, which are taught by some of the most popular performers of our time. Many of these teachers were at one time conference students themselves; now they are passing along their knowledge to future generations. The workshops are capped with public concerts featuring big-name bands. The next conference, April 23-26, 2008, is headlined by Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan (called the best band in Mexico) and other national and local acts. For details, go to www.tucsonmariachi.org When the conference is not in town, fans of the genre can hear the lively music year round at Tucson restaurants, festivals, and even churches.
Tucson Going Hog Wild: Downtown Tucson is going hog wild for 2008 Arizona State H.O.G. Rally, May 1-3. Downtown Tucson business partners have planned a weekend of motorcycle-themed public events to coincide with the annual rally, which is open only to national members of the H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) club. A sampling of the public events: a motorcycle ride from Tucson to a Southern Arizona city, an “hog-related” exhibit at Tucson Museum of Art; a classic movie screening at the Fox Tucson Theatre; and a parade of chrome horses on Saturday. For a complete schedule of public events, go to the website of the Downtown Tucson Partnership, www.downtowntucson.org
Wearable Tucson Icons: Shirts imprinted with beautiful and whimsical images of the Tucson area are showing up around the country. Shops in 19 states, other than Arizona, are selling original t-shirts and button-downs by Tucson artist Nancy E. Lenches. Her detailed drawings and muted colors capture the essence of the Sonoran Desert region of the American Southwest. The artful designs feature Southwestern themes, including many Tucson icons: saguaros, quail, doves, roses, horses, horned toads, hummingbirds, petroglyphs, San Xavier Mission, and more. Sizes include ladies, unisex, and youth; adult sizes are priced from $23. Lenches’ company name, Sabaku Artwear, means “desert” in Japanese. Her shirts can be viewed online at www.sabakuart.com
Local Travel Review: Globetrotters and local residents alike can find man-in-the-street reviews of Tucson resorts, hot spots, and more at the new website, GoSeeArizona.com. Tucson is one of 250 Arizona destinations featured on this new social networking website and community-driven travel resource. Each destination has its own page that offers member-generated reviews of local hotels, restaurants, attractions, shops, and more; and like-minded travelers can go online and share information about experiences. Recently, the Tucson page featured suggestions for a real dude ranch, one-of-a-kind pizza, the best margarita, and an authentic Mexican restaurant.
Landscaping” align=”right” height=”107″ hspace=”3″ vspace=”3″ width=”143″ /> Suggestions like these are ranked by the website’s unique “Trustiness” system, which calculates the trustworthiness of every review and displays top “Trusted Members” on each landing page. The free online registration includes a simple user profile that outlines travel interests; members may choose to remain anonymous. Check it out at www.GoSeeArizona.com
Tucson Resort Rates World’s Best: Three years after opening, JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort %26 Spa has been rated one of the 500 world’s best hotels by Travel + Leisure. This rating, reported in the magazine’s January 2008 issue, draws on the beauty of resort’s location. Starr Pass offers direct access to Tucson Mountain Park and trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Guest rooms overlook both golf course and city skyline, offering spectacular views of desert terrain, brilliant sunsets, and twinkling lights. Starr Pass is the largest resort hotel in the Tucson region, with 575 rooms; a 27-hole Arnold Palmer Golf Course; 20,000-square-foot spa; seven restaurants, including Chef Melissa Kelly’s renowned Primo; and 88,000 square feet of meeting space. This month the resort opens in its pool area a “lazy river” and “winding waterslide.” For details, visit www.travelandleisure.com/tl500/2008/region/us
New Upscale Shops: La Encantada has added five new shops to its roster of ritzy retailers. The new shops include bluemercury, a national chain offering hard-to-find, high-end cosmetics and skin- and body-care products as well as luxurious candles and fragrances and onsite spa services; J. Crew, the iconic American brand known worldwide for its sophisticated, fun clothing and accessories; Milagros, a high-end import and gift shop specializing in items from around the world; Mildred %26 Dildred, a specialty toy store that promotes imaginative play in a relaxed, interactive atmosphere; and Solstice Sunglass Boutique, headquarters for designer-brand sunwear, with more than 1,000 sunglasses on display. La Encantada shopping center’s pedestrian-friendly, open-air setting now houses 59 tenants at Skyline Drive and Campbell Avenue, minutes from several resorts. For more information, visit www.laencantadashoppingcenter.com
New Service at Tucson Airport: The number of nonstop flights at Tucson International Airport (TIA) continues to grow. Delta Air Lines recently began twice daily, nonstop service between Tucson and Los Angeles. Delta’s new service increases to 13 the total number of daily departures available between Tucson (TUS) and Los Angeles (LAX). The two new Delta flights depart Tucson at 7 a.m. and 3:55 p.m. respectively, adding convenience and choice for customers traveling to Los Angeles, which is the most-popular destination for Tucson travelers. Another carrier, Sun Country Airlines recently introduced seasonal twice-weekly nonstop service between Tucson and Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP), which will continue through April 7. Including this service, Tucson International Airport is served by 12 airlines offering 88 daily nonstop departures to 28 destinations. A current list of arrival and departure schedules at Tucson International Airport is available through AirTucson.com, www.airtucson.com/service.htm
Wish You Were Here: Send a free e-postcard from the city of purple mountains and prickly-pear cacti. Images of Tucson scenery, hiking, golf and more are available-at no charge-at the website of the Metropolitan Tucson Convention %26 Visitors Bureau, www.visitTucson.org/visitor/gallery
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