Happy Birthday

by Nick Coons
Feb 11, 2004

That's right! This Saturday (February 14th, 2004), Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

turns 92. It was back in 1912 when President William Howard Taft signed the Statehood Act to make Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

the 48th state in the union. And I think something else is this Saturday as well, some kind of holiday where people give out hearts and cards, or something -- I don't remember.

Arizona has made some good moves over the past year, like improving our highways to try and keep up with the always-increasing population, and coming up with some great ways to cut expenses to rid the state of its deficit. Of course, we've also done some pretty ridiculous things too, like the renaming of Squaw Peak to Piestewa Peak.

Festivities will be located all over Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

this weekend. For example, a Valentine's Day concert will be given at the Mesa Amphitheatre. From my source, it's hard to tell if this is intended to be more for Valentine's Day or for Arizona's Birthday, as both were mentioned. In addition, many forth grade students (class of 2012, Arizona's 100th birthday) were given a 500-word essay assignment on how Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

will be different in eight years, or how Arizona's youth can contribute to bettering the state. Winners of the essay contest will be acknowledged. And, the Polly Award (named for longtime legislator Polly Rosenbaum) will be given to Ruth Soloman who has supported the cultural mission of the state library.

And if that weren't enough, Tubac Presidio State Park is holding a "Renaissance Festival"-type celebration of the old west over the weekend. There will be re-enactors from that era holding weaving, woodworking, and gardening demonstrations, as well as how to cook historic foods. Re-enactments of the Civil War will also take place.