In this documentary, BORDER, California filmmaker Chris Burgard examines the U.S.-Mexico border from every angle, then allows the viewer to draw his or her own conclusions as to the state of the border crisis. It shows the human consequences of our insecure southern border.
The film looks at border issues such as illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and Mexican military incursions. Burgard uses hidden film crews to expose many horrific events that occur on and around the border.
The movie is intended to show the failed system and policy of the Mexico border through firsthand experience.
The documentary has garnered several awards across the nation including the 2007 best documentary at the California Independent Film Festival.
Tucked away in a bright yellow building on 22nd Street at Craycroft is some of the most delicious and affordable Mexican food in Tucson.
El Sur, a no-frills family-owned operation was a secret...for awhile. When people caught on, the tiny little restaurant became packed daily with people who can't get enough of the authentic cuisine.
The restaurant, which was constructed of an old house, is much too small to meet the demands for the food. However, the service is amazing. El Sur is the perfect place to go to eat in a hurry. The dish usually comes about ten minutes after being ordered. The family who owns and operates the restaurant is incredibly friendly and quick to refill a drink when they notice it is empty. Which is a very good thing due to the spicy food they serve up. Perhaps the best part of El Sur is it's affordable menu. Full plates cost an average of about $5.50... and the plates are huge. I have yet to finish an entire entree. Almost everything is served with a generous portion of refried beans topped with melted cheese and a large side of Spanish rice. The fajitas are a great choice. The shrimp fajitas are featured in the photo below.
The chips and salsa are also homemade and fantastic. A convenient feature of the restaurant is that each table is equipped with bottles of salsa at all times, ensuring that you will never have to wait for someone to bring you more. Which would happen, since the salsa is great on everything on the plate!
My favorite part of dining at El Sur would have to be the grilled jalapenos and onions that one server walks around with during the meal. You can request as many as you want. They are very spicy though, so if you aren't too fond of spicy foods, skip the jalapenos.
El Sur is a great family-friendly restaurant and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an inexpensive but impressive Mexican food experience.
Finding good Mexican-style seafood in Tucson isn't the easiest task.
Some restaurants offer seafood dishes, but the focus of most Mexican restaurants is on the burritos and enchiladas.
At El Mezon Del Cobre, the shrimp, fish and scallops are what really count. But the restaurant also offers all of the standard options as well.
On a recent visit to El Mezon Del Cobre, I ordered the Cameron Natural, a delicious seafood dish featuring broiled shrimp in lime juice topped with onions and tomatoes. It was fresh and fantastic, and was only about $13.
If you're looking for an even better deal, head to El Mezon for the lunch specials, everyday from 11-3. Combination plates with just about any menu item you can imagine range from $4.95 to $7.25.
The most popular item on the menu is the Sopa Marinera, a stew made with seven different types of seafood! There is also a great Sopa de Pescada, or fish soup, for the slightly less adventurous. For a couple, a good choice would be the Pargo Frito, which is a whole large fried fish.
If seafood isn't your thing, don't be deterred! El Mezon offers great traditional Mexican dishes as well. Chicken tacos, fajitas, burros and the like can all be found on the menu.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is special as well. Bright walls accompanied by interesting art and a colorful bar set the scene for a fun night out with friends or a date. On Friday and Saturday nights, a great mariachi band plays also!
El Mezon Del Cobre is a delicious an affordable option for lunch or dinner, and offers fresh seafood selections that are, in my opinion, some of the best in town.
A Day Without A Mexican, directed by Sergio Arau, is a satirical movie that debuted in 2004 that shows the necessity of the Hispanic community to the United States.
In the film, a fog engulfs California, cutting off all communication past the state line. The fog also causes all people of Hispanic descent, including native born, citizens and non-citizens as well as legal and illegal immigrants to slowly disappear. The disappearance of such a large segment of the population of the state causes the non-Hispanic population to realize the importance of Hispanics to everyday life as chaos ensues.
