This month’s edition covers Tucson real estate market activity, we’ll share the 5 most important factors to selling, and then cover pre-existing homes vs. new construction.

 Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning.

 Program length:  approximately 9 minutes

This month’s edition covers Tucson real estate market activity and then we’ll walk you through the key steps of our annual insurance check-up. Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning.

Program length: approximately 6 1/2 minutes

Here is your opportunity to find that perfect diamond, precious gems, jewelry or raw minerals at the upcoming 53rd Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show held between January 26 to February 11, 2007.  Even though hotels may be booked, there still may be time to find a house to rent in Tucson, Oro Valley or Marana. Feel free to give me a call at 520-918-7462 with your housing needs.

This acclaimed show is held every year and is now the largest gem and mineral show in the United States.  It is anticipated that the 2007 Tucson Gem Show will probably be the biggest event ever with over 45 shows – up from 38 last year.  This year’s featured event is “Australia – Minerals from Down Under”.  Click on the link for event dates and ticket information, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society. 

The following excerpt can be found on the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau website . . . 

The Show That Started It All Back in 1955

“The legendary Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase has grown from a “club show” to a major show for collectors and enthusiasts from around the country and the world. Showcased here are the best gems, minerals, jewelry, lapidary and publication dealers from across the US. Also displayed are items from private collections and renowned museums worldwide, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

It all started in 1955 when a group of mineral collectors and rock hounds from the Tucson Gem & Mineral Society held a free exhibition at a local elementary school, open to the public. This show was an immediate hit, prompting organizers to make it an annual event. The following year, the show was moved to a Quonset hut at the Pima County Fair and Rodeo Grounds on South Sixth Avenue, where it stayed until 1972. The show eventually moved to the Tucson Convention Center Arena, where it is still hosted by Tucson Gem & Mineral Society volunteers.

As a result of the interest generated by the original show, satellite shows have proliferated all over the city. These shows cater to the interests of the growing number of people coming to town. Today, one of the fastest-growing segments of the Tucson shows is beads — first-time visitors to a bead show will be dazzled by the array available here. Together, the original show and the satellite shows make up the Showcase – one of the largest and most popular events in the gem and mineral world, attracting an estimated 100,000 people to Tucson in a two-week period. This crowd fills hotel rooms, rental cars and airline seats many months in advance.”

- - - -  Mark your calendars to attend one of the best gems shows in the world, you won’t be sorry. If you can’t make it this year, you can check the Tucson Gem & Mineral Society website or email me at pam@pamtreece.com and I will follow up with you.   See you there!

This month’s edition covers Tucson real estate market activity and then we’ll map out how to navigate buying and selling in the midst of the upcoming holidays.

Program length: approximately 7 minutes

I attended a conference at the Manning House on October 13, 2006 that was hosted by the Realtor Land Institute. Several speakers discussed the Rio Nuevo plan for which is an extensive revitalization plan for the City of Tucson. The Rio Nuevo Project includes the UA Science Center, Civic and Cultural Plazas, Tucson Origins Heritage Park, a proposed new Arena, and various residential and commercials developments. Visit the Rio Nuevo website and the Rio Nuevo Overview.

The guest speakers were Greg Shelko, Director of Rio Nuevo, Albert Elias, Director of Urban Planning and Design and Rich Singer, Director of Tucson Convention Center.

Greg Shelko started the discussion with an update on the Rio Nuevo and pointed out the Rio Nuevo goals:

• To be the catalyst for Tucson’s downtown revitalization
• Protect and enhance the cultural and historical resources
• Construct attractions and infrastructure
• Leverage private investments

An update was provided on the proposed University of Arizona’s Rainbow Bridge. This bridge which would have spanned the I-10 by connecting City of Tucson’s downtown to the new Cultural Plaza would have also housed the UA Science Center. It was decided by U of A that funding would not be allocated for this project but be invested into a new University of Arizona Science Center to be located in the Cultural Plaza. For your convenience, here is the October 8, 2006 Rio Nuevo update article in the AZ Daily Star.

Albert Elias discussed the Cultural Plaza which is considered to be the portal to the birth place of Tucson. Key Partners with the Cultural Plaza are the University of Arizona Science Center, Historical Society and Arizona State Museum. The following links describe the Proposed UA Science Center and an article written by Oscar Abeyta, Tucson Citizen, on March 15, 2006 on the proposed AZ State Museum and AZ Historical Society Museum.

Mr. Elias mentioned that the final concept design will be completed by November 2006 for the Tucson Origin Heritage Park and expects construction to commence in 2007.

Richard Singer, Director of Tucson Convention Center, gave an enlightening overview on the Rio Nuevo’s Civic Plaza. A major component to the Civic Plaza is a proposed new arena which would a have a capacity of 12,500 seats and provide much needed meeting facilities. Currently only 7% of the existing Tucson Convention Center is available for meetings. Mr. Singer stated “To be a viable Convention Destination Center, Tucson will need at least 30% of the convention center space dedicated for meeting rooms and have it conveniently located to the hub of the conventions”.

The public will have an opportunity to discuss the proposed new arena on Thursday, October 27th at 6:30 pm. The meeting will take place at the Tucson Convention Center, Turquoise Room. See Public Notice Dated October 14, 2006, Press Release for Proposed New Arena and the Proposed New Arena Brochure. If the plan is approved this year, a new Downtown arena could open its doors to local concertgoers and sports fans in 2008.

As Tucson hits the one million mark in 2007, careful planning and preservation are so important in order to retain the charm and small town community atmosphere we enjoy.