Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind

The Tucson El Dorado Aquatics Clubparticipated in the Southern Arizona Aquatics Association (SAAA) season end summer swim championships for children ages 6 years old all the way up to high school age.

The Tucson El Dorado Aquatics Team is a small, but spunky swim club here on Tucson's eastside and is home to swim sensation Caitlin Leverenz from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The club is a non-profit organization that operates on monthly dues and fund raising events throughout the year to support the cost of keeping the pool heated and for our fine coaches!

The terrific coaching staff brought the Tucson El Dorado Aquatics Team to a 5th Place finish overall. However, many of the children won 1st and 2nd place in individual heats and team relays that included freestyle, backstroke, breast stroke and butterfly events.

Here are some photos of the outstanding Tucson El Dorado Aquatics athletes who took part in the championship event:

Triplets Alix, Tanner and Austin, 11 years old, have been swimming with the Tucson El Dorado Aquatics Club for three years, prepare for their events.

Tucson El Dorado Aquatics Club's 8 and under swimmers line up for their events. From top, Cassandra, Lindsey, Emma and Anna. Cassandra won overall 2nd Place in the backstroke; both Lindsey and Emma placed in their individual heats to qualify for the final freestyle relay.

8 and under swimmer, Emma Morris, 7, gets help from her mom putting on the Tucson El Dorado Swim Club's Yellow Cap.

Preparing to jump in during the 8 and under relay for Tucson's El Dorado Aquatics Club.

Cassandra Rhind, 8 and under swimmer for Tucson El Dorado Aquatics Club, touching the wall first!

Last minute instructions from Coach Kyle of the Tucson El Dorado Aquatics Club.

The Tucson El Dorado Aquatics Club is taking a short break to give swimmers time to rest up for the Fall/Winter season. Starting August 10th, 2-week lessons will be available for new swimmers; and regular lessons start back up in the afternoon for all age groups.

Join our club - and find out if you have the next Olympic swimmer in the making! Check out the El Dorado Swim Club website for more information on lessons and becoming a part of the team.

The Tucson El Dorado Aquatics Club also has many sponsorship opportunities available for businesses and individuals who would like to help the club continue providing a safe, healthy, family-oriented activity for children. Contact El Dorado directly at edac.info@gmail.com for specific information about sponsorship possibilities tailored for your budget and ability!

Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind - 2009. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission rhindohana@msn.com. Buying or selling Tucson Arizona Real Estate? Click info@gabriellerhind.com and let me know how I can help you! Or visit www.BuyMyTucsonHome.com.

If you'd like more info about Mt. Lemmon homes, Tucson bank owned homes, Tucson lease option to purchase homes, Tucson rental homes, buying or seling your Tucson home or the Tucson real estate market or real estate news, email or call me at (520) 245.0242.

5:05 a.m. It's about when the sun starts rising here in Arizona. What that means is - by 8am - it's HOT. Now that it's monsoon season - it's HOT and HUMID! So if you are going to do anything outside - you better do it early!

My previous post provided some things those of us living in Arizona can do to beat the heat during the hot summer months. Here are some more everyday things that you can do - and do early - to beat the heat:

Get your grocery shopping done. Most stores here in Tucson, including Safeway and Bashas open by 5am. Some open at 6am. Aside from the benefit of not having to walk across a hot parking lot to unload groceries, you also can beat a lot of crowds and get the pick of fresh produce that is put out overnight. Need to get some household supplies, or for many of us that have this on our "lists" - school supplies? Walmart is open 24 hours a day!

Exercise. It is not wise to exercise outdoors when it is so hot. A better idea is hit the streets or track early. Many running trails and high school tracks are open for early walkers, runners and cyclists. Saguaro National Monument Park is one with an 8-mile loop and beautiful scenery. Exercising early gets your workout done, you'll avoid traffic, see spectacular sunrises and spot many dessert creatures venturing out for the morning. Riding up Mt. Lemmon early also has it's benefits - there is very little traffic and the sunrises are gorgeous. While riding down Mt. Lemmon this morning, I stopped to take in the beauty of the mountains, and took this "self photo" as the sun rose over the mountains.

Yard work. Here in Pima County, the rule is "no operating loud machinery before 6am" (or something close to that!) in neighborhoods. But at 5:05am - you can get a lot done - pull out that hula hoe and tackle the weeds - rake the yard up and by the time 6:00am rolls around - mow the grass and your done!

Clean the pool! And then jump in for a refreshing swim afterwards!

And if you get all that done - 5:05 a.m. is the perfect time to sit out on the back porch, with your coffee and relax and listen to "nothing" but the desert noises - birds, quail and the sound of rabbits hopping around. You can also use this time to blog, pay your bills online, review new listings on MLS or anything else that you need to get done -- before it gets too HOT!

Enjoy and stay cool!

Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind - 2009. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission rhindohana@msn.com. Buying or selling Tucson Arizona Real Estate? Click info@gabriellerhind.com and let me know how I can help you! Or visit www.BuyMyTucsonHome.com.

If you'd like more info about Mt. Lemmon homes, Tucson bank owned homes, Tucson lease option to purchase homes, Tucson rental homes, buying or seling your Tucson home or the Tucson real estate market or real estate news, email or call me at (520) 245.0242.

It's pretty warm right now here in southern Arizona with temps in triple digits. Add a little humidity to the mix now that it's monsoon season and that makes for some sticky, long hot days!

