North Phoenix Blog

Arizona Celebrates Centennial - 100 Years of Statehood

2012-02-14T18:12:00.007-07:00

It was on this historic day in 1912 that President William Howard Taft signed the papers to admit Arizona Territory as the 48th State of the United States of America. Today, one hundred years later, people all over the state are celebrating a century of statehood.The Arizona Centennial Foundation has been hard at work promoting this special date all throughout the state for the past several

World's Largest Mobile Crane at Intel's Chandler Facility

2012-01-21T19:02:00.001-07:00

Although this is the North Phoenix Blog, I acknowledge that important things happen in other parts of Phoenix and Arizona all the time. Sometimes, very big things happen.If you've been in the Chandler area recently, you may have seen the gigantic crane at the Intel plant. You may have even thought to yourself "Wow, that's a big crane." It is more than just big, it is one of the largest mobile

Phoenix Christmas Light Photos 2011

2011-12-21T23:07:00.001-07:00

As a native Arizonan, I feel like I've never had the chance to get the full Christmas experience. While songs on the radio talk about sleigh rides, chestnuts roasting on an open fire and a White Christmas, I have never experienced any of those things.Due to the climate here in the Sonoran Desert, the Phoenix area does not get snow. As a kid, one of our family traditions was to pile in the car and

Copper Chopper Custom Motorcycle by Paul Yaffe

2011-12-11T17:35:00.005-07:00

The State of Arizona's 100-year anniversary is just around the corner! If you have been out and about lately, you may have noticed that the Arizona Centennial Foundation has selected a rather unusual mascot for the state's 100th birthday.Rather than choose a mascot, person, or event that defines Arizona's history, the Foundation has selected a custom built "chopper" bike, created by Arizona

Iconic Arizona Exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum

2011-11-27T12:20:00.001-07:00

Have you heard about Iconic Arizona? It's a new exhibit of creative photography at the Phoenix Art Museum, and it's going on now!The exhibit runs from November 12, 2011 through March 4, 2012. As you might imagine, the exhibit features many of Arizona's most well-known attractions such as the Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert.However, the exhibit has more to offer than just the natural wonders

Phoenix FBI Headquarters Close to Completion

2011-11-24T18:02:00.005-07:00

Regular readers of this blog may know that I have been keeping an eye on a very large office building under construction in North Phoenix for the past 2 years. Now, the new Phoenix FBI Headquarters is close to completion!The massive building is close to completion with the windows, signage, flags, and security fence installed. I drive by this location frequently, and decided to take a photo for

Arizona Centennial Union Pacific Steam Locomotive Tour

2011-11-20T22:15:00.003-07:00

You may already be aware that Arizona will be celebrating 100 years of statehood in February 2012. What you may not know is that celebrations for this important occasion have already begun!Earlier this month, a very special steam-powered locomotive rolled through the Grand Canyon State as part of our centennial celebration. The Union Pacific #844 steam locomotive was available for public viewing

Arizona's Largest Christmas Tree Arrives at Anthem Outlets

2011-11-12T17:37:00.002-07:00

With Christmas just six weeks away, the Outlets at Anthem shopping center is getting into the holiday spirit. The outdoor shopping mall boasts that it has the largest Christmas tree in the state of Arizona on display!This year's tree is a white fir that stands 114 feet tall, according to the Arizona Republic. In comparison, the Norway Spruce tree on display in New York City's Rockefeller Center

Visit Arizona National Parks During Fee-Free Weekend 2011

2011-10-12T23:15:00.003-07:00

It was two years ago that I first wrote about Fee-Free Days from the National Park Service. Now, the NPS is gearing up for another Fee-Free event on November 11th - 13th, 2011!This year's final event will offer free admission to ALL US National Parks and Monuments during Veteran's Day weekend. The following list of parks and monuments in Arizona will not charge any admission during the

19th Avenue Bridge to North Valley Parkway Nearing Completion

2011-09-16T21:48:00.002-07:00

In a major city like Phoenix, it's common to have heavy traffic on arterial streets as well as freeways. 19th Avenue is one of Phoenix's busiest arterial streets. The road begins near South Mountain Park and runs north for an impressive 26 miles before terminating at Jomax Road in North Phoenix.Soon, a new bridge will open that will allow drivers to continue into the North Valley Parkway

Glendale Sugar Beet Factory to Become Upscale Winery

2011-08-04T19:44:00.001-07:00

I've got a riddle for you: What is five stories tall, a whole city block in length, and older than Arizona itself? It's not a natural feature or the Hayden Flour Mill in Tempe. I'm talking about the Sugar Beet Factory in Glendale, Arizona!This red-brick behemoth has fascinated me for years, so I was very excited to see an article about it in today's Arizona Republic. The article says that the

