Arizonas Government Make Up

If you live near downtown Phoenix, Arizona or visit, it is worth a stop at the Capitol building and complex. Out front is the beautifully-landscaped Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, named after one of the state’s former governors who died in office in the 1970s. The site is also home to many memorials and monuments, including the anchor and signal mast from the USS Arizona (one of the United States Navy ships sunk in Pearl Harbor). The original Capitol building, with its impressive copper dome, is still there too; it was finished in 1900 to the tune of $136,000, and dedicated the following year. This building is now a museum.

The Arizona Legislature is made up of a 30-member Senate and a 60-member House of Representatives. Legislators are elected for two-year terms, and each Legislature/legislative session covers a two-year period, starting each year on the second Monday in January. Both senators and representatives are limited to four consecutive terms in a chamber, although there is no limit on the total number of terms served.

Arizona’s executive branch is headed by a governor who is currently allowed to serve an unlimited number of terms, but no more than two in a row. A few little-known factoids related to Arizona’s governorship: Arizona is one of just a handful states in the country that does not have a governor’s mansion. Arizona has had four female governors, which is more than any other state. Arizona is one of just seven states without a lieutenant governor. Here, the Secretary of State is first-in-line to take over the governorship in the event of resignation, removal from office, death or disability.

The Arizona Supreme Court is the highest court in the state. The court currently is made up of a Chief Justice, a Vice Chief Justice and three associate justices. Each one is appointed by the governor from a list suggested by a bi-partisan commission, and each can be re-elected two years after his or her appointment. The Arizona Court of Appeals is the intermediate court in the state and is comprised of two divisions, one in Phoenix and one in Tucson.

Arizona is divided into 15 counties ranging in size from just over 1,200 square miles to almost 19,000 square miles. Maricopa County contains about 60 percent of the state’s population, and historically, Maricopa County tends to vote Republican in many elections. Meanwhile, Pima County, which is home to Tucson and most of southern Arizona, has traditionally voted more Democratic.

Interesting Arizona Demographic Information

Arizona is the 48th state and the last of the contiguous “lower” states admitted to the Union. It officially became a state on February 14, 1912 and is well-known for its hot summers, awe-inspiring scenery and desert climate filled with cacti of all shapes and sizes, as well as its magnificent mountain ranges in the northern high country. Every fall and winter, thousands of part-time residents or “snowbirds” flock to the Arizona real estate to enjoy a mild winter awash with plenty of blue skies, sunshine and best of all—no snow!

The capital of Arizona is Phoenix; this is also the state’s largest city. Tucson comes in second, followed by Mesa, Glendale, Chandler and Scottsdale. Over six-and-a-half million people call Arizona home, split about evenly between men and women.

Arizona is one of the “Four Corners” states, bordering New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Colorado. Of its 113,998 square miles, approximately 15 percent is privately owned. The rest of the state is made up of public park and forest land and Native American reservations. In addition, Arizona has a 389-mile international border with the states of Sonora and Baja California in Mexico.

Although the state is known for its rugged desert landscape, residents and visitors alike are often surprised to learn just how mountainous Arizona truly is. Twenty-seven percent of the state is made up of forests, which is close to current-day Germany or France. In fact, the largest stand of Ponderosa pine trees can be found in Arizona.

Arizona also tends to get more rain than many people realize. The state has an average annual rainfall of almost 13 inches; most of this amount usually falls during the winter and summer rainy seasons. In July and August the “monsoon season” typically strikes, bringing higher humidity and often dramatic thunder and lightning storms along with welcome rain. Lower elevations feature temperate winters and extremely hot summers, but once you reach the upper-third of the state, you’ll find much colder winters complete with snow. In fact, Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff is a popular winter destination for thousands of people.

Arizona is growing fairly quickly in population. Between 1991 and 2001, the number of people who call Arizona home rose by over 45 percent, making Arizona the second fastest-growing state in the nation.

Arizona Shopping is the Best Around

When it comes to shopping in Arizona, there is literally something for everyone. Chock-full of options from high-end, high-fashion stores to outlet malls offering designer duds for next to nothing, Arizona’s numerous indoor shopping venues provide visitors and residents plenty of cool (literally and figuratively) options to being outside during the warm summer months.

