Tucson is a big city with a small town feel. I have had this conversation quite a few time since moving here, but it's true. With 500,000 people in the city of Tucson and ~1 million in the metro area, it truly is a big place. However, the vast majority of the buildings are only one story tall, leading to a very spread out city.
One of the great things about living in a bigger city is the sheer number of local businesses. In Battle Creek, I don't often go out to eat, and when I do, it is usually at chain restaurant. I have eaten at very few chain restaurants since arriving here in Tucson (and some of the chains are "local" ish chains that we don't have in Michigan, like Eegee's and In N Out) The number of quality restaurants is through the roof, so much so that there are few places I have visited more than once. This also means a wide variety of ethnic foods are represented!
But it goes beyond the restaurants. Whenever we have something at our house worked on, Fran always has someone from a locally owned business come. This includes cleaning services, landscaping teams, and maintenance work like turning on our swamp coolers or fixing the leak in our roof. Fran also takes the two dogs to a locally owned dog-daycare a couple times a week. The place is close by and very cute. I thought it looked like a great time for dogs who get along well with other dogs, and it's a nice way to make sure your dogs are getting exercise during the day (particularly as it is getting hot out now, and the daycare is indoors.) Iskashitaa also sells fruit to some of the local coffee shops and businesses.
The great thing about this is the relationship building. The ladies who clean our house left us a rose for Valentine's day. The man who worked on our roof put lights on my bike when he noticed they weren't out of the box yet. The owners and waiters at the local restaurants always recognize our director and her husband when we go out to their favorite lunch places. We bring them fruit from Iskashitaa and get to experience deeper conversation. I enjoy this a lot because it seems like a picture of what community should truly be like-- with everyone supporting and appreciating the work of their neighbors.
What local businesses do you support?
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Sunday, May 18, 2014
May days
What has been happening lately? We are busy as always at Iskashitaa, but activity in Tucson is winding down for the summer. U of A finished finals this week. The weather is getting hotter (99 for the past 2 days) and the students and snowbirds are starting to leave for the summer. The sun is getting more intense; the UV index is so high that I started wearing sunscreen for my 2 block walk to Iskashitaa.
In the office, we're focusing on trying to get the rest of the citrus before the real heat sets in, as well as other fruits that are only ripe for a brief time, like loquats and apricots. We also have two garlic harvests this month; one has already happened, the second will be in the next couple weeks. We are also hosting a number of summer interns, which is something I'm already enjoying.
A couple weeks ago Iskashitaa was honored by the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, receiving the Meyer & Libby Marmis Humanitarian Award. It was a very nice presentation, and I enjoyed seeing the rest of the awards presented by the Jewish Federation.
This week I attended a UMW meeting at a local church and gave a short program about the US-2 program and Iskashitaa. I enjoyed spending time with the women, and we discovered that two of them actually live right across the street from our office!
I'm looking at a summer full of conferences and travel. In June, I'm visiting Michigan as well as attending the UMC Prepare conference and the Desert Southwest Annual Conference. In July, I'm attending the United Methodist Women's Mission U and the North American Round Table, which is a North American gathering for people in refugee ministry. Right now, I'm most excited about the prospect of visiting home and being near water again. I'm already thinking about what fruits will be ripe in Michigan so that I can bring them back to our office. (True evidence of Iskashitaa's impact on me.)
Today I spent time with one of my friends for the last time before she leaves for the summer. We were talking about all the traveling we want to do. I think it would take us years to visit all the places we'd like to go. Sometimes I wonder if I'm too full of idealism--romanced by the idea of travel, excitement, and adventure. Yet still the longing remains, and I wonder where my path will lead me after Tucson.
One of the hardest parts about being away is missing important events like weddings and graduations. Some of my dearest friends have graduated from Michigan State this month or have celebrated marriages, and it's so sad for me not to be able to be physically present for the celebration. No journey comes without trials.
In the office, we're focusing on trying to get the rest of the citrus before the real heat sets in, as well as other fruits that are only ripe for a brief time, like loquats and apricots. We also have two garlic harvests this month; one has already happened, the second will be in the next couple weeks. We are also hosting a number of summer interns, which is something I'm already enjoying.
A couple weeks ago Iskashitaa was honored by the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, receiving the Meyer & Libby Marmis Humanitarian Award. It was a very nice presentation, and I enjoyed seeing the rest of the awards presented by the Jewish Federation.
This week I attended a UMW meeting at a local church and gave a short program about the US-2 program and Iskashitaa. I enjoyed spending time with the women, and we discovered that two of them actually live right across the street from our office!
I'm looking at a summer full of conferences and travel. In June, I'm visiting Michigan as well as attending the UMC Prepare conference and the Desert Southwest Annual Conference. In July, I'm attending the United Methodist Women's Mission U and the North American Round Table, which is a North American gathering for people in refugee ministry. Right now, I'm most excited about the prospect of visiting home and being near water again. I'm already thinking about what fruits will be ripe in Michigan so that I can bring them back to our office. (True evidence of Iskashitaa's impact on me.)
Today I spent time with one of my friends for the last time before she leaves for the summer. We were talking about all the traveling we want to do. I think it would take us years to visit all the places we'd like to go. Sometimes I wonder if I'm too full of idealism--romanced by the idea of travel, excitement, and adventure. Yet still the longing remains, and I wonder where my path will lead me after Tucson.
One of the hardest parts about being away is missing important events like weddings and graduations. Some of my dearest friends have graduated from Michigan State this month or have celebrated marriages, and it's so sad for me not to be able to be physically present for the celebration. No journey comes without trials.
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