Tucson Book Festival Mar 10 and 11

Tucson has the 4th largest Book Festival in the nation.  The advance publicity and 15  page newspaper insert had us really interested. It is held on the grounds of the U of AZ among amazing architecturally designed buildings, gardens, fountains, and sculptures .  There were 250 exhibitors and booths, including booksellers, book publishers, authors, vendors,literary and literacy organizations, and museums.  Arizona schools are rumored to be very poor in education.  Yet, the University of Arizona is very highly regarded.  This festival was remarkable in the children's creative and educationally inspiring activities. Improving literacy was a big focus.  

 Science City was our favorite

 We arrived early to get a good parking space and get a head start on the crowds.

 Must take picture of all gardens.  Although you've all had a very warm winter, mornings here are chilly.  I change clothes about 3 times a day to keep up with the temperature.

 My first look at a Boojum Tree - a cross between a real tree trunk and a cactus. 

 One of the many interactive children science booths.

 Demonstrating levers

 A challenge to lift cement blocks weighing 10, 15, 20, 25, 50 pounds. 

 Lizz, I have instructions for these skeletons made with macaroni.  A great way to learn about bones!!













Mr Carrot and Mr Chili Pepper at the Healthy Foods exhibit.











We attended several of these Optics Demos and tour of the Meinel Optical Science Building. 
















 These pictures were taken from the 8th floor patio.  Already the U of AZ Mall is crowded.

There were many display cases with historical examples of early optical devices,  sextants, telescopes, cameras, and these opera binoculars. 

 This art depicts prisms

Entrance to the Library

In the Student Union, each staircase level has these beautiful framed art collages using a variety of everyday materials.

 We were first in line at 9am for the 10am lecture by Dr. Andrew Weil, internationally renowed physician in integrated medicine.  His lecture was entitled Spontaneous Happiness.  He discussed the reasons for the high percentage of depression worldwide and better ways to treat it as well as many other ways to improve health.  Jim taped the lecture on his Livescribe pen if anyone wants to listen to it.
We knew it would be crowded, but down the hall and outside the building???





  There were only 600 chairs.
















A very moving memorial in the Student Union.