Focus On 4th
Focus on Fourth compiled by Sands Spencer of the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association.
Fourth Avenue Face Lift
ot that the old Avenue needed it or anything, but… a combination of Fourth Avenue Merchants Association funding and a Back to Basics grant has powered $55,000 worth of façade and sidewalk repair/beautification along 4th Avenue, and there is more to come!
The smell of fresh paint has become part of the Avenue experience as 32 member merchants are taking advantage of matching funds offered by the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association to improve the exterior of their buildings. New signage and new or replacement awnings are the most popular upgrades being funded by this program, with fresh paint following closely. As you might imagine (given 4th Avenue’s eclectic tastes) standard browns and beige are pretty far down on the list of colors in use; think primary colors in unique combinations!
“This program has spurred many of the participants into repairs and improvements that they have been considering for some time but just couldn’t bring themselves to tackle because of the cash outlay,” says John Sedwick, Executive Director of the merchants association. “With FAMA matching funds it is an opportunity they couldn’t ignore.”
In addition to façade improvement, numerous segments of Avenue sidewalk have been replaced with smooth new concrete, increasing public safety and facilitating the free flow of foot traffic. Strolling the Avenue window shopping hasn’t been as pleasurable in many years as it is this fall, thanks to the application of a Back to Basics grant in sidewalk repair.
Waiting in the wings for implementation is the installation of tree well grates and the replacement of several trees that reached the end of their shade producing days this summer. The cast iron tree well grates will match those currently installed around the U of A main gate and in much of downtown, providing another unification feature that helps to visually pull together the greater city center area.
When complete some $80,000 will have gone into improving the Avenue experience for local shoppers and visiting tourists alike, so if you haven’t been down the Avenue recently come see the changes!
Bike Swap Back!
f the thought of chains and bottom brackets and headsets makes your pulse race maybe you should see a doctor…or you could visit 4th Avenue between 8 am and 2 pm November 15th! On that date the fall edition of the Greater Arizona Bicycle Association (Tucson Chapter) Bicycle Swap Meet will once again fill Fourth Avenue with everything bicycle. One consideration when trying to decide whether to visit your doctor or the Bike Swap: the doctor will cost you big time, the Bike Swap is FREE.
Just in time for the Tour de Tucson (you think they plan it that way?) the Bike Swap offers everything you need for bicycling from parts to clothing to complete bicycles, and all at fantastic prices. Whether you are looking to compete on an equal (mechanical) footing with Lance Armstrong, looking for a bike for your 8 year old, or searching for an antique cruiser, you will not find a more complete collection of bicycles and bicycle-related stuff than you can at this twice-per-year event. Many of the major bike stores from around town come down with representative samples of their wares, and you can browse through hundreds of bikes belonging to private individuals.
Speaking of private individuals, one of the attractions to the Bike Swap is the opportunity to get rid of unwanted bicycle items. Are you tripping over 3 generations of kids bikes in your garage and all the kids are grown up? Got 6 pair of bike shoes and only one pair fit? Take a tumble and decide that evil mountain bike has got to go? Bring that bike stuff down to the Swap and turn it into cash. Individuals are welcome to bring anything bike related (don’t try to sneak your used lawn mower in) to the Swap and offer it for sale.
Ride your bike down (WATCH OUT FOR THE TROLLEY TRACKS!) or bring a truck for all the gear you’ll buy, but be sure to be on the Avenue November 15th between 8 am and 2 pm for the Bike Swap. Invite your doctor too.
Call 323-9020 for more information.
Back Alley Cinema
o you think you have seen everything alleys have to offer? Not even close, unless you’ve been to the Back Alley Cinema!
If you have never been, here’s the deal: On November 15th at 7 p.m. go to Bison Witches at 326 N. 4th Avenue. Walk through to the back. There (in a small parking lot just off the alley) you will find a big white square painted on the side of the building to the North. That’s the screen, and this is the place to see the 2004 fall edition of the Back Alley Film Festival. Now find a seat and get ready to view some great short films.
The Back Alley Film Festival will run between 7 p.m. and midnight, so be ready to stay up late. You can expect to be treated to short films from around the country and the world (films are already submitted from New York, California, France, Australia, and Connecticut). And in case you think they will not exceed your expectations; three of the films in past programs went on to be official selections of Sundance and Slamdance in Park City, Utah.
Don’t even think of eating before the viewing, food and drink specials will be offered by Bison Witches, an experience in and of itself.
As you enjoy the great Tucson evening, feasting your body on a steaming bread bowl of broccoli soup and your mind on the eclectic mixture of films, you can ruminate on the thought that all this luxury is brought to you by the Tucson-based production company “Jerseyboy Productions L.L.C.. The films are free to the public, but donations are gladly accepted and will definitely help keep this grass roots effort going. This is one of those really cool local events that deserve the support of every Tucsonan (although if you all show up it will get crowded in the alley!)
One final note: If you are an aspiring filmmaker get that thing in the can! The Back Alley Film Festival is accepting films for its fall installment now. Films should be limited to less than 25 minutes and the submission deadline is November 5th.
For more information on this event go to the founders website at www.backalleyfilmfestival.com., then go to the Back Alley Film Festival on November 15th. 
