Page and Lake Powell Area Are Open for Business.

On February 20, a 150-foot stretch of U.S. Route 89 was significantly damaged by a landslide. As a result, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) was forced to temporarily close the road. Despite the closure, we want to remind everyone that Page and Lake Powell are open for business. In fact, the local businesses there need your help.

“With the busy tourism season coming up, there are a lot of people concerned in Page and the Lake Powell area with how this closure is going to impact their businesses,” says ADOT spokesman Dustin Krugel.

It’s also important to note that U.S. Route 89A is not affected by the closure. So if you’re heading to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim (when it opens for the season in mid-May), Fredonia, Lees Ferry or Marble Canyon, the detour won’t impact your drive.

So, as you start planning your summer vacations, don’t forget about booking that trip up north. Yes, the route you’re used to taking is closed, but the 45-mile detour is an incredibly spectacular drive.

For the latest on U.S. 89, visit azdot.gov/US89.

Arizona’s Unofficial Music Historian: John Dixon

Kayla Frost

If anyone knows anything about Arizona’s music history, it’s John Dixon. Since the early 1960s, Dixon has acquired an impressive collection of records, CDs and cassettes of Arizona-made music… no wonder people call him the state’s “unofficial music historian.” Dixon says his archive (which isn’t limited to just music made by Arizonans) started as a hobby when he was a DJ at sock hops. Over time, the collection grew, and grew and grew — and now it fills a room in his house, as well as a building in his backyard and an off-property storage unit.

Though you might not know it, out of all that music, Dixon says Arizona’s biggest contribution to the music world is the twang. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Website, the twang is “a reverberating, bass-heavy guitar sound boasted by primitive studio wizardry.” As for those studio wizards who created the twang in Phoenix nearly 60 years ago, they were none other than producer, Lee Hazlewood, and guitarist, Duane Eddy. With barely a budget to speak of, they developed unconventional musical methods to get the sounds they wanted.

Photo by Kayla Frost

Photo by Kayla Frost

Photo by Kayla Frost

Photo by Kayla Frost

“[The] twang came to represent the sound of revved-up hot rods and an echo of the Wild West on the frontier of rock and roll,” according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Website. The sound is most famously heard in Duane Eddy’s hit song “Rebel Rouser,” which inspired a young generation to dabble in rock and roll.

“There was really nothing like it before,” Dixon adds.

Dixon also tips his hat to Alice Cooper, Linda Ronstadt and Stevie Nicks for putting Arizona on the map. But it’s a little-known musician named Billie Maxwell, a cowgirl from a farming family, who stole his heart.

“They were real down to earth working people who were making music because there was not much to do in those days,” Dixon says. Maxwell laid down the tracks for her first album in 1929, making her the first Arizonan to record music. She’s also hailed as the first cowgirl singer — at least by those who know who she is.

Fortunately, because of Dixon’s affinity for the singer, some of Maxwell’s records are on display at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. Other items from Dixon’s collection that are on display at MIM, include Duane Eddy and Linda Ronstadt album covers.

“Slowly but surely, some of this stuff is getting out as an educational thing,” Dixon says. “Hopefully, someday, somebody will march in and buy this archive and I’ll still be around to put it together.”

Until the collection gets a more official home, Dixon is happy it’s at least in one place  — even if it’s his backyard.

—By Kayla Frost

8th Annual Certified Local Fall Festival This Saturday in PHX

Courtesy of Local First Arizona

It’s that time of year and Local First Arizona is hosting its 8th Annual Certified Local Fall Festival… no doubt, this fest will be better than ever. With plenty to see, do, eat and drink at this family-friendly event, don’t forget to get a jump start on your holiday shopping (you’ll be supporting a grateful local community).

Besides a new venue — on Portland Street between Third and Central Avenues — the following local businesses will be on-hand, waiting for you to stop by and say hello: Hubbard Family Swim School, Community Tire, Salvador Calvano Hair Salon, Practical Art, Greener House Today, Strawberry Hedgehog, Scottsdale Cat Clinic, Furniture Affair, Desert Song Yoga and Massage Center, The Pool Tile King, Del Sol Furniture.

As for food, think: Souvia Tea, Postino, Windsor/Churn, Urban Cookies, Luncha Libre food truck and Pizza People food truck. Yum. Good stuff. You should definitely GO… Oh, did we mention: it’s FREE.

