Tree & Menorah Lighting Benefit this Weekend Downtown

This Saturday we will be at Hotel Congress for the 1st Annual Tree and Menorah Lighting Event!

A handful of non-profit organizations will be there as well as Local First AZ members Bohemia, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle's Toys, Perri Jewelers and the Tucson Waldorf School.

Beginning Saturday at noon each business will have supplies and will help kids of any age make an ornament for the tree. The lighting of the tree will take place around 5:30.

There will be hot cocoa, roasted chestnuts, ginger bread houses and good cheer all around.

Admission and refreshments are free to those who bring a non-perishable food item, unwrapped toy or clothing item for Casa de los Ninos.

The Downtown Holiday Parade of Lights will also begin once it gets dark.

Join us for a joyous time Downtown this Saturday!

Knowledge is power when shopping for quality jewelry

Because we also repair jewelry, we see a smattering of what's being sold out there. In the last few weeks, especially, we have seen some manufactured jewelry that was poorly designed and/or made of inferior materials.

We also recently saw two Tiffany & Co. knock-off bracelets that were very convincing. One lady brought a bracelet in that was a gift which came in a blue Tiffany box but clearly was not an authentic Tiffany bracelet because it had turned coppery. It had been plated in silver, perhaps, or rhodium but it was pop metal underneath. The heart tag attached to it actually appeared to be silver. Someone went to great lengths to create something that looked quite authentic.

We have also seen tennis bracelets made of silver with gemstones or lab created stones. A delicate tennis bracelet of silver will not last. Silver is quite soft and all the joints will wear out very fast. Those joints could be repaired but it just isn't practical.

Hollow gold jewelry is another thing that has made a big come back. I understand, with gold at over 1,100 an ounce, retailers are looking for ways to still sell gold jewelry to the average consumer. Hollow chains and bracelets are a way of offering gold jewelry at a lower price point. However, those pieces, much like silver tennis bracelets, are just not practical. They wear out very fast and are difficult to repair.

We enjoy repairing and restoring people's precious baubles. And we guarantee our work. Sadly though, we'd rather not take payment for repair of a piece that we can't guarantee because it was poorly made or is hollow.

Somewhat in answer to this, we are putting all our (solid) gold chains and bracelets on sale. Gold is expensive, but buying something that won't last is like tossing your money out the window. Solid gold jewelry made by vendors we trust means we will never sell you something that will be worthless to you in a year.

It is important, wherever you shop, to ask questions like

• What kind of guarantee do you have on your jewelry?
• Is this gold item hollow?
• Is this 10K or 14K?
• Is this item solid sterling silver (look for a mark of 925 or 999)?
• Are these stones genuine, synthetic or lab created?

If the sales person cannot answer these questions, ask for a manager. This is basic information that any store should disclose to customers. The answers to these questions will tell you what quality of item you are looking at and if it is worth the asking price.

Come downtown for some local flavor on Friday, November 27. La Placita Village and Maynard's Market will be centers of activity for Buy Local Day. Perri Jewelers will have gold jewelry and watches on sale. Our neighbor, the lovely boutique Desert Bloom, will be open, too. You can park for two hours on us at the Pennington Street garage (big green solar garage, entrance on Scott Ave.).

Perri Jewelers
13 N Stone
624-4311
Open until 6 pm on Friday, November 27.

It's beginning to look a lot like....

It's sometimes hard to get in the mood for the holidays when it is still 70+ degrees. But, I'm not complaining. We have it really good here.

Thanksgiving is this week. (!) We have been busy preparing for a Thank You, Tucson/Buy Local Day sale event on Friday. After we stuff ourselves with tasty foods on Thursday, we'll roll ourselves out to sell some jewelry and share some good cheer with our wonderful customers.

We also have been looking ahead to all the December events that are around the corner.
On Saturday, December 12 we will be down the way at Hotel Congress for ornament making fun with kids of all ages. Along with Bohemia and Mrs. Tiggy Winkle's Toys, Perri Jewelers will have supplies and grown-up help for kids to make an ornament to put on the tree in the hotel plaza. The official lighting of the tree should be around sunset (5:50 pm). There will be tasty treats and a canned food and toy drive, too.

