It is time to make a change.
The scorching heat has given way to cold mornings. The contentious election season that seemed to have started a lifetime ago is now over. Slowly, holiday lights and gift guides are emerging.
As you sit down to a Thanksgiving dinner, take a moment to reflect on the MAGA uncle who is still in 2020 denial, children that aren’t sleeping, endless streams of sports that you don’t care about, and that gelatinous Cranberry Sauce. Our editors and writers were asked to share their gratitude for Phoenix.
It might surprise you to learn that a group of “20 year-old-dopes from such a “trash organization” — Kari Lake and Abe Hamadeh, we love you back — can provide such holiday feelings. Journalists are also people.
The Bibliophile’s Wonka Chocolate Factory
Phoenix, despite all its faults, has many things to be grateful for. There are days in February when a jacket is not necessary, and there are summers that are so hot. Although we may have a lot of chain restaurants, there are also many great Mexican food options everywhere.
Here are some things that I have been grateful for in recent weeks, just to show my gratitude.
Our Grid of a Road System I have lived in Phoenix since elementary school. Road trips aside, I’ve only driven in Phoenix. Now, I don’t know if I would be able to drive anywhere else. There are plenty of potholes and frustrating traffic jams, but there is also a large metropolitan area that is mostly on a grid system. This means it can take me some time to get there. However, it’s very easy to find my way, even with Google Maps. I feel more connected to my adopted country when I know the layout of the land, without GPS.
Musical Instrument MuseumThere are many museums in Phoenix that I admire, but none of them impress me like the Musical Instrument Museum. Although the museum is beautiful, it’s not what I admire most. It offers excellent programming, a full concert program in the performance hall, delicious food in the cafe and a neat little gift store.
The MIM’s collection, which includes thousands upon thousands of historic or rare instruments from all corners of the world, never ceases to amaze me. It is an incredible collection that transcends any divisions we humans may have, such as race, religion, politics, or geography. Everyone is at the MIM in harmony.
Salt River Horses If you’re lucky enough, you might see small groups of wild horses while you paddle down the Lower Salt River. Keep at least 50 feet from them. Do not feed them. They shouldn’t be touched. While they eat eelgrass straight out of the water, or stand still on the banks, they don’t make any noise. It feels like the universe is giving you a gift when you pass them around a bend. Even if they are surrounded by several herds at once, the joy doesn’t diminish. They are both young and old, and they remind us that even though we live in a constantly urban environment, we don’t need to travel far to be connected to nature.
VNSA Use Book Sale I get up at night to go on air travel and for the VNSA Used Book Sales. Even though I get to the Arizona State Fairgrounds at 3:00 a.m. every year, there are still hundreds of people behind me. Why not? The book sale, a bibliophile’s Wonka Chocolate Factory is a huge exhibition hall’s worth books on all subjects.
I get overwhelmed quickly if I don’t have a plan. I always leave with a treasure whether it’s a first-edition Mastering the art of French Cooking for just $3 or a copy of Phantom of the Opera on vinyl only $1. The term “book sale” is misleading. There are many other items to browse, including CDs, sheets music, books, magazines and games. The book sale is my favorite Phoenix event.
The Strange Charms of Phoenix
The Sprawl There are very few places from which to see the true size of Phoenix. Dobbins Lookout is one example. After a long drive up to the summit, it’s possible to gaze down at the Valley from there and be reminded how huge it truly is. Even at night, the lights can be seen stretching out to the horizon. It’s easy to forget the vastness of Phoenix sprawl. It’s all you see.
My first move to Phoenix was from Vermont. I was uneasy about the endless boulevards and empty shopping centers, the barred lots and skyscrapers, and the industrial wastelands. I was overwhelmed by the sprawl.
Recently, however, I have been thankful for it: the dive bars hidden in basements of strip malls, late-night aimless drives on empty freeways, warehouse graffiti, highway art, and steampunk adobes. It may not be great urbanism. Phoenix’s charm, its peculiarity, is evident in the concrete and pavement, and in the sprawl. Once you look outside, it will be obvious.
Oases It is hard to believe that water can be found in a desert. It must be a mirage. Light bending and reflecting on the horizon is what we instinctively believe. On hot days there are mirages in Phoenix, but there’s also plenty of water. I survived the summers in the desert by doing this. You can be seen floating down the Salt River on a rubber tube in July watching out for wild horses. Canyon Lake is a place where you can paddle, with its jagged cliffs rising above the blue.
