AITP Phoenix

Winter Patio Dining

www.aitpphoenix.org — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 20:04:11 +0000

If you’re visiting Phoenix in the winter there is nothing better than enjoying the desert sunshine while dining outdoors. And there are few better places to do just that that Phoenix’s Aunt Chilada’s restaurant that is tucked into the side of Squaw Peak. Dating back to the 1890′s you bet this is as authentic as buildings come in the Valley of the Sun since it was constructed with original desert stone and railroad ties how appropriate considering the structure was first used as a supply depot and general store while Arizona was still an untamed territory where it is reported that “scantily clad women would climb into the attic and perform a hootchy-kootchy dance” throughout the night. Such dancing has ended (much to the chagrin of many a man), and replaced instead with a full authentic Arizona Mexican food menu, with one-third of the restaurant’s floor space dedicated to the aforementioned patio that offers a garden feel of old Mexico. Choose from traditional appetizer menu selections such as nachos and quesadilla, and then move to the house specials like Baja shrimp tacos and seafood enchiladas. If you want some great midweek fun to hook up with friends after a day at work or sight-seeing, you can’t miss the “infamous and notorious” Happy Hour served from 4:30 6:30 where the atmosphere is unsurpassed and the patio fire is lit to keep those late-day winter chills away. And if you’re into reciting accolades, Aunt Chilada’s was voted as having the “best margarita” in Phoenix by Phoenix Magazine; and you can bet the competition in this desert town was might fierce. Cheers!

Winter Fun in Phoenix

www.aitpphoenix.org — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:56:32 +0000

Yep, summer is coming to an end and winter is peeking just around the corner. For a lot of Phoenicians this is the very best time of year for a number of different reasons. For starters, it means it’s ski season. What? Skiing in Phoenix, you ask. Of course. Well, not exactly Phoenix, but a few hours north in stunningly beautiful Flagstaff. And one of the beauties of skiing in the Phoenix area means that if you have a non-skier in the family, he or she can stay back in town and lounge by the pool while you zig-zag over the moguls. How perfect is that? Another great benefit to living in Phoenix is all the resorts that have been built to attract tourist business. But you know what? You don’t have to be a tourist to enjoy them. That’s right, anyone (and that means locals, too) can swing by any one of the many resorts for an evening of dining or live music under the desert night sky. A particular favorite is the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa not only for their music under the stars but for their romantic little gondola rides, as well. But the bottom line is this: wherever you end up during the winter in Phoenix you are sure to marvel at the delights the desert has been hiding all summer, so make a point to get out and enjoy the climate and terrain every chance you get. Remember, summer heat is just a season or two away!

Spend the Day Discovering the Valley of the Sun

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:06:42 +0000

A move can be time consuming and exhausting, but you don’t want to miss out and everything your new city has to offer. When you get a chance, you’ll see that Phoenix has a great deal of activities and entertainment that will suit every personality.Home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix is a great town for sports fans. Chase Field, built in 1998, is air-conditioned, so you don’t have to worry about the unbearable heat of the southwest. It also includes a retractable roof and even a swimming pool, making it a truly unique stadium. The spring and summer months are a great time to head to the ballpark with family and friends. Enjoy a drink, great food, and America’s favorite past time.If baseball isn’t your thing, try the Phoenix Zoo. Monkey village, a petting zoo and stingray bay feature a variety of different species from around the world. Get off your feet for a while and hop on the safari train or the endangered species carousel. If you’ve got kids and plan on making regular visits to the land of the animals, consider becoming a member for free daytime admission, discounts on merchandise, and a list of other benefits.One of the best features of this city is the constant sunshine and warm weather. If you enjoy time outdoors, you’ll love South Mountain Park. Covering over 16,000 acres, this park is known to be the largest municipal park in America. There are miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. In order to create a few days a year that are strictly for enjoying nature in its pristine form, Silent Sundays are held every fourth Sunday of each month. On these dates, the park roadways past the Central Avenue gate may only be used for non-motorized purposes.

Managing the Heat of the Sun Valley

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:03:41 +0000

Many people who move to Phoenix or other areas in the Southwest are not prepared for the extreme heat they will encounter. Though it is dry heat without the uncomfortable humidity of other regions of the country, temperatures can regularly reach 100 degrees during the summer months. Follow these few tips to avoid over heating as well as excessive air conditioning bills.