There also will be a client party at Madden Media that week. We are so glad to have Madden downtown. The renovation and occupancy of the MacArthur building is really a bright spot. We will have a gift for all the Madden staff and clients that day.

We at Perri Jewelers are grateful for all the blessings we are enjoying. This year has been a challenging one for us as well as many of our fellow Tucsonans. Sadly many business couldn't hold on for the better days to come. We have fared better than many and do not take that for granted. Thank you, Tucson, for supporting us and the many other fabulous locally-owned businesses in town.

Happy Thanksgiving!

On The Up Side

Got an email this morning from the Downtown Partnership on the opening of the buildings at 64 E Broadway. The facades on these sister buildings were refurbished under the Facade Improvement Program. The southwest corner of Scott and Broadway is looking great. With the complete razing of the Santa Rita Hotel and Ballroom on the east neighboring corner the view is really opened up. Walk over there and check it out.
The 64 E Broadway unveiling event will be November 12 at 5 pm.

East Congress vs An & Stiteler round 2

The article in Zocalo this week went much further in showing the scope of the destruction to be brought on by Mr An opening a restaurant and bar on the southwest corner of Congress and 5th Ave.
There has been lots of discussion via Facebook on the East Congress take over by building owner Scott Stiteler and restaurateur Kwang An. Then Jamie Manser spoke to Mr Stiteler and updated her story in Zocalo.
Once most of the first wave of comments on the original story died down yesterday, out comes Manser's update and I am all riled up again. Stiteler sounded extremely uncaring in his comments.
What can be done? Clearly lots of citizens and business people are unhappy about the hostile take-over. Well, for starters, there's peaceful protests.

Out with the old? I hope not

Mr An, of Sakura fame, is talking about opening a restaurant downtown. That's great. Except.... he'd be displacing a few other businesses. Why do that when there are so many vacant buildings downtown?
I won't speculate as to why. It just bothers me when business people have talked about taking over that southwest corner of 5th Ave and Congress St. What will happen to Tooley's and Preen?
The owner of Metropolis has been interviewed about this and sounds like he's mainly bothered by the lack of notice. That's charitable.
All this leads me to wonder: if a business partner of the building owner we lease from wanted to redevelop our block, could they just release us from our lease and ask us to leave? There aren't a lot of options downtown for business owners who are unable to put a lot of capital into bringing a space up to code and up to par for the businesses' needs.
My point is, the 'little guys' like Metropolis, Preen, Tooley's and Perri Jewelers have spaces that are working for us. How and why can a 'big guy' come in and take over and move us out?
I know the answer to that but I hate to be cynical. I want to believe that bigger, richer business people also have good intentions and that the little ones will be taken care of. There is room downtown for all of us.

Echo of a plea

Here is an issue near and dear to our hearts. Kristen Cook, writer and blogger for the Arizona Daily Star shares our concern for the health of our small business community. Cheers for the Tucson businesses mentioned, some of my favs as well.
Ms. Cook also highlights the 3/50 Project, started by former retailer, Cinda Baxter. This program makes a simple formula out of the economic impact of keeping spending local. Pick 3 independent businesses and spend $50 total between them each month. That gesture will keep our economy going and preserve the uniqueness of our city.
Shortly and sweetly, let me echo Ms. Cook's call:
Please shop locally owned businesses in Tucson.
Over 175 are listed in the Local First Arizona directory.

Park(ing) Day 2009

Downtown is alive today with people setting up tents and displays in the parking spaces. It makes Downtown more fun and less business as usual.
PARK(ing) Day is an annual worldwide phenomenon, created independently by groups of artists, activists and citizens to promote the importance of green and urban public spaces. It is intended to help people rethink the way we use our streets and creates diverse conversations about how we can make sustainable cities.
This concept of Park(ing) Day is based on the idea that putting money into a parking meter is like renting a public space.
This is a shot of people setting up on Pennington in front of City High School.
There is more information on the Tucson event here.
If there was parking in front of Perri Jewelers it would be so nice to be outside today.

