Ciudad del Alimento

Don't have time for a trip to the lovely and lively country south of the border? Going to Food City is like shopping in Mexico. Norteño music greets you as you enter, and all the signs are in Spanish and English. You can get a piñata or a statue of La Virgen de Guadalupe or a memorial candle. The produce is cheap, but never organic. 

It's really pretty amazing. Many of the customers and cashiers are speaking Spanish. 

You'll find the usual assortment of dulces, principally made of corn syrup, sugar and food coloring. But it's fun to be dazzled by all the colors. 

They even have a health supplement section to counteract the effects of los dulces. 

I was amazed to see giant bags of chia seeds, a staple of my vegetarian diet. I make chocolate chia pudding, flavored the Mexican way with cinnamon and chili powder. It reminded me of how delighted I was to find chia seeds for sale in Pátzcuaro a few years ago. I thought I just got lucky, but the shelves at Food City suggest chia seeds are staple of Mexican cuisine. It's got me hankering to head south again. 

Free Water

If you have central air conditioning, and you're not harvesting the condensation, you're missing out on free water. Many air conditioners have a condensation line that dumps water out of a pipe right next to the house. Water near the house is a problem for a few reasons. It could cause land subsidence, which could damage your foundation. It can also attract termites and other wood destroying organisms like mildew. 

So grab that water! Buy a garden hose fitting like the one in the photo at a hardware store. Attach a garden hose, and put the other end on a thirsty plant. 

Being the geek that I am, I got to wondering how much water this system produces. A few days ago when the temperature was 95 and the humidity was only 26%, I collected the water from the condensation line in a measuring cup. I was impressed to find I collected 0.7 gallons per hour! 

Someone pointed out that this water doesn't have a lot of minerals in it, which is true, but it also doesn't have the nasty chlorine that comes out of the hose that's attached to the hose bib. It doesn't seem to hurt the plants. Here's my new Mexican Honeysuckle, about to get a nice drink. 

Staying Cool When It's 107

When you have to wear a fur coat all summer, you look for any opportunity to cool off. 

'S Wonderful! 'S Marvelous!

Lovely, light and spacious two bedroom, two bath townhome in the perfect foothills location close to St Phillips Plaza and the Rillito Riverwalk. End unit offers privacy. Two car carport with storage rooms.

Cheery eat-in kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Ceramic counters and backsplash. Beehive fireplace in living room, which is over 16' x 27' and includes the dining area.

Diagonally scored concrete floors. Smart neutral color scheme.

Lovely northeast-facing back patio is a relaxing spot for admiring the beautifully landscaped and well-maintained common area. More storage out here.

Here's your community pool.

Guest bedroom could be a fine office, with its custom shelving, outside entrance, bathroom and recessed ceiling lights.

Gorgeous remodeled master bathroom with travertine-look ceramic, walk-in shower and generous granite vanity top.

Huge master bedroom is over 12' by 22' with two windows to the back porch.  The interactive floorplan is here. This lovely home sold for $215,000 on August 15, 2017.

Fabulous Tucson Murals

Tucson is alive with public art. Check out these murals.

Government-Subsidized Housing for the Wealthy

The National Association of Realtors says that they will fight any threat to eliminate mortgage interest as an income tax deduction. They claim that it makes home ownership more affordable, and the housing industry and consumers will be harmed by the loss of the mortgage interest deduction (MID).

They needn't worry. The MID is wildly popular, and few politicians dare to suggest its demise.

The New York Times has an interesting article about the MID, its beneficiaries, and its cost to the U.S. economy.

1620 W Delaware Street

Barrio Hollywood is Tucson's intercultural gem of a neighborhood. Generations of families are now being joined by young professionals who appreciate the river terrace soil for its garden qualities.

Manzo Elementary School is in Barrio Hollywood. My fabulous client Moses Thompson is a counselor there. He has the children raising vegetables and hens, which has had a profound affect on the children's interest in school, as well as their appreciation of healthy eating. The farm at Manzo has changed Barrio Hollywood for the better.

Close to University of Arizona, Pima Community College, golf, community center, library, shopping and I-10. This solid masonry home has three bedrooms, two baths, a carport, and no weird additions. Two sheds in the back yard. One is a substantial masonry shed with a covered porch. Projects! Play! Dining al fresco!

A car-sized rolling gate provides access from the alley to the shady back yard. Air conditioning. Washer and dryer provided in the indoor laundry room.

Fireplace in the living room is decorative and can not be used.

Large eat-in kitchen.

Refrigerator, dishwasher and gas stove.

Tile floors throughout. The floor plan is here.

No smoking, no pets. Tenant must have good credit and landlord references. Offered at $925 per month. If rent is paid before the first of the month, you can pay $910. Deposit is $925.  I am the owner/agent/property manager. Equal Opportunity Housing.

This property is rented through June 30, 2022.