Arizona Covid-19 Coronavirus Updates

Posted on May 2, 2020 by ellatino

May is here and Covid-19 remains a serious health concern. There are over 3.4 million cases worldwide and nearly 240,000 people have died. Here in Arizona, there have been 7,962 cases to date with 330 deaths. It remains a dangerous health situation. Here are some important resources you can use during this time.

Arizona’s Lockdown Status

Governor Doug Ducey declared a shelter-in-place order on March 31, and that order remains in effect statewide. A few days ago, Governor Ducey extended the stay at home order until May 15, but with a few notable changes.

  • Retail stores are permitted to re-open on May 4
  • Retail operations can be extended on May 8
  • Restaurants will be permitted to re-open at the end of the month, but no date has been announced.

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Arizona Landmarks Worth Visiting

Posted on July 3, 2014 by ellatino

If you adore the great outdoors, it’s hard to find a place on Earth any more beautiful than in Arizona. In the Grand Canyon to the Painted Desert and Monument Valley, a trip is a scenic feast for all the senses. The trickiest part will be making sure you have enough space in your memory stick for all your photos and videos.

When planning your trip you will want to make the most of the incredible sights, so pack accordingly. So while you may not fall upon rain, the state is largely desert, you do need to plan for lots of sun. Summers are not exceedingly cold, with temperatures that range from 90 deg Farenheit to as high as 125 deg Celsius. Deserts also cool off at night, so bear in mind those temperatures can drop by as much as 50degF once the sun goes down carry a jumper along. Bring sunscreen, dress for the heat, and find methods to keep hydrated and shaded in the sun. Or consider visiting in winter months when the temperatures are not much more intense, ranging from 40-75 deg Farenheit.

In case you ‘re spending time out enjoying Arizona’s crazy beauty, you are also going to be doing lots of walking and hiking, so be sure to bring comfy and sturdy walking shoes.

The next step will be determining just what to do! Will it be a golf trip or a spa weekend? Are you up for a ghost tour in Tombstone? Or would you rather marvel at the modern feat of engineering known as the Hoover Dam? Arizona has it all and more.

Undoubtedly, the most famous landmark in Arizona is the Grand Canyon. Stretching nearly 300 miles across the state, the Colorado River has carved this steep gorge deep, showing rock underneath older than two billion years in age. There are many ways to appreciate this unbelievable wonder, thus don’t restrict yourself to just one. It’s possible for you to trek for days, or for a day. You are able to ride a mule down into the Grand Canyon, or hover above it in a chopper. You float down the river in a raft, or can stay in a historic lodge, go camping. You could also walk on the Grand Canyon by visiting the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass construction that juts 70 feet out over the rim of the Canyon, providing you with a view 4,000 feet down to the bottom. Whatever you choose to do, the Grand Canyon will surely be jam up your camera and take your breath away.

No less stunning is Arizona’s Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. It’s among the photographed and most amazing areas on Earth. Sitting on the boundary of Utah, the crimson desert rises some as high as 1,000 feet. The shade of the Valley changes from deep reds to brilliant beiges and vibrant oranges, with every hour of the day. Monument Valley isn’t just visually breathtaking; it’s iconic. Standing here will put you in mind of every Western, and every John Wayne film you have ever seen, as well as every Road Runner cartoon.

For a look by the Petrified Forest National Park, cease at an older age and find out more about the 200-million-year old fossils discovered here. Afterward, check out the unbelievable colours in the Painted Desert, that is part of the Petrified Forest National Park.

For a less dry time outside in Arizona, try a champagne cruise on Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States.You can take a tour of the Hoover Dam, and marvel at the engineering.

Arizona also offers innumerable urban ways to entertain yourself. You take yourself out to the ball game at Chase Field in Phoenix, or can tailgate in Glendale at a Cardinals game. Wander though Scottsdale’s Downtown Arts District or spoil your taste buds.

With Arizona’s red rock country for thousands of years, folks have been falling in love from the ancient Anasazi to Walt Disney and Zane Grey. So carry your camera and spend just a little time in the its great outdoors. You may just find which you too have fallen in love with Arizona.

