Lunch at the Mission

 

My friend and I had a very tasty lunch on Saturday while we were enjoying the street fair that I mentioned yesterday.  We decided to try a restaurant at Kierland Commons that we hadn't tried before called The Mission.  I let out a silent "wow" when we entered the door.  That is quite an impressive bar at one end of the restaurant.  I had to snap a photo before the place filled up with people.  The food is a unique style of Mexican food that we enjoyed very much.  

The decor was really appealing.  That huge bar was central but there were also chandeliers and balconies to admire too.  We decided we would need to go again sometimes soon.

Street Fair Surprise

 

My friend Glenda and I decided to do some shopping at Kierland Commons way up in north Scottsdale yesterday.  We didn't know that there was going to be a street fair going on until we arrived and had to search for a place to park.  Parking is always a challenge here but with a street fair blocking several streets, it was even worse.  We were persistent in our search and finally found a place.  I'm glad we did.  We enjoyed the fair.  There were a lot of artists I hadn't seen before so it was fun to discover some new things.

This little fellow was bored by the whole thing.  He belonged to one of the artists and it looks like he's had quite enough of all the people around him.  At least he has a comfortable place to rest.

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  I'm visiting a golf resort.  

Strong Ethics & Unknown Talent

 

Last Thursday evening, I attended a gallery opening in Scottsdale featuring the art works of Russel (Rusty) Bowers, the former Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives.  Some of you may have heard his name before  because he was one of the Republicans who refused to yield under the intense pressure to change the results of the 2020 election.  He testified before the January 6th Committee.  (You know the election I'm talking about, the one that was famously lost by the 'orange' incumbent whose name I won't speak.) At the end of last year, he was awarded the 2022 Profile in Courage award which was presented at the White House.  Rusty is standing in the center of this photo.

This is one of this fabulous paintings.  I, along with many others, had no idea he had this amazing talent.  In fact, he has a degree in art and he has continued painting and sculpting all through his political career.  

Here he is again talking about one of this paintings.  Many of his paintings featured scenes from around the states of Arizona and Utah and a few others were scenes from places he's visited.  They were all beautiful.  

He is a man with exceptional talent along with courage and integrity.  

A Group of "Dangos "

 

A few years ago, the Desert Botanical Garden had an exhibit of artworks by Jun Kaneko.  Long before that exhibit, his works could be seen at the Phoenix Art Museum or this collection that used to be at the airport.  These "Dangos" have since been moved to the new airport rental car center.  

There are two rows of them and the rental car center, the polka-dotted ones at the top and this group with different patterns.  You can see a variety of these sculptures on his website.  

The last time I was at the Phoenix Art Museum, I noticed they had one that is currently on display in the lobby of the museum.  

Jun Kaneko's artwork is well distributed throughout the city.  

The Substance of Stars

 

There is a new exhibit at the Heard Museum called Substance of Stars and it explores the beliefs and histories of four indigenous communities, two from the southwest.  When you enter the room, you are greeted with this magnificent photo of the New Mexico rock formation called Ship Rock.  Have any of you seen this incredible monolith?  I've traveled by it several times.  It is truly awe inspiring day or night but I must say, this photo of it melded with images from the James Webb telescope is breathtaking.

On the next wall is this Navajo textile dated from the 1920's.  The artist's name has not been discovered.  It is an incredible piece of weaving representing Ship Rock.

This exhibit continues with a visit into a room called the sky dome where a magical film shows scenes from the four distinct indigenous communities on all four walls.  It is very calming to sit in the room and be engulfed in the surroundings.  It's like sitting in a forest and listening to birds and streams and leaves blowing in the breeze.   

Theme Day: Virtue

 

I've heard it said that patience is a virtue and it takes a lot of patience to photograph roadrunners.  So my choice for the City Daily Photo Bloggers theme of "Virtue" is this photo I took of a very handsome and very fast roadrunner.  I love finding and photographing these resourceful birds.  They like to tease me by hiding behind rocks and plants and popping out when I least expect it.  But, if I'm patient enough, I'm rewarded with a good photo.

To see how other bloggers interpreted "virtue", click here.

A New Event for Members

 

The Heard Museum recently started a once a month Member's Bagel Breakfast.  I've attended the first two events where one of the curators provides detailed information about specific pieces in the collection.  The event this last Saturday morning featured the pictorial weavings of Sadie Begay.  

The one on the top is about Noah's Ark while the one to the right tells the story of Jonah and the whale. 

It was fascinating hearing stories about the artist who is now 86 years old and has been weaving since she was 5 years old.  

One thing that hadn't occurred to me is that these are woven from the bottom up, so she would have started this large piece from the end of the story and worked her way up.  

In addition to the two pieces displayed at the event, they presented a slide show with pictures of more of Sadie's weavings.  The one is this slide shows Noah's Ark after it landed on dry land.  I'm enjoying these events very much, it's a great way to get to know other members and to learn interesting facts about items in the museum's collection.  

Colorful Abstract

 

For the last two days I've had photos from the changes at Park Central so it seems appropriate to feature this mural from the same center.  It is on the front side of the complex on the wall for a sandwich shop.  I couldn't find a signature for the mural but I like the way it works well with those white metal structures that are featured at the front of the center.  In fact, those metal structures look like they are shooting out from the mural. 

Here is a shot that shows more of that metal structure. It's a design concept that I don't quite get.  

Taking part in Monday Murals.

