Mobility Plus
245 S Tucson Blvd Ste 2
Tucson AZ 85719
Mobility Plus
10861 N Mavinee Dr Ste 155
Oro Valley AZ 85737
Mobility Plus
9140 N Silverbell Rd Ste 120
Marana AZ 84743
Mobility Plus is a locally owned small business and it is operated by Gary & Dan Ross. They are proud to be part of Tucson’s LGBTQ community and Gary is a veteran with over 25 years of service. Mobility Plus is a franchise that offers sales, repairs, installations, and rentals of scooters, ramps, lifts, and more. Gary & Dan opened their first location in Central Tucson, and they plan to open a location in Oro Valley and in East Tucson.
Gary was a Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy and Dan was a Flight Attendant at US Airways when they met in 2000. They were living in Tucson when they made headlines in 2011 by becoming the first same-sex military couple to legally marry following the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Gary & Dan also successfully challenged the constitutionality of the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” when it comes to military spousal benefits.
Gary received new military orders, so they moved away from Tucson. However, Gary and Dan left their hearts in Tucson, and they dreamed about returning. Their dream became a reality when they purchased a Tucson home in 2019 and moved permanently in 2020. They have enjoyed reuniting with old friends and making new friends. Gary and Dan adore the Old Pueblo because of the sunshine, warmth, history, and culture—not to mention Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy!
Gary and Dan researched several business opportunities before they decided to open Mobility Plus. “We improve people’s lives by consulting with them to find the right solutions for their mobility needs,” says Gary Ross. “We help people maintain their independence and age in place in the homes they love,” says Dan Ross. Mobility Plus is committed to exceeding its client’s expectations by offering internet pricing along with personalized service, delivery, and installation.
From the brilliant, creative mind of Courtney Kelly comes this whimsical yet intimate portrayal of man’s furry friends. I have always been a HUGE animal lover.
Besides our baby, Keeley Bear, we regularly feed and care for neighborly cats, transient rabbits, and all matter of migrating birds. It was hard for me to express my love devotion for life’s most vulnerable and delicate creatures until I first laid eyes upon my favorite Courtney Kelly masterpiece, “Greyhound De La Muerte”. (pictured above)
Now, thanks to the wonders of the internet, you too can have your very own Courtney Kelly displayed prominently above your fireplace.
For a nominal price, CourtsArt (partnered with Etsy Art) will delivery a high-quality archival print of any one of her fantastic works, including “High Five Kitty” (pictured right) and many others. Visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/courtsart to view the entire catalog and let Courtney know how much you love her!
Nina Bingham is an award-winning Author and life voyager who strives to inspire conscious living and conscious dialogue. She writes books that are electric with honesty and passion, causing readers to explore topics such as the soul. Nina earned an AA in Psychology, a BA in Applied Psychology, and completed her MS in Mental Health Counseling program. She is a master-level Clinical Hypnotherapist, a Certified Sound Therapist using tuning forks for painless acupuncture, a Reiki Master who was initiated and taught by a Peruvian shaman, and an Intuitive who channels books about the Archangels. Nina is a member of the International Alliance of Holistic Therapists and has been in private practice for 19 years.
Nina lives with her wife and dog in Tucson, Arizona, and can be found paddling her kayak on Arizona lakes. Before moving to Tucson, she and her wife lived in Portland, Oregon where Nina had a mental health counseling private practice. Personally, she is a practicing Hindu who received the honorary name Devi from her guru in India (but you can call her Nina). She enjoys growing and smoking her own brand of CBD flower, Devi’s Dream (it doesn’t make you high, just happy). Her wife Rachael sells CBD products such as CBD flower, oil, and pain relief products. Her greatest joy in life is to engage with the LGBTQ community, and she has written her difficult coming-out story in her autobiography, Once The Storm Is Over (you can find her books on Amazon).She also writes a self-help blog: ninabingham.blogspot.com
Clients describe Nina as professional, caring and insightful, and she is a 5-star Groupon merchant. Jeanne left this comment on Groupon about her first Hypnosis session: “Very nice and relaxing experience! This is my first Hypnosis experience but definitely won’t be my last!”
Arte Bella on 4th Ave.
