Did Arizona have Gay Marriage First?

New York is getting a lot of press for passing gay marriage. But, It might not have been first. It may well have been legal in the state of Arizona since July 3, 2005. That’s the day that Spain legalized gay marriage. Now if your scratching your head let me explain.

The story begins in the early 1800s long before the United States had acquired the territories that would become New Mexico and Arizona from Mexico. It is the only land in northern Arizona to trace back to a Spanish Land Grant. Meaning it might still be subject to Spain’s law not US? The original Baca homestead was near the city of Los Alamos, New Mexico and was abandoned because of violence. Years later the family returns and finds their homestead inhabited. Kind of like goldilocks and the three bears, but here instead of the returning bears scaring her off. Congress authorizes the bears to select 5 plots of uninhabited land. Baca float No. 5, is located in our own Yavapai County, about fifty miles northwest of Prescott. Colonel William Cornell Greene bought the Baca Float #5 and the Mahon Ranch in the 1930s, turning them into the ORO Ranch (pronounced "oh-are-oh"). Operated under the same name but it is owned and kept under lock and key by the secretive JJJ Corporation. Kind of interesting to think that a road trip to Spain is possible without a plane or boat, or that anyone could get hitched there.

Cooling off in the Dry Heat: What Do Crave in the Desert?

Yea, summer has arrived in the snap of the moment. I am investigating refreshing things to consume after waiting for train via light rail and getting walking home. Also, with Paul’s birthday and the 4th coming up I wanted to try a new cold something. Enter into the picture a newly aquired cook book The Greater American Cook Book, edited by Ruth Berolzheimer, Director, Culinary Arts Institute printed 1942. picked up for the end papers and being a fan of modern cuisine I couldn’t resist the section titled Western cook book of Pioner and modern recipes. Images of a moderne ranch kitchen busy filled with the great smells, but it’s too hot to fire up anything inside. So instead, I stuck the buckets of the ice cream maker in the freeze ready to make a buttermilk sherbet, but instead of pineapple I’ll be using blueberries and including some strawberries for a great red, white and you get the picture. So off to Basha’s I went, of course the flagship store on 7th Ave with it’s tall beaconing fin, it’s hard to resist. Butter milk and blueberries on sale, score. By the time I got home Paul had already had dinner and dessert. The actually making has been delayed until the weekend. I’ll let you know how it turns out. But What are your favorite things to consume in the heat?

Tight jeans got their Start right here

I am sure you have noticed the increase of tight fitting jeans, better known as skinny jeans. Before skinny jean, people wore jeans as tight as they could get them. Giving life to a urban legend about death by shrinking jeans. This was busted by Mythbusters, but could not find a link to grant in pool shrinking his jeans. I would like to think that we can all thank an American artist who lived right here in Phoenix for making tight jeans a long standing pop culture icon. I would like to say belated Happy Birthday to George Quaintance. What you’ve never heard of him? Your not alone. Tacshen recently released a book covering his art. In the early 1950s, he set up his own studio in Phoenix, Arizona, where he created the works of male figurative art he is best known for today.[caption id="attachment_610" align="alignright" width="195" caption="Art of George Quaintance"][/caption] Prior to AZ, he studied drawing and paint in New York, and Los Angeles, CA specializing in painting and photographing male athletes for popular physique magazines, such as Physique Pictorial edit by Bob Mizer of the famed Athletic Model Guild, or AMG. George Quaintance died of a heart attack in 1957, leaving a legacy of tight jeans and bulging muscles.

What if you wanted to dress like that today. One option would be Nu-Parr of Arizona. Started in the early 50’s by local architect Ralph Parachek where men and women can have custom undies, posing straps, swim suits, even jeans made just for you. Some utilizing the patterned created 50+ years ago. Those custom jeans are on my bucket list! Check their history.

Wishing George a belated Happy Birthday, and a deserved place in Phoenix and Art history.

Phoenix's Obscured History Revealed

Look at the Valley on a map and you’ll notice that it is designed on a grid, with an exception; because every rule has an exception, such as Grand Ave. Which is the home of [caption id="attachment_599" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Trunk Space, 2011 Grid Show postcard"][/caption]Phoenix's Obscured Past Revealed Trunk Space which has been doing a city theme show for over a decade and what better name than The Grid Show and This year subtitled Phoenix’s Obscured Past Revealed. What does The Phoenix New Times say about the show and the special events such as a Phoenix Obscura by Marshall Shore: Retro Spectacular on First Friday, July 1st at 7:30p and the debut of Perry Allen’s film, Phoenix, Appropriated on July 15 at 7:30. Come see works of art and learn about the some obscured Phoenix history:


[caption id="attachment_600" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Back of Trunk Space post card"][/caption] Back of Trunk Space, 2011 Grid Show, postcard
Masque of the Yellow Moon, Security Building Brothel-Casino, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Powder Puff Derby, Gold Spot Bowling Alley, Phoenix Rodeo, UFO Crash At Dreamy Draw Dam, Winnie Ruth Judd, Phoenix Lights

Smithsonian in the Valley?

When you wander through the amazing museums in Washington DC. Do you ever wish Arizona, the Valley, had a Smithsonian museum? Well guess what we do! Or at least one that does have tons of items on loan from the Smithsonian and an extensive collection it's self. I am speaking of the Musical Instrument Museum.



It took me a while to get up to it and make the trek out to the 101 and Princess, Further in my mind than reality. What I found striking was the huge opportunity for learning going on.



First off there exhibits are broken into theme that start by country of origin and many include a video screen show the instruments being played and how it fits into the culture. Many times there are traditional or ceremonial clothing included in the display.

I found that I was reminded me of the performance artist Leigh Bowery.



There were also shadow puppets that crept into the displays! There was an interactive exhibit curated by the Music Experience.



That takes you on a musical journey there Latinos in Popular US Music and included a dance floor so when the mood hits and you need to move, you have a place. Be sure and check out the play room were you get to be a kid among kids and actually play some of the instruments a bong, a thermin, and a few xylophone-esque.



Now onto the gift shop, there where many instruments in real size or scaled down to a wearing size or even pocket. That would be my weakness especially when it is a Thermin. I have not put this together yet, but looking forward to being able to create my own 1950's horror film music.

Though, I would never consider myself musical and that includes those years in elementary school badly playing the saxophone. I can say that those four hours spent wandering the museum were amazing, cool, insightful, inspiring and mindful. This was a unique opportunity to explore and experience a global and cultural part of what being human means. I could say I wish it was closer to downtown, accessible by public transit, or just plain easier to access, but that would not changed where it is. It is worth the drive! Carpool with friends, pack a lunch, just go!