By Cassaundra Brooks
Photo credits: Photos courtesy the Hotel del Coronado
                       Photos courtesy the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

 
“Are we there yet?” What family vacation would be complete without this quintessential question? Sometimes, getting to a vacation destination seems to take forever, but Arizonans don’t need to travel far for a fun, family-friendly trip. With slightly cooler temperatures, a change of scenery, and a name that has long been synonymous with summer fun, California offers some great vacation incentives for us desert dwellers. Luxurious beachside resorts and magical theme parks beckon, and this summer, you may wish to consider a short jog west with the family in tow.

SANTA MONICA

It may just have the most entertaining pier on the West Coast; it certainly has some of the most entertaining people. Santa Monica is also great for outdoor activities and artistic inspiration. Biking, skateboarding, rollerblading, dog walking, jogging, sunbathing, swimming, shopping, and snacking are a fraction of beachfront activities. Browse art booths, get a henna tattoo, or stop to watch various street entertainers as you mosey along the walk. Head to the Santa Monica Pier for a ride on the Ferris wheel, tasty treats, and family-friendly fun and games. Downtown, the pedestrian-friendly Third Street Promenade features thirty blocks of retail stores, dining, and entertainment. Check out the farmers’ market, brand-name shops, big-name chains, and unique boutiques. Find fresh cuisine, spas, bars, clubs, live theater, and a variety of organic entertainment, all overlooking Santa Monica Bay and blocks away from the beach, Palisades Park, and the renowned pier. There are seven public parking garages and metered street spaces for parking. Visitors may opt to use the Tide Shuttle for transportation in the Main Street district.

STAY

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel The eight-storey city resort, bounded by the Pacific Ocean and the vibrant city of Santa Monica, boasts a Four Diamond rating, award-winning dining, an inspiring fitness center, and a newly renovated spa. The hotel caters to executives with one-bedroom suites and guest rooms that feature work desks and high-speed Internet but offers wonderful family accommodations and a slew of activities.

DINE

Ocean and Vine is a sophisticated retro lounge specializing in locally caught seafood delights and produce procured from Santa Monica’s farmers’ markets. Enjoy views of the Pacific and the Santa Monica pier as you dive into Chef Gregory Foos’s exciting California cuisine. Enjoy poolside service with full-service cabana Blue Streak and its selection of drinks, snacks, smoothies, and main dishes. Then, spend a relaxing evening in the Papillion Bar and Fireside Lounge.

PAMPER

Indulge in massages, facials, and an assortment of body treatments in the hotel’s Ocean Spa. A full-service beauty salon pampers the outer layer for that special evening or looking your everyday best. Keep up your fitness regimen in their fitness studio equipped with high-quality equipment, bikes, free weights, and more. A Group Fitness Studio offers classes in yoga, spinning, dance, mat Pilates, and body sculpting, among others.

ATTRACTIONS

The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is located steps from the famous beachside fitness paths and outdoor parks, a block from the Santa Monica Place Shopping Center, two blocks from the Santa Monica Pier, and three blocks from the Third Street Promenade. Less than an hour away by car are Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, and Magic Mountain.

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
1700 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-6700
loewshotels.com

Loews also has a San Diego location:
Loews Coronado Bay Resort
4000 Loews Coronado Bay Road
Coronado, CA 92118
(619) 424-4000 or (800) 815-6397

SAN DIEGO

Take a break from the desert heat with cool ocean breezes and an average daytime temperature of a heavenly 70 degrees Fahrenheit in this beautiful beach city. Animal lovers and kids of all ages will love the world-famous San Diego Zoo, where carnivores and herbivores cohabitate (with the help of fences), and you can find birds, reptiles, and beasts, jungle, desert, and marine life all in one park. The famous Sea World is a world of wonder for your little future marine biologists and aquatic enthusiasts. Your favorite sea creatures will present dazzling displays of talent and training, and you can walk through an aquarium tunnel and feed select critters. With interactive activities, well-constructed shows, and an element of education, Sea World makes for a great family experience, complete with splash zones and a barrage of souvenirs. Of course, San Diego can get you up close and personal with man’s favorite “vacation nature”—the beach. A clean, family-friendly beach has its own set of activities: bicycling on a 15-mile bike path, tennis, boating, fishing, yachting, swimming, sunbathing, scuba diving, snorkeling, water-skiing, windsurfing, hiking, hang gliding, hot air ballooning, and seasonal whale watching. San Diego houses over seventy golf courses, including an 18-hole championship golf course. There are miles of beautiful sand beaches and sparkling ocean. Just don’t forget the sunblock.

