Copper State of Mind

While much of the country is still bundled up and experiencing extremely chilly weather, Arizonans welcome spring and the weeks-long Cactus League Spring Training baseball. Our special Cactus League issue of the Arizona 100 posted last week. Winter visitors and locals alike take advantage of this annual tradition.

For most people, Feb. 14 means hearts and flowers. But for Arizonans, it also marks the state’s 107th birthday.

Chances are at some point, you’ll tune in to the Super Bowl. The game commemorates a season of ups and downs, wins and losses. It is a chance to gather with friends and snack till your heart’s content.

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions this year? We are 10 days in, how is it going?

The holiday season is upon is. The hustle and the bustle. The parties and the shopping. The winding down of the year and the gearing up for the new one.

According to Visit Phoenix, more than 44 million people will visit Arizona this year. The influx of visitors is evident this time of year in the number of additional cars on the road and how busy our restaurants and retailers are. Many of the visitors return year after year to enjoy our state’s many golf courses, museums and sporting events.

A recent survey shows that spending for Halloween is expected to reach $9 billion this year. Celebrants are planning to spend an average of $86.79, up from last year’s $86.13, with more than 175 million Americans planning to partake in Halloween festivities.

In this week’s issue of The Arizona 100, the Arizona Office of Tourism notes record spending by visitors in 2017. This got me to thinking about how these – and other dollars – are spent.

Many of us grew up watching programming on PBS – “Sesame Street,” “Electric Company” and of course, “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” I recently saw the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor.” Co-workers, family and friends talk about the impact he had not only on the children who tuned in daily, but on them, too.

Arizona companies who can do work across borders are in demand. Our proximity to Mexico, coupled with Arizona’s attractiveness to Canadians, are two of the obvious reasons.