Roller Derby Basic Training Camp

Arizona Roller Derby takes on Tucson

Arizona Roller Derby (AZRD) is bringing in their 9^th season with a blast.  Join AZRD’s Bad News Beaters as they take on the Furious Truck Stop Waitresses (FTW) of Tucson Roller Derby this Saturday night, October 8^th.

This interleague bout is sure to turn some heads, as both of these WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) leagues battle it out in the second game of the season.

Want more derby?  Good, because this double-header event will also feature AZRD’s own Brawlarinas, who will be taking on the Beaters, also of Arizona Roller Derby.  With technique and strategy, not to mention some good old fashion hip checks, AZRD will have Castle Sports Club packed with derby fans and skaters rooting for their favorite teams.

As one of the top 20 WFTDA leagues in the country, AZRD always hits the track full force.  WFTDA bouts feature a very athletic atmosphere and as the only WTFDA league in Phoenix, AZRD is sure to rock the derby socks off everyone in the house.

Doors open at 6pm with the first bout starting at 6:30pm.  Adult Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door and children’s rates are discounted to $5.

For more information or to get tickets, visit: http://arizonaderbygirls.com.

Castle Sports Club

11420 North 19th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85029

Your best bet in Phoenix movie theaters this weekend is “50/50,” a comedy starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a young man who, diagnosed with malignant tumors up and down his spine, vows to beat his illness. Aside from being seriously funny, the film is also respectably realistic, powerfully poignant and uniquely uplifting.

However, “Machine Gun Preacher,” a drama starring Gerard Butler as a former drug-dealing biker who finds God and becomes a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children, is also worth a look. Playing exclusively at Harkins Camelview 5, the movie – which, by the way, is based on a true story –  powerfully portrays the heart of the ultimate spiritual struggle.

If both of those new releases are a bit too serious for your cinematic palette, try “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil,” a dark comedy starring Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk as two scruffy pals whose backwoods vacation takes a bloody turn when ignorant college students mistake them for a pair of murderous hillbillies. Playing exclusively at Harkins Valley Art, it an extraordinarily unique motion picture with one wicked sense of humor.

Meanwhile, arthouse connoisseurs will want to check out “Love Crime,” a keenly crafted women-of-the-workplace thriller starring Kristen Scott Thomas and Ludivine Sagnier. Playing exclusively at UltraStar Scottsdale Pavilions, the French flick brings a savoir faire to the fine art of retaliation, giving moviegoers an opportunity to stretch not only their emotions but also their intelligence around every titillating twist and turn.

Regardless which of this weekend’s new releases you choose to see, it is bound to be better than “What’s Your Number?” The romantic comedy, in which Anna Faris plays an unmarried woman who revisits her numerous ex-boyfriends to find out if one of them could be her true love, shows potential but lets cold feet scare it right back into the same old genre formula.

Joseph J. Airdo

Joseph J. Airdo, 27, is a Walter Cronkite School of Journalism graduate with a bachelor’s degree in media analysis and criticism. In addition to Phoenix.org, Joseph is a film columnist for several outlets throughout the Valley, including Examiner.com/Phoenix and AZ Weekly Entertainment Magazine. Listen to Joseph’s “Movie Maverick” radio segment, every Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. during “The Daily Blender with Jeffry O’Brien” on KBSZ – NBC 1260 AM and 96.1 FM.

Schnepf Farms Peach Festival May 2011

The Schnepf Farms Peach festival participants may enjoy countless peach centered activities. Some of the activities include peach centered games, peach pie spitting contest. A peach pie eating contest. There will also be demonstrations by well known local chefs at 10am on each day of the festival. The festival occurs on May 14^th, 15^th, 21^st, 22^nd.

Make sure to bring your kids as well. Attendance is free but there are many activities to participate in that do require a small fee such as a ride through the orchard on a train that is $3 per person. There is also a small roller coaster, a honeybee adventure, and giant slide and more. Unlimited ride wristbands can be purchased for only $10.

For more information contact Schnepf Farms at 480-987-3100 or visit their website at http://www.schnepffarms.com/.