340 N. 4th Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85705
520-526-2588
www.artebellaon4th.com
Art, Entertainment, and Inclusivity at Arte Bella on 4th + Bella’s on 4th
Arte Bella on 4th began as an inclusive art space for Tucsonans. It has blossomed into a one-of-a-kind bar, restaurant, live music venue, painting studio, and 420-friendly haven. That’s right, Arte Bella on 4th is not your mother’s paint and sip! It’s the only venue in the country that rounds up live music, art-inspired cocktails, painting classes, drop-in-and-paint options in a 420-friendly atmosphere. Enter the Arte Bella on 4th door and walk through the art gallery back to the event space, or come in through the Bella’s on 4th restaurant after ordering a bite to eat. Arte Bella on 4th has somehow encapsulated all that is awesome about Tucson’s 4th Avenue and put it under one roof!
Offerings
Arte Bella on 4th aims to be a safe gathering place for all 21+ patrons. As allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community, Arte Bella on 4th is truly a “come as you are” establishment, and a “choose your own adventure” experience. Schedule a fun, guided art class or drop-in to freestyle a canvas or decorate a wine glass— whether your skill level is Van Gogh or color-by-numbers. Popular classes include Puff + Paint Date Night, Blacklight Puff + Paint, and Acrylic Pour. Those who don’t have time to paint can stop by for a puff on the patio or a drink from the bar and enjoy live music. Arte Bella on 4th hosts local musicians throughout the week and is always adding special events to their calendar. Bella’s on 4th will serve up an array of munchies, including delicious vegan options. Puff, paint, party time!
Customers keen to partake in legally purchased cannabis products can smoke on the patio
Customers keen to partake in legally purchased cannabis products can smoke on the patio while vaping and dabbing are allowed inside. Ordering a cocktail at Arte Bella on 4th is an art show in itself! Bella’s bartenders’ craft signature cocktails inspired by art pieces and artist bios. The result is delightful drinks that are sure to color you impressed. Try the spicy Frida Rita made with mango jalapeño tequila or the Starry Night vodka cocktail that *shimmers* with edible glitter! You’ll also find an extensive list of wine, craft beers, ciders, meads, and seltzers as well as non-alcoholic CBD seltzers and mocktails.
Arte Bellas Colorful Backstory
Artist, Air Force veteran, LGBTQ advocate, and cannabis activist Jen Christiansen opened the 4th Avenue location in April 2021. Jen saw an opportunity to fuse some of her favorite worlds together when Prop 207 passed. Further nudging her mission to go mainstream with her ‘Puff and Paint’ concept. Jen shakes her fist at the cannabis stigma. She opens her doors to all 21+ customers with the liberating reminder that “Moms smoke weed, too!”
Arte Bella on 4th Ave (21 + 420 friendly bar, live music venue, puff and paint art
studio) &
Bella’s on 4th Ave (new restaurant expected to open within a few weeks)
Have you ever felt seen, valued, or important? Here at Creatively Queer Press, we want everyone to experience that feeling through the media they consume. We’ve seen in popular media that many people in the LGBTQ+ or BIPOC communities lack representation with accuracy or empathy if represented at all.
Our mission as a publishing company is to change that. We look to media for versions of ourselves and for visions of who we could be. If we don’t see ourselves represented then our dreams can feel limited, or at worst, discouraged. Diversity is something we believe should be visible and celebrated.
The Media
One of our first publications does that for the queer Latinx community: Cuentos. This bilingual Latinx mythology art anthology came to fruition by our Creatively Queer Press team. With the help of two dozen queer Latinx artists and writers. Every entry is a painting or illustration about a myth, legend, or creature from folklore. The artworks are accompanied by either fiction or non-fiction writing about the subject in both Spanish and English.
Through Cuentos our founder Luis Silva discovered our first editor for the CQP team: A. Dante Bravo. Originally a contributing artist and writer, Dante took on the task of editing the book layout and running the Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the print books of Cuentos. To help finish Cuentos, our second editor Joelle Blot was also invited to join us on the book’s publishing journey. Together our team of three queer creators works to share our books all across the town of Tucson, AZ, and far beyond. By collaborating with queer and POC creatives from all over the world, Creatively Queer Press strives to create and publish accessible entertainment for fans of all genres of comic books, art anthologies, gaming books, and so much more.
We are also working towards building an animation team to help us create groundbreaking animated films that serve our mission of inclusive representation. We invite everyone who values diversity to discover a new favorite on our website at www.creativelyqueerpress.com
Tucson’s Rising Phoenix Self-Defense & Fitness is a unique, queer-friendly martial arts and self-defense gym open to all ages, skill levels, and fitness levels. Rising Phoenix has named this branch of their program The Rainbow Connection.
Our Approach
Founded in 2014, Rising Phoenix takes a different approach to self-defense training by using therapeutic martial arts instruction to promote healthy human connection, emotional control, and the importance of consent.