If you live in Arizona, you might be amazed to see the perfect holiday destination isn’t that far away. If you’d like to experience a relaxing and fun holiday with no hassle (and steep prices) of leases and air travel autos, you may not have to look any further than your own backyard.

Sedona

With year round balmy temperatures and sunny skies, Arizona is the perfect vacation spot if you are searching for some outdoor adventure, starting with scenic Sedona. Known as red rock state, picturesque Sedona is teeming with towers and red rock monoliths, creating some of the most stunning landscapes found everywhere. Visitors can enjoy the amazing scenery and see restaurants and Sedona’s unique stores.

The Grand Canyon

Did you realize that many Arizona residents have never seen the Grand Canyon? You have not truly seen Arizona that was experienced unless you’ve experienced the majestic Grand Canyon. Carved through thousands (if not millions) of years by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is one of the biggest canyons on the planet at 277 miles long and at times 18 miles wide and nearly a mile deep. Held one of the natural wonders of the Planet Earth, you must experience this breathless landmark.

Resorts that are local

Why not stay at an area resort? Phoenix has some of the very best in the nation. Book a weekend at a luxury resort and spa and you will feel like you are on a relaxing holiday at some far off destination without the hassles of travel.

Golfing

With more than 300 courses located throughout the state and days that are bright year-round, Arizona is a golfer’s heaven. Plan a golfing vacation where you play at a different course every day or attend golf school (which resorts with classes offer) to sharpen your abilities.

Arizona Golf Course at Sunset

There are few sights more beautiful than an Arizona golf course at sunset.

Sports Enthusiasts

Sports fans assemble to experience the variety of professional sports in Arizona, including the NFL Arizona Cardinals, the MLB Arizona Diamondbacks, the NBA team the Phoenix Suns, and the NHL Coyotes. In addition, several tournament games are often held in Arizona, including the Super Bowl and faculty bowl games.

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Wines from the Verde Valley

Posted on April 17, 2014 by ellatino

When people hear “Arizona” they usually think about a cactus in the desert, or cowboys and Indians in the Open West. Most people do not think of vineyards or wineries on a wine trail, but it’s happened!

Presently there are four wineries: Alcantara Vineyards, Page Springs Cellars, Javelina Leap Vineyards, and Oak Creek Vineyards; and four tasting rooms: Caduceus Cellars, Jerome Winery, Arizona Stronghold Tasting Area, as well as the Pillsbury Wine Company Tasting Room North. The Wine Trail is continually expanding as new wineries and tasting rooms start.

Inside a Winery

In March the new Arizona Stronghold Tasting Area opened in Old Town Cottonwood. Serving Arizona Stronghold Wineries, Page Springs Cellars, and Burning Tree Cellars wines, it is the perfect spot to stop in to get a tasting. Another tasting area on the other side of the road from Arizona Stronghold Tasting Area will open in April. The Pillsbury Wine Business Tasting Area North will serve wine from Pillsbury Wine Business, which includes Freitas Vineyards found in Cottonwood and a vineyard in southern Arizona, near Sedona.

The Sedona/Verde Valley is one of the most beautiful areas in Arizona with the amazing red rocks of Sedona and Mogollon Rim to the north along with east, the panoramic hills of artsy Jerome, the luscious Verde River and Oak Creek, and the Black Hills and Mingus Mountain dominating the western and southern portions of the valley. The valley is also rich with recreational actions, artwork, and culture. There are several state parks and national monuments in the area that allow for outside recreational chances. The Verde Valley is not only among the most amazing parts of Arizona, it’s an extraordinary spot to grow grapes and make delightful Arizona wine.

Verde Valley as a wine location comes to the surprise of many individuals, but the Verde Valley is extremely comparable to many of the great wine growing regions across the planet! The raising and clime also contribute to the achievement of growing grapes. The Verde Valley is at exactly the same level as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Iran, areas where grapes were first domesticated and the first wine was produced. The level is between 3,800 ft. and 5,000 ft. combined with the appropriate latitude supplies the ideal climate for growing grapes. It is hot through the day and a chilly at nighttime which stresses the grapes, the warmth is needed for sugar creation and also the cool nights is important for acid retention. With No striking change in temperature the grapes don’t cultivate character and intricacy! You may not get the amount which you would if you planted on a fertile plot of land but the quality is a lot better, and that’s what wine-growers strive for to make excellent wine.

