Marana Unwrapped

Tower Theatres in the Arizona Pavilions is open, and it seems like it’ll be a success. The sneak preview on December 6 was interesting. The parking lot was pretty full, a few radio stations were out front, and they collected lots of unwrapped toys and canned food for the price of admission.

If you’re used to the Foothills theater, you’ll definitely find the lobby area rather small. I guess you could call it cozy. The arcade was also small, but this is in comparison to the large arcade next to the Foothills theater.

The Tower Theatres’ website is up and running, so you’ll be able to purchase tickets online.

I do have one small critique. I asked some of the staff what a certain movie was about, but no one really knew. I think it wouldn’t hurt if the staff were given a synopsis of the movies that were showing. Not that I can’t look it up online in the future, but opening night didn’t publicize the movies ahead of time. A small point, but something they might want to consider.

My biggest concern is traffic safety. I’ve always felt that the curving road makes it difficult to see when you’re exiting onto Arizona Pavilions Drive, but there wasn’t a lot of traffic anyway. That’s going to change with the theater, In-N-Out, Chili’s, and Panda Express.

It might be a good idea for the town to add another traffic light, or maybe several speed bumps. And perhaps they need to move any bushes or trees that make it difficult to see around the corners. I’d also like to see more stop signs within the theater’s parking lot. Safety first!

Have you been to Tower Theatres? Tell us about your experience.

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Tucson is unbearably hot in the summer, and it can get quite cool in the winter. So what’s a parent to do with bored children?

My daughter has a great time at My Gym, which has structured programs for babies, toddlers, and young children (up to age 13). She gets to play, run, jump, scream, and learn about fitness at the same time. The staff is great too, and they make sure to learn your child’s name.

Even better, they just started a new membership plan. Even though each child signs up for one class a week, the child can go to several classes during the week (calling ahead to be sure it isn’t full). Plus, there’s a few days that have an hour of free play.

If you have children, definitely check out My Gym. But be careful. If you take your child once, she may want to go back all the time. My Gym is located at 7366 N. Oracle Rd.

Have you had a chance to visit? What did you and your child think?

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The apparently long-awaited opening of the northwest-side’s In-N-Out Burger has finally arrived.

Traffic signs went up a couple of days in advance, warning drivers there might be delays on the November 15 opening.

I had never tried In-N-Out Burger, but after waiting about a week for the lines to die down, I finally tried it.

I was quite impressed.

The company pays its workers well (starting at $9.50/hour), their hamburgers aren’t frozen, their fries are cut on-site (you can watch them cut the potato before dropping it in the fryer), and their ingredients are great (no trans fats and no preservatives).

The company is privately-owned, so the managers are employees (rather than franchise owners).

My 2-year-old even had a great time, getting stickers from the cashier, and eating outside under the umbrella-covered table.

I’ll definitely be a regular, as long as it stays as clean and comfortable as it is during these early days.

In-N-Out Burger is in the Arizona Pavilions, on Cortaro Road, just west of I-10. It’s just one of the many new restaurants and businesses in the quickly-growing shopping center.

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