ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

It’s called “� by Melody Warnick.

Although Warnick writes about her own quest to fall in love with Blacksburg, Virginia, I couldn’t help but think about ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ the whole time I was reading the book.

I moved to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ for the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, and it took a while before I could confidently say I loved ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. Our city didn’t make a great first impression for me. Ìý

That’s what Warnick battles in her Love Where You Live experiments. I wanted to adapt those for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.

If you’re new to town or not exactly feeling like you fit in the Old Pueblo, here are some ideas to feel like you belong in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, inspired by chapters from Warnick’s book. All of it is meant to help you put down some roots and see ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ with new eyes.Ìý

Get out of your car

And this is the best weekend for that. is this weekend, April 8, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Put on by Living Streets Alliance, Cyclovia shuts down 2.5 miles to car traffic between the Lost Barrio and Himmel Park. You can ride your bike, walk, jog or whatever suits your fancy. See the city in a whole new way with tons of other ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ans.Ìý

If crowds aren't your thing, take the fam to the newly-completed Loop —Ìý131 miles of multi-use trail around the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ area. Again no cars.Ìý

Walking will help you meet your neighbors, too. Do some scouting to see if there are any errands you can run on foot or by bike. Then, add a bit of fresh air to your next grocery store run or library excursion. Walking and biking will help you get to know the city more intimately.Ìý

Buy local

Buying local literally supports your neighbors. If you're particularly interested in backing local ladies, we created this Ìýin ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. Even if shopping locally all the time is out of your price range (we totally get that), maybe commit to going local with one category of your purchases. Buy gifts at Ìý(more on them ) or pamper your pup at Ìý(more on them ).ÌýMaybe you could consider getting plants from local nurseries such as , or (there are many more, so just pick your nearest local nursery).Ìý

You could also cash mob a local business by organizing a group of people to go spend a certain amount of money at a local business on a particular day. (Read more about the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ restaurant version of that ).Ìý

Eat localÌý

So there's that cash mob tactic we just mentioned — the is at Rocco's Little Chicago Pizzeria on April 22.Ìý

Or pick a place and become a regular, even just once a week. Coffee and tea are an easy, won't-break-the-bank way to do that. Here's Ìýyou might like, based on your personality and what you're looking for.Ìý

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is fortunate enough to have an amazing restaurant scene that is quickly gaining national recognition, including a .Ìý

We also apparently have ," according to the city.Ìý

Our food writer Andi Berlin publishes a monthly list of new restaurants that might help you on your quest to eat local. Here's .Ìý

You could also make a point of eating local at homeÌý— and not via take-out. Consider purchasing seasonal produce at a farmer's market (Start with Note that times and availability vary seasonally). Or get down into the dirt and grow your own in a backyard — use the Pima County Public Library's or for desert-adapted seeds. You could also put roots down at a community garden. Contact the site coordinator , and someone will get you set up.Ìý

Participate in fun stuff

We protest the complaint that there's nothing going on in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. For starters, check our our and weekly lists of . You'll find things to do with the kids, your girlfriends and on date night.Ìý

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has a calendar stuffed with annual festivals to anticipate. Biggies include the Ìýat the beginning of the year, in February, the in March, the in March and December, Cyclovia THIS WEEKEND and again in the fall, in April, during monsoon season, in October, the in November and the in December. (Here's our of big events). Get to know the rhythm of the community.Ìý

That's not to mention all of the music festivals, food fests and other markets going on all over town throughout the year. Pick one and check it out. Maybe make it a tradition. And what was that you were saying about boring?Ìý

Stay informed

Local politics affect each of us directly, so make an effort to know what's going on and how it impacts you and your neighbors. We'll insert a shameless plug here to promoteÌý for local news. Write a , vote in local elections and attend public meetings.Ìý

Here's for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ City Council meetings, usually on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Here are the schedules for the town council meetings of , , Ìý²¹²Ô»å . In the spirit of finding out what your elected officials are up to, you could also check out the Pima County Board of Supervisors, which usuallyÌý.Ìý

The school boards also have meetings you can go to if you want a greater voice in your kid's education. Check out schedules for , , , , , , ,ÌýÌýÌý²¹²Ô»å .Ìý

Explore nature

The blue skies, the warm winters, the towering saguaros, the SUNSETS.ðŸ˜� We all know nature is one of the best things about ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.Ìý

Right now the city and surrounding desert are particularly beautiful as . Try the challenging, but do-able trek just west of I-10. You'll probably see someone you know or meet someone you want to know.

Spend a Saturday away from it all at the , or . Or get out of town and take the family to Sabino Canyon or Catalina State Park for some impressive vistas. Hikes to Seven Falls and Romero Pools will connect you with the desert and WATER (hopefully).Ìý

If you're feeling done with the desert heat, for some hiking among pine trees and greenery.Ìý

Scout out favorite hikes and then bring visitors next time they're in town.Ìý

Give back

Find a cause that's making a difference in our city. Not only will you connect with others who care, but you'll actually be working to solve a problem you've noticed.Ìý

We have no shortage of inspiring local nonprofits, so here are just a few ideas to get you thinking:Ìý

• If you want to make books accessible to all kids:

• If helping homeless teens finish school fires you up:

• If you're good at donation drives and want to see more kids living in healthy families: Ìý

• If you've got a big heart for hurting women:

• If you want to tackle poverty:

And many more.

What makes ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ feel like home for you?Ìý

For more ideas, read "" by Melody Warnick.Ìý