On Sunday, April 12, approximately 35,000 people converged on central Tucson for Cyclovia, a free block party that stretched for three miles.
The streets were closed to motorized traffic, which opened them up for music, art, games, food, education, and more.
In addition to featuring people enjoying a bicycle ride that went right through my neighborhood, these photos show the Fantastic Foam Party and musical performances by the Desert Bluegrass Association and OG Jack Anderson and his band.
Recumbent riding and scooting downhill during Cyclovia Tucson. Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.
Cruising on 4th Avenue. Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.
The Fantastic Foam Party. Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.
The Desert Bluegrass Association in concert along 4th Avenue. Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.
OG Jack Anderson and his band performing at Doris Thompson Park. Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.
TIP: View the Cyclovia Tucson gallery , which is included in my Tucson Event Photography website .
Engaging in the Ministry
Tools of the ministry. Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.
In my neighborhood, Wednesday is trash pickup day.
Before those big City of Tucson trucks start rolling, I take to the streets with my heavy duty gloves, trash grabber, and bucket.
In short, I'm engaging in The Ministry of Picking Up the Gar-bazh.
When my bucket is full, I take it back to my place and bless my trashcan with it.
Since this is a first-thing-in-the-morning ministry that puts me right in the middle of the street, I need to be seen.
Hence, my recent order of a bright orange vest and reflective tape to be sewn onto it.
For the sewing part, I contacted Seamstress Juliette, Tucson's go-to for clothing alterations and repairs.
Turns out that Juliette doesn't have an industrial sewing machine, but she knows someone who does.
Meet Rachel Roberts, owner of Connecting Seams ...
Sewing a safety triangle. Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.
Completing this project required major garment disassembly, which led to a stressed-out Martha.
Rachel and Juliette responded with a "We've got this!" vibe, and here's the result:
Ready for another neighborhood cleanup! Photo by Seamstress Juliette.
Since this newsletter comes out on a Tuesday, you know what I'll be doing tomorrow morning.
Time for another neighborhood cleanup. Because the gar-bazh needs me.
Back to Nature
My latest Punta Banda tomato harvest. Best to pull them off the plants before the birds find them. Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.
True confession: My original reason for planting Punta Bandas was to have my own salsa tomatoes on hand.
I already grow two other salsa ingredients, garlic and hot peppers...
Recently harvested garlic. Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.
Dried serrano peppers. Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.
But here's the thing about Punta Banda tomatoes: They make a delicious snack!
So, no salsa this time around.
I'll keep the garlic and peppers on hand for other projects, and I'll let you know how they turn out.
From the Water Harvesting 101 Podcast
It's official. We're in the dry season. Time to podcast about it...
The dry season is the perfect time to get your water harvesting projects started, and this episode features a local water harvesting supply store...
There's a good reason why you should start those water harvesting projects now. We're predicted to have above-average summer rainfall...
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Water Harvesting 101 eBook
Whether you’re a DIY-er from start to finish, or you’re going to hire everything out, here’s your guide
Prefer to listen and learn? Water Harvesting 101 is also available as an audiobook .
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Getting Started with Water Harvesting eBook
Your illustrated jump-start guide to active and passive water harvesting.
Bonus Birds It may be the dry season, but the neighborhood birds didn't get that memo.
They're just as active as ever.
Being urban birds, they're happy to use our infrastructure as a vantage point...
Curve-billed thrasher. Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.
The white-winged doves, those show-offs of the avian world, continue to excel at calling attention to themselves.
In addition to repeating his “Hoo-hoo-hoo-HOO!” call, this fellow simply couldn't stop displaying his plumage.
White-winged dove. Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Reviews calls City Nature “A beguiling ramble full of captivatingDIY information and arresting visuals of flora and fauna.”
Photographed, Written, and Designed by Martha Retallick
$150.00
Water Harvesting 101 Consultations
Got water harvesting questions? Get answers in a one-hour consultation!
Questions? Comments? Let's talk! I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
