Bulletin Board: Loved and Loft

A mishmash of news about upcoming films, food, and free classes!

Loft Cinema mural — Jessica Gonzales paints a mural outside The Loft Cinema.

Goodies

I’ve been posting this kind of good stuff as part of the Happenings List, but a few things popped up that I wanted to share with you sooner!

1. Love you.

MyIntent has created a 14-day series of journal prompts and challenges around the topic of Self-Love – specifically how you can cultivate a positive and healthy relationship with yourself.

2. Drink to this.

Next up in the Agave Renaissance series of free lectures and tastings (held monthly via Zoom): Tumamoc Agave with Suzy and Paul Fish on 2/10 + Sonoran Local Agave Spirits with Jesús Garcia on 2/11. (We met all three of them at past Agave Heritage Week events!)

3. “Buy out the 8 o’clock show… Let’s all go to the movies!”

For the month of February, you can rent out The Loft Cinema in Tucson for $150! The rental includes…

Up to two hours in-screen for 2-4 people.
1 complementary glass of sparkling wine (or nonalcholic drink) + 1 medium popcorn for all attendees.

4. What’s Up, Docs?

Watch 15 short documentaries created by students at the UA School of Theatre, Film + Television free on The Loft Cinema’s YouTube channel!

Hot Off the Press Releases

1. Walkers Lasso The Rocks

Apple TV would like you to know that they have received four Golden Globe nominations for Apple Originals programming. I haven’t seen any of the items on this list (I think you need an Apple TV+ subscription), but sounds like they may be good, so let me know if you have!

Wolfwalkers (Best Motion Picture, Animated): A young apprentice hunter journeys to Ireland with her father intending to wipe out the last wolf pack – until she befriends a member of a mysterious tribe rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. Directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart.
“Ted Lasso” (Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy + Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy Series, Jason Sudeikis): a comedy about a college football coach from Kansas hired to coach a professional soccer team in England, despite having no experience coaching soccer. Starring Jason Sudeikis.
On The Rocks (Best Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role In Any Motion Picture, Bill Murray): a generation-clash comedy about a young New York mother faced with sudden doubts about her marriage, who teams up with her larger-than-life playboy father to tail her husband. Written and directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Bill Murray, Rashida Jones and Marlon Wayans.

2. Independents Cinema

Members of real-life band The Sweet Remains are starring in an upcoming musical comedy/drama. The Independents is about three solo artists who reluctantly join forces and journey across America for one last shot at musical glory. It will premiere February 26 to view on demand via Laemmle Theatres and Angelika Cinemas.

Tucson Chews On…

Food news in the Old Pueblo.

The Red Light Lounge (inside The Downtown Clifton hotel) is now open for lunch to go! Hours are Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm. (They’ll continue serving dinner and drinks daily from 5-10pm.)
Decibel Coffee Works has started serving food. The kitchen is open daily, 7am-2pm with a limited, soon-to-be expanded menu.

December 17, 2020December 17, 2020

Top Fives of 2020

We humans are weirdly resilient.

"Dirty P" art by John Carrillo. — “Dirty P” art by John Carrillo.

A few years ago, I wrote (through tears), “Life can be such an off-balance mix of highs and lows, beautiful moments and heartbreaking ones all scrambled together.”

It remains true at the close of this tumultuous, challenging, disorienting – and, yes, often heartbreaking – year. There are points of light, even in dark times.

Dog — Quijote hanging out with me before polling place setup in November.

I asked a few friends to think of some good moments they experienced in 2020 and share them in the form of a top five list of things they did or simply enjoyed.

Their lovely responses (and fun photos!) are below.

Handmade clothes and quilts — Craft projects by Kelli.

Kelli Donley Williams: Top 5 Things I Made

These are my top five favorite makes of 2020 – a year that provided ample time for me to be creative.

