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landscape photography of rock formationElectric Vehicle Museum of Kingman to expand into new 20,000 square feet facility
The City of Kingman Office of Tourism and Historic Electric Vehicle Foundation have co-managed the World’s first Electric Vehicle (EV) Museum since 2014. The current location, a 3,600 square foot space at the Kingman Visitor Center, houses only 28 of the Foundation’s collection of 110 EVs (and counting). In October 2021, the City of Kingman acquired a new 20,000 square foot facility in the Historic Downtown area to better accommodate the famous collection. Several firms have submitted architectural design proposals, which are currently being reviewed with renovations expected to begin in 2022.
The collection includes a Rolls-Royce-style EV golf cart once owned by Willie Nelson, a Mercedes-style EV golf cart once owned by Waylon Jennings, and the Buckeye Bullet 2.5 which was the fasted EV in the world (clocked in at 307.6 mph) until the Buckeye Bullet 3 completed a test run at 341.26 mph in September 2016.
New “Guardian of Route 66” roadside attraction unveiled 20 miles east of Kingman
A new Route 66 roadside attraction was unveiled on November 6, 2021, along Arizona Hwy 66. Titled “Guardian of Route 66”, the sculpture was created by Route 66 artist Gregg Arnold. It stands 13 ft tall from the feet to the top of the outstretched hand and lights up at night. The Guardian is located 20 miles east of Kingman at the Antares Point Visitor Center, which is already home to several of Gregg Arnold’s pieces, including the 14-foot-tall Tiki head titled “Giganticus Headicus”.
Artist Gregg Arnold released a statement reading “The thought and inspiration behind the Guardian is the rebirth of Route 66 that we see all up and down Route 66, and especially in Kingman. With her “follow me” optical illusion eyes, what better way to symbolize the Mother Road than a powerful woman made from the pieces of what makes Route 66. She is comprised of scrap metal, camels, cars, motorcycles, donkeys, route 66 shields, peace signs, Kidopolis, and of course a little Giganticus Headicus. Hopefully, she’s an inspiration that what has been, can be again, pieces of the past can be reshaped into the fabric of the future and that everything and everyone deserves a second chance. Reshape the pieces of your past into a bright shiny future.” Another roadside attraction reveal is planned in April during the annual Route 66 Fun Run.
New Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum in Camp Verde now open
The Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum (VVAC) opened its new museum and collection centre on Friday, November 26, 2021. The new museum is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Admission will be free through January 2022. The museum is the Official Nonprofit Partner of the National Park Service for Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot and the Regional Coordinator for the Arizona Site Steward Program. The Center promotes conservation, preservation and education for the Native American heritage and archaeology of the Verde Valley.
The new facility features: twelve public gallery spaces, lobby reception and gift shop, state-of-the-art meeting and events room, a virtual interactive children’s adventure room, a collections repository, curation laboratory and data centre, a human remains room (for the safekeeping of remains prior to Tribal consultation), and a library of more than 2,000 books, periodicals and DVDs. The new VVAC can accommodate the Center’s popular speaker series, workshops and classes. Additionally, VVAC will resume archaeology tours and member hikes in 2022. VVAC still owns and maintains the Native American Heritage Garden and Pathway located at their Homestead Parkway property. This property will see improvements in 2022 with an upgrade of the trail to be wheelchair accessible and the construction of a permanent restroom. The VVAC features a custom mural by artist Duane Koyawena (Hopi/Tewa) that graces the lobby. The mural serves as a testament to the connection the Hopi people have to the Verde Valley.
SMoCA Exhibits Recent Acquisitions
A collection of recent acquisitions, representing a focus on equity and diversity, is now on view at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA). The artworks on view were all added to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Collection in the past year. With a growing permanent collection of artworks — 1,917 pieces by 1,400 artists — SMoCA has recently focused its collecting efforts on equity and diversity.  This exhibition, “SMoCA Collection / Recent Acquisitions,” highlights some of the museum’s intriguing conservation projects as SMoCA continues the important work of understanding, documenting and preserving all the artworks in its care. Included in the exhibition are works by Miya Ando, Roland Bernier, Judy Glantzman, Marlyne Jones, Rebecca Rothman, Forrest Solis, Kaori Takamura and Ellen Wagener. Five of the eight artists on view are based in Arizona, and seven of the eight artists are women. They reference a diverse range of topics, such as memory, time, the environment, femininity, language and portraiture. While all are two-dimensional, they are made in a variety of mediums that include acrylic, pastels, ink on aluminium, mixed media and collage. “SMoCA Collection / Recent Acquisitions” is organized by the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. It will remain on view through Feb. 13, 2022.
Famed Airport Mural Officially Displayed in New Home at Phoenix’s Rental Car Center
“The Phoenix,” a beloved mural by Paul Coze once displayed in Terminal 2 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, is once again ready to welcome visitors, now in the Rental Car Center.
“The Phoenix,” a triptych 75 feet wide and 16 feet high, is believed to be the first piece of public art commissioned by the city that was chosen through a public process. Coze’s design was selected and his mural debuted when Terminal 2 opened in 1962. The mural resided in Terminal 2 and remained in its central location over the main hall after the terminal closed and was decommissioned in early 2020. The mural was carefully moved from March to fall 2021 and is on display 24/7. Peer through a built-in viewing scope to take an up-close look at “The Phoenix.” Check out the Museum’s seek-and-find activity to look for specific materials and details of the beloved mural, such as mosaic tiles, gemstones, spiralled shells and even a toy steering wheel. And watch the video, The Phoenix Rises Again, to learn even more about the story behind the mural’s recent relocation.
