The best part of spring is Mother’s Day!
For all mothers, grandmothers, alternate mothers,
and just because it’s a wonderful day…

]]> http://amazingarizona.com/valley-featured-articles/happy-spring/feed/ 0 http://amazingarizona.com/valley-featured-articles/start-your-easter-egg-hunt-here/ http://amazingarizona.com/valley-featured-articles/start-your-easter-egg-hunt-here/#comments Sat, 31 Mar 2012 19:10:57 +0000 Alice http://amazingarizona.com/?p=3009

One of the sure signs of spring, are Easter and Passover. There are many fun and wonderful sites to explore about them. Plus some sure signs of renewal are getting organized and sprucing up your garden. Let some of these sites get you started.

Easter is not only a religious time, it also has many traditions, from the spiritual to the Easter Parade. But where did the term and tradition of Easter Eggs and the Easter Egg Hunt begin?

The Great Internet Easter Egg Hunt is about to begin on the Internet! Seek the egg and you may find it! Start your adventure here!

The history of the White House Easter Egg Roll began in 1809-1817 and this site tells you how to get one!

]]> http://amazingarizona.com/valley-featured-articles/start-your-easter-egg-hunt-here/feed/ 0 http://amazingarizona.com/valley-featured-articles/2988/ http://amazingarizona.com/valley-featured-articles/2988/#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:52:36 +0000 Alice http://amazingarizona.com/?p=2988 The lovable folks at the IRS have created The Digital Daily, a comprehensive and catchy site that includes plenty of tax information and advice, with even a handy address list of where you should file – just in case you’ve recently moved, or just forgotten.

The hundreds of websites won’t take the sting out of signing that check over to the IRS, but they can at least give you tips on how to reduce your tax burden, list common tax errors to avoid, and places on the web to pose tax questions.

The Wall St. Journal wants to remind you that there are tax reductions you should be aware of as well as MANY other helpful tips.

There’s a one in 1,461 chance that a person will be born on Leap Day.

Leap Day babies have to be 116 before they turn 29 on the 29^th!

When a baby is born on Leap Day, physicians will often ask the parents to choose either Feb. 28^th or March 1^st for the birth certificate.

More fun facts  for kids of all ages.

Wishing you a Happy Holiday! If you find or need a moment to relax, please enjoy these sites! I’ve included fun for adults and a list Just for Kids!

A Winter Web Wonderland and fun Christmas stuff, including a virtual Christmas tree and Build a Snowman.

Don’t bother with the malls this holiday season: they’re crowded; the parking lots are full; and you’ll never find what you’re looking for, anyway. Come instead to CNET’s Holiday Buying Guide, your one-stop shop for all your holiday purchases. ZDNet’s Holiday Buying Guide helps out, too, withstocking stuffers. It doesn’t have to be CyberMonday to shop online at Red Envelope for unique gift items. And the Ultimate Gift from Wired Magazine is A Posh Bag Packed with the Best Mobile Gizmos.

Here’s a holiday gift from Mashable 6 Mobile Apps to Simplify Your Holiday Shopping and another favorite holiday shopping app.

copyright © 2011, Alice Held, All Rights Reserved

Hi Ho, It’s Back to School We Go!

While you or your kids have been enjoying those last few, precious days of summer, Alice has been putting the finishing touches on her pre-fall assignment: finding the best sites to get you prepared for the opening bell.

Now that’s cool!

30 ways to stay cool this summer!

Arizona is a land of contrasts and only 40% is desert.
That means that there is plenty of pine country for hiking; lakes for boating;
scenic and cool places to explore, and visit.

So, take advantage of the cool Water and Ice Palaces the Valley offers.

Ice Palaces…

Ice Den NHL Phoenix Coyotes practice here! Two ice rinks, public skating, figure skating, hockey leagues, 9375 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480) 585-RINK

Arcadia Ice (602) 957-9966, 3853 E. Thomas Rd, Phoenix 85018

Oceanside Ice Arena 1520 N. Hayden Rd, Tempe, AZ (480) 947-2470, learn-to-skate programs, ice hockey leagues and figure skating classes, open daily, to 11 pm.

Polar Ice 7225 W. Harrison, Chandler (480) 598-9400, and one in Peoria 15829 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria (623) 334-1200. Hockey, figure-skating, public skating, and snow days.

Wave Pools & Water Parks…

Golfland Sunsplash – 155 W. Hampton, Mesa, (480) 834-8319, is a water park with a wave pool, slides and bumper boats, and is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Big Surf – 1500 N. Hayden Rd, Tempe, (480) 947-7873, is a giant outdoor wave pool and waterslide park. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Waterworld Safari, – 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, (623) 581-8446, open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The Oasis at Arizona Grand Resort (formerly Pointe South Mountain Resort)

Kiwanis Wave Pool in Tempe

Swimming and Diving in Arizona

Roller Skating:

Skateland Mesa 7 East Southern Ave. Mesa, AZ 85210 (480) 833-7775

Skateland Chandler 1101 W. Ray Rd. Chandler, AZ 85224 (480) 917-9444

Great Skate 10054 N. 43rd Ave, Glendale, AZ 85302 (623) 842-1181

Rollero Family Skating Center 7318 W. Indian School Road, Phoenix. (623) 846-1510.

