When I first saw that there was a USS Arizona Memorial Gardens in the Valley, I wasn’t surprised. Where it is located was a bit of a surprise–on the Salt River Reservation in Scottsdale. Built around the “boat house” from the wreckage of the battleship, the space is loaded with information. From the numerous panels […]
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This was a book like few I’ve read. I was looking for something to give me some more background on Arizona and this book was recommended to me. And it certainly delivered. “Isabella Greenway, An Enterprising Woman,” is based almost entirely on letters exchanged between Isabella, her husbands and family and other notables in the
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Brandi Fenton Memorial Park in North Tucson is actually a multi-faceted site. That is, it is home to a memorial, fine art, history and green space. Sal and I frequent it often. Recently our friends up at Meet Me Wednesdays approached us about putting together an art walk at the site. It actually came together
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It was a like a trip in the Wayback Machine. My sister and I had been planning this adventure for sometime. Our mission was to head for the apple and peach orchards and snag some fresh corn from this converted cowtown. Back in the 1880s when Willcox, about 80 miles southeast of Tucson, was founded
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As we’ve mentioned in this space before, Tucson and environs are teeming with murals and other works of art. Since returning to Southern Arizona in July 2024, I have personally seen almost 700 pieces of art. However, today we are focusing on the murals. What started this discussion was a conversation with my friend and
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This was the “other” city park when I was growing up. That is, a city park of any size next to Randolph Park. And Himmel, too, was a midtown park. With a similar history to Randolph Park. With a library and extensive playgrounds and sport fields, this was the jewel of midtown. Surrounded by the
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With Frank Lloyd Wright being such a presence in the Valley, it only made sense to drive the 15 minutes to see his Taliesin West. Well worth the time and a most enjoyable tour of a creative space. Made up of 16 stops and guided by an audio tour played through an app on your
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After doing a bit of research, I found this collection of murals and public art in Downtown Phoenix. Arrayed along Roosevelt Street near its intersection with Central Avenue in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, this really is a motherlode of murals. It is truly a walkable arts district. Within less than 20 minutes and a
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He was the longest-serving governor in Arizona history. George WP Hunt served seven terms in that office between 1912 and and 1933. His final resting place is this white pyramid overlooking Downtown Phoenix and The Valley from a hill in Papago Park. Influenced by Egyptomania among architects and designers probably led to the choice of
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Sometimes the simplest ideas turn into something more. Since I hadn’t been out for a few days, I thought it was time to play tourist. Looking around, I found that the Town of Paradise Valley had a memorial to former Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater. Little did I realize, after a bit of reading upon return
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