A transitional purgatory between superhot and semi-hot, summer vacay and back-to-school, many in our Valley press the fast-forward button when the dog days of summer hit each August. Because we can’t face the 116-degree heat outside, we look back on our fantastic summer vacations, leave town, or plan ahead for the new school year, fall events and up-and-coming business collaborations.
Well, I’m tired of deeming August as a throwaway month and am convinced we need to pause to find a silver lining among the thunderheads. Here are my reasons to drop the anywhere-but-here mentality and enjoy the month of August:
* Popsicles for dinner are a perfectly acceptable choice.
* The year’s thickest and most glorious magazines hit newsstands (September issues!).
* We’re in the midst of concert season: Green Day, John Mayer and American Idols Live! are all in the Valley this month.
* It’s summer sale central—warm-weather clothing for half off? Score!
* Countless resort specials are available for locals. Check AZFoothills.com for our summer escape suggestions.
* Traffic is light, making it possible to scoot across town in half the time.
* Thunderstorms loom, lending a dramatic flair to everyday occurrences.
* Congressional fundraising parties are aplenty.
* “Eat, Pray, Love” hits theaters.
* AZFoothills.com’s Dog Days of Summer contest kicks off, where we search for the most adorable pup in the state. Log on this month to vote for your favorite pooch, who will win a professional photo shoot and their photo in an issue of Arizona Foothills Magazine, among other prizes.
We hope you enjoy the August issue, which features five Valley educators. Chances are, your kiddos, or their friends, have benefited from their teaching talents. You’ll also devour our Arizona restaurant roundup, “25 to Crave,” where we profile the most mouthwatering eateries across the state. Also, check out our guide to segueing your collegiate children into their new schools on AZFoothills.com. We’ll help you confront homesickness, empty nest syndrome and parenting from afar.
Raise an icy-cool glass of white wine sangria, check out the latest on AZFoothills.com and salute the laziest, most relaxing days of the year.
Claire Perkins Director of Communications