Restoration of Sapphire Ring

We took in a lovely ring that belonged to the customer's grandmother. It is a white gold setting and features a round diamond flanked by two trapezoid-shaped blue sapphires. As you can see, the shank is broken. That is the easy part of the repair.
You may also be able to see the amazing engraving on the side of the setting.
In looking for a replacement sapphire I contacted a stone supplier in our area. I was told a stone would have to be cut for this job. That shape is not one in common use now.
So, in a week or so there should be the after shots from this great project.

On this day

Let us keep the memory of those who perished in the 9/11 terror attacks and in the war that followed alive.
Let us thank the men and women in uniform who risk their lives for the rest of us everyday.
Let us keep a spirit of giving, sharing, and peace with us.

Long time, no blog

Here I am again. It's been a busy summer.
I've been generating ideas for the business with the store owner; keeping up with Local First Arizona activities; following the progress of the completion of the 4th Ave underpass and ribbon-cutting party; and, of course, helping customers.
The construction on the east end of Downtown is really coming along. I love the green light posts. The underpass is looking good and the party planned for the opening of it on August 20 promises to be huge! My friend Leila Lopez will open the event at 3 pm with many more musicians, street performers and happenings all over 4th Ave and Downtown until 10? 11? Midnight? I even heard Joe Biden could make an appearance.
Tucson's Modern Streetcar project is just the type of inner city transportation project the White House had in mind with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Go Tucson!

Perri Jewelers also stepped into the 21st century with a Twitter account! Follow perritucson on Twitter to keep with us.

47 years

The gentleman that came in today said he bought his wedding rings from Mr. Perri 47 years ago. He is still happily married. What brought him in, in fact, was his wife's current ring which is an 'upgraded' model. People often reset their original diamond in a larger setting with more stones after their first ring wears out. This is what had happened here.
I always like hearing from couples who are still together after so many years and have fond memories of Mr. Perri and the old store. Not many people are lucky enough to have that kind of experience at work.

Time Flies

We have been so busy that I haven't gotten back here to write in quite a while.
I made time today to blog because I ran across this photo and really wanted to share it. This is "Uncle Pete" in front of the old store, the original store. Back then, in the 1940s, the shop was at 129 1/2 W. Congress, at the entrance to the Alianza Club.
I tried doing some cursory research on the Alianza Club and came up with little. According to a member of the Perri family, it was downstairs and was a bar and dance hall. I'll keep trying to dig up information.
I'd be very interested to know what the whole block looked like back then. It was razed and the Pima County Courts were built on that spot in the 1960s.
Now we are in the third location for the shop. It is kind of funny that the current store front is about the size of that original shop. We would like a bigger space but the right one hasn't surfaced yet.
But, with all the changes Downtown, we could see the space of our dreams come open. There certainly are stellar storefronts that are vacant. We'll keep hoping. Meanwhile, we are happy in our tiny, New York-like shop.

The day after I posted this, a gentleman came in the store who knew Mr. Perri from the 'old days.' He recalled several of the businesses that were on the same block as the original store. He had worked at the Lyric Theatre. Steve and I had often perpetuated the misinformation that Perri Jewelers was in the lobby of that theatre. According to the customer today, the Lyric was at 171 W. Congress. There also was a barber shop and "Sally and Sam's Deli" on the block. We also got the mystery of the Alianza Club cleared up. That was an alliance for Mex-Amer businesses. The dance club and bar downstairs was called La Selva. This man told me about a website dedicated to preserving the vanishing history of Tucson. Let's check it out!

Out with the old

Sometimes it is a good thing to be out with the old. That is, when it has been an abandoned building for quite a long time. Yet, I am certain many people have fond memories of dance parties, weddings, or quinceneras at the Santa Rita Ballroom.

Walking past this site I wonder: what is in store for the Southwest corner of Broadway and 6th Avenue?

The old Poca Cosa is still there at the foot of the Santa Rita Hotel. That, I thought, was slated to be renovated and reopened as a boutique hotel. Hmmmm.

It's kind of exciting when things start happening after so many promises that came to nothing.

The corner west of there at Scott is looking really good. The Ribbon Cutting event for the new South Scott Avenue is tonight. The party centers on the corner of Corral and Scott at 6:30 with refreshments and music.