Although Phoenix’s natural beauty is amazing in general, I am most grateful for the many desert oasiss found in the Valley. The city’s canals. The Riparian Reserve at Water Ranch, Gilbert, where pelicans, hummingbirds, and stilts flock all year. Saguaro Pleasant and Apache are the lakes. Tempe Town Lake is worth a mention, even though it’s less attractive, just for the stunning view from the 200.
It is amazing that there is a city in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. But it’s even more remarkable that we can kayak. Is that possible? The worsening drought will decide that. For now, though, I am thankful.
Nerd Mentality: Phoenix’s Geek Scene is a Mix of Diversity and Togetherness
If Star Trek has taught us anything it is that there are infinite possibilities for diversity in infinite combinations. You don’t have to look far into the future, but rather at the many activities that are available in your local geekdom. There are many nerdy events that take place in the Valley every weekend. They are engaging, unique, and interesting. It’s not only conventions like the Phoenix Fan Fusion, although many others are held on a regular basis.
At board and tabletop gaming events, you can take initiative. You can meet comic book creators or learn how you can become one. During candlelight concerts, listen to chamber ensembles perform anime scores. Make your ideas a reality by meeting up at makerspaces.
The hybrid events that cross multiple fandoms are even more interesting. WrestleDrag is a monthly celebration that features amazing drag artists performing between matches featuring local grapplers.
We will never tire of the endless parade of creativity that is displayed at local nerd events. It includes cosplay and costumes of incredible quality, as well as the work of artists working in a variety of media.
We are not the only ones praising Phoenix geekdom’s diversity. Robert Warners, editor of Arizona geek blog Legion of Sand says that the best thing about the local scene is its ability to embrace multiple fandoms. It supports many fandoms. He says that the geek scene is so diverse that there are many events for specific fandoms, such as horror films, anime and furries, pinballs, comic books, videogames, literature, and so forth.
It’s inclusive. Matt and Jen Hinds are co-founders Blue Ribbon Army, a local geek social group. They say that everyone is welcome to join. “I am grateful for the number of active geeks in this valley. Matt Hinds said that he knows a lot of friends and transplants who feel it is impossible to find a community like this one. They don’t hesitate to fly their geek flags.
They are also open to helping other geeks like Chris Pasley, a local Uber driver who offered free rides for attendees at this year’s Phoenix Fan Fusion. Jen Hinds reports that it was an act of total generosity. He gave so many rides, without asking for anything in return. “A true heartfelt gesture of love for the community.”
Some heroes don’t wear capses, as the old saying goes.
Arizona Offers The Whole Enchilada
After a long day at Phoenix New Times I am now relaxing and watching as the Phoenix Suns defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves. My tiny apartment in Scottsdale is my only place, and I am shouting at the screen on my 80-inch monitor like I am sitting in court. D’Angelo Russell was the Wolves’ star shooting guard. I joked with him that he’s safe in my haven of legal hashish because the All-Star was recently slapped in New York with a misdemeanor for having a small stash of pot. This is a new freedom for Arizonans but it’s not something I take for granted.
Russell asks me to take a picture. I decline but want to show Russell a cheeky parlay that I placed through Caesars Sportsbook minutes before. It is PHX-4, less than 227.5 and a first basket prop for Anthony Edwards. Although it is a long shot with +3180 odds, it is fun to get a little bit of skin in the game. I make a wish for good luck and return to my table. The next night I’m in my apartment watching the Suns win nine points. This guarantees that I have won my parlay. I am not a high roller but I was able to convert $5 into over $150 that night. Minnesota is not the place to do this.
Admittedly, I was a bit high while watching the game. But that’s okay. It’s legal now. Arizona lawmakers and voters are not slaves to centuries-old stigmas regarding innocuous vices. This is in contrast to North Carolina, which was the last state to implement the lottery in 2005. There are also laws against gambling and weeping, just like in Hawai’i where I was recently. Although the Aloha State is known for its beautiful scenery, it offers few opportunities for entertainment. Arizona offers all the goods: beautiful rolling, rust-colored rocks formations unlike any other on Earth; inside professional sports venues are sportsbooks; enough legal cannabis to sedate Snoop Dogg. Isn’t that something we should be grateful for?
