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#ThisIsTucson & Why I Love Where I Live 2024 Summer Reading Challenge
2024 Summer Reading Challenge We've teamed up with #ThisIsTucson to bring you the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge! While you can find physical copies of our Summer Reading Challenge at the locations listed below, you can also download the PDF if you prefer printing it from home. Visit our online shop to see what books we already have in stock to start your reading journey! Where to pick up books Antigone Books, 411 N. Fourth Ave. Bookmans, 4841 N. Stone Ave. and 6230 E. Speedway Mostly Books, 6208 E. Speedway Pima County Public Library, multiple locations Stacks Book Club, 1880 E. Tangerine Road Suite 140 Why I Love Where I Live, 267 S. Avenida del Convento or online The bookstores might not have all the Summer Reading Challenge books on their shelves, but they'll have some of them — if they don't have the book you're looking for, they may be able to order it if you ask! For more info on each book, check out #ThisIsTucson's full article. Win prizes for the books you read Throughout the month of August, you'll have the chance to win some fun prizes for the books you check off the list: If you read one book on the list, you'll get a free bookish sticker from #ThisIsTucson and 10% off any in-store purchase at Why I Love Where I Live. If you read 2-4 books on the list, you'll get a free bookish sticker from #ThisIsTucson, 10% off any in-store purchase at Why I Love Where I Live and a free bookish sticker from local artist Turtle's Soup. If you read five or more books on the list, you'll get a free bookish sticker from #ThisIsTucson, 20% off any in-store purchase at Why I Love Where I Live, a free bookish sticker from Turtle's Soup and a free bookmark from Turtle's Soup. Here's how to redeem your prize: Bring one of the books (e-books are acceptable!) on our list to Why I Love Where I Live in the MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento, during the month of August. Show the book to an employee and let them know how many books you've read from the list. Just like that, the prize is yours! (Your Why I Love Where I Love discount is only redeemable the same day you show your book.) No matter which milestone you hit, you can leave your email with a store employee and be entered into a raffle to win goodies like bookstore gift cards and tickets to local attractions. We'll pick winners in September. Also in September, we plan to host an informal happy hour where book lovers can gather to chat about their summer reads. More info on that to come! Special thanks to Walter Trujillo & Barrio Books for sharing a book recommendation in loving memory of Syrena Arevalo-Trujillo (September 9, 1990 - April 1, 2024). Pick up a FREE bookmark in-store while supplies last. No purchase necessary. Have a suggestion for our next reading list? Fill out this form.
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Valentine's Day: More than romantic love
Valentine's Day is coming up and as we all know, it's a holiday that often remains in the clutches of romantic love. But what if there is more? The Pew Research Center found that 4 in 10 American adults do not feel deeply connected to where they live. It's essential to recognize that we have relationships with places — where we live, work, and play — just like our other relationships at work, at home, and in the public sphere. When we cultivate that relationship with place, we become better equipped to handle the disappointments and challenges that also come with living in any place. The more we love a place, the more we invest in it, and therefore, the greater our affection becomes, creating a life-giving cycle of benefit to ourselves and the world around us. This is why we believe Valentine's Day should be celebrated in community. We tested this concept back in 2015, inviting people to come share why they love where they live on a 10' by 10' mural. Not only did it create a giant valentine that people were proud to contribute to together, it was also an invitation to share in a love bigger than just one person, one partner, one relationship. Why have just one valentine when you could have 100? Why not broaden the celebration from relationships with people to our collective relationship with place? In the years since then, we've continued to practice new ways of celebrating our relationship with where we live. Sometimes it may not even be a celebration, it's simply taking one step in reconnecting to our place as we can easily get disconnected from it. French philosopher Simone Weil says, “To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul.” She continues, “A human being has roots by virtue of their real, active and natural participation in the life of a community which preserves in living shape certain particular treasures of the past and certain particular expectations of the future.” This year we invite you to try a new way of celebrating love for people & places. Give yourself and others the gift of being rooted in something beyond just romantic love. We've got a few ideas to get you started. What would you add to the list? 11 Alternative Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day in Community 1. Write love notes aka reviews for your favorite businesses. Recognize the role that restaurants, shops, services, and places to gather play in your everyday life in overall enjoyment & well-being of a community. 2. Go on a date with your city! Pick up a local guidebook at the library or do some research online to find a place you haven't visited recently that others travel to your city to see. 3. Bring post-it notes to your workplace and invite coworkers to write what they appreciate about the work they do or the place you work. Find a central place to display the collection even if it's just in the lunchroom. 4. Invite a neighbor over for dinner. Connect with neighbors you know, and invite those you don't know to join you at your table. It's much easier to love your neighbor if you know your neighbor. 5. Visit a local park and spend 10 minutes observing the people and environment. Notice what you are grateful for there, and identify any ways you might be able to improve the area for the enjoyment of others. 