Art or Fashion? You Decide.

I'll be honest. I don't have the greatest appreciation for art. Spending hours in a museum looking at wild contemporary creations or classic paintings by famous artists, like Vermeer or Monet, isn't my cup of tea. However, on my first trip to the Phoenix Art Museum, I discovered that art isn't limited to the traditional mediums of canvas or clay. Fashion, and the collection of Ann Bonfoey Taylor, has its place in the world of art.


Billed as Fashion Independent: The Original Style of Ann Bonfoy Taylor, the museum's featured exhibit was a stunning example of form meets function, with style and flair. Ann B. Taylor, who has no connection with the store that resembles her name, was not a famous fashion designer. Although she did for a short time design ski apparel, Ann was a unique American woman who had a passion for fashion, assembling her collection carefully. Whether dressed in day wear, evening wear or sportswear, Ann's wardrobe was both classic and sophisticated, but with a distinct style all her own. Ann's son donated his mother's extraordinary wardrobe to the Phoenix Art Museum, which will serve as the foundation of its fashion design collection.

Although I spent most of my time in Ann's "closet," I did venture into some of the museum's other galleries, including the Thorne Miniature Rooms, Latin American collection and the Modern & Contemporary exhibit. My favorite was the Western American collection, which had a section of works exhibiting the unique landscape, people and history of Arizona, including a painting by my favorite local artist Ed Mell. The museum also included a statue by realist artist Fredric Remington, but nothing from C.M. Russell, whose museum in Great Falls, Mont., I've had the pleasure of touring twice. Note to the Phoenix Art Museum: You should include the works of Charlie Russell.

While I may not be an art enthusiast, the Phoenix Art Museum was a great way to cool off in "style" on a hot Saturday afternoon in Phoenix.

Hoopin' It Up at the Heard

Elementary school students throughout the Phoenix area take a field trip to the Heard Museum to learn about Native American arts and culture. I must have been absent that day.




The Heard Museum has been a landmark in Central Phoenix for more than 80 years. It's known worldwide for its extensive collections, changing exhibits and festivals celebrating the Native American people. The annual Hoop Dance Contest is among its most popular. Held every February, it is in its 21st year. Native American men and women from across the U.S. and Canada take part in the world championship competition.






If you are unfamiliar with the hoop dance, it incorporates speed and agility, as the dancers manipulate their bodies through one or more than 50 hoops. The most talented will incorporate creative designs and difficult maneuvers, as their feet keep time with the beat of the drum. It's an impressive and beautiful dance to see. Equally impressive are the colorful costumes the dancers wear. No two are alike.

Yet, the museum also offers something interesting to see. The Heard collects and exhibits centuries-old American Indian art, along with works from more contemporary Native American artists. Two stunning exhibits, only at the Heard for a limited time, were Preston Singletary's contemporary glass works and Jesse Monongye's amazing Navajo jewelry. Another powerful and ongoing exhibit is "Remembering Our Indian School Days: The Boarding School Experience," which examines the system of off-reservation Indian boarding schools and how the Native American children were removed from their homes and stripped of their culture, identity and language.

With more than 130,000 square feet of galleries, class rooms and performance area, you can easily spend an entire day at the Heard Museum. There is so much to do and see. Plan your lunch at its well-recommended Cafe, or if you are lucky -- like me -- you can enjoy Indian Fry Bread in the main courtyard.

Whether you are a tourist, new to the Valley or a long-time resident, you should take a trip to the Heard Museum. It's internationally renowned collection of Native American art and cultural pieces, along with its changing exhibits and full schedule of events will always offer something new to see. I'd better plan a another visit.

Take a Trip Back in Time to the Orpheum Theater

In terms of architecture, Phoenix is a relatively young city. Much of the area's growth occurred after the 1950s, and old buildings were often torn down to make way for new developments. While some tout this as the path to progress, I find it a sad loss of culture and history. Fortunately there are others who agree, otherwise the southwest corner of Second Avenue and Adams Street in downtown Phoenix might house another high-rise office building -- or worse, a parking lot -- rather than the beautifully restored Orpheum Theater.

My tour of the Orpheum Theater was like a trip back in time. Built in the late 1920s, the Orpheum was the pride of Phoenix with its ornate Spanish Medieval and Baroque-style architecture. Back then it was also one of the coolest spots in town, which drew in audiences on hot summer afternoons for vaudeville and silent picture shows.

