Science and math lessons built into Legos playtime

Diego Ford Osuna, 9, center, methodically positions a Lego character while Bricks 4 Kidz local franchise owner Ruth Green helps her son, Nicholas Green, 6, left, balance another structure during the weeklong summer camp.

Incentives yield results

The One East Broadway Building under construction on the northeast corner of Broadway and Stone Avenue was the first to pass through the city's business incentive program. The seven-story building will house a bike shop, restaurant and 24 residential units, as well as the new home of the Pim…

Dragonboat Festival

Pierson Chan focuses before he performs with the rest of the Lion Dance Team during the Tucson Chinese Association's 2013 Dragonboat Festival on Saturday, 1288 W. River Road. Kids squared off with balloon-propelled dragon boat races, while everyone dined on Asian-style hot dogs, Chinese tama…

Out of the offices and into local businesses

Sandra Sanchez owns Maya Quetzal on North Fourth Avenue, which often bustles with customers when the snowbirds are here. The restaurant would most likely benefit from a campaign to get business and bureaucratic meetings in businesses along the streetcar construction route.

Tucson's Frost going way, way east

Frost co-founders Jeffrey Kaiserman, left, and Stephen Ochoa flank gelato master Nazario Melchiondia at their Skyline Drive location.

Guild hosts summer art show

Robert Burrell chats with artist Summer Celeste at June's "Watch Our Walls" show at the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild gallery, 5605 E. River Road, Suite 131. Celeste's work is displayed on the wall to the left. The show includes paintings, jewelry, fiber art, glasswork and scarves for sa…

Guild hosts summer art show

Up to 3 Alaska brown bears will call Reid Park Zoo home

Workers with Cemrock Naturalistic Environments retrofit the former polar bear exhibit to provide a comfortable home for as many as three Alaska brown bears. The zoo is working with wildlife officials in Alaska who help rescue orphaned bears or bears that can't be reintroduced into the wild.

Magee Road construction

Motorists travel along West Magee Road, as seen looking east from North La Canada Drive on Saturday, June 8, 2013.Construction to widen the road to a four-lane divided road is set to begin in a few weeks.

Share the road

A Tucson scene: A cowboy loping along next to Tucson's biggest freeway interchange, for Interstate 19 and Interstate 10. The path is part of The Loop, the bicycle/multi-use path that nearly encircles Tucson. The county is in process of completing another segment near the interchange. – Rick Wiley

Share the road

Tucson's Loop taking shape as 2 parts of multiuse-trail web come together

Hector Saucedo takes Harry for a morning walk along The Loop at the archaeological park near Julian Wash. Total length of The Loop is now about 100 miles. It'll be 131 miles when done, including several spur routes off the main one looping around the city.

Tucson's Loop taking shape as 2 parts of multiuse-trail web come together

Monique Lomax makes sure the helmet on daughter Ayanna, 10, is secure as they bike along near the Julian Wash archaeological park.

Falora Pizza serves slice of Naples

The seasonal Rana pizza, $14, with locally farmed toppings, at Falora Pizza + Espresso.

Falora Pizza serves slice of Naples

Head pizzaiolo Joseph Tellez at Falora works out a circle of dough that will be topped with just tomatoes, basil and mozzarella for the Margherita ($13), a classic Neapolitan pizza. It will be baked in a wood-burning pizza oven from Italy.

Farmers market nears 10 yrs.

John Keller, left, with Academy Gardens gives a gardening idea or two to Jenelle Parish and her son Adam Gilbride, 8, at the Oro Valley Farmers Market. Keller rounds up salvaged plants before they're tossed by local retailers and sells them for donations that benefit Joseph's Pantry, a food …

Farmers market nears 10 yrs.

House fire on North Gila Road

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The Loop, Julian Wash Archaeological Park

Hector Saucedo, right, takes his dog Harry for a morning walk on the paved path along The Loop at the Julian Wash Archaeological Park. Saucedo says he brings Harry just about every morning.

The Loop, Julian Wash Archaeological Park

Joggers, cyclists and equestrians, like this cowboy passing underneath Interstate 19, share the paved path along The Loop near the Julian Wash Archaeological Park.

The Loop, Julian Wash Archaeological Park

As cars pass by at the Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 interchange, a walker goes for a morning walk on paved path along The Loop at the Julian Wash Archaeological Park 2820 S. 12th Ave., on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in Tucson, Ariz. Workers are completing another link in the 131-mile multi-u…

The Loop, Julian Wash Archaeological Park

Joggers, cyclists and equestrians alike share the paved path along The Loop near the Julian Wash Archaeological Park, 2820 S. 12th Ave., on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in Tucson, Ariz. Workers are completing another link in the 131-mile multi-use trail that skirts around the metropolitan Tucson area.

The Loop, Julian Wash Archaeological Park

Joggers, cyclists and equestrians, like this cowboy, alike share the paved path along The Loop near Interstate 19 and Interstate 10 interchange by the Julian Wash Archaeological Park.

