Celebrate Art, Nature and Community at Beyond Tucson
December 29, 2011
By Teya Vitu
Before January 8 comes January 7. January 8, no doubt, will be solemn. January 7 will be all about the outdoors, urban and rural, by the express wishes of Gabe Zimmerman’s family.
January 7 will be set aside as Beyond Tucson: Commemorate, Celebrate, Commit. This is the inaugural event for the family’s Tucson Trails Tribute Fund, established by Zimmerman’s family after he died in the January 8, 2011 shootings.
This involves about 25 events in Tucson and surrounding communities that all focus on getting people outdoors, especially to savor the region’s public lands.
The new Toole Avenue streetscape is part of the Beyond Tucson Art Walk
Five of these Beyond events take place in or near Downtown.
“It’s about getting people together to get out of their houses and connect with their public lands and nature,” said Michelle Crow, Beyond Tucson’s project manager. “The whole family is very outdoors enthusiastic.”
Gabe Zimmerman, the former aide to Gabrielle Giffords, was an active runner with the Southern Arizona Roadrunners. His mother, Emily Nottingham, is president of the Arizona Trails Association.
Beyond Tucson started with about five or six partners, but word got out and now some 100 organizations are involved.
“We honestly didn’t do outreach,” Crow said. “People just came to us. People wanted to be involved.”
Crow did give Marvin Shaver a call at the Warehouse Arts Management Organization, which will offer a series of Beyond Tucson Art Walks around Downtown and the Warehouse Arts District.
These will be self-guided walks with maps available from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Toole Shed, 197 East Toole Ave.
“A lot of people haven’t been Downtown in a while,” said Shaver, who’s organizing the Beyond Tucson Art Walk. “They’ll be able to see a lot going on Downtown. Look at the new TEP building. See DOWNTOWN Kitchen and Hotel Congress. See the galleries at 6th and 6th. The main sense is there is a lot of activity and it’s opening up.”
Walks will include the Warehouse District, Congress Street and Broadway, 4th Avenue and 6th Avenue. These Downtown districts are closer together than many people think.
“The way people treat Downtown is they isolate it into little sections,” Shaver said. “A lot of people don’t realize 4th Avenue is part of Downtown. You get the sense you can drop your car off in one place and spend the whole day Downtown.”
Indeed, the Art Walk wraps up just as a special Saturday Beyond Tucson Meet Me at Maynards congregates at 4 p.m. at Hotel Congress. A new route for the usual Monday walk will be strolled on January 7 and will include Downtown streets, 4th Avenue and the Rattlesnake Bridge.
Earlier in the day, artists, outdoor enthusiasts and buffelgrass pullers will head to Sentinel Peak Park (“A” Mountain) between 8 a.m. and noon for a pair of Beyond Tucson events.
Hike With a Jaguar is a chance to view the artistic display of a long-and-still-growing traveling jaguar, a project by local artist and environmental educator Stephanie Bowman.
Volunteers took part in “Sewing Spots Together” for this social and environmental art project laid out on “A” Mountain.
Also on “A” Mountain that day, City Council member Regina Romero’s office will lead a volunteer effort to remove buffelgrass, an invasive species that threatens Arizona’s wild places. Tools and gloves will be provided for volunteers. To RSVP for buffelgrass removal, e-mail ward1@tucsonaz.gov or call 791-4040.
If more distant history is more your taste, you can tag along on a walk on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail led by a National Park Service ranger. This is a 2-mile walk along the Santa Cruz River, where a ranger will detail the 1775 de Anza expedition through Arizona.
The rendezvous point for this walk is the National Park Service Western Archaeological and Conservation Center, 255 North Commerce Park Loop. There will be interpretive walks at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and you can show up at 10 a.m. to look at interactive displays.
The word “beyond” has many meanings for Beyond Tucson. First off is getting beyond the January 8 tragedy. Part of it is geographical as Beyond Tucson events are being staged as far away as Sahuarita and Davidson Canyon, site of the Gabe Zimmerman Memorial Trailhead.
But what organizers are really after is the cerebral “beyond.”
“Push yourself ‘beyond’ self-perceived limits. Get out and integrate with the community,” Crow said. “The idea is to reach as many people as we can. This is a healing event and a healthy event.”
Crow said the goal is to commemorate a terrible event with positive action, celebrate the place we call home, and commit to a better future.
“We hope this would be a yearly event,” Crow said. “We hope it’s always the first Saturday of the year.”
