As the ever-witty Mark Twain once wrote, ”Everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it.” Well, this weekend we decided to do something about the insanely-hot weather by getting the hell out of town. After contemplating all the staycation hotspots compiled by our pals at Local First Arizona, we decided to go another direction altogether. In fact, we took a road trip back in time, to an era when men were men, women wore poodle skirts, and everybody smoked cigarettes like they were going out of style.

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While you we were out slamming shots of tequila on Cinco de Mayo, a certain Arizona resort was hosting an extraordinary gathering of the world’s richest people. We’re talking mega-billionaires such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffett—all partying at a super-secret conference hosted at the crazy-posh Miraval Resort outside of Tucson. You know, the place Oprah stays when she’s doing the desert hideaway thing.

So what were these jet-setting titans of industry up to? Plotting world domination, no doubt. Or, even more diabolically, rigging the vote to get Casey Abrams voted off American Idol? Nope, they we’re discussing the best way to give away their billions to charity.

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From deep-fried delights and frozen tipples, to John Dillinger and Dudley “Booger” Dawson, these are a few of our favorite (Tucson) things. Missed our original list, click here to learn why “You Can’t Buy Love” in the Old Pueblo.

Ask any Tucson resident about Lucky Wishbone, and more than likely they’ll start singing a silly little diddy about, “Chicken, shrimp and steakfingers, too … Good things are goin’, at Lucky Wishbone.” (Click here to hear the song.) That’s because this famed fried-chicken spot, which first opened in 1953, has become a local landmark, with eight locations across Greater Tucson. All of which raises a serious question: what the hell is a steakfinger? Think of it as fishsticks for landlubbers, a breaded and deep-fried hunk of round steak, like a chicken fried steak that made to eat on the go.

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Grab your cowboy boots and brush up your boot-scootin’ boogie as Country Thunder rolls into the Florence, AZ this weekend. A host of everyone’s favorite down home artists will be hittin’ the stage like Martina McBride, Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Rodney Atkins, Little Big Town, Sarah Evans, Clay Walker and everyone’s favorite bar owner, Toby Keith.

If you are wondering what to do once you get there (aside from drink, dance and shout “ye-haw!” repeatedly) we got a few recommendations from a Florence local. »READ MORE

It seems crazy considering we’ve already tasted triple-digit-temps here in the Valley, but it’s not too late to hit the ski slopes this season. Perched above Flagstaff, Arizona Snowbowl already planned on reopening for one final hurrah this April 8 – 10. And now this latest Spring storm is expected to plaster the mountain with nearly a foot of fresh powder!

So it should be quite the snowy shindig atop the San Francisco Peaks this weekend, with live music planned for the deck of the main lodge, and all-day tix priced at $25 (and only $20 if you buy them online on Snowbowl’s somewhat-clunky website).

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Remember that little rain storm last week? Well, the water may be long gone from the Valley streets, but there’s still a dusting of fresh powder up on the San Francisco Peaks outside of Flagstaff. In fact, Arizona Snowbowl has decided to extend its season through April 3 daily, with a special bonus weekend of April 8 – 10. Which is not as good as last year, when the particularly wet winter extended the ski season thorough mid-April. But still pretty boss considering a few years back when the ongoing AZ drought kept the ski resort closed for all but four days.

More important, it looks like this will be the last season Snowbowl has to rely entirely on Mother Nature, as the owners have won another battle in their longstanding battle to add snowmaking machines to the resort as early as next November.

Image via

According to the East Valley Tribune, the state government is looking to lower its crushing debt by getting into the sign-selling business.Which is great news and all, but more important, where is this highway exit that ran along with the article (pictured at left), and can we make it there in time to order a Bob’s Big Boy Double Decker burger for lunch?

Image via East Valley Tribune

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How crazy-cool is this? You’ve heard of the gourmet food truck trend, right? (If not, get your tummy to the Downtown Phoenix Public Market, toots sweet!) Well now one ski resort in California is offering gourmet burritos served mountainside out of a snowcat. Yes, next time you’re carving up the slopes at Mammoth Mountain keep your eye out for these all-new Roving Mammoths.

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So what do you do with an open pit copper mine once you’ve scrapped out all the precious metals? Well, if you’re the town of Bisbee, AZ you could build this wild underground skyscraper.

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OK, so technically this news won’t blow your mind. But it might just keep your head from exploding next time you have to pick up a pal from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Yes, airport officials have finally admitted what most passengers have known for years: Sky Harbor’s signage is hopelessly confusing.

