When I visited the Westgate City Center in Glendale last Friday before the Rangers game I took some video. It's an amazing place to go shopping or have a nice lunch. When the Super Bowl was in town in February (the game was played next door at the University of Phoenix Stadium), the place was wall-to-wall people. I went back last week to see the place under more normal circumstances. Let me know what you think of my great camera skills...(thanks to Joe Cocker for providing the sound track).

Day 220 on the road.

It's getting warmer, today's high to reach the mid-80s. On Easter Sunday the forecast is 89 degrees, sunshine.

I made it to Starbucks this morning and decided to walk to the grocery store for some breakfast food. I was thinking how great the weather was and saw numerous people walking their dogs and enjoying the cool morning. In a few weeks as the heat arrives, these cool days will be gone. I've been told, however, the nights and mornings are still cool during the summer months...even though the afternoon heat will top 100 degrees.

I'll be attending another Rangers game today. It's one of the few night games, so I expect it to be cool...if not downright cold. I'm going to revisit downtown Glendale and the Westgate City Center on my way to Surprise. My first visit to these hotspots was during Super Bowl weekend when thousands of football fans from all over the country were in town. I'm going back today for a quieter and less crowded visit.

I read in this mornings Arizona Republic newspaper about a local business owner from Tempe who donated a few professionally built poker tables to the troops in Iraq. The man owns a company that sells poker and gambling supplies and was approached by the military about donating some new tables. The troops like to play poker to keep their minds active while off duty and enjoy playing poker tournaments during their downtime (poker has always been a popular game among the troops, even during the Civil War when poker was just starting to make the rounds up and down the Mississippi River). Of course, when I play poker, I sometimes feel as if I'm in a battle, fighting my way through a mindfield. Go figure. I guess it's all a matter of perspective.

Tommy Lasorda, a Blind Man, and Hulu

Day 219 on the road.

It's sunny outside and I'm having my morning coffee and reading the New York Times wondering if Hillary has a chance to overtake Obama. I watched Obama's speech on race relations and admired his attempt to save himself from the quagmire created by his former pastor. I'm sure Hillary was licking her significantly large chops over the whole thing.

But as a conservative, and a reluctant supporter of John McCain, I'm just enjoying the theater of it all. I must give Obama the credit for being an outstanding speaker. But I must not let the elegance of his oratory pontification overshadow the ugliness of his liberal and radical beliefs.

Enough politics.
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I’m not sure what I’ll do today. I’m thinking about just working on my web site and doing some reading, writing, and hanging out without having to drive anywhere too far…give my car and gas tank a day off. I’ll be here through next week, so there’s no need to be in any hurry to see other things in the area. I’d like to check out WestWorld in Scottsdale. And the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is another area I’d like to see. I’d also like to drive east to Apache Junction.

Tomorrow’s Rangers game is at 6 p.m., so I’ll have the day to kill. I will probably wash clothes at the Laundromat in Scottsdale I’ve used before, then slowly head to Surprise Stadium. I've only got three games left before Spring Training comes to an end next week.
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Tommy Lasorda and the Dodgers Moving Spring Training Here Next Year

The Los Angeles Dodgers are establishing a new “Dodgerstown” in Phoenix this week, making plans to permanently move their Spring Training camp to Glendale next year. The team has spent the past 60 years in Vero Beach, Florida. Sighting family concerns, the Dodgers are moving to Arizona. They feel the team’s families and friends will have an easier commute to Arizona than Florida. According to Charles Steinberg, the Dodgers chief marketing officer, “It was so difficult for families to make the trip from Los Angeles (to Florida).” A flight from L.A. is much cheaper to Phoenix, and the drive isn’t that bad, either.

So Glendale, a suburb to the northwest of downtown Phoenix, has another reason to celebrate. They are building a new baseball complex to provide a home for the Dodgers, and it will be completed by next year. They hosted the Super Bowl this year and have already begun to submit an application to get the Super Bowl again the next year it’s available. The city has agreed to spend $500,000 to assure the Super Bowl returns. Glendale is becoming a sports venue powerhouse. Just a few years ago, it was a small town with very little to brag about.

