Editorial Contact: Christina Hubbard, coordinator
Gila Bend Chamber of Commerce
Email: chris.gbcc@hotmail.com
Ph: 928.420.1964

GILA BEND, Ariz. — Gila Bend’s 9th Annual Desert Shrimp Festival will be held Saturday Nov. 5th and Sunday Nov. 6th in the town’s Community Center Park. In celebration of the three large solar projects currently under construction in Gila Bend the festival will be partially solar powered. Each year the festival draws attendees from around the state who enjoy competing in the popular Shrimp Eating Contests, eating delicious food, dancing to live music and relaxing in a fun, family atmosphere.

As the Festival theme suggests, fresh shrimp are prepared in a variety of delectable dishes and available for purchase in the renowned Shrimp Alley. This year, in cooperation with Gila Bend’s Sister City in Rocky Point, Mexico, shrimp will be imported from the Gulf of California. Freshly made menu items include the ever popular coconut shrimp, fried shrimp, shrimp scampi, Sonoran shrimp cocktails, fish tacos and more.

Two bands will entertain attendees with live music all day Saturday and the Beer Garden will be open all weekend. Children’s activities include a carnival, a Kid Zone and fun free contests. Additional food booths, including vendors selling a wide variety of gifts, jewelry and other items, will be on site.

Motorcycle enthusiasts and motorcycle organizations are encouraged to make the Gila Bend Desert Shrimp Festival an easy weekend ride or to test their bikes before the big Rocky Point Rally the following weekend.

Gila Bend has garnered the nickname of “The Solar Capital of Arizona” because it is one of the state’s primary destinations for solar power projects due to the area’s abundant sunshine and available acreage. Gila Bend is home to the Solana project and upon completion will be one of the world’s largest solar plants. Arizona Public Service (APS), which is building one of the solar plants, will provide a portion of the event’s electrical needs using a solar-powered generator.

Various local and state organizations, including APS, the Arizona Solar Center Arizona Solar Energy Association, SolarReserve, Solon Corporation, Homeland Security, National Parks, wildlife and other organizations will be present to provide information.

There is a minimal entry fee of $3 into the Shrimp Fest and proceeds benefit local youth and scholarship programs and charities. Festival hours are from 10am-10 pm Saturday and 10am-6 pm Sunday.

See, don’t you want to go? Honestly its a good time and worth the drive and the money, and the shrimp are fantastic. Here are some directions and a Map…

Gila Bend is located southwest of Phoenix at the cross-roads to San Diego and Tucson on Interstate 8 and to Mexico and Rocky Point in Mexico on Interstate 85. Information on the town can be found at www.gilabendaz.org.

We arrived around 9:30 which turned out be darn lucky because not 30 minutes into our visit we heard the parking lot was full. Just as most parents and ALL children we hate standing in line, so the delight was overwhelming when check in was super easy. The relief you felt of not having to say no 10 times, or sorry to the other line standers 20 times is catapulted when you wander in and you hit the 3 story tree house first thing. Officially called The Schuff-Perini Climber. Kids go running, you find a seat, and chill in admiration of..well..yourself. Go ahead pat yourself on the back, every other parent is!

The great part of the Phoenix Children’s Museum, as my wife would innocently mention, is that adults can fit inside this massive 3 story tree house and take little one’s up. (this theory is up for debate). Worried about a stroller…NOPE, there is plenty of area for strollers and sitting. Lastly, and remember you are still in the entrance, they have this awesome Vacuum contraption that you can put a scarf next too and it sucks it in and fires it out the other end. Why you are probably wondering? I don’t know either, but awesome none the less.

Move on to the second floor and get to a huge craft room that allows kids to create, draw and cut. If that’s not enough the magnificence of the second floor is compounded with a bike track and a room to build forts…. Yes, Dads are allowed! It’s really the perfect place, where everyone has kids talking loudly and running around, and I really felt like my kids could just be themselves!

