City Week

The Quilted Quicker Hanger-Upper

Annie Gordon Wall Quilt Exhibit
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays; 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sundays; Jan. 1 through Jan. 26
Unity of Tucson, 3617 N. Camino Blanco
795-8747

This is my last batch of City Week offerings. I'll let the mission statement of Unity of Tucson sum up how I feel about the job I've accomplished these past months: "Within the principles of Unity, we accept the opportunity to offer a ministry of love, inspiration, learning, healing and joy that will enable all people to achieve their Divine potential." Yep, right on the money.

In the spirit of doing good things and being loving, Annie Gordon will be exhibiting her wall quilts at Unity of Tucson and, well, it would do my sweet, sweet heart some good if you would attend. The quilts, relying again on my constant pal, the press release, "memorialize people or events and incorporate photographs transferred to fabrics, and (are) one-of--a-kind art quilts."

These quilts are on display through Jan. 26, and you can check them out 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sundays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Annie Gordon will be around on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., if you want to shoot the breeze about quilts or other pleasantries. Did I mention it's free? Well, it is, and I'm out. Peace, Tucson. --M.P.


Feeling Good This Year

The Providence Institute's Grand Reopening
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 1
The Providence Institute, 3400 E. Speedway Blvd.
323-0203

If you have ever wondered why people who take yoga classes or get massages are often happy, happy people, then you need to get yourself over to The Providence Institute's grand reopening. According to its Web site, the institute was "formed for the purpose of promoting world peace." Sounds easy, sure, but how? "It is our belief that world peace can only be realized when individuals find inner peace." Oh, I see, makes more sense now, thanks. "It is this philosophy that guides our every endeavor."

Right ... so moving on, this world-peace-loving institute is achieving its goals with a jam-packed day of free yoga, chair massages and a 10 percent discount on everything from yoga passes to massage packages. In case you haven't figured it out yet, The Providence Institute is a place for all things inner-healing, and is the perfect place to get your yoga or massage on. It's moved to a new location that is equipped with a "yoga room with bamboo floor and mountain view" and other swell amenities.

This move, of course, means good news for those who love free things--especially free things that can lead to inner peace and, eventually, possibly world peace. Plus, it is good news for The Providence Institute clients who would like a peaceful way to acquaint themselves with the new location, and get tons of discounts and free deals. And for those of us who found world peace wasn't sitting under the Christmas tree this season, it's a start. --M.P.


Behind the Symphony

Behind the Music: Lecture led by Ariel Parkington
7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 29
Music Academy of Tucson, 1735 E. Fort Lowell Road, Suite No. 6
327-2303

VH1's Emmy-nominated (for "Outstanding Non-Fiction Series") show Behind the Music has taught us some classic life lessons. For instance, try to avoid drugs and certainly try to avoid overdosing on heroin (thanks Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe). Also, try to avoid getting in the middle of an East Coast/West Coast rap war (R.I.P., Notorious BIG). It's also best to avoid drinking and driving, sleazy agents and gold diggers.

However, getting "behind the music" does not always mean groupies, death and bad haircuts. For example, the lecture by Ariel Parkington (a Tucson Symphony Orchestra violinist and Music Academy of Tucson instructor) is slated to explore the world of some of history's great composers and analyze the creative genius behind some of their masterpieces.

This will not be a lecture for the couch potatoes who adore VH1's show. As the press release notes: "Sharing a more 'hands-on' experience than traditional lecture series, participants will explore compositions, learn what to listen for in the actual concert setting, gain added insight about the composer and thrill during the live concert experience." This means it will be fun times all around.

This lecture is being presented in conjunction with Takezawa Plays Brahms!, the fifth concert in a nine-concert series by the Music Academy of Tucson and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra (happening on Jan. 5, 6 and 8). The works of Brahms and Jeffery Cotton will be featured in the concert. Worried you know nothing about classical music and that it would be best to avoid the lecture? Some knowledge for you: "Both amateur musicians and those with no prior musical background will benefit from an opportunity to broaden their musical horizons and greatly enhance their enjoyment of the symphony experience." I'm sold, and you can be, too, for $30 a ticket. And remember, friends don't let friends drive drunk and naked on the hood of a Porsche. --M.P.


They Choo-Choo-Choose You

Tucson Garden Railroad Society Train Shows
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 29; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 30
R.E. Lindsey Jr. Auditorium, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, 3601 S. Sixth Ave.
751-9628

Whether you are a fan of Monopoly's Reading Railroad or a lover of the book/film Murder on the Orient Express, the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System has an event for you. The Tucson Garden Railroad Society (wow, Tucson has a society for everything!) will be having their holiday train-off through Thursday and Friday at the SAVAHCS' R.E. Lindsey Jr. Auditorium.

According to the press release, the train shows are for "patients, employees, volunteers, families, children and especially the young at heart." If you fit those categories--or you just dig trains--this is the show to check out. There will be "numerous running model trains, going back from America's earliest model operational trains, to the modern trains currently running on our nation's tracks today."

Members of the Tucson Garden Railroad Society will be on hand during the event to explain everything from the history of the model trains and how they assembled the displays to everything you want to know about their society. The event is open to the public, and they invite you all to come out with their great price: free. Plus, while you're at the SAVAHCS, you could, you know, check into possibly volunteering. --M.P.