Thanks Scott!

Click on the image below to view the storm

Phoenix dust storm Time Lapse Video Scott Wood Photography

Image Source

Looking for something to do on Mother’s Day in Phoenix this year? If you have young children then consider taking them to the Phoenix Children’s Museum. On Mother’s Day the Phoenix Children’s Museum is offering free admission for mothers of young children (Grandparents will have to wait until “Grandparent Day” later this year for free admission).

Take the family and the mom is free. Your kids will love all the activities and special exhibits. Among the special Mother’s Day activities will be the children making mosaics for their mothers as well as using the art studio for other mother centered creations.

Children and adults are just $9 per person and children under 1 are free.

For more information visit their website at ChildrensMuseumOfPhoenix.org.

Image Source: http://assets.kaboose.com/media/00/00/1a/23/a8d456c61f743248494f3aab9bc26f77b11252f1/476×357/paper-plate-card-mothers-craft-photo-475-aformaro-064_476x357.jpg

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

Excel Preparatory Academy

Excel Preparatory Academy will offer college and career and career prep curriculum by the John Hopkins University beginning August 2011

MESA, ARIZONA – Excel Preparatory Academy (EPA) is a tuition free, public charter high school located in the Mesa, Arizona area. The school is scheduled to open in August 2011 and will provide quality education to 100 freshmen and 100 10th graders in the first year.

Excel Prep (www.excelprep.org) is a state approved charter school that is aimed at creating a high-achieving 9 – 12 high school that will be made available to students in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The school’s innovative school model comes an experienced educational leader – John Hopkins University.

The school will feature,
A powerful college and career prep curriculum
Small class sizes
Personalized education
Academic learning expeditions
A small learning environment
High expectations of students
A results-oriented atmosphere
Dual enrollment
Competitive enrollment
Dedicated faculty and staff

The school is established by a team of dedicated educators, and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Realistic understanding and knowledge ignited the aspiration for the team of educators to provide over and above their own expectations, extending an opportunity to ready as many students as feasible for what lies ahead, be it plans for college or a career.

“Our inspiration stems from our work in charter and district schools. The need was so great and our part was too small to reach all of the students that needed a chance at a good education,” commented one team member. “We want to extend a chance and prepare as many students as possible for the future.”

Next fall, 200 new students will relish in a tuition-free school they can call their own. Besides regular educational needs, students also benefit from additional activities and support including career academies, electives, student clubs, and sports-oriented activities.

Excel Prep is FREE to attend and open to all students in the Phoenix metro area. Excel Preparatory Academy offers a small school environment dedicated to academic excellence. We are located at 6659 E. University Dr. Mesa, AZ 85205

######

About Excel Preparatory Academy:
Excel Preparatory Academy is a nonprofit organization providing rigorous college and vocational access Preparatory program to 9th – 12th graders in the Phoenix Metro Area. Excel Preparatory Academy will be structured an experienced educational organization, to work with the nation’s high schools to deliver high standards academics to the right students at the right time.
Excel Preparatory Academy will be located at 6659 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ 85205 and will begin providing quality, educational classes to the first 200 students in August 2011.

Contact
For more information, please contact Excel Prep at 480-648.9566 or info@excelprep.org

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.

.

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!

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

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!

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

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.

By: Trevor Freeman

If I had to pick just one word to describe Arizona, it would be inspiring. Maybe it’s the variety of landscapes and climates, or perhaps it is the remarkable sunsets. Whatever the reason, there’s just something about Arizona that inspires people to get creative. Here is my list of some cool books about Arizona:

Weird Arizona Book Cover

1. Weird Arizona by Wesley Treat

This book features all of the weird, strange, and unique places you won’t find in other travel guides. Weird Arizona features roadside attractions, haunted places, and all manner of weirdness. Definitely a must-read for those off-the-beaten-path explorers. It also makes a great gift!

Weird Arizona by Wesley Treat

2. Moon Handbooks: Arizona by Bill Weir

A dear friend gifted me this excellent travel guide to Arizona. It covers Page to Nogales and everything in between. The best Arizona has to offer in attractions, lodging, and dining are all packed into this extremely portable book. Weir goes a step beyond other travel guides by introducing each of Arizona’s regions with a detailed and contextual history.

3. Phoenix Then and Now by Paul Scharbach and John Akers

Take a trip back through time and see what Phoenix used to look like in its early days. This book takes it a step further with “rephotography” – modern-day photos from the same locations as historical photos. Akers and Scharbach do a masterful job of showing the city’s changing face over time.

Phoenix Then and Now

4. The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons by John Wesley Powell

Civil War veteran, geologist, and explorer John Wesley Powell was the first man to lead an exploration of the Colorado River Valley in 1869. Powell’s journal records the incredible 1,000 mile journey that led to the first recorded exploration of the Grand Canyon with the soul of a poet and the wit of a scientist.

5. Official Arizona Trivia by Marshall Trimble

As the Official State Historian of Arizona, Marshall Trimble has spent his life preserving the state’s history and culture through his written works. In Arizona Trivia, he recounts the weird, wacky, and unusual facts about the state’s history that you simply won’t find anywhere else!

6. Phoenix: 21st Century City by Edward Booth-Clibborn

This book is a compilation of photographs that highlights the architectural and artistic side of Phoenix as it continues to grow and expand in a seemingly endless sprawl of suburbs. It’s worth owning just for the remarkable photographs of a city that is contstantly in transition and the effects that has on its residents.

