The Tucson Convention Center is the scene of the Arizona State Home Show this weekend. Doors open at noon today (Friday January 7, 2011) and the show will run until 7 pm tonight. Saturday hours are from 10 am to 7 pm, and Sunday, the show opens at 10 and closes at 5:00. Tickets are $8.00 at the door and a $2.00 off coupon is on the website.  The link is listed under resources.

This show is brought to you by American Shows, Inc. out of California, and is not to be confused with the local Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA) Home Show which draws more than 20,000 people each spring.

The SAHBA show, sponsored by the home builders of the Tucson area, features many local businesses. A “charity” component such as building for Habitat or working for Tucson based charitable organizations is usually a part of the SAHBA show. Proceeds benefit SAHBA which gives back to the community through organizations such as Hearth, an organization which provides shelter for homeless women with children, or Habitat for Humanity, another organization supported by Realtors® .

A Modern Lifestyles Expo is contained within the Arizona State Home Show and includes puveyors of nutrition products, exercise information, self improvement techniques and products, personal image information, and information especially geared to Seniors, in addition to the normal cabinets, counter tops, and bathroom re-do vendors.

If you are thinking about a renovation project, attending such a show can provide ideas.  Take a digital camera  or your cell phone.  When you see something of interest,  snap a photo and take various viewpoints. Bring a pad and pen to take notes.  When talking with people manning the booths ask for a business card if your interest is piqued.

There are always “show specials” but be careful. Impulse buying happens, and the excitement and fast pace of the show may urge you on to purchase something without fully researching the item. Vendors are there to sell product and they see you as $$$.   Just like those end of the aisle specials in the grocery store, sometimes they are priced higher than normal.  Research the project before committing to purchase.
Resources:

http://www.sahbahomeshow.com/

http://www.americanshowsinc.com/LifestyleExpo.html

There is magic in the air in Tucson, the air is crisp and clean, oh yes, we have measures of particulate matter, but not as much as Phoenix,  which bode well for air quality.

We are home to several observatories which need clean air in order to see the galaxies millions of miles in the distance.  Clear skies are a requisite to building an observatory.    And  Kitt Peak, located about an hour west of Tucson, is preeminent amongst observatories, hosting the observatories and telescopes of several nationally recognized colleges as well as NOAO.

“Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), part of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), supports the most diverse collection of astronomical observatories on Earth for nighttime optical and infrared astronomy and daytime study of the Sun. Sharing the mountaintop site with the National Solar Observatory, KPNO, founded in 1958, operates three major nighttime telescopes and hosts the facilities of consortia which operate 19 optical telescopes and two radio telescopes. (See the Tenant Observatories list.) Kitt Peak is located 56 miles southwest of Tucson, AZ, in the Schuk Toak District on the Tohono O’odham Nation and has a Visitor Center open daily to the public”

I had an “amateur” astronomy client once tell me, he only wanted to purchase land west of I-10 and I-19 because Tucson had prevailing westerly winds.  The particulate matter from the cars traveling the highways blew eastward and that he could see the heavens better from the west side of town because there is less highway pollution.

Kitt Peak is located west of Tucson on Route 86, also known as Ajo Highway, which is the road to Why, a much traveled road leading eventually to Rocky Point.    Farms and fields dot the landscape  and when I was there last, I thought “this looks like Connecticut”.  A white farmhouse was set back from the road and the fields with raffia like pumpkin vines held deep orange pumpkins, gone unpicked by pumpkin hunters.

A country store, a gas station, and a few  buildings mark Three Points, otherwise known as Robles Junction.  This is where the road to Sasabe, Highway 286, forks and wends its way to Sonora, Mexico.  The Baboquiari and Quinlan Mountains loom in the distance and the telescopes of Kitt Peak beckon.  We enter Tohono O’Odham land where the site of Kitt Peak is considered a sacred mountain.

The winding uphill road to Kitt Peak offers beautiful views of the surrounding areas, Tucson to the northeast, the Tumacacori Mountains and the San Luis Mountains around Arivaca to the south southeast, the Altar Valley and Mexico to the south, and the Santa Rosa Valley to the northwest.

Suddenly the telescopes appear, looming big, larger than life, and we have completed the ascent.  It is chilly.  We are more than a mile above sea level at 6875 feet.  People attending the evening sessions are warned to bring a warm jacket, mittens or gloves and to wear a hat.  We are ready to embark upon an out of this world experience and learn about the galaxies, some of which is difficult to fathom.  The Kitt Peak program is an education and brought to you by some of the most knowledgable astronomers in the nation, a “not to be missed” experience!