Rod Snapp,  Javelina Leap Winemaker, claims “Astonishingly, Arizona’s sun, heat, along with the unique rocky soils of the Verde Valley are an outstanding environment for growing grapes. The soils and trying growing conditions compel the vines to fight to endure which causes the vines to set their power into developing less ample but high quality, more intensely flavored fruit – merely the characteristics the winemaker desires to craft excellent wine.”

This previous year is a great year for Arizona wine; Arizona wineries have been winning awards and receiving recognition, and lately the Blood Into Wine movie merely came out. The Blood Into Wine documentary, about creating wine in Arizona focuses on Maynard James Keenan (vocalist of Tool and owner of Caduceus Cellars) and Eric Glomski (possessor of Page Springs Cellars) premiered February 19th, and is now in theaters nationally.

The Verde Valley, Az’s wine country is under-discovered but the folks who’ve been to the area and tasted the wine it produces attest to its excellence – rather a few wines have won national awards for their quality. The wine makers’ offers include Syrah, Petite Sirah, Viognier, Rousanne, Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, just to name several. Every winery has its unique personality and different wines for visitors to discover at each stop over the Wine Trail.

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Golf: Not Quite a Contact Sport, But…

Posted on March 14, 2014 by ellatino

I hurt my back the other week playing golf. The wife suggested some simple yoga to ease the pain and suffering and it worked pretty well, although yoga is not really my thing. In the meantime, I read up on golf and it can cause a surprising number of injuries.

Golf is a satisfying physical chess sport on grass when completed incorrect when completed right and an annoying tension to the again. Individuals wouldn’t believe that someone has to put forth attempt and also have strength and conditioning to boost golf play, likely because golf is definitely regarded as the leisurely sport of wealthy and the well-known. But golfing is, actually, among the most taxing athletics to the rear due to the insistent movement of the swing movement.

Initially

A starting golfer must recall he has to boost her/his power and conditioning to enhance golf perform, maybe not simply purchase the newest gadgets. A swing movement can be particularly taxing on a person’s back, although not around the back that’s prepared to resist demanding twists and moves, when completed badly.

Other ways of boost strength and conditioning to boost to golf play contain:

Cardiovascular exercise

This must be a part of the workouts for power and conditioning to boost to golfing play Gets one’s heart rate going and supplies you stamina for a whole eighteen holes of golfing.

Aerobics

Helps one to figure out how to modulate your breathing together with shave off pounds which could hinder the swing movement.

Dumbbell workouts

One-arm curls are better than leading weight instruction because that may take from flexibility.

Great Carriage

A golfer needs to find appropriate technique each time he performs or methods, in order to avoid trauma to the spinal column. During workouts for power and conditioning to boost golf perform, the golfer should function both sides of his body equally therefore as to not create a muscle imbalance, which may result in spinal disk issues.

Imagine if you are hurt?

In the event of trauma, a sports physician should be visited by a golfer. Exercises for potency and conditioning to boost golf, together with appropriate chiropractic treatment, should to become better at the demanding sport of golfing.

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Interesting Arizona Facts and Stories

Posted on March 2, 2014 by ellatino

Arizona is a state rich with history, adventure and romance. It also boasts some impressive displays of nature, and we’re not just referring to that really famous big hole in the ground. Read on to learn some incredible facts about this amazing state.

