Meet Me at Maynard’s: A Weekly Walk in Tucson

Downtown Tucson bus stop along MMM route

Every Monday evening, a few hundred people show up in Downtown Tucson for the Meet Me at Maynard’s (MMM) community walk.

It’s free, open to all ages and abilities, and it’s happened weekly – regardless of the weather – for over 10 years.

In fact, we joined in for the first time on MMM’s 10th anniversary, when there was a big celebration and local bands playing all along the route.

We joined up in the middle, walking over from the Hotel Tucson, where we were staying.

The MMM path officially begins at Maynard’s Kitchen and winds through downtown neighborhoods — past restaurants, historic sites, parks, and public art.

There are designated 2-, 3-, and 4-mile routes you can follow. Or you can make adjustments and take breaks as needed.

In fact, breaks are encouraged. Several local businesses along the route provide water to MMM participants and lots of downtown restaurants offer discounts. So you could do part of the walk, stop for dinner or beers, and then continue on.

The point is to get out, get some exercise, and enjoy the local community!

— More Meet Me at Maynard’s Info —

How to join:

Register (once) online or in person at the information table in the courtyard behind Maynard’s.
Before each MMM you attend, check in (online or in person) and get your hand stamped at the info table. (While you’re there, ask about entering raffles.)
Start walking on your own or walk with a leader at 5:30 or 5:45.

You can walk, run, or take a yoga class ($5 at YogaOasis during MMM).
Leashed pets are welcome on the walk. So are unleashed kids.
To get Monday night restaurant discounts, make sure to check in and get your hand stamped at the info table in the Maynard’s courtyard.
Regular participants earn awards like t-shirts and hats. If you’re unsure where to go, look for people wearing the MMM shirts!
Closing ceremonies and in-person raffle winners are announced back at Maynard’s at 7pm.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video from the MMM 10th anniversary celebration, walk, and local bands — which I’ll post soon.

July 6, 2019July 5, 2019

Independence Days

Sit-in Closet

I’m hanging out with Quijote, who has decided the safest place to be is in our closet.

Initially, he played it cool – like the noise of the 4th of July fireworks wasn’t going to bother him. Then, all of the sudden, it was too much, and he began scampering wild-eyed around the house in a panicked search for the best hiding spot.

Even before Quijote, we didn’t always go to see fireworks. In the middle of the sweltering Arizona summer, it’s a good day for brunch with friends or swimming or barbecue or staying inside and crafting.

San Diego

Of course, we were way out of the house when we had our first Independence Day with Quijote on our San Diego trip a year ago.

It was a similar story, where he started out unfazed, and then suddenly switched to terrified.

We were staying at the Hawthorne Historic Inn, which has a deck that’s great for watching fireworks. Phillip found us a couple chairs and brought up some wine and snacks. It was so sweet and lovely until we realized Quijote was not going to be able to deal with noise after all.

We gathered up our stuff and climbed back down the wooden steps.

Phillip and I propped up pillows and sat drinking wine and watching tv in bed, while Q burrowed under the comforter.

Indiana

On the other hand, Phillip and I began one 4th of July on a red eye to Indianapolis.

We arrived, caught a few hours sleep, stopped by a square where there was a music festival we were too early for, and then drove to Madison County to see my extended family.

We ended the day outside a different hotel, watching fireworks and fireflies and mysterious orange lights that were floating across the sky.

When you’re with ones you love, you can have a good time whether you’re standing in an open field or hunkering down in a closet.

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May 14, 2019May 23, 2023

Light Rail Phoenix: A Beginner’s Guide

[Updated 5/14/19.]

People have asked me how to take the Valley Metro light rail in the Phoenix area, so I made a video guide.

However, if you prefer tips in written form, read on!

1. Find where to go.

There’s just one line with 2 directions, Eastbound and Westbound. You can ride anywhere on the line all day for $4.

Westbound train route:

begins in Mesa (Gilbert Rd./Main St., as of 5/18/19)
ASU Tempe campus
Sky Harbor Airport
Downtown Phoenix (Phoenix Convention Center, Talking Stick Resort Arena, Chase Field)
Central Ave. (turns north)
Roosevelt Row/arts district
ends at 19th Ave. and Dunlap (near Metrocenter)

Eastbound trains start at 19th Avenue and Dunlap, retracing basically the same route, heading south and then east and ending at Gilbert Road and Main Street (as of 5/18/19).

Schedule

To find where to get on and off the train and get schedule information, download a Transit Book, check the Valley Metro website, get the Ridekick app, or try Google Maps. If you don’t want to bother with the schedule, you can just show up. Trains run about every 10-20 minutes until around midnight or 1am.

Park-and-Ride

If there’s not a stop near you, you can drive to one of the 11 Park-and-Ride lots, where there’s free parking for people riding the light rail or bus. You just find a spot, lock your car, and head to the station platform.

2. Get your ticket.

You can easily get a pass from a fare vending machine at your stop before you leave.

