Et Cetera

Here's the buzz

No fewer than 18 artists will display their work March and April for the eighth annual Encaustic Invitational, a celebration of the ancient art using melted beeswax.

Stop in at Conrad Wilde Gallery, 439 N. 6th Avenue, March 2th to April 27th, to view the works of artists such as Margaret Suchland (pictured above). Opening reception Saturday March 2nd 6-9 PM. Call (520) 622-8997 for gallery hours. For a full story see our next issue, March 11.

Bookworms unite

The Tucson Festival of Books is here again, March 9-10.Get set to mingle with more than 100,000 other book lovers at exhibits, presentations and panel discussions in and around the UA Mall.

This year's visiting authors include Ted Danson, Tucson's own Beth Alvarado, Diana Gabaldon, Larry McMurtry and Thomas Cobb (Crazy Heart). Admission is free, and net proceeds go to fund literacy programs in Southern Arizona. More at tucsonfestivalofbooks.org

Architecture a la carte

Keep your Mondays open for a monthly lecture series from the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Held at 6pm at the Tucson Museum of Art, the series features talks by internationally renowned architects from around the country. General admission $10, students free.

Next lecture is Monday March 11th by San Francisco based architect Stanley Saitowitz.

Food and refreshments will be available. too. The TMA is at 150 N. Main Ave. Tel: 520 628 8533.

For more info contact Raquel Padilla at AIA Arizona 602-252-4200 or [email protected]. Steve McDowell April 8th and Rand Elliott May 13th.

Why Michelle O loves Tucson

The First Lady has just designated Tucson a Preserve America Community. No, it doesn't mean we all go out and make jam. It means that all the historic preservation efforts from the likes of the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation and the Drachman Institute are being formally recognized.

Preserve America is a federal effort to encourage community efforts to preserve the country's cultural and natural heritage. In Tucson, last year's very first Modernism Week was just one example of that.

If you missed Mod Week (and shame on you if you did), then check out this nifty little film by local videographer Garry Gassel.

And why everyone else loves it too...

As if we didn't already know that Tucson is a happening  place... a property report has just confirmed it. It's official: we're one of the top five places to live in the USA. For this and more property news from Brent VanKoevering, click here. 

Racing for the Cure, with a V.I.P. guest

Fact: Mammography rates in Southern Arizona are alarmingly low. Fact: Susan G. Komen Southern Arizona is the only local breast cancer foundation to turn donations into treatment dollars. Fact: 75 cents net of every dollar raised for Komen SAZ stays in the Southern Arizona community.

So walk, jog or run for a great cause on March 17th at the 15th Annual Race for the Cure, which moves to the UA campus for the first time. Olympian Silver Medalist Brigetta Barrett, whose mother fought breast cancer, is Honorary Race Chair. Sign up here.