Beautiful, messy, artistic, and ever-changing place
Phoenix has many things to be grateful for, including sunsets that keep your feet planted in the desert long after you swear you won’t ever see another triple-digit heat wave and a vibrant and growing food scene. These are some of the things I am grateful for:
Downtown PhoenixI have lived and worked in Phoenix for five years and have seen the city evolve into something beautiful, chaotic, artistic, and constantly changing. Roosevelt Row is where you can get a brew from Songbird Coffee & Tea House or Modified Arts’ latest installation. You can also listen to a live performance on a green-lit patio at The Lost Leaf, with a beer in hand.
You can find Hanny’s in the heart of the city. They offer stiff martinis, basement haunts, and Valley Bar is just down the street. Valley Bar’s neon-lit sign can be found at the end of a strange alley.
There’s also Grand Avenue, where you will undoubtedly feel the cookie monster flavor at Novel Ice Cream. The Earth Plant Based Cuisine makes hearty dishes, even for vegans. Cha Cha’s Tea Lounge serves a variety of loose-leaf beverages in a comfortable space decorated with hanging plants.
Bones Aftermarket is a place for coffee and occasional night markets. It also has a partnership with a local restaurant. Rene Andrade, the owner and chef of Bacanora, has made Bacanora a Sonoran favorite. Grand Avenue Pizza Co. will soon see a revival in the form SnapBack Pizza, which Ryan Moreno, the chef behind Hungry Homie’s, is launching.
Nature and Wellness Opportunities It is hard to drive around Phoenix and not notice its captivating charm. The sprawling city is surrounded by mountains, and the vibrant sunsets make rainbows jealous. Streets are lined with palm trees and manicured green lawns. Fruit vendors sell mangoes and watermelons, sprinkled with Tajin, and drizzled sweet and spicy with chamoy.
The Sonoran Desert, further north in Carefree, haunts you because of its size. You can drive for miles and see the saguaros smiling, almost taking it all as a given.
You can enjoy the beauty of the Andaz Scottsdale from sunset yoga classes to mindfulness meditations at Civana (a Wellness Resort and Spa in Carefree). You don’t have to be extravagant; a weekday hike up Piestewa Peak, or a ride on a horse at South Mountain Park are enough.
Phoenix is a magical city for many reasons and I am grateful for it.
We can travel the world — right here in Phoenix
Although there are many things to be said about Phoenix, no one can say that there isn’t something to do. This is the beauty of a sprawling, large city with many downtown centers, many communities, and numerous neighborhoods. There’s always something going on in town.
Packed and Long Events Schedule In the majority of the country festival and events season runs through the summer. It lasts for June, July and August. May, September and maybe a bit more. It’s the exact opposite here. We are forced to endure the heat, but the rest of the year is full of events.
Farmers markets are a common sight in the Valley as soon as the temperature drops in the fall. Every weekend there is at least one food festival. We have arts and crafts markets that feature local artisans selling unique gifts. There are also spring training baseball games, car shows and golf tournaments throughout the year. Each weekend is packed with local events, so it’s important to plan ahead in order to squeeze as many celebrations as possible into your weekend.
Food from All Over the World If you don’t have a weekend with a food festival, there are still many options to enjoy delicious foods from around the globe. Tempe doesn’t require a passport to taste Ethiopian cuisine. You can also try Chinese, Korean and Japanese food in Mesa’s Asian District. Or, you can visit any hole-in the wall joint in town for the best Mexican food.
Point at the world map with your eyes closed. There’s almost always a place in Phoenix where you can find the best food from any region. There are many Italian restaurants, French bistros and British pubs. We also have a Balkan bakery and a popular student favorite, the Pakistani restaurant, as well as an award-winning Armenian food place. All within the city limits. We can travel the globe through food in Phoenix.
The Growing Craft Beer Scene After you’ve had a huge burrito, or a plate of curry, there is no better way to cool down than with a local craft beer. The local craft beer scene in Phoenix is flourishing, which is great news for beer lovers. Four Peaks opened its doors in 1997. Then, there was a boom around seven years ago with Wren House and Goldwater opening their doors in 2015 and Helton and The Shop Beer Co. of Tempe pouring their first pints back in 2016. A new brewing hub was established around Deer Valley Airport in the past few years with the additions of Simple Machine, Front Pourch, and Helton. Kitsune Brewing has opened in Scottsdale, Roses By the Stairs serves pints in Phoenix’s downtown area, and Hundred Mile is fast approaching opening its doors to Tempe.
These new names add to the growing number of breweries that offer excellent beer in the Valley. Many local breweries add a touch of Arizona to their beers by brewing beers that are filled with local citrus and pink prickly pear fruit. Enjoy a delicious flight at one of the Valley’s many craft breweries.