Events taking place on January 7
Time: 7:15 to 10 a.m.
Venue: Tucson Medical Center
Address: 5301 East Grant Road, Tucson
TMC Health and Wellness Fair
Activities for all ages, fitness levels and interests at Tucson Medical Center! Activities will begin with at sunrise.
Time: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Venue: Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
Address: 5700 North Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson
Coronado National Forest – Beyond At Sabino Canyon
The Coronado National Forest, Southern Arizona Roadrunners and Tucson Trail Runners will team up for a free, non-competitive run.
Time: 8 a.m. to noon
Venue: Pima Community College West Campus
Address: 2202 West Anklam Rd., Tucson
Pima Community College’s Festival of Democracy
Pima Community College’s Festival of Democracy celebrates our representative form of government with a fun-filled morning.
Time: 8 a.m. to noon
Venue: Sentinel Peak Park (“A” Mountain)
Address: 1000 S. Sentinel Peak Road, Tucson
Hike With A Jaguar At “A” Mountain
Join artists, outdoor enthusiasts and buffelgrass pullers at Sentinel Peak Park (“A” Mountain). View the artistic display Arizona’s wildest wildcat – the long-and-still-growing traveling jaguar. It’s being created by volunteers to highlight spectacular habitat for both people and nature in southern Arizona and Beyond…
Stephanie Bowman, a local artist and environmental educator, worked with the Southwest Office of Defenders of Wildlife and many friends and neighbors, to create “Sewing Spots Together,” an attention-getting, social and environmental art project. This is an invitation for the Tucson community to have a part in it.
More panels can still be created so we can eclipse the giant “A” on January 7th (it’s already long, be we want it longer!). For information about how to create a jaguar art panel visit here and feel free to contact Stephanie at Stephanie@BowmansArt.com. For pictures of the jaguar art and ideas for your panel, click here. Volunteers need to bring their panels at 8 a.m. so it can be fully assembled by the 11 a.m. aerial photo shoot.
City Councilwoman Regina Romero’s Ward 1 Council office will be leading the volunteer effort to remove buffelgrass, an invasive species that threatens Arizona’s wild places, including “A” Mountain. Tools and gloves will be provided for volunteers. To rsvp for buffelgrass, please email ward1@tucsonaz.gov or call 791-4040.
Start: 8 a.m.
End: 12 p.m.
Photo Shoot at 11.
Time: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Venue: Saguaro National Park West
Address: 2700 North Kinney Road, Tucson
5-Mile Social Run at Saguaro West
The National Park Service and the Southern Arizona Roadrunners will team up for a free, non-competitive five-mile social run.
Time: 8:30 to 11 a.m.
Venue: Gabe Zimmerman Memorial Trailhead – Davidson Canyon
Address: Marsh Station Rd, Vail, AZ,
Davidson Canyon Gabe Zimmerman Memorial Trailhead
A casual outing. Show up at the Davidson Canyon Gabe Zimmerman Memorial trailhead parking lot. Take a short hike.
Time: 8:30 to 11 a.m.
Venue: Christina-Taylor Green Memorial River Park
Address: N Shannon Rd. and W Magee Rd., Tucson
Each One Take One Stroll & Roll – Christina-Taylor Green Memorial River Park
Come anytime between 8:30 and 11a.m. to stroll and roll and have fun! “Each One Take One” means you GRAB someone who needs help.
Time: 8:30 to 11 a.m.
Venue: Town of Marana Wild Burro Trailhead
Address: 14810 N. Secret Springs Drive, Marana
Join us for a 5-mile hike along the Upper Javalina Trail in the Tortolita Mountains.
Time: 8:30 a.m. to noon
Venue: Sam Lena Park (within the Kino Sports Complex)
Address: 3400 S. Country Club Road, Tucson
Fun Run/Walk and Bike Ride at Sam Lena Park
Come join us Saturday, January 7th at 8:30 a.m. to noon, at Sam Lena Park for a Fun/Run Walk or Bike Ride!
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Venue: Cienega Creek NP Parking Lot – Marsh Station Road a short distance west of Three Bridges
Address: Marsh Station Rd, Vail, AZ, 85641,
Play in Nature – Sponsored by the Center for Children and Nature
A playful outing at Davidson Canyon. Join Ironwood Tree Experience teen leaders for a morning of exploration and discovery.
