Tucson Padres Patrick Finley: Decker hopes shift can be majors one

Cody Decker, who is honing his catching skills in a bid to make the big leagues, played in 32 games in Tucson with the Padres last season.

Arizona football: 'Hand-picked' Bills paying off for Cats

After 33 years as an assistant at West Virginia, Bill Kirelawich thought his coaching career was over. Then, Rich Rodriguez asked him to join the UA program.

Check out the Chalk Art Festival at Park Place April 6-7

Artist Chris Leon partnered with some local rescue groups and drew pictures of dogs for adoption at last year's festival.

Civano to host neighborhood tour

Paul Vasquez, a certified bonsai instructor, demonstrated his craft in a demonstration at Civano Nursery a year ago.

We have liftoff

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"Empty Bowls" fundraiser in Tucson to fill food bank's need

For $15 you can pick out a handmade ceramic bowl and get all kinds of tasty edibles. Your money will go to the Interfaith Community Services Food Bank.

Arizona football: Casteel ready for defense to roar in '13

"The only way we're going to get better is by getting reps," said defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel. The Wildcats gave up 499 yards per game last year.

Art festivals, fairs, markets sprouting all over the place

The Park Place Chalk Art Festival is back for a second year on April 6-7. Last year artist Chris Leon drew pictures of dogs available for adoption.

TSO harpist Vivona to play solo, choir show at Voyager

Christine Vivona plays second harp with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.

Oro Valley arts fest is 1 big to-do

The Oro Valley Festival of the Arts will feature more than a hundred artists working in an array of media. Last year, Charlie Forbes was scouting a necklace at Sheaz Jewelry, one of the vendors.

Party like the 1880s

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Eat. Play. Celebrate Year of Snake

Taste of China Festival organizers expect more than 2,000 people to sample food, play games, and watch demonstrations, and performances to welcome the Year of the Snake.

Eat. Play. Celebrate Year of Snake

Organizers were serious when they named Saturday's celebration the Taste of China Festival. There will be food demonstrations from various regions of the giant nation. And of course, plenty to eat.

School notes

Oil painter Walter Porter worked, with subject in background, on a piece during the Plein Air Paint Out last year at Green Fields Country Day School. Interested artists are invited to take part in this year's event.

Morsels

Noble Hops is launching a monthly series of craft beer dinners on Tuesday - four courses will be pared with with four specialty beers from a different craft brewery. Abita Brewery from Louisiana is first up.

Extra day for a trip to Oracle State Park

Bird-watchers came out early for the "grand reopening" of Oracle State Park about a year ago. Budget cuts have made access to the park a hit-or-miss proposition.

Basketball: Plenty of targets in 2nd half

Flowing Wells guard Lyndsay Leikem shoots over Sahuaro's Chelsey Hunsaker. The Caballeros have won 11 straight.

Northwest calendar

Oro Valley Fitness, 10550 N. La Cañada Drive, No. 160, will host a family-friendly walk, "Healthy Nights in Oro Valley," on Tuesday. The walk, which is free, starts at 5:45 p.m.

Stretch of Broadway joins list of AZ endangered-history spots

The Kannally house serves as visitor center for Oracle State Park, a part of a park system deemed endangered.

Readers dish on restaurant faves

"Wonderful organic food, superb pizza, and even gluten-free items" is how one reader describes the offerings at Renee's Organic Oven, 7065 E. Tanque Verde Road.