Vacations Blog

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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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

Jay-Z owns the Big Apple. He knows it, Mayor Bloomberg knows it, and so does everyone within earshot of his latest album – The Blueprint 3. Songs from the album – ‘Run this Town’ and ’Empire State of Mind’ - are aimed squarely at propogating the myth of J Hova’s absolute dominance of all things New York. 

Jay-Z

If you’re not a New Yorker, you can buy your Jay-Z tickets for the BP3 Tour, same as everyone else. But not in the Big Apple - because Empire State of Mind is also a candidate to replace Sinatra’s New York, New York as the New York anthem song.

And Jay-Z is relentlessly hammering it home – with Alicia Keys to add some oomph, he performed the song at Madison Square Garden on Sept 11, as part of the ‘Answer the Call’ charity concert.

Next stop the MTV Video Music Awards. After that the Yankee Stadium, for Game 2 of the World Series, and then again at the Yankees Parade.

He was even introduced as the Mayor of New York by Bono at the U2 Berlin Wall concert streamed live on youtube.

Is playing BP3 on every available stereo going to change New York’s state of mind about Jay-Z and Empire State of Mind anymore than it already has? Maybe a connection between Empire State of Mind and pictures of the iconic landmarks mentioned in the song might help.

Read the lyrics, check out the video, and see the pictures below of the landmarks and icons mentioned. I’m loath to admit it, but once you make the connection, Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind is every bit as good as the New York of Frank Sinatra and Robert De Niro.  Read More »

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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Entrance of the Du Sable Museum

Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood has gained lots of visibility as the home of President Barack Obama but he’s not the only exciting aspect of the area.  This  stately south side neighborhood is also home to the DuSable Museum of African American History.  Named for the founder of Chicago, Jean Baptiste Pointe  DuSable, the museum is the first and oldest institution of its kind in the country. Located on the sprawling grounds of Washiington Park, DuSable offers a great family excursion.  Enter the museum and you’re greeted with a life-sized mosaic mural of DuSable, who was a wealthy explorer and fur trader. Read More »

Dress your dog in holiday festivewear for the 1.2k Santa Sled Run.

The 12K’s of Christmas celebrates the “health, fitness, and joy of Christmas.” This Christmas run is being held in the town of Gilbert, Arizona on December 12th at the Freestone District Park. Every registered runner receives a free Santa hat to wear during the run. Chorale groups will be stationed along the route singing Christmas Carols, and prizes will be offered for those runners with the most inventive Christmas-themed running outfit.

Along with the 12k marathon is a 1.2k “Santa Sled Run” for the whole family to enjoy, including your four-legged friends. Decorate strollers, wagons, bicycles, and even your dog to run, walk, or stroll the 1.2k. Prizes will be awarded for the 12k’s of Christmas Judges Award, the Spirit of Christmas Judges Award, Santa’s Favorite Pet, Best Decorated Entry, and Individual and Child’s Christmas Spirit awards.

Non-runners can enjoy the Christmas Bazaar for some last-minute Christmas shopping, food, and drink. Downtown Gilbert will also be hosting post-event celebrations, so make a day of it and enjoy the 12K’s of Christmas!

Registration Fee for the 12k Race is $30 prior to race day, and $35 the day of the race. Registration includes water stations and snacks, Santa Hat and collectible finishers pin. Day of Race Registration is 8 am to 9:45 am, the race begins at 10 am, and the awards ceremony immediately follows the race.

Registration Fee for the Santa Sled 1.2K Run is $30 Team entry (4 people), $5 for each additional person.
Registration is from 8 am to 9:45 am, and the race Begins at 10:12 am.

Photo Credit: “I like my new sweater” by mbtrama on Flickr Creative Commons.

Kathy Griffin performs at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, MI

There are so many, many ways and reasons to make fun of Hollywood. I mean, just look at how much reality TV there is out there and the way it’s cheapened what we call “celebrity.” Not to worry – there are still genuine celebrities that are ridiculous enough to make fun of, and nobody does it better, in my opinion, than Kathy Griffin. Read More »

Buddy Guy on stage at his club, Legends

Catch the excitement of live Chicago blues bands competing to win the International Blues Challenge at Buddy Guy’s Legends on November 15.   Over the last few months, local acts have belted out their best blues performances in four  rounds of contests to represent Chicago in the International Blues Challenge, held in Memphis in January.  Sponsored by the Windy City Blues Society, the event supplies a great opportunity to hear the best up and coming blues performers in one night.  The line-up kicks off at 7:30PM and includes 12 acts battling to be the best in blues. Read More »