30 JULY 2022 T he romance of Route 66 still captivates people worldwide, as a piece of Americana stretches from Chicago to Los Angeles and makes a few pit-stops right through Arizona. If you want to get your kicks on Route 66, how about a road trip? Kingman is an important part of pop culture that even includes Hollywood. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were married there, Frank Sinatra and other members of the Rat Pack liked to pop in for a bite on their way in and out of Las Vegas, and even John Wayne spent a little time in the town. One of Kingman’s very own is a Hollywood legend himself, and hence Kingman’s main drag was renamed after him. “Andy Devine Avenue” was named after a local folk hero whose acting career happened by accident. Devine was standing on a street corner in Hollywood when he was “discovered.” Once they heard Andy’s squeaky, raspy voice, he became a studio favorite and would go on to make more than 400 film and TV appearances. Driving into Kingman, vacationers will pass by plenty of 66 kitsch. Gift shops, gas stations, motels and diners line both sides of the main drag. Pull into Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner. Nostalgia is front and center in this fun bubble gum pink and mid-modern blue malt shop, complete with its 50s vibe. Burgers, fries, splits and shakes are perfect for rocking around the clock to the oldies. Mr. D’z serves breakfast, lunch and dinner all day long; be sure to try the Creamy Carmel Root Beer, a fan favorite. The Mohave County Historical Society has a great walking tour map highlighting historical buildings, architecture, public art and murals. The Arizona Route 66 Museum was built inside this old powerhouse. Since Kingman sits in the heart of what is now the longest remaining stretch of Route 66, this is where the history of the Mother Road – from the dust bowl migration to its pop-culture resurgence – is traced and celebrated. Check out the award-winning Desert Diamond Distillery while you’re here, too! They offer tours and a place where you can belly up to an old Las Vegas Strip bar that was once a favorite hangout of the Rat Pack. The tasting flight comes with a keepsake glass. Guests can grab a bite at the Last Rail Car Restaurant, a historic #30 Pullman for all the train buffs. According to the reviews, this is a place that attracts people from across the globe. Hualapai Mountain Park offers ten miles of great outdoor trails for hikers and mountain bikers to explore. Situated atop the Hualapai Mountains, this trail system began because of Roosevelt’s New Deal in 1936 and was completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Trails can take hikers to elevations from 4,984 to 8,417 feet (about the height of Mount St. Helens), so check the weather and dress accordingly. These elevations let guests experience different mountain inhabitants, including elk, deer, raccoon and fox. I am not sure whether it is the allure of Route 66, its historic charm, Hollywood history, scenic outdoor beauty, restaurants, or Americana kitsch that makes Kingman unforgettable. I know this: it is truly one of those great Arizona towns with an amazing story for you to discover. Kingman packs a wealth of history and fun into one Robin is the host and executive producer of the Arizona Highways Television , Saturdays and Sundays on CBS. BY ROBIN SEWELL Robins Adventures Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BETH WAND 480.207.5070 arcadiapediatricdental.com Is It Time To Schedule Your Child's Summer Dentist Appointment!

31 JULY 2022 By Jennifer Marshall ARCADIA CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION From Camelback Mountain south to east Indian School Road, and from 44th Street to 64th Street, the ACMNA (Arcadia Camelback Mountain Neighborhood Association) represents residential neighborhoods and their community interests. The ACMNA was established in 1987, with “the purpose of preserving the appealing ambiance and qualities that make our neighborhood such an enviable place to live. These qualities include: the non- commercial, family-friendly and single- family residential character; our generous setbacks within large lots, and a green desert oasis with broad lawns and the historic citrus trees that shade us from the summer heat and stand as a symbol of our unique area.” The ACMNA recently welcomed its new president, Michael Phillips, to the neighborhood. Phillips and his family moved to Phoenix from North Carolina in 2018. “We instantly fell in love,” Phillips said, “and we chose Arcadia because of the neighborhood feel and how the strength of the community has helped preserve the charm that sets this place apart from other areas.” The residents’ passion and commitment to preserving the neighborhood’s integrity are what has and what continues to fuel the objectives and momentum of the ACMNA. The Board is continually donating their time and energy in service to making the neighborhood the best it can be in every capacity. “Community involvement is something I highly value, and I feel that working with the ACMNA is the most effective way of donating my time and energy,” Phillips said. In meeting its objectives and fulfilling its mission, the ACMNA often works with the City of Phoenix. Together, they host various events that keep the community connected. The annual “Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods” event is a picnic held at Hopi Elementary, which brings folks of all ages together to focus on improving their community in terms of general