Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind, Broker/Owner

If you've followed me long enough on Active Rain, you might have a sense that I ride a bike, and that I am in my 15th or 16th year as an El Tour De Tucson participant and volunteer. For me, it's not about being in a ride - it's about simply participating in "the" Tucson ride - an event that benefits the Tucson community in more ways than many will even know!

El Tour de Tucson is also the biggest cycling event in the country - people come from all over the USA - Canada, and other countries - including as far away as Japan to be a part of this event. But it isn't just a cycling event - it's one of the biggest fundraising event in Tucson that supports many charities - including the Humane Society, Juvenile Diabetes, American Parkinson Association, and many more!

You do not have to be a top notch cyclist to be a part of the event - there are rides for kids as young as 4! The ride is fully supported with many rest stops, bike support people and all around, the average cyclists in the event are just a ton of fun to be around.

As the week starts leading up to El Tour De Tucson - here are a few highlights:

· Ride day is Saturday, November 19th - all the rides begin at different times - it's an all day event.

· Packet pick up begins on Wednesday, November 16th at the TCC downtown. I'll be working starting this day at registration so if you are in the area - come down and say hi!

· The El Tour Dedication Dinner is Thursday night.

· Many celebrities ride in El Tour - this year a couple that I've heard about include Barry Bonds and retired basketball player Bill Walton.

Keep in mind - there will be over 9,000 cyclists on Tucson roads this Saturday. With them, come at least 15,000 friends and family (and their cars). Add to the mix thousands of general spectators who simply like being out cheering everyone on. That's a lot of people. Best advice? Plan ahead. If you can, just stay home - but if you absolutely must be out to go to the grocery or mall, go prepared because there will, without a doubt, be significant traffic delays all day!

My daughter and her best friend are four months apart in age. And they have been best friends since even before they were born - complete opposite personalities yet somehow they remain perfect for each other. Today, her best friend turns 11 and because her mom is out of town - we are having a birthday party for her. We'll do a lot to celebrate and make it a special day - but we also won't forget the reason why we have today as a holiday.

Every Veteran, including my father, that are the reasons we have this day. To walk a mile in each and every one of their shoes is my thought for the day. Tucson has many events around town that remind us of those who gave their lives, those who still serve and those that are now retired who we should never forget.

Wreath laying in every Tucson cemetery. A group of mothers have joined Wreaths Across America in an effort to place a wreathe on every grave of a veteran. The ceremonies start today and will continue until every Veteran has a wreathe. You can contribute of join the effort to help remember all our fallen heroes.

• Pima Air and Space Museum is having a free breakfast to honor Veterans. It begins at 8:30 am in the 190th Memorial Museum located inside the faclity.
• The Annual Tucson Veterans Day Parade starts downtown at Alameda and Granada Streets at 10:30am.
• Today is free entry into National Parks. Tucson has several that you can visit today. In addition, may parks are waiving their day use fees so you can go and enjoy the day with your family and hopefully, a Veteran.

Enjoy the day today but also take the time to remember and thank a Veteran.

Well - nothing like the folks back east, but temps dropped sharply in Tucson - down to 49 degrees - and 40 miles away on Mt Lemmon - it snowed!

Will it change soon? Likely - we are expected to go back up to 80 degree temps by mid week. For now, it's all about enjoying what it is.

Today Tucson's weather will make for a perfect day - a little on the cool side - but still warm enough to enjoy a bike ride, a hike, running some trails or going to the park with family or your kids. Tucson has a few outdoor events today that you may want to enjoy such as the Scavenger Dash 2011, or the All Souls final day of events.

As I set out this morning - here is the view of the sun rising over the Rincon Mountains - what a gorgeous day it will be!

Starting about May of every year here in Tucson, the weather becomes an issue. And it stays an issue sometimes well into September. What's the issue? Triple digit temps. And more often than not, I hear, "How can you stand that heat?"

It does get challenging and everything is affected - from the hot asphalt that surely melts the rubber off tires- to AC units that are over-worked as they run 24/7 to keep homes cool. And every year, right about August, it's at the point where I too wonder, "How can I stand this heat?"

Over the past couple weeks, I was reminded about why I live here in Tucson through each and every summer. It's because of the temps that started in October - 70s to 80s for a high and cool nights. Even today, how lucky to be able to go swimming, then for a bike ride and the thought of watering grass in at the beginning of November is well, kinda great!

So how can I stand that heat? Because, like many who live here through the summers, we know what's beyond the hot summers. It's worth the heat challenge to enjoy the days we have now!

So much to do here in Tucson for Halloween - even though we didn't rank on Zillow's Top 20 list for best Trick Or Treat Cities - we do have several neighborhoods of our own that rank right up there for Tucson-ans who give out the best fun and treats! If you want to know where, just drive and follow any stream of cars you see Halloween night!

Here are some free Halloween events going on this week in Tucson:

Trick Or Treat At The Foothills Mall - 5pm – Puppet Show, 6pm – Magic Show, 6pm – Trick or Treating, 7pm – Costume Contest with prizes!

Halloween Costume Party & Contest – Bookmans Speedway – Saturday, October 29th from 2-4pm Get your best costume ready! Candy, Prizes and Fun!

Lighthouse/City YMCA Trunk of Treat 2010 – Friday, October 28th from 6-8pm. Haunted Bus, Train Rides, Family Fun, Healthy Snacks and a little candy!

Ott Family YMCA – Halloween Trunk or Treat – Friday, October 28th @ 6pm . Stroll through our spooky haunted room, find some treats in our "Trunk o Treat" and participate in fun games and activities for kids of all ages.

Lohse Family YMCA – Halloween Carnival – Saturday, October 29th from 10am-2pm. Carnival events including face painting, costume contest, dance performances, arts & crafts, jumping castle + more!

Northwest YMCA Trunk or Treat 2010 – Saturday, October 29th from 5:30-8pm. The event is held in the Northwest Pima Community College Parking lot. Trunk or Treating, Games, Costume Parade (at 6pm) and a movie!

Fall Carnival – Twin Peaks Elementary School – Friday, October 28th 5-9pm. Free admission, Game and food tickets are $0.50 each, open to the public.

Halloween Party – Bashas’ Stores – Saturday, October 29th 10am-2pm. Trick or Treating throughout the store, free cookies and apple cider. You can also decorate your own Halloween Cake for $5.