They play the old cowboy tunes, like “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” “Along the Navajo Trail,” “Cool, Clear Water,” and others that most people have heard.  The foursome does the songs well.  Here are samples – -

Man of Constant Sorrow

The Blazin\’ M Cowboys perform

(Our first video posts – we plan many more!)

The players – Bill Bassett, Jim Dufresne, Reno McCormick, and Sheila McCormick (yes, they are married – which adds to some of the razzing), put on a great show.  They have chemistry as a group and intersperse their performance with funny hats, silly stories and varied types of music.  They feature each performer as lead and the very quiet Jim Dufresne turns out to be exceptionally gifted and amazing as he plucks his guitar.  Bill Bassett has a great announcer persona and voice as well as doing his instrumentals; Reno McCormick is quite versatile as he plays violin (“fiddle”), banjo, guitar and mandolin; Sheila McCormick plays her bass with authority and has a strong, sweet voice.  The group has been playing together for about 10 years and it shows.

At one point, flashes of lightning and a ghost seem to appear and it is spooky and funny.  Another visitor is the infamous “Otis,” quite a character.  I won’t say more and spoil the fun. Be prepared – they even have a singalong!

So, if you have the opportunity to visit the Blazin M’ Ranch in Cottonwood, AZ, you’ll have a fun, family evening.  If you’re celebrating your birthday, you’ll even be called up to the front for recognition and a funny hat!   We were seated next to a woman who was there for her birthday.  She was grinning from ear to ear.

Yippee-ki-ay!  Come on down and join the fun!

Run by the Mabery family, Blazin’ M offers an old western town, plus a petting zoo, an all-you can-eat dinner and a rollicking cowboy show.  They have a sense of humor, too!

Just punishment? Think about it!

So, it’s a family attraction, now in its 16th year, and one that appears to have a lot of repeat visitors, plus people who come from far away.  The prize for the furthest distance traveled at our dinner show was a South American visitor!

We finally got his "good side"

The petting zoo had a llama, some turkeys, goats, chickens, donkeys, and horses.  None of them wanted to pose.  I guess we finally got their ”good” side, but they didn’t make it easy.

Petting zoo turkey didn't want to pose

We wandered by the roping practice area where a guest was learning how to rope a horse – and doing a good job, at that.

Roping practice at the Blazin' M

Several shops offered some typical tourist memorabilia, plus you could have your photo taken.  There was also cowboy attire like clothing, hats and boots in the shops.  Crafts, food items and especially women’s clothing were available.

Cowboy boots lined the wall of this shop

The Dinner part of the Dinner Theater

Magically, when the dinner bell rang, staffers who had been helping in the shops suddenly appeared in the dinner hall.

Dinner service was accomplished efficiently by taking guests table by table (everyone is seated family-style at long tables) through the food line.  And, magically, the staffers also doubled as food servers.  Those family members and staff really work hard!  It was funny seeing the rough-and-tumble looking “cowboys” wearing plastic gloves for the food service.

Dinner was much like cowboys might experience on the trail.  Lining up to receive your tin plate, you joined the line. There is a choice of chicken or beef brisket in barbecue sauce. (On the first round, then you could have whatever you wanted.) With that came cowboy beans (vegetarian), coleslaw, baked potatoes, rolls, applesauce, spice cake and basic drinks in tin cups. (Specialty sodas extra.)

A vegetarian could have most of the meal, an unusual concession, since in the Old West you ate what was available.  While not fancy, the food was filling and good.  I didn’t find the barbecue sauce cloyingly sweet like some places serve and I ate the whole slice.  The cole slaw and applesauce were very good.  Everything, except the applesauce, is made on the premises.

During dinner, a master of ceremonies works at getting people in a convivial mood.  Then, they start the dinner show.  That’s the fun part that we’ll share with you later this week.

http://www.blazinm.com

Come back later this week for the Blazin’ M dinner theatre – a rollicking, tuneful, fun time!

