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Vol. 2 Issue 11

Festivus For The Rest Of Us!

An Alternative Holiday

Fat Bike Fever Big Wheels

Ocean Prime’s Lobster Bisque

Cultural Participation at ASU Gammage Theater

ASUGammage.com

In 1957, ASU past President Grady Gammage had a vision to create a distinct university auditorium on the campus of Arizona State University. He called on close friend and famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright to assist with the project. As luck would have, Wright had a design prepared for an opera house in Baghdad, Iraq that did not come to fruition that he decided to use for this theater.

Today, ASU Gammage is a world-class arts presenting organization, which brings the best of the performing arts to Arizona. As a leader in the arts world, ASU Gammage also produces new works, artist residencies and education programs that foster the great artists of today and empower the artists of tomorrow. These Cultural Participation programs are the heart and soul of ASU Gammage and allow artists to go beyond a classroom, stage, workshop or performance to change lives for the better. These programs make a difference in our community and connect with people through shared experiences. The impact of these Cultural Participation programs last a lifetime.

Our goal is to entertain and challenge our audience by presenting new, diverse and thoughtprovoking performance opportunities. It is our privilege to be a key component of the cultural landscape of the Valley.

Source: ASUGammage.com

Celebrate Festivus!

BIG Wheels L

ooking to get off the beaten path this winter, or try some new wheels in the snow? Consider a fat bike, those cool off-road bikes you may have seen around town or where they really belong … up in the mountains. These big wheels are all the rage right now and they are proving to be lots of fun for young and old alike. These monster bikes can take you places you never thought a conventional bike could ever go before.

R

eady for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? No matter your religious beliefs or background, December often revolves around shopping, wrapping, and the general frenzy of getting everything done for friends and family. We’re often so caught up in the commercialism of the season that we forget to find the true joy of simple togetherness.

Well, perhaps that’s where Festivus comes in. Fans of the hit sitcom Seinfeld will know exactly what it means if someone says to them, “Happy Festivus” on December 23rd. For those not in the know, Festivus is described on its Facebook page (yes, it has its own Facebook following) as “the perfect secular theme for an all-inclusive December gathering.”

First introduced to the public on Seinfeld in 1997 in the episode called “The Strike,” Festivus was created by George Costanza’s father. In the show, he recalls a day when he went Christmas shopping for a doll for George and another shopper grabbed the last doll at the same time as he did, prompting Mr. Costanza to declare, “There has got to be a better way!” And so the secular holiday of Festivus, which he dubbed “A holiday for the rest of us,” was born. Based on an actual made-up holiday of one of the show’s writers, Festivus is a parody or a nonsense holiday, but one that is actually being celebrated on or around December 23rd each year, whether in jest or not. Festivus poles have even found a spot in some public parks and buildings alongside more traditional religious symbols.

A few elements of this increasingly popular, albeit offbeat, alternative holiday include displaying a bare aluminum bar in place of an elaborate Christmas tree or a menorah; the custom known as the “Airing of Grievances,” in which people can tell close ones everything they’ve done to bother them during the past year; and a strange event known as the “Feats of Strength,” in which the host of the celebration must be pinned to the ground by a guest. Although these ideas may seem bizarre and perhaps better left on a sitcom, the idea of a holiday that brings people together and takes the emphasis off the commercialism may be just the thing for you and your family.

After all, as the Grinch taught us many years before, the holidays are about love, sharing, and creating a sense of togetherness, not about material gifts. Happy Festivus!

YOUR HOME

bikers to places a standard bike simply cannot go. They are amazing for off-roading on hiking trails, sandy beaches where bikes would simply get stuck before, and of course snowy mountains and trails.

So next time you’re heading to the hills and considering cross country skiing or snowshoeing, try renting a fat bike if you don’t already own one yourself. The fat tires will allow you to float over the snow providing a smooth, sweet ride … and quite a workout as well. Just be sure you are able to control your ride and that you respect those on the trail who may not be used to seeing bikes in the snow. Not all Nordic tracks are open to bikes, so be sure to check all rules before riding.

