Betsy-Tacy Go Downton Addie

Momma and I have survived yet another Betsy's Ray of Sunshine!

Nine ladies (Dare I say, Perfectly Awful Girls?) from around the United States gathered this weekend in the sun-drenched historic Willo District in Phoenix to eat, drink, laugh, drink, play (the Wildly Inappropriate) Cards Against Humanity, drink, listen to the Hamilton soundtrack, drink, shop, and watch the final episode of Downton Abbey together - while drinking.

What brought them together? A deep love of the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace and a chance to eat, laugh, and drink together.

We greeted old friends, made new ones, and missed those who have gone to the Great Library in the Sky. 

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

American Girl Scottsdale: Grand Opening

At long last, the Grand Opening for American Girl Scottsdale was Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23.

We were told during the soft opening tour that about 9,000 people were expected to attend the two-day Grand Opening. 

Scottsdale Quarter responded well to the demand. Free crafts, activities, photo ops, free chilled water, doll drawings, and entertainment were generously provided during the entire Grand Opening weekend.

A ticket system was used for the AGS Grand-Opening to manage guests' waiting times and observe fire-safety regulations. Each person (including children) who wished to enter the store received a ticket with an assigned group number.

We couldn't go Saturday because Momma had to work (phooey!) but we monitored the progress throughout the day. Ticket distribution began Saturday at 7 a.m. One grandmother (who began the line at 2 a.m.!) was the first and both her granddaughters received a free doll.

Group one entered the store at 9 a.m. Each person who entered the store got a free gift. (We got a book on Sunday, but I don't know if everyone got the same thing.)

Those who had higher numbered tickets could leave or shop elsewhere. Text alerts were sent out telling people when their group was up. To the best of my knowledge, 66 groups made it through the doors on Saturday before the crowd diminished enough for the ticketing system to be abandoned for the day.

Finally, Sunday was our turn!

We awoke early and made the 20 minute drive to Scottsdale Quarter. We arrived after the 8 a.m. ticketing began, but we still got group nine tickets!

We had our photo taken then Momma and My Big Sister played on the splash pad while I made friends. It wasn't long before it was 10 a.m. and first group was allowed in! After another 30-40 minutes it was our turn!

We were familiar with the store because we were there Wednesday, so we headed straight for Maryellen - which wasn't hard since she had the place of honor up front. (We were spoiled after practically having the place to ourselves on Wednesday, but it was exhilarating to be surrounded by other doll enthusiasts.)

We spent nearly an hour looking things (Maryellen) over and noting future purchases (Maryellen) before we decided to leave and make room for others.

We continued to monitor the store's progress, but the crowds were significantly reduced on Sunday. As far as I know, the tickets were abandoned after group 16 went in!

In conclusion, we love having an AG store so close to us. Yes, it's smaller but it has a nice assortment and we definitely like the emphasis on the historic/BeForever dolls.   

Well done, Scottsdale Quarter and American Girl Scottsdale. Well done.

You can Rest Assured we'll be back soon!!! 

Where should we go next?

"Where should we go next?"!

Scottsdale, of course! It's coming soon!

I. Can't. Wait!

A cruising speed of 10 miles per hour

Oliver Lippincott arrives at Grandview Point on Jan. 12, 1902.
(Photo: Grand Canyon National Park #05122)

Nick and Chris Howell of England have earned my Respect and Admiration.

Eight years ago, Nick Howell purchased an antique 1901 Toledo Steam Car(riage). He later discovered it was the very same car that had made the first automobile trip from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon.

Steam engines capable of propelling themselves developed about 100 years before internal combustion engine automobiles. The light steam car developed about the same time as cars powered by internal combustion engines.

Oliver Lippincott was a Los Angeles photographer who liked trailblazing remote areas with new technology.

The first automobile to enter Yosemite was a Locomobile steam car driven by Lippincott. Lippincott and his mechanic arrived June 24, 1900 and spent several weeks taking pictures to promote both Yosemite and the Locomobile.

Part of what protected the Grand Canyon for so long was its remoteness. A railroad to Flagstaff was completed in 1882 and stage coaches started to take tourists from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon in 1883—a 70-mile, 11-hour journey at $20 per person. 

The first train with paying passengers (the 64-mile trip cost $3.95) arrived at the South Rim on Sept. 17, 1901 from Williams.

In January of 1902, Lippincott planned to drive the roughly 70 miles from Flagstaff to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. 

Accompanied by a local guide and two reporters from the Los Angeles Herald, Lippincott's 1901 Toledo steamer became the first vehicle to successfully make that trip. In what was later described as "The Trip from Hell," what was supposed to take seven hours took two days—or two weeks, depending upon who told the story.

