Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind, Broker/Owner

Tucson sunrises - are beautiful! I happen to be an early riser and can be found out running often as early as 4am but sometimes I get a late start and it nears 5:30 before I make it out and I wish the sun was out that early too - especially during cold winter days!

During Tucson summers - the sun can start to show itself as early as 5:15am. Often, the changes in the time the sun rises and sets seems to happen overnight.

But for the early risers - we tend to start to notice a change in daylight right about this time of year and we know - pretty soon - the days will be longer.

This is my early morning cell phone photo leaving the running track just as the sun was coming up over the mountains - it turn the sky a brilliant color of blue and purple. This was just after 6:30 am as I was leaving the track and by 7:30 the sun was already beaming across the sky!

And below is a small chart of the various sunrise and sunset times over the course of 6 months here in Tucson - just in case you want to be up and out to see the beauty!

Sunrise Sunset Length Dawn Dusk Length

Today 07:11 18:05 10:54 06:46 18:30 11:44

In 1 week 07:05 18:11 11:06 06:40 18:36 11:56

2 weeks 06:57 18:17 11:20 06:33 18:42 12:09

1 month 06:38 18:29 11:51 06:14 18:54 12:40

2 months 06:00 18:50 12:50 05:35 19:15 13:40

3 months 05:29 19:11 13:42 05:03 19:38 14:35

6 months 05:45 19:12 13:27 05:19 19:38 14:19

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!

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.

I don’t need a bag – but thanks. I say that every chance possible when buying something in stores and if a bag is needed, I ask for paper. If I have the time and thought – I bring my own - all in an effort to reduce my plastic bag footprint in Tucson.

The city of Tucson has the “no plastic ban” back up for debate but if voted against banning plastic, a new recycle plant is being built that will take those bags – along with yogurt containers and Styrofoam! Yay!

Here are my "things" about plastic bags:

• Unless they are tied closed, soon as you take a turn in your car, food rolls out and all over as if you didn’t have a bag at all.
• Most are very thin, flimsy and easily tear. Can’t tell you how many spaghetti jars have broken in parking lots because it was in the same bag with a box of cereal that tore the bag.
• Because of the above, baggers give more bags than needed – how many of us leave a store with 10 plastic bags of food that could be packed in two paper ones?
• They are everywhere and can fly! By that I mean – stuck in cactus and trees, caught in fencing, blowing around the roads, and if you ever tried to catch a bag that flew away in the wind – you know what I mean!
• You’d think because they are flimsy they would do well in landfills – but they don’t – they last almost forever.

So I try to do my part:

• If it can fit in my purse, I skip a bag. If I can carry several items in my hands – I also skip the bag.
• If I need a bag – I ask for paper.
• If I end up with plastic bags – I use them for trash – couldn’t tell you the last time I bought a box of trash bags. And for those bags that are torn or too thin to reuse, some grocery stores have “recycle plastic bags” bins.

I am not perfect with trying to reduce my footprint on the earth – but this is one easy thing I can do to help the environment!

The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is in starting up here in Tucson! One of the top shows of its kind it attracts dealers and visitors from all over the world!

Here are some highlights:

• Tops on my list is “where to park” and “how to get a shuttle so you don’t have to worry about parking” – here is the summary along with something new this year – limo rides to the venue!
• The main show is from February 9 – 12, 2012but some small shows actually start today.
• Admission is $10.00 and kids under 14 are free if accompanied by an adult
• Hours are 10:00am until 6:00pm – the last day of the show 10am until 5pm.
• The main venue is at the Tucson Civic Center downtown on Stone Avenue. You can’t miss it – but if you do – the address is 260 S. Stone.
• Bring money – and lots of it!
• If you go – plan on spending the whole day!

The Tucson Gem and Mineral show has a lot more activities and programs from speakers, to a Saturday night event and even a school program – so make sure to check out the website and pick and choose – all in all – this really is a gem of a time!