The Phoenix Traveler

Bars in Scottsdale will celebrate with a huge block party, the W hotel will host a masquerade, the Tempe Improv will do comedy with Frank Caliendo, and Valleywide restaurants and bars have special dinner/dances planned for New Year’s Eve. But what if big crowds getting blitzed doesn’t rock your world? If you like your celebrations to be a little more low key, here are a few alternatives that will help you greet 2009 on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008:
Game night with family or friends: I’ll be heading over to a friend’s house where we’ll play board games till the break of …read more

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They call the main drag High Street, and it cuts through the center of Phase I of the new controversial shopping plaza east of Desert Ridge Marketplace. It’s called CityNorth and just opened this week, north of the 101 Freeway at 56th Street. (I didn’t bring my camera, so, sorry, no pictures.)
In a deal with city of Phoenix, developers reap profits from the sales taxes paid by consumers who will be shopping and dining here–50 percent of the profits, I read online. That’s a lot of dough to give away, and I can see why people are upset, what with …read more

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Deirdre Pain, from Malees Thai Bistro Desert Ridge (Tatum Blvd & Hwy 101) sends out a regular e-mail newsletter to her special customers (How did I get to be so lucky!). I particularly liked an offer that came in this week, directed especially to the wives or significant others of what Deirdre calls the “dazed look of most men as they are absorbed in Monday Night Football”: 
Malees at Desert Ridge will pamper these ladies with a special MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WIDOW’S EVENT. In the weeks ahead, this event will include some or all of the following:

Psychic readings
Jewelry
$4 Cosmos, Appletinis, …read more

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If you didn’t know Phoenix has a women’s Roller Derby sports venue, don’t worry. Neither did I! I know we have football, basketball and baseball–I’ve been to many of those games. But I never knew we had roller derby; games are played on a flat track, and it’s supposed to be brutal.
I’m going with a girlfriend tonight to see what’s what. If I can get good photos, I’ll post them here tomorrow. If not, you should check out the Web site here.
In it’s 6th season this year, Arizona Roller Derby was started by a group of women who want …read more

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It’s not a neighborhood normally associated with art or community functions of any kind. In fact, Sunnyslope has long been the neighborhood in Phoenix to avoid. Why? It’s run down. Its streets are graced with colorful people of questionable character. And its early 20th century origins are based on the fact that it was once a tuberculosis colony. Not exactly the stuff that fun is made of, unless you’re talking about a joke.
But that’s changing. Restaurants are moving in. There’s a wine bar and coffee shop. Houses are being renovated. The community is pulling together to rid itself of the …read more

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Today’s your last chance to experience Fallin’ for Friday’s poolside fun at The Falls Water Village at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort.
The public is invited to enjoy fun kids’ activities, music by disc jockey, food & drink specials, and give-aways that include a drawing for a 2-night stay at the resort.
What: Fallin’ for Friday’s
Where: Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, 11111 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, 602-866-7500 or 602-866-6396.
When: Today! Friday, Aug. 29, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Admission: $5/person; children under 3 are free.
Parking at the resort is free.
Technorati Tags: family fun,Arizona travel blogs,Phoenix travel,Phoenix fun,Friday night activity,resort poolside fun,The Falls …read more

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Every big city has its unique neighborhoods, or the neighborhoods that define a specific culture or two. Being so close to the Mexican border, we have our fair share of ‘hoods that define the Hispanic culture.
One of them is in South Phoenix–not necessarily the safest place to play. But tucked away in a hidden corner, is something you might want to see–El Gran Mercado. For a little adventure and a place to practice your Spanish verbs, pick a weekend afternoon to drive over to 35th Avenue and Buckeye. That’s where you’ll find this secret gem. On the south side …read more

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I had the pleasure of being invited to attend a live performance by this local six-member band in Phoenix called Shallow Water. Click on the video above to hear a portion of my new favorite song called “Clap.” The group has a few CDs that you can purchase: the first called “2 Dollar Sailboat” was produced in 2002; the second called “What’s Her Name” was produced in 2006. “Clap” appears on that one.
The six-member band plays a rock, punk, ska and alternative mix of sounds, and has opened at concert performances for top touring groups, including Live, Smash Mouth and …read more

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It was probably the most fun I ever had in class when I studied improvisational acting at Theater 168 in Scottsdale several years ago. And while you may not be able to sign up for a class (if you don’t live in town), you can attend one of their comedy shows if you happen to be here on a weekend.
Owned and operated by Jef and Shurlin Rawls, this family-friendly comedy theater is home to the Jester’Z comedy troupe–a really fun and lively bunch of comedians, ages 18 to mid-40s, who really put on a good show for their audiences …read more

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If it’s not too late, make your reservation now to attend Locavore 3: The Bountiful. It’s happening this week.
Locavore is a word used to describe someone who eats only locally grown and locally produced foods. That’s also the meaning behind the special dinner event hosted this month by James Porter, chef and owner of Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar. He’s working with Chef Payton Curry from Digestif at Scottsdale’s Southbridge near the Waterfront to plan and prepare the five-course meal. 
Every taste of the meal comes from an Arizona  farmer, artisan or winemaker. In fact, farmers, ranchers, food producers and …read more

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