(BPT) - The word “vacation” means different things to different people. For some, it’s lounging poolside and sleeping until noon. Others, however, savor the opportunity to get outside, try some new activities and indulge in their favorite pastimes for days on end. If you’re one of the latter group, there are few better places to travel than right here in the United States.

Throughout my life, friends and family have commented on my sometimes unique “to do” list.  Setting goals and making a commitment to successfully achieve them has provided personal satisfaction and success in my life’s achievements.

My mother is without a doubt the best mom I have ever met and I have met a lot of mothers. For over 30 years I worked in an average of 6 homes a day, 5 days a week. That’s a lot of homes and a lot of moms! (Over 45,000! Of course some were repeats, so an exact number is impossible.)

Hot days and long nights. Morning dew and lingering sunsets. All are signs of the new season, but nothing says summer more than the smell of the almighty barbecue. From fish to fillet, we asked “Barbecue University” and “Primal Grill” front man Steven Raichlen how to make your grill the hottest ticket in town. It’s time to update your BB-IQ.

Trout stocked in Lemmon lake

Cloudy skies with temperatures hovering near 60 bode well for a comfortable, though formidable, 7-mile hike to Douglas Springs Camp.

The public comment period for scoping has been re-opened on Arizona’s sport-fish stocking program.

If you wish to spend time outdoors in the dead of a Tucson summer, you had better choose your outing carefully.

ñHigh in the Pinaleño Mountains near Safford, Ash Creek tumbles off the east flank of Webb Peak toward the desert below.

Somehow, I feel like this column should lead off with an excuse.  

February 1, 2006 - Editor's note: This is the second story in a five-part series examining the spending habits of Marana public officials. The EXPLORER reviewed records of the town's travel and training expenses for the last five fiscal years. The newspaper also reviewed bank statements and receipts to see how Marana officials are using their town-issued credit cards to spend taxpayer dollars.

September 28, 2005 - Construction is nearly complete on a nine-building commercial development in the Foothills, which is bringing additional businesses and medical offices to a spot near a popular intersection.

May 4, 2005 - Texas Roadhouse, a new restaurant that has a country-western theme and is known for its sizzling steaks, is slated to open May 16 in Marana.

In his 13 years as executive vice president of the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, Alan Lurie has seen the group grow from slightly more than 300 firms in the nadir days of the Resolution Trust Corp. to more than 650 member firms.

Everyone will find their dining favorite in Catalina. If you are a rib lover, something very pleasant happens when you pull your car up on the dirt parking lot to a hitchin post replica in front of the Hitchin Post Restaurant, 16010 North Oracle in Catalina.