According to a report in the AZ Republic, the signs, which were installed in the mid-1990s, contain too much information and can confuse drivers. Plus, a sign directing drivers to ‘East Valley Cities’ doesn’t really mean much to someone who isn’t from Phoenix, airport officials admitted.

So how much will clarity cost? A cool $20M. Man, for that kind of money you’d think we could get an actual Terminal 1, instead of just Terminals 2-4. Sounds like we’ll have to content ourselves with slightly less crappy meals in the food court, and maybe taking a ride on the airport’s new $1.1B roller coaster ride.

As proud Phoenicians, no one likes to tweak the noses of Tucsonans more than us. However, in light of this weekend’s terrible tragedy in the Old Pueblo, we’re dedicating today’s Scoop to everything we love about Tucson. From deep-fried delights and frozen tipples, to John Dillinger and Dudley “Booger” Dawson, these are a few of our favorite (Tucson) things.

For decades, people in Phoenix and Tucson have argued about which town can lay claim to the Chimichanga, i.e. the heart-attack-on-a-plate known as the deep-fried burrito. Some say it was invented in 1922 by Monica Flin, the founder of Tucson’s famed El Charro Cafe, while other insist it was created decades later in Phoenix by Macayo’s founder, Woody Johnson. However, after visiting both restaurants, we’re happy to hand the title over to El Charro.

Image via Monsters and Critics

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Every now and zen, the spa is exactly what you need to relax and come to terms with the colossal mess that is your life. We kid, but if you do find yourself cursing uncontrollably in rush hour traffic or on the verge of a mental breakdown if your morning coffee isn’t the right temperature, perhaps it’s time to consider meditation with The Boulders Resort’s in-house Buddhist monk. No, seriously.

Offered at The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa this January 29 – 30 and only $25 per session, Buddhist monk, Bahante Sujatha, can help you find your inner peace and happiness through loving, kindness and meditation. »READ MORE

Don’t you just hate it when you’re out long-distance skating and a boat motors by, breaking up the ice and leaving you floating in the middle of the ice-cold ocean? Well that just happened in Sweden. And not only was this couple rescued by helicopter after calling the cops on their cellphones, but the rescuers snapped these stunning pics along the way.

Morals of the story, always bring along a phone while skating on the open ocean, and Swedish people are much crazier cooler than we are.

See more amazing pics after the jump

Images via Gawker

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Sinkholes in Sedona are one thing. But don’t you dare mess with our fav summertime getaway. Yes, while the Valley shivers its way through a nasty cold streak, San Diego is still recovering from weeks of rain and flooding. Most recently, a 12-foot-wide, 18-foot-deep sinkhole opened up overnight right next to an apartment building.

To paraphrase “The Simpsons” news anchor, Kent Brockman, it sounds like it’s time to panic.

Image of an 2009 sinkhole in San Diego

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It’s been an up and down year for our local ski resorts. Local ski bums were, well, bummed to hear Sunrise Park Resort might be buried under an avalanche of financial difficulties. However, over in Flagstaff, a major court victory means Arizona Snowbowl could be rolling out snowmaking capabilities as early as next ski season. Not to mention the recently-announced plans to add an indoor ski slope here in the Valley.

And now, the storm system hovering over the state is bringing honest-to-goodness snow to the Valley’s winter wonderlands. Check out the full ski report after the jump.

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As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it.

Enough with the airport security stunts, people! The latest is a Phoenix-based frequent flier who decided to strut through Sky Harbor in his Speedo, saying he’s fed up with having to get a physical patdown due to his artificial hip. Of course, this so-called protest comes on the high heels of another cry for help video featuring an attention-starved Valley resident/former Playboy Bunny.

Even creepier, this latest footage was shot by the man’s daughter, so he could  prove he “wasn’t packing anything that might’ve been considered dangerous.” Sounds like Sheriff Joe needs to break out his old Speedo and start a TSA protester posse. See the ridiculous footage after the jump.

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As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it.

Ugh! So a day after a YouTube video surfaced of a wheelchair-bound woman waiting at airport security wearing nothing but a bra and panties (and her lap dog), ABC 15 caught up with this patriotic Phoenix resident, plastic surgery junkie (Updated: and former Playboy Bunny). Dr. Tammy Banovac (doctor?) says she showed up at the Oklahoma airport wearing nothing but lingerie under her to coat to protest a previous TSA patdown that was practically ‘sexual assault.’ So naturally, the only solution was to arrive at security nearly naked, only to be sent home when nitrates … Oh who cares? Enjoy your 15 seconds of fame, Botox Barbie.

