Is the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Safe?

The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that rocked northern Japan on March 11th, 2011 has left a devastating impact on the island nation. The earthquake also caused severe damage to a nuclear power plant in the Fukushima prefecture, which has been the subject of world news headlines for the past several weeks.

The Fukushima incidents have been classified as a Level 7 emergency as a result of the hydrogen gas explosions, cracks in the pressure vessels of multiple reactors, and leakages of radioactive water. In the wake of this terrible disaster, many people are wondering if a situation like the one in Japan could ever happen here in Phoenix.

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Twilight Fridays at Turf Paradise in Phoenix

Since 1954, Turf Paradise has provided Phoenix residents with a fun and relaxing atmosphere to enjoy great live horse racing. Now, customers can enjoy specials on food and drink items on Fridays as part of Turf Paradise's "Twilight Fridays" promotion.

On Friday, April 29th and Friday, May 6th, live racing will take place from 3pm to 7pm, with admission just $2 dollars per person for adults. The racetrack will be offering $2 draft beers, hot dogs, popcorn, sodas, and ice cream cones in the grandstand area. An all-you-can-eat Fish Fry will also be offered from 4pm to 7pm for just $9.95 per person.

Other fun activities include live music and a chance to spin the Prize Wheel and win a prize.

Check out Turf Paradise at:
1501 W Bell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85023
Phone: (602) 942-1101

Turf Paradise will wrap up its live racing season on Sunday, May 8th, 2011.

McDowell Mountain Music Festival 2011 Lineup Announced

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, why not check out the 7th annual McDowell Mountain Music Festival! This family-friendly event features a huge selection of live music spread over the course of three days.

This year's event will be held at the Compound Grill, located at 68th St. and Mayo Blvd. Besides music, there will also be a silent auction/raffle, artisan marketplace, drum circle, acoustic stage, Kid’s Zone and more!

Best of all, it's for a good cause. 100% of all proceeds from the festival are donated to Phoenix Day Family and Learning Center and Ear Candy, a non-profit organization that provides children with access to music education.

Here is the lineup for the 2011 McDowell Mountain Music Festival:

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7 Historic Phoenix Businesses That Are Still Open Today

It's not often that you will hear anything in Phoenix described as historic. Indeed, cities such as Boston and New York had been around for over a century by the time Phoenix was officially incorporated in 1868.

However, that's not to say we don't have our fair share of history! Here is a list of 7 Phoenix-area businesses that have withstood the test of time and are still going strong today.

7) Desert Schools Credit Union
Since 1939 - 72 Years

This is one local business with some deep roots. Desert Schools Credit Union offers over 50 branch locations to its 370,000 members. The credit union controls around $3 billion in assets today.

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Taliesin West Offers Free Presentations on Architecture

Every winter, Taliesin West hosts a series of lectures featuring prominent professionals in the architecture and design world. This year's series has just two presenters left! If you want to get your architecture fix, here are the details about the remaining lectures:

Diane Reicher Jacobs
Holly Street Studio Architects
Thursday, 04/21/2011 - 7:00PM

Diane Reicher Jacobs of Phoenix's Holly Street Studio Architects is the guest of honor at Thursday's lecture series at Taliesin West. Holly Street Studio is a Phoenix-based architecture firm whose recent projects include the new Exhibition Hall at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, the Maryvale Pool House, and the Helen Drake Senior Center in Downtown Phoenix.

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