Each class focuses on street-smart self-defense skills and concepts designed to be immediately applicable to real-world situations. The self-defense we teach is based on Israeli Krav Maga, specifically intended to be practical, functional, and quick to learn.
In 2021, the Israeli Martial Arts Hall of Fame named Rising Phoenix the Best Krav Maga School in Tucson.
The Rainbow Connection
Rising Phoenix provides a welcoming environment for people in the LGBTQIA+ community to be themselves, gain confidence, and learn valuable skills. Rainbow Connection is our weekly donations-based self-defense class for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies.
Rainbow Connection was established as part of Rising Phoenix in 2016. The program was created by former gym member James Cook, who saw the need for self-defense training among his fellow members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Our Rainbow Connection classes provide training specifically designed to address concerns in the queer community. We practice trauma-aware instruction, focused on helping students take ownership of their minds and bodies to challenge their comfort zones and discover what they’re capable of.
Rainbow Connection is a safe place. Its dedication is to helping participants effectively learn and use assertiveness and self-defense skills in uncomfortable, intimidating, and scary situations. Our instructors and students use their strengths to help, support, and encourage each other to succeed.
Our Classes
Tucson’s Rising Phoenix offers a variety of self-defense, martial arts, and fitness classes, ranging from Krav Maga, Yoga, and Group Fitness, to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Weapons Tactics, and more!
We have two donations-based classes that are open to the public: Our Rainbow Connection LGBTQIA+ self-defense classes every Saturday from noon – 1:00 p.m., and our women’s self-defense classes every Friday from 6:00 p.m. –7:30 p.m. and every Saturday from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
One-on-one private lessons, small-group private lessons, customized group workshops, and corporate training sessions are also available.
Our Owner
The founder and owner of Rising Phoenix, Jesse James Tucker, has been teaching self-defense and Krav Maga for over 15 years. He holds black belts in four different Krav Maga systems. He is also a certified Krav Maga instructor with the Federation of Israeli Martial Arts (FIMA).
Jesse has been inducted into both the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame and the Israeli Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He was named Defense Master Instructor of the Year in 2021 by the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Reviews
Matt S.
“Stepping into a martial arts gym can be really scary, especially when you’re not a “Tough Guy,” but summoning my courage and walking through the doors at Rising Phoenix is the best thing I’ve done since relocating to Tucson three years ago. Jesse and his fellow instructors go out of their way to make people of every age, body type, culture, and orientation feel welcome and empowered with the best in modern martial arts training.
Rising Phoenix’s Krav Maga isn’t static: It’s constantly evolving and incorporating techniques from kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, and catch wrestling, alongside the tried and true martial education in Israeli Krav Maga you’d expect. Rising Phoenix also offers more stuff than Krav Maga, too: specialized instruction in Judo, BJJ, and Muay Thai, weapons, and you can take as much as you want for one price. I look back at the years I’ve spent training here and see a totally changed me. I’m tougher physically and psychologically, and my day-to-day life is better for it. Thanks, Jesse!”
Kristina S.
“I can honestly say training at Rising Phoenix is one of the best decisions I have EVER made. Whether you are at a beginner or advanced level in Krav Maga, BJJ, etc, this place makes you feel right at home. I have never met any instructors who are as passionate about teaching self-defense. Jesse, Chance, and Alicia are three of the most amazing people I have met in Tucson. I can ask endless questions, pose endless scenarios, and someone is ALWAYS ready to help and answer my questions.
Instructors will stay after class with you for more than an hour to discuss your personal training plan, answer any questions you might have, or just to talk about your experiences and what brought you to Rising Phoenix. They care about your personal experience and want to help you get what kind of training you’re looking for.… I have learned so much from Rising Phoenix, and I cannot wait to continue my training. I have gone to other gyms in Tucson, but there is no place better to train than Rising Phoenix. The atmosphere and the instructors are unbeatable.”
Jeremiah Thomas
“The people here are amazing. The instructors are professional, helpful, willing to show techniques that meet your fitness level, and very supportive. The training here is awesome. From real-life situations to multiple scenarios per technique, the instructors here are on top of their game. The group fitness class is great. It will work you into fighting shape pretty effectively. If you come, just say hi to anyone, and you will find a friend at this gym. I have been coming here for a couple of years now. Every new person is immediately treated as someone you’ve known for a lifetime. It really does make this such an inviting place to learn how to defend yourself and others.”