6. Start a conversation with those you share a home with - partner, family, or roommate about what you enjoy about where you live right now. Maybe it has a unique feature or close proximity to your daily activities. Don't forget specifics such as architectural style, floor plan, views from windows, or textures and colors. 7. Give chocolates or flowers to someone who works to protect the beauty where you live, play, or work. Example: A janitor, landscaper, sanitation service worker, window washer, or house cleaner. 8. Get involved with a cause you care about that is working to address needs in the community. Use the Giving Tuesday website to get connected to a non-profit in your area. Offer time, money, connections, or simply to share about their work to inspire others and get the word out. 9. Research the history behind the name of your street, neighborhood, city, town, or state. Is it named after a person or maybe a concept or something entirely different? Share what you learn with a friend. 10. Look up a Black-owned business in honor of Black History Month in February and support them year around. Download the Blax Friday app or search for similar directories in your area to get connected. 11. Look up your zip code on Native Land Digital to learn more about the people and groups that have shaped the place you live. History helps us better understand where we are now, but it's also important to recognize how Indigneous people are present and active in today's current world. Bonus: Send a bit of light to someone in your life! The Amazing Human Project has created a simple way to help people feel valued and connected with others.
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Tucson Lifestyle "Made in Tucson" Award
The latest issue of Tucson Lifestyle magazine featured Made in Tucson awards. The Made in Tucson Awards spotlight Tucson in new ways and encourage readers to explore the what and the why of living here is so special. We were nominated back in August, and recently found out that we won in our category for Style. We are thrilled with the response to our ¡Vamos! design, now available in adult shirts & tanks, kid, infant sizes — even socks! Special congratulations go to the designer, Joel Harris! See the full line-up including other winners & runners up in all categories in the "Made in Tucson" section of Tucson Lifestyle.
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Indigenous People's Day
Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognizes that Native people are the first inhabitants of the Americas, including the lands that later became the United States of America. And it urges Americans to rethink history. It is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year. There is much to be gained in taking intentional steps to really slow down and to learn more about where we live — the people, cultures, and forces that have shaped the places we inhabit and in many ways that we now hope to weave our own lives together with through time. As we learn to love where we live and commit to a place, we’ve realized this commitment unfolds over the span of many years through showing up over and over again and in overcoming our own desire to self-promote, to self-protect, to have all the answers, or to think we have all the answers. There is much to be gained in pausing long enough to listen to the stories of the past while being present in what’s taking place today. When we learn from multiple perspectives and put together a full picture of the backdrop of where we enter into history today, we can do so without feeling shame or getting stuck in a paralyzing cycle of wanting to get it “right”. In fact, often times it’s in the process of leaning in to listen and opening ourselves to our own potential blind spots where we become vulnerable enough to truly labor together with all people for the good of where we live. A quick Google search will provide many different places where you can get more information and pause today to reflect on the history of the land you live on, wherever you are. We found Native Knowledge 360° to have a helpful list of resources to teach and discuss Indigenous Peoples' Day with humans of any age! In a 2020 article, MapLab: Bearing Witness to Native Land, we resonated with a few points shared: Looking at land not through a grid of ownership, but as pools of deep Indigenous history Remembering that these ancestral territories helped shape who we are How we are connected to the land, and that the land is a source of knowledge, language, relationships and responsibilities The need to normalize Indigenous geographies as integral to the places where we live A few ideas to get you started: Look up where you live on the Native Land map Use the "You are on the land of" links to learn more about each territory Visit the official website of each territory Check out the Indigenous Geotags project Like / follow the social media accounts of Indigenous territories near you Indigenous people deserve an immense amount more credit than is usually given to them. Faithfully stewarding the land, caring for native plants, understanding how to draw out the best flora and fauna in each season, and keeping traditions in the face of often violent change to their home and landscape, are all a part of Indigenous culture. There is a rootedness and sense of responsibility that calls for our utmost respect. We didn’t always have this sense of belonging to a place that Indigenous communities have. We weren’t always taught to understand how important it is to cultivate a relationship with the land not just for what we can get out of it for ourselves, but also to care for what has taken care of and carried us for my entire existence – the Earth. We find ourselves constantly having to learn more from those that have been tending to the land we call home and have existed long before this country existed. If this reflects your experience too, today’s a great day to start the listening & learning journey. When we think of Why I Love Where I Live, we hope that all of us can emulate the Indigenous perspective on place as we seek to bring forth the best in where we live for the good of all people.
