Where We Live - Barrio Viejo

The Barrio Viejo of today is both modern and historic. It was here in the late 1800s that attractions like Simpson Baths and Carrillo Gardens served pioneer citizens. Although El Ojito spring dried up long ago, the neighborhood still oozes with cultural significance. Carrillo K-5 Magnet School, with its hundred-year-old mesquite tree, serves area children. The sacred El Tiradito shrine stands in memory of the castaway.

In keeping with Barrio Viejo's respectable past, "Celebrating Arizona: The Centennial Exhibit" runs February 10-24 at the Jewish History Museum, 564 S. Stone Ave. Notable among the items displayed will be a 48-star flag known to have flown in Tucson on statehood day, February 14, 1912. "What They Saved: Pieces of a Jewish Past" author and CUNY Graduate Center professor Nancy K. Miller kicks off the 2012 Jewish Storytelling Festival on Sunday, February 26 at 2 pm. Museum hours are at JewishHistoryMuseum.org or dial 670-9073 for additional information.

Mexican food lovers know the enchiladas at El Minuto Café, 354 S. Main Ave., never disappoint. Cater your next get-together from this family-owned (since 1939) establishment; check the menu at ElMinutoCafe.com, then call 882-4145. For authentic Ethiopian fare, head towards Café Desta at 758 S. Stone Ave. Combinations, specialty dishes and desserts are available 11am-9pm daily. You can even bring your own beer or wine. See CafeDesta.com or phone 370-7000.

Also located in Barrio Viejo, with pleasantly secluded patio seating and exceptional margaritas, is the classy and classic Cushing Street Bar & Restaurant. The impressive décor at 198 W. Cushing St. includes an antique chandelier and an 1876 Steinway piano. A tapenade sampler will delight on date night. Call 622-7984 for Tuesday-Saturday evening reservations and learn more at CushingStreet.com.

La Pilita Museum, 420 S. Main Ave., is a living repository of photos and oral histories of Barrio Viejo and El Hoyo situated in a historic adobe building in the heart of Barrio Viejo. This month, it hosts an evening art walk exhibit by Opening Minds through the Arts Foundation instructor Martha Finney on Saturday, February 4 with local African-Cuban band Babamarimba performing from 5-7 p.m. On Saturday, February 11, the museum hosts a Centennial event, 11am-2pm, with the exhibit "From Camino Real to Main Avenue" along with showing the first movie seen in Tucson (five minutes and silent). A PDF walking guide of Barrio Viejo is at LaPilita.com.