Inside the auditorium were large murals with views of expansive mountains ranges, trees and waterfalls, giving patrons the illusion of sitting in a courtyard of a Spanish villa. Detailed arches, niches and columns lined the walls. Overhead, the ceiling changed from an orange glow at sunset to a night sky filled with twinkling stars and moving clouds.

All this grandeur was nearly lost. Subsequent owners, with little appreciation for art and architecture, made changes to the Orpheum, removing furniture and fixtures. One went so far as to paint the entire auditorium black, covering up the beautiful murals and Baroque columns. His reasoning, the audience was there to see the performance on stage, not look at the facility.

After many years of neglect the Orpheum was facing the wrecking ball. Another landmark would be lost forever if it weren't for a group of well-intentioned civic leaders, a bond election, public fundraising and a wealthy benefactor. These groups, combined, raise $14.5 million to restore the theater to its former beauty, which cost only $750,000 to build nearly seven decades earlier.

Today, thankfully, we can enjoy a performance at the Orpheum much like audiences did when the theater first opened. Upcoming events include music, dance, drama, comedy and even an old-fashioned silent picture show. The only difference today is the price of admission. It's a bit more than it was in 1929, but well worth it.

Note: If you work in the downtown area, take a mid-day break and visit the Orpheum Theater. Volunteers conduct free, guided tours twice a month at noon and 1:00 p.m.

Climb Every Mountain... ...Till You Find Your Dream

The night before I hiked Camelback mountain I watched the Sound of Music on TV. I found a bit of irony in this. If you remember the end of the movie, you recall that the von Trapp family climbs the Swiss alps to escape pursuing Nazi solders. Motivation like that might have helped me climb Camelback -- a helping hand from a young Christopher Plummer would have helped too.




If you've never hiked Camelback, let me warn you, the Summit Trail out of Echo Canyon is know to be strenuous and difficult. The elevation gain is 1,264 feet (the summit is 2,704 feet) and the trail is 1.2 miles -- one way. This, however, didn't deter me.

I had originally planned this hike for New Years Day, but some wise friends warned me against this. The trail is quite popular on weekends and holidays, and if you don't like to have another hiker on your heals -- literally -- it's best to pick another day. I did and was off to a good start. I had a hiking stick to help me up the stair-like trail and to steady my steps in the rocky areas. There were quite a few other hikers on the trail, but no one was in a rush and there was plenty of time to stop and check out the spectacular view of the Valley.

I had gone 3/4 of a mile up the trail and was feeling really good. All was going well -- until I found this. A steep rock incline that you literally had to pull yourself up, hand-over-hand, along a guide rail.

Here's something you may not know about me. I have a fear of heights. Well, more like a fear of falling hundred of feet to my death. While I considered going up the rock wall, I was sure there was no way I would make it back down without help from the Phoenix Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Team. Although it's not a bad way to meet a cute fireman, I decided it was better to turn around and find a new trail.

Luckily there are a few other hiking options at Camelback and my trip was not a total loss. For less adventurous types there are the Ramada and Bobby's Rock trails, the latter of which takes you towards the camel's head. Both offer the opportunity to explore the urban mountain park -- without scaling a sheer rock wall.

Since my visit to Camelback didn't quite turn out as planned, I'm not ready to cross this one off my list. I'm willing to give the trip to the top one more try, but I'll take a different path -- the Cholla Trail. It starts at the back side (butt end) of Camelback. It's a little bit longer -- 1.5 miles each way -- and is still recommenced only for experienced hikers. As long as it doesn't require ropes, a harness, anchor chains and rappelling rings I might be able to make it.

This isn't the last time you'll see me at Camelback mountain. Stay tuned for "Camelback -- Take Two."

Pueblo Grande Museum Part 1

Hohokam for the Holidays

Is it too early to start preparing for Christmas? It's not, if you are the State of Arizona.

For the first time, our state will provide the United States Congress with the Christmas tree placed in front of the Capital building in Washington, D.C. A 75-foot, nearly 125-year-old spruce has been selected from the forest in Northern Arizona. It will take about 10,000 lights and more than 5,000 ornaments to decorate the tree. Most of the ornaments will be made by Arizona school children, but a few opportunities to create decorations for the tree are available to the public. That's why I'm at the Pueblo Grande Museum early on a Saturday morning, to make Native American Gourd Ornaments for the Capital Christmas tree.