“snowshoes for your mountain bike”

But what exactly is a fat bike, and how is it different than a mountain bike? As you may have guessed, the tires on these trail bikes are very wide, providing excellent traction for all sorts of terrain, from snow and sand to dirt and rocks and everything in between. Just how wide do these wheels get? While a standard mountain bike’s tires are usually a bit more than two inches in width, a fat bike’s tires are usually double that or more. And because fat tires require less tire pressure (often less than 10 PSI), there is more rubber coming in contact with the ground.

That makes for a more stable, more upright ride, and creates a bike that is especially awesome at gliding over snow and ice. Think of them as snowshoes for your mountain bike.

Because the tires are so wide, however, you can’t just swap them out for the tires on your tried and true mountain bike. It does usually require purchasing a separate fat bike, which can typically set you back about $1500 and up. But fanatics say it’s worth the cost, mostly because of the access it gives you to the great outdoors, taking avid

Lobster Bisque

INGREDIENTS

LOCAL FLAVOR!

LOCAL VENUE

1 lb ¼ lb 1 1 1/4 c 1/4 c 2

lobster bodies butter carrot celery rib diced onion button mushroom cloves of garlic

1 2 tbsp 2 c 1/4 c 1/2 c 1 qt Pinch

bay leaf flour clam juice dry sherry white wine cream cayenne

DIRECTIONS Rinse then roast the lobster bodies at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes. In the meantime sauté all vegetables in butter until caramelized. Crush the roasted shells and add them to the vegetables. Add flour to the vegetables and shell mix to make a roux and cook for 5 minutes. Deglaze with wine and sherry then add clam juice and simmer for another 10 minutes. Finish with cream and simmer until thickened. Salt and pepper to taste and finish with cayenne. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and serve.

Ocean-Prime.com | 480.347.1313

ASUGammage.com

In 1957, ASU past President Grady Gammage had a vision to create a distinct university auditorium on the campus of Arizona State University. He called on close friend and famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright to assist with the project. As luck would have, Wright had a design prepared for an opera house in Baghdad, Iraq that did not come to fruition that he decided to use for this theater.

Today, ASU Gammage is a world-class arts presenting organization, which brings the best of the performing arts to Arizona. As a leader in the arts world, ASU Gammage also produces new works, artist residencies and education programs that foster the great artists of today and empower the artists of tomorrow. These Cultural Participation programs are the heart and soul of ASU Gammage and allow artists to go beyond a classroom, stage, workshop or performance to change lives for the better. These programs make a difference in our community and connect with people through shared experiences. The impact of these Cultural Participation programs last a lifetime.

Our goal is to entertain and challenge our audience by presenting new, diverse and thoughtprovoking performance opportunities. It is our privilege to be a key component of the cultural landscape of the Valley.

Source: ASUGammage.com

Celebrate Festivus!

BIG Wheels L

ooking to get off the beaten path this winter, or try some new wheels in the snow? Consider a fat bike, those cool off-road bikes you may have seen around town or where they really belong … up in the mountains. These big wheels are all the rage right now and they are proving to be lots of fun for young and old alike. These monster bikes can take you places you never thought a conventional bike could ever go before.

R

eady for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? No matter your religious beliefs or background, December often revolves around shopping, wrapping, and the general frenzy of getting everything done for friends and family. We’re often so caught up in the commercialism of the season that we forget to find the true joy of simple togetherness.

Well, perhaps that’s where Festivus comes in. Fans of the hit sitcom Seinfeld will know exactly what it means if someone says to them, “Happy Festivus” on December 23rd. For those not in the know, Festivus is described on its Facebook page (yes, it has its own Facebook following) as “the perfect secular theme for an all-inclusive December gathering.”

First introduced to the public on Seinfeld in 1997 in the episode called “The Strike,” Festivus was created by George Costanza’s father. In the show, he recalls a day when he went Christmas shopping for a doll for George and another shopper grabbed the last doll at the same time as he did, prompting Mr. Costanza to declare, “There has got to be a better way!” And so the secular holiday of Festivus, which he dubbed “A holiday for the rest of us,” was born. Based on an actual made-up holiday of one of the show’s writers, Festivus is a parody or a nonsense holiday, but one that is actually being celebrated on or around December 23rd each year, whether in jest or not. Festivus poles have even found a spot in some public parks and buildings alongside more traditional religious symbols.