The greater San Diego area boasts a number of other attractions, including Legoland, the San Diego Wild Animal Park, Old Town, and Seaport Village. A number of theaters, including the Tony Award-winning Old Globe Theater, the San Diego Repertory Theater, and the historic Coronado Theater, host a variety of spectacular entertainment, and the city’s symphony and opera offer a season of international-artist performances. San Diego has approximately ninety museums.

STAY

You and the family don’t even need to leave your hotel in order to have a smashing time if you stay at The Hotel del Coronado, a luxurious, sprawling oceanfront palace with an unmistakable red roof and breathtaking ocean views. The Del (as it is affectionately called) first opened its doors to travel-weary customers in 1888 as a luxurious railroad resort that served the rich, famous, and privileged. One of the first hotels to offer a wealth of diverse activities and the latest in electricity and other modern luxuries, the resort continues its precedent-setting ways today. Having survived a century of wars and economic downtimes, The Hotel del Coronado is weathering the current economic storm while maintaining its rich history and glamorous status, which have won it many accolades and awards over the years. 2007 marked the completion of a stunning $150 million transformation with the addition of Beach Village, a set of oceanfront cottages and villas that offer dining and living spaces, with fully equipped kitchens and gourmet-quality appliances, cozy fireplaces, plush bedding, spa-style baths, and private ocean-view balconies and terraces.

SPA

The award-winning Spa at the Del opened in 2007 and features twenty-one treatment rooms as well as Jacuzzis, steam rooms, a beachfront relaxation terrace with a vanishing-edge pool, and special ocean-inspired treatments.

DINE

May 2006 brought the opening of The Del’s 1500 Ocean restaurant, with ocean views, a regional cuisine under the direction of Chef de Cuisine Brian Sinnott, and an inviting atmosphere of warm lighting and dark-wood accents. Inside and outside bars, a working pantry that doubles as venue for special tastings and events, and indoor and outdoor seating make it a special dining experience right on site.

Sheerwater boasts expansive outdoor dining terraces overlooking the Pacific, a menu chock full of fresh California cuisine, and a healthy and fun kids’ menu. Dining options include breakfast, lunch, afternoon light fare, cocktails, and dinner. The Crown Room has served up some savory social and culinary memories for the past century and enjoys a rich history of big-name visits and celebrations. Its elegant Sunday brunch features several scrumptious food stations and a fun zone for kids.

The Babcock & Story Bar (B&S) was named after the hotel’s two founders. It offers signature margaritas, blended tropical drinks, California premier wines, espressos, light fare, a sushi bar, and seasonal entertainment. Dubbed a wine, cheese, and chocolate sensation, Eno opened at the Hotel del Coronado in February 2008. Its tasting room features built-in cheese and chocolate cases and a floor-to-ceiling glass wine tower. Wine attendants help guests choose wines, cheese, and chocolates according to personal preferences.

ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Nearby attractions include Silver Strand Beach, Coronado Museum of History and Art, and tours of the Naval Air Station at North Island. Coronado Beach ranks high among the nation’s top beaches and is comprised of eighteen miles of white sand. The Del’s fitness instructors teach fun fitness classes, and holidays are especially fun. The Fourth of July brings a parade, outdoor concerts, a grand firework display, an array of kids’ activities, and more. Of course, you could just keep your eyes and ears out for the hotel’s resident ghost, Kate Morgan, who is said to make occasional appearances.

The family-oriented hotel is quite the fun factory for little ones. A full-time recreation department helps plan your children’s activities, which may include a dip in one of two pools, visiting the nearby marina, or strolling the lush gardens. Tent City Kids’ Camp, for children ages 4 through 12, offers afternoon and evening activities like bonfires, s’mores roasts, seashore scavenger hunts, sandcastle competitions, beach games, arts and crafts, and kite flying. The Del also offers several recreational and educational activities, including surfing, kayaking, and special programs. The Gnarly Neal offers surfing lessons year-round and a four-hour summer surf camp for kids ages 9 through 16. Specialty shops cater to kids, and the Coast Club Teen Lounge gives teens a place to mix and mingle, with video games, foosball, food and drinks, music, TVs, and computers. The Del offers a variety of activities and rentals, and Coronado Island provides a number of shops and amusements.