Let’s start in central Scottsdale, where Scottsdale Fashion Square boasts dozens of shops from sleek and chic clothing boutiques to nationally-known anchor stores. It’s also a great place to people-watch—grab a table in the large food court and you might even see a local celebrity walk by. Meanwhile, downtown Scottsdale is where you’ll find authentic décor, jewelry and clothing, along with chi-chi galleries and quaint eateries – all with a distinctive Southwestern-style flair.

Home to Arizona State University, Tempe’s most trendy shopping district is definitely all along Mill Avenue, a street that is alive with shops, cafes and more. Easy to navigate by foot, the area is home to many historic buildings dating back to the late 1800s, so it’s an interesting place to take a stroll even if you’re just in the mood for window-shopping.

Just north of Phoenix, Outlets at Anthem features over 70 stores, many of them popular names such as Nike, Calvin Klein, Guess and the Gap, while in the northern part of Arizona, Sedona is also home to a small outlet mall. Speaking of Sedona, this picturesque and ultra-charming town is famous for its gorgeous red-rock formations, but it is also host to an amazing selection of shopping options, including beautiful art galleries showcasing the work of local artisans as well as national figures.

If you’re in the southern part of the state, Tucson is home to a plethora of upscale stores and shops that dot the city’s sprawling landscape. In fact, Tucson’s Foothills Mall contains over 90 stores, a fifteen-screen multiplex cinema, a food court with cuisine from around the world, and more. Open daily, the Foothills Mall even has a Kids Play Area to offer some entertainment for your little ones. 

Arizona Has Options Galore for Dining Out

Whether you are visiting for the first time, spending the high season here, or living in Arizona full-time, one thing is for certain: if you are hungry, you will have no trouble finding a fabulous place to eat. From Flagstaff to Bisbee, Phoenix to Tucson, restaurants serving up virtually every type of cuisine in every price range are in abundant supply.

Of course, thanks to our proximity to the border, Mexican food is practically a fine art here, and if you step off the beaten path, you can find some of the most delicious Mexican food in some of the most unlikely places. For example, in Phoenix, Barrio Cafe on North 16th Street is renowned for its tasty dishes from central and southern Mexico. Veering away from the traditional tacos and enchiladas, Barrio Cafe features palette-pleasing dishes like chicken with Oaxacan black mole, or cochinita pibil, a to-die-for slow-cooked pork flavored with
achiote.

Locally famous Carolina’s Mexican Food on Mohave Street in Phoenix provides its guests with authentic food in generous proportions. The cavernous warehouse-style building isn’t much to look at, but you’ll be too busy savoring your burrito or enchilada on one of Carolina’s legendary paper-thin flour tortillas to notice. Take a pint of machaca and a dozen steaming-hot tortillas home; you’ll be glad you did.

Sam Fox’s collection of boutique restaurants can be found throughout Scottsdale. These include Blanco, The Greene House, Olive & Ivy and much more, however, if you prefer seafood, be sure to check out Mastro's Ocean Club Fish House, Tommy Bahama's Restaurant & Bar and Wildfish Seafood Grille, also all located in Scottsdale.

At The Phoenician Resort in Phoenix, guests can choose from about ten different dining options. Il Terrazzo is well-known for its progressive menu of Italian fare featuring many specialty dishes, while J&G Steakhouse offers – what else? – steakhouse favorites in a gorgeous setting.

Up north in Page, near Lake Powell, Fiesta Mexicana Family restaurant boasts scrumptious food in a friendly atmosphere and with outstanding service. Page may be a small town, but even here you can find a good selection of restaurants including a locally-owned Italian place with enormous calzones. Meanwhile, in the southern Arizona city of Tucson, The Lodge at Ventana Canyon is a luxurious location for enjoying a delectable meal. If you prefer casual dining, visit the lodge’s Catalina dining room or the laidback ambience of the Ventana Bar and Grill.

