North Phoenix Blog Exclusive Interview with Mike Montalvo of CollabLab

Many small businesses in Arizona are feeling the pinch during these tough economic times. Among the hardest hit are the independent and self-employed professionals of North Phoenix.

In every industry from web design and graphic arts to freelance accounting and architecture, the struggle to keep their heads above water is constant. Fortunately, local entrepreneur Mike Montalvo has a solution.

What if there were a place for freelancers to meet and exchange ideas? What if they could network with like-minded individuals in a positive environment? What if they could offer suggestions and provide constructive criticism to one another?

These are the ideals at the root of the "coworking" movement, where freelancers and independents enjoy the synergy that is created when they come together in a collaborative working environment. Fostering this collaborative work environment is the goal of Mr. Montalvo's newest venture, appropriately dubbed "CollabLab."

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AZCentral Needs Your Vote for Reader's Choice 2009

If you ask ten Phoenix residents which local restaurant has the best Mexican food, you'll get ten different answers. But what if you could ask ten thousand residents or more? A majority of votes for the same restaurant would be a very strong indication of that restaurant's performance.

Well now is the time to make your voice heard, because the Arizona Republic wants your opinion on everything from dining to shopping, arts to entertainment, and everything in between! You can vote for over 100 of your favorite local hotspots in their online poll through April 15th. The results of "Reader's Choice 2009" will be published by the Arizona Republic in May.

Take a moment to participate in the annual survey, now in its 3rd year. Your favorite local businesses would thank you and it only takes a few minutes. Check it out: http://archive.azcentral.com/best/2009/ [link no longer available]

What to Do in Phoenix This Weekend

Looking for something to do in the Phoenix area this weekend? There's something going on in every part of town! For me, the only problem is deciding which event to attend first.

Southwest Military Transport Show
When: March 21 and 22, 9am to 3pm
Where: Arizona Wing Commemorative Air Force Museum, Falcon Field in Mesa
Greenfield Road and McKellips Road
What: Military vehicle show including jeeps, trucks, and all-terrain vehicles. Swap meet with food. View permanent collection of historic military aircraft.
Cost: $3 to $7 dollars
More Info: Southwest Military Transport Show

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New QuikTrip Under Construction in North Phoenix

Times are tough for many businesses in Phoenix, but one company continues to build and expand its network of convenience stores.

North Phoenix's newest QuikTrip store is now under construction at the Southwest corner of 19th Avenue and the Loop 101 freeway. For the past couple of weeks I have watched as construction crews cleared the land and prepared it for building. Just the other day, a friend told me about the newly installed sign confirming it will be a QuikTrip.

The new store will join three other North Phoenix locations including 17th Avenue and Bell Road, 7th Street and Loop 101, and the Cave Creek Road and Deer Valley Road store.

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The Ultimate Guide to Recycling in Phoenix, Arizona

With temperatures at a perfect 80 degrees and Spring Break in full swing, many North Phoenix residents are getting started on their spring cleaning projects.

For many, cleaning out the garage, attic, or storage shed is a yearly ritual best performed during the nicest time of year. Other home improvement projects such as remodeling also take place during the Spring.

We at the North Phoenix Blog encourage our readers to be as efficient as possible when cleaning out their houses of unnecessary clutter. Recycle, reduce, and reuse your old items whenever possible.

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John Travolta's Airplane Spotted at Deer Valley Airport

The neat thing about living right by the busiest general aviation airport in the country is that you never know who's going to drop in.

Just the other day I was driving past Deer Valley Airport when I noticed a large red tail sticking up into the sky. I pulled over to take a couple of pictures of the aircraft, a Boeing 707-138 wearing red and white Quantas livery.

An aircraft this large is certainly an unusual sight at Deer Valley, where Pipers and Cessnas are standard fare for most pilots. The aircraft's tail number, N707JT, is known by planespotters to be registered to actor and pilot John Travolta.

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Deer Valley Magazine Publishes Best of Deer Valley 2009 Guide

When in Phoenix, do as the Phoenicians do.

Fortunately for residents and visitors to the North Phoenix area, there is now a complete guide to the Deer Valley area. Deer Valley Magazine has recently published its "Best of Deer Valley 2009" list, which includes all types of local businesses from restaurants to financial and legal services.

When you want the top-rated businesses and services in North Phoenix, look to the Best of Deer Valley guide for their expert recommendations. You can pick up a free copy of Deer Valley Magazine at any of the fine locations listed on their website.

For the rest of the Phoenix area, be sure to check out the "Best of Phoenix" directory from the Phoenix New Times. What are some of your favorite places near Deer Valley Airport? Post your comments below!

Things I Love About Living In Phoenix

Like every city, there are both upsides and downsides to living in Phoenix. Personally, I feel the benefits greatly outweigh the costs. Lots of other people must feel the same way, since Phoenix keeps growing larger and larger each year.

Here are some of my favorite things about living in Phoenix:

• Arizona does not participate in any Daylight Savings Time nonsense (excluding the Navajo Nation, which observes it)



• Arizona uses the Public Land Survey System, which is an absolutely brilliant way to survey land.

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Protect Yourself from Metal Theft

With unemployment levels in Arizona climbing to record highs, many Phoenix residents are desperately searching for ways to make money. Sadly, some have turned to crimes such as burglary and theft. One crime that has become extremely popular in recent years is metal theft.

Metal theft occurs when thieves take raw materials from construction sites, homes, and vehicles and sell it to a scrap recycler for profit. Precious metals such as copper, silver, brass, bronze, platinum, aluminum, and steel are in high demand and recyclers are paying high premiums for every pound of metal recovered.

Theft of precious metal is a citywide epidemic according to statistics published by the Phoenix Police Department, which reported a 430% increase from 2003 to 2007 according to an Aug 16, 2008 article in the Arizona Republic. Based on my own research for this article, I have compiled a list of "high risk" places where metal is often reported missing:

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