Shops and the atmosphere cater to students and their families.  There is also a community feel that the downtown has cultivated where individual shops, not usually part of national chains, create a fun shopping experience.  There are places to eat, like Rula Bula (a pub), Chompie’s Deli, and House of Tricks that offer unique dining experiences from easy on the budget to upscale (definitely House of Cards).

For an evening out, there is Gammage Auditorium, part of ASU’s campus.  National tours of shows like Wicked and Jersey Boys give the locals a chance to see great theater. Crowd pleasers like Phantom of the Opera and Legally Blonde, Mary Poppins and Annie join more serious fare like award-winning August: Osage County.  Prices are typically more reasonable than a Broadway show and the actors are equally talented.  (One note: sound quality may suffer in the upper regions of the theater in the last few rows.  We struggled to hear the fabulous solos of “Wicked.”)

http://www.asugammage.com/

Eating in Tempe

We wandered into the second day of a new chain restaurant in Tempe on Mill Avenue, Five Guys Burgers and Fries.  While it is a chain, it has a very homemade feel to the food.  They do not have freezers and everything is fresh. It also offers more menu choices than the popular In ‘n Out Burger chain.  Five Guys promotes their fries’ potato source as being from Shelley, Idaho, so we just had to try them.  (I am named Shelley, remember.)

A lot more than five guys were prepping burgers and fries in Tempe

They had quite a crowd on their second day due to the Festival of the Arts, but were moving things along very briskly. The place was mobbed, but the red-shirted staff handled it all with aplomb.

In addition to the aforementioned burgers and fries, their menu also includes grilled cheese, hot dogs and many toppings, like grilled mushrooms, jalapeno peppers, A-1 sauce, all free.  The 2-person fries order was GIGANTIC – and that was the small size.  My small bacon burger was a large serving.  Considering that all of the toppings are free and the food is freshly made (“never frozen”), the price tag is very reasonable when compared with other chains.  They also have peanuts available for free that you can scoop out and eat – as much as you like. We spent $16 for our burgers (One large and one small), small fries, one drink and water.

http://www.fiveguys.com/home.aspx

Another chain, but a local one, is Chompie’s Deli, which will fulfill anyone’s craving for deli food.  The bagels are good –chewy and flavorful – and the enormous menu offers so many choices that your biggest issue will be making a decision on what to order.  Old family favorites like giant deli sandwiches and stuffed cabbage, plus new twists like a brisket served in tortillas make it possible for every family member to find something they’ll enjoy. The quality and quantity definitely go hand in hand at Chompie’s, which has been around for 30 years.  You won’t leave hungry!

http://www.chompies.com/

In the heart of downtown Tempe is House of Tricks, definitely an upscale menu with white tablecloth service.  The food service is excellent and the presentations very appealing.  Their restaurant has been around for over 20 years and it is apparent why: exotic and unusual twists on culinary efforts that incorporate the best of many cuisines. One entrée was: Lemon Honey Braised Grouper with Sautéed Watercress, Parsnip Pear Puree and Whole Grain Mustard Buerre Blanc.  An appetizer, “Miso Marinated Foie Gras with Ginger Snap and Warm Black Mission Fig Chutney,” put a homemade touch on what could be something served anywhere.   Their chef is obviously inventive and committed to using fresh, seasonal ingredients, a quality we very much encourage. 

http://www.houseoftricks.com/

So, now you won’t go hungry while in Tempe.  We’ve tried other restaurants as well, but these three are worth a trip.

Now that we’ve given you places to eat, sleep and entertain yourself, we’ll continue our “Wacky Wednesday” tomorrow with a visit to a casino.  You’ll need some luck to win and a means of transportation to get there.

If you’ve exhausted your roll of pennies, nickels and quarters and are tired of standing in line at the ATM for more money, there are other distractions within and outside of the casino that are part of the Gila River Indian Community.

