Farm-to-Table celebrating at Janos

Last night we ate slow and local with the farmers. I’m not being cute – just stating the facts as we enjoyed a feast in honor of Sonoran Region farms, vineyards and breweries. So refreshing to put aside other discussions and focus on a core element of community sustainability -- our local foods. The Tucson evening was made even more special through the kitchen of Janos, a favorite local chef and leader in our food community.

Local growers from our Sonoran region came to the dinner to be honored and to share their crops. It was an experience full of flavor and celebration. The gathering included a four-course wine-tasting dinner, with a front-end reception that allowed us to gather informally, to talk community, sustainability, and how culture and food play an important part of place-making in the region. Local growers brought their beautiful bounty for display, and also supplied the meats and produce for the event. Our own Nimbus Brewery and Callaghan Vineyard provided the spirits.

Yum – fresh tiny turnips and fig compote wafers to start with refreshing Nimbus beer. I saw a gorgeous sweet and spicy popcorn display too pretty to taste as well as other fresh tidbits passed around on the Janos patio. For dinner, there were four adventures. We had delectable preparations of tartare and hearty dishes of flavorful meats, poultry and fish. The native garnishes included stuffed pumpkin blossoms, saguaro syrup, chipotle spices piloncillo. There were pickled local produce and ajo rojo garlic so sweet. An incredible dessert of almond-lemon-basil pound cake and cinnamon ice cream – should I continue? Such wonderful full wines from Callaghan to accompany each serving.

I frequent our local farmers markets, and I was happy to spend a few dollars to be part of this tribute to Tucson’s food artisans. Janos, as always, provided an interesting cultural and culinary perspective to the evening, and encouraged us all to learn more about the sustaining edible treasures of our Sonoran Desert. The experience of eating such delicious cuisine prepared so beautifully was made even more special by knowing where the food came from, and by sharing our table with the producers of such bounty.

Thanks to our friends Peggy and Mike for sharing a table with us. Thanks to our great local producers (including the chicken ladies and Native Seed Search). And thanks to Janos, for his creativity and unswerving enthusiasm for the cultural, agricultural and foods heritage so part of Tucson’s unique, precious flavor. I’m proud to support this special place called the Sonoran Desert.

Breathing Deeply

Yesterday we took a trip to the open western space we love, past Mt.Fagan to the Empire Mountains and the tiny towns of Sonoita and Patagonia. We were getting away from the endless negative news from Wall Street, the disheartening political jabbing and intense computer time (although thankfully the computer time is due to some interesting assignments).

Our drive is fresh air for the soul, a fortification of spirit. The desert winds energize us, the fragrances of salvia stimulate senses, the bright skies warm and comfort me.

I travel with my friend and partner of so many years. I smile knowing how many hurdles and bounces we have seen together. And we have weathered all. So even these days of torn investments will mend.

I look out to the mountains, across Wyeth-like landscapes dotted by cattle and magnificent agave. Both of us have our cameras and our thoughts. I think of good things:

• My family, first and foremost. We share legacy and priceless love.


• Our son, a strong, intelligent young man with great heart and vision for himself, humanity and earth. He is in a good place with his partner and his career. I bless two young people and pray their journey ahead is a happy one, worthy of their commitment.


• Two friends who will marry this weekend. Jennifer and Darrell formalize an already strong partnership. They enter this celebration in tumultuous times, for sure, but as I did for my son I bless their happy road ahead, ensured because they share respect and true friendship.


• Election Day. Despite ugly insults spewing from both sides, I look forward to our day of democracy. I sense the choice already is made and I am happy we are passing the baton to a new generation. I wish for them the exhilaration of rebuilding, alongside a leader of their choice. I will happily do my part, but I firmly believe it's time for the next generation to strongly influence the choices made for a brighter future.


• My desert home. Yes, it is my home now. I gain peace from the awesome display of this most powerful nature around me. How could I not feel protected in this place? I see waves of hills in the distance. Thousands, rolling on and on. The strength in that vista, with its endless horizon, gives me inspiration to carry on.

Our day in Santa Cruz County rocks us with a rhythm that diverts our uneasy breathing. We laugh, photograph, eat calzones and soup at Velvet Elvis, meet an artist who offers us macaroons and friendly conversation. We smile and laugh more. We look out into the landscape and ask this powerful sunshine to make its way across the country, into the darkest corners of a toxic economy, to help refashion us and put us back on track. Slowly, we breathe deeply again.