Tucson Local Food Fair and Farmer's Market at Rillito Park: Another BrightSpot

With this warm Spring, we lucked out and experienced a "below normal temps" Sunday.  Perfect for an outing to the first ever Local Food Fair, and, for us, a visit to the Farmer's Market regularly held at Rillito Downs Park. One of the sponsors for the Food Fair was LocalFirst/Tucson.  The breeze turned into a wind when we were leaving, but it didn't blow away the smiles or appetites.  We enjoyed a lamb pita with dilly-green beans and chocolate baklava, prepared by the Sunnyside High School/JTED Culinary Program (sorry no photo--we ate it fast, before Mark could take a picture.)

We also sampled a chicken and rice entre from Snow Peas, a "Modern Asian Kitchen" that is new to us.  We will try it out for a full meal when we are on Tucson's east side.  Check out their menu at www.facebook.com/SnowPeasAZ .

For "dessert" we each had the new pastry hit (modelled after the NY dossant), a part donut, part croissant (topped with maple bacon icing) from Prep and Pastry.  That's where I had my birthday tea and am still waiting for the owner to send me the detailed menu from it so I can post the menu with more of my birthday pictures.  Their pastry is in a photo below.  Check out their menu at www.prepandpastry.com .

The other photos are of the wonderful vegetables at the Farmer's Market.  We spent money and time and both booths featured below and got an earful of hydroponic gardening info from the enthusiastic student/gardeners from the UA. The garden is at the UA Campus Farm.

 Enjoy!!

 

 

UA's Peace Corps Fellows Program: Tucson BrightSpot

Over a decade ago, my HUD colleague, Ric Gerakos, asked me to arrange a meeting with UA "powers that be" to brainstorm the idea of bringing the Peace Corps Fellows Program to the UA Grad College.  He had experience with the success of this program in California and, with our Tucson and Phoenix HUD offices working together, he planted the seeds at NAU, ASU and UA.  The seed has flourished at the UA which now houses the 2nd largest Peace Corps Fellows Program in the USA.  http://grad.arizona.edu/peacecorps .  Currently, twenty-seven different UA academic programs support the Fellows' academic careers. Most are seeking master's degree but an increasing number take on the doctoral track. This year there are twenty-six new Fellows and three returning Fellows who have served in over twenty different countries while in the Peace Corps.

At the University of Arizona, the program has been nurtured by Georgia Ehlers (and other staff).  Georgia is in the red dress in the photo below.  Each fall a reception is held for incoming fellows and agencies and programs who attempt to get matched with a Fellow.  Community Renaissance was fortunate, when our PECE program was temporarily housed at the College of Education, to recruit a work-study Fellow, Beau James, who has helped with a wide range of community dialogue and conversation events.  Base grad tuition is waived for 2 years with possible additional scholarships for the students and, if it applies credit internships and/or work-study placements.  In return, students complete projects with their matched agency or program.  It's a Win-Win for everyone. 

I attend each year, reminiscing to myself how this program started and that it is probably my primary HUD legacy.  It's also a joyful time to listen to past Fellows, many who have gained professional employment with Tucson agencies, share their story about how this program has changed their lives.  It has changed our Tucson community, as well--and deserves to have attention as a Tucson BrightSpot!

Talk UP^ Tucson... event: Quotes Worth Sharing

I admit it.  One of the aftereffects of my PhD (circa University of Arizona, 1996) was my affinity for data collecting, particularly through informal qualitative/ethographic observations, group interactions and interviews.  Even when I don't know if the information will "go anywhere", I can't make myself throw away notes.  So, from yesterday's Talk UP^ Tucson... book houseparty here are quotes from some of the participants, only attributed by a first name initial.  Thanks to all for sharing and opening your hearts and minds.
****

I:  Good idea...to talk about the pluses and minuses of Tucson.....Can progress be done?

K:  I am frustrated with groups, egos...am drawing away from the Tucson community...[but] while I am here, I want to be happy....

M:  I love the town but I have my moments....

R1:  ...neighborhoods are key components to authentic empowerment....  A neighborhood is defined by boundaries...a community is made up of people we have an emotional connection with....

N:  ...I am interested in how we can build resilience....

J:  I am curious about the intersection of community and happiness....  I know there is a lot of burn out in community work....  If it's not fun, why do it?...

R2:  ...Tucson could be a really great city...but we go down the wrong path....

B1:  I am burnt out.  I am happy with my life but unhappy in my neighborhood....  I am here to learn something....

B2:  I've gotten a bit disgruntled living in this neighborhood...[there is] a chipping away.  I came to see what's happening outside of neighborhood association meetings....

C:  ...I love my house but I don't love what's happened around me...infill...crime....  I am always looking for something positive.

D:  ...I live in a neighborhood 80% and I am a renter...I want to make a little corner [of it] better.