1. Cornflower Yoke Cardigan from Vintage Baby Knits for my niece, Maxine Eleanor. She was born August 1.

2. No. 1 shirt from designer Sonya Philip. I learned how to sew basic garments this year. I made several of these and lived in them all summer!

3. I participated in Denyse Schmidt’s Proverbial Quilt Along. The quilt reads, “The Darkest Nights Make the Brightest Stars.” I gave it to my eldest niece Alexis, who headed off to college in August and was having a hard time with everything she’d been forced to miss due to the pandemic.

4. My best friend Meghann turned 40 in August and asked for a quilt in her colors. This is the most ambitious quilting project I’ve ever completed. My mom quilted the top with her longarm, to make it extra special. The pattern is an Ohio star.

5. I completed Morning Sky sweater in cornflower blue and have enjoyed wearing it. I really like the scalloped edge and the fit. I made it from inexpensive yarn, and it has held up nicely!

Healthy meals — Serious meal prep by Christin!

Christin Underwood: Top 5 Ways I Stayed Healthy during 2020

1. Meal prepped weekly to stay on my nutrition

2. Made sure to do at least 3 home workouts a week

3. Made sure to hike weekly for Vitamin D

4. FaceTime and Zoom called my family once a week

5. Journaled and did meditation for mental health

Lucrecer Braxton portrait — Lucrecer with some of her many plants, who she plays music and dances with.

Lucrecer Braxton: Top 5 Songs I’ve Been Listening to This Year

1. Diana Gordon, “Woman”

2. Almondmilkhunni feat. Evander Griiim, “Grapefruit”

3. Yung Baby Tate, “That Girl”

4. Maxine Ashley, “Lobster”

5. Koffee, “Toast”

Sangeeta and Shanauk got the beet. — 2018 photo that I dug up on Sangeeta’s Facebook.

Sangeeta Agarawal: Top Ways I Learnt To Do R+R This Year

1. Call and Zoom friends

2. Walks in nature and meditation retreats

3. Cook fun recipes

4. Clean and decorate house

5. Coloring and calligraphy

6. Reading spiritual books

7. Being in pajamas

8. A little bit of gardening

Dog in a tent — Laurel says her dog, Honeybear, is an excellent camper!

Top 5 Things I Enjoyed in Spite of 2020…

• from Laurel Shane:

1. Camping trips

2. Cuddling with my dog

3. Reading Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh

4. DIY projects like sewing masks and making home improvements

5. Rewatching The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

• from Vesna Taneva-Miller:

1. I went on my first meditation retreat in Stockbridge, MA a week before everything shut down because of COVID. This was on my 2020 list before 2020 arrived.

2. I went on an epic hike in Yosemite and hiked Half Dome. I was sooo lucky to be invited on this hike as going all the way to the top requires a permit that is given through a lottery system.

Stamps — Two of Vesna’s hand carved stamps.

3. I was able to stay home for 6 weeks when COVID first hit. We did a lot of walks in local parks. I also learned how to edit videos and filmed 3 classes for Skillshare.

4. I planted two fruit trees in my backyard: a fig and a pomegranate. I will always remember that they were planted during COVID year (haha)!

5. I am joining Carve December, and I am determined to carve a stamp a day during this month.

Happy campers — Lori camping with family.

• from Lori Meisner Cleland:

1. Socially distanced camping trips with my brother and his family

2. Discovering new (to me) music, like Gregory Porter

3. A slower pace

4. Increased support of and appreciation of small businesses

5. Seeing all the amazing creativity going on as people work to navigate this crazy year together

Food and beverages — Photos from some of the local restaurants Lori supported this year.

Photos that go with the lists are from the respective listmakers.

P.S. Dinah Liebold’s list of gift ideas that was so detailed and timely that it got its own post last week, so be sure to check that out if you haven’t already!