On a Downtown Crane

I couldn't resist the play on words.
If only I could talk to one of the construction workers. What must it be like to be up there?

It's so good to see construction happening. That east side of Downtown is really coming together. The one thing that gets a little bit under my skin is the construction of parking garages. I know the One North Fifth apartments needs a garage for residents. It's just that I took this photo from the garage where I park. I could spit on that hole in the ground that will be a garage. Well, I'm not that good, but you get the idea.

Working at a Downtown establishment I hear plenty about the parking Downtown. And, it's always baffled me that people are willing to walk across a huge parking lot to go to the mall and then want front door parking Downtown. I love walking Downtown. It's one of the most unique experiences one can have. Sure, here it is not as grand as in San Francisco or Pittsburgh or Chicago (all downtowns I love), but it sure beats a mall parking lot.

Anyway, the relatively new garage where I park is largely solar powered. I am proud of that. Also, it's got quite a vacancy rate. So, there is parking Downtown.

No, really

In the last week or so we have had a number of incidences in which our customers tried to give us money we didn't ask for. There are lots of services we provide for which we don't charge. That is just a function of there not being a precedent for charging for certain services. Mr. Perri always gave away whatever he could in terms of his time and talent. Even the work he did charge for he gave away in the sense that his prices were on the low end of reasonable.
There also are other things we give away because it seems fair and right or because of a promotion. We started offering free battery replacement for life on our brand of watch when we moved to the Stone location. We believe in those watches. Also isn't it really convenient to bring your watch in for a battery and not have to pay anything? I'd be thrilled if I had free oil changes for life for my car.
So, this man comes in with his Perri watch for a new battery. I change the battery and give the watch back to him. As he's pulling his wallet out I say, "No charge."
"What? Why? No, here, how much?" he says.
"We offer free battery replacement for life on those watches."
"The thing lasts forever. I have washed it and beat it up and it keeps going and then you don't even charge for the battery? How will you stay in business?"
"Just tell all your friends to come and buy a Perri watch."
It's really nice to be on the receiving end of someone saying, you don't charge enough and insisting on leaving cash on the counter. One left $5 because we opened his watch and let it dry out! Thanks!
Most retail businesses don't have the opportunity to give things away or fix things for people. This is an aspect of my job I really enjoy.

Can you see it? It's happening!

I was reading in the Downtown Tucsonan about Janos moving back downtown later this year and thinking....
Janos said, "I've never lost sight of downtown and have always wanted to go back to where great things are starting to happen." His enthusiasm struck me. I began to see just how polarized Tucson is regarding downtown.
There are lots of people who are very excited about downtown and putting their money where their mouth is. Janos is just the latest. There is Madden Media and most recently, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle's Toys who is partnering with the Tucson Children's Museum.
And then there are the people who can't quite see what is happening. Or, perhaps, they don't believe it. Seeing will be believing but, there's a catch. Once there is proof positive that downtown is in fact up and coming it will be too late.
For the believers and the visionaries NOW is the time to invest in downtown. I say grab up your land, your store front, your building. Get your piece now while there are more options, freedom to create the business or home you like and the prices are right. Once downtown's bud blooms I'll bet there will be more than a few people wishing they'd gotten on the band wagon.
Ok, enough metaphors. All I am saying is I'm a little weary of people complaining or saying things like, "I don't know what they are doing with downtown." They? Who? The city? The county? What about us? What are WE doing? Be proactive and be part of making downtown what you want. You may be pleasantly rewarded.

Guest Opinion

I befriended Chris Early while she was working diligently with the Downtown Partnership. She is also one of the first Tucson members of Local First Arizona. She's a hard working small business owner and a caring member of the downtown community. Here are some of her thoughts as edited by the AZ Daily Star.

Like Chris, I am tired of people placing blame in the wrong place. Let's keep moving forward. Don't get me wrong, I believe in accountability. AND, I believe tax revenue generated in an area should be reinvested in that area. Anyway, I'll let Chris' opinion reign for today.

