Exploring South Mountain Park

Which geologic landmark in Arizona attracts more than 3 million visitors every year, but many Arizona residents have never been there? You may be surprised to learn that it's not the Grand Canyon! I'm talking about South Mountain Park and Preserve.

Located directly south of downtown Phoenix, South Mountain is the largest municipal park in the world. There are more than 50 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails on over 16,000 acres of land.

Like many Phoenix residents, I have driven past South Mountain countless times but never taken the time to check it out up close. That was the case until earlier this year, when I decided to head up there on a whim on Memorial Day. What I found greatly exceeded my expectations!

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Wet-N-Wild Waterpark Offers Dive-In Movies

It was just about a year ago that Wet-N-Wild water park in North Phoenix opened its doors to the public after a change of ownership and a major overhaul. I covered the story in depth in my article "Major Renovations Underway at North Phoenix Water Park." Now with their one-year anniversary coming up fast, Wet-N-Wild has unveiled their newest attraction: dive-in movies!

On Friday nights through July 31st, 2010 Wet-N-Wild will be showing family-friendly movies to their guests. The movies are projected on a large screen above the wave pool so you can enjoy the show while you swim.

I have to say that this is one of the "coolest" ideas I have heard in a while! For the complete schedule of movies, check out the Dive-N-Movie page at Wet-N-Wild's website.The park also has an all-you-can-eat BBQ going on this weekend plus a fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day. 

Update: As of 2019, Wet-n-Wild is now Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix. It is unclear if they still offer movie nights.

Exploring the Reach 11 Recreation Area

There are a hundred reasons why this weekend was not the perfect time to go for a bike ride.

It was 104 degrees outside. I didn't have anyone to go with me. I didn't have the right type of bike. My brakes weren't in good working order. I didn't have the right clothing/shoes/whatever.But I really felt like getting out of the house for a while, so I decided to go for a ride anyway. Rather than just ride around the city aimlessly, I chose to check out the Reach 11 Recreation Area in North Phoenix. Although I have driven by the place many times, I had never been there before. My spirits were high as I loaded my bike in the car and headed over to Cave Creek Road and Deer Valley Road to check it out.

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Phoenix Culture Pass Updated for 2010

April 1st is traditionally a day of pranks and practical jokes, but when the Phoenix Culture Pass program kicked off on April 1st, 2009 it was anything but a joke. In fact, the Culture Pass is the ultimate ticket to some serious fun and adventure in Phoenix.

Here's how it works: patrons can visit any branch of the Phoenix Public Library and look for the Culture Pass display near the Information Desk. Choose a pass for the location you wish to visit and bring it to the Checkout Desk. You then "borrow" that pass with your library card and receive a printed receipt. That receipt is your admission ticket to get in to the attraction you chose. You have 7 days to use the ticket before it expires and becomes available to someone else.

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Grand Opening Date Set for Musical Instrument Museum

Music lovers, listen up! Phoenix's newest cultural attraction, the Musical Instrument Museum, has announced its grand opening date of April 24th, 2010.

The grand opening ceremony is a highly-anticipated event that will mark the conclusion of the lengthy 26-month construction process. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will commence at 8:45am on Saturday, April 24th with the first tours to begin immediately afterward.

Wireless headset guides will be available to patrons as they browse the collection of over 3,000 instruments on display in over 350 unique exhibits. The Musical Instrument Museum has the goal of collecting and exhibiting instruments from every country in the world, and they're well on their way to accomplishing that goal. The full collection is estimated to include 12,000 pieces currently.

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East Meets West at Matsuri of Arizona 2010

Konichiwa! If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend, you might want to check out the 26th annual Matsuri of Arizona in downtown Phoenix. This festival of Japanese culture runs from 10:30am to 5:00pm on February 27th and 28th, 2010. It's a lot of fun for the whole family and the best part is that admission is free!

Both days feature a full schedule of events including exhibitions, live music and dance performances, and more! There are plenty of food booths to satisfy your appetite and of course, it's also a great place to see lots of interesting people. You can get more information about the event at: https://www.azmatsuri.org.

Here are some photos I took at Matsuri of Arizona on Saturday:

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101 Things to Do in Phoenix

Nothing gets under my skin quite like the words "There's nothing to do in Phoenix." Whether you just arrived in town yesterday or you've lived here your whole life, I'm here to tell you that's simply not true. I find it very hard to believe that in a city this large and with this many people that there is truly "nothing" to do. As a matter of fact, there is so much going on that I put together this list of 101 Things to Do in Phoenix. Check it out:

1. Walk around one of 12+ indoor shopping malls.
2. Visit one of the 200+ public parks in the City of Phoenix.
3. Hike one of hundreds of different trails in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve.
4. Catch live horse racing action at Turf Paradise.
5. Try your luck at one of six valley casinos.
6. Cruise on over to one of these great Phoenix car shows.
7. Visit one of Phoenix's 32 different "Points of Pride."
8. Visit Ro Ho En, the Japanese Friendship Garden.
9. Visit one of more than 50 museums in Central Arizona.
10. Attend a Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Cardinals, or Phoenix Suns game.