(Hint: there are several ATM/Casino Card machines throughout the gaming floor – - not just the one everyone seemed to be lined up down the aisle to use.)

SHOWROOM

For the first time in any casino in Arizona is the inclusion of a large (1400 seat), first class, Vegas-style showroom.  Already those who have appeared in the just less than one month since it’s opening are Lee Ann Rhimes, Jay Leno, and Debbie Reynolds.  Coming soon: Shirley Jones, Rita Moreno and Mitzi Gaynor (do we see a “it’s “snowbird” season” in Arizona skew to the entertainment).

So, at least for the other end of the generation, it’s a good thing that Paul Rodriguez will be headlining in mid-December.  But, in a genius “bring in the baby boomers” idea, January 21^st, 2010 will feature the rock band, Styx (with at least two, possibly three, of its original members on stage.)FOOD

Okay, so you’re not a Football fan.  But, it’s possible that you have heard of Don Shula, former coach of the Miami Dolphin’s.  It seems that coaching led to a new life for the restaurateur.  Don Shula’s American’s Steakhouse, one of several across the country, is located on the second floor just off an escalator, or elevator ride, from the main gaming floor.

In an interesting twist to menus, it seems that you can see the price of all items, except the steaks. 

I overheard a hostess tell a potential guest that all steaks are UNDER $40.00.  I guess it’s true, “if you have to ask .…”

In their defense, the restaurant only uses a “high roller” aged, Black Angus Beef of which a selection is even available on their Website.

And, for those of you who love your steak at 6:30 A.M. in the morning, seven days a week, this IS the place to go.  (Remember, this is a 24-Hour a day casino)

www.donshula.com

We opted to have dinner at Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar & Grill, a four-restaurant chain located just off of the gaming floor.  Although smoking is allowed on the gaming floor, it didn’t seem to go past the front door of the restaurant.

We decided to try two different appetizers: Kung Fu Coconut Shrimp (8) and Crispy Crab Wontons (8). Unlike many appetizer menus, there were actually several selections that were NOT fried. 

Our selected entrees were Honey Walnut Shrimp: crispy shrimp, mushrooms, honey sauce, and candied walnuts ($13.99) and Buddha’s Feast with Chicken ($12.99) accompanied with a slightly sweet brown sauce.

www.lingandlouies.com

OTHER FOOD OPTIONS

Another sit-down option off of the gaming floor is Cafe 24/7.  Entrees such as Mac & Cheese, Idaho Trout, and NY Steak mix with sandwiches and burgers in this upscale 24-hour diner.  

In what might look like the food court at a mall, there are four fast food alternatives just off of the gaming floor. They include Tamales (Mexican), Boar’s Head Deli (Deli Sandwiches), Famiglia Pizzeria (Pizza), and Fatburger (Burgers).  Prices for the four establishments ranged from $5.00 – $10.00 for the main menu.

OTHER GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY ATTRACTIONS

For a list of other tourist attractions associated with the Gila River Indians (and there are several) visit their Website at:

www.wingilariver.com

…and also see Rawhide at their adjacent property, which we visited  - see our blog – on July 9th.

Click on Tourist Attractions under Tourism

Next Week: Ft. McDowell Casino/Radisson Ft. McDowell Resort and a look at the final construction phases of the soon to open Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale

Note: Photography in the casinos is frowned upon, so we cannot take many photos in areas near casinos – which includes most of the adjacent restaurants. 

Tomorrow: We visit several fun things to do within 15 minutes of the airport – in  another direction!

Virginia has several such towns, Lexington (Washington & Lee University), Williamsburg (College of William & Mary), Blacksburg (Virginia Poly Tech), Radford (Radford University), even Farmville (Longwood University) are a few of the ten such towns that are labeled “college towns.”

But, my pick for this article is Charlottesville.

