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 Green Father's Day in Tucson
Tucson is a great place to go green.
With Arizona's endless sunshine, solar energy is a ridiculously obvious local cure for rising gas prices, global warming, and the heat island effect in urban areas. With government rebates and payment plans, it can be affordable for even the cash-strapped.
Whether you start big or small, grow an organic garden or just replace toxic household cleaners with natural ones, Tucson abounds with knowledgable people who can help you, sources of greener products, and lots of educational resources.
Indeed, we live in one of the few cities with its own green newspaper, Tucson Green. The newspaper is full of informative articles, helpful advice, and ads by local green businesses. It's a great place to start your own personal path to green.
Holidays and special occasions are a perfect opportunity to give your loved ones a green nudge. People are more open to trying something new when it comes in giftwrap. And that first green step is the biggest hurdle for initiates. A gift is just the ticket.
Maybe you'll start with something as simple as a basket of men's personal care products, all made from organic ingredients. Or a gift certificate to the green building supply store, Originate. Or a membership in a local conservation organization like Sky Islands.
Or maybe you'll start his solar journey with a sun-powered radio for poolside fun or a solar oven for your next barbeque.
Fortunately, T ucson is home to businesses that offer most of our top Father's Day green gift suggestions.
That means, you can take the extra green step of buying locally, which cuts down on the amount of fossil fuels used in the transport of goods and helps support the local economy.
If you can't find your ideal Father's Day gift locally, shop online using the ecofriendly businesses we've featured in our "Green Gift Shop." We've located only the most authentically green businesses so that you don't have to wonder if it's really organic.
While we don't consider green shopping the fix for the world's environmental woes, it is certainly one essential step. Additional ways are outlined in the articles at this site, the links on our resource pages, and the local newspaper, Tucson Green.
See our Top Ten Father's Day Gifts page for delightful ways to go green this Father's Day. Then return to this page to find local sources of the products and services we dubbed green and worthy of the most fabulous father.
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 THE SOLAR STORE
2833 N Country Club Rd
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 322-5180
www.solarstore.com
The Solar Store offers solar, wind, and skylight equipment and installations for complete household and office systems.
They also carry a nice selection of the coolest solar gizmos in the solar system. Dads will get a big kick out of their solar radio, which runs entirely on sunlight. And what Dad doesn't love a backyard barbeque? He can cook without those polluting charcoal bricks and starter fluids with The Solar Store's space age solar cooker. Just open the top, place the pots inside, and let the sun do the work.
They also carry solar and windpower education kits for father and son fun; a kilowatt measuring plug-in that tells you how much energy any appliance is using; motion-sensor kits that shut off the lights when no one is in the room; and more.
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 ORIGINATE
526 N 9th Ave
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 792-4207
www.originatenbm.com
Originate is a natural building materials showroom that specializes in interior
finishes that are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, durable, and made from
natural and renewable resources.
They carry few gifts, per se, but for the handyman, an Originate gift certificate is a one-way ticket to greener, healthier projects. With everything from handmade earthen tiles, to nontoxic paints and finishes, to salvaged building materials, and most anything else the handyman needs, Originate can start Dad down the green building path.
Their staff also offers advice, and if he gets in over his head, they can direct him to hands-on help.
Also in Tucson: Green building supplies may also be found at architectural salvage stores. Workshops on green building are given by DAWN, an organization devoted to sustainable living: http://www.greenbuilder.com/dawn/
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BOHEMIA TUCSON
2920 E Broadway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 882-0800
www.bohemiatucson.com
Bohemia Tucson is an art gallery whose offerings include unique and gorgeous works made from materials someone tossed out as trash. From metal garden sculptures made from scrap, to backpacks and wallets made from outdated vinyl billboards, to beer coasters made from empty beer cans and reclaimed lunchboxes, there's enough to delight any Dad's sensibilities while going greener. If you're looking for a new spin on a cliche gift,they carry cool, crafty ties, with artsy features sewn in.
Also in Tucson: Recycled art can also be found at many of the other galleries in Tucson and from individual artists at the twice annual Open Studio Tour, and at other local events where artisans set up.
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 BUFFALO EXCHANGE
2001 E Speedway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 795-0508
www.buffaloexchange.com
Buffalo Exchange, where recycling is always in style, is all about recovering good quality used clothing that would otherwise wind up prematurely in the landfill. Their ever-changing inventory includes designer wear, vintage, jeans, leather, great basics, and irresistible one-of-a-kind items.
The first Buffalo Exchange opened in 1974 in Tucson, Arizona, and its owners think it may well be the first used clothing store in the country. The store donates to hundreds of local nonprofits, and nationally, to the Center for Environmental Health and the Humane Society of the United States.
Also in Tucson: Quality used clothing can also be found at Goodwill and other thrift stores, consignment stores (some very cool ones on 4th Ave.), and vintage shops.
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 LAKALI NATURAL SKINCARE SPA
4626 E Fort Lowell Rd.
Suite K, Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 370-5105
www.lakali.com
Lakali is a natural skincare spa dedicated to the understanding that real beauty is a reflection of good health. They use and offer the product line, Naturopathica, a performance based natural skincare line free of harsh chemicals such as parabens or petrolem-based ingredients.
With more men than ever getting in on the pampering act, you may be surprised how much Dad appreciates a little hands on care. You can make your man feel like a King with a gift certificate from Lakali or a gift basket full of their Naturopathica products for an at-home spa treatment.
Also in Tucson: All natural body care products for an at-home spa experience can also be found at Food Conspiracy Coop, Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and other natural foods stores.
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AEROLITE METEORITES
www.aerolitemeteorites.com
A meteorite may be as green as it gets, since it's made by nature - and in outer space! Appeal to any man's inner science geek or adventure hound with a real meteorite
from outer space, found by real meteorite hunters who certify its authenticity.
You can also find meteorite impact glass called impacticites, meteorite jewelry, and moon rock, as well as the writing and photography of science author, adventurer, photographer and meteorite hunter Geoffrey Notkin.
Also in Tucson : Many local crafts shops sell geodes, gems, and other natural objects. Consider the mining practices of the company you choose. Some pay no heed to the damage they do; others take great care to minimize their impact. A used natural object is better, because it's causing no new damage to own it.
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Food Conspiracy Cooperative
412 N 4th Ave
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 624-4821
Food Conspiracy is a natural foods cooperative offering organic produce, dried goods, and a wide selection of personal care products.
They carry everything from aftershave, to shampoos, to massage oils in specifically male brands and scents. Additional gift items include crafts, decorative objects, and woven bags.
Also in Tucson: You can also find food and body care products at Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and other natural foods markets throughout the Tucson area. Just Google: "health food, Tucson, Arizona," or "organic products, Tucson, Arizona."
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