The name Arizona comes from the Papago “ali-shonak” meaning “small spring.” The name became popular following the discovery of rich lodes of silver “so pure you could cut it with a knife,” some 25 miles southwest of present-day Nogales in 1736.

It strikes me that no matter where native Chicagoans may reside worldwide, they will always be “from Chicago.” Doesn’t matter if two decades have passed since they actually lived in the Windy City. If they were raised in Chicago, they’re self-proclaimed residents for life…

I wish more people here voiced their hometown pride. While many of us would have no problem broadcasting our Valley love from the top of Piestewa Peak, our collective pride doesn’t rival the boastful nature Chicagoans are infamous for.

A couple of months ago, I took a walk through Old Town Scottsdale as the sun set on an idyllic spring day. It was the kind of day that reminded me why I lived here, and with summer on the horizon, I wanted to relish every minute of it. As I rounded the corner of an alley near Circle K, I was greeted by two horses…