Guaranteed Work

Real estate is big business in Arizona. It's an important aspect of the economy, and Arizona is dependent upon it. If you're moving into the area and you're not transferring within a company, if you don't have a degree or any special skills, then get into real estate sales.

Scorpions and Rattlesnakes, Oh My!

Every place has its unique set of critters. However, Arizona has some creepy crawlers that are deadly. That's right scorpions and rattlesnakes are two common critters that come with the territory of living in certain areas of Arizona. So don't go walking around your home barefoot at night.

Places to Live

Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Tempe, and Peoria are some of Arizona's largest cities. Each has its own set of unique characteristics. Once you decide on the city, determine if you want to rent or to own. Whatever you choose RentersInsurance.com will help you find reasonable home insurance.

The Weather

Arizona is known for its hot, humid summers with temperatures that linger in the triple digits. Flash flooding is also common during the summer season. However, its winters are mild, and there is plenty of skiing from mid-December to March.

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

GangPlank is Rockin

Its been a long time, however, its been an adventure. I have been getting the blog itch again so I thought I would share. As everyone grows in business and in life, different ideas come and go. They are usually thin and quick to vacate the mind thanks in large part to how busy life has become. I learned an interesting statistic while in Europe. The average work week in most of Europe is between 32-36 hours. America, in many metropolitan areas has risen to 46 hours on average. Then commutes added to that and its crazy. Are we as a community really better off? Yeah we can buy more stuff, but when can we use it? It doesn’t seem to make sense. A somewhat quirky boss once told me, during one of our many 40 minute talks- in whice more time was spent trying to figure out what was crap and what was real, anyhow, he threw me this gem. “There is alot to be said about quality of life.”

That instantly stuck with me. I was on hour 55 in the week, along with full time school, a new baby, a new marriage, and a weekend moonlighting gig as a painter. Life was busy and I wanted it busier, well I wanted the money that comes with busier. I realized I was in that race, but didn’t understand how to to get out. Nobody really gets out, it will always be a rat race. Quality of life can come from many areas. Mine is freedom to make my own decisions and schedule. Yes I like to work, and I am lucky to be able to stay motivated without someone breathing down my neck. Working in an environment that gives me flexibility is amazing, more importantly gives me a shot at the quality of life that I want. We all want to be on the beach somewhere with umbrellas in our drinks without a worry in the world but its not realistic to most of us.

Work environment is really the only freedom that can be reached with a little effort. Enter gangplank…I am assuming here but the conversation must have been easy to have when this idea was hatched. I know how annoying it gets when one client is in another building and email and phone is the only answer. Team members are in another room or cubicle or another floor for that matter, and you say out loud, “I wish we were all here together to answer questions as they come up”

I know for me I have a bad habit of coming up with an idea and sending one or two sentence emails quickly outlining the idea, such as “what if we could get the rumba to deliver coffee?” Unfortunately for my friends this happens all too often. I had been hitting many of my sounding board peeps about getting together, or work in the same place. It never seemed realistic, until now.

Gangplank is just that, an open community of collaboration. In short, its a giant room (soon to be enormous) where many different small business and entreprenuers have a free work station. No walls, no barriers, no egos. Simply a group of people sharing ideas and bouncing things off of eachother. All of your outsourcing needs in one space. Need a video marketing campaign, need print marketing, need some database management, need someone to do something silly to lighten the mood. Look no further, gangplank is the answer.

The days of companies doing things that nobody else can, or being unwilling to share what they are working on are over. Technology squashed that years ago, so why not get together, create a work environment that is open collaboration, not boundries. Essentially the freedom to be who you are and have fun. Its that quality of life thing we talked about at the beginning. Not the ultimate change but a huge step in the right direction

If you work in the chandler area for yourself, a company, or whomever, ask to work from gangplank for the day and you won’t be disappointed.  Its not a golden ticket, you have to be open to this and willing, but it is worth it.

More Info

The Gangplank offices are typically open from around 9:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. Gangplank offers FREE collaborative space M-F. If you are in the area, drop on by and get your work on.

On Wednesdays, you can come over for Hacknight which typically runs from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. (It’s a great way to work on your side projects after hours.)

Historic Downtown Chandler

260 South Arizona Avenue

Chandler, AZ 85225

info@gangplankhq.com – Parking

Speaking of inferior, how is that new iPhone 4 going for you guys??

Anyhow, the 2.2 upgrade does indeed carry Flash for viewing videos. After the update installed I went straight to espn.com to view some video blogs, and viola..seamlessly started. Honestly, the browser on this thing is amazing, it truly is a mini computer.

That leads into some hardware specs. These are hands down the most boring thing to talk about and read about, just know that the claims of faster, easier browsing the internet as well as native apps is true. Text messaging, internet, camera etc…all load considerably faster than before. I did not time this, but it is definitely obvious.

New UI, Notice the 'G' in the search bar, and the 3 new navi menu items at the bottom

Next comes the UI. Some changes did occur. The search bar has changed, just asEngadget displayedThere is a new ‘G’ next to the search bar, it is simply to show search history. It will display your search history for the web, apps, and contacts. Not sure how this is an upgrade, probably only and easier way to get caught testing the new flash 10.1 on the ‘adult’ rated sites….

New Twitter app installed with upgrade, better than the current twitter apps

Twitter jumped in the game, with a native app installed upon the upgrade. I was previously using twidroyd, and I can say instantly that the twitter app is much better. Bye Bye twidroyd sorry, however, the only issue I see is the twitter app will update everytime a friend or follower posts either to twitter or DM or just mentions you. If you have tons of friends…you get the idea. Make sure to turn that off simply to save some sanity.

The upgrades seem to be more widespread than just to mobile devices. Google and gmail have upped many of their UI to match the upgrades to the phone I would assume. Gmail got a facelift, latitude is as robust as ever, and google maps with street view on your phone is down right amazing…oh and they added google earth.

The last great expected upgrade is the Mobile Hot-spot. The Droid X and the EVO have it, unfortunately, this upgrade does not. It does however have a tethering option. Although you won’t be able to connect via WiFi..(yet)..you can connect via a USB. The same USB that comes as the charger..that simple. Especially cool when Verizon upgrades the network to 4G. I will be able to spend even more time aimlessly browsing the web for something cool.

It appears at first glance the upgrades are legit, the major one being flash. The browsing capabilities are amazing now, and will create less stress to web developers trying to get their websites mobile. Unfortunately, in my opinion, all for not. HTML5 will be here sooner that later and then we will all have video at our finger tips, and maybe just maybe, Mr. Jobs will be right……NAHHHHHH!

Have you ever heard the expression ‘They got jobbed’..I never understood that, but maybe I do now!

UPDATE: Looks Like a NEW twitter app is coming down the pike…Tweet Deck For Android

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!