Pure Pride ~ Tucson's JTED students

I am delighted to post this photo from site follower Greg D'Anna, Director of Public Relations for Pima County's Joint Technical Education District (better known as JTED). These are Fire Service students retiring the colors at sunset. They can earn certificates in Hazmat, Wildlands, CPR, and First Aid. JTED offers premier hands-on career and technical education programs to high school students. Their motto is "Moving Students to Careers and College." www.pimajted.org

Tree of life? Money tree?

Tucson has been home to Native Americans for thousands of years. Two tribes maintain gambling facilities in the area and here I'm posting the back of the huge electric sign for the Tohono O'odam's Desert Diamond Casino on Old Nogales Highway. It's a beautiful facility all with a Southwestern theme (what else?). I'm curious about the bare branches tree on the non-street side of the sign. A tree of life symbol?
www.ddcaz.com

The All American meal ~

This sign in a downtown restaurant window made me smile because the name of the place is actually "Eat-A-Burger." Burger or hot dog? Have both!

Tucson's historical time piece ~

This working two-faced clock on Church near Congress is a charming piece of Tucson history. The clock stood in front of the original Daniel's Jewelers (opened in 1926) until the store was sold in 1962 to Gordon's Jewelers. A grass roots effort by city employees fought the City Council's attempt to remove the clock (it violated their new sign codes). Gordon's spent $18,000 to have the clock refurbished and it was placed in its current location in the 1980's. A citizens' victory to retain a bit of Tucson's history ~ and how nice is it to have a beautiful working clock, too!

Tucson's angel team ~ therapy dogs

Now here is a group that is changing lives every day - Gabriel's Angels. It's a nonprofit organization that provides pet therapy to at-risk children. There is nothing like the comfort of a dog pal. Top photo: dogs from left are Ellie, Grace, Augie, Mollie, & Bandy. Middle photo is Bandy with Ellie in background. Bottom is Mollie with new friend. Please check out their website: www.gabrielsangels.org for heartwarming stories that are close to home.

Mmmmm - it's that special time of year! Girl Scout Cookies!

Some things never change and that's good! Girl Scout Brianna rang my doorbell and asked me if I would like to buy some Girl Scout cookies (easy question to answer). She had quite a good system set up. Her dad hauls the many-flavors inventory on a Radio Flyer wagon as they go door to door. Along to help was her cousin Alorah, who was wearing her Brownie vest.

Cloud curtain ~

Another beautiful and sunny day in Tucson ~ Hope you enjoy the blue skies and clouds reflected in one of downtown's skyscrapers.