Home to the University of Virginia, designed by United States President and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, Charlottesville is just over an hour from Richmond, and easily accessible by car or plane. Current population of just under 50,000 makes this a small college town with amenities that you might not find in other towns of this size.Just 20 miles west are the Blue Ridge Mountains and the famed Blue Ridge Parkway cutting across the top toward the northwest and ending at Front Royal, Virginia.

http://www.nps.gov/blri

DOWNTOWN CHARLOTTESVILLE

Downtown is home to a pedestrian-only mall running eight blocks lined with a mix of shops, multi-cuisine restaurant choices and classic brick buildings. A former favorite of mine, and many Charlottesville residents, was the Hardware Store Restaurant. After 30 years the owners sold and a fun restaurant has been replaced by a national, albeit eclectic, chain store.

The Paramount Theatre, with its Greek-revival and Neo-classical architecture, is open again after a major renovation and being dark for more than 30 years. Offering a mix of classic movies, opera, ballet and holiday fare, the interior of this 1931 building is not to be missed. Check for an event before your trip at:

www.theparamount.net

If you are looking for accommodations, the Omni Charlottesville Hotel anchors the northwest end of the mall.

www.omnihotels.com

A list of shops, restaurants and services is located at:

www.downtowncharlottesville.net

THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

The University of Virginia hosts a student population of just under 20,000. The school was the idea of Thomas Jefferson and much of the original architecture and site plan were designed by him. Known as “Mr. Jefferson’s University” he founded the University in 1819 on land that was owned by another, soon to be President of the United States, James Monroe.

Be sure to take time to walk around the university and visit the Lawn and the Rotunda.

Rotunda at Jefferson's University - The University of Virginia

MICHIE TAVERN

Just outside of town are two historical sites, Monticello and Michie Tavern. The latter was formerly an inn dating back to 1784. Today, it is a restaurant and museum. With costumed hostesses, the menu is limited to a few southern dishes while you are seated in a rustic atmosphere. If you have never been to Williamsburg, or don’t plan to, Michie Tavern just might put you in the mood.

www.michietavern.com/

RESORT

A few miles west of the University is the four-diamond rated Boar’s Head Inn. The resort is owned by the University of Virginia Foundation. The 170 rooms are set with Colonial style furnishings sitting on a 573-acre estate.

Complete with a golf course, sports club and spa, the property is host to four restaurants including the Old Mill Room. This historic dining room was built with timbers from an abandoned gristmill on the Hardware River and, for 22 years, has earned a AAA four-diamond rating.

www.boarsheadinn.com/

Tomorrow: Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

As a former resident of the city for several years, it’s always interesting to come back and re-visit just why you lived somewhere, and maybe even why you left.  In the case of Richmond, I relocated there for a job and left for the same reason. 

Richmond is a mix of a modern and also a “stuck in the past” city.  The latter would be their Civil War heritage.

But, that shouldn’t stop anyone from visiting as there are many things to see and do and you don’t have to see a single battlefield, Civil War or Revolutionary War, if you don’t want to, and still have a great time.

Are you into literature?  Edgar Allen Poe lived in Richmond for over 13 years.  The Poe Museum is located on Broad Street (Poe didn’t actually live in the house, but nearby).  Furniture from his home, as well as manuscripts, first editions and personal belongings, are on display.

www.poemuseum.org

Architecture?  How about a 15^th century English estate (Agecroft Hall) that was bought at auction, crated and shipped from Lancashire, England to Richmond, and reassembled on the banks of the James River.

www.agecrofthall.com/

Famous speeches?  Revolutionary leader Patrick Henry wasn’t shy about speaking.  He gave his famous “stick it to King George” speech,  “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death” at St. John’s Church in Richmond. 

www.historicstjohnschurch.org/hist_main.htm

Monuments?  How about … Monument Avenue?  Northwest of downtown Richmond you’ll find Robert E. Lee on a horse … J.E.B. Stuart, on a horse … Stonewall Jackson, on a horse … Jefferson Davis (President of the Confederate States of America), not on a horse.