See the ridiculous interview after the jump.

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Calling all gossip girls and dirty laundry-loving dudes, it’s DLT’s column dedicated to the Valley’s juiciest rumors, spottings and innuendos. Check in regularly for the latest (unconfirmable), but too-good-to-not-be true tidbits.

Sky Harbor sure has been in the news a lot lately. From nearly-naked passengers and in-flight doggie drama, to the ongoing construction of a $1.1 billion roller-coaster ride, it’s been a busy month at the Valley’s busiest airport. Not to mention the continued turbulence surrounding Sky Harbor’s attempt to upgrade it’s crappy, super-corporate food offerings.

However, we finally have some happy flying news to report. Guess which famed local chef has been hired to upgrade Sky Harbor’s food into a first-class, locally-focused operation?

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And so the wacky Phoenix flying news continues. Yesterday, a Newark to Phoenix flight had to make an unscheduled landing in Pittsburgh after a 12-year-old named Mandy went on an in-flight biting spree. Turns out this little terrorist was a little grumpy after waking up from her nap. Oh, and she’s also a dog.

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Sorry to break up the endless stream of topless TSA protesters, but we’ve got something much more terrifying to freak out about. Looks like a shark off the Egyptian coast is gobbling up tourists in a gruesome scene right out of “Jaws.” According to reports, a shark killed a German woman snorkeling in the ocean outside of a popular Egyptian tourist town. This just days after authorities had announced that fisherman had captured a White Tip shark (pictured) suspected of mauling four additional swimmers in the last week alone.

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Enough with the airport security stunts, people! The latest is a Phoenix-based frequent flier who decided to strut through Sky Harbor in his Speedo, saying he’s fed up with having to get an physical patdown due to his artificial hip. Of course, this so-called protest comes on the high heels of another cry for help video featuring an attention-starved Valley resident/former Playboy Bunny.

Even creepier, this latest footage was shot by the man’s daughter, so he could  prove he “wasn’t packing anything that might’ve been considered dangerous.” Sounds like Sheriff Joe needs to break out his old Speedo and start a TSA protester posse. See the ridiculous footage after the jump.

Image via AZ Family

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As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it.

Ugh! So a day after a YouTube video surfaced of a wheelchair-bound woman waiting at airport security wearing nothing but a bra and panties (and her lap dog), ABC 15 caught up with this patriotic Phoenix resident, plastic surgery junkie (Updated: and former Playboy Bunny). Dr. Tammy Banovac (doctor?) says she showed up at the Oklahoma airport wearing nothing but lingerie under her to coat to protest a previous TSA patdown that was practically ‘sexual assault.’ So naturally, the only solution was to arrive at security nearly naked, only to be sent home when nitrates … Oh who cares? Enjoy your 15 seconds of fame, Botox Barbie.

See the ridiculous interview after the jump.

Image via Fox 10 »READ MORE

Let Make it Snow, make it snow, make it snow. That’s what the owners of Arizona Snowbowl are saying today after another legal victory should have this ski resort outside Flagstaff rolling in artificial snow (made from treated wastewater) as early as next November. Which is good news for Valley skiers and snowboarders, who have been watching Arizona’s only other large-scale ski resort slowly melt away. Looks like we won’t have to wait around for that proposed indoor ski park after all.

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Ugh! So a day after a YouTube video surfaced of a wheelchair-bound woman waiting at airport security wearing nothing but a bra and panties (and her lap dog), ABC 15 caught up with this patriotic Phoenix resident, plastic surgery junkie (Updated: and former Playboy Bunny). Dr. Tammy Banovac (doctor?) says she showed up at the Oklahoma airport wearing nothing but lingerie under her to coat to protest a previous TSA patdown that was practically ‘sexual assault.’ So naturally, the only solution was to arrive at security nearly naked, only to be sent home when nitrates … Oh who cares? Enjoy your 15 seconds of fame, Botox Barbie.

See the ridiculous interview after the jump.

Image via Fox 10
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Just as the icy weather had us digging the ski rack out of deep storage, comes this wintertime wipeout. Conditions are not looking so hot (cold?) at the state’s largest ski park, as Sunrise Ski Resort recently announced it will only be opening one of its three mountains this season. This on the heels of another setback in Arizona Snowbowl‘s eight-year-long battle to add snowmaking machines to its slopes overlooking Flagstaff.

In other words, maybe it’s time to get serious about building that proposed indoor Ski park here in the Valley.

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