Nov 24, 2009 10:38 - By: Laura Charon
The Arizona Snowbowl
When people think about Arizona, they tend to picture hot arid deserts and Saguaro cactus. However, there ARE portions of Arizona where the elevation is high enough to enjoy four seasons. Flagstaff is one of those places. The town itself is at an elevation of 7000 feet, and enjoys between 16 and 22 inches of average snowfall between the months of December and March.
The San Francisco Peaks, just north of downtown Flagstaff, top out at an elevation of 12,633 feet, and get much heavier snowfall than the town below. The Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort resides on the San Francisco Peaks, just fourteen miles outside of downtown Flagstaff (2 hours from Phoenix, 70 miles from the Grand Canyon). Base elevation is at 9,200 feet, and summit elevation is at 11,500 feet. There are 32 runs spread out over 777 acres, fairly evenly distributed between beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails. The ski season usually runs from mid-December through mid-April, depending on snowfall (which averages at 260 inches).
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Nov 24, 2009 10:34 - By: Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
The 45-foot rotunda tree in the Christmas Around the World exhibit
Experience the holiday traditions of over 50 different countries at the annual “Christmas Around The World and Holidays of Light” exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. A Chicago tradition for 68 years, the glittering exhibit showcases trees decorated to reflect the holiday traditions from around the world through January 3. Anchored by a towering 45-foot tree in the Rotunda, the display also features intermittent snow showers. This year’s theme focuses on the holiday history of the White House, with White House-themed ornaments adorning the Rotunda tree and holiday cards signed by presidents and first ladies. Read More »
Nov 23, 2009 14:56 - By: Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
Chicago's Christkindl Market in Daley Plaza
Gliding down the Magnificent Mile and piling up credit card charges might signal the start of the Chicago holiday season for some but for me, the official launch comes with the fresh stollen, gingerbread and hot spiced wine of the Christkindl Market. Considered one of the best German Christmas markets in the world, this open air, month-long event offers a more authentic (and cheaper) holiday shopping experience. Inspired by the famous Nuremburg Christmas Market that started in 1545, the Chicago Christkindl features an official November 25 launch by Nuremberg’s past Christkindl, a fairy-like character who wears a shimmering, golden robe with a crown perched atop golden locks. Read More »
Nov 23, 2009 10:06 - By: Jeremybanas
All we are is just another tap on the wall
Everyone knows The Bull and Finch Pub in Boston (known as ‘Cheers’ on T.V.) as the place ‘Where everybody knows your name’. To me, that is an essential ingredient in any place you frequent, visit once, or always hope to get to. For years living in San Antonio there was a drought for a place where you could get more than the average beer served at the ‘insert your name here’ bar on the corner. Sure, one or two places pop up here and there, but they do not have the overall atmosphere and selection that many craft beer bars on the west coast, east coast and Colorado have. Namely, an incredible selection of what many refer to as craft beer bars. Places that serve beer for those with a more refined taste of our favorite malted beverage. Read More »
Nov 20, 2009 13:20 - By: Laura Charon
A lineup of cars to drool over.
This right here is a typical sight in the valet parking area of Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona (right in front of The Yardhouse). My husband and I were headed to our car one day last weekend, when we came across this sight. We continued on to our car, grabbed the camera, and headed back down to drool.
This is an Audi R8. The STARTING PRICE is $114,200:
The Audi R8.
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Nov 19, 2009 10:40 - By: Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
Iron Maiden torture chamber at Ripley's Believe It or Not!
I loved the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! cartoon as a kid. Learning about Robert Ripley’s weird and wacky discoveries around the world was always intriguing. So there was no way I’d pass up the strip of Ripley’s attractions on Ocean Blvd in Myrtle Beach. I grabbed my reluctant 12-year-old and headed to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. I wouldn’t recommend it for children under 10 because the museum is filled with creepy and eerie artifacts. Once you walk past the photos of the 8″11 tallest man of all time and the Egyptian barge made from toothpicks, the offerings grow scarier. There’s a whole wall devoted to medieval torture devices and a gruesome “Iron Maiden”, a wooden, female -shaped, cabinet equipped with 13 spikes to pierce the eyes, throat and heart of religious heretics. Read More »
Nov 18, 2009 15:10 - By: Darren Farrington
Located in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeastern United States, is also the site of the highest recorded wind gust measured at the Earth’s surface–231 mph (372km/h) on April 12, 1934. So bring your winter jackets even if you’re visiting in July. Soon enough though, this mountain range and others throughout New England will provide some of the best family ski destinations in New England.
Photo copyright by Darren Farrington
Nov 17, 2009 16:56 - By: Laura Charon
The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer
Twilight fans, get ready to get your squee on!!!
The next movie in the saga, New Moon, hits theaters this Friday. In anticipation of this august occasion, the town of Surprise, Arizona, is preparing a pre-movie party sure to whip all Twilight fans – adolescent and not-so-adolescent – into a frenzy of Team Edward and Team Jacob hysteria the likes of which the world may never fully recover.
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