The YWCA Southern Arizona Women’s Business Center is all about helping local businesses thrive.
In our Women’s Business Center, we work hard to assist lots of small businesses in our community each year. We offer specialized programs like IncubateHer and Build Academy that provide valuable help to current business owners and folks who dream of starting their own businesses. These programs cover important aspects of business, like creating a strong business plan, finding the right customers, improving branding and marketing, managing money wisely, and getting the funding you need through loans and grants from us and our partners.
Every year, we meet many exciting new local businesses. When they do well, we want everyone in our community to know about them. So, we're thrilled to introduce you to five fantastic Tucson businesses that have benefited from the support we offer. These businesses show what can happen when people with passion and determination get a helping hand from their community.
To learn more on how the YWCA Southern Arizona Women’s Business Center in Tucson can help you, just click The Button
Whether you enjoy history, nature or anything in between, there are plenty of easy road trips from Tucson and an array of options to choose from. Explore the history of our great state in towns like Tombstone, where the ghosts of the Old West pound their chests as we recall them. Spend the day in an underground cave and flip out over the stalactites. Visit Saguaro National Park, to hike among the largest collection of Saguaros in the world. We highly recommend doing this on a mild day so that you can roll the windows down and blast The Drive Tucson throughout the hills. Actually, one of the best ways to experience the Saguaro National Monument is windows down, but in total silence. There is something magical about it. With their human-like postures, each one takes on its own personality. Some are happy and seem to be applauding the sky and others look heavy-hearted and ready to die. If you're more in the mood for a trip to a bigger city, head to Phoenix, where you can enjoy the blistering hot sun and watch your friend's face melt off. There are so many amazing things to see in our great state. According to vacationidea.com, the following are the top five road trips to take in Arizona. We kind of have to agree! Just remember, wherever your drive takes you, be sure to take us along!
Sedona
Sedona is a unique city known for attracting artists and spiritual seekers. Many people believe that the area is home to spiritual energy centers known as "vortexes," and alternative medicine practitioners and workshops can be found all throughout the city, offering everything from reiki healing to lessons in interpreting dreams. Seeking out the vortexes is a popular Sedona activity, but the idyllic landscape boasts much more than just the potential of vortexes; many visitors come here simply to hike, climb, and mountain bike amidst the incredible rock spires.
Coconino National Forest
The Coconino National Forest is a true paradise for nature lovers. The forest has much more to offer than just trees; an incredibly diverse selection of terrain can be found here, including alpine tundra, towering red sandstone formations, and the peaceful pine and juniper woodlands you'd expect. Thanks to this wonderful diversity activity, popular activities include hiking, picnicking, camping, and simply driving around to admire the scenery.
Flagstaff
Flagstaff offers the perfect combination of outdoor adventure and big city amenities. Depending on the season, it's worth taking a few hours in the morning to explore one of the world-class trails on Mt. Humphreys or to hit the slopes at the Arizona Snowbowl. The afternoon can be spent browsing the downtown art galleries and shops, enjoying a beer at one of the local breweries, or strolling through the Arboretum. When it comes to dinner, there are plenty of excellent restaurants to choose from, many of which boost fantastic patios.
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is easily one of the most famous landmarks in the country, and once you've paid it a visit, it's not hard to understand why. To get the most out of the site on a day trip, you can take a free shuttle bus around the rim to explore the best viewpoints and museums. If you're feeling energetic, you can even take a short walk along the South Kaibab Trail to get a view of the canyon from below the rim. Don't forget to stay for sunset if you can; the lookout points along Hermit Rest Road are the best.
Jerome
Perched on top of Cleopatra Hill, the town of Jerome is a historic copper mining community that has been transformed from a spooky ghost town into a bustling hub of art and culture. The steep streets make for a good workout, and they're lined with local art galleries, pottery studios, and unique shops, including one of the largest kaleidoscope stores in the world. If you're more interested in the town's macabre history than in a day of shopping, you can stop by the Sliding Jail or book a spot on one of the town's ghost tours.
Here at The Drive Tucson, we are always thinking about road trips. Especially road trips you can take while the family is in town for the holidays. The Tucson-area has some really special places to take your relatives. Even if you have been to any one of these places before, they are still a wonderful place to build memories. We thought we would assemble a list of some of our favorite places to hit the road and enjoy a drive. Happy driving!
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a is a 98-acre fusion experience: zoo, botanical garden, art gallery & classes, natural history museum, and aquarium and art gallery, founded in 1952. Located just west of Tucson, it features two miles of walking paths traversing 21 acres of desert landscape. A local favorite for generations.
