FEBRUARY 2005
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Vital Signs
“I think what everyone is waiting for is for it to actually go on the market,” says downtown realtor, Buzz Isaacson. “There’s a long list of people who would like to have a shot at it.” To have that shot, potential developers will have to wait while the family decides exactly what, if anything, they wish to do with the site. “I get calls all the time,” says attorney Joseph Riley, grandson (a Reilly on his mother’s side happened to marry a man with similar name) and a spokesperson for the Reilly family. “Personally, I’d like to see it saved because it’s part of Tucson, but the opportunity is not there for me at this time and they don’t want to sell.” The “they” has always referred the remaining family members, Alice and Jeanne - both daughters of undertaker John I. Reilly - and who grew-up on the second-floor living quarters of the Reilly building. “They were actually born in the building, so there’s a lot of attachment there,” says Riley. Sadly, Alice passed away in early January. When John I. Reilly graduated from the Chicago School of Embalming in 1899, he and his wife, Cecelia, came to Tucson. Reilly purchased an existing undertaking business in October 1901, becoming one of the first undertakers in the state with a degree. Reilly’s first location was the site of the current Greyhound Station. Later, he moved his funeral business to East Congress, but still wasn’t happy with the site.
For the new building at the current location, Reilly went to Norwegian-born Henry O. Jaastad, a prolific architect whose firm is credited with some 500 buildings in Tucson and southern Arizona. Jaastad later became Mayor – holding the position for 14 years from 1933 to 1947. (When a pipeline bringing natural gas from Texas was completed in 1933, a big celebration featured Mayor Henry Jaastad using a Roman candle to ignite gas from a pipe near Sentinel Peak that shot a 40-foot flame into the air.) The Pennington Street building was ready to move into in 1909, and the family of 12 re sided in the large, second floor quarters. Later in 1935, the exterior of the funeral home was re-designed, reflecting the neo-classical art-deco style popular at the time, by architect Roy Place, whose firm is known for designing 39 buildings on the University of Arizona campus between 1914 and 1924. When John Reilly died in 1946 at age 68, his sons, John Jr. and Christopher - with most of the other ten children - jointly operated the business until the late 1980’s. The business closed in early 1990 and the Reilly building went vacant. Well, not completely vacant: Daughter Jeanne and her sister Helen lived on the second floor until Helen’s death in 1997. Jeanne continued to reside there alone until about two years ago. With the 1909 Reilly building having been touched by two famous local architects, the interest in restoring the building seems to be a bit greater than simply bringing it up to commercial code, despite the potential restoration costs. Besides the vast second-floor living quarters, the first floor contains a chapel with high ceilings, lobby, offices, and the rooms where embalming was preformed. “I’d like to see it restored, I think my cousins and brothers and sisters would like to see it restored, but there’s a lot of money involved in that,” says Riley. Despite the interest, the building’s emotional pull on the family continues to keep it off the market for now and the family doesn’t much like talking about it. “That’s not unusual downtown,” says Isaacson. “A lot of these buildings have been ‘in the family’ and certain family members don’t want to sell. It’s part of dealing with downtown.” “It’s not on the market,” says Riley definitively. “I imagine there will be a time when it will.” A Royal Tradition ContinuesThe Royal Elizabeth B&B Inn’s new owners are bullish on Downtown’s future.by D.A. Barber
“We were looking nationwide at properties and we found this home and it just had so many things going for it,” says DiGregori. “The home called us, rather than the city or the state.” In order to beat out some competitive bidders they had caught wind of, the two innkeepers based their decision on what photos they had and what they saw on the internet. “We put an offer in and it was accepted before we had even come out to see the place,” says DiGregori. Still, they were apprehensive about the location. “I actually grew up in Tucson, but I’ve been away since the 1980’s, and in fact, one of our concerns was, when we saw the house for sale was ‘ gosh, it’s in Downtown Tucson,’” says DiGregori. “Back when I lived here you wouldn’t have dreamed of buying a house in Downtown Tucson.” DiGregori had a couple of local family members drive by the location and check the neighborhood he had not seen in 20 years – a neighborhood that includes Armory Park and the Temple of Music and Art. The reports were good. And then he was told of Rio Nuevo. “I was very pleased to hear about the changes downtown,” says DiGregori. “And now that we’re here experiencing all this, and especially what’s coming down the pike, it’s really wonderful.”
