The Road to Super Bowl XLIX--All About Glendale

Hi there . . . we're looking at a little snow later today. However, we are supposed to get our first significant storm of the season on Saturday. It had to happen eventually. Finished up my latest x-word order so it looks like I'm free to go to the gym tonight.

Yesterday, I presented fun facts about the state of Arizona, today it's the town of Glendale (source: Go Glendale AZ.com), where the game will be played. The University of Phoenix Stadium is the first to combine a retractable roof and a mobile grass playing field so fans can enjoy games either rain or shine.

Mayor: Jerry Weiers
Population: 234,632 (as of 2013) Interesting tidbit: 643 people live in military barracks and students live in college dorms.
Median age in years: 31.5
Median home value: $196,200
Average household income: $58,058
Average Temperature Per Year: 85.8 (high), 55.7 (low)
Principal Industries: Manufacturing, Warehousing, Services, Aerospace, Communications, Electronics, Chemicals, and Precious Metals Works
Air Travel: Glendale Municipal Airport
Newspapers: Glendale Star, Peoria Times, and Glendale Daily Planet

Major Private Employers: Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, Bechtel, Gilbert Engineering, Glendale Truss Industries, Honeywell Satellite, Avionics, and Schuck Component Systems

Major Government Employers: Glendale Community College, Luke Air Force Base, and U.S. Postal Service

Parks & Recreation: 61 parks, 3 dog parks, indoor and outdoor theaters, tennis center, 7 swimming pools, roller rink, 3 bowling alleys, 2 skateboard parks

Museums: Glendale Arizona Historical Society, Glendale Police Museum. and http://www.asu.edu/clas/shesc/dvrac/

Scenic Attractions: Historic downtown Glendale, also called "Arizona's Antique Captial," featuring more than 70 antique and specialty shops; Sahuaro Ranch Park, Thunderbird Park, Cerreta Candy Factory; Gila River Arena, home of the Phoenix Coyotes, and of course, University of Phoenix Stadium.

Notable People: "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks, country singer Marty Robbins, swimmer Braxton Brilbey, Tom Bopp of Hale-Bopp comet fame, Margaret Pelligrine (who appeared as a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz), "American Idol" contestant David Hernandez, actress Jennie Garth, and former Arizona governor Jan Brewer.

It's time to display one more offering from our shop. This is an NFL mascot matching game, which is also ideal for sports-related parties and bachelor parties. Of course, these and other games can be found in the "Sports and Hobbies" section of the shop.

Now onto today's Listmania:

Party Idea of the Day: Are you conscious about what goes into your mouth? I know I am. Lisa Lillien, aka Hungry Girl, provides some healthy alternatives to traditional Super Bowl snacks.

Super Bowl Fun Fact of the Day: After all the drinking, eating, and merrymaking, 1.5 million people will most likely play hooky on Monday, February 2nd.

Today's Birthdays: Jerry Trainor (38), Emma "Baby Spice" Bunton (39), Chris Kilmore (42), Cat Power (43), Karina Lombard, Charlotte Ross (47), Geena Davis (59), Billy Ocean (65), Jim Ibbotson (68), Jill Eikenberry (68), Mac Davis (73), and Ann Wedgeworth (81).

Holidaze: Cuddle with your loved ones because it's National Hugging Day! This holiday was started in 1986 by Reverend Kevin Zaborney for the purposes of showiing more emotion in public.

Let's also hear it for National Granola Bar Day! This is one of my most favorite snacks, but watch for the sugar content! Click onto a fab recipe by Alton Brown at the Food Network.

Finally, it's Squirrel Appreciation Day. Squirrels are cute, but they are also rodents. We once had a family of squirrels living in our attic. Fortunately, I was away at school and didn't have to go check the gutters at 5 a.m. like my siblings (ha-ha).

In the coming days, we'll be discussing the history of the Super Bowl, stats, profiles of the coaches, and more! I'll also have some more Valentine's Day Party ideas. Plus, it's almost time for this week's Freebie Friday!

Have a PRINTASTIC day!

Kathy