Goodyear Arizona – Emmy Award

History of Goodyear, Arizona

The Goodyear of today exists because of the cotton of yesteryear. It was part of the 16,000 acres purchased in 1917 for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company by junior executive Paul Litchfield. Cotton used to make rubber tires for airplanes in World War I was in short supply because foreign sources were in war torn countries or disease ridden. When Goodyear found that Arizona’s climate and soil was similar to foreign sources, the company sent Litchfield to purchase land.

The small community that formed as a result of the Goodyear Farms cotton industry first became known as “Egypt” for the Egyptian cotton grown there and then, finally, was called “Goodyear.” The community thrived as long as the cotton industry was strong. But after the war, cotton prices plummeted and Goodyear’s economy suffered.

The town of Goodyear was incorporated in November 1946. At that time, the town had 151 homes, 250 apartments, a grocery store, drug store, barber shop, beauty shop and service station. The town became a city in 1985.

 

 

However, World War II brought a recovery in the early 1940′s when the Litchfield Naval Air Facility and the Goodyear Aircraft Corporation located here, employing as many as 7,500 people at one time. Dirigibles or “blimps” were built at the Goodyear Aircraft Corporation.

The Litchfield Naval Air Facility was the training base for the Navy Blue Angels aerial demonstration team until 1968. After the war, the Naval Air Facility served as a storage base for thousands of World War II aircraft that were moth balled and salvaged.

Then, in 1968, the Navy sold the airfield to the City of Phoenix which named it the Phoenix-Litchfield Airport. In 1986, it was renamed the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport.

Then, in 1949, a long history of aerospace and defense programs began in Goodyear when the Goodyear Aerospace Corporation replaced the Goodyear Aircraft facility. That plant was later sold to Loral Defense Systems and eventually evolved by merger and acquisition into the current Lockheed Martin Corp.

Learn more about the city of Goodyear, Arizona

Parducci winery logo

The Parducci Winery, established in 1932, was the first winery in Mendocino County in California, but that’s not the only first this unusual winery has in its history; it is also the first carbon neutral winery in the U.S. When it was purchased in 2004 by the Dolans and Thornhills, the families put a special focus on sustainability and responsible stewardship. Toward that goal, they followed the Benziger Winery in the construction of an on-site constructed wetlands that recycles 100% of the winery’s waste water. In addition, the winery uses solar and wind power as part of their overall green initiative.

Parducci Cabernet Sauvignon

Parducci Winery continues to work towards greener practices. Although it’s perhaps hard to see where they could improve. Their energy use is met by its on-site solar installation, with any overage coming from local wind producers. Businesses around the country can definitely learn a thing or two from this leader in eco-friendly production.

The "Tribute in Light" memorial is in remembrance of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The two towers of light are composed of two banks of high wattage spotlights that point straight up from a lot next to Ground Zero. This photo was taken from Liberty State Park, N.J., Sept. 11, the five-year anniversary of 9/11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Denise Gould)

Learn about 9-11 with ClassBrain’s Freedom Files.

On September 10th, 2001, I was my last day in New York City with my family. We had gone out for my grandmother’s 103rd birthday. We managed to take of late that evening after waiting on the airport tarmack for five long hours. My family and I arrived back in Long Beach, CA around 2 AM, and finally made it home by 3 AM on September 11th. Shortly after falling asleep, I was awakened by a call from my ex-husband, who called to inform me that a plane had just flown into the World Trade Center.

After watching the events of September 11th in horror and dismay, the staff of ClassBrain dropped what they were doing, and refocused on creating materials related to the events that transpired on September 11th. That is how the Freedom Files were born. That section of our website literally was online within 24 hours of the attacks.

You can see what happened on September 11th, learn about the people involved, see how things looked one year later, and see how people view the events of 9-11 ten years after the fact. We also have special explanations for the events of 9-11, and study materials on the US, for kids. We hope that the Freedom Files will help answer some of the questions you may have about the events of September 11th, 2001.

COWBOY TRADITIONS ARE ALIVE IN BIG BEAR

Big Bear’s Annual Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering, Celebrates Life on the Ranch

Dennis Gaines at the 12th Annual Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering in Big Bear, CA

Cowboys in Big Bear Lake

Talent at the Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering

The Cowboy Way, Big Bear California

Thursday’s Kickoff to the Event

Friday’s Festivities

Sitting under the Stars on Saturday

ClassBrain’s UncleSam Search is customized to only search federal government, official state sites, and education sites; along with a few customized add-ins, such as state historical societies and official state tourism sites. For those of you familiar with the old Google.com/unclesam search that was discontinued, I’ve spent hours coding a search that is as close as possible as a replacement.

