Phoenix, AZ

Announcement blurb: The Arizona Department of Transportation is wanting public input on an alternate route to northern Arizona other than Interstate 17. There are four public meetings being planned for next week in Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, Camp Verde and Anthem. There is already a study being conducted to see if an alternative route should be pursued.

Now for my two cents: ADOT, ya think? To say that particular stretch of interstate is prone to accidents, career rubberneckers, and Sunday drivers pluggin’ up Friday drive-time is a major understatement — right up there with someone standing downtown in summertime muttering “Wow — it’s hot today.”

One particular time I vividly recall of such ridiculous situations is my wedding in 2003 being delayed severely due to a quad falling off someone’s trailer on northbound I-17. Hubby and I traveled with two friends up to Prescott Valley early on that Friday, not even in rush hour getaway traffic…and we ran into that mess. The only way we got around it was being diverted through the Sunset Point northbound ramps. I was an hour late to my own wedding. (A plus out of this was that most of the people coming up from Phoenix were delayed, too — but not much. Our interstates are poorly planned out, so the most know-how Arizonans have ways to make up for lost time. Don’t ask.) The only late wedding in my father’s 36 years of ministry and it’s his own daughter’s!

ADOT should also seriously consider checking out an alternative route out to Globe. The Renn Festival that runs out that way in Apache Junction every February through April is a great and fun thing to do…but the traffic is horrible going to it and leaving it. Personal experience: coming back from a Renn Festival visit last year, a guy on the side of the road walked passed us three times before we got to Highway 60. Kid you not. We didn’t go to this year’s festival because we knew we’d spend more time in traffic than at the festival.

Seriously, ADOT has a lot to make up for across the state, especially on the routes getting out of Phoenix. I have traveled on I-17 to go visit family and friends in northern Arizona many times over the last 15 years that I’ve been in-state. Each time I did, I realized in certainty, and with an underlying fear, that there would be no chance for an effective evacuation out of Phoenix, should one ever be called for. More times than not, there would be some minor accident (like with a quad falling off a trailer) that would back up the traffic, most times all the way back into Phoenix. With the threat of terrorists, and Phoenix being a top ten city in their sights, the possibility of a (what’s left of the city) evacuation is more real than any other time in state history. The most Arizona-driving savvy would make it out, I’m sure…most would not, I fear.

I have never understood this state’s lack of forward thinking in key areas. With transportation, I would think being prepared for the betterment of the people would be a priority, especially after recent, granted, natural, disasters still affecting other states in the Union.

Now — fellow Arizonans in Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, Camp Verde and Anthem — show up for those meetings! You could always say you were late because of the backup on I-17…

ADOT, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Camp Verde, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Anthem, Globe, Apache Junction, Renn Festival

The First Fridays Artwalk for June is coming up. It’s a monthly event where downtown Phoenix art-friendly business and more than 80 galleries participate to give thousands of artists and art lovers a place to network and share their passion of the creative.

The Phoenix Public Library, located just south of McDowell Road on Central Avenue, is the place to start because it offers a First Fridays brochure that illustrates where all the member galleries are in the downtown Phoenix area. Starting at the Phoenix Library also offers you the best shuttle bus route for the night. The shuttles run every 20 minutes.

First Fridays Artwalk, Phoenix Public Library, Arizona

I was checking out the lead Hubby and I received from my parents-in-law about the Toyota Prius. It’s a electric/gas hybrid being offered. We’re not in the buying mind at this time, but this little charger is right up there on my list of “To Check Out” when Hubby and I do start looking for a new vehicle. I’m also keeping in mind the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

There’s even a pilot program in Arizona (started in February of this year) that allows energy efficient vehicles to be driven in the HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants. The Prius, Honda Insight, and the Honda Civic Hybrid are the only ones AZDOT is allowing in the HOV lanes.

Toyota Prius, Arizona Department of Transportation, Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid

Tony Bennett will be at the Symphony Hall, 75 North Second Street, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $65-$125.

Forrest Smith will perform at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza at 1700 West Washington Street tonight at 6 to 6:30.

Matt & Kim, a indie/pop duo, will be performing at The Trunk Space, at 1506 N.W. Grand Avenue starting at 8. Tickets are $6.

Tony Bennett, Forrest Smith, Matt & Kim

woo HOO! Who needs the Salt River tube rides when there’s Big Surf and Waterworld that are going to be opening this Saturday for the season. This is literally cool for the family do, especially starting on a weekend holiday.