We must move forward on Downtown plans

By Christina Early

Special to the Arizona Daily Star

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.14.2009

I have operated a small business in Downtown Tucson for 6 years. I always wanted to have a business Downtown. I wanted to be part of the revitalization.

I have met other business owners who, like myself, have put their life savings into their businesses, not to mention their hearts and souls. I have sat at meetings discussing the improvements for Downtown streets and sidewalks. I have sent visitors to the reconstructed Presidio, the birthplace of Tucson. I have seen Downtown fill up with citizens of this city for events and parades.

I have seen the plaza in front of my cafe fill up with runners experiencing Downtown at night. I see the families coming Downtown for the museums, parks and even the outdoor movies during the summer. I see the high school kids enjoying the library plaza. There are new restaurants and shops coming into Downtown.

I believe a lot of this is happening because of the possibility of finally being on the right track for the revitalization of Downtown Tucson. It's exciting.

Yet as I attend meetings and discussions, there is almost always someone in the room who is still mad that too much money was spent on consultants. No matter what is planned, it will never erase that sentiment. Those of us in Downtown hoping to make it better will always be punished for the "sins of the father."

The latest example of this is that state legislators in Phoenix are considering canceling Rio Nuevo's tax increment financing district. Some legislators have decided that the money was mishandled. They say they see nothing happening, yet I do not know of any time when they have come to Downtown to have lunch, take in the symphony or enjoy a festival at the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum.

How can they not understand the ramifications? If they cancel the TIF, all the projects that are so close to getting a shovel in the ground will stop. That will end the possibility of growing our Downtown into a vibrant city center.

If the Downtown projects are canceled, the area's entrepreneurs may see no way to continue running their businesses. There will be no large conventions coming, no arena crowds and no reason to stay in Downtown. Legislators' shortsightedness could eventually cost the state in unemployment for laid-off workers and lost tax revenues. But then again, why should they care about Southern Arizona?

The worst thing of all of this is that Tucsonans who are against the revitalization of Downtown are missing the most important part. If legislators cancel the TIF, all the sales-tax money I collect each month will go to the state's general fund. I wonder where that money will go?

Have you seen Phoenix's Convention Center and arena and stadiums? I wonder what else they could do with our money?

I guess we will find out if we do not come together as a city and demand that we are allowed to have the Downtown we deserve. It is time to forgive our father's sins and move on.

Write to Christina Early at chriscafe1@yahoo.com

What a Treasure!

We were honored to be chosen to appear on the KMSB Fox 11 show Tucson Treasures. It originally aired in the beginning of March. This is a very nicely produced program that highlights businesses around Tucson.
All the opportunities we have had of late to tell the story of Perri Jewelers to a new generation has been great. It reinforces our commitment to the business as it has existed for over 60 years and it reminds us of that important history.
Please watch, enjoy and then come visit us.

Guest Commentary

Steve Perri had been asked to submit a story to the local newspaper on what it takes to be successful in Downtown Tucson.
This is the text in its entirety as it was published in the Arizona Daily Star on Mar. 29.

From our humble beginning at 129-1/2 W. Congress St. to our 40-plus years at 37 W. Congress St. to our current location at 13 N. Stone Ave., Perri Jewelers has been a part of Downtown Tucson for more than 60 years.

Our family has never considered leaving the Downtown area. The heart of the city is where we want to be.

Throughout the transformations of Downtown, we have been fortunate to keep our doors open. I have the privilege today of serving the children and grandchildren of my father's customers, and I am grateful that they continue to put their trust in our family and our business.

There is no secret to our longevity. Having grown up during the Great Depression, my father, Simon Perri, instilled in me early that hard work, honesty and relationships were the essential elements to business success.

After graduating from Tucson High and learning hand engraving in Los Angeles, he returned to the Old Pueblo and set up shop with his brother in the foyer of the old Lyric Theatre in 1945. The store space was limited and he kept things simple: Service was always more important than appearance.

We have continued his legacy at our current site, which is just a bit larger than the first store on West Congress.

There has never been anything extravagant or glitzy about Perri Jewelers. We cannot compete with the malls or upscale chain stores. To call our store "cozy" would be accurate in terms of the limited space we have, but the personal touch and attention is something in which we take pride.

