North Phoenix Featured on Discovery Channel's MythBusters

The Discovery Channel is famous for its unique brand of original programming, and perhaps no show exhibits those qualities better than MythBusters.

This smash hit show chronicles the adventures of hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman as they put myths and urban legends to the test of science. Each highly entertaining episode balances scientific content with gratuitous amounts of blowing stuff up.

Just the other night I caught a new episode called "Mythssion Control" in which Adam and Jamie travel to Arizona to revisit and retest a previous myth with new variables. Trust me, it's definitely not as boring as it sounds!

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North Phoenix Site Selected for New FBI Headquarters

There was an article in the Phoenix Business Journal the other day that caught my attention. It said that the Phoenix division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has chosen a site in North Phoenix to build its new headquarters.

The new building will be constructed on the southeast corner of 7th Street and Deer Valley Road, just east of Deer Valley Airport and across the street from the Lone Cactus Landfill. It's pretty cool to know that this unassuming patch of desert will one day house one of the most high-tech crime-fighting organizations in the State of Arizona.

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NASCAR #47 Makes Special Appearance in North Phoenix

One of the easiest ways to become a better photographer is to remember this simple rule: Always bring your camera. Today I went out to pick up a few things at the store and like always, I brought my camera with me "just in case." Well today my strategy paid off, because I spotted this awesome car parked outside of the Wal-Mart on Happy Valley Road this afternoon!

This #47 Toyota Camry is driven by Marcos Ambrose who races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. The Australian-born Ambrose is currently ranked 29th out of 57 drivers for the 2010 season according to the NASCAR website.

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Juniper Branch Library At A Glance

Before the Agave Library opened its doors last summer, the Juniper Branch Library was the only place in North Phoenix where bookworms could go to get their literary fix. Juniper is one of 16 branches of the Phoenix Public Library system, all of which are named after native desert plants. What you may not know is that there is much more to the Juniper library than just books!

As a young child, my mother used to take me to the Juniper Branch Library at 19th Avenue and Union Hills Road. Back then the library was a small suite in the northeast corner of the Safeway Plaza where Tutor Time is now located. Then in July of 1996, the Juniper library moved into a brand new building across the street. The new library was fantastic!

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North Phoenix Full of Empty Office Buildings

For decades the Deer Valley Airpark area has been one of the fastest growing regions of commercial real estate in North Phoenix, but these days it's looking more and more like a ghost town.

If you were to drive the two-mile stretch of road between Deer Valley Road and Happy Valley Road like I did today, you would see a startling number of For Rent signs in a sea of mirrored glass buildings. So why are there so many empty office buildings in North Phoenix?

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Experience Classic Car Nirvana at Desert Valley Auto Parts

When it comes to car parts, it's no secret that the junkyards of Phoenix are among the best in the country. Cars do not get rusty and corroded here, thanks to the dry air and mild winters. This is the perfect climate for a place like Desert Valley Auto Parts.

Desert Valley is very different from your typical junkyard. It is a place that classic car enthusiasts might describe as the "mother lode." It's been featured in Car Craft, Mopar Muscle, and dozens of other magazines. It is a place of legendary status, like the Fountain of Youth or the Seven Cities of Gold.

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North Phoenix Celebrates Multiple Grand Openings This Weekend

If you have been following the North Phoenix Blog for a while, you may remember that I have written about the new QuikTrip store, the new Agave Library, and the new Wet-N-Wild Waterpark. It is my pleasure to announce that all of these places are now open for business!

Wet-N-Wild Phoenix (formerly Waterworld Safari) is having its grand opening celebration today, July 4th, 2009, according to The Arizona Republic [article no longer available]. Check their website for pricing and contact information.

The newest QuikTrip store in North Phoenix opened Thursday, July 2nd, 2009. Store #421 is located at 19990 N 19th Ave, which is just south of the Loop 101 / Beardsley Road. Stop by and check it out anytime - all QuikTrip locations are open 24 hours.

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Happy Valley Park and Ride Scheduled for 2010 Opening

For the past few years, ongoing construction along Interstate 17 has made the daily commute into central Phoenix a headache for residents of New River, Anthem, and surrounding areas. Soon, a new Park and Ride facility will provide North Phoenix residents with a new option for commuting into the city.

For those not familiar with the idea of park-and-ride, here's how it works: you drive your personal vehicle to a Park and Ride facility and then leave it at the security-patrolled lot. From there, you board some type of public transportation such as a city bus, shuttle, or light rail to take you to your final destination.

The idea of Park and Ride began back in 1994, when the City of Phoenix approved a public transportation plan that called for a system of buses and 30 park-and-ride facilities to be constructed across the valley over the long term.

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Get Revved Up at Speed Sports USA in North Phoenix

Update: Speed Sports has gone out of business and their website is down.

An unassuming warehouse just north of Deer Valley Airport is home to one of North Phoenix's most underrated attractions.

It is here that contestants meet to do battle, where the difference between victory and defeat is measured in seconds, and where the only rule is: "No frowning."

Okay, I made that last one up. But you'd never know it wasn't really a rule, because everyone at Speed Sports USA sure smiles a lot. In fact, it's kind of contagious. There was a sense of excitement in the air as I stopped by to check it out one Saturday night.

