in Wildcat blue and red. (There was even, many decades ago, a kidnapping.) This year, the Sun Devil Source community put some money together and purchased a billboard along Interstate 10 as a reminder of the absolute thrashing ASU gave the U of A in its December matchup. “NO PITY FOR THE KITTY,” the maroon-and-gold billboard shouted, bracketed by “70-7,” the final score of that game. ASU fans called the billboard payback for when U of A put up billboards around Phoenix trumpeting the hire of head coach Kevin Sumlin in 2018. That honeymoon didn’t last too long, though: The day after that 70-7 loss, Sumlin was fired by U of A. EEEEE Sunshine Craft Co 700 West Campbell Avenue 607-821-9700 sunshinecraftco.com When the character Annie sang about the sun coming out tomorrow in the classic musical, she imagined better days coming. This year, people imagined a better life be- yond the pandemic, which made it nearly impossible to gather for shared creative experiences like crafting. Turns out, the sun never stopped shining at Sunshine Craft Co, because the craft boutique gave people so many options for keeping that maker impulse going. The shop offered in- person and online classes, but also sold kits so people would have the materials and instructions they needed to make fabulous items at home. Founder Amy Guerrero was right on trend, offering classes in macrame wall hangings while every home design show was putting the offbeat wall art front and center. People could make things just for fun, or work on projects that would actually enhance their living or work spaces. With numerous projects suited to beginners, the shop offers ev- eryone a way to bring a bit of therapeutic crafting into their lives during a time when so many need it. With Sunshine Craft Co, the sun never stopped coming out. EEEEE Electric Bat Arcade 25 West Southern Avenue, Tempe electricbatarcade.com Local artist Rachel Bess has a passion for pinball, spooky things, and tiki bar culture, and at Electric Bat, her arcade next to Tempe’s Yucca Tap Room, all three interests intertwine to create a place that oozes more cool than other joystick joints. Inside, the lighting is kept low and the rotating selection of 29 pinball machines (including old fa- vorites and new releases) are kept in top shape by Bess and her husband, Cale Hernandez. Classics like Magic Sword and a few Japanese import games are also available for play, while one corner hosts the tiki-themed “Electric Bar” with cocktails inspired by horror films. Pinball wizards who win the monthly high score contest can get their names etched on a tally board, and players who accumulate the most points each year are awarded a championship belt. Those who aren’t Tommy-esque silver ball savants can still score, as the token machine oc- casionally dispenses “free beer” coins. It’s one of the many reasons we’ll keep coming back to roost at Electric Bat. EEEEE La Gattara Cat Cafe & Boutique 147 East Garfield Street lagattara.org 88 After La Gattara left its Tempe location last year, the popular cat lounge landed on its feet at a new space in downtown Phoenix this past spring with three times as much room for kitties and the humans who love them. Also new: a coffee bar stocked by Scottsdale’s Passport Coffee and Tea, a boutique room, and an outdoor patio and parking lot. The real reason to visit La Gat- tara, though, is for its playroom and crew of resident felines. Colorfully decorated by Hauspanther artist Kate Benjamin and furnished with bean bag chairs and other comfortable seating, it’s where some 40 adoptable rescue cats frolic and interact BEST OF PHOENIX 2021 | WWW.BESTOFPHOENIX2021.C0M | SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 fu n & g B ES T A R T C a me s B ES T A R C A DE LA S SES B E S HE T P L V A A Y P C E TET O DTING O S OME