So, what are you doing tonight? Need a suggestion? There are many great happenings in the Old Pueblo this week, but these three are must-attend events if you are looking for a mix of the arts and cultural wonder that is so unique to our Tucson lifestyle:

• On Saturday, April 26, from 11am – 6pm at the downtown Main Library Plaza, you can enjoy the free,3rd annual Tucson Madonnari Chalk Art Festival. This mix of cultural events and entertainment attracts thousands who enjoy watching professional artists and apprentices create chalk art masterpieces at Downtown Tucson’s main library plaza. There also will be Mexican folk ballads, a bell choir, a salsa and meringue orchestra as well as family fun and face painters. Don’t forget a barbecue and a dessert bistro with Italian espresso, gelato and fine pastries. Plan on attending this beautiful display of chalk art.
• Since 1983, the La Frontera Tucson International Mariachi Conference has been a week-long showcase for a magnificent arts and cultural experience. Whether you attend the Espectacular Concert in the Tucson Convention Center, the Mariachi Mass at St. Augustine’s Cathedral, or the food fiesta at Reid Park, this is a wonderful Tucson tradition. Events run from April 24 through April 26 this week. Some events are free, some with minimal fees. This traditional Tucson party features fabulous music, mariachi and folklórico acts come from all over the Southwest, as well as delicious Mexican foods and crafts.
• The 2008 Arizona International Film Festival is on around town, with over 80 films representing 15 countries featured in what is billed as Arizona’s longest running and largest Film Festival. You need to check the official website for the venues still showing films from the festival this week, or join in on workshops or discussion about Southwest independent film making in Tucson.

It’s springtime and attentions are turning to home buying….and to Tucson! The proof is in the Wall Street Journal as well as in the numbers. While our neighbors further north continue to have problems with price cuts and risk, the Tucson scene has many bright lights. Let’s focus on just a few of them:

• In the Wall Street Journal’s regular “Your Money Matters” feature, Tucson was among several cities highlighted. Yesterday’s Journal featured a look at homes around the country listed at $400,000, and Tucson made the cut.
• Despite a market that is still tough in many areas, March showed improvement over February for 2008 in several areas. Based on information from the Tucson Multiple Listing Services, Inc. for the recent one-month period, March showed strong home sales, with a significant increase over February. And sales will probably stay strong in April, too!
• Just in time for summer, US Airways announced that it will ramp up its summer schedule with a new transcontinental route beginning on June 3, from its Charlotte hub to Tucson, Ariz. Our Tucson International Airport, which celebrates its 60^th year in 2008, continues to set records, with passenger traffic at Tucson International Airport exceeding projections for 2007.
• Did you know Tucson has tasty tap water? An April 14 article in Forbes about “best cities for clean drinking water,” mentions Tucson as a city with “lowest amount of bacteria in its drinking water…”
• And that leads us to a timely feature in today’s Arizona Daily Star. As you know, the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. And today, across the country, cities and individuals are honoring this very special event, intended as way to focus public support for environmental issues. The Star gives us several examples of how Tucson is excelling in environmental conservation: It reports on how solar energy purchases are rising. It also notes how Tucson and more than 400 other cities have pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within city limits to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.

Tucsonans are taking action. We all have so many reasons to be proud of our city. Stay tuned to TREDaily.com to learn more!

A Tucson charter school in the Vail School District has won a national designation as a result of its recycling and conservation efforts!

All®, a leading American laundry detergent, recently recognized kids across America via its“Greenest School in America” contest – and Tucson’s own Civano Elementary School received the honor. The school’s impact on making a difference for the environment was featured on the Ellen DeGeneres television show earlier this year, and the award nets a $50,000 grant to be used for green improvements for this charter school in the Vail School District.

More than 3,000 schools from across the country participated in the contest. The K-5 Civano School entered the contest late last year, after a Civano parent heard about the program. The entire school community joined in to participate, with students submitting essays and eco-report cards. The school already focuses on environmental preservation through its water conservation program, its organic garden, its recycling efforts and its use of solar.

Civano is considering using the grant to complete the school kitchen and possibly build a community room, helping to increase awareness about environmental sustainability. This school is part of southeast Tucson’s award-winning community called Civano, which has its share of national designations. In 2004, Sunset magazine named the neighborhood “Best New Community of the Year,” and since then the community has achieved significant recognition for its various environmental programs. To learn more about Civano, visit the community website.

It’s all just another illustration by Ron Park of how Tucson is tops for quality of life!

Fortune Small Business and CNN Money online just announced the list of “Best 100 Places to Live and Launch” – and Tucson’s own Oro Valley was #44 on the list! The prestigious magazine and business website canvassed the country to find “towns with the best mix of business advantages and lifestyle appeal,” and found Oro Valley to be one of the top picks to build dreams.

How true that is - Oro Valley has a wonderful standard of living characterized by the best in education, services, business and beautiful environment. Located just few miles north of the heart of Tucson, this great residential and business center has a fabulous array of shopping opportunities, businesses and recreational offerings.

Scenic drives abound in this town along the western edge of the Santa Catalina Mountains, whether they be through nearby Catalina State Park or the other surrounding mountain range, the Tortolitas. There also are abundant restaurants, resorts, churches, medical facilities and opportunities for golfing and other outdoor pursuits. Schools and the town center also provide a variety of other amenities including libraries and community centers.

Oro Valley also is home to a variety of businesses including a research and an emerging biotech industry. The local chamber of commerce membership roster boasts over 500 members, from resorts to large corporations and medical centers – all attracted by the beauty and scope of this area.

With all its growth, Oro Valley still holds true to its environmental values, and pays careful attention to protecting its natural environment while planning residential and business growth. You can learn more about this great town from the official website. Or contact Ron Park for a personalized tour of the town that’s setting high standards in Tucson – Oro Valley!

I signed the papers today at 1650 E River Rd.

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