Anyone notice a theme … and we’re not talking about the horses.

And then, there is Matthew Fontaine Maury.  Who?  Seriously, WHO? 

And finally, a slightly controversial choice for an avenue with statues of Confederate soldiers — we have

Arthur Ashe, professional tennis player, born and raised in Richmond. 

Even if you don’t like statues, the architecture along the avenue ranges from English Tudor, Georgian, Italian, and Art Deco on either side of center islands of huge trees and green grass.  It’s the kind of street they don’t build anymore.

Historic Theatres with a Pipe Organ?  The Byrd Theatre in Carytown, a retail shopping area northwest of downtown was opened in 1928.  Included in its 1,300 seat configuration is a balcony and a Wurlitzer Pipe Organ that opens the show on Saturday evenings by rising from the basement to the stage in front of the screen.

You can’t buy tickets ahead of time, they don’t show previews, and the movies aren’t first run … but at $1.99, I’m not going to complain!

http://byrdtheatre.com

http://www.visitrichmondva.com/

NEXT TIME: We’ll take a trip back in time and look at the Civil War history of Richmond and what remains today.

Since I hadn’t been to visit in several years, I pondered the best use of my time. Should I head to a museum? Stroll through Central Park? Shop? Visit a landmark?
The only thing time wouldn’t permit would be a Broadway show – sigh!

 
So, given my four hours, I decided to reacquaint myself with NYC by just walking around. I did not head to a museum or to Central Park, but chose to travel a multi-block path that had some major highlights to see.  It was an overcast day, so the brilliant blue skies I was hoping to see just weren’t there.   But Manhattan is still impressive, no matter what the weather.

Macy's - The largest store in the world

Coming up from Penn Station, one of the first sights was Macy’s, “the largest store in the world.” I didn’t go in, because I might never stop myself in time to catch my train to JFK.  

Instead, I headed over to…

A Photographer’s Dream…

A major landmark for photographers is B & H Camera. Located on 9th Avenue between 33 & 34th Streets, B & H is THE place for cameras and photography equipment. They’ve got it down to a science and have probably every imaginable piece of photo equipment. The most wonderful part of the store is the knowledgeable staff because they really know their stuff.

 
Want a flash attachment for a camera? I showed them what I have and they gave me three options! The prices were right and I could leave with my choice, at a good price.

And, no, this is not a paid endorsement for B & H, but it was my second visit.

They’re impressive and also very security conscious. Be prepared to leave large bags at the entrance to claim when you’re ready to leave.

Onward…

Saddled down with a suitcase, my next stop was Schwartz’s Travel Service where I could leave my suitcase. (Located at 357 W. 36th Street near 9th Ave.) Taking the small elevator to the second floor, I paid $10 to leave my suitcase for the day. Ultimately, I left it for less than two hours, but it gave me the freedom to move quickly.

The Sights

New York Public Library

 Next, I headed over to 5th Avenue to see the sights: The New York Public Library with its lions guarding the entrance (stone, not live), and both the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building in the distance. I considered a trip up to the top of the Empire State Building (now the tallest building in NYC since the devastation of 9/11/01), but that would have required several hours.

Empire State Building - the tallest building in NYC

Chrysler Building

I wandered into a street fair on Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) that stretched from about 34th Street to 42nd Street. Traffic was closed down for the entire length of the fair with people sampling food and buying the vendor’s wares. There were a lot of people selling jewelry, scarves, and NY T-shirts. The aroma of the food finally made me break down and try an arepa.

 
An arepa is a corn cake sandwich fried with mozzarella cheese melted between the two corn cakes. I chose a poor representation because, while it tasted good, it was very thin. As I marched and munched along, I was seeing the profusion of people and remembering the energy of NYC that I have missed.