We offer quality merchandise at competitive prices and provide convenient service that is backed up by the trust and confidence established by my father and our family name. From custom designs to full-service jewelry repairs to watch-battery replacements, we offer services that many other jewelry stores cannot or will not, including mechanical watch repair and hand engraving. No job is too big or too small.

For those working and living Downtown, we are conveniently located and an alternative to the mall experience. We keep a low overhead, advertise selectively, relying on word-of-mouth references, and stay true to our purpose of treating our customers the way we would want to be treated. We listen to our clientele when they offer suggestions and concerns.

In any business, but in the jewelry industry especially, trust cannot be overemphasized. Our customers know that I repair the jewelry myself, so they know they have a personal guarantee of quality.

On a regular basis, customers bring to us watches or jewelry that were deemed "unfixable" elsewhere. As a staff, we creatively problem-solve when a customer brings us a challenge. There is no magic formula, no complex business model — just simple hard work and honesty.

Our experienced and professional staff shares a commitment of purpose and vision that has made our endurance possible. Our customers know Deanna (Chevas), Peggy (Savio) and Virginia (Ciaravino) by their first names. Working for my father and now with me, Perri Jewelers is more than just a job for them. Together, we share a passion for the Downtown area and look forward to our continued success there.

Local Business is Booming

From the crowd last night for the Local First Arizona Business Mixer, local business in Tucson is booming.
It was a great festive gathering of members and soon-to-be members of the local business coalition. Perri Jewelers and Hotel Congress were the only downtown businesses represented, I believe. There were too many people there for me to meet them all.
Lotus Massage and The Food Conspiracy Co-op hosted offering a great venue and wonderful snacks.
Tucson Green Times was there and has recognized LFA for it's good work in the community.
Here is another environment that seems recession-proof or at least resistant. Many positive anecdotes from local businesses I have spoken to counterbalance the gloomy national news. Although, there has been national coverage on how green business and local business continue to do well in this unstable economy.
When I first learned about LFA I thought it was a natural fit for a downtown business like ours as well as a networking group that might provide some fortitude against the downturn. That has proved true and we just renewed our annual membership.
We are proud to further support the local businesses in Tucson. They are what make Tucson an interesting place to live and they are the backbone of our local economy.

Walking Downtown

The other day I went for a walk up Congress to Tooley's for a cup of joe. That space is really great. And the java was fabulous.
I decided to continue east from there to check out the construction on the 4th Avenue underpass, the train depot and the renovation of the MacArthur Building. I decided against going into Maynard's Market on account of my previously purchased coffee.
Next time I'll try the coffee at the market. I am very curious about that place. There was a great D-town piece on them and it looks as though they emphasize local products, which means a lot to me.
I navigated the large hole in the ground behind the new Martin Luther King building which is now called One North Fifth. I swing around the beautiful MacArthur Building that Madden Media is renovating and plan to occupy by the summer. That is really exciting. The building has a very interesting history.
Then I went west to 6th Avenue and surveyed the ArtFare block. They have done wonders with those storefronts. There is a charter school, lots of art spaces and Burger City. I would have gone in to see the restaurant but felt rushed to get back to the store.
It was encouraging to see all the things that have happened and are happening in my neighborhood. Honestly, it does not feel like we are in a recession. Perhaps that's because downtown has been in it's own recession for a long time. Well, now it's coming up, inspite or because of the economy as a whole.

Rodeo Weekend Family Events Downtown!!

Family Friendly Weekends activities are abundant during Rodeo
break and begin today!
After the rodeo parade, come Downtown and visit the Tucson Children’s Museum. If you have a child who has ever asked for a pony, you can make this wish come true. They can create their very own stick version of a pony in honor of Rodeo Days.
Later, you and the kids will be able to practice your horseshoe skills in the courtyard! These activities are underway Thursday and Friday, Feb. 26 and 27, beginning at 12:30 p.m.
On Saturday, more is happening at the Children’s Museum as well as at the Main Library, which is commemorating African-American History Month with stories and
folk tales that celebrate African-American culture, and make an Equality
Dove craft to take home.
And, don’t forget about the Family-Friendly Highlights Tour that happens every week at the Tucson Museum of Art, and the Picture This! Art for Families on Sunday. For more information and to register to receive highlights, visit www.FamilyFriendlyWeekends.org
Other events happening this weekend include Locomotive Saturdays at the Southern
Arizona Transportation Museum.