Despite all that fun and excitement, the end brought the most excitement. First was a foam room where kids can run and play in thousands of hanging foam noodles. Every single child loved that! Then the ‘obvious favorite’ as my wife put it, which is also debatable, is the super market! Yep…mini shopping carts, mini isles and mini check out stands. (No the people checking out were not mini). That supermarket was packed with kids just waiting for a shopping cart, who would have thought, domesticated at 5 years old.

Overall The Phoenix Children’s Museum is a place we will be going back to! The one UN-kid-friendly thing is have snacks on the first floor in the Café room. I love snacks, you love snacks, everyone loves snacks, snacks should not be discriminated on and trapped on the first floor only. How un-kid-friendly is it to thwart the magic of snacking and sippy cups!

Regardless of that little hiccup, the Phoenix Children’s Museum is a must do event. Hours of fun, some learning and mostly a great bonding session for the family.

The Phoenix Children’s Museum

P.S. The line for the elevator is crazy! So, don’t take your stroller unless you absolutely have to!

Downtown Phoenix is starting to BOOM. I have always heard that the Compass Room is Amazing… But, now I can tell you that it, for sure, most certainly is!  Being a native of Arizona I thought there wasn’t much I haven’t seen.  I can venture to now say that, you have not seen the most amazing view until you have been to the Compass Room — especially at Sunset!

For my birthday my fantastic husband surprised me with a mini-vacation in Downtown Phoenix.  Now, Phoenix has not traditionally been known for it’s fantastic downtown area.  We are one city that has built out instead of up.  But, if you look in the right place and are willing to try new things downtown can be a very fun place.

Anyways, I digress!  The Compass Room…where do I start?  First it is located at the top of the Hyatt hotel in Downtown Phoenix.  It is loacted right in the heart of the city…

The Compass Room Restaurant

122 North 2nd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 440-3166

Typically, if you are just headed in for drinks and an appetizer you don’t have to make a reservation. Especially if you arrive early as we did.  The atmosphere is unbeatable.  The Compass Room has an upscale, relaxed and quite atmosphere but far from stuffy, basically oh so very fun!  The best part is the Compass Room revolves to give some of the best views the city has to offer. With revolving surroundings you don’t get bored.  They have an extensive wine list and some very sumptuous cocktails — try The Scottsdale!  They have a great Chef and truly the BEST Crabcakes I have ever had!

We were there for just appetizers before the Suns game so we only had a few drinks and the aforementioned crabby patties so we can’t give a very detailed review of the menu. However, the quality of the food in our opinion matched the price so it is fair to assume that carries on to all the entrées.

Truly a one of a kind experience that will give you the decadence of the city life with a warm and inviting atmosphere

Over all…10 out of 10!  An unforgettable meal and evening!

The kids were a bit scared of the mouse at storytime

One of The Valley’s best Barnes and Noble’s is a newly built 2 story free standing Barnes at San Tan Village.  Located @ the 202 and Willam’s Field.  They are in the prime location of shopping, dining and fun in the new San Tan Village. This Barnes and Noble boasts a huge selection of books, a great discount book area, a cafe and a huge kids section.  Of course my kids love to go so they can ride the escalator!

Anyways, Story time is everyday at 11AM.  It is a different book with a new theme every time.  The craft is unique and supports the story.  Plus, at the kids section they have a huge Thomas The Train track with a lot of very loved Thomas and his friend’s.  But, BEWARE!  They have the Thomas collection for sale there at an exorbitant price!  Plus it is surrounded with lots of kids toys and stuffed animals!

These people certainly know how to up sale!  A Special guest we had at story time time today was the mouse from, “If you give a mouse a cookie”  It was a fun surprise guest that the kids liked and yet were strangely afraid of at the same time because I believe the mouse suite blinded the wearer and so the mouse had to be lead around by the arm and directed where to sit.  And, it was plain just a HUGE mouse!

We did manage  a few fun pics and headed over to the craft area where they were making fairy wands.  Seeing as we have all boys they were not that interested in the wands.  We perused the books and purchased a few good one’s for the kids.  This particular Barnes and Noble’s check out was a bit slow as they had 10 registers and no one manning them!  But, we had yet another fun story time at  Barnes and Noble at San Tan Mall.