The Loop, Julian Wash Archaeological Park

Hector Saucedo goes for his daily morning walk on paved path along The Loop near the Julian Wash Archaeological Park.

The Loop, Julian Wash Archaeological Park

Stopping on their way to tennis practice, mom Monique Lomax adjusts daughter Ayanna's, 10, helmet as they bike along The Loop near the Julian Wash Archaeological Park.

The Loop, Julian Wash Archaeological Park

Joggers, cyclists and equestrians alike share the paved path along The Loop near the Julian Wash Archaeological Park.

Photography by Mike Christy

A fireworks display caps off the night during the 2013 University of Arizona commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10, 2013, at Arizona Stadium.

Community leaders seek a facelift for 12th Ave.

Diana Teran, owner of La Tauna Tortillas sells shop regular Ardell Manuel a dozen whole wheat tortillas at the store, 5650 S. 12th Ave.

Community leaders seek a facelift for 12th Ave.

Francisco Moreno lays whole wheat tortillas out flat for the cooling phase in the morning hours on La Tauna Tortillas, 5650 S. 12th Ave. The baking process begins at 4 a.m. for workers who will churn out 7,200 tortillas today.

Community leaders seek a facelift for 12th Ave.

Racks of baked pan de muerto for Dia de los Muertos, complete with honey glaze and sugar topping, await pickup at the La Estrella Bakery, 5266 S. 12th Ave.

At nature's mercy

Harvest manager Rachel Nisch goes over details on the harvest board, a budget for plants to harvest and orders to fill, with co-owner C.J. Marks at Sleeping Frog Farms near Benson.

Sitters, 4 dogs able to escape

Neighbor Meghan Detty said the homeowners were away on vacation but were informed of the fire.

Sitters, 4 dogs able to escape

A Mountain Vista Fire District crew mops up at the scene of a fire that destroyed a home in the 10000 block of North Gila Road on the far northwest side Saturday morning.

At nature's mercy

Intern Ben Shonkwiler plants peppers at Sleeping Frog Farms in front of one of six hoop houses installed this year to mitigate hard winter freezes. The 75-acre Sleeping Frog Farms produces fruits and vegetables for Tucson restaurants, a Community Supported Agriculture program and farmers markets.

At nature's mercy

Co-owner C.J. Marks tears up spring seasonal plants to make way for arugula at Sleeping Frog Farms in the San Pedro River Valley. The farm, about 30 minutes north of Benson, was hit by frost in 2011 and 2013 and lost much of its winter produce.

mystery books are in their blood

Elizabeth Gunn, middle, takes notes as Dr. F. Mazda Shirazi of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center discusses the science of poison during a Arizona Mystery Writers workshop.

mystery books are in their blood

Dr. F. Mazda Shirazi of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center presents information on poisons and varied symptoms.

Warm May gives way to the roasting season

Cousins Darnell Fountain, 5, and Jeremy Robinson, 13, cooled off Friday at Quincie Douglas pool, 1563 E. 36th St.

Warm May gives way to the roasting season

Kids and adults alike enjoyed the second day of city pool season Friday atop the water slide at the Quincie Douglas pool.

Port here now servicing international rail cargo

A diesel locomotive with a haul that includes the first international shipping containers arrives during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Port of Tucson. With Union Pacific Railroad's stamp of approval, the Port of Tucson is now able to service the containers via Long Beach, Calif., and Los …

Desert bats get an upclose look

Environmental educator Steve Russell helps Lee Pedersen, left, make a bat craft during Outdoor Family Day: The Lives of Bats, a lecture and activity class at Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road. At right are Katie Branca, right, 9, and Taylor Dillingham, 10.

Desert bats get an upclose look

Work proceeds apace on Tucson airport's solar array

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Dispute looms in Sierra Vista over housing vs. water rights

Dead trees lie piled along the San Pedro River in Sierra Vista. Environmental activists and the federal Bureau of Land Management have filed suit in Superior Court to overturn the state's approval of water use for a proposed nearby 6,900-home and apartment development.

Dispute looms in Sierra Vista over housing vs. water rights

A sign warns hunters and trespassers to keep clear of land proposed for 6,900 homes and apartments, which would be developed north of Buffalo Soldier Trail and east of Arizona 92 in Sierra Vista. The nearby San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area was established in 1988.

Arizona Baseball: Cats left wondering: 'What if?'

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Being Handy: A how-to guide

Guin King garden department supervisor at The Home Depot, 3689 E. Broadway, lets Tony Alba test the feel of Envirotile, a patio flooring made from recycled material, during one of the home improvement store's free do-it-yourself workshops.

Golf: Cross-country road trip, driver needed

Luke Bielawski, talking to students at San Miguel High School, visited Tucson on Friday, his 25th day into a cross-country golfing odyssey.

Golf: Cross-country road trip, driver needed

Cross-country golfer Luke Bielawski, looking back while hitching up a camper trailer at San Miguel High School, says he gets "a lot of smiles from people driving by."