But don't let that keep you inside! Here are five ways to beat the heat:

Jump in a pool! If you don't have a pool, visit one of the many community pools around Tucson! It's one of the cheapest, easiest ways to cool off - and it's a great way to get the kids out of the house and worn out!

Go see a movie! There are several movie theaters around Tucson or check out Fandango to quickly search a theater and movie reviews based on your zip code! Century Gateway 12 on the eastside of Tucson is a "cheap" theater and has specials on Tuesday's!

Stay-cation! Check in at a local resort for relief not only from the heat - but cooking and cleaning too! The Hilton El Conquistador is one of the many fine resorts here in Tucson with cheap summer rates (compared to the regular rate!) or check out what I call the "water collection hotel" at JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa!

Catch an evening baseball game. Watching a Tucson Toros game makes for a fun, relaxing night for the entire family. Put the kids down for a nap during the day and then bring them out for an early 7pm game and enjoy the Arizona summer nights!

Eat ice cream! Instead of fixing dessert - pile the family in the car and visit your local ice cream shop! Among my favorites for those on a tight budget - Dairy Queen is the way to go -- but if it's a special night or you have a few extra bucks to spend - my vote is Frost!

And just for fun - every summer here in Tucson Arizona - it's always fun for the kids (and adults) to see how long it takes to fry an egg on the sidewalk!

Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind - 2009. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission rhindohana@msn.com. Buying or selling Tucson Arizona Real Estate? Click info@gabriellerhind.com and let me know how I can help you! Or visit www.BuyMyTucsonHome.com.

If you'd like more info about Mt. Lemmon homes, Tucson bank owned homes, Tucson lease option to purchase homes, Tucson rental homes, buying or seling your Tucson home or the Tucson real estate market or real estate news, email or call me at (520) 245.0242.

July 4th in Tucson Arizona is known for it's fabulous A-Mountain Fireworks - a long standing tradition in this community. The fireworks are so spectacular they can been seen all across the city - including on the far northeast side of town! Every year, people set up picnic style camps early in the day with shade, coolers filled with food and cold drinks near the mountain waiting for the big event. As the night draws closer, you can see many people sitting on rooftops or on top of their pick up trucks getting ready for the show!

Earlier this year, the event was canceled due to city budget cuts. There was sadness and frustration from the community. And then out of the blue, a few days after the news spread across town, the community learned that many businesses such as Tucson Electric Power, Cox Communications and Desert Diamond Casino among others, have stepped forward with money contributions to save the fireworks! So this year, come out and support these businesses, and the A-Mountain Fireworks, who have kept this long-standing tradition alive for all of us!

Another event that goes hand-in-hand with the A-Mountain Fireworks was the Annual July 4th Tour For The Children Bike/Run and carnival event. The event was sponsored by the Tucson Firefighters and all proceeds benefited a program that bought helmets, bikes and other safety equipment for children. As someone who has participated in this event for over 12 years, I was sad to see it go away. Then a couple days ago, I received news that a local bike shop - Sabino Cycles- has stepped up to try and save this event as well! In an effort to support the children's program, this event will be fully supported and staffed courtesy of the bike shop, following the same course and there is no set fee - the event coordinators are asking for donations in any amount you feel comfortable giving.

Help keep the fire goin' - come on out in the morning, bring your children, enjoy the ride and then rest up for fireworks later in the evening and help keep Tucson July 4th traditions alive!

Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind - 2009. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission rhindohana@msn.com. Buying or selling Tucson Arizona Real Estate? Click info@gabriellerhind.com and let me know how I can help you! Or visit www.BuyMyTucsonHome.com.

If you'd like more info about Mt. Lemmon homes, Tucson bank owned homes, Tucson lease option to purchase homes, Tucson rental homes, buying or seling your Tucson home or the Tucson real estate market or real estate news, email or call me at (520) 245.0242.

Tucson Police Officer Erik Hite died in the line of duty on June 2, 2008 less than one mile from my home. The neighborhood memorial where the incident occurred still remains and weekly there is new addition of flowers, stuffed animals or notes.

Many reasons along with county restrictions, prevented the Tucson Police Departmentfrom placing a permanent memorial in this particular location off Houghton and Tanque Verde Roads on the NE side of Tucson.

Thanks to the owners of La Mariposa Fitness Center(which is located about 1 mile away on the road where Officer Hite made a u-turn that fatal morning) who donated land and resources, there now stands a beautiful memorial in honor of Officer Hite.

The memorial has a walking path, benches, water fountains (even one for pets!), and is lite 24 hours a day via solar-powered energy.

If you are on this side of town, take a moment to go by and visit the beautiful memorial in it's park-like setting.

Here are some photos of the Officer Erik Hite Memorial:

Entrance gate into the Officer Hite Memorial.

Walking Path.

Memorial with Brick Pavers.

Paver purchased to support the memorial.

Bench recognizing Deputy Schwartz who was shot and injured while trying to assist Officer Hite.

One for Deputy Cervantez, also injured.

Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind - 2009. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission rhindohana@msn.com. Buying or selling Tucson Arizona Real Estate? Click info@gabriellerhind.com and let me know how I can help you! Or visit www.BuyMyTucsonHome.com.

If you'd like more info about Mt. Lemmon homes, Tucson bank owned homes, Tucson lease option to purchase homes, Tucson rental homes, buying or seling your Tucson home or the Tucson real estate market or real estate news, email or call me at (520) 245.0242.