UncleSam Search

UncleSam Search For Your Site

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Seattle, photograph courtesy of Sachin/Flickr CC By 2.0

Four Seattle Heritage Guides

Seattle has a diverse cultural heritage. To help visitors explore the area through that perspective, the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau has created four cultural guides to the Seattle area:

• The Native American Heritage Guide
• The African American Heritage Guide
• The Asian American Heritage Guide

and the newest addition to the set:

• The Nordic American Heritage Guide

Seattle Heritage Guide Brochures

• Native American Heritage Brochure
• African American Heritage Brochure
• Asian American Heritage Brochure
• Nordic American Heritage Brochure
  

Seattle Destination Heritage Guides

Seattle Washington Destination Heritage Guides

• The Experience Music Project Seattle Center

  Designed by Frank Gehry; built in 2000
  This museum is dedicated to rock music. So it’s fitting that an early model took shape when Gehry deconstructed several electric guitars and used the pieces as building components. Take photos of the 21,000 metal shingles, each a unique shape, which appear to be different colors depending on how the light hits them.


Photo courtesy of Kieran Lynam/Flickr CC-2.0

• Smith Tower

  Designed by Edwin H. and T. Walker Gaggin; built in 1914
  This 42-story building was meant to be the tallest skyscraper west of the Mississippi, a title it held for 17 years.
  The pointed cap is its most recognizable feature. Its triangular windows open into a penthouse apartment — the building’s only residence. Take the manually operated elevators to the observation deck and Chinese Room on the 35th floor for panoramic views of the city.

• King Street Station

  Designed by Charles Reed and Allen Stem; built in 1906
  The station’s 250-foot clock tower was modeled after Venice, Italy’s Piazza de San Marco’s bell tower.
  Ornate ceilings, wainscoting and mosaic tile work covered up in a 1960s renovation are starting to emerge during a current restorative renovation.




• Chapel of St. Ignatius at Seattle University – Virtual Tour

  Designed by Steven Holl; built in 1997
  Holl, who also designed the beautiful Bellevue Arts Museum, imagined the chapel as “seven bottles of light in a stone box,” with each bottle representing a component of Catholic worship. At night, admire the different colors of light as they shine out like a beacon from the chapel.






Betty Jane Narver Reading Room, Seattle Central Library, photo courtesy of Hillbraith/Flickr CC by 2.0

• Seattle Central Library

  Designed by Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Ramus, Office for Metropolitan Architecture; built in 2004
  This is the type of library that almost makes it hard to read — it’s housed in a building that is just that striking. The design was conceived as five stacked boxes, which were staggered to allow maximum light into the building. Take photos inside the triangular Fifth Avenue entrance, which showcases a curtain of windows reflecting diamond-shaped light onto the floor.




• 5th Avenue Theatre

  Designed by Robert C. Reamer; built in 1926
  The elaborate interior was inspired by Imperial China’s Forbidden City and other dynastic marvels. The craftsmanship of the theater’s ceiling is breathtaking, with vibrant, layered carvings and a chandelier that dangles from the mouth of a giant dragon.




• Rainier Tower

  Designed by Minoru Yamasaki; built in 1977
  The building was designed as a unique inverted pyramid, in part to reduce its footprint and make more room for pedestrians. It may be even simpler to figure out how the structure’s shape inspired two nicknames: the Wine Glass and the Beaver Building (perhaps suggesting one nibbled at its base).

Source: Seattle’s Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

States that Spent the Most Online for Mother’s Day

• Maryland
• Kansas
• New York
• California
• Connecticut
• New Jersey
• Louisiana
• Oklahoma

States That Spent the Least Online for Mother’s Day

• Alabama spent the least, followed by:
• Missouri
• Arkansas

Source: eBates

Special Statistical Note:

40 Things to Do in Irvine

The City of Irvine, California celebrates its 40th Birthday in 2011. To celebrate, here is a list of “40 Things to Do in Irvine.”