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A Decade of Perspective
Growing up, we moved around a lot. We remained in the same region, but we lived in many different houses and apartments due to life circumstances. The number was over 18 by the time I left home at that same age. As a child, I had little control over those circumstances, but somehow I realized I had control over my perspective, even at a young age. When we got to a new place, I would look for all the positives. One house had stairs; another house had a park within walking distance. One house had a giant walk-in closet that doubled as a fun hideaway; another had a pool. One place was just down the street from my grandparents, and another had green spaces and a beautiful path to walk to get to the mailbox. One house was close to my school and friends; another had great sidewalks to bike and rollerskate. I never knew how long we would be in one place, so I held onto the good of each one. I did my best to soak up everything that made that place unique. Partially it was my nature, and partially it was how I coped amidst the continual change. In adulthood, I found this way of thinking stayed with me. I noticed it when I traveled. Even inside hotel rooms or places I would stay, my mind fell back into that familiar groove of making the most of what each location had to offer. From the small things like the scents of the lotion in the bathroom to bigger things like the view from the room, I was aware that each place I stayed had a particular set of features that, in their different combinations, created an experience that had something to offer me, like a gift waiting there just waiting to be discovered and opened by someone to enjoy at that moment. This awareness led to one of two things: gratitude or curiosity. The same happened with the actual places I visited. I remember going to New York City for the first time and discovering all the different pockets of neighborhoods so close together in proximity. Each one had its own flavor depending on the people that lived there, the history of the place, the architecture, the businesses, and the food & smells that flowed into the streets. My friend and I now laugh because I just kept going around and saying, "I love this neighborhood!" and then ten minutes later saying, "No, but I really love this neighborhood," on and on as we made our way through each different part of the city. It has been ten years since I started the Why I Love Where I Live Instagram account as a personal experiment. Seeds were planted in the soil of my life long before there was anything to show above ground. When I had first come to Tucson for college, I truly felt at home. Over time things changed, and as I began to see more of the world, I began to see what was lacking rather than what was already there. My childlike heart of wonder became atrophied when it wasn't in regular use as it had been in earlier parts of my life. The decisive moment came when I realized this. It was just weeks after I married a native Tucsonan when things started to settle in that not only had I committed to him, but as a result of that commitment, I had also (half-heartedly) committed to a place. In my opinion, that's no way to live! My next step was to find a way to grow that muscle again. In 2012, I began to open my eyes. I let curiosity get the best of me. I sought to keep my head up and out, expectant that I would find beauty and uniqueness in the world around me. I captured what I saw with my camera as proof, and the photos began to add up. The snowball effect was in play when I realized the amount of new ways I was seeing the city with a dedicated choice to find the good. My sense of wonder began to grow with my new eyes and way to capture what I saw. I wanted to learn more about the history of each place and find depth in a world that had felt 2D before. The experiment took root in me and it was as if the words of a book came to life on a stage. I had welcomed something in me that became a part of who I was and was here to stay. Once you begin to see in 3D you never want to go back to 2D. Before I started taking pictures and sharing them on the account as a record of my journey, there was a tension in me that I wanted to settle or even get rid of altogether. When I realized my location would not change, I knew what remained that I had control over - my perspective. I had to find that heart of gratitude and spirit of curiosity inside myself once again to settle the tension. In reality, the very surrender to my circumstances would end up leaving me forever changed. Staying put became an unexpected blessing that has been one of the most formative and shaping things in my entire life. Commitment changes us. When we know certain external circumstances in a part of life are fixed, it allows us to surrender to what is. It opens things up to a new kind of freedom that initially feels the opposite of what we would consider "freedom." The gift is that I can always choose a life-giving perspective no matter where I am and no matter where I go. There is always beauty to celebrate. There is a gift in each moment waiting to be unwrapped and enjoyed by whoever will choose to pause and take delight in it.
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🔥 HOT TIPS to Make the Most of Summer 🔥
You ever feel torn about something? Summer is a tricky time, especially where we live with the heat (extreme heat in some cases and wildfires). On top of that, it's much easier to just get downright grumpy about the weather. Did you know heat can actually impact us on an emotional and psychological level?! On the other hand, it's a time that seems to provide a lull in the busyness that can tangle us up during the rest of the year. There also tends to be more opportunities to socialize and relax with family and friends whether it's at a pool party or on a vacation. Speaking of vacation — a lot of kids are on Summer Break! Just ask any parent, and you'll learn summer with kids can also be a pretty mixed bag of highs and lows. So while we're in the thick of it, we wanted to provide a few tips to help you through and get your head in a good spot to make the most of these hot times. Get near water...somehow. Research shows being around water also has an impact on our mental health (just like heat, only it has the opposite effect). It's calming, stress-reducing, and lifts our mood. If you don't live close to water, get creative! It doesn't take an ocean to experience the benefits of H2O. If you don't have access to a pool you can rent a private one OR check with your local government for information on city pools & splash pads. Use alternative cooking methods to avoid turning on your stove. Take a vacation day without traveling using a resort pass. Take an active approach to address the heat affecting your area. Wake up one hour earlier...just ONE! Consider the ways to address rather than avoid issues of heat affecting people everywhere.