The State Senate Leader in the film, a man who uses anti-Hispanic jargon as a crutch in his career, is especially affected by the disappearance, politically and personally. As the employer of a Hispanic housekeeper, he is shaken by the problems caused for himself and the rest of the population, and makes it his duty to recover the missing population.
The movie uses satire and humor to show a real social issue. Hispanics represent an important and crucial part of the economy of the U.S. Without this part of the population, many people would lose their jobs (in the movie, Border Patrol is used as an example), and many people would be lost altogether, as Hispanics make up a large part of the labor force in the United States. The movie also shows that not all Hispanics are Mexican, illegals, or Spanish speaking. The film tears down racist stereotypes and highlights the importance of this ethnic group to our country. The best part about this movie is that it is entertaining even as it illustrates a very real issue.
I would absolutely recommend that anyone, especially anyone who has ever uttered a prejudice word about the presence of Hispanics in the U.S., watch this movie to be enlightened and educated while having a good laugh.
An exciting and beautiful place to visit in Tucson is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, located on the west side of town (Click here for directions).
Founded in 1952 by William Carr and Arthur Pack, the Desert Museum is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the Sonoran Desert. It is an institution committed to researching and protecting the land, plants, and the animals of the Sonoran Desert region.
Along with gorgeous views of the Tucson desert, cacti and surrounding mountains, the museum offers a variety of live animal exhibits featuring habitats that are built to resemble natural settings.
The museum, which is outdoors for the most part, offers 300 different animal species, 1,200 different types of plants, and is spread out over 2 miles of paths on 21 acres of desert.
The Desert Museum is a popular attraction for both young and old alike. The amazing collection of wildlife is so entertaining that you won't realize how much you are learning along the way.
The museum currently operates by funding through entirely by admissions, memberships, contributions and grants. Admission for adults is $13, and for children 6-12 it is $4.25. Prices decrease during the summer months from June through August, to $9.25 and $2.25 respectively.
The grounds offer plenty of places to eat and shop as well.
There is so much to look at at the Desert Museum, it takes about 3 to 4 hours to see, everything, so if you plan to go, plan to make a day of it! And wear sunscreen, there is little in the way of covering in most places.
My last piece of advice is to make sure not to miss Cat Canyon, my personal favorite part of the museum. Mountain Lions, bobcats and ocelots roam the area, and catching them during hunting time is priceless. Another highlight is the river otter exhibit, which offers both above and underwater viewing.
Click play on the video below to watch the otters swimming and playing in their exhibit:
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a great place to spend a day in Tucson, and this zoo isn't just for children! It is enjoyable for all ages.
One of Tucson's hidden treasures is located in the desert of the Foothills. It is an art gallery first and foremost, but the Gallery in the Sun is much more than that. It is one of the most interesting displays of Southwest art and architecture in the city.
Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia (1909-1982) designed and built the gallery in the early 1950's out of traditional adobe brick, where he lived with his wife Marion. DeGrazia, a University of Arizona graduate and transcendent of Italian immigrants, drew much of his inspiration from the Southwest. The six permanent collections of his art work displayed in the gallery represent historical events and the native cultures of the Southwest. After his early paintings were published, DeGrazia traveled to Mexico and worked with mural artists Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco. DeGrazia's murals can be found on the walls of the Gallery in the Sun, an open-roofed building.
After his death, the "Little Gallery" was opened as a way for lesser-known artists to display their work. Currently, Geri Niedermiller, 65, is showing her collection of intricate colored pencil drawings that resemble photographs more so than human-made artwork.
The gallery is open everyday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free. It is located at 6300 N. Swan Road. Prints and books of DeGrazia's work can be purchased in the gift shop or online.
The Gallery in the Sun is rich with the culture of the Southwest. DeGrazia's colorful paintings are incredibly unique and not to be missed on a visit to Tucson.