Located at 204 South Scott Avenue, the Royal Elizabeth is the oldest Victorian-era inn operating in Arizona. On the National Register of Historic Places, the mansion was built in 1878 by Charles R. Drake, a former US Army officer who was commissioned to provide labor and supplies to the Southern Pacific railroad. He purchased the lot on Scott Avenue and shipped the original woodwork, hardware, and leaded skylights from San Francisco. Drake sold the home in 1891 to Charles Blenman, an English attorney who practiced law in Tucson for more than 45 years. When the last living Blenman family member moved from the house in the early 1990’s, the stipulation - from a will written in the 1930’s - was that the home be transferred to the Arizona Pioneers Historical Society. But by the 1990’s so few members of this group survived that the house was sold. After being subdivided into apartments in the 1940’s, the site stood vacant for years before being restored by Colorado contractor Royal Henry, in 1998. He opened the Royal Elizabeth Inn in 1999 – a name based on his and his wife’s first names. Subsequent owners Jack Nance and Robert Ogburn were responsible for the full restoration of the historic outbuildings and further improvements to the Inn, including the garden areas, pool, outdoor spa and Victorian-era furnishings. “The place was beautifully run,” notes DiGregori. “We don’t want to change the tradition, we’re just refining some of the amenities.” The six guest rooms already feature Victorian décor and antiques, fine linens, private baths, air conditioning, telephones, satellite television, VCR, safe deposit box and a refrigerator tucked inside antique armoires. Most rooms can be made into adjoining suites and have private entrances. DiGregori, a former transportation planner for an international consulting firm, and Chuck Bressi, a former CPA for a company that designed accounting software for international law firms, are no strangers to the needs of people on the road. “We’re very, very heavy business travelers, so we’re putting in some amenities that we think our guests would really appreciate,” says DiGregori. What DiGregori and Bressi have added is wireless internet throughout the house, a home theatre lounge and outdoor heat in the pool and spa area.
In the past, the Royal Elizabeth’s occupancy has hovered around 35 to 40 percent strictly through word-of-mouth and through the website. DiGregori and Bressi are upgrading the website and changing the logo for a new graphic identity. And they plan to advertise, not only outside the area, but also to draw local and state clients. “There have been so many people that we talk to in our networking that live in Tucson, and live downtown, that say ‘I never knew it was here,” says DiGregori. “And when they come in, they’re blown away. The out-of-towners find us, they have no problem. Letting fellow Tucsonans know this is here is probably our biggest marketing priority right now.” Not only are the new innkeepers pushing the Inn as a site for locals to spend a weekend getaway or to put up visiting family members, they plan to expand on the past tradition of hosting local charity events and fundraisers, and be open to the historic walking home tours. And with downtown revitalization efforts happening all around the Inn, DiGregori says they are looking to do more special events. “We’d also like to do some things that tie in with other downtown festivals and events,” says DiGregori. In the meantime, when out-of-town guests do arrive, DiGregori’s former life as a transportation planner kicks in as he pushes the fact that Downtown is becoming increasingly pedestrian-friendly and that T.I.C.E.T’s Blue Line stops two doors away at the Temple of Music and Art. “We try to keep our guests downtown as much as possible and we refer them to all the transportation options,” says DiGregori. “These are people that are really downtown-savvy and very well traveled and they like the fact they can walk to all the great restaurants, they can walk to the City’s historic attractions, they can walk to the theater and other cultural amenities. And they love it.” Historic Neighborhood Bed & Breakfast Get-A-WaysFor those who wish to spend a weekend B&B get-a-way in and around downtown in a homey setting ,they have a choice of historic neighborhoods to stay in. There are B&Bs in Armory Park, Barrio Viejo, El Hoyo, West University, and El Presidio – all neighborhoods with National and City Historic District Status. And they’re all within walking distance of cultural and historic attractions: Some familiar, and some - the innkeepers will tell you - worth discovering. Elysian Grove Market Bed and Breakfast Inn400 W. Simpson Street
This historic El Hoyo barrio adobe was built in the 1920’s as a corner market and features fireplaces, wood floors, 14-foot ceilings with skylights, and a kitchen built inside the old walk-in meat locker. The Inn has four guest rooms that share two baths, two that open into a backyard garden with fountains. The Inn has been the location of several films, including Boys on the Side and Undeniable Affair. The Peppertrees Bed and Breakfast Inn724 East University Blvd.
The Main House was built in 1905 in the West University Historic District. The Annex, consists of 3 bedrooms each with their own private bath and a shared kitchen. Two guest houses – each with two bedrooms, full kitchen and patio, face the gardens and fountain. Jill McCormick, a nationally renowned Pastry Chef, is author of the local cookbook, Breakfast at Peppertrees. Catalina Park Inn309 E. 1st St.
Built in 1927 as the two-story residence, this Inn is located in the West University Historic District. The six quest rooms have private baths, four in the main residence and two in a detached cottage that open to the walled courtyard. The inn offers wireless high-speed internet access and a computer work station. Armory Park Bed and Breakfast219 S. 5th Ave.