The dets: http://www.localfirstaz.com; 602.956.0909

Below, Local First Director Kimber Lanning talks about why you should hang out with the Local First crew this Saturday:

This is your 8th year… how have things evolved over the past several years?
We have grown, grown, Grown! We’re so much more now: We have more food, more shops, more fun stuff for kids! We have always had something for everyone, but now it’s just amazing. From Frances Boutique, Samurai Comics and Noble Beast pet store to Kidstop Toystore and restaurants, including Postino, Parlor, St Francis and more.

What can visitors to the festival expect?
They can expect green grass, sunshine, live music from the Valley’s best musicians, a large beer and wine garden, 12 of the Valley’s best restaurants and lots of kids activities like a rock climbing wall, a bounce house, craft booth and face painting, plus the Diamondbacks are going to have a T-Ball cage out there. Food tickets are just $1, and admission to the beer and wine garden, where you can sample dozens of Arizona-made beverages are just $10!

This event is very community-oriented. Talk to me about the importance of nurturing our community — after all, we live in a city that is pretty spread out.
Yes, the heart of this festival is in the messaging: This is a day to celebrate Arizona! When you see how many AMAZING stores and restaurants we really have, it’s impressive.

Let’s talk buying local. Why is it so important to our local economy?
Choosing to support locally-owned businesses keeps more money right here at home, recirculating and creating additional revenue for things like parks, libraries and fire departments. In addition, people who choose to buy goods from Arizona-based companies feel like they’re part of the community and are more apt to create a place that everyone feels proud to call home.

What are you excited about this year?
I am excited about the new location! There are so many trees and a wide open green space. We’re also anxious to see how many people choose to ride the light rail down — it’s literally a few feet away from the festival. Also, our expanded beer and wine garden will really WOW people, and we have great new kids activities lined up, too. We were voted “Best Free Festival” last year and I think this year is really going to be something to see! You won’t want to miss this event.

The Arizona Capitol Museum Wants Your Help

Courtesy of the Arizona Capitol Museum | The Oasis Model, Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision of an Arizona Capitol Complex

The Arizona Capitol Museum is looking for volunteers to join their team. Volunteers will help out with museum tours, welcoming visitors, providing directions to other government buildings and manning the museum store… at the same time, you’ll learn more about our state’s history and unique culture.

Sound like a gig you’d be down to do? Well, why not learn more about this special museum. Below, Jason Czerwinski, the museum’s volunteer manager talks about the museum’s exhibits, why this place is important to the state and why he really needs your help.

The Arizona Capitol Museum is quite large. I had no idea, in fact. What can visitors expect to take away from the museum?
Yes the Capitol Museum is pretty big: Four floors, 55,000 square feet, with over 20 big rooms that feature the story of our state’s government, and all the different ways our past intersects with life today.  Our volunteers enjoy talking to visitors about many different aspects of Arizona: Our culture, the government, Arizona myths and legends, as well as contemporary issues.  There are a lot of surprises in our history, and each volunteer has their own favorite niche, so no two visits are the same.

What are some popular exhibits?
The Capitol Museum has some exhibits that are perennial favorites, and new ones premiere on a regular basis.  There are special exhibits recreating the Territorial House chamber where the State Constitution was drafted, which lets us show how that document has evolved since 1912.  There are recreations of the first Governor and Secretary of State offices.  Many people come just to see the USS Arizona Silver Service, which is featured on the first floor, and they don’t know until arriving that we offer three more floors to take in.  It’s not usual for a person to spend over an hour touring our displays.  And did I mention? We’re free!

That Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit sounds fascinating… Tell me about it and when will it become available to the public?
The Oasis Model, Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision of an Arizona Capitol Complex, opened to the public on June 14. (Museum hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and starting on September 8, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

The model is on loan from the FLW Foundation, and we plan on having it here for at least a year.  The story behind the design is one of those ‘cultural cul-de-sacs’ that help the ACM talk about architecture and design, community opinion and the news-media, and of course the larger than life personality of Mr. Wright.  It shows how government really does affect our lives and community in ways we don’t notice.