December 11, 2020July 22, 2023

Dinah’s Delicious Holiday Gift Ideas for 2020

[My sister-in-law Dinah always gives such fun gifts and beautiful handmade cards. I’m excited that today she’s sharing some of her ideas here with you! –S]

I enjoy giving presents under normal circumstances, but during 2020, I felt it was more important than ever to send fun surprises in the mail for my friends and family – for birthdays or just because – since I wasn’t able to see them as often (or at all).

"You take the cupcake" card — A birthday card made by Dinah.

Craft Beverages + Food

I try to seek out local companies here in Arizona or, at least, small businesses.

Derek Sips coffee

Derek is a teacher and a father of 5, who lives in Tempe, Arizona. He loves coffee and decided to start roasting beans himself as a side business. We shipped out bags of his coffee to several family members this year (and also to ourselves)!

StoneGrindz Chocolate

For my chocolate-loving friends, I discovered this company located in Scottsdale. They specialize in small batch, single-origin craft chocolate that’s beautifully packaged. I love how they come up with new flavors regularly.

Cartel Coffee menu — Menu at Cartel Coffee Lab in Tempe.

Cartel Coffee Lab

The original Cartel Coffee Lab location is in Tempe. I was pleased to see that they offered this “Stay at Home” blend, which was perfect for my friend Robin, who is coffee-obsessed and works from home. Plus, 10% of the profits go to a Navajo Nation COVID-19 relief fund.

Queen Creek Olive Mill

This company is located in Queen Creek, Arizona. I purchased some bottles of flavored olive oil for my brother’s and sister’s birthdays this year. It was a useful gift for them, as they like to cook, and it lasted awhile. I enjoyed hearing which foods they paired the olive oils with!

In addition to standard olive oil offerings, Queen Creek Olive Mill has unique flavors like vanilla bean and dark chocolate. There’s even a set called “Quarantine Essentials!”

Saratoga Peanut Butter Company

My husband Daniel did part of his Navy training near Saratoga Springs, New York, where this company is located. They offer a holiday pack of different kinds of peanut butter. I can’t wait to try more of their flavors in 2021!

A box of green because you're dope. — “A box of green” by Dinah.

DIY Inspiration

Color themed gifts — Color-themed goodies. Photos by Dinah.

Color-Themed Gift Boxes

For several birthdays this year, I put together boxes full of goodies of the same hue.

I sent my brother a “box o’ sunshine” with yellow items, since his birthday falls right after Christmas, the dreariest time in Montana’s winter. My sister-in-law’s birthday is right before St. Paddy’s Day, so she received all green gifts. And a few people received some “Out of the Blue” birthday boxes.

Hopefully, I can try it out with some other colors this coming year!

Dalgona Coffee (recipe)

We received a lovely gift in our mailbox of pre-measured mix to make Dalgona coffee drinks from a friend. We loved the idea so much that we copied it, making our own Dalgona coffee mixes send to other friends and family.

Once you have the dry mix, all you have to do is add boiling water and beat in the mixer until it turns into coffee-flavored whipped cream! Drink it with ice and your milk of preference.

This was a great way to make a “fancy” coffeehouse-style drink, while staying safe at home.

April 29, 2020April 29, 2020

Community in the Time of Coronavirus

While COVID-19 has thrown us all off balance, people are helping each other get back on their feet in some lovely ways – sharing their art, connecting people with resources, checking in on family and friends, donating where they can, helping the “helpers” on the front lines, and buying from their local mom-and-pop shops and restaurants. (All from a safe distance, of course!)

I’ve rounded up a list of various goodies to help you stay well, support independent artists and businesses, and give back.

Breathe background for Zoom video — Courtesy of Saywells Design + Why I Love Where I Live.

Free to Download

Adobe: Resources for creativity at home!

Coloring book pages by designers and illustrators. Each week, there’s a new set of pages with themes like “gratitude” and “alphabet.”
Short films about design.
Public domain images and fonts to liven up your paper craft projects!
Tips for photographing your plants and pets.

Badge Bomb: Fun stay-at-home-themed coloring pages, activity sheets, and stickers you can print and color.

