mermaidcamp

mermaidcamp

Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water

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Nextdoor, Lead by Example

February 17, 2014 — 6 Comments

I am enthusiastic about Nextdoor.com. It has potential to become a tool of great value to fight crime and improve life.  I invite everyone I know to start one for your neighborhood.  I opened ours just a few days ago and we have gathered more than the minimum  10 members we need to have our site supported for free for our community.  This is private, non commercial networking to improve the environment and create safer places to live.  It is not connected to any government agency or political group.  This start up knows that cities need this, and is developing the system with venture capital.  It is brilliantly simple.

We have sunk to a new nadir in Tucson.  Our neighborhood has a federally funded neighborhood watch consisting of only 5 households, for the sole purpose of willfully denying the presence of the charity scam, “Feeding the Homeless in Tucson’s Parks“.  It is a sad state of affairs when your city will break federal revenue law, getting a grant to help a small group of white collar criminals break federal revenue law in front of everyone in the neighborhood.  This makes it look like the best way to stay in any criminal business is to found a fake neighborhood watch to protect it, and help your local cops get a federal grant to help you deny that it is criminal to collect donations without reporting them to the IRS.

It is completely ironic to call this neighborhood watch when the majority has to watch the minority…and the authorities…openly break the law.  This is why Nextdoor is an important way to clean up neighborhoods. When people know what is happening around them they can make improvements together for the benefit of all.  When people live isolated lives, crime has more opportunity to exist.  If there is a real neighborhood watch that succeeds in real life, I applaud you. In our case, we need to start by simply getting some neighbors to know their neighbors.  That is progress in itself where I live.

Babylon Market in Tucson

February 17, 2014 — 2 Comments

I am happy I do not need to go to Babylon to savor the flavors of Iraq.  The Babylon Market has all the groceries and deli items I could possibly desire.  I enjoy learning to prepare new ethnic foods, and the ingredients I found make it easy for my to try my hand.  I purchased $50 worth of groceries to get $5 credit at the deli.  I had a great time searching around the store while my lunch was prepared.  The store has a bakery and a butcher shop as well as a deli in the back.  The store is stacked to the rafters with all things Mediterranean.  I bought those red picked turnips, some canned stuffed grape leaves, some fresh Turkish bread, cheese stuffed pastry, honey, nuts, and spices.  The atmosphere is friendly and buzzing as customers patronize the deli and shop like I did.  The store is very popular for a good reason.  The proprietors are helpful and happy, and the offer a wonderland of grocery and deli delights.  I will surely return to this excellent and exotic establishment.  My partner agreed that our lunch was outstanding.

Blu, a Tucson Treasure

February 12, 2014 — 2 Comments

I am thrilled to find a new and fabulous source of high quality sustainable food. Much to my surprise my favorite olive oil supplier has expanded and is now offering delicious cheese.  Since I enjoy tasting more than stuffing myself this place was completely designed for me.  It is about discovery and quality.  My partner Bob will certainly love to taste the fancy meats they carry at the new restaurant, while I can indulge myself with exotic cheeses.  The store is located close to home, and the Mercado San Augustin is becoming the hottest real estate in the city.  I believe the deli/restaurant will be worth a visit, and will thrive in that location next to our finally becoming more hip downtown.  Blu is my new favorite place.  I have been to fancy cheese stores in Paris, but I like Nancy better than any of the French cheesemongers I have met.  She is enthusiastic as well as knowledgeable.

Edible Art Gala at Maker House

January 19, 2014 — 3 Comments

The Edible Art Gala hosted at Maker House last night by the Tucson Arts Brigade was extravagantly well produced.  There were musicians in all areas, some dancers and other short acts entertaining all the guests. The food art was set out for tasting and also served by waiters circulating through the crowd.  Artists with works in the silent auction were on hand, and everyone was encouraged to come in a costume that represented a work or art or a genre of art.    The lively crowd enjoyed the historic setting and the Maker House bar which makes a perfect community gathering place.  I tasted almost everything that had no meat, but the sensory excitement abounded, and I found I filled very quickly as I tasted my way around the tables.  I am happy to have been introduced to several catering businesses that are new to me and do some seriously high quality original work.  Everything I tested was delicious, but I saved myself for the scream cake as the last taste of the night.  It was outstanding kiwi flavor with the icing of the dreamiest texture.  I savored it with a lovely cappuccino from the bar as we enjoyed the outdoor patio with music under the stars.  It was an example of Tucson at it’s best.  Old friends, new art, and historic building turned community center…this is what I like to see happening in my city.

Tucson Village Farm

January 16, 2014 — 2 Comments

We are fortunate to have a wonderful teaching farm in Tucson, and I am lucky it is very close to my home.  I visited the Tucson Village Farm during the U Pick hours on Tuesday this week.  It is much more than I thought it was.  This campus is organized to teach kids how to grow, prepare, and eat organic produce.  Much is said about slipping healthy ingredients into the kid’s meals, but this is teaching an appreciation for the real thing.  I picked lovely greens and tasted a really good salad made from the garden while I was there.  I was pleased to see that many of the customers picking while I was there were kids and parents.  This is a natural way to teach the love of gardening and good health.

There is no better way to eat than farm to table.  It is encouraging to find this worthy institution making a difference in our city.  The food is tasty, too.