Family Time with The Mouse

Side Shot of Scary Mouse

Playing With The Trains

Ginormouse Barnes and Noble at San Tan Mall

We bought our tickets online via there online ticketing system. We got the family 4-pack, a little online discount and we were on our way. Upon entrance they had very nice signage leading us straight to the exhibit. We walked up with our pre-printed tickets and we were entering in a matter of minutes. Bathrooms conveniently located before the entrance for that last minute situation. No restrooms inside so utilize them before you go in. Nothing like an accident to ruin the aquarium viewing pleasure for yourself and many around you.

Before you enter a nice video plays and a narrator talks to you about sea life. It is actually pretty entertaining and hypes the atmosphere. My kids had no idea what was going on as they were trying to name some of the sea life painted on the wall. Every creature seemed to be named nemo on this trip, ahhh the vocabulary of a 3 year old.

When the narrator finishes the doors swing open automatically and you are in. Inside is designed and painted perfectly for all ages. Everything looked like a reef and all the windows for viewing were the proper height for all ages. They even had a touch tank. Yep, a tank where the kids, or parents, can put there hands in and pickup a star fish or little crab. Sorta creepy at first yet very cool that this exhibit, in the mall, is offering this cool feature.

All throughout the place they have “orbs” that are inside the tank. However, they are designed so anyone can get down low and climb in. Its a little crawl on the knees for most adults. It kind of looks like a little cave but once in you can stand up and your head is inside the actual aquarium. Face to face with the fishies. The kids absolutely loved it.

They also had a decent variety of sea life as well. Sting Rays, Sharks, Star Fish, and a pretty good selection of Sea Horses. Those are the craziest darned things. They just float around and they are so fragile looking. Truly amazing, and since I have never seen one up close I was somewhat mesmerized along with our three year old.

The exhibit ends with a 12 foot walking bridge/tunnel where the entire aquarium is around your. Before you leave there is a cool video projecting onto the floor that looks like splashing water and the kids can run around on it. With popping bubbles on the floor and water from the projector it was an exciting end.

There is also a small jungle gym and play area on the way out to get the kids to unwind a little before heading into the public spectrum. Overall the Sea Life Aquarium at Arizona Mills Mall did not disappoint. So good in fact that I will be taking my kids back again.

Sea Life offers a wide variety of tickets types and costs. From family 4-packs to flexi and twilight tickets. The family pack is $50 ($12.50 per person) for 4, and a few small perks. Sea Life at Arizona Mills is getting the thumbs up here and we will be going back.

Aquarium Orb

Aquarium Tunnel

Image Projected on floor

Cool inside view

Another Cool Inside View

Another Orb Picture

On the idea of great shows I saw Bela Fleck and the Fleck Tones. Victor Wooten could be considered the greatest bass player of all time. Bela Fleck is hands down the greatest banjo player of all time. Musically they are amazing, it is technical musicianship at its best.

Second I saw Dave Mathews Band at Red Rocks on Fourth of July Concert. They make multi platinum cd’s and DVD’s from a scene like this. To top it off, a little band known as The String Cheese Incident opened and jammed with them the entire time. Fire works and such in northern Colorado, okay you get the idea.

Lastly I was on stage at the Tempe Music Festival with Blues Traveler, Live, and Collective Soul. Laugh now, but it is unknown how musical these people are. We stood next to the drummer of Live, on stage as John Popper played harmonica…Simply unequivocal.  After the show he gave a harmonica to my brother…but thats another story if anyone is interested.

The point is, I have witnessed some pretty epic concerts, great musicianship, and very excited that these bands were into the music only. They seemed to play for the music and nothing else. I am aware of DMB and their amazingly fiscal tours but, for the sake of argument, they started and still appear to be all about the music.

ZBB did not slack in the musical bliss we are talking about. They are hands down the most musical group I have ever seen…. Yep ever, they are as technical as any band on earth…just saying.  I read an inteview were Mr. Brown said “above all, my band members can play their faces off” or something similar. Anyhow the point is, he claims they are, above all, musicians and they clearly proved it.

It was a moving, emotional experiance and I will pay money to see them again. They have a cruise coming up and I wish I could afford to go. It would be amazing!!