Arizona Living Offers Many Movie Theater Choices

Most folks living in Arizona prefer to watch a movie nestled in a plush reclining chair inside an air-conditioned theater, so thankfully, just about every city or town in Arizona has a movie theater either within the city limits or a short distance away. In fact, in Arizona, movie theaters are actually quite plentiful, with a current total of nearly 100 theaters showing films on over 900 screens. Small-town Kayenta, near Monument Valley, has the Black Mesa Twin Cinema, and Page in northern Arizona has Westates Theatres Page Mesa Theatre. Even tiny Saint Johns is host to the single-screen Town Square Theatre.

Some towns in Arizona still offer drive-in movies. Scottsdale has a six-screen drive-in called West Wind Scottsdale 6 and Tucson has one as well – the four-screen DeAnza Drive-In Theatre. If you are in Globe, about 80 miles east of Phoenix, take in a movie at the Apache Drive-In. Seeing a movie from the comfort of your car may make you feel as if you’ve stepped back, or technically, parked back in time to warm summer evenings spent watching movies with friends.

As you might have guessed, as you get into larger metropolitan areas throughout Arizona you will find more theaters from which to choose, most of them with numerous amenities. Phoenix alone has a plethora of theater screens, including AMC Ahwatukee 24 with 24 screens showing popular first-run movies. Harkins Metrocenter 12 has a dozen screens and AMC Deer Valley boasts an impressive 30. Meanwhile, the Glendale/Peoria area is home to both a multi-screen Harkins theater and a multi-screen AMC theater. Discount movie theaters are sprinkled across Arizona as well; one such theater is Tempe Cinemas where six screens show a wide variety of movies at much less than ‘normal’ admission.

Finding a movie theater and a listing of what’s playing is easy; either just look in the local newspaper for showings and locations or visit www.boxofficemojo.com or www.moviefone.com and click on the theater you wish to visit.

Arizona Living Offers Many Movie Theater Choices

Most folks living in Arizona prefer to watch a movie nestled in a plush reclining chair inside an air-conditioned theater, so thankfully, just about every city or town in Arizona has a movie theater either within the city limits or a short distance away. In fact, in Arizona, movie theaters are actually quite plentiful, with a current total of nearly 100 theaters showing films on over 900 screens. Small-town Kayenta, near Monument Valley, has the Black Mesa Twin Cinema, and Page in northern Arizona has Westates Theatres Page Mesa Theatre. Even tiny Saint Johns is host to the single-screen Town Square Theatre.

Some towns in Arizona still offer drive-in movies. Scottsdale has a six-screen drive-in called West Wind Scottsdale 6 and Tucson has one as well – the four-screen DeAnza Drive-In Theatre. If you are in Globe, about 80 miles east of Phoenix, take in a movie at the Apache Drive-In. Seeing a movie from the comfort of your car may make you feel as if you’ve stepped back, or technically, parked back in time to warm summer evenings spent watching movies with friends.

As you might have guessed, as you get into larger metropolitan areas throughout Arizona you will find more theaters from which to choose, most of them with numerous amenities. Phoenix alone has a plethora of theater screens, including AMC Ahwatukee 24 with 24 screens showing popular first-run movies. Harkins Metrocenter 12 has a dozen screens and AMC Deer Valley boasts an impressive 30. Meanwhile, the Glendale/Peoria area is home to both a multi-screen Harkins theater and a multi-screen AMC theater. Discount movie theaters are sprinkled across Arizona as well; one such theater is Tempe Cinemas where six screens show a wide variety of movies at much less than ‘normal’ admission.

Finding a movie theater and a listing of what’s playing is easy; either just look in the local newspaper for showings and locations or visit www.boxofficemojo.com or www.moviefone.com and click on the theater you wish to visit.

Arizona's Home to Numerous Annual Events

Arizona is a land of plenty – plenty to see, plenty to do and plenty to enjoy…year-round. From rodeos to car shows, county fairs to Native American events, it is safe to say you will never be bored with all the things to do in Arizona.

For example, every January, hundreds of collectible cars and thousands of visitors flock to Scottsdale for the Barrett-Jackson car auction. Early spring is also the setting for the PGA’s Waste Management Open golf tournament, which will forever be known by locals as “The Phoenix Open” – although it takes place in Scottsdale. In southern Arizona’s hub-city of Tucson, the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase is an annual event typically held in late January or early February. This popular event brings in people from all over the world to admire the impressive collections on display and maybe even purchase some new treasures for their own.