With the popular Dodgers coming to the valley, the Phoenix/Tucson area has more professional baseball training camps than any other place in the country.
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I'm attending an arts festival this weekend: the Fountain Hills Fine Art and Wine Affaire, Avenue of the Fountains, in Fountain Hills. Fountain Hills is located northeast of Scottsdale on the eastern slope of the McDowell Mountains.
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Inspiring Story of the Week: Blind Man Climbs Camelback Mountain

Jeremy Schmidt hiked up Echo Canyon leading to the top of Camelback Mountain last week, and the 27-year old area resident is blind. In less than a month, he went from having 20/20 vision to not being able to spot an eye chart in a doctor’s office. A genetic disease damaged his optic nerves, cutting off the signal from his eyes to his brain.

After two months of trying to deal with the loss of his sight, Jeremy decided he couldn’t just sit around and let his life slip away. Having been an outdoorsman his whole life, he went back to doing those things he enjoyed: horseback riding, hiking, mountain climbing. Last week, his 1.2 mile hike up Echo Canyon along with his father was one step in returning to a normal life.

“I didn’t think my whole life was over,” he said. “Not by far. It just meant it was going be one heck of a challenge.”
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Hulu.com is now up, and it looks great. The site arrives courtesy of NBC and Fox, and it will offer free episodes of shows like Arrested Development and movies like The Jerk. It’s a sign of things to come: television and movies will one day be watched primarily online…or will they? What’s going to happen to the cable companies once the Internet becomes the main portal for delivering entertainment? Will your cable modem one day be obsolete like the 8-track tape and cassette?

Sculptured Hands, Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick, and a Super Party

Saturday in Super Bowl City was going to be hectic, as I planned to cram as much of the Super-hype surrounding the Big Game as possible into a few hours. The day would indulge some of my greatest passions: art, food, and sports.

My menu for the day: breakfast at the Fine Arts Expo in northern Scottsdale, lunch at the party in Glendale celebrating the Big Game in town, a mid-afternoon snack amidst the hoopla at the Westgate City Center which is "ground zero" for Super Bowl mayhem, and finally a late dinner and some poker at the Casino Arizona.

Fine Arts Expo, Scottsdale

After updating my blogs while drinking a "SKCDL" at Starbucks, I headed for the Fine Arts Expo located approximately six miles north of Loop 101 on Scottsdale Road. The FAE is home to over 100 artists from around the nation who come here for a few weeks to market their works and hold live demonstrations. A semi-circle of white tents surround a courtyard and sculpture garden that features many of the bronzes and stoneworks of various artists. Chairs and tables are available outside for a leisure time of eats, drinks, and relaxation as you watch the artists and patrons co-mingle and visit inside the tents or outside in the fresh cool air. The sides of the tents are open to take advantage of the wonderful weather, making the venue both an indoor and outdoor experience.

The weather was ideal, sunny and just warm enough. I arrived around 10:30 a.m. The FAE is next to MacDonald's Ranch which offers "authentic western adventures" with horse rides and such. Just across the parking lot from the Fine Arts Expo, the ranch has an old saloon, corral, horses, wagons, and lots of dust.


This is the entrance to the Expo. Just inside are booths set up by various artists, an office and ticket counter.

This is the view to the left just as you walk into the entrance.

An example of the live demonstrations which the artists offer to visitors. They actually set up a working studio in their booth area so you can watch them work.

I met Jerald Peterson, an artist from Oklahoma, New Mexico, and San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. He told me he is "self-taught" and began painting full time after retiring from the Central Intelligence Agency. I asked him, "What were you doing when you retired to paint full time?" He said, "I was a spy." Visit his web site at http://www.jeraldpeterson.com/.