Customers say the darnest things

This morning a lady came in to pay on her layaway. Her friend followed close behind her. She started to tell her friend about the earrings and why she put them on layaway.
"Remember that day I was walking and almost got hit by a truck? I was really shaky after that so I came in here and put some earrings on layaway. I felt better after that."
I laughed and asked her if I could repeat that story.
That's serious retail therapy. I'm so glad we can help people through a stressful time. Ha ha.

V-day and Gem Show

It's that time again. Valentine's Day and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show collided this year. The boss came back from the show with some sweet silver and gold heart jewelry. We are bursting the seams with hearts!
In the coming months we'll undoubtedly see all manner of Gem Show buys. Loose stones of various shapes and sizes will need to be set. Pearls will need to be strung. Those are the fun jobs. I like helping people turn their stones into works of wearable art.
The Gem Show always brings such color to town. I'm speaking figuratively. I saw an older couple walking down Stone the other day. They were so dressed up! She looked like Holly Golightly with her feathered (!) hat and heals. We usually see a number of people from other countries. So far, no one like that, sadly. The show runs through this Saturday, so there is still time.

Happenings Downtown

I will periodically report on things happening in our neighborhood.
I just got an email from Ward 2 City Council Member Rodney Glassman. He has put together Family Friendly Weekends.
In addition to family story time at the library and crafts at the Children's Museum, there will be locomotive fun at the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum.
The Fox Theatre is also offering discounted movie tickets when you present a dinner receipt from one of our great restaurants.
This Saturday at The Fox is La Petit Carnival: Experience a most exquisite French soireé. Spectacular street performers will dazzle the crowd outside the theater. Inside, a sensual fete awaits. Vendors fill the lobby with aromatic foods and fine art creations. Musical acts, ranging from melodramatic rock to French lounge-pop and gypsy-jazz will fill the stage. Cabaret Boheme opens with vaudeville variety for Le Chat Lunatique, Marvelle, Marianne Dissard & Matt Mitchell & Le Big Band.

Tucson Treasure

A few months ago I got a call that Tucson Treasures wanted to feature Perri Jewelers in one of their episodes. This is the local Fox channel (11). Gina Trunzo, the show's host, came down and got footage of the shop and spoke at length with Steve. The episode is set to air the first weekend of March. I am pleased that the store and Steve will get some much deserved recognition. It is an honor to work for such a long standing reputable local business.
A year ago (or maybe 2) the city run community channel 12 approached us. They produced a show then called The Beat that featured downtown area businesses. Steve gave them an interview and they got footage of him repairing some jewelry. The show aired and Steve put a link from our website to the clip. I was amazed at how many people (up to a year later) came into the store saying they saw us on channel 12! After the last time that happened I contacted channel 12 to inquire about advertising through a sponsorship or underwriting. Interestingly, the first response was they couldn't do that. Somehow my email found it's way to someone else who explained they could offer underwriting, it just wasn't something they'd done. Well, it seemed like a no-brainer to me. The business had gotten a lot of exposure from the episode it was featured on. Now, I wanted to give the city money to give the store more exposure.
Before we could cut a deal, I got an email from the woman I had been talking with saying the channel 12 programming was on the chopping block due to the city's budget shortfalls.
Of course I wrote immediately to each council member and the mayor in defense of The Beat (now called D-town).
Local business is the back bone of the local economy. The city's TV station was being used (very effectively) to promote local business. This seems like an essential part of our budgetary concerns to support local business.
Two council members replied to my email which I was very appreciative of. The bottom line is, in this economy everything in the budget, every item has to be looked at an analyzed for it's cost benefit ratio. I know that. The city government should do that very thoroughly quite often, not just in times of crisis. I wanted to say my piece. I hope the city council continues the hard work ahead of them with clarity and wisdom. And, I'll keep advocating for local business whenever I can.