The history represented in this mural—from the imagery of Hohokam symbols, modern tribes and Latino heritage to mining and technology depictions—speaks of all Arizonans and represents Phoenix’s past, present and future. Besides paint media, 52 different materials, including glass and ceramic mosaic tiles, soil and sand from around the state, plastics, aluminium and gemstones, are used in the mural construction. “The Phoenix” can be viewed on the southwest corner of the central escalator lobby in the Rental Car Center. It will be even easier to access by mid-2022 when the PHX Sky Train® extension to the Rental Car Center opens to the public.
New Abraham Lincoln Exhibit to Open at Arizona Boardwalk: Go Back in History with Lincoln: Assassination and Honor at The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!®
Officials at Arizona Boardwalk, in Scottsdale, are excited to announce a new exhibit, Lincoln: Assassination and Honor, opening inside The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!® for 10 weeks only, from Dec. 10 through President’s Day, Feb. 21. This special exhibition features a collection of authentic and verified artifacts related to President Abraham Lincoln’s life and death, including one of the two derringer guns carried by John Wilkes Booth the night of the assassination.
Besides the mysterious second derringer gun, guests can view first-hand a variety of other rare relics from the fateful night when Lincoln lost his life at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. including a piece of the curtain Booth hid behind in the Presidential theatre box, a pall from Lincoln’s casket, and a lock of hair taken post-mortem from the President at the request of his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. These historic pieces and more take guests back in time to Lincoln’s death and the elaborate, three-week series of events when the country mourned his death and memorialized his life.
The exhibit opened on Friday, December 10 and fittingly runs through President’s Day, February 21. Tickets to The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!® are $21.95 for adults and $16.95 for children ages 2 – 12. The special Lincoln exhibition is included in this ticket. Combo tickets with other Arizona Boardwalk attractions such as OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland are also available.

Culinary

Pizza, Pipes Hit the Right Note for 50 Years
Next year, 2022, marks the 50th anniversary or the “golden anniversary,” for Organ Stop Pizza. It has been part of Arizona’s food scene for five decades. As the state’s oldest pizza restaurant and one of only two remaining pizza and pipes restaurants in the U.S., Organ Stop Pizza is not your average pizza place thanks to its shining star – the massive 1927 Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ! The largest and most valuable theatre organ in the world, the Mighty Wurlitzer is worth more than $6 million. The Wurlitzer sits on the top of an 8,000-pound console, which controls the 6,000-plus pipes, numerous percussions, countless traps and lighting via 1,074 individual keys, buttons and switches. The current 18,000-square-foot Organ Stop Pizza restaurant location was designed around the Wurlitzer, with 46-foot ceilings so the instrument can “speak” and allows seating for 700 guests. Thousands love the theatrical performances complete with a light show, dancing cat puppets, disco ball and bubbles. Songs range nightly from classical music and Disney favourites to pop and rock hits, there is practically nothing the Organ Stop Pizza musicians can’t play and each night is different as they take songs via request. By the end of the night, an eclectic mix of music is enjoyed by everyone.
Sedona’s newest resort The Wilde Resort & Spa introduces a new signature restaurant – Rascal
On the heels of Sedona’s newest boutique resorts that opened in September 2021, The Wilde Resort & Spa announces its new signature restaurant, Rascal. Helmed by Chef Mercer Mohr, the newly conceived, modern culinary concept provides guests with a unique dining experience while paying homage to the classic all-day American diner with chef-driven, market-inspired cuisine and a vibrant cocktail program.
Rascal serves breakfast all day and its menu features signature dishes and all-American comfort food classics such as Rascal eggs benedict, biscuits and gravy, green chile huevos rancheros, and beef brisket hash and poached egg, southern fried chicken, lamb chop lollipops, double bacon cheesy burger, grilled salmon with Greek lemon pasta, and more. Rascal’s handcrafted cocktails include a signature creation including the ‘Old Rascal’ featuring Old Grand-Dad bourbon, baked apple demerara, house bitters and ginger mist, and the ‘Young Rapscallion’ featuring Rittenhouse rye, peach, orgeat, smoked bitters, lemon and aquafaba. Rascal also features a carefully curated collection of local craft beers, as well as a wine list showcasing unique small format producers from Sedona and around the world.
Red, White & Brew opens second Arizona location in Prescott
Red, White & Brew (RWB), a Mesa favourite since 2002, recently opened its second location in Prescott, Ariz. The Arizona-owned, award-winning concept touting bold, American flavours has made extensive interior and exterior updates to the building, transforming it to match its polished casual concept in Mesa.
Updates for the locally owned and operated restaurant includes remodelling and renovation of the kitchen, dining room, bar area, and patio, among others. These renovations were made to support the fresh ingredients, handmade processes, and extensive menu that RWB is known for while ensuring safety, cleanliness, and welcoming ambience that guests love. The Prescott RWB location is situated on the corner of Gurley and Marina streets in Prescott’s historic Downtown, a perfect dining destination.
Red, White & Brew is open for dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm and Friday through Saturday 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Red, White & Brew is one of six restaurants locally owned and operated by POV Foods. For more information about the new restaurant, please visit www.rwbaz.com.