I also met Susan Geissler, a sculptor from New York. Here she is working on a set of hands for a piece inspired by imprisoned Jews of the Holocaust. She creates life sized and maquette recreations of birds, animals, and human figures. Visit her web site at http://www.susangeissler.com/.

The wonderful thing about the Fine Arts Expo is that you can hang out and visit with the artists and ask them about their work. When I return to Scottsdale in March I'm sure I'll be spending more time there. They offer classes as well, and I was told that Old Town Scottsdale also has a great art school.

Glendale Super Bowl Celebration

I left the Fine Arts Expo just after Noon and drove west on Loop 101 toward Glendale, an old town that once was nothing but a place to grow cotton and watch the sunset over the valley desert west of Phoenix. But Glendale changed over night when they won the contest to build the new University of Phoenix stadium, home of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals. The Westgate City Center complex and Jobing.com Arena are located nearby, making a "trifecta" of sports and upscale retail shopping and entertainment. Glendale is quickly becoming a national sensation.

The downtown plaza was party-central all weekend, with outdoor entertainment and food. I parked easily for free a few blocks from the plaza and walked down Glendale Ave. west toward the city center area.

As you can tell by this photo, I was not the only one to check out the fun. The plaza was packed with people from all over the country. Booths were set up selling everything from chocolate-covered strawberrys to clothing and sports memoribilia.

Tables and chairs filled the plaza, and a stage was set up for live music provided by various bands throughout the day. The weather was terrific and the crowd was very friendly and on their best behavior. What a great place to spend an hour and visit with people from all over the country. I met a couple from Sun City, Arizona, who moved there from Michigan for an improved lifestyle. The woman said that in Sun City, "...there are no bugs, mostly sunny days year round, and beautiful sunsets."


For lunch I had some Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick that cost me $4.50.

Westgate City Center

After leaving downtown Glendale, it was a short 15-minute drive west on Glendale Ave. to the Westgate City Center. The Westgate City Center and Jobing.com Arena are across the street from the Unverisity of Phoenix Stadium complex. I wasn't sure what to expect as I parked my car near the AMC Movie Theater.

I walked toward the activity and soon was overcome by the sensational development that is known as Westgate City Center. I could only say to myself, "Wow. What a place."

This photo was taken from the upper level looking down on the plaza that stretches out between the Arena and the rest of the development. The crowds had already begun to gather to spend the evening eating, dancing, drinking, and listening to an outdoor concert by a Tom Petty tribute band from Tucson, The Breakdown. The real Tom Petty was scheduled to perform the halftime concert at the Super Bowl.

The fountains, restaurants, clothing stores and retail shops, huge billboards, and architecture all combine to overpower your senses. On a normal day, the place is just a fabulous venue to enjoy lunch and shop. Add a crowd of thousands to celebrate the Super Bowl and it's almost too much to comprehend.

It's Saturday morning and I'm at a Starbucks on Indian Bend Road at Loop 101, Scottsdale. I'm going to the Celebrate Art festival for a couple of hours. Over 100 artists have set up white tents to sell their art and hold demonstrations of how they work. I received a free ticket from an artist while I was at an art festival two weeks ago in Carefree.

Later in the day I'll check out the scene in Scottsdale, party central for the Super Bowl. I may also drive back to downtown Glendale where they are having an outdoor art and antique show. The Westgate City Center is located across the street from the stadium and is playing hosts to a number of events and parties, so I need to make a visit there, too. The ESPN outdoor broadcast booth is located there.

Tonight I'll be back to the Casino Arizona for some poker and a free dinner. I would like to attend the party being hosted by John Travolta tonight, but tickets are hard to come by as you can imagine. It will be the "event" to see all the celebrities in town. Terrell Owens is also hosting a party, but he's a jerk and you couldn't pay me enough to attend his ego-fest.

The Super Bowl NFL Experience

I drove west on Interstate 10 to Loop 101 North. Once you make the exit, it's only a few minutes before you see the University of Phoenix Stadium on the east side of the highway. My destination was the NFL Experience, an interactive "football theme park" located in the parking lot next to the stadium.

