In commemoration of Arizona’s 100th birthday coming up on February 14, 2012, AAA of Arizona has a feature article on “Local Legends” – 8 famous Arizonans we’re proud to call our own.”

Instead of telling you who they are I will be providing some clues, for you to decipher. Or you can skip down to the bottom of this blog for the answers.

1. Mid Western architect who moved to Scottsdale and founded an architecture school

2. Former Arizona Cardinals football player who was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan

3. Female singer with rock group Fleetwood Mac

4. Newspaper columnist & humorist of “At Wit’s End”

5. Phoenix Suns basketball player from 1992 to 1996

6. Architect/Creator of Arcosanti, and the concept of arcology, “the harmonious marriage of architecture with ecology”

7. First woman appointed to U.S. Supreme Court (and sister to a Pima County Supervisor)

8. Five term U.S. Senator and unsuccessful nominee for U.S. President (deceased, so the answer is not John McCain)

You can read the article in the January/February 2012 issue of “Highroads” (pages 30-33) with photos of these famous persons. Or online by clicking here: http://www.aaaaz.com/highroads/?zip=85706&stateprov=az&city=tucson&devicecd=PC

Answers:

1. Frank Lloyd Wright

2. Pat Tillman

3. Stevie Nicks

4. Erma Bombeck

5. Charles Barkley

6. Paolo Soleri

7. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (sister of retiring Supervisor Ann Day)

8. U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater

How many did you get correct? And have any of you personally met any of these Arizona local legends?

I’ve only visited Wright’s beautiful home Taliesen West in Scottsdale (and his amazing creation “Fallingwater” house in Pennsylvania), met Supervisor Ann Day (but not the former Justice), and have heard Barry Goldwater Jr. speak of his father at the Festival of Books in his book “Pure Goldwater”(co-authored with John Dean).

1st Festival of Books event in 2009

The 2nd Tucson Festival of Books will take place at the University of Arizona Mall on Saturday March 13 and Sunday March 14, with more than 400 authors, 150 exhibitors, and 24 venues. The 2 day event runs 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on both days.

www. TucsonFestivalofBooks.org has all the informaton. This free event last year drew reportedly 50,000 people, to the family-friendly events, numerous book exhibits, food court, writing workshops, and best-selling author talks.

Last year I heard J.A. Jance (local mystery writer) speak, and she’s due again this year. We also listened to Barry Goldwater, Jr. candidly speak about his U.S. Senator dad, and his own Congressional experiences (1969 to 1983) in “Pure Goldwater” (co-authored with John W. Dean).

Some of the scheduled authors this year include:

* Dan Balz, whose book “The Battle for America 2008” is an authoritative account of last year’s presidential race.

* Frank Beddor, whose “Looking Glass Wars” trilogy is a critically acclaimed re-invention of Lewis Caroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.”

* Alice Hoffman, whose novel “Practical Magic” was made into a film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

* Phil Caputo, whose memoir “A Rumor of War” was one of the definitive books about the Vietnam War.

This year’s theme is “Where Words and Imagination come to life”. How fitting, for people who love to read. As a child, reading books became a terrific fantasy world for me, into secret gardens and faraway places, many of which I did see one day. Truly, words and imagination came to life for me for decades.

Street parking is free on the weekends, and there are also numerous parking garages around the U of A Mall (west of Campbell Avenue off E. 3rd St.). Or take the Sun Tran bus, bicycle, walk, scooter, skateboard to this fun weekend festival.

Pick up a good book and read– before, during and after this Festival.