A few elements of this increasingly popular, albeit offbeat, alternative holiday include displaying a bare aluminum bar in place of an elaborate Christmas tree or a menorah; the custom known as the “Airing of Grievances,” in which people can tell close ones everything they’ve done to bother them during the past year; and a strange event known as the “Feats of Strength,” in which the host of the celebration must be pinned to the ground by a guest. Although these ideas may seem bizarre and perhaps better left on a sitcom, the idea of a holiday that brings people together and takes the emphasis off the commercialism may be just the thing for you and your family.

After all, as the Grinch taught us many years before, the holidays are about love, sharing, and creating a sense of togetherness, not about material gifts. Happy Festivus!

YOUR HOME

bikers to places a standard bike simply cannot go. They are amazing for off-roading on hiking trails, sandy beaches where bikes would simply get stuck before, and of course snowy mountains and trails.

So next time you’re heading to the hills and considering cross country skiing or snowshoeing, try renting a fat bike if you don’t already own one yourself. The fat tires will allow you to float over the snow providing a smooth, sweet ride … and quite a workout as well. Just be sure you are able to control your ride and that you respect those on the trail who may not be used to seeing bikes in the snow. Not all Nordic tracks are open to bikes, so be sure to check all rules before riding.

“snowshoes for your mountain bike”

But what exactly is a fat bike, and how is it different than a mountain bike? As you may have guessed, the tires on these trail bikes are very wide, providing excellent traction for all sorts of terrain, from snow and sand to dirt and rocks and everything in between. Just how wide do these wheels get? While a standard mountain bike’s tires are usually a bit more than two inches in width, a fat bike’s tires are usually double that or more. And because fat tires require less tire pressure (often less than 10 PSI), there is more rubber coming in contact with the ground.

That makes for a more stable, more upright ride, and creates a bike that is especially awesome at gliding over snow and ice. Think of them as snowshoes for your mountain bike.

Because the tires are so wide, however, you can’t just swap them out for the tires on your tried and true mountain bike. It does usually require purchasing a separate fat bike, which can typically set you back about $1500 and up. But fanatics say it’s worth the cost, mostly because of the access it gives you to the great outdoors, taking avid

Lobster Bisque

INGREDIENTS

LOCAL FLAVOR!

LOCAL VENUE

1 lb ¼ lb 1 1 1/4 c 1/4 c 2

lobster bodies butter carrot celery rib diced onion button mushroom cloves of garlic

1 2 tbsp 2 c 1/4 c 1/2 c 1 qt Pinch

bay leaf flour clam juice dry sherry white wine cream cayenne

DIRECTIONS Rinse then roast the lobster bodies at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes. In the meantime sauté all vegetables in butter until caramelized. Crush the roasted shells and add them to the vegetables. Add flour to the vegetables and shell mix to make a roux and cook for 5 minutes. Deglaze with wine and sherry then add clam juice and simmer for another 10 minutes. Finish with cream and simmer until thickened. Salt and pepper to taste and finish with cayenne. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and serve.

Ocean-Prime.com | 480.347.1313

Integrity Based, Service Driven!

I Bonnie Burke

n today’s challenging real estate market, selecting the right real estate agent is crucial. Working with a full time, seasoned Real Estate professional, such as myself, makes all the difference in the world!

480.720.8001 Bonnie@BonnieBurke.com For my buyers, I search until I find the perfect property and I help negotiate the best possible deal.

Nothing satisfies me more than seeing the smiles that come from a successful sale or purchase.

My intimate knowledge of the Valley area is derived from my 32 years extensive experience as a Real Estate professional here in Arizona. I work diligently to make sure my buyers and sellers meet their real estate goals.

As your listing agent, my extensive marketing plan provides you the opportunity to get the maximum value for your home.

BonnieBurke.com ABR, CDPE, CIAS, CLHMS, CRS, e-Pro, GRI

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

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