About Pima County, AZ

Out looking at property today - I noticed large patches of these type cactus - they look soft, and fluffy, or even "snow capped" - very appealing!

The reason they are called "Teddy Bear" cactus - and some of them even looks like teddy bear arms reaching out as if to say Hug Me"!

But these type cactus are also known as the "jumping cactus" because if you get too close, it really feels like hundreds of the tiny sharp, barb like spines will latch onto your fingers, hands or any other body part and they are quite painful and can take hours and hours to tweeze the thorns out!

So admire and enjoy dessert life from a distance!

11th Annual Valley Animal Hospital Arizona Animal Fair

Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 10AM until 4PM

Join the Hermitage Cat Shelter at the AZ Animal Fair! They’ll have kitties for adoption, as well as t-Shirts, Bumper Stickers and more for sale, all benefiting the Hermitage Cat Shelter. Founded in 1965, and dedicated to the shelter, protection, and care of homeless cats. Especially those not considered adoptable by other organizations.

The Valley Animal Hospital Arizona Animal Fair is a festival celebrating animals! It is the largest of its kind in Arizona and one of the largest in the Southwest.

The fair features non-stop demonstrations and entertainment such as professional Frisbee teams, miniature horses, canine fly ball & agility, search and rescue dogs, training demos, police K-9s and therapy dogs and more.

The event also includes a 3.1 or 1 mile walk or run (formerly known as the Tucson Canine Classic). You can either walk your dog, or take your cat for a drag. Cats don’t do leashes, you see. So don’t try that! Not a pretty picture.

The entertainment is free for everyone, but you'll want that extra spending money for the awesome vendors, delicious food, refreshing beer and of course the many animals in need of forever homes and available for adoption!

Do something terrific. Give a forever home to someone.

Located at the Reid Dog Park located on the Country Club side of Reid Park. Easy to find.

If I can ever provide more information about Tucson AZ real estate and surrounding areas, the housing market, or otherwise assist you, friends or family in a home search, please contact me by phone or text at (520) 850-5995, call me toll free at (800) 557-9798 or email me at TucsonAgent@msn.com

Website is www.TucsonBuyersAgent.com

Jon Quist is Tucson’s Buyers Only Agent

Seems like I am meeting lots of new folks who have just moved or are in town. February is a nice time to move here - and this month is typically known for the Tucson Rodeo and the Rodeo Parade. It’s a time when we see lots of cowboys/girls, hats, boots and ropes. And folks – those aren’t natives – those are tourists or “out of towner’s” participating in the rodeo!

So what does a true Tucson native do during rodeo? Well, we leave town! Which leads me to other things to know about living like a native:

At some point – you are going to get cactus needles stuck in you. Here’s what not to do: take a hot shower hoping the needles come out and don’t use duct tape. Here are things that do work: a comb – it will remove jumping cholla cactus needles – the most common one that people “run into”; for teddy bear and other cactus type needs, pour white glue on the needles, gently spread it, wait for it to dry then peel it off.

The best cactus defense? Prevention. Stay back. Also, you will only do yard work one time with shorts on if you run into cactus - cover up from head to toe! And one more thing – do not wash “cactus” clothes – toss them or keep them separate from other laundry. Cactus needles do not wash out – they just stick to other clothes!

Invest in tinted windows and a window shade for your car. Not only will it save your back side and hands from burns, it helps out the AC during hot summer months.

Lizards, geckos, whatever you call them – they do look cool. And often people want to “catch” them. But don’t. These guys are delicate and their tails will easily tear off at the slightest touch. So save a gecko and don’t touch!

Making sun tea. If you want to get sick – leave it out in a jar all day long with any fruit slices of choice. If you want to do it right and enjoy it – leave it out for an hour!

Get used to the idea of wearing long sleeve shirts in 110 degree heat – and hats and sunglasses. Buy products that contain sunscreen and find a good dermatologist before you need one.

In Tubac you can feel the excitement building in the air as vendors complete their last minute preparations for the February 8th opening of the 53rd Annual Tubac Center of the Arts. Dating back to 1959 this festival, which is sponsored by the Tubac Chamber of Commerce every February, has the distinction of being the longest running event of its kind in the Southwest.

From February 8th through the 12th, the town with the motto of "Where Art and History Meet", will showcase the work of hundreds of visiting artists and musicians from around the country and Canada. While the show is juried for quality, it is far from pretentious. A day at this festival means you'll be treated to serious paintings that share the street with whimsical sculptures, creative crafts and New Age music. Not to mention a food court packed with delicious treats that are sure to appeal to every taste and budget.

Click here for frequently asked questions about the festival. Don't miss an area favorite, make plans now to attend one or all of the days: February 8-12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is free and parking is $6 per car with proceeds benefitting local non-profits. The Tubac Chamber of Commerce can be reached at 520-398-2704.

I am convinced that today I heard an angel sing. She had me at the first note, this angelic being whose heaven sent voice rang out and touched thousands of leaders and dignitaries from around the world with a message too powerful to ignore. One that calls on us all "to believe in a day when hunger and war will pass away".

On February 2, eleven year old Jackie Evanco performed at the National Prayer Breakfast, at which President Obama was the keynote speaker. With a voice as extraordinary as hers, it is easy to believe that all things are possible...including the day when hunger and war will no longer exist.