Resources:

http://www.noao.edu/

http://www.noao.edu/outreach/kpoutreach.html

http://cleardarksky.com/c/KittAZkey.html

http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state&stateid

http://www.noao.edu/kpno/=3&tab=0

Tucson is a warm weather destination for thousands of people who want to exchange snow, sleet, ice, and freezing weather for warmer temperatures, sunshine, and the exercise of a round of golf rather than shoveling snow.

With an efficient international airport, Tucson is easy to reach.  Many airlines have direct flights from their hubs, and the airport is within 20 minutes of Tucson proper.   There are also daily flights to points in Mexico.

The Tucson International Airport website (listed below) features daily deals for airlines, a terminal map, information about ground parking, transportation options, a list of arrivals and a list of departures with their “on time” status, as well as information about the artwork which greets visitors as they wander through the airport.

Tucson International is an easy airport to navigate and when walking out the main doors, the warmth of Tucson greets visitors framed by the majestic mountains which surround the city.

It’s easy to get to either I-10 which goes to the center of town, or to I-19 which one takes to get to Sahuarita and Green Valley.

There are plenty of rental car places, both on site at the airport, or off site.  Like most airports, those off site may charge a bit less.  But if you want the best deal, rent a car from a place in the city so you don’t have to pay the airport surcharge which most cities charge…and use the coupon which you get either on line or from The Entertainment Book!

People often think flying into Phoenix is cheaper, but I’ve tried that when flying to the east coast. I took the shuttle to Phoenix which is now $37 one way if booked a day in advance with a 25% discount for the second or third passenger, but still that adds $74 to the price of a ticket for one person round trip.  The ride was more than two hours, as opposed to 20 minutes to the Tucson Airport, and I groggily boarded the shuttle at 4:30 am for a 8:30 am flight.

Checking prices this morning for Southwest;  from Phoenix to Chicago is $109 on a “Wanna Get Away” airfare, and only $10 more from Tucson, at $119.  The “Anytime” flight is $403 from Phoenix and $437 from Tucson; and the “Business Select” is $423 from Phoenix, one way, and $457 from Tucson, still less than a one way shuttle price.

Sky Harbor Airport parking is $7.00 a day if you leave your car there.  Tucson International parking is $4.00 a day if one parks at Park’N Go, and the shuttle buses come every five to seven minutes.  Drivers are polite and always willing to help with luggage.

It is a given there are more direct flights from point to point at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor, but it is worth considering that flying into Tucson may be worth a half hour layover in Denver or Dallas.

If it is a two hour drive to Sky Harbor one way and you don’t want to bog down in Phoenix traffic, then think about flying into Tucson International.  You’ll begin your vacation much more relaxed!

Resources:

Tucson International Airport

http://www.flytucsonairport.com/

Traveling to another state gets us out of our routine, but for fellow out of state Toastmasters out there, Arizona has many Toastmasters’ clubs.  Guests are heartily welcomed.   It’s a great way to meet people and get their take on the Grand Canyon state, what they like and what they don’t.

Taking advantage of attending a meeting such as Toastmasters offers the opportunity to chat with people and get the locals’ perspective on the area.  Formulating a list of questions may be a good idea such as:    Where would you buy a property if you were buying today?  Where would you definitely not buy?   How is the traffic to get to xyz place?  Is there anything you think I should be aware of such as new building, roadway expansion, commercial development coming soon?  How is the crime in this area?  What about drugs?

Real estate agents must be careful answering questions such as these so they are not guilty of steering.  But asking locals such questions is perfectly permissible.  Getting the “take” of area from a cross section of the area’s residents, rather than residents who just live in that particular subdivision, may provide a more realistic viewpoint.  People who live in a specific subdivision will paint the picture brightly and  may not talk about any “downside” to the neighborhood.

An agent can refer buyers to websites such as the crime site or sex offenders site, but this may not give the information a buyer desires to make an informed decision.

Taking an hour or two to attend a local Toastmasters meeting, Rotary, Lions Club, or place of worship with the intent of talking with people who live in the area can reap big rewards.  A buyer may find information which the Realtor® does not know.

The added benefit is discovering local haunts, “good hole in the wall restaurants” which can’t afford to advertise in the slick magazines, places to see which may be out of the way, or a local event which is not well advertised.

If you are thinking about a trip to a locale where you are considering purchasing a home, go that extra step, attend a meeting and ask questions!

Tired of the cold and snow, considering a get away to the beautiful Tucson area where you don’t have to wear galoshes to get to the car to keep your feet warm and dry, or bundle up with multiple layers including a bulky down jacket so as not to shiver or become a victim of  bone chilling cold?  There are several ways to save money on your excursion to the beautiful Tucson for which you can take advantage.

