Tucson is in a high Sonoran Desert valley surrounded by four mountain ranges:north-Santa Catalinas, east-Rincons, south-Santa Ritas, and west-Tucsons. The valley has attracted humans for the last 12,000 years. The ancient residents called the settlement Stjukshon meaning "spring at the foot of the hill". The spring being the Santa Cruz, which is now a dry river bed most of the year.
In 1700, Spanish Jesuit Eusebio Francisco Kino established the San Xavier Mission, whcih is still an active mission today. Spanish reanchers and miners soon penetrated the valley forcing conflict with native Indians. In 1776 Tucson was a new walled presidio, thus the nickname "the Old Pueblo".
Tucson fell under Mexico jurisdiction in 1821. The American flag first flew over Tucson in 1846 during the Mexican war.
The southeastern portion of the state-including Tucson, plus Pima, Pinal, Cochise, and Santa Cruz Counties-uses area code 520. The Greater Phoenix area has three area codes: 480, 602, and 623. Most of northern and western Ariona-including Flagstaff, Prescott and Yuma-use the new area code 928, in effect since June 2001.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
The state of Arizona does not observe daylight saving time. April-October, our time in Arizona is the same as Pacific Daylight Time (three hours earlier than Eastern Daylight Time). During the rest of the year, Arizona's Mountain Standard Time is two hours earlier than astern Standard Time.
RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE PICK UP
Tucson trash is collected on Mondays, and Thursdays, Tuesdays and Fridays, or Wednesdays and Saturdays at no charge to the customer (some areas may be tested for once-a-week pick up). Trash must be out by 5:30 a.m. on the pick-up day. Phone 791-3171 to initiate pick-up service. Outside the city limits, several private companies compete for the service (some also provide recycling services).
RECYCLING Curbside recycling is offered citywide for single-family dwellings and apartments of four unitys or less. Special bins are delivered to residents, with instructions and schedules for their use. The City of Tucson, Pima County, and Tucson Clean and Beautiful have initiated RETHINKIT, a community-wide campaign encouraging residents to rethink what they buy, use, and throw away. All re-cyclers accept seven basic items. Phone for details: 791-5000
CABLE/PAY TV
Cable TV suppliers include Comcast Communications, serving Pima County residents including Marana and Oro Valley (744-1900); Cox Communications, serving residents of Tucson, South Tucson (884-0133), Davis-Monthan (748-1378), and Patagonia (394-2413), along with Green Valley and parts of Sahuarita (884-0133); and Western Cablevision Inc. serving southwest Tucson (578-0382). People's Choice TV offers a "wireless"alternative to standard cable TV, presenting similar programming and providing special antennas to pick up the broadcast signals. In Tucson and surrounding areas, phone 917-3600,
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Arizona's legal drinking age is 21. Liquor may not be purchased or served from 1 to 6 a.m. Monday-Saturday, and from 1 to 10 a.m. on Sunday.
TAXES
The state collects 5.6%, and the City of Tucson collects an additional 2% on all sales except groceries and prescriptions. Gas, electric, water, and phone bills include the 2% city sales tax and some include an additional 2% public-utility tax. The state personal income tax rates for 2000 ranged from 2.8 to 5.04%, based on income. For individual and corporate tax information, phone 800-352-4090; for sales tax and with-holding information, phone 800-84307196, or visit www.revenue.state.az.us.
SPECIAL DRIVING LAWS & CONCERNS
In the city, on weekdays from 7-9 a.m. and from 4-6 p.m. the center or left-turn lane on one major (Grant Rd) east-west thoroughfare becomes a one-way traffic lane.
A right-hand turn on a red light is legal unless otherwise noted-a law you may be familiar with from other parts of the country.
Some major streets have single left-turn lanes in the middle of the road for left turns from both directions.
At intersections using the green arrow for left-hand turns, it usually comes after, not before, the solid green light.
Children under 5 years old must ride in carseats.
Arizona law requires motorcycle riders 18 years old and younger to wear helmets. The city of Tucson and Pima County require bicycle riders 17 years old and younger to wear helmets.
The State of Arizona requires that all front-seat passengers (and Driver) in vehicles must havetheir seatbelts fastened. If you are stopped for another violation and your seatbelt isn't on, you may be assessed a fine of $15-$100.
Arizona has some of the strictest DUI (drunk driving) laws in the nation, with mandatory jail sentences, fines, license suspensions, and demerit points that can result in revocation of the driver's license.
If you reside in Arizona more than seven months in one calendar year, you must title and register you vehicle in Arizona. An emissions test (if required), certificate of title, and proof of insurance are necessary. Fees vary.
First get your emissions tested at one of the following locations: 1301 S. Stocker Dr. 3931 N. Business Center Dr. 6661 S. Renaissance Dr.
After you car passes the emissions test, go to one of the five Motor Vehicle Division office locations: 1360 S. Stocker Dr. 3565 S. Broadmont Rd. 7330 N. Shannon Rd Davis-Monthan AFB, Bldg.4300 (military personnel only)
DRIVERS' LICENSES
If you reside in Arizona more than seven months, you are required to get an Arizona driver's license. Permits and licenses may be obtained at the following locations: 3565 S. Broadmont Dr. 7330 N. Shannon Rd. 1360 S. Stocker Dr. Davis-Monthan AFB (military personnel only)
BICYCLE COMMUTING
Tucson was voted "third best city for cycling in north America" in 1999 by Bicycling Magazine. A large number of Tucsonans have been riding their bikes to work for years-saving money and helping cut down on air pollution. A network of bike paths, bike routes, bikeways, and special bus/bike lanes criss-crosses the city. The Tucson Bike Map, available from the Pima County Association of Governments and bike shops all over town, features the best routesto ride in the city and several surrounding communities, along with information on local and state bicycle laws and safety tips. For more information: City of Tucson, Alternate Modes 520-791-4372 Regional Bicycle Coordinator 520-628-5313 Pima Association of Governments Travel Reduction Program 520-792-1093
HEALTH
DEHYDRATION: In Tucson's dry air, the human body continuously loses a certain quantity of water-up to two quarts per hour with heavy sweating, or one quaart per hour just walking i 100-degree heat-leading to dehydration. Don't be fooled-just because you aren't thirsty doesn't mean you don't need water. Drink water all day long, especially before, during, and after exercise, and add salt (lightly) to your food-although salt tablets are not recommended. Drinks without sugar are absorbed fastest by the body.
SKIN CANCER Arizona has the dubious honor of having the highet skin cancer rate in the country. Luckily, more than 90 percent of skin cancer cases are cured (if cought early). The hand, feet, and face are prone to skin cancer simply because they are the most exposed areas of the body. The Arizona Sun Awareness Project tecommends wearing long-sleeved slothing and a wide-brimmed hat, as well as using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Avoid the harsh sunshine of midday. For additional information on sun safety and cancer prevention, contact the Arizona Cancer Center, 1515 N. Campbell Ave, 520-626-6044 or 800-622-COPE, www.azcc.arizona.edu
VALLEY FEVER Valley fever is a non-contagious disease of the lungs that strikes people in the desert Southwest and northwestern Mexico. It is caused by inhaling the spores of a fungus found in desert soils. Valley fever is so common that approximately one-third of our local inhabitants have had it and have developed an immunity to it without even knowing. The chance of infection is about 3% per year, but the illness-with its flu-like symptoms-can be serious, causing scarring of the lung tissue. More information on valley fever can be obtained from a physician from the Valley Fever Hotline 520-629-4777, or from the American Lung Association of Arizona 520-323-1812 www.lungusa.org
