Path to a Glorious New Year!

Here is one of the many lighted paths at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Their holiday luminaria festival is a perfect way to celebrate walking into the New Year! I hope that your 2021 path is colorful and beautifully illuminated! HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
 

As close as it gets ~ July 23! Comet NEOWISE just 64 million miles away....

If you are interested in the night sky, THIS IS THE TIME TO LOOK UP! Comet NEOWISE makes its closest approach to Earth now -- July 23 -- and will be just 64 million miles away.

Want to see it for yourself but don't know where to look? CLICK HERE

Photo of NEOWISE over the Catalinas courtesy of Dr TIm Hunter. 

Tucson's Bighorn Fire continues to burn. Here is a striking photo by a local planetary scientist who captured rising Saturn (center) and Jupiter (above and to the right of Saturn). Scroll to the smaller photo to see these.
Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Kargel. 

Tucson is Burning ~

Tucson is battling an immense fire right now - the Bighorn Fire. Friends of mine have just been evacuated from their home in the Foothills.
Photo courtesy of Larry Lebofsky.

Catalysts for Change ~

Each year the UA College of Science presents an engaging and thought provoking lecture series. The theme of this year's program is "Catalysts for Change." The lectures are held in Centennial Hall and they are FREE to the public. Arrive early because the hall fills up quckly! Click here for info on the upcoming lectures. See you there! 

A Tucson evening of magical discovery!

You MUST see this show! The Arizona Theatre Company's current production, Silent Sky, is based on the true story of Henrietta Leavitt, an astonomer who made one of the most important discoveries about our universe. It is only here in Tucson until November 9 and then it runs in Phoenix. This is a wonderful evening of theatre! Click here to buy tickets. 

Winding Road Theatre - Tucson Treasure

There are so many small theatre companies in Tucson that it's hard to keep up! The Winding Road Theatre uses the stage at the Historic Y (on 5th Ave) for this show. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND their current production of Lillian Hellman's "Little Foxes." (You may have seen the film starring Bette Davis as Regina.)  This is an excellent production with exceptional performances (particularly Regina and Birdie)! Just a few more performances so hurry!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope that your day is filled with love and chocolate! 

Today's the Last Day!

If you have been meaning to drive down to Tubac for the wonderful annual Festival of the Arts, today is your last chance. From 10am - 5pm enjoy music and art in a quaint village setting.  Drive South on I-10 and take Exit #34 for Tubac. 

Starts tonight!

When was the last time you visited the Reid Park Zoo? Tonight is the first night of their Asian Lantern Festival - should be a spectacular, colorful event! For more info, click here.

Hogging the spotlight ~

Once a year he hogs the spotlight. You know who I'm talking about... PHIL. Today is his day - Groundhog Day - in case it slipped past you. For all the news about Phil and his weather prediction, go here! Since I was born in Pennsylvania I thought that I would include a little feature today on my home state and the most adored groundhog in the world. :)

World's Oldest and Largest ~

 

It is estimated that as many as 50,000 

people attend this event! 

Here are all of the links that you need to plan shopping: 

MAIN INFO

SPECIALTY SHOWS

EVEN MORE INFO. 

The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show is HUGE. In addition to the full-to-bursting Tucson Convention Center and surrounding tented parking lots all over the downtown area, nearly every Tucson hotel also has exhibits/booths in their lobby and/or in their hospitality suites. 

Looking up!

In case you missed the Blood Moon/Lunar Eclipse of Sunday night, here are some photos that capture the beauty and mystery of the event. 
Photos courtesy of Ken Wilcox. 

Care to share?

If you would like to share your photos of the lunar eclipse/blood moon, I would be delighted to post them! Send them to:  TucsonDailyPhoto@gmail.com.  I will of course give you a photo credit!  :)

Moon Mood Music!

TONIGHT - Moon & Music! Enjoy tonight's lunar eclipse with the Tucson Amateur Astronomers Association! Telescopes will be set up on the UA Mall near Flandreau. Here is the complete program info. 

5 More Weeks of Wonder to Go!

Each year the UA College of Science treats the community to an amazing FREE lecture series that is held at Centennial Hall. Not only do they select interesting topics, they also select amazing speakers to present different viewpoints. The series was launched on Tuesday night with Joanna Masel presenting, "There is no Certainty." Click HERE for full info. 

2nd Saturday ~ it's happening now!

When is the last time you went to Tucson's 2nd Saturday? It's today and tonight from 2 - 9pm. Food, drinks, music, art, shopping - all downtown! A walk-around fun time for sure!
Here's the link to read more:
http://www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com/

Star Party Tonight!

Night sky fun at the Murphy-Wilmot Library! Join the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association for a Star Party. Three telescopes will be set up at the Murphy-Wilmot Library at 530 N Wilmot Road.
From 5:45-7:45pm.   

On the prowl ~

This fantastic, larger-than-life size coyote is on the prowl at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. The coyote is part of a exhibit designed and created by local artist Mykl Wells. The sculptures are scattered throughout the grounds - both placed on the ground and some are suspended from the trees. It is a magical show that ends on January 6 so hurry!

Photo courtesy of Ken Wilcox.

It's a BIG BARK day! My birthday!

Having a December birthday is really great - everything is decorated and festive everywhere you go. Sparkly lights! Fun! Happy day!