New Life at Park Central

 I'm following up yesterday's post with a few more photos from the massive changes at ParkCentral.  The area that once was a thriving shopping center has been converted into a very pleasant business complex.  There are fountains and gardens scattered throughout the area.

I noticed that the owners of the property are paying homage to the site's former tenants.  They have named the buildings for the department stores they once housed.  This building is "Goldwater" after the former Goldwater's department store.  I loved shopping there when I first moved to Arizona. 

This building is named "Diamond" after the department store called Diamond's. On another end of the shopping complex was a JC Penney's store.  Three huge anchor department stores will tell you that this was once a thriving shopping complex.

I had to show one more photo with a business sign because I just loved the name.  Nerdery is a business that works with other businesses to create a digital presence.  I'm guessing they help businesses with creating websites and other social media products.  What a great name for the business.

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today. An important discovery is the subject.

Big Changes at Park Central

 

Big changes have been happening at Park Central, the site of a former shopping center located on Central Avenue right in the heart of Phoenix.  I posted about the changes back in 2020 when I first noticed them here and here.  Now even more changes can be seen.  In fact, so many new buildings have gone up, you can't see the heart of the center from the street any longer.

The first big change came in the form of Creighton University opening a school for medical sciences. 

St. Ignatius of Loyola and the World stands guard outside the main building.

The entire former shopping center has become a haven for all kinds of businesses and schools related to health care. 

I spotted signs for two other learning facilities.  The University of Jamestown has one building and Smith Chason school of nursing has another.  

Queen of the Desert

 

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was spotted next to a building on Central Avenue recently.  I quickly turned the corner to get a photo.  

This Priscilla is looking in a lot better shape than the original that made that lengthy trip across the Australian outback back in 1994.

It turns out that Priscilla belongs to ION Arizona, a LGBTQ magazine.  It's a pretty sleek looking motorhome.  It would be fun to drive it across the desert.

I loved that old movie "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert".  I need to look for it and watch it again.  

Is It Early or Late?

 

I found a cactus bloom while walking at the Desert Botanical Garden and like the daisies from yesterday, this bloom is way out of season.  Cactus blooms don't start showing up until late March and early April.  And to make it even more unusual, this bloom is growing out of a very damaged cactus. 

On the other hand, the aloe plants were blooming all over the garden.  This bloom was framed by the barrel cactus in the background.  

Early Bloomers

 

When I was driving home from the Desert Botanical Garden last Sunday, I caught sight of this colorful yard on my way home and I immediately turned the corner to go back for a second look.

The yard was covered with the yellow and orange blooms of African Daisies.  I was surprised to see them.  They usually don't pop up until mid February.  I wonder if all the rain we have been getting prompted them to make an early appearance.  

Whatever the reason for the early start, they are a welcome sight to see.  It's been unseasonably cold here in the desert southwest this January so these little bursts of sunshine are sign of the warmth to come.  

Blogging Friends and a Friendly Bird

 

I got to meet a fellow blogger from the Washington DC area on Sunday and we took a walk together at the Desert Botanical Garden.  I met David from the blog Adventures of Travel Penguin.  We had a nice long walk through the garden.  That's where we met this rather friendly cactus wren.  

I say he was friendly because he landed on this plant right next to us and stayed there for quite a while while we clicked our cameras.  

He seemed quite content with having his photo taken.  I always enjoy meeting fellow bloggers.  It's like meeting an old friend you haven't seen for a while even if you've never met in person before.  

A Portrait of Trader Joe

 

I found this new mural on the side of my local Trader Joe's store.  I always wondered what he looked like. I'd say he's quite eclectic driving that strange contraption.  It looks like he's headed for somewhere tropical.  There was no signature but I'm assuming it was commissioned by the store.  I think it's kind of cute and perfect for an equally eclectic store.  I wonder if it was painted during the pandemic.  I see that Joe is wearing a mask.  

Taking part in Monday Murals.

Sunday Strays

 

I have some stray photos today.  They have been bouncing around in my photo files for a while so I thought it was time to give them a showing.  First up, a row of pretty blue pots hosting some straggled palms.  

Here is someone who has found some humor in the fact that his car is dented.  

Some cute little kitties that I found hanging around on a gift shop shelf.  That one peeking in from the side reminded me a lot of a cat I once had.  

A cave-man style wine rack that was spotted inside a restaurant.  

And lastly, some shaggy looking owls that were decorating an Anthropologie store in Scottsdale.  Just another random assortment of observations I've made along the way.  

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  It features artifacts from around the world.

Nature's Beauty

 

Nature is the ultimate creator of beauty.  I love stopping to admire what she has to offer like these pretty, reddish leaves glowing in the late afternoon sun.

Or the beauty of some dried leaves holding on to the bitter end.

Even a tiny little plant placed on a cafe table.  

They are all worthy of second look or a photograph.  

Clever Name

 

I found this shop at the Town & Country Shopping center with a prominent name of TBC.  Then I realized that the name was actually "To Be Continued".  What a clever name for a used or second-hand clothing store.  I haven't been inside yet.  I will have to check it out.  

Life Imitating Art

 

While I'm on the subject of life imitating art, I decided to post this photo that has been in my files for several years.  My sister Judy took this several years ago when she visited Phoenix and we went to the Heard Museum.  She spotted this lady sitting on the bench and almost mimicking the statue behind her.

The statue is called "Window to the Past" by Native American sculptor Roxanne Swentzell.  

I wonder if my sister remembers this photo.