Drink Watera lot of water: If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times, but there’s good reason for that. Staying hydrated is your number one defense against heat stroke or exhaustion. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty, by that point you have already reached some level of dehydration. Stay ahead of the game and drink water constantly throughout the day.
Avoid the sun in the heat of the day: The hours of 11a.m. to 3p.m. are when the sun is at its highest point, producing the most intense heat. Try to spend as much of this time indoors as you can, and definitely avoid strenuous exercise during these hours.
Wear light clothing: While dark clothes absorb heat and sunlight, lighter clothes deflect it, and can help keep your body temperature down. Wearing a light-colored hat is also a good way to avoid harmful effects of the sun.
Maintain a healthy air conditioning system: With temperatures hovering around 100 degrees, you’ll be using your AC very liberally. Having your system checked on an annual basis and replacing filters regularly will ensure it is running efficiently.
Plant trees around the house: You can save on some energy costs by increasing shade cover, which will result in cooler indoor temperatures. This is also advantageous for outdoor activities, as you will definitely need a shady place to rest after any amount of physical activity outside.

Make a Smooth Transition with Quality Movers

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:02:26 +0000

Anytime you move to a new house or city, you are trusting your most valuable possessions in the hands of perfect strangers. Moving to your new home should be an exciting and enjoyable adventure, not to be tainted by unreliable movers or broken items. Before you move to Phoenix, consider one of these local moving companies to help you with this overwhelming task.Camelback Moving is a family-owned company operating out of Phoenix. They assist in moves within Arizona as well as long distance. They offer affordable moving and storage unit rates. They have a range of storage options including standard, air conditioned and temperature controlled. Their “meet-or-beat” price pledge guarantees you’re getting the best price around.Another family owned mover is Arizona Discount Movers that assist in residential, commercial and warehouse relocation within Arizona and surrounding states. To help with your own personal packing, they offer various packing labels that can be downloaded and printed off at home. You can also purchase moving kits which includes various sizes of boxes, tape, bubble wrap, packing paper and a marker. They also offer customized storage units that can be purchased for any length of time.Allstar Metro Movers provides residential, business, and commercial moving within the state of Arizona. They run a number of specials throughout the year and are currently offering great deals on summer moving prices. Allstar will help you pack, move, and transport belongings to storage units or even rearrange furniture.

Falling Crime Rates in Phoenix

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:59:29 +0000

Anytime you move to a new city, it’s important to educate yourself on the area’s crime rates. This is helpful in deciding in what neighborhood you want to live, as well as providing a general knowledge of these trends in order to be aware of your surroundings. If you happen to be relocating to the Phoenix area, you’ll be happy to know, crime rates are falling. According to the Phoenix police department, in 2009 there was a total of 97,175 crimes in the city, which is down approximately 35,000 from 2003. While there was some drop in violent crimes, the most significant improvements in crime rates were in property crime. Violent crime includes homicide, sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault, while property crime measures burglary, theft, auto theft, and arson. In 2003, 112,766 property crimes were committed, compared with the 76,724 property crimes of 2009. This represents a drop of about 46. The police department also keeps a detailed list of crimes by district and has interactive maps that show you hot spots for crime in the city. Based on total incidents of crime, District 2 and District 6 are two of the safest areas in the city.These dramatic drops in property crime are likely attributable to advancements in home security technology. The rapid response times of many new security systems not only deter burglars but allow for quick response in the event of a burglary. Smart phones have also facilitated easier access to and use of home security systems. Applications such as the ADT security app for the iPhone allow you to activate and deactivate your alarm system from your phone, no matter where you are. You can also sign up to receive emails or text messages alerting you to any unusual activity reported by your security system.

Explore the Nightlife of Downtown Phoenix

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:56:15 +0000

No matter what your interests happen to be, there is something for every taste in downtown Phoenix. The atmosphere is great for a singles’ night out, an escape from the kids, or just a gathering with friends. Nightclubs, music bars, and tasty eateries abound in the Valley of the Sun.If you enjoy a high-pace night scene, put on your dancing shoes and head over to one of the many dance clubs and lounges of the downtown area. Start the night off at the upscale Portlands Restaurant and Wine Bar. Discount drinks are served Monday through Friday during their 5-7 pm happy hour. They also host live music every Saturday night.After the sun goes down, the nightlife scene really comes alive. The Martini Ranch in Scottsdale hosts a range of live entertainers. Many famous musicians got their start playing at the Martini Ranch such as Avril Lavigne and Coldplay. There are several bars throughout the premises and a dance floor if the mood strikes. Another popular club, especially among the younger crowds, is Hurricane Bay Nightclub. Re-fueling Wednesday nights include 25 cent drinks until 11p.m. Open mic nights and runway shows are other special events hosted at this club that add to its unique entertainment. A sports fan’s dream, CK’s Tavern & Grill is home to over 35 TVs as well as pool tables and shuffleboard for a night with the guys. CK’s also hosts live music every Thursday through Saturday and daily drink and food specials for a night of great food and entertainment.There’s much to explore in your new home, so take a break from all the unpacking and get to exploring in this vibrant city.