I just need to voice one opinion. I happened to leave my seat and on the way out land in an autograph line….at the front no less. At the end of the show, Zac Brown himself said “We Will Stay Til All Autographs Are Signed!” Awesome I thought…this guy is great!!

45 minutes into the line the security says, if your “passport isn’t signed you don’t get an autograph” the passport is a printed piece of coolness that is givin away upon entrance into the show. The only way the “passport” can get signed is if you buy merchandise. AKA $60 worth of shirts.

REALLY?? Your autograph is only worth more merchandise, not worth the $100 we spent on the tickets?

I felt like I saw the greatest show I have ever paid for, and was belittled into buying merchandise to feel worthy. Just didn’t seem right! I may be making something out of nothing, but so what!!! For the record Gretchen Wilson also did this at her concert. Hers was free to get in, it was held at Toby Keith’s I love this bar, but for the sake of arguement….IT WAS FREE!

Anyhow, great show ZBB you guys are truly epic, your abilities are unparalleled, I will definitely

see you again… ohh and thanks for the super tight shirt!!

They call this thing the greatest show on grass mainly for one reason. The 16th hole. They have turned this thing into a stadium of mayhem and hoopla, drinking games, and general tomfoolery. They found a way to enclose the entire thing with stadium stye seating. They clearly have no consumption limit here, and the frat boys run wild!

Sometimes creative and often stupid chants break out and the entire crowd joins in, and believe me they will say just about anything to get a reaction. Speaking of reactions, this year saw 15 fist pumps, a hat over the face, a iron toss, and a European birdie..(not the good kind).

It is wild, crazy and BRILLIANT. Its one of the easier holes on the PGA Tour schedule. Roughtly 165 – 180 yds, barely any trouble, pretty large size green, they needed a way to make this thing a little harder. Around 2004 the stadium @ the Stadium Course began to develop and you can see a major decrease in birdies. In 2003 43.75% of players were recording birdie on this hole. 2009 say a mere 15% record a birdie.

It gets the exposure to the city, the tour, and clearly the field is getting better and better every year. Even without Tiger, it is well worth the trip. Since they have no limit to ticket sales it is probably the cheapest tournament to go to. With beer gardens, and food stops everywhere you turn, there is no shortage of entertainment.

Recently, well as in 2009 and 2010 they have added a few new places to hang out. Down the 18th hole is quickly becoming a longer version of the 16th hole. Although it isn’t stadium style (yet) its is definitely brewing. The Tilted Kilt has put up a 2 story floating bar, jammed full of their best employees and more draft beer than could ever be consumed. Easy access to bathrooms and easier access to getting the players attention this thing is only going to get better. Secondly, this year straight across from the 2 stories of heaven is a new beer garden. This year I believe it was sponsored by Rock Bottom Brewery. It spans half the hole, open to the public, and had the some Tempe12.com employees getting the party going. I can foresee some interesting events taking place. If one side were to begin chanting, the other would easily hear them…just saying.

The total attendance was down this year, but you can chalk that up to the local weather channels saying saturday was going to be raining all day…It wasn’t! The weather was perfect, the scenery was perfect, the greatest show on grass remains supreme. I will see you guys next year, you will find me on 18 fairway, 2 stories off the grass!

Jake Peavey's WoodJock JamFest

So its been awhile for a post, but we were..umm..uhh..well waiting for the good stuff to start happening for 2010. Yeah thats it! Anyhow, here is one that is near and dear to this humble rockstar at iTourAz. Jake Peavey’s,  WoodJock 2010 Big League Baseball Jam. In a nut shell, some major league ball players are gonna use their musical talents to raise funds for some great causes.

These causes happen to be

• Team Focus: A community outreach program for children 10-18 who do not have a father figure in their life.
• Stikeouts for Troops: This is an organization dedicated to providing the “comforts of home” and lift the spirits of our wounded troops.
• AUTISM SPEAKS: The bombest charity in all the land. These guys provide advocacy and education for families who have individuals on the autism spectrum in their lives. They host the grass roots fundraising effort Walk Now For Autism Speaks. Held every year in Arizona in late October early November. This year it will be on Ocotober 31st!. Yes that halloween, but its in the morning and fun! Amongst being super cool, this particular walk partners up with SARRC (Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center). I could go on for days about the amazing things they do there but that is for another post. Either way, this is hands down the best charity I have ever known and I would elect them president if I could!! (sorry, I just really like them).