Company Name: Tucson’s Rising Phoenix Fitness & Defense
Office Address: 4500 E Speedway Blvd, Suite 4, Tucson, AZ 85712
Contact Name (s): Jesse James Tucker
Phone (s): (520) 838-1592
Email: tucsonrisingphoenix@gmail.com
Pricing: sliding scale
Website:https://tucsonselfdefenseandfitness.com/Office hours: (Please check our website for class times)
Barrio Books is the only bilingual woman-owned bookstore in Tucson, AZ. We specialize in carrying literature from Latinx authors as well as other BIPOC authors. We dedicate ourselves to serving the Tucson community by providing a space where our customers can find representation in the books they read. Barrio Books began as a pop-up vendor, going to different events throughout Tucson and the surrounding areas. In January, we were fortunate to have a partnership with Hotel McCoy who provided our first Brick and Mortar location rent-free. We are currently working on our bookmobile in order to have an easier and more efficient way of getting more literature into our neighborhoods.
Representation Matters
Selfie of Syrena at Barrio Books
I am a native Tucsonan and a graduate of the University of Arizona. Throughout the years, I have been involved in organizations throughout the community that focuses on Social Justice and Cultural enrichment.
Tucson is such a diverse city and so incredibly supportive. We saw that first opening at our Brick and Mortar location! There were so many people that came in rooting for Barrio Books to succeed. And so many others that were eager to learn and devour the literature that we sell. Even today, there are still so many people so excited to come in and take in the unique vibes of Barrio Books.
Representation for Latinx peoples is incredibly important in all mediums, especially literature. Barrio Books is a way to get books out to people in the community who have no idea where they can find books that reflect them and their unique journey through life. This is especially important for young readers. Books that have characters who look like them, eat the same foods, or go through the same obstacles can really lure them into wanting more books and in turn, create lifelong readers!
“Quickly has become one of my favorite bookstores in town. Syrena has been extremely kind and helpful when it comes to helping me find rare Latinx-focused books, and I am very grateful for all the wonderful finds!” -Luis Silva
COMPANY NAME: BARRIO BOOKS
OFFICE ADDRESS:
HOTEL MCCOY
720 W SILVERLAKE #302
TUCSON AZ, 85713
Antigone Books was founded in 1973 as a predominantly lesbian-owned feminist bookstore. This was at a time when there were more than fifty independent bookstores in Tucson. In the decades since the number of indie bookstores in the city has dwindled. Still Antigone Books has remained a pillar of the local book-loving community, expanding our mission to be a community bookstore with feminist roots. Although ownership has changed hands a couple of times since we originally opened in the 70s, we’ve remained women-run from the start. The current owners and long-time Antigone Books employees Kate, Melissa, and Morgan took over in 2018. They have expanded the store’s selection of books, gifts, and cards while remaining true to the store’s original focus on the recently-published boundary-pushing literature.
The Store
We keep a circulating stock of Pride supplies on hand throughout the year. From flags representing all identities across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum to dog- and cat-themed rainbow stickers. We also maintain a thriving queer literature section (see photos!), where we keep classic gay, trans, lesbian, and ace titles in stock. Readers can find everything on our shelves from LGBTQIA+ children’s books and YA fiction to queer graphic novels and LGBTQIA+ non-fiction. We also get regular issues of Sinister Wisdom and RFD as well as the latest lesbian romances from Bella and Bold Stroke Books. Whatever we don’t have in stock we’re happy to order for our customers at no extra charge! You can place orders in our store, over the phone, or online and we can get most titles in within a week.
Though our events program is on hold indefinitely due to COVID-19, pre-pandemic we were home to seven local book clubs and we featured regular book signings, author readings, and we had just begun to host Drag Queen Story Hours. We look forward to supporting our community with these and more exciting options in the near future; keep an eye on our website for updates! We also run a local authors consignment program for Tucson writers whose books are self-published or not available through major book distributors. We’re always looking for new voices, so definitely reach out if you’re interested after checking out the “Consignment” page on our website. In addition, we proudly carry local free periodicals of the Tucson queer community such as the 55+ LGBT newsletter Senior Forum and the Tucson Pride guide. Whether you’re new to town or a regular search for that perfect book, we’re excited to welcome you!
REVIEW:
“LOVE Antigone Books! This is generally my first stop if I’m looking for gifts or a physical book. Love their selection of adult coloring books, blank journals, cookbooks, and local authors. Their feminist and LGBTQ+ selection is also pretty impressive. And, they host a few book discussion groups. The staff is always friendly, and I like the sense of community.”
We are a full service grocery store on 4th Avenue focusing on local, organic, and wellness food and health products. We are member owned and open to all, guided by democratic decision making and actively working to practice as an inclusive, anti-racist organization and business.
