Ted DeGrazia's Gallery & Mission in the Sun

I think this little studio in North Tucson is one of Arizona's hidden treasures. It's quirky, it's beautiful and it's free.

Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia, the son of Italian immigrants, painted mostly Southwestern designs with an emphasis on Native Americans, missionaries and Spanish soldiers. He built his studio (pictured above) and studio out of adobe brick.

The beautiful mission (pictured above) nearby was built to honor Father Kino, the missionary who established a system of missions in Arizona. DeGrazia dedicated his mission to the Virgin of Guadalupe and painted her image on the altar.

An interesting bit of trivia: To protest inheritance taxes on works of art, DeGrazia took about 100 of his paintings into the Superstition Mountains (yes, the same place where the Lost Dutchman's Goldmine is supposedly located), and he burned them.

Hanny's

Hanny's Department Store opened on November 22, 1947 at the southwest corner of Adam and First Streets in downtown Phoenix. At the time, it was the "go-to" place for sophisticated men's attire in the Valley. The department store closed in 1986, but the building houses a restaurant, Hanny's, that serves as a reminder of its fashionable past.

I've never eaten at Hanny's. The menu is mainly sandwiches, salads and pizzas, and it seems a little pricey to me. From what I read, it's popular with the after work crowd.

Details: 40 N. First St., Phoenix. Phone: 602-252-2285. Website: http://www.hannys.net/.

The American Heritage Festival

Last weekend, I attended the American Heritage Festival, a three-day event held in the open fields of Schnepf Farms. Reenactors hold staged Revolutionary War and Civil War battles, set up camp and model period fashions. The kids really liked writing with a quill and ink at the school house and climbing on a WWII Army truck. The mountain man, with his collection of pelts, was another favorite, especially with my younger nieces and nephews.

The American Heritage Festival is held every November. It's a cash-only event, and I didn't see any ATMs, so come prepared. Speaking of being prepared, dress appropriately. You never know what to expect in November. Temperatures were chilly to begin with, then it started raining, but by the end of our visit, it was sunny and somewhat warm. Plan accordingly.

Website: www.americanheritagefestival.com.

Cerreta Candy Company

My first iPhone app is Phoenix Family-Friendly. That's what the contract calls it, but at least here, I'm going to refer to it as Family-Friendly Phoenix. What better way to start than with a short entry about Cerreta Candy Company?

I like Cerreta because it is family-owned and operated, plus they make great candy! You can take a 30-minute, guided tour, Monday through Friday, 10-1, or a self-guided video tour during normal business hours, Monday through Saturday, 8-6. Come prepared to sample, and don't be surprised if you're pulled out of the guided tour to demonstrate the candy making process!

The Cerreta Candy Company is located at 5345 W. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, 85301. Phone: 623-930-1000. Website: www.cerreta.com.

Her Secret is Patience

If you look closely at this photograph, you'll see a large metal pole anchoring two blue circles jut above the buildings. This is the new artwork in Downtown Civic Park. I couldn't get a better shot from where I was, the 9th floor of the Arizona Center parking garage, but you can see good photo in this month's issue of Sunset. It's supposedly inspired by monsoon clouds and cactus blooms, but I have to admit I don't really get it.

iPhone Applications

I just received a contract last night to write iPhone applications for the Phoenix area. Look for updates in the upcoming weeks!

New Phoenix Visitor Center

Yesterday, I visited the new Phoenix Visitor Center just next door to the Phoenix Convention Center. I picked up well over 100 brochures (or at least it felt like that many as I carried them back to my car). So, I have plenty of material for a while.

Here's a photo I took of downtown from the 9th floor of the Arizona Center parking garage.