Twenty other crafters filled the community room at the Pueblo Grande Museum, including my friend, Jeanne Olcott. We were each given a gourd, a variety of paint markets and went to work. Most of the group transformed their gourds into birds. Mine, I thought, looked more like a whale. But whales aren't native to Arizona , so I painted a lizard instead.

But the lizard only covered one side of my gourd, so on the back I painted a prickly pear cactus.

Nearly three hours later, all the gourds were finished and drying outside. There were birds of all varieties and colors, a snake or two and even a hot air balloon with the the Arizona state flag.

As the Capital Christmas Tree travels across the U.S., each ornament will promote the state of Arizona -- its diverse culture and rich history. You can follow its progress at the interactive website: http://www.capitolchristmastree2009.org/.

Be sure to keep an eye out for a yellow and orange lizard hanging in the tree. When you see it, I hope you will think of me.

The List

I've always used lists. Whether it's a grocery list, mailing list or some other kind of to-do list, these checklists keep me on track. This one shouldn't be any different. Here is my list of 50 things to see and do in Arizona before I turn 50.

PHOENIX AREA
1. Hike Camelback Mountain DONE!
2. Visit the Pueblo Grande Museum in Phoenix DONE!
3. See the holiday lights at Mesa’s Mormon Temple DONE!
4. Take a tour of the Orpheum Theater in Downtown Phoenix DONE!
5. Eat an ice cream treat at the Sugar Bowl in Scottsdale DONE!
6. Visit the Phoenix Art Museum DONE!
7. Visit the Heard Museum in Phoenix DONE!
8. Visit Taliesin West in Scottsdale DONE!
9. Visit the Queen Creek Olive Mill DONE!
10. Hike Pinnacle Peak in North Scottsdale DONE!
11. Visit the Arizona Historical Society Museum in Tempe DONE!

SOUTHERN ARIZONA
12. Visit the Southern Arizona wineries DONE!
13. Visit Bisbee DONE!
14. Hike Sabino Canyon DONE!
15. Visit the Casa Grande Ruins DONE!
16. Visit Tombstone DONE!
17. Stargaze at the Kitt Peak Observatory DONE!
18. Dine at the Long Horn Bar & Grill in Amado DONE!
19. Feed the ostrich at Rooster Cogburn’s Ostrich Ranch DONE!
20. Attend Mass at San Xavier de Bac DONE!
21. See the Hummingbirds at the Ramsey Canyon Preserve DONE!

CENTRAL ARIZONA
22. Visit Crown King DONE!
23. Take a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad DONE!
24. Attend the Prescott 4th of July Rodeo
25. Sleep at a haunted hotel in Jerome DONE!
26. Slide down Slide Rock in Oak Creek Canyon
27. Visit the Verde Valley wineries DONE!
28. Hike the Red Rocks of Sedona DONE!

NORTHERN ARIZONA
29. See the sunset at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
30. Take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams
31. Take a summertime chairlift ride at Arizona Snowbowl DONE!
32. Hike the Grand Canyon
33. Hike to Havasupi Falls
34. Walk on the Grand Canyon Skywalk
35. Cut down my own Christmas tree in Northern Arizona DONE!
36. Hike in Walnut Canyon
37. Visit the Four Corners Monument
38. Stay at La Posada in Winslow
39. Take a jeep tour ride in Canyon de Chelly
40. Hike Antelope Canyon near Page

WESTERN ARIZONA
41. Visit the Vulture Mine in Wickenberg
42. Walk across the London Bridge in Lake Havasu
43. Take a tour of Hoover Dam
44. Explore the Grand Canyon Caverns
45. Dine at the Road Kill Café in Seligman

EASTERN ARIZONA
46. Visit Hannagan Meadow
47. Go fishing at Hawley Lake
48. Take a raft trip down the Salt River
49. Visit Tortilla Flat
50. Travel the Arizona Salsa Trial in Graham County DONE!

While I've organized my list by region, the items are in no particular order. They are simply places I've never been and things I would like to do. But don't be surprised if I take a few detours along the way.

Let the adventure begin.