The stadium looks like a huge silver spaceship that has landed in the desert. As you get closer to it, you really appreciate the enormity of the complex. I took the wrong exit, of course, and had to drive around to the other side to reach the entrance of the NFL Experience. Signs leading the way abbreviated the event as "NFLX". (I wonder if there is a topless bar up the street for the players called "NFLXXX"?)


I took this picture of a sign in the parking lot showing the layout. I had to park in the "Green Lot" on the upper left side of the stadium, then take a long walk south of the complex t0 the "NFL Experience" colored purple on the map on the right side (west) of the stadium. The point is: it was a very long walk! I was wore out before I even bought my ticket. They had golf carts for the disabled and elderly, however.

By the way, it cost $10 to park and $17.50 for an adult ticket. The ticket charge covered all the NFLX rides, shows, games, and there were lots of free things being handed out. So I guess the price is reasonable. Food was another story. Be prepared to pay $9 for a chicken sandwich or $6 for some nachos. Bottled water was $4 and soft drinks were $6. I passed on eating and drinking.

The long line above was the second line I had to negotiate. The first line snaked around forever, leading you to the ticket booth. Once you had your ticket, you were stuck in another line at the entrance of the NFLX park area. The lines moved quickly, so it wasn't that bad.

An estimated 200,000 were expected to make it through the gates. Another 125,000 people were attending the PGA tour event in Scottsdale (The FBR Open), where Phil Mickelson was losing again. Tiger Woods isn't playing, so the record-setting crowd at the golf tournament was a surprise. Phoenix is one busy sports town this weekend.

This is a view looking back toward the entrance to the park.

My biggest thrill was to see the actual Super Bowl trophy that will be handed to the Patriots when they beat the Giants on Sunday. It was at the center of the theme park in its own little "shed" providing you with a view from all four sides. If you wanted to stand in line, you could stand by it and have your picture taken.

They call the NFL Experience "interactive" because of the various games you can play. The man above is in the "Passing" area of huge white tent set up with various games. He's trying to throw the ball through the hoop that moves slowly from left to right.

The Topps Card Show tent was enormous. Inside dozens of booths were set up selling cards and memorabilia. One booth was raffling off boxes of cards, with a crowd of about 50 people jumping around like monkeys hoping to win something.

Some of the dealers had jerseys from various players that were "authentic game jerseys worn by players in an actual game." Some of the jerseys looked as if they had not been cleaned, grass stains and mud still intact.

I took this photo of a Tony Romo sticky wall poster at the Fathead booth. Tony being a fathead, it seemed appropriate. (I'm still mad at him and the Pokes for sucking so bad in the playoffs.)

Outdoor interactive games included the above area, where you had the chance to punt the ball to Home Depot volunteers. Whoever kicked the punt when I took this picture really got his leg into it. The ball bounced off the net above my head and fell into the waiting arms of a volunteer.

I was on my way to the NFL Network stage when I saw this guy operating a boom with a camera on it, broadcasting crowd shots. He was "at one" with the boom, looking more like an alien from the planet Transformaton.

As you exit the park area you walk by the main entrance to the stadium. The huge "XLII" sign out front is very cool.

The NFLX is a "must-see" for any football fan, especially if you have kids. The theme park is divided into various phases of the game (passing, kicking, receiving, running, etc.) providing interactive games for both adults and kids. One tent was a "Clinic" that demonstrated various rules of the game and defined such violations as defensive pass interference, false starts, and roughing the passer. NFL sponsors like the Home Depot, Sony, Pepsi, and Burger King all had interactive tents.

I admit it was fun, but I was acutely aware of the gross commericialization of the whole "experience". I felt like I had been sucked into a Super Bowl halftime commercial on steriods.

Downtown Phoenix...I Think I'm Lost

I left Tucson this morning and drove north on Interstate 10 to Phoenix, arriving here about Noon. Once in town I took the Glendale Ave. exit, but went east instead of west, and found myself north of downtown Phoenix.

