42 MAY 2023 T he small town of Superior is tucked between Picket Post Mountain and Apache Leap. It’s surrounded by the beautiful Sonoran Desert and Tonto National Forest. Superior is full of commentary and color, reflecting the town’s rich history and vibrant personality. Some people even call it the Mayberry of the Southwest. It’s a town that has seen a significant resurgence over the last few years. One way to get to know the town is to pick up a map at the Chamber of Commerce and take a self-guided tour of the murals that depict the town’s charm, character and characters. A must-stop on the way into Superior is Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Here, visitors will immerse themselves in the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, the South American desert, Australia, Africa, and Asia. The Arboretum is home to gardens and deserts of the world. Every season has something in bloom, creating an ever-changing color palette among the garden’s 6,000-plus plant species. One of the most enthralling areas of the Arboretum is the eucalyptus trees. They have 103 species, all collected from different sources. The oldest is 100 years old! Visitors say walking through the forest, smelling the wonderful scent and looking at the birds is something everyone should experience. Visitors can even take home a living souvenir. Boyce Thompson Arboretum is getting ready to celebrate its 100th anniversary. This fall, they will kick off months-long celebrations starting with a sustainable “green” gala. They will also host several art exhibits that show how the gardens have changed and thrived over the past century, as well as a special hedgehog cactus exhibit. Mr. Thompson discovered the hedgehog cactus, so it’s their very own species. Visiting Superior on a Saturday from September through May, guests should stop by the Farm-to-Fantastic farmer’s market. It is abuzz with energy, alive with excitement and where guests will find homemade and locally produced products from Superior and the surrounding communities. The market includes cookies, bread, soaps, and custom-made artwork. Part of the beauty of this small town is the outdoors, both the mountains and the desert. Superior tries to hone in on that and get people outside through many events throughout the year, like organized hikes, parades, carnivals, and even an annual burro run. The festivals celebrate Superior’s heritage and the Sonoran Desert. One of the most popular events is the Prickly Pear Festival, where visitors can try everything from prickly pear margaritas to salsa and prickly pear ice cream. The town of Superior is never static. Its vibe and energy are always evolving. There is always something new, exciting, and inviting just off an Arizona highway. Desert and forest surround this small Arizona town Robin is the host and executive producer of the Arizona Highways Television , Saturdays and Sundays on CBS. BY ROBIN SEWELL Robins Adventures Robins Adventures Robins Robins The Boyce Thompson Arboretum boasts over 6,000 plant species. At the Farm-to-Fantastic farmer’s market, guests can find local products. Accelerating innovation By 2032, Arizona State University will be graduating 10,000 engineering students per year. Those graduates will be needed to fill the high-tech, high-wage jobs being created in Arizona through the New Economy Initiative. Building on ASU’s role as a catalyst for economic growth and resilience, the New Economy Initiative prioritizes accessible, high-quality education to create Arizona’s future workforce and innovative research that helps to attract, grow and retain high-tech companies. neweconomy.asu.edu Aliaksandr “Sasha” Sharstniou (right) and Bruno Aliaksandr “Sasha” Sharstniou (right) and Bruno Azeredo, an assistant professor of manufacturing Azeredo, an assistant professor of manufacturing engineering. Sharstniou is preparing to begin a engineering. Sharstniou is preparing to begin a new position at Intel in Arizona after earning his new position at Intel in Arizona after earning his doctorate in materials science and engineering doctorate in materials science and engineering from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. New grads for a new economy

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