In February, the medieval Renaissance Festival comes to Gold Canyon, east of Phoenix. Located on a 30-acre site, the Festival’s entertainment includes a plethora of wandering knights, damsels and court jesters, along with jousting competitions, trained falcon displays and theatrical performances on one of many stages.

In March, Major League Baseball Spring Training hits town when the “boys of summer” take to baseball diamonds all across the Valley of the Sun; it’s a great way for families to watch their favorite baseball teams in comfortable yet intimate stadiums for much less than “big league” prices. Out Chandler way, on the eastern edge of the Phoenix metro area, March means it’s time for the annual Ostrich Festival. This large bird is an honored guest at this family-friendly event, host to ostrich races (yes, really!), a parade and a petting zoo for kids.

As the weather warms up, many residents head up to Arizona’s cooler northern climes around Sedona, Payson, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. From May to October, the Flagstaff Community Market features fresh produce and other locally made/grown items, while Sedona is a fabulous place to enjoy art festivals and craft shows pretty much any time of the year.

Once fall rolls around, thousands attend the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix, home to traditional displays, animals and carnival rides. In late November and December, numerous communities across Arizona host holiday events, complete with tens of thousands of twinkling lights accented with intricate decorations. Ahwatukee, a suburb of Phoenix, is well-known for its Festival of Lights that involves millions of white lights adorning dozens of trees, saguaro and other native cacti. If you’re looking for something a little different, Downtown Chandler usually assembles a towering Christmas tree made of wild-west tumbleweeds…we kid you not.

Arizona Museum for Youth is Home of Fun for All Ages

Entertaining children of any age can seem a chore if you are not aware of all the wonderful experiences available to them. Within the greater Arizona real estate there are many ways to keep children happy and busy for a day. One of the most fantastic places to visit is the Arizona Museum for Youth in Mesa. This museum is dedicated to the idea of learning through fun and to children of all ages. To make sure that they live up to their objective, the museum has created fun centers for each age group so that the play and fun are always relevant to the intellectual level of the participant.

In ArtVille the crawlers, toddlers, and the pre-schoolers will find just various things their little hearts’ desire- fun, color, and the opportunity to make a mess. This mini-me area features large crayon pillars and child-height doorways. From kitchen play to oversized blocks and an art center, ArtVille has more to offer than your child can possibly imagine.

ArtZone is for the slightly older crowd. Children ages five years and older will be filled with excitement as they are presented with the opportunity to explore color, sound and texture in a whole new way. Whether they want to try their hand at drawing and painting, or would rather tackle the knack or building in three-dimensions, the Arizona Museum for Youth has just what they are looking for. It is a bit more sophisticated than ArtVille, though still filled with the fun that children crave.

If you are going to make your way there, then you certainly should be rewarded for your efforts. Everyone knows that adults like to have fun too, and the Arizona Museum for Youth will never consider you too old. Classes are available for all ages, so whether you want to create with your child, with your friend, or all by yourself, you will find all kinds of fun there. Class and workshop registration information is available on the museum website, so that you can plan in advance for that day of fun.

So, put on your apron, grab a brush and make your way to the Arizona Museum for Youth for fun for the whole family. This museum offers the perfect get-a-way and a calendar chock full of special events and ways to play.

ASU Planetarium Gives Answers on Stars That Shine on Your Arizona Home

What is one the best things about Arizona? The answer is quite obvious, the gorgeous views- day and night. There are few things more stunning than the wide open sky at night, with thousands of stars twinkling down at all who venture outdoors. But, if you want to really have a better understanding of those stars, then you need to seek the insight of a professional. The School of Earth and Space Exploration Planetarium also known as ASU Planetarium is a great place to see the stars and learn more about the stars that shine down on all of the beautiful Arizona real estate.

Arizona State University is known for many things, but few people take time to mention the education and beauty that can be found at its planetarium. This intimate setting can hold just fifty people at a time, but it is well worth the real estate it occupies. Visitors can make a strong connection with the stars and the universe as a whole. They can learn about all that we, as a modern civilization, know about what lies beyond our own atmosphere, and also a bit about what is still being learned today. Shows will often feature an underlying theme. Currently, the planetarium guides are featuring the works and times of Galileo. Learn more about the man, his telescope, and his contribution to our understanding of Earth and space today.

