Saturday, a beautiful, sunny day in Tucson, turned  murky and dark with the events on the southeast corner of Ina and Oracle.  The shooting of the 19 people at the Safeway Shopping Center casts a pall over Tucson.

Residents, this Monday morning, continue to look at each other and  murmur about the irrationality of one man’s act which  claimed six lives and put others in jeopardy, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

Each life, precious in it’s own right, but the death of the nine year old girl who has not even experienced “life”, is unfathomable.  And Gabe Zimmerman, always professional and polite when I’ve spoken to him,  half the age of some of the victims, about to begin life in a new chapter as a married man, leaves huge voids in the lives of those who love him.  Those victims in their 60’s, grandparents and parents, mindlessly cut down by “an unstable” person, leave a vacuum in the lives of their family and friends.

We begin our week going back to our jobs, our routines, but we will not forget the events of Saturday.  We keep the victims in our thoughts and prayers, and  appeal to the powers that be for a full recovery for those victims who survived this horrific day.

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/

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 tiny beads of water dance on the orange plastic wrap which encloses the morning paper.  Although it is nearly 9 am, the dark grey skies look like Connecticut (from where I migrated) on a day which bodes snow.  A gentle rain, actually what I would call a sprinkle, dampens the earth. 

   This is a day to stay home and do paperwork, catch up on phone calls, and not drive around town for whatever reasons.  These days are like  snow days back in Connecticut when the glistening snow and ice weighs down the tree branches and sparkles like a million diamonds.

    This lovely and welcome greyness is part of the Tucson winter monsoon season.  The surrounding mountain ranges are covered by low lying clouds and I suspect there is snow on top of the Catalinas.   When this storm clears out, we will have snow capped mountains for a short period of time contrasting against the Arizona sunshine.

    The leaves from the Arizona Ash, a deciduous tree in the back yard, will shed even more green turned yellow leaves and fall into the pool, rippling  with tiny raindrops.  The pomegranates, nearly bare, have an abundance of fruit filled with holes, thanks to birds seeking the sweet juices.  And the citrus trees, always green, are slurping up the rain as the branches of the oranges and grapefruits sway somewhat in the wind. 

   We need this slow, gentle rain.   The water has time to seep into the ground and is not violent or rapacious like the heavy rains which pelt the earth and run off without percolating and benefiting the vegetation.

     We Tucsonans love this weather.  It is infrequent and needed.  This is “dancing in the street” weather.  Out of towners, who are accustomed to rain are puzzled by our excitement and gratitude for these beads of moisture.  Certainly the winter monsoons are not like the summer monsoons which often present dazzling lightning shows with the rays of rain. 

     I hear the trickle of the raindrops flowing down the gutters…oh what a beautiful day…the white grey of the sky obscures even the houses in the distance and my mind is playing the refrain, “let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!”.

 Resources:

Weather and Monsoons

http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/weather/monsoon.htm 

http://geography.asu.edu/aztc/monsoon.html

 ” What’s old is new and what’s new is old.”  That adage stands today.   As we all know, no more NINJA loans, no income, no jobs, no assets.  And sometimes the old fashioned way is the best. 

      Putting 3.5% down on an FHA loan after January 1 is prudent.  And conventional loans with 5% or more down, is also prudent.  Where else could you purchase something costing $350,000 with no money down?  It makes no sense.

     But in 1999 Congress repealed Glass Steagall through the passage of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.  This permitted commercial banks and investment banks to compete. 

   Congress deserves to take it’s lumps.  The repeal of the Glass Steagall Act at the end of the Clinton administration combined with the loosening of terms and government encouragement to banks to make  unworthy loans through the Community Revnvestment Act, lead us to this debacle. 

    Money was loose and abundant.  And builders took advantage of this free for all, as did lenders, Realtors, investors in housing stocks, investors in property… anyone who thought they might make a buck. If you could fog a mirror, you could buy a house!

    But now, returning to saner times, people are lamenting the lack of easy money.  But in the 1990’s, people needed a down payment, and they needed closing costs to purchase a house.  In some areas of the country, there are 40 and 50 year mortgages…years ago, a 20 year mortgage was considered long. 

    If people have a vested interest in their home, chances are they will work hard to keep it and they will make their purchasing priorities accordingly.  But if I have no vested interest in my home, why should I deprive myself of something I want in order to make a mortgage payment? 

    That simplifies the problem, I know.  We have 80-20 loans out there with adjustable rates…there are rates resetting at much higher rates…and I know the forclosure rates are at their peaks.  There is plenty of blame everyplace…some of which should be laid at the doorstep of Congress. 

     Let’s hope this financial mess ushers in a period of stability where people begin to count their pennies again before making huge purchases.  And maybe some reflection for all those people who tried to make a fast buck…and some consideration of business ethics and the fact we are dealing with people’s lives and the lives of their families…and maybe…just maybe…some reflection about self responsiblity. 

    It’s a blame game alright, but ultimately, the person responsible is oneself.  

    Resources:

http://my.opera.com/richardinbellingham/blog/show.dml/1796860

http://thestrangedeathofliberalamerica.com/bill-clinton-glass-steagall-and-the-current-financial-and-mortgage-crisis-part-two-of-an-indepth-investigative-report.html

http://www.dealwatchblog.com/post/2008/09/17/Lawyers-say-repeal-of-Glass-Steagall-isnt-to-blame-for-Wall-Street-woes.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass-Steagall_Act

http://mises.org/story/2963

http://www.federalreserve.gov/dcca/cra/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Reinvestment_Act

http://www.ffiec.gov/cra/

http://mises.org/story/2963