The Toledo Steam Carriage was a very well-made, high-quality machine and is considered one of the best steam cars produced at the time.

Because steam cars used technology already developed for steam locomotives, they initially had the advantage. In 1900 the steam car was superior and held land speed records, but by 1920 the internal combustion engine had progressed to a degree of refinement that made the steam car obsolete.

Eight years after purchasing the Toledo Steam Carriage, the Howell brothers recreated Lippincott's historic trip. The brothers hoped to do the trip in seven hours, but it, too, took two days. On Aug. 26 and 27, 2014 (with the help of several car and history buffs—and lots of tea) they did it.

And the Howells weren't towed in—unlike Lippincott.

I strongly encourage you to follow the link below to read more about their daring adventure.

Well done, gentlemen. Well done.


http://www.azcentral.com/longform/life/az-narratives/2014/08/29/steam-car-grand-canyon-journey-longform/14834557/ 

She's a Valley Girl

Visiting my minions at AGPLA.

News flash: Momma and I just discovered that American Girl plans to open a store in Scottsdale next year - 20 minutes away from us!

I think I shall swoon....

American Girl to open its newest store in Arizona

Scottsdale Quarter to become home of popular American Girl store

Middleton, WI (June 4, 2014) - American Girl®, a division of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT), today announced plans to open its newest experiential retail store at Scottsdale Quarter, the premier open-air lifestyle center owned by Glimcher Realty Trust (NYSE: GRT), located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The 12,000-square-foot American Girl store is slated to open in late summer of 2015 and will be located within a new 180,000 square foot expansion of the property.

"For 16 years, American Girl retail stores have created unforgettable memories for millions of girls and their families, and we're thrilled to now bring the American Girl experience to even more fans in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area," said Wade Opland, American Girl's vice president of retail. "As a leader in experiential retail, American Girl has found a great partner in Scottsdale Quarter, a well-established premium shopping center with an upscale mix of stores and restaurants. It's an ideal location to introduce American Girl to the area and we look forward to opening our doors in summer 2015."

"We are very excited to welcome American Girl to Scottsdale Quarter and to have such an iconic brand anchor the next phase of development at The Quarter," said Michael P. Glimcher, Chairman and CEO of Glimcher. "Scottsdale Quarter has become the pre-eminent shopping destination in the Arizona market and a model for experience-centered retail development. American Girl fits seamlessly with our focus on bringing the best mix of retail, entertainment and dining to market."

Visitors to Scottsdale Quarter's new American Girl store will find all of the company's popular historical and contemporary dolls, along with a large assortment of doll outfits, accessories, girl-sized clothing, and a variety of best-selling American Girl books. In addition, American Girl fans will be able to enjoy a meal and a delicious dessert or celebrate a birthday in the store's fun and casual 25-seat Bistro and treat their dolls to a new hairdo in the Doll Hair Salon. A variety of girl-and-mom-friendly events and programs will also be offered throughout the year.

American Girl has been recognized as an industry leader in experiential retail since opening its first flagship store, American Girl Place®, in Chicago in 1998. Today, American Girl's sixteen proprietary retail and entertainment sites, located at premier shopping destinations nationwide, have welcomed more than 63 million visitors to date. To learn more about the different experiences available at each American Girl store, please call 877-247-5223 or visit americangirl.com.

Kindred spirits are not so scarce

Momma just got home from "Betsy's Ray of Sunshine."

Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.

The Maud Hart Lovelace online discussion list (Maud-L Listserv) is an electronic mail discussion group focusing on all things Betsy-Tacy as well as conversations of more general interest. 

Momma discovered the Maud-L Listserve many years ago and was instantly hooked..

She loves these old descriptions she found online.

According to Sharyn November,

The Maudlist is one of the best listservs I've seen -- more like a kaffeeklatsch than anything else. Yes, we talk about the books, but we also exchange life stories and recipes and jokes and mutual support. In fact, I even stayed with Carla Kozak when I went on vacation -- and no, I had never met her before. Maudvibes are sent when people are worried and blue, and they work! Trust me.

According to Julie Chuba,

I really enjoy all the little pieces of people's lives--little anecdotes, memories, traditions, different things people notice about books or stories I've read, etc. It's so much fun to hear about them, even though it may not have much to do with Maud Hart Lovelace or Betsy-Tacy. Becky's yummy-sounding meals, Katie's 4th of July, learning about Alice Austen from Diane, Poe's songs of the day, strange names (Dick Trickle finished me), Marsha Q.'s valiant attempts to keep on us on Betsy track, finding out about new books and movies and music--it's just a day brightener for me! I feel as though I a know a bit about a lot of you. Even though we probably have very dissimilar tastes and opinions and lifestyles, it's kind of fun to "get together" this way.