7. Arcosanti: An Urban Laboratory? by Paolo Soleri

This Italian-born architect has adopted Arizona as the home for his vision of the future. Arcology is a fusion of architecture and ecology, exhibited at Soleri’s experimental community in Mayer, Arizona and at Cosanti in Scottsdale. His visions of the future are as ambitious as they are grand, which makes for some controversial yet interesting theology.

8. Monumental Places: National Parks and Monuments in the Grand Canyon State by George McNamee

Published by Arizona Highways, this book takes readers on a tour of Arizona’s most famous places. At just 80 pages, the focus of this book is clearly on quality. It features the stunning, award-winning photographs that Arizona Highways magazine is famous for. Great for shutterbugs and Arizona enthusiasts alike.

9. Route 66 Across Arizona by Richard and Sherry Magnum

Check out this comprehensive index of Historic Route 66 in Arizona! From the New Mexico border to the California State Line, this book features maps, photos, and information about the Mother Road’s path through Arizona.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

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.

By: Trevor Freeman

Like any major city, Phoenix has its share of excellent shopping, dining, and entertainment attractions. But what if you want to do something a little more unique, something a little more…Arizona? In that case, here are ten activities which you can only do in Phoenix.

10. Ride “Desert Storm”

Castles-N-Coasters is the home of Desert Storm, Arizona’s biggest roller coaster and the only one in the state with two inverted loops. Besides the coaster, Castles-N-Coasters also offers other rides, miniature golf, and a two-story arcade.

Hotel San Carlos Phoenix

9. Take a Ghost Tour

The Hotel San Carlos in downtown Phoenix is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a woman who leapt to her death from the hotel’s roof in the 1930s. The hotel caters to ghost hunters with guided tours running October through December.

8. Climb Camelback Mountain

This Phoenix landmark does sort of look like a camel’s hump, if you squint a little. It is one of the most popular trails in town and provides hikers with an excellent view of Phoenix and the quirky Camelback Castle.

7. Catch a Diamondbacks Game

Nothing is more enjoyable than watching a baseball game on a real grass field – unless of course it were air-conditioned! That’s exactly the case at Chase Field, where the retractable roof opens and closes in just over four minutes.

6. Eat at Pizzeria Bianco

This locally owned pizzeria in downtown Phoenix was voted the Best Pizza in America by New York food critic Ed Levine in 2005. Chef Chris Bianco’s gourmet wood-fired pizzas are a big draw, so grab a drink at the bar while you wait for a table. Wait times can be as long as 2 hours, even on a weeknight!

5. Ride the Light Rail

Valley Light Metro Rail

Phoenix’s light rail system offers 20 miles of track connecting the city with Mesa and Tempe. Take a ride on the smooth and quiet electric train and experience one of Phoenix’s newest icons.

4. Play Golf in December

There’s no question about it, Phoenix is a hotspot for golfers. With over 250 days of sunshine per year and over 150 courses in the greater Phoenix area, you can get in another round at any time of the year.

3. Dine with a Twist

The Compass Restaurant in downtown Phoenix will have your head spinning before you even get to your table! As Arizona’s only revolving restaurant, it makes one full revolution in about an hour. Lunch and dinner are served year round.

2. Visit Hunt’s Tomb

Located in Papago Park near the Phoenix Zoo, Hunt’s Tomb is the final resting place of Arizona’s first Governor. Mr. Hunt served seven terms as Governor of Arizona and is one of the few non-Egyptians to be commemorated with a pyramid.

1. Visit Ro Ho En Japanese Garden

This Japanese garden is one of Phoenix’s best kept secrets. Located above the Interstate 10 “Deck Park” tunnel, the garden features traditional Japanese plants and landscaping that provide a truly relaxing experience.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

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 State Parks Foundation Announces Houseboat Vacation Giveaway

By: Trevor Freeman

Arizona State Parks Houseboat Giveaway

Are you feeling the need to get away from it all, but you cannot afford to take a vacation? Then pay close attention, because the Arizona State Parks Foundation is giving away a week-long houseboat vacation absolutely free!

To enter, all you have to do is visit the Arizona State Parks Foundation website between now and December 31^st, 2010. Simply complete a short online form and you will be entered to win the grand prize. There are no entry fees or hoops to jump through. It’s just that easy!

On January 5^th, 2011, a winner will be drawn from the entries collected. The lucky winner will get a one-week vacation aboard a 59-foot Deluxe XT houseboat and a full tank of fuel, courtesy of ForeverResorts.com. This prize is worth

Best of all, you get to pick which lake you take the vacation on! The choices are Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, or Lake Powell. The vacation must be taken within one year of the drawing.

A houseboat vacation is a great way to experience the natural beauty of Arizona. It offers more amenities than camping, more privacy than a hotel, and much more space than a camper or RV. As far as houseboats go, the Deluxe XT is fully-loaded. It holds 10 to 12 people and features a Sun Canopy, 4 bedrooms, and a full kitchen. For the complete list of amenities, check out http://foreverhouseboats.com/houseboatdetail.cfm/59XT

The giveaway is sponsored by the Arizona State Parks Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps to raise money and provide community support and public education about Arizona’s 30 state parks.

To read the complete terms and conditions of the contest or to submit your entry, please visit: http://arizonastateparksfoundation.org/contest.html

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

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.