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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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Phoenix Car Show Calendar for January 2010

The New Year is upon us, and that means it's time to start polishing those wheels for car show season! January is prime time for car enthusiasts in Phoenix, because that is when the big collector car auctions come to town. Although the largest auction is in Scottsdale, this year's calendar has events spread throughout the Valley including some non-auction shows as well. Check out the list of Phoenix-area car shows below:

Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event
When: January 18th-24th
Where: WestWorld, Scottsdale, AZ
What: The "World's Greatest Collector Car Event" features special events, a lifestyle pavilion, and of course, thousands of beautiful and unique vehicles for sale in a no-reserve auction format.
Admission: $15-55 daily, $10 after 5pm, other discounts available
Website: www.barrett-jackson.com

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Free Admission to Arizona National Parks July 18th-19th

The sixteen National Parks and Monuments scattered throughout Arizona are some of our state's greatest treasures. If you have been waiting for that perfect time to visit one, this weekend is it!

This weekend is one of the rare "Fee-Free Weekends" sponsored by the National Park Service, where all admission fees are waived. Yes, that includes the Grand Canyon!

Over 100 National Parks across the country will be taking part in the second of three "Fee-Free Weekends" for 2009. The complete list of participating parks and monuments is posted on the NPS website.

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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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Beat the Heat with Night Flight Golf

There is no question that Phoenix is full of weirdness. Only the city that brought you rivers without water and those unexplained lights in the sky could dream up an idea as weird as "Night Flight Golf." Now, the program returns for 2011 with new dates!

Night Flight Golf is a program from the City of Phoenix that allows golfers to beat the heat by golfing at night. Yes, you read that right: you can play golf in the dark this summer at the City of Phoenix's Palo Verde 9-hole golf course.

Golfing at night is not as impossible as it may seem. Glow necklaces and fluorescent balls will help with visibility, and flashlights will be used to signal other parties when the course is clear. Golf carts will not be allowed for safety reasons.

On the plus side, you won't get sunburned by playing at night. On the downside, you cannot blame your score on the sun being in your eyes.

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Summer Hiking Tips for Phoenix

Hiking is one of the most popular year round activities in Phoenix. Like any outdoor activity, it's much easier to have fun when you are well prepared. If you plan on doing any hiking this summer, please keep these tips in mind:

» Check the forecast before you go. If there's a storm warning or heat advisory, it is best to wait until conditions improve.

» Tell a friend or family member where you are going and when you expect to be back. Hike with a friend if possible.

» Bring LOTS of water. A half gallon or full gallon jug is recommended.

» Wear sunscreen. It's the best defense against skin cancer, sunburns, and other dermal discomforts.

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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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City of Phoenix to Open Agave Library This Summer

UPDATE: The Agave Library has been open since June 20, 2009.

If you haven't been up to North Phoenix in a while, you may not have known that a new branch of the Phoenix Public Library is set to open its doors this summer.

Located just down the road from the Goelet A. Beuf Community Center, the new Agave Library is on the corner of 36th Avenue just North of Pinnacle Peak Road. This will be very convenient for people in the Deer Valley and North Gateway areas.

According to the Phoenix Public Library website, funding for the Agave Library was approved in a 2001 bond election, and construction began in the fall of 2007.

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Your Guide to Phoenix Events This Weekend

The weather forecast calls for this weekend falls somewhere between "awesome" and "perfect." I hope you're going to get out there and enjoy it before things really start to heat up! Here are some events going on this weekend to help get you started.

Men's Arts Council Field of Dreams Car Show
When: April 4th, 10am - 4:30pm
Where: Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tempe, AZ
What: Car show featuring rare and classic sports cars
Cost: Free
https://mensartscouncil.com/cs/

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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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Weekend Fun in the East Valley

If you're looking to get outdoors and enjoy the weather this weekend, the East Valley is the place to be. Bring the family and your friends to Apache Junction, where the Lost Dutchman Days and the Arizona Renaissance Fair will be in full swing.

Lost Dutchman Days
When: Feb. 27, 27, and Mar. 1st
The town of Apache Junction is located along US 60 at the base of the Superstition Mountains. It is here that the "Lost Dutchman" Jacob Waltz is said to have hidden his legendary cache of gold, which to this day remains one of the most sought-after claims in the Southwest.

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Phoenix Recognizes Landmarks as Points of Pride

Forget about Rand McNally. Forget about Frommer's. If you are after the most unique and interesting places in Phoenix, look no further than the city's Points of Pride program.

The Phoenix Points of Pride is a special campaign formed in 1992 by the Phoenix Pride Commission. Twenty-five carefully selected Points of Pride were chosen from more than 150 candidates to represent the best attractions that Phoenix has to offer.

The list includes parks, cultural centers, historic properties, and mountains in the Phoenix area. Today, that number has grown to 32 places with the newest ones added in 2008.

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Deer Valley Rock Art Center is a Hidden Gem

It is fairly common for Arizona transplants to criticize Phoenix as a sprawling metropolis devoid of culture and history. For some reason, people love to move to Arizona and accuse the city of being nothing but an endless sea of shopping malls and housing developments.

One of my goals in starting this blog was to show the world that this simply isn't true, and the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve (formerly the Rock Art Center) is a perfect example of what a rich and diverse place Phoenix really is.

The Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve is a historically and culturally important part of North Phoenix. It is nestled at the base of Hedgpeth Hills in the Adobe Dam Recreation Area, just west of 35th Avenue on Deer Valley Road.

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