Vero Amore, True Love at First Bite

January 6, 2014 — 1 Comment

Vero Amore Pizza has opened a new and very snazzy location near my home, so we tried it yesterday. Everything about it was outstanding. The new space is super open and contemporary, with a view of the kitchen and wood fired oven at work.  The staff is friendly and very prompt with service.  We had beer and a cocktail, both unusual and delicious.  Bob loves prosciutto, so he enjoyed a personal pizza without sauce.  In our minds pizza is all about the crust, and at Vero Amore the authentic Neopolitan style pizza is light and crisp.  I ordered manicotti which was rich and well balanced.  The sauce was garlic enhanced just perfectly.  My Oso Nero cocktail with honey bourbon and blackberries was fresh and complimented my seriously cheesy good manicotti.  I am glad I had not ordered anything else because I just a rely was able to finish my dinner, with a little help from Bob.  Next time we want to go for happy hour so we can sample smaller plates which all look very good.

We gave our server Matt a challenge by asking him to prepare a take home pizza checca to be ready when we finished our meals.  He did it perfectly, presenting the bill right when we finished with exactly enough time to settle it and walk out with our fresh from the oven pizza to share with a neighbor who stayed home.  We give Matt A plus in service.  In fact, from the manager to the bartender to the kitchen staff everyone is genuinely pleased to serve the guests and it shows.  We will return to explore the extensive menu and outdoor party patio.  This is a wonderful addition to the dining options in our neighborhood.

For catering the company owns a mobile fire truck with a wood fired oven that they bring to a party.  The pricing on this fabulous service is reasonable, and I am sure any event would be popular with authentic pizza cooked on site rather than boxed and delivered.

Break with Butterflies

December 27, 2013 — 2 Comments

ornament
butterfly
orchids
orchids
moth
nature study
close examination

In the dark of winter I love to visit the tropics by going to the Butterfly Magic show at the Tucson Botanical Gardens.  We are fortunate to have such a special nature spot with a controlled environment.  Kids and grown ups are all delighted by a short stay in a world of unusual beauty.  It is also fun to be hot and steamy in a greenhouse when the wind is blowing cold outside.

Labyrinth Walking

December 18, 2013 — 2 Comments

The practice of drawing and walking labyrinths is ancient and has been found all over the world.  Today there is an interest in this form of meditation, and full moon is a perfect time to commemorate a moment in time by walking one.  In Tucson there is a group hosting a full moon labyrinth walk each month and just recently they decided to become mobile.  Rather than center the walks at a Unitarian Church with a lovely permanent labyrinth the design is now drawn on the ground for a temporary portal.  Last night was the last full moon of the year, just a few days before the winter solstice.  The labyrinth was constructed of ropes on the lawn, a shiny center with LED lights, and rattles for those who wanted to borrow them.

The weather was mild so we enjoyed the meditation and stayed to share cookies one of the ladies brought.  Everyone expressed a feeling a full presence and appreciation.  I have normally liked to go on these alone, but the drumming and the shared reverence, not to mention to rainbow around the full moon as we said good night, gave a depth to the moment that was very special.  People of all ages, shapes, sizes, and cultures came to participate and commemorate the season.  It was perfect.

Phun in Phoenix

December 16, 2013 — 3 Comments

There is an arch rivalry between the cities of Phoenix and Tucson. We Tucsonans know that people outside the state have no way to distinguish the two and often confuse them. Politics aside (which would be impossible for Arizonans), there are extreme differences in the tourism and hospitality styles of these two towns.  Tourists are attracted to the golf tournaments in both Maricopa and Pima Counties.  Baseball spring training has all moved up there, and brings in millions. Bowl games and the Phoenix Suns brighten the economic situation for them too.  The typical Tucson tourist is much less interested in shopping and is more likely to be spending time involved in outdoor sports of all kinds. Scottsdale is not afraid to step up and cover that niche offering the shopper from back east a wester phantasy phree phun time. Phree parking in old town allows these people to leave the car and ride around in a horse-drawn wagon for an exorbitant price. Everyone is excited to be way out west.  The city of Scottsdale hires the trusty horse Dusty and Gary J Sprague, the singing cowboy, to serenade the crowd 1-4 on Saturdays. They are a huge hit.

I am inspired to drive to the Valley of the Sun for the phabulous phood scene.  The AZ Slow Food newsletter informed me recently about the existence of a  special highly rare date variety growing only in Scottsdale known as the Black Sphinx.  The market was established in 1951 selling a date that developed there from seed and was distinct from all others. The extremely thin skin makes it a poor candidate (pun intended) for shipping.  The fresh dates require refrigeration and are extremely delicate.  After shopping the Scottsdale Pharmer’s market where I scored amazing produce and preserved items, we visited the date store, which features Arizona products of high gourmet quality.  Bob bought beers brewed in Arizona, one of which was a stout that contained the dates from the Sphinx Pharm.  We both agree the Black Sphinx is the best date we have ever tasted, and before Bob ate it he told me he does not like dates…a convert.  We also tried a very good date cookie and some chocolate covered Medjools that are scrumptious.  We came home loaded with gourmet groceries and exotic citrus.  We have to admit we had phun.

Maker House in Tucson

December 5, 2013

I have been hearing a lot about the Maker House downtown, so today I dropped off some of my old Christmas decorations and took a tour of the space with Lisa. What a fabulous space!!!! I plan to go  back over the weekend for the tree trimming party. I want to learn how to use the programmed sewing machines and the 3D printers. This is exactly the kind of development that will make downtown vibrant and economically sustainable.  I enjoyed a very tasty cappuccino before I left, then came right home and joined on line.  I think this is just what the fun doctor ordered.  I always like old and well designed buildings.  It is great that this one has opened to the public.