The members get together periodically to actually meet, eat, and explore the country. Betsy's Ray of Sunshine was scheduled from Friday, March 7 through Sunday, March 9, BUT the house party was still going strong when Momma came home to spend time with my Big Sister.

Events included: Happy Hour at Camelback Inn (great view of Camelback Mountain); antiquing in Glendale; desert walks/hikes; Phoenix Art Museum; a desert picnic at The Farm at South Mountain; talking/laughing/games/reading/whatever!

So, are you a Kindred Spirit? 


To subscribe or change your options on Maud-L, send e-mail to listserv@listserver.mtsac.edu. In the BODY of the message type one of the following according to the change you want make:

Subscribe Maud-L (to sign on)
Set Maud-L Nomail (to suspend receiving posts)
Set Maud-L Mail (to resume receiving posts)
Set Maud-L Digest (receive the posts in digest form)
Set Maud-L Nodigest (resume receiving posts one at a time)

Make sure you send the e-mail message from the account that you used to subscribe and that you omit or turn off any signatures in your e-mail message. If you have trouble subscribing to Maud-L, contact Arline.

 

Who let the geeks out?

Geeking out at Geeks Night Out.

I am a Mini Me Dolly Diva. Thanks Dacia!

Set phasers on stunning!

My Steam Team has my back.

These are not the stormtroopers you are looking for.

At last! Another æthernet traveler!

Madness takes its toll.

It's hip to be square

Tonight's the night! 

It's the City of Tempe's Geeks' Night Out!

Join us (including Me!) for Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives Geek Week and Geeks’ Night Out. We’re blending science, technology and fun to celebrate the Arizona SciTech Festival. Best of all, the events are free.

Tempe loves geeks. They're smart, fun and want to change the world for the better. They've cured diseases, built robots, and yes, even helped us get to Mars.  

What is Geeks' Night Out presented by Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives?
Be part of a very special Third Thursday on Mill Avenue on Feb. 20 from 4:30 to 9 p.m., themed to bring out the curiosity within. There’s science behind everything you love and we want to show you how it works. From science fiction to the business of science and everything in between, we’re celebrating smarts. Join us. It’s fun, smart and very Tempe. And best of all, it's FREE! 

The event is family-friendly. Tempe students from preschool to the university level will have several booths showing how the next generation of our workforce is using science to solve the world's problems. ASU, University of Advancing Technology, Rio Salado College, Kid Zone, Devry, Tempe Elementary School District, Tempe Union High School District and many others will be there.   

What is Geek Week presented by Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives?
One night is not enough! Geek Week extends the fun with a week of fun activities throughout Tempe schools and city facilities. Check for programs from Feb. 14-24.  

Geeks' Night Out activities:
Invade City Hall! (Or at least walk around it in your costume)
Phoenix Comicon hosts its annual Geeks' Night Out costume contest. Strut your stuff before the judging. Members of the Tempe City Council will lead the zombies, super heroes, super villians and creatures of all kinds on a walk around Tempe City Hall. Parade starts at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome to participate. 

Pop Culture and Sci Fi Dr. Who?
Step into a full-size replica of Dr. Who's Tardis, which will be located at the corner of Sixth and Mill in present time, brought to you by Az Tardis.   

Phoenix Comicon Costume Contest + Photo Booth
Dress like your favorite inventor, invention, science project gone wrong, whatever. Show off your Star Trek and Star Wars gear. We want to see your favorite SciFi costume on Mill Avenue! Strut your scientific stuff in front of Tempe City Hall. Prizes! 

Comic Book and Graphic Novel Signings Pop Culture Paradise is bringing several graphic novelists to sign their goods. Their display will be located in the ground floor retail space of the City Hall Parking Garage located on Fifth Street adjacent to Tempe City Hall.

Desert Dolls Roller Derby
Desert Dolls Roller Derby will show how they can thwart gravity. Find them as they roll through our downtown. This year, their kids' division will join them. 

Steampunk Addie
The exploits of this doll and her friends make for good, clean, sci-fi fun. Check out this table.

Herbie the Love Bug
Take a look at this replica of Herbie the Love Bug, built by Jeff Lewis. Learn what it takes to turn a car into a dream car.

Arizona Fun Services
Stop by this locally-owned costume and party store for free cotton candy and prizes. Talk with AZ Fun Staff to plan your next costume or fun event.

Bookmans
Looking for something to read? Something to watch? Something to play? Bookmans has it.

