Tucson Blog

Winemaker's Dinner at Westward Look

DesertWriter — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:56:15 +0000

Thursday October 4th the Gold Room at Westward Look is hosting the fun and exciting Winemaker's Dinner featuring the award-winning Markham Vineyards. This fabulous event includes hors d'oeuvres, a four-course dinner, and wines from Markham Vineyards.

Tucson native, Chef Jamie West will be doing what he does best, creating the gourmet cuisine for the evening. Live music will be provided by Tucson's local Joe Bourne. To top off the event Bryan Del Bondio, President of Markham Vineyards, will be in attendance.

Hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6:00 p.m. and seating for dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $85. You may reserve your seat today by calling (520) 917-2930.

Wine Class at Starr Pass Resort and Spa

DesertWriter — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:29:58 +0000

This wine class sounds like so much fun. It will be held tomorrow, Saturday September 22, between 3:30 to 5:00 pm at Starr Pass Resort and Spa . The subject is California Pinot Noir. (more̷

Tucson Children's Museum Family Fun Brunch

DesertWriter — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:57:38 +0000

Next month is the Tucson Children's Museum Family Fun Brunch. The annual brunch is a wonderful fundraiser promoting the theme "Building Toward The Future" - a program benefiting low-income children and their families.

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Canyon Ranch in Tucson

DesertWriter — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:54:07 +0000

Everyone has heard about it. Oprah gives away trips to here, celebrities use it as an escape, authors (like Karen Quinn) take annual trips to this paradise, Karen Neuburger has a Girlfriends Getaway coming up, and the list goes on. This "place" is heaven on earth, or rather Canyon Ranch.

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Peach Picking

DesertWriter — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 23:22:06 +0000

A few weeks back the family and I ventured down to Wilcox to Apple Annie's Orchard for some classic peach picking. During the Peach Festival there is an all you can eat peach pancake breakfast. We decided to go later in the day. When we first arrived we took a hay ride (minus the hay) around the farm then we gathered a couple of provided buckets and long handled peach pickers for the too-high-to-reach peaches. After filling one bucket and tasting the delicious peaches off the tree (yes, tasting is allowed) we went to the hamburger stand for Apple-Smoked Burger, chips and beans. Next, we ordered slices of pie with vanilla ice cream from the bakery and let me tell you it was the best peach pie I have ever had. One of my stepsons had the apple pie and he also said it was delish. We even met The Annie and a nice lady she is.

This weekend (August 18^th and 19^th) is the final weekend of the Peach Festival.

If you go peach picking my suggestions are to go early (it opens at 6:30 am), wear sunscreen and a hat, bring water, and don't forget your camera!

A few weeks back the family and I ventured down to Wilcox to Apple Annie's for some classic peach picking. During the Peach Festival there is an all you can eat peach pancake breakfast. We decided to go later in the day. When we first arrived we took a hay ride (minus the hay) around the farm then we gathered a couple of provided buckets and long handled peach pickers for the too-high-to-reach peaches. After filling one bucket and tasting the delicious peaches off the tree (yes, tasting is allowed) we went to the hamburger stand for Apple-Smoked Burger, chips and beans. Next, we ordered slices of pie with vanilla ice cream from the bakery and let me tell you it was the best peach pie I have ever had. One of my stepsons had the apple pie and he also said it was delish. We even met The Annie and a nice lady she is.

This weekend (August 18^th and 19^th) is the final weekend of the Peach Festival.

If you go peach picking my suggestions are to go early (it opens at 6:30 am), wear sunscreen and a hat, bring water, and don't forget your camera!

Sauce, Wine Brothers, & Wildflower make for good times

DesertWriter — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 05:07:54 +0000

The other night a few of the girls from my mom's group and I had a Mom's Night Out and let me tell you, we had a great time. (more̷

The Stupid Motorist Law

DesertWriter — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 15:24:33 +0000

During most of the year rain and thunderstorms are rare in Tucson until the monsoon season hits in July (the average is July 3^rd) and continues though September. If you haven't experienced one, (more̷

Monster Monsoons

DesertWriter — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 22:39:36 +0000

Throughout Tucson and other Arizona areas there are dry river beds, called "washes," that remain dry most months of the year until the monsoon season arrives. I laughed when I first visited Tucson. 'Yeah, right. These dry "river" beds fill with water? I'll believe it when I see it."

It was my first summer here and I was warned the monsoons were on the way and that I should use caution. One afternoon I was pulling out of a parking lot when out of the clear blue sky this "little black cloud" came floating by. It dropped a few little rain drops on my little red car and I kept on driving.

"Ha," I thought. "That is a monsoon? Please." With a roll of the eyes I kept driving. Then suddenly, as if someone turned the light switch off, the sky turned black. "Hmmm."

A few more sprinkles landed on my windshield but then they began to fall faster and harder and soon they were slamming against the car.

I couldn't see anything. I pulled onto the shoulder, stopped the car and pushed the hazard button just as the rain turned to hail. The ice hit my hood so hard it sounded like Tommy Lee was performing a solo. I glanced at the clock. It hadn't even been a minute. Just then a bright flash of lightening struck directly in front, I let out a shriek and ducked under my steering wheel.

Suddenly...silence. I came out from my hiding place and peered out the window only to see a clear blue sky. Did I just imagine that nightmare? The ground told a different story as it was flooded and the wash behind me was gushing like it had been there all along. The golf ball sized hail just sat on my hood among the little egg crates they had just made.

I continued my drive�home passing an accident with an emergency crew already on the scene. Palm trees were knocked over and parking lots were flooded. I had never seen anything like it.

Today when I'm in the car and see the clouds rolling in I pull over, park the car, push the hazard button, turn on some Motley Crue, duck under the steering wheel, and know it will be over in just a minute.

The Monsoon Season is almost here

DesertWriter — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 05:30:15 +0000

It's almost time to celebrate (and brace ourselves). The monsoons are supposed to arrive this coming weekend. The average Tucson monsoon arrives July 3 but we've obviously passed that date.

Do you know what the Stupid Motorist Law is? I'll tell you all about it in a few days.

Tour for Tucson’s Children

DesertWriter — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 17:56:35 +0000

Wake up for a good cause on 4^th of July. Beginning at 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Tucson Convention Center is the "Tour for Tucson's Children" event, a 27-mile Challenge Ride; 3-Mile Fun Run/Walk; 6.5 Mile Ride; and Kids' Stars and Stripes Fiesta benefiting the Tucson SAFEKIDS Injury Prevention Program.