With Arizona celebrating 100 years of statehood this past Tuesday, we thought it fitting to kick off our weekly column with a very informative and interesting article found on ModernPhoenix.net written by Douglas Towne detailing the rise and fall of Van Buren. The well-known street was once a hub of tourist activity and considered the “Eastern Gateway” to Phoenix. As the city grew, so did Van Buren’s notoriety as the place to room overnight when traveling to or through the city. It eventually gained the term “Funset Strip” at the height of its popularity in the mid-60s because of its safe and considerably calmer resemblance to the Las Vegas alternative , according to Towne. The myriad of hotel signs have long since been removed, but you can read all about the history and growth of the road in detail here in honor of the centennial.

Image from Modern Phoenix via the collection of Douglas Towne

We love Downtown Phoenix Journal. We love them for many reasons, but the most recent reason as to why they have captured our hearts is due to this new weekly column, Bike Chic which aims to capture the street style of bike riders who populate DTP. It’s like The Sartorialist has met his hipster alter ego in the form of fashion interns and we are just obsessed. This week, we met John Damaso, a 32-year-old English Teacher who loves coffee, thrifty clothing and, of course, riding his bike. We can’t wait for next week’s segment.

If you’re a Hitchcock fan, or a regular reader of this site, it is likely you have already heard about the Arizona Theatre Company’s production of . The classic story was filled with Hithcockian suspense and excitement, but wasn’t quite as comical or metadramatic as this production. You can still go see it at Herberger Theatre Center until February 26th as reported by Jackalope Ranch as well. It would be a fun alternative to a night at the movies and a good way to take advantage of the culture that Phoenix only lacks in the minds of cynics.

Image via Jackalope Ranch

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