Additional Information:

Dates: May 14,15,21,22

Hours: 7:30am-4:00pm

Admission: Free

Phone: 480-987-3100

Location:

Schnepf Farms

24810 S. Rittenhouse Road

Queen Creek, AZ. 85242

While planning the trip for our family camping excursion at the Grand Canyon, I finally convinced my spouse to spend a couple of days in Phoenix. We reside in Houston and my husband used to be in the Phoenix plumbing business years ago, and wasn’t too thrilled at the idea of going back for a vacation, you know, sometimes it’s hard to vacation in a place that you previously lived. However, I am usually able to get my way with him!

Knowing that tent camping for several days was in our future, we splurged and got a room at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort. Again, my spouse was resistant, as we typically go for B&Bs, but the North Mountain Recreation Area neighboring the hotel sold him. Our teenaged son was wild about the pool area with forty-foot waterfalls and a 130-foot water slide. The Tocaloma Spa at the resort is spectacular and I spent an afternoon there being pampered while the guys hiked and swam.

We are a scouting family and enjoy nature and educational activities, and the Desert Botanical Garden was a treat. Exhibits contained informative plaques that explained the properties and habitats of desert plants and discussed the ways that indigenous people around the world utilize these plants as medicinal treatments. The staff was knowledgeable and they were eager to answer our questions about the herbs and peoples of the area.

In Echo Canyon Recreation Area, my husband (who recently hiked Pikes Peak), was ecstatic about the easy access to Camelback Mountain, and insisted that we conquer Phoenix’s highest peak. The Summit Trail that leads to the top is only 1.2 miles and ascends only 1200 feet, but don’t be fooled: this is one tough hike. The trek is strenuous and extremely steep in most places. I was amazed by the views but more amazed by the number of people easily running up this mountain. Some of these extremely athletic people had babies in tow while others had dogs (or both). Do this activity early, as it gets beyond hot in summer. Make certain to use sunscreen, bring water, and wear shades or a hat.

The Heard Museum was, by far, my personal favorite highlight of Phoenix. They have the most extensive Native American collection I could imagine would exist in one place. Each Arizona tribe has its own section dedicated to displaying their arts, artifacts, and preserving their cultural traditions. This setup allowed for in-depth learning while offering the visual benefits of the extensive collections of art and clothing to enhance the experience.

Our final favorite experience was a grand slam final activity before departing Phoenix. The guys were more than obliged to spend the afternoon at the Castles & Coasters amusement park after purchasing one of their day passes. They were impressed with the double loop roller coaster and swore that there were “a thousand games in there”. Both of them came out of the park looking and laughing like ten year olds loaded on cotton candy. I took my day pass of sorts across the parking lot to the Metrocenter and bargain hunted while they played.

Needless to say, we’ll be coming back to Phoenix very soon!

Author: Lucy C. from Houston, TX

Sample Fuego Bistro Discount Card

Fuego Bistro and Phoenix.org have teamed up to offer residents of the Valley of the Sun with a 50% discount at Fuego Bistro’s wonderful eatery. If you have not eaten at Fuego Bistro then you are missing out. Their Latin fare will rock your mouth and send you into a state of perfection that one rarely experiences. From their signature empanadas served with homemade BBQ sauce to the mouthwatering Green Chilli Cheese Burger made with real Angus beef, Fuego Bistro is a great place for a date with your special someone or just a great local to hang out with the friends.

The deal that Phoenix.org is offering you is good for a 50% discount on your complete dinner order (up to a $100 value and excluding alcohol). To make sure that you experience as much as Fuego Bistro as possible the discount is broken up into 5 different uses. This means that you can visit Fuego Bistro, order $40 worth of food and only pay $20 for it and you can do this five different times! Lets see, that means you can try the Angus Grilled New York Strip Steak,  then the Jumbo Sauteed Prawns followed by Pan Seared Blackened Ahi Tuna and then possibly the Natural Farmed Chicken Breast… the combinations and choices go on and on!

OK, so what is this $100 value going to cost…

Easy, just $9.99!

Yep, you read that right. For just $9.99 you can save up to $100 eating at Fuego Bistro, one of the tastiest restaurants in Phoenix and it is all brought to you by Phoenix.org.

• Fuego Bistro
• 713 E. Palo Verde Drive
• Phoenix, AZ 85014
• 602-277-1151

Still not sure if Fuego Bistro is the kind of food for you? Then take a minute and read some of the overwhelmingly positive reviews all over the internet.

Fuego Bistro Yelp Reviews

Fuego Bistro AZCentral.com Reviews

Fuego Bistro Urban Spoon Reviews

You can purchase the discount card via paypal using the “Buy Now” link below. Because the discount card is a professionally made physical card and not simply a printable page it is necessary that you provide us with your address so we can mail it to you. The card will be mailed within 24 hours of payment.