Carousel in Bryant Park

Strolling through Bryant Park behind the giant New York Public Library, I viewed the glorious, recently refurbished carousel, a permanent fixture for anyone young or young at heart. The NY Public Library is getting a facelift on the outside with the back face totally clean and gorgeous, but the front has coverings to protect passersby from the cleaning. It is an impressive building and many people stop for a photo op near the lions guarding the entrance.

Street scene in Manhattan

That’s one of the best things about New York City and, especially Manhattan; there is so much energy! The colorful signs, places to see, food choices from street vendors to fine dining, and excitement, can’t be topped anywhere.

 
I know, some might contest that last statement, but I never run out of enthusiasm for NYC and the many opportunities to enjoy. Times Square, entrance to the joys of Broadway, is one of my favorite places in the universe, but this time, the schedule just wouldn’t work.

 
Colorful, thought provoking and dynamic with events and experiences, New York City is the place where I’d spend a week if I could be in any city in the world. But I only had four hours, so I enjoyed what I could and share it here.

If you decide to go to NYC, get a guidebook like DK or Frommer’s to give you the many choices that you’ll have. And, there are many.

Web sites to review:

I Love NY
http://www.iloveny.com/home.aspx

B & H Camera
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Beyond the physical place, New York City, where theater is the center of the universe and 40 theaters are in a concentrated area, Broadway is a state of mind. Once you’ve been treated to a Broadway show, you’re hooked for life – at least I was.
My very first Broadway show, a special occasion with my grandmother, was The Sound of Music, starring Mary Martin. Dressed up, as people used to be to attend the performances, I settled into my plush seat. The house lights went down. Then, the enchantment began. Acting, sets, the orchestra, songs – they all combined magically. I left the theater singing one of the tunes and a confirmed theater-lover.
My husband prefers movies, because he says that movies can show many locations and real scenery. To me, the imagination is what it is all about, so I prefer to have the actors create the world. Theater sets work well to create a backdrop so the actors can make me laugh, cry, and identify–or not-with their world.

Modern Broadway

Tickets to theater productions have gotten expensive. A ticket can cost as much as $125. However, if you are visiting New York and don’t mind standing in line, you can snag as much as a 50% discount on a ticket for that day by heading to the TKTS booth. There is a booth in Times Square, plus two others (one in lower Manhattan and one in Brooklyn), where you can pick up whatever seats are not sold for that day and save money. Note: You must pay with cash or traveler’s checks – no credit cards or checks are accepted.
See hours and details of the three locations of TKTS –
http://www.nytix.com/Broadway/DiscountBroadwayTickets/TKTS/hoursofoperation.html

If you get in line at the TKTS booth hours before the performance, you can land seats for some good shows. My experience was that the “hot” tickets of the time were not on the list, but everything I saw was still a great performance.
If you have a connection to a theater class, you might be able to get reduced price student tickets.
If you “know” someone in a production, you might get “comped” –offered free tickets.
There are also online locations, where you can reserve ahead of time. For instance, the following online source offers a discount code so you can buy your discounted tickets in advance, a nice timesaver.

http://www.nytix.com/Broadway/DiscountBroadwayTickets/TKTS/
And, last resort, if you can’t get to Broadway, see shows in your community. Local theater companies need support and touring companies often have Broadway actors out on tour. I have seen Rent, Spring Awakening, Wicked and other great plays or musicals where I live in Arizona.
So, even if you’re a movie fan, which I am, too, see a show. Watching the actors work up a sweat, sing, dance and perform their hearts out right in front of you is an experience you should have. If you have children, take them, too. (Make sure they can sit still for two hours before you attempt this!) Everyone should be part of the theater world. It has existed for most of the history of mankind. Shakespeare was the Broadway of his day in England. People thronged to be entertained. And, if you go to a play or musical, you will be entertained.
That’s worth a lot these days!
(Sorry not to have photos to share. Take a look at this link if you’ve never seen Broadway. They do not let people take photos in the theater. I wouldn’t think of trying to take photos during a performance – it could totally rattle an actor and ruin an actor’s hard work.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadway_theatre