12/01-12/07 2008

There's holiday music coming up this week. Desert Harmony, the award-winning women's a cappella chorus performs Singin' and Swingin' the Holidays a program of holiday and show tunes Saturday 12/6 at Rincon High. There will also be songs by the mens' choral group Tucson Barbershop eXperience. Call 790-1813 for more information.

If you like music, Pima Community College will host different concerts all week. Tonight it's jazz at the Center for Fine Arts Proscenium theater. This is a great venue on the west side of Tucson.

Academy Village will be the site for the Musica Sonora presentation of Christmas in the Sun King's Court on Tuesday at 7:30.

Luminaria or farolitos are the traditional Christmas lights of the Southwest. Made by putting sand in a paperbag and adding a candle, the lights are placed in rows along walkways to guide the Christ child. Tohono Chul Park in NW Tucson will begin the Christmas season with a half-million lights and luminarias, cookies and hot cider, live music, and an ornament sale. This is a beautiful park.

Tubac is also having Luminaria Nights 12/5 & 12/6.

On Tuesday you can learn about early inhabitants of the Tucson basin at Saguaro National Park West Unit. Join a park ranger as she reads some of the oral history surrounding the Mexican-American homesteaders' adventures in and around Saguaro National Park. Please call to confirm date and time.

Wake Up With the Birds at Agua Caliente Park on Tucson's northeast. Desert meets water at this unique oasis park, providing a unique crossroads for migratory and resident birds, some of which are unique to southeastern Arizona. Spot cardinals, thrashers, hummingbirds, songbirds and raptors nestled among the mesquites and palms. Binoculars are available for use during the walk or bring your own.

Saguaro National Park east hosts a Star Party Wednesday starting at 7pm. Join park naturalists for an introduction to astronomy and a look at the desert night sky. Telescopes and binoculars will be available. Advance registration is required and can be made by calling the visitor center at 520-733-5153. Program is wheelchair accessible

Pottery Sale-Once a year the UMC Cancer Center puts on a sale of ceramics---largely functional pots---made by four local artists. This year's event will be at the UMC Cancer Center on December 5th between 9:00 and 6:00 p.m. The proceeds go the Patients Assistance Fund and are made available to Cancer Center nurses for the special needs of their oncology patients. Funds are applied to a wide array of small and large benefits for patients. Ceramics are VERY reasonably priced.

On Sunday visit Cat Mountain Station in the Tucson Mtns for a Gala Holiday Art and Craft Fair. Featuring the work of many local artists, the fair will offer a wide selection of reasonably priced fine art and hand-crafted items for those hard-to-find gifts for your own home décor. Enjoy live music and freestyle dog dancing while browsing original paintings, pottery, stained glass, jewelry, photographs and much more.

Want to honor your inner Norwegian? Have a hankerin' for some lutefisk? Check out the 27th annual Nordic Guild Fair which will feature Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish clubs and individual vendors selling ethnic foods, baked goods and crafts. Folk dancers and musicians will entertain throughout the day. Saturday at Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church 9a-3p. Uff-da!

Feel like a drive?

December 5 - 6, 2008: Christmas Apple Festival
A country crafts fair featuring handcrafted arts and crafts and quality reproductions. Baking with apples contest, entertainment, door prizes and lots of fun. Held at the Willcox Community Center, 312 W Stewart St. For more information contact Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture at willcoxchamber@vtc.net or 520-384-2272.

December 6, 2008 : Christmas Lighted Parade
Kick off the Christmas season with a lighted parade in downtown Willcox. Music, free hot dogs for the kids, free hot chocolate and coffee for all. To enter the parade or for more information contact Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture at willcoxchamber@vtc.net or 520-384-2272

The Seventh Annual Sonoita By Starlight Holiday Shopping Event
Friday December 5, Shops open until 9pm
Come join in the one night a year that Sonoita keeps the sidewalks
unrolled until 9pm. Holiday goodies, lights, music and unique gifts can be found at Buffalo Gals, Many Horses Trading Company, Nizhoni Ranch Gallery, Square Top Alpacas, & More You'll find local artisans and their crafts sharing the brick and mortar space with local merchants. Rain or shine, moon or stars, the sidewalks are firmly planted down for this one special night in Sonoita!
Questions, call Buffalo Gals at 520-455-5523 or Many Horses Trading Company at 520-455-5545.

Sierra Vista Sunday Dec 7: Brown Parade Field, Ft. Huachuca. A uniformed soldier will greet you at the door of each turn-of-the-century officer's home, all beautifully decorated for the holiday season. Hours 1-5 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance, $12 day of the tour. For more details call (520) 417-6960 Note: Fort Huachuca is an active military installation and specific entrance requirements are enforced. U.S. citizens may enter the post with a Visitor pass, received from the guardhouse at the Main Gate. Required documentation includes: vehicle registration and insurance, as well as current and valid photo identification for driver and all passengers over 13.

And now for a real adventure-drive to Cascabel (5 miles beyond the pavement) a great little community of artists north of Benson. It's their annual Christmas Fair and it's never disappointing. It's my choice for my birthday!