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Soleri Bridge

New Soleri Footbridge Dedicated at Scottsdale Waterfront
By: Trevor Freeman

Scottsdale, Arizona recently celebrated the completion of one of the most ambitious public art projects in the city’s history. On Saturday, December 11th, 2010, the new Soleri Footbridge was officially dedicated in Old Town Scottsdale.

The $3.5 million dollar bridge spans the Arizona Canal near Scottsdale Road and Camelback Road in an area known as “The Waterfront.” It is the first of architect Paolo Soleri’s bridges to be completed.

The bridge is 24 feet wide at the south end and 18 feet wide at the north end. It features clean, modern lines that hang low over the water’s surface. The bridge’s basic function is to allow pedestrians, cyclists, and horseback riders to cross the canal safely. However, the bridge also incorporates several features which are appropriate to its desert location including a built-in solar calendar and a gathering plaza with a cast bronze windbell.

The main support for the bridge comes from a pair of 64 foot-tall columns which stand at a near-vertical 80-degree angle. When the sun reaches its highest point of the day (solar noon), its light will shine through a six-inch gap between the supports on to the deck of the bridge. The Soleri Footbridge is proof that art can be both functional and beautiful at the same time.

Paolo Soleri is an architect who is known around the world for his unique style of “arcology,” a term he coined which combines architecture and ecology. Soleri is also the founder of the Cosanti Foundation, a non-profit educational group that oversees Cosanti in Scottsdale and Arcosanti in Mayer, Arizona (approximately 75 miles north of Phoenix).

Both of these facilities aim to promote Soleri’s vision of architecture that is conscious of its environment. They are also functioning studios and galleries where artisans work in bronze casting, ceramics, and earth-formed structures. We would like to congratulate Mr. Soleri and the City of Scottsdale on their tremendous achievements!

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Trevor Freeman is a resident of the Phoenix valley and a contributing author to Phoenix.org. He also maintains his own local blog at NorthPhoenixBlog.Blogspot.com.

If you would like to contribute an article to Phoenix.org then please contact our editor at Troy@Phoenix.org.

Encanto Park Ceremony

Encanto Park Celebrates 75th Anniversary

By: Trevor Freeman

One of Phoenix’s most unique icons recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. I’m talking about Encanto Park, located on 15th Avenue between Thomas Road and McDowell Road.

As one of Phoenix’s 31 Points of Pride, Encanto Park has received special recognition as a significant landmark in Phoenix’s history and culture. The massive 222-acre park is truly an oasis in the desert with its abundant water features including a 7.5 acre lagoon, boathouse, and public swimming pool.

The idea for the park came about in 1934 from millionaire philanthropist William G. Hartranft, who also served as the first director of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation board. He envisioned a grand city park that would be as iconic as San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park or San Diego’s Balboa Park.

The park’s design and layout incorporates elements from English Garden Parks of the 1920s and 1930s as well as the City Beautiful Movement that took place during the turn of the 20th century.

Over the years, Encanto Park has been upgraded with modern features like picnic areas with barbecue grills, a nature trail, and sports facilities such as a baseball diamond, basketball court, and tennis courts. For over seven decades, it’s been one of the most popular spots for Phoenix residents to eat, play, and relax under the park’s numerous shade trees.

But there’s more to Encanto than just sports and recreation. Encanto Park is also home to Enchanted Island, an amusement park geared towards children of all ages. Enchanted Island has plenty of rides and attractions to choose from such as a historic carousel, train ride, bumper boats, and more. There’s even a water park for those hot summer days!

As the park turned 75 this year, the City of Phoenix put together a big celebration on Saturday, November 27th. The whole day was filled with events such as live music from local artists, activities for kids, and a fireworks display at night.

Encanto Park really has something for everyone. It was voted one of the 12 best parks in America by Forbes Magazine in 2009, and for good reason! In many ways, Encanto is the crown jewel of city parks in Phoenix. If you haven’t been there, I would strongly encourage you to stop by and check it out for yourself!

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Trevor Freeman is a resident of the Phoenix valley and a contributing author to Phoenix.org. He also maintains his own local blog at NorthPhoenixBlog.Blogspot.com.

