Pin ups and Fashion as Art

I guess it's a been a few days since I've last posted.  I'm not sure where I went or what I've been doing but I'm sure it was fun because it usually is.  I'm so sorry I missed doing a recipe this week though, I'll catch up next Tuesday.

So there are a couple of things coming up for this weekend (and beyond) that could be interesting.

First of all, The Phoenix Pin-Up Dolls will be showing up both Friday and Saturday at the Phoenix Convention Center (100 N Third Street in Phoenix) for the Art of Miniature Modeling IPMS Expo.  They'll be there between 9 am and 6 pm both days. 

You can find their site here: http://www.phoenixpinupdolls.info/ .  These gals don't just dress up retro and get their photos taken though.  They have a higher cause, helping the morale of our overseas troops.  Using money they earn through their modeling, they send packages (along with photos) to the troops.  This is a small group of women that put their art and their heart into helping someone else.  The more support they get, the more of our men and women they can give a morale boost to. 

The second thing I want to give a shout out to is the "In The Mood" exhibit over at the Phoenix Art Museum (http://www.phxart.org/exhibition/exhibitioninthemood.php).  This exhibit, which is focused on World War II fashion, has been going on since April but is ending August 15th.  It's worth going to see.  I took my nine year old son to the museum in May to see the Ansel Adams exhibit (which is no longer there) and ended up spending the better part of the day wandering around.  The museum has been recently renovated and is fantastic.  It is a wonderful way to spend even a small part of your day.  You can find all of the admission times and prices using the above link.  But get over there before this fashion exhibit is gone for good.

So get out there and do something with yourself this weekend.

Upcoming events this weekend

Every Saturday night there's a informal car show held at 20959 N 83rd Ave in Peoria. It's in the old Safeway parking lot.  Since Safeway shut down at this location, there's usually plenty of parking.  There's a Panda Express, Sardella's Pizza and a Berry Good Frozen Yogurt shop right in the parking lot.  The cars start showing up around 5:00 pm so grab a bite to eat and then enjoy the cars. 

I went in late May and saw this...

For those into music instead...

There's another Glendale Summer Band Concert coming up this Thursday night at 8:00 pm.  This is a free concert held in Historic Downtown Glendale at the Glendale Amphitheater located at 5850 W. Glendale Ave.  Bring the whole family and enjoy a balmy evening listening to music.

Want something a little cooler?  How about Movies at the Museum? 

Head over to the Tempe History Museum at 809 E Southern (corner of Rural and Southern) to see free screenings of Pixar movies.  This weekend's movie is...

A Bug's Life - Saturday, July 24th at 11:00 am and Sunday, July 25th at 2:00 pm
Call for more info: 480-350-510

Friday Nite Lights

If you're anything like me, you're probably trying to avoid doing a whole lot during the worst part of the day lately.  I've been spending a lot of time inside my air conditioned cocoon with a good book (or seven).  

Phoenix is nothing if not warm during the months of July and August but it seems that this year it might be a tad bit worse than normal.  Normally during the monsoon we get the benefit of slightly cooler temperatures to compensate for our slightly higher humidity.  I think someone needs to inform Mother Nature that she forgot to drop the temps and might have cranked the humidity a bit too much on us this year.  At the risk of causing raucous laughter throughout the Midwest, it's dang humid down here lately.  In light of the unpleasantness of midday, it's probably a good time to do more things during the cooler part of the day.  Which brings me to Friday Nite Lights...

On the third Fridays of the month starting in June, Historic Downtown Glendale comes alive from 5pm til 9pm.  This Friday, the 16th, head on down to Catlin Court (east of 58th Avenue and Palmaire) to enjoy some outdoor time that won't leave you feeling like you just climbed out your O'Keefe & Merritt.  Enjoy a nice meal or just take a relaxing walk on the brick lined sidewalks while listening to a local band serenade you.  And if you happen to find something you just can't resist at one of the local shops, well that's just a bonus in my book.

So, get your hibernating done during the day and convince your sweetie to take you to Friday Nite Lights.  It could just become your newest summertime tradition.