Reid Park Zoo has been a destnation point for Tucsonans for decades. The zoo features more than 500 animals. It was unofficially established in 1965 by Gene Reid, the Tucson Parks & Recreation Director at the time.
Mount Lemmon was named for botanist Sara Plummer Lemmon, who trekked to the top of the mountain. Mount Lemmon is always a pleasant and beautiful road trip. Just make sure if you stop by The Cookie Cabin that you bring some back for us!
Sabino Canyon is a significant canyon located in the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Coronado National Forest. It's a popular recreation area for many of our local residents as well as visitors of Southern Arizona, providing a place to walk, hike or ride.
The Tucson Botanical Gardens is transcendently impressive and a tranquil oasis in the heart of Tucson. TBG strives to be recognized and respected as the best small public garden in America. This is one of Tucson's gems. For us, the Tucson Botanical Gardens never gets old. They're mission is to connect people with plants and nature through art, science, history and culture.
Biosphere 2 advances our understanding of natural and human-made ecosystems through integrated research to increase the resilience and sustainability of Earth systems and human quality of life. They advance research in unique facilities, conduct interdisciplinary science education, and foster leadership initiatives focused on developing scalable solutions for our planet and beyond. This place is CRAZY COOL.
The International Wildlife Museum is dedicated to increasing knowledge and appreciation of the diverse wildlife of the world as well as explaining the role of wildlife management in conservation. Founded in 1988, the museum highlights over 400 species of insects, mammals and birds from around the globe. Some of the collections are more than 100 years old and all the animals found at the museum were donated by various government agencies, wildlife rehabilitation centers, captive breeding programs, zoos and individuals.
The Pima Air & Space Museum features about 400 historic aircraft, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner. Sitting on 80 acres the museum opened its doors to the public in May of 1976. Over the past forty years, the museum has grown immensely and today encompasses six indoor exhibit hangars (three dedicated to WWII).
At the Titan Missile Museum, visitors journey through time to stand on the front line of the Cold War. This preserved Titan II missile site, officially known as complex 571-7, is all that remains of the 54 Titan II missile sites that were on alert across the United States from 1963 to 1987. This one-of-a kind museum gives visitors a rare look at the technology used by the United States to deter nuclear war. What was once one of America’s most top-secret places is now a National Historic Landmark.
The Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium is a science museum and planetarium in Tucson, Arizona. It is part of the University of Arizona. It is named after American author Grace Flandrau. The Eos Planetarium Theater has a 15.2 meter dome and seats 146 people. The science center includes fossil and mineral exhibits
The DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun celebrates both the life of Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia and his art. Established in 1950 by DeGrazia, the Gallery in the Sun is a Tucson tradition that is a favorite among visitors and local Tucsonans alike. DeGrazia and his work are characterized by their rebellious approach and passionate depiction of Southwestern life.
The Drive Tucson wants to help promote our local economy as well the opportunities to support it. Click the link below for details on this fantastic job fair coming this fall to the U of A! Click The Button for more info!
We all know how crazy-hot summers are here and at The Drive Tucson, we want you to be the best version of yourself; and that begins with good hydration. On average, nearly 1500 residents will end up in the hospital this summer due to heat-related illnesses. (Source: Arizona Department of Health Services)
Staying hydrated during the summer is critical. The top five signs of dehydration are:
Here are some simple to remember ways to stay hydrated:
Sometimes that is easier said than done. How much water should you drink daily? Calculate ½ your body weight in ounces. If you are outside or exercising in the heat, add 12 ounces every 30 minutes and pay attention to how you are feeling.
You may not realize it, but in our dry heat your sweat evaporates constantly and quickly, so you must replenish it.
Fruits and vegetables contain water, nutrients, fiber and potassium. They are smart dietary choices to supplement your water intake.
Drink water before and after every meal. Drink water before and after meetings. And definitely drink a glass after going to the bathroom.
Keep a pen and paper handy and track how much you are drinking and how it makes you feel. Do this until you truly understand what it takes to reach your daily water intake and wellness goals.
Heat stroke is a serious and potentially deadly condition caused by our bodies overheating. This can happen as a result of too much exposure to high temperatures or to excess physical exertion that raises our body temperature to 104 F (40 C) or higher.
Symptoms include:
If you are experiencing any signs of dehydration or heat stroke, seek medical attention immediately.