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WaterWorld Safari in North Phoenix, AZ Undergoing Major Renovations

Like many North Phoenix residents, I was stunned when I saw that WaterWorld Safari water park appeared to be closing its doors for good. In the Fall of 2008, the following message appeared on the website for Waterworld Safari:

Golfland Entertainment Centers has permanently ended its operation of WaterWorld Safari. We have enjoyed serving you for the past 16 years and invite you to visit us in 2009 at Big Surf in Tempe and Sunsplash in Mesa. Additionally, Golfland in Mesa is open year-round for family fun. Thank you for your patronage.

This potentially dire situation warranted an investigation on my part. How could one of North Phoenix's most popular attractions be closing? To put things in perspective, I should mention that WaterWorld Safari was the water park I had always gone to as a child. Going there with the family was a summer ritual to be greatly anticipated and remembered.

During the scorching summer months when temperatures would hit 110*F or higher, WaterWorld Safari was definitely the place to be. With over a dozen slides and attractions spread over 36 acres, it was truly an oasis in the desert. From the Serengeti Surf wave pool to the lazy river, the Kilimanjaro Speed Slides, and the enclosed "Black Hole" slide, WaterWorld offered something for everyone.

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North Phoenix High Rise Hotel Close to Completion

Deer Valley's newest high rise hotel is getting close to completion.

The hotel is currently under construction at 23rd Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Road, just East of Interstate 17. When the 7-story structure is finished, it will be the new home of Drury Inn and Suites. With a total of 180 rooms, the Drury will be the largest hotel in North Phoenix.

Drury is a family-owned hotel chain that was first founded in Missouri. Arizona's first Drury Hotel opened in Flagstaff earlier this year. The Drury Inn and Suites Happy Valley will be their second Arizona location. Additionally, Drury owns and operates 115 hotels in 17 states according to their website.

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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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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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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!

More Hotels Sprout Up in Norterra Shopping Center

Recently, I wrote about the trio of new hotels that opened up in North Phoenix last year. "What's up with all of these new hotels?" I wondered. It would appear I spoke too soon, because two more hotels have also sprouted up in the same area! Seriously, the paint on the walls has barely dried and these places already had guests arriving when I went to check them out. Let's take a closer look:

Hampton Inn and Suites
The Hampton Inn and Suites Happy Valley opened in December of 2008. It is located on Charlotte Drive, behind the Super Wal-Mart on I-17 and Happy Valley Road. The four-story hotel has 125 rooms and suites, all of which include Hampton's "Cloud 9" beds and linens.

Guests will enjoy a full list of freebies such as flat-screen TVs with premium channels, wireless Internet, local calls, shuttle service, breakfast, USA Today newspaper, coffee and cookies in the lobby, and an outdoor pool and spa. The freebies you get here are better than the comps at many Las Vegas casinos!

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Come Stay With Us: Deer Valley Opens 3 New Hotels

In a recent post, I wondered if North Phoenix was expanding fast enough to accommodate nine new banks within two miles of each other. It's a road we'll travel down once more, because this year we have seen three new hotels open up within one mile of each other, for a total of 432 new rooms available in the area.

Marriott Residence Inn Hotel - Phoenix
The new Residence Inn by Marriott is now open on Whispering Wind Road, right next door to the Courtyard by Marriott. The two properties are located about a half mile off the Interstate 17, so you can sleep soundly away from the roar of traffic. The Residence Inn is a five-story building with 129 guest rooms. It's a no-nonsense kind of place with quality where it counts. Let me explain what I mean.

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An Honest Review of Culver's Deer Valley

Overview
If you do not venture up near the Deer Valley Airport on a regular basis, then you may not have heard of Culver's by now. It's the newest contestant in the battle for fast food supremacy along Deer Valley Road, and it's going to be a tough one to beat.

The Wisconsin-based franchise has selected Arizona for its newest test market. Culver's Deer Valley opened up earlier this year, in March of 2008. Besides the Phoenix location, there is another one in Mesa and a third one under construction in Surprise. That's a very small number of restaurants and if you do not live nearby, you may be wondering if it's worth the drive. Maybe I should start by explaining what makes Culver's different from the other fast food franchises.

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Luxury Car Dealerships Cruise Into Deer Valley

It comes as no surprise that Phoenix is a hotbed of activity for automotive enthusiasts. From our growing network of freeways to our laughable public transportation system, there is no question that Phoenix is a drivers' town. I believe it has a lot to do with the fact that people in Phoenix just like driving.Every year in January, a mass migration of motorheads takes place in North Scottsdale where the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction is held. There's just something about the dry desert air and mild winter climate provides the perfect atmosphere for millionaires to mingle with rare and collectible automobiles.

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Battle of the Banks

In the peaceful desert landscape near Deer Valley Airport, a storm cloud has been brewing for the last two years. The air has grown heavy with anticipation as 9 different opponents prepare to do battle. They have chosen North Phoenix as the arena, and it's going to be one heck of a fight.

Okay, so maybe it's not a fight in the traditional sense with guns and soldiers. But the competition for your business will be fierce with 9 new banks opening along a two-mile stretch of road. That's right; nine different banks have locations staked out along 19th Avenue between Deer Valley Road and Happy Valley Road. All of them are brand new locations constructed within the past two years. Let's take a look at the contenders:

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