  • A saguaro cactus can store up to nine tons of water.
  • All New England, in addition to the vicinity of Pa would fit inside AZ.
  • AZ became last of the contiguous states and the 48th state on February 1-4, 1912.
  • AZ has 26 peaks which are over 10,000 feet in altitude.
  • AZ has 3,928 mountain peaks and summits-more mountains than any among the other Mountain States (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Nm, Utah, and Wy).
  • AZ has got the greatest contiguous stand of ponderosa pines on the planet stretching from around Flagstaff across the Mogollon Rim to the White Mountains area.
  • AZ is the 6th greatest state in the country, covering 113,909 square miles.
  • AZ’s disparate environment can give both the greatest temperature throughout the nation and also the lowest temperature across the country in the exact same day.
  • Billy the Kid killed his first guy, Redundant Cahill, in Bonita, AZ.
  • Bisbee is the State’s southernmost mile-high city.
  • Bisbee, AZ is known as the Queen of the Copper Mines because during its mining heyday it was the greatest city in the South West between Saint Louis and San Fran and made almost 25% of the world’s copper.
  • Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, a couple of the very notable movie stars of Hollywood’s Golden-Age, were wed on March 18, 1939, in Kingman, AZ.
  • Constructed by Del Webb in 1960, Sun Town, AZ was the first 55-and active adult retirement community in the state.
  • Covering 18,608 sq. miles, Coconino County is the second-largest county by acreage in the 48 contiguous United States Of America.
  • From all of the states in the USA, AZ has got the biggest percent of its own land designated as Indian lands.
  • His brother Virgil was the town marshal.
  • If you cut down a protected species of cactus in AZ, you could spend more than a twelvemonth in jail.
  • Kartchner Caverns, near Benson, AZ, is a huge limestone cavern with 13,000 feet of passages, two rooms as long as gridirons, and 1 of the world’s longest soda straw stalactites: measuring 2 1 feet 3 inches.
  • Many of the creators of San Fran in 1776 were Spanish colonists from Tubac, AZ.
  • More copper is mined in AZ than all the other provinces united, along with the Morenci Mine is the biggest copper company in all of The United States.
  • Mount Lemmon, in the Santa Catalina Mountains, is the southernmost ski resort in the United States.
  • On June 6, 1936, the first barrel of tequila made in the USA rolled off the production line in Nogales, AZ.
  • Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, situated about 55 miles west of Phoenix, produces more electricity than any other U.S. power plant.
  • Petrified wood is the official state fossil. The Petrified Forest in northeastern Arizona includes Usa’s greatest deposits of petrified wood.
  • Phoenix originated in 1866 as a hay camp to provide military post Camp McDowell.
  • Renowned labor leader and activist Cesar Chavez was born in Yuma.
  • Roadrunners aren’t only in toons! In AZ, you will find them running up to 1 7-miles per hour away from their enemies.
  • Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman named to the U.S. Supreme Court, grew up on a big family ranch near Duncan, AZ.
  • Situated on AZ’s western boundary, Parker Dam is the deepest dam in the world at 320 feet.
  • The “Five C’s” of AZ’s economic system are: Oxen, Copper, Citrus, Cotton, and Clime.
  • The 13 stripes on the Arizona flag represent the 13 original colonies of the United States.
  • The best-preserved meteor crater in the world is found near Winslow, AZ.
  • The entire world’s greatest to-scale set of tiny plane models is placed at the library at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ.
  • The longest staying undamaged segment of Route 66 can be located in AZ and runs from Seligman to Topock, a total of 157 unbroken miles.
  • The Navajo Nation crosses 27,000 square miles across the states of Utah, Arizona and Nm, but its capital is seated in Window Rock, AZ.
  • The only spot in the state where mail is delivered by mule is the village of Supai, situated at the base of the Grand Canyon.
  • The planet’s greatest solar telescope is situated at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Sells, AZ.
  • The quantity of copper utilised to make the copper dome atop AZ’s Capitol building is equal to the sum of money used in 4.8 million pennies.
  • The Saguaro cactus is the greatest cactus seen in the U.S.
  • The Sonoran Desert is the most biologically varied desert in North America.
  • The state of Ma could fit inside Maricopa County (9,922 sq. miles).
  • The talks for Geronimo’s final surrender took place in Skeleton Canyon, near present day Douglas, AZ, in 1886.
  • The two biggest manmade lakes in the USA are Lake Mead and Lake Powell-both found in AZ.
  • The typical state level is 4,000 feet.
  • The westernmost battle of the Civil War was fought at Picacho Pass on April 15, 1862 near Picacho Peak in Pinal County.
  • There are 11.2 million acres of National Forest in AZ, and one fourth of the state forested.
  • There are far more wilderness locations in AZ than in the whole Midwest. AZ only has 90 wilderness locations, while the Midwestern United States has 50.
  • When England’s well-known London Bridge was replaced in the 60’s , where it still stands AZ, the first was bought, dismantled, sent rock by stone and reconstructed in Lake Havasu City, now
  • You could stack four 1,300-foot skyscrapers on top of each other and they still wouldn’t reach the crater rim of the Grand Canyon.
  • Yuma, AZ is the nation’s greatest manufacturer of winter vegetables, particularly lettuce.
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Diamondbacks Off to a Great Start