Surfside Skate 1625 E. Weber, Tempe 480-968-9600

Then there’s…

Salt River Tubing If Rafting is too wild and wooly, then tubing down the river might be just for you!

Arizona Snowbowl Take a ride on the ski lift at 11,500? where it’s cold enough for a sweater!

Dams and Lakes in Arizona

Arizona River Runners

White Water Rafting on the Colorado

Arizona RiverRunners on the Grand Canyon’s Colorado

Camping in the White Mountains

And more…

We have more boats per capita than any other state in the nation!

Why? Because we have many lakes that store our water for the future. They offer wonderful boating, fishing, water sports and pure leisure on a houseboat vacation!

Arizonans take water seriously, with our dammed rivers for flood control, surface water, rafting, fishing, water-skiing, boating, and recreation. We do have an extended drought that has lowered some of our lakes, but not enough to prevent enjoying them!

Fishing and Boating

Arizona Lakes and Reservoirs

Pontoon Paradise!

Lakes and Rivers in Arizona

Cool Creeks and Falls

Where to Fish in Arizona and Fish in AZ

The Black River gurgles happily through the 8,000′ high country near the tiny village of Alpine, known as the Arizona Alps.

And more high country…

Each of the areas in the high country (communities in the high country) have their own personality! So check them all out! Take a day, a weekend or a week to discover our “land of contrasts.”

I know it’s hard to be thankful when there are job losses, home losses, and an economy with so many unknowns, but there reallyare things to be thankful for, as a balance.

Here’s my list for the first 5 days in November:

November 1. Arizona’s beauty. I live in an area with unique vegetation and mountains, and one, our stately saguaro, only grows here. To me, it’s still a marvel!

November 2. Beautiful sunsets and sunrises… almost every day!

November 3. I am thankful that the elections are over!! And the political signs are taken down!! And the political phone calls stop!! BUT, I am extremely thankful that we have a choice! For THAT, I am very thankful.

November 4. Friendships! Friends help us bear some of our burdens, whether they’re health or economic. Friends can make us laugh, can give us a hug, and we can be there for them, too! Feeling needed is special, too!

November 5. Family! All families have disagreements now and then, but most are there for you when you need them. And to know you’re thought of as being special by a family member… you can’t get better than that!

November 6. Access to just about anywhere in the world. We take that for granted, but there are some that can’t get away. And if you can’t fly or drive, there’s documentaries, either written, internet, or good ‘ol Nat Geo.

November 7. Just for fun, I volunteered to be a Steward at our McDowell Mountain Preserve (Scottsdale will be 1/3 preserve!). Little did I know that it would be so rewarding! I’ve met so many wonderful, and I mean wonderful, kind, altruistic, giving people from all walks of life from CEO’s to educators and every day folk. Moms and Dads bring their infants in backpack type carriers, strollers, and children of all ages who have a ball hiking our trails and enjoying the serenity and beauty of our mountains and lush desert. I am so thankful for being a part of it!

November 8. Thanksgiving is also a time of reflection when people gather and talk about the old times…”Remember the time that…?” These stories are gold. I’m thankful that I’ve been reminded of good times that I’ve shared with loved ones!

November 9. I’m thankful for the life lessons I’ve learned not only from my parents, God bless them, but from friends who have shared with me some of their life experiences.

November 10. I’m thankful that I have survived some major traumas because of the expertise of doctors and up-to-date medical facilities.

3. Rusty Spur Saloon
Grab a bar stool and have a drink at Scottsdale’s oldest waterin’ hole. Warm cowboy hospitality, Southwestern cookin’, and live music evoke memories of Arizona’s wild past. Phone 480-425-SPUR or visit www.rustyspursaloon.com.
4. The Yavapai Experience At Fort McDowell Adventures
Experience the history and culture of the Fort McDowell Yavapai people. Choose a walking tour ($50 per person), or travel by horseback ($75 per person) or Jeep ($75 per person). Each 2-hour experience includes refreshments. For reservations, phone 480-816-6465. www.fortmcdowelladventures.com.
5. Cool Western Fun
Gather up the family and head out to Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse in Chandler for some wild and cool family fun! Rawhide has earned an award-winning reputation as Arizona’s original family steakhouse. The menu celebrates the spirit and hospitality of its Western roots through traditional cooking and true hungry cowboy portions. Enjoy the town and all that Rawhide has to offer, from the world renowned Steakhouse & Saloon to unique shops, stunt shows, cookouts, a blacksmith, entertainment, and a variety of attractions. We look forward to welcoming you to our 1880s Western town full of fun, good eatin’, shopping, and a true taste of the Old West! Visit www.rawhide.com or call 480-502-5600 for more information and upcoming special events.
6. Jerome
Literally built on the side of a mountain, Jerome was a boomtown in 1899 when copper was discovered. With the passage of time, however, the cliffside city gradually turned into a ghost town. And then in the 1960s, artists and assorted bohemians began renovating the old Victorian cottages and boardinghouses. Now the town is a favorite haunt for shoppers, art enthusiasts, and tourists, with more than a little something for history buffs, too. Visitors can take in the exhibits and artifacts at the Jerome Historical Society’s Mine Museum (928-634-5477), or sample an impressive collection of Arizona wines at the Jerome Winery (928-639-9067).