Colorful La Placita Village, home to the Tucson Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, should be your first stop.  TCVB has a wealth of information about the area, and the people attending visitors have a wealth of information about the area.

Purchase a PASSPORT for $15 which contains several two for one coupons as well as discounts to other places.  I’ve included a link about the Passport below.  Locals too, are encouraged to purchase a passport, and become a tourist in your own town!   You will reap your $15 over and over!

The Entertainment Book, normally $35. can now be purchased online for $20.11.  The 1 inch thick discount book contains discounts from airline tickets, car rentals, to dry cleaning, retail stores, and of course motel, hotel coupons plus a plethora of discounts to nice restaurants as well as fast food places.

Discounts to entertainment and sports events are in abundance, and Tucson has some little theaters which present well constructed and entertaining plays.  Area culture is represented; the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Tucson Museum of Art, Amerind Foundation Museum, the Jewish History Museum, and the Fox Theater–all have discounts in the book.  And of course, Golf — one complimentary green fee to several courses with payment for three players.

Especially if you are traveling with family, The Entertainment Book is a great deal.  Order your book online and have it delivered to your home so you can peruse the coupons and get an idea as to what you want to use.

GrouponTucson.com, which comes to your e mail or smart phone, provides daily deals, which you can elect to purchase on the spot if the offer suits your needs.  Likewise LivingSocial.com for Tucson provides one coupon per day which you may elect to purchase.

In Tucson, there is plenty to see and do without spending a fortune.  Hiking in the four mountain ranges which surround the city is a favorite pastime, wandering around La Encantada, which also offers another coupon book is good for the “shoppers” in the crowd, a leisurely afternoon at Reid Park at the zoo,  Tohono Chul, or the Botanical Gardens, or my very favorite, The Sonora Desert Museum where you can spend almost an entire day, are all not expensive and great adventures.    (Discounts to all these places are in The Tucson Passport!)

So pack up your shorts and tank tops and as Bob Barker said, “Come On Down!”

Resources:

http://www.visittucson.org/visitor/attractions/passport/

http://tucson.entertainment.com/discount/browse.shtml

http://www.google.com/search?aq=1&oq=Groupon&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=groupon+tucson

http://www.livingsocial.com

The window frames the Catalina Mountains, famed as the southernmost ski area in the nation, Mount Lemmon Ski Area, at an elevation of about 8,000 feet.  Sheriffs’ cars block the Catalina Highway and only those vehicles with chains and a reason to travel the road are permitted through the roadblock.

Tonight, New Year’s Eve, the temperature in Tucson will be cooler than that of Time Square in New York City.  Revelers in the streets watching the huge Waterford Crystal Ball drop will be warmer than those who plan to whoop it up outside in the Old Pueblo.

The Big Apple has all the snow of the recent storm cleared, and probably dumped into the Hudson River. From my vantage point, looking through the green leaves of the oleanders and the sticks which are the branches of the pomegranates with several half eaten fruits forming interesting geometric type circles, plus the lacy leaves of the mesquite, I see the cloud cover descending.

The peaks of the Catalinas are only a foggy remnant of distinct mountain tops.   I know the snow is falling.

I showed property this morning off the Catalina Highway and reprimanded myself severely for not bringing my camera.  Snow continued to fall in some areas of the Catalinas, almost a mist rising in the air, or descending from the heavens, however one wishes to see the phenomena.

Usually craggy, showing great personality and character, the mountains stand in the distance, assorted browns from a sand to a burnt sienna, and depending upon the amount of rain, shades of greens ranging from a burnt brown green to a verdure, fresh, crisp green, like the inner leaves of celery or romaine lettuce.

I hail from New England where snow is a part of winter life.  I could marvel at the diamonds in the trees and the white virgin beauty of a fresh snowfall, but too soon it became snowplow brown, and was cursed as a slowdown to east coast life.

Like rain, snow is an anomaly.   Snow falls, we grin from ear to ear.  Rain comes, we dance in the streets.  We admire the beauty of the sifted confectionary sugar upon our mountains like sifted confectionary sugar upon a delicate but deeply satisfying dessert.   That, with a good cup of full bodied coffee soothes the soul.

I choose to think this as a good omen and the gods of weather are telling Tucson, 2011 is a new year, and the snows will bring spring water to the mountains which will bloom as truly Tucson will do.

A safe, happy, joyous, healthy, and prosperous 2011 to you and those whom you love.