Marana Unwrapped

Have you ever gone camping with your kids? Well here’s your chance. Tomorrow, April 12, 2008, might be the perfect time.

Marana is having Family Night Under the Stars, which sounds like a lot of fun. There’s going to be music, a movie (“The Goonies”), stargazing, bonfires, and more.

The flyer says you need to be registered for overnight camping by last week, but don’t worry, it’s not too late. You can register online by 11:59p.m. on Saturday, April 12.

If you don’t want to spend the night, feel free to take your family to Ora Mae Harn park and enjoy a beautiful, fun-filled evening. The weather will be kind of cool, with a low of 55 degrees, so be prepared.

Have fun! If you go, please let us know how it turns out. 

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Springtime in Marana and Tucson brings warmer weather, earlier sunrises, and swarms of bees.

The other day I saw a swarm crossing the street (they waited for a green light). It was an amazing sight, but I was glad I was in my car with the windows closed.

Bees usually swarm when the colony splits, and they go in search of a new nesting place. Even though we have to be careful of them, bees are essential to agriculture and nature in general.

So keep your eyes open, and watch for bee activity near your home. For more information about bees, check out this website to get started.

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I’m relatively new to Tucson, having lived in Marana for less than 3 years. But the “growth” and “progress” I’ve seen in this short amount of time is amazing!

It makes me wonder how much we’re losing while we’re gaining. Habitat for wildlife is the most obvious loss, but it may not matter much to you if you’re not an animal. If you encounter a pack of javelinas in your backyard, mountain lions next door, or “killer bees” right outside your front door, suddenly the loss of habitat makes a difference in your life too.

Sometimes what’s being lost isn’t nature. At the corner of Silverbell and Ina there’s a historical house that’s scheduled to be demolished to make way for Silverbell Crossroads, a retail property. The house is estimated to have been built in the early 1900’s.

We’re also losing our views of what’s left of the natural world. Condominiums will be built on Silverbell Rd. across from Continental Ranch, possibly blocking mountain vistas for current residents.

At the same time, I’m looking forward to the new library on Silverbell Rd. and Cortaro. I use a lot of gas, which affects the environment (and my pocketbook) driving out to the Nanini branch.

What do you think? When is growth good, a necessary evil, or just plain bad?

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