Hotel del Coronado
(619) 435-6611 or (800) 468-3533
hoteldel.com

Beach Village at the Del
(619) 522-8811 or (866) 433-3030
delbeachvillage.com

Disneyland/California Adventures

Disney’s iconic rodent never goes out of style, and few words can immediately light up a child’s eyes like “Disneyland!” It’s the one place you can get Ariel’s autograph, scream your way down a large waterfall, visit Never Never Land, go on a space mission, and act like a kid—no matter your real age—all within a few hours. A perfect day’s destination for families of all ages and sizes, it’ll have you believing in magic again just like your wide-eyed, giddy children. One of the best ways to enjoy Disneyland is to buy a park-hopper pass, which means you have access to both the Mouse’s park and next door’s California Adventures. California Adventures showcases California’s colorful history with attractions and entertainment covering historic periods like the gold rush and Hollywood’s golden era and current draws like the beach. If you plan to stay in Anaheim close to the theme parks, enrich your Disney experience by staying at the Disneyland Resort Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, or the Paradise Pier Hotel.

disneyland.disney.go.com

This summer, create your own California adventure!

By Jon Kenton
The Internet represents a wide mixture of technologies, from the multitude of interconnected servers and communications infrastructures to online software applications that can help you do just about anything. When it comes to the Web, the questions I hear most often are “How does Google figure out search results?” and “How do I improve my search ranking?”

Google’s search algorithms are highly proprietary and well-guarded secrets, so I won’t even begin to try to explain them. There are many people who claim to know how to circumvent the system, but I would be wary of anybody who claims to be able to do this. This is a big topic, but there are certain well-understood strategies for improving the effectiveness of one’s Web site. I will touch upon a few.

To be successful using a Web site, one needs to adopt a multilayered set of strategies. The first layer is, of course, to have a Web site. If you want to get real business from the Web, don’t skimp; a bad site can be worse than not having one at all! While merely having a Web site is a good thing—as it acts as an electronic brochure for clients or prospects that you explicitly direct there—unless the site is promoted further, its usefulness stops there.

The second layer is all about getting a first-time visitor to stay awhile and review your company and what you have to offer. This is achieved through the design, attractiveness, and, most importantly, relevance of the content on the site. Web browsers have a very short attention span, and the nature of the medium leads visitors to make an assessment of a particular site very quickly indeed. Unless you grab their attention within a very few seconds, they will leave your site and go elsewhere. Not only should the content and design of a Web site lead a first-time visitor to invest his or her time in exploring but there should also be useful content that is refreshed regularly in order to bring previous visitors back again to get the latest of what’s being offered.

The third layer is driving traffic, which brings us back to Google placement. Having a great site that cannot be found or is buried deep within the sea of your competitors diminishes the investment that went into creating it in the first place. The key to driving traffic and visitors is a combination of “valuable” and relevant content that is recognized by the search engines, along with third-party links to your site. Both of these help to raise your “Web value” and so improve your page rankings for “organic” listings. The other strategy is to utilize paid or sponsored listings; the overall process of driving traffic and increasing page rankings is known as Search Engine Optimization, or SEO.

As previously stated, the first requirement is that your site has well-organized content that is highly relevant to your business and is clear to the reader (and the search engines). The content should be refreshed regularly. Search engines get bored just like people. A variety of content is also helpful. Consider adding video, audio, presentations and PDF downloads, but remember to keep them relevant.

Linkbacks (i.e., other sites that link to yours) are key elements to getting the attention of the search engines. There are many ways to achieve this. Ask your various affiliates and partners if they will add a link to your site on theirs, and offer to reciprocate. There is a wide range of online directories covering nearly all industries. Many of these are free or have a nominal charge. Spend some time surfing, find as many as you can, and sign up.

The bottom line is that SEO takes time and effort. If you are in a highly competitive industry with numerous large players, you may never get on that elusive first page, but with some well-thought-out strategies and a dose of patience, you can improve your placement dramatically.
If you would like to know more, contact Jon at techno@northvalleymagazine.com.

By Lea Friese-Haben

Dating Bailout?

Dear Coach Lea,

I have been dating for a couple of years and I have always managed to budget date nights. However, the current economy has really put a damper on that. My commission is down, the value of my house is ridiculous, and my 401 K is in the toilet. Do I continue to fork out the cash for date night?

Thanks,

Mike

Hi Mike,

I understand how you feel, but there are things that you can do that don’t cost a lot of money. There is a lot of fear and negativity surrounding the current economy, but it shouldn’t prevent you from dating. My advice is to scale back—save the expensive dinners for “relationship potential” versus “casual date.” Picnics, day hikes, bicycling, and a nice Sunday drive can be fun. Perhaps some of this scaling back will bring back an appreciation for the simpler things. Holding hands while strolling through the park continues to be a timeless romantic classic. (I still love it after all these years.) Remember, it’s the little things that mean the most. If a woman isn’t satisfied with the small things, move on, as she will never be happy, and you will be wasting your time and money. Thanks for writing, and keep me posted.