When this exhibit opened, the lauded Arizona journalist Lloyd Clark, who interviewed Wright and covered politics, gave a presentation about the man and his vision of the State Capitol.  Clark is a heck of a storyteller, and can talk for hours about his time reporting from the Capitol and the characters he met over the years.  We’re hoping to add some of his tales to the exhibit in a video.

Why is this museum important to the state?
The Arizona Capitol Museum is important because we are the last territorial capitol, and the only state capitol Arizona has ever had.  Our institution specializes in teaching Arizona government and civics in the very building where those early ideals were cemented.  We’re also a one-of-a-kind space for discussing contemporary issues, putting them in context with our state history.  The ACM is a free museum, and the only institution capable of hosting the hundreds of school groups, local visitors, and national/international tourists who come each year to learn what makes Arizona unique.  Through an overlap of location and history, we are the only place that can do all of that.

Talk to me about the volunteer program? How can one go about volunteering?
Our volunteers love history and meeting people.  Anyone with those qualifications, plus a positive attitude, who can also reach our minimal physical requirements, is welcome to apply to join our team.  Volunteers help in several different areas: interpreting exhibits and aiding tours, welcoming visitors to the Capitol and providing direction to various government offices, as well as staffing the Museum Store.  All of these are key positions without which we couldn’t operate.  Some volunteers with the right technical background also help with exhibits and our collection of artifacts.  To start, you don’t have to have any specific education or background, just be interested in learning.  Volunteers usually commit to one-day per week and work for about four hours. I do my best to adapt the schedule to meet the needs of our contributors.  The training is provided here and it’s free, and even though we prefer to do it during our twice yearly training sessions, we can take new people on throughout the year.

Anyone who wants more information can call me at 602-926-3731, or email me through the Museum website.

 

Information: 1700 West Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007; http://www.azlibrary.gov/museum; 602-926-3620

Volunteer Opportunities at the Tovrea Castle

Image courtesy of Donald M. Appel

You’ve seen the Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights (you may not know what you saw, but you’ve seen it). Surrounded by an impressive cactus garden, the Tovrea Castle sits just off the 202 in Phoenix…. Yep, now you know what we’re talking about!

Image courtesy of Donald M. Appel

After undergoing a renovation both inside and out, the Tovrea Carraro Society is now looking for docents to lead public tours, operate the gift shop and serve as greeters. The fall docent training class will be held on September 15 and 22, 2012.

To learn more  about the opportunity or to sign up for the September class, contact 602-256-3221 before September 7.

(If the timing doesn’t work out, don’t fret: Additional classes will be held in October and November).

The Tovrea Castle was built by Alessio Carraro as a hotel that would be the centerpiece of a luxury housing development. When the Great Depression killed this dream, the castle was purchased by the cattle and meatpacking baron EA Tovrea and his wife Della. The castle would remain in the Tovrea family until late 1980s. The castle has been named a Centennial Legacy Project by the Arizona Centennial Commission and is now owned by the City of Phoenix.

Drink Wine and Support Our Friends in Crown King this Saturday

Courtesy of Wine in the Pines

This Saturday, over 150 people will drive over 26 miles of dirt roads, climbing up the Bradshaw Mountains to attend Wine in the Pines, held in the historic mining town of Crown King. In its sixth year, Wine in the Pines offers guests a variety of wines and microbrews, along with hors d’oeuvres and tempting desserts from The Melting Pot, dancing and live music. Don’t miss out on the cooler weather and beautiful views from The Mill Restaurant’s indoor-outdoor patio, “The Engine Room,” featuring a 3-cylinder diesel engine used to power mining operations along Route 66. Attendees will sample a variety of red, white and blush wines, along with a selection of beers.

Courtesy of Wine in the Pines

Ticket price includes all tastings, souvenir wine glass and entry in door prize drawings. Additional raffle items will be on display and tickets available for purchase throughout the evening. Proceeds from the evening are donated to Child Crisis Center – East Valley, an organization that serves as a safe haven for abused and neglected children who have been removed from their home, as well as a resource for families in crisis and a licensing agency for foster/adoptive parents.

This year, Wine in the Pines will also feature a special live auction item to benefit the Crown King Fire Department. CK Fire Dept was an integral part of the effort to battle the Gladiator Fire in May 2012 and protected hundreds of Crown King homes from destruction.

Visit www.WineinthePinesAZ.com for more information and to purchase tickets online.