Located in the Armory Park Historic District, the owner’s residence was built in 1896. The site includes two detached guest suites (one with kitchenette) situated in a courtyard garden setting where guests are welcome to use the jacuzzi or site by the koi pond. El Presidio Bed and Breakfast Inn297 N. Main Avenue
Built in 1886 as an adobe mansion, today this El Presidio Historic District B&B, near the Tucson Museum of Art, is a mix of Victorian and adobe architectural styles. There are two high-ceilinged suites in the main house, while the other two units, both with kitchenettes, are arranged around a shady courtyard with gardens and fountains. Casa Alegre Bed and Breakfast Inn316 East Speedway A 1915 bungalow in the West University Historic District, this Inn is located near 4th Avenue and the UA. The Inn features mahogany and leaded glass cabinetry, hardwood floors, gardens, and a swimming pool and hot tub. Each of the five guest rooms includes a private bath. by Jason Bradley Miller
Traditionally popular in northern and eastern cities, hockey has somehow flourished in the desert with the Icecats. Maybe it’s the yearly influx of snowbirds flocking to Tucson during the winter months. Or perhaps, it is the purity of the sport and the enthusiasm of its players. What no one can argue is the impact of Coach Leo Golembiewski, whose passion for the Icecats is as apparent today as it was when he created the team in 1979. His presence is unmistakable--wearing a black blazer over a black merino wool sweater, the coach stands proudly with his arms folded at all times, sometimes pacing in the player’s box and shouting encouragement to his charges. “We are a staple of Downtown Tucson,” Golembiewski says. “The Icecats have been bringing a lot of people downtown for a lot of years. We’re proud of the “Madhouse on Main Street,” we’re proud of our city, and we’re proud of our kids.”
Attaining a level of excellence that few teams can match, the Icecats boast a National Championship and eight Final Four Appearances over their 26-year history. It’s a body of work that has placed Golembiewski in the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame and made the Icecats a national power at the club level. A sport that is ideally suited for radio, Icecats home games are broadcast live on local ESPN radio affiliate, 1490 AM “The Fan.” “I’ve seen college hockey in a lot of places and on a big night, I’ve never seen anything like the games we have here,” says Brian Baltosiewich, the Icecats radio analyst. “They’re not casual fans. Everyone gets involved.” But nothing can touch the feel of being at the game. It is a family-friendly atmosphere that possesses certain magic to it. There is a tangible excitement in the air and traditions that galvanize the spectators, like chanting in unison after Icecat goals. “He shoots, he scores!” is followed by the good-natured jeer of the opponent, “Hey goalie…you suck!” When Zamboni driver Norm Renfrey (see related sidebar, “Skating on Smooth Ice” on page 13) circles the ice during intermissions, fans will touch the glass surrounding the hockey rink to give him a “high five.” Such enthusiasm is commonplace at Icecats games. “It’s the cheapest entertainment in town,” radio play-by-play man John Dadante says. “It costs you a couple of bucks to park. The cheapest seats are five dollars. You can still drink beer here if that’s appealing…If you come once, you’re gonna get hooked.” KFFN Program Director Rob Cook adds, “I think it’s an important part of Tucson’s history, a part of its fabric for the last 25 years.” The Icecats have also been part of the fabric of activity at the TCC Arena. Tommy Obermaier, who manages the facility, notes that “the Icecats have been great partners of the TCC and bring a lot to the city of Tucson.” How the Arena’s icy skating surface is made and maintained is a fascinating story unto itself. The temperature on the ice is usually 13 degrees Fahrenheit. For the fan sitting in the stands, the temperature is about 60 degrees. The ice is 1 and inches deep, spread over the area of the ice rink, whose dimensions are 200 feet long by 85 feet wide. The volume of ice is 2,125 cubic feet, the equivalent of 15,896 gallons of water. TCC personnel can create the first layer of ice in about 24 hours. The foundation of the ice is a concrete slab. Beneath this slab is a network of PVC piping, 3 inches on center, inch in diameter, that runs the entire length and width under the slab, literally extending for miles. Salt water runs through the pipes between 6 and 9 degrees, keeping the concrete cold. Water is slowly poured over the surface with a hand-held misting system. As the fine mist hits the surface of the concrete, it instantly begins to freeze, forming a thin layer of ice. Once the thin layer of ice is laid, it needs to be painted. A large 80-gallon tank of white paint is hooked up to the same misting system and paint is shot out in a fine, white mist. When the ice is completely covered in white paint, the playing surface lines are added. The blue lines, red centerline, and face-off circles are measured, marked with a chalk line, and painted by hand. Once these lines are frozen, the maintenance crew then sprays another fine mist over the bottom layer of ice, becoming the playing surface. Hockey matches are 60 minutes long, divided into three 20-minute periods. The Zamboni, a vehicle that is a combination