Lea

Take Your Cake off His Dessert Plate

Dear Coach Lea,

I have been dating a guy for almost a year and just found out that he’s seeing other women. He has been very secretive and hasn’t been where he said he was going, and he is always texting someone. Brad was just seen dining at “our” restaurant with another woman. I asked him about it and he looked me in the face and lied about it. (I didn’t tell him that my girlfriend got his picture with her on her camera phone). Lea, I love this guy and thought we were on track for marriage and kids. What do I do now? My friends say that he is a player and is trying to have his cake and eat it too. I love him and don’t want the relationship to end, so how can I fix it?

Signed,

Heartbroken

Dear Heartbroken,

You cannot fix, save, or change anyone. The changes that need to be made are with you. Your first priority needs to be you. Raise your standards and your self-esteem, as you deserve more. You know the facts despite his lies. It is better to be alone for the right reasons than with someone for the wrong ones, as they say. Sorry, sweetie, but once a player, always a player. Do yourself a favor and dump the cad, as he will always have someone waiting in the wings. Start spending time with friends and family during this tough time, and you’ll move through it. Take care and keep me posted.

Lea

And Mama Makes Three

Dear Lea,

I have found the greatest guy in the world—the only problem is that his mother is in the relationship, too. Steve is such a great guy and he makes a great living, but he still continues to reside at home with his mom. He is 32 and successful (despite the economy), has been with his company ten years, and is on track to make partner—so why is he living at home? I really like him, but after six months, it is becoming ridiculous. She calls him to see when and if he’s coming home, has managed to get herself invited to a large number of our dinner dates, and to top it all off, she continues to make snide remarks to me in front of him. He moved in with her four years ago after his dad died. (What is the statute of limitations for assisting a parent who has been widowed?) I can’t let her win—it’s not fair, as he is the best guy I have dated in years. I feel like I am competing with her to be in a relationship with my boyfriend.

Signed,

Competitor

Dear Competitor,

You are in an unhealthy competitive triangle. It sounds like your boyfriend is the quintessential mama’s boy, and Mom is calling all the shots. These relationship dynamics rarely work without some intervention, such as family counseling. You will have to call him on it and risk ending the relationship. This is quite unhealthy for both of them. The mom needs to find a life of her own and quit trying to live through Steve. There is usually some guilt that needs to be addressed. Talk to Steve honestly about your concerns and be prepared to walk away, as it will have to be his decision. There are some positive qualities about a man who looks out for his mom; however, only in moderation. Good luck, and please keep me posted.

Lea

Fashion Hounds “Paws for Fashion” >> Lost Our Home Pet Foundation, The Barkery Etc., DC Ranch, 20789 N. Pima Rd., Ste. 150, Scottsdale

Photography by Michelle Brodsky

In a New York-style runway show for and about dogs, canines and their human companions enjoyed an evening of food, fashion, and fun as they tripped the light fantastic to show off the latest doggie fashions. The show benefited the Scottsdale-based Lost Our Home Pet Foundation. According to Jodi Polanski, president of the foundation, Lost Our Home provides foster care for pets who would otherwise be left behind because of foreclosures or financial instability. The organization also helps with food and vet bills. The Barkery Etc. hosted the sixth annual show, and the funds raised went directly toward helping the animals. Many of the outfits shown on the runway were provided by Little Miss Everything, a clothing line created by 13-year-old Halle Hubbard. lostourhome.org

Joy Christian School and High School “Vision Dinner” >> A Night of Fellowship at Arrowhead Country Club, 19888 N. 73^rd Ave., Glendale

Photography by Caroline Goddard/Bloom Creations

Joy Christian School and High School recently hosted its big fund-raiser, part of a mission to “invest, expand, and make dreams come true.”