Cabela's vs. Bass Pro Shops

2011-07-10T21:48:00.000-07:00

When it comes to hunting, camping, and supplies for your outdoor adventures, there are two superstores in Arizona that rise above the rest: Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops. The similarities between these two outdoor outfitters are numerous:Both stores are over 150,000 square feetBoth have one single Arizona locationBoth stores have restaurantsBoth stores offer boat salesBoth offer a huge selection of

Scottsdale International Auto Museum Now Open

2011-07-04T15:45:00.003-07:00

For years, the Penske Auto Museum in North Scottsdale has been the only game in town when it comes to car museums. The Penske Museum is great, but it's a lot like an appetizer: just enough to tide you over until the main course arrives. Well, the main course has finally arrived. It's called the Scottsdale International Auto Museum, and it's what car fans have been craving for all these

Maker Faire Coming to Phoenix in October 2011

2011-07-01T21:55:00.005-07:00

For the first time ever, Maker Faire will be coming to Phoenix, Arizona! This is very exciting news that I am very glad to share with you.For those who have not heard of Maker Faire before, it is a festival that showcases homemade projects from people of all ages. Think of it like a science fair that adults are allowed to enter. Instead of baking soda volcanoes, makers will be showing off their

Exotic Car Spotting (Part II)

2011-06-11T22:20:00.005-07:00

It was over a year ago that I posted some photos of exotic cars in Phoenix I've spotted. Since that time, many more expensive and rare cars have passed in front of me and my camera. Here are some of the best ones I have seen during the past year:The Tesla Roadster is an all-electric sports car based on the Lotus Elise. It does 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, has a top speed of 125mph, and a range of about

Method Art Gallery Debuts 'Through Each Others Eyes'

2011-06-08T09:15:00.006-07:00

In a previous article about the Ro Ho En Japanese Friendship Garden, I mentioned that Phoenix and Himeji, Japan are International Sister Cities. Now, a new photographic exhibit at Method Art Gallery in Old Town Scottsdale brings these two cities together 'Through Each Others Eyes.'The name refers to both the exhibit and the non-profit organization that put the exhibition together. The '

New Section of Loop 303 Freeway Now Open in North Phoenix

2011-06-06T09:45:00.004-07:00

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) recently opened a brand new section of freeway in North Phoenix. Construction of this section began in January of 2009 and was officially opened to traffic on May 13, 2011.The 14-mile segment consists of a four-lane divided roadway which connects Interstate 17 to Lake Pleasant Parkway before continuing on into Peoria and the West Valley.The new

Grand Canyon University Construction Update

2011-06-04T20:30:00.002-07:00

Earlier this year, we wrote about the $60 million dollar renovation underway at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. The project began in 2009 and includes a new dormitory, classroom building, athletic center, and event center.Now, Grand Canyon is expanding the project even further with a new dining hall and plans for a high-rise classroom building, chapel, and a parking garage!Work

Phoenix FBI Headquarters: Construction Update

2011-05-30T16:16:00.009-07:00

Here are a couple of updated pictures of the FBI's new headquarters in North Phoenix. Although the outside is coming together, there is still a lot of work to be done on the interior as walls, flooring, and miles of wiring must be run throughout the five-story facility.A shot of the west side of the building.The north side of the building.Glass window coverings in place.The new office is

Is the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Safe?

2011-05-27T23:58:00.004-07:00

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

Twilight Fridays at Turf Paradise in Phoenix

2011-04-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

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

McDowell Mountain Music Festival 2011 Lineup Announced

2011-04-25T07:45:00.006-07:00

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,

7 Historic Phoenix Businesses That Are Still Open Today

2011-04-24T20:49:00.001-07:00

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)

Taliesin West Offers Free Presentations on Architecture

2011-04-19T09:00:00.002-07:00

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 JacobsHolly Street Studio ArchitectsThursday, 04/21/2011 - 7:00PMDiane Reicher Jacobs of Phoenix's Holly Street

6 Companies You Didn't Know Are Based in Phoenix

2011-04-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

It is common knowledge that high-profile companies such as US Airways, the University of Phoenix, and Taser International are headquartered in the Phoenix area. However, you may be surprised to learn that the following companies also have their headquarters in Phoenix:6) Best WesternThe world's largest hotel chain operates more than 4,000 hotels in over 80 countries, and it's all