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.