1. Get a bird’s-eye view of the area aboard the Great Park Balloon, at the Orange County Great Park
2. Ride the Irvine Spectrum Center’s iconic 108-foot tall Giant Wheel, a ferris wheel custom-designed and hand crafted inItaly.
3. Laugh at some of the best national, headlining comedians in the world at the Improv Comedy Club.
4. Swim a lap or two at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center where Olympic Gold Medalist, Michael Phelps competed in the 2010 Conoco Phillips National Swimming Championships.
5. Get an introduction to the unique flora of coastal California along with plants of southern Africa at the Arboretum, a 12.5-acre botanic garden and research facility located on the UCI campus.
6. Visit the Irvine Museum, the only museum in the state dedicated to the preservation and display of California
   Impressionism.
7. Check out an impressive $30 million collection of historical, exotic and classical cars at the Marconi Automotive Museum.
8. Dance under the stars during the Orange County Great Park’s “Flights & Sounds Summer Festival.”
9. Sample Orange County brewer’s micobrews at the annual OC Brew Ha Ha.
10. Enjoy homemade rootbeer and beer at Steelhead Brewing Company.
11. Cheer on the University California, Irvine Anteaters as they compete in 9 different Division I intercollegiate sports.
12. Pick watermelon, strawberries and pumpkins at Tanaka Farms, an organic family-run farm.
13. Wine taste at the OC Wine Mart & Wine Tasting Bar, Orange County’s first “enomatic tasting bar.”
14. Celebrate 50 different cultures at the Irvine Global Village Festival, Orange County’s largest multicultural festival.
15. Pay your respect at the Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial, the nation’s only memorial dedicated to honoring all of the fallen American service members in the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq.
16. Let the kids play grown-up at Pretend City Children’s Museum.
17. Pay tribute to nature and the change of seasons at the Mehregan Persian Festival of Autumn, a festival of love,
    knowledge and commitment.
18. Tour First American Financial Corporation’s historical archive featuring a collection of more than 12,500 historical images, dating back to the late 1800s.
19. Please your palate with a variety of cuisines and
    international flavors at Diamond Jamboree.
20. Attempt a triple Salchow on the Irvine Spectrum Center’s ice skating rink.
21. Get your fashion fix during Style Week Orange County at the Irvine Spectrum Center.
22. Experience a sensory overload at one of Irvine’s farmers market, featuring fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers, as well as arts and crafts fair.
23. Wear your kilt to The Irish Fair & Music Festival, the
    largest festival of its kind in Western America.
24. Dance, eat, Opa at Saint Paul’s 33rd Annual Greek Food Festival.
25. Celebrate the always vibrant and romantic art of Flamenco during the New World Flamenco Festival at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.
26. Enjoy a spectacular evening of great music – ranging from big band swing and jazz to the classics during the Pacific Symphony Summer Festival concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.
27. Explore the area’s history and learn how the city began with a visit to the Irvine Historical Museum and the Irvine Ranch Historic Park.
28. Spend a day at Irvine Regional Park – picnicking,
    paddleboats, miniature train, biking and hiking trails, and
    trotting and walking ponies for the kids.
29. Survey the area’s vast open space on horseback.
30. Hike the distinctive Quail Hill preserve with your furry, four-legged friend.
31. Trek the outstanding trails of Boomer Canyon past ancient oak and sycamore groves and rough rock outcrops
32. Discover hundreds of species of plants and animals at the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. Learn about the Marsh, water conservation and environmental protection at the interpretive center.
33. Play at Mason Regional Park, one of Orange County’s most popular regional parks with 345 acres; recreational activities include walking trails and a Frisbee course.
34. Bike Irvine – 44.5 miles of off-road bicycle trails and 282 miles of on-road bicycle lanes.
35. Get wet at Wild Rivers Water Park with more than 40 inner tube rides, water slides, wave pools and other water
    adventures.
36. Shop at one of Irvine’s retail and lifestyle centers.
37. Interact with art at the Beall Center for Art + Technology, where new forms of creation and expression are promoted using digital technologies.
38. Dine around the world via Irvine’s wide selection of eateries from India, Persia, Thailand, Vietnam and other distant shores.
39. View artwork and meet artists at the Irvine Fine Arts Center.
40. Golf at one of Irvine’s picturesque courses.

A Bit of History About the State Song and Its Author

View from Pilot Mountain a "native mountain" of North Carolina. Image courtesy Ted (flikr/twbuckner). Licensed under the Creative Commons 2.0 Generic.

“From about the year 1835, over a century ago, the people of North Carolina loyally sang as their State song “The Old North State,” but it was not until 1927, by an act of State Legislature, that it became the official State song.

The author of the words of the song was the highly esteemed Judge William Gaston of the North Carolina Supreme Court, who was born at New Bern, North Carolina in 1778. The little office in Raleigh where Judge Gaston wrote the words of “The Old North State” stood at the corner of Hargett and Salisbury streets. A bronze tablet commemorating this fact was placed there in 1928 by the Caswell-Nash Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.”

Source: Quoted from “A Study Lesson on the State Song” written in 1942, by Mrs. E. E. Randolph, from Raleigh, N.C. Mrs. E. E. Randolph is credited as the song’s composer. Found in the North Carolina Digital Collections

The Old North State
Written by William Gaston
Composed by Mrs. E. E. Randolph
Adopted in 1927

“Carolina! Carolina! Heaven’s blessings attend her!
While we live we will cherish, protect and defend her;
Though the scorner may sneer at and witlings defame her,
Our hearts swell with gladness whenever we name her.
Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!
Though she envies not others their merited glory,
Say, whose name stands the foremost in Liberty’s story!
Though too true to herself e’er to crouch to oppression,
Who can yield to just rule more loyal submission?
Plain and artless her sons, but whose doors open faster
At the knock of a stranger, or the tale of disaster?
How like to the rudeness of their dear native mountains,
With rich ore in their bosoms and life in their fountains.
And her daughters, the Queen of the Forest resembling–
So graceful, so constant, yet to gentlest breath trembling;
And true lightwood at heart, let the match be applied them,
How they kindle and flame! Oh! none know but who’ve tried them.
Then let all who love us, love the land that we live in
(As happy a region on this side of Heaven),
(Where Plenty and Freedom, Love and Peace smile before us,
Raise aloud, raise together, the heart‑thrilling chorus!”