Tempe’s Big Surf website at http://tempe.golfland.com/ for prices, due to height requirements. There are group packages and season passes, so go check it out or call 480.947.2477.

Waterworld Safari takes you on an African-themed adventure located 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road. Again, the prices vary due to height requirements, however season passes, events, arcade, rentals, and group packages are available.

Big Surf, Waterworld, Phoenix, Tempe, Arizona

The Arizona Department of Transportation reports the Valley freeways will be clear of any highway closures for Memorial Day weekend. The only limitation that may affect traffic coming into the Valley will be the southbound I-17 near Camp Verde to one lane at the Verde River Bridges. Of course, it is wise to still consider there is always the possibility of car accidents and people who take the word “holiday” to heart when driving.

Be safe out there.

Arizona Department of Transportation, ADOT, Camp Verde, Verde Valley, I-17, Interstate 17

Queen Creek’s Schnepf Farms is inviting the public to pick peaches off its trees until they’re bare. The crop is reported to be at 70 percent and offering six different kinds to choose from. The only cost is $2 a pound. If you’re wanting to give this a go but are worried about getting up on a ladder to get your peaches, not to worry! The trees are right to the ground so there isn’t any need for ladders. You have a choice to place your juicy fruit in bags or boxes, which are provided by the farm. Some great things to keep in mind should you have a thing for peach-picking right now: Arizona peaches take a few days to ripen yet easy to freeze for later.

The farm is located at 24810 South Rittenhouse Road out in Queen Creek and this Saturday and Sunday are the last days this experience is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call 480.987.3100 for more information, or go to schnepffarms.com.

Queen Creek, Arizona, Schnepf Farms, peaches

The flags lowered to half-staff Monday were honoring Army Private First Class Anthony Sausto, who died in Iraq earlier this month in the service of our country. Sausto came from Lake Havasu City and was based out of Ft. Lewis, Washington before being deployed in March. He served with his fellow members of the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. He died due to enemy small arms fire on the 10th. Sausto is survived by his mother, sister and fiancee.

Sir, your fellow Arizonans salute you.

Flags, Half-Staff, Army, Military, deaths, Iraq, Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Ft. Lewis, Washington

It was Hubby’s birthday over the weekend, and we were ecstatic to realize there was a 2-for-1 being offered in the mail by the Arizona School of Massage Therapy. Since we had checked out this offer last year, we knew how much of a treat it would be!

For $12.50 each, we received an hour-long massage of our choice. (I have experienced the full body massage and reflexology. I highly recommend both of these ways to anybody need stress relief.) We were asked, when we paid, if we preferred a male (masseur) or female (masseuse) practioner, and we each chose a masseuse. We waited for about a half hour in the school’s cafeteria until our names were called.

My masseuse introduced herself and asked a few standard questions for the session. I told her what stress I had and concerns and she offered reflexology. I believe everyone is given the choice to receive a massage still clothed. This time, I only needed to take off my rings, socks and shoes. I had my lower legs, arms, head and neck worked on, and I do mean “worked.” The young lady knew her stuff, and most certainly should graduate in the top of her class, in my book. After my session, I felt like I could walk in the clouds, not only because my body was so energized, I was so relaxed in mind as well.

I talked with the receptionist after our sessions to understand that each weekend the school offers these sessions to the public at the Phoenix and Tempe campuses, regularly $25 per person. The 2-for-1 deals are offered about every three months, when each class is set to graduate. These weekends are required of the students before they receive their diplomas. Another thing to keep in mind is to get to these sessions early. Granted, you may have to stand in line at the beginning, but you get in quickly once the doors open. I suggest BYOC: Bring your own chair for the line, if you cannot stand for longer than five minutes.

Hubby and I plan to take advantage of these sessions many more times this year.

To ASMT: thank you for offering these weekends!

Arizona School of Massage Therapy, Phoenix, Tempe

If you love the simplicity of a grid style street layout, then you may want to check out this exhibit hosted by Trunk Space tonight from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Nine photographers’ work gives you a cool look of the East/West running roads of Metro Phoenix. This event runs until June 11th and can be viewed most everyday. It can also be enjoyed on First Night, June 1st. If you’re interested, call for event times and prices at 602-256-6006.

R&B artist John Legend is performing 8 tonight at the Celebrity Theatre, located at 440 North 32nd Street, Phoenix. The doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the theater doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $42 to $60.

Try the La Casa del Mariachi at 1420 North 24th Street to feed your hunger before the concert.