If you come here, avoid Central Ave. due to construction. Central Ave. cuts the Phoenix metro area north and south into two pieces, and is therefore a heavily traveled road. But it's being widened and is undergoing a major construction effort, so avoid it at all cost.

I found a Starbucks on 7th Ave near downtown and I'm sitting here looking at a map trying to figure out where I am. I have found the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale and will drive there next. A Starbucks employee gave me some good directions, too. He said, "Look for the Ferris Wheel, helicopters, and blimps."

The weather is perfect, mid 60s and sunny. I'll be posting here throughout the weekend, so keep in touch.

Super Bowl, Here I Come!

It's time to drive north tomorrow...to Phoenix, actually, Glendale...for Super Bowl weekend. I'll be staying in Scottsdale and attending an arts festival there, in addition to having some fun with the Super Bowl events. The entire Phoenix metro area (Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe) are all going crazy, as you can imagine, to hold events during the weekend. This is a HUGE event for the area, and they are going to take advantage of it.

For my family and friends living in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area, this will give them a glimpse of what the Super Bowl will be like when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys new stadium complex in 2011.

Below is a short list of events. I'm not sure which ones I'll check out, but it should be fun.

Celebrity Night at the Tables - February 1, 944 Village at the Scottsdale Waterfront
Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee's Super Taste of the Valley - 6-9 pm, Sunday, December 2
ESPN Broadcast Center, SouthBridge, January 28 - February 4, south side of Marshall Way trolley/pedestrian bridge
Hearts and Helmets - Pamela Anderson's Celebrity Party & Shawn Marion's Charity Poker Tournament, 5:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., January 30, Scottsdale
Ashlee Simpson performing Live at Myst on January 30. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Kevin Sorbo Celebrity Golf Classic - January 30-31, Talking Stick Golf Course
Westcor & Spree! The Art of Shopping - Are You Ready for SUPER Shopping that will BOWL You Over? Mornings, Thursday, January 31-Saturday, February 2.
E4 Football Bash, January 31 to February 3, from 2:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily
Martini Ranch Stetson Block Party, January 31 to February 3, Stetson between Drinkwater amd Wells Fargo
7th Annual Players' Wives Fashion Show - 10am-1pm, Friday, February 1 adjacent to Marshall Way near Scottsdale Fashion Square.
ESPN The Magazine Super Bowl Pary - Scottsdale Civic Center Mall on February 1-2
P.Diddy Block Party - January 31 at Axis/Radius.
Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year - Barcelona on February 1
Entourage Super Bash - hosted by Kevin Dillon and Baby Bash. At Myst on February 1.
Snoop Dogg performs at the Bud Bowl - Axis/Radius on February 1
Leather & Laces hosted by Carmen Electra - Galleria Corporate Center on February 1
2008 Landshark Big Game Bash - Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Glendale on February 1
Coors Light Super Bowl Event - Vice the Party/Coors Light, Feb. 1 and Feb. 2, Craftsman Court, between Third and Fifth Ave.
Coors Light Craftsman Court Scottsdale Block Party, Downtown Scottsdale February 1-2
Bud Bowl featuring Kid Rock - Axis/Radius February 2.
Sports Illustrated - Barcelona on February 2
Taste of the NFL XVII- Phoenix Convention Center on February 2
Saturday Night Spectacular hosted by John Travolta and Marshall Faulk - Galleria Corporate Center on February 2
NEXT O8 at the Super Bowl - Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on February 2
Gridiron Greats Super Jam at Hotel Scottsdale

And the above events are just a few of the things happening. Some of the events in Glendale, the home of the Arizona Cardinals and the Super Bowl stadium at the University of Phoenix complex: the NFL Experience, and the NFL Player Parade & Autograph Session at 6 p.m. at the Westgate City Center.

I'll be in Glendale Friday morning and will begin my adventure there.