Can you tell which charity I am affiliated with? Well, the point here is to highlight the first kickoff event for this years fund raising efforts. Although the name is sorta weird, mildly catchy, and brings a smile to my face for many juvenile reasons, it is going to be awesome. The first of its kind, it is going to showcase the abilities of some current and past major leaguers who happen to have other talents that don’t involve sticks and balls (hehehhehe).

Here is some inside info for ya. We know that Jake Peavey of the Chicago White Sox is headlining this event. Also committed are some names such as Hall of Famer Peter Gammons your favorite Sportscenter know-it-all. Barry Zito of the Giants, Bernie Williams ex-Yankee and future HOF’er.(hehehe) Just to name a few. Head here to see the entire line-up. I know, thats not insider info, its coming..keep your pants on. It was released today that other famous musicians who happen to be friends with these guys have committed to be there as well as some MAJOR names in baseball. They won’t release the names until closer to the show but rumor has it this thing is getting BIG!

On a serious note, it should be clear that I do have Autism in my life. I have 4 year old on the spectrum. I can say without the help of SARRC  I would have been so utterly lost. My son has made some major advancements and I feel I owe a majority of it to SARRC. So that is why this is an important event. The bonus to all of this is 1) I am on the entertainment committee for the walk so hopefully I can bring you some inside views of some cool fundraisers this year. 2) I will be firmly seated in the VIP section and behind the scenes for this Jam so hopefully I can sneak you some inside info about this awesome event…and maybe about some of these guys behavior, but don’t tell anyone!

So buy your tickets now before they are all gone. The event is Thursday March 11th @ The Venue Of Scottsdale
Tickets vary

• General Admission – $39.00
• V.I.P Admission – $200.00
• V.I.P Group Packages – $700

These prices will change as the event gets closer, so get your VIP and come talk to me and I will hook you up with something good!

View Larger Map

I actually enjoyed it myself. The phoenix Zoo Light Display boasts 2.5 million lights and 500 light “sculptures”…Well, put down the false advertising lawsuits because they are CORRECT! The place was lit up like my uncle on New Years Eve, and there was probably MORE that 2.5 million lights. They had an amazing light show that was choreographed by music. Unfortunately, the one we watched, we could only catch the end, but that amount was pretty cool. The music was pretty intense and I am mad we missed it. I guess another reason to visit the Zoo Lights Display again.

The sculptures was the highlight for the kids. They kept screaming out the names of the sculpture and acting silly, and we did manage to catch a few animals out and about. The zebras were practically close enough to touch and I think the badgers were showing off!

Overall, Phoenix Zoo Lights was well worth the $9.00 per person we paid. Sun -Thurs they are discounted to $9.00. Unfortunately, kids and adults are the same price unless your child is 2 or under, then they are free. The last thing on the way out was a Carousel. It is bright and shiny with fun music, so of course we had to go on it. I have 2 young children who were a little scared at first, but as time went on they loved it. And for $2 per child it is well worth it. And for the “older” kids…yeah I mean the parents…They let you on for free to assist your child.! Yep, a little inside number from the iTourAz team, but don’t go blasting it everywhere, you saw what happened to Martha Stewart.

So there you have it. Phoenix Zoo Lights is getting thumbs up from this iTourAz teamster, and I will definitely go back next year. The Zooo is Coooo!!

Event Details
When: Thursday November 26th through Sunday, November 29, 2009
Where: Phoenix Convention Center
Times:

• Thursday 9 am – 7 pm
• Friday & Saturday 9 am – 9 pm
• Sunday 9 am – 7 pm

Admission & Pricing Info

Sunday is Family Day with Children under 12 getting in Free!

Parking
Easy In & Out Parking! Follow Signs Off 7th Street

For Additional Parking Options:
http://www.phoenix.gov/extranet/pccd/directionsandparking.html