Tucson Oddity: Lighted 'Desert O' downtown provides new angle on round

It could be a doughnut or strange inner tube. But then again, "Desert O," near City Hall, means whatever the viewer wants it to.

Tucson Oddity: Lighted 'Desert O' downtown provides new angle on round

It could be a doughnut or strange inner tube. But then again, "Desert O," near City Hall, means whatever the viewer wants it to.

Tucson Oddity: Lighted 'Desert O' downtown provides new angle on round

Many inventions that keep us going are based on the circle - things such as wheels, gears … even doughnuts. The circle is an organic shape. We see it in the sky, on our bodies, in our gardens - pretty much everywhere we look.

Education notes

CDO seniors heading to US culinary event

Historic Manning House closing as event center, goes up for sale

The front entryway to the Manning House in downtown Tucson displays intricate architechtural designs. The house is selling for $2.48 million - "a bargain," says the owner.

Tucson's Manning House closing as event center, goes up for sale

One of the go-to spaces to hold events in Tucson, the historic Manning House, has been put on the market. It will host no events after July 11.

Streetcar work cited in closing of Sharks Nightclub

Sharks Nightclub on East Congress Street has closed, making it the first business casualty attributed to construction of the modern streetcar.

Pedicone, 3 principals travel to S. Korea

TUSD Superintendent John Pedicone and other district representatives are in South Korea this week working on a student exchange program.

Peterson building getting fix-up

The closed-down building at 37 E. Pennington St. isn't much to look at, but that will change due to the Downtown Tucson Partnership's facade improvement program. City High School will be the new occupant.

Peterson building getting fix-up

This artist's rendering shows the remodeled facade for City High School's expansion into the old Cele Peterson building at 37 E. Pennington St.

Peterson building getting fix-up

A Pennington Street building so unremarkable and crumbling that most Tucsonans probably have never noticed it is about to get a makeover. In its new form, it will shine - literally.

More downtown restaurants offering sidewalk patio dining

Enjoying a coffee or a cocktail and watching the street life unfold could soon become more common in downtown Tucson.

More downtown restaurants offering sidewalk patio dining

Beth Tucker enjoys the patio at Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails at 135 S. Sixth Ave. Restaurateur Janos Wilder said sidewalk seating is "a good idea. ... We live in a place where we can be outside a lot of the time, and we should take advantage of it."

More downtown restaurants offering sidewalk patio dining

Pedestrians walk past Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails at 135 S. Sixth Ave. The city has streamlined the process for restaurants that want to offer sidewalk seating in an effort to enliven the street scene downtown.

Safford school's art project brings generations together magically

Josh Schachter, on the ladder, and Casey Wollschlaeger smooth out the photographic images of Arcadio Borboa and his grandson Christopher Borboa on the wall at Safford K-8 Magnet School. The older Borboa attended the school in his youth, and his grandson is a student there now.

Safford school's art project brings generations together magically

Second-graders Jordan Murillo, left, and Carlos Rodriguez try to get the goo - paste made from water, wheat flour and sugar - off their hands.

Safford school's art project brings generations together magically

An art project at Safford K-8 Magnet School is aiming to do more than just please the eye.

Oscar Night fundraiser extends red carpet here

You don't have to head to La-la Land to hit the runway for the upcoming Academy Awards: the Fox Tucson Theatre will roll out the red carpet right here in Tucson at Oscar Night America 2012.

Lawmaker would let drivers store license, registration on phones

PHOENIX - After years of debate about banning cellphone use while driving, state lawmakers are now looking at making the omnipresent cellphone a critical part of your driving experience.

Rio Nuevo wants talks with Tucson kept secret

The public nearly got a chance to learn more about the terms that are on the table in the mediation between the Rio Nuevo board and the city of Tucson.