Hitting the bottle??

If the situation in Washington, DC is getting on your nerves, let me suggest a little adult refreshment! And here to celebrate wine in a BIG WAY is one of Tucson's most beloved icons - the Boondocks Chianti Bottle! Did you know that the cork topper is real cork? Boondocks has been a blues music hangout in Tucson for decades. It came under new ownership in 2017. 
 

Santa was born in Tucson, AZ!

Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus and he was created in Tucson, AZ! Artist Haddon Sundblom created the well known and well loved image of Santa for the Coca Cola company. 

Sundblom was a frequent visitor to Tucson where he stayed at what is now known as the Westward Look Resort. Sundblom often used the resort owner's two daughters, Laci and Sancy Nason, as his models. In this painting Sundblom transformed little Sancy into a boy so that Coke would appeal to both boys and girls.

Shocking Sign of the Times ~

Tucson's iconic Arizona Inn is shuttered for the first time since 1971 as a result of COVID 19. The Inn has been part of the Tucson community for 89 years and to see it boarded up is very sad. A recent news article said that they hoped to reopen in May but they are still closed with an uncertain date for reopening.  

400 years of history ~

These magnificent and massive carved wooden doors are dated to 1665. They are from a chapel in Michoacan, Mexico and were carved by Tarascan wood carvers. They are now installed on one of the art galleries at the Amerind Foundation in Texas Canyon. 

Direct Delivery to Santa ~

Looks like the Arizona Inn has established a direct mailbox to Santa. Good to know in case you haven't sent him your wish list yet! 

Tucson's Favorite Christmas Tree ~

This is the time of year to visit the Arizona Inn! The ceiling-scraping tree in the library is always lovely to behold and they do their best to create a wonderful holiday ambiance. 

Tucson Trivia ~ Holiday Style!

The "El Nacimiento" holiday display is a true "must see" in Tucson! Created by Maria Luisa Tena in the 1970s, El Nacimiento is the largest and longest-running nativity scene in the Southwest. The Nacimiento is a traditional Mexican nativity scene, an artistic expression originating in Colonial Mexico. As the Tucson Museum of Art explains, 

“In an intricate arrangement of hundreds of miniature figures, it combines the symbolism of the Spanish Colonial Catholic Church with the simplicity and faith of everyday existence in rural Mexico. Some of the scenes are from the Christmas story of the Bible; others show traditional Mexican village life with an accuracy that extends even to the tiny replicas of kitchen utensils in the country dwellings.”

Tucson Throwback Thursday ~

06 DECEMBER 2012

Secret shopping ~

THEN:

This is a wonderful store that is on the grounds of hte famous El Corral restaurant - so it's a little hidden from view. "Diamond Lil's" feataures vintage clothing and jewelry. I can't find a website for t hem but I did find this basic info on Yelp:  2201 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718; Open Wed-Sun 3pm - 9 pm. 

NOW:

A newer Yelp entry: https://www.yelp.com/biz/diamond-lils-vintage-and-gifts-tucson

Repair Shop Visible from Space!

Tuesday means Tucson Trivia!
According to Guinness World Records, Tucson's Davis-Monthan Airforce Base (known locally as DM) has the largest aircraft repair shop and storage facility on Earth. This mighty "shop" covers almost 3,000 acres and stores 350,000 tools. 

The Kon Tiki Lounge ~ a Tucson classic

04 OCTOBER 2009

The Kon Tiki Lounge ~ a Tucson classic

THEN & NOW: Some things never change! 

A Tucson watering hole since 1963, the Kon Tiki Lounge serves a drink they call the Scorpion: "the largest drink in the world." It's a mix of rum, brandy, gin, fruit juice, and liqueurs ~ whew! And they serve it in a giant bowl with extra long straws. Quite a cocktail! I've never been brave enough to try it but do tell me if you have!