Bluprint: Patterns for sewing face masks and instructions for folding no-sew masks.

Native Seeds/SEARCH:

Tips for collecting and saving seeds from your garden.
Lots of resources for gardening in desert climates.

Why I Love Where I Live:

Coloring pages by Southwestern artists.
Backgrounds for your phone or Zoom meetings by Tucson-based Saywells Design, including mask-wearing cacti.

Workshops

Debbie Allen Dance Academy: Founded by Debbie Allen of Fame fame, DADA is a non-profit organization with programs to expand young people’s access to dance + theater.

$3 dance classes on weekdays (signup via Zoom required).
Free Instagram Live classes on weekends.

Lisa Congdon: A couple of free online classes from an artist whose work always makes me smile.

MyIntent:

Free classes to begin and end each day (yoga, meditation, journaling, etc.)
A big list of free self-care resources.

Rohit Gijare: Virtual dance classes on Sundays…

$5 semi-classical or Bolly fusion workshop with the Bollywood Boulevard choreographer.
$8 for both classes with code BOTH.

Skillshare:

Free classes demonstrating a variety of art, craft, cooking, entrepreneurship, and other skills.
Premium membership free for 2 months. (New members only.)

Shop

Arts and Artisans: 40% off everything through April 30.

Badge Bomb:

Free colorful sheet of “Coronavirus Reward Stickers” by artist Gemma Correll with every order!
25% off all items in the Stay Home + Stay Busy collection.
Free shipping on US orders over $30 + international orders over $75.

Stay Home Reward Sticker Sheet by Gemma Correll on Badge Bomb.

Bookman’s: For every $25 gift card purchase, Bookman’s will add a $5 reward. For every $100, get a $25 reward!

Doggie Drawings Shop: Artwork by Lili Chin 20% off. This includes Dogs of the World prints and cute enamel pins of different dog breeds.

Dogs and Donuts: Free delivery in Tucson for orders over $15.

Downtown Tucson Partnership: DTP Gift Card Incentive Program…

Buy a $25 gift card for one of over 60 downtown businesses through the Downtown Tucson Partnership + receive a free $10 bonus!
Participating businesses include restaurants, museums, shops, bars/breweries, salons, fitness centers, a hotel, and a theater.
DTP will announce each round of gift card sales on its site. (Hint: They’ve mostly gone on sale on Fridays starting at 6am and sold out FAST!)
They’ve also gathered a lot of resources to help Tucsonans navigate life during the pandemic.

Hotel Congress: Additional $25 when you purchase a $100 gift card.

L.A. County Yarn Crawl Shops:

Knitting Tree – Sale on discontinued and overstocked items.
Wildflower Studio – Shibui Knits Maai $14/skein (regular $17.50) + free digital pattern for M.1 scarf by Shelli Anderson with purchase of 4 skeins.
Zoe’s Knit Studio – Free shipping (or curbside pickup) on select kits. Email info@zoesknitstudio.com for details.

MAST (at Mercado San Agustin): Free shipping on U.S. orders with promo code MARCHON. Or 25% off any one item made by Mellow, Sofie, or Tasha with code LEANON.

MyIntent:

50% off sitewide with code HERWORD50 (through May 10).
We featured a MyIntent necklace in a previous gift guide.

Arizona Hearts art print by Phoenix Supply Co.

Phoenix Supply Co.

Today: buy 1 art print, get one 50% off!
Free domestic shipping on orders $40+.
I know founder/artist Melissa through the Phoenix design community, and she is a stellar human being!

Not Just Quiltz:

Bolt of the Week 25% off.
All bolt BATIKS and precut bundles 15% off (half-yard minimum).
Select colors of King Tut thread $19.95/2000 yard cone (regular $29.95).
Closeout fabrics $8/yard, while supplies last.
We met this vendor at the Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival.

