Familiar Faces of Phoenix Airwaves Disappearing

One by one, the familiar faces of Phoenix's airwaves are disappearing.

It started in December when the Phoenix Business Journal announced that two of the Valley's most well-known radio hosts would be stepping down from the microphone for good. Disc jockeys Dave Pratt of KUPD and Camelback Jack of KOOL-FM would not be getting their contracts renewed.

This was a real bummer because I grew up listening to Camelback Jack, who has been providing Phoenix with good times and great oldies for nearly 20 years. Though I never listened to KUPD much, I was familiar with Dave Pratt and the KUPD Red Card that was good for a variety of discounts all over town.

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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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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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