cranes of change

When I got out of my car at the garage I noticed the two cranes in my view. That is an encouraging sight. (It wasn't where the Sheraton is to be built.) There is an apartment building being finished as well as the renovation of the MacArthur building being started. The east end of Downtown is getting quite a facelift. I was reading yesterday that the 4th Avenue underpass is set to be complete later this year. Reopening that thoroughfare will be excellent!
I opened my email this morning to a message from the Downtown city council representative, Regina Romero. Here I will pass along two events included in her newsletter:

POETRY READING
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m.
Historic Southern Pacific Railroad Depot on Toole Avenue
Poet Richard Tavenner performs American artist Maynard Dixon’s poetry
Performance is FREE and open to the public
The Tucson Museum of Art, the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum,
and Maynard’s Market and Kitchen co-present Richard Tavenner performing
poetry written by celebrated western artist Maynard Dixon.
Richard Tavenner poet and founder/director of the now statewide Annual High School Poetry Contest and participant in the Tucson Poetry Festival has spent the last twenty years performing his personal brand of poetry at different venues in Tucson. Tavenner is currently working on completing a book of poetry illustrated by his daughter and a companion CD recording of his performances.
Maynard Dixon (1875-1946) an American artist was commissioned by the Southern Pacific Railroad to illustrate southwest railroad travel. In 1907 he painted four lunette-shaped canvases depicting southwest scenes for Tucson’s new train depot. Dixon produced the paintings in San Francisco and traveled to Tucson to installation the lunettes which adorned the walls
of the depot for years. The City of Tucson purchased the former Southern Pacific Railroad Depot downtown and carefully restored the main depot buildings to their 1941 architectural style. Giclee reproductions of Dixon’s lunettes are now mounted in the waiting room of the Historic
Southern Pacific Railroad Depot.
For Maynard Dixon event information contact, the Tucson Museum of Art at www.tucsonmuseumofart.org/exhibitions or call 520.624.2333. For the 129th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Rail Road in Tucson event information contact, Southern Arizona Transportation Museum www.tucsonhistoricdepot.org or call 520.623.2223. For Maynard’s Market and Kitchen events information, contact www.maynardsmarkettucson.com or call 520-545-0577.


DINNER AND A MOVIE @ the Fox
Dine with us Downtown and enjoy discount movie tickets at the beautiful Fox Theatre. In February and March the Fox will be featuring movie musicals. For any of these if you bring your, day of show, Downtown restaurant receipt you will receive a $2 movie ticket discount for
your entire party. Tickets are normally $8 and $6 for seniors, students, and active military.

The current lineup is below:

Feb 13, 8pm Phantom of the Opera
Feb 14, 6 & 9pm West Side Story
Feb 15, 8pm Singing in the Rain
March 13, 8pm Rocky Horror Picture Show
March 14, 6 & 8:30pm Chicago

See ‘em again on the big screen amidst the opulence of Tucson’s
downtown movie palace.

In the heart of the city

This business has been locally owned and operated in downtown Tucson since 1945.
Lots of things have changed in that time. Not just in the world at large, but downtown. This is the last remaining jewelry store here. In fact, it's one of a very few shops. We are not really in the little bit of a shopping district there is. This is the financial district, we are surrounded by banks and government offices.
But, none of that is too interesting. Last night at a Local First meeting I heard someone bemoan the fact that Sheraton is building a hotel next to the Convention Center. That's a corporate hotel that will change the face and feel of downtown, presumably for the worse. I realized when this comment was made that a Walmart could be built downtown and lots of people would be happy. That says a lot about the state of annoyance and frustration over the lack of progress on the downtown revitalization track, sadly.
Tucson has always had great civic pride, but something else has taken over the downtown area. Or, more accurately, something has left the downtown area: commerce. Blame city politics or urban sprawl or archaic building codes or rich out of town building owners. Or Pima County.
None of that matters much. Where we go from here is the important thing. Yet, we need to know what we are fighting. Other than public perception. That's changeble. What's happening behind the scenes? Who's in charge here that is getting in the way of small business start ups and success?
All I can do is this. Talk and keep the doors open and support other local businesses. And pray.
-Deanna, employee