between a vacuum cleaner and a floor waxer glides slowly over the ice during the intermissions between periods, shaving off a fraction of an inch and resurfacing it in the same motion. “Coach G. likes the ice cold and hard,” TCC Event Coordinator Andy Brown says. “So he can keep it fast. He likes a nice, fast team. The colder and harder the ice, the faster you can skate on it.” Indeed, the Icecats fly around the ice at speeds up to 35 miles an hour, unleashing shots that approach 100 miles per hour. A recent game against the club team of DePaul University was a rare treat for Icecats fans, a thorough 16-0 domination of the visitors. Junior defensemen Mike Pelletier scored 3 goals in the victory, a “hat trick.” “The fans are incredible,” Pelletier said. “They come and support us and they love the game.” The adoration and support of the fans is reciprocal. “More Tucsonans should come here and back the boys,” Groendyke says. “The boys are great.” As of press time, The Icecats sport a 9-8-1 record with a pair of remaining home games, the season finale against arch-rival Arizona State on February 18 and 19. For more information on the Icecats, log onto their webpage: www.uaicecats.com or call 791-4266. Skating On Smooth Iceby Ben Schmitt
In 1949, Frank J. Zamboni and his brother Lawrence invented the first self-propelled machine to resurface ice. Through a process that shaves and collects ice while simultaneously applying hot water to freeze remaining grooves, the ice is rendered smooth. The Zamboni brothers’ impetus for their invention stemmed from the need to be more efficient in smoothing the ice of their Southern California ice rink. What once took three skilled men an hour and a half to perform was now possible to accomplish by one driver in only ten minutes. As a result, the “Zamboni” quickly became commonplace in ice rinks world wide. The Tucson Convention Center (TCC), home of the University of Arizona Ice Cats hockey team, is the proud owner of two Zambonis, a 1972 VW engine Zamboni and the more recognizable 1988 Ford engine Zamboni used regularly at Ice Cats‘ games. For the last sixteen years and three cuts a game, Norm Renfrey has been operating the Zamboni. Renfrey, who has been working at the TCC for the last twenty years, received his calling when the former operator stepped down due to a back injury. “They had me train three times,” Renfrey explains. “Then I performed the cut for the first time in front of a crowd and had butterflies, but never since. The crowd gets you into it, it’s a piece of cake.” At Ice Cat games, fans young and old take part in a tradition that Renfrey started years back. During a game between the Cats and the Sun Devils, Renfrey spied some ASU fans banging on the glass at rink side. As he began his initial pass along the boards he high-fived each of the rowdy fans. Ice Cat fans soon joined in and incorporated this act as one of the many unique traditions that make up the TCC Hockey experience. When asked if he has ever missed a fan’s high five, Renfrey adamantly declared, “None, I get them all.” For Renfrey it seems to be all about the fans. “At any time, any fan can come down to the south end of the rink for pictures or ask questions. No one will be turned down.” A testament to this promise is the collage of photos Renfrey has collected of fans of all ages and walks of life posing on the Zamboni. The Zamboni is also used for other ice skating events such as figure skating or ice shows that come to the TCC. But for Renfrey it’s all about one thing, “I thrive for the ice hockey games.” One of Renfrey’s dreams; to one day cut the ice in front of a hockey crowd of fourteen thousand fans. |
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itting deserted for years, the former Reilly Funeral Home, at 103 E. Pennington Street, has many suitors waiting for a chance to renovate the two-story, 1909 art-deco building. And why not? The location (Pennington near Scott, across from the future Pennington Street Parking Garage) is prime, the building is interesting and could be used for, well, anything.
“There came a time when my grandfather wanted his own place and so he built it,” explains Riley.
hen Washington, D.C corporate expatriates, Jeff DiGregori and Chuck Bressi, bought the Royal Elizabeth Bed and Breakfast for $990,000 in November, they didn’t really know what to expect. After all, the location was Downtown Tucson.
“We inherited a house that has been completely restored so we have nothing to do in that respect. So we’re actually going to be able to concentrate on some marketing and try to get the occupancy up a bit,” says DiGregori.
he fact that some of the nation’s best amateur hockey can be found in Tucson may come as a surprise to locals, but not to the thousands of ardent University of Arizona Icecats fans who help to transform the Tucson Convention Center Arena into the “Madhouse on Main Street” on cold winter nights. In a town that is obsessed with the Arizona Wildcats basketball team, the Icecats--a club team with no official support from the University--have to be considered a remarkable success, drawing between 65,000 and 100,000 fans to its games each season. 
“Oh, he (Golembiewski) is the Icecats,” says Ray Groendyke, a loyal 80-year-old fan who has faithfully attended Icecats games for 14 years with his wife Patricia. “He’s an ex-professional hockey player and a great man. He’s done well.”