Posted on April 13, 2012 by ellatino

Baseball is getting a little more exciting in Arizona with the fast start to the season for the Arizona Diamondbacks who are out in front with a 5-1 record. Of course, it’s really early in the season, but it’s great to see them winning solidly and early. The lone loss so far was a 2-1 game against the Padres. It’s their strongest start in a dozen years and the team looks pretty solid in a pretty competitive division. Only the L.A. Dodgers have a better record at this point. Yes, it’s really early and a 5-1 record doesn’t mean much in the context of a 162 game season, but things are looking good!

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Representative Giffords Resigns

Posted on January 22, 2012 by ellatino

Giffords Resigning
Representative Gabrielle Giffords announced on her web site that she will retire from Congress. Here is what she had to say in the video that she posted on the site.

A lot has happened over the past year. We cannot change that, but I know on the issues we fought for, we can change things for the better. Jobs. Border security. Veterans. We can do so much more by working together.

I don’t remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice.

Thank you for your prayers and for giving me time to recover. I have more work to do on my recovery. So to do what’s best for Arizona, I will step down this week. I’m getting better. Every day my spirit is high. I will return, and we will work together for Arizona and this great country.

I’m surprised that she is retiring because she fought such a brave battle to return to work following the horrible tragedy from last year. She recently appeared at the site to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the shootings in Tuscon.

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Goofing Off

Posted on December 10, 2011 by ellatino

Even though it doesn’t get cold here in the desert, I still get a little depressed in Wintertime. The days are shorter and the nights are colder and I end up spending more time indoors than I’d normally like. I’m spending more time on the computer lately, and killing that time by playing games like CastleVille (found a great CastleVille cheats site, btw). When my nieces and nephews are here, they like to play Poptropica and are particularly fond of Wild West Island which they say looks a lot like Arizona must have in its old Western days. I’m looking forward to December 22, which will be the first day that it starts getting lighter out for longer each day. Even though it gets hot here in the Summer, it’s much better than Winter by far.

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Roaming the Desert Looking for a Good Garage Sale

Posted on September 26, 2011 by ellatino

We loaded up into the car and went through a few desert communities this weekend looking for a good garage sale. We were on the hunt for some decent bargains. I wanted to get a few things for the bedroom, like an antique vanity, an area rug, quality yoga gear, and if we could find one, a cheap mattress. Ideally one that hadn’t been used for too long. Our bed is a little lumpy because it has an old mattress and I’m not getting great sleep at night because of it. Some people would shudder at the thought of buying a used mattress at a garage sale, but these are the same people who wouldn’t balk at sleeping at a hotel. I’d rather have a used mattress that had one person sleeping on it than hundreds. Anyway, the garage sale tour this weekend paid off. We found a lot of great deals.

No dice on the mattress, but we did pick up a beautiful old vanity that will go great in the bedroom. We almost picked up an area rug, but decided that it didn’t really go with the other decor and skipped it. But it was a fun adventure and we’ll do it again soon.

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Trip to San Diego

Posted on October 1, 2010 by ellatino

We went on a short trip to San Diego this past week to visit some of our friends and amigos on the coast. The highlight of the trip was a day of surfing at the beach which was a lot of fun even though none of us know how to surf. We don’t get much practice here in the desert. But we all had a fun time and had a great dinner that evening. Glad to be back but we hope to visit the coast again soon.

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