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Venue: Corona de Tucson Fire Station # 1
Address: 99 Tallahassee, Vail
Southeast Side BEYOND Base
Make it a day! Drop in any time from 9am – 4pm on your way to area trails and other outdoor events.
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Venue: Colossal Cave Mountain Park
Address: 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail, Vail
Colossal Cave Mountain Park-Day of Discovery
Colossal Cave Mountain Park will celebrate BEYOND all day on January 7th! Come discover the Park and all it has to offer.
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Venue: Catalina State Park
Phone: (520) 628-5798
Address: Main Trailhead Parking Area, Tucson,
Catalina State Park – Reptile/Wildlife Exhibit
The Reptile/Wildlife Exhibit program has started again! Join volunteer Jim “the Snake Man” Cloer and his crew of volunteers.
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Venue: La Posada Campus
Address: 350 E. Morningside Rd., Green Valley
BEYOND at La Posada, Green Valley
Join us throughout the La Posada campus for a full day of BEYOND events to commemorate the anniversary of Jan. 8.
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Venue: The Girl Scouts’ Hacienda Program Center
Address: 3101 N. Sabino Canyon, Tucson
Silent, Guided Yoga Practice
Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona is hosting a silent, guided yoga practice outside looking out over the gorgeous Santa Catalina Mountains.
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Venue: Reid Park
Address: 22nd Street and Country Club, Tucson, AZ, 85713,
BEYOND Festival at Reid Park
Come celebrate the first BEYOND festival at Reid Park from 10 am to 2pm. Fun activities, entertainment, and easy exercise.
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Venue: Anamax Park
Phone: (520) 445-78
Address: 17501 South Camino De Las Quintas, Sahuarita
Anamax Park will be the Sahuarita site of numerous BEYOND activities on January 7th, including an “organized recess.”
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Venue: The NPS Western Archaeological and Conservation Center
Address: 255 North Commerce Park Loop, Tucson
National Park Service Ranger Lead Walk on the Historic Anza Trail in downtown Tucson. Bring your family and friends, any age will enjoy an easy and informative 2-mile ranger-led walk right in the city along the Santa Cruz River.
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Venue: Historic Empire Ranch Headquarters, Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
Address: Tucson
Family Nature and Heritage Discovery at BLM’s Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
Join Bureau of Land Management and Empire Ranch Foundation for family outdoor activities including Heritage and Nature Quest.
Time: noon to 3 p.m.
Venue: James D. Kriegh Park
Phone: 520-229-4712
Address: 23 W. Calle Concordia, Oro Valley
Oro Valley Family Fun Day
The Town of Oro Valley is one of the many communities and organizations participating in BEYOND events on Jan. 7.
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Venue: The Toole Shed
Address: 197 East Toole Avenue, Tucson
BEYOND Downtown Art Walk
Join us for a stroll through Downtown Tucson browsing art galleries and enjoying the company of others. Meet at the Toole Shed at 1 pm to pick up your Art Walk map.
The walk will end at 4 pm at Hotel Congress. After your done, stick around and join Meet Me at Maynards beginning at 4 pm.
Time: 2 to 7 p.m.
Venue: Valley of the Moon
Address: 2544 East Allen Road, Tucson
Stories to Remember, and Beyond…
Valley of the Moon fantasy park invites you to come celebrate the first BEYOND Story Telling under the Faerie Lights.
Time: 4 to 6 p.m.
Venue: Hotel Congress
Address: 311 E. Congress St., Tucson
Meet me at Maynards at Hotel Congress
The mission of Meet Me at Maynards is to bring active adults and families to the downtown Tucson area to enjoy healthy exercise, to experience the beauty, history and architecture of our unique neighborhoods, and to appreciate and patronize local businesses.
Meet Me at Maynards (MMM) is a free weekly walk/run starting and ending at Maynards Market at 5:15 every Monday evening. On , in honor of BEYOND, MMM will introduce our new Meet Me at Maynards route.
On this special day, meet us on the plaza at Hotel Congress (not Maynards). Join us, young and old, human and canine (on a leash). Walk or run as far as you like…the full route is four miles, winding through downtown and 4th Avenue, including a jaunt across the Snake Bridge. Make an evening of it. Stay for dinner at Maynards or Cup Café.
Time: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Venue: Kino Stadium
Address: 2500 E. Ajo Way, Tucson
Kino Stadium Closing Ceremony
Everyone is invited to attend the closing ceremony, which will be held at the Kino Stadium. The Stadium will be open at 4 p.m.