If you find yourself really feeling the line of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star that says, “How I wonder what you are,” then you will love everything this Arizona treasure has to offer. Daytime shows are available on request, or you can attend the nightly 6:30 PM experience (during the standard school year). To take part in a daytime showing, you will need to bring your own group and contact the SESE to schedule a time. The daytime shows typically last about fifty minutes and many opt to also include tours of the SESE facility thereafter. The 6:30 PM showing lasts about forty-five minutes and includes the opportunity to peer through the ASU telescope, as long as the weather is cooperating.

You will not pay for your visit, as the ASU Planetarium, but you will have to pay for visitor parking on the campus. The charge is currently two dollars per hour, with a maximum fee of eight dollars. This is a very small price to pay for a day or evening of wonder and amazement, as well as a better understanding of the solar system that surrounds us.

Arizona’s Alamo Lake State Park is Home to Many Animals

Is there any wonder why tourists flock each year to the state of Arizona for the beauty of the landscapes, skylines, and sunsets? If you are not sure what all the fuss is about, then it is time to make a trip to the Alamo Lake State Park. This park provides all the true beauty that rural Arizona real estate has to offer in one condensed area. Views of the mountains far off in the distance, running streams and quiet lakes, and do not forget the abundant wildlife.

If you want to get out and stretch your legs, then the Alamo Lake State Park has a lot to offer you. The best in bass fishing means that you can wake early, wade into the clean waters, and spend the day enjoying nature all around, but that is not all. For those who want to truly experience all that this gorgeous area has to offer, there are a number of hiking trails that lead one through the highs and lows of the semi-desert landscape and feature the gorgeous centerpiece, which is the majestic Alamo Lake.

The lake was not completely natural in formation. It resides on the Bill Williams River now, but it didn’t make its home until 1968 when the Alamo Dam was completed. Though it may not have been the primary objective of the engineers to create such a serene place, the side effects are wondrous. The lake now teams with life- fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals of many different species have made their way to the plentiful water supply and currently reside within the park’s boundaries. Aside from the bass previously mentioned, the Alamo State Park is able to brag species including bluegill fish, black crappy fish, bobcat, coyote, mule deer, bald eagles, golden eagles, and even wild burros. Alamo Lake State Park is an animal lovers dream.

If you want to try your hand at experiencing nature at its most beautiful, then make your way to Arizona’s Alamo Lake State Park, but be sure to set up camp at the designated sites and be sure that is a ways away from the lake, as it has been known to rise up to eleven feet in a single night. Also, be sure to leave something behind, when taking your long hike or trying your luck at the lake’s edge, because you won’t want to give up your campsite once you have discovered how wonderful it is to be there.

Rio Verde Foothills Real Estate is Southwestern Paradise

Far north of Scottsdale, Arizona lies the community of Rio Verde Foothills. These foothills have a rural ambiance that is undeniable, and includes a treasured community that has simply ravishing views of the McDowell Mountains and Four Peaks, as well as views of Tonto National Forest. This Arizona real estate community offers plenty of things for outdoor enthusiasts, including biking, hiking, horseback riding, tennis, and even championship golf. Mingled in with all of the outdoor activities is the air of peace and serenity, which is what makes the Rio Verde Foothills so appealing to so many people.

In the 1960’s, a large group of Minnesota investors believed that this area of Arizona would be the perfect place to set up a winter golf camp. What started as a golf camp grew to become a large community of beautiful custom homes and ranches on multi-acre sites. The architectural styles of the homes range from contemporary to Tuscan and everything in between. One thing that many people enjoy about living in the Rio Verde Foothills is the privacy, as many of the homes allow for a great deal of seclusion.

The Rio Verde Foothills may offer a great deal of privacy and gorgeous vistas, but it is also ideally located. Less than an hour away from the Loop 101 freeway, the town is within easy driving distance of all of the metropolitan areas, including Phoenix and Scottsdale, so those who are missing city life can drive in for an evening or a day to enjoy fine dining. They can then return to the Rio Verde Foothills to bask in the star filled nights and the pristine desert landscape.