Photo captions:

Maracay Homes VP and Controller Andrea Goudge, North Valley Magazine Publisher Adam Toren and wife Crystal, and Maracay Home VP of Land Acquisition Tom Lemon

Joy Christian School and High School athletic director Jim James with Joy parent Mike Ebert and Community of Joy OCEO John Luke and wife Sandy

Joy Christian School’s touring performance group Harmony in Motion

Rachel Glandorf and Dr. Walt Kallestad, senior pastor of Community Church of Joy

Celebrity Fight Night >> J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, 5350 E. Marriott Dr., Phoenix

Photography by Eric Fairchild

Celebrity guests showed up in style for Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night XV, where Oscar winner Forest Whitaker was presented with the Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night Entertainer Award, fourteen-time Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer Michael Phelps received the Sports Achievement Award, and two-time NFL MVP and current Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner was presented with the Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night Sports Leadership Award. Businessman and philanthropist Stewart Rahr, recipient of the Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night Entrepreneur Award, stunned the crowd when he donated $2 million to the organization during his acceptance speech. Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi was the headline performer, and Grammy Award winner Reba McEntire returned for her fourth year as MC. Other highlights included a surprise duet performance by Josh Groban and Jordin Sparks, a performance of “Summertime” by Forest Whitaker after a bidder offered $100,000 to hear him sing, and an after party. The event raised more than $6.6 million for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix as well as for other charities.

By Cassaundra Brooks
Arizona has been serving up some incredible talent in recent years, and singer-songwriter Dawn Jameson is a prime example. The beautiful blonde songstress has been rocking elite crowds at local hot spot Barcelona for over two years now, first fronting the band Envy and now alongside American Idol Season 7 finalist David Hernandez in the newly formed band Generation.

“I remember wanting to sing at Barcelona so bad, but they already had a house band,” Jameson says. “The Law of Attraction proved me right again, as out of the blue, I received a message on MySpace from the guitarist…asking me if I’d like to front their band!”

Jameson didn’t need any coaxing. Within just a couple of weeks, the former music director and worship leader for her church was in the position she’d long envied. When the band was offered a deal to go to Vegas last year, Jameson opted out in favor of caring for her mother, who is fighting cancer. As her two bandmates headed for Vegas, Jameson’s music career took its own favorable turn when she joined forces with Hernandez to front Barcelona’s newest house band.

Producing fresh covers of current hits from the stage and working on original numbers for her upcoming solo album keeps Jameson busy. While her Barcelona repertoire spans a wide range of popular music, Jameson’s own R&B/pop style has been influenced by musical powerhouses like Aretha Franklin, Christina Aguilera, and Alicia Keys. Like Keys, Jameson finds inspiration sitting behind a piano, where she uses her ability to play by ear to compose songs and instrumental accompaniments that she hopes will come across as fresh and challenging for the listener.

“I am determined to make an impact on the music industry,” Jameson says. “I want my songs to be heard all over the world and influence people I probably won’t ever meet.”

Jameson says she has always known she was born to perform; she recalls putting on concerts for her Barbie dolls.

“My favorite thing in music is being able to express yourself and get lost in your emotions,” she says. “There is no other high like the roaring applause of an audience after I perform a song!”

Whether writing by herself or co-writing with friend John Fielding of the band Bombing Neverland, penning love or revenge songs as her mood determines, songwriting is a passion of Jameson’s that provides another outlet for her creativity. Performing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and singing with Gene Simmons on his reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels stand out for her, but there’s a good chance her most memorable musical moment is yet to come. She is currently working with producer Ryan Greene of Crush Recording and hopes to soon work with a major label to get a wider listening audience.

When Jameson isn’t completely enveloped in music, she models. She has teamed up with local fashion designer Vmarie and is involved with several local charities, including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, for which she will serve as celebrity judge during their upcoming fund-raising event Karaoke Idol. See Jameson and Generation at Barcelona every Friday and Saturday from 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and check out her musical prowess performing with DJ Brazilia as the band Dawl at the elite Liquid Pool Party on June 6 (liquidpoolparty.com). And keep your eyes and ears peeled—you could be seeing Dawn Jameson’s face on the cover of more magazines or hearing her sweet voice through your car radio.

For upcoming performances and information about Dawn Jameson, visit her official MySpace page at myspace.com/dawnjameson.

By Brian Sodoma
Jay Parry has always loved sports. But never did she envision herself as the president and chief operating officer of a professional women’s basketball team. The Phoenix Mercury, however, is glad she was open to the career shift.

Before coming to the Mercury, Parry was no stranger to the WNBA. While working for Bank of America, she oversaw the financial institution’s corporate sponsorships for both the Mercury and the Suns. When Kathy Munro, a past Bank of America colleague, decided to become an owner of the Mercury, Parry was Munro’s top choice to run the club.

“It was something that had not been on my radar, but I quickly got excited about it,” Parry says. “I knew people that worked here that were fabulous.”