Follow the prompts on screen to select an all-day pass and activate it immediately. Then pay with cash, credit or debit.

Your pass and receipt print from two different places. Make sure to pick them both up!

On the Station Platform

While you’re waiting, check the signs to make sure in the right spot for the train going in your direction.

Stations have…

fare vending machines
scrolling LED signs that say when to expect the next train
seating
some shade
route maps (simplified to highlight the stops – not to scale)
drinking fountains
artwork inspired by the local area

Stations don’t have…

restrooms
food or anything for purchase (except rail passes)

You can bring your own food and beverage in sealed or spill proof containers.

3. Get on board.

Trains stop at every station. You don’t have to flag them down. If one looks like it’s not stopping, Don’t panic! It’s probably just pulling up farther.

When the train pulls up to the station, it will come to a complete stop, the doors automatically open, and you can step into any car. Find a seat or or a place to stand and hold on to the railing. If you are standing, try to move back away from the doors, so people can easily get on and off.

There’s usually not anyone checking tickets as you get on. It’s kind of on the honor system. Occasionally, though, transit officers in black and white uniforms will come through and check tickets after the train is in motion. Not having one can get you fined up to $500.

Watch and listen for your stop. You can find a route map above some of the doors. And before each stop, a recording will say “approaching station” then the station name and whether you’ll exit the train on the left or right side. The information is also on scrolling LED signs in the middle of the ceiling of each car. Once you arrive, wait for the train to stop and doors to open, and you’re there!

– More light rail info –

Fare details. Day (round trip) pass: $4 / Week: $20 / Month: $64
Make sure you are waiting for the train going the direction you want to go. Most of the platforms are in the middle of the street and trains going both directions share them. However, around downtown Phoenix the line splits. So if you’re at the Phoenix Convention Center for example, the station for westbound trains is at Washington and eastbound trains stop a block south of there at Jefferson.
If you’re only going one way (to the airport, for example), you can purchase a 1-ride ticket. Once you purchase it, take your ticket and receipt. You have a two-hour window after purchasing to make your trip in one direction.
You may notice that there’s a “buy online” option on the Valley Metro website. This is NOT for last-minute purchases! Since electronic tickets are not accepted, you can order tickets online, and then they’ll be shipped to you via snail mail.
Pets are allowed only in enclosed carriers or cages that fit on your lap. Of course, this doesn’t apply to service animals – they just need to be out of walkways.
RailRide: Talking Stick Resort Arena event tickets now include a free ride to the event!

May 2, 2019February 19, 2020

Poetry in Planters

Nearly 1000 people from 5 countries waxed poetic about life in Tucson, Arizona, when the city put out a call for haiku submissions in its first annual Old Pueblo Poems literary competition.

Tucson’s poet laureate, TC Tolbert, selected 20 winning entries.

You can find the poems on signs nestled among desert plants along Congress Street and Stone Avenue in Downtown Tucson.

Phillip and I spotted a few – which you can see photos of below – while we were headed to The Screening Room for the Arizona International Film Festival (AZIFF).

Several of the selections for this year’s AZIFF featured poetry in some form, and there were poetry readings almost daily. So having haiku sprinkled down the street in front of the Screening Room was a perfect complement.

‪Waiting for the buzz
Of late-summer cicadas
Yellow flowers fall.
–Alanna Mejia

El Presidio
Layers of time not of past
Sun warmed adobe
–Philip Dean Brown

late night dance party
confetti spills down Congress
monsoon washes clean
–Lisa Periale Martin
‪

Now the day goes still
Letting Tucson catch its breath
While the sky burns red
–Judi Molina

– More info on Old Pueblo Poems –

On display during daylight hours, now through June 1.
Take the 1/2-mile “haiku hike” to see them all.
The Old Pueblo Poems project is a collaboration of the Downtown Tucson Partnership and U of A Poetry Center.

April 18, 2019February 23, 2022

Updates on 2019 Arizona International Film Festival

vintage film equipment at the Screening Room

The 2019 Arizona International Film Festival (AZIFF) is still going on! You have until Sunday to get to Tucson and check it out!

We were there for the first week of AZIFF and are back home now. You’ll be able to read about our trip and films we saw soon!

In the meantime, I’ve been posting updates on Instagram Stories and Twitter. You can also read short reviews of last year’s documentaries and narrative films I wrote as a Guest Columnist over at The Two Gay Geeks, a fun site (and podcast) that covers a wide range of entertainment topics and highlights work by independent creators.

So have you watched anything interesting recently?

– More AZIFF 2019 Info –

Dates: April 10-21
Location: Downtown Tucson. All screenings are at The Screening Room, except for one at Loft Cinema. There are also a few parties, etc. in nearby venues like Hotel Congress.
Schedule
Hotels: Lots of Tucson hotels support the festival and give discounts if you mention you’re attending.

We were guests of Arizona International Film Festival.