If you would like to contribute an article to Phoenix.org then please contact our editor at Troy@Phoenix.org.

Glendale Glitters Festival of Light

Glendale Glitters Festival of Lights

By: Trevor Freeman

If you’re not from Arizona, you may find that winters in Phoenix can take some getting used to. When Christmastime rolls around, many find that it’s hard to get into the spirit of the season when there is no snow on the ground. While strings of lights are no substitute for snow, they are the best we have.

The City of Glendale, Arizona gets its residents in the West Valley going every year with a celebration called Glendale Glitters. All 16 blocks of historic downtown Glendale are decorated with over 1.5 million colored lights, making it the largest FREE light display in all of Arizona! You’ll find lights hanging from buildings, trees, lampposts, and everywhere else!

Of course, there’s more to Glendale Glitters than just a lot of festive decorations. Murphy Park in front of Glendale City Hall is a center of activity including live music and dancing, food vendors, and even horse-drawn carriage rides!

The City of Glendale has made this year one of the best yet for coming down to check out the festivities. For the first time ever, two public parking garages are now open in addition to on-street parking. The City Hall garage at 59^th Avenue and Glendale Avenue and the Bank of America building garage at 58^th Avenue and Glenn Drive both offer premier parking for $10 per vehicle.

The centerpiece is a 30-foot tall Christmas tree loaded with decorations. This year’s tree features a dancing light display that is synchronized to a selection of eight popular Christmas songs.

Come check out Glendale Glitters nightly from 5 to 10pm, now through January 8^th, 2011. For more details, please visit http://www.glendaleaz.com/events/

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Trevor Freeman is a resident of the Phoenix valley and a contributing author to Phoenix.org. He also maintains his own local blog at NorthPhoenixBlog.Blogspot.com.

If you would like to contribute an article to Phoenix.org then please contact our editor at Troy@Phoenix.org.

Arizona Auto Show November 1

Arizona International Auto Show 2010
By: Trevor Freeman

November is that special time of year when the weather starts to get cold, families come together for Thanksgiving, and the cars roll into town. By cars, I mean the Arizona International Auto show at the Phoenix Convention Center. This event comes to town each year on Thanksgiving weekend. This year’s show could be the best one yet!

Here’s how it works: for four days, the Phoenix Convention Center fills up with brand-new vehicles from the world’s major automakers. They are on display in a no-pressure environment where prospective buyers can get a feel for them. You can sit down, play with the knobs, adjust the seat, and kick the tires without being hassled by salesmen.

With over 400 cars spread out among 310,000 square feet of space, the 2010 Arizona International Auto Show is a fun way to check out all the latest models while walking off the extra pounds from Thanksgiving.

Besides mass-production vehicles, the Auto Show is also a great place to check out concept vehicles. These one-off models may or may not make it to production, so in some cases this may be your only chance to see them. This year the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 and Chevrolet Camaro LS7 concept vehicles will be on display.

My favorite part of the auto show takes place at the curb in front of the Phoenix Convention Center, where select carmakers have ride-and-drive events set up. This gives you a chance to ride along in or drive a brand new car around downtown Phoenix. Last year, I drove the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS automatic coupe with the 400-horsepower V8. It was such a blast that I was smiling all day long!

Arizona Auto Show November Number 2

Other manufacturers including Ford and Jeep also have ride-and-drive pavilions featuring their latest models. The Jeep exhibit takes passengers over a rough off-road course in a Trail-Rated Jeep vehicle, which is driven by a professional 4×4 driver. At the Ford pavilion, drivers can take the wheel of a brand new 2011 Ford Fiesta, Mustang, Taurus, Edge, F150 pickup, or a Super Duty Diesel truck.

If you’re looking for a great way to spend your Thanksgiving weekend, I highly recommend visiting the Arizona International Auto Show.

Date: November 25-28, 2010
Hours: 9am to 7pm Thursday and Sunday, 9am to 9pm Friday and Saturday
Admission: $9 adults, $5 military, students, seniors, and children 7-12. Children 6 and under are free.

For more information, visit: http://www.motortrendautoshows.com/phoenix/generalinfo.jsp

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Trevor Freeman is a resident of the Phoenix valley and a contributing author to Phoenix.org. He also maintains his own local blog at NorthPhoenixBlog.Blogspot.com.

If you would like to contribute an article to Phoenix.org then please contact our editor at Troy@Phoenix.org.