Seven Cups Fine Chinese Teas:

20% off Bai Long Xu (White Dragon Whiskers) Loose Leaf Sheng Puer tea.
Free delivery within the continental U.S.
Select tea ware on sale.

Spirit of the Artisan:

$10 tapestry tote bag special!
Another one of our favorite Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival vendors – now with an online shop!

Why I Love Where I Live:

Free shipping on orders over $15 with code 2020IG.
Buy a mask and they’ll donate one to a local organization!

Food (Arizona)

Phoenix Area

Cartel Coffee Lab, Tempe:

Free shipping (except subscriptions) with code STAYHOME.
Pickup available at original downtown Tempe location (on Ash).

Crown Public House, Phoenix: Weekday specials on green chili mac, wings, pizza, and more.

Peixoto Coffee, Chandler:

Buy 3 bags of coffee, get one free.
Free shipping or curbside pickup.
Make a donation to help them provide hot coffee to overnight hospital workers.

Republica Empanada, Mesa: $2 beer or $10 mix-and-match six pack with any order.

Tucson

Several Tucson restaurants are offering $30 takeout meals for two, as part of Tucson To-Go! Even though it’s presented by Sonoran Restaurant Week, this deal is ongoing.

Agustin Kitchen (at Mercado San Agustin): Burgers and sandwiches (a.k.a. “handhelds”) are buy one, get one free from 2-4pm daily. Walk-up or call-in orders.

Beaut Burger (at MSA Annex): Buy one, get one free vegan burgers weekdays from 4-5pm. Walk-up orders only.

Cartel Coffee Lab, Tucson:

Free shipping (except subscriptions) with code STAYHOME.
Pickup available at Grant and Campbell.

Cup Cafe (in Hotel Congress):

20% off Cup Cafe dishes to-go. New menu includes family style meals!
$2 off all pies and cakes by the slice.

Check out Tucson Foodie’s takeout guide or the lists that Brunch Babes Tucson has aggregated of current food, coffee, and alcohol options!

Yuma

Julieanna’s:

Ziggy’s On-The-Fly takeout menu has value-priced versions of their signature items.
Free delivery in Yuma. Curbside or patio pickup also available.
One of our Yuma favorites!

What is helping you find a sense of community during this time?

Chalk board sign — Good Oak Bar in Tucson

December 19, 2019November 4, 2021

Holiday Party Punch

My mom likes to throw these big, informal, everyone-come-on-over get-togethers, especially around Christmas. She’ll set out a bunch of food, while Dad gets the firepit going.

One perennial favorite of her holiday buffets is a delicious hot punch with spiced cranberry and citrus flavors. It tastes like the holidays and makes the house smell amazing. It’s particularly excellent for sipping around the fire on a chilly night.

The recipe makes enough for a crowd without requiring a lot of fuss, so you can focus on decking the halls and whatever else you need to do.

Mom makes it (by the gallon) and serves it in her crockpot to keep it hot all evening. She’ll put a ladle and a stack of festive mugs next to it, so guests can help themselves.

Although the title on her recipe card says “cranberry tea,” the tea part is actually optional. Most of the time, she leaves it out. Then you have an equally delicious hot cranberry punch.

Hot Cranberry Tea (or Punch) Recipe

1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1/4 cup loose black tea (omit for punch)
3 cups sugar
2 cups orange juice
1/2 gallon cranberry juice
1 cup lemon juice (or substitute a 12-ounce can of frozen lemonade and reduce sugar to 2 cups)
10 cups + 6 cups of hot water

Optional: orange and/or lemon slices and cinnamon sticks (for garnish).

Wrap the spices and tea in a piece of cheesecloth or place into a tea infuser.
Steep in 10 cups of hot water for 20 minutes.
Add sugar, juices, and 6 more cups of hot water.
If desired, garnish with orange or lemon slices and cinnamon sticks.
Serve hot.

Makes about 7 quarts of punch. (Invite a lot of people over.)

Cheers!