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Summer Solstice
This weekend you can get the most out of one single day for the whole year. Yes, that's right— the winner for most amount of hours of daylight in one day is almost here! Depending on where you are at on the planet, the Summer Solstice in the Nothern Hemisphere will fall between June 20th to 22nd this year. "Solstice" comes from the Latin word "solstitium" which is a combination of "sol" (sun) and "sistere" (to stand still) and is used to mark the point when the sun appears to stand still before it reverses directions. This means that FUN FACT: We'll be at maximum tilt this weekend on Earth. That same tilt is what's responsible for all of our seasons including the one that already seems to have shown up a bit early this year. ️ Besides going for a swim, having a raspado, or grilling up something on the BBQ, there are so many ways to celebrate the season ahead! Check out the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum's Soar Together Virtual Family Day on June 20th to observe and celebrate the June Solstice including ideas for several brilliant hands-on Sun Celebration activities to experiment with sunlight and shadows and use the Sun as a directional tool and even learn how to make a Neighborhood Stonehedge. The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture is also hosting a bilingual Summer Solstice Celebration online. Sun Celebration Activities (courtesy of the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum) Sun Tracker Shadow Sculpture Pocket Solar Clock Neighborhood Stonehenge Also happening this weekend: June 19 - Juneteenth On June 19,1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, with the news that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as #Juneteenth by the newly freed people in Texas. nmaach.si.edu/juneteenth Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth June 20 - World Refugee Day World Refugee Day is a day to raise awareness of the plight of refugees around the world and of the efforts to protect their human rights. Events • Coloring Pages • Cards
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Lovers or Haters?
Last night I turned to my husband and said, "It's not really the best time to own a business called 'Why I Love Where I Live', huh?". He replied, "OR it's the best time." Despite my doubts, he's right. Love for where we live does not mean you don't still see and acknowledge the problems. In fact, I've found the more gratitude I have for where I live whether on a national level, city level, or even something seemingly simple like the wildlife we get to see in our desert home, the more I grieve when that place and the people in it are hurting. There is a different weight to the way we react in hardship when we are truly committed and truly attached to a place - in all of its beauty, glory, faults, and failings. The more you love a place, the more you see its problems; and that's not a bad thing. Let's not be led to believe that being disturbed by many different events taking place in our city, country, or world means we are haters. Much different, we are lovers. Pointing out problems & needs is a sign of love. That can be done in a variety of ways, but often most effectively in the context of relationships rather than on social media. We want to see people connected to their local community and specific place in meaningful ways. We want to see everyone playing their role in helping where they live flourish. Whether the events in the news motivate you or the smells of creosote in the desert motivate you or perhaps something else entirely, we hope 2021 leads to you pressing in. Press in and get to know where you live in a deeper way. Press in and get to know your neighbors in a deeper way. Press in and address areas of brokenness while simultaneously celebrating the beauty. It can be difficult to hold those two things at the same time, but as I tell my kids, "We can do hard things together." Find what motivates you, and keep pressing in. May you be drawn further into a commitment to see where you live flourish for the good of all people this year. Everyone has a part to play. - Kristin (Originally posted 1/8/2021)
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Fun Ways To Support Local on Social Media
We acknowledge not everyone has resources to support local businesses financially or through a purchase at this time. There are other ways you can help and engage that won't cost you a dollar! A few ideas: Share, like, comment on their post. It helps with algorithms and how often people see their posts. Let other friends know about opportunities to support businesses in your area. Think: takeout ideas, places to get gifts, and places that might not have a social media following but still need support. Leave a positive review on Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Fill out and share one of these social media story templates. We've created a roundup of Story Templates you can share on social media to tag local businesses and invite friends to join you. To use them, right click and save or hold down and add to your photos. Then upload in Instagram Stories and tag businesses or use GIFs to share what you're doing. Some are specific to our community in Tucson, but we'd be glad to update this and share more! Please send others our way, and we will update this post as we are able. by Haley Haynes by Local First Arizona by Phoenix Supply Co by Visit Tucson by The Tucson Type by The Arizona Daily Star ARE WE MISSING SOME? Send more. :)
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