Seven Free Things To Do In and Around Phoenix - July 2009
Tuesday July 14, 2009
This week you can have "the talk" with your significant other, take a photographic journey to a canyon, see bats, play games for prizes, watch a movie while you're wet, make stuff at a museum, and learn lacrosse.
Read more...Phoenix Hometown Grocer in Trouble
Monday July 13, 2009
Bashas' has announced that they are filing for bankruptcy protection and closing ten Arizona stores. Bashas' is the largest locally owned grocery chain in Arizona. The company owns the Bashas' grocery stores, Food City stores and the AJ's Fine Foods brand.
© Judy Hedding
Of the ten stores that were announced to be closed, seven were in the greater Phoenix area. The Bashas' stores scheduled to close on July 21, 2009 are Chandler Blvd and Kyrene, Chandler; Tatum and Bell, Phoenix; Cooper and Ray, Chandler; and Greenfield and Baseline, Gilbert. The Food City stores in the Phoenix area that will close are 43rd and Glendale, Glendale; 16th and Mohave, Phoenix; and 43rd Avenue and Thomas, Phoenix. Outside of the metro area, three stores -- in Green Valley, Prescott and Page -- will be closed.
It has been a challenge for Bashas' to continue to compete with large chains and big box stores like Wal-Mart, and to offset efforts by labor unions to hurt their business, but they say they are not going away. This bankruptcy filing and slimming down of underperforming stores is a strategic move to keep the company viable and restructure its debt and leases.
Bashas' has about 150 stores in Arizona. I think I'll stop by a Bashas' store today. I especially like the stores that have the large, health food departments. And did you know that some of the stores even offer childcare while you shop?
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Friday July 10, 2009
How long has it been for you? When I first got married I learned how to bowl because my husband was in a league. At first I thought it was a nerdy activity, but I got better at it and really enjoyed it. I still recall the day I bowled my best game, a 259. Although I haven't bowled in a league for years (they still allowed smoking in Phoenix bowling alleys then, and we got tired of the smoke), I now enjoy taking my nieces and nephews to the lanes for a few hours of cool, non-TV and non-Wii related entertainment.
Whether you have 6 different bowling balls for different lane conditions and shots, or you need bumpers and use those orange house balls that don't fit anyone and have small chunks missing, bowling is a convenient indoor activity for our hot summer days. Here is a list of bowling alleys around the Phoenix area. From that listing you can see them all mapped out so you can find the one closest to you.
Where in Greater Phoenix?
Wednesday July 8, 2009
This photo was taken somewhere in the Greater Phoenix area. You'll find this view in one of the
cities and towns located within Maricopa County.
Do you know where this picture was taken? Tell us by posting your "comment" below.
Five Free Things To Do In and Around Phoenix - July 2009
Tuesday July 7, 2009
This week I was able to find a few free activities that are indoors, in anticipation of a hot and muggy week! You can hone your skills with duct tape, have fun at an art museum, reminisce about a famous cowboy, have your kid sing his or her heart out, and go back in time to when we had more hair on our bodies.
Read more...Sunday July 5, 2009
Operating with an expired permit, live adult roaches and adjectives like "dirty", "debris", "food residue", "mildew" and "littered" are some of the words
© Judy Hedding
used to describe the worst offender being reported for the month of June. I can tell you that it is a pizza place that also serves Mediterranean-style items, but thankfully it isn't on
my list of recommended pizza places. See which restaurant gets the dubious distinction of being the worst of quite a long list of violators for last month.
Read more...Phoenix Fireworks
Sunday July 5, 2009
It's the morning after, and I already have some nice fireworks photos that have been sent in from the Anthem event on July 3rd.
You can see them starting here. If you would like to submit your own
fireworks photos, or pictures of a
Phoenix area 4th of July celebration or BBQ you can
find instructions for that here. I only use max 600px photos, so if you don't resize it first (preferred for ease of emailing) I will do it when I receive them.
It's Official - Phoenix Wet 'n' Wild is Open
Thursday July 2, 2009
Wet 'n' Wild in Phoenix Opens on July 4th © Judy Hedding
Not only is it open to season pass holders, but on July 4, 2009 it will open to single day ticket holders as well. It is anticipated that all the attractions will be operating and open by then, including Maximum Velocity, the water coaster.
I was out at Wet 'n' Wild today, and my oh my, what a crowd. And those were all season pass holders! As I arrived at 1 p.m. they were just about ready to move to overflow parking. Here are some pictures of the water park, hot off the memory card.
Are Sparklers OK Now?
Thursday July 2, 2009
Nope. Not now. Not for 2009
July 4th celebrations.
Photo Credit: Kristian Dowling/Getty
Even though the Arizona legislature has approved a bill that would allow people who are over 16 years old to purchase and use sparklers, smoke bombs and other small fireworks, the law is subject to a 90-day waiting period. That means that the current
Arizona fireworks law is still in effect for this year.
It remains to be seen how the change in the law will play out, since the bill still allows cities to make their own determination about fireworks. In the summer of 2010 I'll probably be telling you which cities allow sparklers, which cities don't, and where you can buy them. But for now, no sparklers.
UPDATE JULY 15, 2009: Governor Jan Brewer vetoed the bill. Arizona law will remian as it has been, prohibiting all fireworks.
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Wet 'n' Wild in Phoenix Opens, Sort Of
Thursday July 2, 2009
Many people have been
eagerly awaiting the opening of Wet 'n' Wild the newest theme park in Phoenix. It was supposed to open in mid-June, then late June. Wet 'n' Wild has finally announced that they have opened on a limited basis for people who purchased season passes and for those that purchase them at the park.
The Season Pass Preview Event takes place today, Thursday, July 2, 2009 from noon to 6 p.m. and Friday, July 3, 2009 from noon to 7 p.m. Maximum Velocity, the water roller coaster, will not be open during these two days. There is still no opening date for people who are not purchasing a season pass.
Find out more about the Phoenix Wet 'n' Wild here.