Tempe Center for the Arts
Learn about the latest Gallery exhibition, "American Pop! From Comic Books to Science Fiction ... and Beyond!" and discover how STEM is used to create art. TCA also offers an amazing online art curriculum that you may like to explore. 

SCIENCE
Walton Sustainability Solutions Festival
Get your picture taken at the Sustainability Super Hero Photo Booth and learn how you can become a sustainability super hero. Learn about bumble bees and do a craft project using recycled materials. 

Dignity Kids
Feel the power of changing acceleration or changing mass while trying to attempt to break plastic boards of different strength levels. Discover how applied physics create the explosive power of the martial artist. 

XPlore BoX 
Build and test BristleBots and learn about XPlore BoX.    

Arizona SciTech Festival
These are the people responsible for the state's festival celebrating all things STEM. Stop by to learn about other great events.  

University of Advancing Technology
Thanks to UAT for this year's fantastic Geeks' Night Out video. Learn how the special effects came to be.   

Rio Salado College
Partnering with ASU and Science Foundation Arizona, Rio Salado College will showcase the careers and science of nanotechnology. Activities will feature remote access to an electron microscope, and a hands-on demonstration of silicon wafers, polymers and dye-sensitized solar cells. 

ERIC Knows Recycling
What goes in the blue barrel and what goes in the trash? What happens to an aluminum soda can after you drop it in the recycling bin? Meet ERIC, Tempe’s mobile Educational Recycling Information Center – a 38-foot trailer filled with innovative and interactive opportunities to learn about the recycling cycle. 

Ideal Energy
Bringing it's semi-truck of energy conservation tips, the folks at Ideal Energy will be on hand to help you find ways to reduce your power bill. 

Tempe High School
Students will demonstrate robotics and a SimCity-like energy game. The HOPE Sophmore Biology team will explain how food is grown and why it is important to eat organic foods. They will also have samples of foods to taste. 

McClintock High School
Students will show a sustainability project.

Desert Vista High School Engineering
See engineering projects done by students from robotics to alternative fuel and energy experiments. 

Arizona Virtual Academy
Hands-on science fun for the family. 

Macaroni Kid
Find new ways to have fun with the family in this publication. Meet the people who put the magazine together. 

Tempe Elementary School District #3
Science and technology-inspired projects by students will be on display. 

Kid Zone Enrichment Program
The Kid Zone team will have science projects for your family to try their hands at and even some things to take home. 

Girl Scouts - Troop 951
Science rules and Troop 951 will have an experiment to share. 

Will I see you there?

Tell him to buy me 30 acres of land

Continuing on with the 26th Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival: the Best Part!

My Royal Press Pass - which they made me return!

At last! The Steam Pirate Airships!

I am giddy with excitement! Look at that top hat and goggles!

Ooh, the sign has a cameo like the one I gave Clementine!

I am overcome with excitement.

"You've got a friend in me."

I am the Queen of the world! Or the airship! Or the octopus! Whee!

Getting ready to see my boney prince Bobbie.

Momma making sure I look my best for Ded Bob.

"Look into my eye sockets...."

"All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."

Watching Ded Bob flirt with other women. He is dead to Me.

Snuggle close, Ded Bob, snuggle close.

Hmm, it looks like The Tortuga Twins like The Big Bang Theory, too.

Always looking for new parasols, I'm saddened that this vendor has none my size, but this is close!

I can't wait to go again. Have you gone yet? What is your favorite part?


Click here to see the first half of my Renaissance Adventure.

Are you going to Renaissance Fair?

I am whipped - and I don't mean by the Whipmaster Adam Whip.

I want one of these parasols but they won't give me one without a subscription - even though we've had one for 39 years!

I love all the colors at the Renaissance Festival!

We have been buying perfumes and incense from The Perfumed Dragon for at least 20 years!

Yummm, chocolate samples from The Chocolate Maker!

They're correct, these Sky Chairs really do fit about everyone!

Ooh, I found one of the Wee Folk!

One of the things I love about the Ren Fest is all the sellers of snoods.

I love this booth! He has brass keychains just for Me! Decisions, decisions....

I love these tiny Under the Mango Tree journals.

My Steampunkin and I visit Isher Creations and his mummified fairies.

Resting under my Big Sister's VERY stout parasol while watching Adam Crack perform.

I make a friend with a one-eyed armored Dragon Pet.

Visiting Madison at the Storybook Castle.

At last! My very own catapult from Siege the Day!

This guy at the Queen's Kitchen didn't want to give me (Me!) a Turkey Leg! Ooh, Pippaloo....

To be continued!