My mom was visiting Hubby and I over the weekend. While here, she helped us to weed out what we could of the remaining grapefruit and oranges on our trees in the back yard. Mom wondered if the fruit was still good, separated out a bag of the ones she picked from under the tree (not ones in direct sunlight) and opened them up. They were still good, so she made a combination of grape fruit and orange juice. I have to say it was the best tasting of the whole season. Also, on Sunday (Mother’s Day), we were able to talk to my Gram on the phone. Family friends had visited about a month ago, and they had brought a bag of grapefruit from our tree back to Iowa for my Grandpa and Gram. Grandpa reported the fruit was the most delicious he’s had. I bet the Valley’s fruit could be locally sold for a good price, if that is how things actually worked.

In the Valley, almost every block has a house with some kind of citrus tree on it. The thing is some of them bear what is called “sour” fruit, which is really not meant to be eaten. It’s for natural decoration. If you don’t ask the home owners which category their fruit is in, you could be in for a very bitter surprise if you decide to pick from one in the front yard. (It is always a good idea to ask anyway.)

Yesterday, I talked about walking — let’s talk about swimming.

In Phoenix, swimming is an all-year around activity to take of advantage of. The heated pool is relaxing in the winter (unless you have icy-water lovin’ relatives from Minnesota who like to wake up with a dip in the pool instead of a cup of coffee) just as a sun-heated pool is in the summer.

My favorite time to take a swim is in the summer not long after the sun goes down. Last year, Hubby and I joined my parents-in-law in their pool after suppertime. We have what is called “noodles” to float on while we “walk” around in the deep end, or lean back on one end of the noodle to relax to see if we could catch sight of stars coming out to play for the night. A hot breeze came along a time or two, but it actually felt nice…as long as we were in the water. Another funny thing is we’d be in the pool long enough that when we got out to refill a drink we’d be chilly and make a beeline back into the pool where it would feel like a satin comforter on a mountain winter night. If I had more leisurely time in my life, a swimming pool is where I’d be, either “beatin’ feet” around the deep end, or relaxing on a floating mattress, with sunglasses, SPF 55, and a sun hat reading a book.

As relaxing as it can be, one does need to be careful around the pool. Of course, we would do well to look after ourselves along with the kids and “furkids.” I’ve lived in the Valley since 1999, and every one of those years I always catch the TV channels around here do their best to let us know a rather life-saving thing to do: Watch you kids around water. I’m not a parent, but I “get” it. I “get” that campaign so much that I watch anyone I care about around water; they can be 2, 24, 58, or 65, I have their six o’clock. This is because I love them and that the most able-bodied person/pet could end up wrong in a pool.

On the subject of being responsible, I’d like to add something from my veterinarian about cooling off pets in the summer. If you think your pet is overheated and want to putting them in the pool will cool them down…think again. The action of placing an overheated pet in a pool will cause the cool water to compress the heat of the body to its center, which may cause multiple organ failure. The best way to cool down your pet is to take them to a shady spot, wet their fur and feet and cool them with a fan. If you are able, call your vet for added support. Even better here is to make sure pets don’t get overheated at all. They may want to play ball, but 120 degrees isn’t the temperature to be doing it in.

It’s that time of the year again to go walking in the early morning, late at night, catch a treadmill at the gym or window-shop walking at the nearest mall because of this wicked heat. A walking enthusiast such as I am finds the great outdoors to be the course to enjoy and get rejuvenated, therefore it really puts a dent in my buggy to have to trek it somewhere inside. So, the choices boil down to (no pun intended): early morning or late at night?

I chose early morning a couple of weeks ago. This is the first week I’ll be able to put into practice my new schedule. I have to say that the best time is between 5-5:30 while 8 o’clock is too late. Yeah, I’m still talking morning. The best plus to this is one gets a fantastic view of a new day arriving, the best paintings ever on this planet. And they’re never the same, so it’s best to bring along a camera.

This is one of the things I like to do when I get in a rut…make my trek a photography expedition. I capture anything that gets my eye, even if it’s the shadow of my dog on a dew-kissed, freshly cut green lawn. Or it could be the clouds coming in from the east to (hopefully) give us rain, a bird sitting on the cactus. It is then that one can understand the speed of walking is the sometimes best thing for a soul…so one can enjoy the speed of beauty.

Take your Mom to the Phoenix Art Museum before the last day of “Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art: Treasures From the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam” exhibition on May 13th. Fourteen paintings of the classic painter Rembrandt Van Rijn are featured.

An audioguide and being able to check out the rest of the museum after the tour are well worth the $18 for adults and $8 for kids six through 17; free for wee ones five and under.