Entering her sixth season with the Mercury, Parry earned a championship ring in 2007 and has placed a strong focus on steadily increasing paid attendance for the professional sports franchise. Today, with an average attendance of 7,500, the lower bowl of U.S. Airways Arena is usually full for Mercury games. Corporate sponsorships have seen double-digit growth under her watch, and Parry has helped grow the Mercury brand through her own civic engagement and team community-outreach efforts. For Parry, the end of the basketball season is really the beginning of a new season, one that involves Mercury players reaching out to the Phoenix fan base and beyond.

Through the years, Mercury players have been involved with nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity, Valley of the Sun United Way, Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Special Olympics Arizona. The Mercury is far more than a basketball team—its players are role models, Parry says.

“When I first came here, I was brought in to focus on the business and how to build it,” she says. “I was so pleasantly surprised by our players and our coaches, and what incredible human beings they are and how passionate they are about the game. It’s important for people to see how confident and how graceful and articulate and successful women athletes can be.”

Parry, who is currently the highest-ranking female executive in Arizona sports, is also on the board of Arizona Women for Education and Employment (AWEE), a group that helps the Valley’s unemployed get back on their feet by providing résumé-writing services, education programs, and other resources. She is also on the board of the Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Phoenix Pride Commission, and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. She sees AWEE as a critical group in today’s rough economy.

“[AWEE is] just so important right now in this downturn for people who are going through a tough time but who are ready, willing, and able to get back out in the workforce,” she says.

While Parry has many hobbies that include skiing, golf, and reading, one of her favorites is going to Mercury games.

“There’s nothing better than going to a game and seeing the incredible basketball action, seeing the fans and sponsors and visiting with them,” Parry says. “There’s great energy and excitement at our home games.”

By Alana Stroud

Located in Fountain Hills is one of the world’s tallest fountains, appropriately named The Fountain. It held the record of world’s tallest fountain for over a decade after its creation.

In Arizona, it is against the law for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs.

At the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, one single stamping machine can produce 10,000 coins every minute of every hour of every day of the week.

The largest freshwater striped bass caught in Arizona was at Bullhead City and weighed 59 lbs. 12 oz.

“It’s my lawnmower and my yard, so I can shoot it if I want.” Statement from a Milwaukee man who shot his lawnmower with a sawed-off shotgun after it wouldn’t start in July of 2008.

A man named Robert P. McCulloch Sr. purchased the original London Bridge on April 17, 1968, at a cost of $2,460,000. The 10,246 blocks were shipped stone by stone to Arizona and reassembled over a lagoon at the edge of Lake Havasu at a cost of $3 million. The bridge opened in 1971.

There is a possible sentence of 25 years in prison for cutting down a cactus in Arizona.

The amount of copper on the roof of the Arizona Capitol building is equivalent to 4,800,000 pennies.

Arizona has more parks and national monuments than any other state, more mountains than Switzerland, and more golf courses than Scotland.

By Alana Stroud

Hot by the poolside

2009 has introduced some edgy, cute, and innovative swimsuit designs. Whether you like one-piece suits, bikinis, or mixing and matching your own top and bottom, check out what the models are wearing before hitting the water.

Melting the right way

Visit Arizona’s 70-year-old family-owned and -operated Cerreta Candy Company for one of their 30-minute daily tours and see how their mouthwatering candy is created from start to tasty finish. (623) 930-1000 or cerreta.com

Summer Camps

With the kids being out of school, they’ll no doubt get bored quickly hanging around the house. Sign them up for a summer camp that focuses on their interests and give ’em a break from the heat—there’s certainly no shortage of either! Find the perfect camp for your kid at azcentral.com/thingstodo/kids/summercamps.php.

Scottsdale Quarter

This new shopping Mecca will keep you cool and out of the sun. The center features the hottest stores, plentiful dining options, and a 36,000-square-foot boutique movie theater, so it won’t matter what the temperature is outside. (480) 270-8123 or scottsdalequarter.com

Take advantage of summer deals

Airlines and hotels are trying to drum up recession business by offering summer rates you can’t refuse. Hotels like Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and W Scottsdale are offering 15 to 20 percent off normal room rates. US Airways is also offering lower airfare from Arizona to places like Hawaii for nearly half the previous cost!

Hot Tea, Cool Jazz

Head up where it’s a bit cooler and visit The Jazz Bouquet in Sedona. Arizona’s only couture floral studio and tearoom features live jazz on Saturdays, tasty treats, and stunning gifts, and is perfect for private parties. (928) 204-1091 or thejazzbouquet.com