safety and happiness. The ACMNA and the City of Phoenix also host a car show, a children-volunteer food drive, Halloween Trunk or Treat and Adopt-a-Street cleanup each year. “I’m honored to be helping to serve the community in the expanded role of president,” Phillips said, “and I look forward to building on the momentum this group has generated over the years.” acmna.org ARCADIA OSBORN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION Founded in 1997, Arcadia Osborn Neighborhood Association (AONA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to “connecting neighbors and protecting quality of life.” The boundaries are Indian School and Thomas, from 56th St. to 40th St. “AONA volunteers protect our neighborhood by focusing on public safety and also urban planning and zoning,” Vice President Neal Haddad said. “Connecting and protecting our neighborhood and the people in it is the core of what we do.” Haddad said that the AONA works on issues related to the neighborhood and often partners with other neighborhood associations on infrastructure, like the 56th St. improvement plan, public safety issues such as the policing of the 48th St. linear park, and zoning issues such as the use of digital billboards. The AONA hosts an annual Fall Festival. Haddad said last year nearly 1,000 people attended the event, making it one of the largest for any City of Phoenix neighborhood G.A.I.N. event. AONA also hosts its annual community- wide Yard Sale in February, and recently held a Food Truck Night last October. AONA will be back to holding monthly board meetings that are open to the public beginning in August. They are looking for volunteers. Also coming up is the Arcadia Fourth of July Parade and fireworks on Monday, July 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the corner of 52nd St. and E. Osborn, thanks to Barry and Joan Paceley. arcadiaosbornphx.com What’s new in the neighborhood? Arcadia News reached out to our neighborhood associations for the latest news and information. Michael Phillips By Jennifer Marshall St. Theresa Catholic School held all the usual pomp and circumstance as their eighth-graders finished the school year: awards assemblies, a school-wide prayer and a graduation ceremony. However, one of their celebrations was a little unorthodox, but a lot of fun: the annual Teachers vs. Students volleyball tournament. Eighth-grade teacher Mary Beth Abbot said that the original teachers vs. students volleyball game was held sometime around 1982 and began when a few eighth-graders played their teachers during an activity to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. “Catholic Schools Week is five days of celebrating the value that Catholic education brings to society,” parent Beth Wand said. Wand explained that each day has a different theme and may involve treats, games or other fun activities. Usually, there’s a free dress day or a themed day, like “neon clothes day.” “It’s a big deal to have free dress when the norm is a uniform! This year, we kicked off the week with a party and open house after mass on Sunday,” Wand said. Six teams of eighth-graders participated in this year’s volleyball match. The individual teams dressed in a theme to make the tournament even more fun and inventive. One featured the characters from the Toy Story movie franchise, while another team represented the Power Rangers . The remaining teams boasted famous world leaders, “the good ole boys,” complete with mullets and handlebar mustaches, Soulja Girl (based on the rapper Soulja Boy), and Lucha Libre wrestlers. “It was a fun day,” Wand said. “The eighth-graders won two to one, and it was tied after the first two games. No one remembers the final scores of each game – we were all having too much fun!” “My favorite part was being together with friends and having fun with my class,” student Carsten Ellingson said. “We had six people on our team and dressed up as ‘backwoods boys.’ I also played in the championship game which was a mixture of boys and girls from various teams.” As Carsten heads to Brophy next year, he said the biggest thing he’ll miss is the St. Theresa teachers because of their guidance and support. “A number of parents attended and you could hear a combination of cheers, laughter and applause throughout the gym,” Carsten’s mom, Kate, said. She said the best part was seeing the creativity of each team and their smiles. “The camaraderie during the matches was palpable and you can’t help but to get brought into the fun,” she said. Student Zoe Martin’s favorite part of the tournament was being able to play against the teachers that she had known since preschool. “I got to run around the gym dressed up in a costume and we ended up beating the teachers!” she said. There were nine people in Zoe’s group and they dressed up as characters from Toy Story – Zoe was Mr. Potato Head. What’s more, Zoe’s dad Brett was one of the refs at this year’s game. “I was asked by one of the moms to be the ref – it was worth it to see the look on Zoe’s face,” Brett laughed. “It’s so great to see how excited the eighth graders were to dress up, let loose and be able to act like teenagers.” Eighth-graders win bragging rights at this year’s tournament Famous Leaders: Finn Sheridan, Nicholas Comedy-Love, Mael Huarcaya, Lucas Fissore, Brody Londrigan and Jake Glow. Toy Story cast: Abby Longmuir, Jessica Collins, Izzy Catton, Zoe Martin, Andrea Segura-Gonzalez, Katie Bizzozero, Mary Devereux Brunner and Jordan Keeler. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BETH WAND