Focus On 4th
Focus on Fourth compiled by Sands Spencer of the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association.
4th Avenue Events
Saturday on 4th continues on the first Saturday of every month with FREE live music at various Avenue locations starting at 6:00 pm. As part of this ongoing program of bringing music to the masses, the Arizona Jazz Academy will showcase some of Tucson’s most talented musicians throughout the summer months. The June installment (June 5th) will feature Wendy Adams at Delectables; DBA at Chocolate Iguana; Arizona Jazz Academy at Winsett; and Mood Swings at Magpies. The action starts at 6:00 pm, don’t be late!
In the belief that it is never too early to mark one’s calendar for coming events: Rendezvous, 4th Avenue’s welcome back to students and snowbirds and a general celebration of autumn’s approach will be September 4th. This year will feature a return of the popular Avenue Fashion Show, displaying a fall lineup of clothes from funky to fancy. Last year’s fashion show was so much fun that many requests have been fielded for a repeat. In addition, free live music and Avenue shop sales will help you kick off the fall season with a wardrobe that is perfect for every occasion.
The Tucson Mustang Club (the oldest Mustang Club in the U.S.) will help Ford Motor Company celebrate 40 years of Mustang mania with a car show on the Avenue on October 23rd from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Word is that Ford will be bringing some of their concept cars down for an exciting exhibition of things to come, and the Tucson Mustang Club will be displaying member’s cars representing all the various Mustang eras.
Avenue Happenings
Many of you have heard Jon Bevins, one of Tucson’s favorite musicians, playing his musical talent, but did you know he has his own guitar & repair shop on 4th Avenue? It’s true—his shop is just South of University Blvd., right next to Epic Café, which makes it convenient to have a coffee while you wait for your guitar to be restrung, or celebrate with a pastry after buying that new Fender!
The “Surly Wench” will open soon at 424 N. 4th Ave. (the spot last occupied by “Guido’s”). The adjective (not Saucy, not Slinky, but Surly) in the name leads one to believe that this will be an interesting place to down a glass of suds. Kind of sounds like a place you’d find on the water front of a big port town in England with a bunch of hardened longshoremen sitting at the bar. Actually the Surly Wench will feature live music; and those of you who remember Double Zero will have an idea of what the ‘Wench is aiming for in terms of ambiance and musical performances.
Adding to the service category on 4th Avenue, a new salon will be opening soon. Called “D’Alba” it will be in the front of Dry Heat Trading Company at 532 N. 4th Avenue.
ASDB Visits City Center
“Transportation Day” for the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB) consisted of a field trip for all the sight-impaired kids to the City Center area, where they got a hands-on experience involving the Tucson Children’s Museum, the Depot, and the Old Pueblo Trolley. All the kids got a ride on the trolley, with most getting the opportunity to ring the bell and toot the horn. The rumbling, clanking, and swaying of the trolley were big hits and it certainly appeared like everyone had a good time. Various businesses along the trolley route donated food, drinks, or other items to make the day a special one
Tucson Police Foundation Raises $30K for Hardesty Fund
Officer Patrick Hardesty was killed in the line of duty on May 26th of 2003 while protecting the citizens of Tucson. In its initial campaign to help fill funding gaps in the Tucson Police Department, the Tucson Police Foundation raised over $30,000 to help send the Hardesty family and some fellow police officers to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial event in Washington D.C. At the memorial, Officer Hardesty was singled out by President Bush as the epitome of an Officer to be remembered, and President Bush was presented with a memorial coin minted here in Tucson to commemorate Officer Hardesty’s service and sacrifice. Tucson showed what makes this such a great place to live as thousands of Tucsonans contributed to the TPF for this cause. Major donations were received from the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council, the Davis Monthan Federal Credit Union, and Club Congress through “Dillinger Days”.
