Phoenix Christmas Light Photos 2011

As a native Arizonan, I feel like I've never had the chance to get the full Christmas experience. While songs on the radio talk about sleigh rides, chestnuts roasting on an open fire and a White Christmas, I have never experienced any of those things.

Due to the climate here in the Sonoran Desert, the Phoenix area does not get snow. As a kid, one of our family traditions was to pile in the car and drive around to look at Christmas lights.

You see, when there is no snow, some folks try to make up for it by putting up a few extra strings of lights. And then there are the people who go completely and totally overboard with lights, illuminating the entire neighborhood like Times Square. Those houses are my favorite.

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Copper Chopper Custom Motorcycle by Paul Yaffe

The State of Arizona's 100-year anniversary is just around the corner! If you have been out and about lately, you may have noticed that the Arizona Centennial Foundation has selected a rather unusual mascot for the state's 100th birthday.

Rather than choose a mascot, person, or event that defines Arizona's history, the Foundation has selected a custom built "chopper" bike, created by Arizona resident and bike builder Paul Yaffe.

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Iconic Arizona Exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum

Have you heard about Iconic Arizona? It's a new exhibit of creative photography at the Phoenix Art Museum, and it's going on now! The exhibit runs from November 12, 2011 through March 4, 2012. As you might imagine, the exhibit features many of Arizona's most well-known attractions such as the Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert. However, the exhibit has more to offer than just the natural wonders of Northern Arizona. There are photos of the San Xavier del Bac Mission, Jerome, and man-made attractions such as the Hoover Dam and Frank Lloyd Wright's Pauson House.

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Phoenix FBI Headquarters Close to Completion

Regular readers of this blog may know that I have been keeping an eye on a very large office building under construction in North Phoenix for the past 2 years. Now, the new Phoenix FBI Headquarters is close to completion!

The massive building is close to completion with the windows, signage, flags, and security fence installed. I drive by this location frequently, and decided to take a photo for this post. I pulled over and hopped out of the car to snap a quick photo.

While I had been stopped by the side of the road for less than two minutes, I was quite surprised to see a Phoenix Police officer had pulled up behind me. He was standing next to his vehicle with a blank expression on his face. "What's going on here" he said flatly.

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Arizona Centennial Union Pacific Steam Locomotive Tour

You may already be aware that Arizona will be celebrating 100 years of statehood in February 2012. What you may not know is that celebrations for this important occasion have already begun!

Earlier this month, a very special steam-powered locomotive rolled through the Grand Canyon State as part of our centennial celebration. The Union Pacific #844 steam locomotive was available for public viewing at the Union Pacific rail yard in downtown Phoenix on Sunday November 13th and Monday November 14th, 2011.

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