File this gift under “you shouldn’t have”:

Happy 100th, Arizona … What to get the state that turns 100? In the case of Arizona’s pending centennial in 2012, it appears the perfect gift is … an elevator. Seriously.

The Arizona Capitol Centennial Committee updated lawmakers last week on progress toward the 2012 centennial. John Driggs, the committee chairman, said plans to upgrade the circa-1901 elevator in the original Capitol building have been approved. clear pixel

And although fundraising is slow, Driggs said it looks like the upgraded elevator will be in place by the time the 100th birthday rolls around on Feb. 14, 2012.

It’s a key part of the first phase of renovating the original sandstone Capitol building. Driggs said the hope is the first phase also will include upgrading office space in the building to Class A standards, with the goal of moving some legislative offices and meeting rooms into the building.

Driggs assured lawmakers that all of the improvements will be paid for through private fundraising.


The Phoenix Business Journal is reporting that the list of musicians and other acts boycotting Arizona continues to grow:

aboutIconComedian Chris Rock, hard-edge rockers Nine Inch Nails and alternative pop band Maroon Five have joined the list of artists boycotting Arizona over its new immigration law.

The three were added to the list of boycotting artists compiled by a group called the Sound Strike (www.thesoundstrike.net).

Vocalist Ben Harper and alternative band Throwing Muses also joined the Arizona boycott. Sound Strike was formed in May by Rage Against the Machine singer Zack de la Rocha in protest of Arizona’s immigration law, which gives police more authority to question detain suspected illegal immigrants.

Cypress Hill, Kanye West and Rise Against already previously announced boycotts. Critics of the law say it unfairly targets Hispanics. Supporters, including Gov. Jan Brewer, say it will help police combat Mexican drug cartels and smugglers.