Kon Tiki Restaurant & Lounge 
www.kontikitucson.com
(520) 323-7193
Get directions

Tucson in 1940 ~

Here's a great photo of a Tucson crowd waiting for the arrival of the Rodeo Parade. This is at the corner of Stone and Congress, northeast corner. In my mind's eye I think that corner is a bank now. Anyone know for sure? Next time I am downtown I will look. 

Tucson & the Cold War ~

A fascinating piece of American history is located just outside of Tucson and offers a very interesting tour! The Title Missile Museum is a former Titan II Missile Site.

This National Historic Landmark was at one time a top secret military installation.  When the site was operational, it was one of 54 Titan II Missile sites which remained on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to protect the US against a nuclear attack.  

Lifesize Last Supper ~

Over the many years that I have been posting Tucson photos I have come back to this "Garden of Gethsemane" many times. Sometimes the scultpures of Jesus and the apostles are smashed and in disrepair; sometimes they look fantastic. This image is about as good as it gets! Whomever did the recent restoration did an awesome job. Want to know more about this oddity? Click here.

Most Frequently Robbed Bank in the World ~

The (fictional) Pima County Bank is robbed constantly! It is part of the "Old West" movie set compound known as Old Tucson Studios. Originally built as a set for the movie "Arizona," the complex has served as the setting for more Western movies and TV shows than you can count. Here is the link to tell you so much more about its rich film history. 

Old Fashioned Greetings!

When I was a kid I was thrilled to receive a postcard from a faraway place! In fact, I still have every postcard that I have ever received - from the Jersey shore to Lithuania! What a fun custom that was to share your vacation scenery with someone back home.

Tucson was Home to Literary Giant ~

Time for another piece of Tucson Trivia! The literary icon and social commentator, Susan Sontag, lived in Tucson briefly when she was a young girl. Here's the info on her I read in Wiki: click here. 

Mafia Crime Boss Lives & Dies in Tucson ~

Time for some serious CRIME trivia on this Tuesday Trivia posting! Joseph Bonaanno (or Joey Bananas as the press dubbed him) lived for decades in a quiet and lovely Tucson neighborhood. Read more about the infamous Joey here. For info about his burial spot, click here. 

Yes, we really have "Official Neckwear" in Arizona!

Tuesday is Trivia Day! The state legislators in 1973 declared the Bolo (or Bola) Tie to be the state's "Official Neckwear." It must have been a slow day in the capital! I have heard the terms "bolo" and "bola" used interchangeably. If anyone has info on which is considered correct, let me know! And I know that Clint doesn't live in Arizona but he sure does look good wearing a bola/bolo, doesn't he? (: 

Tucson Trivia ~ 4,000 years ago

Corn kernels estimated to be 4,000 years old have been unearthed by archaeologists working in Pima County. This confirms that some of the earliest corn cultivation in North America happened in and around Tucson! 

If you are concerned about GMOs, click here to read an article about groups in Arizona that are trying to protect native and indigenous corn seed.  

Historical Throwback Thursday - all is the same!

09 AUGUST 2010

More mansions on Main ~

THEN: 8 years ago this particular posting was part of a "Walking Tour of Downtown Tucson" that I was navigating for site visitors. 

NOW: The tour would be the same! 

Facing each other on Main at Franklin are two very different homes ~ both beautiful. The Steinfeld Mansion (California Mission Revival style) was built in 1898 and originally housed an exclusive bachelors' club (tomorrow you'll visit the club's later location). Later, the Steinfelds bought it. Even later it was a convent! It is reputedly one of the first homes in Tucson to have running water.
http://www.dotcomtucson.com/tucson_arizona_attractions/steinfeld_mansion.html
The Jules Kruttschnidt House (now a bed and breakfast) blends Mexican adobe construction with a veranda and breezeway. http://www.bbonline.com/az/elpresidio/history.html

Next stop: Keep walking north on Main and on your left you will spot the Owl's Club building - just a few steps from the Steinfeld Mansion.